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The Half Drowned King

THE HALF-BLOOD CROWN

Aeliana’s body tensed, every instinct urging her to flee, but her legs refused to obey. The weight of Kaelion’s presence pressed down on her chest, as if the air itself bowed to his will. She clenched her fists, willing herself to stay upright, to meet his gaze with whatever scraps of courage she could muster. She wouldn’t let him see her fear. “Step forward,” Kaelion ordered, his tone smooth but unyielding. Her jaw tightened. The part of her that was human screamed to fight, to run, but there was a faint hum beneath her skin—a whisper of something else. Something fae. It stirred like a forgotten memory, pulling her feet forward against her will. She stopped only a breath away from him, her chin tilted defiantly despite the trembling in her limbs. Up close, the king was even more overwhelming. His features were carved in sharp, perfect lines, his mismatched eyes glinting with an intelligence that saw too much. He wasn’t just cruel; he was calculating. A predator who enjoyed the chase as much as the kill. “What are you?” Kaelion asked, his voice soft but dangerous. He reached out, his claw-tipped fingers brushing the edge of her hood. She flinched, and his lips twitched—a hint of amusement at her reaction. “I’m no one,” she bit out, her voice steadier than she felt. “Just a thief.” “A thief?” he echoed, his fingers catching the edge of the hood. With a single motion, he pushed it back, exposing her face to the moonlight. The murmurs of the onlookers grew louder, their perfect features twisting with disdain. Kaelion’s eyes narrowed, his gaze raking over her. “No one, indeed.” He took a step closer, his presence enveloping her like a dark tide. “And yet… there’s something about you. Something familiar.” Aeliana’s heart pounded as his hand moved, fingers brushing the curve of her jaw. His touch was light, but it burned like fire, sending a shiver down her spine. “I should kill you for your insolence,” Kaelion said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “But there’s a… curiosity to you. A defiance I rarely see.” His lips curled into a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes. “I think I’ll keep you instead.” “Keep me?” Her voice cracked as anger flared, momentarily overriding her fear. “I’m not some pet to be claimed.” Kaelion’s smirk vanished, replaced by a cold, imperious glare. “You misunderstand, little thief. I’m not offering you a choice.” Aeliana’s stomach twisted as he raised his hand, his fingers glowing faintly with dark energy. Before she could react, a pulse of power shot through her, wrapping around her wrists like invisible chains. She stumbled, her knees buckling, but the magic held her upright. “You’ve entered my city, stolen from my people, and dared to defy me,” Kaelion said, his voice echoing with authority. “Your punishment will serve as a lesson to all who think they can do the same.” “And what punishment is that?” she spat, struggling against the bonds. Kaelion leaned in, his face inches from hers. “You’ll serve me,” he said, his voice a low, menacing growl. “Body and soul. Until I decide you’ve earned your freedom.” The crowd gasped, their whispers growing louder as the king straightened. Aeliana’s blood ran cold as she realized the full weight of his words. This wasn’t just about punishment—it was about control. And she was at the mercy of a man who had none. “Take her to the palace,” Kaelion commanded, his eyes never leaving hers. “I’ll decide what to do with her later.” The soldiers moved to obey, and Aeliana felt herself being pulled away, her body still bound by the king’s magic. As they dragged her through the streets, the crowd parted, their beautiful faces filled with a mix of fear and contempt. She clenched her fists, her mind racing. She couldn’t let this be the end. She wouldn’t let herself be another victim of Kaelion’s tyranny. Somewhere deep inside her, the faint hum of power stirred again, stronger this time.
KENNYWROTEIT · 2.2K Views

Half me and half...

