In the Service of Lady Scarlet (A psychological horror take on gamelit)

Lack of Poochline | horror | Complete

My dear friend, I have sent you a transcript of a most curious find I bought from a street peddler. In this package you may find a weird, dateless diary where the most lively and mad servant of "Lady Scarlet" details his day to day working in her impossible palace: organizing balls that have a gender, using valuable wine to water the garden, and in general being at her beck and call. But soon after he started writing, he began to notice foreign messages were being written in it by a vandal: "Pierce the heart with the sword of gold! Set it ablaze and sear the wound with the blade! Kill the dragon, Francisco! Kill the dragon before it gets you again, before it consumes you." Armed only with his holy sword and the magic he learned before becoming a butler, he sets out to find who this individual is, what he wants, and which dragon they refer to, as such beasts were seemingly not allowed into the realm of Lady Scarlet. I hope you enjoy this find, and even if you don't, appreciate my work transcribing the pages, molded, stained with, or written in, blood.(This story is a Writathon project.)

30.62 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 17:46

Single Player

m_auctor48 | psychological | Complete

There are many games played on the world of Earth- some virtual, some board-bound, others much more real. For Grey Shor, the Apocalypse brings a game unlike any he's seen before- one that pits him against all manner of monsters, both human and otherwise. In this new reality, he has but a single goal: win. With the Apocalypse comes Evolutions- abilities that combine and level to transcend humanity. For Grey, this means Single Player, a power that allows him to play this new game by his own rules. After fighting through the hell known as the Apocalypse's Tutorial, Grey returns to Earth, finding it poorly prepared for the hell ahead. Armed with information regarding the future and powers ripped straight from myth, he begins a game that will not only find its way to the annals of history, but change them forever. The only way to save the world is to destroy it.  This is a story inspired by Death Note, the System Apocalypse sub genre, and stories like Solo Leveling and The Gamer. Will it appeal to fans of those stories? I can only hope.

42.79 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 18:06

Alta Chimera

Epsilon Twilight | one_shot | Complete

My chimera, my Alta. You were born for greatness. Alta has been trapped for all their life in darkness, a jail warded by demons and other creatures. But as they manage to escape the outside world with a hint of their true lineage, they understand that the outside was far bigger than their prison cell had been. After rescuing a fairy, they shapeshift into one and joins the fairy village, looking to find themselves, rather than their family. Author's synopsis: Gender-fluid, shapeshifting bloodthirsty creature wants to be happy and discover the world. Also fairies. A lot of fairies. WE HAVE ART! [Winner in the Royal Road Writathon challenge April 2023!]

33.36 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 18:23

Apostate Konstantin

RemarkTM | horror | Complete

The world is different now. Darker. Much has become a desert, permanently poisoned by radioactive fallout. Nature has reclaimed the rest. Humanity endures, barely, in underground refuges and fortified city-states. It is a time of great hardship. As if that wasn't enough, mankind is now beset by a new horror. Witches. Twisted beings of unimaginable power, these fell creatures stalk the night, preying upon the battered remnants of humanity. Only one mysterious organization has the will to defy their unnatural menace. They are the protectors of the righteous. They are the arbiters of justice. They are the Inquisition. Chief amongst these Holy Crusaders is Inquisitor-Brother Frederick Konstantin. This is the story of his fall.

42.27 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 18:50

Exit Sign: A Theatre of the Mind

RemingtonSloan | contemporary | Complete

Dave sees life as a theatrical performance; he's in the audience, but he didn't buy a ticket. He's not interested in the show, and nothing he can say or do will disrupt the story on the stage. What's to stop him from getting up and leaving? What's to stop him from walking through the door with the exit sign over it? Note: Exit Sign is literary fiction and a psychological drama. It's the first novel I ever wrote. The story is personal, and I'm proud of what's in there. It's been described as Seinfeld meets Sartre and as My Dinner With Andre meets Ralph Bakshi. My goal was to write a story full of sincerity while exploring the heaviness of the human experience. I wanted to write something that helps people wrestle with dread and meaninglessness. Writing Exit Sign certainly helped me figure out a few things in life, so I'm hopeful that it will do the same for a diligent reader. I'll write the sequels one day, but in the meantime I'm focused on my pulpier stories. I wrote Exit Sign for everyone who hates working in a drive through. Just keep going. Keep going forward. You might suffer, but if you love your friends and family along the way, it's worth it. The novel is complete, so there will be regular updates until all of it is posted.

32.62 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 15:40

Aegis

Necrontyr525 | sci_fi | Complete

What does one do when they have an indecent ammount of money, the legal ability toleave home and see the universe in all of its grim glory, and the obligation to grow the family's fame and fortune? Why, buy up an ex-Imperial Navy escort ship for a start! Then you can set about carving out your own little chunk of the back end of the Imperium of Man... as soon as you can get it back into working order, of course... and deal with the fact that buying a ship left you just about broke... You get the feeling that, somewhere out there,somthing is laughing at you.Part 1 of the Aegisverse Saga. Second Person is used throughout. If that isn't kosher with you, best to back out now. A Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader fanfictionComplete, with a total of 100 chapters and 309 pages. On the series - This series was first written as a Choose Your own Adventure (CYoA) on the /r/HFY forum. The between chapter votes have been omitted, as they are not part of the story, despite their influence on it. On the the Author's notes - These were included in the original document, and are included here for the purpose of completeness. Spelling, grammatical, and formatting changes have been made in the process of archiving this story and re-formatting it for publication on Royal Road. None of the contents of the story has been substantially affected.Cover by gej302!

