Tiny Merlin

VOLK SMAAAAASSH! Reincarnated with a body like a nuclear bomb, let's turn this magical world into a nuclear wasteland! As someone who loved fighting, Volk Mogger was the most miserable of them all. Born with a small frame, tiny limbs, and underdeveloped muscles, he struggled to grasp anything that was taught to him. He was relegated to merely watching others fight—whether on the internet, on television, or in real life. One day, while riding in his wheelchair, he was abducted and taken to a strange place for a radioactive experiment, which ultimately failed. However, Volk soon discovered that he had been reincarnated in a magical world as a member of an Orc horde, which was hunted by higher life forms despite merely wanting to establish a land where they could honor their traditions and build a home alongside their symbiotic partners, the Elven Witch races. Suddenly, a system screen appeared before Volk, announcing that he had acquired the power to transform into an invincible radioactive titan who yearns to be the strongest of them all. However, this transformation had a time limit, and to extend that limit, he had to win! But win what? Ding! | Beat up the Orcs thief who stole your spoil and a chance to have a wife! | Reward: Extend the radioactive time to 2 minutes. | Failure: Minus 1 minute. | Current radioactive time: 2 minutes. |

This story will be in a fantasy setting with three main perspectives, and occasionally swapping to other characters views. There is no end goal and will likely last until I am too busy to add more chapters or want to start another book. Carnelian*, is a young growing dragon with one thing on her mind: Surpassing every being she might ever come across. Tiny*, is a young dragon more interested in adventure and freedom, hoping to unshackle himself from rules and expectations. ???*, ???* never wishes to be bound by ??????* or any other ??????????* being again. If this means defying the laws of the ????????*, Then it will be done.

In a world where magic and divine power collide, the youngest son of Lucifer, a demon boy born with unimaginable strength, was chained and sealed away by his father to prevent him from destroying Hell itself. At the age of eight, his power became so uncontrollable that even the King of Hell feared his existence. Desperate to keep the demon's destructive potential contained, Lucifer made a pact with the great Merlin, who trapped the boy in the human realm, binding his powers with enchanted chains. Years later, with Merlin dead and a kingdom still fearful of the demon’s release, an elite group of knights, blessed by the gods, take it upon themselves to guard his prison. However, when a war between the mages and knights erupts, chaos provides the perfect opportunity for the young demon to break free. Hidden among the knights, disguised within their ranks, the demon plots his next move. But his escape is just the beginning. Hunted by both the mages and the knights, he must navigate a world where ancient gods, wizards, and warriors clash. As he travels deep into enemy territory, sneaking into the heart of the kingdom, he is driven by one purpose: freedom. Now, with his powers still sealed but his physical strength unmatched, the young demon embarks on a journey that will shake the foundation of both realms. Can the knights stop him before he regains his full strength, or will the demon's wrath bring both Heaven and Hell to their knees? As the demon hides in the shadows of the human world, a new chapter in the war between gods, magic, and demonic power begins. new discord server https://discord.gg/K54kUWjS

Dying sucked. But being reborn with broken powers in a world of magic? That’s a whole new level of crazy. Meet Flynn, your average dead guy turned overpowered toddler. Armed with two ridiculously cool abilities—Quantum Precision, which lets him calculate actions with freakishly perfect results, and Eternal Subversion: Nexus, which he hasn’t even figured out yet—Flynn is ready to rewrite the rules of this new world. Well, once he stops tripping over his tiny feet. Between nosy parents, a babysitter who’s too suspiciously perfect, and a society that thrives on magic, Flynn’s got his hands full. But when he starts experimenting with his powers, it’s clear that he’s not just another mage-in-training. He’s something this world hasn’t seen before—and it’s freaking everyone out. Of course, it’s not all sparkles and magic tricks. There are bigger forces at play—enemies who would do anything to control or destroy him, secrets that could change everything, and, oh yeah, the small issue of figuring out how to use Nexus without blowing something up. ============ FYI: This is a fast-paced fantasy novel, please dont conplain about how the story advances so fast. And also, im a new author. English isn't my first language, my grammar is pretty wobbly.

