Death Masks Dresden Files

Lorenzo De Luca "The Beast" thought she was only a new prey, but he realized too late that he was the one who was trapped. Signing a contract with the beast was supposed to be the worst thing that happened to Summer, and she wouldn't have done that if she had any other options, but the more she tried to struggle out of the deal, the deeper the beast found himself falling for her. ... I nodded, feeling grateful, and bolted toward the door. Without knocking, I burst inside. "You jerk!" I yelled. “Don’t you know how to knock? and I warned you not to call me that.” His voice was low, irritated. "Your terms are absurds, I have my own terms also." I said as I closed the door. The minutes I turned to him, I screamed. Lorenzo was standing by the window, wearing nothing but a towel, water dripping from his freshly showered body. His broad shoulders glistened in the light, and his defined abs led down to... "A slave speaking of term, Hmm. Tell me about it." He said. "Damn, he is fucking hot!" I said, not realizing I said it out. "Excuse me?" He raised his brow. "huh." I said. "You were talking about terms." He asked, moving closer to me. I couldn’t remove my eyes away. His body was perfection, every inch of him sculpted like a living statue. The towel hung dangerously low on his hips, and for a moment, I forgot why I had come in. My heart pounded faster with every step he took, my legs were shaking. "Don't come near!" I yelled at him, covering my face with my hand. "What's the problem?" He asked. I froze, my eyes wide, my cheeks flushed. “Put some clothes on!” I shrieked. “This is my room,” he said, turning toward me with a slow smirk. “I see no reason to.” "Well.. I'm here and I'm not comfortable with you like this." “You’re staring,” he teased. “No, I’m not!” I shot back, flustered. “You want me,” he said casually, stepping closer. “What? No!” I stumbled backward, heart pounding. “You want to feel me inside you.” “God forbid! Hell no!” I shouted, but my voice wavered, betraying me. "Hell yes" He said with a smile. I swear, despite his face is partially covered with mask, I could see the beauty of his face. His smile is so beautiful... it's choking. He closed the distance between us, his eyes locked on mine. “Your body says otherwise,” he whispered, his hand brushing a strand of hair from my face. The heat of his skin sent a shiver down my spine. Then he whispered into my ears "I can show you what I'm made of, if you want." His voice was slow, deep and arousing. My legs were trembling, I could hear my heartbeat. “Stay away from me!” I pushed him back, panic setting in. But he only laughed, a deep, rich sound that sent my pulse racing. “You don't know what you are missing.” he murmured, his voice low and dangerously seductive. He leaned in, his breath hot against my ear. “Just say the word.” I snapped. “Get lost!” I pushed him and bolted out of the room, my heart pounding in my ears. I could hear him laughing behind me, enjoying the moment. His laughter was cut short by the sound of water splashing.

[not a LitRPG / isekai / cultivation.] [Espionage / Slowburn / A very human story] SYNOPSIS: A child rotting on the streets was suddenly dragged into the black car of one of the many conglomerates that rule the world from the shadows. Through golden flames and swathes of blood, he was trained and experimented on to become the perfect weapon. In this ever-changing world of conspiracy and technological marvels, Test Subject 201, now called Felix, navigates the world as the experiment's sole survivor, standing as the foundation for humanity's next step in evolution.  Armed with his gun, newfound abilities, and a memento he holds dearly, he marches through the steep path of darkness and deceit, and faces off against mafia, mercenaries, and countless criminals and corporations, to enact the organization's mantra to "protect the peace.".

Just as the world breathed a sigh of relief after the recent cure for the Type 1 TBD Syndrome virus, The Type 2 TBD Syndrome virus is deadlier, more mysterious, and threatens to destroy everything humanity has worked to rebuild. At the National Medical Research Facility in Eridoria, a team of scientists races against time to develop a new cure, but the truth behind the virus remains hidden in the shadows. As they delve deeper into the mystery, they uncover a web of secrets and lies that put them in the crosshairs of a powerful enemy. With the fate of humanity hanging in the balance, the scientists must navigate treacherous intrigue, decipher cryptic clues, and stay one step ahead of their pursuers to prevent a global catastrophe. But as the mystery deepens, they begin to suspect that the virus may be only a small part of a sinister plot. Can they crack the code and save the world from destruction? In this heart-pumping thriller, the stakes are higher, the danger is real, and the outcome is far from certain."

