《Astral Projection》05: Hologram
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"I have come to give you a warning," Gustav's hologram said to Emil. "The Austro-Hungarian Empire will collapse following a great war. This is inevitable."
Emil looked at Camilla. She was still passed out. He looked back at Gustav's hologram, and took a deep breath. He tried to fathom what he was seeing and what he was hearing. He wanted to make sense of it with common logic, but he could not. He could only accept it for what it was.
Emil felt sick with anxiety. "Am I hallucinating? The voices . . . now this, how can any of it be real?"
"That voice you heard earlier was merely a test. I was communicating to you audibly through the origin point, as I am now in a more complete manifestation—one only you can see and hear. The voice you heard was not heard by Camilla, and this apparition before you cannot be seen by her either. Even if I wanted my daughter to see me like this, there appear to be some symptoms which are triggered by the presence of my hologram. Too bad."
"Hm, yes," Emil said, feeling overwhelmingly nauseous. "So, this origin point you discovered allows you to project your voice and your image? And you can predict the future? Is that correct?"
The hologram flickered like a bolt of lightning and said, "Yes. You were skeptical at first, but now you must put that skepticism aside and act."
"Herr Silber, I don't know how I may proceed. I feel unwell. Physically, mentally, emotionally."
Emil sat beside Camilla. Her head turned, and Emil heard a faint groan. Emil sighed; seeing her in this condition was only increasing the stress. He also remembered how she told him about Gustav's suggestion for her to be married to Emil. Was that also true? It almost seemed insignificant with everything else that was said.
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"At this time, you must continue the path you are on and be aware of your surroundings. I entrust my family to you. When you see Paula, tell her I miss her deeply. And Camilla . . ." The hologram flickered once again. Gustav looked to his daughter and then to Emil.
". . . There are some things I cannot see nor control, but I will tell you this one last thing before we must part: I truly believe you are the man for her, Herr Weiss."
It was the first time Gustav had addressed Emil in such an honorable way. Emil could feel a chill down his spine, and his nausea subsided.
Before Emil could speak another word, Gustav's hologram vanished as fast as he could blink.
.✪.
Camilla was groggy, sore, and scraped up, but the morning light felt rejuvenating as it warmed her skin. She was lying on a pile of leaves at the base of a mountain surrounded by trees. She tried to remember where she was, but her mind was too foggy.
She heard footsteps coming toward her. She wanted to stand up, but her legs were still too stiff.
"Good morning," Emil said while keeping his distance. He did not want to startle her.
Camilla was able to recognize Emil this time right away. She smiled at him, but said nothing. For some reason, she felt guilty. She wanted to apologize, even though she had no control over what happened.
Emil came closer to her and sat down. "I thought it would be better to let you sleep for a while. I heard seizures really tire people out. I've never had one myself, but . . ."
She leaned over and put her head on his shoulder. He smiled and put his hand on her leg. He knew of no words which could make her feel better at a time like this, but to offer the simple gesture of touch was enough to console her.
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"You saw him last night, didn't you?" Camilla asked after a long, quiet moment. "My father. He appeared and I had that seizure. Is that correct?"
Emil was stunned, not knowing how she could possibly know this, but decided to be honest with her. "Yes. Your father was here. He spoke to me, we talked for a while, and he left."
"That's all, huh?" Camilla's voice was still subdued by exhaustion.
He wanted to tell her the full truth. He wanted to explain everything, including the part where Gustav said the Austro-Hungarian Empire would crumble following a terrible war—but he couldn't do it. He was scared. More than he ever was in his life, he was afraid, and under Camilla's head which rested on him he could feel the weight of the world on his shoulders.
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The First Corridor of Old Works
But what is it, really? Old Works. They say, some do anyway, or would, if they still had tongues - it's a dream. That it's a million year old mystery connecting three planets. Some, yet other, anonymous entities, charge that it's a structure, more accurately, an architecture - a quest, even, made from, and through - corridors. Pretty inarguably, for one thing, it's a maze. Even some pronounce, if you can understand those currently vomiting blood, that it's a corporation, and yet others - the brave ones – and dead - say it's... near death. Or that it is. Death. - Death itself. But that dark thing on the horizon, that thing emerging to replace the only system we... know. - Whatever it is it couldn't be the end, of everything, could it? Eminently possible, but - it couldn't be worse? 3 civilisations/3 planets... and Old Works. 4 heroes: The Cyclops seeing out his Eye the reality of that place - and by means of that vision - greasing the many-toothed gears of that great old churning nightmare. The Writer sweating to keep the story alive that supports the great old lying structure. The Fake King who abides among all those tunnels of dreams and lies and dreams and... slaves. And the Hero Dreamt, all those slaves - to maintain that structure's even functioning, have to - at all... they dream him. They literally dream him. But that thing, from whence, who knows, arriving? What kind of sick demonic mind could even - But it can only be psychosis - Or possession. Reducing all of reality to some kind of – what would you call it? A Game? A video... joke? And that half-Cyclops, that beauty – what does she have growing – beneath her supernatural genitals? A game for him? A game/a dream; a – world? Or just Old Works. And this Wound in reality – that our writer near-died putting inside her. What is it anyway? And what reality does it bring with it. This demon or God. Through the corridors; lattices of smoke and shadows and colours; dungeons; and supernatural organs; the labyrinths made from dreams... and flesh. - What happens when they face that Wound – staring the absolute. right. in. them? - Through - What happens to all us... slaves... then? But at the end of the hallway, you see it there, I say you do, that turning - It's only the First Corridor of Old Works. This finished 104,000 word kind of LITRPGy fantasy novel, the First Corridor of Old Works will be released in daily 2000 word chapters, or equivalent [unfailingly at 20:47 GMT] Immediately followed by the Second Corridor of Old Works [161,000 words, edited, ongoing, as of 24/09/21] At first lite on stats these LITRPGy elements will become increasingly - built meticulously upon what precedes - ubiquitous, as we proceed into a world painstakingly built to support these mechanisms. After - minimum - 6 months, this manic daily release schedule will be somewhat relaxed: 5 days a week. - But don't lie to yourself it's not there. That thing watching at the end of the hallway... and where it leads. It's - Of countless, it could only be - The First Corridor of Old Works.
