Damon Saves Bella

The fat and ugly Nora Smith is the laughingstock of the town when her fiancé breaks off their engagement. He says, “The sight of your gigantic face and thunder thighs disgusts me! Don't ever pester me again!" “What an idiot.” Nora scoffs and turns around, her lips curling up into a smile. Later, when Nora successfully slims down, she returns as an astounding beauty. Her ex-fiancé comes to her bearing flowers and begs, "I was wrong, Nora. I’m willing to do anything as long as you come back to me.” Nora rests her chin in her hands and smiles as she replies, “Real men don’t dwell on the past.” Angered, he says, “You’re just a dimwit saddled with baggage that I dumped, Nora. No one will want you except me!" But following that… A young and popular singer tweets: “Nora Smith is my goddess!" An internationally renowned surgeon asks, “Are you free tonight, Nora?” Even the rich and influential hotshot whom everyone is scared of comes forward and says, ”I can take care of my wife and children myself, thank you very much.”

She sacrificed her life to save others but woke up to live again. Lit-An never counted on being reincarnated into the world of the Licnine, but after she catches the attention of a powerful being she becomes a pawn in a dangerous war. The 'Others' have invaded the world of the Licnine, enslaving and killing anyone who stands in the way of their total domination. It is up to Lit-An to stop them. But can this tiny girl be the savior of an entire world?

Humanity is caught in a great upheaval after the Intergalactic Union of All Species coincidentally discovers their existence on what they had formerly considered to be the fringe of the universe. Without any say in the matter, they get indicted into the Union as a legal member. Unfortunately, this meant that they were now obligated to partake in the exploration of a new Chaotic Realm parallel to their universe containing rich energies, resources, and essence that the universe itself craved. To that end, the universe has created its own will, which seeks to gather all races and strengthen warriors from them to explore the dangerous but lucrative Chaotic Realm, initiating the Augmented Reality simulation, Essence. In Essence, one can experience a carefully crafted universe similar to an RPG game, either by going in through your soul or going in through VR. The former means that death is true, and the latter is similar to a normal FIVR experience. Those who go in with their souls can freely receive feedback from their 'game characters' to obtain all stats, skills, and items they acquire in Essence, while those who go in with VR do not obtain that benefit. However, those who pay for it in Essence can receive an awakening of genetic talent called abilities. These abilities are graded from F to EX, a total of 10 stages. Not much is expected from the human race when the first 100 participants get chosen at random from the public - a standard protocol - only for each one of them to awaken at least an A-grade ability. Then, there was Damon Arnan, a young Ghanaian politician, who ended up awakening, not one, not two, but three EX-Grade Talents. The human race, which had just entered the galactic playground, was about to experience a storm with Damon smackdab in the middle.

-Participating in WSA- In a world where fate is dictated by prophecy, heroes are chosen by the gods, and Dark Lords are doomed to fall… Lucian Draeven refuses to play along. Once feared as the greatest Dark Lord in history, Lucian had the world under his iron rule—until the so-called Chosen Hero struck him down in a blinding flash of divine justice. The kingdoms cheered. The world rejoiced. Too bad Lucian isn’t actually dead. Having faked his demise and gone into hiding, Lucian watches from the shadows as a new Dark Lord rises, more reckless and incompetent than ever. Worse, the gods have selected another overly enthusiastic, sword-swinging Chosen Hero to bring “peace” once again. The problem? Neither of them have a clue how to actually rule the world. As kingdoms crumble, wars break out, and the balance of power teeters on the edge of collapse, Lucian comes to a horrifying realization: If the world is going to survive, then it’s up to him—the so-called villain—to secretly fix everything from the shadows. But there's just one little catch… Lucian’s legendary Dominions are still sealed, and the only way to regain his strength is by playing the role of a villain once more—spreading fear, manipulating his enemies, and pulling the strings behind the scenes. Now, as the oblivious Hero and foolish new Dark Lord battle it out, neither realizes that the true mastermind is watching their every move. Because if the world wants a villain… Then Lucian will be the greatest villain it has ever seen.

Zarah is nothing but a lowly runt in Howl Creek who is bullied relentlessly. She wants nothing more than to leave the oppressive pack. When it is revealed who her mate is—none other than her greatest bully, Alpha Damon—she is humiliated and rejected. She leaves for the human sector and lives her life with her son, only for the past to come knocking. Alpha Damon is back, and he wants his son.

