Lantern Rite Ost

In the world of Eden, turning 18 isn't just another birthday; it's a pivotal moment, a rite of passage that marks the transition into adulthood. It's the day a young citizen receives their very own System – a personalized technological companion interwoven with their very being, shaping their future and unlocking their potential. This year, the spotlight shines on Shawn, a young man who recently celebrated his 18th birthday and embarked on this transformative journey. This novel delves into the significance of turning 18 in Eden, explores the mysteries of the world of Eden, and examines the unique challenges and opportunities that await Shawn as he begins this new chapter.

The Peony Pavilion In a world where beauty and tradition reign, Lin Xiaohua is the obedient daughter of a noble family, her future carefully arranged to secure her family’s honor. Bound to a loveless betrothal with the ruthless General Wang, Xiaohua finds herself yearning for more than duty and appearances—a yearning for freedom, passion, and the chance to follow her own heart. When an enchanting encounter with a mysterious stranger at the lantern festival sparks a longing she cannot ignore, Xiaohua’s carefully structured life begins to unravel. His piercing blue eyes promise a life of possibilities, yet their connection remains as fleeting as the light of a lantern drifting into the night. As Xiaohua grapples with her duties and her dreams, the shadows of imperial politics and her fiancé’s dangerous cruelty loom ever larger. With her younger brother Jingwei offering innocent joy and the love of family, Xiaohua must decide whether to risk everything to defy the fate imposed on her—or resign herself to a gilded cage. A tale of love, sacrifice, and resilience, The Peony Pavilion is a poignant journey through the beauty and cruelty of a world where one woman dares to challenge her destiny.

Hadrian never expected to die—let alone wake up in another world as the frail, sickly son of a duke. Tasked by a god to unite humanity and destroy the monstrous races threatening its survival, Hadrian initially dismisses the divine mission as irrelevant. But when personal tragedy strikes, he embraces his role with a burning resolve, determined to forge a path of vengeance, innovation, and unrelenting ambition. In a fractured world where humans are teetering on the edge of extinction, Hadrian must navigate political intrigue, familial bonds, and the looming spectre of war. Armed with memories of his past life and a mysterious system that grants him knowledge and power, he begins introducing revolutionary changes to his dukedom—from crop rotation to matchlock muskets—all in preparation for the battles to come. As he improves his holding and builds alliances, Hadrian’s relationships grow increasingly complex. His sharp wit and newfound confidence put him at odds with his manipulative older sister, Helena, even as a deeper connection begins to form between them. His bond with his steadfast older brother, Alexander, is tested by suspicion and rivalry. Meanwhile, the looming threat of goblins, orcs, and the sinister Church of the Flame hangs over his every move. The Last Banner is a tale of survival and ambition, blending the grit of dark fantasy with the calculated strategy of a military epic. Through disciplined formations, tactical brilliance, and unwavering determination, Hadrian sets out to unite humanity under his banner and reclaim a world that has all but forgotten the strength of its people. But as the stakes rise and the lines blur between saviour and conqueror, Hadrian must confront the cost of his ambition. Will he become the beacon of hope that humanity desperately needs, or will his quest for power ignite the flames of its final downfall? [sorry guys, I did already rite 16 chapters for what I thought this story needed to be, but it was too slow paced for me, I could've called that a prologue that's how far away it was from the main story i had planned for this novel, so this is attempt two, it gets straight into the kingdom building, but don't worry, there's still a bit of tragedy, as that is life isn't it, hope u enjoyyy.] -join the discord[https://discord.gg/zhwebYYm]

