This is my first book here in Webnovel. This book is a Story Poem, it's all about how you interpret the meaning, depends on what your perspective is when you read the book so, I guess it kinda accommodates every reader. It's the magic of reading really, your own imagination is your limit. I'm game for tips about writing and improving. I hope you all like my book, it isn't much as of yet and I'm kind of a beginner, so yeah, hope you guys appreciate it and I wrote this book well, because I wanted to try it and I love writing as much as I love reading.

~Rose Black

Shen Zi laughed coldly, “Master Hou, the plan with the Japanese pirates is working out well.”
 
“Getting them to attack the counties was just a small matter. I’ve already won the trust of the pirates, who will be willing to die for our cause if the need arises. These pirates will attack the governor. When the time is right, the pirates will start attacking the region with greater intensity, and cause greater devastation. After all these is done, Master Hou can write a letter to humbly apologize to the imperial court for failing to defend these regions. Afterall, they were the ones who removed you from your posts.”
 
“Now, all the authority is within the hands of the governor. He is clear about his responsibility to repel the pirates as well. When Master Hou writes the letter to apologize, it will be a simple act of loyalty to the country.”
 
“Furthermore the generals are a difficult bunch to deal with. Should they replace the governor with someone new, the generals will need time to adapt to him if they are unfamiliar with him. Therefore the most suitable candidate to replace him would be Master Hou yourself.”
 
Ji Bei Hou took a few steps forward in the great hall, “Since we already have people in positions, does this mean we can simply kill the governor whenever we wish?”
 
Shen Zhi turned around and replied him softly, “No, we cannot.”
 
He paused for some time before continuing, “Master Hou, this is all about decorum.”
 
“Regardless of how much stronger the pirates are, even if they invade our county, the most they can do is to rob and plunder. That’s why we chose the pirates.”
 
“The purpose of attacking and wounding the governor is to show how incapable and useless he is. After this is done, the imperial court will then consider sitting Master Hou on the governor’s seat. However we must not actually kill him. If we actually murder him, his death will shake the entire dynasty. The imperial court will investigate to the bottom of the matter. When that happens, nobody can take advantage of the situation.”
 
“Master Hou, this period of time is not the chaotic time we once knew. If it were, and Master Hou had the strength and the intention to kill him off before he became governor, it would have worked in your favor. Doing it now would be spell the end for all of us.”
 
“Master Hou, ever since the new dynasty had been founded, the current Emperor has been wise and strong. However, he has ascended the throne for seven years now, and rumors have been going around that his health is declining.”
 
“Master Hou just needs to take control of the army now. When the Emperor dies and is succeeded by the weak Crown Prince, he will not be able to remove you from your post. Then, you shall wield influence and power for a long time, making the Crown Prince your puppet.” 
 
“And if chaos breaks out then, Master Hou can take another step up towards the throne….”
 
“But for now, you must not act without first considering the consequences. Also, in order to prevent the Japanese pirates from turning an act into a real crisis, I suggest sending some men over to watch them. If their bloodlust becomes too strong, and they start ignoring our orders, we can slaughter them there.”

Ji Bei Hou’s eyes were gazing far ahead, as if he was deep in thought. After a long time, he sighed, “It’s been hard on Mister Shen. I’ve had to rely on Mister Shen for some time now. If it weren’t for your devious plan, I would not know how to regain my authority.”
 
Shen Zhi bowed down low and replied, “Master Hou picked me up from the soil, and I am your man in this life, and shall be your ghost in the next. What is a little work to me anyway?”
 
Ji Bei Hou laughed, and didn’t speak for sometime. When he finally recalled something he said, “Oh right, did you say my third son asked you to find some books?”
 
“Yes, Pei Zi Yun, who was the Top Scorer for the last examination, is indeed a genius.”
 
Ji Bei Hou nodded his head before sinking into silence for sometime. He then asked, “Is he Free Cloud Sect’s man?”
 
“Yes!”
 
“Then are we able to rope this man in? Or even rope the entire Free Cloud Sect into our ploys?”
 
“To rope this person in is going to be difficult. Roping the entire Free Cloud sect, I’m afraid is impossible.” Shen Zhi replied. He then paused before explaining, “Free Cloud Sect’s history can not be considered ancient, and yet their existence has stretched two dynasties. They are already established.”
 
“The Paradise of these sects rely heavily on Pure Qi. Although Pure Qi flows naturally, there is a way to break it. As long as the imperial dynasty passes an imperial decree, even the biggest mountains or the longest rivers can be shifted or obstructed. Doing this can block the flow of the Qi.”
 
“Even if the Pure Qi is altered, it will never disappear. So if we shift the flow of Pure Qi away from their Paradise, it will gradually wither and die.”
 
“To alter the topography of mountains, or to divert the flow of rivers require a great deal of work and effort. The imperial court would not be willing to go through the trouble unless absolutely necessary. This is another reason why the Dao sects would not interfere in matters of the imperial court.” 
 
“Although third master has joined the Free Cloud Sect, and the entire sect had gotten numerous benefits from our household, it’s not enough to rope the Free Cloud Sect in.” Shen Zhi said.
 
“I understand. You can leave me now!” Ji Bei Hou watched on as Shen Zhi left the room. He then turned around and said, “You can come out now!”
 
“Mister Shen is such a good military strategist!” A Daoist climbed out and started laughing. This Daoist was dressed in the Daoist robe and was wearing a bamboo cap. He had three strands of beard hanging down and looked to be about 40 years old.
 
Hearing these words, Ji Bei Hou sniggered and said, “With the leader of Holy Jail Sect on board with me, why should I fear failure?”
 
Several days later
 
The book merchant wiped the sweat of his forehead as he stood waiting outside Fu Mansion. After some time, someone came out and led him within the mansion. The book merchant carried several books with him and followed the servant in.
 
Shen Zhi was holding a quill and practicing his calligraphy strokes. When the book merchant came in, Shen Zhi did not stop. 
 
The merchant bowed deeply, “Sir, your servant has found some books written personally by famed experts.”
 
He then handed the books to the servant, who passed it on to Mister Shen. Mister Shen took a look and realized that they were all written personally and matched third young master’s criteria, "Not bad, you managed to find all these within such a short amount of time. Not bad indeed!”


“Your household is a noble house, whenever people heard that Hou Mansion was buying books, very few people rejected me.” The book merchant laughed nervously as he replied.
 
“Regardless, you were diligent.” Shen Zhi drank a cup of tea and arranged for the butler to retrieve another 100 taels of silver. This was the final payment. These volumes seemed pretty good.
 
Shen Zi took these seven books and walked over to Wei Ang’s courtyard. When he entered, he noticed that Wei Ang was brewing tea. A finished painting was on the table beside him.
 
Shen Zhi stepped forward, “Third young master, I’ve managed to acquire the books you were looking for.”
 
He then handed the books over to Wei Ang, who started flipping through them immediately, "These books are indeed good books written by renowned experts. Huang Li, you are my personal maid, take these books over to Pei Zi Yun.”
 
“Yes master.” Huang Li replied and took the books over. She then walked over to the entrance where an ox-cart was idling. Boarding the ox-cart, she then headed towards Fu Mansion.
 
When the ox-cart reached Fu Mansion, Huang Li got off and knocked on the door. Before long, the guard asked, “Miss, who are you looking for?”
 
Huang Li then replied, “I am a maid from Ji Bei Hou’s house, under the instructions of my third young master. I am here to pass some books to High Scholar Pei.”
 
The guard then opened the door and said, “Please wait here miss. I shall go and report to High Scholar Pei.”
 
After some time, the guard then came out, "Please enter miss.”
 
The guard then turned around and started leading the way, with Huang Li following close behind.
 
Pei Zi Yun was in his room writing essays. When Huang Li entered, she saw an entire room filled with books. Books were sprawled all over the table, and many pieces of papers with writings were strewn across the room as well, ‘He’s not inclined to paintings like my own master, but is proficient in writing. Based on the way he writes, he’s really befitting of the Top Scorer status.’
 
As she was thinking, she stepped forward and handed the books over.
 
Pei Zi Yun stood up, and looked at the maid. He had seen her around before at Hou Mansion. She had bright eyes and white teeth. Although her features were plain and not what one would regard as pretty, she had a certain simplicity about her look that made her stand out. Pei Zi Yun then smiled, “Thank you master for me.”
 
He then received the book and felt a certain sensation across his entire body, and was overjoyed, "These books are not bad at all. Huang Li, a few days later I shall pay a visit.’
 
“Young master Pei, I shall return to my chores. Farewell.” Huang Li then hurriedly left the room and headed back. She was not allowed to be out for too long. 
 
Pei Zi Yun looked at the books. From the seven books, he pulled out three and threw the other four aside, "Among these seven books, three of them contain legacies.”
 
“The older generation of writers really poured their blood sweat and tears into writing books. A single book could take decades of hard work to complete.”
 
“Zeng Jiao Qin, High Scholar”


“Lu Ji Yuan, Grand Scholar”
 
“Wang Zi Liang, High Scholar”
 
“All these were highly regarded and renowned literary experts. These three books caused a reaction within my Plum Blossom, I should try and absorb their contents.”
 
