Snake

CitrusIsUndecided | psychological | Complete

there was a snake in his bed. a 3 page story by the ever-obscure author of Schneiders Guide. warning: includes a terrifying lack of capitalization and a mortifying abuse of italics.

0.69 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 14:20

Dream Theater

Pxan | psychological | Complete

Long casted shadows danced in the background, as a man squibbled and jotted words on yellow papers. A mere novelty, remnant and ghost that was left to age away along with the forgotten theater, a man grasped for inspiration to salvage what was left of his soul. Abandoned in the squalid room, Pxan was left hauntedly in the furthest corners of insanity that bubbled in his mind. No one would listen to his plight, denouncing him and claiming his mind was not right. Even though the world left him with nothing, turning their backs to him, he knew the books would never betray him in the same fashion. Faceless pages and books yet to be read ogled puppy eyes, ready to be penned by the madman. "Pxan! Pxan! Over here! To me!" Clamored the unpublished manuscripts. Pxan's fingers quivered nervously, thoughts of failure flooded his mind. Wanting to surrender to the pressure. "No!" He cried. "I've had enough of writing." Books with eyes all stared at him, begging for the tales to be written. Their pleaful eyes were all that Pxan needed to be moved to writing again. The man sighed and raised his pen again, stroking the first letters of inspiration that bore fruit from his mind. A maddening tale of a policeman, cultists and a violent revenge& -Currently on Hiatus while writing the second volume.The first volume is up. I will take a few days to rewrite a few chapters. Afterwards, updates will proceed as usual.Current rewrite progress 17/59 chapters rewrited.This is my first real novel, any kind of criticism or feedback is appreciated. I am looking for an editor, if someone wants to help me avoid typos please contact me. The cover is a detail of Faust in His Studyby Ary Scheffer, c. 1831, watercolor and gouache on paper.

19.62 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 16:27

To My Dearest Scorpio

forevercelest | psychological | Complete

In Japanese, "羘n ". Another classical edition written that blends in horoscopes and astrology signs into the story. Surrounding the 4 elements (Fire, Water, Air, and Earth) of the Western and Sidereal astrology, what happens when Scorpio O meets Virgo M? Let's reveal the mystery in this special release.

0.39 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 16:21

Necks Direct

Jeffrey B Wolf | comedy | Complete

Thisis a short slice of life urban fantasy story where a partial vampire gets more than he bargained for from his recently ordered meal.

1.71 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 17:24

The Black Unicorn

Ralts Bloodthorne | one_shot | Complete

The Sterile Queen Aveliene, the most feared of the legendary Wraithkillers, has been sent by her step-mother, the Eternal Elba, to look into rumors that the black unicorn has returned. After over a century of war, the Six Worlds lie in ruins, and an ill omen like the black unicorn appearing could mean that the troubles are still not over. A story set in the Six Worlds of Shtar, it takes place during the same time period as Echoes of War, but is a complete, stand-alone work.

12.61 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 18:01

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

Ringing In My Ears

CandidCallalily | psychological | Complete

Shadows are humanity's tag-alongs, with the ability to empower, demoralize, enrich, or disturb, unbeknownst to those they tail. It is up to Violet to intervene when they cross the line, but when she has her most vivid dream in recent memory, she realizes she is up against a formidable adversary. Ian, a guitarist in a local band, joins her quest to find and stop the shadow, only for the threat to be closer to home than he ever could have imagined.

8.21 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 11:30

Off the Vat

Herko Kerghans | one_shot | Complete

Sergeant Gonzal had a very good nose for trouble. But this time, rather than the Cloning vats, the reek of things rotting came from the Mess Hall. *** "Off the Vat" is a complete, very short novel (around 20,000 words across 7 chapters), inspired by the recloning mechanic that Sci Fi MMOs like EVE Online or The Repopulation use to explain why players respawn.

12.46 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 13:47

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

Winds Of Fate

Sosin | tragedy | Complete

Wind brushes against our will and pushes us in the direction it travels. Most people control the flow of its current, even if it stems from the eye of a hurricane. As for the rest of us, we grew tired of trying.  Edited by RedPandaChickAlso posted on Scribble Hub, Neovel, and Webnovel

0.95 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 13:51

A Tribe of Kassia

tomleveen | action | Complete

An irreligious desert elf develops crippling panic attacks when his village is destroyed and betrothed kidnapped. Teaming up with a zealous minotaur monk -- himself a reformed mercenary -- is the only chance to save her.

21.63 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 14:00

Lewy Body: The Demon in the Mirror [RRCM Winner June 2023]

Aest Belequa | contemporary | Complete

Some men have demons inside them. Lou's stays in the mirror, stalking his wife. It's at the doctor's office. It's in the bathroom at their assisted living apartment. It even chases the car when they go shopping. It keeps getting closer. And as it does, he's having a harder and harder time remembering. Lou doesn't want to find out what'll happen if if reaches Abigail. He has to stop the demon. Content Warning: This story is about dementia. I'm trying not to pull punches. Edit: I'm incredibly honored to have won the June 2023 Community Magazine Contest. Thank you all for reading!

4.65 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-13 10:51

Reincarnated as an Otter, I overdosed on Copium

MysteriousAlt | satire | Complete

A story about a man coping with an Otterly terrible fate. This title came to me in a vision, so I wrote it at 2 AM. I regret nothing.