8 192Universal Knowledge of the Dao
"No Father I don't want to be married off to an official of the Big City. I want to become the Chief Librarian, like Second Uncle !" There is no choice left for Shin Sumi but to escape. Her plan is settled until she finds a strange book that forces her to join the famous Dark Sky Starry Sect. "What is that book ? Why does it bite me all the time ?" Will her path lead her to become the librarian she wanted ? Or will her craving for knowledge be satiated by something more... Magical ? -------- [English is my second language, bear with me for the small errors please]
8 184The Draw Of The Unknown
Mia Campbell is your average introverted loner. Not exactly satisfied with her life doing pretty much nothing of import, she's also not that willing to break out and make a change. Until, without any preamble or warning, she is bestowed with a cryptic system that both grants her magical powers, and also operates on the logic of a card game. Things begin to escalate from there. **This project is a bit of an experiment! For any given chapter, Mia's 'decklist' will be built by the community, over on our Discord server. If you find this amusing, and want to participate in the discussion, as well as find the complete list of cards, you will be able to find the link to the Discord server at the end of each chapter. Discussion in the comments is also encouraged and included as well. Each chapter and/or scenario will be intentional, but the cards used will be chosen by you guys. And the draws made will be done via actual drawing of cards during the writing process, for bonus author street cred.**
8 142Devourer of Destiny
A wise old grandpa in a ring. An ancient weapon to unleash one's true potential. An unorthodox teacher who emerges from obscurity to provide heroes with enlightenment. In a cultivation world, those who would rise to the top usually have some sort of advantage that propels their rapid ascent. Things that many would offer their souls to obtain. Ebon Dirge, a fallen devil descended from the highest realms of the divine, is more than happy to accept their payment. Thwarted by the machinations of the mightiest beings in the universe, he is forced to begin anew in the lands of the weakest mortals. To prepare for the ultimate confrontation, he has hatched a plot to steal the best weapon of all: destiny. Whether it is a downtrodden youth in the savage wilds, a prince driven to desperation by the royal web tangled around him, or the students and staff of an illustrious magical academy... all should beware what they wish for. They just might get it. For a price, of course. --- PROGRAMMING NOTE This is a wholly rewritten version of the novel that originally began in 2018, not a copy-paste of those original chapters. ABOUT THE NOVEL Devourer of Destiny is an exploration of cultivation story tropes and foibles. It features: - Cultivation stuff. The story is a satirical take on xianxia and xuanhuan staples and tropes.- An irredeemably evil central character.- Multiple POVs. A lot of them, although the central character remains central and will always have the lion's share. POSTING SCHEDULE TBD. Still working it out.
8 125Hunters Royale
Tell Me If I'm Lucky or not!!. It was just another day in my high school until I accidentally killed the Demon Lord.. Yeah, I did. Now I am stuck with him, and he wants me to do something insane that only someone out of his mind would do!!. I always had a dream to become the strongest Hunter Monarch with the best system ever and find my missing Dad's whereabouts. But I guess, I'll have to keep that aside for later because I have something else to do right now. And that is.. To eliminate every other Demon possessed humans from the world. But things don't seem easy. Since the day I received the Demon Lord's powers... My head is worth a massive bounty, which means, the moment I unleash my uncontrollable powers, I'll be chased down by millions of 'Hunters' from around the world. Along with them, I have some other parties targeting me. But the thing is, they don't seem to be from this world, at least their leader isn't, and somehow they seem to know about my Dad. xxxxx I am Jin Wrack, the one who possesses the Demon Lord as my system. And I, who is just 17, have the biggest responsibility on my shoulders. It's going to be a battle royale, more like, a 'Hunters Royale' It's me and my allies VS The rest of the world. Will I win?... Or will I succumb to the might of my enemies?... Only time can say... ............................................................................
8 259Falling for the Hothead!- Paul Lahote
This story is complete!⚠️Warning⚠️ Smut in this Book!- Description of sexual activity, body parts, Inappropriate language, gif that show Semi sexual activity. As well as other things inappropriate for Readers under the age of 18.🔞 Aleera Swan has lived with her cousin Bella Swan and Aunt Renee Dwyer since she was 11 years old. All due to her parents untimely death. What happens when Aleera and Bella moving back to Forks, Washington, and they go their separate ways in the supernatural world of vampires and shape-sifters? One falling for the vampire and the other for the hothead shape-sifter.First story attempt! please be patient with me!I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT!! Just Aleera and her story!!April 29, 2020January 15, 2021
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