《エッセンス (Essence)》Volume One | Chapter - Third Nebula Invasion Pt. One
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Walking down one of the many pristine clean corridors of Essensu Japan Academy, Aiko yawned as she weakly stumbled her way to class little did she know that a rude awakening was in store. Running up behind her, Uli grabbed Aiko around the waist hoisting her up into the air. Aiko let out a scream as she didn't have a clue what was going on, only to turn her head around to greeted by a grinning Uli.
She frantically wriggled out of her friends' tight grip, "Don't do that! You scared me to death!" Aiko shouted as many students wondered by them glancing as they heard Aiko raising her tone.
Uli just laughed in response, "Look, chill out it was only a joke..." she decided then and there to change the subject eyeing her friend closely "...anyway, who were you having a secret rendezvous yesterday? Huh?" she continued to press the subject without letting up.
Aiko nervously smiled, "Well..." she pauses for a moment considering her options before proceeding "...I just spent some time with Sachika-" she was stopped by Uli before she could finish, her friend's eyes lit up with excited anticipation. "Wait! You said Sachika right?!" Uli shouted as she asked, Aiko nodding curtly in response to the question confused by her friends' gleeful attitude. "The Sachika Ito, nicknamed the Phantom Queen!" Uli pressed Aiko for more answers. "I-I'm not entirely sure, she has silver hair with side bangs that somewhat resemble pigtails hanging down the side of her cheek!" Aiko hastily explained not knowing what else to say. Uli almost fell before regaining her composure, grabbing her friend by the shoulders tightly, "Have you two made a Blood Contract with one another?!" Uli whispered loudly trying not to be overheard.
Aiko just shook her head quickly to answer Uli's question. Uli sighed with relief, "Good, just make sure you don't do that" she told Aiko with all the seriousness she could muster at that moment.
"What's the issue with doing such a thing with Sachika?" Aiko asked hesitantly to find out the answer.
"Do you know how jealous the other girls would get if they found out..." Uli gulped slightly "...it's common knowledge that Coordinators try to form Blood Contracts with prestigious Familiar's in order to raise their status within the academy". Uli dreaded of the thought of something happening to Aiko like the other day, "Look, just promise me you won't form a Blood Contract with Sachika Ito, okay?"
Aiko tapped Uli's hands off of her shoulders, "Okay, okay...jeez just let it go already" Aiko replied as if impersonating a little girl. Deep down inside Aiko didn't see any problem in the matter, it's my choice to decide whom I want to partner with so everyone can stuff it for all I care, she wasn't exactly thinking of asking Sachika in the first place but she hated the idea of people telling her what she can and can't do.
As the two of them walked towards the reception area of the academy in the centre of the room was a large group of students looking upwards, when Aiko turned to see what they were looking at it was a holographic projection of the news. On the screen, they could see the image of a man dressed in a grey suit.
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At 22:00 hours, eyewitness reports indicate that a Third Nebula Invasion has commenced as radar and communications blacked out of the Korean Peninsula, the news reporter paused for a moment placing a finger upon his earpiece, I-I just been informed that we have exclusive footage taken from a civilian source.
The screen cut to the recording taken from a civilian source, as Aiko, Uli and the other students watched, they could see the rainy overcast day of the sky as gunfire, flak and explosions filled the sky with a cluster of vibrant colours. It wasn't long before a gargantuan white and blue electrical orb started to form in the sky above, a few seconds later an image of a Nebula Titan Platform along with the dozen Nebula Cruiser Platforms followed by a huge electrical surge that soon cut out the feed.
We've also received information that the Minister of Defence is currently giving a statement right now, so we'll now broadcast said statement. The screen cut to a new image showing the Minister of Defence gave a speech on the current situation at hand.
As of this moment, we the Japanese Government have come to the decision to dispatch military aid and relief to the Korean Peninsula along with an Armiger detachment in order to provide support on the operation. We are unclear of the situation at hand, as sporadic information keeps coming out of the area regardless we will still provide full support to our allies abroad.
Upon hearing that statement, the crowd of students began to talk to one another some scared of what'll happen others unsure on how to respond to such a thing. As the image was switched over to another channel, it wasn't long before some of the students went back to their usual business attending their classes and practises. Aiko and Uli thought it was weird how some of these students, realizing they were mostly second and third years, never thought much of what the news reporter was talking about. I guess they're just used to seeing this, the loss of friends and comrades were probably common nature to them it came with the job and title, Aiko thought to herself.
