Black Veil Brides Dirty

Synopsis of "Veil of Secrets" In a sprawling metropolis shrouded in ambition and deception, investigative journalist Alex Hayes is on a relentless quest for truth. When a series of mysterious disappearances begins to plague the city, Alex sees an opportunity to expose the dark underbelly of the elite—people who will stop at nothing to protect their secrets. Haunted by a personal tragedy linked to one of the missing, Alex is driven not just by a professional duty but by a deep-seated desire for justice. Teaming up with Maya Chen a passionate activist advocating for the victims and Sarah Hayes who is a skilled hacker with a talent for navigating the shadows of the digital world, Alex plunges into the depths of a hidden society where privilege meets peril. Their investigation reveals a web of corruption that extends to the city’s most powerful figures, including Marco Rossi, the charismatic leader of the elite society, whose charm masks a ruthless ambition. As Alex unravels the tangled threads connecting the disappearances, they encounter Ethan Blake, a mysterious informant with a foot in both worlds—the elite and the marginalized. With his insider knowledge and complicated past, Ethan offers crucial information but harbors secrets of his own. Together, they must navigate a treacherous landscape where trust is a luxury and every revelation could be a deadly game-changer. As the stakes rise and danger lurks at every turn, Alex’s relentless pursuit of the truth puts them at odds with the very forces they seek to expose. Each chapter unfolds a new layer of betrayal, ambition, and moral ambiguity, leading to a final confrontation that will challenge everything Alex believes about justice, loyalty, and the price of uncovering the truth. "Veil of Secrets" is a gripping tale of resilience and revelation, exploring the lengths people will go to protect their secrets—and the devastating consequences of uncovering them.

“You are the least objectionable groom of all the ones I’ve seen,” Anaisa replied seriously. “Thank you for the glowing compliment,” Trace grinned, “but that didn’t quite answer my question.” ___ Anaisa is an orphan and a pariah. In an ultimate act of betrayal, her father, a Count of the Realm, is accused of deserting and betraying the army in a time of war. Not only is he immediately executed for the offense, but the king declares he must have been a fake all along! His two daughters are stripped of their titles and inheritance, replaced by a distant cousin and cast out of their home with nothing. Anaisa swears someday she will get her title and lands back, but in the mean time, she and her sister Katia have to figure out how to survive. Trace is an anomaly among his people; instead of revealing their son as a magic user and thrusting him into the public eye, his parents kept it a secret to allow him to choose the kind of life he wanted. Trace found himself content to rest and play in his own dream world instead of invading the nighttime visions of others. As an adult, his choice to remain unknown is thrown into jeopardy when a mysterious blackmailer forces Trace to enlist in the territorial war between nations, threatening to reveal his secret if the demand is not met. With the war now over, Trace believes he can finally go home to his farm and live the simple, unremarkable life he’s always desired. When Anaisa and Trace are thrown together by a royal edict, the sisters find themselves unwittingly tangled in the web of mystery and intrigue that surrounds the blackmailer’s escalating assignments for Trace. Anaisa begins to suspect it may be connected to the plot to replace her family in the noble court. As the scheme continues to unfold, lives, loves, marriages, and magic will be put to the test to see what forces in the world are strongest.

When a young and naive girl, Ivar falls in love with her Uncle, Ragnar, she defies her parents wishes to marry him, believing he's the man holding her heart. Ignoring her mother's warning, Ivar marries Ragnar before fleeing with him to his village. But upon reaching his village, Ivar realized there's more to Ragnar than she thought. Ragnar is not just a man—he’s a wolven, bounds by a dark curse that haunts not just him but his entire tribe. And Ivar, is the key to breaking that curse.

*A shattered mind, a mysterious girl, and a love story yet to be written.* Awakening in a world shrouded in fog, Clios battles the aftermath of a tragic accident that has stolen his past. Haunted by fragments of memories and consumed by crippling anxiety, he finds solace in the tender care of a girl who claims to be his girlfriend and has been taken care by her. But as he delves deeper into this unfamiliar reality, doubts begin to creep in. Is she a guardian angel, a figment of his imagination, or something more sinister?

