Terraria, a world governed by the six elemental knights. They bring balance, stability, and life to this world. But legend has it that one day, a seventh knight will appear, wreaking havoc and destruction wherever he walks. A man named Sigurd embarks on a quest to find The Seventh Knight and do whatever it takes to kill him.
"It was as if she was made before the world, and the world was made to cradle her beauty."
A wise king once said, "Once you come back from a war, things will never be the same again."
He was right.
After three long years, I'm not even sure if I'm half the man I used to be. I've done things that no knight-no man, should've even thought of doing, and yet they praise me, and herald me a hero to the kingdom.
But...I have a duty.
One that I must uphold; to smile, to wave, to stride along the paths of the castle on a majestic steed, to give hope...
And pretend to be the hero that people want me to be.
Nevertheless I made my way through the adoring crowds to reach the castle.
The entrance to the throne room was behind a large ornamented door. Behind that door, their majesties, the King awaits me.
"Ser Sigurd has returned!" the herald announced.
The royal guards raised their swords in salutation. I genuflected before his majesty, King Edward. His eyes looked at me with hope, and pride, and all the trust a young man can give another. "Ser Sigurd, you may stand."
I stood up but kept my head lowered.
"Why do you bow your head, Sigurd?"
"I do not think I deserve such treatment, your majesty. I am but a humble man from the boonies, and you are the ruler of this kingdom."
"Nonsense! For what you did for this country, for avenging my father's deaths. You should raise your head proud. You are this kingdom's greatest hero." King Edward gestured to his priest, and he handed the king a beautifully crafted sword.
The king took out the sword and dabbed it on my shoulders. "I dub thee Ser Sigurd of the Black Rose."
He sheathed the sword back to its scabbard and held it before me. "Take this sword as a symbol of your knighthood. Feel it, bear it, wield it as the sign of your loyalty to the crown and the kingdom."
The sword felt heavy in my hands, not because of the weight of its steel, but the weight of the expectations that come with it. The roses engraved in its scabbard gave it a strangely elegant frame. I unsheathed the sword and saw the runic engravings along the edges.
The sword was made from a black stone that fell from the sky, it was light but it felt tougher than any other sword I've held before. It was a masterpiece; a work of art.
But it felt wrong to have it. I was no real hero. Had they known what I had to do to get here, none of them, not even the king would be proud of me.
Nonetheless, I straddled it to my belt and left the throne room bearing a smile.
I went back to my house and removed the armor I had worn in battle. Because now, the clothes of a commoner was more suitable for a man like me.
In times that I felt distraught, I kept to myself and I would wander along the pier to admire the setting sun. The persimmon skyline of the Kingdom of Regalia looked like an expensive painting when it reflected the ocean. The sound of the seagulls and the swashing waves against the shore was nothing short of therapeutic.
It had been three years since I've even caught a glimpse of this scenery. To see it again, made me shed a tear just by gazing at the horizon.
"My dad told me that a man is not himself when he looks at the ocean that longingly," said a woman's voice.
It was someone that I'd never met. She wore an ivy-colored sundress that complimented the innocence of her porcelain skin. The auburn locks of her hair danced together with the wind as it playfully touched her cheeks and covered her pale brown eyes. The smile that ran along her lips glimmered under the brilliance of the orange sky.
It was as if she was molded before the world was even created, and the world was made solely to cradle her beauty.
I stared at her for what felt like an eternity; dumbstruck when she sat next to me.
"I'm sorry, did I startle you?" she said then she chuckled softly. She had a laugh that could tame even the fiercest of beasts, and melt the coldest of hearts.
"Oh! I'm being rude, aren't I? I haven't even told you my name!" She stood up and held out her hand. "Serena. Serena Merces."
I took her hand and she smiled at me, "Sigurd. Just Sigurd."
"Well, Just Sigurd we need to get going."
"We? Where?"
"Yes, we! The King is holding a feast tonight in honor of the late king's name day. I bet there's gonna be dancing, and music... and fireworks! So, let's go!" She took my hand and we ran towards the town.
I smirked at that and surrendered.
It was going to be a long night.
Atreus has reached the height of success, building a vast conglomerate that brought him wealth and recognition. Yet, even with everything he ever dreamed of, he feels a void that nothing seems to fill. One evening, while taking a walk, he becomes a witness to a mugging and nearly loses his life in the chaos. When he wakes up in the hospital, he sees the woman he saved sitting by his side. In her presence, he feels a strange familiarity that pulls him back to his past, to the days when he first learned what it meant to love. "A Last Letter for My Stargazer" follows Atreus as he confronts the emptiness within him and uncovers the lost pieces of his heart.
In the post-apocalyptic wasteland known as The Black Spot, hope is a scarce commodity. Arslan, a hardened survivor haunted by a traumatic past, wanders through the desolate ruins with only his cynicism and combat skills as companions. But when he crosses paths with Nova, a quick-witted thief, and Leona, a relentless fighter with a strong sense of justice, their fates become entwined. Together, they form an unlikely alliance in a world where trust is a luxury. As they navigate the treacherous terrain and encounter ruthless factions, their shared objective emerges: to piece together the fragments of hope amidst the chaos. Arslan's unwavering determination to find his lost love, Clarisse, propels them forward, as they uncover secrets that shake the very foundations of their shattered world. In 'Fragments of Hope,' survival means more than just staying alive—it means finding the strength to fight for a better future. As alliances are tested, loyalties are questioned, and sacrifices are made, these survivors must rise above their own demons and forge a path toward redemption. Will their shared resilience be enough to rebuild what has been lost, or will they be consumed by the darkness that surrounds them?
"When Ryle, a royal knight, stumbles upon a plot by the Queen to overthrow the King, he must choose between his loyalty to the crown and his sense of justice. As he assembles a secret unit of skilled warriors to stop the Queen and protect the kingdom, Ryle faces danger, political intrigue, and the challenge of coming to terms with his own beliefs. "The Soldier's Minute: Fall of Rosetta" is a gripping tale of dark fantasy, romance, and coming of age set in a medieval world where technology and magic collide. Join Ryle on his quest to save the kingdom in this action-packed and emotionally charged novel."
Arcturus, a Royal Knight of the kingdom of Lumiere, recalls the days of his time with his first love when he finds himself fighting against Claire on the battlefield. Will he live up to his duty as a Royal Knight of the kingdom or will he succumb to his emotions and lose his heart?
A troubled knight losing his grip on reality searches for a purpose in life. When he stumbles upon a young noblewoman named Esfir in the grips of a dilemma, he finds a memory of an old flame. In his quest to help Esfir, will he find his purpose or will he lose what remains of himself?
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
Allison fell in love with Ethan Iversen, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Moonlight Crown pack. She always wanted him to notice her. Meanwhile, Ethan was an arrogant Alpha who thought a weak Omega could not be his companion. Ethan's cousin, Ryan Iversen, who came back from abroad and was the actual heir of the pack, never tried to get the position nor did he show any interest in it. He was a popular playboy Alpha but when he came back to the pack, one thing captured his eyes and that was Allison.
Desperate to handle her grandmother's towering medical bills, Gianna agreed to a contract marriage with Tristan, the enigmatic man she'd once shared a one-night stand with. She assumed they'd fulfill each other's needs and dissolve the arrangement once the terms expired. Unbeknownst to Gianna, this marriage was a dream Tristan had clung to for ten relentless years. Certain she was just filling someone else's role, Gianna prepared to leave when that other woman returned. But Tristan, his eyes burning with unspoken emotion, seized her trembling hand and declared, "You’re mine. Now and always."
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."