At first, both Aiko and Uli didn't notice Bethany running to them breathing heavily as pores of sweat ran down her forehead, "I-I've been l-looking everywhere for you" she announced with such a haggard tone. Once she got her breath back she stood up straight, "Have you guys seen the news?" she asked.
Both Aiko and Uli nodded. "About the Third Nebula Invasion, I'm sure the Koreans can handle it" Uli replied somewhat hesitant at her own confidence in such a situation.
"That's the thing..." Bethany sent shivers down their spines when she continued talking "...the two countries resumed fighting yesterday along the 38th Parallel Line, and that's where the Nebula emerged"
"You don't mean that..." the thought of it haunted Aiko, she didn't want to believe it. Bethany nodded confirming Aiko's suspicions, "Rumours are circulating that nearly all the second and third-year students of Essensu South Korea Academy were killed in the initial attack, and not much of the first years survived either"
Uli laughed nervously thinking that they were over exaggerating the whole thing, "Come on, you can't be serious..." when she realised that both Aiko and Bethany still had serious looks on their faces her knees trembled as she fell to the floor some of the students turned to see what was happening "...but we had friends go to that academy..." tears started coming to her eyes as the thought weighed in on her, Bethany knelt down trying to console her as the two of them hugged.
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Aiko was in danger of losing her cool as were many other first years around them, so this is what it feels like wondering whether a friend is dead or not, as she too fell to the floor hugging Uli who was still crying. Sachika and Hibiki were sitting together outside in one the academy's gardens, Sachika had her cell phone out on the screen it read, Dialling...Chi-Sun, once again for the fourth time it went to voicemail. They were both worried at this point, they heard about the conflict resuming and the sudden appearance of the Third Nebula Invasion force this morning like everyone else around the world. Information out of the country was sporadic and in most cases unreliable.
"I hope she's okay" Hibiki muttered, Sachika just nodded in response.
"Stop worrying about something you can't change" both Hibiki and Sachika heard from the distance they looked up to see a girl, a third year at their academy standing before her lesser peers, her bright red hair tied in a ponytail hanging down her back almost reaching her tailbone, her sea green eyes staring at them. Standing behind her was her second-year Coordinator, her almost white hair was blinding with the sunlight shining upon it as it too hung down in a short ponytail, the girls' silver eyes made her look alien with her hair.
"What did you say!" Sachika's anger was rising by the second.
"You heard me" the third year girl responded.
Sachika without thinking stood up forming her Essence Armament her bladed gauntlets the Gan Jiang and Mo Ye, in response, the third year's Coordinator held out her hand in front of her as fine pixelated shards started to emanate from her body as energy started to build up in front of her hand. The third-year waved her hand signalling for her to stop.
"B-But, Haven-sama" the girl responded.
"It's fine, it looks like Sachika Ito needs to be taught a lesson by her superiors" the third year answered, as she too started to form her own Essence Armament, her weapon was that of a great sword. The handle and hand guard were long enough for two hands, the blade itself was straight until it got closer to the tip where both blades edge curved to meet in the centre. The sword was almost the girl's full body height, it's length reaching the girls' shoulder.
Sachika smirked, "I've been waiting for a long time to beat you to a pulp, Jade Haven," she said as she readied herself. Jade also did the same readying herself for their fight.
Hibiki jumped up off the bench, "Come on! We don't have time for such things like this, we've got bigger fish to fry!" she tried talking some sense into the two of them, but both Sachika and Jade were adamant to continue this fight ignoring the pleas from Hibiki for them to stop. The two of them charged each other before they could do anything a barrier in the appearance of bright holographic pixels emerged between them, they both crashed into it the barrier zapping them with strong electrical currents as the two of them winced. Before the two of them was an Essence Barrier a fusion of Essence dust particles of electrical nature, it's exclusively used by the Coordinators allowing them to produce protective grids around their Familiar partners or to pin down enemies taking their range of movement
Turning to their left they could see both Ashina and Amelia the latter with her hand out as pixelated patterns emerged across the floor from her body to the barrier between Sachika and Jade. Ashina twirling the end of her dark purple coloured braid smiled at the two fighting Familiars as Amelia stood slightly behind her, the girl's black wavy hair blowing gently with the wind including her braid that closely resembled her partners'.