49.00 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-22 12:26

Transformers Revisited

Bobbi-C | sci_fi | Complete

Little did Police Lieutenant Ronald McKenzie know the consequences of his investigating the city's latest incident of urban violence. But then, no one would have. After all, who would have thought one would encounter Autobots and Decepticons, much lessanticipate what would happen to him afterwards. Some Notes: (1) This is a fanfic based on the Transformers franchise. The plot elements are from the Transformers movies, the original cartoon show, the Japanese cartoons and the comics. No declaration of ownership, direct or indirect, is claimed. This is a not-for-profit fanfic. (2) The story has also taken liberties with the Transformers characters, storyline and story elements. I hope that's okay with all of you. Think of this as Transformers on an alternate Earth. (3) The graphics here are collages of publicly-accessible material. No. I.P. infringement is intended.

34.32 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-22 13:38

The Silver Wheel Game 3: The Chase

J Regan | psychological | Complete

In the final chapter of this three-part series, the Silver Wheel finds itself in the center of a conspiracy that threatens to destroy reality as we know it. Powered by an unshakable vision and an unconquerable intellect, Marie Walker is closer than ever before to accomplishing her nefarious dreams through the unique power offered by the Silver Wheel and its supernatural staff. As allies fall one after the other, those who would prevent further perversion of the Silver Wheel's purpose grow increasingly desperate in their efforts  until it's clear the only way to snatch victory from the ravenous jaws of defeat is with a gamble greater than any could have imagined. Cunning, deception, skill, luck  you'll need every tool at your disposal if you hope to survive the final turn of The Silver Wheel.The final part of a three-part series. You can read part one here, and part two here. Cover art provided by the talented and wonderful nebai.

34.60 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-22 17:20

Field of Stars

Sway | mystery | Complete

Field of Stars is a beautiful slice of life, romantic drama in which the protagonist, Kaito, and his sister moved in with their aunt after a tragic night they'd both rather forget. It is in the mountainous town of Hakone that he experiences the love found in the bonds of friendship, the unrelenting support of family, and the allure of love between two people meant to be together.

30.72 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-22 18:40

Radical-9 - 7th Anniversary Edition

Ryan Geever | psychological | Complete

The American Government had collapsed. Life became so much harder for people without someone to guide them. Some cities are completely destroyed. it isn't until a mysterious company named ADATA partners with longstanding technological giant TECHNODOME INC. to create an escape for those still surviving--an escape from reality through virtual reality. This escape is known only as ELYSIUM, an interactable online world where the wearer's imagination comes to life inside the world of Elysium, a medieval land recreated with ancient arts of swords and sorcery. In Aurora, Colorado, one of the better-off cities in America, high school senior, ANDREW CRESS begins his escape into the magical world of Elysium, but he soon finds out that his escape might not be much better than the reality he was trying to escape from as death threatens to take him in its loving grace. Trigger Warnings: Implied Sexual Assault, Violence, Murder

49.69 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 10:50

The Last Utopia: A Fantasy Dystopia Story

Sociable Hermit | sci_fi | Complete

On his 18th birthday, Brayden is tested for his magic powers, like all young adults in the utopian city of Astralis. Yet his dreams of a glorious future are crushed once he turns out to be normal... ordinary. However, his hidden talents manifest only days later. As he explores his newfound powers and the city itself, he pulls away the curtain to uncover the city's true, horrific nature, as well as his own future. Buy the full novel here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082RC6G9W You can also support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hermitscave

39.03 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 09:58

Into the Hulk

Necrontyr525 | sci_fi | Complete

Space Hulks : vast amagations of wrecked ships, stray astroids, and precious lost technology. Casth through the hell-scape of the Warp for uncountable yeras, Infested with the Damned and the Alien, and hazardous beyond reason, they are incomparable prizes to anyone who can take them over. Ships that would take hundreds of years to build can be pried from their sides in only decades, relics of bygone eras fetch fortunes large and small, and every data-vault could contain secrets to shake the foundations of reality.Part 3 of the Aegisverse Saga. Second Person is used throughout. If that isn't kosher with you, best to back out now. A Warhammer 40,000Dark Heresy / DeathwatchfanfictionComplete, with a total of53chapters. On the series - This series was first written as a Choose Your own Adventure (CYoA) on the /r/HFY forum. The between chapter votes have been omitted, as they are not part of the story, despite their influence on it. On the the Author's notes - These were included in the original document, and are included here for the purpose of completeness. Spelling, grammatical, and formatting changes have been made in the process of archiving this story and re-formatting it for publication on Royal Road. None of the contents of the story has been substantially affected. Cover by gej302!