In a bustling modern city where ancient secrets and mysterious powers collide with everyday life, 22-year-old Ethan Cross seems like your average college student. Behind his unassuming demeanor lies a man shrouded in secrets—a masked vigilante known only as "Virtuoso," feared by criminals and sought after by powerful organizations. Ethan is overpowered, sarcastic, and ridiculously skilled at everything he does. But there's one thing he’s terrible at: romance. When the enigmatic and fiercely independent Mia Harper stumbles into his life, she unknowingly becomes the key to unraveling a conspiracy that ties Ethan's past to an ancient prophecy. Between laugh-out-loud moments, explosive action, and unexpected twists, Ethan navigates his double life while trying to protect Mia, keep his identity hidden, and maybe—just maybe—figure out how to confess his feelings without being a complete disaster.

Gotham is ruled by Clad Belmont—a man powerful enough to defeat the infamous Jack the Reaper and seize control of the city. "What if there’s someone out there even stronger than Jack the Reaper? What will you do then, Belmont?" But when a mysterious new threat emerges, determined to erase Belmont’s legacy, the city spirals into chaos. "I'm Jaxon." "I don’t know where the hell you came from, kid, but this is Gotham. If you want to stay alive, keep your head down and don’t draw attention to yourself." Jaxon, a boy with no past, arrives in Gotham just as the city prepares to unveil a statue in Belmont’s honor. When the event is attacked, he’s faced with a choice: stay in the shadows or step into the light. "If I don’t do something, all these people are going to die right in front of me." As a masked vigilante rises, whispers spread—Jack the Reaper may have returned. "Who the hell is this Black Mask? I want him eliminated immediately." But if Jack the Reaper is truly back… then who is Black Mask? "Gotham, eh? So this is where you’ve been hiding all this time, Jaxon. Well then… it’s time I paid my student a visit." "Impossible." "I’m telling you, sir—Jack the Reaper is back in Gotham."

Zaylee Tylor is always wearing a mask, glasses and cap. Margo's gang always bullying her because she don't want to speak and because she always reading. One day Margo's gang decided to approch Zaylee who's peacefully reading they bully her but suddenly a shout came from behind. Pariz Quinn the owner of the university helped Zaylee since then Pariz and Zaylee are good friends but little by little they are falling for each other.

The Stone Mask is an action-packed dark fantasy set in a world where strength rules and the weak are crushed. Katsu Blazewood, a rising Ranker with fire-based abilities, dreams of climbing the ranks and proving his worth. Under the guidance of the ruthless Simon Shepard, he faces deadly trials, powerful adversaries, and the harsh truth of what it means to be a Ranker. But when the government launches a brutal invasion in search of a legendary artifact—the Stone Mask—Katsu is thrust into a war far greater than himself. The Stone Mask is said to hold unimaginable power, a relic from a forgotten era that could reshape the balance of the world. But as Katsu uncovers the dark secrets behind it, he begins to question everything: Who truly controls the Rankers? What does it mean to wield power? And most of all—what will he become if he survives?

At university, Chris is just another student—quiet, reserved, and seemingly ordinary. But behind the scenes, he’s the heir to a hidden fortune, a secret he guards fiercely. Then there’s Skylar—a girl born into wealth, now watching her privileged world crumble as her family faces financial ruin. When she crosses paths with Chris, an unexpected connection sparks between them. Skylar falls for him, believing he’s just a regular guy. But when her family pressures her to seek a richer suitor, Chris finds himself at a crossroads—should he reveal his true identity to fight for their love, or let her go to protect his secret? In a world where love and wealth collide, can their relationship survive the truth?

