Scorched Frozen

DING!! [You killed a Level 3 Mutant Zombie for the first time!] ----- DING!! [You have crossed the limit of humanity! Entering the mutation stage!] ----- DING!! [Congratulations, user! You are now a being beyond human beings!] ----- Being a good person cost him his life. When death sent him back, he vowed to take revenge and finish the job. Behind the icy cold that grips the world and the red light that fills the sky day and night, he must defy the zombie apocalypse. A safe house, unlimited food and drink, every conceivable weapon and a system to help him... But he has only two things on his mind: Survival and revenge.

Zheng Ming, who had transmigrated to another world, carried with him a set of Hero Cards which, given enough Prestige Points, could summon the heroes from these cards: With the power of these heroes, you could cut down enemies while on horseback, scale walls and rooftops with ease, unleash a Celestial Flying Immortal attack, and even command the might to bewitch the heavens and earth! Of course, riding your sword through the Nine Heavens, vanquishing demons between earth and sky was not just a dream, nor was it impossible to transform into the Ancient Golden Crow, scorching the heavens and boiling the seas...

Five centuries after the cataclysmic Fracture that destroyed the god-like Dynasts and their reality-warping Eldersong, the fractured continent of Eldervain teeters on the brink of a war that could resurrect empires—or bury them in ash. The Velmyrian Syndicate, a mercantile oligarchy, rules through coin and censorship, erasing history to control the future. But when a frozen corpse clad in ancient Dynast armor is unearthed in the Glacier of Echoes, its veins humming with the long-lost Eldersong, the Syndicate’s grip begins to crack. Across Eldervain, whispers stir: The Betrayers’ blood still lives. The thrones will bleed anew.

Title: The Shattered Hourglass Introduction: In a world where time itself is a fragile construct, woven together by the threads of fate, a young warrior named Aelira finds herself thrust into an unimaginable battle — not just for her life, but for the very fabric of history. Born in a quiet village on the edge of a crumbling empire, Aelira’s world is upended when she discovers a mysterious artifact: a shattered hourglass, its sands frozen in time. The artifact, once belonging to the ancient Timekeepers, holds the power to traverse the past, present, and future. But every journey through time comes at a cost. As Aelira learns to wield the hourglass, she is pulled into an age-old conflict between the remnants of the Timekeepers, rogue factions who seek to rewrite history, and the dark forces that want to control time itself. With each leap through time, she uncovers hidden truths about her lineage, revealing her connection to a prophecy that foretells the rise of a new age — or the end of all time. Enemies from both the past and future hunt her, their motives as tangled as the very strands of time she manipulates. Trust becomes a rare commodity, and alliances shift with each passing moment. Aelira must navigate a labyrinth of betrayals, ancient magic, and shifting timelines, all while struggling to keep her humanity intact. Can she protect the fragile threads of time, or will the weight of history collapse beneath her? In a world where every action reverberates through the ages, Aelira must face the ultimate question: Is fate truly written in the sands of time, or can she rewrite history to save it?

In a world where gods once walked among the mortals and faith shapes reality, a squire Aldric finds himself the sole survivor of a devastating battle. As the Karnaxian legions—warriors corrupted by an otherworldly force—sweep across the land, Aldric flees with sacred texts and his fallen master's holy symbol. His desperate escape leads him to an ancient temple where he encounters Lysara, the last of the Lightborn—a mysterious race of scaled beings who once served as warriors for the Prime, the mother of all gods. Frozen in time until Aldric's arrival, Lysara represents both the world's past glory and its potential salvation.

In an unexpected accident, Davis Allen had lost his legs, his freedom and his position as the heir of the Allen family. His life became lonely and frozen but a forced union With Jessica Brown became a turning point.... Jessica Brown, an unloved and unwanted daughter is traded to marry a crippled in place of her half sister and the future of the company while the perpetrators' will have to sit back and enjoy the glory.... Why should it be so? Why does she have to bear the suffering when she is the elusive Doctor Sica, the famous Lady Bright and the unparalleled stock god ...

