Tales from the UnderCurrent - Volumes 1 & 2 (Short Story Series)

Momentie | tragedy | Complete

Sabban Vint & his fellow graduates of the 117th cadet core, are exhilarated at the chance to serve alongside the legendary ace pilots of IAFS - However they will soon learn that not all soldiers are heroes nor all pilots aces - Someone needs to don the redshirt, to bellow the Wilhelm-Scream - To pilot the mighty V-MBT-Neo-M - The Nemo.Bela Grimizanis considered the best of the best, regardless of any rumours her subordinates might speak of - But are years of training, experience & raw talent enough to counter someone with faith on their side?'Lucky' Luke.Luke is his middle name actually but it's what everyone calls him.That's the sort of place he lives - A place where a legend is required when war comes beckoning at their doors... Now on Royal Road!This is a series of short stories that take place in the world of the UnderCurrent.A world where 'plot-armour' is usually something the enemy have & where the machine you pilot may very well decide a battle before it ever begins.---- Now availableon Royal-Road!For my review of 'Zeta Gundam' I wrote a short story detailing what the lives of the poor everyday background pilots must be like - In a war predicated on the fact that one man said another's name; "Sounds like a girl's name" - Leading to the deaths of 1000s. Since then I've begun writing an original novel, carrying over the characters from here, called 'UnderCurrent'.These stories can be read without knowledge of UnderCurrent and likewise it can be read without knowledge of this. Optimally however it may benefit you to read UnderCurrent to have complete context, the following are some words that may not always be in all of the stories should you choose to skip from tale to tale;Vijaik - A blanket term for mechs made of regular metals. They come in a variety of designs.Casnel - Specifically refers to any mech made of the rare metal 'Goibniu'. They are exceptionally advanced and powerful machines.Bhaile and Abhaile - The planets of UnderCurrent's people.IAFS - 'Independent Alliance of Free States', a rebel faction backed by private corporations, seeking change for the solar-system.TSU - 'The States Union', ruling body of all controlled space, known for often-times being callous and extreme in method.Remembrance - A somewhat 'wild-card' faction made up of former rebellion survivors operating from the 'Remembrance' continent. ----Thanks for reading= =M.

39.68 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 16:53

I Met Death and She was Cute

RCDC | mystery | Complete

If you are given a chance to redo will you accept it or continue in the path you've pave. Kaito is a young teen that is bored at everything. Constantly watching everything in his path repeat itself. Though one day he found something that is not within this parameters as he move, everything ends. Though after opening his eyes, he is greeted by someone giving him two choices.

1.65 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 17:37

DogZ (Complete)

Underload | action | Complete

First, Spring's favorite hu-man left for somewhere and didn't return, then his pack leader met an accident and died, leaving him alone in a pack on the cusp of splitting away. He's alone and angry and goes to sleep one night, wishing for them to come back so he could play and run and bask in the sun. A miracle happens and his pack leader comes back to life! Or does he?

34.66 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 18:47

Feet Off The Ground

JDTHEGREATANIMAL | psychological | Complete

An ordinary man who drifts through life and encounters something that links to his dream.

0.86 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 10:45

Parasite

panda___god | romance | Complete

A short story about what could have been. Author's Note: Each chapter is supposed to be read as a diary entry. An indeterminate amount of time passes in between each day, but the day numbers provide a rough frame of reference. All of the chapters can be read in a few minutes, but each day has its own chapter.

1.10 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 13:33

Digital Transfer

DrpyCatty | tragedy | Complete

After receiving a strange package, J anxiously calls for their friend Vix to come and help them figure out what it is.