At 28, Clara Hayes has mastered the art of wearing masks. To her colleagues, she’s the perpetually cheerful graphic designer who never misses a deadline. To her overbearing mother, she’s the dutiful daughter hiding her anxiety behind polished smiles. To the world, she’s a woman who “has it all together”—except she’s crumbling inside. Clara’s life unravels during a corporate presentation where a panic attack strips her façade raw. Humiliated and exhausted, she flees to a quiet coastal town, renting a cottage owned by an eccentric, free-spirited potter named Marisol. There, Clara stumbles upon a dusty journal in the attic, its pages filled with haunting sketches and anonymous confessions from a woman who once lived there decades earlier. The entries mirror Clara’s own suffocating duality: “I paint myself in colors the world approves of, but my soul is a grayscale.” As Clara tentatively befriends Marisol and a reclusive widower, Eli, who runs the town’s crumbling bookstore, she begins confronting the lies she’s told herself for years. Through their unconventional guidance—and the journal’s cryptic wisdom—she starts shedding her masks one by one. But vulnerability comes at a cost: her corporate career teeters, her mother’s disapproval intensifies, and a buried trauma from her teenage years resurfaces, threatening to drown her newfound courage. When Clara’s raw, unfiltered artwork—created in secret—goes viral, she faces a choice: return to the safety of her old illusions or step into the terrifying freedom of living unapologetically. But the journal hides a final secret, linking Clara’s journey to the cottage’s mysterious past, forcing her to question whether true authenticity is a rebellion… or a homecoming.

Never take off the mask.” It’s the one rule Cora Mercedes has lived by her entire life. Found abandoned on Halloween night as a child, wearing a mask she’s forbidden to remove and clutching a cryptic note, Cora’s existence has been a riddle she’s never been able to solve. When she gains admission to the prestigious Oscar Island University—a school renowned for its exclusivity and shrouded in mystery—Cora hopes to escape her past and embrace a new beginning. But nothing at Oscar is ordinary. Its halls whisper secrets, its rules are bizarre and absolute, and its students, though seemingly perfect, are unnervingly inhuman. As Cora navigates her new life, she finds herself drawn to the shadows, particularly to a pair of haunting crimson eyes that seem to follow her every move. He’s ruthless, enigmatic, and terrifyingly familiar, and despite her instincts, she can’t escape his magnetic pull. But the closer Cora gets to unraveling the truth—about her mask, her past, and the dark forces surrounding Oscar Island—the more she realizes she’s not the only one hiding secrets. In a world where humans serve as prey, breaking the rules isn’t just dangerous; it’s deadly. And someone in the shadows has been waiting centuries for her to return. Damien’s Masked Mate is a captivating tale of forbidden romance, ancient curses, and the deadly allure of the unknown

Michael Evangelista was once a man of skill—a soldier, a warrior, and a man who had seen the worst of humanity. But his life was cut short battling his own battle, and in his final moments, he accepted death. Yet fate had other plans. He awakens in a new body, one that isn’t his own. Now, he is John Stewart, a soldier stationed in a foreign country. But the world he now finds himself in is no battlefield he recognizes—it’s the end of civilization. The rabid roam the streets, society has collapsed, and survival is the only mission that matters. With his military experience from both lives, John quickly fortifies a safe haven, gathering supplies and weapons. But he isn’t the only one trying to survive. He soon crosses paths with three desperate survivors clinging to hope. Taking them under him, John becomes their protector, guiding them through the horrors of the apocalypse. Was he given this second chance to save others? Or to prepare for something even worse?

“There's a new report,” the heavy voice of the NIS director who had just entered the room broke the silence. “We found the same pattern. Teenagers going missing for several weeks.” “But the location...” the words of one of the team leaders were interrupted by something that didn't make sense. “At the school?” he continued with a look of reassurance, as did everyone else at the meeting, which was met with a reassuring nod of the director's head. ** "Me?" Na Jae Hoon, who had just returned from completing his mission, was surprised to hear that he had to return to school. “This is very urgent and has entered the red list,” said Baek Sang Joon, the head of Special Operation Team 2. ** Can Jae Hoon uncover the criminal network by keeping his identity from being revealed before he becomes the next target?

