《Man from the machine》Chapter 4.5 : Ash
Advertisement
Summer, age 7.
``Take deeper breaths. Straighten your back and try to relax your shoulders.'' [Jessica]
``I am trying, but when I take deep breaths and try to relax, my back bends, and when I straighten my back, my shoulders tense up.'' [Nathan]
Smack.
I'm hit at the back of my head.
``Do not talk back to me in training.'' [Jessica]
I smile gently.
``Yes mom.'' [Nathan]
She didn't put any force into it. She's still strict, but she found a balance between teaching me discipline and pain, and not making me miserable in the process.
I try again. I close my eye, relax my shoulders, and straighten my back while I take a deep breath.
``Better. Keep breathing like that and focus on your abdomen.'' [Jessica]
I breathe deeply and slowly. Deeply.. Slowly..
In my center, there's a pool of water. I can feel it move when I breathe. It's in every fiber of my being, but it's a tiny ball in my solar plexus.
There is no feeling like it, and I don't know how to describe it. How to you explain fireworks to a blind person? You could tell them the shapes and motions, and they will probably know the feeling in their chest when it explodes.
But they will never understand the light and the colors.
It both IS my being, and a thing inside me. Like a second heartbeat that flows through you, filling you with energy and power.
And I do feel powerful. I feel like nothing could stop me if I harness this energy.
``Let it fill you. Expand it to every part of you.'' [Jessica]
I take a deep breath and focus on the beat. It expands within me, I feel it in my ears. I taste it on my finger tips, I hear it on my tongue.
Advertisement
``Guide it from your abdomen to your heart. Let it flow out from there, to your spine and your head. Let it flow down your back and out your arms and legs, to the tips of your fingers and toes. [Jessica]
She doesn't have to tell me. It's already flowing out from my heart, filling my body along my veins.
Then it touched my spine. It flows out fast, like electricity, spreading to my head and along my nerves to every extremity in a split second. I'm shivering, on the point of shaking, across my body.
Something appears within me. It's a small sphere of light, radiating power and fury throughout my body. I feel like I'm about to go on a rampage, but I am completely calm. Even the shivers stopped.
``What is his name?'' [Jessica]
Ash. It's name is Ash. Not as in ashes, it has a deeper meaning. Like a dream, like desire..
``Now ask him for power. Repeat the words I told you.'' [Jessica]
I take a deep breath and focus all of my being on my spine.
``Freedom of the air gather through me, by the will of the son, I command!'' [Nathan]
The power flow out of my neck. It envelops me, along my spine to my arms and legs. Warps around me, creating intricate patterns that change with every passing second.
I open my eyes. I'm standing? When did that happen?
My arms are enveloped in a deep marine blue aura, with a bright blue glow. The aura is a thin net of veins, twisting and turning around my skin. Looking down, I see the same pattern around my legs.
This is great!
I managed first try! Mom told me it might take a few weeks to get down, but i did it in my first try! YES!
Advertisement
I turn around to face my mom and give her a hug.
Wait. What?
My father is standing next to my mom, his arm on her shoulder. They both have this.. This look on their faces..
A look of absolute pity.
Why?
What's going on.
``.. It is.. so thin..'' [Jessica]
``.. Yeah.. It is..'' [Shale]
Why do you look so sad?
I.. I did it.. Why do you look at me like that?..
``Mom.. Dad.. What's wrong?'' [Nathan]
``...'' [Jessica] [Shale]
`` Mom?... Dad?...'' [Nathan]
``.. Nathan.. Do you remember how I told you that some people are innately better at magic than others?'' [Jessica]
``... Yes..'' [Nathan]
``There are a lot of factors but.. The big one is how strong your magic is.. And that.. That depends on your aura..'' [Jessica]
``To be more precise.. It depends on how thick your aura is..'' [Shale]
I look down at my hands. My aura is paper thin. When my mother uses her magic, it's like a continuous blanket. Mine are the thickness of veins.. Tiny ropes strung around my arms..
