Chapter 23
Smoke.
It is hard to describe the intense primal fear that is engrained in all of us, when you smell the scent of deep thick smoke on the air. Somehow your body tenses, as all of your senses are brought to that primal source of fear.
Even now, I have it, the fear as miles and miles of woods are being burned off in the distance. A natural forest fire that is undeniable in scope and grandeur.
Flames ...
2024-05-29 11:10:53 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 237
To Floor 250, And Beyond!
I had it, the perfect name for my ultimate flying vehicle that I basically created from scratch. It was perfect, it made sense, then I got the notification.
Entering floor 246.
Just like in Harrison Burgeron, I had a meaningful thought and then a high pitch ding and something for me to focus my immediate attention onto and the thought was gone.
“So?...
2024-05-27 15:25:41 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 236
Playing Captain Matchmaker
Gentle Solar Breeze.
The air was fresh, far crisper and clearer than it had any right to be. But then again, we were a few thousand feet up, at least that is what I assumed by the way everyone who took a chance to stare over the side of the ship now felt.
“Ohh!” Was probably the most often term said, before everyone’s eyes went wide at the sight below.
...
2024-05-27 12:32:17 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 42
Shikar Spelunking (Part II)
Tingle.
The voice of Constance was formed deep within his mind, and even now he could feel her connecting to his mind.
Having been already prepared for her inevitable return, he had learned how to build up mental constructs. Also, these were some of the lessons he was taught as part of SERE training, how to build up mental walls and constructs to hold out mind manipulato...
2024-05-26 16:15:55 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 41
Shikar Spelunking (Part I)
One thing about corrupted beasts, is that just by their very existence, they will slowly corrupt the world around them. That was part of the new balance of the world, corrupted beasts would spread corruption, while those who were seen as uninfected would be able to slowly regain lost lands, by simply existing. That is off course, if the land in question could be held under permanent control of uninfected beings.
Chapter 60
The Return
(Misha Tulley)
(Current Time)
The tension finally began to ease, the closer the three got to their final destination. A strange sense of emptiness fell over the trio.
Now that they were back in town, the craziness of what they had just witnessed and experienced finally began to settle in.
Jasmine for her part kept giving side long glances at Misha. There was awe and a bit more in thos...
2024-05-25 13:19:45 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 235
After Glow
(Mallory)
Struggling.
Mallory was struggling, with what felt like her body being weighed down by thick weighted blankets, Mallory felt helpless.
Her body, mind, and at times she even swore that her soul was burning.
The entire thing felt like spirit ants had found her, burrowed their way deep into her soul and began biting and tearing away parts of her.
Chapter 22
Of all the things that I expected to happen, having the Saint awaken immediately from her vision induced slumber and demand that I begin casting spells that by all means should be unknown, I was largely caught off guard.
The words came rapidly and insanely slowly. For a second, it felt as if all time seemed to stand still. Dust particles that glinted in the air seemed to hold still, as Marie rose up from the bed she had been restin...
2024-05-24 03:49:38 +0000 UTC View PostInterlude III
Claudia Von’Roseblade
“Well hello there Daren, a pleasure to meet you.” Claudia stated, as she happened to run into the choir boy who happened to be alone. This was a perfect time, as Claudia herself had finally gotten rid of the overbearing and overprotective Marie, who did nothing but seemingly fuss over the fact that she tried to seduce every boy.
“Hello? Do I know you?” Daren Drakerton, the younger brother of Rydel Draker...
2024-05-23 04:09:19 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 234
Playing Mythical Dress Up (Part II)
In a way, I should be excited about this new process. Actually, by all accounts this is by far one of my coolest events to be part of.
I am a Mythical Bloodline awakener in not only myself, but also my best friend.
Furthermore, I get to see what unique Merits and Flaws are available to a Valkyrie class holder of the Valhalla bloodline.
Just thinking about this is e...
