Hosts Of Mordor Upgrade

"Eternal Rebirth: The Fall of the Gods" In a universe where gods control the fabric of reality, one man is born destined to undo everything. Arin, once a hopeless, insignificant child, is abandoned by his family and forced to survive in a world that seems indifferent to his existence. But the truth lies hidden within him—Arin is the most powerful being in the cosmos, and his destiny is far from ordinary. When a chance encounter with Amara, a girl with a terminal illness, ignites a spark of love, Arin's life is forever changed. He vows to protect her, only to watch her die at the hands of a godly conspiracy. Consumed by rage, Arin awakens his dormant power and embarks on a quest for revenge, turning from a helpless boy into a dangerous force of nature. Guided by an enigmatic girl who helps him unlock his true abilities, Arin begins to confront the gods—immortal beings who have ruled the universe with an iron fist. In his journey, he learns that his powers are not just the result of fate, but are tied to a greater cosmic design, a cycle of creation and destruction that has spanned eons. As he unravels the mystery of his origins, he discovers a truth even more terrifying: the gods' fall was merely the beginning of an ancient and destructive cycle, and he is destined to either save or destroy the universe. With his newfound abilities, Arin wages a war against the gods themselves, battling their remnants in a brutal quest for vengeance and justice. But as he grows more powerful, the line between hero and monster begins to blur. Each victory comes at a steep price, and Arin must wrestle with the weight of his immortality and the consequences of his actions. His rage threatens to consume him, and the once-human boy begins to question if the price of vengeance is worth the destruction of everything he holds dear. In the final chapters, Arin must confront Zeraphon, an ancient god of creation and destruction, who seeks to merge with him and remake the universe in his image. Faced with the choice of becoming an immortal god or sacrificing himself for the greater good, Arin must make the ultimate decision—one that will either end the cycle or condemn the universe to eternal chaos. "Eternal Rebirth: The Fall of the Gods" is a high-stakes, action-packed novel of revenge, redemption, and cosmic balance. Filled with epic battles, shocking betrayals, and a deeply personal journey, it explores the consequences of power, immortality, and the price of love in a universe on the brink of collapse.

'Hmmmm...so I just have to witness the skill being used to copy it...then I can evolve this skill ten times it's initial power?' Nox was skeptical as he looked at the screen flickering on his retina. I mean, how was something so insane even possible? Copying a skill itself was very bad-assed, and you mean to say he could evolved the copied Skill ten times it's initial power, exponentially surpassing the original owner? Why would the gods let such broken talent even exist? 'Well it's just one way to find out...' Luckily just then, he saw two powerfull beings fighting mid air. Their fight sent shockwaves billowing in all directions, causing Nox to take a couple of Steps back. At that moment, he activated his talent... [Mimicry activated!] [Target: Cosmic Entity Arkea - Successfully copied Skill "Gravity Manipulation"!] [Description: Gravity Manipulation Creates a localized gravity field, slowing enemies within a 5-meter radius by 20% for 5 seconds.] [Upgrading Gravity Manipulation 10x!] [Ding! You have Awaken Gravitational Singularity!] [Description: Gravitational Singularity Creates a singularity that pulls in enemies within a 20-meter radius, dealing 5,000 damage and stunning them for 5 seconds. Allies within the area gain a 30% damage boost for 10 seconds.] [Do you wish to keep this skill or bestow it to your Pet?] "No fucking way!" Nox exclaimed in shock. "I-its real!"

After leaving earth in a pathetic way, Asher finds his soul in the body of a baron's bastard son. As the last surviving member of the Ashbournes, Asher must take up the mantle and build his territory or die in the jaws of a beast or the blades of hungry nobles greedy for his territory. Luckily, he did not enter this man-eat-man world without support. [Ding! Soulbinding successfully completed.] [Would the host like to upgrade your bronze-ranked butler to a powerful silver-ranked swordsman? Yes or No.] ............. https://discord.com/invite/8Ufe4789YX