I feel tears welling into my eyes..
Magic was one of the few things that I was really looking forward to in this life..
And now.. God, just that look on my parents faces..
``Nathan.. I know how you must feel..'' [Jessica]
My mother slowly moves towards me and gets down on one knee in front of me as she puts a hand on top of my head.
``But this is not the end of the world..'' [Jessica]
``.. I know..'' [Nathan]
``Nathan, this does not mean that you cannot use magic. It just means your magic will be.. Weaker. You can always learn the magics, and use them for your imbuing. If anything, the fact that you have such excellent magic control means that you will be much better equipped for imbuing.'' [Jessica]
``I know...'' [Nathan]
``And I am sure there are still magics you can use well enough.'' [Jessica]
Just stop.. You're not helping..
My father walks over to us and puts his hand on my mothers shoulder.
She turns to look at him, and then silently lowers her head.
``.. I am sorry Nathan..'' [Jessica]
She slowly puts her arms around me and hug me close to her, as my father kneels down to hug us both.
Advertisement
- In Serial1317 Chapters
Medical Master
He was the youngest guru of martial arts as well as the perfect Mr. McDreamy of the most girls. He had mysterious absolute touch, clear-sighted observation ability and various outstanding talents. But now, he was just an ordinary freshman in University of Jiangjing Chinese Medicine, who wanted to learn Chinese Medicine, see patients, and get into a relationship with a girl in a low-key way. However, in a Mid-Autumn Festival party, he was forced to put on a performance, which shocked the whole audience. The shiny and wonderful university life began from then on. In the university, he met a beautiful and smart School Beauty Jiang Miaoyu who shook his heart slightly. But the road of love was never smooth, even to a perfect hero. He also met a kind and friendly teacher Dr. Shen who discovered his excellent technique and gave him a chance to practice. Besides, his three lovely and interesting roommates were indispensable in his life, although sometimes they looked a little awkward. But this young hero’s life was not always full of happiness without a hitch, some trouble still appeared from time to time. The domineering and imperious President of the Students’ Union Li Qingshi purposely made difficulties for him repeatedly. The stubborn and hardworking martial arts practitioner Chen Cong often challenged him in different ways. Just because of these extraordinary personalities around him, this young hero’s road of struggle looked so amazing…
8 551 - In Serial31 Chapters
The Traitor Games
Welcome to the Traitor Games, and congratulations on your invitation to join as one of the races putting on a show for the galaxy. Your species has been judged as too violent for integration into the Galactic Conglomerate and thus the decision has been made to relegate you to a probationary period during which members of your species will be pitted against each other in games of lies and betrayal. Unfortunate, but the great thing about a probationary period is that it can end! How can we do that; you might be asking. Well, that's easy, if those participants can earn enough points through playing the games, they can potentially buy out your probationary time. Of course, other rewards will also be on offer for success in the games, and if none of your species chooses to be selfless, well then it just goes to show that you wouldn't have been a good fit for us anyway. All those on Earth unlucky enough to not be chosen to become part of one of the most popular shows on Galactic Television, fear not. We will be streaming the various games your race is participating in all across the world. Should we run out of participants, even with our most generous three life system, we will draw more from the population. Good Luck! Noah Landry is one of these participants, he just doesn't know it yet. He blacks out while walking to the local bar McCaffery's, and finds himself, somewhere else. He's wearing clothing he doesn't remember putting on and rocking an absolute banger of a headache. Now he needs to figure out where he is, what's going on, and how he can get out of the Traitor Games. [Participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge]
8 78 - In Serial25 Chapters
Heart of the World (LitRPG)