You aren’t special and you might as well die. With those words of encouragement spurring him on, and without even a name to go by, a young man must survive, learn and explore a new world.

The once-glorious planet of EDEN lies in ruins, its gods defeated, and its champions—the GODGEAR wearers—are all but extinct. The last hope for the dying world rests with a single, chosen human, summoned from another realm to wield the power of the gods. Bonded with the soul of the ancient Dragon God, the new GODGEAR wearer is thrust into a war against the demonic forces that have ravaged EDEN. To restore the planet, he must defeat the powerful demon generals, lords, and finally, the Demon Gods themselves. Each battle strengthens his soul, transforming him into a being of unimaginable power, but with each victory, the weight of his duty grows. As he embarks on this perilous journey, the hero must confront not only the darkness of the world but the inner struggle between his humanity and the divine power coursing through him. Can he rise above his fears, defeat the demonic overlords, and reclaim EDEN, or will the world fall into eternal darkness?

Aprendiendo a Vivir narra la historia de Bella Serrano Bracamontes, una joven que crece en un entorno marcado por la violencia, el abandono y la pobreza. Nacida el 05 de julio de 1995, Bella es la hija menor de una familia disfuncional. Su madre, Ana Lucía, la desprecia y marca una clara diferencia entre ella y sus hermanos mayores, mientras que su padre, Hermedes, está atrapado en un círculo vicioso de adicción a las drogas, lo que le impide ser un verdadero apoyo para sus hijos. A lo largo de su infancia y adolescencia, Bella se enfrenta a la soledad y el desprecio, buscando consuelo en su muñeca vieja y el sueño de algún día mejorar su vida. A pesar de las dificultades, su resiliencia se refleja en su deseo de cambiar su destino, aprendiendo a vivir en un mundo que parece haberle dado la espalda. A través de una serie de eventos trágicos y reveladores, Bella enfrenta la cruel realidad de su hogar, incluyendo el abuso y la indiferencia de su padre, quien incluso la echa de su casa sin escuchar su versión de los hechos. Sin embargo, Bella no pierde la esperanza. Con la ayuda de su amigo de la infancia, Luis, la joven comienza a visualizar un futuro diferente, uno en el que pueda alcanzar sus sueños y encontrar su lugar en el mundo, lejos de las sombras de su pasado. Aprendiendo a Vivir es una emotiva historia de lucha, superación y la búsqueda de identidad en medio de circunstancias adversas, donde la bondad, la nobleza y la esperanza se convierten en las fuerzas que impulsan a Bella a continuar adelante, a pesar de todo lo que le ha tocado vivir.

“I might be the God to whom all bow, but she is the Goddess whom this God worships." ... Cathain De Valerian Valentino, the emperor of the Valentino Empire, was reborn in the modern world, his empress by his side, yet she retained no memories of their previous, tragic life. What unfolds when a plane crash sends them hurtling back to the past, to the era of the esteemed Valentino Empire, and everything begins to change than the past he remembered? Is Cathain capable of protecting his empress, who is oblivious to this enchanted realm, while unraveling the mysteries of their sorrowful past? Or will all be lost once she regains her memories? Because no matter how gentle and soft he is with her now, he can't erase the obsessed and possessive man from her memories... the man who was the reason of the fall of her family, the death of her children... And the man who had executed her with his own hands, … Season 01: Saving The Abandoned Empress (Completed- 220 Chapters)