Jade shocked bowed as did her Coordinator, deactivating her Essence Armament, " Ms Ashina" she answered. Sachika reluctantly deactivated her Essence Armament, as both she and Hibiki stood there looking towards the student council president.
Ashina giggled, "I hate to break it to you ladies..." her eyes suddenly turned from their gleeful effect to a sour one "...but unauthorized duels are not permitted on campus"
"I deeply apologize, Ms Ashina, however Sachika Ito of second-year went out of line to draw a weapon on the third year" Jade responded bowing down lower than before. It only took a split second for Ashina to return to her gleeful self once again, to everyone it scared them how quickly Ashina's persona could change but no one ever dared mentioned a word of it in her presence.
"I know everyone's on edge..." Ashina pointed to Sachika and Hibiki "...I am also aware that you were trying to give these second years an important life lesson on the burden of losing friends and loved ones..." Ashina clapped her hands together "...however, we must also never lose what makes us human" she announced.
Jade couldn't help but scoff at the last comment, but she refrained herself from answering back. Both she and her Coordinator stood up straight from their bowed position, "Once again I apologize for my behaviour" Jade replied walking away with her Coordinator.
Both Sachika and Hibiki had their gazes on them albeit Sachika's was more hostile. Once Jade and her Coordinator were out of sight both Sachika and Hibiki started to walk away before Ashina coughed to get their attention, the duo turned back looking at the student council president. Sachika, as usual, wasn't thrilled, while Hibiki was just hoping that she wouldn't cause any more trouble.
"I was originally sent here to collect you two..." Ashina said, both Sachika and Hibiki were somewhat surprised that the former wasn't being punished for breaking the rules "...Mistress Daiki would like to speak to the two of you personally" Ashina finished with a big smile on her face, as she turned away walking towards the Mistress' office closely followed by Amelia.
Both Sachika and Hibiki followed suit, the two of them looking at one another wondering what the Mistress could possibly want with either of them.
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Katra
Kardin lived a happy and good life. That is, till he was given a strange orb by an even stranger man, maybe even a demon. He watches as his village is burned, the villagers slaughtered and his friend devoured. He escapes into the Jungle of The Gods, a place of ancient ruins and deadly animals. There, he is changed and his fate diverges from what should have been his death. Now he must forge his own path in a world of great beauty and power, where death lurks around the corner and battles between veritable gods are fought. Where nations clash and ancient beings destory civilizations on whims. But unseen cogs move under the surface, events transpiring beyond simple understanding. Strange and powerful items called Artifacts have started to reappear across the land of Auren, empowering their wielders far beyond what cultivation can give. The Traezar Empire and all of Auren are on the precipice of war and strange beings have started to emerge, all with an agenda of their own. Chaos is brewing, and Kardin must survive it, all while trying to attain vengeance and understand his strange and anomalous Katra. ***Current Schedule*** I am currently releasing 1 3,000(Sometimes I end up writing waaaay more) word chapter halfs every week. If there is not some sort of notice as to why I have vanished, then I'm probably dead. Let's hope I don't die then, eh? *Ducks under flying knife* I own this cover, put my own blood, sweat and an hour of my time into it. Ahahaha! This story is inspired (I stress this word, as because most of the story is different) by Will Wight’s Cradle. I highly recommend you read it! (Please for gods sake, if you have something to say, please do it in a curteous fashion. I don’t need any more maniacs flying at me and trying to stab me with sporks, I am already insane enough to fill that role.*Winks*) **What is This Story?** Think cultivation mashed with western fantasy, put into a pot to boil and then drunk while it's pipping hot. All the while a mad man(me) cackles insanely over the pot, stirring. It draws from xianxia lightly, which means no exasperated angry young masters. No “genuis” or “prodigy” MC, one that is not OP, or anything of the like. If you don’t like cultivation novels, this might still be up your alley. MC focuses on “Life Shaping”, see poll 2 for more Info. Warning! If your are squeamish, that gore and traumatizing content tag is there for a reason. I shall dive into both bloody and disturbing scenes and the questionable ethics of manipulating life, and some of it won’t be pretty. With a dose of realism added in. I do add my own evi- I mean despic- no, sorry, interesting twists aswell. >:) Also, I HATE info dumps! *Steps out of the way of a charging semi* Still not dead! Arc 1 (Kindling): Chapter 1 - 13 Arc 2 (Metempsychosis): Chapter 14 - 29 Arc 3 (???): Chapter 30 - ??? A disclaimer, I am new author and am still feeling out my limitations. This story is my hope of bettering my writing skills and to have fun. Buckle up and enjoy the insane journey that is Katra. (Pronounced as cah-tra)
8 222A Coder's Guide To Magic
Magic, you wave your hand, use up some mana, call out the name and stuff happens; that's how it usually works. Not in this world... Otto is a slightly unhinged programmer brought to a fantasy world where magic exists, not as a list of spells or a wall of icons you press but as a detailed system of commands and mechanics allowing one to problem solve encounters and create countless inventions! With one goal on his mind, to learn all he possibly can about magic, Otto will be thrust into a troubled world where magic is heavilly regulated and the corupt nobilty wield god-like powers and arcane tools passed down through generations. Will Otto join the system? Try to overthrow it or completely ignore it on his quest for knowledge? Or maybe he'll fall prey to it...
