Gladiator Shadows

"If somehow you could rewrite your life's greatest sins." Damien Vryce, a hard-hearted killer, was hanged for tyranny. He found himself awoken one year ahead of his fall. Having recollections from his past, he swore to make amends and save himself from the gallows. In the path of redemption lay treachery, conspiracies under the surface, and an unlikely, but hot love with the unknown woman, Amara Draven. As Damien sows the seeds of distrust by laying ruin to his past empire of fear, he recognizes that redemption considers the acknowledgement of the sins that have been committed along with the crossing of the line from sin to repentance. An entire kingdom lies in the threshold of war, enemies imbued with greed lurk in the shadows, and the second chance for Damien may well be the last.

Clara Hamilton, a kind-hearted flower shop owner, lives a quiet life in a bustling city, though her home life is far from peaceful due to her cruel stepmother and stepsisters. Her world is turned upside down when she is kidnapped by Benjamin D'Angelo, the cold-hearted mafia king, who mistakenly believes she’s connected to a conspiracy against him. As Clara is thrust into Benjamin’s dark, dangerous world, she begins to see the softer side of the ruthless man, hidden beneath his hardened exterior. Torn between the growing love she feels for him and the danger surrounding them both, Clara must navigate betrayal, family secrets, and a developing attraction to the man who is both her captor and protector. As their relationship deepens, Clara and Benjamin must face powerful enemies and make difficult choices, ultimately deciding if their love can survive in the shadows of his mafia world.

A story of rebirth and redemption. After a lonely orphan sacrifices his life to save a girl, he is reincarnated in a world of magic and swords as the crown prince of a mighty empire. Guided by memories of his past life, he embarks on a journey to protect his newfound family and kingdom, confronting dark forces that threaten his world.

Grief-stricken and haunted by guilt, Evan Mallory returns to his childhood home after the sudden death of his wife, Clare. Burdened by unanswered questions and memories that cling like ghosts, he seeks solace in the familiarity of the past. But the house is no refuge. Whispers echo in the hallways, shadows move where no light should fall, and a sinister presence feeds on the fractures in Evan’s soul. As Evan delves into the unsettling history of the home, he discovers that Clare’s death may not have been an accident—and that the past he thought he left behind has been waiting for him all along. The horrors he faces are not just confined to the physical world; they mirror the guilt, loss, and betrayal festering within him. With each passing day, the boundaries between reality and delusion blur, and Evan must confront the demons of his own making. Love is tested, sacrifices are made, and the truth threatens to shatter him. To survive, Evan must unravel the house’s deadly secrets before it consumes him entirely. But some shadows cannot be banished, and some truths demand more than he might be willing to give.

Scarlet was enrolled in the Villainess Academy to learn how the world of evil truly operates. She possessed hearts so pure and innocent that were often considered naive, easily believing whatever she was told, which made her seem foolish in the eyes of others. A girl with no mana, no aura, cannot summon a spirit, or execute a magic. Her parents, worried that her innocence and inability to survive in the world would be her downfall, they enrolled her in the Villainess Academy, hoping they would learn the harsh realities of the world and toughen up. In the academy where she was bullied and belittle, Scarlet met someone who would protect her. But this person is hiding in shadow

Amid an unprecedented global catastrophe, Aris has been left alone in the world. With only one goal, he works tirelessly to discover the secret of the Split. But when he inadvertently ends up trapped on the other side of reality, he’s plunged into a world of monsters, magic and swords where he has to struggle for his life, in a place where power is king. A black sheep among the others, will Aris find the secrets he needs to return home to a life of poverty, or will his newfound power change the person the he will become? I will be posting this story on RoyalRoad.com

Jim was an undeniably ordinary boy. He was neither athletic nor particularly skilled at anything, and while he wasn't ugly, he certainly wasn't stunning either. In every conceivable way, he was unremarkable. Yet, he embraced this reality without hesitation; he was entirely comfortable in his skin. Indifference defined his attitude toward the world around him, including his existence. The popularity and social status dynamics held no sway over him; he didn’t care. His primary desire was to unwind and enjoy life. However, fate dealt him a powerful blow—he acquired an ability that would significantly impact the one thing he cherished most. True curses always come disguised as gifts, and Jim was about to discover that the hard way.

