Kingdom Of Ruins Book

The gods burned his empire to the ground. Now, its ruins might burn him alive. In the ashen corpse of Draal, where the sky never clears and the dead still whisper, scavengers like Kael Varros survive by looting what’s left—melted bones, shattered relics, forgotten sins. But buried beneath the cinders, Kael unearths something far worse: the crown of the Forgotten King, fused with molten glass, pulsing with a memory that isn’t his—and a curse that refuses to stay buried. Haunted by visions of fire and betrayal, hunted by ash-born wraiths, and stalked by zealots who would see him silenced, Kael is thrust into a legacy soaked in blood and forgotten oaths. The crown remembers what the world wants to forget—the gods’ lies, the empire’s ruin, and the rebellion that nearly consumed them all. And now, Kael wears its curse. But the ashes haven’t cooled… and the past isn’t done burning.

Synopsis coming soon...

Elias had never been lucky — not once, not ever. Abandoned at birth, raised in suffering, and tormented by a life that never gave him a break, Elias trudged through existence like a ghost wearing human skin. By the age of thirty-two, even his heart gave out, quietly and without drama — just like everything else in his life. It simply… stopped. But death wasn’t the end. Instead, Elias found himself face-to-face with a stunning goddess — the Keeper of Fate. And for the first time, someone finally told him the truth: his entire life had been a mistake. A cosmic error. His Karma, meant for another, had been switched at birth, condemning him to a life of endless misfortune. To make amends, Fate offered him a second chance — a new life, with the luck he had been denied. With a single pull from the divine card deck, Elias drew the Legendary Extraction Talent — an ability that allows him to absorb powers, skills, and even laws of the world itself. From a broken man to a rising force, Elias will forge a new path. He will extract the power of heaven and earth. He will defy fate and ascend to the apex. And this time… luck is finally on his side.

Spies die in silence. Saints burn in light. Era might do both. After a lifetime of covert operations and moral compromises, Era hoped to spend her exile in quiet prayer at an English monastery. But when a corpse levitates during evening vespers and the sweet old nuns start collecting its blood like holy wine, she realises she’s stepped into something far older and far worse than sin. Soon, she’s in the custody of H.V.N, a shadowed agency that doesn’t serve any country, but answers directly to the gods. Plural. And they’re not happy. Because Era wasn’t meant to get involved. Now, she has two choices: execution… or servitude. Her only option is to survive the God's trials, prove herself useful, and perhaps earn a place in a pantheon-bound war where saints are spies and magic comes with contracts. But Era’s never played by anyone’s rules-least of all gods with agendas. And the deeper she falls into their tangled world of relics, prophecy, and judgment, the more she begins to suspect this wasn’t an accident at all. Maybe Era was never just an unlucky witness. Maybe she was the trigger.

He was once the heir to the most feared noble house in the kingdom — a family that ruled over magic in silence and secrecy. But grief turned him into something else. In his past life, blinded by sorrow and consumed by power, he lost everything: his mother, his sister, his father, his kingdom… all burned away by the darkness he embraced. And then — he woke up. Back in his ten-year-old body, days before the chain of tragedies begins, he now holds a second chance to rewrite fate. This time, he won’t fall. He's gonna make his way through enrolling in the royal magic academy , he begins a quiet rebellion against destiny — determined to protect the ones he loves, uncover the truth behind his mother’s death, and face the enemies that once destroyed him. But history has a cruel way of repeating itself… and not all mistakes can be undone.