"Get your hands off me!" she wrestled against my grip, so I held her even tighter. "Put this on!" I groaned, toiling to keep her in place and wishing again I’d worn the damn gloves. The feel of her warm skin under my arm and palm wasn’t helping my focus. "I'm not taking you home like this!" "You don't tell me what to do!" she snapped, thrashing to break free of my hold as I fumbled with the cloak in my other hand, trying to drape it over her bare shoulders. "I'm not going home! Let me go, I said!" "Did you really think I got you out of there just to let you wander the streets, almost naked, like a lunatic?" That stopped her. "What did you call me?!" "LU-NA-TIC." "You... You…! Take your hands off me, you insolent brute!" Enraged, she yanked her arm too abruptly and lost her balance. I caught her, wrapped her in the cloak, and threw her over my shoulder. "PUT ME DOWN!" She shrieked and flailed, but I ignored her, making my way to the Commander’s house, which, thanks to Braa, was only two streets away. Since the entire population was in the square for the ridiculous festival, no one intervened at the frantic cries of the wild creature. No wonder in the ten years I've known the Commander, I've never heard that he has a daughter. She must’ve been kept locked away. Strangely, she suddenly went still and quiet. Had she grown tired, worried about attracting attention, or finally realized how inappropriate it was to show up at her parents' doorstep in this state? She didn’t seem to care before. With every step, my anxiety grew—she was limp. "Hey!" No answer. Seriously?! "Hey, you!" Nothing. A bad feeling crept over me, so I pulled her off my shoulder and into my arms. Her head fell against my chest—unconscious. "Hey! Hey, you!" I shook her, but she didn’t react. Panic surged through me. Had she fainted? Had I held her too tight? Lifting her more securely, I sprinted toward the Commander's house.
Inemin · 114.1K Views

The Ludus King

In the year 3147 the Roman Imperium had finally achieved its goal of colonizing its own corner of the galaxy. Unlike in our own world the Rome of this one never fell, but instead grew to encompass the whole of the earth, and overtime spread itself, and humanity, among the stars. Yet even with the marvelous advancements in technology, healthcare, welfare, and every other category required for a thriving society. There is still one roman tradition that refuses to die. GLADIATORS!! And we should all be glad for it, because during the year 3149, just two years after the long and exhausting colonization campaigns were ended, mankind learned that it was not alone in the galaxy, let alone the universe. It had just stepped onto a much bigger stage where entire planets and even star systems were used as bargaining chips in universal gladiator games. Wars on a galactic scale are far too destructive to simply be allowed, if left unchecked the vast majority of life in the universe would cease to be. Therefore each race recognized by the galactic or universal council (it changes depending on the scale of the race itself) must submit champions or gladiators to represent them in the games. The winners gain unfathomable rewards, the losers perish or worse have their entire species enslaved. Please join our hero as he embarks upon his own perilous journey as a lanista, will he rise above the masses, or fall like so many others before him? Or perhaps his own latent gifts may bring him to a height, or depth hitherto unexplored by any before.
Billy_Bunn_5040 · 34.4K Views

Phoenix's fated half

Because of her ancestors, Mi Rong’s lineage has been cursed. She was born a princess, but neither was she saved from it. Like a ripple effect, her family line must atone for their actions. On every 100th full moon, a candidate is chosen to finish a mission. Being the chosen one, Mi Rong must finish her task sent by the heavens. She was sent to modern time with a sidekick wolf that had many hidden secrets beneath his paws. He was one of a kind, a spiritual beast from way before Mi Rong was born. As Mi Rong works her way in this modern world, she crosses path with a cold-hearted young man, Feng Jun Kai. Jun Kai was once a well-known superstar but abruptly retired when he had lost his wife in an accident, leaving his heart shut away from others. What was thought to be an accident turned out to be an intentional act by someone behind the scenes. Henceforth, he seeks for the culprit that lurks in the darkness. He returns back to his family business roots where he returns as the infamous young master Feng. Mi Rong’s only clue to her mission was to find a spellbook. While searching she establishes a company, the Xuan Group, selling ancient goods which later becomes one of the most influential underdogs in the business world. The group became known to the world, but very little was known of them, especially the mysterious leader of the pack. As Jun Kai seeks for his answers and Mi Rong goes through her trial in the open, an undercurrent stirs roughly beneath them. Although two with different goals, both collide in the same paths as the string of fate leads them to meet. Entering his cold rigid heart was as dimmed as the dark side of the moon, but an ending to the twisted connection had to be made. In the end, what was to come all fell on her choices... ... Jun Kai did not let her run away from him any longer and forcefully pulled her in. His hands then quickly pulled the mask away from her face. Mi Rong was not ready for Jun Kai's sudden move and was unable to stop him. The black cloth that was wrapped around as her mask was pulled off, revealing her face beneath it. The cloth flew away along with the wind. Jun Kai's eyes widened. It was a blow to Jun Kai. He was taken aback with shock. Different kinds of emotion were rushing inside him. It was stirring up all at once like a hurricane. No words could describe how he was feeling. His hand slowly reached out to the face he had known all along, "Why?" Jun Kai's voice began choking up and could speak no more. It was her all along?
cha_cha · 1.6M Views

