Metal Bat

"Victor Kane, your life has been the easiest. Born into the wealthiest family, never having to work a day in your life, always surrounded by luxury, and never experiencing a single moment of misery. Even dying within seconds without an ounce of pain. I must say, it's interesting." When even the gods had taken Victor to be the luckiest, his luck seemed to run out finally. _______ [Caution! A curse has been inflicted on the user.] [Curse Grade: Celestial] [Curse Description: The user is restricted to only tame insect species. Taming normal species will become impossible with this curse.] _______ Reincarnated to the world of Beast taming where only the tamed beasts could keep your societal status. Theo was born with the curse to only tame ordinary insects. Follow his journey where he takes the help of the very simple and ordinary creatures to pave his path in the future. "Wait, what do you mean the Outer Devils arrive in metal ships and armored suits from beyond this world?!" Being attacked by space ships and Mechas, all Theo had was his tamed to fight against the danger. ===== Schedule: 2 Chapters everyday 50 Power Stones- 2 extra chapters 200 Power Stones- 5 extra chapters 50 Golden Tickets- 5 extra chapters Happy reading everyone!

In the quiet corners of a bustling town, where stories often go untold, Wafula worked with grease-stained hands and a mind like no other. A blue-collar worker with a gift shrouded in mystery, Wafula had an ability he called “intrusive thoughts” a peculiar, almost supernatural insight that allowed him to see the world differently. To him, every broken machine, every unsolved problem, whispered its secrets, waiting to be understood. But Wafula’s gift wasn’t just limited to fixing gadgets and engines. People spoke in hushed tones about how he could mend more than just metal; they said he could fix lives. Some even believed he had the power to heal broken hearts. Yet, this extraordinary ability came at a cost. With every challenge he faced financial struggles, societal expectations, and personal loss Wafula grew stronger, rising from humble beginnings to become a figure larger than life. This is the story of a man who defied the odds, solving problems no one else dared to touch, and in the process, finding pieces of himself. Through his journey, you’ll uncover not only how he mastered the art of fixing but also how he transformed the lives of those who crossed his path. Dive into 'Wafula the Fixer' and discover a tale of resilience, mystery, and the extraordinary power of seeing the world through a different lens.

Modern Inventor reincarnated into Hephaestus. How will mythology change?

“I'm on the hunt for someone special, someone who would howl at the full moon with me. And you, my dear, seem to check all the right boxes,” Thorin tried to seduce Riona with his mesmerizing gaze. “Not in this lifetime, not in any lifetime.” But Riona couldn’t stand the sight of that smug face. What did Thorin hope to gain from a fangless vampire who couldn’t even turn into a bat, anyway? There must be something seriously wrong with the brain of that infuriating Alpha werewolf. *** Since their parents died, Riona Kahler and her brother have been adopted by the King of Eira, who treats them more like overworked houseplants than a cherished family. As the only vampires in Eira without fangs, they're outcasts among their own kind, toothless and ridiculed. Riona's spirit remains unbroken until her brother falls ill due to the palace's cruelty. Determined to protect him, Riona vows to escape, but there's only one way to do that. Thorin Klein is one of the most famous Alpha werewolves, renowned not only for his charming looks but also for claiming the Alpha title at the tender age of thirteen. Despite his howling success, his mother’s powerful werewolf clan, the Klein, never acknowledged him because his father went rogue. Determined to prove his worth to the Klein clan, Thorin believes he has finally found a potential solution. Though Riona couldn’t stand being around Thorin for more than one second, Riona realizes that marriage is their only path to achieving their goals. It's a love story that bites and barks in all the right places. #werewolf #Alpha #vampire #fromslavetoqueen #enemiestolovers #strongFL #contractmarriage

