Pound Puppies Cartoon

"Lucifer," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the screams that filled the air. The metallic scent of blood choked her senses as she watched him move—slicing through bodies like they were nothing, his every movement precise, merciless. Blood splattered across his face, darkening the sharp edges of his jaw, but his eyes... his eyes were what made her breath hitch. They weren’t the same warm brown she had once drowned in. They burned with an untamed rage, cold and soulless. And then they found hers. Green met fire. Tears clung to her lashes, her chest rising and falling in uneven breaths. But Alessio Moretti—Lucifer himself—froze the second he saw her. Angel D’souza had been the wrong girl to be ***napped, just a mistake. But somehow, she had become his undoing. The man she had fallen for, the man who had made her feel safe in the darkest of nights, was now standing before her, bathed in crimson, the monster whispered about in nightmares. Her heart pounded. Was this who he truly was? Had she fallen for a lie? He took a step forward, his blade still dripping, his expression unreadable. She took a step back. He noticed. His jaw clenched, something desperate flashing across his face, but she didn’t wait. She turned—heart racing, mind screaming at her to run. But could she ever truly escape him? Would he let her? Or worse… did she even want to?

She was the government's deadliest secret weapon - a spy who lived by her wits and lethal skills. But when her little brother was kidnapped, even Bai Yunshu's training couldn't stop the shocking betrayal that cost her everything...including her life. Reborn into the body of bullied debutante Feng Ruoxi, Yunshu finds herself greeted by a cruel father, a venomous stepmother, and the last thing she ever expected - an elite fiancé from one of the nation's most powerful families! Jiang Yukang, her so-called husband-to-be, is as arrogant as he is gorgeous. But little does this prime catch realize his delicate doe-eyed bride is actually a fiery former spy with lethal skills and a whole new lease on life. What begins as a risky masquerade will soon become an unstoppable whirlwind of sizzling seduction, unraveling mysteries, and dark secrets best left untouched. Can Yunshu claim her rightful status as Master Jiang's hot spy wife while surviving the treacherous world of Kyoto's privileged elite? With her pulse-pounding survival skills and Jiang Yukang's mesmerizing talents in the bedchambers, this transmigrated soul is taking names and leaving a scorching trail of desire in her wake! No enemy can stop this reincarnated vixen from becoming the supreme don't-mess-with-me empress!

"I need you to take responsibility for taking advantage of me," his words echoed in her mind, like a haunting melody she couldn't escape. Was this big boss just toying with her? She initially thought so, until he began trailing her like a lovesick puppy, his eyes locked on her with unwavering intensity. All because of one steamy, reckless night, her once peaceful and uneventful life was now in shambles. She glanced at a dress at a store, and suddenly, it was delivered right to her doorstep as if by magic. She mentioned a favorite restaurant, and before she knew it, the chef was standing at her door, ready to cook her a meal. "Mr. Fleming, you're going overboard!" she exclaimed, her warnings falling on deaf ears, as futile as whispering into the wind. And just like that, the chase was on – the tail of a Wife-Chasing Big Shot had begun, turning her life into an unexpected whirlwind romance.

Meet Damon Cross As a child, Damon Cross had to deal with the horrible realities of domestic violence and being homeless. He and his mother, who had always been there for him, struggled to find security. After losing his first backyard fight, When Damon gets a new MMA system, his luck changes dramatically. This mysterious system becomes his guide, improving his skills and raising him into the world of mixed martial arts. He learns more about mixed martial arts and gets better at it with the help of this system. With this renewed strength, Damon is determined to not only move up in the fight world, but also make a better future for both of them as a way to repay his mother for what she did. [YOU HAVE AWAKENED THE EMMAC SYSTEM] [CONGRATULATIONS TO HOST FOR BECOMING A DOUBLE CHAMP] witness how Damon goes from a Bum to a Champ. Romance: Yes Fights: Yes

