《Hidden Trials》Chapter 37
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My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori
Wilfred Owen
The fight between Matthews and Jacob Trials was over in both a second and an eternity. Trials would often remember it; not the physical blow-by-blow account as each man swung or dodged, but the feelings that almost overwhelmed him as they fought.
Trials was never in any real danger. He was already too fast, and he knew he was getting faster. His responses, his reactions, his very thoughts sparked faster than lightning across his synapses until it was only a question of whether his muscle fibres could be expected to keep up.
Matthews was strong, in some mix of nanite-and-drug-fuelled berserker-fury, but Trials was in control. Blows that could have cracked concrete flew over his head, passed his cheeks, sped through the air where moments before Trials had been. Not a single blow landed.
Trials did not respond yet. He knew he could end the fight in an instant, but he held back as the emotions washed over him faster than the punches.
Matth… The General had brought him into the Ministry, had formed him when he was an aimless, goalless youth just out of studies. In his own head, Matthews was truly convinced he was doing the right thing, and Trials wasn’t sure he was skilled enough to elaborate a counter-argument.
He watched as The General’s fist swung leisurely past his face, cracking into the door behind. Trials followed with fascination the individual splinters that broke off and seemed to float into the air, suspended almost as if weightless as they began their slow, inevitable descent.
The General’s bellow of rage was drawn-out and distorted, the scream of some primal beast denied its prey. His face creased and crumpled in fury, Trials studying every line as they slowly formed.
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To control and limit the dangers of a rapidly advancing society surely held value, a shield against the many doctrines and ideologies that could lead people down dark and dangerous paths. The many perilous roads down which a man could walk demanded a guide.
Yet clearly The General was not the man for the job, if anyone was. He had stepped over the line too often and too far. But where should that line be drawn? And could such powers ever be given without corrupting the one who held them?
When did the needs of the many outweigh the sacrifices of the few?
Trials slid behind The General as he was carried forward by a wild blow, and wondered at this defenceless creature now completely at his mercy. He felt thoughts flashing by almost faster than he could process, saw choices and possibilities that expanded further than his mind’s eye could see.
Trials did not yet know the answers to his own questions. All he did know was that, here and now, Matthews had to be stopped.
He brought his hand down on the back of Matthews’ neck.
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Anti-Hero: Journey of Fear
There is a story where the hero makes friends, completes quests, and saves the world. This is NOT that story. In the VR world of Fate: Experience Acute Realism, the main character cuts his way through both the players and NPCs alike. This story takes a close look at how a true full immersion VR would be played. The setting is an open VR world where the players struggle to survive with a lack of knowledge and the NPCs panic in regards to the Travelers invading their world. The anti-hero of this story is cold and calculating. Sparing no one from his reign of terror he gives into occasional bouts of kindness before he is forced back on the path of blood and tears. For where there is a hero who seeks to bring people together to help the world move forward, there is an anti-hero who brings people together to seize the world for himself. WARNING: This story contains extreme violence, in every single chapter. This story contains references to sex, but no explicit scenes. This story has light to mild swearing. My chapters normally range from 4,000 to 5,000 words. This story does not contain happy endings, middles, or even beginnings.
8 561Job Arseoth - A Choose Your own Adventure
It turns out that graduating from the Mage Academy isn't enough to guarantee a comfortable life. Nobody wants to hire an ex-streetrat afterall, even if they've been in school and out of troubble for the past ten years. Now that graduation has come and gone, with no job in sight, what's a young dragon-blooded Sorceror to do? For Job Arseoth, celebrating your 18th(ish) birthday turns out to be just the beginning of an adventure. Part 3 of the Arisverse Saga Cover by the wonderful SomethingNew! On The Series - This series was begun as a Choose Your own Adventure (CYoA) on the /r/HFY and Spabebattles forums. The between chapter votes have been omitted, as they are not part of the story, despite their influence on it. Spelling, grammatical, and formatting changes have been made in the process of archiving this story: none of the contents of the story has been substantially affected.
