What comes after death? HE was ready to accept that he had lived a meaningless life as a sworn sword to another.... for another. HE was ready to accept that his life, which fell apart in the blink of an eye, and led him to tread through countless battlefields as a common footsoldier of no renown, was his sole accolade as he passed on. That was all there was to it. However... Death isn't the end. There is no time to rest. Another life awaits, and you have the privilege of choosing what you will be when you are reborn. But you work for it. You toil. You prove your worth. Whether the end goal is to become a Devil, an Angel, a Young Master, a Hero, a Giant, or a god. You bleed for it, in 'Prospect For Reincarnation'!
(A/N: This is the only chapter written in First Person).
"Please, I beg of you! Please spare my family! I'll do anything! I'll give you anything!" the man whom I presume is a husband to the quivering woman behind him, and a father to the ghastly pale boy of probably no more than ten years, clutching his arm viciously, screams.
I sigh.
There is nothing this man can offer me that can change his fate, after all, I am after his and his family's lives.
His pleas only make me grip my saber tighter.
Let me get this over with.
The longer they stare at me like this – with terror and dwindling hope – the more upset I become. But I do not show it with my face.
I raise my saber and take a step forward, an action that the man before me responds to by burning away the pathetic, torn visage he has had on all this time, and donning a feral one.
A desperate one.
He lunges at me while calling for his wife and son to escape, but his attempt, while admirable for a common man, does not amount to much.
I seize him by the neck of his tunic, knock him against the wall, and jam my saber violently into his chest.
The odd look he gives me now – one of shock – without a single word leaving his mouth, melts against the heartless demons that I carry. I have seen endless templates of the same face for twenty years.
I am numb to it.
Behind me, the man's wife lets out a blood-curdling screech at the sight of what I have done and heaves a wooden chair which she bashes into my back. She hits me repeatedly in the name of her husband, while her son backs away in horror, his eyes planted on his father's quivering figure.
I wish I can find enough sympathy to care, and reason enough to not deliver the same cruel fate on these two.
I don't.
The woman's head rolls a moment later, while her husband's body, no longer pinned to the wall by my saber, slumps to the floor.
The boy who remains is frozen stiff.
I imagine he can't quite process the image of his mother's head standing upright by the stump of its neck on the floor, staring him dead in the eye.
For a moment, I think he will go mad, but he doesn't. He sits motionlessly as I behead him too.
I sigh.
Am I to say "Job well done" now?
I set to leave the small house when a croaking voice calls out to me.
"C-curse y... you."
I turn my head.
The man. He still has breath enough to speak, though I can see that he is quickly fading.
"Curse you! Spawn... of evil!"
His words mean nothing to me. I've heard countless versions of them.
Before he passes, I give him the same response I've given to all those who came before him.
"Blame my King. I'm just a messenger."
As I make my exit, a fellow soldier, decked in the same unimpressive silver set of armor as me, gives me a nod, cackles with glee, and throws a flaming torch to the thatched roof of the house, setting it ablaze.
I watch for a moment, as greedy gold and crimson devours the shelter, before following the dozens from my platoon all around the village, killing and burning in a cycle that almost feels unending...
Inescapable.
*
We've returned to camp.
There wasn't much to do today.
No skilled warriors from our foes' side could have predicted that foot soldiers like me would be sent to eradicate small villages in their nation while they were forced to weather the tide of renowned warriors from our side.
To be honest, neither side cares for the 'general kind.'
His Majesty often rebukes taking prisoners.
That is an outlook you must adopt to thrive in his army.
I can't say I have been proud to soak it up as well. It's become a part of me, yet I'm different from my comrades, at least those who rank higher than me.
They are all bloodthirsty fiends that turn fierce in the presence of skilled enemies and innocents alike. It is as though evil spirits have replaced their souls.
I don't believe in the supernatural though.
That evil is all just human.
The stark difference between how most of them, arrive as recruits and how they devolve into madmen is nothing short of a miracle. I should know. I have served for twenty years in His Majesty's army without promotion.
It's all I have.