"Elysium of the Fallen" is a novella in the mecha genre. A post-apocalyptic, scorched world, philosophy, psychology, sadness, melancholy, depression, and >. Well, originally I planned to write some light-hearted novella with the usual "system" and harem, but... I will never allow myself to create something... like that. So, there won’t be any systems, harems, or Mary Sue characters here (well, I’ll at least try). Anyway, I’ll try to release chapters... as often as possible (considering that I’ll be writing two stories at once). If you don’t like something, don’t throw things at me, just write it and I’ll try to improve... well, that’s it... Good luck to everyone, thanks to those who will read, and I’m off to read a biblical apocryphon and drink my eighth espresso. Ciao!

Rosellene Valentine, the eldest daughter of Earl Valentine, was the epitome of beauty, a fragile and untouchable rose that bloomed in the frozen gardens of the Valentine estate. After reaching the depths of despair. She returned unexpectedly, stepping back in time by seven years. Before fate and time had ruined her. Then, She met him...The Duke of Eryndor, the kingdom's guardian and shield. She had become gracefully attuned to the admiring glances and silent reverence of those around her. So much that she could feel the weight of every lingering glance, the unspoken affection in his eyes, as his love for her bloomed, undeniable and apparent...once again. "Should your joy be the prize, I would gladly place myself at your service." His golden eyes seems to glow faintly in the dark as he whispered softly. (The Prince charming X The Damsel in Distress)

The world is divided between two colossal conglomerates, with the Sky City still suspended in the heavens, and the Scorched Gold City holding the lifeblood of gold in its grip. Molten streams of gold descend from the skies, searing with heat and littered with skeletal remains. The Southern Kingdom's dynasty has reached its end, and how could the rooster on the throne ever be seen as a phoenix? The butcher's blade has been honed to razor sharpness, yet the former martial arts titan still clings tightly to the golden chains, refusing to let go. In the frigid northern lands, centuries-old glaciers begin to tremble, and the hum beneath the ice seems to whisper the secrets buried in the previous era. The sky-reaching tree burns with an eternal flame; those who revere nature kneel in submission, chanting their faith, yet unable to raise their heads to gaze upon the everlasting blaze. In the wilderness, multitudes fervently chant, "The mind triumphs over matter," unaware that shackles have already tightened around their necks. In the endless rain of the night, fleeing rabbit encounters card that changes its destiny. The moment its hand reaches out, its fate of utter destruction is sealed. Years later, will it recall its frail self on that rainy night? 【This book is not an invincible book, the combat power is constant and very stable (I have a relatively basic attribute setting for the characters that appear, so there will be no collapse of combat power in the later stage. The attribute point calculation will be made clear to everyone during the writing process) The protagonist is not a good person】

Lan Sol was a beta tester for an open-world survival strategy game called *Global Ice Age Survival*. The game had only released its beta version over the years, with no sign of a public release anytime soon. The premise of the game was simple: Upgrade the campfire—the most crucial source of warmth and the heart of the territory—build various structures, recruit workers, and survive in the frozen world. Sounds boring? Not quite. The game featured monsters, magic, dungeons, and numerous kingdoms scattered across multiple continents. Players could ally with kingdoms, conquer them, or even dominate the entire world. The ultimate goal? Transform a medieval-themed kingdom into a modern, automated one. The game was difficult but oddly satisfying. Lan Sol had finally achieved a 100% completion rate. He eagerly awaited the official release, excited to conquer the game once more. But when he woke up the next day, he found himself in a snowy wasteland. A cold wind howled as the world around him lay blanketed in white. It was so cold that it felt as though the sun no longer existed. It didn’t take long for him to realize he had been transported into the very game he had played for over a year. And he wasn’t alone—every individual on Earth had been transported to this icy world. Waking up next to a campfire, Lan Sol began his journey by upgrading it, knowing it was the first step to survival. Before long, he discovered he had received an exclusive reward: an SSS+ ranked talent.

