《Requiem of Souls》Chapter 24: Aftermath
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*Marie*
"Just take your siblings to the yard to play, goose. I'll be home soon, I don't want you watching tv right now." Our eldest child stated her understanding and promised to do as she was told. "I love you, bye."
I looked back at the television and saw a tear rolling down Zet's cheek as she watched the bone dragon vaporize everything in its path. My heart broke watching her, she was no doubt blaming herself for her friend's death. She suddenly turned and charged at the enemies blocking her from the Game Master. Her face was twisted with rage and it was a wonder that they didn't all run from her as she ran through the aftermath of the two dragons she has just summoned.
"You son of a bitch!" She screamed as she charged into his guards and immediately began cutting them down. I could feel my nails biting deep into my palms as she began her final fight…
*Eire*
Eire was walking through the empty streets, heading to the next hideout where she had several children and caretakers hiding. She hadn't been able to sleep after Zet's request for aid so she was making the rounds on her wards. She felt something brush against her leg and spun around, flames engulfing her hands in preparation of a fight. But the street was empty, she looked around her and found no one. She checked her pockets but found nothing missing, only a small coin swirling with rainbow colored sparkles had been added.
*Marie*
I felt my stomach drop out from under me when the Game Master cut through Zet's hand. Her face was frozen in place, as if she couldn't comprehend what had happened. I stroked her cheek as I cried, my mind raced knowing this wouldn't end happy. I was too afraid to follow the banter and everything seemed surreal as she fought for her life and lost her leg to some kind of giant. I prayed over and over like a mantra that she would run. That she would flee from the fight but could only watch as she ran on an ice path through the sky and fell on the Game Master, impaling him. When he knocked her down and shattered her leg, I pressed my forehead to hers and began bawling. I couldn't watch her die, I couldn't accept it. It had to be a bad dream! I couldn't, I can't, how could I….
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Zet's voice, clear but weak cut through my thoughts. "Marie. If the kids can see me, don't let them watch. I fucked up hun. I….got them killed. I failed to end this. I...I know I said, that I promised, I would get back to you but I think I won't be able to keep it." I could only listen in horror to what I knew she wanted her last words to be. "Saving you is the one right thing I did, the one good choice since I got in here. I love you Marie and I want you to tell the kids I love them too, I always will…. Thank you for the life you made with me, it was more than I'd ever hoped for. I'm sorry I couldn't get back to you. 831, I love you….."
I pressed my head back against hers, "I love you too. 831, my Zetsumei…."
I squeezed her hand as the tears flowed. I forced myself to watch her final moments, I wanted to look away but I couldn't leave her alone. Zet made a final stab at the Game Master but her hand was caught and his blade flashed at her head. At the last moment he twisted the blade and struck her with the flat side and she crumpled to the ground, seemingly unconscious.
My grip on her hand tightened. The Game Master looked up, as if looking right at me and smiled. "I wouldn't kill our intrepid young hero in such a boring fashion. She's far too annoying. So lets make this fun. In 1 week, game time, she will be executed. Until then, I will have some fun with her every day as I feel like it. So that she can learn her place. You all now have a quest with where she'll be kept. I look forward to the rescue efforts and do hope some of you give me a proper challenge."
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With that he turned and walked through a portal as Zet was dragged behind him. I barely noticed however for the moment I had seen she was still alive, I'd begun putting my helmet on and was desperately trying to launch the game. I kept getting an error message that I was locked out. Tearing my helmet off I ran back to Zet and kissed her hand repeatedly while ugly crying. I would run back into that burning building in a heartbeat to try and save her, but the choice was made for me…
*Eire*
Eire stared at where the screen had been. The Game Master had broadcast it server wide and delivered his challenge, Zet was alive but captured. She looked at the coin in her hand and read its description again. Single Use. Instant Cast. Summons a great champion to your safe house.
She closed her eyes, time to repay the debt… Focusing on Zetsumei's appearance and name she crushed the coin in her hand. She didn't know how. But she knew it worked and took off running for her safe house. Not doubting that Zetsumei would need healing.
*Marie*
I was still squeezing her hand when I heard a beep behind me. I looked back and saw my helmet confirming a load in for the game. The door opened at the same time as nurses came in to check Zet's vitals, they must have been watching the feed and seen what had happened. One nurse was frozen and staring at my helmet. We both ran for it at the same time, I threw my shoulder into her chest and jumped back with my prize. I slammed the helmet on my head as the other nurses suddenly realized what I was doing and ran at me with various cries of 'stop'. It never occurred to me to sit before I hit the launch button and my vision faded. I awoke in a familiar room now damaged with streaks of frost...
