Ash Lake Dark Souls

A young orphan boy, raised in a run-down blacksmith shop, spends his days hammering away at horseshoes and other mundane tasks. Despite his humble beginnings and the harsh realities of his life, he dreams of something greater. Determined to escape the life of poverty that has bound him, he makes a vow to himself: he will forge the greatest weapons the world has ever seen. With nothing but his raw talent, a relentless drive to improve, and an unwavering desire for success, the boy sets out on a journey of self-discovery, honing his craft and building the skills necessary to create weapons of unparalleled quality and power. Along the way, he will face numerous challenges, form powerful alliances, and confront the shadows of his past, all while striving to carve a name for himself as the greatest weaponsmith of all time.

The System ruled everything—until it collapsed. Once, it decided who thrived and who perished, raising legends and crushing the weak. Now, only ruins remain… along with those desperate to cling to its fading power. Aden never cared for glory. He only wanted to survive. But when a simple job turns into a nightmare, he stumbles upon an ancient secret—one that should have died with the System. Now, he’s a hunted man. System cults, warlords, and those who refuse to let the past die are all after him. In a world where forgotten knowledge is deadlier than any weapon, Aden must fight—not to change the world, but to make sure it doesn’t bury him first.

In a world where the strong reign and the weak are left behind, Riven is nothing more than an afterthought—a boy overshadowed by his powerful allies, mocked for his insignificance. Yet, beneath his seemingly ordinary exterior lies a strength he dares not unleash. When a devastating battle sends him plummeting into a forbidden land where no one survives, his allies mourn his death, believing their weakest link is gone forever. But Riven’s fall is only the beginning. Rescued by a mysterious figure, he endures a year of relentless training, forced to confront the truth about himself, his power, and the unseen forces shaping his destiny. Now, when his friends stand on the brink of destruction, Riven returns—not as the weakling they once knew, but as a force beyond their comprehension. The world will soon learn that the boy they overlooked is the one who will burn through the shadows and reshape their fate. But will his newfound strength be enough to stand against the unseen forces pulling the strings from the dark? The battle for survival has begun. And in the end, only ashes will remain.

A mysterious VR game company has unleashed a revolutionary MMORPG, Ascension of Souls, a game so advanced it threatens to blur the line between reality and fiction. Marketed as a groundbreaking innovation, it promised to change the world—but for Leo, it’s far more than just a game. It’s his only hope for survival. Thrown into an expansive, ever-shifting world, Leo fights alongside a growing circle of powerful allies—each with their own ambitions, rivalries, and hidden pasts. Like them, he can level up, grow stronger, and carve his path through a world where strength is everything. But unlike anyone else, he possesses a pair of mysterious bracelets, a power seemingly tied to him alone, unlocking fragmented memories of a past he doesn’t remember. As whispers of forgotten legends surface and unseen forces pull the strings behind the game’s mechanics, Leo realizes that survival isn’t just about leveling up—it’s about unraveling a truth buried deep within the game itself. But uncovering the truth comes at a cost—one that could rewrite everything he knows

** The Saga of Souls ** In the depths of pain and weakness, lives **Ethan**, a boy who faces bullying and humiliation every day. Despite it all, he returns home with a fake smile to comfort his sick mother, helping her with dinner and cleaning the house with kindness. But one dark night, while releasing his heartache with screams in the forest, he falls into a deep pit. There, he discovers a mysterious chess piece, which merges with his arm, causing excruciating pain, leaving behind a glowing bull tattoo. With every step he takes, Ethan realizes that this power is not just a gift, but a test. Will he use it to seek revenge on a world that wronged him, or to discover his true self? --- A tale full of mystery, power, and incredible transformations. **"The Saga of Souls"...** When pain turns into power, destiny is reshaped.

In a world where magic dictates destiny, your worth is determined by two things—Talent and Bloodline. Asvorn has neither. Branded as worthless from birth, he was abandoned by his parents and cast out of his village, left to survive on scraps and endure a life of scorn. For twenty-two years, he lived on the outskirts of society, invisible, unloved. But when starvation and despair push him to his limit, he makes a choice—to leave his wretched life behind and seek a future in the capital of Vaelthorin. Armed with nothing but sheer will and a makeshift weapon, he embarks on a journey riddled with danger, where even the weakest creatures could end his life. Yet, beneath his frail exterior, something stirs—something unseen, something forgotten. Is he truly worthless? Or is there more to his fate than what the world has decided for him? Asvorn’s journey has begun, and with it, the first embers of a fire long thought dead.

