Parting Gifts

CQ 2024 entry. When Lithe Hildebrand hires Zen Starke to retrieve stolen property belonging to the Maximillian Tribe nothing goes according to plan. Lithe, a workaholic and perfectionist, convinces Zen to let him go on the dangerous mission with him for fear that if mishandled it could ruin his reputation and career. Intrigued, Zen is determined to keep his potential mate by his side at all costs. For he’s never met anyone as captivating and sensuous as Lithe. When Lithe’s life is threatened, Zen makes a bargain to protect Lithe if he pretends to be his fiancé. Pressed for time, Lithe agrees since Zen is nothing like the media portrays him to be. As a recessive omega he finds the dominant alpha irresistibly charismatic and fiercely loyal. The problem is the feelings are mutual. Despite their differences, the lovers embark on a dangerous quest that gets them more than they bargain for when they encounter murder, deception and the gift of everlasting love.

Sinopsis Cerita Pendek: Pengabdi Setan — “Panggilan dari Bawah Tanah” Setelah kematian ibunya yang lumpuh dan misterius, Rini dan keluarganya mulai mengalami kejadian-kejadian aneh di rumah tua mereka yang terisolasi. Suara lonceng kecil di malam hari, pintu yang terbuka sendiri, dan sosok wanita berjubah putih yang mengintai dari kegelapan menjadi teror harian. Rini menemukan fakta mengerikan: sang ibu dulunya adalah bagian dari sekte pemuja setan yang menjanjikan kehidupan setelah mati. Tapi perjanjian itu harus ditebus. Sekarang, roh sang ibu kembali, bukan untuk menyayangi... tapi menjemput. Satu per satu, anggota keluarga mulai mengalami kerasukan dan menghilang. Rini harus memilih — menyelamatkan keluarganya, atau ikut dalam ritual pemanggilan yang belum selesai. Dalam kegelapan malam, hanya satu suara yang terdengar jelas: "Ibu sudah pulang."

god is dead. Lucifer, driven mad by power after millennia of senseless slaughter, finally had enough. For ages, god had commanded, "YOU SHALL ENGAGE IN AN ENDLESS BATTLE FOR MY ENTERTAINMENT IN THE MIDDLE REALM." So they fought. And fought. And fought. But eventually, Lucifer discovered the cruel truth: while angels and demons clashed endlessly in His name, god had long since turned His gaze elsewhere. He had found something new. Humanity. Hidden away in a far-off place called Paradise, they thrived, untouched by the madness, with no rules given to them. He called it free will. While those who bled for HIM were forgotten. He was busy playing with his new creations. Lucifer saw this as betrayal. A step too far. He began to plot. Allied with the demons, he moved to overthrow god, aiming to rule the world as he saw fit. But not all hosts of Heaven and Hell shared his vision. Many stood with god, igniting a war that would last centuries. At last, Lucifer dealt the final blow, killing god and all who remained loyal. But he was not finished. Instead of ruling alongside Satan, the leader of the demons, Lucifer betrayed him, just as he had betrayed the Seven Generals of Hell, and even his own Seven Brothers of Virtue. Taking their World Stones as a price for his victory. Now, Lucifer reigns from Heaven, his eyes fixed upon the last refuge of mankind: Paradise. Destroying it and sending its inhabitants into the war-torn middle realm: Pangaea. Since the fall of Paradise, the world has plunged into chaos. The connection between the Three Realms—Heaven, Earth, and the Underworld—has been shattered. Lucifer’s puppets now walk among men, spreading deception, hunting for something. Is it power they seek? Worship? Both? Or something even greater. But all is not lost. In His final act, god left behind a last resort—a hidden hope buried deep within mankind. A chance to rise. A chance to fight back.

'That was the night which changed everything in the life of the teenagers. A portel started opening. First they thought it was a dream. A little did they know what future had stored in for them! Soon the portel grew larger and larger. What shocked them the most was, many vampires came out of it.' This is the story of a fifteen year old boy, his sibling and his cousin who accidentally found a magical diary, later in the story they learn that the three of them are destined to maintain the balance between parallel worlds. This journey also helps the three teenagers to deal with the loss of their parents.