2024-05-22 01:35:13 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 233
Playing Magical Bloodline Dress Up (Part I)
Of all the things that I thought I would ever do, I never thought that I would be able to eventually change my best friend’s magical aura. Yet, here I was, feeling like Edward Scissorhands, clipping away wild wisps of magic from Mallory’s aura, as if she was one rapidly overgrowing spiritual plant needing to be forged into an elephant, or some other equally odd animal shape.
Ho...
2024-05-21 03:38:43 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 40
The SERE Program
(Two More Weeks Later)
“This is it boys and girls, the moment you all have been waiting for.” Drill Instructor Haggarty stated, his voice echoing over the platoon of what had originally been a class of twenty-four but had now been whittled down to just seven plus Frank.
“You all came in with different job fields, purposes, and capabilities. We spent the past two weeks here receiving SERE training,...
2024-05-19 16:34:08 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 39
SERE Training
(Two Weeks Later)
In the end the entire Academy had to move and be split apart. For whatever reasons, Frank had been sent to the Advanced Distance Combat Regiment, or the ADC as they are more often referred to as. This was the forward most operation base on the Eastern front, the last true marker of humanity’s reach.
“Come on cadet! Move it!” The Instructor called out.
In this case...
2024-05-19 09:57:28 +0000 UTC View PostInterlude XIV
Biprism Interactive Control Tower I
“She is just too powerful, and shareholders are demanding that we increase her difficulties.” Charles Rainquist, CFO for Biprism, and current owner of one massive headache declared.
Chuckles.
At that Prince Lee stated, the Director of Character Development, just laughed at the commands coming to him.
“I mean it, she is able to do too much. She is c...
2024-05-18 07:35:05 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 59
The Escape (Part III)
Jasmine Sweet
(Six Hours Ago)
Howl!
A deep echoing cry of pain rang out. Pain that was clearly being expressed by a master of unfathomable power.
Hearing the howl, Jasmine felt the unmistakable power and cry of a master many tiers above her own.
Stasis.
Hearing the deafening pain filled howl caused her body to tense up as she reali...
2024-05-17 23:07:38 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 21
Gentle Breeze.
It is always amazing how your body first notices the differences when going from a developed area to a wilderness area. Then how quickly your body begins to yearn for both the creature comforts of society while also enjoying the open sensations of the great outdoors.
When outside, everything is new and pleasant, at least at first.
The air is crisp and clean. The woods ar...
2024-05-16 02:30:44 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 20
To say my first week was interesting would be putting it mildly. Though to be honest, once I got used to the course structure and how I fit into the classwork, everything became somewhat routine.
In the mornings I wake up for training with Lady Von’Graysing, where I focus on one particular set of skills and one associated Attribute to improve upon. Mostly I focus on learning the new skill Sneaking, and on improving my Dexterity beyon...
2024-05-14 15:01:15 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 232
Joys of Creation
Every once in a while, you get to the point where you realize that you are merely a conduit for something greater.
In my particular case, I realize that I am both simultaneously the conduit for change, but also the instrument for how things will grow and evolve.
There is a lot of power being put on display thanks to my Arcane Geomancy, where even now, after us...
2024-05-13 10:16:54 +0000 UTC View Post<<<Author's Note: Happy Mother's Day! I wanted to thank you all for taking time and sharing some of your Mother's Day with me. Thank you all, and hope you have a great day.>>>
Chapter 231
Impromptu Safety Brief
(Mallory)
Every once in a while, the world provides you with a teachable moment. A moment so spontaneous and relatable to everyone that you can see it, point it out, and then imm...
2024-05-12 13:38:14 +0000 UTC View PostPrologue II
Dark dreams.
Frank felt his mind expanding the longer his tether to Constance’s mind remained. Through their connection he saw and felt almost everything she experienced, particularly when she dreamed.
During the day, when the sun glared down violently, those infused with the Dark Energy of the Queen often had to take shelter and eventually sleep. Though sleep wasn’t the correct word, as they were a...
