《Third Death》Chapter Eighteen
Advertisement
She awoke the next morning feeling strangely at peace, despite the fact that she had only managed scant hours of sleep. The rebel healer had arrived shortly after Arturo’s departure, and Fox had bounced up from his sickbed as though there had never been a problem. She would help with the Banagher job that evening, so that Fox and Liam weren’t left unable to carry it out and then she’d be gone. So then, only one question remained. How did she wish to spend her final day? She dressed quickly and padded out of Celia’s room, then left Gretta’s. She knew where Liam lived, although she had never been there. He rented a small room, near where he’d found her when they first kissed. She began the walk over. It was early morning, just past dawn and the streets, while not empty, were calm. She enjoyed the walk. It was not until she reached Liam’s home that she began to feel apprehension.
She hesitated in front of the door, then hardened her resolve and knocked boldly. It took a few moments for Liam to answer. He peered blearily out from the crack he opened, then threw the door wide as he recognised her.
“Vis? Ether, um… come in.”
She flushed.
“I can leave.”
“No, no, don’t be silly. I’m just tired.”
She looked around the room. It was smaller than Celia’s room and largely bare. It was a soldier’s room, she thought with an amused quirk of her lips. Liam watched her quietly, waiting for her to state her business. She turned her attention to him – there wasn’t much more to look at anyway – and put her hands on her hips.
“I’m afraid of you,” she said.
“Okay.”
“And I don’t trust you.”
Advertisement
“Alright.”
“Could you just… hold me, for a bit?”
So, he did. They spent the morning in his bed, hiding from the world. Liam was patient, and responded to her touch rather than initiating his own. She found herself growing more courageous, feeling safer. That, in itself was dangerous. She couldn’t stay. She would never find out if this could be something. Love wasn’t for her. Finally, as the sun crested the sky, she pulled herself away. Liam watched her dress, not speaking, just sharing companionable silence.
“Spose you didn’t hear what the rebels said last night.”
He propped himself up on an elbow.
“Well, I’m guessing you have to work for them.”
“Yeah.”
He raised an eyebrow at her expression, “That’s a problem? You don’t like working for Red anyway.”
“Yeah. I won’t be able to see you any more, though. I won’t be able to see anyone.”
“I don’t think that’s true,” he said, sitting up, “I’ve known a handful of rebels. They go about their business like usual, they just don’t work for the crown.”
“It is true,” she said firmly, “for me. Because of who I am.”
He rubbed his neck, “I see. Does Fox know?”
“No. Nobody knows.”
“But you’re telling me?”
She nodded. He stood, coming up behind her and wrapping her in his arms.
“Thank you,” he said.
She began to tremble as tears sprung up unbidden. He hushed her.
“It’s alright. If you don’t want to go, I’ll stop them from taking you.”
She laughed, harshly, “You can’t.”
“Yeah, well, I can try.”
She turned into him, and kissed him.
“Come on,” she said, turning to the door and pulling him with her, “I want to be outside.”
Advertisement
Chasing The Master
Zhang Cai, named Zhang by the streets and Cai by his master, embarks on a long and meaningful quest after his master's shadow to learn more about the world and himself, both as a human and as a cultivator. Another story I had in mind for sometime. I've been trying my hands at many different genres and art mediums, so this is my serious attempt to culminate the wisdom of them all into something that I can say I need to do. Please do enjoy. [participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge] (Cover art is public domain.)
8 100Phoenix Marked Asura
A young man reborn as a chicken will fight his path across a new world. The question he must ask himself is will he be dining or served up? What the hell! even a chicken can cultivate!
8 196Fulcrum: Season One
Jack loves his life. Yeah, he lives at the edge of a warzone between armies of monstrosities. You call it dangerous. Jack calls it Tuesday. Folks in town aren’t too keen on a fourteen-year-old running the only bar, but Jack has it under control. Maybe his customers trash the place more than he would like, but sometimes cybernetically enhanced mercenaries need to blow off some steam. With the help of Zeke—friend, mentor, monkey—Jack serves drinks to anyone who comes through his door. And for the right price, he might even sell you something with a bit more kick … something magical. When Corva gets knocked through the wall of his bar, Jack decides to help her out. Sure she’s being chased by a pack of bounty hunters and she’s got no idea why. But she can fight. Holy hell, she can fight. Jack could use someone like that to keep a little order in the bar. That should be a win-win, but Jack’s and Corva’s problems are bigger than either of them can guess, big enough change the course of the war. Fulcrum is a post-Armageddon dystopian science fiction fantasy with a taste of anime. Technology, magic, and a badass monkey. The drinks aren’t on the house, but you’re welcome to stay until last call. Chapters are released every weekday... unless they're short. Then it'll be a couple chapters that day.
8 197Dawn Avante — The Record of Otherworld’s Cosmic War
The young man remembered. Through flames and ocean, he fought, all to be the symbol of hope. He started with a fist, then a gun, now a psychic blade. Some say the merging of his planet with this beautiful hell was a curse — that the Earth was doomed. As an optimist, he disagreed. They weren’t merged into a world with monsters and tyrants. The monsters were locked in the same world with a hero. What happened next was a tale as old as time. A sound of fighting was heard in the distance. He felt the presence of an old foe and several old burdens. It appeared Chronicler’s victory didn’t drill the lesson into that psychopath’s brain. Fine. He stood. He didn’t mind hard-carrying those idiots on his shoulder again. The hero vanished in the blur, speeding to save the day. … How did we get here? Well, let's go back a few hours before shit hits the fan. To a young porter who didn’t know that fate had a greater plan for him. Plans which involved comic wars, slaying outer-gods, and grenades. So. Many. Grenades.
8 3528 Steps to Help You Stop Overthinking Everything
8 Steps to Help You Stop Overthinking Everything
8 164Katastrophe Jackson and The World's End
My name is Katastrophe Jackson. I am the younger sister of Percy Jackson, the multiple times over hero and Savior of Olympus. But this isn't my older brother's story. This is my life. My story. My quest.
8 123