“Who are you? A dormant were wolf or a human?” His voice broke as he spoke. His eyes were silently pleading, anxiously waiting for the answer. Deep down, he knew it already. Yet, his stubborn heart refused to concede. The silence that followed was enough to escalate the hurt he felt in his heart from a dull throb, to burning glaring pain. The bullet wound he received a year ago hurt less than what he felt at that moment. “Here you go. It’s time to end this forever. Let’s make it fun while it lasts.” He handed her a shiny golden revolver. One look and she knew, neither could survive a shot between the eyes. There was only one bullet in the gun. Her hands shook as she tried to let go, as though it burnt at her skin. Kai didn’t let her. He won’t have any of it. This was his surrender. His eyes spoke words that his lips couldn’t. They were raw with emotions both familiar and foreign to her. Her own silver eyes filled with tears as she tried not to cry. “I choose to die by your hands. You are the only one with the right to take my life. Let’s begin!” He didn’t wait for her to process his words before helping her place the gun between his eyes, which never wavered from hers. Click! Click! Click! “Noooooooo!” She screamed as she dropped the gun. ************************************************************* DISCLAIMER!! Note that the chapters are not edited as of yet. However, they have very little grammatical errors here and there Nothing major. Please show some love and support for this new piece. I hope you will enjoy reading it. Additionally, don't forget to leave an honest review behind. It helps with the rating. Criticism are welcome, if and only if, they are meant in good faith. please, avoid being extreme and harsh in your corrections. I am only human after all. Don't forget to leave your comments, votes and gifts if you can. Thanks. Enjoy Join my Discord if you wish to interact with me and discuss the characters. https://discord.gg/jJeBuJN8 If you like my writing, you can always buy me coffee. It would be appreciated. https://ko-fi.com/kittenbunny

Ten years ago, Yoon Seo saved the world under the name Seo Chaeyoon, but now lives as an anonymous hunter. He plans to die immediately after fulfilling all the last wishes of his deceased comrades, but these wishes, like “3 million squats,” “catching ten 9-kg sea breams,” and “baking 10,000 chocolate crack cookies,” are making it very difficult for him to commit su*cide. One day, Seok-yeong, a world-renowned large guild, merges with Yoon Seo’s guild and forms a team with several hunters. Kwon Ji-han, the world’s top hunter whom Yoon Seo meets in the team, immediately recognizes that Yoon Seo is special and approaches him. Although Yoon Seo initially dislikes Kwon Ji-han due to his arrogant first impression, he soon realizes that Kwon Ji-han is a righteous and good person. Yoon Seo, who abandoned justice long ago, feels frustrated and depressed when he sees Kwon Ji-han. The past from ten years ago keeps resurfacing. Kwon Ji-han keeps catching his eye. Will Yoon Seo be able to fulfill the last wishes and die peacefully? DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT THE AUTHOR NEITHER IT'S TRANSLATOR.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Characters: MC: Xiao Yuan (Gong/Top): He possesses charm and he is cunning but use it with more assertive and dominant edge. * He's confident, possessive, and knows how to take control of situations and people. * He's beautiful and knows how to use it for his advantage and has commanding aura. * He has a strong desire to protect the villain, but he also wants to claim him. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••The Villain (Shou/Bottom): Remains stoic and beautiful and cunning. soft from inside hard from outside, but there's a vulnerability hidden beneath his cold exterior. * He has a deep, hidden longing for affection and acceptance, which Lin Yi exploits (in a loving way). * He is possessie of xiao yuan and if he want something he knows how to get that thing does not trust anyone else then xiao yuan. The main character : * He uses his power and influence to protect and control the villain. * The villain's reactions show a blend of resistance and acceptance, highlighting his vulnerability. By making these adjustments

Set in a futuristic Earth of 2132, humanity coexists uneasily with a newly emerged species called the Sellardraxians. These humanoid beings possess unique, mythical abilities, and their existence stirs both awe and prejudice among humans. Meet Artemis 9 "Sean", a former supersoldier who had retired after his mistake led to the death of a teammate. Unexpectedly given a chance for redemption when he is re-enlisted, Sean is forced to confront his demons, and take care of his new comrades, all the while sitting on the unstable peace and prosperity of Earth in a Galaxy on the brink of war...

[COMPLETED] Aideen Ruan, though a royal princess, was always unwanted due to the circumstances of her birth. Born blind to a hostage concubine, she possessed an intriguing beauty; however, her disability rendered her utterly useless to the royal family. Even when the struggling Count Crueder reluctantly agreed to take Aideen as his wife to secure the royal dowry, her life failed to improve. A year into their marriage, Aideen's inability to produce an heir sealed her fate. The princess was destined for exile to the Temple, consigned to spend the remainder of her days in isolation and abandonment. Contrary to her anticipations, instead of the Temple, Aideen found herself within the cold walls of Duke Tillian Valentine's castle. Duke Valentine, the last scion of the once-revered Valentine family that ruled the Kingdom before the "Fratricide Rebellion", now presided over the desolate Northern lands. Faced with fear and confusion, Aideen expected her life to perpetuate its cycle of misery, only to discover that Duke Valentine might hold the key to a new opportunity, a chance at a life she had never envisioned. "You bewitched my body and soul. Put an intoxicating spell on me, shackled my heart to yours with your magic. If I could exchange my eyesight with you, I would do it just to make you see what a man dying from love looks like."

