《Generation: Alpha》Chapter 7
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Maple propped her arms up behind her head, staring up at the ceiling. Her pajamas laid over her like large blanket, softening the soreness she felt through her body. Overhead, the lights cast a hazy glow. The generator's fuel supply had been purposely choked off so it wouldn't be so bright, allowing everyone to get some sleep. Next to her, Alyssa had made herself at home instead of going to her own room. The day had been rough for both of them, so Maple appreciated the company.
In the next room over, Marcus was laying across his mattress, family photograph in hand. He wondered what Helen would've thought had she been there. She probably would've scolded him over letting Maple and Alyssa venture off to that car place, but he felt it was necessary to let them roam. They weren't meant to stay cooped up like some livestock. He had hoped there would be a time when it was safe to let them set off on their own, go make a life for themselves. He had forgotten that there wasn't any life to be had anymore.
Maple heard him place the frame back down where it had been sitting, followed by a rummaging of blankets. It was evident that despite his general go lucky attitude, a deep anxiety had overtaken him. She suddenly felt her chest grow heavy once more. The recent events had reminded her of emotions that she often turned off. While she mostly remained apathetic to most things, only a few things in her life could spur such a depressing mood from her.
She glanced over to Alyysa, who had now managed to nestle herself directly up against Maple and was fidgeting, apparently suffering from some sort of dream. Maple pondered how the two had become so different in attitudes. Alyssa had lived an equally rough life, yet she was constantly smiling, trying to spread her cheer to those around her. Instead, Maple often distanced herself and went about things her own way, leaving someone's problems to be their own. Alyssa was one of the few people that Maple allowed herself to become close to.
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Unable to allow herself to drift off to sleep, Maple gently rolled Alyssa onto her side and crept away. As passed through her father's room, Marcus rolled over to face her. He addressed her in a quiet tone, hoping not to wake Alyssa, "Where are you heading this time of night?" His tone was sodden and deep. It wasn't his usual self.
"I'm stepping out to get some air. I can't really sleep with everything on my mind." Maple loved her father, she really did. It was just hard for her to talk to him in depth. He did his best, but since they lost her mother, things had never been quite the same. She knew he tried his best, but his mindset was different than hers. This was a time that Maple felt she needed her mother more than ever.
"Just don't stay out too late. We've got alot to do with little time to do it. Make sure you don't go above ground either. We don't know what's out there right now."
Maple felt slight frustration at the statement, but waved it off. He was just trying to do his job. She knew that he was aware that she could take of herself, it was just his way of showing concern. "Yeah, I know. I just want to clear my mind so I can sleep."
A few moments passed before Marcus spoke up again, "Maple, I know I can't understand what you're feeling, I never could. That was always your mother's job. When we lost her, I tried to do the best I could. I didn't want to shelter you from the world but I didn't want you to grow up hating it either. I hope you understand."
Maple felt a tear begin to swell up in her eye. She wasn't used to hearing him speak like that. Rarely had he ever confided anything that was considered to be a deep subject, it just wasn't his way. She didn't know if he felt that it was the right time to say what he did, or if he was afraid this would be the only time. She wasn't going to run, and he understood that. It was better to say what needed to be said rather than leave it unspoken, never to leave his lips.
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"Yeah Dad, I know. Don't worry. I'll be fine."
Maple ran her fingers across the smooth walls that lined the corridors. While she knew it wouldn't be long before she couldn't see them anymore, it just wouldn't sink in for some reason. There was a fight coming, and she knew they would lose. Even still, she felt her desire to fight still burning. She wondered what her life would've been like if they had been on the other side. Would they live in large communities where the priveleged prospered under Helix, or would they be like the refugees? She couldn't imagine what it would be like.
As she paced back and forth around the central area, another mouse scampered out from behind a pile of trash behind one of the columns. Maple stared back at it, it's beady eyes focused on her. How similar they were, running around, scavenging, holing up in the walls living from one day to the next. Were they no better than the rodents that scampered around?
A shift in the shape of the shadows just beyond suddenly drew Maple's attention. Somebody was there. She slowly slid her way towards the column in front of her, contouring her body to its shape to hide herself. Out of the shadows, a cloaked figure slowly emerged. Maple instantly recognized the figure, the woman from before.
How had she slipped inside the Underground? Akatsuya was supposed to be on front watch while Briggs and Germaine were swapping roles guarding the blocked entry tunnels. The woman slowly began walking towards where Maple was hiding. She seemed to have no sense of caution about herself, strolling through as if she belonged there herself.
This woman, it was because of her that everyone was in the situation they were in. She had to have told Helix that there were people in the city. How else could the timing be explained? Maple felt her hands begin to tingle, and her chest began to burn. She clenched her fists, and prepared to strike.
Before she could pounce, the woman came to a stop and spoke, "Maple, I know you're hiding. I'm not here to fight. I come bearing some news. Possibly good news for the predicament you're in."
Maple hesitated, unsure of what the woman's intentions were. Before she could make a decision on what to do, a familiar person emerged from behind the woman. Akatsuya was standing in plain view. Why wasn't he attacking? Had the woman done something to him?
As if sensing Maple's hesitation, Akatsuya spoke up, "Her name's Lyria. I caught her walking right in our front door. I can't say that she has our best interests in mind, but she does have information that will be pretty useful for us."
"See? I told you that I wasn't an enemy. Why don't you step out and see for yourself?" Lyria's voice sounded bewitching, like a siren luring sailors to their demise. Maple felt usnure if she should compromise herself, but she remembered that Akatsuya was there. If she tried to pull her tricks again, he would be able to counter them.
As she stepped out, Lyria pulled her hood back, letting the dull light shine down on her face. She had a pale complexion, a gentle appearance. Her hair, as Lyria saw, was a light colored lavender, flowing down over her shoulders just above her shoulder blades. On each side of her face, her hair drifted downwards, tightening up into curls at the end.