Cursed Convergence: Part II Takes Place Two Years After Cursed Convergence… The Human Realm Is Now In Absolute Chaos With Demons And The Newly Awakened Devil’s Roaming Around… Deimos And Adira’s Influence On The World Is Rapidly Growing, However They Haven’t Been Seen Since The Incident Two Years Ago, While Many People Begin To Lose Faith In The Grand Elder’s Ability To Lead… With Many New Threats Emerging, The World Just May Be On The Verge Of Ending, As The Golden Age Of Sorcery Is Making It’s Return To The Way The World Was 1,000 Years Ago.

The world's messed up. Monsters started falling from the sky. Flesh-eating creatures that almost wiped out Humanity.But then, people began to awaken strange abilities—Gifts, they called them. Supernatural powers that gave us a fighting chance. With these new abilities, we fought back, and for a while, it seemed like we were winning. Life slowly started to return to something that resembled normal. That is, until the Curses began. No one knows where they came from or why they started, but one thing was clear: they weren’t Gifts. They were something darker, twisted, as if reflecting the worst parts of humanity. People whispered that the Cursed were dangerous, unstable. Some even believed they were monsters in human skin. I used to think having a Gift would be the best thing that could ever happen to me. I dreamed of it, even. Too bad I didn’t get mine until the darkest moment of my life. And it wasn’t a Gift at all. But hey, like I said before, the world’s messed up.

A girl who has some special powers and due to her those powers is chased by many hunters and evil monsters who want to take those powers . Let's see how she saves herself and her friends from them.

[Welcome Z-Streamer H48VW3. Your Stats have been evaluated and your rank is... E] 'The day I heard this, I had thought those words were the symphony of my death sentence. But when I looked up my System, I discovered that entering the Tower was not my end, but only the beginning.' [Name: Mee Min-ho, Rank: E] [Affinities, Equipment] [Inventory, Shop] [Coins: 0] [Developer Options] 'Developer options?' Min-ho stood shocked, wondering what this strange option was on his System menu. *** No one remembers when the Z-Tower appeared. One day, it tore the sky open — a spire of stone and lightning, challenging the gods themselves. Its purpose is a mystery. But to the world, it’s legend. Salvation for the desperate. A graveyard for the greedy. Every three years, the Tower opens. And every three years, the bold — Z-Streamers — step inside. They fight monsters, traps, and each other, risking their lives for views, glory, and unimaginable fortune. Most never return. Min-ho didn’t want glory. He wanted peace. But with debts crushing him, and a sister struggling for her life in a hospital bed, he had no choice but to enter the Tower’s deadly games. Fate handed him one chance: a broken System. A glitch that lets him steal the Sponsored Gifts of other Z-Streamers. Armed with this dangerous power, Min-ho begins his climb — stealing, scheming, surviving. But the Tower is watching. And the Tower doesn’t forgive those who cheat its game. *** Disclaimer: As an author and story lover, I value relationships and character dynamics above all else. At its core, this story is about people—how they struggle, grow, and endure together. That means the early chapters lean more toward setup and emotional groundwork. In other words, this will be a slow burner at first. But trust me—when it hits, it hits hard. Thanks for giving it a shot. Happy reading! :)

"If I was fated to repeat each life with you just to watch you perish, I would choose to put an end to this vicious cycle this time. Let me change your destiny for once and let me destroy the world which has been harming us, even if it meant perishing with the world forever.", Phoenix. What happens when Ivy's sleep disorders issues were a result of her repeated life with Phoenix in her paracosm whom she was protecting but wants to protect her this time round? What happens when in the real world, Phoenix was destined to meet her as Jason who protected her till the end even when they had to face death just to keep her alive? Will Ivy accept all that she had asked for with such a high stack of price to pay?

This fan fix is at the point where dazai has left chuuya to go to the ADA. They meet late one night potentially resparking something between them. A bit of a trigger warning of if you want fluff this is not the book for you since later gets a bit hardcore. Anyways it’s just a fun Dazai x Chuuya fan-fic.