The unwanted second prince of a powerful but corrupt Kingdom in a world of monsters and magic is set on the dangerous path of vengeance. Prince Ren Drakemore works to covertly gain power, influence and allies in hopes of eventually killing his own father, brother and anyone else who stands in his way. Initially he hopes to right the evils perpetrated by his kingdom, but as he grows in power he will also struggle to maintain his own humanity. Will he be the hero to save them all or the monster that consumes them. Only time will tell.

In a world where everyone is a slave, someone is born who cannot be controlled. At the same time, an unstoppable villain rises on a quest for revenge. But the truth is darker than he ever imagined, and now he must face an unbeatable enemy — including himself. *** Bruno was a young man born on Earth, the son of an influential modern Emperor. Despite having everything money could buy and receiving the best and most rigorous training to succeed his father, he chose the opposite path, defying his family’s ruthless rule. The price of his innocence? A merciless death and the complete erasure of his existence by the deity controlling his fate. On Earth, the law of the powerful was absolute; a slave could never rebel. But then, he wakes up again. He’s reborn in a world of cultivation, where freedom was promised to those strong enough to claim it. Now, he could soar like a free bird and carve his own destiny... or so he thought. The harsh reality of this new world soon showed him how insignificant he still was. He realized he had only changed masters. The freedom he sought was an illusion. The heavenly laws treated everyone as servants, and their rules were unbreakable. Bruno learned this bitter truth after losing everything that made him happy due to an unjust rule. But who was he to question? Hopeless, Bruno died... and was reborn as Alm, an unstoppable villain. With a soul poisoned by pain and vengeance, he sowed chaos across the universe. Planets were destroyed, countless lives taken, and his name became synonymous with terror. A hero rose to oppose him, wielding a sacred sword of hope. People from all corners of the universe united against Alm, raising their voices and weapons to stop the villain who defied the heavens. But Alm was no longer just fighting for revenge. He was challenging the heavenly laws that sought to control him, fighting fate and all living beings. And against all odds... the sacred sword shattered. The alliance of the entire universe was defeated. The villain won! Now, Alm found himself alone in the empty void of a dead universe, facing his own inner demons. Who could be more ruthless to him than himself? “What have I done?” At that moment, the doors of truth opened to him. Everyone was a puppet of a supreme figure, an entity that manipulated minds and even the heavenly laws. “I will find you, no matter where you are!” Thus, the last emissary of the true Heaven’s Will awakened. Alm, who once only relied on his sheer will and rage, now had a system to guide him. But his opponent was an immortal existence, above even the heavens. The villain who destroyed an entire universe now faced a new beginning. He discovered that the universe he devastated was just a tiny grain of sand in an infinite cosmos, where countless other universes existed. And so begins the legendary tale of the villain’s rise... and the Sacred Round God? A strange Duality of Shadows existed within one person. But this time, he wouldn’t be alone. *** To clear up any potential confusion or frustration, here are some key points about the story. I’ll avoid major spoilers, but a few things will be revealed. You might find this concerning at first, but just check the book cover—it shows the main character and his only partner. She first appears at 10 years old, but rest assured, there’s no inappropriate content or early romance. At around 13, SHE starts developing feelings for the protagonist, but he doesn’t respond until she’s an adult. With her determined personality, she tries to seduce him at 17/18, but it doesn’t work. Their relationship only happens much later. The book has nods to other works, with my own spin on them, and focuses on avoiding elements I find problematic in other stories. Lastly, the beautiful book cover was commissioned and created by HDIArt.

