MichaelJSullivan | contemporary | Complete 4.38 Ten thousand words | 421 Recommended | 6863 clicks

I admit it; I'm a long-time gaming geek. When I started back in 1984, I played on a Compaq DeskPro outfitted with an 8 MHz 8086 CPU and an awesome monochrome display adapter. I said I was a geek, remember? During the golden age of computer gaming, otherwise known as the 1990s, each month brought quantum innovations, spurring a host of inventive game designs. For me, the pinnacle was reached with the invention of the MMORPG (massive multiplayer online role-playing game), and my wife and I became lost in the world ofEverquestfrom 1999 to 2001. In the land of Norrath, we made many friends as we rose from a pair of pathetic magic users to guild legends, and I saw how the lines blurred betweenrealityand thevirtualworld. People speak of how computer games are a waste of time. But a great many good things grew out of those days. One of them was a fertile seed of an idea that I pondered well over a decade ago...and still do. This story is the result. What people are saying about "The Game" "An impressive and thought-provoking short story." - Mikel on Goodreads "The Game" is a wonderful short story, asking profound questions about existence and the meaning of life. I really enjoyed and be glad to see more from Troth." - Gil Estel on Goodreads "Great short story...different from much of Michael's writing (at least that I am familiar with). Definitely thought-provoking and chilling towards the end." - Gabe Erwin on Goodreads ". . . this one is just . . . brilliant! Do yourself a favor, everyone, and just read it." - Christomir Rackov on Goodreads.

Latest Updates Part 5 - The knock on the door | Updated at 2024-03-29 16:52

van | historical | Complete 96.01 Ten thousand words | 830 Recommended | 5717 clicks

It will be awesome, they said. It will be an adventure, they said. Like hell it was! Gargh, what is this mess?! Finding himself reincarnated in a world of magic and swords, Aiven started out as a seemingly below-average boy whose only aspiration was to live and enjoy his new life. That is, until he and his friends met the hero, the demon king and some other suspiciously dead people or something. Sigh, just wake me up to my next reincarnation, maybe next time there's TV and a working toilet! [unreliable story summary] Cover Art: AI (app.wombo.art) Note: I've fixed the first part of the story so there would be a lot of mismatched comments on the chapters posted. (I originally planned to delete and repost everything, but I really appreciate the input of others in creating this story that I can't make myself delete them entirely, XD). Book I is completed with Chapter Summaries.

Latest Updates Cheat Sheet | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:44

MichaelJSullivan | one_shot | Complete 22.48 Ten thousand words | 624 Recommended | 6735 clicks

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

Latest Updates The Ashmore Affair | Updated at 2024-03-27 17:36

MichaelJSullivan | action | Complete 125.17 Ten thousand words | 634 Recommended | 6925 clicks

Royce Melborn (a cynical ex-assassin) and Hadrian Blackwater (an idealistic ex-mercenary) couldn't be more different from one another, but desperate times makes for strange partnerships and sometimes the best friendships are bound by blood - both theirs and those who dare to oppose them. New to Royal Road is two full-length published Riyria novels and one rough draft of a novel to be released next summer. Volume 1: THE DEATH OF DULGATH Three times they tried to kill her. Then a professional was hired. So was Riyria. When the last member of the oldest noble family in Avryn is targeted for assassination, Riyria is hired to foil the plot. Three years have passed since the war-weary ex-mercenary and the cynical ex-assassin joined forces to start life as rogues-for-hire. Things have gone well enough until they're asked to help prevent a murder. Now they must venture into an ancient corner of the world to save a mysterious woman who knows more about Royce than is safe and cares less about herself than is sane. Volume 2: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF WINTER'S DAUGHTER A daughter vanishes. Two rogues are paid a fortune to find her. It isn't enough. When the last member of the oldest noble family in Avryn is targeted for assassination, Riyria is hired to foil the plot. Three years have passed since the war-weary mercenary Hadrian and the cynical ex-assassin Royce joined forces to start life as rogues-for-hire. Things have gone well enough until they're asked to help prevent a murder. Now they must venture into an ancient corner of the world to save a mysterious woman who knows more about Royce than is safe and cares less about herself than is sane. Volume 3: DRUMINDOR He planned to obliterate an entire city. He thought no one could stop him. But he hadn't heard of Riyria. When a master-craftsmen dwarf is fired, he threatens retaliation. The rogues-for-hire known as Riyria are hired to find and stop him. Traveling to the paradise resort of Tur Del Fur, the two are granted a lavish allowance that, along with the easy job, promises to turn the trip into a vacation. Everything would have been perfect except that the disgruntled employee's last name is Berling and target of his wrath is the legendary towers of Drumindor. NOTE: A rough first draft version of Volume 3 was posted one chapter a day starting Nov 1 and the full work was posted on Dec 10. As noted when we started posting, this was only a temporary and the book was removed in January of 2023. This book will launch with a Kickstarter on 2/14/24. Once the book is finalized, it will be reposted on Royal Road. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Michael j. Sulivan is a New York Times, USA Today, and Washington Post Bestselling author. He has published 19 novels across 4 series in his fantasy world of Elan: The Riyria Revelations (6 novels - completed series) | The Riyria Chronicles (4 novels - ongoing series) | Legends of the First Empire (6 novels - completed series) | The Rise and Fall (4 novels - completed series). He has nine Goodreads Choice Award nominations, and six of his published novels are Amazon Editor's Picks.The three free novels posted on Royal Road consist of nearly 380,000 words

Latest Updates V3: Chapter 38 - A Different Dawn (content being removed 01-19-2024) | Updated at 2024-03-27 16:00

AweksLear | contemporary | Complete 196.90 Ten thousand words | 644 Recommended | 6932 clicks

Trapped in a world not my own. Facing a destiny never meant to pass. Dealing with a hero doomed to defeat. Which will end first, this world or my life? The Transmigator, a being deployed from beyond the boundaries of this reality, must undo the will of Fate itself, to save both himself and the world. There will be no fluffiness. No OP cheat abilities. No waifus. Just one man. And The Voice of a god.