8 197The Drifting World
In the year 2104, a brand new VRMMO called The Drifting World is released promising realism, adventure, and freedom like no other. Follow Noah as he builds his character Chemistree, a Treant rogue, and uncovers the mysteries of a destroyed virtual world. Expect guilds, dungeons, skills, stats, and, levels as he progresses through the main story of the game and tries to uncover what secrets the game has to hide. Okay, stereotypical introduction over. This is my first time trying to release a story I've written, so feedback is welcome. The premise is nothing special, I just want to do it well. A lot of similar stories I've read make me ask "what kind of game would work like that?" Sometimes believable gameplay elements give way for a more immersive story, but I hope to make that as balanced as possible rather than going for cheap thrills. Well, I guess we will just see how this goes.
8 204The Class Of Dan ThunderField
Sam, Dan's brother recommends Dan as a teacher to The Magic Academy of The Wise and Learning but since the academy is filled with royalties, Dan doesn't have the will to go there because of his justifiable hate for royalty but one day he meets one of his student from the academy who is said to be the cursed demon because of her red right eye and things change from that very moment.
8 208The Arcane Prince
Book 1 is complete and fully posted here on RoyalRoad. The story is on break as I work on Book 2, which will be posted once I have finished writing it. Max is a twelve-year-old boy from the slums who dreams of seeing the world, learning magic, and adventure. On the same day that Max learns his first spell, he meets Colt, a noble-born lad on his own path to power. Colt is kind. Oblivious to the world, but kind. By his grace, Max begins to learn under Colt's instructor, even hunting monsters in the forests to the north. Max is talented and grows in power quickly, but as he prepares for the first of his adventures, the kingdom faces the greatest threat in centuries. Posting Schedule: Every 3 days until the end of Book 1 (Chapter 45). IMPORTANT NOTES: 1) This is a story about an OP boy doing OP boy things. By the end of Book 1, there will be few fights that he struggles with, and he will rarely, if ever, find his life in peril. 2) This is a slice-of-life and adventure story, which means that there will be periods of chapters without any action or conflict, but also periods of chapters with battles and exploration/adventure (the latter mostly being Book 2+). 3) There will be NO petty squabbles or conflicts going on in this story, because it is meant to be a fun one, not a high-tension, drama-filled story. So it will NOT be that. If you want lots of action or lots of conflict, then find another story to read because this isn't it. 4) There will never be an overarching evil/villain/conflict to deal with in this story past Book 1. Ever. 5) Book 1 is entirely written and can be considered a standalone story on its own. Right now, the story may last 2-3 books, or it may last 7-10 books. It is guaranteed to make it through Book 2 or 3, and if I decide to go with the bigger journey I have planned after that, then it will be longer. There will be a several-month wait between Book 1 and Book 2. 6) The story contains the sexual content tag, but it will not contain any unless Max and his future boyfriend reach 18+ years of age in-story. If I decide to bring the story to a conclusion with Book 2 or 3, or they never reach that age in the full story for the long journey, then I will remove the tag. 7) There are currently absolutely no plans to make this story into a harem if I write the extended story. If I write the extended story and decide at some point to make it one, then I will add the appropriate tag and inform readers of this decision. However, there are currently zero plans to make it one. 8) This story takes place in its own story universe, with its own rules. Please keep that in mind when reading it and other stories.
8 83Revelations - A 3Ninjas Fanfic - Colt/OC
Brooke "Ember" Sinclair grew up next door to the Douglas'. She's known them as long as she can remember. Rocky has had a crush on her, impressed by her skill in ninja. Colt couldn't be the least bit interested. He believes she's too annoying, although their personalities are the same. Upon Brooke's junior year of high school, Brooke's father is offered a job across the country. When Brooke argues with her parents about leaving, Jessica Douglas offers her the spare bedroom down the hall from the boys. Will Colt and Ember finally get along? What's the reason for all of Colt's hostility? Will living together cause them to come together or tear each other apart? Read and find out!
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