Rusty Cage Soundgarden

Sovereign Zhen, once the greatest ruler of the Holy Firmament, has spent eons fighting, sacrificing, and seeking divinity, only to discover that the path he walked was a lie. When he shatters the boundaries of his world, he learns the horrifying truth: the Holy Firmament was never meant for ascension. It was a prison, a cage designed to keep immortal beings chained.

When Mara Kline returns to her late grandmother's isolated house to settle its affairs, she uncovers a dusty rotary phone in the attic—one that rings despite being unplugged. Answering it, she hears Ellie, a terrified girl claiming to be hiding in the same house in 1999, hunted by a masked man with a burlap face and a rusty knife. As the calls persist, Mara's reality fractures: muddy footprints appear, objects shift to echo her childhood, and a scar forms on her arm mirroring Ellie's wounds. The house bends time, pulling her into a nightmare where her father's grief-twisted memory stalks her across decades. Haunted by diaries she doesn't recall writing and visions of a past she's buried, Mara unravels a chilling truth. In a house echoing with loss, she fights to end the cycle, but even victory leaves a hollow—a whisper of the past that never fully fades. "The Girl I Buried" is a psychological horror tale of memory, identity, and the ghosts we stitch from our own wounds, blending visceral dread with a haunting emotional core.

(The Novel has kind of a slow start so bear with me :)) I was reincarnated as Lindarion Sunblade, a prince of the Elven Empire, destined for greatness—or so they say. In a world where magic, swordsmanship, and archery reign supreme, power is everything, and the strong shape history. But strength isn’t given, it’s earned. With a System awakening within me, one that pushes my limits, refines my mana, and helps forging my weapons into legendary artifacts, I refuse to be just another noble in a gilded cage. Trials await, enemies lurk in the shadows, and even among my own kind, power breeds conflict. But I will rise. Not just as a prince—but as a ruler, a warrior, and a legend.

Two centuries after the Great War, peace between humans and werewolves was finally achieved, or so everyone believes. Werewolves reign like gods, and humans remain blissfully unaware of their true place in the new world order. To maintain this fragile balance, each year, a handful of "lucky" humans are selected from various districts to attend Lunaris Academy, a prestigious institution that promises glory, status, and a chance to mingle with the elite. Those chosen are hailed as the lucky few, destined to marry powerful alphas and rise as luna. This year, Violet Purple is among the chosen, much to everyone's surprise. For an orphaned girl adopted by a disgraced prostitute, this is a golden ticket to a better life or so she's told. But Lunaris Academy isn’t the paradise it’s painted to be. Everything Violet and her fellow humans have been taught is a lie. Humans are far from equal; they're pawns in a much larger game. The academy is nothing but a gilded cage, and the students are lambs led to slaughter, playthings for the alphas to toy with in their ruthless games. To make matters worse, Violet catches the attention of the most dangerous players in this game, the Terror Four: the Alpha of the North, Alpha of the South, Alpha of the East, and Alpha of the West. Each one is more dangerous, more twisted, and more powerful than the last. But even among themselves, the alphas are divided, each with their own deadly ambitions. Yet, they all have their eyes on her. They expect Violet to play along, to fall in line like the others who worship at their feet, to break under their games. But Violet isn’t like the others. She refuses to bow. She’ll defy them all.

"Jangan khawatir sayang, kau tidak akan pernah kesepian lagi. Tak hanya aku, Serena pun akan menemani dan melayani mu sayang" "Materi miliyaran itu tak sebanding dengan jiwamu yang murni, aku ingin menikmati dan memilkimu"

Esterio Caelan’s a visionary, a tech savant forging a device to hurl humanity into a perfect dawn. His mind’s a furnace of brilliance, his invention a heartbeat from revolution. But there’s a shadow in the static—a voice not his own, clawing at the edges of his sanity. The world’s warping fast: spires of bone and light stab the sky, runes pulse like wounds in the dark, and the air hums with menace. Something’s stirring. Something older than gods, sealed beyond the stars when angels still sang and demons bowed. Esterio’s creation isn’t salvation—it’s a lockpick for a cage that’s held since creation’s first scream. His allies see glory, deaf to the cracks splitting the earth, blind to the wings and horns flickering in the haze. He sees it now: every circuit he solders isn’t a step forward—it’s a drumbeat summoning a war between heaven, hell, and something worse. Gods whisper promises, angels sharpen their blades, demons lick the shadows—and Esterio’s the fulcrum. One spark left. He could crown humanity’s future—or crack reality wide open for a reign that predates light itself. Time’s bleeding out, and the choice is his.