"M... Marissa! Are they my kids?" Rafael's eyes weren't moving away from the adorable kids' faces. "No, Rafael. They are not," Marissa said with a fake smile, "They aren't yours. Remember?" she batted her lashes quite dramatically, "We were never married!" Marissa Aaron’s elder sister Valerie Aaron jilted her blind boyfriend on her wedding day and ran off. For face-saving, Merissa's family pleaded to her to marry Raphael Sinclair. The irony? She was not allowed to tell her blind husband that she was not Valerie but Merissa Aaron. On the day of Raphael's successful eye surgery, Marissa got to know that Valerie was back to take her rightful place as Sinclaire’s daughter-in-law. Marissa tried explaining to her husband that she was the one married to him, but he did not believe her. Instead of any more convincing, heartbroken Merissa decided to leave the city without telling him, her secret. Raphael Sinclair was the classic definition of drop-dead gorgeous and was the only heir of the Sinclair group of industries. What would he do when he came to know that all this time the woman who offered him, her love and her body was not Valerie but her younger sister Marissa Aaron? How would he react when he came to know that he was the father of the babies Marissa was carrying in her womb? Would he go after Marissa and win her back? And the million-dollar question! Would Marissa ever be able to forgive him and love him again?

[Warning: Sexual content, lemons, comedy, MILFs, face-slapping, and a shameless protagonist!] ..... Creed Walden was a man of culture. Refined. Sophisticated. A true enjoyer of the finer things in life. Which was exactly why he ended up getting shot in the nuts. Who knew that messing with a gangster’s woman would lead to such unfortunate circumstances? One moment, he was enjoying the peak of pleasure, the next—BANG! Eternal darkness. But instead of fading into nothingness, he woke up… in a completely different world. A world he knew. It was the setting of a novel he had read ten years ago—a brutal, unforgiving wasteland where monstrous creatures roamed, and humanity teetered on the brink of extinction. The Apocalypse had begun. Here, humans awakened incredible talents to survive. Some became swordmasters, capable of cutting mountains in half. Others became mages, wielding fire and lightning at their fingertips. The strong ruled, the weak perished, and only those with true power could thrive. And Creed? He awakened… a summoning ability. Not bad, right? He could call forth mighty beasts, legendary heroes, or divine warriors to fight for him! At least, that’s what he thought. Until his first summon appeared. A gorgeous, sultry woman with horns, bat-like wings, and a very inappropriate outfit. A Succubus. It didn’t take long for Creed to realize the shocking truth—his summoning ability could only summon Succubi! The apocalypse was raging. Civilization was collapsing. People were awakening godlike powers to fight for survival. And here he was. Surrounded by beautiful, seductive demons who thrived on… other kinds of energy. Creed leaned back with a grin, his eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and wicked excitement. “...Well, I suppose there are worse fates.”

Hi, I’m Liam Remmick, and this is the story of how I killed my father, Steve Nazar—a total douche bag. If you’re gonna listen, I better start from the beginning. Don’t worry about spoilers; I don’t care if I ruin a thing or two. My mom, Shayla Remmick, left me at a young age, and I’ve been fending for myself ever since. She died when I was ten, so yeah, you can guess the rest. Unlike other kids with amazing dads, mine’s an absolute asshole. He fucked my mom, rejected her when she got pregnant, and then tried to eliminate us. Nice guy, right? Mom died protecting me from his assassins. Father of the year. After her death, I bounced between foster homes until they got tired of me. Now, I live in a cave with bats instead of cockroaches—it’s a win, right? I’ve learned to handle them. When I’m not eating bat meat, I hunt for mushrooms, snails, and wild boars—though I’ve only caught broken bones so far. Don’t judge me; I’m an eleven-year-old living alone. ……………………………..✍️ A blond-haired man in his fifties stands combat-ready, wielding a sword against a grey-haired man. The grey-haired man, Seth, has a one-bladed scythe floating beside him. “Each time we do this, you’re always the one on the ground. Don’t you think you should give up?” Seth asks, smirking. “This time will be different. I’ll wipe that smirk off your face, Seth,” Steve replies. Their blades clash, sparks flying as they exchange blows. “You’re still as reckless as ever, Steve,” Seth says, dodging a wild swing. “And you’re still as arrogant,” Steve retorts, landing a kick that Seth barely blocks. The two combatants dance across the battlefield, their movements lightning-fast. Seth summons a swirling vortex of shadows, attempting to ensnare Steve. But Steve counters with his “Ten Thousand Swords” technique, unleashing a barrage of sword strikes that shred the shadows. Seth leaps back, avoiding the attacks by mere inches. “You’ve improved.” Steve sneers. “Not enough to take you down?” Seth smiles grimly. “We’ll see.” With a swift gesture, Seth unleashes a wave of dark energy. Steve counters with his sword, channeling a burst of light energy. The two forces collide, unleashing a shockwave that shakes the ground. Their battle rages on, neither warrior yielding. …………………………….. ✍️ Welcome back. This story isn’t about them; it’s about me. You’ll meet them soon enough. So, do I have your attention? Good! Isn’t this a story you want to see to the end? Let’s begin. Oh, and this story’s called Shadow.

