Opening Lines

In the concrete jungles of Montego Bay, Jamaica, 14-year-old Kyle Wilson doesn’t have much—just an absent father, a worn-out pair of shoes, and a rusted rim hanging behind his rundown school. But what he does have is height, heart, and hunger. When he stumbles across basketball for the first time, a fire ignites inside him. It’s not just a game. It’s escape. Identity. A way out. Above the Rim, Below the Poverty Line is a coming-of-age sports drama that follows Kyle from the raw streets of Jamaica to the polished courts of America, and eventually to the world stage. But talent alone won't be enough. Poverty, violence, betrayal, and self-doubt lurk around every corner. This is a journey about more than basketball—it’s about survival, legacy, and the cost of chasing greatness.

Chester Vegner is the best soldier the BIC has, wakes up falling, plummeting through the sky of a planet no one even knew existed. A few seconds later, he’s crashing into a world teeming with bizarre, semi-humanoid creatures and medieval lunacy. Will he forge unlikely friendships, conquer adversity through the power of camaraderie, and help those in need? Hell no. He’ll survive. He’ll manipulate. And if he has to, he’ll weaponize every freakish thing that crawls on this cursed land. With only a bloodthirsty, sarcastic, and disturbingly curious AI named Mag as his unwanted sidekick, Chester is going to do whatever it takes to get back home. Mag, on the other hand, is just in it for the body count... strictly for research purposes, of course. If you're looking for a hero, you've opened the wrong novel. Chester doesn't do “good” unless there's a guarantee he'll be paid or feared, for it. Even this far from home, he's still chasing revenge. And he won’t stop. Because the only thing keeping him going is one burning truth: If they took away his light, he’ll become their darkness. Even if there’s no one left to see it. What can you expect from this novel? - A detailed narrative - A well-founded story - A fantasy universe on realistic foundations - A touch of sci-fi wrapped in a fantasy cloak

Elia wakes up every night in a silent town where time seems frozen. No people, no sounds just the same house across the street and a scream that breaks the quiet at exactly 3:33 a.m That scream belongs to her past a memory she’s tried to bury but can’t escape. Now, for the first time in years, the door to that house is open To move forward, Elia must face the darkness she’s spent a lifetime running from. But some doors, once opened, don’t close easily

"Are you kidding me? I get jealous the second somebody else even looks in your direction! Do you think that's because I just want to fuck you?" He demanded. Then he paused, staring at me in that way of his that made me want to crawl out of my skin. "I can't do this anymore," he exclaimed, his mouth wide open, his eyes bigger than saucers. He looked like he wanted to scream. And he might as well have, for what he said next. "I'm in love with you, Rina. I have been for months. That's the reason I can't leave you alone, because I can't get you out of my head!" Tropes: Enemies to lover, bully romance, second chance romance. Written from dual points of view in two different time periods. Trigger warning for brief discussions of child abuse, self-harm, suicide, and dubious consent. 10 years ago, Rina was a foster child placed with a new family in Wellsprings, a wealthy suburb of Washington, D.C.. Prior to the start of her senior year, Rina stumbles upon the captain of the football team, Easton Clarke, shooting steroids before practice. Handsome but an asshole, Rina vows to avoid Easton at all costs. The only problem? He doesn't want to leave her alone. Easton Clarke knows the only way to win his father's approval is to perform on the field. If Rina rats him out for steroid use, his chances of playing college football--and of his father finally being proud of him--will be ruined. Intent on making sure Rina keeps her mouth shut, Easton vows to make her life at Wellsprings as isolated as possible. That is, until Easton realizes he can't get the mysterious new girl out of his head. As fall progresses into winter and secrets begin to come to light, Easton will do anything to keep the girl who could ruin his life to himself. When he goes too far, though, he risks losing everything.

In a world where milliseconds crown legends, Rai Tanaka is racing with nothing— no sponsors, no pedigree, just a haunted past and a mysterious, illegal system buried deep in his mind. Recruited by the forgotten Team Ghost Line, Rai enters Formula 1’s ruthless arena—where real circuits, legendary names, brutal rivalries, and world-class pressure collide. Armed with raw instinct, a dysfunctional crew, and the ghost of his brother’s legacy, Rai must climb from the bottom to the top of the fastest sport on Earth. Real drivers. Real F1. Real stakes. BURN LINE: F1 blends racing, betrayal, romance, comedy, and system-enhanced growth into a global underdog story that doesn’t let off the throttle. Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Real-world drivers, teams, and F1 organizations are mentioned respectfully for authenticity. No affiliation with F1, FIA, or Liberty Media is claimed.

