Plot Twist

Prelude III | Starbuilders
After arriving back at the village, Nothaar and Baubu retired to the older man's hut. There, Baubu's assistants had kept the fires burning while they were away; thus, it was actually quite comfortable inside. Nothaar was amazed at the ingenuity that went into insulating the building to keep so much heat in the interior while letting all the smoke out. Sweating from their vigorous walk, Nothaar was quick to shed his warm layers. Still, the cold felt like it had seeped as deep as his organs and was stubbornly refusing to allow his internal body temperature to return to its expected normal level.
By J.P. Prag8 months ago in Chapters
The importance of authenticity: His true power returns when he sheds the foreign influences and reconnects with his roots.. Content Warning. AI-Generated.
The importance of authenticity: His true power returns when he sheds the foreign influences and reconnects with his roots.---- The Priest-King loses his connection to his power and his land by embracing foreign objects and practices (the throne, crown, clothing, marble floors, and even the blood ritual itself). His brother, the High Priest of the Dark God, helps him realize that true power comes from being rooted in his own land and identity.----It all started with a dizzy spell. One minute I was the Priest-King, crown on my head, performing a ritual, and the next, I was almost on the floor. My ornate crown clattered away, making a racket. Just as I thought I was going down, a hand grabbed my arm, pulling me back up.
By MD Melon9 months ago in Chapters
Dueling Kingdoms - Part 6
Here are the previous chapters if you haven't checked them out! While Kris subtly held her lower abdomen, the earth-shattering reality of everything became unbearable and her world began to swirl. “Roy..” a mere whimper escaped as Kris’ vision began to blur. “Woah! Kris! Easy there, you're alright. I got you." With concern on Roy's face he gently guided Kris towards the ground in an empty meadow. As Kris came through the fainting spell, she erratically pushed back screaming “Don’t touch me!” As she brought her knees to her chest. Scared he might feel the subtle changes happening in her body, she couldn’t risk him finding out, not yet anyway. “I…forgive me Kris, I merely wanted to make sure you’re alright.” “I’m fine, I just stepped wrong.” Although Roy was skeptical, he dropped the subject, and asked Kris to expand on her thoughts of her royalty. “You said earlier you believed you were, or are, royalty? Enlighten me Kris, why do you believe this?” “Surely you must know?” Roy laughed in bewilderment, “I can attest to it that I haven’t the slightest idea.” Roy’s eyes glistened with curiosity and had depth to them as if he wanted me to share my thoughts openly. Yet, here I am hiding my abdomen and being hypervigilant about everything. Clearly I wasn’t off to a good start. “Kris?” Roy called my name as if pulling me from troubled waters, “Oh right, my apologies. I discovered this tale of two kingdoms, one between your parents prior to their divide, and Kingdom Haus, who now reside on the far side of the mountain. Does this tale sound familiar?” “I’d be lying if I said no.” Dropping his eyes, Roy broke eye contact, taking in a shaky breath and rubbing his knee as if a secret had just been exposed. “So you knew?!” Kris rose to her feet, anger sputtering through her body, trying to breathe steadily to avoid another fainting spell. “Kris, please…” “After all this time?! I trusted you! I’ve freely put my life on the line for you and the Queen! And for what? To be your puppet?” Kris felt betrayed by Roy, perhaps Prince Coy spoke plainly, albeit deceitful in his tactics, but at least he spoke plainly! Coy tried to show me the truth about my true identity. I was just too stubborn and blind to notice! I could only see him through my bias as a vile monster, oh what a fool I am! “Kris, I can explain.” “Now you want to explain Roy?! No! You don’t get to just talk your way out of this!” Before Roy could respond, Kris quickly spun on her heels and ran into the depths of the forest to be alone in her thoughts. Most of all she needed a safe hiding place as she knew Roy would surely look for her.
By Sibley Shamra9 months ago in Chapters
Dueling Kingdoms - Part 5. Content Warning.
If you haven’t read the first four parts of this story, then please follow the links below in order to get proper context before reading part five.
By Rowan Finley 9 months ago in Chapters
Prelude II | Starbuilders
Side-by-side, Nothaar and Baubu began walking back towards the village. En route, they idly chatted about the various locales that Nothaar had visited and the groups that were inhabiting them. Their conversation never settled on any topic in particular and instead bounced around, driven solely by the whims of the participants. As their voyage took them upon a well-worn path, Nothaar remarked on how he could practically feel the history of the trail itself. "It's quite clear that your people have been coming this way for generations," he noted.
By J.P. Prag9 months ago in Chapters
The Paradox of Us. Chapter 3
The winding streets of Montmartre smelled of fresh bread and turpentine, of rain-slicked stone and the faint metallic tang of the funicular cables overhead. Lucian's polished oxfords clicked against the cobblestones as he climbed, each step sending a jolt through his still-tender ribs from the crash landing of his last temporal jump. The chronometer beneath his sleeve burned now, its pulse irregular and feverish against his skin.
By The Lost Books - "Libri Perditi"9 months ago in Chapters
The Paradox of Us. Chapter 2
The Parisian night clung to Lucian Devereux like a second skin as he stepped out of the taxi, the humid August air thick with the promise of rain. The cobblestones glistened under the flickering streetlamps, reflecting the garish neon sign of Le Fantôme Bleu in rippling waves of electric blue. Somewhere in the distance, the Seine murmured its eternal song, while closer at hand, the sounds of jazz and laughter spilled from the club's half-open door like champagne from an overfilled glass.
By The Lost Books - "Libri Perditi"9 months ago in Chapters
When Hearts Collide.
Brussels was a world away from Marlowe Bay. Cobblestone streets and Gothic architecture replaced sandy paths and wooden piers. The salty tang of the sea was traded for the scent of roasted coffee and damp stone. And Ava, for the first time in her life, felt split down the middle.
By Krypton 9 months ago in Chapters
When Hearts Collide.
In Marlowe Bay, summer had its own rhythm: lazy mornings, sunny afternoons, and evenings when the air smelled of salt and hope. Ava had begun to fall into the beat of it, like a dance she hadn’t realized she was learning.
By Krypton 9 months ago in Chapters
When Hearts Collide.
Marlowe Bay awoke with a golden yawn, the sun casting shimmering ripples across the water’s surface. Gulls wheeled overhead, their cries sharp and distant. Ava watched the sunlight make patterns on the ceiling's wooden beams as she slept in Liam's bed. She had stayed the night, though they had simply talked and fallen asleep in one another’s arms. There was a calm between them now—a soft steadiness, like the tide pulling gently at the shore.
By Krypton 9 months ago in Chapters
When Hearts Collide.
The following morning brought an unusual chill to the seaside air. Mist hovered over the waves, softening the horizon. With a piping hot cup of tea in her hands, Ava stood at the railing of her porch. She watched as the fog slowly peeled away, revealing the sleepy outlines of fishing boats bobbing in the distance.
By Krypton 9 months ago in Chapters
When Hearts Collide.
The following morning, sunlight poured into the windows of Ava’s cottage, soft and golden, drying away the last trace of the storm. Tangled in sheets that had a faint scent of the sea and lavender, she slowly opened her eyes. There was a stillness to the air, the kind that only came after a night of rain—like the world had pressed a reset button.
By Krypton 9 months ago in Chapters