What if being a hero meant losing everything for the ones you love? Transported to an unknown world, Veil possesses neither divine powers nor a preordained destiny. Left to his own devices, he must navigate a ruthless universe where every choice threatens to shake the very core of his humanity. Yet behind his battles and sacrifices lies an unbreakable bond—the one he shares with Alynia, a mysterious wolf-woman as protective as she is fierce. Through friendship, betrayal, and love, their destiny will push them to confront the darkness, even if it means paying the ultimate price. This condensed version delivers a thrilling and heartfelt adventure, blending raw emotions, complex characters, and unforgettable battles, all while remaining accessible and straightforward. For an even deeper experience, a full and detailed version is currently in the works.

In a not-so-distant future, Earth is thrown into chaos by a weird alien ship that crashes and starts leaking spiritual energy all over the place. This energy messes with the planet’s ecosystem, making everything mutate—animals, plants, even people. It’s like nature’s gone wild, with some folks getting crazy supernatural powers while others struggle to survive against mutated creatures and power-hungry groups trying to take control. In the middle of all this craziness, Amira Hailen—a tough-as-nails ex-special forces assassin with a complicated past—gets a second shot at life. Thanks to a mysterious ally’s Mental Transference powers, she’s sent back in time, waking up with the ability to control ice. Determined to keep humanity afloat, she gathers her old crew and turns them into a reliable team amid all the chaos. Meanwhile, Aiden Emberstorm—a fiery elite operative—gets fed up with the government’s weak response to the crisis. With his own fire powers blazing, he ditches the bureaucracy and teams up with his battalion to protect innocent lives. He becomes a symbol of resistance, taking on mutated beasts and rogue factions while trying to restore some order. When Amira and Aiden cross paths, it’s not exactly love at first sight. Their icy and fiery personalities clash, but they can’t deny the need to join forces. They both want the same thing: a sanctuary where survivors can be safe. So, they decide to work together, hatching a plan to take down the alien ship before it can call in reinforcements for a full-scale invasion. Amid epic battles, unexpected alliances, and a budding romance, Amira and Aiden must face both their inner demons and the alien threat. It’s a fight for survival in a world that’s gone wild, with everything at stake—including their own hearts.

“I, Edwina Streak-Ridge of formerly of Silverstreak Pack…” spoke Edwina. Aaron knew what was coming. “No, no, stop! You cannot.” But Edwina ignored him. “…adopted daughter of Everridge Hounds, reject you, Aaron Silvermaw, the Lycan Prince as my mate,” shouted Edwina, tears streaming down her face. A bright light escaped Edwina’s chest and she fell to her knees clenching her chest to ease the pain. Aaron stood before her completely frozen, perplexed. He couldn’t believe what Edwina just said. She was his true love. How could she reject him and why? “Why? Why? Tell me what my fault is?” begged Aaron. Edwina wiped her tears, stood up and simply walked away from him. ***** Edwina was adopted by Alpha and Luna of Everridge Hounds after her parent were killed in a rogue attack. She is not an ordinary wolf, she is the wolf blessed by the Moon Goddess herself. She gave her ‘glow’ to Edwina. Everything was fine in her life, she was the most loved, and everyone thought she would be the best Luna but she rejected Aaron and went away from her wolf life. She returned the day her Aaron was about to be engaged to another she-wolf. It broke her heart. But why did she feel bad? She already rejected Aaron. He was free to choose a chosen mate. He was free to live his life his own way.

"He Wanted a Marriage of Convenience. She Shattered All His Rules." Arianna Costa never expected her life to be turned upside down during a routine medical check-up. Victim of a medical mistake that leaves her pregnant by a stranger, she soon discovers that the man in question is none other than Alessandro Valenti, the powerful and dangerous king of the Italian mafia. For Alessandro, scandal is unthinkable. Marriage, security, and control: he demands Arianna become his wife to protect his reputation and their future heir. But sharing her life with this authoritarian and enigmatic man will come at a cost. Thrust into a world of luxury, danger, and betrayal, Arianna begins to uncover an unexpected side to Alessandro. Beneath the mask of the mafia king lies a man torn between his need for control and his growing feelings for her. Yet danger lurks in every shadow. Alessandro’s enemies are determined to see him fall, and now Arianna and their unborn child have become prime targets. Torn between scorching attraction, conspiracies, and buried secrets, Arianna must make a choice: surrender to this forbidden love or escape a world that could very well destroy her.