“Having these three books were more than enough. In fact, when it comes to knowledge, analogies were the best way to acquire them and not through sheer quantity. I shall try and absorb the first book. If it’s successful, I shall then start absorbing the other two.”
 
Pei Zi Yun turned into his bedroom and placed the first book under his pillow. Within seconds, he fell into a dream.
 
A few moments after Pei Zi Yun had fallen asleep, there was a knock on the door before it sprang open, "Junior Brother, Junior Brother. The weather is so nice today. Let’s go and fly some kites.”
 
The little girl Chu Xia was carrying a kite and entered the room. She looked around and found Pei Zi Yun sleeping, deep in his dreams. She then walked nearer to him and shouted loudly, “Junior Brother, Junior Brother. Wake up. Come and fly some kites with me.”


Pei Zi Yun slept soundly and did not stir at all. Seeing him so unresponsive, Chu Xia stormed out in anger.
 
When he had finished dreaming the first, he entered a second, and a third dream. He had absorbed all three books in quick succession. When he finally woke up, he felt his entire world spinning around him. He stood up and took a few steps forward in confusion. Extending a hand out, he reached to grab the bed to catch his breath.
 
“Even though the Plum Blossom second petal formed, absorbing three legacies at once was slightly too much to bear.” Pei Zi Yun regained his composure. Although the limit of the Plum Blossom wasn’t very high, Pei Zi Yun have yet to meet its ceiling. However, as with all things, it has to be taken in moderation. Absorbing legacies too must be a gradual process with sufficient rest.”
 
Not only does his head hurt immensely, but his train of thought was disrupted as well. This was an instance where his state of mind had been subjected to severe over exertion. Pei Zi Yun forced a laugh, and placed the books away from his pillow. He then fell onto the bed and went back to sleep.
 
When he woke up, he felt somewhat rejuvenated. His head was still throbbing, but at least he could walk without feeling dizzy. There were several dishes on the table, although they had turned cold. Beneath the bowl was a note. When he took it up to read, he realized that it was from his teacher. He felt a certain warmness envelop his heart.
 
The rumble of his tummy could be heard as Pei Zi Yun pushed open the door. He wanted to ask a servant to warm his food up for him. He noticed that they sky was dark, with over a few stars overhead. Pei Zi Yun then realized he had slept all the way till midnight.
 
A gust of wind blew over, and Pei Zi Yun felt somewhat chilly. The servants were all asleep. After thinking for sometime, Pei Zi Yun returned to his room and closed the door. He then ignited the stove where a pot sat in his room. After a short while, the pot started steaming. He then placed the dishes inside, filling his entire room with a delicious aroma. When the preparation was done, he started eating.
 
Although the food was still somewhat cold, the flavor was still there. When he finished eating, he placed the bowls aside and started writing, endless streams of thoughts gushed into his mind, inspiring him.
 
The original book that Pei Zi Yun had written was only seven chapters long. After he was done editing and reworking it, he realized that he had reviewed and edited it a total of 11 times. Although it was still not the most perfect work ever done, it had certain standards. 
 
After gaining the knowledge of these three great experts, he did a complete makeover of his seven chapters, gaining insights he could never imagine. When he was done, he placed his hands on the table. He didn’t feel like sleeping yet. He started thinking about his Dao Arts, and realized that he didn’t need to practice due to the fact that he possessed the original owner’s memories. However, he needed to accumulate spiritual strength still.
 
In the blink of an eye, seven days went past. Pei Zi Yun had been writing every single day, and improving his work. He would then proofread the entire thing and made more changes.  Whenever he took breaks, he was practicing the Hundred Beast Movements in order to accumulate spiritual strength. At the end of the seven days, he smiled to himself, "It’s done”
 
He then shouted, “Men, prepare an ox-cart. I shall go to Hou Mansion.”
 
At that time High Scholar Fu and Yu Yun Jun were bringing someone to a room. The room was locked and the corridor was exceptionally quiet. Both of them had looks that were mixed with sorrow and happiness. When they pushed open the door, they saw that several old books were on the shelves, and the curtains had been drawn. A teacup and pot were on the table. Everything was the way it once was. 
 
“Ai, Mistress Cloud and I are here to see you again. I’ve wronged you……” High Scholar Fu said gently. There were three candles burning beside the incense burner. High Scholar Fu then whispered, “But you were in Paradise, and had no worries. It’s just that I’ve been suffering while yearning for you. I guess this is how I should make up for what happened.”
 
Yu Yun Jun was silent. If it weren’t for her, High Scholar Fu wouldn’t have entered the Dao as well. This was all fate. 
 
When they backed away, High Scholar Fu paused for several seconds, his face changing color as he tried to speak. Yu Yun Jun abruptly waved her hands to stop him, as her expression changed, “Eh?”
 
Before revealing an expression that was hard to describe.


Earth Immortals are cultivated from a blessed land,
Heaven Immortals move to and fro from the divine mountains.
I have a stalk of plum blossom, and I shall maraud the Will of the Heavens with it!

How much are you willing to give? How much are you willing to not take back? How long will you stare at a phone waiting for them to call. To give you so much as a yes or no. How long? When will you say enough is enough, that the days you waited were enough, that what you gave was enough? Are you chasing that idea of love so much that you can't let go? Are you so scared of loneliness that you are unwilling to ask for more? Are you? Answer me damn it!
Stop looking at your phone, she isn't going to call. You told her your father has cancer but she isn't going to offer you any response. So stop waiting! Stop telling yourself five more minutes, stop making excuses for her. Just stop.
That pain in your fist, that is real. That sinking feeling in your gut, that is real. The sweat is real. The excuses you are making for her are not real! None of that is real! Get that through your thick skull!
Raam was talking to himself, making just trying make himself understand the situation he avoided. Eventually the sun always sets on parts of our lives, we have to let go. His back side down the cement wall as his ass hit the cement flooring. His breathing was labored, his shirt sweat through, his fists covered in blood.
"I have to move on. I…I…I…" He couldn't repeat himself, the words evading him. His head slouched against the wall as his body succumbed to exhaustion.
 
Raam didn't wait around for Miciah to awaken. He found himself in front of brick building, "Derrick's Foster Home" hung above the entrance; without dally or pause he walked in with his head held high. The blond hair, blue eyed, college receptionist greeted him. She was likely a solitary girl had nice curves and a sweatshirt with three Greek letters on it.
"I was looking to start the process for adoption."
She rampaged through one of her draws and pulled out a packet and clip board, "Fill out this packet and we will go from there." She didn't take more than a glance at Raam before returning to her book. It was only with a curt glance but Raam couldn't help but chuckle at the title, "A Lover's Remorse".
"Good read?" He asked grabbing a pen from the mug.
"Really good, a really short story, but the characters are so realistic it pulls you in." She praised her eyes still not lifted from the pages.
"I always felt the symbolism is what carried the story."
"Symbolism is nice, but without the character I wouldn't make it through the first read to find the symbols in the second."
"Very true. If only the grammar was better, maybe then the book would be a best seller."
"It criminal the second book he wrote, 'Liar's Requiem', never got more publicity. Everything was so well done."
"The theme wasn't popular enough to be mainstream. No matter how well done, without an audience, books will never be popular. People don't like being attacked with every word."
"Damn criminal, the first-person narration of a man pointing the flaws of main characters and how striving for such ideals lead us to ruin. Masterful, just masterful, all while making us sympathize with a man who has no right being forgiven."
Raam laughed at her passionate explanation of the book, "The man is amazing author, Raam Malum."
"He really is, I hear he is young too. Love to pick his brain on the symbols in his stories. There are so many and even after so many rereads, I feel I'm still missing some." She wished her chin held in her hands and eyes glistening.
"Here is the packet back." Raam handed over the packet.
"Thanks! We will-" She didn't finish her sentence as her eyes widened.
"Pleasure to meet you." Raam offered his hand with a teeth filled smile.
"Mr. Malum, oh my god!" She got out the words in a fluster.
Raam laughed, "Please call me Raam, I'm still young."
She shook his hand and handed over the book for him to sign.
"Thank you Raam! Your writing is amazing!"
The two exchanged more formalities, before Raam asked to be allowed to walk around the premise. He did so after leaving a form of identification at the desk, his driver's license.
It was finally happening; he was finally taking the next steps in his life. Was he done avoiding everything? Had the pain subsided? His phone was off, his mind was calm, everything felt right. Maybe his reasoning for now doing it was wrong, but he was taking his first steps to a new life.
This is what people do, they change their lives after something traumatic happens to someone they care about. Which to the other people in the world, who stop and think before taking such drastic choices, will see as wrong. His father is dying, and he only ever wished a few things of his son, happiness and a grandchild.
As Raam found his way to the main area of the foster home, he saw a cluster of children playing with a wide variety of toys.
Seeing them all so happy brought a smile to his face, the joys of being young.
As his glaze passed over them all it paused on a familiar face. He did a double take to make sure he wasn't seeing things. He shouldn't be here; he was supposed to have a family.
There in the middle of the cluster of children sat Umbra.

A plane as they would now call it but I would remember the time on it differently.  

A plane timed romance or  romance that would transcend the restriction of the plane's flight.

A women he impulsively loves.