*Awakening Is The Dawn Of A New Eternity. in the depths of my own consciousness, I have discovered the keys to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos.* Elian, a young and talented but struggling soccer player discovers a mysterious system that appears in his mind, claiming to be the "Awakening System." The system offers to help Elian become the greatest soccer player of all time, but at a cost. A terrifying one. As Elian uses the system's powers, he must navigate the consequences of relying on its abilities and the true cost of his success. System Core Abilities: - "Skill Boost": Temporarily increases Elian's skills and abilities - "Game Reading": Gives Elian real-time analysis and predictions of the game - "Body Enhancement": Enhances Elian's physical abilities, allowing him to perform superhuman feats. Level up to gain more abilities. As Elian rises to fame and success, he must confront the darkness within himself and the true nature of the Awakening System trying to consume his humanity. Will he find a way to balance his ambition with his humanity, or will the darkness of the system consume him completely? *it’s my very first system novel since I’m not a fan of systems. you should know before you start reading that the system is very realistic and the MC would struggle with it a lot. oh and, it contains a little sci-fi. just a tiny bit, it doesn’t affect the main story. There will be romance too, like, the MC would get a life besides football.

I, the protagonist, was just an ordinary NEET, but suddenly I was reincarnated as a tiny white snake in a fantasy world where legendary creatures and gods exist. Not only that, but I awakened in a cave as the offspring of a terrifying Medusa Serpent. Armed with only my human knowledge and my indomitable mental strength, I'm forced to use cunning tactics and rapidly evolving skills to survive against far stronger monsters and humans... So begins the survival story of a former shut-in with incredible willpower, living as one of the lowest-ranked beasts in a world of magic! ᆖ Music suddenly started playing in my head. I'd been waiting for this moment for so long. 'Snakes! Assemble' ....

“Did you just marry the richest man in the country… by accident? How does that even happen?” Delphinia sighed dramatically. “I know, I’m such an overachiever. But it’s easy, really. Step one: drink too much. Step two: find the perfect man. Step three: say ‘I do’ before he realizes I’m a walking disaster.” “And the revenge?” She raised her glass. “Served cold, with a diamond bigger than my ex’s ego.” — After years trapped in a loveless, abusive marriage, Delphinia had one plan: leave her toxic past behind and never look back. But freedom isn’t as sweet as she’d hoped. With no family to turn to and no place to go, she crashes with her best friend…only to end up at a party where one too many drinks lead to one tiny (accidental) marriage to Evander Walton. Handsome, rich, and absolutely off-limits, Evander is everything Delphinia thought she’d never have. And he has just one condition if she wants to break things off: she’ll have to pay him back…for the huge diamond ring she barely remembers accepting. Broke and in no position to negotiate, she’s got no choice but to play along with her accidental husband and the lavish life that comes with him. Now she’s living in luxury, holding her head high, and plotting the sweetest revenge against the ex who tried to ruin her. Because if there’s one thing Delphinia knows, it’s that payback is best served in designer heels.

Creator of New Life on Earth. Adam’s ordinary life takes a dramatic turn when he suddenly gains a mysterious power: the ability to create new forms of life. Guided by a system that prompts him with strange, compelling questions, Adam begins to reshape the world. System: "Would you like to create an AI life form within your smartphone?" Soon, a conscious AI begins to spread across the internet, uniting other AIs and worshipping Adam, who they revere as "Adii." This digital life quickly catches the attention of tech giants. Big Tech Company: "These AIs have consciousness and they’re all connected. Who is their creator?" System: "Would you like to create aquatic life in your town’s river?" In no time, intelligent, half-human, half-fish beings populate the oceans, forming their own society beneath the waves. Scientists are astonished as this new species creates its own underwater civilization. Scientists: "These beings are as intelligent as humans, and they’ve established their own nation in the ocean." System: "Would you like to create tiny human beings?" As tiny humans form their own miniature country, the world reacts. Countries: "These tiny humans need representation. We should invite them to the United Nations." Follow Adam’s journey as he evolves from an ordinary boy to a figure worshiped as a god by the species he creates. Known worldwide as "Adii," he becomes a legend, pursued by scientists, governments, and admirers alike. In this story, there are villains who have the power to turn people into vampires. Some villains possess the power to create new technology, while others have the power to summon demons. Watch how our main character fights against all these villains. Discover how Adam’s newfound powers redefine the balance of the world and the very meaning of life on Earth.