In a world within a book you do whatever you want to do as long as it lines with the set rules

A youth who obtained a life simulator, with the help of the simulator, began his journey as a mundane martial artist and reached the pinnacle, explored immortality, pursued godliness, opening up a path for all beings, and finally became a founder of the Great Tao.【Fifty in the Great Tao, Forty-Nine Heavenly Paths, one escapes! Therefore, all things in the world have a thread of life!】 At sixteen: You broke through to a Ninth-grade Martial Artist, thus deterring all ill-intentioned enemies. At two hundred: You shattered the confines of heaven and earth, unlocked your Divine Hidden body, and certified the Path of Human Immortal. At three hundred: You comprehended the natural world, and certified the Heavenly Immortal Way. At seven hundred and eighty-six: You validated Immortal Path five times, ascended to heaven in one step, and certified the position of Dao Monarch. ... After countless simulations,【You paved the Immortal Path for all beings and were revered as the founder of the Great Tao.】

Eli has no interest in fame or interviews—he only wants to code, calculate, and launch. His quiet world is disrupted when his long-time companion, Noah Mercer, moves into his apartment with a suitcase full of Coca-Cola and an irresistible sweetness. As the launch window approaches, tensions mount—not only in the workplace but also in their personal lives.

Only after dying did Helena Chen realize how truly monstrous she’d been. Born into the powerful Chen family and spoiled beyond reason, she became a selfish, superstitious bully. At her cousin’s suggestion, she married a poor young man—faking love while hiding her real identity. But an accident led to an unexpected pregnancy. After giving birth, she heartlessly abandoned both her husband and child. On her way home, she died in a sudden car crash. Her soul, untethered, drifted through her family’s world… and uncovered the cruel truth: She wasn’t their real daughter. She was a substitute—swapped at birth, raised only to absorb bad luck in place of the true Chen heiress. And once her role was done, they planned her death. Consumed by hatred but powerless, she was granted a second chance. Reborn as Helena Long, heiress of the world’s most powerful family, she vows revenge on those who deceived her—and seeks redemption from those she wronged. However, it wasn’t that easy. Not when the scars she left behind never healed. Not when her son and husband hated the woman who abandoned them. Not when a group of women surrounded her husband and son, all hoping to fill the gap she had left behind.

Ellian woke up in the middle of a quiet field. No name. No memories. No idea where he came from or who he was. Only one thing echoed in his mind a shadowy figure, standing beneath a broken sky. Now he lives in a strange city, surrounded by people he barely knows, pretending to be someone he’s not. But nothing about this new life feels real. Every night, dreams pull him into places that shouldn’t exist. Every day, something inside him whispers that he’s forgetting something important. Something dangerous. And then it begins. A sound no one else hears. A feeling of being watched. A place that draws him in, as if it’s waiting. As if it remembers him. The deeper he searches, the more questions appear. Why is he here? Why does the world around him feel... incomplete? And what is hiding beneath the surface of this peaceful town? He doesn’t know the answers yet. But the moment he starts looking, everything begins to change. This is a story about remembering what should have stayed forgotten. And once the truth starts to wake, it never sleeps again.

Dive back in time, to the depths of the desert, and watch the old stories unfold before your eyes. A story of treasure hunting, betrayal, and destiny. When a gruesome future is all you see, how can you change it? When you're foretold to fail, how should you move on? Zarqa, the girl who saw beyond time, sought to find answers. -------------------------- Legend says that Zarqa had sharp eyes that could look far away in the distance. But what if that wasn’t the end of it, what if her eyes were seeing far beyond not only space, but time? What if Zarqa was blessed with a prophecy, one that could save her dying village from destruction? Just as they thought they had no way to survive, Zarqa learns of a way to protect her village from demolition. Naturally, no one believed her, for no one but the Almighty could see beyond the present. They forgot the Almighty offers knowledge to those whom he deems of worth. And Zarqa was one of them. Having to trudge an arduous path and go through a great adventure, Zarqa seeks to find the solution to all of their problems, a treasure said to have the power to change all. Pitted against magical traps and the mysteries of the deserts, she finds unexpected company in Ali Baba, the poor kid with the sticky fingers, and his crow Morjana... -------------------------- This is my first original long story here and is also a WSA 2024 Entry. I ask that you give it a try and hope you enjoy it :D Also, note that English is not my first language... And it's not my second either. -----------------------Media------------------------- This book has many openings, check them out: [General opening of the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVxnu5R3vws] [Baghdad Arc's opening: https://youtu.be/GwJIJ2Kn0FI] [Two Heavens Arc's opening: https://youtu.be/NO1C0ngBVjg] [Two Heavens Arc's ending: https://youtu.be/hO-XPQsCPFw] [Cursed Ring Arc's Opening: https://youtu.be/PUF4H98y2B0] [ Persia Arc's Opening: https://youtu.be/sSfG_uVSkQk] [Ending: https://youtu.be/1wQ_aJVFhx0] -----------------------Updates-------------------------- Updated weekly, 2 chapters on weekends. Please don't let the first paragraphs fool you. This isn't a story from the first person's POV.

