《A Nightmare on Earth》Trapped in a Nightmare - Part One
Advertisement
Prologue
Within one of the Lost Zones, that humanity had all but given up on maintaining, sat an old stone castle. Though it was dilapidated and on the verge of falling to ruin, it still maintained a level of grandeur that influenced all who viewed it.
The lord seated upon the throne, within the depths of the building, was feared and hated as the leader of the most notorious terrorist group, and had led many to an early demise. Even to an unaware bystander, this man was the personification of the word ominous. Covered in black from head to toe, not an inch of the man’s body was visible. Furthermore, the hood pulled up over his head cloaked his face in shadow, so all you could see were his glowing red eyes.
“Where did it all go wrong?” A wistful voice echoed through the chamber, asking a question that could never be answered. “Maybe it was all pointless. Ever since World Decay began, I’ve been scrambling just to keep my head above water."
The man had spent decades fighting in order to accomplish his goals. He crushed armies, unseated despots, seeded terror into the hearts of nations. He had performed any act, no matter how cruel or ruthless. Even as the world vilified him, he had not backed down. However, the presence he could feel approaching the castle, meant that his time would soon come to an end.
“All empires crumble, all life fades. That is the will of the world, no, the will of nature. Nothing can grow without eventually rotting. I thought I knew this, but maybe I forgot along the way. Still, no matter the odds, no matter the enemy, I will not bow out so quietly.”
Grasping the handle to the greatsword leaning against the throne, he unsheathed the blade, which gleamed with a black light, and rested it on his shoulder.
Advertisement
“Come hell or high water, I’ll dish out as much punishment as I take. I may go out, but it'll be on my terms.”
Taking a defiant stance, he knew it was only a matter of time before his enemies arrived, and all too soon, he felt the presence of the intruders on the other side of the doors leading into the room.
“Haha….hahahaha…Mwahahahahaha! My followers scattered, my plans led to ruin, even my final bastion invaded. To think I could be pushed so hard by those I thought far below me.”
As the doors began to swing open, he once again put on the mask of a terrorist. A miasmic aura rose from his body as he declared loudly to his long time nemesis.
“Welcome, brave Heroes of Earth. I believe it's time we settled our little war."
Episode One – Trapped in a Nightmare
Part one
“What the hell?! This isn't my room.”
I was certain I had been sleeping in my own bed just the moment before, so why was I suddenly in an old stone corridor? This was going way past being a joke. If someone was capable of moving me in my sleep, then they could do just about anything, and there’d be nothing I could do.
“Damn it! Even my bed is gone. What the hell happened?” The only things on me were my pajamas, which were just thin fabric. It was pretty cold here.
Examining my surroundings closer, I discovered that though there were no light sources, I could see about fifteen feet in both directions. Secondly, given that this was a stone corridor, one would think the floor would be pretty rough. But the floor actually felt smooth, almost like marble. That's probably for the best, after all I don’t have any shoes.
Advertisement
Suddenly, excruciating pain flooded into my mind, along with a monotone disembodied voice and a rush of information.
::Influence of World Decay detected. Installing World System……Complete. Individual has been successfully connected to the World System. Generating status……Complete. Entry into Rank C Trial, Nightmare Labyrinth confirmed. Error in Operation Detected. Attempting to correct……Failed. Attempting Emergency measures……Failed. Balancing Atempt with difficulty and reward of trial in mind……Complete. Due to unforeseen errors, Individual has been granted Special Skill: Skanda.::
“I know I’ve said this a lot, but what the hell?!”
***
After managing to calm down, I quickly went through the situation. I’ve suddenly found myself within an unknown location, a mysterious voice went on and on about World Decay this and world system that. All I can figure out is that it means I’m screwed.
Strangely enough, I felt rather calm. It was probably due to the data that was deposited into my brain, though putting it that way was somewhat off-putting. According to my new knowledge, the World System was a mechanic put in place that made people stronger. It apparently used a letter grade scale to rank individuals, but the specifics were beyond me. I just instinctively knew what to do next. All I have to do is think about my Status? Whoa!?
I was assaulted by a sudden bout of vertigo immediately after thinking about my Status, during which a whiteboard like shape rose up in the back of my mind. What? You want me to explain it better? Sorry, there’s a limit to what I can do while panicking so hard.
Status
Race: Human
Age: 22
State: Healthy
Titles: None
Rank: F
Skills
Normal Skills: Analyze
Special Skills: Skanda Rank F
Uh? What the hell!? What does any of this mean? What do you mean I’m an F Rank? That’s a failing grade where I’m from. No wait, that would be a fail anywhere. Ugh, I'm panicking way too hard right now. I needed to calm down ASAP. Thankfully, once I calmed down I realized that I understood what this all meant.