Hello, everyone. If you're reading this, you may have read my other stories. I'm starting this one as a bit of a "getting back into it" story. (The synopsis will be further down) Both stories I've written will continue in the near future. (I have to re-read them because I've experienced a massive bout of memory loss.) Apologies for those of you waiting, but I had unavoidable circumstances that impeded my writing experiences. The cover isn't mine but it's been lightly photoshopped. If you want it taken down, tell me. (Signed by Author on April 25th, 2023) Anyways, time for the synopsis: Lia was a simple girl in her previous life. Well not really, considering she was the hit woman for the largest mafia organization that operated within the United States. Over the years, her exceedingly high kill count, and overall success rate was something to be afraid of. Her personality was something akin to pure confidence, bordering on arrogance. She dealt with people the same way she did her enemies. By ruining their lives in the most horrific ways. IE: Setting them up for FBI investigations, having their houses repossessed by the government, or even having them framed for a serious crime. Lia was someone that no one wanted to ever cross. If you did cross her, you might as well have signed your own death certificate! That was until she was smacked in the head by a falling piano. While following through on a hit, no less! I mean, come on! A piano?! that's unfathomably crazy. Well, despite getting hit by a literal piano, she still managed to finish the job. But the very next day, she choked on a sandwich and nearly died! Her luck seemed to have literally bottomed out. This "streak of bad luck" had continued in her life for years! Literal years! She had come so close to dying so many times that she was genuinely confused as to how this could happen to someone! From falling down a flight of stairs to nearly breaking her neck during a cartwheel (despite having so much experience that she could do them with her eyes closed.) Lia had experienced so many near-death experiences that she had become entirely immune to the weird circumstances happening around her. Eventually, the bad luck did catch her. She was minding her own business, walking through the streets of Seattle when a coin rolled across the ground and tripped someone else, who dropped an umbrella, which she tripped over. Her fall had her land directly into the flow of moving traffic. She was then hit by a small square-body pickup truck. It had a small sticker of a smug smiling face attached to its front bumper. Lia had died because of what was essentially a coin. A coin had actually managed to kill a human being. Not just any human, but one of the most feared people within the US. Warnings for all readers: -This novel will (at some point) contain lesbian sex scenes. -System tag doesn't mean in the most literal way. (you'll find out more if you read it.) -This may become a Yuri harem novel (haven't decided.) -Will contain very strong LGBTQ+ themes

"World conquest was never part of the plan." Yu Chen was just an ordinary programmer, slaving away at his desk, fixing bugs for a popular kingdom-building game. His life was a cycle of endless work, sleepless nights, and little appreciation. One fateful night, while struggling to fix a game-breaking bug that granted players an absurd amount of upgrade points, his exhausted heart gave out. But death wasn't the end for Yu Chen. He awoke in a world strangly familiar... he had transmigrated into the very game he had been working on, now inhabiting the body of a notorious tyrant emperor, Arkanos Bloodbane, whose empire was on the brink of destruction. Surrounded by enemies, with rebellions simmering within and war on every front, Yu Chen, now Arkanos, quickly realizes the gravity of his situation. But to his shock, he discovers that he still has access to the game's system interface—complete with the million upgrade points from the bug he had tried to fix! With his knowledge of game mechanics, strategic mind, and a wealth of upgrade points, Arkanos sets out to turn the crumbling empire into an unstoppable force. He begins by summoning legendary heroes, deploying advanced technologies never before seen in this world, and revolutionizing his military and infrastructure. As he pushes his empire to greatness, Arkanos must navigate the treacherous politics of the imperial court, fend off treacherous factions, and outmaneuver the rival nations that seek to destroy him. But with each victory, he realizes that this world is not just a game—it's his new reality. The stakes are higher, the dangers more real, and the consequences of failure more dire than ever.

A brave hero and a Saint of the Immortal Flames join forces to face the most powerful being in the universe, the Celestial Emperor. However, all they manage to do is separate a piece of his divine artifact, the book Tales of the Creation of Heavens and Earth. Unexpectedly, Tristan, a kid who has been locked up in a dungeon for two years by his stepmother, ends up receiving a fragment of this book. Unfortunately, he realizes that this alone is not enough to change his situation. Nevertheless, it rekindles the flame in his heart and motivates him to stay alive to seek revenge and find out what happened to his mother. And perhaps, thus began his ascension in this hellish world. What to Expect: - Weak to Strong to Op - Big fantasy world, many regions to explore with different cultures and characteristics - A good romance - Very interesting magical system - Creative enemies with nice backstory: magical, mystical and divine (eventually) _____________ Discord Server: Join if you want to see some pictures of the characters or just talk about the book. https://discord.gg/q9EQuZfYeZ

