Curiosity At Work

Aladar Bajusz | comedy | Complete

Curiosity, the driving force behind man's insatiable thirst for knowledge, usually needs a person, a collective, something to enact his will.Until now.Using a loophole so ancient everyone forgot about it, it hijacked a human body and took it on a reality bending adventure though the universe.The problem is, an idea is not meant to be a person.And there is only so much abuse the laws of the universe can take before it starts crumbling around everyone.Just to answer a simple question.What if? [participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge] [Successfully completed the Writathon challenge. Story is now complete)

43.93 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 17:25

Clarent Saga: Chronicles

Faenon | drama | Complete

Based on my work on Saga of the Jewels, I have been hired by an indie game developer to write the novel for their 'novel + turn-based battles' game on Steam. Of course, a 'novel + turn based battles' is a terrible idea for a game, which is why no other games like this exist, but hey, the developer is paying me. And if something's worth doing at all, it's worth doing as well as possible, so I am going to give this project my very best shot and try to make it as good as it can be. So if you read this, please give me feedback on the story to help me make it as good as it can be! Please note, for this story I have been given a pre-existent set of characters, character back-story sketches and a rough plot to work with. I also have to insert random battles into the narrative, have set characters appear in a certain order, and have the party fight fixed bosses in a certain order, all at fixed points! Please also note that this is a first draft. I will be editing and re-working this in the future and re-posting it. But I need helpful feedback, if anyone can give it. You can also find the game version of this on Steam by searching there for 'Clarent Saga: Chronicles'.

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

The Rite of Sanctuary

Spleen23 | action | Complete

Dozens, if not hundreds of worlds were destroyed or damaged by what amounted to a industrial accident on a higher level of existence. Many people and places however, were saved at the last instant and hastily slammed together into a makeshift world held together with magic and hope. The director was assigned to keep the whole thing going and stole the idea of a RPG driven system as a placeholder set of natural laws. One he is constantly having to apply ad hoc fixes and updates on the fly. The main character and the church he worked at end up being one of the places from modern earth that got saved. Possibly updating Saturday and Sunday if my schedule stays the same

35.35 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 16:57

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

The Hidden

janejreid | sci_fi | Complete

Millions of years ago, the magical races set about exploring space. When the humans started rejecting and persecuting them, only some chose to stay and help humanity thrive. Now, humanity is coming a little too close to discovering the magical world that lives alongside them. Unable to leave the planet, the magical races retreat to places on the earth that are uninhabitable to humans. Can they contact their space faring brethren before the humans discover them? Or will there be a genocidal war?

39.48 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 16:43

Song of Phoenix - Ordeal: Part 1

Smckellep | romance | Complete

Kin and Nami have been yearning for adventure. The sleepy little village they grew up near holds no surprises for the youths. They finally have their chance to see new places as they set off on their people's coming of age Ordeal. Along the way, the face bandits, monsters from the realm of shadows, and a feud between their families that might just tear these young lovers away from each other. Book One of the Song of Phoenix Saga.

37.93 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 16:29

Telos - 9th Anniversary Edition

Ryan Geever | mystery | Complete

THE ORIGINS OF RADICAL-9. Taking place four years before the beginning of Radical-9, Gavin Daniels is kidnapped from his abandoned college campus and uncovers the terrible origins behind the Radical-9 Virus and the motivations behind the mastermind behind it all, Jack Adata, before he ever became Game Master of Elysium. Trigger Warnings: Death, Violence, Murder, Blood

35.49 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 16:18

The Corpse of ICARUS (Twelve Monoliths Book II)

Ryan Geever | horror | Complete

Release Window: [06/16-06/25] Allison Fae is the new kid to Nasseu Middle School, and already she's got kids dying left and right! Okay, just left. One half of conjoined twins Rosemary and Josephine Higgins is the victim of an awful bashing-to-the-head that kids are getting so mixed up with today. A dark force takes intrigue in the itty-bitty human conflict that is definitely in no way, shape, or form related to the murder of that rich kid a few months before the start of school. The force, named Issachar preserves the scene of the crime perfectly so an investigation can be properly maintained with no silly distractions from the outside like 'police' or 'lawyers'. "Solve the murder, escape the darkness!" Issachar tells the children, and thus kickstarts an investigation into the darkest truths and lies about the kids at Nasseu Middle School. Trigger Warnings: Violence, Murder, Torture