This is the story of how I stabbed a bear. Well... technically speaking, that became the moment my life went into a vastly different direction, all on my way to 'The Mission'. The one I had been given alongside two other seasoned players. To help people in a world with a world. But, oh hoh, that bear... Don't get me started on that. So, apart from that, here is the gist of the other part. I'm a year long employee. Though, several years before I became an employee of theirs, this crazy ensuing madness of a Full Dive battle royale between even more companies started to boil over to a breaking point. Mine thought to search for something that would truly blow the competition out of the water. Well, they found it. Deep under the sea actually. They called it a game changer. Rumors abounded of course. But the most common knowledge became that it was a power source unlike the world had ever seen. However, I can tell you now, the unknown sometimes bump back. Especially when experimenting on highly unknown elements. Still, years safely went by and thus I became a developer there. Now, what does any of this got to do with stabbing a bear? Well, ask them that! They started it all. I'm new remember! Though, chaos ensued, and well, I was there. It probably helped that I had proven myself a good fighter in game and that I had some knowledge that could help with the triplets. Oh, but my sister would box my ears if she ever realized how little time I spent learning what the other developers created in the game before I had to go in there on, 'The Mission.' So, this is a story of a mission to save the people in Realm of Ancients. Not those rookies! Oh no, that was just a precurser. AND THERE WAS THE BEAR! Sorry, I had trouble getting over it. But that specific moment changed things. -- -- Hi! This is a project I have started for the fun. This is not your typical comedy. Yes, I added quite a bit humour to the story, BUT as things go into the eye of the storm the character will face challenges that hits him down. So it is not comedy in every chapter. But what do they say, when you've hit bottom, only way to go is up! :D I am always open to suggestions that might take the story to new heights, so you all are welcome to discuss the story in the comments. Just remember the all important SPOILER tags. ;) -Omri - I'd truly appreciate if you rate the story and leave reviews as we go. ;)
8 115 - In Serial692 Chapters
The Forgotten Gods
Arn is a call center worker, who was pulled through the Gate of Seasons to be the Champion for Bartholemew, the god of Bards and Summer Beer. However, something went wrong in the transfer (Patch 42) and he finds himself as an illiterate, unattached champion who cannot level in a new world that’s out to kill him. Will Arn adapt to his new life and survive? Will Bartholemew regret his choice to keep a broken champion? Will the pantheon collapse as Arn uses his unauthorized memories from Earth and the Necklace of Cores to upend the fabric of society? Is this all going exactly as planned? Chapters drop once a day from Thursday to Monday.Book One is completely released on Royal Road and has already been sent to an editor working towards a Kindle Unlimited release.I expect this series to be five to seven books long and will come to a conclusion.
8 1016 - In Serial27 Chapters
Acrabha Stone: Blessing and Curse (#1)
Raised by a cursed man called Hyrestl, Rylen will do anything to find the family he’s never met. But fate has other plans. Desperate enemies plot to steal a treasure he doesn’t know he has and no obstacle will stand in the way of their greed. All the while, Hyrestl struggles to find answers. Unable to go home, there’s only one thing clearer than the edge of his blade: whatever cursed him will meet his unbridled wrath. They’ll soon find themselves thrust into a deadly tangle involving priestesses, thieves, kings, lords and a mysterious stone.
8 82 - In Serial16 Chapters
Irresponsible Former God of War Renox
20 years ago monsters from myths appeared all around the world and brought great destruction. Gods who saw that, gave people powers to fight back the monsters.Today people with powers are called "Blessed". People who are blessed get an invitation on a man made Island A.M.I where they will learn how to use their powers and fight back monsters in a school.__________Renox the MC of this story is a son of God of War Ares and Goddess of Love, Wisdom, War, Fertility and Lust Inanna. He was one of the strongest gods at the age of ten and he could easily beat other War Gods, but never acted like one himself. He was a battle maniac and had an uncontrollable lust. He did stupid things and wasn't a stable god so he was thrown out of Olympus on to the Earth by Zeus. Follow his life on earth as he continues his lifestyle: killing, getting laid and getting wasted.Warning! This fiction contains: gore, strong language, sex, dark humor and stuff that can offend some people, because everything offends people nowadays.
8 147