In the high-stakes world of luxury fashion, two titans—Ethan Pierce, the ruthless and driven CEO of Pierce Enterprises, and Olivia Carter, the innovative and fiercely independent founder of Carter Couture—dominate the industry. Both at the top of their game, they command respect and fear in equal measure, with empires built on ambition, strategy, and an unyielding desire to be the best. When the fashion landscape begins to shift, and new competitors threaten their dominance, Ethan and Olivia realize that the only way to secure their futures is to join forces. But this isn't just a business merger; it's a union that requires more than a handshake. To truly solidify their position as the ultimate power couple, they agree to a marriage of convenience—a calculated move that will shock the industry and ensure their combined empire's unrivaled success. As they navigate the complexities of their new life together, both in the boardroom and behind closed doors, Ethan and Olivia find themselves confronting feelings they never anticipated. What begins as a cold, strategic alliance slowly transforms into something deeper—a connection neither of them expected. In "Merger of Hearts," ambition and love become intertwined as Ethan and Olivia learn that true power doesn't come from domination alone, but from the vulnerability of opening their hearts. Together, they must face not only external challenges from rivals and the ever-changing market but also the internal struggle of reconciling their growing affection with their carefully guarded independence. Will their partnership be enough to withstand the pressures of their world? Or will the very merger that was supposed to make them invincible become the thing that tears them apart? "Merger of Hearts" is a captivating tale of ambition, strategy, and the unpredictable nature of love in the cutthroat world of high fashion.

After enduring a life filled with countless injustices at the hands of a merciless system, Alastor finally breaks free. But just as he begins to plot his long-awaited revenge, he finds himself thrust into a world far more perilous than he imagined—a realm shrouded in darkness, plagued by monstrous demons, where the only sanctuary lies within the hallowed walls of the Temple of Light. Alastor, sceptical to his core, scoffs at the notion of gods and blessings. Yet, without true faith, he knows survival in this treacherous land is impossible. His only solution? Brainwash himself into unwavering devotion. But Alastor’s mind proves more treacherous than any demon. The war between his rational side and his fanatically devoted persona spirals out of control, creating an inner battle as fierce as the external one. Irrational Alastor: “The God of Light is my guiding star and my life. I’ll protect his honour at any cost!” Rational Alastor: “Are you insane? The God of Light is a scumbag. Snap out of it!” Irrational Alastor: “Silence! He is pure and perfect and I won’t hear otherwise!” Rational Alastor: “Uagh! I want to kill myself.” In a world where enemies lurk both outside and within, can Alastor reclaim control of his own mind before he’s consumed by the divine madness he’s created? Or will his greatest enemy truly be himself? Alastor: You! God of light bastard, get your hands off me or else!

Ark, an 18-year boy who finished his college entrance exams, is waiting for the results to arrive. Since he has a lot of time at his disposal during the vacation, he was forced to visit his grandparents in the village as they require extra help in the fields. After arriving at the village, he helps his grandpa in the fields. After some time, he found traces of the rumoured 5000 years old temple. Feeling the thrill and excitement of the adventure in front of him, Ark leaves home at night to find the temple alone. But soon found himself forced to be a part of an old war that started at the beginning of time that continues till now.

Magic Resides in All. Follow Eren as he embarks on an adventure to find the relics and save Elaria.

Yur had to die before his wish was fulfilled. He finally gained the family he had always dreamed of and a place to call home. But the new world he’s thrust into is dangerous. Not only must he defend against deadly beasts, but he also needs to stay on guard against the schemes of others. Luckily, he gained a system and three upgradable talents upon being reborn: **Sacrifice** Allows him to absorb his kills and grow stronger, increasing his attributes and expanding his arsenal of skills. All is possible through Sacrifice! **Soul Devour** Grants him the ability to devour the souls of his enemies, unlocking endless potential and pushing his limits. **Void Zone** Lets him create an entire "Uncle Sam," defying logic and common sense, negating all damage, and leaving his enemies stunned and terrified. Whether enemies rain down spells or the sky collapses, he and his harem remain safe! Safe!! SAFE!!! (Important things are said thrice.) There's just one problem. All three talents are still in their early stages. Their effects aren’t yet strong or long-lasting. But he’s willing to work hard to upgrade them to the divine level! For his family—which includes the sexiest MILFs, the hottest GILFs, and all the kingdom-toppling beauties across heaven and earth—he will push his talents to the limit!