Shen Yan a insisté pour épouser ce Fu Hang, au risque d'être abandonnée par sa famille et ses proches. Elle pensait qu'après trois ans, elle parviendrait à faire fondre la glace dans son cœur. Cependant, lorsque cet homme l'a enchaînée et forcée à s'agenouiller devant sa famille pour avouer des erreurs qu'elle n'avait jamais commises, Shen Yan a réalisé que le cœur de cet homme était fait de glace. Lorsqu'elle est tombée à l'eau en même temps que sa belle-sœur aînée, Chloe Lindsey, Fu Hang a plongé au premier instant et a sauvé Chloe Lindsey. Il a emmené Lin Xing à l'hôpital tandis que Shen Yan, qui ne savait pas nager, pouvait seulement attendre que le garde vienne la sauver. L'enfant dans le ventre de Chloe Lindsey n'a pas survécu à l'épreuve et elle a fait une fausse couche. Fu Hang a amené Shen Yan auprès de sa famille sans aucune explication et lui a demandé de s'agenouiller et d'admettre son erreur. Ses yeux sous ses sourcils aiguisés étaient impitoyablement perçants, comme s'il avait planté un couteau dans le cœur de Shen Yan. « Après que Grand Frère soit parti, il n'a laissé qu'un enfant derrière lui. Tu n'aurais pas dû tuer cet enfant ! » « Je ne l'ai pas fait. C'est elle qui a sauté ! » « Qu'attends-tu ? Agenouille-toi et avoue ton erreur ! » Trois ans après son mariage, Shen Yan était convaincue que même un chien avait plus de valeur qu'elle dans la famille Fu, sans parler de Chloe Lindsey que Fu Hang aimait vraiment. Juste avant que l'un de ses genoux ne touche le sol, Fu Hang pensait encore que Shen Yan allait admettre son erreur. Peu s'attendait-il à ce que Shen Yan se redresse lentement et dise : « Fu Hang, divorçons. Je vais juste prétendre que j'ai donné ces trois dernières années aux chiens. Personne ne mérite que je gaspille ma jeunesse après ça ! » Ainsi, Shen Yan a décidé de rentrer chez elle et d'accepter son héritage qui valait des centaines de milliards. Une vie glorieuse l'attendait !

【Pure Immortal Heroic Fantasy, infused with both immortal intent and gallant spirit, refining insights on human relationships, seeking immortality, more than thirty thousand reservations, averaging nine thousand】 Forever reminiscing rivers and lakes under silvery hair, desiring to return to the cosmos in a simple boat. Peach and plum blossoms in the spring breeze, a cup of wine; rivers and lakes in the night rain, a lantern for ten years. Chen Dengming stepped into the chaotic world of rivers and lakes, only reaching the Innate Realm in his twilight, but Innate Martial Arts wasn't the ultimate destination of his heart's rivers and lakes, it was to cultivate for longevity that marked the beginning of his dreams. If practicing Kung Fu can prolong life, then cultivating the Dao can certainly point directly to immortality. Practicing martial arts, refining Gu, cultivating Dao, seeking longevity... This is a story about an ordinary traveler stepping into rivers and lakes, into the World of True Cultivation, seeking the path to immortality one step at a time. Read about cultivation in the twilight years, savor the vigorous life! Young reader, you truly understand cultivation! ...This book was formerly titled "Late Bloomer: My Immortal Life"! (The author has previously completed a nearly five million word, eighty thousand high reservation three-star martial arts masterpiece, "Indestructible Mighty Fortress Leader," rest assured and enjoy)

Growing up in poverty, Sunny never expected anything good from life. However, even he did not anticipate being chosen by the Nightmare Spell and becoming one of the Awakened - an elite group of people gifted with supernatural powers. Transported into a ruined magical world, he found himself facing against terrible monsters - and other Awakened - in a deadly battle of survival. What's worse, the divine power he received happened to possess a small, but potentially fatal side effect... Character art by @Catphinee Discord: discord.gg/guiltythree Wiki: shadowslave.fandom.com OST: youtube.com/@skeuzmusic Reddit: reddit.com/r/shadowslave

In Ogun's Kingdom, gods once walked among mortals, their presence leaving echoes of power, mystery, and ambition. Now, only the masked bearers of divine blessings bridge the gap between humans and the forgotten pantheon. Thorne Ironhold, a blind boy born into the prestigious Ironhold fief, stands at a precipice. Blessed by an unknown god during the sacred mask rite, he is labeled a "Stray"—an outcast marked by powers beyond mortal comprehension. Yet beneath the shadows of his failure lies an unimaginable secret: Thorne's mask holds the power to defy the natural order. As Thorne ventures from his father's forge to the treacherous Garden of the Gods and the rigorous academy, he seeks not only to carve his own path but to uncover the truth behind his destiny. Every battle tests his limits, every limit surpassed brings him closer to the power once lost to men—and closer to the chaos lurking within. In a world where dances summon divine might and masks conceal more than they reveal, Thorne's journey becomes a quest to challenge the gods themselves. But as he walks the path they once tread, he must ask: Will he rise among the embers of forgotten legends, or be consumed by them?

