Three days later
Darian bolted upright in bed, a scream lodged in his throat. His heart raced and his skin was slick with cold sweat. The images were still vivid in his mind - the bandits' snarling faces, the flash of steel, hot blood spurting over his hands. He could almost smell it, coppery and thick.
Shaking, he drew his knees up to his chest and wrapped his arms around them, trying to slow his breathing. It was just a dream. The same dream he'd had every night since...
The cart rattled and bumped as it reached the peak of the final hill. Darian shaded his eyes against the midday sun, his heart leaping into his throat at the sight before him. Arbrook. The city walls loomed like stone giants, dwarfing anything he'd ever seen in Brookhaven.
"Quite the sight, ain't it lad?" Breck chuckled at Darian's slack-jawed wonder. "Told ya it was impressive."
"It's... I mean..." Darian shook his head, grasping for words. "I never thought buildings could be s...
Darian's hand flew to his knife, fingers curling around the hilt. With a flick of his wrist, the blade went spinning through the air. It sank into the bandit leader's eye with a sickening squelch.
The man crumpled, his scream cut short as he hit the ground. For a heartbeat, everything froze. Then the woods exploded into chaos.
"Get the brat!" a bandit roared, charging at Darian with his sword raised.
Darian scrambled back, fumbling for his bow. I’ve got to create some ...
2024-03-13 03:09:08 +0000 UTC View PostDarian's eyes fluttered open as the first rays of sunlight peeked through the shutters. He sprang out of bed, excitement buzzing through him. Today was the day - the journey to Arbrook for the academy entrance examination.
He threw on his clothes and ran down the stairs, the aroma of his mother's cooking drawing him to the kitchen like a magnet.
"Morning, Ma!" Darian slid into his seat at the table, grinning ear to ear.
Mara smiled as she set a plate in front of him. "You're...
2024-03-13 02:51:45 +0000 UTC View PostThe early morning sun filtered through the leaves, dappling the floor as Darian made his way through the forest. A light breeze ruffled his tunic and brought about earthy scents of the woods. Darian took a deep breath in, savouring the crisp air. It was a perfect day for hunting.
Reaching the first snare, Darian found it empty. He reset the wire carefully and moved on. The next two snares held a rabbit each, both plump and ready for the stew pot. Pleased with the catches, Darian reset t...
2024-03-13 02:31:06 +0000 UTC View PostBy the time he returned home, the sun was already beginning to set. Mara looked up from stitching as Darian entered. "Where did you sneak off to? Your sister was asking for you."
"Is everything alright?" Darian tensed, changing the subject.
His mother smiled. "Just fine. Go see Talia.”
Letting out a relieved breath, Darian went to their bedroom. He found Talia sitting propped up against the headboard, a small book open on her lap. She looked up as he entered.
"Darian...
2024-03-12 22:03:04 +0000 UTC View PostThe boy's eyes lit up at being addressed so formally. "Of course! Old Father Caleb handles most petitions. I'll fetch him."
He scurried off and soon returned with an elderly, bald man in black robes.
"Welcome back, my child," the priest greeted Darian kindly. "Young Tobias says you seek counsel?"
Darian would rather not be back here if he could help it, but he had to learn if what happened was truly possible. "Thank you for seeing me again, Father.”
“I think you ha...
2024-03-12 21:32:22 +0000 UTC View PostDarian woke up the next morning still bewildered by Talia's miraculous recovery. He lay in bed for a moment, staring up at the ceiling as the bright morning light filtered in through the small window. From the other bed came the sound of his little sister's soft, even breathing.
He turned his head to look at her sleeping form, half expecting her to vanish like some cruel illusion. But no, Talia remained there curled beneath the duvet, a bit pale but clearly alive and recovering. The sig...
2024-03-11 19:45:35 +0000 UTC View PostHey everyone,
Just thought I'd give you all a heads up, I have formative exams on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday so I will be releasing DSE chapters on Friday, Saturday & Sunday just for this week instead. You'll still get the three chapters :)
Royal Road uploads will go on as normal.
As for my new story, Mark of the Hidden, I will be releasing daily as I already have a backlog written. I definitely won't have any time to write anything for the next 3 or 4 ...
Darian's eyes flew open as consciousness returned in a rush. For a moment he lay still, staring up at the familiar ceiling above his bed.
He was...home?
Slowly Darian sat up, blinking in confusion. His small bedroom looked exactly as it should, from the roughhewn furniture to the patched wool blanket tangled around his legs.