But it is fated to be one sided, or will he find a way even with her having a boyfriend?

CDS: 4

"Uhmnnn s-sure." she said and he reaches the pendant that was on the middle of her t-shirt covered breast. 

He took it and started to examine it. Then his face suddenly changes into shock and disbelief.

"Grampa what is wrong? You look as if you know something about that necklace." the lady asked her grandfather.
     
The old man rubs his jaw and played his long beard as he looks at Annelia. 

"Lily would you mind bringing me that box down from my last drawer." He said as he looks at his granddaughter that he just called Lily. 

"Is it the one with a lock?" the old man nod and Leny head back to the door where they both saw her grandfather walk in. 

"By the way my name is Benzamine III Conjar and my granddaughter is Leny Mae. You can call me Ben." 

"You can also call me Leny." They all turn to see the lady coming out of the door holding a padlocked box in top of her both hands. She laid the box on his grandfather's lap and took his cane as she put it on the side of the chair a few meters away from them. 

"M-my name is Regie and she is Annelia." Regie answered when Annelia was so silent. 

"Come sit beside me and let us discuss about that necklace. But first tell me how you come in ownership of that in the first palace." Mr. Benzamine said as the two seats in front him and Leny seat beside her grandfather. 

"Uhmnnn I accidentally meet this man in my classroom he just gave it to me and uhmnn he then left." Annelia said omitting the part where she was harassed by that crazy stranger. 

"Sorry I cannot do anything to help you get rid of that necklace. But I can tell you how you can get it off." 

"H-how?" Annelia said as she and Regie both look at him. 

"That necklace can be taken off... only by the one who has placed it on your neck." 

"Y-you mean I cannot take this off my whole life if he won't appear!?" Annelia burst upon hearing what Mr. Benzamine said. 

"Yes but frit not, I know you will meet him again, SOON. (He unlocked the box and took an old ancient looking book) Here, read this Miss Annelia it might help you when the time comes." 

"T-thank you b-but what is this for. I-I mean what is in this book?" she asked in confusion. 

"You will know, read it at home to find out. If you have any question about it just come and we will talk about it. It's nice knowing you, FINALLY." He said that Annelia get more confused. 

They both rise to head out when Regie turned. 

"Si-sir can I… can I ask something? (The old man smiled and nod) Is that real or not?" Regie asked and Annelia also look at him questioningly. 

"Ah! You ask if it's real or fake. That necklace is beyond real. The price of that necklace is beyond what you can see. As the OWNER of that, YOU can own not just the land but the whole world…. but most specially the SEA itself. If we give price to it here, it will cost million...no.....billions. Ahhhhh one more thing Miss Annelia, I advise you to hide that under your t-shirt. Don't go on telling to people that the necklace is worth dying for OR your life will be in danger.  This world is full of---violence; people kill each other for money and fame. You can't even know which one you can trust and which one you have to be cautious with. Miss Annelia I warn you be very…very careful." Mr. Benzamine said as they both said their thanks and left. Annelia even got confused by Mr. Benzamine's words. What does he mean by the worth of that necklace can own the whole world and the sea?


Annelia was thinking about what Mr. Benzamine have said as she lies on her bed. She remembers the old book the old man gave her so she got up and took the old book on her backpack and starts to scan it. She then found out that the books content is a story. And a family chart with name and picture... a weird family chart of some people who lived in a kingdom called Asheville. 

"A fantasy story, how can this solve my problem about this necklace? And why did Mr. Benzamine give it to me?" she said in confusion. 

After an hour of reading that thick old book she finally closes it and places it beside her pillow. She gets up and went to the kitchen to drink some water.

"SO…. you finally ended reading that silly book. It is a mystery to me as to where and how did you came in position to that stupid book.  It's about time." she twists in shock upon hearing a voice behind her. 

Luthan is there, currently sitting on the chair just beside the door of her room and is holding a notebook, and she turned red upon seeing that it was the novel she is writing... sort of writing. 

"My God!! How the heck did you enter here? And who give you permission to read that, give me that this instant. W-WAIT (she turns to look at the door) h-how on earth did you get in…. I locked the door!" she said as look at him in shock seeing the door still lock inside. 

"For a beginner your story is fascinating, I hope I can read the continuation." He stands and closes the notebook he was reading and laid it on the chair, he was wearing a formal suit and he looks like a normal handsome business man to her who normally appears in drama and movies. 

"ANSWER, how the hell did you enter here?! And WHO are you?" he step closer to her as she step back. 

"I believe you already know who I am... ah let me correct, who I was. That silly book is more than enough." he said as he looks at her with his dark green powerful eyes.

"Huh! REALLY but the thing is, I DON'T believe in the content of that book. Mermaids are just part of one's imaginations and that book is like the fantasy books I have been reading since childhood. Vampires, wolves and monsters don't even exist, what made you think that I will believe in the existence of sea nymphs." Annelia said in deep frustration as she slowly steps back until her back hit the chair and lost her balance. 

"You are one clumsy little girl are you." she opens her eyes to see him holding her so close in her waist and that she is basically bent down while his strong arm in her waist supported her so she won't fall. 

"People said that the mouth is the gate of misfortune. I guess I made a mistake mocking you with that kiss. It turns out I lost on the turn and it back fire on me." he said as he looks at her face then to her lips. 

"It is a pity though; our path has been bound to diverge. One of this days, (he seems to think for a second) no that is inevitable I'm afraid (he looks into her eyes) you have some lovely eyes. It was said that the eyes are the windows to the soul, mine is a difference or shall I say the opposite …but-." he slowly closed his eyes then kissed her deeply and longer.  
      
When her senses are back, Annelia pushes him hard that they separated before she steps away from him covering her mouth using the back of her hand. 

"W-what d-do you think you are doing? H-how on earth did you get in here! Leave right now or I will shout for help! Oh! And by the way TAKE THIS NECKLACE OFF RIGHT NOW!! AND LEAVE!!!!!" she screams in pure rage before she start to walk towards the door to open it wide indicating him to leave. 

"NOW!" she shouted at him as he smiled and walk towards her. 

He raises her chin using his fingers and put his other arm on her waist as he slowly kiss her, this time it is longer and passionate. Annelia got lost and she didn't notice how and when she closed the door as her arm went to his back then wrap into his neck. When he finally let go of her, Annelia just look at him as he draws some thread of her hairs away from her face and put it behind her ear. 

"The necklace found its rightful place I see. You deserve to have it (he touched the pendant of the necklace that hangs in her cleavage, then his expression changes as if he is sad) what am I doing? I shouldn't have done this; things will be too hard from now on."

 Luthan looks at her as he plays the pendant in his fingers. Annelia look at his eyes to see it was the color of the deep sea which is light green; he suddenly turned away from her. Annelia just look at his back as he looks out to through the window. 

"I just wish we were born in the same world and that I am a simple man worthy of you. It's funny right, I detest you the first time we meet and yet you are winning the game I started. This must be the power the prophesy is talking about." He looks at her and his eyes brighten as he looks into her face. 

"WH-who are you, really?" she said softly as she looks at him. 

She was still shaken by that kiss he gives her and that her thoughts are raveling. He smiles and went closer to her; he acts as if he is going to touch her face but stops midway and his hand drops to his side. 

"You already KNOW who I am. You are just UNWILLING to admit it." Luthan said in his cold tone as she looks into his lovely cold green eyes.

"That is nonsense- I mean if you are the one I think you are- it's not possible."

When a person fall in love for the first time and end up falling.......everything changes. His life, his beliefs and his view on love they all change.  But what will happen when fate and love comes together and hit you like the tons of secrets hidden deep in the sea? Can you be able to face what we call destiny?

Four hearts set to face a great adventure and lies along the way. Four hearts that will be played into the hand of destiny. One heart cursed by pain, one heart with an unrequited love, one heart confused, and a heart full of unsettled emotions.

Join them as they discover the answers they seek. And help them unravel the secrets hidden within the sea.

The story about a love that created havoc into the land of the nymphs.  A story about   a love between beings beyond our wildest imaginations, creatures we humans call as mermaids, and humans confused to what their existence for.

Chapter 4. A pathless author (1)

Looking at the stars in the sky, Rei thought about his world, the original earth where he had came from.

He thought that maybe his world is also among the stars.

Rei was taking a walk in the night sky to refresh his mind. 

It's been a day since that lecture and Rei had noticed something different about him, the desire he had.

At first, he had thought that the desire will dissipate with time but reality proved him wrong, the desire left by the previous host was much more than what he initially believed it to be.

It was like a poison, the poison will be cured if Rei reached stardom but the poison can also devour him if he refused to do that.

After his lecture with his father, he had came to know two things about the desire in his heart.

First, the desire will not end until he becomes someone famous and second, everytime someone will try to stop his path to stardom, the desire will try to erupt within him.

'Maybe it is the price of reincarnation' Rei thought like that.

He had thought that reincarnation had only given him a new body but reincarnation had given him much more things.

From his observations, he had noticed some things about his body.

First, his reflexes have turned to the level of superhuman.

He first noticed it when his mother accidentally dropped a glass of water on the ground and Rei was able to catch it.

In a fight, he was not sure if he will be able to attack his opponent but he was sure that he will be able to evade all his attacks.