Hello everyone. I'm the creator of the horror short story collection *We Are the Fear*. For me, creating this work is like embarking on an exciting journey to explore the dark corners deep within the human soul. It's also a fantastical adventure of translating the thrilling inspirations surging in my heart into words. For a long time, the horror genre has had an irresistible appeal to me. The unknown and dangers lurking beneath the surface of daily life always stir up my boundless imagination. Many moments in life, whether it's the eerie shadow cast by an ancient building or the sudden strange sounds in the dead of night, can become the sparks for my creation, lighting the fuse of one terrifying story after another. I'm enthusiastic about excavating the most hidden and fragile parts of human nature. In my opinion, the complexity of human nature is an inexhaustible wellspring for horror stories. Everyone has seeds of fear within. It could be the fear of loneliness, the worry about loss, or the awe of unknown forces. I attempt to amplify these emotions in my works, placing them in extreme situations to showcase the diverse reactions of human nature in the face of fear. Each story in *We Are the Fear* is a painstakingly crafted crystallization of horror. I'm dedicated to creating an atmosphere that can make readers' hearts pound and send chills down their spines. Starting with environmental descriptions, I use delicate strokes to sketch out gloomy scenes, enabling readers to feel as if they're on the scene and experience the chilling sensation that rushes towards them. Then, I delve into the characters' inner worlds, depicting their psychological changes when confronted with horror, so that readers can truly empathize with the characters' fear and despair. When it comes to the narrative rhythm, I strive to achieve a proper balance. I artfully set suspense, keeping readers in a state of high tension and curiosity throughout the reading process, eager to uncover the mystery. And at appropriate times, I slow down the pace, giving readers a brief moment of respite while inadvertently planting new foreshadows to prepare for the next onslaught of fear. I hope this book can bring readers an ultimate horror experience. While reading, they can feel the excitement of an adrenaline rush, and after closing the book, they can sink into profound contemplation about human nature and the unknown. *We Are the Fear* is not merely a collection of stories; it's a testament to my love and pursuit of horror literature. I hope it can touch the unique perception of horror deep within each reader's heart.

Shantel Hale has spent her life trying to live above the dark shadows her mother’s reputation cast over her. She has seen powerful men fall at Jessica Hale’s feet— the infamous seductress popularly termed the modern day ‘Jezebel’ only to be left ruined afterwards. But unlike her sisters, who embraced their mother’s legacy to build fortunes and secure influential husbands, Shantel, the seventh and youngest daughter of Jessica Hale, had carved her own path in secret, gathering several awesome identities for herself. One of them was the elusive Elsa—an influential force in the corporate world, sought after by the most powerful executives. Invincible CEOs vie for her counsel, but she has consistently refused to step into the limelight while offering her services. Meanwhile, in a desperate bid to salvage his company that was crumbling after a scandal, Richard Domango turns to Elsa, convinced that she is the only one who can save him. Seeing that Richard had played right into her hands, Shantel will stop at nothing to demand for her pound of flesh from Richard for humiliating her in the past. But neither is ready for the sparks that begins to fly between them, especially Richard after finding out that his saviour, whom he fell helplessly for at first sight, is none other than Shantel Hale— ‘the seventh daughter of Jezebel’ and the very woman he’d felt nothing but blatant disdain for all his life. Will they allow their past to chart a vengeful path for them, or give in to the all consuming attraction growing between them in leaps and bounds by the day?

William and his college class are ripped from Earth and thrown into Aethel, a world on the brink of collapse. Everyone gains incredible magical powers – except William. Mocked and underestimated, he's an outcast among heroes. But William has a secret: an SSS-ranked skill that lets him travel to Aethel's past. Learning lost magic from ancient masters, he'll surpass his classmates and become the true savior Aethel needs. But can he overcome the dangers of the past and present to forge his own destiny? While others studied about the first mage, William could go back in time and see the first mage himself! While others dreamed of seeing a dragon, William could go back in time, hatch a legendary dragon egg and turn it into his puppy. While others used common materials to craft their items, William could go back in time and mine materials that weren't find anywhere in Aethel anymore. Is it unfair? Perhaps, but William was not the type of person to not use the powers the universe gave him.

Lyla Knight thought she knew her husband, the enigmatic and stoic Noah Anderson—CEO of a billion-dollar empire and the golden bachelor of City A. Their marriage was a quiet agreement, a union arranged by their families to ensure Lyla's safety and happiness. For two years, Noah was away expanding his business, and Lyla pursued her dream of becoming a singer, believing they were just two polite strangers bound by a contract. But appearances can be deceiving. Noah Anderson, the king of the business world, has always been a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Beneath his calm demeanor lies an obsession—a love so deep that he’s been silently protecting his innocent "little rabbit" from the shadows. When he finally returns, his carefully constructed facade begins to crack. “Sweetheart,” he murmurs one day, his voice a mix of pleading and determination, “I let them think I didn’t love you enough to show you off. But now, can we go public? Let me slap their faces with the truth.” Even the king of hell is willing to make puppy eyes to convince his wife to acknowledge him as her husband—a sight that leaves his assistant Cheng fleeing the office in shock. But Lyla’s world is truly shaken when she stumbles into Noah’s private library and finds a hidden treasure trove: old, secretly taken photos of herself from years before they were married. Her heart pounds as she backs away, only to collide with the man himself. His familiar scent surrounds her as his deep, velvety voice whispers near her ear, “It has always been you, sweetheart.” Caught between the shy, gentlemanly facade she believed in and the possessive, passionate man he truly is, Lyla must navigate the truth about her husband and their secret marriage.