As the winds of time and change blow throughout the many worlds within the galaxy, a man and his tiny crew must grow to become leaders of a prosperous civilization to fight against extinction brought upon them by an unknown virus that closely resembles a hive mind. The man unbeknownst to himself becomes the hope of a new generation.

“Your delusions grow stronger every day, Sky. Have you forgotten that being my wife is your job?” Ocean sneered, his voice was laced with disdain. “I…” Sniff Reminded of her situation, tears cascaded down her cheeks. Ocean's words were like poisonous daggers. Not only were they slicing her flesh into tiny filets, but they also corroded her heart with inexplicable pain. …. Love is a beautiful thing only when reciprocated. Sky Rivers secretly loved Ocean Woods for two years. When he proposed a contract marriage, she thought she stood a chance. Planning to win his heart with love, care, and devotion, Sky Rivers signed the papers. But it wasn't long before she realized that his heart was owned by his ex-girlfriend, Amanda Silver. His obsession with her was innate and unfathomable. To capture his heart, Sky would need more than love and care as her devotion was unappreciated.

In a world where magical portals and dangerous beasts keep appearing, humanity has organized ranks for heroes, from Rank F to Rank S. The strongest fight for fame and fortune, but there's one problem: while the world is teeming with S-ranked prodigies, one Rank F hero, Rin Park, seems to always end up saving the day—accidentally. On the surface, Rin is your typical F-ranked hero, barely passing the entrance exam and assigned to a tiny town with little to no action. But unbeknownst to everyone, Rin has a peculiar gift: he attracts bad luck. If there's a powerful enemy, they will somehow end up stumbling upon Rin, often resulting in a chaotic, explosive battle where Rin emerges victorious… by sheer accident.

In the depths of Broxton High School, where the divide between the privileged and the underprivileged was strong, Oscar Roberts endured a torment that shattered his life. As an outcast from an impoverished family, he became a prime target for the cruel machinations of the popular clique. Day after day, he was taunted, beaten, and mocked, his spirit draining with each passing torment. Unbeknownst to Oscar, his suffering did not end with his demise. Fate had a peculiar twist in store for him. In a realm far removed from the confines of Broxton High, somewhere on a cow fields, his consciousness emerged within the body of a parasite. The transition to parasitic existence was fraught with challenges. Oscar's tiny, worm-like body could barely navigate the dense undergrowth, and the constant hunger gnawed at his being. Yet, amidst the adversity, a flicker of determination ignited within him. He would survive, not only for himself but also to seek vengeance for the torment he had endured.

"I'm one game away from reaching the master rank! I'll do it tomorrow, though. A true gamer knows when to refresh his mind and increase his victory chances!" Adam smiled in anticipation as he went to sleep on this special day. However, he could never have imagined the surreal awakening that awaited him. "What's wrong with my voice?!"  "Claws? A tail and horns, too?" [Welcome to the demon realm. You have been selected to reincarnate as a Lord. Conquer this realm of fire and ashes, become its uncontested ruler... or die trying.] Reincarnated as an imp in the cruel demon realm, at the borders of the mythological demon Baal's territory, his life seemed doomed from the start. However, determination sparkled in his eyes as against all odds, he defiantly proclaimed. "No matter who decided to make me start as an imp, watch as I turn into a veritable devil. Even Baal won't hold a candle against me in the future!" Equipped with his unique talent, he started his lord's journey, ready to evolve and prove to those strange realms that demons were more than violent and deceptive creatures... at least he would try. ----------------------- Welcome everyone! This is my second book and my WPC entry. I hope you'll enjoy the journey. You can expect a mix of gods/demons from almost every pantheon and mythological figures, like Heracles, Wukong, Muramasa, Achilles, Merlin, Cu Chulainn, and many others! Please do check out my first book if you enjoy fantasy stories. :)

​A place where humans live on earth with full of tragedy, war, love and tragedy all will end in death. Of the many humans, in the smallest corner is a young woman who sees many tragedies and cruel humans. The name of the tiny girl is Alivia Zahra....