37.57 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 11:08

Whimsical Invitations

jay244 | contemporary | Complete

This is a short story and poetry compilation that I will occasionally add to. This poems in this book are now available on amazon.

35.93 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 11:52

Kaleidoscope Book 1: Night has Fallen

Minasharpwrites | mystery | Complete

Marie was spending her time researching a magic circle when a case falls into her kitchen. As a Guardian, she can't pass this up, especially since this involves vampires, the largest group within her territory. Taking this case on might provide her with valuable information as long as she doesn't end up revealing her own secrets. Can she save Mark, a young vampire framed for murder, or will her mutual distrust with his Master cause their demise?

30.44 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 12:03

Transition and Restart, book four: Fallout

StenDuring | romance | Complete

Caught up in a power struggle between the factions controlling the arrivals Ulf Hammargren and Christina Agerman have to adapt to the sudden changes in their lives. In the background their loyal wingmen, Matsumoto Yukio and Takeida Kyoko, get dragged into the maelstrom together with the Wakayama twins, Noriko and Ryu. Before long events spiral out of control when the fallout of wrecking Red Rose Hell spill out over far more than those participating in the battle. PG13

36.22 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 12:19

Phenomena the Basic Witch and the Unwritten Kingdom

Pianos In The Evening Sun | romance | Complete

After her previous adventures in Nightdream Academy, young witch-in-training, Phenomena Willow's first semester has quieted down, but things are ready to heat up again on the eve of a chilly winter solstice. When gifts arrive for her and her friends, Mena's eyes are drawn to one from her Auntie Grizabella, who had previously gone missing after a skirmish with the nefarious Anguish the Blood Siren. The gift is revealed to be an ancient book, unable to be opened by mortals. A voice cries from inside, calling from the depths of an "Unwritten Kingdom." It tells Mena that a ghost writer has taken control of their book kingdom, throwing off the balance of the mortal world in the process. Mena and her friends are left stumped, but intent on solving the mystery that lies between the worlds. As their new semester begins, however, a new teacher is introduced into the foldMs. Loreena Cumberson. Stern, strict and a busybody who teaches Magic Home Economics with an iron fist, Cumberson is flabbergasted by the flamboyant antics of Gemini the headmaster and aims to combat him and the whole school with a league of concerned magical moms. Join Mena and her friends as they attempt to outwit Cumberson and unlock the secret world of the Unwritten Kingdom.

30.76 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 12:15

Mech & Magic

C_P_Tuck | sci_fi | Complete

On April 4th, in the year 2022, ten thousand people vanished from their homes on Earth, and found themselves in a strange place. It wasn't long until they found their reason for being summoned. This new world, Menora, was overrun with monsters. The people of this world couldn't do anything about it, and they needed help. In order to get back home, one person must reach a million points. You earn points by killing monsters. If you die, you lose half your points. Simple enough. But when other humans are involved, things can get a little messy. With a choice between Tek and Magik, a grand adventure awaits. And for the best of them all, a grand wish. Jerik Barr, a sniper with a preference for Tek, takes on this grand quest. Establishing himself quickly when he kills a tyrant, he soon finds himself with the weight of destiny on his shoulder. He is the best chance the world has to survive this monster apocalypse. But to win, he must build an army and kill the King of Monsters, Kan-Menora. Read Mech & Magic to discover the worst and best of humanity, and what it truly means to wear the expectations of others. A thrilling tale of loyalty, challenge, and courage during wartime awaits! This story is also available on ScribbleHub and Reddit.

49.05 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 12:32

Rebirth of Destiny I

Aaliyah_D | drama | Complete

In a world where magical runes called Rebirths rest in the hands of hostile nations, fourteen-year-old Aiden lived a quiet life in a small town conveniently named Khalm. Born with crescent-shaped irises and silver hair, young Aiden was never bothered by his unusual birthmarks until the night his life as a simple delivery boy changed. He was the 'Rebirth Destroyer', someone ruling powers deemed a threat. Chased by death and the foretelling of the world ending by his hands, Aiden soon finds that there are few people he can trust. My stories are fantasy-based and heavily influenced by classic Final Fantasy games ( by classic I mean 1-10 ) and other Japanese Role-Playing Games I used to enjoy, with one difference; the main characters are Black. July 2022 update! After months of deliberation, I've decided to continue with this cast of characters in the next books instead. The loose ends in this story have been keeping me up all night. I've gotten started on 2 sequels to this; Rebirth of Destiny II based on the good ending and the alternative ending. After I get a good backlog built up they'll be published once a week.

49.44 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 14:26

Transition and Restart, book three: Wingman Blues

StenDuring | romance | Complete

Every great hero needs a wingman. A loyal friend, someone to have your back and a voice of reason. Matsumoto Yukio is one such loyal friend, and so is Takeida Kyoko. They stay in the shadows of a hero and heroine each. They watch the great game of love unfold in front of their eyes and help their best friends to overcome every obstacle. Until Yukio and Kyoko fall in love with each other. Hero and heroine to each other, and old loyalties are pushed to the breaking point. PG13

36.56 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 14:53

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