Heaven-Defying Asura Li Shen is nothing more than a slave, despised and broken, a mere handyman in the prestigious Azure Cloud Sect. Unknown to all, he carries the cursed blood of the annihilated Heaven Destruction Clan, a lineage whose three patriarchs once dared to defy Heaven's Will. This forbidden heritage manifests as the Heaven Asura Destruction Body, a dormant power that renders him seemingly talentless in Qi Cultivation, constantly suppressed by the very essence of the world. His only path to power, and to full awakening, lies in the brutal consumption of demon-corrupted cultivators, whose blood feeds his unique constitution. When his former masters, the Blackwood Noble Clan, are decimated by a savage raid of these demon-corrupted forces, Li Shen, in a desperate struggle for survival, slays his first corrupted foe. This act triggers the faint stirrings of his terrifying potential, pushing him from victim to survivor. Rescued by the Azure Cloud Sect, he endures the scorn of the Handyman Elder Guo and the cosmic hindrance of Heaven Suppression, secretly honing his Blade Cultivation – the only path where his innate talent can flourish. His desperate goals are clear: achieve power for survival, exact revenge for his clan's downfall, gain recognition in a world that despises him, and, most crucially, procreate to ensure the continuation of his unique, heaven-defying bloodline. Li Shen's opportunity arises when he heroically saves the Grand Elder of the Outer Court, elevating him to an Outer Disciple and granting him access to the crucial "demon cleansing missions." Through these perilous missions, he ruthlessly hunts and absorbs the blood of countless demon-corrupted cultivators, rapidly awakening his Heaven Asura Destruction Body. His cultivation explodes, allowing him to easily comprehend Dao and identify the flaws in any technique, making him an unstoppable force. His ascent, however, is not without cost. Forced to flee the ruins of his temporary home, Li Shen finds himself thrust into the chaotic expanse of the Immortal Realm, where the true scale of the cosmic conflict is revealed. Here, he discovers the existence of the Heaven Will Judgment Clan, the enforcers of Heaven's dictates, who were directly responsible for the annihilation of his ancestors and now seek to finish off his bloodline. He also finds himself embroiled in a grand struggle against a powerful Demon Sovereign, whose influence spans realms and whose forces represent the very beings Li Shen has been consuming. His journey becomes a furious quest to not only survive and exact revenge on his oppressors but to challenge the very fabric of cosmic law. He cultivates beyond the known limits, pushing his Heaven Asura Destruction Body to its peak, defying all odds. In a climactic, realm-shattering confrontation, Li Shen, alongside his descendants – born from his desperate drive to procreate and imbued with his unique heritage – wages war against the Heaven Will Judgment Clan and clashes with the Demon Sovereign. In the end, Li Shen and his burgeoning Heaven Asura Destruction Clan triumph. The Heaven Will Judgment Clan is utterly annihilated, their reign ended, and the oppressive grasp of Heaven's Will is shattered. The world, no longer bound by cosmic tyranny, shifts, and a new era dawns, one where the Heaven Asura Destruction Clan reigns supreme, its legacy forged in blood, defiance, and the ultimate triumph over fate.

A historian named Rowan, reincarnates in a parallel world, which resembles everything from this earth, even the history itself. Rowan finds himself in the body of an abandoned heir who died of heart failure and wakes up in the year 1402 AD, in heart of the war torn and troubled Holy Roman Empire. He also find's difference between our earth and the parallel one is that there were Runic knights and a bit of Magic in this parallel world, and these Knight's could fight and decide a war's outcome single handedly sometimes. With his Rune System, watch him become the apex predator among the many Kings, Emperors, and Runic knights. Othertag's: #Noharem #OP Protagonist #No Yuri #No NTR #Axe Wielder #Kingmaker #Yes Cleavage A/N: Inspired by Real History and Kingdom Come Deliverance a RPG Game.

You are already having enough nightmares and demons in your day to day life. What happens when you start getting haunted by nightmares from an ancient world or maybe, as the legends say, memories from your past life? WARNING: SENSITIVE CONTENT On her 18th birthday, Li Juan had a nightmare that changed her life forever. She saw a queen of an ancient kingdom being murdered in her dream. Even though it was just a dream, intrigued by its content, she starts searching for its meanings and interpretations. Today, Li Juan is a research scholar at the archaeology department and she is on a quest to find a lost city. While searching about the lost city, she realises that her past and present life is being intertwined with three men who claim to own her heart. "Li Juan, you belong to me," declared her Highschool crush who also happens to be her current boss. "Li Juan, we are destined to be together," proclaimed her celebrity crush. "Li Juan, both of our families, wants us to become a couple," proposed her family friend. "Wait a minute!!! Are you sure the "Li Juan" whom you all mentioning is really me?" Even Li Juan herself finds it difficult to believe their claims, " I am sorry to disappoint you all, but I have already fallen in love with my research career." "But Li Juan, I promised that I'll help you to find your Queen," A blurry image of a man from her memory reminded her. Who is that? Through her broken dreams and shattered memories, Li Juan is still searching for the one who made the promise, to find the Queen from her dreams !!! No Mature content on first 20+chapters, but later chapters are under PG-18 Disclaimer: 1. Slow-paced romance with lots of mysteries. 2. Lengthy chapters (Minimum 1.5k words/chapters) 3. There are several chapters that deal with abusive toxic relationships and bullying. 4. The cover is not mine, I will remove it if the creator demands. 5. Read my other story, "No where to run: Trapped with my Archenemy" on webnovel # FIRST 100+ chapters are currently under editing # Support me on ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/monsoonmangoes0502

"Born into a ruthless world, Elyar is the son of a merciless gang leader. When he's forced to lure a genius hacker girl into their trap... he unexpectedly falls for her. But can light survive in the heart of darkness, or will fate destroy them both?"