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Monsters Dwell in Men
There once was a world formed by a god known as Gaia. She filled the seas and crafted the skies. She dominated her world with a fist of iron and ice. That is, until the Darkened One came. Born a mere man, The Darkened One traveled across the land like a plague, tearing Gaia's control away. In his legends, he stood tall and towering with skin gray as ash. If you defied him, he would eat your flesh from your bones, savoring your screams. He killed kings, brought nightmares to life, and devoured the remnants of Gaia. His legend will be told throughout time. Care to hear of it? Here is the sequel: Jehovah's Harmony Here is my other fiction: Biomancer: Songs of Sirens Proud initiate of The Order of Phantasmal Architects. A group of authors of quality original fiction. See link for other great works though not as good as mine...jk
8 122Grant Peart Saved the World, But He Can't Get a Girlfriend to Save His Life
There's nothing Grant Peart wants more in life than a girlfriend. Yet, for whatever reason, no woman on earth seems to want him for their boyfriend, and these rejections in spite of the fact that he's the very superhero who destroyed a meteor on a one-way course into the planet's surface. Now in peacetime, and with the world in no danger whatsoever, Grant lives out his days paying the bills with two dead-end jobs, playing video games in his spare time, and trying (and failing) to find that one woman in the world he saved who will say yes to a date with him. ----- Written work is published under a CC-BY-NC license. The public may share and distribute this work, in adapted, remixed, or original format, non-commercially however they please, so long as credit is provided to the original work. Adaptation of the original characters and scenarios in this work are encouraged.Ten years from the date of original publication (04/10/2021), the copyright will transfer to the public domain. Book cover is under full copyright of Pianofairie.
8 166Nurarihyon System in Another World
Kozuki Clan is the most well-known Yakuza Family in the underground world and Kozuki Hannya is the heir of this terrifying clan. His ascension was greatly anticipated after his abilities were acknowledged by everyone. Everything should’ve continued without any trouble, but who could’ve known that disaster would arrive so soon? On the day of Hannya's ascension as the new leader of the Yakuza's, their archenemy; the Mafia's took their chance and attacked the Kozuki household while everyone were busy with the celebration. The Yakuza's tried to fight back but in the end, their resistance became futile against the well prepared enemies. Surrounded by his enemies without nowhere to run, Hannya resolved himself to fight till he breathe his last, but by some twist of fate he was thrown in a dark empty space. There he met a mysterious figure who threw him in the world of 'Against the Gods' as Nurarihyon. Watch as Hannya builds the Nura Clan in a different world. Disclaimer: Nurarihyon no mago is owned by Shueisha/Hiroshi Shiibashi and licensed by Viz Media, All Rights Reserved. Credits to: Nepuko (co-author) I don't own the characters, including the characters in AGAINST THE GODS. there will be more anime references added in the future. Please join our discord server for updates: https://discord.gg/4ud2JKx P.S. - I just modified the cover of the book, the picture is not mine.
8 119Sleeper within
Struggle is a part of life but what if life is a part of a struggle. Inspired by berserk and claymore(only inspired me to make gore dark fantasy other than that story is different). First two chapter is character development chapter. The story is the life of nick balesto known as grey-man. Constantly figthing with himself so that the monster within him doesn't shallow every precious thing of his. A struggle of the past and to find his woman who he first thought was dead, be careful as it is going to be the darkest of the dark. Also striving towards vengeance against the mystery of the church who have marked him and his family (military orphanage) sacrifice. But soon he gives up on vengeance as he realized rather than giving satisfaction it was taking his humanity. only to find out it was all connected. Aided only by titanic strength due to harsh childhood in military, his blunt magic blade and SLEEPER WITHIN......... Find who is this sleeper within.
8 69Body Modifier: Energy Required
Aria ate a fish. [Energy: 2] Finished, he ate another fish. [Energy: 2] ... [Energy: 3] Without realizing it, he had finished 5 fishes. He felt a little bloat, he lay down with a full stomach, occasionally burped. Even though he didn't want to be a big lump of meatball, he still had to keep eating. At least until he found another way to accumulate energy. After all, if he didn't take advantage of his advantages, wasn't that stupid? His mind then drifted imagining which one he would use the energy for. Should he use it on his eyes, so it shot a beam of laser, like a certain bespectacled mutant? Should he use it on his bones, so it regenerated infinitely, like a certain character from an anime? Should he use it on his brain, so he became a genius, like a scientist with a bald head? Or should he use it on his vital organ, so that he became the manliest person in the world? While he was imagining things, suddenly his ears felt pinched. "Ouch!" "Didn't mom already say you can't play with fire, you brat?!" There he realized, knowing that no matter what he chose, he was still a child in front of his mother.
8 94Friendship for Dummies
"Being reunited with your childhood best friend after eight years apart? Sounds like a heart-warming story. Finding out that said best friend is now a complete jerk who's determined to make your life hell? Not so much."Georgie and Connor were once inseparable. Best friends from birth, they did everything together - well, that was until Connor's dad got a once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity and the family was forced to relocate to New York. At age sixteen, Georgie's life is totally different - her main goal being to keep her head down and escape the brutalities of high school with as little emotional scarring as possible. Balancing school, work and her dwindling social life is enough of a challenge, but it's about to get a bit more complicated when her conceited ex-best friend gets thrown into the mix. Maybe friendship should come with an instruction booklet.
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