I fought with hungry dogs for food. On a cold day, I wanted to be killed on the frozen ground until someone stood in front of me and told me it was a Feng shui dragon...

In the scorching deserts of Solara, a once-great kingdom now ruled by the tyrannical House Blackthorn, Evelyn Ashford is the daughter of a disgraced general. When her family is framed for treason by the crown prince, Caelum Blackthorn, Evie watches helplessly as her father is executed, her mother and brother dies in exile. Left to die in the barren wastelands, Evie discovers the Ashen Crown, an ancient relic tied to the lost kingdom of Erythra. The crown grants her the power to manipulate fire and ash—but it feeds on her rage and sorrow, threatening to consume her entirely. With the crown’s power, Evie regresses to the day before her family’s downfall, determined to rewrite their fate.

In a world teetering on the brink of collapse, humanity faces an unprecedented challenge: a dimensional cataclysm that warps reality and releases monstrous entities fueled by mana. Amidst the chaos, Ren, an unremarkable man often overlooked by the world, discovers he has been left behind as humanity is transported to parallel worlds for survival training. As the sole inhabitant of a time-frozen Earth, Ren initially struggles to adapt to his solitary existence. Guided by enigmatic messages and assisted by a sentient AI, he embarks on an extraordinary journey to hone his physical strength and mental fortitude. What begins as mere survival training evolves into a transformative quest as Ren uncovers ancient secrets about Earth's past and its connection to the dimensional cataclysm. Meanwhile, across the dimensions, humanity's survivors are embroiled in political schemes, alliances with mysterious beings, and battles for supremacy. A fractured group of heroes emerges, each wielding unique powers obtained in their new worlds. Yet, unbeknownst to them, their fates are intricately tied to Ren, the "Forgotten Hero" who holds the key to Earth's salvation. As the dimensional barriers weaken and the cataclysm draws near, Ren must reunite with humanity and prove that being forgotten doesn’t mean being powerless. With ancient forces, newfound allies, and his unyielding determination, Ren prepares to lead the ultimate stand against the apocalypse.

Since time immemorial, a brutal war between humans and demons scorched the earth, leaving the world on the brink of eternal darkness. For centuries, humanity struggled against the tides of chaos, until the divine Devas, supreme gods of light, intervened. With their aid, humans finally crushed the demon legions, and hope for peace flickered at last. But just as the end of war seemed within reach, the Demon Lord unleashed one final, catastrophic curse—one that would forever alter the balance between good and evil. Instead of fading into myth and legend, the war spilled across time, stretching its dark claws into the modern world, entwining itself with the fate of a new generation. Enter Aramiya Ryuu, a seemingly ordinary high school student in a quiet town—until strange, unsettling events begin to unravel his everyday life. As shadows stir in the corners of his world, his dormant powers awaken, pulling him into a realm of magic, danger, and hidden truths. With mysterious new allies at his side, Ryuu must quickly learn to master the powers within him—powers he doesn’t yet understand, but which may be humanity’s last hope. The demons are relentless, and the forces they serve now wage war in the modern era, threatening to plunge the world into chaos once more. As he delves deeper into the truth behind the Demon Lord’s final curse, Ryuu finds that his own past is entwined with dark secrets, ones that could reshape the future of humanity—and the war itself. In the face of unimaginable threats, he must confront his destiny, balancing love, loyalty, and the weight of a world that rests on his shoulders. Will Ryuu rise as the hero humanity needs, or will the demons finally succeed in their quest for domination? As old battles merge with new dangers, the ancient, eternal war begins again—this time, in a world far more vulnerable to its dark power.....