With the clashing might of steam and rune, who can discern the true patterns of reality? Shrouded in cosmic silence and ancient malevolence, who or what is the lurking entity that unravels existence? Waking up to a world fractured by incomprehensible forces, Elias Reed finds himself reborn as Alucent Luci in a steampunk-fantasy realm where he sees a society filled with steam engines, rune-forged automatons, arcane Runeforce, intricate Fate-Weaving, terrifying Void corruption, and fragmented echoes of a distant Earth. The Loom's song continues to echo, but the Void's silence has never gone far. Follow Alucent as he finds himself entangled with the very fabric of reality, battling conceptual horrors while slowly developing perilous powers from his unique Void Path and his connection to the Loom. Like the enigmatic "Loom's New Anchor" that binds his fate to cosmic truths, this is the legend of "Alucent Luci," the Ruinwright destined to fight for the coherence of all existence.

Eldrath was once a continent of kingdoms and gods. Now, it is a graveyard. Centuries ago, the Hollow War shattered the world. It tore through empires, burned cities into ash, and left the skies haunted. Magic bled dry, the old bloodlines were broken, and twisted beasts now roam the wilds. Only scattered remnants of the old world remain—ruins, cursed blades, and hollow-eyed survivors clinging to their scars. In this world of wind and ghosts, a lone knight awakens—encased in black, crooked armor and with no name, no past, and no identity. He is soon found by a prophetess and her young ward—two wanderers burdened by visions of a dying future. She recruits him in order to reclaim the order back into Eldrath.He alone may hold the key to Eldrath’s blessing or...reckoning. The unknown man's journey across a horrifying and terribly beautiful world of Eldrath begins.

En un mundo donde las razas míticas coexisten bajo el techo de la academia más prestigiosa del Infierno, Cleymor, un joven demonio con secretos oscuros y un pasado marcado por la tragedia, lucha por encontrar su verdadero destino. Cleymor busca llegar a Arcadia, un reino donde todos los sueños pueden hacerse realidad. Pero, en un mundo plagado de enemigos, traiciones y magia peligrosa, el precio de alcanzar Arcadia podría ser mucho más alto de lo que está dispuesto a pagar. ¿Estás listo para enfrentarte a tu propio destino?

Cole Smith sat alone in his apartment. Relishing in his own sorrow. As he looked at the rankings of the MMO he had dedicated his entire life into playing. Although his entire life was only a sorrowful 23 years of age. It still meant a lot to him. He had spent 5 years playing the MMO ‘Arcadia’ a game built off the Arcadian engine, an incredible generation that formed an entire world through lines of code in mere weeks. And the world was manipulated as players advanced through it. Cole was a beta tester. Who had obtained a meek Paladin class. The Arcadian engine even had unique classes for every player. But Cole’s was probably the weakest in the game. Even as a tank. Yet he still fought. He made his way to the top ranks, even standing at number 1 for a time. Only to be struck down by a new age of battle mages, classes that were practically one man armies, who quickly flooded the ranks. Once the leaderboards changed, he wasn’t even in the top 10 anymore, and he received an email from the company that made Arcadia. Asking him if he wanted a second chance…only to wake up inside of the world of the game the next day.

A long time ago a king named Shadefon ruled his kingdom with kindness and wisdom. But his son, aiming for his father's place, agreed with the commander to end his father, offering him wealth. And Commander Halkeban, being corrupted, eventually agreed to do the job. After the king's death, he took his place. After that day Medefér ended up becoming a tyrant and cruel king. Committing the most cruel absurdities against divine law. The god Bledevar, seeing the clamor of the people, asking the gods to come to his aid, decided to gather the gods Sanjedins to solve this problem. Then at the meeting a virgin was chosen to be born the demigod to fight Medefér. But he will not allow this child to be born, knowing that it will be the end of him. And he will do anything to stop you from coming into the world.