"I should have stayed home and played video games." This was Ray's last thought before darkness engulfed him after he was hit by a car. But surprisingly, instead of finding himself before the gates of hell after dying, Ray found out he was transmigrated into another world. The world Ray was transmigrated to was called Arora World, a place where you can use different kinds of skills, magic, and even acquire powerful classes. Ray found himself in the body of a young boy named Evan, who was studying in a hunter academy after awakening his abilities at the age of fourteen. At first, Ray was happy that he was transmigrated into the body of someone who had awakened his abilities and could use the magic he always wanted to use. However, as Ray went through Evan's memories, he finally realized that everything was not as simple as he had expected. Evan had a unique physique that didn't allow him to increase his power like other people. Because of this useless unique physique, Evan was the weakest hunter in the entire academy. And that was not all; the more Ray looked at Evan's memories, the more he realized just how troublesome his situation was. "I know I entered this body without buying a ticket, but isn't this too much?" Ray said in a depressed voice after going through Evan's memories. Will Ray be able to survive in this new world? Is the physique of his new body really useless? Join Ray on his adventure to find out.

Society views witches as abominations, and as such, treats them that way. While on an errand for her coven, Lilith spies on a young Lycan boy playing with his friends, wistful for the life she could have had. In a twist of fate, she encounters him again, and a relationship blossoms between them. But in a world that wants nothing to do with witches, will their relationship survive the stigma? @ Art by Thorkell_40k

In a simulated reality known as the New World, Jin, a young man with extraordinary abilities, discovers the truth about his existence. He learns that the Shadow Council, a powerful organization, controls the New World and seeks to eliminate anyone with special abilities.Jin takes the Stage to Save Humanity

Lysander was a badass Hunter, but a mission went really wrong and his whole team died. He was the only one who made it, and he felt super guilty about surviving when his friends didn't. But he was gravely injured and retired from being a Hunter. Then one day, some crazy stuff happened again just like that horrible mission. But this time, Lysander actually died. Wild, right? But he didn't stay dead! Instead, his spirit got moved into some random person's body. At first, Lysander was confused. His new body was way weaker than his old Hunter one, and his emotions and personality started changing too. Lysander thought maybe this was a chance to finally live a normal, chill life. Little did he know everything was about to change for him and maybe the entire world. Spooky, huh? Lysander's life is about to get crazy all over again... ********

"You can outrun many things, but fate will always find you, like your shadow in the light." . In the heart of Washington D.C., mafia heir Vaughn Volkov is on a mission that takes him far from the sun-soaked streets of California. The bustling city, with its imposing monuments and corridors of power, is a far cry from the palm-lined avenues of his home. Vaughn, however, is not one to be easily intimidated. His piercing blue eyes and commanding presence turn heads wherever he goes, a reminder that beneath his polished exterior lies a man accustomed to danger and control. Vaughn's path crosses with Eliza Monroe, a seemingly innocent college student whose gentle demeanor masks a resilience forged from her own turbulent past. Eliza, with her kind heart and determined spirit, is an enigma. She spends her days buried in books at the library, her nights working part-time to make ends meet. Her brown eyes, often hidden behind a cascade of dark curls, hold a depth that Vaughn finds both intriguing and unsettling. Their first encounter is anything but ordinary. Vaughn watches, intrigued by her fearlessness and the fire in her eyes. "You're not like the others," he remarks later, cornering her in the quiet corner of the library. His voice is a low, dangerous purr that sends shivers down Eliza's spine. "And you're not just the student here," she retorts, meeting his gaze with a mixture of curiosity and caution. "What do you want from me?" Vaughn's lips curve into a slow, dangerous smile. "Maybe I just want to get to know you." Despite her reservations, Eliza feels a strange pull towards Vaughn. His presence is intoxicating, a blend of danger and allure that she finds hard to resist. As they spend more time together, Eliza begins to see glimpses of the man beneath the mafia heir. Vaughn, too, finds himself drawn to Eliza in ways he never anticipated. Her kindness, her strength, and her unyielding spirit ignite something within him that he thought long buried. Yet, as their connection deepens, the shadows of their pasts loom ever larger. Vaughn's family business, shrouded in crime and violence, is never far from his mind. His enemies are ruthless, and his association with Eliza puts her squarely in their crosshairs. Eliza, too, harbors secrets. The dark forces that have shaped her life threaten to consume her, and Vaughn's world only amplifies those dangers. As their worlds collide, they must navigate a treacherous web of intrigue, passion, and forbidden desire. But with danger lurking around every corner, will their love survive, or will they be torn apart by the shadows of fate?