The reclusive Peak Master Fu Ran held onto a simple wish, a fleeting hope that the man of ̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶d̶r̶e̶a̶m̶s̶ his nightmares, would have stayed in his dreams! Since a young age, Fu Ran had been plagued by prophetic visions of his own demise at the hands of a tyrant emperor, but he had managed to keep some semblance of self with a simple fact: dreams couldn't kill you. But what happens when conjured fears become real? When they exist outside sleep? Fu Ran must struggle with learning to deal with an unwanted presence in his day-to-day life as he discovers that there's far more to this tyrant emperor than he first thought.

In the Ashen Reach, a cursed wasteland of black dunes and ember-storms, Torv “Ash” Kren runs alone, hauling glowing ember-shards in a battered sled. Once a raider, he quit when his crew torched innocence—now he trades magic fuel for water, machete chipped, coat patched, one job from death. An ember-storm cracks his sled—shards spill—when Lysa “Ember” Vey stumbles from the haze, half-dead, clutching a red-hot Core Ember worth a fortune or a grave. Lysa’s an ash-witch—bends shards into fire-blades, hunted by warlord Krax for a 10,000-shard bounty. She offers Torv 2,000 to run her to the Free Drift, rebel camp past the Dune Wall—or leave him dry in the sand. Torv’s gut says ditch her—warlord’s hounds close—but her ember buys time, and his Ash Runner Sense wakes: kills earn miles, power grows. They trek—raiders bleed, storms burn—Torv’s machete sings (+500 miles, Dune Dash), Lysa’s fire cuts deep. Krax’s dogs tear closer—ember-teeth glint—when the Core cracks, whispering: “Free me, claim all.” Truth hits: Lysa’s bounty’s fake—Krax wants the Core that cursed the Reach. Torv’s past crew died for it—he’s bound to the ash. Miles climb (Ash Veil, 1,000)—lungs scar, Lysa’s shard burns her grip. At the Dune Wall, Krax looms—Torv carves, Lysa flares—Core shatters, Reach shakes. Warlord falls—shards rain—but Torv’s ash-coated, Lysa’s bleeding. A new ember glows west—next run calls. Grind, fire, survival—will Torv and Lysa outrun the curse, or burn in it?

When the Black Maw calls, no one refuses. Elias was born in the slums of Valtaros, where survival is measured in stolen scraps and whispered prayers. But when the Maw chooses him, he is thrust into a trial of blood and madness, where only the strongest—or the most ruthless—survive. Inside the Maw’s twisted realm, Elias quickly learns the truth: mercy is a weakness, trust is a lie, and only power matters. He carves his way forward, eliminating anyone who stands in his path. Yet even as he embraces the Maw’s brutal logic, he cannot escape the one challenger he never expected—Lyara, a warrior whose compassion defies the Maw’s cruelty. She refuses to break. She refuses to let him fall. But when she sacrifices herself to save him, Elias is left with a question that shakes him to his core—was she right? As the final trial begins, Elias must face the deadliest battle yet—not just against the monstrous horrors of the Maw, but against the man he is becoming. And when the Maw finally devours him whole, he will be forced to make the ultimate choice: Will he rise as the Maw’s chosen, a being of pure destruction? Or will he defy fate itself, becoming something the Maw never intended? One way or another, the trial will end. And Elias will never be the same.

In a world where power dictates status, Toshi Igasaki is just another face in the crowd—silent, unnoticed, and uninterested in the world around him. Drifting through life with no attachments, he moves from place to place, avoiding attention. But fate has other plans. A mysterious past lingers just beyond his reach, and the world around him begins to shift in ways he can't ignore. As whispers of legends and unseen forces stir, Toshi finds himself walking a path he never intended to take. Some things are meant to stay forgotten. But the past has a way of catching up. Warning: This story contains graphic violence, gore, dark themes, and disturbing imagery. Reader discretion is advised. If you are sensitive to such content, please proceed with caution. I am also posting this story on Royal Road under the username 'Writer_Error'.

The Crown’s Ashes Elaris was born to rule, but betrayal stole her throne before she could even claim it. Left for dead by those she once trusted, she is forced into hiding, alone and powerless. But the throne is not just a seat of power—it is bound to an ancient spirit, one that whispers in the shadows, offering her strength at a dangerous cost. Determined to reclaim what is rightfully hers, Elaris trains under an old soldier, sharpening both her mind and her supernatural abilities. Along the way, she finds an unlikely ally in Malrik, a man as ruthless as he is enigmatic. Against her better judgment, she begins to trust him. To love him. But love is the cruelest weapon of all. Malrik’s betrayal cuts deeper than any blade, revealing a web of deception far greater than she ever imagined. With her heart shattered and the throne slipping further from her grasp, Elaris faces an impossible choice—submit to the throne spirit’s hunger for power or forge her own path, even if it means sacrificing the man she once loved. The throne demands blood. And Elaris must decide whose will be spilled.