Second, everytime he tries to write, his hands will not stop writing.

His writing speed had improved by miles. It was like the words were automatically coming to him.

Third, he was able to recall practically every detail from his past life.

Not in brief but in full detail. If he tried to remember a book, he will able to recall all the lines of the book in a serial order. He was even able to tell where the commas would be.

He can recall every book, movie or song he had read or seen in full detail.

It was like his brain was a computer.

Those were the things he had noticed after his reincarnation. It was like his soul had gotten a genetic modification.

He was very happy about those things. Who wouldn't want superpowers and these superpowers are also convenient to him.

He had decided to work on the desires of the previous host as he had literally stole his body, he can at least do something for him but he wanted to be ready before starting it.

He himself knew that trying to gain popularity while still being a high school student can be instead harmful to him, So he wanted to wait for the time being.

As for being a writer, he wanted to really start his career again but he was too afraid to do it.

If he really is going to do it, then he had to make his resolve hard.

In his past life, he was a failed writer but life has given him a new opportunity.

Was he going to waste it? He didn't knew.

While thinking those thoughts, his steps led him to a park.

Like the streets, the park was also empty, although you could see some couples roaming around, they will also soon left as it was late.

Rei himself had sneaked out of his house to roam in the night sky.

Amidst this lonely light, he saw a silhouette of a man sitting on the bench of the park looking worried.

He was holding on his head with his hands and Rei felt something peculiar from this man.

That's why he approached him.

Watching Rei come close to him, the man frowned and said with a low growl.

"Hey kid, it's late at night. Go home and sleep"

"Why does it matter to you whether I roamed the park at night or not"

The man frowned at Rei's answer. He felt that Rei was one of those delinquents.

There was no end of kids who try to act boldly thinking that it makes them look cool but they are the most stupid kind of kids.

Rei didn't listen to the man and sat right next to him. The man felt that Rei will next point a knife at his stomach and extort some money from him.

It would have been a perfect scenario if Rei would have a cigarette in his mouth.

"You are troubled with something, right" 

Rei asked the man somewhat stunning him. The man was sure that the boy who sat next to him was a delinquent but his words were something a delinquent will not speak off.

After a while, the man answered.

"Yeah, I am troubled with something but what had that got to do with him"

"Nothing"

"So, why are you asking me if I am troubled or not?"

"I found you curious"

"Me! Curious! About what?"

"How can I know that?"

"So, why do you know that I am curious"

"Instinct"

"...You have some good instincts, kid" the man grumbled.

"I really wanted to know what you are curious about"

"Why do you want to know it?"

"Fulfilling my curiosity" Rei said with a smile.

The man also smiled at Rei's words and continued to talk with him.

"I am curious about many things. Life, death, rebirth, aliveness, emotions and future"

Rei felt that the man was really interesting hearing his words. 

Life was connected to death, death to rebirth and rebirth means being alive. If you are alive, then you have emotions and your emotions can determine your future.

His every word was connected to each other. 

"Everyone is curious about these things but these are not your worries, right"

"Your instinct is good, you are right. These are not my worries"

Rei didn't ask what was his worries. He knew that the man himself will tell him about it.

He was also correct. After a while, the man opened his mouth.

"I am Keitsuke Kinji, I am a…..author"

Jiro Oshima, a full-time professional MMORPG pro-player, and part-time hentai enthusiast. His love life was nonexistent because of the demonic curse he was born with...

Jiro was terrible with social interactions because of his uncontrollable shaking when around people of the opposite sex; This shaking would often scare girls away. Due to bullying, he dropped out of high school and chose to lock himself up in an apartment, living off of his rich parent's allowance money.

After successfully convincing himself from ending it all and reincarnating early, Jiro spent all the money he had saved up on a VR chip that was inserted in the back of his neck, now the chip was in full control of his body...

Entering a VRMMO World, Jiro was free from his curse, so he chose to spend most of his time inside that world. Before he knew it, Jiro claimed the title of "The Best Swordsman." Unfortunately, his beautiful girlfriend, from inside the game, broke up with him after encountering his uncontrollable shaking, which Jiro had long forgotten about, once they met in real life.

After this, Jiro successfully convinced himself to end it all and so he reincarnated 5 years later than he was supposed to. If you're wondering, he died by binge-watching hentai and masturbating countless times in a row.

'I must've broken some kind of record!' Jiro thought, amazed at how long he lasted.

"Where am I?" Jiro asked only for it to be answered by nobody, not even comedic crickets. 

'I'm not sleepy, guess I'll pass time visualizing some hentai from my memories.'

Damn, I'm a genius! How come it's so detailed. I'd climax in less than a minute if I could feel my little brother.

After a few hours, Jiro felt blood rush into his little brother, which indicated that he was alive! Opening his heavy eyelids, Jiro saw an unfamiliar roof, furthermore, he was unable to move his spine. His pitiful attempts at sitting up straight were interrupted by a surge of memories entering his head, followed by a panel opening up in front of him, blocking the astonishing view of the bland white roof.

Jiro made a list of things to do; First, organize the memories; Second, do something about his spine; Third, check out the panel to see if he has one of those wicked Systems from the novels. First thing's first, his name was Feng Ru, he was an outer-court disciple of the Silver Leaf Sect and his only family was his older sister. That's all that he could remember from the "surge of memories" that entered his head, hehe. Second thing's second, after four attempts, Feng Ru was able to roll off of the side of the stiff bed before his spine was luckily fixed after landing on his back. Third thi- Alright, I'll stop.

Feng Ru stood up and patted the dust off his clothes while wondering if the previous Feng Ru had died from dislocating his spine after sleeping on that stiff ass bed.

'I guess outer-court disciples aren't treated well around here...'

His green eyes focused on the blue transparent panel in front of him.

[x1 Cultivation World Reincarnate Starter Pack has been added to your Inventory! Want to open it?]

Feng Ru didn't immediately accept, instead, he started playing around with the panel by adjusting its size and zoom by moving two index fingers apart or pinching the panel. He noticed that his finger went through it before accidentally pressing the "Yes" button, which ended his fun.

[Contents of the Starter Pack has been added to your Inventory!]

[x1 Random Cultivation Method]
[+10 Unspent Attributes]

Feng Ru was excited after seeing "+10 Unspent Attributes," making him curious to learn more about the system and became especially eager to compare the System with the System from the VR game he had countless hours of playtime in.

Feng Ru opened the Random Cultivation Method, while trying to find a way to access his Inventory or Status, but met with no luck, so he decided to be patient and wait.

[Rolling Random Cultivation Method...]

[x1 Flame Rosé Cultivation Method has been added to your Inventory!]

[Flame Rosé Cultivation Method] ~ ???
[Description] ~ ???

Feng Ru noticed a tab called, "Character" appear on the top left of the panel, before tapping it. Only for nothing to happen, he sighed before following the System's Interface guide by tapping the "Inventory" tab first. Once the Inventory tab opened, He saw the boring scene of an empty Inventory containing fourteen empty slots and noticed that the first slot contained a flaming book.

Feng Ru tapped on it with the intent to take it out before his hands got burnt by the book. It only took a few long minutes of juggling the book before the flames died down.

Opening the warm book, Feng Ru couldn't read the writing on the pages and sighed in relief once he got saved by a page-sized panel that opened up on top of the page he was trying to read, by turning the book upside down.

[Want to Learn "Flame Rosé Cultivation Method"?]

Feng Ru pressed the "Yes" button at the bottom of the panel, feeling relieved once again that he had a way to use the cool-sounding Cultivation Method without having to learn a whole other language.

[Flame Rosé Cultivation Method has been bound to Host. Current Mastery: Newbie - F Rank]

Instead of following the steps to cultivate that had appeared inside his mind, Feng Ru opened the Character tab as he started to rub his hands, aching to spend the Attribute Points that he was given by the Starter Pack.

{Character}
[Name] Feng Ru
[Cultivation Base] Breath Forming Stage (3/3)
[Relationships] Feng Yingtai ~ 100/100
[Inner Qi Color] 100% Green
---
{Main Attributes}
[Strength] ~ 22
[Fortitude] ~ 26
[Agility] ~ 24
[Charisma] ~ 42

Feng Ru wondered where he should place his Unspent Attribute Points, before consulting his little brother, and his little brother said Charisma! "Charisma it is, then!" He said, before quickly tapping the (+) button next to Charisma until he couldn't press it anymore, indicating that he had run out of Attribute Points.

He sat down on the stiff bed before wondering if he should've just sat on the floor instead since it wouldn't make a difference before he finally followed the steps that appeared inside his mind by sitting in a lotus position and clearing his mind.

"Oummmm...." Feng Ru tried to make the stereotypical sounds that a monk would make when meditating, to help clear his mind, before giving up and opening the door to exit his room.

Jiro, an 18-year-old senior in high school, gets run over and reincarnates into the body of a talentless 16-year-old in a cultivation world. He's got a system so we shouldn't worry too much for him.

*Cover is not mine if you own the image and want me to remove it, tell me!* Also, the cover is supposed to be how his sister looks like.