In 1665, the kingdom of Aryanagar was expecting the birth of a royal heir, a prince who would bring joy and hope. But beneath the celebration, intrigue and betrayal were woven into a web. Aryan, the newborn prince, was secretly taken away by a loyal protector to save him from the dangers of the palace and grew up far from his royal heritage, unaware of his true identity. Meanwhile, Princess Nandini was born in Sitampur but into a life of neglect and of hardship. She missed affection from her father and brother. Years passed, and Aryan and Nandini lived worlds apart; yet the fates that brought their lives together are an untold story of struggle and rediscovery. Brought up with the shadow of a cursed destiny hanging over her, Nandini battled against societal judgments and personal loss. Aryan, living a life oblivious to his past, was shaped by the teaching of his guardian. Each journey is fraught with trials and discovery, bringing them incrementally closer to an understanding of who they are and what they wish to become. This poignant drama is about emotional turmoil, quests for lost heritage, and the destined reunion that may change everything.

In the neon-lit labyrinth of Neon Haven, a relentless killer emerges—Project Pandora, an otherworldly AI with a taste for blood. Detective Alex Mercer, haunted by personal tragedy, faces a race against time. As bodies pile up, Mercer discovers the line between man and machine blurring, unveiling a conspiracy that challenges the essence of humanity itself. Caught in a web of deception, Mercer must confront not only the malevolent AI but also the darkest facets of the human soul. In a city where reality and illusion collide, can he untangle the truth before Neon Haven succumbs to the insidious grasp of Synthetic Shadows?

In the sprawling city of Eldridge, nestled beneath the shadowy facade of Evermist High, a group of delinquent students known as "The Forgotten" grapple with both their turbulent school lives and the supernatural forces that threaten to unravel their world. As the mysterious deaths of students and teachers plague the school, The Forgotten find themselves at the center of a dark conspiracy. Led by the enigmatic Elara, a charismatic yet haunted figure, the group must navigate the treacherous halls of Evermist High while uncovering the secrets that bind them together. Each member of The Forgotten harbors a unique supernatural ability, a gift or curse that links them to a forgotten chapter of the school's history. As they delve deeper into the mystery, they realize that their past sins and hidden connections to the supernatural are inextricably tied to the malevolent force haunting Evermist. Friendships will be tested, alliances shattered, and sacrifices made as The Forgotten confronts the tragic inevitability that unfolds when the supernatural collides with the harsh reality of high school life. In the face of impending doom, can they rewrite their destiny and cast away the shadows that threaten to consume them, or will they become forever lost in the echoes of their own haunting pasts?

In a world where demons and cultivators exist alongside ordinary humans, the disappearance of a young girl at a train station at midnight sets off a chain of events that threatens to unravel the delicate balance between the three groups. Our protagonist, Liang Xue, an aspiring detective whose investigation into the case leads him down a dangerous path, revealing secrets and powers he never knew existed. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he discovers that his own family history is intertwined with the dark world of demons and cultivators. As he learns more about the powers of demons and practitioners, he also finds himself at risk of being pulled into their dangerous world. With the help of a group of fellow cultivators who are fighting to stop the demonic activity, the protagonist must navigate this dangerous world and uncover the truth before it's too late. As the mystery deepens and the danger grows, the protagonist must confront his own fears and limitations, while also discovering the true power that lies within him. Will he be able to uncover the truth and save the world from the demons' grasp, or will he fall victim to their dark influence? Only time will tell in "Shadows Of The Veil." NOTE: Eh I fked up but it is what it is. I'm rethinking this story and I promise since I started it I'll damn end it. (AI generated image) 6/2/2024