Seeing Maple reveal herself from behind the column, Lyria let a warm smile escape from her face...
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Divine Creatures
Kestra, a [Combat Alchemist] and [Woods Wraith Hunter], is excited to finally receive her third class. But when she attempts to do so, she instead receives a tribulation from the God of Trials, loses her classes, and is informed by the voice of the world that she's been selected to transmigrate with only three days to go. She tries her damnedest to prepare, but even the Elements are different in this new realm. A relatively staid adjustment period is completely abandoned though as she finds that, most distressingly, hundreds of transmigrators have appeared recently with dozens enslaved by the local city lord. Fine! She may have lost her classes and the magic is funky, but she'll be damned if she doesn't have a few true-blue skills up her sleeves. [synopsis re-write by luda305] A light hearted romp where the protag transmigrator *isn't* from Earth. The main story takes place on more of a western xianxia world. Note: profanity tag is because of side characters, and sexual context tag is for some risqué elements before fade-to-black scene. Book 1 is written and scheduled for release a chapter a day till 9/26 (24 chapters total) Book 2 will be added after it is all written. Updated to add fanfic tag because when I picked up the latest Ten Realms I realized that series has had a lot more influence on the setting than I consciously realized. Don't expect military or industrial revolution in xianxia, though.
8 231Tree of Yggdrasil
A Land of Myths and Legends. It has been far too long since the Age of Humanity has come and gone, the only evidence of those times being ruins and relics, left over from a past shrouded in mystery. In the center of the Human Continent, there exists a Tree, the origin of all the monsters and of humanity’s downfall. Yet, humans prevail, rising from the ashes every time. Countries rise and fall, struggling in an endless cycle of conquest and bloodshed. Yet still they pray to the source of their misfortune, the Tree of Yggdrasil, hoping to be granted one of its miracles. It has been centuries since the Tree has blessed a being. Only a select few in the past were able to receive its grace, bringing about a new form of power to the world and transcending humanity. These beings, having created brand new lands of their own, are known as paragons of their own species, yet they are all cursed in one way or another. Once again, humanity is rising, yet their growth brings about misfortune to all who surround them. Those forsaken even by their own races face death, persecution and loneliness. And yet, the Tree keeps its silence. Until now… *Credit for the cover goes to Darkhikarii at DeviantArt, if you want it taken down, please message me.
8 91Señor de la fortaleza [Spanish]
La sombra de la guerra parece envolver el continente una vez más, ¿quiénes serán los señores de la guerra de esta nueva era? Fantasmas del pasado resurgen tras el llamado de la batalla, ¿quién es el enemigo que acecha en la oscuridad? Al abrir los ojos Adrion se encuentra sentado en su trono una vez más, un mundo donde la guerra se libra de una forma completamente diferente a cualquier otra, espadas, magia, armas de asedio, magos aéreos, así como fortalezas, pociones, invocaciones, habilidades de comandante… Sigues los pasos de Adrion descubre mientras los misterios del mundo al que ha llegado, using la fuerza que le ha sido otorgada se embarca en un camino lleno de sangre y muerte para destruir la injusticia de este mundo.
8 230REBIRTH OF THE STRONGEST GENIUS
Once upon a time there used to be a Strongest talent..Soon this talent became omniscient and Strongest in his multiverse but he couldn't fulfill his lifetime wish...BUT he didn't gave up.. Let's join on Rahu's adventure to become the real Strongest on his rebirth with a mysterious System.. The Strongest System: Do 1 billion push ups.. Rahu: Done, where is the reward? The Strongest System: Congrats, Host! Here is your reward for completing the task: Urban omnipotent talisman, xx Exp points..
8 163I SAID I LOVE YOU
"What did you say?", he asked with quite surprise and amusement in his tone."I love you aadi",i said feebly and weakly."WHAT!!!",this time he nearly shouted..with a bit of anger in his voice ."I SAID I LOVE YOU AADI !! I.....LOVE...YOU(this time i shouted)!Did you here it properly now?", i said.Suddenly,he started lauging like a maniac..."Did u ever look at your face in the mirror....ohh i forgot! Is your family even able to afford a mirror?how did u even dare to confess to me...if possible dont ever show me ur tramp face again",he said!"Please...please just...!",i start to plead."Leave...NOW!",he shouted and i was in tears!-------It started raining,aadi pinned my hands above my head against the car. He had trapped me, his scent overwhelming my senses. I closed my eyes as he got closer and turned my head away. His lips connected with my jawbone instead, he made the most of it and trailed tiny butterfly kisses down my neck and collarbone. He smiled faintly at my gasp of reaction, he lowered the other one to my face and gently pulled my face to face him. He skillfully closed the gap between us devouring my lips and stealing all my ability to think. Without giving a second thought to what I was doing I arched my body into his and kissed him back.He let go of my trapped hands so his could go other places n i pulled him closer."I love you my angel",he said in between the kiss...."what !" ,i asked!.."I SAID I LOVE YOU ANGEL",he replied.I pushed him with all my force..."Angel Please...just please",he said weakly......"Leave Aadi , NOW", i shouted and turned back..through the side window i could see he had tears in his eyes!!*********#32 in general fiction on 10-11-15
8 1783 Ninjas Kick Back (Part 3)
Decided to change her model since her character is getting older changed it to Margaret Qualley instead of Julia Butters Younger model: Julia butters Older model: Margaret Qualley 3rd book! Her new name is Zoey and BlazeHope you all enjoy this series can't believe how many people actually view this. I grew up watching 3 ninjas it's what actually inspired me to do karate and I got back into it. All credits to owner besides my character and lines!
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