Eat the exercise book, learn a level seven spell… This was probably an exchange no one could have ever imagined.
In fact, Grenade-Throwing Senior Immortal felt that eating the exercise book would be a real pity.
Because Wang Ling's writing was too beautiful!
This was the first time he had seen Wang Ling's writing and it was a whole book of it. For people with OCD, these golden letters were a blessing – except for the title, every character and every rune was roughly the same size; no matter how complex the strokes were, they were all perfectly square.
Anyone who received this type of exercise book wouldn't be able to help hoarding it. Even just opening it and smelling the ink was enough to make you feel very, very close to Heavenly Dao.
Such a pity… 
Grenade-Throwing Senior Immortal looked at the exercise book and sighed in his heart.
He couldn't bring himself to do it, but he had to.
Because it was indeed as Wang Ling had thought – Grenade-Throwing Senior Immortal currently didn't have anything he could use as a signature spell.
In the past, although he liked to court death, his approach in most situations was "if I cannot defeat the other party, I'll just throw a Skybomb Grenade and run away"… 
But this Wutian Golden Buddha Palm move just so happened to make up for his shortcomings.
Then, Grenade-Throwing Senior Immortal directed his Brilliant Victory sword onward to Chrysanthemum Island.
Finally, he grit his teeth and ruthlessly began to tear up the pages of the exercise book before shoving them into his mouth one by one.
To Grenade-Throwing Senior Immortal's extreme surprise!
Wang Ling had actually added flavor to the exercise book!
This freaking exercise book actually had a taste… And it was a black pepper flavor that Grenade-Throwing Senior Immortal was very familiar with… 
It seemed that Brother Ling might have added crispy noodle snack seasoning to the ink of the runes?
Chewing the pages of the exercise book, Grenade-Throwing Senior Immortal smacked his lips… unexpectedly, the exercise book tasted pretty good… 
No one could possibly imagine that a cultivator could casually finish learning a level seven spell while flying on his sword, and to do so at such a hair-raising speed.
In a game, it wasn't that easy to learn a skill manual!
Then… 
After Grenade-Throwing Senior Immortal finished eating the exercise book –
For one moment, golden spiritual essence flooded his six hollow organs.
He closed his eyes, and actually realized that a magnificent golden Buddha palace now resided in his dantian.
Was this… the power of the Wutian Golden Buddha Palm… 
Sensing the power of this level seven spell, Grenade-Throwing Senior Immortal was indescribably shaken.
He was still flying midair on his sword, but his terrifying aura alarmed all nearby cultivators.
Whether they were driving their cars or flying on their swords in the air, or passing by on the ground, every cultivator in that moment rolled down their windows, halted in their steps, or slowed down to simultaneously extend their spiritual senses in the direction of that brimming aura – passers-by were amazed to see a golden meteor streak across the sky… 
Some rubbed their eyes.
Because the golden meteor felt like Buddha… 
... 
Meanwhile, the situation on Chrysanthemum Island was now completely under Devil Gut Fungus Lord's control after his surprise attack.
He never expected to actually be so compatible with Immortal Toya's body, and his plan had gone off without a hitch… As a bacterium, he didn't have an aura, which was why his surprise attack had been especially successful.
Now, after several hours of settling down, he had completely fused with this body.
He had even completely suppressed the soul of the host.
Jin Shi and Yin Shi, these two sibling apprentices, were facing the biggest crisis since the founding of Chrysanthemum Island… 
"The two of you, decoct the medicine," Devil Gut Fungus Lord snapped at Jin Shi and Yin Shi.
One of Jin Shi's eyes was already swollen because he had resisted earlier, which had been in vain.
Furthermore, this Devil Gut Fungus Lord was threatening them with the body of their beloved shifu.
If they didn't listen to him, Devil Gut Fungus Lord would slice off Immortal Toya's flesh piece by piece. As a bacterium, he didn't feel pain, which instead would directly affect Immortal Toya's soul.
Of course, Jin Shi and Yin Shi weren't the most miserable people on the island.
Because Devil Gut Fungus Lord still needed the siblings to refine medicine on his behalf.
The most miserable people were Li Hao and his father… 
Li Diao hadn't recovered from his condition yet, and had become Devil Gut Fungus Lord's test subject.
Devil Gut Fungus Lord had Jin Shi and Yin Shi change the prescription, and made Li Hao and his father eat countless laxatives… 
"What exactly is your purpose…" At that moment, Li Hao and his father were squatting in the backyard as they did their business in the vegetable field.
Devil Gut Fungus Lord even went so far as to not allow them to use the toilet – they weren't even allowed to use a squat toilet, and had to directly do their business in the vegetable field… 
Li Diao couldn't speak at all. He had already been suffering diarrhea for several days before this; now, he had already collapsed in the middle of the vegetable field, completely unconscious. The only part of his body still functioning was his constantly working intestines…
Staring at the father and son, Devil Gut Fungus Lord smiled. "Since I've decided to make my debut, I have to nurture loyal underlings of my own. Humans aren't unreliable and have many flaws: you are impeded in battle for all sorts of reasons – you aren't qualified to be called soldiers. Bacteria soldiers, on the other hand, are different, as we're a bunch that don't have emotions."
Li Hao: "…"
"The bacteria troops are breeding in your digestive system as we speak, so you need to continue excreting them for me to select worthy bacteria soldiers."
Saying this, Devil Gut Fungus Lord looked proudly at his masterpiece.
There were already thousands upon thousands of eligible soldiers in this vegetable field alone.
Devil Gut Fungus Lord then generated a purple and black spirit energy which he pushed into the bacteria. They were activated and turned into egg-like things.
Li Hao's trypophobia was about to flare up
Because these egg-like things were quivering constantly, as if something was about to hatch and come out… 
... 
On the other side, Grenade-Throwing Senior Immortal had reached the front line of Chrysanthemum Island in a hurry.
If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, there was no way Grenade-Throwing Senior Immortal would believe that Chrysanthemum Island could become like this… 
All the chrysanthemums on the whole of Chrysanthemum Island had wilted… 
This was very powerful demonic qi.
Furthermore, it wasn't from a demon or a devil at all… 
Now that he was a True Venerated, Grenade-Throwing Senior Immortal was able to clearly discern auras!
It seemed that the guy on the island didn't have a simple identity… 
Grenade-Throwing Senior Immortal was already prepared to fight.
"For now, let's test the situation first," he thought.
The next moment, he raised his hand and swung it down toward the island, and a golden Buddha seal emerged from his palm… 


As a cultivation genius who has achieved a new realm every two years since he was a year old, Wang Ling is a near-invincible existence with prowess far beyond his control. But now that he’s sixteen, he faces his greatest battle yet - Senior High School. With one challenge after another popping up, his plans for a low-key high school life seem further and further away...
Wang Ling: I just want to eat my crispy noodle snacks in peace...
Father Wang: If you're careless enough to destroy the country, it’s coming out of your pocket money. 
Wang Ling: It’s not my fault that the backlash from punching me kills you.
Please support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/henyeetranslationsDLIK
If we hit certain milestones, we will release more chapters in a mass release!
Tags: comedy, school, cultivation, tsundere, popular culture, almighty protagonist, action

