《The Hushed Weald》Sanguinem Lapis I
Advertisement
Far beyond the elven capital there is a city. In mountains high enough to pierce the very sky, a city built in them. Throughout years and years, the mountains were transformed into a great masterpiece gifted to a certain count.
As time passed the counts wife fell ill… He tried all he could, he did all he could and nothing would work.
In the end a demon came to him and offered a deal that couldn’t be refused. A contract written in blood. Nobody would even look at such a thing… Only him.
“Accept my gift count, accept it and your wife will be saved, your city will know eternal glory and prosperity. All I want from you is life.”
He did not hesitate, he did not ask the demon who he was… He could save his wife which was more than he could wish for. The wretched fiend gifted the fortress the red plague. The rivers flowing from the mountain became blood, the people were infected by the disease and began killing each other. They ate one another, they drank the blood of each and every animal they had. A thirst that could not be quenched. Of course, his wife was saved… Unaffected by the plague. He locked her in the castle and let none see her.
Upon seeing the vile creatures, the count could not bare it anymore. He used all his might to set order into the chaotic city. In time everything transformed, the city became a fortress, a home for the horrors of darkness. Demons bowed to the count, he created two hundred pillars to surround the land and seal it away from the eyes of mortals.
Search parties were sent to catch living beings and extract their blood. Statues of gargoyles watched over every entrance in the city. From their eyes blood was dripping, like they were crying. The pillars were fueled by demonic energy, space and time stopped being relevant in this place. The sky turned red and atop of it all one being… Severo and his demon aide, which he ever only knew as the deal maker.
Advertisement
The barrier failed. The pillars couldn’t keep up anymore with the needs of the fortress and now everyone could see it. A pure manifestation of evil… Although who can say what truly is evil?
The order sent forth Kana, the reaping scout. She was considered to be on par with a harbinger. Along her two hounds thirsty for battle. From a hill they could see the wicked land, the very terrain was tainted by the plague… To remedy such an abomination, they would have to burn the entire place.
“Hounds, I shall move forward. I want one of you to go to the eastern entrance. The other one return to the council, tell them we need a purifier regiment. Ask for additional hounds as well, who knows what will we fight in there?”
They moved as planned. Kana along with the hound went forward. She ran through the forest and reached to a tall and sturdy tree. She climbed and checked around. A patrol of higher demons.
‘What are they doing?’
She took a spyglass from her utility bag and looked. It wasn’t a patrol, it was a transport. They kept humans in leash dragging them towards the city. Two of them dead and the other three barely walking.
‘Even if I want to help them, I can’t fight head on with demons. Not with such strong demons… If only he was here. Ah, this is no time to think about that.’
Fortunately, she had a desolator crossbow. Although she never actually used one, but the legends say it’s a weapon that pierces through reality and a single bolt is enough to bring down even the strongest of creatures. To think such armament was mass produced by the Nephilims.
She prepared the arrow, slowly taking aim… She shot. The bolt flew through the leaves right into the demon’s head. The body fell, there was no blood spilt, there were no marks left although she was sure she hit him.
Advertisement
She prepared another bolt. The other demons were on guard. They tried to look around to find the person who killed their comrade. Kana was a masterful scout, if she wanted none could find her. Although she lacks in brute strength her wits, makes up for it.
Another bolt flew, no sound, no traces left. The last demon started to panic. He hid behind a tree and tried to pinpoint her location.
Kana was curious, if the crossbow left no traces would that mean the arrows are not physical once shot? It befuddled her. She gave it a try and shot straight through the tree. The last demon collapsed.
She came down from the tree and cut the prisoners free.
Something was not right. Kana took a glance at the demons. They were not moving, whatever spark of life they had… It was now gone.
The nearby river started to boil. The stench was horrendous. From it, hands emerged, they made out of the bloody water. It grasped the corpses and took them away.
“I guess there is more to this place.”
‘Demons… We fought only a few of them throughout the years. Three of them only taking in the goods… Good I told him to come with more hounds as well. Who knows what awaits us?”
♦ ♦ ♦
“Tell me Severo, is there a moment you regret our deal?”
“Not for once, my love lives because of you, is there truly something I should regret? I highly doubt it.”
“You gave away your life force, as well as everyone here.”
“As I said, I have no regrets.”
“What if your wife is dead? It has been a long time, you don’t even know it yourself. You are scared to go and check on her. She never came here to visit you.”
The count looked at the demon. He was amused by that remark.
“I gave her a ring with a soul stone. Even if her body fails her, she will be forever alive.”