2024-05-11 14:06:28 +0000 UTC View PostEpilogue
“You have no doubt already heard the tales of Vanguard and his elite platoon of soldiers and their impact on taking down a Devourer. Additionally the tales of Colonel “Catalyst” Camello and his selfless acts of heroism to attack and singlehandedly defend the southern garrison from enemy Incursions, but today we are here to pay respects to an elite group of talented soldiers that played as much as, if not more of a vital role than history will lik...
2024-05-11 11:54:39 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 230
A Cass-Tastrophy
(Charlaine)
By the time Jhonny and Charlaine arrived, they were shocked to see the state of the Faculty building. What had once been a building of gloom and doom suddenly seemed to glow with a sense of life and vitality.
SKA-POOF!
“What was that?” Charlaine asked, hearing the clear explosion happening from a room on the second floor.
What was worse, th...
2024-05-10 10:00:26 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 19
Badump, badump, badump.
My heart was beating rapidly as Rydel finally made his leave from the training session. While he had been nice enough to let Magister Carthwright work entirely with me, I could still feel his penetrating stare on my back.
Pausing, I just try to calm myself before taking in the last few minutes of class.
Chuckles.
Seeing my pause and t...
2024-05-09 02:57:49 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 229
How Cassie Got Her Groove Back
“Yes, but I might need you to cover down on the Bloodline Course…” I admit.
Mallory just pauses and looks at me like she wants to argue, but then finally caves in. “Fine, but I expect results.”
“Yeah, of course,” I reply.
With that Mallory walks away, breaking through the protective layer of my bubble and hopefully going to fill in on my least favorite cla...
2024-05-07 21:17:51 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 228
What To Expect, When You Are Expecting Treachery
War.
The whole world was seemingly at war. Worse, the Legrand Empire, the largest and most industrialized force is the force that I might have inadvertently started a minor war with.
To my defense, I was given marching orders from the big shot herself, where I was all but ordered to go out and find two parents for a child.
From a magical perspective it...
2024-05-07 03:22:01 +0000 UTC View Post<<<Author's Note: I intend this to be the end of Book 1. Don't worry Book 2 will begin here shortly. Though I do intend to have a two week break between releasing Book 2 on Royal Road. Again, this won't affect you all at all, just give you more premium content that you all deserve. Thank you and hope you all are having a great day.>>>
Chapter 38
The Devourer
To say that the Devourer was e...
2024-05-06 01:03:09 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 37
The Warmup
Chittering.
There was an unmistakable sound of rodents coming up from underground. This was a sound that he often heard at night in his dreams. The sound of rats chewing and gnawing.
These dreams, or rather nightmares, came from his time when he first began his path of cultivation. At that time, he only had to work with rodents that were not corrupted, and had not had their consciousness consumed by ...
2024-05-05 12:47:56 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 58
The Escape (Part II)
(Misha Tulley)
(Eight Hours Ago)
Static buzzing.
There is an electrical current that is hard to describe that can only be felt while in the middle of nearly seventy thousand people all gathered to hear music being created and generated.
Even the lull before, where Hasty and her minions practiced setting up their instruments and conducting their sound checks had an u...
2024-05-04 15:55:36 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 18
To say that things were odd after choir class would be an understatement.
First, High Priestess Palmyra tried to offer me the trifecta, that is offering me to be her top disciple. Fortunately, this was shut down, while the thought of getting three unique training modules was interesting, I still could not find the want to go down the path of religion.
Supposedly religion was what caused the collapse of the ...
2024-05-04 02:31:26 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 227
Oxymorons And Other Integration Issues
Fwoom.
With all of the changes that had happened to me, I was somewhat surprised to see that in all that time, the flying motorized bicycle with flapping wings was just now getting to me.
Also, while it was sort of a shock to find out who was driving that contraption, I guess I should have expected it to be them.
Though to my defense their ...
2024-05-02 09:43:46 +0000 UTC View Post