sinopsis SEMUA BOLEH BACA, TAPI INGET.. ADA RATING UMUR YANG HANYA MENGHENDAKI KAUM DEWASA! HAPPY READING... Dia.. Lucas Vantouxer. Pria dingin tanpa ampun pada siapapun yang berani mengusik ketenangannya. Kejam nan sadis pada siapapun yang berani menghianati. Mereka tak akan pernah hidup tenang jika sudah menyangkut Tuan Agung itu dalam kehidupan. Tak ada ampun bagi mereka jika sudah di seret masuk ke dalam ruangan berbau anyir nan banyak senjata api oleh para anak buah Lucas. Namun semua tetap sama, saat ia tak sengaja menolong gadis dengan pakaian tertutup tengah menghadang jalan dan perlahan masuk dalam lingkar kehidupannya. Gadis itu juga perlahan membawa pengaruh dan selalu menjadi penengah pada konflik-konfliknya. Ya.. perlahan namun pasti, entah dari mana Lucas selalu penasaran tentang gadis itu hingga gadis bermarga Waesley itu mampu membuatnya berubah. Kekejaman dan kearoganan yang selalu ia tampakkan perlahan memudar seiring berjalannya waktu. Mengikuti kata hati seperti yang pernah gadis itu katakan padanya. “kau harus mengikuti kata hatimu jika ingin hidup tanpa beban, Mr. Luc.” - Mrs. Waesley.

In a world where magic is power and secrets are currency, Aira lives a double life. By day, she is Mike, a talented warrior with a mysterious past, tasked with dangerous missions for the infamous Celestial Academy. By night, she is a girl longing to reclaim her true identity—a secret only the ruthless Headmaster and her best friend Estelle know. But hiding who she is comes with a heavy price, especially when her greatest enemy becomes her most dangerous desire. Lire, the Academy’s dark prince and cold-hearted assassin, is Aira’s most formidable rival. His eyes are like ice, his heart as untouchable as the magic he wields. But when the Headmaster sends them on a deadly mission, their lives become entangled in ways neither expected. Lire, who despises weakness, is drawn to Mike’s strength—but what he doesn’t know is that beneath the mask of his sworn rival lies the girl who once stole his heart. As their forbidden attraction grows, so do the risks. Caught between loyalty to a corrupt Academy and the fire of their undeniable chemistry, Aira and Lire must navigate a world of dark magic, betrayal, and passion. Secrets unravel, old wounds resurface, and an ancient power long buried in blood threatens to destroy everything they’ve ever known. In a realm where love is a dangerous game and trust can cost you everything, Aira and Lire are forced to choose between duty and desire. The lines between enemies and lovers blur, and the darkness they once fought against becomes the very thing that binds them. But some secrets are too deadly to keep, and as their passion ignites, the forbidden love they share may be the one thing that saves—or destroys—them both.

Reborn in a mysterious world of cultivation, Jian Mu—a former scholar from Earth—awakens to find himself in the weakened body of a young man in the quiet, unassuming village of Stonewood. Disoriented and surrounded by tales of powerful cultivators and sects, he quickly realizes he’s in a world where strength, status, and survival are governed by the mastery of Qi. Yet Jian Mu knows that power attracts danger, and he is determined to walk a different path: one of stealth, patience, and caution. Through a fated encounter, he discovers the ancient Eternal Veil Technique, a method that allows him to conceal his presence and aura from even the most seasoned of cultivators. Jian Mu resolves to cultivate in secrecy, hiding in plain sight as he slowly builds a foundation strong enough to one day rival even the great sects of the world. As he delves deeper into the arts of cultivation, Jian Mu’s journey takes him from the isolated village to hidden realms, ancient ruins, and encounters with other cultivators. Along the way, he uncovers the secrets of this world’s immortal realms and powerful artifacts, all while honing his skills in concealment and strategy. But the path of the unseen ascendant is fraught with peril. Rival cultivators, power-hungry sects, and deadly beasts lurk in the shadows, each a reminder that his hidden strength is a double-edged sword. To survive and uncover the true purpose behind his rebirth, Jian Mu must balance the fine line between revealing his power and remaining unseen, becoming a hidden legend whose strength is as elusive as it is formidable.

Imagine your strict boss's deepest, darkest fantasies about you...becoming reality. It’s a living nightmare! Despite his cold, professional demeanor by day, his unconscious mind is consumed by carnal desires for me at night. How am I supposed to work trapped between the hot love making nights together and his cold, detached behaviour in the day? The worse comes to it when he uncovers the truth and he starts using his dreams to torment me! When will this curse end?