In the shadowed depths of Kyouten, a city divided by power and secrets, Hime operates as Venus, an enigmatic broker of forbidden knowledge. Her brilliance lies in her anonymity, her strength in the impenetrable walls she’s built. But when a calculated move brings her into the orbit of Kazuki, the cold and commanding leader of the Kagezan syndicate, those walls begin to crack. Kazuki is a man who thrives on control, ruling his underworld empire with precision and ruthlessness. Yet Hime’s defiance, her sharp wit, and the dangerous allure of her secrets ignite something within him—an obsession that blurs the line between protector and predator. As shadows close in, Hime finds herself hunted by the relentless Venus Hunters and entangled in Kazuki’s growing fixation. Forced into a precarious alliance, the two must navigate a world where every move is a gamble and trust is a luxury neither can afford. But behind Hime’s shattered mask lies a truth more dangerous than any enemy, a secret that could change the balance of power in Kyouten forever. When facades crumble and desires collide, who will emerge unscathed from the chaos?

The mysterious events of March 17th 1984 which have been known as the "Tragic Forgetful" is about to be unveiled as a series of audio and transcript files are shared, revealing what had really happened and what terrifying events took place on that day. 2 New Chapters every Monday, Thursday, and Friday! Disclaimer: This story contains high levels of violence, animal abuse, explicit blood and gore, and language and is not for anyone faint of heart. If you are uncomfortable with these kinds of events, please avoid reading this story for your own sake. You have been warned. [All events that take place in this story is ENTIRELY FICTIONAL and are NOT BASED OFF OF REAL HISTORICAL EVENTS.]

During the dawn of the Cold War, the 33rd President funded a special shadow operations in the hope of creating superhuman agents with special abilities, to combat the threats against North America's Eastern enemies. But these experiments on human Subjects, resulted in the creation of psychotic monsters, vicious and insane killers, that sparked the desire of this group to reproduce more of these monsters, as they research and observe these monsters in order to create and control them, as weapons and agents against their enemies. These project is called the NEMESIS Project, and this ended in psychological conditioning, manipulation, and traumatizing in order to understand and control future ALPHAs. In a secret experiment facility, Subjects are subjected to psychological traumas and horrors, while the killers/monsters are set loose upon these people to condition and train them to become agents against their enemies, and also uncover the secrets on creating future ALPHAs. Author-Note: This a horror story, that I based some from the Outlast Trails, only with a more Sci-fi and bio-horrors spin to it. With these files are explaining the starter of the NEMESIS Project, and backstory of the main characters of this story, to spread this tale and popularity, I hope that people like this and help in the creation and development of this novel.

the times were different from before. After spending much of his immortal life locked deep in depths of the ocean blue, he finds himself in the vastly different world than the one he was imprisoned. a mostly peaceful and empty place, with breathtaking sights everywhere you look. with vengeance clear in his mind, follow him on his journey to find the one who cursed him with ever-lasting-life.

For centuries, sixteen castles have acted as seals to otherworldly monster dimensions, preventing their horrors from spilling into reality. When these monsters escape, they manifest as natural disasters—earthquakes, plagues, massacres, and worse. To keep them at bay, elite warriors and raiders with supernatural abilities fight back each time a portal opens. Fifteen castles have accepted the help of governments and organizations, except one—the Kanagawa Castle. The secretive Kanagawa family has always fought "their monsters" alone. But when they unexpectedly call for help, the world listens. Among those chosen to document the event is Kaede, a nobody—an awkward, cowardly school journalist assigned to follow the powerful Sun Jia, a top-tier raider and his long-time crush. But when they enter Kanagawa’s portal, everything goes wrong. Two doors open instead of one—an anomaly. Sun Jia and the team enter what appears to be the safer path. But inside, they face a nightmare beyond comprehension—the domain of Shiniyuku Shinigami, the Dying Death God. Reality collapses. The raiders don’t just die—they feel their deaths transcending time, erased from existence before they can even react. Kaede, the weakest among them, experiences his own death differently—shorter, but far more agonizing. Shiniyuku, intrigued by his insignificance, spares him, mocking his cowardice. Kaede wakes up two years later, the only survivor of the disaster. The world has changed—door hunting is now a global industry, and the Kanagawa family has become more powerful than ever. But something inside him has changed too. A power is growing, something unnatural. Determined to uncover the truth behind Kanagawa, Akihiko’s true intentions, and the identity of the enigmatic Knight X, Kaede embarks on a journey—not as a hero, but as a man seeking redemption. But as he grows stronger, a terrifying truth emerges... Kaede is no longer just a survivor. He is becoming something else entirely. Something that should never exist in reality.