My life was nothing before this.
I grew up well, with loving parents.
I had friends, and ambitions, though nowadays I find it hard to recall what they were – both of them.
What I do know is that I lost everything I had one day and only got to keep my life intact.
I imagine that the same cruelty I just served hours ago was the cause – I can't quite remember – and perhaps I got devoured by it.
Is this my way of making up for it? Giving life a rude hand gesture by exacting the same fate on others?
Is it just me venting my worthlessness?
Perhaps not.
I feel nothing when I do it.
It's kill or be killed.
I am the King's servant, sworn to his service.
I've already made peace with the possibility of dying in battle.
Dying a worthless death.
I bear no animosity.
The camp is as messy, as rancid, and as disorderly as you can imagine. At least that is how it looks for a lowly foot soldier like me. I have no aptitude for growth, so I remain as a fifty-five-year-old veteran among younglings – with no name of his own, only several mocking monikers.
Still, I am quite knowledgeable. While thousands of the same rank have died, I have managed to master simple tactics and basic combat techniques that flirt best with Lady Luck.
All in all, it isn't that bad.
*
It's night.
The usual brawls can be spotted here and there.
I've eaten my bowl of the nasty goop that qualifies as a foot soldier's staple food.
I'm ready for bed.
Ready for another day in the cruel cycle.
I remember falling asleep, but something wakes me up. There's a noise, for one.
Then there's something heavy on top of me, and something sharp lodged into my throat.
One of the soldiers is lying on top of me, and his knife has found its way into my neck.
I start to choke.
The pain is as excruciating as I imagined it to be when I inflicted it on others.
I instinctively try to drag the knife out while pushing the soldier away. It's no good. The man is limp. He's dead.
Another soldier standing a few paces away turns and walks off.
I want to struggle.
I want to resist.
But what's the point?
I'm done for.
Besides, do I really want to wake up tomorrow and continue to carry out the ambitions of a wealthy, vicious man who doesn't give a damn about all that I do in his service?
No. I don't.
Ah, it hurts. It hurts so bad!
Blood spews from my mouth.
It tastes worse than I remember.
Well, I suppose it's a fitting end.
No glory. No honor.
I die as collateral to a stupid brawl.
I actually manage to let out a ridiculing laugh in this state.
What a worthless existence.
.
.
.
Something's setting off a bright light.
Is it the sun?
No.
I died.
I died, right?
Definitely.
I try to open my eyes.
I can't.
I don't think I have eyes, or a body for that matter.
There's only darkness and that flashing light over yonder.
What is this?
Then an answer comes.
This same flashing light broadens and an oddly inhumane voice cries joyously:
|Welcome to the carriage towards 'Prospect For Reincarnation'!|
|You will formally be referred to as 'Incarnate ^8001' from now on!|
|Please try to keep your wits, if you have any, and choose wisely as you pass along!|
|Happy trails!|
When the time has turned ripe, Ginger has to leave his home in the Wild. A young, awakening dragon like himself, even as a halfling, can’t remain in a world where he will eventually be seen as a monster, after all. Thus, with the help of an infamous Shaman, Ginger is transported to Ravi, a land where dragons reign supreme, lording over land, law, and the lesser races that fill the continent. To learn from scratch what his fellow dragons can do – which is far, far more than flying, breathing fire, and compelling with mere sight – Ginger starts his adventure at a prestigious Institute for dragonlings of all kinds. Ah, the typical adventure countless youngsters like him in other inspired Novel Verses have endured. But not quite. For Ginger isn’t your typical dragon, and neither is he a common scrub. Of course, he is not. The rule of dragons, the long Tallies of time they have ruled... may be coming to an end. Is he tied to such an event of the ages? --- Disclaimer: This novel is a slow burn. If these kinds of stories bother you, then you probably won't like it, though I hope you try it before concluding. The story also follows a 7:3 ratio between school events and outside adventures respectively, both of which center around Slice of Life, Action, 'Magic', Drama, and several other subgenres. And yes, there is Slice of Life. At least reach chapter 16 before opting out. (PS: Cover isn't mine.)