She’s a brilliant venture capital executive, driven, intelligent, and fiercely committed to achieving financial freedom through her own efforts. He’s a handsome, highly educated, and capable man, but with one fatal flaw—he’s always looking for shortcuts, including marrying into wealth. When she finds out she’s become his "target," she feels powerless to resist, torn between her rational mind and her emotions. But one extravagant gala turns her world upside down. He appears as the heir to a prestigious family, exuding an aura of cold authority and unshakable composure that commands attention. Standing amidst the crowd, she’s frozen in shock, silently mocking herself for mistaking this man—so deeply rooted in privilege—for a pretty boy chasing her financial support. Overwhelmed with shame, she quickly makes her exit, only to find him leaning casually against a Lamborghini outside. A teasing smile plays on his lips as his eyes lock onto hers. “Running away already, darling?” he asks, his tone light but provocative. In this city where power and wealth intertwine, their story begins—a clash of pride and sincerity, and perhaps, a love reborn from misunderstanding.

In the frozen aftermath of a devastating war, King Darion Vale and four battered survivors fight to return home. Along the way, they discover an ancient temple hiding a mysterious baby, Ryven Vael, whose aura is both terrifying and otherworldly. As they return to their fractured empire, Darion must navigate political unrest, the deadly legacy of the Kuroketsu , and the growing power of Orin—an ethereal force that shapes their world. Haunted by the past and burdened with the future, Darion must decide whether Ryven is the key to salvation or destruction in a land on the brink of chaos. Agaranthus is a tale of survival, power, and destiny, where the choices of a king ripple across an empire.

In the cold winter of the Joseon dynasty, a lonely royal concubine, Lady Eun, stumbles upon a fragile flower blooming in the snow—a rare "frozen plum." The flower symbolizes her constrained life within the palace walls. Lady Eun falls in love with Seong Jun, a lowly but brilliant scholar, who is also the palace librarian. Their bond begins as a secret exchange of poetry and shared love for nature but soon grows into a forbidden romance.

Nathaniel Castellan, the ruthless Alpha King, has spent years conquering rival packs to forge the strongest werewolf empire in history. His rule is absolute, his power unmatched, and his heart frozen. Love has no place in a world where strength is everything and weakness is unforgivable. Rain Silvano, the fierce and rebellious Blood Moon Alpha, has spent just as long waging a guerrilla war against Nathaniel’s empire. Known as the ghost of the northern forests, Rain refuses to bow to anyone—not even the infamous Alpha King. But when a fated ambush leads to Rain’s capture, everything changes. Bound by chains and dragged before his enemy, Rain faces Nathaniel with unbroken defiance—until an ancient mating mark ignites between them, branding them as fated mates under the moon goddess's decree. Fate may have bound them, but neither alpha is willing to submit. Forced into isolation during the Blood Moon, they must navigate their explosive bond, a growing war between their packs, and the dangerous line between love and hate. Can enemies become lovers? Or will their stubborn pride destroy them both—and their world?

People always say to be careful for what you wish for, cause it might just come true, but have people ever warn to be careful of what you say. What Ariana do when she is rejected by her mate, right after they just complete mating. Hunter rejects Ariana even after she tells him that she is pregnant. Dejected by the rejection, she leaves and on the way is attacked by rogues. What happens next to Ariana...

--WSA 2025 ENTRY-- In a frozen battlefield, the legendary hero Haxrus falls to The Ancestor, an enigmatic cambion that has defied death for 5,000 years. With his dying breath, Haxrus transfers his system—his power—to the next chosen hero, placing his last hope in the future. A thousand years later, Zernia is born. Years ago, Zernia’s life was shattered when the Kerina faction raided Augustrius, stealing his mother and leaving behind scars of hatred and loss. Her final words urged him to become a Savior, a beacon for their city. But as the years passed and she never returned, Zernia’s hope turned to determination—and vengeance. Now 17, Zernia is ready to destroy the Kerina faction and fulfill his mother’s wish. But his true destiny lies far beyond revenge. As the “New Hero,” Zernia enroll in the Augustrius Academy, face the Four Demon Principles, and the threat of 5 millennia, The Ancestor. The path ahead will challenge everything he believes—and decide the fate of the world of Veldoria.