At the age of ten, he shyly called out "Sister Jiang," a slender, small boy obedient like a little milk dog. She imitated the adults, kissing his forehead to comfort him. When they met again, he was dressed in a sharp suit with gold-rimmed glasses, his every move as noble and pure as glimmering frost and snow, unapproachably lofty. Tearing off that scholar's disguise, he finally revealed his fangs in the darkness. "Isn't this what you taught me?" he whispered, encircling her slim waist from behind and seeking a kiss, his voice seductive, nearly playful as he called out those two words, "Sister Jiang." Jiang Jiu only then realized that the other party had long since become an obsessive and scheming mad dog, in a place she knew not of.

As the final dragon lay defeated, Aaran stared at the sky while the rest celebrated. [Awaiting the gods’ response...] He clenched his fists, his heart pounding. A shred of hope flickered in his eyes, only to be extinguished like always. [The attained outcome was deemed unsatisfactory.] Aaran had seen the message for the twentieth time. He had become the gods’ plaything in their desire to witness the “perfect ending”. He regressed once again, but this time as a toddler and charm being the only stat he had. But something was amiss. The world he remembered had changed. Powers that did not exist before had taken hold of the world. Tired of following the traditional route, Aaran chose to fight darkness with darkness… as the gods’ chosen necromancer! *** Discord Link: https://discord.gg/bjetmPER5p

WARNING [R18] “I’m already engaged to him,” she blurted, her voice trembling but resolute. Her eyes shot toward the silver-haired man, the figure who had been watching her all along. Her heart pounded in her ears as she raised her hand, pointing directly across the room. The gesture felt foreign, like it wasn’t even her own body making the movement. But there he was, sitting quietly in the VVIP section, and she had to do something. Anything. All eyes turned toward her, and the room fell into stunned silence. The weight of a thousand gazes bore down on her, and the only sound was the frantic beat of her own heart as she waited for his response. *************** Lilia’s life is turned upside down at a lavish masquerade party when an unexpected announcement claims she is engaged to Lowell, a man she has never agreed to marry. Caught between the overwhelming pressure of her parents’ expectations and the confusion surrounding her emotions, Lilia finds herself trapped in a web of deception. But when a silver-haired stranger named Zethan steals the spotlight, Lilia’s impulsive declaration sends shockwaves through the room. With her parents and Lowell thrown into chaos, Lilia is left questioning whether she has just freed herself—or unwittingly stepped into a more dangerous game of fate and manipulation. Who would have thought their futures had already been sealed? This vampire had been obsessed with her long before she ever knew he existed. WSA 2025 ENTRY

It's simple. A vengeful wildfire of a woman. A tyrant who begs to be burned. When Aria crashes into Kael’s empire, hellbent on making him pay for taking her job away, she’s met not with defiance—but a dare. “You want revenge?” he taunts, voice dripping with dark invitation. “Then ruin me. Take your pound of flesh exactly where it hurts.” His proposition is a trap laced with sin: As expected he calls the shots in his bed, her contempt is his twisted aphrodisiac. “Hate me until your hands shake,” he growls. “But do it on top of me, where I can watch you savor every cut.” Their arrangement is a collision of dominance and delirium. Aria wields her fury like a blade, determined to break him. Kael? He thrives under her wrath, goading her darker, deeper, hungrier. But vengeance turns slippery when every command she hisses ignites his obedience, and every cold glare melts into bruising kisses. Soon, the bed becomes a battleground—her nails carving victory into his skin, his whispers a serpent’s promise: “Chain me with your rage, darling. I’ll still come back for more." The rules are simple: No mercy. No surrender. But as their games spiral into something ravenous, who’s destroying whom? And when hatred burns this hot, what’s left when the ashes cool?