The Lantern of Lost Wishes Deep in the heart of Luminwood Forest, where the air hums with secrets and fireflies weave trails of forgotten dreams, there is a legend of an ancient lantern that can grant lost wishes. No one knows who made it or why, but those who go looking for it rarely find their way back. For Elyra, the lantern is more than a story. It’s a chance. Haunted by a past she can’t change and a future slipping through her fingers, Elyra sets out to find the lantern, clutching nothing but a faded map and a fragile hope. But the forest is alive. It shifts and listens. Creatures of shadow, known as the Wraithbound, follow her every move, feeding on the desperate wishes of others. Elyra’s only ally is a mysterious stranger with golden eyes and a grin that hides more than it reveals. He’s cursed, dangerous, and far too familiar with the forest’s tricks—and yet, Elyra can’t shake the feeling that he’s the only one who truly understands her. With every step deeper into the woods, Elyra discovers that wishes are never free, and some are lost for a reason. The closer she gets to the lantern, the heavier the cost becomes—secrets unravel, alliances shatter, and the forest itself begins to turn on her. Elyra must decide how far she’s willing to go to reclaim what she’s lost and whether some dreams are better left untouched. Because in the Luminwood, every wish carries a price, and once the lantern’s light finds you, it’s impossible to turn back. A story of longing, sacrifice, and the magic we hold onto when all else fades, The Lantern of Lost Wishes is a journey into a world where dreams flicker like fireflies, and hope is both a blessing and a curse.

In the grand kingdom of Eryndor, where power and status are determined by one's rank in the hierarchy of alphas, betas, and omegas, Prince Xavier Bloodthorne—the kingdom's fiercest alpha—stands at the center of royal intrigue. Groomed to be the next king, Xavier is pressured to choose a mate from noble alpha or beta houses to strengthen alliances. However, his heart is closed off, burdened by duty and a tragic past. Meanwhile, deep in the outskirts of the kingdom, lives Vale Rivers, a soft-spoken but fiercely independent omega who hides his secondary gender to avoid exploitation. Kael dreams of freedom beyond the rigid confines of societal roles, never imagining his destiny is intertwined with royalty. Their worlds collide during the annual Moonlit Rite, a sacred festival where fated pairs are revealed through an ancient bond. When Xavier is drawn to an unassuming stranger in the crowd, he realizes Vale is his destined mate—a bond unbreakable yet forbidden in the eyes of tradition. As the story unfolds, Xavier must protect Vale from political conspiracies, jealous rivals, and those who wish to exploit their union. At the same time, Vale challenges the alpha prince's notions of strength and leadership, teaching him that vulnerability and love are the greatest forms of power. Together, they must navigate a world that threatens to tear them apart while uncovering secrets about their bond that could change Eryndor forever.

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.

in one day, her whole world tilted, this morning she had a loving mother and father, a home full and happy and in the blink of an eye she lost everything, she See's the body of her parents go up in flames as the last rites are performed. She is relegated to the background waiting for the day her life will shine anew, waiting for her mate, her alpha. But it all comes crashing down, when the person who's supposed to protect her the most ends up hurting her even more, the rejection too hard, she closes off her heart from any future possibilities but how long can she keep it that way, when a handsome new alpha appears at the doorstep of her heart, will she keep holding on to the past pain or let herself start afresh.

The Ancient War looms over the continent of Turia yet again. Join Aron Raffal as he discovers his legacy as an Otherworlder and Starfolk, the race that was once Turia's strongest but was exiled from the world. "Bear her lantern, Walk her path, for when Polaris calls, Destiny falls. For when Polaris calls, annihilation befalls."

A story of how Bryan West established his monarchy in the modern world.