1.93 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 13:52

Beauty of Ares

Stephanie Van Orman | drama | Complete

Welcome to the world of Sleeping Beauty Inc. Each novel can be read as a solo or as part of the series. If you're reading in series order, it goes as follows: Book One: Rose Red - You can't buy a girl! But in the year 2214, you can. She can whip you into shape, design your diet, be your personal stylist, and turn you from geek to chic in just one year. What will happen if your model isn't what they promised? Book Two: Sleeping Prince - Gage is a solarship pilot who transports Sleeping Beauty Inc. models between the moons of Jupiter. His favorite is a model named Iona. She has a contract for him. Dare he refuse? Book Three: Beauty of Ares - Tired of hiring temporary models? Why not try an arranged marriage through Sleeping Beauty Inc.'s Gold Edition catalog? Look no further than Lisbet. She's the daughter of an 'old money' diamond merchant. She'll dazzle your contact list with her wave of black hair and her violet eyes. She'll even travel to Mars, a place infamous for its cruelty toward purchased models. After her father sells her to Vantz Bloomburg, she'll do anything.

46.19 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 14:40

Skadi's Saga (A Norse-Inspired Progression Fantasy)

pwtucker | action | Complete

An obscure jarl's daughter will rise to wield the power of the gods. The old order is collapsing. The Archean Empire devours all in its path, toppling kings, razing cities, and massacring any that oppose it. Sweeping into the north, a land of brutal cold, ragged mountains, and dark myths, they believe their infamous discipline will crush the white-hot rage of its sea reavers and dreaded berserkers. And at first they are right. But their invasion dislodges a pebble that is destined to become an avalanche. When Skadi Styrbj鰎nsd髏tir is forced into exile to escape the Archeans, she begins a journey that will bring her to the attention of the gods, arm her with legendary weapons, and set her against immortal foes. Wielding the power of her ever-growing wyrd, Skadi seeks to avenge her people, and in doing so defy the world-devouring Archean Empireand one day destroy it. Content Warnings are selected to give me artistic freedom down the road.Release Schedule: 5 chapters per week, Mon-Fri.This web novel is only posted on Royal Road.See my Amazon author page for other works of epic and progression fantasy. World Map

155.30 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 16:11

A Journey of Black and Red

Mecanimus | action | Complete

A conversation with a handsome stranger leaves Ariane chained in a cellar with a strange affliction. She soon discovers that the darkness of the nineteenth century's Deep South hides many dangers. Mages, wolf shifters and the humans who hunt them play a risky game where to stumble is to die, all under the amused gaze of the apex predators of the supernatural world: vampires. It is never healthy to attract the gaze of the aristocracy of the night. It takes much to survive in this merciless world, but Ariane will not let that deter her. The southern belle has a bite, and she is willing to learn and to grow in this hostile new world. She will use whatever means necessary to reclaim her freedom, be it guile, charm, or those intriguing new instincts that make blood so delectable. This is a story of vampires as I believe they should be, with their strengths and weaknesses, with their remnants of humanity and the beast inside. Updates every Friday. Mind the tags. Cover by Antti Hakosaari:https://www.artstation.com/haco Special thanks to Svensonsen for getting me started, as well as Omi Nya, Hesketh, Rhaegar, Yaksher, Selkie and Raven for proofreading my stuff. Thanks to my patrons and you dear readers, for the support. I could not do it without you.Journey is on Amazon, both in ebooks and audio. here is a link to the first one:https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Black-Red-Alex-Gilbert-ebook/dp/B08DK6G8Y8The story probably exists in your local marketplace as well of I can tempt you.

693.78 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 15:25

A Nerubian's Journey

Fizzicks | action | Complete

If he had to be reborn in a fictional world, then he would prefer that world to not be violent.Instead, he was reborn in Azeroth.If he had to be reborn in Azeroth, then he would prefer to be born in a society in which he could live in peace.Instead, he was reborn in a kingdom fated to be destroyed by an evil necromancer intent on creating an army of the undead.If he had to be reborn in a kingdom fated to be destroyed by an evil necromancer intent on creating an army of the undead, then he would prefer to be reborn as a human in Lordaeron.Instead, he was reborn as a nerubian in Azjol-Nerub.Join an unfortunate nerubian on his journey as he tries to live in a world that would very much prefer him to die. Crossposting from SB/SV/FF. If you like this story, then don't forget to drop a follow or a review to help me out.

