《Duality》58 – Life in the castle (Part 1)
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John stared at his reflection in the mirror, taking note of the damage. Around his cheek, the side of his face was colored red from the bruise he received.
Earlier today, Marleya pitted him against Neina. Back when she was still a Fighter, John often came up on top; now as a Crusader, she wiped the floor with him.
The breakthrough happened a week before, and Neina was still getting used to her own strength. As such, when John took a chance for a stab, she reacted with much more strength than she wanted and hit him on the side of the head.
The helmet held strong, but it still banged pretty hard against his head. Even now it remained throbbing while his neck ached whenever he moved. At least she didn’t hit through the slit of his helmet; that would leave him with fewer teeth and possibly a broken jaw, none of which are fun to heal, especially if he swallowed one of the teeth by accident.
As he passed a hand over the bruise, he took note of the stubble already growing back. He’d need to shave again soon, one of the downsides of this body compared to the one back on Earth. On the other hand, his hairline showed no signs of receding, so he had to take the good with the bad.
With a groan, he struggled to remove the gambeson while moving his neck as little as possible. As a Mage with light affinity, a Luminomancer, John could mend the damage, but there was nothing to be done about the pain unless he visited a proper healer. Done with the gambeson, he threw it to the side and did the same to the pants and boots before sinking into the bathtub.
The warm water was exactly what he needed after a whole morning of working his muscles. He lost track of time as he relaxed in the tub, only getting out after the water started getting colder.
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Wrapping a towel around his waist, he then returned to his bedroom. The room looked almost identical to when he first arrived years ago, with the only difference being the bookcase. Before it only had three books while now it was stacked with various works.
They ranged from geography to noble houses and even magical beasts. John took the time to study it all as he discovered more and more about this new world. He read on the history of the Olsandre House, from their origin as a cadet branch to the Olsens, to becoming the rulers of Somerford.
He also read on the various magical beasts that populated this world; fox-like creatures that blended with the forests, moles that dug through solid stone, and even giant eagles that were used as transportation by the truly powerful.
Of course, none of these books were as valuable as the two that sat by his nightstand. Wrapped in thick leather covers, these were the books he used to study spells, each of them costing a single platinum coin. According to his teachers, the spellbooks would become an essential part of his life if he hoped to continue learning spells.
John walked to the wardrobe and grabbed a pair of breeches and a simple blue tunic. As always, he hid his mother’s necklace under the clothes, with the pendant wrapped with a cloth; no matter how much he tried, he couldn’t get any paint to stick to the metal.
Looking presentable again, he finally walked out of the room and into the hallway. As always, guards stood at attention near the Earl’s quarters; that was the only thing that didn’t change in his time here. Everywhere else he looked, the number of guards had been reduced.
As Marleya had once explained, the high level of security had to do with the number of noble guests. Hagen did it both as a show of strength and also to prevent anything from happening under his nose. On that note, John still couldn’t figure out how Nevil and Bella managed to sneak out of the castle when he first arrived. He also never got to ask as their fathers kept them both locked up afterward.
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After Hagen settled the details with all of his vassals, he waited for Vasilis to eventually declare war against Skanler. He waited for a month, two, three, until he finally couldn’t maintain his forces anymore and was forced to disband them.
Instead of declaring war as Hagen expected, Vasilis’ forces seemed to have disappeared. Some wondered if the foreigner gave up, while others claimed Skanler must’ve found their hideouts and killed them. Hagen still had no idea of what really happened.
John said nothing. For all effects and purposes, he knew nothing about it. He was grateful to Hagen and Athalia for welcoming him, but he had no idea how they'd react if they learned of his involvement in the man's disappearance. He had to think of himself first, that's what his mother would've wanted.
John descended the stairs and walked towards the kitchen.
“What the hell happened to you?” was the greeting he received by Clare, a wizened woman, and the castle’s head cook. “Did you forget to wear your helmet or what?”
John picked up a stool and sat at the counter near her. “I went against a Crusader today. It went as well as you’d expect.”