Willkommen in einem virtuellen unterirdischen Spiel ohne Schutz, voll von lauernden Spielern, die nach Überleben, Macht und Reichtum streben. Kieran hat sich ohne zu zögern für dieses VRMMORPG-Spiel entschieden, weil er wusste, dass dies die einzige Möglichkeit ist, dem Tod zu entkommen. Doch kann er dem Tod im echten Leben entkommen oder wird er am Ende im Spiel sterben?

Aurora's heart skipped a beat as her eyes met the prisoner's. His scream still echoed in her mind, but it was his gaze that left her breathless. Those dark, emotionless eyes seemed to see right through her, to the very soul she'd been trying to keep hidden and yet, despite the agony etched on his face, his expression remained stoic, a mask that both fascinated and terrified her. As she stood there, frozen in time, a rebellious thought whispered in her ear, “Visit the dungeon” It was a crazy idea, one that could get her into all sorts of trouble, but Aurora couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this mysterious prisoner than what met the eye. Born has a noble, Aurora had always felt like a bird in a gilded cage. She had everything she could possibly want, but none of it brought her true happiness. She longed for adventure, for passion, for a life that didn't feel like a predetermined script. And then, she stumbled into his world, a world of darkness and danger, where the rules she knew no longer applied. The prisioner wiith his enigmatic gaze and unyielding spirit, became her unlikely guide on a path that would shatter the illusions of her sheltered life and expose her to the raw, unbridled truth.

"hu-- ku..., whats happing" Jun is lying with a bag over his head both his hands and feet are bound, he is wearing rags the only thing thats seems worth of value is the neckless on his neck, a bright red ruby; one would say it looked like solid blood. the mansion the our main character was staying at just got invaded by a neighboring lord under the pretense of expansion, as the battle was ending it was looking grim for the previous city lord, as he was nowhere to be found during all this chaos many thought he had fled out of fear, as our main character was being dragged to a cage with others in similar attire, a shadowy figure leapt down from a nearby rooftop and killed the to men dragging away the main character then...

Mr. & Mrs. Doom (Warning: Mature Content R-18) Rick Everhart, a young billionaire with an empire spanning multiple industries, has everything a man could ever want—power, wealth, and an app that grants him an irresistible charm. With a simple tap, no woman can resist him, from elite CEOs and influential political figures to stunning actresses. But Stara Lane is different. A tough, independent teenager who lost everything at eight, she has spent her life fighting to survive. She despises men like Rick—men who take whatever they want without consequences. Unfortunately for her, fate has other plans. When Stara accidentally discovers Rick’s dark secret, he forces her into an arranged marriage to keep her under his control. Trapped in a golden cage, Stara refuses to be another pawn in his game. She resists him at every turn, but Rick—used to women falling at his feet—finds himself obsessed with taming the one woman who defies him. old resentments explode, new secrets surface, and neither of them is prepared for the ultimate truth—love was never part of the plan.

Lin Mu was an orphan living in a country town. Having no knowledge of cultivation, he was a common peasant. This was until he discovered a mysterious ring stuck in a tree. Wearing it, a new world opened up to Lin Mu. The world of cultivation! The ring bestowed Lin Mu with the ability to cultivate while also giving him the ability to manipulate space. Snatching treasures, exploring unknown realms, looting secret grottos, everything was possible with the ring. Witness Lin Mu as he learns his purpose in life, finds his destiny, meets impeccable experts and beings. Watch him as he learns the truth of the cosmos, and becomes its saviour! P.S: Rise of the Worm Sovereign is a prequel to this book. Tags: #weak to strong #Beast taming #Beast companions #Monster Master #World Exploration #NO YOUNG MASTERS #NO HAREM ----- Old Synopsis: Lin Mu was a common boy living in a small town, ostracized by the townsmen because of a mistake he made during the harvest, his house seized to compensate for it. Forced to fend for himself in the outskirts, he finds a rusty ring embedded in the tree where he always used to play as a child. Witness his story as the mysterious rusty ring changes his destiny forever, opening him up to a world he would never have experienced, people he would have never met, and powers he would have never had. Instagram: grand_void_daoist -------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- Join the discord-https://discord.gg/VfJFxXnbAE