By nine in the morning, the fourteen other prestigious schools of Artemesa arrived at Luminine and stood gathered in the courtyard. Chatter traveled all the way across the school grounds as they waited.
Then the castle-like doors opened to the school, and six figures walked out and onto the stage raised in front of the students.
"We thank you for the honor of hosting the Interschool Tournament," Rosaria said loudly, silence falling over the courtyard.
"We are the Cadre of Luminine, comprising the Disciplinary Team and Student Council," said Tim.
"During this Tournament, all students from all schools are required to follow Luminine's school rules," told Amelia.
"Or those who break them will be punished accordingly," warned Ethelyn.
"We will also be participating as Luminine's main roster," Blyke said.
"And we will offer no mercy to our opponents," agreed Daniel.
Just then, something crashed to the stage, when the dust cleared a pair of upraised black wings blocking out the sun for a split second before extending to either side, around the other six.
"I am the Queen of Luminine," she said in a commanding and regal voice. "I will be your strongest opponent, and your worst nightmare. If you dare harm Luminine, then I will personally make sure you never see the walls of your school again. You may call me Queen, or All Moon. If you wish to die, then challenge me for the right as the Queen of the Fifteen Diamonds of Artemesa!"
Asha flapped once, rising twenty feet in the air, before swinging an arm to the closed doors of the school. A great rushing wind passed over the heads of the students, stirring hair and hats, before slamming into the heavy wood doors, pushing them open.
Asha bowed in the air. "Welcome to Luminine, Diamonds of Artemesa." She snapped her fingers, sending wind into the sky and making it swirl and crash, creating a fabulous display in the air. It grew even more fantastic as fire and ice and water and electricity joined the show.
"That's so like Luminine! Such a brilliant display!"
"I hear these seven are God-tiers!"
"I can't wait until the tournament starts!"
Asha watched the students file into the school, a small smile on her lips.
"You didn't get any sleep," Blyke said as she landed back on the stage. He raised a hand to touch her face, but Asha just knocked it away.
Asha's eye twitched as she watched Blyke morph into the sad puppy that no one could resist. She relented with a sigh, taking his hand and bringing it up to her cheek.
Blyke smiled kindly before tracing his thumb under her eye. Softly, twice. Then he dropped his hand back to his side. "I think you're starting to trust us," he said.
Asha snorted. Fat chance. "Let's get in there. We're in charge of explaining the first challenge."She and the cadre moved inside, Amelia, Blyke, and Asha running around the school, posting papers all over the halls with the rules of the first part of the tournament. They were quick, moving through crowds like ghosts, posting the papers before anyone could see them.
The first part of the tournament was chess. Two teams against each other, and the strongest of the school commanded the pieces, as well as acting as a piece of their choosing. However, the powers of the Amora were used, as well. Only if you are knocked completely off the board or if you are knocked unconscious is your piece considered "destroyed". If you get hit, but stay on your square, you keep playing.
However, certain pieces had different rules about the power they could use. A Bishop could use nearly all powers, but they couldn't fight physically. Knights could shift into their Amorai's Second Form to attack. Rooks were only allowed to deal long-range damage, and pawns could so pretty much anything as long as the opponent was in a square diagonal from them. The Queen could use any kind of attack except Transcendentals, and the King could only use Transcendentals, but only within two tiles.
While all Amora have seven forms, transcendental moves were a kind of ultra-move. Any Amora can use transcendentals but they increased in strength with their rank. High-tier and up, there are some Amora who have exclusive transcendentals.
The challenge was that evening, before dinner. Good luck.
.
"Welcome, Fifteen Elite Schools of Artemesa! Today, we are the three impartial judges in charge of raking with your Headmasters and Headmistresses. Now that our introductions are over, let us please introduce the main and reserve rosters for the schools! Maelstrom!"
"Here!" two sets of ten people shouted.
"Finish!"
"Here!"
"Darkmoon!"
"Here!"
"Solariya!"
"Here!"
Asha picked at her fingernails as the rosters answered their school name. There was no use holding this contest; Luminine had won the year before, and the year before that one. Asha was the strongest out of all the fools at those schools.
"Luminine!"
"Here," the cadre said, standing up.
"Y-you only have seven people for your roster, and you don't have a reserve, either?" the judge asked.
"So cocky."
"Who do they think they are?"
"But that monster of a Queen won for the past two years..."
Asha just smiled. It was a shadowed smile, hiding something far more frightening beneath it.
"Very well. Now, Luminine gets the empty seed for the second round because of their win the last tournament."
Asha walked away from the arena, passing a black-cloaked boy. But she felt something familiar, and when she turned around, hew as gone. She frowned before exiting the arena to sit in the stands until the first game was over. Maybe Solariya would be more of a challenge than last year. It seems they picked up a God Amorai user.
The first steam to be knocked out was Serviatee, and Luminine stood to meet the winner.
"You get to pick people out of your audience to serve as your remaining pieces," the judge said.
Asha looked up into the stands, at the waving hands and shouting faces. "Keren Willows," she said. "Zane Kellar. Marina Baek."
The crowd burst into a ruckus as Asha called them by name, a few more that she just pointed at joining the team on the field.
"Daniel, you can handle the king position?" Asha asked.
"Of course. I take it you have the Queen one."
"Definitely. This will be over in ten seconds," Asha said, loud enough for it to carry to the stands. She grinned as Luminine started cheering and the others started booing. "Childish," she hissed to herself. She took up her square.
"Ready, and Darkmoon goes first!"
One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six.
"Knight three squares up and one left!"
"Luminine's turn!"
Asha snapped the chains holding her power back, hair swirling around her as wind whipped over the arena, sending people from other boards flying. "Quetzico!" she shouted. The wind worked itself into a frenzy, a wild tornado. And Asha was in absolute control of it. "Full power, release!"
The other cadre members raised shields on Luminine's side of the field, keeping the wind from blowing them away, but when the white blades of wind calmed, the other side was empty and everyone was off the board.
Asha moved faster than the wind in the tornado, appearing before the King of Darkmoon like a ghost, Quetzalcoatl wrapped around his neck, teeth poised to strike his throat. Asha smiled above him. "Would you like to forfeit?"
"Y-yes."
"Luminine wins!"
"She took them all out with one move!"
"That only took eight seconds!"
"Luminine raises monsters!"
Asha retracted Quetzico. "Second form!" Those green wings unfurled from her back and she took off into the air, flying away, only a streak of shadow in the sky.
∽
He tracked her every movement, movements that were new, and some of the bumbling steps he knew. She was so close, and he knew she felt something. But he couldn't do anything yet. Not yet... or it would ruin all of his careful planning for this chess game. There were pieces still cloaked in shadow, hidden, and some that hadn't arrived yet, but the first move had been made.
He smiled. He was looking forward to seeing the Queen's reaction.
∽
Luminine won every match with a stunning ease, trading turns taking out the opponents. Asha didn't even show up for any of the other matches.
Given that, Blyke was pissed. He was fuming in a dark corner of the library, trying to get his head back in the game. Dinner would be in two hours, giving the students time to wash up and interact before the meal.
Blyke rubbed his temples. Asha was eccentric, vanishing without a trace, exploding at random times. And now she'd left Luminine during the Interschool Tournament.
He was about to leave the library when his eyes snagged on a book that looked like it didn't belong. Instead of the rest of the cheesy romance-dramas, it was a thick, dark-spined tome. Blyke pulled it down, curiosity biting at him as he looked at the cover. "Royal Families," he read. He frowned. That was a bit suspicious. Why would this book, which would typically be under lock and key by the vulture-like, old book-collecting librarian, be here where anyone could take it.
Blyke tucked himself in an alcove  booth used by the students for quiet and individual studying before opening the book to the table of contents. He ran his finger down the line, passing his own Hagani family before his finger stopped at a name so disfigured by ink he couldn't make it out. Confused, he found the page.
Blyke's eyes widened as they took in the family title. Phantomhive. Almost ripping the page in his haste, he flipped through the pages until he found their family tree. Something had always stuck in his head. Phantomhive was one of the most renown Royal Families in Artemesa, yet nobody seemed to know who the first six generation were.
But the writing on the pages made even less sense. Pen, the same pen that had crossed out the name, was all over his page, adding names, crossing some out, and even writing small notations on the border. His eyes flowed down the paper, until he reached the current generation. No matter how many notes and added names there were, this was by far the most surprising. Under the names of Neseryn and Fillip Phantomhive, Isabella, Asha's sister, was the only child listed. 
"Are you doing a bit of light reading?"
Blyke jumped, slamming the book shut in surprise. But the book was gone, in someone else's hands, sharing the booth with him in the shadows.
Asha.
Her hand opened the book, at the page where Blyke had been reading. Her knuckles turned white as she read the page. "Tezcatlipoca," she said. She just watched with hard eyes as the book started to shrink, change, until only a small sapling in a small amount of dirt remain.
Blyke flinched. Tezcatlipoca, Quetzalcoatl's twin form, was a ruler of time. She'd reversed time on the book until it was barely a seeding.
Asha stood, taking a small ring from her pocket. "Catch."
She threw the ring at him and Blyke slipped it on his middle finger without a second thought. "What... was the book saying?" he asked.
Asha just gave a vague smile before tossing the plant at him. "Take care of that for me."
The ring absorbed the sapling before it splattered across the table, and Blyke just shook his head. She'd given him a dimensional storage ring to store a plant? But... almost everything Asha did had a purpose down the line.
Blyke twisted the ring about his finger. That book... was it Asha who'd written the notes on there? If it was, she was also trying to hide something. But... what and why? Blyke looked up as a high pitched bell tinkled. His eyes widened. Blyke sprang to his feet, running out of the library even with the librarian cussing at him, just in time to see a figure in black wearing a veil tuck a bell away.
"You!" he shouted.
Those grey-silver eyes met his. The figure turned away from Blyke, somehow walking faster than Blyke's running, but her fluid motions were still as smooth as if she was strolling.
"Wait!"
The figure just hunched, pausing, giving Blyke enough time to nearly reach her, hand only an inch from her shoulder, before huge skeletal wings burst from the black clothing, knocking him backwards. 
Blyke just gaped as she rose into the sky on wings that logically should never have been able to work, let along carry that girl into the sky. He stabbed himself as he moved to get up, and he winced, taking a look at his bleeding hand. Buried in his palm was a nearly clear silver-black needle. He looked back up where the girl had vanished. No wonder those wings worked, he though. They were made of those clear, deadly needles.
∽
Asha was the only member of the cadre that didn't eat dinner that night. In fact, she was the only student that didn't eat. Even Cress had come down from his belfry and sat with some of the students from Solariya.
Asha was patrolling the tables, giving out small punishments to misbehaving students. She winced as a joke someone told sent thirty people into laughter. She hated the noise.
"Come sit with us Asha!" Cress shouted, waving to her, drawing attention from everyone who could hear him.
Asha just shook her head, giving a fake apologetic smile before turning away. She avoided Blyke's side of the room all together, not wanted him to see her and start asking questions. Questions that she did not want to answer, Questions with answers she would rather forget.
"Asha."
Asha walked up to the long teacher's table, bowing before the Headmaster. "You called me, Headmaster Randolph?"
He smiled. "Yes. I just wanted to thank you for this amazing dinner. Balancing it on top of your guarding and paroling duties is amazing."
"Your Queen made all this food?" the Headmistress of Solariya asked.
"Indeed, Miss," Asha said. "But I was only doing what is expected of the hosting school. We must offer the others our best hospitality."
"Such a humble student for being so powerful."
"You flatter me."
"Are you on patrol tonight?" Randolph asked.
Asha nodded. "As I am every night."
"Really?" a Headmaster asked.
"Yes. I am the Queen of Luminine. My job is to protect the students and staff. If that means I get a bit tired, then it's only me that's effected." Asha's ears picked up something from the forest in the back of the school. She bit her lip, trying to keep the urgency out of her voice as she said, "Please excuse me, Headmaster."
"Of course. Anyone who threatens Luminine, crush them under your heel," the Headmaster said, understanding.
Asha bowed once again and walked down the steps back to the lower area where the student's long tables were. Her muscles tensed.
"Asha?" Amelia asked, not far away, drawing the attention of those around her and the cadre, along with the people around them.
"Stay here," Asha snarled, the tile beneath her feet cracking under the pressure as she planted herself. Only a second. She was there, crouched and ready to spring, before the tile beneath her feet shattered, spiderweb cracks branching over the other tile, and the doors were flung open. Only a second, and then Asha was gone.
She was very fast. Most of that being because she was very, very used to running away from the monsters in the darkness...