A world where the tales of old are not mere stories but of a untold truth, Artifacts, items of immense power, shape the history of earth. Ash Tree Saga weaves together the journeys of those who bear these cursed gifts as well as the struggle between them and the ash tree organization. Each volume explores a new protagonist and their journey through a dark, unforgiving, alt-history medieval world. Vol 1: Dawn Mask - Follow the story of Isaac Novikov, the last heir of a fallen Ruthenian barony, and his journey in the Holy Roman Empire, discovering the cause of his family’s collapse. Vol 2: Hermit of The Stars - Let me finish vol 1.. — Author Note — This is originally a game idea of mine. So, while I am making games, I wanted to try out writing a web novel since I love them. Thus there may be a future game series for this web novel. I’ll try to answer any questions about the WN so feel free to ask! My current highest level class in anything about writing was in High School so there may be some lack of quality in literary skills.

In the nation of Avrael, power is both a blessing and a curse. Sixteen-year-old Ayato Daath, a poor orphan, had always hoped to live unnoticed in the shadows of the city. But when he is forced to undergo The Rite of Manifestation, the ritual that determines one’s magical potential, his worst fear comes true—he is an Elite. Now torn from the only life he’s ever known, Ayato is thrust into a brutal world of magic, bloodshed, and treacherous politics. In a society where the strong prey on the weak, where rival factions scheme in the dark, and where a single misstep could mean death, Ayato must quickly learn one thing—adapt, or perish. And one thing Ayato already knows is that in Avrael, only the ruthless survive.

"From Ash to Aetherblade": Ackah Emile lives in the sprawling city of Veridia, a place where the gap between the awakened Hunters and the powerless unawakened is a chasm. Struggling to support his mother, Abelema, and younger sister, Aya, after the death of his father, Ackah faces a daily battle against poverty and despair. The world beyond Veridia is a dangerous place, swarming with monsters, labyrinths, and dimensional rifts, where only the strong survive. When a sudden, violent awakening transforms Ackah into a "Sword Ascendant," he is granted the power to wield a blade of pure aetheric energy and transcend the limits of mortal swordsmanship. This newfound power offers a chance to escape his desperate circumstances, but it also thrusts him into a world of cutthroat guilds, powerful nations, and ancient threats. Ackah must learn to master his abilities, navigating the treacherous political landscape of the twenty superpower countries, each vying for dominance. He faces monstrous hordes, battles corrupt guild leaders, and confronts the ever-present threat of void invasions. Along the way, he forms alliances with other Hunters, uncovers ancient secrets, and faces moral dilemmas that test his resolve. As Ackah rises from the ashes of his past, he amasses wealth and power, establishing his own guild, the "Rift Walkers," and forging a legend that will echo through the ages. "From Ash to Aetherblade" is a tale of action, adventure, and the transformative power of will, where a young man, armed with a blade of pure energy, carves his own destiny in a world teetering on the brink of chaos.

A girl came out of her mother's house and her sister because of their hatred of her, so she decided to go to take her to the train to the world of another world of soul.

As Europe burns in the final days of World War I, Captain Elias Mercier, a disillusioned French soldier, deserts his post and stumbles upon a small, war-torn village in the Alps. Haunted by the ghosts of his past and struggling to reconcile the man he’s become, Elias finds unexpected sanctuary among strangers—particularly in the bond he forms with a quiet boy who has lost everything. But peace is fragile in a world scarred by conflict, and as the shadows of war creep closer, Elias must confront his past and decide whether he will keep running—or stand and fight for something worth saving. Beneath the Ashen Sky is a story of redemption, healing, and finding hope when it seems there is none

In a world where hybrids are nothing more than pests. Rem finds herself blessed with a loving family. However, a terrible hex given to her at birth makes it hard to control her rage. Not only that, but she has fallen in love with a man hell-bent on destroying the world she lives in! “Come with me if you want to live!” She declares, holding her hand towards the craziest Lycan to ever live. -Second Book of The Gate of Shadows- -Updated Monday, Wednesday, and Friday-

"no one knows the way things started" .. .. A young girl named Misaki who lived happily with her mother and her younger brother suddenly got dragged into a strange place that say that she belongs to strange species of humans called "Ascenders", she continues in this journey only to face throught tragedies and discover things that should have stayed hidden for eternity...