34.88 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 16:15

Good People Die (Twelve Monoliths Book I)

Ryan Geever | horror | Complete

Release Window: [3/14-04/03] Six players. One gun. One way out. Lucas Gray has no idea who he is or why he was captured to participate in the mysterious Roulette Game--A death game centered around trust in complete strangers in order to avoid being shot and killed. Pieces of the puzzle will begin to come together and a terrible truth shall be revealed. Trigger Warnings: Death, Gore, Animal Violence, Decay

44.51 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 16:12

Tabula Rasa: C-13 [A Sci-fi Drama]

Poptotype | drama | Complete

What would you do if you woke up without a clue who you were? Would you end up repeating everything over again, repeating your mistakes? Or would you prove that people are more than their past? You woke up in a mechanical body in a long-decayed compound, can you live this life better than the last? Do you seek out your origin... or do you embrace this chance to flee those fleeting and bittersweet memories? Join C-13 on his new chance at life, live his struggles in this dystopian cyberpunk world, watch him grow into the person he was always meant to be, and don't forget, reality is what we perceive it to be. [participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge] *Currently under rewrite, will post second edition for beta reading when complete!*

36.30 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 16:10

The Illusion of Freedom

RandomSyllables | drama | Complete

We are all bound. Whether it is in literal chains or metaphorical chains, we have oppressors, obligations, even love holding us in place. During a scientific expedition to the Blazing Crescent, the SS Serendipity discovers a mysterious woman adrift in the ocean. She is from a world beyond an impassable barrier; the world of Siperon. As she tells the tale of the life she left behind, she is also preparing herself for the future that awaits her in Lomany. There are two concurrent stories which unfold. The frame story that Trosyn "Red" Nytt tells of her history as a slave, and the present story of the relationships she develops aboard the SS Serendipity. Although there are romantic elements in the story, I do not consider this a romance. What you can expect: * Updates every Tuesday and Friday* Chapters ranging from 2500-5000 words.* A mix of third and first person narration.* Steampunk-ish setting (It takes place on a ship with a steam engine)* Lore vaguely inspired by Celtic/British Isles mythology* The odd spot of dry humour.* Main characters that aren't teenagers.* Mature themes without the crutch of gratuitous sex and graphic violence

33.35 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 15:57

Saga of the Celestial Warriors - The Journey

Marg_Naroth | action | Complete

Hilbert Ygdrazz White - fearless prince and a very skilled warrior - has been tormented by ominous nightmares. "Is this a warning from The Godess herself? I must step in... as soon as I can!!" The prince of Whitecastle Kingdom fears that the entire creation of Gaia might be heading towards a terrible fate, but Hilbert will desperately fight for the destiny of his treasured world. On his daring journey, Hilbert will also have the help of his dearest friends and allies to face powerful and twisted evil creatures from another dimension. These creatures of darkness are mercilessly chasing the prince for misterious reasons. This is a story of true friendship, fierce battles, joy, tears and courage.

44.31 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 15:43

Shades of the Moon

Trikki | action | Complete

I'm rewriting this story! I have taken down Arc 2 and Arc 3 already to avoid spoiling my new novel. The only reason I'm keeping the first 10 chapters is nostalgia; the writing is awkward and the story is not plotted out properly, but it's here if anyone wants to compare it to the new one. If you'd like to read a more professionally written version of this story, I highly suggest checking out my Synergy. Synopsis version too-many-to-count: "I see," Kiona said. "But . . . you're changing once again, aren't you?" The entity considered her question, lifting a clawed hand towards the night sky. They observed the back of their hand idly, watching the glowing orange veins pulse alongside their pitch-black exoskeleton. The wind picked up right then, and Kiona shiveredjust as much from the cold as from the savage grin on the creature's face. "That's right," the entity said, clenching their hand slowly into a fist. They let out a quiet laugh, staring defiantly at the Moon as it rose from behind the clouds. "We are shades, yet not exactly. Not like the others. Here, in this world, we've become something more. We are the Shades of the Moon." There was a heartbeat of silence, during which Kiona joined the entity in their skygazing. The light-green Moon loomed over the city, shining like the entity's eyes. It promised otherworldly knowledge and terrible secrets. It promised progress. It promised change. In that moment, Kiona couldn't have imagined anything more beautiful. "Shades of the Moon, huh?" she said, smiling a bit. It had a nice ring to it.