Mera is a 21-year-old woman desperate to get her sick mother, a former courtesan, out of debt. She is willing to do anything it takes to get the both of them to live their dream life of peace. However, life is not easy when greedy loan sharks and selfish nobles take advantage of you at every turn. That is until she meets a mysterious and handsome man who takes an interest in her. She has no idea who he is and all her alarm bells are going off, however, she finds herself completely drawn to him. Getting involved with him brings her into a new world, one where she has to face her murky past.

love's hidden truth Yun-Hee never imagined that love could be a prison. Bound by duty, she finds herself trapped in an engagement she never wanted, with a woman as cold as she is powerful. Her fiancée whispers in a quiet, possessive voice, "You are mine now, Yun-Hee. There is no escape.But just when Yun-Hee thinks she has no choice, a woman from her past returns—dangerous, reckless, and willing to burn the world for her. "Come with me," she says. "Leave this cage before it’s too late." Torn between an irresistible obsession and a love that threatens to consume her, Yun-Hee is forced to face the truth: Is she running from her fiancée—or from the desire she can no longer deny? With secrets unraveling and danger closing in, Yun-Hee must make a choice before everything comes crashing down. But in a game of love and power, the greatest mystery is this—who will betray her first? A story of passion, possession, and the haunting whispers of a love that refuses to let go.

In a world devastated by the E virus, Samantha struggles to keep her little brother alive while humanity is plunged into chaos. Civilization has fallen, leaving behind a desolate landscape, where the ruins of cities are only a reminder of the past. Ghouls, beings infected by the virus, roam the world and stalk the few remaining survivors. Samantha, armed with a rusty machete, faces the harsh reality of a world where survival is a luxury. On her way to despair, she clings to the hope of finding refuge in a fortress to the north, where a rumor tells of a wall that could protect the survivors. However, resources in the village are running low, and hunger grips everyone. When he approaches the village leader's residence, he discovers an even more terrifying reality: the chief, once a trustworthy man, has succumbed to fanaticism and proposes to sacrifice the weakest to save himself. Amidst the tension, Samantha will have to face not only the horrors of an apocalyptic world, but also the inner demons of those who were once her colleagues. With the threat of ghouls always lurking, Samantha must do whatever it takes to save her brother and find a way out before the darkness is all-consuming. But in this new world, who can trust whom, and how far will she be willing to go to save her brother?

The protracted 'witch hunting' had faded into silence with the end of the Seven Years' War, and the mysteries of the East Coast had begun to conceal themselves, yet gunpowder was on a rapid rise. Mo Qishang, who should have been utterly confounded, stood at the crossroads of destiny in the name of Arthur. He stared in astonishment at the charging knights, the wizards atop the high towers, and the bizarre wilderness. He felt the sharpness of the longsword and the recoil of the firearm, both clear and unfamiliar. At last, he excitedly shook his robe and, with a smile on his face, said— "Do not believe what I say, for to believe is to exist!"

She had always assumed that her newlywed husband, with his staggering wealth, lacked the ability to procreate, so she was completely unguarded around him, failing to notice that someone's gaze was off... “I like women, our genders aren't compatible, let's get a divorce...” Su Xingyue came up with all sorts of reasons to divorce him, but Nan Yuling decisively, accurately, and ruthlessly cut off all her potential suitors, ensuring that she could only be spoiled by him alone! Besides that, he tirelessly proved it to her in person... Therefore, one day, Mrs. Nan, unable to bear the hardship, ran away from home once again... [He made pampering her a cage, imprisoning his love for her for a lifetime...]

Growing up, she despised Cinderella, seeing her as a symbol of passivity and weakness. Why wait for a prince when you can fight your own battles? With that mantra shaping her ambition, she’s forged her path in life—dreaming big, working harder, and refusing to let anything or anyone stand in her way. But when her world begins to crumble under the weight of family obligations, societal expectations, and betrayal, she finds herself caught in a struggle for independence she never anticipated. Dragged back into the clutches of those who want to control her, she’s forced to confront her deepest fears and insecurities. Now, she must decide: will she let herself be caged by the life others have chosen for her, or will she risk everything to break free and create her own happily ever after? With themes of ambition, resilience, and self-discovery, "Ambition Wears the Glass Slipper" is a powerful story of one woman’s fight to rewrite her story—and to prove that sometimes, happily ever after starts with believing in yourself.

