Dies Irae Mad

“Five… Four… Three… Two… One…” As the countdown towards the new year went on to the last second, Miles looked up to the sky, just as everybody else did. In the middle of the crowded street, Miles for once felt like he belonged. Being a teenage gamer, living with his parents, and trying to build a life as a streamer, he did not feel like leaving his room every day. But there, in the middle of that crowded street, with everyone around him paying attention to the sky, the countdown on the digital billboard, and mostly anything else but him., Miles felt like a ghost. A welcomed ghost, but a ghost, after all. With a smile on his unseen face, he looked up as the countdown reached one, and everybody sang in unison. ‘HAPPY NEW YEAR!” But Miles’ eyes widened as he watched in utter horror, and curiosity, even, hovering above him, a holographic screen with a few lines of text written in it. All around him, although he did not pay much attention to it, a few other people seemed to experience the same situation. [Updating home-world 39515’s version] [Version 20.25 update brings a lot of fun and games with the new and improved survival mode] [Do you want to convert your previous avatar to home-world 39515’s latest version?] [Yes] [No] “Survival… Mode?” Miles’ lips quivered. Before he could think of anything else, though, the people around him began to scream…

In the greed-filled world of corporate empires and magic knights, Min Jae was a king in business, with pockets so deep he could drown in them. That is, until his life deemed his playthrough unfair and gave him a red card. Poison was his family's best friend, as everyone had at least tasted it once, not twice because they never could. Death was never on his calendar, neither was an offer for a divine gig. Enter the Deity of Stories, a celestial being with a fetish for plot twists, who offers Min Jae a deal he can't refuse: become her divine cameraman. No, not the kind with a lens, but one who records the tales of mortals. In return, he gets a second shot at life, in a world where his dearly departed parents are alive and well, ready to dote on him from birth. Reborn as Judge (because “Min Jae 2.0” sounded too dull), he quickly realizes this new life is no gift. This steampunk utopia, filled with airships, clockwork gadgets, and an alarming lack of Wi-Fi, thrives on manipulation. But who needs the internet when you have a divine camera and the sharp mind to control it all? Judge isn’t just here to record stories; he’s here to write them, casting himself as the mastermind behind every twist and turn. Armed with his divine powers, he navigates complex schemes, power-hungry nobles, and ruthless industrialists, all while keeping his ultimate goal hidden: to ascend to godhood and rewrite his own fate. Of course, he generally makes a glorious mess of things, all while trying to keep his dear parents blissfully unaware of his less-than-angelic schemes. But as the stakes rise and the Deity of Stories watches his every move, Judge must tread carefully. Can he manipulate his way to the top, or will he become just another character in someone else’s plot twist? --- Just a quick disclaimer: The book steers clear of any unwanted adult stuff. However, it does feature a potentially disturbing amount of violence—enough to make you wonder about the author's mental health. So proceed with caution—and maybe a shield!

#Rated 18-Mature Themes Violet’s life was never her own—her father’s crushing debt made sure of that. But when the debt collector comes to carve a payment from her body, she takes a desperate deal: become a servant and spy on the mysterious and tyrannical Lord Cain, the ruler of her Werewolf district. There’s just one catch: Lord Cain permits only male servants in his house. Disguised as a boy, Violet cuts her hair, flattens her chest, and dons a voice-altering band to pull off the deception. Everything is going according to plan—until Cain, a man known for his cold and unwavering authority, starts to take a peculiar interest in her. Violet’s disguise becomes a prison of its own as she battles her own growing attraction to him. But this is no love story. Cain’s obsession to her is dangerous. Beneath cold allure lies a darkness Violet can’t ignore, a mind fractured by years of affliction by a curse. A curse made by Violet's biological mother: A powerful witch. ************* "TAKE IT OFF!" Violet’s knees nearly buckled at the thunderous command, her chest tightening with panic. The raw anger in Cain’s voice was as sharp as a blade. "My lord! I-I’m a man!" she stammered, gripping her shirt tightly, her fingers trembling as they clung to the fabric. "I don't like other men!" she cried, a desperate plea in her voice since the second she took her shirt off and he discovered that she was a woman was the moment she died. Painfully. Cain’s glare was unyielding, his voice dropping into a growl. "Don’t insult me, You think I do. You kissed me!" Her breath hitched as he stepped closer, his presence suffocating. "If you don’t take it off," he said, his tone low and dangerous, "I’ll rip it off myself." Violet’s mind raced, panic threatening to overwhelm her. She couldn’t let him find out—he’d kill her. Painfully. Glancing away to avoid his gaze when she caught the undeniable bulge in his trousers. Heat flushed her face, her thoughts spinning in desperation at the only idea she could think of to make him back off. 'This has to work. It has to!'