8 244The Smol Detective
This is a fanfic set in the universe of They Are Smol, an awesome series of stories which you should totally go read right now if you haven’t. The Smol Detective features one Oscar Williams, your standard Manly Badass DudeTM who gets thrown into a larger world where his physical skills are about as useful as a bucket of donkey spit. Therefore, he’ll have to adapt and do so quickly. It turns out that humans are really good at that sort of thing. But still, he’d better adapt fast. Because Oscar’s about to get sucked into a web of alien intrigue, drugs, and murder which will tax his other abilities to the limit… Formal Disclaimer Type Thing: I do not take credit for the original setting, this story is set in an alternate version of the 'They are Smol' universe, written by the one, the only u/tinyprancinghorse.TPH takes many forms and is known by many names. He is like Nyarlathotep, only smaller and cuter and more prancey. TPH also has a Website should you require more Smol Shenanigans in your life. And of course you do, so go ye forth and read. The cover art for this story comes courtesy of the mighty Akella, and you should totally go and throw money at them for commissions because they are awesome.
8 177Transmigrated as an NTR’ed protagonist.
WARNING!!! The mc of this novel is weak(mentally) and thus unlikable. The story also has a tag SLOW-PACE. Which means there won't be a lot of actions going on from the get-go.Erlig, a senior in a respectable college lived his whole life without knowing such a word as trouble. Stable life with no accidents, great parents, and a good friend. Gaming was his hobby.But when he tried a new game something happened to him.He was trapped in a new world as the protagonist of this game. The worst is that he was cuckolded, humiliated, and beaten down. Not knowing how this happened he now forced to live a different life.Those things, that looked like fiction in the game turned out to be much more real. He is forced to confront the dark and grimy world that looks much harsher than what he always saw. The only things that left in his changed world, is his meager knowledge of the game and his, own, self.Given such a miraculous opportunity, he is forcibly taken out from his bubble and placed between a choice.To break and fall or to forever change his fate, his life, and everything around him. A little description to give a better understanding of what this story is about. It's my vision on a fusion of Korean fighting manhwas and Korean r-18 romance manhwas with the protagonist that is not typical to those particular works.Author's note: As this is my first novel and English is not my native language any criticism would be appreciated. Release schedule: At least one chapter every week.I also post on Scribble Hub and Webnovel.
8 427Gato Lana: Part 1 [Start of The End]
(This story is based of: https://gato-lana.fandom.com/wiki/Gato_Lana_Wiki. Reading Dialogues/character pages is recommended. You don't have to read them to understand this story, though.)In the world of Arcave, humanity is fighting against the "Longers", monsters with different shapes and unknown purposes. The human race only survives with difficulty against them while the "Longers" fight relentlessly to exterminate humanity once and for all. Arcave is a world where light pierces the darkness and darkness engulfs the light. A world where the balance between hope and despair is a thin line that threatens to break every time the bright star in the sky rises. A world where every day is a fierce battle for the survival of the species.Even if the human species is the dominant one, it is not the only one on the world of Arcave. The "Kemonos" are humans with animal attributes, considered other than human. The "Morris" are less like humans and are mistreated, because they are the ones who would have allowed the Longers to become so powerful...
8 72Taking Tammy.
NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON - - PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW. All Tammy wanted was a friend. So, when she found a listing online advertising a puppy for sale, how could she resist?Her mother always warned her about the dangers of the internet.
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