[PARTS 100/100 PUBLISHED] [PARTS 94/100 REVISED AND EDITED] ⭐ Ranked #1 on Wattpad for "Cosmic Horror" and "Thought-provoking" Categories ⭐ Artwork for this novel is available on the Official DeviantArt Page here: https://www.deviantart.com/aizarikijaz ~ "EXISTENTIAL WOES", a song composed for this book and intended to be used for the trailer once its finished, is available on Spotify and Apple Music here: https://open.spotify.com/album/7ca13sfaeFENraFqAMNR1i?si=w612hymRSK2fC1xhFc146g https://music.apple.com/us/album/existential-woes-ep/1779593223 ~ The Official Instagram Page for "The Book of Abbadon" can be visited here: https://www.instagram.com/bookofabbadon/profilecard/?igsh=M2NyYnRuZm9iOHE= ... ⚠️ CONTENT WARNING ⚠️ This story is targeted towards young adults and it contains Mature Content such as: - Vulgar Language - Graphic Depictions of Violence and Gore - Graphic Depictions of Sex and Nudity - Potentially Offensive Religious Themes You must be at least 18 years or older in order to read this story, and by reading it, you do so at your own risk. Reader's discretion is advised.

In the realm of Aroken, where the elvian live for thousands of years, a fallen prince rises. Nagara, once heir to the throne, now bears the shame of defeat and exile. Stripped of his title and honor, he seeks redemption—not through war, but by entering Paladas Academy, the most prestigious and perilous school in the land. There, he crosses paths with Azlin and Rania, enigmatic students from House Mennefer, whose fates seem entwined with his own. As their bond deepens, so too do the secrets buried within the academy walls. Dark truths stir beneath Aroken’s surface—whispers of betrayal, ancient powers, and a forgotten enemy drawing near. Together, they must face a threat unlike any before, as the most dangerous force ever known sets its sights on them... and on the future of Aroken itself.

The world ended. Then, it began again. Fifteen years after the fall of civilization, Ametrine Ashryn Elaris dies—not as a hero, but as a survivor shaped by ruin, silence, and betrayal. On the day of her death, a soulbound relic hidden for over a decade triggers, returning her to a time the world has already forgotten: a month before the apocalypse begins. She doesn't return to stop the end. She returns to endure it differently. In a world still whole, Ametrine moves in silence—training, gathering, learning. She lays the first stones of a shelter that never existed in the past. What she builds now will outlast fire. What she hides will shape the world to come. And what she remembers… she will never forgive. The system that rules the new world is not her enemy. It never was. Designed not to control, but to guide, it watches quietly, offering strength to those willing to seize it. But someone—gods, constellations, something else—is watching through it. Observing. Waiting. As the apocalypse begins again, Ametrine will protect those who never survived the first time. She will challenge the future that betrayed her. And when the time comes… she will confront the one person who hurt her most— not the girl standing before her now, but the best friend who destroyed her fifteen years from now. In this life, she will not just survive. She will create what never was: An Ashborne Kingdom.

In a world where magic is a privilege reserved for the powerful, and gods wage silent wars behind the veil of creation, one orphan boy unknowingly holds the key to balance—or absolute ruin. Aren, a nameless worker scraping by in a merciless city, lives a life of quiet hunger and hardship. But a single act of kindness—giving away his only meal to a mysterious beggar—changes everything. In return, she offers him a ring… and with it, an ancient destiny buried for over two centuries. Transported to a battlefield between the God of Creation and the God of Rebirth, Aren finds himself caught in a divine power struggle. When their godly spells fail to harm him, and his instinctive magic wounds them both, a terrifying truth is revealed: He is the missing God of Destruction—the one prophesied to bring balance, feared for his strength, and destined to take the throne that rules even the gods themselves. Fleeing the divine war, Aren forms a quiet life in a forbidden forest, raising a lonely, abused boy who begins to call him “Dad.” But peace is fleeting. The gods will not forget. And when blood is spilled again, Aren must face the impossible choice: Embrace the throne and fight for the boy who gave him a reason to live… or walk away and lose everything. A powerful saga of magic, emotion, godhood, and sacrifice, Throne of Ruin is a gripping tale where bonds are forged in fire, and even destruction can choose to protect.

Nathan was born with a special bloodline but he was unaware of the truth of his past. His father had given up everything to ensure Nathan would be safe before he was even born. When an enemy kingdom found Nathan's secret, he must run and find out who he really is. As war is about to break out, Nathan joins forces with Irena the fearless princess but wanted to be a real fighter and her father was died by a fatal sickness. Together they're determined to stop the darkness and save Irena's king father, knowing that the fate of the Tenaria world relies on his life. Nathan faces an impossible choice in the end as he must overcome a vital sacrifice to vanquish the darkness and save the humanity. This is a heroic story of adventure, saving humanity, hidden acients, epic, heartwarming moments and a person's struggle between duty and fate.