The powerful rise above and trample the weak. 
That is the rule of the world, after the Great War. Only the powerful will triumph, only the powerful will rule.
A  girl wrapped in lies and a past she so desperately wants to forget. A boy chained between his loyalty and his game. A man whose hands are coated in the blood of his family.
All of them war with each other, under the shadow of a scythe.
Will the truth finally come out?

 "Date: 13th August, 2021.
Location: Castle Sothesbury, off the coast of eastern Europe.
On December 21, 2020, the sky opened up, and Gods descended to the Earth.
A year of disease, strife, and war ended with the destruction of civilization, as we know it. At 12:01 am, night turned into day and the heavens glowed golden to herald the start of a new era.
All over the world, men and women wielding unimaginable power appeared from the sky. Humanity tried to fight back in the only way it could, but its guns and tanks and missiles could do nothing to these beings. In merely four minutes, they rounded up all the major leaders of the world and made a proclamation that echoed in even the darkest corners of Earth.
'Today, the Earth you knew has ceased to exist. Your Gods are here, and henceforth, the duty of all of humanity is to appease us. Fret not, for we are just and kind. The time has come to go back to the past. Once, you knew the way to the Heavens: you fought, you bled, you prayed, and above all…you lived. You lived a life of adventure, a life of peril, a life…of meaning. We have but one command: give us odysseys that surpass everything your forebears achieved, and in return, you shall be granted the keys to so many things that you thought impossible. We will be watching. In this new world, anyone can rise, and anyone can fall. Raise your eyes, humans, for we have opened the Pathway To Grace once again. Either change with the world…or die.'
The screams of hundreds of leaders being put to death almost drowned out that last, chilling word. As their heads rained down from the sky, the doubt that it was all a dream began to vanish.
A period of darkness followed the proclamation, where humanity had to learn the hard way that the Gods were serious. They left demiGods in their wake, who did not hesitate from killing anyone they wished to enforce the rule of their masters. 
A new government was-"
"Boss, he's here!"
Looking up from the book he had been writing on, Al blinked at the henchman standing at the door.
From the small window in front of him, the faint smell of the sea wafted in, disturbing the thin flame of the candle set beside the book. It lingered in the confines of the small room, drifting in between the two men staring at each other, before being swept away by the breeze given birth when Al stood up and swished his cloak.
'Silence. Yes, remember, silence is my secret weapon,' he thought. 'Being silent will make me look serious, instead of exposing the fact that I'm new to this.'
Darkness was all around them, so he stretched his hand toward the candle holder. His clumsiness got the better of him, though… as he knocked it over and set the page he had been writing on aflame.
'Crap, crap, crap…no! He thinks I'm a seasoned villain! Remember old man Joseph's 3rd rule! When in doubt, stare, stare, and stare some more!'
Ignoring the fire that began to engulf the entire book, Al turned around and fixed his gaze on the henchman. Beneath the mask, his face twitched with uncertainty, but to the outside world, he was the very symbol of someone who had everything under control.
The henchman was scratching his head, unsure about what exactly was going on. He did continue to look at his boss, though… until finally, the cold darkness in the empty eye sockets of the skull he had chosen as his mask succeeded in unnerving the man.
"I…I'll take care of that, boss. Was it an offering to the Gods to grant us good luck?"
'Huh? It actually worked?'
Al blinked again, but this time, it was with surprise. For good measure, he held the gaze for a few more seconds before nodding.
"I knew it! Please go ahead. The others are waiting for you."
As he began to descend the steps that the man had climbed to reach him, the last thing he saw was his underling praying piously in front of the fire.
The descent didn't take long, but it was long enough to let the doubts he had set aside creep back into his mind.
'What if none of my traps work? What if he's too strong? What if someone betrays me?'
The sight of five men waiting for him at the foot of the stairs served to stop these questions. They looked the same as the one above; short, muscular, wearing grey vests and grey pants. They bowed awkwardly when he arrived, and as he ignored them and began to sweep his way towards the door in front of him, one of them stepped forward and began to speak.
"He took the bait, boss. Leary sent word. They'll be here any second now."
'Oh, thank God!'
He almost felt like jumping in the air as he heard the news, but with only a nod, he began to follow the path leading from the exit door of the tower.
The doubts returned, but they were a lot quieter now. When he was halfway to his destination, he glanced back at the tower. Of its four spires, three had crumbled, and the one he had been sitting in until now was dark. Gloomy and forlorn, its stone walls stood in the backdrop of a cloudless sky whose stars shone so brightly that he was tempted to stop and gaze at their brilliance for a few seconds.
He had no intention of messing up his first odyssey, though, so he quickened his pace. Soon, the path led under the cliff that the castle was present on to the opening of a small cave.
Due to his clumsiness before, he had had to descend the steps of the castle in darkness. There, he had at least had the walls to grab onto for support, but here, a single misstep could send him headfirst to his death.
'Come on, come on, hurry up…'
His long stride had left them behind, so he had to wait a few moments for them to appear. The one who had spoken before had a torch in his hands, so with another nod, Al tried to make him understand that he should lead the way.
"Of course, boss! We hadn't heard of you before, so we were doubtful, but we can see now that your future is bright! The Merriweather family will always be ready for a collaboration! You can reach us at 819-916-0987. We will even offer you a discount!"
The last thing that Al had been expecting was a sales pitch, so he was pretty bewildered. They stood in front of the cave, staring at each other, until the mask worked its wonder again.
"Er…sorry, boss, I got ahead of myself. Please, follow me…"
Watching the man go down the steps hewn into the floor of the cave, Al commended old man Joseph in his mind and vowed to buy him a bottle of bloodnectar as soon as this odyssey was done. With the other four following behind him, they made their way down to a small cove where the sea swept inward to form the perfect area to land if one wished to secretly enter the castle.
There was even a small beach, and through the opening of the cove, the moon could be seen in the sky, resplendent with no pesky clouds to block its glory.
'Damn...it was supposed to be darker.'
If it were something that he had not expected, it might have sent him into a panic, but thankfully, it was one of the things he had prepared for.
Looking across the beach, he nodded at a man who was standing there with his arms behind his back. His long hair and beard made him look old, but his cheeks were smooth and his eyes were spirited. Getting the signal, he took out a palm-sized book from his pocket and began to read something under his breath.
With a 'whoosh', a strong gale blew in from the outside, but instead of cutting through their robes and making them feel cold… it made the entire cove go dark.
'Magic! Holy fuck…that's cool!'
Like a little child seeing snow for the first time, he stretched out his hand to see if there was anything he could feel. The sudden darkness hid him, thankfully, and as the sound of a boat being rowed reached them, he snapped out of it and hastily walked back in the direction he had come.
"Positions!"
 He gave the command in a deep voice that was so dissimilar to his that he almost gave a start. This voice modulator was worth the cost, he thought, before emptying his mind to concentrate as the prow of the boat came into view.
Two hazy figures soon became visible on top of it, and in the silence of the cove, their whispers were carried over the wind to his ears.
"You were right! Rejoice, fair maiden, for the villain who hounds your village will soon meet his death upon my sword!"
"Oh, thank you, brave Ser! I knew you were a true Knight the moment I saw you! My maidenhood awaits to be plucked by your gallant giant!"
'YUCK!'
Over his distaste for what he was hearing, Al heard the frenzied breath of the man whose imagination had definitely been aroused due to her words, among other things.
He rowed faster, and soon, the two of them were standing on the rocky shore, ready to climb the steps and kill him while he 'slept'.
"Now!"
His shout was meant for the mage. All of a sudden, a bright beam of light shot out from his hand to blind the newcomers. The man swerved left and right, waving his sword around uselessly, while Al's henchmen all jumped out of their hiding places and trained the crossbows in their hands on his body.
By the time he adjusted his eyes, the woman had already run over to take cover behind the henchmen. Understanding came to him slowly, but when it did, his face blanched and he took a step back before shouting, "You! You dared to scheme against me? Well, you made the wrong choice! You'll have plenty of time to regret, later! Hear me, villain! I am…"
"Fire."
The 'thunk's of crossbow bolts piercing through his armor sounded like music to Al's ears. He had prepared himself for the sight of the blood that seeped down the wounds to form a puddle at the man's feet, but still, his hands shook as he waited for the hero to die.
More than anything, the hero looked surprised. He raised a wavering hand in Al's direction and spoke in a halting tone.
"Y-you were supposed to wait for m-me to finish my speech…"
He collapsed then, and after Al processed his words, he burst out laughing.
If not for the voice modulator, the shrill laugh of an 18-year old would have betrayed his age. Controlling himself, he walked forward to his opponent and turned him over with some difficulty using his foot.
He had fallen on his stomach, and when his position was changed, the hand that he had been hiding behind his back was exposed. From it, a small, glowing marble fell out and rolled across the shore.
The mage instantly stepped forward, but Al was quicker. As if he had done it many times before, he fluidly plucked it up made it disappear in the pockets of his long cloak.
The mage gritted his teeth but said nothing, as expected. As the villain of the odyssey, all the spoils were supposed to belong to him, so while brushing his fingers tenderly over the marble that was somehow warm, he walked back to the hero and kicked him again to make sure that he was dead.
'Never hurts to be careful…'
After confirming his status, he bent down and gave the speech that he had prepared.
"Did you really think I would let you turn the tables by distracting me with your speech? Typical. If we were acting in a movie from the 1900s, that would have worked. I laid nine traps for you in the village. Nine! Clearly, I overestimated you. You fell for the first one! It was so obvious that I was sure it would fail, but I guess the power of tight clothes cannot be underestimated… well, your story ends here. Farewell. Strip him of everything of value! You can keep what you find!"
Walking up the stairs leading back to the castle, he could hear the sounds of the henchmen and the mage squabbling for the magic armor the knight. He could have taken it, too, but one of the rules of old man Joseph had been that it was never too early to build a reputation. Greedy villains could always be seen begging for henchmen to work with them, so it was best to avoid that fate if possible.
After returning to the top of the only remaining spire in the castle, Al lit a candle and saw that the book he had chosen had not burned away completely. A small scrap of paper was left, its edges scorched black by his 'prayer' that seemed to have worked.
Staring out of the window, he remembered the wizened face of the woman who meant everything to him, and a thought echoed in his mind.
'Mother, I've begun my journey successfully…no matter what, I'll save you.'

