《The Unstoppable Ascension of Zu Mari, Time-Looper》66: Work Hard, Work Harder! Zu Mari Strives Again!
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Zu threw himself into his studies with unmatched fervor. He was getting close, he knew. So close he could feel it just beyond the boundaries of his soul. Soon, he promised Smoke of Progression. Soon we will be reunited.
And then… Zu could prove himself to Master Elvanis.
The memory of that thread of power flowing through him properly, the way it was meant to, sparked giddy elation even now. He could learn. It wasn't impossible. Maybe on his home world, but not here. Here, Master Elvanis could do the impossible.
And Zu could do the impossible too. He'd proven it time and again, hadn't he? He wasn't going to stop now just because he'd been unable to retrieve his sword when asked.
He'd find a way, and he'd prove himself.
And it started with learning everything about dimensionalism.
Nira was pleased with his dedication, providing him much personal training. They spent most of one afternoon together on the second balcony, the one she'd used in her personal test the one time, and practiced passing a tiny ball back and forth with portals. She was much better at it, naturally, but Zu could hold his own by the end of the session. She could create them faster and more accurately, but Zu was only a step behind her.
Once they started trying with things larger than a pebble, though....
Zu stumbled over the person in front of him, but recovered quickly. The sudden rush of adrenaline invoked twinned emotions; fear, anticipation. Would Master Elvanis make an appearance this time? Would he choose Zu, or take someone else?
Zu wasn't ready. He'd blown himself up just trying to move a fork, probably taking half the tower with him. He wondered absently if Nira had survived. Probably not. She'd been right beside him.
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Good thing the loop always reset. He smiled across at Nira, and she gave a confused smile of her own. She peered at him, as though trying to place him. He wondered what it must be like, having no memory of a person, but having your soul recognize them intimately. She knew she knew him, even if she couldn't remember why.
He waited out the speeches, their hushed conversation, Nira's trip to Master Elvanis to ask him to come down, their uncertainty when he said he wouldn't be coming.
This time, he waited until they separated, until Menya was out of the way, then approached Nira much as he had the first time. Again, the four sisters followed his lead, and Nira accepted them all.
"I have experience with exercises up to the size of a pebble," Zu explained. "I haven't made much progress past there."
"A very talented dimensionalist indeed, at your age." Nira raised her eyebrows. She was easily twice Zu's age, though she still looked hale and youthful enough as was the way with those of great power. She'd not begin to physically decay for another century, in all likelihood, despite her relatively weak power. Master Elvanis would probably look like a youth for another twenty years, before looking like a handsome young master for most of the next millennium.
"I've had a good teacher," Zu said. "You remind me of her."
Nira smiled, accepting the compliment. She handed him the last three volumes of the study series he'd been working his way through the past several loops, and went over the lessons with him.
This time, with the addition of the four sisters, Zu didn't receive quite as much personal training time as she split her attention between overseeing the group as a whole, working with the sisters, and helping Zu. But he did get the majority of her time, as was appropriate for one of his natural ability.
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Every night before he slept, he searched the depths of his soul for any trace of the power flow. He strained, trying to replicate the easy thread of flowing energy that Master Elvanis had provided.
But either it was fueled by his emotional revelation, or that incredibly fancy reverse-flowing water pool actually helped. He doubted he’d have another dramatic emotional breakthrough any time soon; realizing and accepting he harbored suppressed destructive thoughts towards the family who’d mistreated him so unforgivably his entire childhood wasn’t the sort of thing he could just casually do again.
His thoughts returned again to Ozyri Tori. The poor fool had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time. He hoped Alahira wasn’t too cruel to him, and had ended her sadistic games by giving him a merciful death by now.
The memory of Alahira made him pause, then smile. He remembered being so afraid of her, but now that seemed silly. There were monstrously strong people out in the world who truly should be feared. Alahira Inferna was harmless and sweet, even if she did have somewhat disturbing proclivities.
Perhaps she would like to join him when he returned home in vengeance and flame.
The thought made him consider how far he’d come. And how far he had yet to go. Right now, as he was, he would still struggle to face Viha Cougar if not for the protection of the Protagonist Fragment. He had learned much in the past weeks, but not enough. He kept randomly blowing himself up with even simple things like moving silverware, and his increasing impatience did nothing to improve his control.
He had so many questions he wanted to ask Fire Twilight Death. He’d argued with his sword the whole time they’d been together, but it felt wrong without him. Zu hadn’t realized before now how much his sword and his familiars anchored him and let him ignore the voices of weakness and fear in his mind.