But how was this possible? Only a few seconds ago, he had been alone in the forest, just moments away from death.
Darian recalled the scene in chi...
2024-03-10 16:32:47 +0000 UTC View PostSlifer lounged on the plush cushions of his new throne, a smirk playing across his lips. The Sect Master's chambers were every bit as rich as he had hoped - obsidian walls inlaid with precious gems, flowing silk tapestries, and of course, a throne that could make an emperor jealous.
Sure, the decor was a bit macabre for his tastes, with all the bleeding hearts and impaled skulls, but hey, when in demonic sect, do as the demons do, right?
A chime interrupted his musings. Slifer s...
Warning!
Rambling coming your way ;)
Hello everybody, I gave a new story announcement yesterday, and I apologize for not mentioning if the new story affects the DSE series. You will be happy to know that the DSE series will continue for at least 3 books! We have finished book 1 and have only started book 2!
I have zero plans of dropping DSE, xianxia is something I have always wanted to write, and as any author will tell you, we get emotionally attached to our stories so I...
Island of the Gods,
The Divine Realm
In a grand hall with towering marble pillars, twelve massive thrones formed a circle. On each throne sat one of the Lesser Gods who ruled over the realms.
At one end of the circle sat Kallos, God of Strength. The burly, bearded god wore shining armour and tapped his fingers impatiently on the throne arm as he waited. Beside him was Enya, Goddess of the Hunt, idly polishing her bow.
On the next throne was Laszlo, Go...
2024-03-09 15:57:36 +0000 UTC View PostA twig snapped, followed by a low growl. The hairs on Darian's neck prickled. Wolves were unusual so close to the village...there it was again, a drawn-out snarl that seemed to vibrate through the earth beneath him.
Darian's hand went to the small hatchet at his belt. Whatever beast was out there, he would face it. After losing almost his entire family, he had little left to fear.
Slowly he turned towards the ominous sounds. At first nothing moved among the dense trees and folia...
The sun shone brightly overhead, warming Darian's face as he stood beside the freshly turned dirt. His fingers trembled, still clutching a handful of wildflowers - Talia's favourites, azure maryams and sunny celandines, which he had picked on his way here.
Everyone from their little village had come for Talia's burial. The Grand Priest of the Church of Death, Adrian, began reciting the traditional prayers to Kreya, goddess of birth and death.
"We gather today to bid young Talia fa...
2024-03-08 16:50:48 +0000 UTC View PostReaching the treeline, Darian was surprised to see the village blacksmith, Breck, out chopping firewood. He was usually locked away inside his smithy this time of morning.
Darian gave him a friendly wave as he drew nearer. "Morning, Breck."
The burly blacksmith lowered his axe and eyed Darian critically. "You're back early from the woods again, boy. And with scarce little to show for it."
He gestured at Darian's nearly empty game bag.
Darian's smile faded. He shrug...
Kalyna pressed a cold cloth to Talia's burning forehead, her brow furrowed in concentration. Darian stood anxiously nearby while his mother Mara wrung her hands.
"This fever is persistent," Kalyna muttered. "But I believe I can bring it down for now."
She rummaged in her medicine bag and withdrew several small jars. Selecting a dried herb from each, she dropped them into a mortar and began grinding them into a fine powder.
Darian watched her work intently, trying to remember...
2024-03-08 16:49:21 +0000 UTC View PostAs Darian entered, he found his mother sitting at Talia's bedside, pressing a damp cloth to her burning forehead. Mara looked up with a tight, weary smile as Darian entered.
"The healer gave me medicine," Darian said, holding up the bottle. "She said this will help bring down Talia's fever."
"Bless you, my boy," Mara said with relief. She took the bottle and Kalyna's instructions, then stood to prepare the treatment.
Darian sat on the edge of Talia's bed. Her face was still ...
2024-03-08 16:48:42 +0000 UTC View PostReaching the healer Kalyna's cottage, Darian knocked sharply on the door. After a moment, it creaked open and a head popped out.
"Oh, it's young Darian," Kalyna said. "What brings you here today, child?"
"It's my sister, Talia," Darian explained quickly. "She's fallen ill in the night with a terrible fever. Ma sent me to fetch medicine or herbs to cure her."
Kalyna's white eyebrows drew together with concern. "Fever, you say? Hmmm. Let's have a look at my stores and see what...