“What!? Your love, you gave her a soul stone, you trapped her soul forever between life and death. She can’t reach the heavens nor will she fall into the pits of hell… You are worse than a demon, at least we take you to your eternal damnation.”
The count stood up and caught the demon by his neck.
“I never was a good person. I will not change, this land itself was given to me and me alone. I only ever loved one person and I will gladly do anything to save her, even a deal with one such as you. Begone foul fiend and leave me alone for now. I need time to prepare.”
“You felt it as well…”
“Those horrible weapons, those damned desolators… I hoped the Nephilims will fade away after your friend got his claws into them… No matter, they will not leave this place alive.”
“Then I will take my leave. The Balrog pits are nearly ready as well.”
“Lets see what awaits us.”
Advertisement
The Elusive Human, So Often Forgotten [Progression Fantasy]
Von of Redgrave wakes up to a rather wonderful surprise - five years have passed, and in that time he became the greatest human swordsman in the Six Principalities. Now, he realizes - to his joy - that he could laze around for the rest of his life, never accomplish anything, and still be considered to have brought pride to his noble house. Yet he feels oddly unhappy about this, even though all he ever wanted was the ability to laze around and do nothing, he finds himself yearning for something more. A request from Talla the Elf sets his heart ablaze, and he once again sets forth on the path of becoming the strongest swordsman - and this time, he doesn't want to stop at just being the strongest human. He won't stop until he's the strongest to ever live. [Participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge]
8 112The Man who knew no Limits
The story follows the life of a man who gets teleported to another world with a strange power. And that is where the cliches end. Common morals do not apply to the man. He is crude. He will do what he wants: he will not shy from using cheap tricks if it leads to a situation favourable to him. He will not save a damsel in distress if he doesn't want to, even if it is as easy as lifting a finger. He may even cause the distress himself if he finds it amusing. He may reward those who please him, while trampling those who are annoying. But the man's life, by no means, will be easy. He shall be OP, but it will not be enough, for some things just cannot be controlled. Warning: Gore, profanity, explicit sexual content. =========================================== I have taken the image from some article. If the owner would like me to take it down, can please let me know.
8 228Programmica Magica
An artificial intelligence researcher is killed by technophobic politicians sending a hitman after he succeeds with creating his perfect AI. He then wakes up in an android body in a fantasy world as an AI himself. Original cover art commissioned from andrinurianto. They are an amazing artist and I definitely recommend them.
8 91Kobold in Exile
Accused of offending the dragons, branded a heretic and condemned by his people, Toktok is on the run from his homeland. Cut off from the support of his tribe, this kobold must rely on his own skills to survive in a foreign land where he is vermin. But he's no fish out of water, as he has patrolled the surface of his tribe's territory for years, hunting, scouting, and laying traps for enemies, and he holds a mystical connection to the land around him. He also has the company of a tamed land raptor that owes its loyalty to him, not to his tribe or to the dragons. However, with no other kobolds to watch his back and provide support in a fight, he will have to learn the hard way whether all of this will be enough to keep him alive in a land home to warriors and adventurers who would kill him just as soon as seeing him.
8 62Fated To Marry You✔️
This is a story of two perfect strangers entangled in the bond of marriage. After marriage, they both believed they are not meant for each other until one day they were touched by the divine love, Rithu a 23-year old girl, she is a smart, sweet and a lovely person with a kind heart and Vikram a 31-year old guy, he is a handsome, hardworking businessman with an aloof and rude nature.They're arranged to get married by their parents, though they lived under the same roof they are miles apart. Vikram decided not to open his heart to her and Rithu hated his introvert nature.But love has its own way on them. Which made their hearts to come closer and understand each other and unknowingly they developed a strong bond between them. As the time moves, will they realize that they're in love..........To know that let's travel in this sweet, romantic, and heartwarming journey of a couple who found an unconditional love after Marriage.This story is unedited and you may find mistakes. Please do vote and give your valuable comments.Share this story if you find this interesting. All rights reserved®
8 91HIS ALPHA
Her lips brush against his, "Mine," she whispers before kissing him. Sparks flew throughout both of their bodies and their lips molded together perfectly. "You're defiantly coming home with me," she says as she pulls away. Aella winks at him before leaving him frozen against the tree. Adonis Accardi is the Beta to the Moon Stone pack and when he attends a gala for unmated wolves, he didn't expect to meet his mate.Aella Xavier is the Alpha to River Eclipse pack, she is known to be the deadliest Alpha in California but she isn't that at all.Adonis and Aella go off with a rocky start but damn it will be a smooth finish, so just read it.
8 85