Clare chortled. “Serves you well then. Just because you’re close to breaking through doesn’t mean that you can go around challenging Crusaders like that.”
“I didn’t challenge anyone. Marleya set it up, and my opponent was supposed to go easy on me.”
She extended a hand and pressed it against his bruised face, causing him to wince back, which led to the pain on his neck flaring up.
“Please don’t do that,” he said, settling back in his seat.
“Sure, but why haven’t you gone to the healer yet?”
“It’ll be better by tomorrow. More importantly, what’s there to eat?”
Clare shook her head. “You’re way too stubborn, boy. Suffering from pain won’t help you improve. When lady Athalia hears about it she’ll have a fit.” Clare reached across the stone counter and pulled a covered tray. She opened it up to reveal the slices of roast lamb underneath.
“She doesn’t need to know,” John said while grabbing a knife and fork. “It’ll be our secret.”
The old lady was about to respond when she suddenly paused, her gaze fixed at something him.
“What exactly don’t I need to know?” spoke a voice from behind John.
He looked back to find Athalia standing there, arms crossed, and a raised eyebrow.
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The Accidental Archmage - BOOK 9 (THE DRAGON HOUSES)
The Accidental Archmage Series (BETA CHAPTERS) NOTE: DRAFTS OF EARLIER BOOKS (BOOKS 1 to 8) HAVE BEEN POSTED BEFORE ON RRL. THEY ARE NOW ON AMAZON AND HAD ATTAINED BESTSELLER STATUS IN THE FANTASY-MYTHOLOGY GENRE. ACTUALLY, MANY RRL STORIES PUBLISHED ON AMAZON HAVE GONE ON TO BECOME BESTSELLERS AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER. HOWEVER, AMAZON KDP RULES REQUIRE THAT MOST OF THE DIGITAL CONTENT AVAILABLE ELSEWHERE BE REMOVED. GENRE: CLASSICAL EPIC FANTASY An epic mythological fantasy in another world. Immerse yourself in a grand and dangerous adventure. In a world both familiar and strange. A world where magic and gods still exist. Meet deities, beings, and exiles from Earth’s pantheons. Encounter warriors, huskarls, satyrs, hoplites, dark and evil mages, and strange beings from myths of pre-history up to the age of iron.Match wits with the likes of Loki, Zeus, Athena, Odin, Amun-Ra, Coniraya, Viracocha, and even Dionysus. Escape plots and schemes played by powerful gods of life and death.Find the truth behind the dark and otherworldly beings from the Lovecraft mythos.Play with dire wolves, drakontes, lamias, keres, amphisbaenae, a sphinx, ice giants, creatures of nightmares, empusas, gigas, minotaurs, vrykolakas, jotnar, dokkalfr, to name a few.Survive being in the middle of wars between civilizations and races. Suffer the arrogance and stupidity of gods and men alike. Cross paths with beings who don’t like you. Thor, Ares, and the Incan death god Supay, to name three.Be burdened with a quest to save yourself and your humanity in the brutal and primordial world of Adar.A world where scientific pursuit will get you a lightning bolt or two. Probably five. All at the same time. Book Nine - THE DRAGON HOUSES His beloved Eira rescued, the rogue Titans have been defeated, and Tartarus sealed. Yet as the rising Archmage tries to escape the Forbidden Isle, events have been set in motion that would embroil him once again in the tides of war engulfing Adar. Escaped Titans, a rising power in the South, vengeful adherents of the Elder Gods, and more have him in mind. Least of all, a far from defeated Loki. New players have come to the fore, each with their own purpose in mind. The lustful drive for power, the search for a release of one's soul, and the companions' storied pasts all come to drive the world deeper and further into chaos. Add a powerful demon determined to open a portal to its own dimension. It's enough to drive a mortal man mad. (Cover image used under license) Book Eight - WHERE TITANS WALK Now in the land of the damned below the underworld domain of Hades, Eira awaits the company and battle portends. But first, they have to find the fortress of the Titans. Above them, Loki's war is going well as the internecine war among the pantheons continues. An old foe rises in the south, more powerful than ever. Astrid finds herself the subject of a wife's rage and the murky past of the companions now comes back to haunt them. Yet amidst it all, a dying Elder won't wait as plots and new players bedevil Havard Ulriksson, formerly Tyler West of Earth, now the Archmage of his adopted