[Warning: This novel can get brutal and has some some R18 scenes which you will be warned of at the beginnings of the chapters] ....... What is existence? It is divided into two Spaces. The Mortis, where one can find Worlds. The Immortis, where one can find Realms. Both divided by a boundary that keeps the two separate. However, as vast as this world is, only a single individual's story is relevant. A man who rose from the depths of a dark society in the Mortis and ended up being a symbol power, prosperity and fear in the Immortis. Revered and respect by experts of all realms of power. He was granted a title to acknowledge him as a powerful expert. A King. However, there’s a saying in the Immortis. ‘Like the Mobius of Birth, one’s life always comes back around with all the vile darkness one thinks they’ve left behind.’ The man who had become a King, lost everything to a cycle that came to bite him in the back. Betrayal. Everything that he built. The wife he loved. The children he raised. All of it was lost. He returned to square one. Back to the Mortis, where he began. Join him on his journey to ascend again. His fury is not abated. He wishes to tear down his enemies for they did. The traitors for their betrayal. Will he rise alone? Will he follow the same path as the last time? Will he overpower his enemies? Find out in the story of a dark King. The King of.... ......... [Sneek Peek] "You are rage." As he said so, he slashed down with the sword, his arms not quite able to bring down the sword in a perfect slash. However, it was a slash nonetheless. It was clumsy, but it was fine. The young man raised his arms and grasped his sword above his head again. "You are pain," he said as he slashed down with a better steadiness that made his slash look a bit more elegant. The look in his eyes turned colder as the evening breeze brushed past him. Before him was not the sea or the moon or the stars. There was the face of his enemies as they dared to bring to ruin all that he had built. "You are fear," he said as he brought down his sword again, its rusting blade showing nothing of the magnificence a sword should bear. What was the True Way of the Sword? It was to cause bloodshed. It was to cause pain. It was to cause sorrow. It was to tear away families from their fathers, husbands, children, mothers. Every weapon was forged to cut down a life. Whether it was to protect or not. A life would be taken by the silver blade as it slashed down. The bulky man in the forge, hammering away at the heated metal would seek to make a sword stronger and sharpen it afterwards so it wouldn't fail to behead a foe. A sword's purpose and instinct was to kill. "You are torment!" The young man slashed again with all his might, his slash being a silver light could be seen as it was lit in the night. "You are war!" He lowered his stance as he felt the sword slice through the air seamlessly. "You are madness!" The sword blew a bit of the sand on the shore as he swung down. "You are destruction!" he said as he slashed. 'I will walk this path again. It has worked for me before and it will continue to work now,' he thought. He slashed again. 'None shall remain standing when I return to the Realms above.' ........... Cover is not mine....credit to artist..
[Author's Note] This book is a part of an already existing Book Series by the author, called Antique Lore. It is a spinoff whose content can be read by anyone without prior knowledge of previous books. If you are interested in the previous books though, do let me know. ............ [Synopsis] My life just became a cheesy early two thousands fantasy show where I ‘suddenly’ discover that I’m some important descendant in a line of badass supernatural creatures. Great! You would think so, but... My life was shit before this and honestly, it hasn’t changed. I wish it could be a case of me being this chick that all the handsome, aloof men chase and fawn over but... while that is the case to some degree, I’ve become a target for... drumroll please... Vampires! Fantastic! Who do I trust in this new side of the world I never knew existed? Alphas come running to me with different motives, promising protection, faithfulness and even.... great sex? Well whatever. I’m not gonna be swayed by the tide so easily. I’m not that fickle. ........ [Sneak Peek] Coming Soon.... ----------- Please vote for this story if you like it and leave all the comments you want. Constructive criticism is appreciated.