Prince Arthur Aethersworn of Tashran knows his place: powerless, caged by tradition, and haunted by his lack of magic in a family brimming with it. Under his father’s impassive yet critical eye, he’s forced into training for a throne he can never claim without true power. Just as he’s about to resign to a bleak fate, a mysterious figure with ties to forbidden magic offers Arthur a choice: break free and seek the fabled Dragon's Eyes, or remain bound by royal duty. On this quest, he risks everything: his loyalties, family ties, and deepest beliefs. As he uncovers hidden powers, he faces powerful forces determined to prevent him from changing his destiny. Embark on Arthur's journey, an adventure where casting aside one’s humanity becomes a path, not a barrier to untold power.

This man had a thing for creating "arty corpses. " Gait of a soldier, calmness of a saint yet temperament of a depraved, he should have been caged. Even the strongest of the alloys would have degraded on his mere sinister glance, carving a path for him to walk free. Yet here he was-- a wandering predator in the light of the day. He soon qualified for bondage by special means. A system created to conscript the prodigies of wickedness, took notice of him. No matter how unwilling, he was under those watchful eyes. But the truth was, he was still above their rules, untamed and unbroken. He began hunting those within the system itself. He became something greater- a favoured entity, a popular character among many. A gap was then created even among those in the system, forging a competitive spirit. But should they dare to risk it all, no matter how fascinating he seemed? None survived to provide feedback on their experience yet the boss let it slide-- for now. This man was indeed special, the boss personally checked him and speculated that there must be a rolling key. Patience might be the only thing that saves you, dear reader......because once you step into his world, escape is no longer an option. * WARNING: GORE content, SLOW BURN ROMANCE. (BL) The story is unpredictable and contains vague instances especially in the initial chapters which might take few chapters to establish the connections. This is my first novel. Apologies.*

A one-night stand, and afterwards, her life comes crashing down. Kahlan thought she’d left her past behind—until one unforgettable night with Aldrich Maximus, the brooding rugby gang leader of high school, changes everything. But just as sparks ignite, her world shatters. Rushed to London to save her dying billionaire father, she’s forced into a chilling contract: marry Emiliano, her father’s ruthless business partner’s son, or lose everything. Kahlan becomes trapped in a gilded cage with a man who treats her as nothing more than a maid and then, she dares to escape—only to discover Aldrich, the man she yearns for, is now married to her best friend with a son. And somehow, Aldrich despises everything about her. Her life is slipping through her fingers. Can Kahlan fight to reclaim what was stolen—or will she be pulled back into a world of betrayal, heartbreak, and danger?

The Mayan ceremonial dagger had an inscription in the ancient language that read: "Offer thy heart". It's obviously an instruction left by the past inhabitants of this forgotten place, but who would be stupid enough to stab himself in the heart with a rusty old knife found inside a tombstone? After activating my battery pack the dagger shimmers brightly in a cyan light, the creatures are coming, I can hear their steps. 'It's do or die.'

Moren Ravenheart has always longed to escape the gilded cage of her noble upbringing in Damali. The sole heiress to a powerful family, her parents view her as a pawn in their ruthless quest for wealth and influence. With her city at the crossroads of magic and steam-powered innovation, Moren secretly prepares for a new life of freedom, gathering supplies and dreaming of adventures far from the politics of the Menagerie Coast. When she discovers her parents’ latest betrayal—a marriage contract that would bind her to the city’s leader—Moren’s desperation leads her to an unexpected ally: a powerful Fey who offers her extraordinary abilities in exchange for a favor in the distant city of Whitestone. Armed with new powers and a fierce determination, Moren flees Damali aboard an airship to Vey’Lathis, hoping to forge her own destiny. But Whitestone is a city shrouded in mystery, where shadows linger and danger lurks behind every corner. As Moren navigates her new life, she finds herself drawn to an enigmatic ally with secrets of their own, even as she uncovers a conspiracy that threatens the very heart of the city. With her past catching up to her and the Fey’s bargain looming, Moren must decide how far she’s willing to go to claim her freedom—and whether love can survive in a world full of lies and peril.