The final, venomous echoes that reached his ears were laced with sorrowful cries, "I shall seek you out once more, and you will atone for the slaughter of my kin. Not even the grave can shield you from my fury." ******* Silas appeared to possess it all: a devoted girlfriend, loving parents, and a steadfast best friend who kept him grounded. He was navigating the labyrinth of college life, aspiring to earn a doctorate. Then, fate twisted its knife. One fateful day, a beguiling figure emerged from the shadows of an alley. A lifeless form lay sprawled upon the frigid concrete, blood trickling from her lips, shimmering like rubies beneath the pale moonlight. Her eyes, a haunting shade of crimson, held a universe of secrets, countless revelations, yet devoid of any trace of humanity. This enigmatic girl, known as Keira, was the last of her lineage, her family brutally extinguished by the hands of a former lover. For centuries, she has wandered the earth, seeking the reincarnation of the one who betrayed her in the most despicable manner. Those aware of the supernatural tremble at her name, for death and despair cling to her like a relentless shadow, a malignant curse. Will they unravel the enigma of their shared, sorrowful history before the sands of time run out, or will Keira thirst for vengeance and her obsession with Silas spell doom for them all? Can they uncover the truth behind the massacre of her family? Was Silas the traitor, or does a deeper tale lie hidden in the shadows?

Anonymous Invitation. High-Stakes Escape. Amidst financial ruin and parental conflict, Raya Carson receives a cryptic invite to the prestigious Ackerman bridal contest. Will she seize this chance to escape her suffocating life or remain trapped?

In gaslit Victorian London, consulting detective Evelyn Blackwood's world shatters when an ancient evil stirs. Thrust into a hidden war between realms, she must unravel her family's cryptic legacy. Evelyn races to prevent an otherworldly apocalypse. As London's shadows deepen, she treads the razor's edge between duty and desire, sanity and eldritch truth.

I haven't proofread that one yet, so there could be grammatical errors! Waking up at the beginning of the apocalypse was not the worst thing happening to him. He not only did not remember a thing but was also somewhat impaired. But, despite navigating through dilapidated streets filled with questioning sand, he picks up a friend. Meeting a group of survivors and getting his own ability wasn't too bad either. However, 'Hey! Stop being gay with me!' Everytime his friend gets an inch he craves a mile, what's with that clingy fellow? Both MC and ML straight, mutual bending, shou perspective / perspective of MC and ML, they will probably be a reversible couple.., love interest falls in love first, more on the romance side WARNING: SWEARING, BLOODY, GORE The artwork does not belong to me and if anyone knows the artists of this work, please let me know and I will credit them.

[Congratulations to the host for awakening the Forgotten Gods' Legacy.] [Host’s Initial Power: Unseen Affinity—A connection so faint, it borders on nonexistent, offering little to no advantage in the coming war.] “This can’t be right. What kind of system is this if I’m barely more than an ordinary human?” Frustrated and on the verge of abandoning hope, Leo is ready to quit. But as he delves deeper into the forgotten myths, the world around him begins to change. Shadows stir in the corners of reality, and voices from long-lost deities whisper in his ear, revealing a truth hidden from mortal eyes. Leo’s seemingly worthless power is the key to something far more profound. The Forgotten Gods' Legacy isn’t about raw strength; it’s about unraveling the mysteries of ancient gods who have faded into obscurity. Each challenge he faces brings him closer to unlocking the true power within—a power that could either resurrect these gods or consign them to oblivion forever. In a world teetering on the edge of destruction, where forgotten deities vie for dominance, Leo’s journey will force him to confront the gods themselves, facing the ultimate choice: will he reignite their power, or let them fade into the abyss? His decision will shape the fate of both gods and humans alike. **"The Veil of Forgotten Gods"** is an epic tale of hidden power, forgotten deities, and the delicate balance between mortal and divine. For Leo, the path to victory isn’t just about gaining strength—it’s about discovering the secrets buried in the deepest shadows. ---