The Arcane King

In a world where magic is the cornerstone of power and society, Kael, a humble apprentice, struggles to find his place amidst the rigid hierarchies of noble families and their arcane schools. But when his small village falls under attack by rogue mages, Kael’s latent powers awaken in a spectacular—and dangerous—fashion. Marked by destiny and wielding an ancient relic, the Crown of Arcana, he is thrust into the heart of a prophecy foretelling the rise of the Arcane King. Hunted by inquisitors and feared by noble factions, Kael embarks on a harrowing journey of discovery, gathering allies as varied as a cunning thief with a secret past, a disgraced knight searching for redemption, and a mysterious mage with ties to the prophecy. Together, they uncover the shadowy force behind the instability in their world: the Veil, an ancient organization intent on enslaving magic itself. As Kael’s power grows, so does the weight of his responsibility. Leading a rebellion against a corrupt magical order, he must navigate betrayal, loss, and the Crown’s dark influence. With every battle fought and alliance forged, Kael inches closer to fulfilling his destiny—but at what cost? As the final confrontation looms, Kael must confront not only his enemies but also the darker truths about his powers, the prophecy, and the sacrifices required to forge a new era. Will he emerge as the savior the world needs, or will he be consumed by the very magic he seeks to master? The Arcane King is an epic tale of power, destiny, and sacrifice, weaving intricate magic systems, complex characters, and breathtaking battles into a saga that will leave readers spellbound.
realmghacker · 11.2K Views

The Greatest king

In the vast Nazare Blade Empire, ruled with an iron hand by Emperor Groa Aratat, there existed eight princes, each striving for recognition and power. Among them was Josh Aratat, the most obscure and least acknowledged of the emperor’s sons. Born of a mother who passed away when he was just a child, Josh grew up in the shadows of his more celebrated brothers, his heart burdened with loss and his life marked by solitude. One fateful day, Emperor Groa decreed a challenge: each of his sons was to venture into separate regions of the empire, conquer them, and win the loyalty of their people. The prince who demonstrated the greatest strength, strategy, and ability to amass supporters would be crowned the imperial prince—the heir to the throne. The empire buzzed with speculation. Most believed the title would go to the mighty firstborn, Balek Aratat, renowned for his unparalleled strength. Others placed their bets on the cunning second-born, Jaden Aratat, or the skilled third-born, Gerard Aratat. Few gave any thought to the younger sons, particularly the sixth to eighth—Josh included. In their eyes, he was merely a shadow, unworthy of mention in the race for the throne. But everything changed when Josh encountered a dying man, condemned to execution for the crime of stealing bread. Wracked with despair and tired of his own existence, Josh made a startling decision—he offered to take the man’s place, embracing what he thought would be his end. Yet, in an unexpected twist of fate, death did not claim him. Instead, Josh emerged from the ordeal with a newfound power—an extraordinary ability granted as a result of his selfless act. This gift would not only alter the course of his life but also shake the foundations of the Nazare Blade Empire and the world beyond.
Nicholas_Morgan213 · 3.8K Views
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