Book 1 is now available for order! Volume 1: https://a.co/d/0ao1rdn0 The first volume has been taken down for the Amazon release. Published by Riverfolk Publishing. *********************************** My name is Tim or was that is until I died, there was no light at the end of the tunnel, no white room to choose any cheats from, nor was there any meeting with God. I didn’t die heroically saving someone, and I certainly didn’t get hit by a truck. My death was rather stupid and anticlimactic, I had apparently bumped my head while sleeping and passed away... That should have been the end of the road for me but like many self-proclaimed main characters, I joined the army of multi-dimension travelers and was reincarnated. Being an avid light novel and manga reader, I would have been excited at the opportunity, if not for my new siblings who tried to kill me as soon as I was born, or my mother who seemed to have something with throwing me off cliffs, and let’s not forget my murderous father who forced me to flatten a small country as my Rite of passage. Oh did I mention I was reborn as a Dragon? PS: Earlier releases on patreon: www.patreon.com/Simobimo Cover art by Instagram: Simplegray_owo Link to the discord: https://discord.gg/vCHrZB5xmX Release schedule: 1 day yes, 1 day no. Advanced chapters on Patreon.

Dans un monde façonné par une mystérieuse énergie appelée l’Essence, zaza, le Créateur, a donné naissance au royaume de Pafiona, il y a des siècles. Après sa disparition soudaine, un arbre géant aux pouvoirs dévastateurs, porteur de secrets ancestraux, apparaît à la frontière de l’univers. Cet arbre, véritable relique de la création, marque le début d’un bouleversement imminent. Le fils du Créateur vit une existence tranquille, ignorant tout de ses origines et des pouvoirs qu’il hérite de son père. Pourtant, à mesure que le monde de Pafiona se déstabilise et que de puissantes forces s’éveillent, il commence à ressentir des changements inexplicables en lui. Lorsqu’il découvre l’existence de l’arbre légendaire et des pouvoirs qui y sont liés, il est confronté à la vérité : il est l’héritier du Créateur, destiné à porter la même lourde responsabilité. Accompagné de Kara, une mage mystérieuse capable de manipuler les éléments, et de Renn, un ancien guerrier doté d’une force surnaturelle, le fils du Créateur se lance dans un périple périlleux. Ensemble, ils affrontent des ennemis redoutables : des seigneurs de guerre, des créatures magiques, et des entités venues des ombres de l’univers. Tous convoitent le pouvoir caché dans l’Essence, dont Zaza est la clé. Le fils du Créateur doit non seulement maîtriser les pouvoirs hérités de son père mais aussi découvrir les sombres secrets enfouis dans les profondeurs de Pafiona. Au fur et à mesure de ses batailles et des révélations sur son héritage, il comprend qu’il est lié à des forces qu’il ne peut entièrement contrôler, et qu’il devra choisir entre suivre les pas de son père pour sauver le monde ou l’anéantir pour le reconstruire selon sa propre vision. Mais à chaque victoire, l’ombre du Créateur plane, et le fils découvre que des ennemis plus puissants encore, dotés de pouvoirs surnaturels et liés à l’Essence, ne tarderont pas à surgir pour contester son pouvoir et son héritage. Le destin de Pafiona repose désormais sur ses épaules.

In the forest village of Gizakini, where magic flows through the shadows and the balance of Void and Aether governs life, the Rite of Shadowbinding is a sacred trial that defines every elf’s destiny. For young Xa’el, the ritual meant to awaken his connection to the Void takes everything from him—his life, his identity, and the future his family dreamed of. But death is not the end. Xa’el is reborn, his soul fused with that of a human from a distant, unfamiliar world. Haunted by fractured memories of Earth and the weight of his elven heritage, he returns to a village that no longer recognizes him. Named a Chronicler, a role that binds him to the preservation of elven lore, Xa’el discovers he is more than a keeper of the past—he is a force for change. The awakening has left Xa’el altered in ways his people do not understand. With the knowledge of science and technology blending with the magic of Ro, Xa’el begins to see his world not as it is, but as it could be. Yet his vision clashes with centuries of tradition, and his pursuit of progress places him at odds with the elders who fear the erosion of the balance that has kept their people alive.