In a world ruled by seven mighty empires, cruelty and power dominate the land. At the heart of it all stands Narzan, the most feared and hated of all nations, where savagery and ambition reign supreme. Beyond the borders of mortal lands lie forbidden realms—the unenterable Demon Realm, the accursed Lost Soul Realm, and the enigmatic Elven Kingdom—each holding secrets that could reshape the fate of the world. As the balance of power teeters on the edge of chaos, the Weave of Magic, the invisible force binding all existence, stirs ominously. Shadows of vengeance, ambition, and destiny loom large, threatening to engulf all in their wake. In this unforgiving world, only those who dare to grasp power and face the darkness within themselves can hope to survive. But at what cost?

Born to be human, Trained to be an Assassin! Fated to be a god! Growing up to become an assassin whose name speaks dread in the hearts of men, cunning, twisted, and smart - that's Rey Castle. A teenager who would dare challenge a nation just for fun. Serving under the man who raised him as an assassin, Rey's goal is to eliminate the five people responsible for the Baylor Slaughter Incident, an incident that made him an orphan and destroyed his true clan. This goal has burned in his heart since he discovered the truth. Standing at the top of the food chain in a world filled with magic and dreadful powers, entities ready to destroy even the world to obtain the power to transcend mortality. Yet, Rey's hunger for greater power becomes unbearable. The infamous Deathmaker shall experience the true meaning of creation itself. Once mortal, he shall transcend into a state where even constellations aren't equal to him! Becoming one with the Endless!

After 3 years of frustration in New Atlantis, Ithri finally says, "F*** it." He’s done. The city's suffocating rules, corrupt nobles, and self-righteous royals have pushed him to the breaking point. Its oppressive bureaucracy and hollow ideals have left him disillusioned. Deciding it’s time to play his hidden cards, Ithri unleashes his potential, plunging headfirst into a dangerous, chaotic world filled with ancient mysteries, ruthless adversaries, and revelations that force him to confront the darkest corners of his soul. The deeper he delves, the more secrets he unravels not only about the world but about his own past.

Ten years ago, he was her shadow, a man willing to kill or die in her name, a faceless, nameless protector who lived only for her smile. But when betrayal shattered his devotion, his shadow twisted into something darker. Now, Aurelia Prescott, once the pride of Everstone Hill’s elite, is nothing more than a puppet on a gilded string, her every move controlled by the man who swore he would burn her world to the ground. Alexandrez Kings, now a ruthless, domineering CEO and Billionaire, doesn’t just want revenge, he wants her. Body, mind, and soul. Forced into a world of dark seduction and relentless control, Aurelia struggles to hold onto the woman she once was, even as she’s dragged deeper into Alexandrez’s depraved games. For every night he spends breaking her will, her defiance sharpens like a blade, dangerous, alluring, and irresistible. World of power and pain, twisted desires blur the line between love and hate. But in the darkness, secrets stir, threatening to unravel the carefully crafted web of vengeance and submission. As obsession burns hotter and boundaries shatter, Aurelia faces an impossible choice: succumb to Alexandrez’s darkness or risk destroying them both. THEMES: #DarkRomance #MorallyGrey #ManipulativeML (Male Lead) #Betrayal #Revenge #Control #Obsession #PowerPlay #Seduction #TwistedDesires #LoveAndHate

