"Nonlinear topology truly is a convenient thing," Kayneth mused as he stood by the window, gazing down at the forest hidden beneath layers of magical barriers. Absentmindedly, he would occasionally open his magic circuits, letting a small amount of power flow to make the air tremble or swirl around him—a simple exercise to train his body. Not that anyone could see him. Despite the early morning light, it was only six o’clock, and every other student was still fast asleep after the previou...
2025-03-04 00:47:26 +0000 UTC
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27/02/25
Demons of NC
Life is Good
"I am pleased to introduce two new members of our staff. First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly agreed to take up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher…"
Remus rose from his seat and gave a slight bow to the Great Hall, filled with his future students. The reactions varied—some gazes were warm, curious, or even grateful, while others were skeptical, mocking, or outright disdainful. He wasn’t surprised. He was well aware that he didn’t exactly look his best, but he ha...
2025-02-28 21:17:31 +0000 UTC
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“I can no longer kill you or Sola-Ui… I can’t but…”
"Damn it," Kayneth swore under his breath as he woke up. That same nightmare again, ending in a burst of gunfire and the sensation of bullets tearing through his body. Over the past year, he had trained himself, using meditation and self-hypnosis, to enter a dreamless trance whenever possible. But tonight, of all nights, he'd hoped for a proper rest. He should have expected this.
He glanced at the clock—only ...
2025-02-28 21:12:49 +0000 UTC
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"You want some coffee?" Pedro Ruas pushed a steaming porcelain cup toward his guest. "Real stuff. Ground beans, no sugar."
He already knew she’d refuse, but he offered anyway. Partly out of politeness, partly just to mess with her. He looked at the woman with a mix of disdain and condescension, though he chastised himself for it. He was supposed to stay cold on the inside and friendly on the outside. That was professionalism.
"No. I’ll smoke. You mind?"
"Suit yourself," ...
2025-02-28 20:54:48 +0000 UTC
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Petra eyed the "tagalong" with a doubtful expression. She hadn’t found a way to say no when Gwen asked to join her for a patrol with Salamander. Sure, she could’ve lied, claiming that despite working together that one time, they hadn’t exchanged contact information. But the moment the press caught wind of a joint patrol, her cover would’ve been blown. And yeah, she could’ve brushed it off as a "random nighttime encounter" where they decided to team up on the spot, but… Petra was h...
2025-02-28 20:51:02 +0000 UTC
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Primeval Sorcerer Azur didn’t look great—there was barely anything human left in him. His body was covered head to toe in emerald stones, his very existence raising countless questions.
Then again, the current Lands Between were built on unanswered questions.
"You don’t look so good," Kosta said calmly.
"…"
The living heap of stones responded… in silence.
Judging by the energy in the air, it was probably something caustic and hostile(1).
2025-02-28 20:47:17 +0000 UTC
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I wandered for ages, freezing half to death, but I still couldn’t bring myself to go home. What if they were all still waiting, ready to have another go at me? I had no interest in starting that all over again—I’d said more than enough for one night.
When Charlie appeared beside me, I barely flinched—just tensed at the sudden pop of his Apparition.
“Knew I’d find you here,” he said, striding over. In the moonlight, his face was pale, his features blurred by the darkn...
2025-02-28 20:44:26 +0000 UTC
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"So Itachi-kun got himself into a bit of a mess… You know, he was here not long ago and said his little brother would be coming to see me soon," Nekomata said, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Didn’t look too great, though… I couldn’t quite put my paw on what was off at the time."
“You played with him too, didn’t you?” I asked, already knowing the answer.
"Obviously," the Divine Cat smirked. "But it wasn’t a proper Game. Sure, he put on the ‘ears of intent,...
2025-02-28 20:40:07 +0000 UTC
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Castling the Long Way
Mad Tiger
I perched on the roof above the gate, watching as Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto struggled to gain entry into Torideneko. Honestly, the cat guards were straight-up messing with my three little shinobi, all of whom were now wearing fluffy cat-ear headbands. Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto were down on all fours, enthusiastically pouncing at some kind of “cat grass” the guards had tossed in front of them, meowing like kittens. I was laughing so hard I nearly rolled off the roof.
From what I co...
2025-02-27 00:37:18 +0000 UTC
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We lounged around the Burrow’s living room for a good while, everyone sprawled wherever they could, cups of tea balanced on knees and chair arms, still buzzing from the match. I was feeling pretty content, letting the others do most of the talking. We were home, safe, and Luna had already sent me an owl to say she’d made it back as well—so there was nothing to worry about.
Fred and George were bragging about how they’d managed to get double the amount of autographs from the Iris...
2025-02-27 00:34:53 +0000 UTC
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Demons of Night City
Elden Ring: My Ending
Everything settled back into routine. Training, studying, hanging out with the guys—though, unfortunately, not as much as I’d like. Penny fit right in with the group, bonding fast with Kristi, which meant our evening study sessions were now a trio event. And at night, well… my Sunshine and I got up to all sorts of mischief.
I had a few concerns about potential pregnancy—I mean, we haven't even graduated yet—but Penny put my worries to rest by flashing me a pack of bir...