Ça sort de nulle part et ça y va tout droit. C'est des histoires, des souvenirs passés, des pleurs et des passions oubliées, des erreurs, des regrets, des plaisirs et des aventures gâchées, des instants qui vivent à jamais. Tout est bien rangé loin dans ma mémoire, sur des étagères infinies. Y'en a des poussiéreuses, y'en a des chamboulées, tout ne sera pas dans l'ordre, tout sera mélangé. Comme un album photo que l'on jette à la benne et qui éparpille partout son contenu aux couleurs fanées. J'arpente seul le couloir sans miroirs de ma psyché : il y a juste des fioles toutes alignées. Je veux juste en mettre quelques-unes sur papier.

After six years of coma, Mikael opened his eyes and realized that everything changed. The world that he tried to protect changed as he sees Demihumans all around. On top of that, the family that he swears to protect was nonexistent, because all of them lost their interest in him. He was the strongest Hunter once but he reached rock bottom. Join M ikael as he does his best to achieve his position formerly, the Overlord of the Earth. ------------------------ Mikael is a graduating student when a global summoning transported him inside a forest that full of monsters. Inside this place, he will meet people that will help him reach his priority: to return back to Earth and meet his family. ------------------

Luna, a part-timer in a cat cafe, suddenly gets escorted by men in suits, Bewildered, Luna follows, thinking it might be those prank sitcoms that have been popular lately. However, fortunately or unfortunately, it turns out that Luna is truly a long-lost heiress! A huge fortune, she isn't sure how to handle. A father who's composed and elegant, turning soft and warm when he interacts with her, A mother whose whereabouts are unknown, Taciturn cousins who treat her as some money-grubber, Men suddenly fight for her attention, Then, a cat who demands attention and highly quality food With all these, Luna is at loss on what to do, will she be able to navigate through her new life with ease or with strife?

Tristain Dyce, a 17-year-old Haitian-American quarterback, has always dreamed of leading a team to victory. Stuck as a 3rd-stringer on his state championship roster, he jumps at the chance to start fresh with a struggling program in Indiana. When the mysterious [Wasted Talent System] activates, offering him the abilities of NFL quarterbacks whose potential was never realized, Tristain must earn his rewards through relentless effort and precision. Balancing grueling workouts, studying film, and winning over his new team, he begins transforming into the player he’s always wanted to be. As Tristain fights to prove he’s more than just a “wasted talent,” he faces the ultimate question: Can he rise to greatness while staying true to himself? Tristain Dyce, a 17-year-old Haitian-American quarterback, has always dreamed of leading a team to victory. Stuck as a 3rd-stringer on his state championship roster, he jumps at the chance to start fresh with a struggling program in Indiana. When the mysterious [Wasted Talent System] activates, offering him the abilities of NFL quarterbacks whose potential was never realized, Tristain must earn his rewards through relentless effort and precision. Balancing grueling workouts, studying film, and winning over his new team, he begins transforming into the player he’s always wanted to be. As Tristain fights to prove he’s more than just a “wasted talent,” he faces the ultimate question: Can he rise to greatness while staying true to himself?

Once, the Imperial Throne of the legendary Eldorion Empire was held by a wise and formidable ruler whose deeds echoed through time. This revered and mysterious emperor navigated a world both enchanted and treacherous, leaving a legacy woven from triumph and mystery that still shapes his descendants. Now, as the realm prepares for a new era, discover the secret history of this imperial lineage. Explore the hidden truths within the halls of power and see how the previous emperor's influence still marks the fabric of the Empire. This is the story of Arthur Von Dracon, the ruler of the Eldorion Empire, who defied destiny to become known as the Warrior Emperor and usher in the Golden Age. (Warning:- Chapters may be written with the help of AI)

Book 1 – When a teen ran away from the orphanage that had taken care of her for years, she stumbled upon a poor man who took her in. From there on, she has lived a life of crime. A string of extraordinary events then started to unfold, forcing her to leave her hometown. Primrose Dawson, who has no memories of her past, sets off on a quest to discover who she really is—only to unravel a tale in which the gap between humans and gifted beings is both wide and incredibly thin. Book 2 – A teen born into an elite household sought nothing but admiration and popularity—but her life is turned completely upside down when she discovers she can do something no ordinary human can. When mysterious men in black suits begin to appear, her only hope lies in a mysterious man who offers her a safe haven. In this mystical origin story, Alice Everly Whitlock uncovers the inception of a world where the fates of humans and gifted beings first became intertwined.