High school youth love themselves their media. Fantasy books, anime cartoons, even online content. However, when four young teens end up being transported to another world similar to that of their precious media, they must reestablish themselves and adapt to their new fantasy surroundings or die trying.

Lin Beifan traveled through the world composed of countless urban web articles and became a villain. He has a wishing system and can make a wish every day. With the ability of the system and his own rude operations, he broke all the protagonists, and the world line was chaotic. So, Heaven repeated the plot and cursed Lin Beifan. For whatever wish he made, the enemy would get double! Lin Beifan chuckled: “That’s it?” “I make a wish to keep my body temperature at 36.8 degrees!” The first protagonist’s brain burned to 73.6 degrees, died! “I make a wish to sleep 12 hours a day!” The 2nd protagonist becomes a vegetative person, die! “I make a wish that I will be crushed to death by a 120-pound beauty!” The third protagonist was crushed into a piece of paper by a 240-pound fat girl, pawn! Just like that, the plot is messed up again!

Horror stories written by Joseph Kohtz The Ghoulish Haunted Mansion: On Halloween, a group of kids decides to go inside an old abandoned mansion to see if it's haunted and end up getting scared out of their minds by all sorts of monsters and ghosts. While inside, the kids meet up with a talking cat and jack-o-lantern who try to protect them from the spirits and try to convince one of them to read a spell from a book to get rid of the ghosts. Return to The Ghoulish Haunted Mansion: On a field trip, Susan Piper takes her class to The Wellington Mansion and tells them how it was haunted before she got rid of the ghosts a decade ago on Halloween with her friends' help. She also told her class how to re-haunt the house and warned them not to do so. The next day, on Halloween, six of Susan's students enter the mansion, bring the ghosts and monsters back, and get scared out of their wits. Jack, the jack-o-lantern who knew their teacher, protects them with help from Alvin, the ghost puppy, and tries to convince Victoria to read the same spell Susan read when she was in the mansion to get rid of the ghosts. The Spooky Halloween Sleepover in The Haunted Woods: After a few of their friends go missing, a group of kids investigates The Dead Woods to find them. While there, they run into monsters and ghosts that pick them off. Since their friends are disappearing, they decide to have a sleepover in the haunted woods until they find their friends, but they soon all go missing after the hauntings get worse. Fear Itself: After being told a ghost story around the campfire, a group of kids who go to a camp gets scared to death while ghosts and monsters haunt the camp and forest. They get scared, but some think it's all a prank by one of the counselors at first, even when the campers and the counselors start to get picked off one by one. Even though things look bad, some campers still think it's a fraud, at least until things get worse. Because the longer they stay and ignore the ghosts' warnings, the worse the hauntings get. Then they become convinced and start to get scared out of their wits.

Lin Yunfeng screwed up. Big time. One mistake. That’s all it was. A stupid, drunken mistake. So why the hell was Ren Muchen chasing him down a creepy-ass abandoned hallway like a maniac?! "You slept with me and ran? Fine! Let’s see how long you last!" Uh, yeah. No thanks. Yunfeng ran faster, heart pounding—until he skidded to a stop. Right in front of a half-rotten zombie. "Oh, come on!" Before he could even process his impending doom, the thing lunged. His life flashed before his eyes. Then—WHACK. A massive axe took the zombie’s head clean off. And just like that, Muchen was grabbing his collar, hauling him up like a ragdoll. "You’re not dying," Muchen said, looking way too smug for someone who just saved his life. "Not today. Not anytime soon." Yunfeng barely got his breath back before Muchen dropped the biggest bomb ever. "Because we’re having a baby." Wait. What?! Yunfeng clutched his stomach. "H-How do you know?!" "You KNEW?!" Muchen shook him like a damn rattle. "And you still ran? Take responsibility, you bastard! We made a life!" Well. Shit. There was officially no running from this.

I yawned, fighting off sleep as my professor droned on about the three-body problem—even though it was notoriously unsolvable. 'Geez, why do we need to learn this?' I thought, shaking my head. Suddenly, a holographic screen materialized before my eyes, its message slicing through the monotony: "Moonfall Has Begun. Your Class Has Been Assigned.” I glanced around, and saw confused faces all over—everyone staring, just as bewildered as I was. 'Does everyone see this?' I wondered, my heart starting to pound. My screen flickered, then declared in bold: Main Class: Astral Equationist. Before I could process any further, a piercing scream shattered the classroom’s uneasy silence. I barely had time to register the sound as chaos erupted around me. I am going to be posting this story on RoyalRoad.