304.58 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 15:13

Heart of Dorkness

RavensDagger | adventure | Complete

When an accident causes the early death of two young women, one is chosen to become a hero, a saviour, and a servant of the God of Heroes! This is not her story. This is the story of Valeria, whose soul clung to her friend's, and who was dragged into a new world where her wandering spirit was claimed by the Goddess of Darkness. And so, one who doesn't belong grows to become the servant of the Dark Goddess, a servantdefinitely not a daughterwho will usher in a new age of despair and disgust. The only problem is, she's really bad at the whole "evil" thing, not that she's unwilling to do her best to please her adoptive mom, the Dark Goddess Luciana.

132.66 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 16:10

Everybody Loves Large Chests

Exterminatus | comedy | Complete

Everybody Loves Large Chests isnow available on Amazonand Audible! Featuring lots of editorial love and a more enjoyable reading/listening experience! Large chests are said to encompass all manner of hopes and dreams. Men covet them. Women envy them. But one fact holds true - everyone wants to get their hands on some big ones. The same holds true for one intrepid adventurer - a strapping young lad by the name of Himmel. Armed with his grandfather's trusty longsword and the dream of being the strongest, he sets out on the journey of a lifetime! It is sure to be a long and dangerous road, fraught with danger! And it all starts with a simple test - reach Level 5 in the dungeon called the newbie zone' and earn the right to become a full-fledged adventurer! However, such things get hopelessly derailed when his adolescent mind beholds an exposed chest for the first time. A fateful meeting that would inevitably lead his life in a direction he never even dreamed of! This fiction is written, maintained and owned by Neven Iliev. It is also a participant of the WriTEr's pledge.

890.86 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 15:42

Coeus?

Andur | comedy | Complete

Author's Comment: I was asked about reading my work on other sites. The answer is simple: Currently I am not active in any other networks than royalroadl.com. Only here, I correct mistakes and errors. If you read it anywhere else and have to pay for it, or have to deal with an annoying amount of advertisement, You Are Being Betrayed. You would do good if you make other people in that network aware of it. This is a free project of mine for the purpose of having fun. And if people try to make money with it you shouldn't bother visiting their website. The only one whom I actually allowed to have my work on his website is Armaell who invested the time to compile them into pdf. (http://armaell-library.net/author/andur)  Reading Order of the Multiverse-Books  About a boy who isn't quite normal and doesn't see himself as a human being, but is taught differently as he finds out about the world's secrets. Though not everyone is happy about his existence. This is inteded to evolve into a full blown space opera with elements of magic thrown into it.  The OneShot goes FullStory. Trying to go a little more SciFi and alternate reality this time. I am not entirely sure how this fiction will turn out. And I am not sure on the tags either. They may change. Bear with it. As always, how chapters turn out is up to my mood.

120.41 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 17:30

Avaunt

AMBLE | comedy | Complete

Cheis of Veraleigh the Necromancer is a hero renowned throughout the realms, but that doesn't mean her social life is doing all that well -- she'd rather hunt monsters and write new spells than deal with the unpleasant reality of her impending middle age. But when an ancient evil awakens, she just may have to make up her mind about what she wants out of life -- and deal with what life wants out of her.

99.72 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-20 13:57

Keep Breathing

T. A. Cambel | contemporary | Complete

Keep Breathing follows lung cancer survivor Eury as she returns to her sleepy hometown, dreading coming home to her parents and the complicated past that still haunts her. Even with every amenity afforded to her by modern society, Eury has a hard time staying alive. But when the townspeople are driven insane and begin attacking one another at random, Eury is cut off from everything and everyone she holds dear, and left with a dwindling supply of oxygen. Hardships and heartaches, bloodshed and violence, once she's through it all, will Eury be able to Keep Breathing?