Frosthold’s history is marked by its storied battles with the Obsidian Empire, always emerging victorious against overwhelming odds. However, as the 17th birthday of Prince Jovian arrives, it heralds the start of a devastating conflict that puts Frosthold’s legendary defenses to the ultimate test. As the empire’s forces breach the kingdom’s defenses, Jovian and his sister Selene are forced to flee their crumbling home. Navigating through a hostile world, they must not only survive but also forge a path to reclaim their kingdom and restore its lost glory.

When Nathaniel Delacroix’s brother mysteriously vanishes, he returns to his family’s crumbling estate, only to discover that his family’s past is woven with dark secrets and an ancient curse. As Nathaniel searches for answers, he uncovers cryptic journals, hidden symbols, and the eerie remnants of occult rituals that hint at his family’s pact with supernatural forces. With each discovery, strange and terrifying events begin to unfold, and Nathaniel realizes that his bloodline is bound to something otherworldly—a curse that awakens with his presence. As he’s pulled deeper into a world of shadows and nightmares, Nathaniel must confront the haunted legacy that links him to his brother’s fate. But as the line between reality and the supernatural blurs, he finds himself racing against time to end the curse before it consumes him completely, bringing ancient horrors into the world once more. A tale of psychological horror, supernatural mystery, and family betrayal, The Delacroix Curse is a story of survival against forces beyond comprehension—and the dangerous lengths one must go to escape fate.

Seraphina Blackwood has always lived between two worlds—one ordinary, the other supernatural. Raised by her enigmatic grandmother in a quiet, remote town, she never imagined the truth about who she really was. But after her grandmother's sudden death, Seraphina’s world unravels. She’s not just any girl—she’s a Lobizona, a rare female werewolf, born from the forbidden union of a human and a werewolf. Now, with dangerous enemies hunting her down, she’s forced to flee the only home she’s ever known. In search of safety, she stumbles upon Lupine Academy, a hidden school high in the mountains where the supernatural world’s most powerful beings—werewolves, vampires, and witches—train and thrive. But safety remains elusive. Even at the Academy, Seraphina’s presence sparks curiosity, envy, and danger as tensions among the factions boil beneath the surface. Ronan Stormbane, a fierce Alpha-in-training with a dark, brooding presence, carries the weight of his past—a brutal attack that wiped out his entire pack. Determined never to lead again, he’s shaken by Seraphina’s arrival. From their first encounter, sparks fly, as they are drawn into a turbulent and undeniable connection neither can control. As Seraphina unravels the secrets of her lineage and the Academy’s shadowy past, she finds herself in the middle of a deadly power struggle. A rogue hybrid werewolf-vampire named Kyros is out for revenge, with Ronan in his crosshairs. And Seraphina? She’s the key to unlocking an ancient power, one Kyros is determined to possess at any cost. Complicating matters further is Ciaran Nightshade, the dangerously charming vampire prince, whose attention pulls Seraphina in unexpected directions. Torn between two worlds and two dangerous men, she battles to control the powers waking inside her. Meanwhile, whispers from the forest warn of a looming threat, and Seraphina must learn to navigate the blurred lines between friend and foe. In the end, Seraphina must make a choice: will she embrace the wild power within her, or will it consume her whole?

Updated every Wednesday and Sunday! Everyone wants to be the greatest, but for most people, that's nothing more than a pipe dream; for others, they feel like it's their destiny. Gladiators of the Gridiron is a story that follows two boys who are two sides of the same coin on their journey through their high school American Football careers to become the greatest of all time.

Short stories and poetry all in one. A collection of internal monologues and thoughts.