43.81 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 14:55

The Queen's Necromancer

ECWrites | action | Complete

Idris lost his name when he was twelve years old. His title, his ancestral home and his freedoms were stripped from him in a freak accident that changed everything. Since then, he has worked tirelessly at the side of his best friend, Queen Cressida Naga, to become a worthy courtier for her kingdom - except the title of Court Necromancer has always brought stares and whispers. After a brutal war breaks down the barriers of the kingdom, Idris finds himself entangled in a spate of break-ins and thefts that he would rather do without. But a trip to the kingdom's edge proves to him that nothing happening in Veridia is accidental - and someone else might be harbouring similar powers to his. With his attendant Lila, Idris has to cross the country to clear his name and find out the truth behind the dark magic that threatens his home, before he becomes powerless to stop it.

49.54 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 14:47

Club Novus

randallcooper | mystery | Complete

Six people go missing many months apart in the small town of Wilton, Indiana. The FBI gets involved once it is discovered the bodies have all been drained of blood. Edward Wright, an agent specializing in missing persons, is assigned to the case. Everything in Wilton seems normal at first, but as Edward spends more time investigating he uncovers dark secrets no one would ever believe.

43.37 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 14:06

Deckers

Prince Rain | drama | Complete

A world divided sharply between low and high deck citizens. An alien race is introduced tothwart the balance. PART 1: THE L. D. ANGELS The sole survivor from a winged race attempts to expose the Nobles' schemes and thus this reason, forms the L. D. Angels terrorist group.

34.92 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 13:44

Castlebound

JennaLynnBadger | action | Complete

A young scullery maid bound to a slumbering castle must embrace her innate powers to wake the castle and save the townsfolk from a fiery dragon. When Sleeping Beauty’s spell sweeps through the castle, putting everyone to else to sleep, Hailey is the last girl standing. While she watches everyone she cares about fall to the ground asleep, mages outside the castle battle to keep the spell from growing to cover the entire kingdom, giving their lives and their magic to keep everyone else safe. The legacy of the mages must be passed on and Hailey finds herself stepping in to shoes that she doesn’t think she can fill. Note this is a Work in Progress and hasn't been through any editing.

33.92 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 11:11

Sacrifice (Give and Take Part 3)

lightpurplelilies | tragedy | Complete

**this is part 3 of a 3-part story. parts 1, fear-driven, and 2, renegades, are up and available on my profile** sacrifice synopsis: back home, on the beach, and all to find aber's sister again. well, they've found her, and it's not quite what they've expected. the world is upside down and backwards and the only way to make sense of it is to find the people who make sense of you. a reminder of the characters (plus a few updates): ABER -- he has spent all this time trying to get away from his wife and back to his sister. but now that they are here and he has to choose, the choice is harder than he thought. AVA -- she's a miracle. she's a brat. she's the most important person in the world. she has no idea what she's doing. she's losing her mind. she is going to save them all or die trying. again. NUA -- he got away. he went back. he must be out of his mind. ABIGALA -- what has she been doing for the past year? isn't that the million-dollar question. PENNY -- family reunions are never fun, per se. especially not this one. BAYAN -- everything happens the way it was meant to happen. but why was this meant to happen? and LILLY -- everything comes down to her.

33.18 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 11:03

Plumbeous Professor

Frostfire20 | horror | Complete

An Archaeologist's execution is put on hold when he is sent to another world as a scout. He wants to be a [Tourist]. Unfortunately for him, an ancient evil has other plans.

47.28 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 11:00

Emotiv

Ria Rees | mystery | Complete

New Adult | Dystopia | Speculative | Slipstream | Science Fiction Kyla has finally broken into the Worker class of Skycross. But when she is cast aside by society and witnesses the plight of the Abandoned, she must make a choice between her own future, and the wellbeing of thousands, before she loses her grip on reality. Author's Note: Serial Novel, new parts to release every Wednesday -- I'm writing this as I post, so I'd love to hear your feedback and thoughts on where the story might lead! I have a vague plan in mind but I'm excited to try out this process of posting as I go :)

42.76 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 18:43