Sitting down with a flourish, he snatched up the quill he had been using before. With a smile across his lips, he raised his hand and wrote down the secret wish that he hadn't shared with anyone in the world, and when he was done, he read it out loud…before setting it on fire, too.
"My name is Alaric Arstan, and I…will become the World's No.1 Villain." 

On December 21, 2020, the Gods descended to the Earth. 

When they rounded up the leaders of the world, no one could stop them. Standing below heavens that glowed golden, they made a proclamation that changed everything. 

'It is time to go back to the past, to a time of adventure, a time of peril, a time of prayer. Give us odysseys that surpass those of your forebears...or die, and be forgotten.'

Their wish led to a world of heroes who set out to earn wealth, power, and the blessings of the gods...and villains, who set out to stop them and take their rewards for themselves.

While most looked up to the heroes and aimed to make their name known across the heavens..one man started on a journey to thwart them all.

In this new era of magic, monsters and mayhem, follow him on his path to become the World's No.1 Villain!

The day finally came. Maya couldn't sleep the night before. The entire family and their extended guest list have flown down to the Carribeans. On a private island, Lucas and Maya decided to have their exclusive beach wedding. 

Food flown in from all parts of the world, a seafood bonanza with alaskan king crabs, oysters, caviar, king prawns and calamari. Free flowing Moet champagne from a fountain. The wedding party being serenaded by Adele and Ed Sheeran. 

A platform was erected on the beach for the aisle, ending in a wooden sculptured gazebo strewn with flowers and twinkle lights. White rose petals covered the aisle. Chairs for guests were lined on either side of the aisle. 

Maya and Lucas had decided on a medium sized crowd consisting of family, friends and well wishers. No paparazzi or media personnel were allowed on the island. No one knew the location of the beautiful island of the coast of Barbados. 

The wedding was to take place at dusk with a panoramic sunset as the backdrop. Maya was being dressed by professionals in her own cabana. Lucas had not seen Maya since the day before. It was bad luck to see the bride before the wedding. Lucas frowned upon that notion but had no choice than to abide by the rules. 

Maya wore light make up which accentuated her natural youthful glow. She had her hair up in a messy bun with strands falling along the side of her face. The messy bun was surrounded by a thin coronet of blue sapphires. It was a present from Irene. Her something new and something blue. 

Maya's something borrowed were teardrop sapphire earrings which she borrowed from Samantha to match her coronet. She was dressed in an off shoulder white lace gown with a long train. She wore a lacy veil that matched her dress. 

On the other end of the island, Lucas was getting ready to marry the love of his life. He wore a three piece ivory suit and matched it with blue sapphire cufflinks. He looked every bit the rugged man spotting at 5 o'clock shadow. He decided not to shave again as Maya liked how he looked. He oozed raw sex appeal. 

As the guests started filling the aisles, Lucas walked in accompanied by his step mother. Eventhough they had an unpleasant past, he decided that giving her a shot would only improve his family dynamics. 

Lucas stood at the entrance of the gazebo with his groomsmen. They were a mixture of his friends and Maya's brothers. As the wedding music started playing, the bridesmaids walked in one by one. Samantha was her maid of honour. 

The guests rose to await the arrival of the bride. Ed Sheeran sang Perfect as she walked down the aisle, accompanied by her parents. Maya was too nervous to look up as she had the biggest fear she would trip. Her grip on her bouquet of white roses and her parents' arms were strong. Irene whispered into Maya's ears, " You would want to look up my dear." 

Maya took a deep breath and looked up. The minute she did, she locked eyes with the most beautiful human being in the world. The man waiting for her at the end of the aisle. He was beautiful because he was staring at her with unabashed adoration and love. His eyes were expressing all the love he felt for his beautiful bride and how much he adored her. She could see his eyes glistening with unshed tears. 

The backdrop of the sun setting against the Carribean islands were breathtaking. Lucas standing against the sunset gave him an ethereal appearance. She couldnt wait to marry the man who stole her heart from the first glance many months ago. 

Lucas awaited the entry of his bride. As she walked down the aisle, he was overwhelmed. He had never felt such a strong tug in his heart as the moment he laid eyes on her. She was the epitome of perfection. Her nervous blush, her deep breaths. Everything drew him to her. He could not peel his eyes off her and the moment he locked eyes with her, he felt complete. 

She was the one. The person meant to complete his world. She brought light into his life. Her slow steps towards him were agonising. He couldn't wait to have her in his arms. She smiled at him and he felt his heart stop. He held her hands in his as they faced each other. 

Maya was the first to recite her vows. She spoke softly but confidently, she knew that there were no doubt nor uncertainties in her choices. She looked into his eyes and saw his soul. " I promise to love you more every single day of my life. I promise to never leave your side till death do we part. I will cherish the love you give me everyday and I promise to grow old in your arms," she promised him. 

Lucas looked at his soulmate and vowed, " The only time I would kneel before another would be the day I tie our daughter's shoelace. I promise to give you the world. What is mine shall be yours as I am yours forever. My love for you shall last till I breathe my last breath and shall continue on as I pass on. I vow to uphold all my promises and to not be the cause of any tears from your eyes. I will be the pillar you lean on." 

Maya smiled as she wiped away tears from her eyes. She stood up on tip toes and kissed the man she promised herself to. She poured all her unsaid confessions through that kiss. She promised to show him her love through actions rather than words. 

Lucas hugged her and slipped on the wedding band on her finger. It was a gold flat band with tiny diamonds forming an eternal sign. On the inner surface of the ring were his initials and the rhythm of his heartbeat engraved. Her initials and her heartbeat were engraved onto his plain gold band. 

Lucas kissed her again as they were pronounced Man and Wife. He ended the kiss and whispered into her ears, " To happily ever after my love."




Author' s Thought 
My wonderful readers, 

Thank you for being on this journey with me. This is my first ever attempt at writing a book. I hope you enjoyed this experience as much as I did. I would love to hear any feedback and comments on the storyline, writing style, grammar or whatever it is you wish to say. Thank you so much for being patient with my inconsistencies and my delayed uplaods. I hope to write a second book in correlation to this book and hope you would enjoy that as much as this. Thank you all. Love you loads. 

Ciao.
- girl2591

" Why don't you look at me?" he asked. Maya was stunned. " I do look at you," she insisted. Lucas just stared into her eyes," You look but you don't see me." " I thought you hated me," she whispered. "I don't," he denied it...

Two star crossed lovers. Will they be able to succeed in overcoming all the obstacles or just accept their fate? An office romance for the ages. Read more to know Lucas and Maya's story.

steps to writing your first book

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The Plane Romance

Conundrums of the Deep Sea

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Cultivation is a Game {Hiatus}

The Daily Life of the Immortal King

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World's No.1 Villain

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