She woke up in a mystical forest with no memory of who she was or even her own name. Soon enough she was to discover that she was dead and her soul was trapped in this realm. But to her surprise, there were also thousands of teens her age, and to her utmost shock, they were all dead… like her. But they were given a second chance by the Deans. Pass the tests, and get a second chance at life. Fail the test, and get sent to the train of hell. She was determined to pass the tests, but there was a problem… she had no powers!

What would you do if the person you raised, turned against you? For that person, you sacrificed your childhood but in the end, they still turned against you. It all began like a dream, a sweet dream to say, then a crack happened but she mended it, then another appeared and she mended it again until it finally broke down. Ely kept the lesson taught by life in the deepest part of her heart. She ran away because she was trying to escape from the truth but she met it again and this time, she lost her innocence, she lost the last bit of humanity she had and she lost the color of her soul and eventually, she submitted herself to the devil who used her gleefully. Silveria, a young King felt his ambitions came first before anything else. He once told a girl, that if he wanted something, he got it and it didn't matter how he got it. He was nicknamed the devil. The devil met this girl who lost the color of her soul and fed on her indifference but soon, he began to thirst for more. Is the devil going to pull her into hell with him or will both find salvation? PS:the cover is not mine so I can take it down if the owner comes by.

The baron’s daughter, Alessandra Barrett, has worn a mask from a young age due to an injury. Many say if you were to see the face behind the mask, you would be cursed and die soon afterward. She is seen as a ghost, avoided by all who visit the baron's home until she becomes the duke’s wife. No one could understand why the duke would pick such a wife. Did he wish to die? What would become of the girl who once hid in the shadows but now had the spotlight on her as the duke’s masked wife? What would everyone say if they were to learn the truth that she was in a contracted marriage with the duke? Tales of Castro Nobility story timeline order - The King’s Unbreakable Wife The Knight’s Mysterious Maid The Duke’s Masked Wife

(IF EVERYTHING LOOKS MESSED UP IT’S BECAUSE I’M CURRENTLY EDITING VOLUME 1) Survive. A mission that all Blendbreeds must face every day. But in the Otherworld, a parallel dimension where monsters and masked deities intertwine with the fate of mortals, there are protected places—sanctuaries where one can learn to control their powers and grow in safety. One of these is the Lilies Park, the setting for the meeting of two younglings who play a role in a story woven by primordial hands. Marina, daughter of the goddess of intellect, grapples with the responsibility of guiding new arrivals, uncovering secrets that threaten to destroy everything she holds dear. On the other side stands Shirei, the enigmatic mortal with violet eyes, devoid of memory, emerging from a past shrouded in mystery. He carries with him an unsettling calm and fragments of a power too dangerous to wield. An ancient and malevolent force looms over the Lilies Park and the entire Otherworld. An army waits at the gates, ready to strike. The revelation of a single lie could change everything. Who are the Blendbreeds truly? And what price must they pay to survive in a world fractured by their very existence? An epic novel that explores the boundary between mortal and divine, between one’s identity and the destiny they are meant to fulfill. I will be posting this story on RoyalRoad.com

"Only in the chaos of war, will we thrive in bodies of steel..." In a future where humanity traded flesh for silicon salvation, the POLARIS archive was meant to be eternity—a digital Eden where war-torn souls fused into a timeless collective consciousness. But eternity, it turns out, has a glitch. By 135 ACE, whispers ripple through the void: entire sectors of POLARIS are going dark. Energy reserves bleed dry. Data streams fracture into echoes of their former selves. The survivors—now more code than human—splinter into warring factions, scavenging the corpse of the physical world through hulking VANGUARDs, ancient machines that once terraformed dead worlds. In this decaying paradox of unity and chaos, survival belongs to those who manipulate the shadows… Kagiro thrives in those shadows. A broker of secrets and stolen energy, he trades in the desperation of others, weaving alliances with mercenary AIs and data-pirates. His endgame? To claw his way to the heart of POLARIS, where the last flicker of power lies hidden. But ambition blinds him to the cyan-haired specter on his trail—a girl forged from the archive’s collapse, armed with a vendetta no algorithm can predict. She knows what broke POLARIS. She knows what Kagiro wants. And she’ll burn every sector to ash to bury the truth. =========================================== Cover Artist Credit: KU P.S: This is my first story so please be patient. Criticisms and feedbacks are all welcomed, but please be constructive and well reasoned. This novel will also be posted on Scribble Hub.

