《Unknown Fate's End》Thief's Life Part 1
Advertisement
Feeling his shoulder being shoved, Val flinched and woke up startled, tossing his right arm to protect himself. He was disoriented, still trying to figure out what was happening, but his body reacted almost automatically. He heard a grunt, and a familiar, whining voice. “Gah! What'ya doin', that 'urts.” Squinting, Val looked up to see the only real 'friend' he had in the 'rat pack.' The boy was about Val's height, with dirty, blonde hair, blue eyes, and an oval shaped face covered in pockmarks. Just as much skin and bones as Val, the boy had a pouting face, almost as though world had wronged him.
Val coughed, clearing his dry throat and blinking away his drowsiness, as he noticed the light leaking into the hall of the 'rat hole.' He muttered, “Sorry... been a long night.”
The boy, Arman, looked to side, whispering, “Ya alrigh'? When ya didn' make it in last night, the others said ya were a goner.” Val could hear the worry in the boy's words.
“How many others?” It was a question he was dreading asking, since the last three times he had asked it, he had not like the answer. Sitting up, Val glanced at the run down interior, seeing a handful of other children a little younger and older than him moving about, whispering among themselves.
Arman sat down cross legged next to Val and continued to whisper. “Ay' counted five didna' show up.” The boy's slum accent was thick, but Val heard the fear in the words and knew what it meant. There had been another culling, something that happened maybe twice a year. Most of the weaker or less productive 'street rats' would go missing one night, leaving only the tougher or maybe the luckier ones in fear. Val had expected it, especially after what happened to him the night before, but knowing five others had disappeared overnight made Val grip his ragged pants in helplessness.
Advertisement
“They were sayin' you wouldn' be back. They sounded fer sure.” Arman was looking down as he said it, and Val noticed how nervous the boy sounded. Val didn't have to ask to know who Arman was referring to. Some of the older teens were already on verge of being officially accepted into the Bone Crushers. It meant they had survived the years of winnowing.
“Well, they were wrong.” Stretching his arms out, Val moved his stiff muscles, looking at his arms in the light. There were still splashes of mud on him, but he could still make out the black and blue bruises. He had no doubt that the rest of his body looked the same.
Arman looked up, his face serious. “Yah, but you don' get it, Val. They were serious abou' you not making et.” Val stared at his friend's face and realized that whatever had happened the day before was more complicated that he realized.
“What do you know?” The question was calmly asked. Having died once and almost dying a second time had a way of changing one's attitude towards things.
“Just tha' Ribus and his mugs were 'ere yesterday riflin' through some of the other's things. Then , they said ya don' have anythin' worth takin'.” Arman was rubbing his left thigh as he spoke, which told Val volumes about how nervous the other boy was.
Val bit his lips in contemplation and then shook his head slightly, sighing. “Well, I'm back, so I'm guessing they won't be happy.” Arman nodded but didn't say much more.
Just then, Freitz, who had shown up out of his separate room near the entrance of the hall, growled out loud, “Get yer asses movin'! Ya know yer streets, but the ones lef' over are free game. Jus' don' expect to keep 'em if ya can't produce.” There was no official acknowledgment of the missing 'street rats,' but Val knew he probably would never see them again. As they shambled out of the 'rat's den,' most of the children avoided looking at Frietz, who was smiling nastily as he watched them leave. Val wondered if the old man was just had a twisted personality or if there was something more he gained. However, he figured only the old man could answer that question for now.
Advertisement
It was bright outside, the fog from the night before having faded away like it had never been there. Also, it wasn't as humid as it had been the night before, but the clear weather did little to make Val feel better. He remembered his last thoughts before falling asleep the night before and knew he had a lot to do. However, as he made his way out of the little side street with the other children, he felt his stomach growl in hunger. Not having eaten in almost a full day left him feeling weak.
Advertisement
- In Serial227 Chapters
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.
8 192 - In Serial66 Chapters
Divinity
“Let an old warrior caution you, there are parts of every tale that are not told. The part where none of those mighty champions died peacefully in their beds. The part where the hero meets their end surrounded by the enemy and in horrible agony. They were alone in their final moments and unsure if their sacrifice would bear fruit. I do not want that for you.” The Heavens created the Realm of Man and saved it from the eternal silence of the Void - once. Centuries later, humanity’s unity has fractured beneath the weight of time and the whims of man. Raegn Edelgard fights on in his home of Bastion, one of two everlasting fortifications to protect the Realm from the remnants of the darkness that still persist. Raegn hoped to be written into legend alongside the stories that inspired him since childhood, yet the scouting skirmishes and small battles that have been fought since the time of his forefathers offer little chance at glory. When the Void wakes once more the Realm questions if the first war was ever really won…and if they might be saved again. Raegn is left searching for purpose and must navigate through a world teetering on the brink of extinction. Dire times create the greatest heroes, but tales that stand the test of time are written twice - in blood before ink.Divinity is a fantasy series about Raegn Edelgard, a young man who must make his way through a world that is struggling to realize it is, for the second time in its history, teetering on the brink of extinction. Book Cover Credits: Photo by Prince Akachi on Unsplash | Design by eric.margusity.com
8 211 - In Serial7 Chapters
The Queen of School
Hi there, my name is Jason Corvus, you can call me Raven. My parents really (like a lot) wanted to have a boy, so when they found out that I was a girl, they still put me a boyish name. When my father was alive he always wanted to go to Tyndall Quantic Soren high school, but to the common people it was known as an elite school, but in reality, it is a school for those who are more than simple humans. My mother told me to fulfill his last wish and go to that school, but I am not that excited about it. Well, whatever. This time things seem more complicated than before, and I have no idea how long this time will last.
8 110 - In Serial54 Chapters
Bad is an Understatement | ✓
"I don't know who you think you are coming here, and acting like you don't care about anything. Now listen here Princess, because I'm not going to repeat myself. Here's a couple of rules that I'd like to enlighten upon you. Number one, you do not talk back to me. And two, you don't mess with me or the rules," his breath fans my face and I close my eyes. The proximity between us was terrifying. "I've dealt with many bitches like you, so I suggest that you follow those rules unless you want to end up like them," - he leans in. His mouth lingers near my ear, "used."... "... You might think that you run this place, but you do not run me. Understand? And the sooner you understand that, the better it'll be for the both of us," I warn staring right into his eyes before walking away. I was more than amused by his dumbfounded expression. I stop, and turn back around, facing him, "And one piece of advice, know what you're fishing for before you start fishing. What if you find a shark and it reels you in, instead?"⇒Highest rank: 1 in Chicklit on 01.08.16
8 130 - In Serial146 Chapters
Warlord of Winslow
Karl Brunett leads a mediocre life and yearns for the opportunity to be something greater. Though never quite mustering the motivation to seize his place in the world. That's until the system decends on Earth and throws the old world into chaos. Having been somewhat prepared for a catastrophe he finds himself uniquely position to take the things he has always wanted. In doing so he might just save more people than he kills on his path to greatness. ***This is my first attempt at writing here... or anywhere, might start a little slow though I hope those who read it at least find it entertaining.***
8 121 - In Serial26 Chapters
So try and love me while you can [Zacky Vengeance]
8 136