Synopsis: Ezekiel’s life was a tragic tale of addiction, loneliness, and missed opportunities. A failed existence marred by a deadly overdose, his life seemed to end in darkness. But fate had other plans. Reincarnated in the body of Darius Lionhart, a 16-year-old prince with immense potential and godly mana reserves, Ezekiel is given a second chance — one that comes with power, intrigue, and danger. Darius, once seen as a weak and illegitimate son, is reborn as a man with limitless potential. Blessed with infinite mana and empowered by the mysterious chains that bind him, Ezekiel embraces his new identity with a ruthless resolve. His jealous brothers, Elias and Asher, who conspired to poison him, are in for a shock — Darius is no longer the pawn they believed him to be. With a mind sharpened by his past life and a body capable of incredible feats, Ezekiel sets his sights on the throne. He will no longer be the victim of his family’s schemes. Instead, he will become the most feared force in the kingdom, ruling with an iron fist and a heart of ice. But his journey will not be easy. Old rivals, deadly enemies, and even his own father — the legendary King Kael, an SSS-ranked battle god — stand in his way. To survive, Ezekiel must outmaneuver everyone around him. The throne is within his grasp, but only if he can navigate the deadly politics of the royal court, the manipulation of his siblings, and the countless challenges that await him. Will he rise to become the ultimate ruler, or will the kingdom’s power struggles consume him? In a world where only the strongest survive, Ezekiel will stop at nothing to claim his birthright. The Lionhart bloodline will either bow to him, or it will burn in the flames of his ambition.

standing on corpses of blood entangled between madness and grieve redd an orphan boy witnessed he's loved one massacred

Beatrice has always known a life of struggle and survival. But when she's kidnapped and thrust into a world of luxury and deceit, she discovers a shocking truth: her entire life has been orchestrated by a mysterious figure known only as Gabriel. As she becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue and power struggles, Beatrice must confront the darkness of her own past and the true nature of her existence. Will she be able to break free from the shackles of her past and forge a new future, or will she remain forever bound by those who claim to own her?

Tags: [Progression] [Litrpg] [Modern Fantasy] [SCP Inspired] The GRA classifies him as File #666, an anomaly locked away and monitored under the highest security, along with many other system-"blessed" humans, and monsters from other worlds. Nathan is no ordinary detainee. Within him lies a Gate, a link to realms of untamed power and cosmic terror. These aren’t just alternate dimensions—they’re living entities, each realm a source of unimaginable strength and unspeakable horrors. With every forced descent into these hostile realms, Nathan edges closer to a power that might burn him alive...or rebirth him as something the GRA can’t contain. The question isn’t if he’ll survive. It’s what he’ll become when he comes out of these dimensions. +++ I am writing this due to people's request. Shit starts getting picked up by around 25 - 30.

Emma is a smart teenage girl who is ostracized at school by her brother and his friends for something she did three months ago. She spends most of her time in Blackwood Forest until she encounters a sadistic supernatural clown boy who changes her entire life.

Closing his eyes after experiencing misfortune. Luki Constantine suddenly woke up in a world, and a time different from his own, he woke up in a world with mysterious rituals, taboo knowledge, and various creatures beyond common sense that seem to be hidden behind the world that looks ordinary. He suddenly has to wake up and become one with Arshen Rosselvelt, who is always faced with various kinds of madness, strange creatures, and various mysterious organizations that worship the evil gods.