world. Cover Image used under license from shutterstock.com. Alterations by the writer. Book Seven - DRAGONS AND DEMONS https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B08122Y739 An urgent rescue and the path to vengeance are not easy in a magical, myth-filled world. Nasty roadblocks and unexpected complications have a way of rearing their wicked heads along Tyler's route across the dwarven lands and into the infernal realm of Tartarus. More myths and legends cross the First Mage's path as Loki's war and Asag's emergence stir up mortal lands and magical domains. Cover Image used under license from shutterstock.com. Alterations by the writer. Book Six - TARTARUS BECKONS Gifts, curses, and problems. The unfolding of Loki's mad and complicated scheme results in a war between and among pantheons, empires, and kingdoms. From Ymir's Domain down to the far south, conflict engulfs Tyler's world and the magical gate to Tartarus is starting to break open, threatening to add mad Titans and other powerful beings to the chaotic mix. And on the forbidden isle of Banna, a dying enemy awaits. (Note: NOW PUBLISHED ON AMAZON) Book Five - LOKI'S GAMBIT With the promise of the First Mage not to act against him, Loki now accelerates his plans. A plot millennia in the making, spanning the length and breadth of Adar. Like a spider spinning its web, the trickster god now puts the finishing touches on an audacious scheme. A revolution to change the balance of godly and mortal power in the world. Book Four - VOID LANDS The Void Lands. A place where gods fear to tread. Where strange creatures and hostile beings emerge. A nexus of dimensions, the origins of which are lost in the mists of time. To stop the Aztecha Empire’s march to power and domination of the eastern lands, Tyler West, now a High Mage, must confront and defeat the empire’s mysterious patrons. Beings of incredible might and magical knowledge. An imperative path which leads him right to the Void Lands. Though a few detours are required, each dangerous yet crucial. The only problem is that the Void Lands are on the other side of the continent. And to get there, he may have to ask a favor from the Trickster God himself, the Norse deity known as Loki. Book Three - BLOOD WARS Continuing our lost mage's epic journey through the magical and extremely dangerous world of Adar. Escaping the convoluted schemes of the Greek pantheon, Tyler finds himself with an old acquaintance, the Incan deity Viracocha. His son, the sun god Inti, is dead. With the Aztecah Empire and its powerful pantheon of deities on the bloody road to more conquests, the deity asks for his help. A request he could easily refuse. Except Viracocha is not alone is asking for his aid. Two other pantheons have made their presence known to the young mage. And the Egyptian deities are watching how he will decide the matter. To add to his burdened conscience, the rise and dominance of the Aztecah pantheon would mean a million or more new human sacrifices. Resulting in extremely overpowered bloodthirsty deities. What's a newly minted Elder apprentice mage to do? Involve himself in a blood war? Book Two - GIFTS OF THE GREEKS Tyler's journey continues. New land, misadventures, friends, foes, skills, and knowledge. Confused encounters of the female kind. More deities become aware of Tyler as he continues his quest to survive, reach his potential, and carry out his burden. Amid convoluted plans designed by divine acquaintances of old and newly met gods, what's an ordinary guy from Earth to do?The god of wine wants to be his friend. Ares and his sons are coming to say hello. Book One - RAGNAROK RISING What if you fell through a crack in reality? Like those people disappearing in plain sight you've read about. What if you find yourself in a strangely familiar world? A world full of Earth’s mythological beings, lost civilizations, and people from its primitive and brutal past? Where magical energy still exists. Where gods play games among themselves, with the fate of mortal men as pawns. A land where a sword is deadlier than a five-inch thick contract drawn by a hotshot lawyer. Would you survive? That's Tyler West. Alone, lost and bewildered, the three moons in the sky made it clear he wasn’t on Earth anymore. It’s not a game. It’s real. And there's no coffee, pizza, fries, or his favorite show on HBO. *** All Rights Reserved. 2017/2018/2019/2020. Cover Images are used under license.