[DING! Congratulations to the Host for obtaining SSS-Rank Dark Dimensional Reality Talent] [Attribute: Darkness] Freed from nuclear war terrors, all humans now have to face the new reality of their fate. Humans are given a power that allows them to have different talents according to their abilities and luck, including obtaining the power of past heroes. Aaron Lewis, an 18-year-old young man, must bear the devastating reality that his mother was killed by an unknown group. The turmoil of uncontrollable rage in his heart makes his talent affected. [WARNING!] [System detected Darkness attribute energy increase] [Initiates talent rank evolution] [Adjusting talents with attributes ] [Evolution Completed] Just as Aaron opened his eyes, he saw he was floating in a void dimension with thousands of caged ancestral souls waiting to be freed or summoned. They are the souls of heroes from all over the world. [Main Talent: Dark Dimensional Reality] [Rank: SSS-Rank] With his flexibility to explore dimensions beyond ordinary human sight, Aaron gathered thousands of ancestral souls and turned them into his army. To his surprise, Aaron found a way to free his mother's soul and bring her back to life, which was to become a Great Ruler. “There is no other choice. I will become a Ruler.” *** Support by gifting power stone, golden ticket, and gift. Update 3chap/day Daily Update!

[MATURE CONTENT WARNING: READ AT YOUR OWN RISK] Jo has spent her life surviving on the streets, invisible among the hungry and desperate. She is a shadow in the city, quick fingers and quicker feet keeping her alive in a world that does not care whether she lives or dies. But one mistake—one stolen purse, one misplaced step—changes everything. Dragged before the Emperor’s mother, Jo expects punishment, perhaps even execution. Instead, she is taken to the Red Keep, not as a prisoner in chains, but as something far more valuable. The empire is built on fire and blood, and the Mother has plans for Jo—plans that involve silken chambers instead of cells, gowns instead of rags, and a fate far worse than death. Because in the empire, power is passed through bloodlines, and an heir born with the right lineage is worth more than gold. Now, Jo must navigate a court where she is both pawn and prisoner, where her body is no longer her own, and where love is just another tool of control. With enemies at every turn and a future she never chose looming ahead, Jo must decide—will she submit to the cage built around her, or will she become something more dangerous than they ever imagined? Because even birds in golden cages can learn how to bite.

Lucian—a man standing at the pinnacle of power, ruthless, emotionless, and incapable of believing in love. He didn’t take Aaron out of pity but to lock him in a gilded cage, crushing his desire for freedom beneath his heel. Aaron despises him, doing everything in his power to escape. But has anyone ever truly run from Lucian and remained unscathed? When fragile tenderness is merely a mask for a deep obsession, what will Aaron do to break free from the bloodstained hands of the man who has sworn never to let him go?

Orphaned at a young age , Layla Llewellyn feels like the luckiest girl in the world after she moves in with her uncle Bill , a gardener who lives on the scenic Arvis estate in the Berg Empire . To Layla Arvis seems like paradise ; she loves to explore the vast forest , always bringing her notebook to record the wildlife she encounters . She especially loves the birds , watching them with awe as they hatch and grow from fluffy chicks into beautiful birds . Duke Herhardt , the young , handsome lord of Arvis , is also interested in birds--- and Layla . But the difference is , he's interested in birds because he likes to hunt them.... and he's interested in Layla because he likes to make her cry . If a lovely bird is trapped in a golden cage , which will she choose : a life of luxury , or freedom ? *** The novel and cover photo are not mine .

In the land of Thebes, Prince Azech-I is a ruler blessed by Anubis, a king whose power is whispered in hushed tones. But when the Pharaoh Cairo-IV's most lethal assassin, Nofri-it, is sent to end his life, fate spins a web of love and betrayal. What was meant to be a death sentence turns into a forbidden romance, as the two men fall deeply in love. But just as quickly as their bond blooms, Nofri-it vanishes without a trace, leaving Azech-I to search the world for his lost lioness. Years later, the truth shatters Azech-I's heart—Nofri-it was never a lover, but a tool sent to kill him. Betrayed and furious, Azech-I discovers that Nofri-it has been imprisoned by Pharaoh Cairo, kept in the dungeons of Memphis for failing his mission. The ruler of Thebes will stop at nothing to reclaim what is his. With vengeance in his heart, Azech-I plans to torment Nofri-it, declaring war on Cairo’s kingdom to retrieve his lover and make him suffer as he once did. When Azech-I drags a fragile, broken Nofri-it back to Thebes, the true torment begins. A man once filled with pride now plans to make Nofri-it his captive once more, keeping him caged and humiliated for the sins of his past. The battle for power, love, and revenge will tear through Egypt—nothing is sacred when the Pharaoh’s wrath is unleashed. "I loved you. You were my lioness. Now, you're nothing but a broken thing." "And yet, you will keep me, won't you? Like a pet, a prize."