A novel about the adventures of sorcerers with cursed masks that emerged with the founding of Shadowia.

COVER ARTIST: LECHE FLAN GLOB (She's also new in her craft so we will be growing together ☆_☆). Do you have that innocent friend that everybody just can't help but love? Do you have that excellent friend that just inspires you to work better in life and in your professional career? Technically, most of them are really as you see them as: adorable, strong, lovable, kind, a free spirit. That isn't what this story is about. Yes, the female protagonist of this story is someone who climbed her way out of hell, but it doesn't mean that this is another revenge story. If only it was. *coughs* This is the story of Yama Shizuka, a girl who has many masked personas that she has used and still uses to manipulate people into thinking whatever she wishes for them to perceive her to be. You could say that her traumatizing childhood paved the way and created this morbid mentality, a need for survival that brought about a strength different from the fictional stories (maybe that's just me shamelessly advertising her story) you and I have read but still retaining a bit of fiction. I mean, if she truly existed, wouldn't it be scary? Heartbreaking, even... This story will be a mixture of her present acts and her remembering her past. There are also important characters that will have their fair share of spotlight when needed. For those who don't like psychological torment, darlings, don't read this. I will not be held accountable. But for those of you who like understanding the human mind and how it can be quite the interesting interaction between the past, present, and future self, do read. THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE READING: PERSPECTIVE: the POV of the story changes frequently, depending on the needs of the arc. If you are not a fan of POV changing, maybe this ain't your cup of tea. STORY: There will be a lot of questions at the beginning because this is a long story. For you to understand it, you'd need to read it like 50 chapters in, then re-read it to make it more clear. I also realized I usually change my writing style. If you don't like inconsistencies, I guess Masked Persona ain't for you. STYLE: The main character, Shizuka, would have psychological episodes that is similar to the stream of consciousness. You've been warned. GENRE: This is highly fantasy. Has some future themes to. With how I've seen the story thus far, you really can't come to conclusions that quickly. Some explanations will only happen after so long and it's for a reason. I mean, when I made the timeline, that's what I felt. Some explanations took years before they were given out, sooooooo... P.S. I will occasionally change the cover of the novel depending on the chapter. P. P. S. This is not a cultivation novel, she is wearing a harajuku cardigan. P. P. P. S. I am writing this story for myself, so most of this is to entertain me. If it also entertains you, then sharing is caring. The views and opinions included in this novel belong to the author and do not necessarily mirror the views and opinions of Webnovel.The content of this chapter is restricted. It is forbidden to copy, forward, or in any way reveal the contents of this novel to anyone outside of the Webnovel app and in the internet. The integrity and security of this chapter cannot be guaranteed over the Internet. Please help me keep my novel away from plagiarists. Support my novel here in Webnovel.

[WARNING: MATURE CONTENT] The stormy night was like a canvas, painted with hues of darkness and desire. The wind howled like a beast, threatening to consume everything in its path. And in the midst of it all, I stood at the edge of the cliff, my heart racing with anticipation. He was coming for me. I could feel it in my bones, a shiver that ran down my spine like a whispered promise . A monster, a creature of the night, a beast they called him, But I knew the truth and he was mine. As the lightning flashed, illuminating the dark sky, I saw him. A figure, tall and imposing, standing at the edge of the trees. His eyes gold eyes locked onto mine, his canines elongated and I felt the world around me melt away as I locked eyes with him . I was supposed to be scared but I wasn't. " Ophelia" he whispered, his voice deep yet so tender. He grabbed my waist pulling me closer to him And then, everything went black.