Latest Updates Afterword | Updated at 2024-03-27 15:51

Stephanie Van Orman | drama | Complete 46.19 Ten thousand words | 463 Recommended | 7517 clicks

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.

Latest Updates Chapter Thirty Four | Updated at 2024-03-27 14:40

VanessaFletcher | mystery | Complete 8.01 Ten thousand words | 401 Recommended | 5769 clicks

(COMPLETE STORY) 'One bite and you're gone' - That's what the boutique bakery usually boasts about its invisibility cakes but this batch has a deadly secret ingredient - so one bite really does mean you're gone...Who would want to kill the young girl no one seems to know outside Valencia Veemer's bakery - 'Spellbinding Treats'?Who is the scruffy man who they see hanging around - but who disappears just as quick?Who was the girl?Why are they trying to frame Valencia for the murder?And who has stolen her fairies? To make matters worse, no one in Spellica trusts half-witches like Valencia, it only makes their suspicions deepen.Can she and her best friend Talbot Acres discover who the murderer is, or will Valencia lose her business - and her life, trying?

Latest Updates Chapter 11 (Final Chapter) | Updated at 2024-03-25 18:57

author_victoria_vangaurd | romance | Complete 30.52 Ten thousand words | 34 Recommended | 5406 clicks

With the Orc armies slowly making their way toward Theora, Princess Ariella is forced to marry Prince Galleren of Xosta for an alliance. These two enemy Kingdoms must put their hatred aside to defend their lands from an Orcish takeover. Will the Prince and Princess be able to put their differences aside? Is this alliance genuine? or is Ariella walking toward her grave? Photo byAlice AlinarionUnsplash

Latest Updates Chapter 27: The Beginning of the End | Updated at 2024-03-25 17:33

Yuanmi Latte | drama | Complete 58.58 Ten thousand words | 211 Recommended | 9867 clicks

Just when they thought their relationship couldn't get any worse... Under mysterious circumstances, Yuzuru and his sister Sara find their lives uprooted as they are brought into Arcadia - a fantasy game world unlike any they can imagine. Separated and lost, they must each come to terms with their new reality and fight to survive. But as the race to save the world and themselves begin, they come to realize there are gods at work here, and they are but pawns.

Latest Updates Author notes | Updated at 2024-03-25 15:46

Vantonne | one_shot | Complete 6.28 Ten thousand words | 232 Recommended | 5487 clicks

He lead a relatively simple life. He studied up until high school and went to college. He had pretty decent grades but he didn't overstep his boundaries, because honestly, he couldn't give a single shit. If it weren't for the games he played and the stories he had often read with really nasty characters that showed the true horridity of the human nature, he prolly already had killed himself off. The monotony that accompanied his loneliness was far greater than any piss-off-life-is-great person could understand. It was due to this that he had found solace in xianxia novels.

Latest Updates Chapter 4 - To Vanveiss | Updated at 2024-03-25 09:54

Stephanie Van Orman | contemporary | Complete 3.69 Ten thousand words | 418 Recommended | 7188 clicks

Fall in love with a ghost, but wake up to a real boy... and he's yelling at you.

Latest Updates My Last Entry | Updated at 2024-03-22 14:12

PedroCorti | tragedy | Complete 124.52 Ten thousand words | 851 Recommended | 8016 clicks

Now available on Amazon for reading! This story narrates Adam's childhood in an exciting journey that immerses us in a dark and oppressive world. In this tale, Adam is an unfortunate child who has grown up in the shadows of his civilization, a society where slavery takes an unusual and suffocating form: the library. To earn the right to freedom, the inhabitants of this world, known as 'librarians,' must learn to read and master one of the countless languages that fill the endless floors of the infinite library, a skill that has become the only passport to emancipation and the key that unlocks the doors of freedom. Our protagonist, a brave and determined child, becomes the unexpected hero of this story. His journey begins with the determination to rescue his father from the chains that bind him to the library. As he ventures into this world filled with dangers and challenges, he embarks on an odyssey to master the language, the only path to his longed-for goal of liberation. Throughout the plot, Adam faces countless obstacles. From dangerous creatures guarding literary treasures to language keepers who will do the impossible to keep him in ignorance. Every page of his story is a chapter of courage and overcoming, where the protagonist demonstrates unwavering tenacity in his effort to learn to read and, in doing so, conquer his destiny. Let's say that our relationship is too complex to explain in a few words, but if you are interested in snooping into other people's lives, then I would be happy to tell you about my life. Nice to meet you, my name is Adam and this is my story. +)My name is Adam and this is my story. -) His name is Adam and this is his story. +)If his name was Adam, this would be his story. How irrelevant, right? They are all Adam and in all cases this is their story. +) The original novel is in Spanish, so keep in mind that the translation is amateur (Plese read the original with Google Translate, second edition) -->Old chapters +) The original Book It is finished and available on Amazon and here, so I am only doing the translation. However, when I publish it I will have it almost completely finished.

Latest Updates E1-156-El final de mi infancia [END] | Updated at 2024-03-22 13:01