[Note] This is the first instalment for the Book Series, Antique Lore. The prominent characters in this story are Vampires, Werewolves, Sorcerers and Hybrids. The content of these books is centred around Fantasy, Romance, Action and R18 related content. This first instalment, Centuries Blood, lays a background and setting for the lore and has much to do, so please excuse the several editions backstories and mythology. However, do not fret, there is NO extensive expository chapters and there is a vast plot and entertaining characters ahead for you to enjoy. Thank you. ---- [Synopsis] Myth and Fantasy are not immune from Fate. Everything flows in a path that has been predetermined, but it is possible to break free. Two brothers traverse through the centuries with burdens that were placed on them by the heavy weight of the world, subjected to sweet love that clouds their view with heart-shaped lips, offering nothing but affection, yet... In the next moment, past sins and shadows catch up, haunting them and their loved ones. They are both afraid of being alone and yet they know that having people close to them will only bring them to ruin. But how can they help it. They expand the Malbourne family and seek what it is that centuries worth of life deny them. Consuming the blood of thousands quenches not the thirst of the affection of an ideal woman, nor does it erase the necessary evils they’ve had to do as Royal Vampires. Yet they seek it, among the Werewolves, among the Sorcerers, among the Humans and even their own kind. Where does it all end? --- [Sneek Peek] Colbert grunted and planted a kiss on Olivia's soft lips before pushing her to the courtyard wall. He felt every part of her, his hands finally clutching onto her ass, holding it as if it were freshly baked buns, rubbing it from time to time. Olivia nibbled on Colbert's neck while pushing herself against him. "At...least... I know... you haven't.... been.... messing around....while I was gone... Such..passion... you do only have eyes for me," Olivia said while running her hands across his muscles and kissing Colbert on the lips after rounds of tasting his skin. "You're talking too much," he said as he held her tiny hands against the wall and sank his head into her breasts through her dress and ruffled his head, making Olivia giggle while taking in deep breaths. "Aheeem!" The two youths turned towards the source of the voice and found a balding steward standing with his eyebrow raised. Colbert quickly coughed embarrassedly and let go of Olivia who blushed and lowered her gaze. "Phillip! I was just helping Olivia- the honourable Olivia with a review of her new dress. She tells me it is a bit stuffy around the chest area so I was checking the ventilation," said Colbert while inwardly grimacing. ....
Hugh Rolien, the third Grand Sorcerer of Malediction, escaped his dark life from the Order of Somacht, taking his wife faraway and for a time enjoying the pleasures of life. However, in the race of life, his past caught up to him. An Arch Nightbringer contracted by the Order was sent to kill him and his wife who was pregnant with triplets. In a desperate attempt, he makes a deal with the Nightbringer to leave its seed in his children as long it doesn't kill or corrupt them, in exchange for his wife's and his life. A contract is signed, with the malignant entity vowing to reap the children at the end. The children are born, and Hugh splits them, giving them to his trusted friends to raise, away from the Order. They grow, each with his own agenda and power.... but the Order still pursues....
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
As a simple assistant, messaging the CEO in the dead of night to request shares of adult films was a bold move. Bethany, unsurprisingly, didn't receive any films. However, the CEO responded that, while he had no films to share, he could offer a live demonstration. After a night filled with passion, Bethany was certain she'd lose her job. But instead, her boss proposed, "Marry me. Please consider it." "Mr. Bates, you're kidding me, right?"
Ivy Rosalia Jones, a young and beautiful doctor working at a suburban hospital, is determined to marry a man she met through a blind date, even though he is paralyzed. Actually, the marriage was meant to be symbolic, with both of them intending not to interfere in each other's affairs after the wedding. However, Ivy never expected that she would end up marrying the most influential man in the world. Shawn Dyxon Tate, Ivy's husband, has no intention of letting his beautiful wife go. Once she entered his life, he made a decision to spoil her and gave her the world she never had.
"Then let's get a divorce!" With courage, Leora left her husband's house, after being accused of poisoning his mistress. Her in-laws and sister-in-law had planned various ways to kick her out of Peter's house and in the end Leora gave in. However, no one expected that things would turn 180 degrees after the divorce. When everyone who had hurt her was happy with each other's lies, Leora returned. This time, she was no longer the poor orphan girl from the orphanage. She has changed and not only that, she also carries a big secret that will make everyone turn to worship her feet.
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"