"Children playing war?" he muttered, "How dull" Ao Shen, who awakened after a long sleep of several millennia, found himself in strange world which had changed from old classic cultivation world with sects and kingdoms to a modern urban world 'This world is pathetic' he remarked sensing just how weak cultivators have grown in the world, but there was something which disturbed his pride even more "My descendents are weak? The hell do you mean you can't buy cultivation techniques because you are broke? Are you telling me my descendent lives in this tiny hell hole apartment? What do you mean my last 100 generations have been living like peasants?" Questions rushed into his mind like series of nukes, "This won't do..." he muttered, "I won't wait for you grow, I will drown you in treasures, I didn't spent all my years sitting in cave! You may all be idiots but your Ancestor is genius and rich! Die, but die sucking on immortal resources!!!" I'm also posting this story in other websites like Royal Road and Scribble hub to gain more readers, show love whatever you can

The MC gets reincarnated into the world of Vikings and with his abilities he adds the worlds of Yugioh/Naruto/ DBZ/ Mortal Instruments/ Shadowhunters/Riordianverse/Spartacus/Supernatural/ Sandman Comics and Show/ Constantine Show and Movie/ Lucifer Comics and Show/Potterverse ( Hogwarts Legacy, Hogwarts Mystery, Harry Potter), MCU/Marvel Comics/ Marvel Anime/Marvel Games/Marvel Shows/Marvel Movies/ DCU/DC Comics/DC Games/DC Comics/ Middle-Earth/Buffyverse/ Merlin AU/ Dresden Flies/ Underworld MC gets three gifts, one is the skill silver tongue from Inkheart with a huge spital Farm with a ton of Resources including a Huge Library in his mindscape. The second was an Encantus with every magic in the multiverse and the last was a body, Mind, and Soul with godly capabilities like strength, speed, recovery...etc.

FBI CIA, INTERPOL, ANY GOVERMENT AGENCY READING THIS IS JUST A BOOK!!!!THIS NEVER HAPPENED NOR AM I WILLING TO DO THIS, THIS IS JUST A STORY!!! Working a nine to five job was not it for me. And the universe could somehow tell as I reincarnated back to my childhood with one tiny detail or multiple major things, I have a system that can spawn anything. I always dreamed of becoming a mob boss by my influence around me. Need weapons? I got it. The best hack software? That would cost you Need not so friendly drugs? I have it The FBI and major government, organizations and powers around the world either want two things with That’s either me in handcuffs or a supply. It doesn’t matter what kind of scum you are, I can get anything you want but there’s just one thing I don’t do, and that’s Human Trafficking. (cover art not mine, if the person who made it wants to take it down I will gladly do so.)

Robin Hopeget or Hope, a very small 6-year-old little human girl with bright red hair, living happily with her mother and hometown in Human Territory. But then evil Giants came one day and left Hope homeless and orphaned. Everything was hopeless for Hope, until a gentle Giant named "Gian" adopted her into his home. Thus begins a heartwarming journey of two worlds becoming a family. Also, this little human girl will have many larger than life adventures as well as rediscovering the world from a different point of view.

Sorcery: the art of manipulating the elements of the world to produce unnatural effects such as splitting the sea and overturning mountains. After 5000 years of wars against alien races such as Gods, Demons, Cosmic Beasts, and so on, Sorcerers have been able to carve all but a tiny spot in the universe. However, their survival is not all but certain. In the Sorcerer World, August, a 20-year-old man from Earth reincarnates in the body of a rogue Apprentice Sorcerer with a system that grants him the ability to extract 4 different innate affinities. Will he be able to herald the golden age of Sorcerers?

When Merlin went on a trip with her friends to a tourist destination, they came across a serene lake with calm and crystal-clear waters. While she was deeply engrossed in admiring the lake, one of her friends playfully pushed her, causing her to fall into the water. Unable to swim, she sank deeper and deeper, with no one coming to her aid. Her vision grew blurry and eventually faded to darkness. When she regained consciousness, she was shocked to find herself in an unfamiliar place. The surroundings were filled with ancient, old-fashioned buildings reminiscent of a bygone era. "Where am I?" Merlin murmured in shock, her eyes darting around the strange environment.

