The Oresteia (Modernized)

HAXX0RZ | historical | Complete

All three of the great Greek Tragedians have written plays about the bloody chain of murder and revenge within the royal family of Argos. Yet theirs is in fact not a story of tragedy, but rather one of redemption. As they move from darkness to light, from rage to self-governance, from primitive ritual to civilized institution, their spirit of struggle and regeneration becomes an everlasting song of celebration to be heard throughout the ages. Forming a discourse set against the emergence of Athenian democracy out of a period of chaos and destruction, the Orestian plays are compelling stories of the tensions between our obligations to our families and the laws that bind us together as a society. In the beginning, we witness how a king's decision to sacrifice his daughter and turn the tide of war inflicts lasting damage on his family, culminating in a terrible act of retribution. In the aftermath of regicide, we behold how a son must set out to avenge his father's death by committing a most egregious sin. In the end, the sinner is tormented by supernatural powers that can never be appeased, but ultimately finds redemption and ends the curse on his house once and for all. Woven through all of this is the story of a friendship so close that it elevates itself to brotherhood - Where the blood of the covenant is shown to be indeed thicker than the water of the womb. In this very brief twelve-chapter modern rendition of the Orestian plays, I have chosen to place my focus mainly on the lives of the characters Orestes and his best friend Pylades. The chapters, each around 2000-2500 words, are split up evenly between them in first-person narrative. I hope that you will come to enjoy reading this heartwarming story, but more importantly, that you see how the conflicts portrayed in the story, whether human or institutional, are still much very relevant to our societies today. Note on Sources: The details of this story is very loosely based on The Oresteia by Aeschylus. And I mean very loosely. Other sources that I referenced for detail and inspiration are Mythology by Edith Hamilton, Electra by Sophocles, and Iphigenia in Tauris by Euripides. You may also find that I have quoted some of these works, and others (such as Shelley's Ozymondaeus), without citations (average of 1-2 such quotes per chapter). I did this because I do not have the ability to describe certain scenes nearly as well as some of those writers. If you read a particularly beautiful piece of prose here, chances are it's probably stolen lol. Also, I wrote this during the summer between my high school senior year and my college freshmen year. It was the summer of 2020, and being quarantined apparently gets my creative side out lol.

15.05 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 17:30

Satisfaction Earned

KimberlyEAB | historical | Complete

Blood is spilled in 17th century France as a nobleman confronts the man he believes defiled his sister. However, the culprit is not who he seems. A tale of bisexuality, gender nonconformity, and polyamory inspired by the infamous life of Julie d’Aubigny, a duelist and opera singer who breached the social norms of her time to express herself and love those she wanted.

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

Other West: Diablero [Completed]

T E Branco | historical | Complete

A complete Otherwest novella. What if the life you want is taken from you? After surviving the brutal slaughter of his naval squadron, Van Bran believed he could escape the world of empires, war, and magic by forging a new life on the American frontier. As a rancher, Van's life was simple, quiet, and far more peaceful. But when Van and his drovers come face to face with an ancient evil vying for control of the New World, a life of peace may be forever outside his grasp. Unless Van can take up arms once more and face the terrors of his past, he and his friends will serve as spiritual hosts to demonic skinwalkers. Enter the Other West... Follow, read, and comment today! Thank you for reading.

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

Bookwyrm

Lady Siv | historical | Complete

All Griff ever wanted out of life was to be left alone in his library with his books. In order to keep his station in the library, he is forced to work with an upstart alchemist named Nicholas Flamel. When the experiment goes awry Griff and Nick must trek along the countryside to reach the Library of Alexandria. Dodging both African and European armies would be so much easier if Griff wasn't a two-story dragon."

19.28 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:44

I Married Muzan Kibutsuji (Demon Slayer Fanfiction)

Asyouwish0203 | historical | Complete

Time travelled to Taishou Period of Japan, Teru felt very lucky that he got married to such a gorgeous wife. She was perfect, except thatshe couldn't be exposed to sunlight due to a mysterious illness. Her name was Kibutsuji Muzan. Tonight at the street, they bumped into a young, gentle swordsman with unique earrings.

12.04 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:42

Vows of the Wolves

L.P. Candour | historical | Complete

Raoul is the very definition of a typical village boy; he eats, he plays, and he talks to wolves. He doesn't mind the monotonous days in the village and is willing to spend the rest of his life here; however, when soldiers return from a victorious war and have to pass through his village, Raoul will find that there are disagreements to be had regarding not just wolves, but bread as well. Disagreements thereby turn into misunderstandings, and misunderstandings turn into a deadly witch hunt for Raoul and the wolves. Now suddenly, the boy finds that his life is not so typical after all. One question remains: Will he be able to survive in a life turned upside down?

11.74 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:38

Curse of Clwyd

Beeqs | historical | Complete

It is 1788 and King George III has succumbed to a deepening bout of madness. Doctor Francis Willis has been summoned from his asylum in Lincolnshire to treat the King only to find that it is no medical malady that tortures His Majesty, but rather twisted mythological Celtic magic. He leads the effort to lift the curse on the King and restore the realm to sane governance before the King is forever lost to madness and the realm descends into chaos.

29.72 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:37

Wild Child

mrsimple | historical | Complete

A posthuman, dying as the shockwave of a supernova reaches his starship, awakens to find himself in the body of a little girl on ancient Earth — a girl who was just murdered by marauding invaders from another tribe. Written by MrSimpleEdited by Trismegistus Shandy

12.44 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:31

The Portal

PJ_Lowry | historical | Complete

David Jones thought he was normal until he discovered that his family has been keeping a secret from him his entire life. He learned that his father's side of the family can and has been doing something that no one else can: travel through time.

29.71 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:26

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

Survey Report of System AQ275-43L-991

HeWhoLooksSkyward | historical | On going

An automated probe has arrived at its destination. It's mission? To evaluate the possibility of colonization. ...but it is about to discover far more than it ever imagined.

0.89 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 16:04