Fathered by a notorious crime lord and trained by a legendary assassin, Evelyn is determined to cleanse Veridia of its deep-rooted corruption. But with her own father standing as one of the key figures in the darkness she seeks to destroy, the question looms: Can she succeed in her mission without losing herself—or her family—along the way?

In a small, unremarkable town, a teenager named Noah lives a life filled with profound sorrow and neglect. Struggling with the weight of emotional isolation, his journey takes a dark turn as he battles with feelings of emptiness and despair. Despite fleeting moments of connection and hope, Noah's life is a constant fight against his inner demons and the indifferent world around him. After a series of tragic events, Noah's life abruptly ends, but his story is far from over. His soul, marked by a unique indigo aura of deep sorrow, draws the attention of a Transcendent Being in a mysterious, timeless space. Moved by Noah's immense pain, the Being grants him a chance at a new beginning. Follow along as Noah, now Zhi Hua, embarks on a quest to find his purpose in the world. Equipped with unique cultivation art he will challenge fate, and find out if he will succeed or fail. PS. English isn't my first language, so I use Grammarly to correct spelling mistakes. Disclaimer: Themes of Suicide, self-harm, and abuse, and eventually acceptance, self-healing, and hope

In a world where the strength of a knight is determined by their mastery of unique breathing techniques, transmigrator Ethan finds himself inhabiting the body of Ethan Darkwood, a newly crowned king of a weak kingdom. With memories of his previous life, Ethan must learn to navigate this strange medieval world while trying to understand his new identity. The kingdom of Verdant Vale is on the brink of collapse, plagued by internal conflicts, external threats. As the young king, Ethan is initially overwhelmed by the enormity of his responsibilities and the intricacies of the medieval political landscape. His saving grace is the discovery of a mystical system that would help him and his kingdom grow stronger and become more powerful. As he grows stronger, he begins to turn the tides for his kingdom. He introduces revolutionary laws, leads his knights to victories in battles, and fosters alliances with neighboring kingdoms. The once crumbling kingdom of Verdant Vale starts to flourish under his rule. As Ethan Darkwood charts his journey from a transmigrator to a beloved and powerful king, he redefines the concept of strength and leadership in the vast medieval world. With his kingdom building system, he not only saves his kingdom from ruin but also leaves an indelible mark on the annals of its and the world's history. ------------- My 2nd book: Legacy of Eldric.

My first novel yaey (⁠ﾉ⁠◕⁠ヮ⁠◕⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠*⁠.⁠✧ Guwuys I don't settle for 1.5k words per chapter but do tell me if I need to shorten them huhuwu Give this book a chance ples (⁠´⁠°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥⁠ω⁠°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥⁠｀⁠) ——— Furan Shi only wanted to be a cutie little princess. That's it. So when he died, nobody missed him. After his family and relatives, the next person to attend his funeral was his homeroom teacher and friends™, his murderer, and then a mysterious red-eyed crow. Said mysterious crow sucked his soul right out and offered him a better life than this. No, he still won't be a cutie princess, but he can be the next best thing after that. He was invited to transmigrate into different realities without any restrictions. It wasn't a Villain system, a Cannon fodder system... it doesn't belong to any category. Just experiencing the worlds should be enough to satisfy it. Furan Shi agreed with one condition. Filter: ‘Animal Characteristics’ System: Are you… sure about this? Furan Shi, pouting: Is that not possible..? System: … you're welcome to do as you like =͟͟͞͞(꒪ᗜ꒪‧̣̥̇) [Yes, this is a quick transmigration novel.] [Yes, all cutesy cutie pie bc I am sad.] [Yes, the host is always a demihuman, more often than not part animal haha.] [No, the host isn't always an animal demihuman.] [And no, this isn't necessarily about furries. Eh, but I'm open to negotiations.. ╮(. ❛ ᴗ ❛.)╭] I do apologize in advance. I can only offer a small, squishy Furan Shi with ears and tail(/s). Also, I'm trying my best to make this as light-themed as possible for people like me who just wanted to relax, aka not much brain games... ehe..

