《Dragon Rises》Chapter One
Advertisement
The sunlight beamed down through the window of the room. An almost unbearable occurrence that one had to sadly get used to. The ruffling of bedsheets, cleaned two days prior when the week had just begun. An extra five coppers had to be paid on top of the weekly silver. The smell was... less than pleasant, but not wholly unbearable. Groaning awake, the older-looking gentleman in bed had realized he'd not gotten used to beds quite yet. He was more used to heaps of stones and damp caverns.
Sitting up in the bed, sheets fell from his chest to cover his unmentionables. He didn't mind any. Standing up and going to put on his tunic and trousers. Moments later, he sighed briefly and opened the door to his room. He was not simply hungry, as he usually was these past couple of days. The desire to eat dozens of oxen was still present in his body, even if he had the stomach of a human. He passed through the hall, through the reception, and left.
I'll eat before a bath. He thought. Walking with his sword and shield on his back, connected to straps that made an X over his torso, the gentleman walked to the nearest tavern. He'd been to this tavern plenty recently. Not for any particular reason, either. The food was average, the clientele was your run-of-the-mill hopeful adolescence trying to become famous. Coming to the older man's table was a frail-looking boy, who set down a tankard full of water.
"The same as usual then, mister Victor?" The young man asked, causing him to look up to the boy. "Just the same." He responded, taking a swig of his tankard and setting down five coppers. While the youth walked to the counter with the money in his hand, he said something to the man behind, setting the coppers down. Victor would wait some minutes, watching the young man run back and forth between the counter and other tables. Finally, Victor was met with a platter of simple lamb chops, seasoned with local herbs. He tore into it without a care while the youth watched with a subtle smile.
Advertisement
"You eat the same as always, mister! Dad's cooking isn't that great, but you make it seem like it is!" They laughed before a ladle came crashing against his head. "Shut your mouth and get to work you little f-" The young man chortled. "Of course, father, on it! Have a nice meal, mister." He smiled politely before returning to his work of bringing dishes to and fro the counter and tables. Victor had taken a gander around the tavern. And, as per the usual, there was the bard in the corner, playing his lute, the local drunks at another table, and the whores in the other corner, trying to seduce and suck up to some start-up, so-called "adventurers". With much success, apparently.
Licking his lips and cleaning the lamb chop of all its meat until all that remained was a bone, Victor stood up and made his way out of the tavern. The same young boy who took his order delivered his food, and took his money turned to the door as Victor was leaving, waved, and offered a polite "Be safe out there!" before continuing. Victor moved along as well. There was only so much a human body could do in a day, and he planned to make the most out of it. Next up: bathing.
A good fifteen minutes of walking passed, involving going to the market, buying a bucket and cloth, and walking to the nearby river to clean himself in private. When he had finally gotten to his destination, he stripped out of his clothes, climbed into the cold river, and began to clean himself of any filth. His body didn't feel much in the river, be it because he wasn't cold, or was too cold, he didn't know or care. Any grime that got into his human body could likely spell his end if he wasn't careful about it. Damned curse. These weak, fleshy bodies are so irksome. He'd curse to himself.
Advertisement
Every so often, Victor would climb out of the river and sit on the bed, deciding to make a simple fire in his spare time to keep his body warm. While he was sitting by the fire, washing his legs with the cloth he'd just bought, he caught the scent of something.
"Come out. I can smell you." And before he could even turn around, he heard a woman's voice. "Wh- how rude!" she yelled. And again she spoke "You can't just say that to a lady! Women take care o- why am I explaining this to you?" She questioned angrily. "I could have you arrested for sa-" She couldn't get another word out, suddenly feeling a chill down her spine as she slowly turned to her side to see a tall, masculine figure standing there. He towered over her currently squatting figure, his piercing golden eyes and chiselled jaw making it seem as though he'd come from a painting. He was almost... no he was completely naked.
"OH MY G- PLEASE put on some clothes first before you stand in front of me!" The woman said, covering her face with her hands in an attempt to either stop herself from looking or stop Victor from seeing her flushed face. Perhaps both. Whatever it was, Victor's scowl remained as always, but he did walk away to put on his clothes. "Do you even know who I am?" She asked, hearing the ruffling of cloth and assuming he was now dressed. Standing up, she turned around the tree and looked at Victor, who was currently staring back.
She had short, hazelnut hair, only down to her upper neck and looking rather boyish. Her eyes were a naturally calming green that was only enhanced by the freckles over her face. She was lean, but not anorexic, with enough meat on their bones for one to be able to tell they were a woman without needing to hear their voice. Their chest was meagre, however. She was pretty, for a human that is.
"No." Victor told her, and her face became deadpan. "I don't know you." He added blankly. She stood still for a couple moments, before snapping out ofher stupor when she realized Victor had already begun walking past her. Flicking around to look at his back, she felt a chill down her spine again. Inhuman... he doesn't... fell human!
"W-Wait!" She called out, but he didn't stop. "This might seem rude but you... you aren't human are you?" She finished, gulping down a breath as she looked at his back. He paused for a second, rubbing his beard, before turning around half-way. Victor stood there for several long moments, before he finally began walking to her. Slowly, the whole while, but it was no less intimidating as she was soon against a tree with him staring down at her for the third time.