A red crystal falls from the sky. A high school student sees it in his dream—before it even lands. Since that night, Hao Thien’s world has been slowly unraveling. Visions of cosmic battles, voices that call his name, and a power he doesn’t understand are all pulling him toward a destiny he never asked for. Who are the beings fighting across galaxies? Why does the crystal respond only to him? In a universe without limits… can one word truly open the heavens?

Derik Halvorsen was born brilliant—and broken. Raised in silence by a violent ex-military father in rural Montana, Derik never cried, never connected, never forgot. By sixteen, he could dismantle any system, crack any server, and understand evil better than any therapist who ever tried to study him. And then one night… he made his first move. When his father dies under mysterious—but eerily clean—circumstances, the police rule it an accident. Derik disappears. No leads. No trace. Just one new ghost in the system. But Derik didn’t run. He evolved. Armed with a list of names—abusers, traffickers, corrupt prosecutors—he begins executing brutal, calculated murders that look like suicides, accidents, or divine punishment. Every kill is a message. Every detail, a signature. He doesn’t murder for revenge. He murders for balance. As federal agents begin to catch on, whispers spread in the underworld—someone is out there correcting the justice system’s mistakes. A living algorithm. A myth. A nightmare. But Derik isn’t hiding anymore. He’s building something. And the deeper he goes, the more powerful enemies take notice—some who don’t want to stop him… and others who want to use him. Because sometimes, the only thing worse than a broken system is the man who learns how to perfectly destroy it. ⸻ Themes • Morality vs justice • Systemic failure • Psychological trauma • The mind of a killer • Cold logic vs emotional chaos

Every fifteen years, the secret temple on Akalora island opens its gate, calling upon fate, blood and ancient power. Avira is just a curious island girl. Zavian, a noble son of the water clans. They were only teenagers when they crossed the forbidden line by awakening the sacred Kaustubha gem. The boy got crowned. The girl disappeared. But fifteen years later, the sea strikes again and fate demands to drawn everyone in itself.

Shi Yi loves to get bargains, and her biggest dream is to own a convenience store and sell the bargains to customers. Buy at low prices and sell at slightly lower than the market price, the business will definitely be hot! Until one day, she tied a magic convenience store, and every night at 10 o'clock, she could compete in hand speed to buy low-priced goods in the system mall and sell them the next day. Shi Yi: Isn't this the realization of the dream! Sesame buns for hair care, red bean porridge for blood and beauty, ten times protein grilled sausage, light salt soy sauce for weight loss, deep sleep laundry detergent... A magic convenience store opened in Xingfu Community. Neighbors sighed: "What's the lack of e-commerce supermarkets these days? Riders deliver directly to your home. Who would go downstairs to buy things? It's definitely a loss." Later, even though Xingfu Community opened at 9 o'clock, the items were limited and the variety was pitiful, neighbors still had to line up to buy. Even people from nearby communities rushed here, and some people even drove luxury cars to line up early in the morning to buy. Xingfu Community owner: Property management! Does the community need to install a personal facial recognition system? If for nothing else, just to have fewer people competing with me for the things in the magic convenience store.

Takashi Ren an inspiring footballer has dreams of winning the world cup but he has an immesurable setback which causes him to evolve

My lips were tightly shut. My expression—blank. As if I didn’t understand the meaning behind his gaze, now sharper than ever. His fingers traced slowly along my jawline. The motion was calm. Measured. Too careful to be called affectionate. “So naive,” he whispered, barely audible. “Your breath... unchanged. Even your heartbeat is steady.” He leaned in. His lips brushed the skin beneath my ear—warm, but not seductive. A mere distraction. “These eyes... don’t lie. But they’re not completely honest either, are they?” His left hand slid to my back, tracing down my shoulder blades, then lower—to my waist. And stopped. Still. As if checking something. “Do you realize...” he continued, his voice soft yet piercing, “...of all the people who’ve seen my darkest side... you’re the only one who didn’t run.” I stayed silent. Just blinked once more, then gave a faint smile. “And why would I run?” My voice was light. Playful. I even let out a small laugh, more like a sigh. He didn’t laugh back. His gaze remained deep. His hand still touched my cheek—cold, scented with metal and leather. And then I... ...smiled. Genuinely. I leaned up slightly, raised his face gently with both hands, and kissed his cheek. The kiss left no mark, just a soft sound: chu — sweet, innocent. Almost like a child trying to show love. “Oh! You must be tired,” I said lightly. “I only made fish soup tonight, but the cuts are... kind of a mess.” I tugged gently at the hem of his shirt—playful, affectionate. Pulling him to hover directly over me. I slowly lay back on the bed, though my feet still touched the floor. My gaze never left him—looking up from the most vulnerable position. “But don’t ask why the cuts turned out so ugly,” I added with a small giggle. “Because earlier, the knife—” “The knife?” He interrupted. Flat voice. I nodded slowly, my eyes still bright. “Yeah, it’s so heavy! Where did you even buy it? Sharp, scary... but cool. Like... the kind used by a serial killer! Hehe~” For a few seconds, his expression shifted. Not angry. Not bothered. But... something changed. As if his mind had just collided with a memory that should’ve stayed locked away. Then, still calm, he said: “Don’t use that knife again. You could get hurt.” His fingers slipped into my hair—gentle, yet cold. “Tomorrow, I’ll give you a new one. Something that suits your hands better.” Then his lips lowered again. To my neck. At first, it tickled. But it quickly turned into something deeper than clumsy affection. Our breathing grew uneven. His body pressed heavily over mine, making the bed creak with every move.