Dante Cross had it all — devastating good looks, effortless charm, and the kind of confidence that made hearts race and tempers flare. Freshly 18, with the world at his feet, he thought the most complicated thing in his life was deciding which party to attend next. But that was before the bite. In a single, blood-drenched night under a full moon, Dante's life is ripped apart. He’s no longer just the cocky young heartthrob of Hollowbrooke — he’s a werewolf. And not just any werewolf. There’s something darker, more dangerous about his transformation, a secret hidden deep within his bloodline. Now, thrust into a world of ancient curses, rival supernatural factions, and seductive, deadly enemies, Dante must learn to control the beast within before it controls him. With his best friend (and secret crush) Ava — a sharp-tongued witch-in-training — at his side, he embarks on a quest to uncover the truth about his curse. But not everyone wants him to succeed. From a brooding vampire lord with an unsettling interest in him, to a pack of rogue werewolves with their own dark agenda, Dante finds himself at the center of a supernatural power struggle. Between the heart-pounding battles and the forbidden, seductive encounters that leave him breathless, Dante must balance the thrill of danger with the sting of desire. Because in a world where the line between man and monster blurs, sometimes the scariest thing isn’t what lurks in the dark — it’s the wildness of your own heart.

"The Conspirator's Gambit" is a thrilling novel that delves deep into the intertwined worlds of high-stakes technology, shadowy conspiracies, and personal vendettas. Adivin, a brilliant young inventor, is on the cusp of unveiling a groundbreaking technology that could change the world. But when his crucial meeting with a government minister is sabotaged, he stumbles onto a web of intrigue that reaches into the heart of the Mafia, where power, wealth, and dangerous secrets converge. As Adivin races to uncover the truth behind the betrayal, he finds an unexpected ally in Sophia, a charismatic but enigmatic hacker with her own hidden agenda. Together, they navigate a treacherous landscape of deception, navigating the dangerous underworld of organized crime while battling a shadowy cabal that will stop at nothing to protect their interests. Amidst the chaos, a simmering romance ignites between Adivin and Sophia, but trust is a luxury they can't afford. As they dig deeper into the conspiracy, they unearth shocking revelations about the true power brokers behind the scenes. "The Conspirator's Gambit" is a pulse-pounding tale of technology, ambition, betrayal, and love, where the line between hero and villain blurs, and where the pursuit of truth could come at a devastating cost.

Tariq Amir Francois embarks on an inspiring journey of self-discovery and musical enchantment in a world where passion meets destiny. Drawn into a realm of mysterious creatures and captivating meow-lodies, Tariq's life takes a thrilling turn as he uncovers the hidden magic within. With each note, he delves deeper into a world where music transcends time and space, igniting a fire within his soul that propels him toward his ultimate destiny. Embrace the The prowling transformative power of music and join Tariq on a heart-pounding purr-venture that will leave you breathless and inspired to meow for more.

A Few Warnings for the Reader: This short novel is written for people who appreciate Japanese anime – a worldwide community numbering in the hundreds of millions. It's important to understand from the start that anime is not just "children's cartoons," as animation is often perceived in places like Europe and the USA. Anime represents a distinct form of animation and a significant cultural force, almost like "super-cinema." It can be incredibly dynamic and explore serious themes. Now, let's be honest, a large portion of anime is… not great. Maybe around 90% could be considered simply "okay" or even, let's say, "trashy." It can be blatant, silly, and not particularly engaging. Many viewers watch one of these less impressive shows and then assume all anime is similar. But that's a mistake! Understand this: by doing that, you're missing out on potentially the most captivating entertainment of your life. That's not an exaggeration – it's a genuine perspective. But the remaining 10%? That's where the true "super-cinema" lies. Good anime is unmatched in its ability to tell emotionally resonant stories and deliver dynamic action. Anime creators are free to push boundaries. Their imaginations delve into the complexities of the human heart, challenging the common "European view" that restricts animation to children. This story(it's not a Fanfiction!) is a tribute to a classic anime called "Fate." Fate is not my personal absolute favorite – there are masterpieces which incredibly hard to surpass. But still, it's a powerful example of the story started as a simple eroge and converted to a deeply emotional cult film.