As I found myself thrust into this bewildering situation, I couldn't help but wonder if fate had a strange sense of humor. Here I was, once the top A-rank agent, now trapped in the role of a notorious villainess in a reverse harem novel. But why did it had to be the villainess? Well, I don't care! But now that I'm here, I'll enjoy my life to the fullest that I couldn't before. Plus, my family is real rich. Though an issue soon occurred. The female lead keeps sticking to me! I tried to get rid of her by distancing myself since I don't want to end up in the chaos like in the novel… But the female lead is just so adorable!! What would happen if the once fearsome antagonist was now trying to protect the very person she once tormented?  "Sabiiiii!" Ann's voice chimed, her eyes sparkling with innocence. It was hard to resist her charm, and I found myself softening despite my initial intentions. And it seems the so-called main suitors are suffering from collective amnesia. They flocked to me, oblivious to the fact that Anne was the true focus of their affections. "Stay Away! I will not give you my lovely Ann," I declared, my frustration mounting. "Who said I wanted her?" The chaos continued with the supposed fiancé as well, who seemed convinced that our engagement was set in stone, "You are my soon-to-be fiancée! Please compose yourself"  "I refuse to get engaged to you and to compose, whatever that is". "Don't you think you're quite rude to your soon-to-be Fiancé?"  "I'm not rude, you're too nice! And I told you I'm not getting engaged to you" "Thank you, my Lady"  "…Are you dumb?!!!" What in the world of strawberries was going on indeed? It was a baffling and comical twist of fate. But as the days passed, I found myself navigating this bizarre world with a newfound determination. If I was going to be stuck in this story, I might as well do it my way. And who knows, maybe I could turn this chaotic tale into something truly extraordinary.

uploading here so ppl can read offline (also slightly diff translation) ! ^^ !! NOT MY WORK OF WRITING !! i sometimes leave notes & comments around the chapters, please read them :) i don’t mind comments, so comment more guys.. they give me motivation Author: 비욘드

Spyha Belandes passes her Alpha title to the man she loved and cherished Hector, who joined the pack as a Lone wolf and was liked by all the pack members. Hector betrays and rejects Spyha after she gives him the Alpha title. Sypha is betrayed and rejected by the man she once trusted with everything, and faces the ultimate downfall. Hector manipulates the entire pack into seeing Sypha as a psychopath and a witch, she is stripped of her royalty title and banished to become a wanderer in a rogue territory. She escapes and vows never to love again because love takes everything from her. But is saved by a mysterious stranger, she meets the cursed lycan king, Trevor Belmont, who only left 3 months to live as a curse was placed on him by a mage, Only to be lifted if he finds genuine true love after taking many brides who died or ran away because of his cold personality but his curse remained, he gives up on finding love until he found Sypha. Helping her to get revenge was something as easy as pie, but how would he admit his feelings to her, knowing his life would end in three months?  And would she fall in love with him and break his curse?

What would you do if you knew everything? Every possible outcome? It was like that for me... in an incompletable game. What do you think I did after I woke up and found myself in that very game with a Special Skill? ... In summary, I did the unthinkable. "N-no way, he killed the Plague Dragon? H-how is that possible?" Corpses of many warriors were scattered, as I was standing proudly on top of the Plague Dragon. It took me more than enough time kill this creature. I lost many things. "This isn't perfect... but it could be." "What are you talking about?" "Um, Nothing. It's been a pleasure to meet you here, but I need to [Reset]." [ Skill "Save & Reset" Activated ] [ Restarting from the Recent Checkpoint ]

l am writing for entertainment.... so not on a regular basis.... like 1 chapter in a month.... 5 chapter in a year....50 chapter in a week..... something like that

Here I am, Razan, waking up in the world of the novel I once read, after finishing the last three chapters of Blade Under the Moon. What should I do now? Should I save my survivor candle, Hai Lin, from the deep sorrow that consumed him after his last battle, or should I try to return to my real world? I am so confused… I don’t know—Is this a dream or reality? If it’s a dream, then I want to save my survivor candle and enjoy these beautiful moments. But at the same time… what if it’s real? I might die if I get involved with the main characters! But… I also feel selfish. I just want to survive if this is reality, leaving my survivor candle to drown in his crushing grief… What should I do? Tell me!

ella huía de su manada de un padre abusivo y de un matrimonio sin amor cansada de humillaciones ,palisas decide cruzar la frontera buscando paz pero lo que encuentra no es lo que esperaba.