Zhong Xin Tian Di (The centre of Heaven and Earth) # Background Ming yu is an avatar that exist in novel called Zhong Xin Tian Di, the reason for him being an avatar in this novel is that his real essence wants to know what it's like to live as on body in a story, but even after transferring his side consciousness a portion of his power was transferred to the avatar, but this was to fatal for the story to contain just half its power so he decided to input 100,000 level of sealing on the avatar ( 100,000 level of sealing which each level of sealing contains Infinite numbers of seals almost uncountable) and even after that sealing he power would explode or over load the mortal realm. So he sealed half of his remaining spiritual energy after those sealing, in a sword that he crafted using the concept of 'cutting and slicing' which the sword is stored in his voided soul and eats up his energy bit by bit in nanoseconds of his every day life, then afterwards shared his energy to create versions of him existing in different timelines from the original avatar of the universe across the infinite multiverse (which each universe have infinite timelines and different versions of himself exist in every timelines in one and other infinite number of universe that makes the multi verse) but he still has to control his remaining spiritual energy, for it Will still overwhelm the mortal realm. He can move and destroy the Eral-realm by share will even after his extremely sealed state. And novel still ongoing, it was said that Ming yu fought against an elect (the elects are candidates and trainees to become Demon kings) in the Eral-realm realm he defeated the elect and toke on the position of an elect and became stronger to the point were severely restricting him will only make him stronger and even after that he stored the elect he defeated in his voided soul so that the defeated elect could eat up his spiritual energy automatically making the elect and him stronger. That said if Ming yu breaks just 1 level of the sealing, it will increase his power infinitely making him stronger than before and will destroy the entirety of the Story's framework. # A little Cosmology. The mortal realm : refers to a vast expanse encompassing two multiverses. The first multiverse contains universies that are immesurably higher in size and reality than the last and infinitely higher in reality and size than other Multiverse. The mortal realm also comprises the meta-verse aa Transfinite number of higher dimensionality levels above 4-D space, which each dimensionality infinitely higher than the last. Above the mortal realm lies a Eral-realm, akin to the Outer verse. The spirit realm :exist as a whole level of existence that transcends conventional and independable motion and thought for it is a realm that exist for abstract souls and the soul king is the ruler of this realm as it encompasses the conceptual size of absolute infinity and deep endless land, and having infinite structural layers within infinite numbers of them selves (having infinite layers upon infinite layers of infinite number) in other to encompass the number of souls coming from the mortal realm. The Eral-realm: is a realm that transcend The Axis ( The Axis is like the hyper verse which encompasses transinfinite level of Higher inapplicable dimensionalities above the mortal realm) the Eral-realm exist as a realm that is completely transcendancy beyond time and space, infinity, logical reason, and outside all dimensionalities. The Eral-realm is Above The Axis and a for only The elects. The Eral-realm also has the timeless Trees and the deep End streams ( these trees are called timeless trees because the have countless numbers of branches which each branches contains the infinite strings of infinite number and size timelines of the invisible mortal realm (invisible mortal realm that exist one foundation of existence above the normal mortal realm). Note: Isn't complete yet.

Vansis and Selvia Blake weren’t your typical siblings. Sure, they fought like cats and dogs, but their family came with a unique feature: they couldn’t die if they killed each other. Beheaded? Disemboweled? Thrown off a cliff? They’d wake up an hour later, annoyed but alive. For the twins, this was a lifestyle choice. They called it training. Everyone else called it deeply unsettling. Things got messy after their dad kicked the bucket under suspiciously peaceful circumstances, leaving behind a cryptic will and zero instructions. One ill-advised trip to a creepy underground altar later, Selvia couldn’t resist touching a glowing rune Vansis specifically told her not to touch. Boom. Magic powers, new world, total chaos. Now, Vansis is stuck babysitting Selvia, who decided to take a coma-level nap just when everything started trying to kill them. Survival’s tough enough, but he’s got one rule: nobody kills Selvia except me. (Author’s note: Hey, just a heads-up—this story is kinda a side project, so don’t expect updates past the first chapter anytime soon. I’ve got another novel to wrap up first, and trust me, it’s eating up all my free time. That said, I’d love to hear your thoughts, ideas, or even wild theories about where this could go—I’ll definitely keep them in mind for whenever I circle back to this chaos. Thanks for sticking around, and I promise, this will eventually gets updated, hopefully)

The Realm of Dawn, a continent blessed by nature and protected by the Dragon Pantheon; Ra. To the creatures of the night, Ra was the morning sun, capable of scorching the entire universe. But, to humans and demi-humans, who coexisted peacefully, Ra was a father... a guardian... A God. It communed with mortals, protected them, and received their prayers. Until Greed crept in, drawing some humans to a darkness they should have ignored. Power, wealth, women... "You can be like Ra..." they said. "All you have to do is get this to him" And they did... The pulsating hexagon crystal was hidden amongst the corpse of the week-old lamb offered to Ra. And so it happened, Ra was consumed by the evil of the crystal and went on a rampage. Lost in rage, it decimated everyone and everything in its path, turning the land of dawn into a fiery hell hole. The greedy humans who made the offerings were the first to die, but it didn't stop there. In merely an hour hundreds of thousands of humans and demi-beasts had been reduced to smothering ashes. Humans and demi-beasts fled in all directions, confused as to why their God had turned on them. In the world's darkest hours, they came. They called themselves the Visitors, yet they brought chaos and destruction. The world tore open and machines of chaos and destruction invaded the land of dawn, meeting Ra in combat. They say the battle lasted a week, only ending after Ra took his last breath. --- Three centuries later the land of dawn has changed completely. Humanity's saviors didn't just stop at Ra, they also went after demi-beasts. They accused demi-beasts of collaborating with Ra to wipe out the human race. Soon, walls were built around humans, and trees and vegetation were replaced with skyscrapers. The land, which was once a paradise had grown into a mega city of science and technological breakthroughs. Yes, the visitors never left. But they kept their promise, exposing the human race to a power acquired through forbidden means. --- Kael Ardyn was born into the western kingdom of the Empire; Auranos and was opportune to be selected by Ra as his vessel. Under Ra's guidance, Kael is exposed to a world he never existed before. The Path of Mystic Resonance!