In the realm of Zephorya, Cassian Black finds himself at a vital juncture where insurrection and persecution happen continuously. Cassian, the son of the head of the Association Utopia (AU), struggles with the weight of his legacy and the confining expectations that follow. "Bands," ancient metallic bracelets that provide enormous powers to their wearers—those who utilize them are known as Bandits—help to reshape the world.  Disappointed with the rigid AU regulations and anxious to create his own path, Cassian bids farewell to his privileged life, only to return some years later. This time, with a Band of his own.

In the sprawling waste zones of Ashfield, a city choked by the refuse of a broken society, Jack Vesper sorts through discarded junk with no real future in sight. At 25, he's just another misfit, another person tossed aside by the world, now working a grueling job as a garbage sorter. The days are monotonous, but when he stumbles upon a strange, black metal sphere buried deep in the trash, everything changes. Curious, Jack presses a hidden button on the sphere, releasing a small black chip into his hand. It feels heavy with mystery and potential, too precise to be just another piece of discarded tech. With no one else around on a slow Saturday shift, Vesper pockets the chip and continues his work, unaware that this seemingly insignificant object is about to pull him into a new, dangerous world. Jack's curiosity gets the better of him, and he travels to a long-forgotten lab on the outskirts of the city. The lab, once a hub for cutting-edge research, is now abandoned, its halls lined with old maps, blueprints, and cryptic notes. As he begins to study the charts, he discovers a book of labyrinths spanning the globe-labyrinths not just made of stone, but of technology and power, their existence hidden from the world. Some of these labyrinths hold secrets of unimaginable value; others, unfathomable dangers. The chip seems to be a key-a gateway into these labyrinths. As Jack begins to piece together the labyrinth's secrets, he realizes that it could lead him to a power unlike anything the world has ever known. But with that power comes the threat of those who would stop at nothing to control it. The line between friend and foe blurs, and Vesper must navigate not only the physical maze but the twisted web of secrets and lies surrounding him. The adventure begins with one small chip-and the future depends on what Jack discovers within the labyrinth's depths.

Deep in a dark cave, on the far side of the hill cliff continent, laid a small 4-foot bat, with a proclivity for magic, and a burning passion for sorcery, but unfortunately for them. they were born in a death trap of murderous 9-foot-tall family members, ready to bite at her neck and eat her alive at any given moment, which was already a horror story in itself, but when she finds herself unable to progress and incapable of escaping, she ends up having to rely on her natural affinity for magic, and higher intellect to find her way out.

I got completely hooked on this web novel, and suddenly, I was sucked into my phone! Now, I'm stuck in another world, turned into a pathetic level one bat. The system has made it clear: I can't go back home until I claw my way up to the rank of Dark Lord!

(Currently being revised so the story may be incoherent) "Knowledge, There you are! We need to do this quickly before the other gods notice." Valor says as he motions for her to approach. "I'm surprised you agreed to help with this." Gluttony adds with a cruel smile. "I never would have thought the God of Knowledge would be the one to give us aid." Knowledge mearly nods at his words. "Now, this is it! That crazy bat from the far continent has made some crazy monsters before but this one is the cream of the crop. Fully capable of self-evolution and self-replication. It can breed a whole army of different monsters by gathering the essence of other lifeforms!" Valor says as he points to a large egg on the ground. She nods again. "You know, I thought you'd be as excited as I am with this? Endless war and power; we'll have full control of the system once this thing begins its rampage." Knowledge raises her hands in the air and shakes them unenthusiastically. "As sarcastic as ever I see. Well, whatever. Place your hand hand here and help us with the seal." She does as she is told and a huge beam of light descends upon the egg; but her attention is elsewhere. Using the ceremony as a distraction, Knowledge brings lost souls from other worlds and implants them in unsuspecting inhabitants. She can see it. Tiny seeds of change have been sewn.