Mother Earth is healing herself. In the 20th and 21st centuries, the World is engulfed in two major wars between mankind. Survivors migrated massively to war-free places, but the impact was still felt there. Bacteria, viruses, radiation, and mutated creatures continue to erode the human population. But humans continue to develop science in search of new planets. A group of scientists discovered a planet similar to the Earth called Valkan. Hoping to communicate, they created a tool called SOULS that can connect the soul of its users to distant places. Adrien Adrestia, a prince of the Kingdom of Arestiana gets the "Grace" of connecting with the earthlings. However, it turns out that he is connected to a serial killer inmate coded Zero. An ideological battle took place in his head. Not only that, the threat of war from enemy kingdoms and earth colonies continues to heat up. Will Adrien and Zero try to stop that? Or are they fighting for bodies? note: (A Low Fantasy Medieval and Futuristic Post-Apocalypse Hybrid)

In a world ruled by an unstoppable World Government and the Leaders of the Modern World, power is the only language spoken. Reys’a, a man burdened by the curse of immortality, walks the thin line between fate and reality. With each battle, he inches closer to uncovering the truth buried in history—but at what cost? Amid shattered alliances, treacherous betrayals, and an empire on the brink of war, Reys’a must embrace the very power that threatens to consume him.

The year is 2045, and the world has been consumed by the neverending apocalypse, a terrible doomsday event that has destroyed the once precious home. Joshei, our main protagonist, has the last chance to save everyone again, by going back in time. Will his hatred for the ignorant world and gods consume him? Or will his desires and secret powers be able to triumph and help everyone he wants to? Many secrets are still left unsolved, but can he be the one, to save the world.....Rank Up!

Kyle's life had always been miserable. Abandoned by his S-rank mother and cast into the suburbs, where only the strongest survive, he was forced to scavenge through garbage and fight to stay alive. But everything changes on the anniversary of the Annual Ascension Day when the game Infinite Continent selects one million humans to become players. Kyle is chosen, gaining a talent with immense potential. He dives into the game, forgetting everything else. Things seemed to be getting better for him—until someone appeared at his door. The mother who abandoned him years ago wants to reconcile, claiming that she had been under a curse all those years, forcing her to do what she did. "So what? How is that my problem? I don’t care. Get lost or I’ll kill you."

Gods, it was boiling in this useless excuse for a kingdom. Or maybe it felt that way because Celaena Sardothien had been lounging on the lip of the terra-cotta roof since midmorning, an arm flung over her eyes, slowly baking in the sun like the loaves of flat-bread the city’s poorest citizens left on their windowsills because they couldn’t afford brick ovens. And gods, she was sick of flatbread—teggya, they called it.

This was supposed to be just a dance, but the way he held me said otherwise. His grip on my waist was firm, almost possessive, pulling me flush against his body.He spun me around effortlessly, my back now pressed against his solid chest. A deep chuckle rumbled from him, his breath warm against my neck."Are you trying to tempt me?" he asked, his voice thick with something dark and unspoken. I barely had time to process his words before I felt it-hard and pressing against me. My breath caught, heat spreading through me as realization struck."What?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. His hands slid down, gripping my hips as he pulled me even closer. "Because it's working," he murmured, his lips grazing my ear, sending a rush of electricity through me. Bella Smith never imagined betrayal would be the least of her worries. At twenty-two, she walks in on her best friend in bed with her boyfriend-a heartbreak that sends her running. But fate has something far worse in store. Sold by her aunt's husband to ruthless traffickers to settle his gambling debts, Bella is shipped to Russia, her freedom ripped away. Desperate to escape, she seizes a chance-only to witness the tragic suicide of Vladimir Ivanov's only daughter. Now, the merciless mafia lord sees an opportunity. Bella is forced into an unthinkable deception: assume the dead girl's identity and marry Alessandro De Lucas, the most feared mafia boss in Italy. A man known for his cold brutality and unforgiving nature. Caught in a web of lies and surrounded by monsters, Bella knows one truth-if Alessandro discovers she's an imposter, she won't live to see another day. But the more time she spends in his world, the more dangerous the game becomes. Because deception isn't the only thing burning between them.

A cursed soul trapped on a battlefield seraching for the sun. Rumors has it that a demon in a black armor appeared on the field, many stated than even if you killed it, he came back to haunt you until your last breath. You may not remember it, but your soul was doomed from the beginning if you crossed path with him in another life. If you crossed path with me.