Forensic expert Su Huaijin never believed in the supernatural—until the night a rain-soaked visitor delivered a casket wrapped in bloodstained rope. Inside, she found something impossible: a silver lock identical to the one she wore as a child, but engraved with the words **“Cycle of Rebirth.”** As bodies resurface in the river, each bearing eerie connections to her own past, Su uncovers a chilling truth—someone has been **replicating her.** The clues lead back to a long-buried orphanage fire, an ancient bronze artifact pulsing with a heartbeat of its own, and a sinister experiment that spans decades. Now, the casket has opened. The past is clawing its way back. And the next name on the list… is hers. In this pulse-pounding fusion of forensic thriller and Chinese dark fantasy, “The Bronze Casket” unravels a mystery steeped in blood, fate, and the horrors that refuse to die.

When mutations happened all across the world, Christopher was one of the 'lucky' few to get powers―the ability to cure diseases and heal all wounds, making him the newest hot commodity in every organization! But Christopher wants to keep a low profile, so he skips town in the dead of night after the government fails to capture him, choosing to be a free agent that helps the needy rebuild their lives after disaster. But wait, who is this stone-faced guard following him around? And why is a rich heir throwing cash his way? And what about this cute puppy he picked up―wait, it's a human?

Lorenzo De Luca "The Beast" thought she was only a new prey, but he realized too late that he was the one who was trapped. Signing a contract with the beast was supposed to be the worst thing that happened to Summer, and she wouldn't have done that if she had any other options, but the more she tried to struggle out of the deal, the deeper the beast found himself falling for her. ... I nodded, feeling grateful, and bolted toward the door. Without knocking, I burst inside. "You jerk!" I yelled. “Don’t you know how to knock? and I warned you not to call me that.” His voice was low, irritated. "Your terms are absurds, I have my own terms also." I said as I closed the door. The minutes I turned to him, I screamed. Lorenzo was standing by the window, wearing nothing but a towel, water dripping from his freshly showered body. His broad shoulders glistened in the light, and his defined abs led down to... "A slave speaking of term, Hmm. Tell me about it." He said. "Damn, he is fucking hot!" I said, not realizing I said it out. "Excuse me?" He raised his brow. "huh." I said. "You were talking about terms." He asked, moving closer to me. I couldn’t remove my eyes away. His body was perfection, every inch of him sculpted like a living statue. The towel hung dangerously low on his hips, and for a moment, I forgot why I had come in. My heart pounded faster with every step he took, my legs were shaking. "Don't come near!" I yelled at him, covering my face with my hand. "What's the problem?" He asked. I froze, my eyes wide, my cheeks flushed. “Put some clothes on!” I shrieked. “This is my room,” he said, turning toward me with a slow smirk. “I see no reason to.” "Well.. I'm here and I'm not comfortable with you like this." “You’re staring,” he teased. “No, I’m not!” I shot back, flustered. “You want me,” he said casually, stepping closer. “What? No!” I stumbled backward, heart pounding. “You want to feel me inside you.” “God forbid! Hell no!” I shouted, but my voice wavered, betraying me. "Hell yes" He said with a smile. I swear, despite his face is partially covered with mask, I could see the beauty of his face. His smile is so beautiful... it's choking. He closed the distance between us, his eyes locked on mine. “Your body says otherwise,” he whispered, his hand brushing a strand of hair from my face. The heat of his skin sent a shiver down my spine. Then he whispered into my ears "I can show you what I'm made of, if you want." His voice was slow, deep and arousing. My legs were trembling, I could hear my heartbeat. “Stay away from me!” I pushed him back, panic setting in. But he only laughed, a deep, rich sound that sent my pulse racing. “You don't know what you are missing.” he murmured, his voice low and dangerously seductive. He leaned in, his breath hot against my ear. “Just say the word.” I snapped. “Get lost!” I pushed him and bolted out of the room, my heart pounding in my ears. I could hear him laughing behind me, enjoying the moment. His laughter was cut short by the sound of water splashing.

It hurts, my hole body, my head. My hand went to my throat, there too equally hurt as much. And next came my air… it went fast, faster than I could even imagine, my lungs felt out of air, and it was only a matter of time, did I process to breath in. My awaken had been so peaceful I forgot to breath… My awaken? I looked up, and saw I had fallen right in front of a mirror, my hair covering my pained and distressed face, my heart pounding like before, and my hands digging into the carpet to my group. What happened? What happened? What happened? Nabie Reigns?! The door knob twisted, an old looking lady walking in, and her face hold the same distress mine did. Mother… “Nabie dear… your late for school.”