In a world forever changed by the catastrophic "Metal Storm" six years ago, humanity stands divided between those who wield incredible powers gifted by a mysterious cure and those who don't. The cure, originally created to save children from a deadly virus, granted extraordinary abilities to survivors-powers that became the key to defending the planet from the relentless assault of colossal mechs. Yuki, an orphan with no powers and no memories of the attack that claimed millions, struggles to find his place at the Academy-a fortress-like institution training the next generation of power-wielders, mech pilots, and engineers. Haunted by recurring dreams of a ruined city and a towering mech, Ren is driven to uncover the truth behind his past and why he alone remains unchanged. As he navigates the harsh hierarchies of the Academy, clashes with powerful rivals, and bonds with unlikely allies, Ren begins to unravel secrets that could alter humanity's fate. What he discovers will force him to confront not only his own identity but the origins of the cure itself and the hidden truths of the Metal Storm. A tale of courage, friendship, and mystery, Phantom Cure explores what it truly means to be human in a world on the brink of destruction.*

--- "El Guardián del Génesis Catastrófico" Aiden nunca imaginó que su vida terminaría bajo una viga de metal, ni que su muerte sería solo el comienzo. Ahora, atrapado en un misterioso sistema que fusiona mecánicas de videojuegos con un mundo lleno de criaturas y peligros, su alma renace en la forma de un Lagarto Albatrex, una criatura aparentemente débil pero llena de potencial. En este nuevo mundo, donde la oscuridad y el misterio se entrelazan con la magia y la evolución, Aiden debe adaptarse rápidamente. Guiado por un enigmático sistema que revela estadísticas, habilidades y la promesa de evolución, cada batalla y decisión lo acercan a desentrañar los secretos del Fragmento Cero, un poder tan antiguo como peligroso. Mientras lucha por sobrevivir en un entorno hostil, explorando frondosos bosques, enfrentándose a criaturas mortales y descubriendo vestigios de una civilización olvidada, Aiden comienza a comprender que su destino no es casual. ¿Podrá alcanzar la cima de la Escala Universal del Alma y convertirse en el guardián que este mundo necesita? Una historia épica de renacimiento, evolución y el incansable deseo de trascender los límites de la existencia. ---

A young Khan wakes up from a strange dream, a dream where he wore an armor of gold, ivory, and silk. Yet he lays on a mattress of some sort, wearing nothing but tattered rags. It was a dream, right? But it felt so real, the pain of metal piercing his neck, the impact of his dying body on the sandy floors of a world where the sky was a diminishing shade of turquoise, splotched with the occasional light, like a daunting prison cell. What an odd dream that was. (All content in this story is attributed to Deepwoken.)

In a universe on the brink of chaos, Aamon, a mortal bound to the eldritch King in Yellow, hunts threats that disrupt cosmic balance. Tasked with eliminating demons, monstrous aberrations, sinners, cultists, and eldritch beings, Aamon wields unearthly powers granted by his master. Traveling across realms, each with unique laws and dangers, Anon acts as both executioner and investigator.

Eliot was one of the most ruthless serial killers of the modern era. He had been the nightmare of countless victims, but his reign of terror finally ended when he was captured and brought to justice. The electric chair was meant to close the chapter of his life, and the last thing he felt was unbearable pain, followed by an endless void of darkness. He was certain of one thing—he was dead. But for Eliot, death was not the end. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a dark, unfamiliar forest. As he tried to make sense of what was happening, a cold, metallic voice echoed in his mind: > “Oma energy loading... Loading complete."

Dans le royaume tentaculaire d'Elandris, un jeune guerrier nommé Damon Blackthorn tombe sur un artefact ancien qui aurait été forgé par le feu du dragon. Alors que de nouveaux pouvoirs émergent en lui, le destin de Damon est lié à une guerre imminente qui menace de déchirer le royaume. Alors qu’il se bat contre des cultes obscurs, des seigneurs de la guerre impitoyables et sa propre obscurité intérieure, Damon doit maîtriser la formidable magie de la Couronne - avant qu’elle ne le consume ou n’ouvre une ère de colère des dragons.

Mo Xiao slowly regained consciousness in a desolate mechanical ruin. His head ached intensely, and his memories were like scattered sand, impossible to piece together. The pungent smell of rust filled the air. Twisted metal debris all around was emitting wisps of smoke. What made his blood run cold even more were the monsters wandering among the ruins. They had strange figures, some like a grotesque fusion of machinery and flesh, emitting low - pitched roars. Mo Xiao curled up in fear, not knowing where he was or why he was there. However, the instinct for survival quickly calmed him down. In this perilous place, he clenched his trembling fists and decided to explore his own background and the truth behind this apocalyptic world.