It was easier to be defiant and strong when there was something to defy, someone to argue against.
This place… he knew he was losing himself to it. Being alone was not good. He understood why Serena had called him here, but it angered him that she’d seen fit to tear him away from his companions. They were his, and he needed them! She had no right to separate them.
He resolved that next time they met he would resist her deific awe, not allow himself to be so easily impressed, and give her a stern talking to.
…distracted, the spell he’d been working on blew up in his face, killing him instantly and taking half the tower with him.
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The Ms. Megaton Man™ Maxi-Series
When studious Clarissa James began her sophomore year at Arbor State University, she never expected to befriend the former See-Thru Girl, or for megaheroes and megavillains from Megatropolis to turn her quiet college campus upside down. But when Clarissa discovers she has her own megapowers, Megaton Man, Yarn Man, and Kozmik Kat must help Ms. Megaton Man uncover her origin secrets and fulfill her destiny as America's newest Nuclear-Powered Hero! Don Simpson is the cartoonist-creator of the satirical comic book series Megaton Man and Bizarre Heroes, and the sci-fi graphic novel Border Worlds. Says Don, "Clarissa was introduced as a very minor character back in Megaton Man #4 (June 1985). Little did I know she would take over my imagination, or become so central to my sprawling imaginary world. Her smart, savvy, sassy tone makes her the perfect narrator for these never-before-told stories and ongoing adventures, as she meets these characters for the first time." Mature themes include sexual relationships, drug use, and some strong language. New chapter every Tuesday 10:00 am EST US (15:00 UTC). All characters, character names, likenesses, words and pictures are ™ and © Don Simpson 2019, 2020, all rights reserved. Chapters previously posted on msmegatonman.blogspot.com.
8 156The Heart Grows
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8 270Secrets of the Blades
Keziah doesn't like getting into other people's troubles. He learned that the hard way, many, many times. What good it does. A "thank you"? A little bit of extra coin? No. Kez knows better than this, he would stick to completing each contract exactly as the instructions say. No extra work, no helping lost puppies along the way, his talking sword gives him enough headaches on its own. But a peculiar contract would force him to change his attitude, at least for the foreseeable future. He will uncover the secrets of this world, whether he likes it or not. *** Adventure fantasy with a bit of progression, Inspired by (mainly) 16-17th century Europe. Magic system based on mana and controlling elements.with a little science. No continent shattering powers. No harem, no sexual content. I will try to upload 1 chapter per week but I can't guarantee that.
8 135The WORLD of Dungeons
""""DUNGEON CREATIONS"""" after of years playing this game, chris David a 24-year-old man having with out a job and always in his room playing the game. when the company announces that the game will shut down completely after it declares bankruptcy by the bank. he decided to stay in the game until the system will shutdown on its own, but after the allotted time, HE WAS STILL IN HIS THRONE ROOM, when he decided to log out. he opens the system but found out that the icon where the logged out is was not there anymorefind out what happen to him, as he finds the truth behind this event.PS. this story was inspired by the mystery of dungeon and overlord. you will see some similarities about its structure of dungeons, but I will try my very best to keep it as original as possible.
8 308The Rebellious Lady Fallon: Historical Fiction
Lady Fallon Brightmore secretly thought the Earl of Hampton, Braeden Kerrich, rather dashing. But at their first encounter, it was to her elder, fair sister that he smiled with the attraction a gentleman has for a lady. Lady Fallon felt crushed and determined her heart will never rule her....even while a rebellious streak within her plotted to set to rights the damnable rogue who had the reputation of a libertine. She would never accept an offer from him... if he ever made one to her.Braeden Kerrich, Earl of Hampton is in need of a wife. It should not be too difficult to find a suitable maiden, not with his impeccable credentials. Infact there should be a list the size of his arm. So why is the most alluring debutant, Lady Fallon Brightmore, not falling for his unquestionable charm?
8 155Depths Of Fire | House Of The Dragon
Visenya Targaryen, Second of her name, daughter of Daemon Targaryen, the Rouge Prince, and his first wife, Naerys Valareon-Targareyen, was loved by the people of Kings Landing, who called her 'The Star Fallen Targaryen' because of her being born amongst the fall of stars that showered like rain that particular night and some called her the reborn of her namesake, the first Visenya Targaryen, due to their shared love for sword fighting. Follow the journey of the young princess in a world of backstabbing and deceit. Targaryen OC × House of Dragons.
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