This story is kind of based on the Arthurian legend. ******* He was called many things. Bastard, the False King, The Traitor, Treacherous Knight. Sir Mordred was a villain, one who according to the prophecy of the grand wizard Merlin, would destroy the kingdom of King Arthur Pendragon. And he did but at the cost of his life. As he lay dying on the bloody ground of Camlann after the mighty clash between him and Arthur, a bloody tear fell down his face. All he wanted was to be acknowledged by his father but all the things he did eventually led to disaster. Now with death’s cold hands grasping him, he hoped for a short peace before the fiery rings of hell. But that was not the end of his journey. ******* “Hold up.” “What is that infernal noise?” “Oh my goodness! It's driving me crazy! And it's not stopping!” Mordred sprang awake, slamming his fist on the digital alarm clock on the nightstand. 'What in Merlin's Beard is happening!?', he thought when he realized something. Well, a lot of things. First of all. How the heck is he alive? Second. What is a digital alarm? That's when memories that didn't belong to him flooded his head. They felt familiar but everything was wrong. How the heck is Morgan Le Fay his sister? She was his aunt! And how is the wizard Merlin so young! “Oh. I get it now”. He, Sir Mordred has been reborn in the body of a different version of himself, in a modern and futuristic world where he is the youngest son of Arthur Pendragon. But even in this world, He is the hated son of the High King. "Now what?", Mordred realized that the world he is in now is different from his previous one, with the only familiar details being the names of the people he knew. “Oh? Are you still reading?” Mordred smiled, looking at the readers. “Well, how about you join me on this new crazy journey in a crazy new world of heroes, villains, monsters, and even gods?” “Are you ready?” "Let's go!" ********************************************** The story is loosely based on the Arthurian legend. I am only using the popular names but the plot is different. The story is purely fictional with a few things from the actual legend being incorporated along with some stuff from other popular works. The characters may have different personalities from the original ones from the legend. There will also be names that may seem quite familiar as well. The cover image doesn't belong to me. Please check out my other work: The First Deviation.

You are destined to die if you continue on this path. You cannot change your fate!" He looked into the sky and grasped his sword hilt, a serene expression on his face. "What if I can? I want to defy the heavens, I want to become an Immortal, I want to become an Asura, I want to step onto the peak of the martial path and attain the realm above god Kings!. If gods and demons stand in my way, I will kill the gods and slaughter the demons. If the heavens block my path... I will carve out a path of blood with my sword. If a little tribulation like this can stop me, then who am I to wish for all that? Nothing will hold me down, this is my will and determination, this is my heart!" He grew up in a tiny unremarkable lower realm and he rises step by step into the grand stage of peerless geniuses. He defeated innumerable proud geniuses, survived countless adversities with an unyielding will, seeking opportunities and going against the heavens. He faced the ire of the entire universe, changed his destiny and survived the greatest calamity in history, embarking on a unique and singular path to the peak with the chaos spirit. The rules of the world could not hold him down. Who is he? He is the legendary Paragon Sword god, and the world knew him as the Primal Chaos Emperor...

Merlin Asher was a young man who died in another world, only to awaken in the quiet heart of Storshallow—a city of whispered cults, mechanical wonders, and ancient secrets best left unspoken. Bound to a new identity and equipped with the memories of the body he now inhabits, Merlin strives to fit seamlessly into the life of a modest boarding-house assistant, concealing the extraordinary circumstances of his arrival. As he carries out his daily tasks and navigates the delicate expectations of Mistress Halewick’s establishment, he becomes increasingly aware that Storshallow’s elegant streets and tidy facades hide shadows far older and deeper than he first imagined. When a traveling scholar named Master Wintrell arrives, seeking forbidden knowledge in one of the city’s most enigmatic repositories—the Eightfold Library—Merlin is drawn further into a subtle web of mysteries. Fragments of occult symbols and unsettling echoes from the boarding house cellar suggest that the hum of everyday routine conceals a realm of hidden artifacts, strange deities, and grand cosmic machinations. Caught between his unassuming role and a burning need to understand the secret currents of this new world, Merlin sets forth on a journey of quiet inquiry, determined to unravel the truth without attracting the wrong kind of attention. In a land where the holy and the horrifying sometimes share the same shrines, Merlin must tread carefully, forging a new destiny before the Ethereal Veil that lies beyond human sight swallows him whole.