The night was thick with mist, the full moon casting an eerie glow over the dense forest. Shadows stretched and twisted between the towering trees, whispering secrets carried by the wind. Somewhere in the distance, a wolf howled—a deep, mournful sound that sent a shiver down Lena’s spine. She shouldn’t have been here. The warnings were clear. No humans were to step beyond the boundary of the village after dark. Yet here she was, standing at the edge of the unknown, her pulse hammering in her ears. A snap of a twig behind her made her whirl around, heart pounding. But before she could react, a figure emerged from the darkness—a man, tall and imposing, his silver eyes gleaming like molten steel in the moonlight. “You shouldn’t be here,” he murmured, his voice a dangerous mix of warning and curiosity. Lena took a step back, her breath catching. There was something unnatural about him, something untamed. She could feel it in the way the air around him crackled with energy, in the way his gaze pinned her like a predator studying its prey. “I—” she started, but the words died on her lips when he took a step closer. His presence was overwhelming, his scent a mix of earth and something wilder, something that made her stomach twist in ways she didn’t understand. Then, as if the universe itself had decided to intervene, the clouds shifted, allowing the full moon’s light to fully illuminate him. And in that moment, Lena saw the truth. He wasn’t just a man. He was something else entirely. Something that shouldn’t exist.

In a world shattered by the Sundering, where the skies bleed ash and the earth cracks with the weight of forgotten magic, Kael Jasvyn is a young man trapped in a life he despises. Bored, restless, and burdened by the expectations of his family, Kael dreams of freedom and purpose—but finds neither in his mundane existence. That is, until a mysterious artifact, a cursed black chain, thrusts him into the dying world of Eryndor, a land ruled by chaos and haunted by the remnants of a fallen empire. "Ashen Chains" by J.S. Aranthys is a dark fantasy isekai that explores themes of freedom, ambition, and the cost of power. With its gritty world-building, morally complex characters, and heart-pounding action, this story is perfect for fans of Mushoku Tensei, *The Beginning After the End*, and *Solo Leveling*. Will Kael rise as a savior, or will the chains of his past—and the throne’s dark power—consume him?

"Dad, are we going to die?" "No, sweetie. We’ll be alright." Surrounded by armed men, I clenched my daughter's hand, my heart pounding as their guns pointed directly at her. I closed my eyes, whispering a silent prayer. Then—a gunshot. My eyes snapped open. One of the men collapsed onto the pavement, lifeless. Through the thick smoke rising from our burning car, a figure emerged. My breath caught. It was my son. Without hesitation, he tore through the attackers, his blows ruthless, his movements a blur of deadly precision. Blood splattered the ground as he dismantled them, one by one. Then, headlights cut through the chaos. A sleek black car pulled up, and from its shadow stepped two men. My blood ran cold. They weren’t just anyone. They were the right-hand men of the Devil—the most feared mafia lord alive. Yet, they stood behind my son, watching in silence. As he delivered the final blow, my son straightened, his face drenched in blood. He tilted his head toward the dark sky, inhaling deeply before murmuring: "The time has come, hasn’t it?"

My heart was pounding hard inside my chest now. I could not move or look away when the man slowly removed a hoodie that had covered most of his face. I inhaled sharply when his dark eyes locked with mine, paralyzing me. My breathing got more strained, and heavy dizziness drowned me while his lips curved into an evil smile as everything around me faded. -------------------------------- Mary Oak had no idea who she was or where she was as she opened her eyes, lying on the cold, dark ground. The only memory she could recall was a dark, smirking silhouette standing before her across the street, whispering; Mary, Oh Mary...

The captain of the pirate’s ship stood shocked at what the vessel she and her crew overtook was hauling. Her heart pounded her boiling blood through her veins until she drew her sword and pointed it at the cargo. Something most awful, most forbidden, and most dangerous-- a merman. A demon of the sea. A monster. A horrible, yet beautiful, creature known for sinking ships or making deals to steal human souls. She knew very well such monsters were better off dead, after all her whole mission was to gather a crew and take down the mighty sea serpent who slaughtered her family. However, she paused as the merman before her suggested: what better weapon to have in her hunt for a monster than another monster? Can captain Brigit overcome her prejudices, work with, and accept the merman Esmerlin as he is? Can she and her crew accept that perhaps not all their allies are truly allies? And can she finally get her revenge on the great sea serpent that destroyed her life all those years ago? Questions that can only be answered as this swashbuckling adventure unfolds.