2025-02-26 05:09:05 +0000 UTC
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The one who strikes first and fast usually wins. That rule holds true no matter how well-trained you are. But training helps you set up that “first and fast” attack—and, more importantly, execute it right.
I waited two seconds, then tossed the grenade around the corner. A crackling burst filled the air, followed by screams of pain. A cold blue flash lit up the insulated panels of the Brazilians' hideout—not so much of a “hideout” anymore, since we were already inside.
...
2025-02-26 05:07:22 +0000 UTC
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Ranni pressed her spectral lips together.
"This… is not how I envisioned my brother’s liberation."
Melina nodded numbly.
Of course, they had expected Konstantin to win. Perhaps not this decisively, but win nonetheless. After all, he already possessed three Great Runes, had defeated one of the strongest demigods, claimed his runes and, naturally, his Great Rune, making himself even stronger. In the end, he had farmed a lot.
But the way in whic...
2025-02-26 05:02:36 +0000 UTC
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Castling the Long Way
Mad Tiger
Finally, the big day arrived, and we were dragged out of bed at some ungodly hour—about four in the morning. I don’t think I’d ever been up that early in my life. We ate breakfast on autopilot, only properly waking up when we were already trudging through the morning chill and damp, following Dad along goat tracks in the dark.
Dad, of course, looked disgustingly cheerful compared to the rest of us, constantly glancing back and slowing down to throw out some supposedly encouraging ...
2025-02-25 06:51:32 +0000 UTC
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"Jump in after me," commanded Sagashi-san before disappearing into what looked like a rabbit hole in the back room of Granny Cat’s shop.
I sniffed at the cool air seeping from the tunnel—definitely too small for even a child to fit through. It carried a faint, tantalizing scent of catnip.
"What am I? Alice?" I muttered, flicking my tail. Maybe this was some kind of secret passage to kitty paradise?
"Follow Sagashi-san," instructed the black she-cat. "Don’t be afraid."<...
2025-02-25 06:46:55 +0000 UTC
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Both Zorayas and Sellen could only speculate about what the Praetor looked like. But while the sorceress remained largely indifferent, Rya was drowning in doubt.
The hidden city of the serpentmen had opened her eyes, nearly driving her to despair, but it had not consumed her. Not only because she was too preoccupied with watching the Tarnished farming with his club—like an unstoppable force of nature tearing through the city, leaving behind only those few who had the sen...
2025-02-23 06:16:06 +0000 UTC
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“Sent you the local cops' contacts,” Angie texted. “They won’t show up, no matter how loud it gets. Not that they like coming here anyway. Sixth Street’s in the loop too, so no trouble expected.”
“Perfect,” I replied, sliding my newly bought monotanto—picked up in Dogtown just yesterday—out of its black sheath with my left hand.
The ghostly blade had a faint green tint. I held it up, looking through it at Rebecca, who was sitting across from me.
“Wooooo...
2025-02-23 06:10:54 +0000 UTC
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Castling the Long Way
Mad Tiger
Thank the feline gods, my Sasuke didn't completely lose it from having his entire reality rearranged. But damn, I only just now realized how recklessly I’d been walking the edge of disaster this whole time. And to top it off, I felt kind of guilty. Guilty for all the times I ranted at the screen back when I watched the anime, calling Sasuke an idiot, a traitor—how could he do that?! And now? Now I didn’t even know what to do.
The guy was barely breathing, sobbing int...
2025-02-22 04:46:06 +0000 UTC
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By the end of the trip, I had mixed feelings. On the one hand, I didn’t really want to go home. On the other, I was getting a bit fed up with the adventure as well. It was the monotony of it—every day was the same routine. The excitement had worn off, and even the variety of creatures we were observing no longer felt all that impressive. I wanted a change of scenery—climb some mountains, swim in the sea, lounge on a beach with a book. Do something rather than just watch. Still, if the L...
2025-02-22 04:40:40 +0000 UTC
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Did Patches expect to receive orders from Tanith?
Honestly, after everything that had happened in the past few days, he had completely forgotten about it. As in, entirely forgotten that he owed anyone anything.
“You look exhausted, Patches. Running from the inquisitor again?”
“He was running from me!” the former ‘law-abiding’ bandit huffed, turning up his nose.
From somewhere on the second floor, distant, deranged laughter echoed. Pat...
2025-02-21 07:18:02 +0000 UTC
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We finally got back.
You know, I really like Xavier’s school. I like my home too. But I’ve also realized something—I want… freedom. Yeah, that’s probably the best way to put it. When I was a kid, I couldn’t do anything without my parents. Even as a teenager, there was always some kind of leash. Then came the kidnappings, the life with mutants, their protection. I’m endlessly grateful to everyone who helped me. But suddenly, I just want ...
2025-02-21 07:16:13 +0000 UTC
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As I stepped into the room, I heard Michiko speaking, her voice smooth and controlled.
"If you ever wish to see the city, dear uncle, I’d be happy to give you a tour. Night City may be rough in places, but among the slums, its heart beats with a mesmerizing rhythm."
She gestured for me to wait, so I leaned against the wall of the safehouse, eyeing the bronze incense burners on sleek designer shelves. Michiko was using an implant for the call, so I couldn’t hear the other side,...
2025-02-21 07:12:26 +0000 UTC
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Castling the Long Way
Mad Tiger