Un adolescente de 18 años que posee una horrible maldición esta enamorado de una chica de su misma edad llamada Bella, entre ellos se cruzara un investigador llamado Evans que impedira por acciones del destino que ellos dos estén juntos. Posdata: Historias, personajes y objetos y cosas creados originalmente por mi Luis A. cualquier parecido con la realidad es mera concidencia, no acepto el plagio y tampoco lo apruebo, respeta la originalidad y se creativo, queda prohibido toda copia de esta historia, historia totalmente registrada en Webnovels. *Ending* https://youtu.be/5y8dk24OPwk

Aprendiendo a Vivir narra la historia de Bella Serrano Bracamontes, una joven que crece en un entorno marcado por la violencia, el abandono y la pobreza. Nacida el 05 de julio de 1995, Bella es la hija menor de una familia disfuncional. Su madre, Ana Lucía, la desprecia y marca una clara diferencia entre ella y sus hermanos mayores, mientras que su padre, Hermedes, está atrapado en un círculo vicioso de adicción a las drogas, lo que le impide ser un verdadero apoyo para sus hijos. A lo largo de su infancia y adolescencia, Bella se enfrenta a la soledad y el desprecio, buscando consuelo en su muñeca vieja y el sueño de algún día mejorar su vida. A pesar de las dificultades, su resiliencia se refleja en su deseo de cambiar su destino, aprendiendo a vivir en un mundo que parece haberle dado la espalda. A través de una serie de eventos trágicos y reveladores, Bella enfrenta la cruel realidad de su hogar, incluyendo el abuso y la indiferencia de su padre, quien incluso la echa de su casa sin escuchar su versión de los hechos. Sin embargo, Bella no pierde la esperanza. Con la ayuda de su amigo de la infancia, Luis, la joven comienza a visualizar un futuro diferente, uno en el que pueda alcanzar sus sueños y encontrar su lugar en el mundo, lejos de las sombras de su pasado. Aprendiendo a Vivir es una emotiva historia de lucha, superación y la búsqueda de identidad en medio de circunstancias adversas, donde la bondad, la nobleza y la esperanza se convierten en las fuerzas que impulsan a Bella a continuar adelante, a pesar de todo lo que le ha tocado vivir.

The world of Raenbax has now 'come to an end' and there's no hope for it's return. The world has divided into seven different contingents with their own leading empires, trying to salvage what they can of a dystopian planet. Yet, reason of Raenbax's fall is of one man, Yanna, the Devilman Rasapien. Two semi-cooperative races, the Rasapiens and the Angasme, are now adversaries in the race to conquer the small remains of their planet. Yuliya, a descendant of the Angasme, falls in love with the last blood related daughter of Yanna as she goes on a quest given to her by her grandmother. Her duty is to save the souls of Angasme from the descendants of Yanna and their unruly power. Love, unfortunately, gets in the way.

Warning: This book explores dark themes, including abuse, self-harm, and non-consensual acts. It is not for sensitive readers. This is not a love story. It is a story about life, betrayal, and how nothing is as it seems. I thought I was living love story. When I returned home to start my own hospital, I met Cletus—the man who seemed like everything I had ever prayed for. He was kind, charming, and made me believe in love in a way I never had before. My parents warned me. They told me he wasn’t who he claimed to be, that he wasn’t rich like he had said. But I didn’t care. I loved him, and I thought love was enough. I was wrong. The man I married became a stranger, then a monster. He lied. He cheated. He hurt me in ways I never thought possible. But I stayed—for our daughter, for the love I once believed in, for the hope that maybe one day he would change. I learned to live in the quiet misery of my choices, convincing myself that endurance was the same as strength. And then Sam came. The president’s son. He saw me—the real me—the one I had forgotten existed. He showed me that I could heal, that I could dream again, that love wasn’t supposed to be a prison. But Cletus refuses to let me go. He would rather see the world burn than watch me walk away. Now, I have to make a choice. Do I keep sacrificing myself for the man who is destroying me? Or do I finally gather the courage to fight for the life I deserve? This was supposed to be a love story. Maybe it still is. But love should never feel like a cage.