En un mundo marcado por la coexistencia de humanos y bestias legendarias, un joven llamado Daegal encuentra un huevo misterioso a orillas del río, del cual nace un pequeño dragón morado con habilidades únicas. Juntos, Daegal y su dragón se embarcan en una travesía llena de desafíos, mientras intentan domesticarlo y comprender su propósito en un entorno donde la oscuridad amenaza con resurgir. Paralelamente, criaturas provenientes de la mítica Tierra Oscura y un enigmático Caballero Negro lideran una fuerza devastadora que amenaza con invadir los reinos. En este contexto, un alce blanco, símbolo de pureza, huye de los horrores de la Tierra Oscura, cruzando continentes y desencadenando una serie de eventos que conectan al joven Daegal y su dragón con un destino mayor. "Fuego y Ceniza", la primera crónica de esta épica, explora la lucha por la supervivencia, los lazos entre criaturas míticas y humanos, y el resurgimiento de fuerzas ancestrales que pondrán a prueba la valentía de todos los habitantes del Reino.

She was the perfect wife, until betrayal turned her into his worst nightmare. Rose DeLuca had it all—beauty, brains, and a billionaire husband. But behind Lorenzo Mancini's charming smile hid secrets darker than the shadows of their mansion. When Rose discovers his lies, his affairs, and the blood on his hands, she vanishes—leaving the world to believe she’s dead. But the Rose that returns is nothing like the woman they buried. With a new name, powerful allies, and vengeance coursing through her veins, she’s not just back to haunt him—she’s back to destroy him. Between stock market wars, secret lovers, mafia ties, and a mysterious billionaire who’s falling for her fire, Rose must play the game like a queen. And this time, she won't be the one left in ruins

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He conquered half the world with blood and steel… and then lost everything. Chris, the immortal king, once ruled with unmatched strength and unshakable vision. His dream: to unify the world and ascend beyond the heavens to bring true peace. But his body was stolen by a transmigrator named Zaire—an outsider armed with a sinister system and a lust for power. Under Zaire’s rule, the kingdom became a nightmare of cruelty, tyranny, and slaughter, all in pursuit of experience points. But Chris didn’t die. Trapped inside his own flesh, he watched helplessly—until the system infected him too. Now reborn in the body of a forgotten nineteen-year-old on the other side of the world, Chris begins his journey anew. Weak, hunted, and alone, he must master both sword and magic in a land ruled by chaos. As he slowly conquers each region, gathering allies and forging his power, rumors spread: the true king has returned. But reclaiming his throne means more than war—it means facing godlike forces, surviving ancient trials, and confronting the monstrous legacy wearing his face. The path to salvation is soaked in blood. And the king is ready to walk it again.

The prince who never gave up!! Some stories are not written with ink... they are written with pain, with love, and with the kind of memories that never fade. This is one of those stories. A story of a prince... A princess... And a love that didn't care about time, distance, or even death.

In the hallowed halls of Oxford, a brilliant but ruthless DPhil candidate, Ethan Blackwood, sets his sights on the lonely and vulnerable Professor Sebastian Ashworth. What begins as a calculated seduction spirals into a devastating game of manipulation and betrayal, where love is a weapon and ruin is the prize. A dark BL age-gap romance exploring the shadows of ambition and the fragility of the human heart.

When an overworked office drone stumbles into a dark alley, he witnesses a battle that defies all logic—and inherits a jade scroll that changes his fate forever. Ji Chen was just trying to survive the corporate grind. But when a dying cultivator hurls him the mysterious "Heavenly Tome," he finds himself hunted by a deadly organization known as the Night Owl Society. Now marked by an ancient seal, Ji Chen can see spiritual energy, sense emotions, and even wield powers once thought mythical. By day, he’s a rising star in the data analytics department. By night, he trains under a sharp-tongued female cultivator with secrets of her own. Trapped between the hidden world of cultivation and the brutal reality of the modern city, Ji Chen must awaken his true potential—or be consumed by the forces already closing in. Mystic arts, modern espionage, secret societies, and a reluctant hero with a mind for numbers—this is not your average urban fantasy. He didn’t ask for destiny. But the Heavenly Tome has chosen him. And now... the real game begins.