In a city drenched in rain and uncertainty, Michael Ozor, a 17-year-old outcast, wanders the streets burdened by a life that feels like an endless loop of disappointment. With friends who embody chaos and a heart divided between two compelling girls—one a source of turmoil and the other a rare glimpse of happiness—Michael grapples with feelings of isolation and existential dread in a world where powers define worth. As he prepares for his enrollment in Emox, a school that promises to unlock the supernatural abilities he has yet to awaken, Michael finds himself caught between despair and the yearning for connection. Haunted by his past and disillusioned with love, he vows to stop being a fool and to seek only those who wish to be disturbed. But when a message from a girl he didn’t expect turns his world upside down, Michael must confront not only the ghosts of his emotions but also the darkness that lurks within him. Will he embrace the power that lies dormant inside, or will he succumb to the shadows that threaten to engulf him? Join Michael on his journey of self-discovery, supernatural intrigue, and the quest for genuine connection in a world where every choice has consequences. Will he finally find the love he seeks, or will the hollow veil keep him trapped in despair?

Resurrected by dark magic and molded into a powerful undead by a ruthless necromancer, Zarkus was once nothing more than a lowly creature. Now, he finds himself at the center of the Demon Lord's army, forced to lead an army into war. But as Zarkus struggles with his newfound strength and the commands of those who control him, he begins to question his purpose. What does it mean to live when death already has its hold on you?

The Black Land, an organization filled with many people that either want fame or power, Jihoon who was an ordinary person was dragged into that world when he found out about his sister’s secret

# Arranged marriage #Paranormal Romance -She was his sweet peach. His wish. His eternity. His redemption. His to corrupt and his to command. He has and would never love any the way he loved her- Hermione Barclay, an attractive princess suffered a tragic past which caused her to isolate herself, frightened by the presence of people, poor constructions of words... The memory of the vampire boy whom she had once felt safe around remained etched in her innermost self and she fantasized about nothing but him. Years later, a marriage proposal arrived and she was to wed the same man she had always dreamt about, unfortunately, her expectations of him were crushed. He only cared for her because he was asked to, not because he wanted to. Dark and Tragic twists awaited her in her new home, how was she going to survive?

In a world threatened by supernatural forces, Asahi, a young man with superhuman strength, and Ai, a resourceful young woman, form an unbreakable bond as they fight to protect humanity. Together, they face darkness and danger, their love becoming a beacon of hope. Can their combined strength save humanity from evil?

In the enchanting world of Veils of Twilight, young Elena discovers her destiny entwined with the dark secrets of the Vale, a realm where vampires and loyalists battle for control. When she crosses paths with Lucian, a brooding vampire with a tragic past, sparks fly amidst the looming threat of a powerful enemy determined to reclaim the land. As their connection deepens, Elena must navigate a treacherous path filled with betrayal, sacrifice, and unexpected alliances. In a race against time, she learns to harness her own powers and confront her fears, leading to a fierce showdown that will determine the fate of her world. Will love conquer the darkness, or will the shadows of the past consume them both? Veils of Twilight is a tale of passion, courage, and the enduring strength of the human heart.

The whole hall was empty except for the two people that were shooting daggers at each other's with their eyes. Logan later broke the silence and said "you could only work your way into my bed with sleazy means but forget about me treating you like my wife. if you like, you can go complain to grandma but I promise to break your legs and pluck out one of your eyes the moment grandma reprimands me. You can weigh your pros and cons and choose your path" Sophia glared at him in disgust and angrily retorts "you think too highly of yourself Mr Steele, I don't want anything to do with you and if you want your grandmother to be convinced you can meet me in the car, we are nothing to each other but strangers that have been obliged to live under the same roof." she storms off to the Limousine that was waiting outside the hotel to take the newly wedded couple home and a minute later, Logan snaps out of the shock that her words had sent him into then a sinister smirk appeared on his perfectly carved face and he strides out and sits on the other side of the car. The car ride was quiet and the driver was drenched in cold sweat as at the time that they got to the mansion from the oppressive and deadly aura that the couple behind him was exuding. Finally they arrived at Logan Steele's mansion and Sophia had to look at him again and ask herself, "How rich is this man?" well she doesn't have the time to think cause this is her new home and her new life too. Logan came down from the car and looked at the woman in front of his house and muttered under his breath "welcome to hell".

