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?
Some people find themselves with a purpose early on in life; others, find it so much later. But, me? I don't think there's a purpose for me anymore.
One morning, I just woke up staring at myself in the mirror, wondering what kind of person I had become. I couldn't recognize myself anymore, and to tell you the truth, my thirteen-year-old self would be disappointed in the man I am today.
I used to be a wide-eyed young lad; driven, passionate, and willing to work for the betterment of the country. Sadly, I had become a completely different person.
The rain kept on pouring outside. I pressed my hand against the windowpane, waiting for it to let up so that I could drop by the bar and drink my weariness away. Only then could I forget... only then could I escape.
Minutes later, the downpour of rain had turned into a drizzle. I grabbed my coat, and hid a small blade in the inner pocket, ready to head to Maggie's bar.
Only I and a few others dared walk amidst the rain. It had been days since it rained in our town, and it hadn't stopped since then. Puddles of water stained my boots as I walked along the nearly empty streets until I found myself standing in front of Maggie's once again.
The bright light coming from inside illuminated the dreary darkness of its surroundings. Chatter, laughter, and voices of merry men could be heard from inside. I entered the door, sweeping my eyes across the room for an empty seat and making sure not to make eye contact.
When the bartender saw me, he urged me to sit by the bar counter and offered me my usual drink on the house. He said it was thanks for helping him out the other night, so I just nodded at him and accepted the whiskey.
In this bar, some were thrilled to see me, while others were apprehensive. Though I cared not for either opinion, it was understandable for some people to be unnerved around me, given that I used to be a knight in service to the crown.
Thereafter, I drank in silence and hoped that this day would bring me closer to the end than my last. The rain continued to pour as I drank glass after glass of whiskey until my vision blurred and I blacked out.
All of a sudden, I was awakened by a startling noise. I opened my eyes, feeling like my head was splitting apart. The bartender was cowering behind the counter, ducking as low as possible to hide from would-be assailants.
As I turned my gaze behind me, I noticed a young woman being dragged away by two men. They wore armor that I'd never seen before, and each was armed to the teeth.
I noticed that some of the diners and patrons of the bar were bloodied and unconscious, which led me to believe that there had been an altercation.
Normally, I would just go about my day and forget that I saw anything because I didn't want to stick my nose into other people's business. But for some reason, when my eyes met with the young woman's, I was drawn to her.
Soon, I found myself, dropping a few copper coins on the bar counter and giving the bartender a nod before heading towards the door. Outside, I saw that there were more than two men who were abducting the young lady.
Her auburn hair gleamed brightly amidst the dim surrounding as she sat on the ground, refusing to be taken away. The men tried continued to drag her towards a carriage, until she managed to bite the arm of the man on her left and kick the crotch of the poor bastard on her right.
Shortly thereafter, she ran toward me and hid behind my back. One glance at her and her assailants was all I needed to know that I had been dragged into whatever conflict this was.
The armed men tried to reason with me first. "Oi! This is none of your business, lad. Just give us the girl and we won't hurt you," said the first man. "She's a fugitive, lad. Just give us the girl and be on your way. Don't poke your nose where it doesn't belong," the other remarked.
I didn't respond, for I knew it was futile. I had already seen their faces, and I knew enough to know that they wouldn't leave any witnesses. Thus, I reached for the blade inside my coat and steeled myself for what was about to come. "Hide," I said to the girl.
She looked at me, grateful but somehow agitated. She nodded in response before going back into the bar, where Maggie, the owner stood at the door.
I glanced over at Maggie and saw the way she was looking at me. She didn't even need to talk to her to tell me that I should do what must be done.
The armed men ran after the young lady, but I got in their way. They warned me one last time, but even then, I didn't budge. My refusal to move was all the answer they needed to attack me. Soon, I found sword after sword being swung at me from different directions, but none were successful in reaching me. I was sidestepping, bobbing, and weaving to avoid every strike.
I could tell that the wet ground was slightly muddling their movement and balance, so I took advantage of that weakness and swept the legs of two hapless bastards. Shortly after they fell, I stomped on their helmets to knock them out and incapacitate them. Their comrades were enraged that I made short work of them, so they attacked me on all fronts.
Not to be outdone, I grabbed the sword from one of the fallen men and disarmed all three that were attacking me. Their swords were flung away and planted onto the ground. Without their weapons, they looked at me warily; hesitant to attack. One was foolish enough to try and pummel me, but just a kick to his shin and a knee to his throat was enough to knock him out.
By now, the other two were slowly backing away from me, while I just stood in front of the bar, looking at them with my unfazed gaze. "You'll regret this!" they said, leaving their comrades and heading to the carriage.
Once I had defeated the men, I took what I could find from their coin purses, for in my head, it was payment for the trouble they caused me. The little lady didn't look like she would've paid me anything, so I thought looting the unconscious soldiers' coin purses was payment enough.
