Kalzara

MOTH: Chapter 38

Darian and Rondar crept through the forest, the musty smell of damp earth and rotting leaves filling their nostrils. Darian kept his bow at the ready, an arrow nocked and his senses straining for any hint of danger. Beside him, Rondar moved with surprising stealth for someone so stout, his axe and hammer held loose but ready at his sides.

After hours of careful tracking, following the trampled earth and broken branches that marked the gnolls' passage, they finally reached their destina...

DSE Chapter 110: Gaining A Bishop

Orion's face twisted with fury. "You dare mock me?" He raised his arm, qi gathering for another attack...

Zack pointed his finger at Orion in a gun-like motion.

The Origin Realm expert flinched, his eyes widening as unpleasant memories of their previous encounter flashed through his mind.

"Well, would you look at that," Zack drawled, his tone dripping with mock surprise. "Seems like you got your arm back. Fancy another go? I'd be more than happy to relieve you of it again...

MOTH: Chapter 37

That night after dinner, Darian waited until his Ma started washing up. He fidgeted, trying to work up his nerve. This was it. He had to convince her to let him go with Rondar. Taking a deep breath, he approached her at the basin.

"Ma? Can I talk to you for a minute?"

Mara glanced over, up to her elbows in suds. "Can it wait, love? I've got to get these dishes done."

"It's important," Darian insisted. He took the plate she was scrubbing. "I'll help. I wanted to ask...I wa...

MOTH: Chapter 36

Darian trudged back to the cottage, shoulders slumped and head down. His first day at magic practice had been a total bust. He couldn't sense even a glimmer of the inner magical essence the book described, let alone cast a spell.

As he neared the garden gate, Darian spotted Rondar going through some stretches and exercises. The dwarf was clearly trying to regain his strength and fighting form after his injuries. When he saw Darian's glum expression, Rondar paused mid-lunge.

"Jud...

MOTH: Chapter 35

Darian woke up while the sky was still dark, too excited to go back to sleep. Today was the day he would finally begin practicing magic!

Careful not to disturb Talia, he quietly got dressed and tiptoed downstairs with the spellbook tucked under his arm. His mother and Thomas were still sleeping, so Darian slipped outside into the predawn chill.

The village was silent except for the crowing of a rooster in the distance. Darian hurried through the misty streets towards the forest....

MoftheH: Chapter 34

Rondar blinked at Darian for a long moment, his ginger brows knitting together. "Ye sure about that, lad?" he asked slowly. "The other humans, they ain't gonna take kindly to ye messin' about with magic. Might think yer in league with the devil or some such nonsense."

Darian swallowed hard. He knew Rondar was right. If anyone found out he was trying to learn magic, even just a little bit, they'd probably run him out of the village. Or worse.

But then he thought about everything ...

MoftheH: Chapter 33

Darian walked through the underbrush, keeping a sharp eye out for rabbit tracks. His bow was at the ready, an arrow nocked and waiting. Beside him, Thomas picked his way more cautiously, still not quite used to the uneven forest floor.

It had been a few days since they'd found the injured dwarf in the woods and brought him back to the cottage. Each morning, before chores, Darian checked on their unexpected guest. The dwarf was still unconscious, but Darian made sure to change his dress...

DSE Chapter 109: Lucious vs Origin Realm Expert!

Lucious shot through the sky like an arrow loosed from a bow, the wind whipping at his face. He had to put some distance between himself and that cursed village before whoever it was that was monitoring him caught up.

As a newly minted Nascent Soul cultivator, flight came as naturally to him as breathing. No clumsy swords or artifacts needed - his own power was more than sufficient to propel him through the air at breakneck speeds.

A smug grin tugged at his lips. Even outside th...

MoftheH: Chapter 32

"Is he...is he actually dead?" Thomas whispered, his voice shaking.

Darian bit his lip, thinking quick. He glanced at the dwarf's head wound, blood still oozing sluggishly. Making a decision, he yanked off his shirt and ripped a strip of fabric from the hem. He wadded it up and pressed it firmly against the gash.

"Here, hold this tight against the cut. It'll help slow the bleeding." He guided Thomas' hand to keep pressure on the makeshift bandage. "Stay with Aunty. Watch over hi...

DSE Chapter 108: Another Outsider?

Zack smirked at the dumbfounded man-child but before he could deliver another witty quip, a golden dome blinked into existence around the Fiery Mist Sect. The Aegis Bastion Formation had finally activated, encasing the sect grounds in an impenetrable barrier.

Orion gaped at the sudden obstacle, his remaining hand clenching into a fist. He glared murderously at Zack.

"You...you think this will stop me?" he snarled, spit flying from his lips. "I was about to unleash my full fury a...

MoftheH: Chapter 31

"Wake up, sleepyhead! Breakfast is ready!"

Darian groaned and cracked one eye open to see Thomas' grinning face hovering over him. He batted his friend away with a grumble.

"What time is it? Feels early."

"Sun's barely up," Thomas said cheerfully. Way too cheerful for this hour. "But I couldn't wait any longer! Come on, get up. I made eggs and toast."