8 141D Days
Dragons were the apex predators of the magical world, feared for their strength and intelligence. They stood at the pinnacle of creation, until mankind fueled by fear and envy banded together and struck them down as the greatest threat to the continued existence of their kingdoms. Peace reigned for many years across the continent, until an accident in the Magocracy of Ken turned one of the most powerful mage lords into a power mad lich. Raising an undead army and creating a cult that worshipped him like a god, he cut a bloody swath across the continent in a bid to create his own domain. A great alliance consisting of the Kingdom of Light, the Magocracy of Ken, the Forest Kingdom of the Elves, the Mountain Kingdom of the Dwarves, and the Wild Tribes of the West rose up and the high lich was defeated, his armies destroyed, and his cult scattered. Still recovering, the world is a constant state of petty power struggles and back biting between nations. Border disputes are common and the constant fighting has taken a toll on the populations of all the nations. Of course, none of this has much bearing on the everyday life of a an ordinary young orphan in the care of a Temple run home. Or does it? *Current Word Count as of 8/4/18: 59,415 I am shooting for at least one update a week. Also, if you see any mistakes let me know and I will fix them. Cover by!*
8 148The Blessed Princess
Long long ago, there was a time of eternal harmony, when pain and anguish ceased to exist. The world was united as one under the rule of a glorious goddess. But this goddess made a stupid mistake, and chaos rained through her lands. Her people fought and fought, and she lost control over her creations. To sustain peace, she destroyed herself, and her remnants scattered throughout the lands and into the souls of her people. Her last words were to her daughter, the goddess of love, whom she had cherished, "Though I cannot fix the mistakes I've made, I can wish my people to be happy. No more endless pain. No more raging wars. Love, please. Save my world. Restore hope into the eyes of those I've created." She became the forgotten goddess after her world lost its ruler. First Princess Azulia was born a human with a shocking resemblance to the forgotten goddess. Her hair was ink black, and her eyes glimmered like priceless sapphires. Her features were uncanny in similarity to the goddess, even in the way she held herself. Though the goddess's eyes were more like icicles, Azulia's resemblance was enough to make you think twice. Azulia was raised with the mindset that she would be the future Empress of Hydrangea. It was a destiny placed out in front of her and carefully sorted out. Those around her directed her life like a pawn. Until one day, comes the beak of time, and her destiny points in another direction. Azulia must learn to break the tension her family shapes and create a destiny of her own. Her world depends on it, even if it means she must destroy herself.
8 117An Ode For The Lightning Phoenix
Some legends remain unforgotten forever...others fade in the sands of time. This is the story of a man... This is the story of a Phoenix... Both living inside the same body...both sharing the same eternal fate. Follow them and see how they shape the world as they wish... ...making their legend echo through eternity.
8 178Haikyuu boyfriend scenarios (DISCONTINUED)
Oya oya oya
8 129shards - pietro maximoff
❝Don't kiss me if you're afraid of thunder. My life is a storm.❞ ❝Hold on, lemme get my umbrella, then.❞Dahlia Anelace has never known comfort, happiness, or love. Her sarcastic comments and inappropriate jokes were the only things getting her through everyday life unharmed.That is, until a certain speedster grabs her heart in passing, leaving Dahlia with a dropped jaw, a million questions, and an uncomfortable amount of butterflies.{pietro maximoff x fem oc}{completed}{cover by me}#1 in #cap 4.30.21.#1 in #avengersendgame 4.6.21.#9 in #pietro 4.13.21.#1 in #dahlia 4.13.21.#4 in #captainamericacivilwar 5.12.21.#13 in #endgame 12.7.21.
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