one day zhou Qingqing was bound to " love system " due to car accident after being cheat by her boyfriend . system said if she clear the missions given by him. she can return to her world or grant one wish . In order to return home she start to complete the missions. later she discovered that her all missions targets were all freaking abnormal . First World murder male lead : xiao Qing do you want me to lock you up zhou Qingqing :no , why!!! murder male lead : then say I love you zhou Qingqing : I love you murder male lead : good girl Second World emperor : won't you take responsibility of me zhou Qingqing : but... emperor show her sword : you don't want to zhou Qingqing : no, I will take responsibility emperor smile : come here wifey Another w Marshal : will you marry me zhou Qingqing : why would I Marshal : oh, you want child first . let's make one zhou Qingqing : stop . I will marry you . . . . . . . Few worlds later zhou Qingqing : wuwuwu system I want to quite system : you jumped into the pit yourself A/N : English is not my first language, so if I make some mistakes. let me know, so I can correct them and thanks for reading my novel. Tags # System # Modern world # western # fantasy # Historical # vampire # cultivator # beastmen # mafia # demons # game # obsessive male lead # quick transmigration # game #zombies #ghost #CEO # survival.

In the European nation of Soweiland, follow the colorful cast of characters as they embark in magical, political and technological adventures.

After his death, Abel found himself transported to the world of Orlantha, awakening to the discovery that he was bound to a system. This system’s functionality was absurdly simple—limited to storing and releasing non-living objects, with an initial capacity of a mere 10cm x 10cm x 10cm. It offered no formidable combat abilities and provided no direct assistance, seemingly a cruel joke played on a transmigrator. Yet, this didn’t dishearten Abel. With sharp insight and exceptional ingenuity, he realized that this seemingly useless ability harbored the potential to overturn worlds.

Guardian of Time Auteur: Colinh45 Once an ordinary man, Isaac is reborn as the Guardian of Time, tasked with protecting history itself. Guided by the ancient Kronos, he travels across eras—learning from master builders in ancient Egypt and artists like Leonardo da Vinci during the Renaissance. Each journey deepens his knowledge and leaves traces of his legend, subtly woven into human history. As Isaac collects artifacts and wisdom, he dreams of building a sanctuary to honor the past. But mastering time’s power means grappling with questions of purpose, legacy, and the delicate balance of history. With each era, Isaac grows closer to becoming a true Guardian, crafting a legacy that echoes through eternity. ============================================= Thank you for joining me on this journey with Isaac and Kronos! As this is my first book, I’m still exploring and trying new things in my writing. If there’s anything you didn’t enjoy or think I could do better, I’d love to hear your advice. If you’ve been enjoying the story, please consider giving a Power Stone or leaving a quick review. Your feedback means a lot to me and helps shape what’s to come. Thanks for reading, and I hope to keep exploring the threads of time together!

this novel has been dropped !! and cut of its chaps and inaccurate. thinking of restarting

The year was 2334, when virtual reality reached its peak with the creation of the SHS prototype, an advanced neural simulation that allows players to fully immerse themselves in alternate worlds. Henry Bartholomew was hand picked as a recruit to try out this new project. He had carefully chosen to enter the world where he was the son of a king, a chilling and lazy life. What happens when he wakes up as the son of a Baron instead? And even worse, his newly claimed character has a bad reputation around the people. With all odds against him, the young man decided he was by all means going to create a world where he could live as carefree as he wanted. But first he needed to do one thing - make his land the most successful in all the seven continents and save his family name And luckily, he had support - [Your Ep has been filled.] [Earning points can now be claimed.] The young lord tapped the screen. [Cards available for purchase.] [Territory upgrade.] [Description: this card allows you to upgrade your territory, allowing the land to level up multiple folds with more qualities and growth.] [Cost: 7000 Cp Rank: Bronze. (0/10) {10 Cp to upgrade} ] 'Upgrade all.' the young man replied.