An family of law they ride,eat drink and work together, the westren lands needs them more then ever now. They've not bounce hunters they do not like like them, but they teach the law as well ad give justice

Erra is a world that lives under a blue star, Once ruled by a god known as the builder the country only known as Empire or The First Empire is now struggling to settle into the world Arron, a tired politician and Marie Empress of the empire and Arron’s closest friend have worked over years to build. Torrin is an agent of Arron’s group The Conclave, he has been sent on a job away from the capital. Too a war zone none the less. He doesn’t know why he has to go and he doesn’t yet know if he likes his driver. But nothing will prepare him for what he’ll have to face once he is there.

A radiant force surged through the universe, pushing the limits of every entity, breaking barriers that once seemed unshakable. Under the watchful eyes of a great guardian, fear had no place—only one thing mattered: love. A love so pure, so unforgettable, that it left an eternal mark on those who received it. But what happens when the ones you cherish the most become the architects of your downfall? What if the person you always counted on, the one who vowed to stand by your side, becomes your greatest adversary? What if the very soul you nurtured, the one destined to carry your legacy forward, turns into the darkest force against you? Welcome to the "INTERCONNECTED SERIES," launched by Mayank Pandey. The story "The Mark Jackson," which comes under this interconnected series, is written by Mayank Pandey and Rishabh Patel. This is not just a story—it’s a journey through trust, betrayal, and the unbreakable threads of fate. Hold on tight, summon your patience, and prepare yourself for one of the most spellbinding tales yet: "The Mark Jackson."

In the future, there are many more men than women in the world. At first, things were normal, but slowly women became fewer and fewer. Many women were sad and started to give up on life, so the leaders made new rules to protect them. People could live a very long time, but having babies became harder. To keep the world going, new laws allowed women to have more power and share husbands. This story is about a girl named Fifi growing up in a world with lots of men and learning how to live and love.

A game is about to begin—a ruthless contest of blood and death where mercy is a forgotten word. The weak will be trampled, the innocent will be devoured, and only the cunning, the ruthless, and the unparalleled will rise. This is no ordinary game; the wager? it's nothing less than the world itself. But isn’t that what makes it thrilling? After all, what fun is a game if survival comes easy?

In the city of Tenko , Mizuki spend her day with her friends around the city until she notice something odds surrounding her. Find out what is exactly happen during her time in Tenko.

Zane, a lone swordsman from the slums, encounters a mysterious woman in a hidden realm. After this encounter, the stakes are set—gods stir, monsters awaken, and ancient secrets unravel. Hunted and unsure of his destiny, Zane must uncover the truth behind the revelation he never asked for… and the woman who gave it to him.

Kian is a 12 year old boy who dreams of becoming a hero and he gets his chance when a Mage named Estra comes to his village. When he follows her, his story of chaos starts as he learns his true identity in this world of magic and swords.

In a world where power dictates life, Chirag was born without it—an anomaly among humans, who are already weaker than demons and rulers. Raised by demons, he knows nothing of love, except the cold touch of survival. But everything changes when Siya, the demon king’s daughter, sees something in him. With her love, Chirag’s strength grows, and he begins to unlock powers that defy the laws of nature. As Chirag’s abilities soar, he finds himself caught in a battle between the rulers, the gods, and the demons. To claim his place in this brutal world, he must confront the truth of his immortality and the price of love—a price that could destroy everything he holds dear. In the end, it’s not just his power that will be tested, but his heart. Can love truly transcend the boundaries of life and death?

Mnou is a witch, though it is a fate she never desired. She lives a solitary life without friends or family on the remote island of Kalkha. She can’t forget her painful past, nor can she move forward. Everything changes, however, when a young witch named Esme appears at her doorstep, searching for a mentor. Thus begins a complicated friendship—one filled with hardships, struggles, but also unexpected happiness. Together, they uncover their secrets and pasts, all while facing the mystery of the dead whose souls, for reasons unknown, are clawing their way back into the world of the living.

If you are gifted enough you will be treated special but in this world, in this new era. "It takes gifts to be special,"