"I'm only going to ask you this once, so you better tell me the fucking truth." She tenses up. "A-About what?" "Did you fuck someone else?" Frozen in place, my mouth goes dry, and I have a hard time forming words. I'm not sure how he found out, but I'm scared to move. I just had his cock in my mouth and now I'm being questioned about sleeping with Dimitri. Every time we get to a point where we aren't arguing, something else brings us right back to square one. ********************************************************** 25 year old Sienna Williams hooks up with a handsome stranger. As a result of her time with the charming stranger, she later gives birth to a son. It isn't until she learns he's the leader of a Mafia that her entire world is completely flipped upside down. 27 year old Tristan Lucci hooks up with a beautiful stranger. As a result of his time with the enchanting stranger, he finds himself needing to have her. So he tracks her down. It isn't until he learns that he's a father that his entire world is completely flipped upside down. **** All it takes is one time to create a life. And all it took was one life to bring two people together. But can that life keep them together, despite being a part of two completely different worlds?

In the dead of winter, beneath a bleak sky, a lone child flees through a vast, snow-covered forest, chased by men whose swords gleam with deadly intent. His breath is ragged, his steps faltering, but he doesn’t dare slow down. With every crunch of snow beneath armored boots drawing closer, the child knows he’s running out of time. When a single misstep sends him tumbling to the frozen ground, all seems lost. His pursuers close in, their blades raised, ready to strike. But something stirs in the shadows of the forest, something ancient, something watching. The chase may have ended, but the story is just beginning.

The Azure Tide Clan had been annihilated. The Scorching Blade Clan ruled the Ebonshade City. Under their tyranny, they enslaved the members of Azure Tide Clan and eliminated those who escaped but returned to exact revenge. Lu Zheng was among the external members who returned to Ebonshade City to reclaim the treasures, desiring to become stronger to avenge his clan.  However, he faced betrayal and life-and-death situations. As he was about to accept his faith, a devil appeared and helped him survive. However, his luck had not run out yet. Another fortuitous encounter appeared. "You have been chosen by the Awakening Stone," whispered the Devil in disbelief. "What is that?" "You will know soon." With the aid of the mysterious individual and the Awakening Stone, Lu Zheng swore to take revenge on his clan.

In the power meat grinder that is Washington, D.C., the Blackstone Group controls political scavenger Emily Watson through barcode tattoos. When avenger Victor Stone scorches her skin with an electromagnetic pulse, a dying Emily scans the barcode on her collarbone, accidentally activating a nerve gas canister buried in an underground pipeline on Capitol Hill.Within 72 hours, a toxic fog containing genetically-targeted technology envelops Washington, specializing in killing politicians registered in the DNA bank. Victor discovers that the biochip under his burn scar is counting down, and a jailed and reborn Adam Crawford holds the key that will shut off all the gas valves-but that will permanently lock tens of billions of the Blackstone Group's dirty money into a blockchain tomb. The trio must choose from the ruins of power: destroy all evidence and be reborn, or save their arch-enemy in exchange for a filthy immortality.

Rebirth through Time Travel] "I Rely on Intangible Cultural Heritage to Transform the Waste Planet" Introduction: [Planting + Food + Infrastructure Management Daily] In the year 4321 of Interstellar, the frozen Evelyn woke up on a waste planet. She wanted to grow flowers and fish, but unfortunately she was bound to the "Inheritance System". Faced with tens of thousands of inherited skills in the system, Evelyn was overwhelmed and wanted to lie down and give up immediately. Unfortunately, the waste planet was desolate and the environment was bad, which was not suitable for planting and retirement. In order to get rewards and improve his living environment, Evelyn had no choice but to learn various inheritances [Learn house building, food, medicine, martial arts, embroidery...] [Congratulations on completing the task, rewards include fields, forests, lakes, shopping malls, family planning supplies...] Later, there were millions of fertile fields on the abandoned planet, herds of livestock, and rich nutrition. 　　 a priceless treasure that shocked the world was produced on the abandoned planet. 　　the Intangible Cultural Heritage College, the Science and Technology College, and the Immortal Cultivation College were opened on the waste planet. 　　… 　　the defeated waste star regained its vitality, with advanced medical care, advanced technology, and explosive combat power. 　　All races of people in the universe want to learn culture and technology. 　　Evelyn looked at the crowd of different races: Sorry, the natives of the ancient blue star are given priority. Special topics: Cool articles, food articles , farming infrastructure articles