In a world that transcends the boundaries of imagination, where nature intertwines with magic, Niral, an ordinary young man living in a quiet village, is called to become a hero against the forces of darkness. Alongside his loyal friends, Kyle, Leila, and Arian, he embarks on an epic journey in search of the Ether, the fundamental power that governs all existence. The story begins when their village comes under attack by a mysterious creature known as the "Deep Shadow." Arian sustains a serious injury during the battle, prompting the friends to realize they need strong support to overcome these challenges. While searching for a remedy, they discover a legend about wise beings that reside in an ancient forest, who may possess the knowledge necessary to assist them. Throughout their journey, the friends encounter strange creatures, terrifying challenges, and harsh trials that strengthen their friendship and resolve. However, with every victory, new enemies emerge, forcing them to reevaluate their strength and resources. Events unfold to reveal deep secrets about the Ether, magical beings, and the world they inhabit. As the story progresses, Niral realizes that it is not only strength that determines their fate, but also friendship, sacrifice, and courage in the face of the unknown. While they strive to find a cure for Arian, they learn that fighting for what they believe in is the only way to survive. Will Niral and his friends manage to restore the Ether and prevent darkness from spreading? Or will the challenges lead them to a dark destiny? "Journey of the Ether: The Legend of Power" is an exciting tale of adventure, strength, and friendship in the face of danger. Prepare to immerse yourself in a world filled with excitement and astonishing events, where each chapter unveils a new secret and brings the friends one step closer to their destiny.

-In the Dark Ages of humanity, when Heaven and Hell first appeared, the world was completely in ruins. The angels and devils fought relentlessly over control 3 keys to unlock the truth behind a realm called False Reality. As the war progressed with humanity in the crossfire, legends appeared from across the world to defend humanity, they were known as the 12 Gods. They were the first ones to use the powers of divinity also known as Ascent. With the war won and the realms disappeared to their respective realities, it wasn't long until the world had to begin a new one. Peace proceeded across the world and every story that had been created continued to become reality... that was until his history was born. Reawakening from the mysterious feeling of death, Kiryuu Amuka finds himself in a new world and body. He was reincarnated as the main character of the story he created, Xion Trinity, the adopted son of a baker family located in Blackband, a city south of the capital of the Luminous Country Capital City called Chanda. In the Electric Age Eon, technology has grown to use steam power and other technology such as machinery, canons, transportation, canons, airships, and ships, as well as, positions, Arcadius Keys, Apollo Artifacts, laws and authorities, curses, and more. With the mystery comes more questions to ask about the world he truly created. Follow Xion as he finds himself entangled with the Lost Souls, lower gods, and Paradoxs, both physically, metaphysically, and transcendently - as he slowly awakens and develops newfound powers he was given by the Transcenders. The Sovereign of Dawn spoke of the mysterious nature of the future worlds. As stories continue in an endless stream of lies and misfortunes, they also talk about magnificence and truth. The Seraphims spoke of a man who would eventually open the False reality, a man with potential that would be unrivaled by all who approached him. This is the Story and Legend of "Judgement." Or how the gods and Patriarchs call him "The False God."

Han Yejun, who had a hand in every dirty job for his country, is killed for knowing too many secrets... But for him, this is not the end—it is a chance for a new beginning, a blank slate. As he fulfills the mission of the God of Torment, he will face the challenges of a new world and forge new friendships. This is his story, one that stretches into eternity.

The son of the God of Darkness is known for his bad temper among the gods. The father, the God of Darkness, does not like that his son behaves too freely, which casts a shadow on his reputation." The God of Darkness decides to send his son to a world that he and the other gods rule without telling the other gods. It is difficult to predict what the son of the God of Darkness will do. How would he decide to show his father that he was in charge and that he was just a jerk?

story about a young mercenary boy Elian who gets involved in the matters related to the Tower of Temptation and helps his world get free from demon control, will he succeed read to find out about Elians story and his rise to power.

Priad, otherwise known as Trooper 117 must lead his army while completing a mission of protecting a vengeful girl named Faith, who wants to kill them to avenge her dead sister. Will he lead his men to salvation and overcome whatever the galaxy throws at them? (Sidenote: This is a rewrite of my Chronicles of Norion story)

a unique narrative is born as we delve deeper in the world of Dr. Noah and aeronautic engineer Lena as they join forces in an urban environment, merging adventure and comedy to take on the mystery of the unknown disappearance of one of the greatest scientists. With the complexity of both medical history and contemporary engineering at stake the two explore the diverse perspectives of their separate fields, discovering hidden truth and possibly a closer emotional bond changing their perspective and possibly their lives .Will they face the domineering challenges faced by the advanced technology and uncover the deep unsettling truth?