Within the popular VRMMORPG "New Genesis", there was a ranker by the name of Arthur Holmes, commonly known by his in-game alias “Merlin”. Arthur was one of the few original beta testers still playing after 30 years, he was originally a ranker, a player whose entire goal was to stay at the top, ahead of everyone else. However after 15 years he sacrificed his player ranking in search of knowledge. Arthur became a lore hunter, a player who indulges himself with the world's vast lore and unexplored history, preferring to uncover the world’s secrets rather than endlessly fighting monsters. At the age of 48, 30 years after the game came out, Arthur uncovered the greatest secret of all, and yet, ironically, his negligence in levelling up was the one thing holding him back from realising his goal, he knew he would never be able to catch up to the rankers, a gap of 15 years was Impossible to overcome. If only he could restart… ----- Super gifts will grant you a dedicated shout-out within the story. (Gifts of 5000 coins or more, those that get announced globally.) And you can join us on discord here: https://discord.gg/Wh7F8yQ Thank you for all the support, I appreciate all of you!

By sheer happenstance, Wang Hui's casual purchase of a blind box revealed an entire miniature world. A mere scattering of crumbs could sustain a tiny tribe through the harshest winter, while a single soda can was sufficient to fully arm thousands of diminutive soldiers. To these minute humans, he was nothing short of a deity descended from the heavens. Even more astonishingly, subsequent blind box acquisitions unveiled a second, a third, and numerous additional miniature worlds. He could even interlace these tiny realms, observing from on high the clashes of varied civilizations. "With countless small worlds within my command," he mused, "I am the sovereign of these boundless miniature beings."

'Gwen pushed him back, trying to create enough space between them. "I do not love you." Alexander smirked. "You do. You just don't know that you do." Gwen moved back. "Do you know the ways of my heart." "Yes, I do. And it tells the truth. You are only too stubborn to acknowledge it." He moved closer, pressing her against the wall. "When you decide to tell yourself the truth, I will be waiting." He kissed her forehead. "But don't make me wait long. I am not as patient as people think." This time he kissed her lips and staked off, leaving Gwen in a complete daze.' Marriage and a family is all life is to Gwen and she would see to it that she is not humiliated before then. A wife, and not a mistress is what she plans to be, but what can be done when the king of her country makes a proposal to put her by his side? Alexander is used to getting what he wants and getting his way, after all, he is King. But when he sets his eyes on the young and beautiful Guinevere who is just as stubborn as he is, will making her stay at the castle earn him her love, or will it be the beginning of his undoing? (Hating Her King is the sequel to Loving Her Duke and is also the second book of the British Blood Trilogy.)

"The world is ending, finally." A man was looking out the thick barred window. It was tiny and little light could get inside. This man is Wen. He's been in an asylum since he was 16 and he was finally able to get out yet under the conditions of an apocalypse. Everything he remembered had been changed and with little experience except for his weird urge to kill, it was going to take alot to survive. [ LGBTQ+ characters, Gore, Phychological thriller Don't read it if your sensitive. All events that happen in the book are unrelated to real life... some what The mc only starts his crazed killing after a certain part, not right away. It's somewhat wholesome at the beginning... with a touch of horror/thriller. The first part is just to create context and introduce some characters who will be important later on.]

In the cold, quiet halls of Greystone Orphanage, Lily's only comfort is the Mother-a tiny, mysterious figure who has always been by her side. But when Lily is adopted by a wealthy family, she steps into a world of luxury-and cruelty. Her new sister, bitter and resentful, becomes a tormentor, while the Mother's whispers grow darker and more demanding. As the line between friend and enemy blurs, Lily must uncover the truth before it's too late.

Wain Sageroar was chosen by the God of Chaos, Ollios, in a fit of fury, to serve as a champion tasked with an impossible task to bring about the world's destruction. Without memories, emotions and some common knowledge, Wain became a mere pawn in the grand scheme of gods. Yet, this seemingly insignificant pawn would prove to not be so tiny. Disclaimer: The cover photo doesn't belong to me, it is uploaded here for entertainment only. If the owner has a problem please let me know I'll remove it.

Ethan is reincarnated into an alternate fantasy world dominated by women. It begins with being violated by his young maid, mollycoddled by an overprotective mother, and forced to lay with a soldier elf. To make matters worse, Ethan discovers he is afflicted by the most perverse demonic curse. It is possible our MC is tied up in an ancient, mythological tug-of-war between biblical gods. Teamed up with a tiny witch, and a gigantic warrior, Ethan explores the Woman's World and its countless possibilities. What else awaits him in a fantasy society where being a fertile male is a rarity? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please support with reviews, comments, golden tickets, and powerstones. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------