In the bustling city of Metropolis in the World of Tamers, on the 18th birthday of its citizens, one goes through a binding ritual -a rite of passage- if successful you get a Pet, Companion, Entity, anything you want to call it and if you are not successful you lose your life, simple. There is nothing to worry about, with a success rate of 9%, not many go through it but if binding is successful, you get access to the privileges of high society, a life of comfort and luxury. Where do these Pets originate? What purpose do they serve? And why is such a binding necessary? What matters is the future that one can have so why bother about the past and its mysteries? After all, why dwell on the unknown when the path to prosperity lies clear? There will be companions lost, whether by your hands, your friend, or your enemy, all of which is part of the journey. What matters is how much you are willing to sacrifice for the dream only you share. This is a story of different people on their journey to the lives they dream of. They will encounter adversaries and be faced with some decisions and doubt if this dream they pursue is quite achievable but it is all part of the story, their story or a story they will all share

WSA 2025 Entry What can one do against inevitability? Fate? Circumstances out of one’s control? The answer to that, for a human, is not all that much. We toil under the designs of other, pawns in their sick games, moved around while we dance under the illusion of freedom. I had resigned myself to this reality, that it was just how life went, despite my yearning to do more, be more, be above my mortal constraints, above my humanity. Emphasis on had. Fate had now become all but a footnote. ……..………………………… I am writing this book for the sole purpose of sending myself to uni.

Tyren lantern has awoken with the knowledge of his world as a game. in said game he is seen as failure by his family and becomes a boss. believing this to be a dream he gets out of bed to unknowingly face the worst day of his young life. Uploads usually happen on the weekend

Ling Wugi, once known as the Heavenly Demon, was the epitome of evil. Feared across all realms, his cruelty knew no bounds—if he disliked someone, their death would be the most brutal imaginable. He had spent trillions of years wreaking havoc, conquering, torturing, and betraying, until the endless bloodshed left him numb. One day, as he rested in his immortal boredom, a strange flood of memories overwhelmed him. Memories of his past life on Earth—of a naive, bullied boy who never imagined the horrors to come. Then, in a surreal twist, everything around him began to glitch. In an instant, he woke up—back on Earth, but in a time long before he became the Heavenly Demon. A high schooler once more, facing the same old bullying. Yet, this world was different. Towers had appeared, massive structures stretching toward the sky, and hundreds of them now stood across the globe. At 18, people undergo the Awakening, a rite of passage that grants power. And Ling Wugi? He’s only a week away from his own. Just when he thought that this couldn't get any more shocking, a red, square shaped hovering screen comes up to him, showing him some text. [Ding, Killing System Initializing...] ### SuperGift - 5 Bonus Chapters

The scorching virus outbreak has driven Galea's ecosystems into chaos, infecting not only life forms but also advanced technologies. With no antidote in sight, the people of Galea turn to their last hope: the Authonoids, Authorized Androids engineered to combat this relentless virus. These androids are designed to fight the virus while being immune to its effects. But, the virus evolves rapidly, and the battle is far from over. As if the relentless virus wasn’t enough, some elites exploit the chaos, using the virus for their political gain. Tsuyuki, one of the Minerva's Authonoid, and his companions must find a way to accomplish the desperate struggle against the outbreak, political corruption, and unforeseen threats lurking in the shadows, before all is lost. "Mankind is dying, disorders are kings, heaven copulate hell." Content Warning: This novel contain explicit contents of violences, gores, profanities, and slight sexualities. PS 1: This is my passion project. So I will take it slowly yet consistently, where each week has new chapters. PS 2: The cover art wasn't mine. Sauce: https://wallpaperdot.com/devil-may-cry-wallpapers/ PS 3: If you wanna listen to my OSTs, here's the link: https://www.bandlab.com/mansonfd7/tracks?sort=popular PS 4: I will be posting this story on RoyalRoad.com. https://www.royalroad.com/profile/315742/fictions You can support me and my work on ko-fi: ko-fi.com/mansonfd7

The moon goddess is shattered. Her children, the werewolves, have forsaken the sacred ways she once held dear. No longer do they honor the bonds of matehood—now they marry whomever they desire, forsaking the ancient rites. The chosen alphas, once revered, have lost their power as pack leaders; now, wolves pick and discard them at will, following whims instead of tradition. The goddess watches in horror as the very fabric of her creation unravels. She cannot—*will not*—let her children spiral further into chaos. A change is coming, and she must act swiftly. The delicate balance must be restored, no matter the cost. But time is slipping away, and the answer she seeks is slipping through her fingers like moonlight on water.