Etiquetas: [No humano + Asencion Mecánica + Débil a Fuerte + Sin Romance] En el ocaso de su vida, un hombre mayor, consumido por la soledad y el peso de los años, experimenta lo inimaginable. Con su último aliento, su conciencia es arrancada de su frágil cuerpo humano y traslada al núcleo de un T-1000, un avanzado androide de metal líquido con capacidades infinitas de transformación. Sin embargo, este no es el final de su historia, sino el principio de una odisea interdimensional. Su cuerpo aquirio la habilidad de viajar en diferentes mundos aleatorios, junto con la capacidad de adaptación de su cuerpo. Veamos cómo él nombre de Cross resuena por la eternidad. [El protagonista puede viajar entre tres mundo diferentes al principio: Marvel cinematográfico, Transformers World y Game of Trhones.] [Primer Mundo - Mundo Transformers]

Disillusioned with Earth and Humanity, a the Father of Modern Smart AIs plants a highly experimental FOW-AI on Omega Ark. In the process, dies, and sends the Ark off. Its journey takes it to a far, far away planet that is straight out of a fantasy. Charged with its only directive of settling the planet under its control, it does just that. However, the Ai, named Opal, begins to wonder about many a thing.

Pangu split the chaos to create the world but sacrificed himself in the process. His corpses incarnated into all things. His eyes became the sun and moon, his breath formed wind and clouds, his voice transformed into thunder and lightning, his bones turned into metal, and so much more. How could a world be bereft of life? Numerous lifeforms came into being, including dragons, phoenixes, qilin, and, of course, gods. The mighty heavenly emperor, Di Jun. The kind creator of the Underworld, Empress Pingxin. The beautiful lunar goddess, Changxi. The heroic sun slayer, Houyi. And most famous of all, the inheritors of Pangu, the Three Purities. Laozi, the Heavenly Venerable of Virtuous Way; Yuanshi, the Heavenly Venerable of Primordial Beginning; Tongtian, the Heavenly Venerable of Numinous Treasures. There was one teeny problem. "Why the hell am I a girl?" Tongtian shouted at the heavens.

--- **Ever dreamed of being immortal, wielding cool powers, and going on crazy adventures with your friends? Fighting nightmares and monsters in a modern fantasy world?** Well, guess what? That wish came true—for me—without my consent. My name is Samuel Roger, and I am an orphan desperate for attention. People found me annoying, neighbors called me a pervert, but none of that stopped me from seeking connection. Then, on my 19th birthday, life threw me the ultimate cliché: I got hit by a truck. I survived—only to die moments later when a metal pipe took me out. But death wasn’t the end. My soul fused with another teen named Andrea Rein, who shared my personality. It was almost like looking in a mirror—so, no, I didn’t change. Sam Roger and Andrea Rein became one together, and we’re ready to cause some chaos. Join Andrea on his quest for fun, friendship, and adventure in a new world. With his family and friends by his side, they’ll fight monsters, face nightmares, and forge unbreakable bonds. Because sometimes, the best adventures start with a little mischief. --- The book is a rewrite of my previous novel which got rejected so I changed my attitude in my novel and created a different but same story if you want to see the previous story, it is called Horoscope Death is a Coward. I will promise the book will be up-to-date and more friendly. The story picture is from AI support me by sending power stone and adding the book to your library THANK YOU

a young man name Li shen is a currently working in a construction sight when a Earth quick happens and got covered by a pile of large metals and died "sigh... dying in a work is so headache." this is Xuan realm a world of cultivator and this is the journey of me lu Chen the second son of the Chen family!!! and became the strongest cultivator in every realm

Dans un monde sombre et oppressif, Kael, un jeune homme-loup brisé par des années de captivité, découvre progressivement qu'il est bien plus qu'une simple victime. À travers des souvenirs troublants, il réalise qu'il pourrait être la réincarnation d'Adrian Mas, un historien passionné et trahi. Un éveil s'opère en lui, révélant des pouvoirs mystérieux et une connexion profonde à une magie redoutable, celle des Chaînes. Alors qu'il se bat pour survivre dans une arène cruelle, Kael se rend compte qu'il est destiné à jouer un rôle bien plus grand : celui de mener une rébellion contre l'oppression. Avec l'aide de nouveaux alliés, il entame une quête pour changer son destin et celui de tous les hommes-loups.