Darian sat up with a yawn, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. It took a moment for Thomas's words to register.
2024-03-25 18:36:02 +0000 UTC View Post

MoftheH: Chapter 30

Two weeks had passed since Darian returned from Arbrook. Life in Brookhaven fell back into old routines - hunting in the woods, helping Mara around the cottage, playing with Talia. But underneath the familiar rhythms, everything felt different now.

With Thomas living with them, there was a new energy in the house. He and Darian were constantly together, whether doing chores or just playing around. Mara doted on the boy, treating him like a second son. Even little Talia had taken to fol...

MoftheH: Chapter 29

"Wake up, Chom. Time to go."

Thomas groaned and burrowed deeper under his blanket, trying to shut out the sunlight streaming in through the open shutter.

"G'way," he mumbled. "'S too early. Sleep now."

Darian snorted, giving Thomas's shoulder a gentle shove. "Can't. We've got a big day ahead of us."

Thomas cracked one eye open, squinting balefully up at his friend. Darian was already dressed, he had that familiar gleam of excitement in his eyes.

"Wha' for?" ...

MoftheH: Chapter 28

The days after Thomas came to live with Darian's family passed in a blur. There was so much to do, so many little things that needed figuring out. Where would Thomas sleep? What chores would he take on? How did they integrate another child into the daily rhythms and routines of the household?

Mara, of course, took it all in stride. She'd already made up a pallet for Thomas in the little side room off the kitchen, the same room Darian's father used to use for his tinkering. It had been ...

MoftheH: Chapter 27

Author's Note

This was a really emotional chapter to write, I hope you all enjoy it.

The wagon jolted over a rut in the road, nearly tossing Darian from his seat. He gripped the rough wooden slats, his knuckles whitening. Beside him, Breck chuckled, seemingly unbothered by the bone-jarring ride.

"Almost home, lad," the blacksmith said. "Won't be long now."

Darian just nodded, not trusting himself to speak over the rattling of the ...

DSE Chapter 107: Pay To Win Baby!

Finick’s POV

Finick wiped the sweat from his brow as he finished explaining the formation to the last group of disciples. Two days of nonstop drills had everyone on edge, waiting for the inevitable retaliation from the Moon God Sect. The tension hung thick in the air, like a heavy fog before a storm.

"I still say we should have just kept our heads down," Elder Balthus grumbled. "No good ever came from poking a dragon."

Finick shot the old man a sharp look. Balt...

MoftheH: Chapter 26

Darian pushed open the door to the Dancing Dragon, wincing as the laughter from the common room hit him like a slap. Breck looked up from where he sat nursing an ale, relief immediately washing over his face.

The blacksmith lurched to his feet, nearly knocking over the bench in his haste. "Darian! Thank the gods, lad, I was about to go out looking..."

He trailed off as he got a good look at Darian, taking in the boy's red-rimmed eyes and tear-streaked face. His brow furrowed in co...

MoftheH: Chapter 25

Darian blinked, startled by the familiar voice. He looked up to see Elias leaning against the alley wall, arms folded and one eyebrow cocked.

The young adventurer looked a bit worse for wear, with a nasty bruise purpling his jaw and a bandage peeking out from under his sleeve. But his eyes were as sharp as ever, gleaming with a wry sort of amusement.

"Elias? What are you doing here?" Darian scrubbed at his face, trying to erase the evidence of his tears.

"Oh, you know. Just ...

DSE Chapter 106: Is This What It Means To Have A Sugar Daddy...?

Zack lounged in his quarters, savouring the roast duck and crispy pork belly the Fiery Mist Sect had provided. The food here was first-rate, a definite step up from the trail rations he'd been living off recently. He had to hand it to Finick - the young Sect Master knew how to treat an honoured guest.

Not bad, he mused. The quarters are comfy too. That Finick kid sure is trying to butter me up.

The former arrogant young master had practically begged Zack to tak...

MoftheH: Chapter 24

Author's Note

The content of this chapter does NOT reflect my religious beliefs, this is strictly the work of fiction.

Darian hurried through the bustling streets of Arbrook, his heart pounding. He had to find Kara and her father before they left the city. If they had already set out on the road...he shuddered at the thought. The image of Kara cradling her father's bloody body flashed through his mind. No. He wouldn't let that happen again.
<...

MoftheH: Chapter 23

Darian stepped into the Great Cathedral of Light, blinking as his eyes adjusted from the bright sunlight outside to the softer glow within. The air smelled of incense and candle wax.

The pews were far from empty, with many of Arbrook's residents kneeling in prayer or sitting in quiet contemplation. It was said that the Cathedral was never with without worshippers present - the Church of Light was easily the most popular faith in the kingdom.

He made his way slowly up the main a...

DSE Chapter 105: The Fiery Mist Sect

Finick, the new Sect Master of the Fiery Mist Sect, paced restlessly in his quarters. His hands trembled as he clenched them into fists, trying to stop them from shaking. He had never wanted this role, had never been prepared for it. And now, with the news of his father's death on the southern battlefront, the weight of leadership fell on his shoulders.

I'm not ready for this, he thought, panic rising in his chest. I can't do this. I'm not strong enough, not wise enough. I...