“To the world, we're just childhood friends. But in my heart... I wanted us to be more.” Yehoshua Sugimoto lives a quiet, hidden life—blending into the background, haunted by words he can never say. The only person who’s ever truly seen him is Kuruha Mizuno: his energetic, beautiful childhood best friend who fills his days with teasing, laughter, and light. Everyone thinks they're a perfect match. But not all love stories go the way they’re meant to. When a mysterious new girl enters his life—cold, composed, and impossible to ignore—everything starts to shift. Feelings blur. Loyalties falter. And what once felt safe begins to break apart. One girl knows his past. One girl sees his truth. But only one will have his heart. In a story where soft mornings lead to quiet betrayals, and smiles can hide secrets... will Yehoshua choose what was always there—or something entirely unexpected?

Sometimes, Gods walk among us. We just don't notice because we aren't capable of perceiving them as they are. However, when one such Goddess realizes that She is unable to remember who She is supposed to be, history starts to change forever. Join our unnamed Goddess as She travels around our world, meeting with strange Gods and even stranger mortals as She searches for the truth of who She is.

Jean wakes up in a vast, endless field surrounded by strangers—none of them know how they got there, and no matter where they go, they always end up back at the black door in the center. The door leads to a series of deadly trials, each one more twisted than the last. With every challenge he overcomes, Jean grows stronger—but the power he gains begins to strip away his emotions, memories, and humanity. Trapped in a world where survival demands sacrifice, Jean must decide how much of himself he's willing to lose to escape. Jean's cursed to evolve like a monster but loses his humanity with each fight.

Balance (The Silver Lining) In a world quietly unraveling, one young man stands on the fault line between who he pretends to be and who he truly is. Kai lives in a crumbling city haunted by strange awakenings — ordinary people morphing into forces of nature, shadows splitting reality, and emotions bending the laws of physics. Beneath the chaos lies a deeper question: Who are we when our inner world spills into the real one? Haunted by a mysterious figure with glowing eyes and torn between his family’s rigid beliefs and his own yearning for harmony, Kai is forced to confront his deepest fractures. As he awakens powers tied to ancient energies and hidden emotions, he learns that each ability isn’t just a weapon — it’s a mirror of the soul. But Kai isn’t alone. In this shifting new reality, everyone must face their shadows. Every fight is an emotional dance, every ability an echo of each person’s inner battle. The city becomes a living labyrinth of evolving beings, where strength is born not from dominance but from the courage to rebuild yourself from within. Balance weaves breathtaking battles with raw, intimate self-discovery. This is a story about confronting your inner darkness, rebuilding your identity piece by piece, and finding meaning in a world that demands you become more than just strong — it asks you to become whole. — Balance (The Silver Lining) isn’t just a fight for survival. It’s a journey into the soul, where every person’s transformation shapes the world around them.

Trapped within a poisoned world and stalked by monstrous beings known as the Withered, humanity clings to survival behind decaying walls and endless war. In the shadow of legends, a boy named Kael Ranz grows up in silence—haunted by the sacrifice of his brother, Dren, and hated by the family that blames him for living. Cast out and forgotten, Kael devotes his life to one purpose: vengeance. After six years of brutal training in the military barracks, Kael earns a place in the Phantom Line—an elite unit bred for one thing: surviving the gas, and killing what waits within it. But Kael’s past resurfaces when he hesitates to kill a Withered... and realizes it’s his brother’s reanimated corpse. But there may be something more than meets the eye.

Elysian Abyss doesn't just erase memories. It is a cold cradle — nurturing hollow souls in silence. They awaken like newborns... But inside, their hearts are already hardened — scarred by wounds too deep to name. Pain so ancient, even they no longer remember why it ever hurt. Can love truly take root in hearts lined with scars? Or is it merely a sharpened blade — meant to carve open the wounds that never healed?