A princess's duty is to be beautiful, quiet, not loud, to be seen and not to be heard, which was how Dahlia lived most of her life. Bound by the expectations of her title, she spent years trying to prove to her father that she was more than just a princess and capable of being more than an ornament in his court but each time she never got the chance. Instead, she was forced into a marriage of convenience with the bravest knight in all the kingdom, Reagan Hawthorne. Dahlia thought she would use this marriage to escape the brutal crutches of her father and glide out of her cage but Reagan’s cold disdain was an unexpected prison of its own. While he waged wars on distant lands, she stayed behind, holding his household together and protecting the people he seemed to ignore. But Dahlia carried a dangerous secret. By day, she was the perfect wife. By night, she became the "Black Knight," a masked vigilante fighting for justice in the shadows. Reagan returned, ready to focus on his personal mission: avenging his father’s death. To him, Dahlia was just another pawn in his plans—a spoiled princess he needed to tolerate. But as cracks began to form in her perfect façade, Reagan couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to his wife than met the eye. Now, with enemies circling closer and their secrets threatening to collide, Dahlia and Reagan must confront the lies they’ve told themselves and each other. But when masks fall and truths are revealed, will their fragile bond withstand the storm—or will it shatter beyond repair? One wound. One secret. One night that changes everything.

In the crumbling city of Libiya, where the wealthy feast in their gilded mansions and the poor scrape by in the shadows, a terrifying virus is spreading—one that twists its victims into monstrous creatures driven by an insatiable hunger for human hearts. Lenz, a silver-haired orphan with a knack for survival, knows the city is no longer safe. Alongside his fiercely loyal friends, he must find a way to escape before the virus claims them too. But fleeing Libiya is no simple task. The city is a cage, guarded by the powerful and plagued by ruthless gangs who will stop at nothing to maintain their grip on the desperate. As the virus spreads and the streets fill with monsters, Lenz and his friends must navigate a labyrinth of betrayal, violence, and hidden truths. Their journey will take them beyond the city’s walls, into a world they’ve never known. But as they search for safety, they begin to wonder: in a land ravaged by greed and monsters, is there anywhere left that’s truly safe? As they fight to survive, Lenz and his friends must confront the harsh reality that safety may come at a price they’re not willing to pay.

In the ordinary world, Alexander Cage was anything but ordinary. A genius in every sense, he mastered skills that put him leagues above the average human—martial arts, biology, technology, logical reasoning, and beyond. With such unparalleled abilities, he led the World Association’s elite task force, handling missions no one else could survive. From high-stakes assassinations to saving hostages and tipping the scales in wars, Alexander was the “perfect human”—except for one missing piece: happiness. Haunted by a life that had been nothing but duty, Alexander decided to leave it all behind. One last mission, he promised himself, and he’d retire to find a new life, a normal life. But fate had different plans. In his final mission, he sacrificed himself to save his team, his life slipping away with his dreams of peace unfulfilled. Then, the impossible happened. Alexander awoke, not in the afterlife, but in a new world—a realm where magic, martial arts, alchemy, and ancient technology thrive together in breathtaking harmony. Reborn with all his memories, he is granted a mysterious “System” that promises him a fresh start and the power to shape his destiny. But as he navigates this strange world, battling villains, unraveling ancient secrets, and building alliances, he begins to realize he’s still missing something—the happiness and love he’s never known. In a land full of wonders and dangers, Alexander will rise again, not just as a warrior but as a man searching for meaning. Will he finally find the happiness that eluded him in his past life, or will his pursuit lead him down darker paths? In a world as boundless as his own potential, only one thing is certain—Alexander Cage’s story has only just begun.