In a world torn by forgotten wars and whispered prophecies, a lone figure awakens in a blood-soaked valley—bereft of name, memory, and meaning. Time fractures. Voices echo from beneath the skin. Shadows speak in riddles. And every step forward feels like the replay of an ancient sin. This is not a story of heroes. This is the unraveling of identity, the bleeding of reality into madness. Dreams rot. Faith mutates. And somewhere in the ruins, something is watching... laughing. Dive into a dark, surreal journey where nothing is certain—except that once you enter, you may not come back the

En un mundo donde el maná define tu destino, las ruinas divinas esconden secretos que podrían cambiarlo todo. Naza, un joven marcado por un pasado desconocido y un cabello dividido entre la luz y la oscuridad, despierta en un continente gobernado por magia, bestias y antiguas guerras olvidadas. Con un núcleo fuera de lo común y habilidades que desafían la lógica de este nuevo mundo, Naza se verá arrastrado al corazón de una batalla entre reinos, facciones ocultas… y seres que trascienden la comprensión humana. ¿Podrá un alma reencarnada desatar el verdadero poder del Geo y sobrevivir en un mundo donde incluso los dioses han caído? Prepárate para hechizos colosales, traiciones desgarradoras y batallas que sacudirán los cielos. Las ruinas hablan… y Naza está escuchando.

The room was thick with the smell of wine. January 2025, Aezren leaned against the couch with wine in his hand, His eyes red like the sun during an eclipse, while his hair a chaotic Blonde framed his face with eerie elegance, hoping not to be disturbed by the screams of people. He was the Grim Reaper and the cause of people’s misfortunes, so it was only natural that he was embraced by screams day and night. Without a moment’s notice, he heard another person cursing him. “Not this again…” he groaned as he got up. He sipped his wine as he watched the drunk woman cursing him from the reflection on his wine. Lavinia stood on the parapet wall with high heels, ready to fall at any moment. Her red lipstick messed up, her skin a shade of bright olive, her hair had faded black hair dye, her eyes a shade of deep green, reminiscent of the forest. Her movements came out unstable as she screamed out, “Seems like all doom is attracted to me!” she laughed, tears rolled down her face. “I’m really not,” Aezren scoffed as he rolled his eyes. His eyes blew into saucers at a closer look at her face. “That face, it’s her!” he exclaimed. “I can’t let her die,” he pleaded with desperation as his “heart” raced. Aezren put his glass of wine back on the table with telekinesis as he stood up and teleported to Lavinia. However, it was already too late and she jumped off. Aezren jumped off of the terrace and held her in his arms as he floated in the air. He quickly took her back to the terrace before anybody could notice. Lavinia shut her eyes tight, hoping for the worst to happen—her death. She opened her eyes soon after she realized that she was on solid ground. “What is it,” she smiled, “Am I in heaven or hell?” she walked as she wondered. She was in her own world. “You’re in none,” Aezren told her, about to crash out at her obliviousness. But of course, she was half rat — drunk as hell. He let out a deep sigh. She didn’t listen. He recited some sort of spell, his index and middle finger pointed at her. Since alcohol has similar affects to being dead, it was easy enough for him to get her to be sober. She blinked in surprise. “Wh…Who are you?” she stammered, taking steps back defensively. “Be my muse.” He asked her. He has been searching for a her for over 4 centuries now. Having been living for so long, he has started making paintings to pass time. He has her face like a fuzzy faded painting in his head, and he has always struggled to capture her in his paintings. Finding her was a dream come true for him. She couldn’t die. Not before he painted her. Lavinia’s breath hitched. She was hit with nausea and dizziness. “Please.. please leave me alone!” She begged, her voice came out louder than she wanted it to. Aezren stared at her, his expression unreadable. “I didn’t save you because I care about your life,” he said, voice low. “I saved you because you have a face that doesn’t belong to this era.” Lavinia’s breath hitched again, her head spinning, “What the hell does that even mean…?” “I’ve seen you before. In dreams, in sketches, in brush strokes I never finished.” He sighed, “Centuries of searching. And suddenly, you’re on a rooftop, yelling about doom like some half-broken opera.” “You’re insane,” she whispered, backing away. He didn’t argue. “Probably,” he said with a shrug. “But I don’t care what you believe. You’re here. And I need to paint you before you disappear again.” Lavinia blinked, confusion and fear wrestling inside her. But something about him—his tone, his posture, the weird mix of detachment and obsession—made her pause. Her stomach flipped. The room still spun, but she wasn’t sure if it was just the wine anymore. “Okay,” she said slowly, swallowing hard. TW: Might include topics or references to Self harm. Reader discretion is recommended.