《After Life》Chapter 24.5: The Storm
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A crack of lightning lights the sky. After the flash, Sariph was back. Back, and many times over the size of an average building. Large black thorns have formed curving upwards from his arms and legs. Protruding from his forehead two large cone-like horns come to a sharp tip. His hands and feet have evolved further giving them razor sharp claws. His whole body appears to be encased in jagged scaled ebony armor.
With another crack from the storm he was gone. Gone, then suddenly behind, already greedily devouring the larger of the Ultrasapiens. The ogres. His speed, matched only by his insatiable appetite. Six tentacles spring out from his waist capturing ogres from any distance. They scream as Sariph tosses them into his mouth, no different than cherry tomatoes.
The sky lights up with different colors as every remaining Ultrasapien collectively releases their powers onto the demon. Sariph howls before replying by swinging his barbed chain. The chain, so large now, that just the sheer motion of it produces winds to knock anything back. It’s all Shado can do to teleport Ultras out of the way of the attacks. Again and again he teleports back in time to save more. He drops them off at the forest's edge where a gathering of Enlightened Ones has accumulated. The forest people call out instructing Ultras to head to the mountain for protection.
The Ultras find making the trek to the mountain difficult. Between the earth shattering quakes, hurricane winds, and the dense forest, any speed is daunting. Especially since compared to the demon, for with its immensity, the distance is a simple stroll. With the fresh pickings teleporting away from Sariph, his attention turns to Cole and Cain, still locked in a strange dance battle.
Cain calls to Cole, “I wish you would have listened to me earlier! Ah but what can I expect? I know you better than you know yourself!”
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“I’m not falling for your tricks!” calls Cole.
“No tricks, but you know we don’t have a choice. We’re going to have to combine our powers!” replies Cain.
Without hesitation their dancing form changes. In sync they turn to face Sariph while moving their arms in liquid motion. The yin yang shape of the storms start to combine into one superstorm. The eye of the storm manifests around them as the upper atmosphere turns darker and electrified.
Shado teleports next to Cole, “You power up your storm. I’m going to buy you some time!”
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Legacy Unbroken
For six generations, his family has held the title of Hero of Farathun. Now, his father lies dead, dishonored, stripped of his title. He is only a boy, untested, unnamed, unready to take up his father's sword. But that doesn't matter, because he has a plan. Three simple steps. 1) Master the sword 2) Earn his name 3) Take back his father's title It doesn't matter that it's impossible. It doesn't matter what challenges he will face. His family's legacy will continue, unbroken. But when opportunity comes knocking at his door, will he be ready to seize it? When a new teacher finds him, and challenges all that he thought was true, the boy is whisked away on an adventure that will take him far beyond the bounds of his home. He'll learn, and grow, and gain strength. He will find his place in the wider world, and leave his mark in history. Or die trying.
8 101A Dance of Poison and Curses
For Liliana Rose her family is absolute. Her loyalty is absolute, and if her mother or father demanded anything of her she'd give it to them without a thought. Yet in the end she realized how little she'd given to her family, and how she was nothing in comparison to her parents. To that end Liliana chose to leave her family behind, setting out on a journey to find her own value, and a way to help cement her own legacy. What she found was something beyond her imagination, and it would eventually lead to her discovering her own place within the Empire.
8 218The Twelve
In a world marred by the supernatural, Japan suffers from its own fair share of evil and demonic disasters, with generations of shamans known as Onmyoji protecting their homeland from these forces of evil. Capable of wielding magic and using spirits of their own, these shamans were not only skilled in battle, but also divination. However, they were unable to correctly predict Japan's loss in World War Two, and suffered the punishments that followed. Persecuted and torn apart by infighting, the Onmyoji reunited under the banner of the Tsuchimikado clan, descendants of Abe no Seimei, one of the greatest Onmyoji to ever live. The Onmyoji began to rebuild and to regrow. Ren is the sole heir to the Tsuchimikado family, but has been unable to practice Onmyodo ever since his birth, even though he possesses the greatest ability in the family. But when disaster befalls his family, Ren has nobody to turn to, and no idea how to use his powers. As he journeys to escape the same fate his family faced and attempts to learn how to use his powers, there is only one question on his mind; as the Tsuchimikado heir, how can he save the Onmyoji... from themselves? ---------------------------------------------- note from author: I'm writing this based loosely on the very real theories of Onmyodo, and so my writing may not be a truthful or accurate depiction of Onmyodo or other related areas, such as religion, for instance. That is why, while depicted in the real world, events that happen may seem unrealistic and it may be easier to imagine it as a parallel universe that is the same as ours, but with slight differences so that my possible errors will be easier to overlook. Sorry, and thanks!
8 119The 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 1172'n Aloysius
Sparks flash from the local library in Yuoshi, as a vortex swirled inside. One high-schoolers fate spiralled out of control, but unforseen factors threw a wrench into his destiny. What if the main protagonist never became one, and were instead replaced by two layabout brothers?
8 125The Kings play a Game?
The Campiones are individuals whose actions cannot be predicted with common logic. Also known as Kings and Godslayers they are people who hold unimaginable power and influence. What happens when they decide to play in the Virtual World of Royal Road? A crossover of LMS and Campione. Warning: spoilers read at your own risk.
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