When he failed to find his fated human mate after seven years of searching, alpha Damon decides to abduct seventy-five young women from all over the city who fit within his Luna’s age range and description, to have them trained for his selection. What starts off as a competition for the alpha’s heart quickly turns to a bloody game of survival. *** “What’s your name?” Damon asked, his voice clipped and cold. Though his eyes were narrowed, they were a bit mad around the edges. The blonde woman in front of him traced a red coated fingertip over his tattooed chest, all the way to his slightly exposed pelvis. She smacked her lips at the obvious bulge in his tight pants. “If you wanted a good time, why didn’t you just say so?” She threw a side long glance at the rest of the women cooped up in the cells, their fingers desperately grabbing the bars and yelling obscenities at the man who thought it was a good idea to abduct them for his personal reasons. “Why don’t we go somewhere private?” She added with a seductive wink. The alpha’s patience wore thin but he remained calm. “What.is.your.name?” He repeated with the slightest hint of annoyance. His eyes dipped to the card in her hand and she followed suit, smiling at the words on them; Luna 37. She rolled her eyes and tossed the paper aside. Did he seriously expect them to believe he was some alpha werewolf? Was that his play for getting laid? She scoffed at his silly roleplay antics. Werewolves were fictional but if that was what got him in the mood, she didn't mind playing along. He was definitely her type. “The name is Tyla Woodley…” He moved like a blur, snapping her neck like a twig. The other prisoners screamed at the top of their lungs as Tyla’s body thudded to the floor in a crumpled heap. Damon flexed his neck and arms before starting towards the cells. When he approached, all the women retreated, crying and screaming. He unlocked a cell and raked the women with his eyes. Shuffling forward, he yanked one out by the scruff of her neck. “NO! Cleo! Let her go!” A wide-eyed woman screamed from another cell, banging the bars violently. “Let her go, you monstrous cunt! Fuck you! You hear me? FUCK YOU, DAMON WAYNE!” He froze at the mention of his full name, and let go of the whimpering prisoner who crawled back into the open cell on all fours. Slowly, Damon advanced towards the rude woman’s cell but she didn’t back away like the others. She gripped the bars and spat in his face when he was standing in front of her. “Couldn’t find yourself a Luna, tough guy? No surprise there. The moon goddess must not have been able to bring herself to torture an innocent woman with the tragic fate of being your Luna.” Damon reined in the rage bubbling within him by gritting his teeth. This one wasn't as clueless as the dead one. “What is your name?” She knew he wanted her to mention the name on her card; Luna 91. He had just killed a prisoner who gave her actual name. However, he didn't hint at her card by looking at it. His eyes never left hers. She inhaled sharply. To hell with him. As long as her sister, Cleopatra, could remain safe long enough for them to figure out a way to escape from here, she didn't mind distracting the monster as long as she could. “Luna 91, Asshole!” He shot her a roguish grin. "Welcome to hell, Luna 91." He said before reaching beyond the bars and grabbing her neck amidst deafening screams.

In a world teetering on the edge of chaos, Caius is forced to confront the unthinkable—his closest friend and brother-in-arms, Dylan, has been corrupted by a dark force. Once a beacon of hope and a defender of the weak, Dylan now stands as a twisted shadow of his former self, driven by the influence of an insidious power that preys on his doubts and guilt. When Caius confronts Dylan on the battlefield, he is torn between his duty to protect the world from the destruction Dylan could unleash and his desperate hope to save the friend he once knew. Despite Dylan’s distorted resolve to reshape the world at any cost, Caius refuses to give up on him, pleading for the spark of humanity he believes still lingers within. As their swords clash, the weight of their shared past and shattered brotherhood ignites a battle not just of strength, but of will and conviction. Caius must decide whether to fight for Dylan’s redemption or accept the painful reality that the only way to stop his friend might be to end him. This is a tragic tale of friendship, corruption, and the harrowing choices one must face when hope collides with despair.