Maggie and the young lady looked at me in silence until I approached them. I said to the young lady, "Leave town before they come back." Then, I went on my way back to my house to prepare for departure. From what I could tell, those men must've been hired by some merchant or noble, so there were probably more of them coming in a day or two.
Just as I reached my house, the young lady grabbed my wrist and said, "Take me with you. Please."
"No. Leave me alone," I answered, heading into my home. But then, she followed me inside without my permission. "Can I at least stay the night? It's almost midnight and going out there would be suicide."
I shook my head and let out a sigh. "Fine, but you're sleeping on the couch. I don't intend to share my bed with you."
A moment of silence ensued between us. Thinking that she had no arguments to be made, I headed toward my room. But then, she said loudly, "Esfir."
I looked back, confused by what she meant. "That's my name. Esfir," she repeated.
"Rain," I answered as I headed back to my room.
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?
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.
Corinne devoted three years of her life to her boyfriend, only for it to all go to waste. He saw her as nothing more than a country bumpkin and left her at the altar to be with his true love. After getting jilted, Corinne reclaimed her identity as the granddaughter of the town’s richest man, inherited a billion-dollar fortune, and ultimately rose to the top. But her success attracted the envy of others, and people constantly tried to bring her down. As she dealt with these troublemakers one by one, Mr. Hopkins, notorious for his ruthlessness, stood by and cheered her on. “Way to go, honey!”
"You're mine, little puppy," Kylan growled against my neck. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his lips brushed my skin. My mind screamed at me to push him away-the Lycan Prince who had humiliated me again and again, but my body betrayed me, leaning into him before I could stop myself. He pressed his lips against mine, and his kiss grew more aggressive, more possessive as I felt my legs weaken. What was I doing? In a split-second, I pulled away and slapped him hard across the face. Kylan's eyes darkened, but the smirk on his lips exposed his amusement. "You and I both know we can't fight this, Violet," he said, gripping my wrist. "You're my mate." "And yet you don't want me," I replied. "You told me you were ashamed of me, that l'd never be your queen, that you'd never love me. So please, accept my rejection and let me go." "Never," he whispered, his grip tightening as he pulled me closer. "Soon enough, you'll be begging for me. and when you do-I'll use you as I see fit and then I'll reject you."
"Ahh!" She was in a moaning mess. She did not want to feel anything for this man. She hated him. His hands began to move all over her body. She gasped when he pulled down the back chain of her dress. The chain stopped at her lower waist, so when he zipped it off, her upper back and waist were exposed. "D-Don't touch m-ummm!" His fingers rolled around her bare back, and she pressed her head against the pillow. His touches were giving her goosebumps all over her body. With a deep angry voice, he whispered in her ear, "I am going to make you forget his touches, kisses, and everything. Every time you touch another man, you will only think of me." - - - Ava Adler was a nerdy omega. People bullied her because they thought she was ugly and unattractive. But Ava secretly loved the bad boy, Ian Dawson. He was the future Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack. However, he doesn't give a damn about rules and laws, as he only likes to play around with girls. Ava was unaware of Ian's arrogance until her fate intertwined with his. He neglected her and hurt her deeply. What would happen when Ava turned out to be a beautiful girl who could win over any boy, and Ian looked back and regretted his decisions? What if she had a secret identity that she had yet to discover? What if the tables turned and Ian begged her not to leave him?
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
Once upon a time, there were two kingdoms once at peace. The kingdom of Salem and the kingdom of Mombana... Until the day, the king of Mombana passed away and a new monarch took over, Prince Cone. Prince Cone, has always been hungry for more power and more and more. After his coronation, he attacked Salem. The attack was so unexpected, Salem never prepared for it. They were caught off guard. The king and Queen was killed, the prince was taken into slavery. The people of Salem that survived the war was enslaved, their land taken from them. Their women were made sex slaves. They lost everything, including their land. Evil befall the land of Salem in form of Prince Cone, and the prince of Salem in his slavery was filled with so much rage. The prince of Salem, Prince Lucien swore revenge. 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳 Ten years later, thirty-years old Lucien and his people raided a coup and escaped slavery. They went into hiding and recuperated. They trained day and night under the leadership of the fearless and cold Lucien who was driven with everything in him to get back their land, and take Mombana land too. It took them five years before they ambushed and attacked Mombana. They killed Prince Cone and reclaimed everything. As they screamed out their victory, Lucien's eyes found and pinned the proud princess of Mombana. Princess Danika. The daughter of Prince Cone. As Lucien stared at her with the coldest eyes anyone can ever possess, he felt victory for the first time. He walked to the princess with the slave collar he'd won for ten years rattling in his hand as he walked. He reached close to her and with a swift movement, he collared her neck. Then, he tilted her chin up, staring into the bluest eyes and the most beautiful face ever created, he gave her a cold smile. "You are my acquisition. My slave. My sex slave. My property. I will pay you in spades, everything you and your father ever did to me and my people." He stated curtly. Pure hatred, coldness and victory was the only emotion on his face. .
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.