With every move of her hands and every batting of her lashes, Selene was able to captivate the world with her delicate beauty. She was the "Queen of Showbiz," the beloved of the Castillo family, unlike Keira, the ugly duckling of the family. It didn't matter the context or truth behind the issue, Keira was to be blamed by everyone. "Selene can do no wrong! How can such a delicate, fragile thing think ill of someone? It must be Keira who is making up lies!" "How dare you cause your sister to become sick! Receive your punishment!" Such words were a norm for Keira. The place she called home was Hell's Gate, and the people she called family were poisonous demons. Her life was filled with blame and abuse hurled by her sister's supporters. She was schemed against, attacked, and ruined to the point of no return. The last nine months of her life were the worst. Her insomnia had developed into Sporadic Fatal Insomnia, causing her to lose weight as she suffered consistent sleepless nights. At the age of 23, Keira Castillo passed away alone in her dingy apartment. Her final moments were filled with dread as she begged and prayed to whichever god was listening. "If only I had one more chance..." To her delight, she had regressed to when she was 18. 'The man you love? I'm taking him. The title 'Queen of Showbiz'? That's also mine. Everything you gained from stepping all over me, I will take. My dear Selene, I will play you in the palms of my hands and live my life the way I was supposed to.'

I leaned forward and kissed him but he pushed me backward, sending me flying to the ground. Josiah rushed forward but I held an arm out, stopping him in his tracks. I could feel my bones solidifying, my flesh turning to metal and with a sharp blow, I slammed Tony into the fence behind us. "Let's go" Josiah said drawing circles on my shoulder and I followed him, my heart broken.

After the great war 15 years ago between humans and demons, the victorious humans then focused more on developing the Beast Summoner sect. As the only survivor of his family who was mysteriously killed on a full moon night shortly after the great war, Yan Shengxin was always looked down upon, ostracized and ridiculed. Furthermore, he deliberately only used a small Beast Bat. In fact, he was a Ghost Summoner, the only Summoner in the world who could summon ghosts. With ghosts such as Gǔ Tiān Ān'nà, Tú Yòu, Gēn Dé Rú Wǎng, Xuè Dì or commonly called Dracula, Yuè Láng or Werewolf, Xuě Yāo or Yuki-Onna, Huà Líng or Obake, the Skeleton army, and many other ghosts, Yán Shèngxīn's journey as a Ghost Summoner in uncovering the mystery of his family's murder 15 years ago will be very interesting.

Discontinued - if you're intrigued by the premise of this story, please check out AGŌN by Yann on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/AGON-YANN/dp/B0C5P5HK56 Born into a nomadic culture which had just usurped an empire, Yarhaci set sail North in search of conquest. All he found was ice, darkness and a thousand year slumber. Awakened in an unfamiliar metal room in the year 2100, he finds himself reborn in a sterile society looking towards conquering the stars. Yarhaci attends the illustrious Stellar Academy and finds that, past or present, the machinations of the simian mind stay the same. As he chases understanding in a complex world, power and influence clash about him.

When the curtains rise and the band takes the stage, Bonnie steals the spotlight—not just for his magnetic presence and bass guitar riffs, but for the secrets he hides beneath his human-like exterior. Far from the mindless machines many believe, the animatronics of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza are something more—humanlike beings wrapped in synthetic skin, their metallic cores concealed within. One night, the crew stumbles upon a frightened yet fearless little girl named Ariana, hiding in the shadows of the pizzeria. With nowhere to go and secrets of her own, she finds herself thrust into the animatronic world, discovering they are more alive than she ever imagined. Among them, Bonnie is the first to truly connect with Ariana. He becomes her protector, drawn to her innocence and tenacity. But as their bond deepens, a forbidden romance begins to bloom—one between the bassist who hides a metallic core and the human girl who sees the soul within. As danger looms and secrets unravel, Bonnie and Ariana must navigate a world where neither fully belongs, and where love between flesh and steel is as mysterious as it is perilous.