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Pulitzer Prize Winner

The Gambit’s Legacy: Killed by chess and Lived by chess

One day, after years of war, London and Russia suffered devastating losses. In an effort to end the bloodshed, they agreed on a final match—a chess game to decide the victor. London chose Caius Albright to represent them against Russia’s Ivan Dragovich, a renowned grandmaster. But tragedy struck. Caius, known as “The London King,” lost the match and was shot on the spot by Russian forces. His death shattered the Albright family, leaving them impoverished and scattered across London. Ten years later, Caius’ youngest son, Elias Albright, faced constant humiliation and defeat in chess battle. But after being ridiculed for one too many losses, Elias challenged his opponent for a rematch—and won. With the prize money, he managed to buy food for himself. From that day forward, he vowed to master chess and use it to free London from Russian rule. As Elias honed his skills, he met allies who would help him on his journey. Slowly but surely, he began to reunite with the remnants of his family, who had been scattered across London after their father’s death. Another decade passed, and the time finally came for Elias to face Russia in the ultimate match. Billed as “The Reborn London King” vs. Viktor Petrov, “The Russian King,” the stakes couldn’t have been higher. Once friends, Elias and Viktor now stood on opposite sides of the board, locked in a high-stakes deathmatch where the loser would be executed, and the winner would claim freedom for their nation.
AimiAsh · 213 Views

The Dragon Prince's Bride

*Author's other work (She belongs to the Demon King)* *** They say opposite attracts, that's a lie. Opposites kill each other! When a hot blood meets another hot blood, things are bound to get burnt. That is exactly what happens when the pompous and prideful elven princess, Neriah of the Avelah Kingdom is forced to marry the brash dragon Prince, Barak of the Trago Kingdom. Neriah's goal is to someday break away from her marriage and run away with the love of her life, Lyle of the Niles. While Barak will do everything to keep her as a wife. Neriah is certain she's in love with another, but she's also certain that no one can ignite the kind of passion her husband brings. Her husband who she hates more than anything. Can the flames of passion be drawn from hate? Can that same passion burn down the walls of lies, betrayal, and hurt? Can its ashes transcend into love? Excerpt "I am a rose, a beautiful flower, delicate and precious! But you my dear sir are nothing but the thorny stem! Prickly, dangerous and very harmful!" ranted Neriah while poking his chest with her index finger. "Well you seem to forget one important detail, my love." He calmly grabbed her poking hand. "And what would that be, my fine sir?" "That the thorny stem and the rose grow together. The delicate rose and the prickly thorn, they belong together my dear." "You—" "And no amount of ranting and raging will change that. You think I want to keep a witch like you? You are a pain in the neck. If I am a thorn then you are a piece of fish bone stuck inside my neck. I cannot swallow and I can not spit it out! I just have to bear it!" "You insolent bastard! Do you mean to say I am a burden!" "Well you are no precious prize, are you?" And that was it, she threw herself at him with her claws ready to mar his face, but he was quicker and he caught both her hands with one of his own and pressed her heaving chest upon his. Golden eyes stared deep into hers. They were as green as the fresh leaves on an orange tree. His fingers caressed her face, “You might not be a precious prize, but by the heavens, you are mine.” And his lips fell on hers, and once again, another argument was drowned.
AnnieQuin · 282.1K Views

The Forgotten Labyrinth

In the small town of Ravenswood, an ancient well has long been the center of local legends, whispered to be cursed and tied to strange disappearances. For Evie Hart, the well is more than a story—it’s the last place her father, a historian obsessed with uncovering the truth behind the town’s myths, was seen before vanishing without a trace. All that remains of him is a journal filled with cryptic sketches and notes about a labyrinth said to lie beneath the earth. Years later, five estranged childhood friends—Evie, Sophie, Mark, Liam, and Claire—receive a mysterious letter calling them back to the well at midnight. The letter promises answers to the unresolved guilt, secrets, and tragedies that fractured their friendship years ago. Though reluctant, each feels compelled to reunite, drawn by their own personal struggles and the letter’s haunting allure. Beneath the well, they discover the labyrinth: a vast, sentient structure that feeds on guilt, betrayal, and fear. Its ever-shifting halls present not only physical challenges but psychological trials that force the group to confront their darkest secrets. As they navigate its twisted passages, the friends begin to uncover the labyrinth’s horrifying truth: it was created by a man obsessed with rewriting reality, and it thrives on the very emotions that threaten to tear them apart. With every step, the labyrinth grows more dangerous, dredging up memories of a traumatic event from their childhood—the disappearance of Sophie’s younger sister, Amy. As guilt and blame resurface, the group’s fragile trust begins to fracture. Secrets are revealed, alliances shift, and the labyrinth manipulates them, whispering offers of salvation at a terrible cost. Amid the chaos, Evie discovers her father’s connection to the labyrinth and realizes that his disappearance was no accident. The labyrinth remembers those who enter—and it never forgets. Liam, plagued by fragmented memories, comes to a devastating conclusion: he has been in the labyrinth before and may have unwittingly triggered the events that destroyed their friendship. The ultimate challenge awaits at the heart of the labyrinth. To escape, the group must make an impossible choice: sacrifice one of their own or risk being trapped forever. As tensions reach a breaking point, Liam steps forward to atone for his past mistakes, offering himself to the labyrinth. His sacrifice allows the others to escape—but not without consequences. When the group emerges, they find the world subtly altered. Familiar landmarks are gone, and even loved ones’ memories of them seem warped. As they grapple with the eerie changes, Evie receives another letter: “The labyrinth remembers. You’ve only solved one piece.” It becomes clear that the labyrinth’s power extends far beyond its walls—and it’s not done with them yet. Key Themes: Guilt and Redemption: The labyrinth forces the characters to confront the consequences of their past mistakes, testing their ability to forgive themselves and each other. Friendship and Trust: The group’s fractured bond is central to the story, with the labyrinth amplifying their mistrust and fears. The Cost of Secrets: Each character harbors a secret that the labyrinth manipulates, demonstrating the dangers of buried truths. Sacrifice and Consequences: The group learns that survival often comes at a cost, and even acts of heroism leave scars.
Winner_Richards · 187 Views
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