In a world where destiny is determined by the Arcstone, everyone’s future is bound by their stats. Strength, Speed, Endurance, Intelligence, and Potential—these are the pillars of life in the Statocracy. For Kale, a scrawny outcast from a small village, the Rite of Revelation was supposed to define his place in the world. But when the Arcstone reveals nothing—no rank, no Potential—Kale becomes an anomaly. Branded as “unfit,” he’s cast out into the Wastes, exiled to a life of despair and death. Yet, where others see failure, an enigmatic old man named Rheon sees freedom. Free from the system’s chains, Kale holds a power few can imagine: the ability to grow beyond limits. As Kale learns to wield his untapped strength, he uncovers a truth that threatens the entire Statocracy. In a world where power is everything, what happens when someone refuses to be bound by the rules? With newfound determination and unshakable resolve, Kale sets out to defy fate, shatter the system, and forge a destiny of his own.

In this conglomerate of stars in a distant galaxy, there exists a rich and advanced civilization. The empire of this star cluster is a perfect blend of the Persian and Roman empires, with elements of magic and highly advanced technology. Governed with a balance of justice and strictness, life in the imperial palace was surrounded by luxury, conspiracies, and conquests. For Prince Darius, everything was limited to that closed world of luxury, cars, spaceships, horses, and he saw nothing beyond it. But everything changes on the day he returns from a victorious military campaign, after an overt war. As the royal entourage arrives, he spots a young woman in the crowd that greets them—a beauty without equal, saving an elderly woman from being trampled by the royal cavalry. They exchange a look of enchantment and flirtation, leaving the young prince captivated. The time for his coming-of-age rite is approaching, and soon he will need to choose a bride. Carolyna Roxanna is a hard-working, dreamy, and poor young woman who dislikes the current state of the empire. With the soul of an artist, she writes, dances, paints, and sculpts, also showing talent for music. But her greatest passion is nursing: she works three part-time jobs to save up for college and support her family. Secretly, she considers the nobility useless. The impossible happens: she is selected for an intervention program and ends up working in a popular restaurant frequented by the nobility. The worlds of these two are about to collide. Could there be a romance between an elite prince, the future emperor of the world, and a young commoner, or will their different opinions and choices drive them apart? Carolyna is surprising—and she have many secrets...

In the grand tapestry of existence, where countless realms converge and the threads of magic weave through the very fabric of reality, the rite of passage is not merely a tradition—it is destiny. On the day of their 18th birthday, every youth in the land of Eldoria faces the sacred Altar of Bonds, where they forge a linkage with a mystical creature, awakening untold powers within them. This is not just a bonding but an awakening, revealing abilities that reflect the depth of their connection to their chosen beast. Elias, a young man with a keen sensitivity to the magical currents that bind the world, stands at the precipice of his destiny. Raised on the fringes of the bustling city of Eldoria, surrounded by ancient forests and the mysterious Serene Lake, Elias has always felt the pull of a deeper, unseen world. On his 18th birthday, he chooses to link with an underestimated creature—a choice that will unveil his unique gift: the ability to see the potential evolution of any beast. As Elias delves into the mysteries of his power, he discovers that his fate is intertwined with that of the Nexus, a legendary realm believed to be the source of all magical beasts and the cradle of ancient, ascended powers. With dark forces seeking to control the Nexus for their sinister designs, Elias must navigate a path fraught with danger and intrigue. With the aid of allies both human and beast, Elias embarks on a journey that takes him beyond the boundaries of his world into the Nexus of Ascended Realms. Here, the true test of his abilities awaits—can he unlock the secrets of the Nexus before it falls into the wrong hands, threatening not only his world but all realms connected by the magical threads of the Nexus?