In a world shaped by magic and the will of the gods, Alice's destiny is forever altered when, in her darkest moment, an ancient entity comes to her aid. Freed from its prison but now bound to Alice, the cunning demon Azmodiel accompanies her on her journey of discovery and growth. Together, they uncover the wonders of magic, reveal ancient secrets, and seek their purpose in life and their place in the world. But when all this being seeks is to corrupt Alice and use her for its macabre plans, what will this pair's fate be? Will Alice, with her pure heart and boundless love for magic, be able to change her companion, or will she succumb to the madness and seduction of Azmodiel?

This story is about serial killer but he fall deeply in love with a beautiful girl but kill her dad

[COMPLETED] Aideen Ruan, though a royal princess, was always unwanted due to the circumstances of her birth. Born blind to a hostage concubine, she possessed an intriguing beauty; however, her disability rendered her utterly useless to the royal family. Even when the struggling Count Crueder reluctantly agreed to take Aideen as his wife to secure the royal dowry, her life failed to improve. A year into their marriage, Aideen's inability to produce an heir sealed her fate. The princess was destined for exile to the Temple, consigned to spend the remainder of her days in isolation and abandonment. Contrary to her anticipations, instead of the Temple, Aideen found herself within the cold walls of Duke Tillian Valentine's castle. Duke Valentine, the last scion of the once-revered Valentine family that ruled the Kingdom before the "Fratricide Rebellion", now presided over the desolate Northern lands. Faced with fear and confusion, Aideen expected her life to perpetuate its cycle of misery, only to discover that Duke Valentine might hold the key to a new opportunity, a chance at a life she had never envisioned. "You bewitched my body and soul. Put an intoxicating spell on me, shackled my heart to yours with your magic. If I could exchange my eyesight with you, I would do it just to make you see what a man dying from love looks like."

Alex now 11 years old, had lived a solitary life within the confines of his room, content with what he had and avoid the outside world. The quiet routine was shattered by the scraping of paper against the floor a letter had been slipped under his door. It was from the clan elders, assigning him his first mission a simple resource collection run with a party. He tried to rationalize a refusal, but the unspoken threat hung heavy in the air "comply, or be cast out". With a sigh, Alex donned the clan's standard three-layered suit, a garment he hadn't worn in years, and stepped out into the unfamiliar light, venturing into the unknown.

Kisah ini dimulai setelah kehancuran Bumi akibat bencana besar yang meluluhlantakkan peradaban manusia. Dua manusia terakhir, Arka dan Sari, diselamatkan oleh entitas asing yang membawa mereka ke dunia baru bernama Anuraya. Dunia ini dihuni oleh berbagai ras dan makhluk unik, penuh misteri, sihir, dan konflik. Dengan kemampuan luar biasa yang telah dimodifikasi oleh entitas asing, Arka dan Sari harus bertahan hidup di dunia baru ini. Seiring waktu, mereka menemukan bahwa perjalanan ini lebih dari sekadar bertahan hidup. Dunia Anuraya menyimpan konflik yang lebih besar, intrik antar-ras, dan kebenaran yang berhubungan dengan keberadaan mereka. Tujuan akhir mereka adalah membangun kerajaan baru yang dapat menyatukan semua ras, tetapi itu hanya akan tercapai melalui perjuangan panjang yang dipenuhi pengorbanan.

It's simple. The star-crossed villains from completely different worlds of reality and fiction crossed paths and they plan to sweetly embrace the madness within them. A writer who yearns for a true villain and a fictional character who can fulfill her yearning. This is not a love story but a journey of two friends (with benefits) burning the world into ashes. She didn't want a hero. Those boring selfless son of a who knows. She wanted a villain- A real villain. Not a villain who would fall in love nor a villain who would kill for love but a villain who will commit mass murder and burn the world down. She is enamored with her own madness. "So, uh, would you like to take a shower?" I asked him while offering a trash bag where he can dispose of the severed head. Well, a few heads isn't that big of a deal.  "Bold little thing, I'll take you up on that offer."