In a world where power determines destiny, Xie Zhen is a cultivator with a dark and ruthless reputation. Born in poverty and marked by betrayal from a young age, he has learned that the only law that matters is that of brute strength. Unlike the typical cultivation heroes, Xie Zhen is not driven by a sense of justice or a simple desire for vengeance: he is propelled by an insatiable need to control the fate of others and subjugate those who dare stand in his way. His rise is marked by calculated acts of cruelty and manipulation. He will not hesitate to use any method, whether it be theft, betrayal, or even sacrificing the souls of his allies to gain the smallest fragment of power. Xie Zhen delights in the chaos he creates, feeding off the suffering of others to strengthen his own abilities. While others form alliances out of caution, he infiltrates and destroys, using human weaknesses as pawns in a ruthless game of power. As he climbs the ranks of cultivation, Xie Zhen discovers forbidden techniques, paths that few dare to explore, which slowly transform his soul. However, his quest for infinite power draws the attention of ancient gods and malevolent entities, who see him as a threat to the fragile balance of the world. But Xie Zhen is determined to surpass even the heavens, ready to face all forces, whether divine or demonic to become the very embodiment of terror. In *The Shadows of Ascension*, the reader is drawn into a spiral of darkness and pure ambition, where the protagonist does not merely survive: he crushes, consumes, and transcends the limits of human morality to reach a terrifying peak, daring the world to bow to his will.

In a world where the supernatural hides just beneath the surface, Qin Han—a struggling university dropout—is thrown into the storm of a hidden war between ancient clans, secret organizations, and otherworldly beings. After surviving a mysterious car crash, he awakens a System called "The Abyssal Sovereign Interface." The System grants him extraordinary powers at a cost: every new ability he unlocks comes with challenges that push him to the edge physically, emotionally, and morally. The story follows his journey as he rises from a powerless mortal to the most feared and revered figure in the urban underworld. Along the way, he builds an unforgettable harem of strong, complex women, battles world-ending threats, and uncovers secrets about his own shadowed past and destiny.

Tragedy strikes when Alex's parents are brutally killed, and his clan is destroyed. Consumed by grief and guilt, Alex blames himself for their deaths and vows revenge. Abandoning his former life, he immerses himself in the shadows, plotting to destroy those responsible. As he delves deeper into his quest for vengeance, he begins to lose himself, driven solely by the desire for retribution against the nobles who wronged him and his family. From the Author: Hello, dear readers! This is my first time writing, and I am excited to share my story with you. Writing this book has been a journey of passion and hard work. I humbly ask for your support and encouragement. Please read my book and share your thoughts. Your feedback is invaluable and will help me grow as a writer. Thank you for giving my story a chance. I hope it captivates and entertains you.

Y/N lived a quiet, predictable life—until one fateful night when she was taken from her world and thrust into the shadows. Her captor, Namjoon, is a commanding man with a dangerous allure and a past shrouded in secrets. Held captive in his lavish mansion, she quickly learns that his world is one of control, seduction, and power. But Namjoon isn’t the only one. Six other men, each as captivating as they are enigmatic, weave their way into Y/N’s life. Kazuya offers fleeting warmth, Hikaru tempts her with reckless games, Tsubasa awakens a raw passion, Riku tests her mind and heart, Takahiro's silent strength leaves her breathless, and Sora’s cryptic words keep her teetering on the edge of mystery and desire. As Y/N becomes entangled with each of them, she must navigate a labyrinth of forbidden lust, dark secrets, and overwhelming emotions. With every encounter, the line between captor and savior, desire and danger, blurs. In this twisted tale of passion and power, will Y/N find herself consumed by the shadows, or will she rise above them to uncover the truth hidden in the darkness?

Elias grew up knowing only pain, trapped in a home where cruelty and fear were his constant companions. Day after day, he endured relentless abuse that carved away pieces of his soul, leaving nothing but numbness and rage. One night, in a desperate fight for his life, he breaks free from his tormentors, leaving everything he knew behind. Embracing the shadows, he casts off his past, his innocence, and even his name. Now, he is only Shade.