"No. I am not."
Advertisement
Questers, a litRPG tale
Follow our youngsters as they learn what it means to become true gamers in this post apocalyptic era. Democracy was long lost to the AI who now rules over the world. Humans have already settled in to this new reality but still seeing an elf, a dwarf and a skeleton walking out of a bar might be troubling. The story takes place in a future time, 4300s to be precise. Most of the nations had already fallen. There are a few that survived but they too are on the verge of destruction. ***No action tag. This is an adventure gamelit, litrpg.*** ***This series WILL turn dark.*** ***I plan on updating four chapters a week. Unless life forks over.*** ***Very very very slow progression. You have been warned***
8 85Remorse
I have killed many people over my long life. Men, women, children. None have escaped the shadows that I control. It was only one tiny mistake that I made that changed my life forever. I underestimated her, and I would pay for my hubris. “For every death you have given, you will feel their pain.” What? “For every person you have killed, you will feel regret.” Wait, wait… “For every murder you have commited, you will know what you have done.” I don’t think this is going to be pretty. The power leaves her voice as she continues in a softer tone. “I will give you back what you have lost, you will feel empathy again.” Her power releases me and I fall to the ground. Diana. That was her name. I will remember it. ******** This story starts out somewhat dark, but it will lighten up after the first chapter. I tend to not enjoy the psychological tag too much since stories with the tag tend to be a little insane for my liking, but I feel that I would be remiss not putting it on this story, since a lot of it is about the psychology of the main character. All the content warnings are checked since I want to leave my options open to me for the future. I hope you enjoy.
8 144After Days Chronicles: A Cabin By A Lake And The Things Beyond.
They had come to this place in a mysterious way. A tempest in time whisked her to him then him and her to here, a cabin by a lake, on the top of a mountain, in a valley that no map remembered. Earth, after the Breaking, is a middle ages, modern day, post apocalyptic cluster-fuck. All living things have been altered, in one way or another. The human race is not exempt. Although most of its changes are physical, not mental. Nor moral, for that matter. This is just one of the many stories of the time known as The After Days. 'So, you control the essence?' "No. I give the thing that is, hmm... the essence inside, the bility, hmmph, the a-bilty to move and shape. I tell what I need and they do, or do not if they not liking it." 'Okay let's see if I get this straight then, you touched the rope and gave its essence the ability to move like a snake, then you asked it to do what it did and it...?' "NO! I speak with mind to the hemp and vine, gave its essence the ability. Yes. Ask it to help me. It say sorry for the hurt. Not you I say, not you, you not hurt me. He make you to hurt! He hurt. You no hurt. Help me, free me. Please. Get me keys. It touched the blood on me. I felt it, sad. I felt it anger. I not ask it to. It kill Mekel, I not ask, but I knew, it, was... umm... chance... poss-a-bility. Nature knows. Nature does. I not force nature, I only ask for help."
8 158Small Pond
In a world without systems, levels, or any standard power levels, Faust is a naturally skeptical person who always asks questions first and accepts after he gets confirmation. A lot of it. With some information unknown to the reader, represented as [?], Faust is left to discover who kidnapped him, where he is, if magic exists, and what to do while the reader silently observes him. And as for the YOU dear reader, I'll need your help choosing some things... Small Pond isn't meant to be a high-paced action light novel, but instead, there's a greater focus on world and character building in order to create a greater narrative. Expect the unexpected in this story ;) The release schedule will be paused, for now, I'm going to try and spend some time rethinking the intro and work on school. Credit for Cover Photo:Giovanni Ussihttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Small_Lake_of_Monticolo_-_Photo_by_Giovanni_Ussi_93.jpg
8 121Path of Salvation
Not far outside the public eye lie wonders forgotten by mankind. Magic, Spirits, Powers... With time and with the power of a crumbling oath the common folk forgot what wonders and horrors they could bring simply because they wished to do so. As a select few of special individuals suffer under these excrutiating conditions of secrecy, magic, and the status quo, one such special individual sees a way out of a life he deemed cruel. Wanting to start over, he intends to take on the duty of handling these pressures as a means to make his life worth living.Even if it may break him, even if Hyperion lives a life far worse than the one before, at least he'll know, as the martyr he is at heart, that his sacrifice helped others while also unaware that others are willing to do the opposite if there's even a small chance that it could help him. Going on a hiatus that may last until the next Writathon; currently burned out with writers block (Started May 23rd)
8 119Chakras In Yoga Meditation and Stress Relief
Chakras. The name conjures up an image of a human body with seven swirling energy points along the spine, each one of the colors of the rainbow. But what are chakras all about? What do they represent? How does one work with them?This book starts from the beginning and goes step by step, chakra by chakra, through the system of energy, or prana. It explains what symbols and crystals are associated with each one, and how to use them to work toward better health.Namaste.This book Chakras for Yoga Meditation and Stress Relief is intended to be free on all systems, to help those who are in need of support find a step toward a more contented life. If the system you are currently on requires a charge to download, all author's proceeds will benefit battered women's shelters.This book is a companion piece to my other free books on yoga and meditation.Feel free to contact Lisa if you have any questions - she's happy to help!
8 95