"Marriage is the process by which two people make their relationship public, official, and permanent. It is the joining of two people in a bond that putatively lasts until death, obviously neither someone can break it. " "Marriage is about understanding, accepting who and what that person really is, and loving him/her WHOLEHEARTEDLY." "Marriage is one of the seven (7) sacraments of the church and so it is a sacred one." "Marriage involves love and battles.. Battles to fight and conserve the sacredness of marriage." That's what I believed when I'm still searching for someone to be my husband and hopefully, to spend the rest of my life with. Apparently, I got married. At first, I thought it'll lasts. But along the way, something came up or should I say, 'Someone came up to ruin what's mine.' And suddenly, what I believed in, turned into drastically nightmare. That 'someone' ruined not only my marriage, but also my life. And I will never let myself spend every single day knowing that they're happy while I'm miserable, broken and ruined. Enjoy now, spend your time with each other, because one day, I'll be back. and I'll make sure that you will suffer-- the both of you. That you will ask for forgiveness, for repentance. And repent that you ever exist in this world.. You will experience how bad A BRIDE'S REVENGE is..

Betwixt virtue and vice, the line is but a thread, where madness oft doth walk in shadows cast by reason. ========== -I won! I closed my eyes and held on to the small victory that I had. My vision blurred, and strength seeped out from my body. Slowly, but surely life seemed to ebb out, leaving me motionless. Suddenly I felt a golden light shimmering from outside. I tried opening my eyes, the hue seemed to sense this becoming even brighter. A warmth surrounded my whole body and took me in its soothing embrace. I felt at peace, a feeling that I never experienced. Suddenly this feeling disappeared. -Ding! Who is ringing the bell in this place? Lethargically, I opened my eyes to scan my surroundings, only to find myself unfamiliar surroundings. I moved my eyes throughout the room, and soon a mirror gained my attention, behind it was a young man, with pale skin and dark circles under his eyes. -Ding! A screen appeared in front of me. Confusion filled my mind with endless questions. It turned out, that I was transmigrated in the novel "Legends of Thaloria " not as the main character, neither a side-character nor as an over-bearing villain but as an Extra that is not even mentioned in it. -Argh!! Fate being a wretched b***h, played against me. But hey with my knowledge of novel, I can have an easy life right??.... Until I remembered the ending of the novel The world is destined for Doom!!.... Soon I came to realize that the novel and the world I had transmigrated to were not be similar as I thought. ========== *Disclaimer: Message to Passengers(Readers) to please place their seatbelts because our journey will face various cliffhanger storms, Rain of Emotions, and Scorching hardships. The safety of the readers cannot be guaranteed coz you are in for a ride Yours Trusted, Withered. =========== #Warning : Please read the *Read before reading novel* in synopsis. [The cover BG is taken from Pinterest and I do not own it. So if you find similar somewhere, don't t sue me]

The land is structured from oligarchical pillars. Drax wants to change that. That change could crumble the pillars and ruin the structure altogether, but the current structure doesn't allow any new beams to be formed.

Angel thought the world would be hers to explore when she turned twenty. She can finally be free from the gilded cage her overprotective father built for her. But she was mistaken! Her 20th birthday marked the day she lost everything, including the freedom she so desperately craved. It was the day she fell into the hands of her father's enemy, to atone for his sins. Leoric has meticulously planned his revenge for many years. When that day came, he thought he had everything under control. The man who killed his father was behind bars, and the empire he painstakingly built fell into his hands ... including his only daughter. He planned to force his new bride to entertain his friends on their wedding night. That should force her to a status lower than an escort, which should humiliate her and shame her father. That should usher her into hell. His perfect plan of revenge was ruined by a mysterious mishap. They found themselves stranded in a desert in an unfamiliar world after their yacht was sucked into a vortex. Later, they discovered that they were in a parallel universe ruled by dark forces. The only way to return is to offer a tribute to the country's supreme leader—a virgin bride! Where would they get a virgin? Wait, isn't Angel a virgin? As Leoric and his companions traveled across the treacherous landscapes of the enigmatic Astralis, he found himself falling for his wife, who seemed to have transformed after falling into the sea on their wedding night. On a starry night on top of the peak of Mount Anabu, Leoric gazed tenderly at his wife, who looked ethereal, radiated a mystical aura, and whispered... "To hell with the supreme leader and going back. You can only be mine! Let us rule Astralis!"