Immortality can change even the weakest

The date is 4026. Earth has been destroyed. Demons roam the surface, trying to find any surviving humans. The humans, however, have made underground bases powered by magical crystals. Theo's little brother, Sade, has gotten lost outside of the facility. Can Theo find his brother and get back to safety before it's too late.

500 years ago, the Goddess of Order, Meena, chose a mortal whom she fancied and made him her champion, bestowing upon him great power that ensured he never lost a war and he always prevailed in the face of adversity. The 'Jojoh Meena', the blessing of the Goddess of Order, was passed down from the mortal whom she favored and down through the line of his male descendants who became Kings of the Kingdom of Binoria. The descendants, with the power of the Goddess, waged war against their rival Kingdoms. Nearly wiping out the kingdom of Kolotia who defied their rule. Subjugating the Remu and the Talisi Kingdoms and forcing them to pay an annual penance to the mighty Binoria to ensure their fate doesn't mirror that of Kolotia. Vayin Vigon, present king of Binoria and holder of the blessing of the Goddess as his ancestors before him, sits on the red throne of the most powerful kingdom in the realm, Binoria. King Vayin Vigon is unstoppable in and out of the field of battle and his reign of tyranny seems to have no end. But unbeknownst to King Vayin is a Kolotian shepherd named Ishar, a young man who catches the eye of the God of Chaos, a malevolent God named Ovek who seeks to right the wrong done to the realm 500 years ago by the Goddess Meena. As the Goddess of Order gave to the Kings of Binoria so must the God of Chaos take from Ishar so as to restore balance within the realm. And the price deemed fit to be paid by Ishar so as to be the champion of Chaos, is the young Kolotian's sanity. Will madness be enough to overcome tyranny?

What happens when Madness meets Insanity?? Only chaos could be born from such cataclysmic collision. In the kingdom of Aethel, ruled by the tyrannical King Owen, tradition reigns supreme, often at the cost of humanity. Bound by ancient laws, Owen is forced to make a horrifying choice upon the birth of his twins: to eliminate his newborn daughter, fulfilling a prophecy that foretells doom should twins exist. This sets in motion chain of events that would challenge the very foundation of Aethel. What happens when ancient prophecies collide with the unpredictable nature of a weakening veil? When the line between tradition and survival blurs, and when the very foundation of Aethel’s existence is threatened? The siblings must confront not only the monstrous abominations beyond the veil but also the dark secrets and terrible choices of their own father, a king whose adherence to tradition has pushed him to the brink of madness. The fate of Aethel hangs in the balance, dependent on the choices of four siblings – each grappling with their unique powers, their familial bonds, and the terrible weight of a world teetering on the precipice of chaos.

A man who does not have any interest in life gets reincarnated by a God for his amusement. Now that the man is reincarnated what will happen to the naruto world is unknown to the God, and the God will be regreting his decision of giving power to a mad man. A/N--first time writing a novel, so expect a lot of mistakes.. I have not given much thought in which way i am going.. So i will just go along the way where my story takes me Note-i don't own anything other than the MC.. And this fanfic will be messing up story so be careful and don't expect much of me

Melissa Brant, a poor vegetable seller, from the poorest family in Rio Hondo finds herself sourcing for fund to pay her mother’s medical bills. Fanny Luis, the richest mogul in Rio Hondo offers to grant her the money but for a price. “I will give you the money but you must sign a contract marriage with my mad son.” Melissa never knew what she was opting for until she shared roof with Brian, the most violent mad man in Rio Hondo. Later Fanny reminded her, “You must give me a grandchild. Didn’t you read the contract marriage agreement?” She was a virgin and never expected to get intimate with her mad husband. Fortunately, after she helped Brian regain his sanity, obsession possessed them. “Now I am fulfilled you have regained your sanity. The contract marriage agreement says you can divorce me once you regain your sanity. Please, Brian let me go,” she pled. “I don’t mind losing my sanity again if I deny what this heart feels for you now. I crave to stay with you forever. To hell with the divorce,” Brian replied coldly. What will be their fate? Lets’ turn the pages. It is going to be a bumpy ride.