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Lila Hayes has always found peace and inspiration in her coastal town, where she creates beautiful lanterns that light up the annual Lantern Festival. Her lanterns are not only a local tradition but also a symbol of hope and renewal. Despite her success, Lila feels a sense of loneliness and longs for a deeper connection. Ethan Lawson, a historian and writer, returns to the town where he grew up after spending years researching and writing about various historical events. He arrives just in time for the Lantern Festival, drawn by its enchanting reputation and the town’s rich history. Ethan is particularly interested in a local legend about a hidden romance tied to the festival. When Ethan visits Lila’s art studio, he is captivated by her lanterns and the stories behind them. Intrigued by the legend, he convinces Lila to help him uncover the truth behind the old tale, believing it could provide the perfect inspiration for his book. As they delve into the town’s history and the legend of a lost romance, Lila and Ethan begin to spend more time together. Their research leads them to uncover hidden places and old secrets, and their collaboration gradually turns into a deep and meaningful connection. Their journey is filled with charming town festivals, late-night lantern crafting sessions, and moments of introspection. Lila and Ethan discover that their own stories are intertwined with the legend they are unraveling, leading to unexpected revelations about their own desires and dreams. As the Lantern Festival approaches, Lila and Ethan face their fears and insecurities. Ethan grapples with the possibility of returning to his life away from the town, while Lila contemplates opening her heart to someone new. Together, they must confront their pasts and make a choice about their future. In the end, “Whispers among the lanterns” is a heartwarming story about love, history, and the magic that happens when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and open to new possibilities.

In the ancient city of Ionia, where tradition and progress coexist harmoniously, 17-year-old Hana Tachibana dreams of following in her late mother's footsteps as a revered warrior. Trained in the way of the sword from a young age, Hana's determination and skill set her apart from her peers. The annual Warrior's Rite, an ancient tradition designed to select the city's protectors, offers Hana the opportunity to prove herself worthy of her mother's legacy. On the day of the Warrior's Rite, Hana faces a series of challenges that test her precision, endurance, and combat skills. With each obstacle, she demonstrates her remarkable abilities and earns the respect of the city's leaders and fellow competitors. Her unwavering focus and courage carry her through to the final combat test, where she triumphs and is officially recognized as a warrior of Ionia. However, Hana's journey is only beginning. As she steps into her new role, she discovers that being a warrior means more than just mastering the sword. It requires honor, resilience, and an unyielding commitment to protect her city and its people. Guided by the legacy of her mother and the teachings of Master Kazuo, Hana embarks on a path filled with challenges, mysteries, and the promise of adventure. Join Hana Tachibana as she navigates the trials of her new life, uncovering hidden strengths and forging unbreakable bonds along the way. In a world where honor and courage define the true spirit of a warrior, Hana's story is one of self-discovery, heroism, and the enduring legacy of the Tachibana family.

Darius DeGray is a major otaku, who also happens to be one of the most dangerous men alive in the US military. With his only family dead he's alone in the world, except for his best friend Críostóir Birns. Críostóir, otherwise known as Cris, is a buddy he met while on a trip to Ireland. He's also an otaku. Together they typically shun the world around them and play MMOs until one night, strange glowing symbols appear on Darius's screen. Darius is enveloped in light and transported to another world, gaining strange abilities in the process. With no idea how he got there and why he was sent, Darius must set out on a journey to discover the cause of his unexpected adventure.

For generations, the five elemental tribes have lived in uneasy harmony, bound by a fragile truce after a cataclysmic war nearly destroyed them all. Lynx, heir to the fire-wielding Maraku Tribe, along with his closest friends, Veryl and Vera of the waterborne Nalani Tribe, are preparing for their coming-of-age rites when unsettling events begin to unfold. Whispers of ancient powers resurface as tensions simmer beneath the surface. A growing darkness looms, threatening to unravel the delicate balance that has held the tribes together for so long. Secrets buried in the ashes of the old war emerge, and a long-forgotten enemy stirs. As strange occurrences sweep across the land, Lynx and his friends find themselves drawn into a mystery that could reshape the world. With powerful forces at play and loyalties tested, they must discover the truth before the flames of conflict ignite once more. But not all enemies are in the shadows—some are far closer than they realize.