[Mature content] A tale of two princesses unfolds within the pages of this captivating story. Born from the same womb, their destinies diverge dramatically. One, the embodiment of beauty and promise, is hailed as Rosemane's future. The other, hidden away in the depths of the palace, suffers in shackles. As the notorious King of Lowoak, known as the Black Death, unleashes chaos across the five kingdoms, a marriage is proposed to bring peace. But will the lord of Rosemane sacrifice his beloved Cayaline flower? Or will the forgotten daughter, teetering on the edge of death, be thrust into the clutches of the Black-hearted King instead? Journey into a world of untold secrets, profound choices, and a fateful union that will mold the fate of kingdoms.

Evelyn is a fiercely independent and career-driven woman, poised to inherit 20% of her grandfather's vast company. But there's a catch: if she doesn't marry within a year, she forfeits her entire inheritance. Unwilling to compromise her ambitions for love, Evelyn finds herself in a difficult position. Landon, a passionate martial artist, runs a small dojo that’s teetering on the brink of financial ruin. Faced with a massive debt he can't repay, he risks losing the dojo that has been his life's work and legacy. On a fateful day, their worlds collide when Evelyn’s life is unexpectedly put in danger, and Landon steps in to save her. Desperate and seeing an opportunity, Evelyn makes a bold proposition: a year-long marriage of convenience. In exchange, she will provide Landon the money to save his dojo, and he will help her secure her inheritance. What begins as a cold, businesslike arrangement soon becomes complicated as they navigate the trials of marriage, family, and the secrets they both harbor. Will this unlikely pair be able to keep their distance, or will real feelings begin to blur the lines of their contract? Time is ticking, and as the year unfolds, their biggest challenge might not be keeping the arrangement—but facing their growing connection.

In the vast world of the Myriad Realms, where countless worlds and dimensions intersect, power is everything. Cultivators strive to reach higher realms, transcending mortality to gain eternal life and godlike power. However, the true nature of this universe is hidden beneath layers of secrecy, and those who seek too much knowledge often meet untimely deaths. Li Feng, an ordinary disciple from a declining sect, stumbles upon an ancient artifact after a fateful encounter with a mysterious figure during a realm-shattering battle. This artifact, an enigmatic mirror known as the Veil of Myriad Realms, grants him cryptic visions of other dimensions, worlds, and beings far beyond his understanding. But it also places him under the gaze of ancient powers, both malevolent and indifferent, that have long controlled the balance of the multiverse. As Li Feng explores the mirror’s mysteries, he realizes that cultivation is not just about breaking through realms but also about understanding the hidden forces that manipulate reality itself. Secret societies of ancient cultivators, thought to be long dead, still influence events from the shadows. He discovers hidden paths of cultivation that defy the laws of the world, and those who walk these paths are known as The Wielders of Fate. Li Feng must navigate treacherous politics within his sect, avoid attention from powerful factions, and uncover the truth behind the Veil of Myriad Realms. Along the way, he cultivates not just his body and soul, but his mind, unlocking powers that blend both the mystical and the unknown. But as he ascends, a chilling question gnaws at him: Is he the master of his fate, or just another pawn in an ancient game played by cosmic entities?

In the heart of the ancient Aldervale, where magic pulses through the roots of towering trees, a young Fae caretaker named Elorin stumbles upon a relic buried beneath the sacred Heartwood Tree. This discovery changes her life forever, thrusting her into a never-ending cycle of death and rebirth. Each time Elorin dies during a mysterious invasion led by the shadowy figure Varkos, she wakes up at the start of the same month—her memories intact, but the world around her reset.

Princess Elara of Eldoria is a quiet and reserved young woman living in the shadow of her powerful father, King Alaric, and her ambitious brother, Prince Tristan. Eldoria is a prosperous kingdom, known for its peace and its strong military, which has kept neighboring forces at bay. But there is a shadow growing over the kingdom, a looming war that threatens to tear everything apart. King Alaric, in a bid to secure peace, arranges a marriage between Elara and the prince of a neighboring kingdom, Aeloria. Elara is heartbroken, as she has always dreamed of living a life of freedom. On the night before her engagement, she overhears a secret meeting. It is revealed that her brother Tristan, power-hungry and envious of the throne, has struck a deal with dark forces to usurp their father and plunge the kingdom into war. Fearing for her life and the future of Eldoria, Elara decides to flee. Disguising herself as a commoner, she runs away from the palace, leaving behind the life of luxury and stepping into the unknown.