2024-03-08 16:48:07 +0000 UTC View PostAveryne Forest,
Kingdom of Aerian,
The First World,
Mortal Realm
Darian crept through the forest, moving as silently as he could. The early morning mist lingered between the trees, and he kept a sharp eye out for tracks or other signs of prey.
His family was depending on him to bring back food again today.
After checking a few of his simple snares, he found a young rabbit caught in one. "Gotcha," Darian whispered with a g...
2024-03-08 16:47:23 +0000 UTC View PostThe first scene in the prologue has changed significantly, I think this better reflects the tone of the story and my plans for future storylines.
Ashborn City,
Kingdom of Lucia,
The Thirld World,
Mortal Realm
The garden pavilion was draped in flowers and ribbons, a whirlwind of colour against the gleaming white marble floor. Sonia sat at the head of the long banquet table, trying to smile and look regal as her ...
2024-03-08 16:45:59 +0000 UTC View Post
Inspired By The Last Orellen & Mother of Learning
According to the once-in-a-millennium prophecy, the Time God's end draws near. But with the power to see endless possibilities, ...
The three Grand Elders of the Black Heart Sect sat across from Slifer. An uncomfortable silence stretched between them, the only sound being Val's tail swishing in the air.
"So," Slifer drawled, breaking the silence. "Your Sect Master has gone missing and you suspect my sect had something to do with it. Is that about the gist of it?"
Elder Damian cleared his throat. "With all due respect, Supreme Elder, the timing of Sect Master Kaelius' disappearance is...suspicious. He vanishe...
Deep within the halls of the Black Heart Sect, three Grand Elders gathered around a large obsidian table, their faces grim. Crimson tapestries bearing the sect's emblem, a bleeding heart pierced by a dagger, adorned the chamber walls.
The first was a bald man with a thick white beard that fell to his waist. His wrinkled face was creased in a permanent scowl, one milky white eye glaring while the other stared sightlessly at nothing. This was Elder Magnus, as bad-tempered as he was ancie...
Author's Note
Sorry for the late chapter, the past few days have been difficult for my family. I will try stick to the schedule but there might slight delays here and there.
Zack's sword sliced through the air as Hallibur blurred out of sight. The elder cultivator had narrowly avoided what would have been a lethal blow.
Tch, Peak Nascent Soul experts are faster than I expected, Zack thought. But not fast enough!
Zack soared through the sky on his flying sword, following behind Hallibur and Mia. The unlikely trio made an interesting sight - the stern middle-aged cultivator, his arrogant disciple, and the mysterious young man from 'distant lands'.
Mia kept twisting around on her sword to shoot probing glances at Zack. He pretended not to notice, keeping his gaze fixed ahead, lips curved in a hint of a knowing smile.
"So, Alfie..." Mia began, breaking the silence. "You never did mention wh...
Slifer smiled at Vowron, he couldn’t help but act a little arrogant, "You should bow to your superiors." With that, he released his Void Realm aura, the aura of a higher being forced Vowron's head down.
"W-what the hell are you?" Vowron spluttered, eyes wide.
"Someone way above your pay grade," Slifer replied smugly. He placed his palm on Vowron's forehead before the Black Death Sect Master could react.
"Soul Search!"
Slifer plunged his consciousness into Vowron'...
Zack leapt out of the crumbling cave, blue lightning wings bursting from his back as he took to the air.
Twisting in midair, he narrowly dodged another swipe from the monstrous limb. Putting some distance between himself and his attacker, Zack finally got a good look at the beast.
It was an enormous blue dragon, easily the size of a mountain, covered in snow and ice.
Zack's eyes widened in realization. This entire time he thought he had taken shelter inside a snowy hillsi...
Slifer let the demon leader's limp body slump to the floor, the prisoner's ram's horns scraping against the stone tiles. The Supreme Elder sighed in frustration and stepped back, shaking his head.
The Soul Searching technique had been a dead end. Slifer had plunged into the minds of all the demons, seeking some insight into Vowron's mysterious goals. But even prying into their deepest secrets had revealed little of use.
Only vague glimpses and passing references to something hid...
Slifer laid down in his bed, sighing as he realized he couldn't remember the last time he got a good night's sleep. As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, his body still needed rest.
His mind wandered as he thought about the recent events. He, a middle-aged man living in his parent's basement, had choked to death on a pie only to be isekai'd to this xianxia world. But not as the usual young, handsome, secretly talented protagonist. No, he was reincarnated as an old demonic elder on ...