1.06 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 17:05

Riyria Short Stories

MichaelJSullivan | one_shot | Complete

TWO ROGUES | FOUR SHORT STORIES | ONE CLASSIC FANTASY OF UNLIKELY HEROES The Riyria novels featuring Royce Melborn (a cynical ex-assassin) and Hadrian Blackwater (an idealistic ex-mercenary) have been enthralling fantasy readers for more than 15 years. Now for the first time four short stories and two full-length novels are available for free on Royal Road. You can read these shorts in any order, but if you haven't read any of my books, I suggest starting with The Thieves. The Thieves:THEY ATTACKED TWO RIDERS. THEY THOUGHT IT WOULD BE EASY. THEY WERE WRONG.A band of thieves set upon two lonely riders in the middle of the night. They had a larger party. They had the element of surprise. There was no reason to be concerned. But they didn't realize who they were dealing with. The Viscount and the Witch: WHO WILL BE SCHOOLED?A desperate woman seeks help to rid her barn of a drunkard. Hadrian agrees to help, and Royce goes along only to teach his idealistic partner that no good deed goes unpunished. What they find isn't what they expected, and maybe it'll be Royce's opinion that will be changed. Professional Integrity: YOU WANT US TO STEAL WHAT?Several years have passed since the war-weary mercenary Hadrian and cynical ex-assassin Royce joined forces to start their thieves-for-hire organization, better known as Riyria. Things have gone well enough for the team as they perform tasks for nobles throughout Elan. Usually, that means stealing something, but when a young heiress asks them to steal her . . . well, that's a first for the pair. The Jester: WHO WILL HAVE THE LAST LAUGH?Stop me if you've heard this one. A thief, a candlemaker, an ex-mercenary, and a pig farmer walk into a trap . . . and what happens is no joke. When Riyria is hired to retrieve a jester's treasure, Royce and Hadrian must match wits with a dwarf who proves to be anything but a fool. Difficult choices will need to be made, and in the end, those who laugh last do so because they are the only ones to survive. If you enjoy these Riyria short stories, you'll be happy to know there are another 10 full-length novels (2 are available for free on Royal Road) featuring these rogues-for-hire and a total of 19 novels in an epic series that spans 3,000 years. The novels are spread across four collections as seen here. The Riyria Revelations:Theft of Swords(containsThe Crown Conspiracy&Avempartha).". Rise of Empire(containsNyphron Rising&The Emerald Storm) "Heir of Novron(containsWintertide&Percepliquis) The Riyria Chronicles:The Crown Tower " The Rose and the Thorn " The Death of Dulgath ". The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter Legends of the First Empire:Age of Myth " Age of Swords " Age of War " Age of Legend " Age of Death " Age of Empyre The Rise and Fall:Nolyn "Farilane " Esrahaddon

22.48 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 17:36

The Lil Robot That Could [LitRPG Isekai Adventure]

AlexaLee | one_shot | Complete

Follow Dasher, the food delivery robot, as he fights to deliver food to hungry people, even though the journey is at times scary and perilous. Plagued with fading memories from his life before, he struggles to hold on to his humanity whilst also making sure he keeps the items entrusted to him safe until he reaches his destination.

19.07 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 17:47

ECLIPSE: A Complete Fantasy Novelette

Aster Loka | one_shot | Complete

~First place winner! January 2022 Royal Road Community Magazine Contest~ When all else fails, when all hope is lost, perhaps madness is less important than results. If the world is going to end, save what you can from the ashes. No matter the sacrifice. When came the monsters, So fell the elves; The rising of the Dungeon Queen, And then the sun went out.

8.70 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 18:11

Eyes of Bloodshed

Freya Stone | contemporary | Complete

Remdia, a once peaceful country, sends an army towards the unprepared nation of Caledorn. This single action sets off a chain of events that will uproot the lives of everyone involved. A recent graduate suddenly finds himself in enemy territory, struggling to shield his birthplace from angered citizens. A news broadcaster must present a horrifying report while maintaining her perfected poise. A doctor steals an ambulance in an attempt to aid the injured. A student is evacuated from school, while a father tries desperately to escape a prison. Watch the war unfold through the eyes of those most impacted while the bloodshed increases. A relay of short stories where each chapter follows the perspective of one person through a difficult time.A massive shoutout to the brilliant cover artist as well, Snooki.

20.14 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:08

My Immortal Myth-Take [January 2024 Royal Road Community Magazine Participant]

Zeke Stone | satire | Complete

Max Masters wants to get away from it all. He wants to isekai, to get out of his mundane existence, just like what happened to all his heroes in the books he reads. The problem is that it is easier said than done. Yet he is certain that with perseverance he will meet a certain truck, and through it get all that he deserves; ultimate power, immortality. And a harem. My Immortal Myth-Take is a satirical fantasy short story, an entry in the Royal Road Community Magazine.

7.93 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 15:19

[Short] behind your smile | 你的笑容 (COMPLETED ✓)

Amae | one_shot | Complete

COMPLETED: 01/02/2019 "The loneliest people are the kindest.""The most damaged people are the wisest.""The saddest people smile the brightest." All because they do not wish to see anyone else suffer the way they do.

3.76 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 15:25

My Gentle Alpha

LAJistics | historical | Complete

Alea was once a soldier. However her life came to a tragic end during a mission. Lying in the target's desolate hideout, her body broken and mangled looking at the corpses of her comrades. She wished she could have one more chance to live. It seems something answered her wish! But when Alea opened her eyes again she soon understood that she was no longer in her original world. Follow Alea along her journey in this new world, where she has some "big" changes to accept about herself. Though I'm sure that her fiance will help her accept these changes. https://ko-fi.com/lajistics patreon.com/LAJistics

16.25 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 17:42