The scene opens with a bloodied battlefield, littered with the lifeless bodies of demons and angels alike, both fallen and holy. The stench of death hangs heavy in the air, mingling with the acrid smoke of the scorched earth. The landscape is a wasteland, a testament to the brutality of the battle that had just unfolded.Not far from the carnage, hidden within the shadows of a cave, lay three figures. Two were gravely wounded, their bodies barely clinging to life. One was the archangel Michael, whose once radiant armor was now stained with blood, his wings torn and battered. The other was the fallen archangel Lucifer, his wings scorched and tattered, his face twisted in agony as he fought to stay conscious. The third figure, In stark contrast to the injured angels, stood tall and composed. His presence was almost ethereal, though his features were hidden in shadow, making him an enigmatic figure in the midst of the ruin. He gazed down at Lucifer, a look of sympathy in his eyes. “I’m sorry that you had to suffer this fate,” he murmured, his voice laced with regret. His eyes shifted to both archangels, and he sighed deeply. “I’ll make it right.” A brief pause followed, the words after “I’ll make it right” lost in a quiet murmur, as if the figure’s voice faltered, or the meaning was veiled in secrecy. The only words that were clear came at the end, filled with finality and determination. “Take this new life and…” Another break in his words, this time leaving a lingering silence. Suddenly, the scene faded, shifting from the cave of despair to a small, dimly lit room. A young man lay in bed, his body drenched in sweat, breathing heavily as though he had just run a marathon. His eyes flickered open, a look of panic written across his face. He bolted upright, the nightmare still fresh in his mind. “Shit, that same dream… when will it stop?” Lucian Cross muttered, rubbing his eyes as if to rid himself of the lingering remnants of the vision. Glancing at the alarm clock beside him, he saw the time—almost 7:30 AM. He groaned, realizing he was running late. With a sigh, he threw off the covers and reluctantly dragged himself out of bed. It was the last day of school, and though he had hoped for it to be a day of relief, it held no joy. It was the day of the awakening ceremony, a day that would determine his future and his job class, though Lucian’s expectations were low. School, in his mind, was nothing but a hellish place. A place where he was used and trampled on, his life a series of miserable days. But today—today was supposed to be different. It was his last day, and maybe, just maybe, the ceremony would bring something good. He didn’t dare dream too big, but a small hope flickered inside him. The vice principal called out, “Lucian Cross, come on stage.” Lucian gulped as the whispers of mocking and ridicule from his classmates and juniors filled the air. He could hear their gossip: “Why is he even here?” “Bet he’ll awaken nothing.” “He’s just wasting our time.” Tightening his fist, Lucian forced himself forward, his footsteps heavy with anxiety. Reaching the podium, he glanced at the imposing white crystal, its surface shimmering with an otherworldly glow. “Place your hand on the crystal,” the vice principal instructed. Lucian hesitated briefly before resting his hand against the cool surface of the crystal. The room fell silent, anticipation hanging thick in the air. Suddenly, the crystal erupted in a dazzling platinum light so bright it was blinding. Gasps echoed through the hall as a celestial-class phenomenon unfolded. The sound of heavenly trumpets filled the room, shaking the very ground beneath them. The heavens themselves seemed to part, and a radiant Roman cross-like gate opened in the sky above. From the portal descended two armies of celestial beings, one side composed of graceful angels, the other of fallen angels. The fallen angels were an intimidating sight. Dark knights clad ...