This ‘System’ ranked people based on how powerful they were, and F rank was the lowest. Though that does make sense, come to think of it. I’m not a ninja or martial artist. I have almost no fighting ability. Well, that was depressing. Either way after looking at my Status, I could understand how to use my skills, I just didn’t know what they did. Might as well try out Analyze. Immediately, another whiteboard rose up in my mind with the results. Ugh, better stop thinking about these things.
Analyze – A skill granted to all beings connected to the World System. Displays information about the users skills and equipment, as well as displaying a monsters name and rank. Will bestow necessary information about analyzed monsters. Analyzed target must be the same rank or lower as user or skill will fail. Cannot be used on others connected to the World System.
Skanda Rank F – A Special Skill not normally obtainable. For one minute, raises the users Thinking Speed and reflexes by three times their normal value. Cooldown : 20 minutes.
Um, this feels like a video game, though I’ve never seen something like this. Imagine if a game just threw you into a random dungeon, with no explanation. Hahahaha, that would surely be crazy.
Advertisement
- In Serial60 Chapters
Time Will Tell
It was just an ordinary sunny day at the beach… until it wasn’t. Unbeknownst to me everything was about to change and I would never see anyone or anywhere I had known ever again. The sun had been bright, the day warm, the wind pleasant and the water cool... Until I fell through, leaving it all behind. Now I'm trapped in a stone cell by some psychotic wizard and his blue henchman and I have no idea what's going to happen to me. All I can do is wait. Time will tell.
8 85 - In Serial21 Chapters
Madness with a touch of sanity
A story from the point of view of madman, although they seem perfectly sane, the world will burn around them and only they will remain, and maybe some others too. This is one of my first published stories, hate it if you want, I probably will, but any advice will always be appreciated, if I can improve my writing I will be happy. Cover is temporary, royalty-free image, until I either create or commision someone to create a new one
8 195 - In Serial6 Chapters
Another World Trucker
I must be cursed. All I've ever wanted to do in my life is hit the open road and drive to my heart's content. But life seems to have other plans for me. After dying while on delivery in my semi I wake up to find myself in another world, with my truck. I've always wanted to be the driver, but at this point, I'm just in the passenger seat while whatever forces control these worlds drive me along. Hopefully, this world won't end as bad as the last one. In another world with my truck! Another fairly standard isekai, but one that's hopefully engaging enough to keep everyone around. Also, way too many references to other isekai's will be included. My first time ever writing a story so feedback is greatly appreciated.
8 194 - In Serial22 Chapters
BR: Collection of Short Stories
This book is my collection of short stories written by me. it will cover different types of genres, POVs, tenses, and styles of writing. Each chapter has a different story but may break into parts. I will provide the word count on the author’s note, along with the genre and the story summary. In addition, with some warning tags, such as sexual, gore, traumatizing content, and profanity. Those stories will be set in a similar universe, my universe, and will have different characters and themes. So, don’t be confused if there is a different theme in this book. Schedule: Monday 3AM (UTC +8:00) Friday(Alternatives)
8 166 - In Serial247 Chapters
Sovereign Cipher: Overpowered Evolution (LitRPG)
“In some way unknowable but instinctively felt, Pneuma was both royalty and a monster. To be respected and feared. Trint was in awe. He wasn’t even sure what Pneuma looked like… but his fear was justified.“ Trint, an average, middle-aged nobody who suffered a terrible encounter, finds himself thrown for a loop when Earth is integrated into the Iterations. He must ascend through level-gated realms till he either hits the top or dies. Adopted by a mysterious family Dynasty, Trint receives an equally-mysterious companion and faces his greatest challenge yet: he must now succeed at becoming a monster-wrecking machine or he will never recover what he lost. ---------------------- Release Schedule: Monday/Wednesday/Friday. Bonus chapters when I feel like it. Author Background This is my very first time writing a story. The first time I've shared it with more than one person. I know it's not perfect, but I'd appreciate any comments you wish to share. Be honest but respectful, and I know I can get better. I hope someone enjoys this story as much as I did writing it. Story Elements: The story included LitRPG elements that help build the world but will not have constant readouts of stat sheets. There will be nothing rated beyond PG-13 romantically/sexually. Violence is the main contributor to reader discretion. This will be a story involving violent battles and detailed death. Patreon https://www.patreon.com/MavTech
8 548 - In Serial142 Chapters
O, CURSED CHILD. ﹙ harry potter ﹚
𝐎, 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃 ⎥ "He wants a fight with a God? I'll give him one." ﹙ from stardust we came, to stardust we return ﹚ Prisoner of Azkaban - Deathly Hollows Harry Potter x PowerFem!oc
8 134