53.55 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-20 14:25

Fragments from the Wildlands

CKJ5 | drama | Complete

"Your first death is always the hardest." Miguela was the third-born child of a well-off merchant family and knew from around the time she could speak that her life's path was already decided for her by her father. She was to become an Orator, as was Xandran tradition. However, Miguela had an affinity with the magikal arts and somehow found herself studying at the Academy. One fateful day, the government offers Miguela an opportunity to join a team tasked with the mission of gathering intelligence via scrying magik. The catch is that Miguela and her associates can only scry the deceased. Miguela finds the memories of the dead haunting but is adamant not to fail because the prospect of regaining control of her life and using her magik to help others gives her a purpose in life that she never had before. Of course, Miguela soon discovers her new job has an exorbitant cost. Will she be willing to pay when the bill comes due? Welcome to Five Kingdoms of Cordizal! What is the Five Kingdoms of Cordizal? I often get asked this type of question about my stories by friends, bloggers, and potential readers. The Five Kingdoms of Cordizal is a high-fantasy epic universe that is the setting for most of my stories. The foundation of the universe is its multicultural, multiracial setting with several sentient races attempting to carve their legacy and survive. The world is fully fleshed out and vibrant with a rich and mysterious history not based on Tolkien mythology. This brings me to magic. To me, magic is an essential part of the fantasy genre, so, of course, there is magic in the Five Kingdoms universe. However, one critical part of the Five Kingdoms universe is that magic is an abundant commodity that is a part of everyday life and not some plot device used to drive the story. In short, the Five Kingdoms universe is the setting of epic fantasy stories with deep characters and world-building. I try to tell as many different types of stories as possible in the universe, and hopefully, you can find something for you in it.

28.01 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 16:40

Witness

Admiralmonkeyman | drama | Complete

The mind is a fragile thing. One slip and the shattered pieces are so innumerable that reconstruction is impossible. One such Theodore Chatwood is unfortunately very familiar with that sentiment. From a young age, frequent visions of horrid, incomprehensible beings plagued his mind, and it only became worse with time. They speak in colors, whispering in ageless language... They wait in corners, watching intently. The world harbors much more than meets the blind eye. Do not fret, though. Simply take the syringe. Hold your breath. Close your eyes. It will all be finished soon... Cover by: Tentacles and Teeth

37.92 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 16:52

5 Threads of Fate

HWPerfidy | historical | Complete

Lin is a Weaver of Fate, someone who can see and weave the Threads of Fate. Her family had always cautioned her to be aware of the boundaries her role imposes upon her, to know that she is merely to watch and witness all that happens. But Lin is not convinced. She will do all she can to write a shining legacy, no matter what Fate has to say about it. (Community magazine contest submission)

9.02 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 16:20

I Was a Teenage Necromancer

Dreadwizard Siegfried | horror | Complete

Craven Falls has a serial killer stalking the streets. Amber should know, she's the latest victim. Dead but not gone, her ghost settles in to haunt the cemetery when the literal chance of a lifetime comes by in the middle of the night: a classmate of hers, Scott Havenbrook. Showing up with a shovel, it turns out he's a practitioner of the mystical art of necromancy, and can revive her-for a price. But before he can, they must find the killer in order to put everything right, while a sinister plot takes shape in the darkness. Can they save her before it's too late?

47.38 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 16:35

A Lonely Dungeon

cathfach | mystery | Complete

When a new dungeon is born, it wants nothing more than to have the most vicious monsters, the most cunning traps and the most shiny of loot. There is only one problem, but it's a rather big one; it finished its first floor years ago, but it still hasn't been visited by any adventurers! In order to find someone or something to explore its floors, or perhaps just to find someone to talk to, this dungeon will have to go way off script. But it soon discovers that going off script brings problems of its own, and that adventurers are not the only thing this world is missing. A shortish story about a dungeon's journey of exploration and self-discovery in a devastated world. Cover made (poorly) with POV-Ray. Prequel to An Unbound Soul Published here, scribblehub and amazon.

36.47 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 16:37