George Kraken, lord of Tropica village, ran for his life.
Each turn he took, there his pursuer was, taunting him. The cruel antagonist would snarl and laugh, his predatory eyes tracking every move. Sometimes he’d do nothing at all, merely watching as George turned and fled.
No matter how many times George tried to get away, Fischer was there, always one step ahead.
I watched Rocky closely, having sensed a visceral reaction from him when George fell to his knees.
Rocky, for whatever reason, saw it as a betrayal. An egregious insult.
So when Rocky exploded forward with his claws spread wide, I was ready. I flew to intercept him, not bothering to hide my disappointment. “You dun fracked up, Rocky.”
He wrenched at his limbs, trying to wi...
2024-04-26 09:00:06 +0000 UTC View PostAs Rocky walked the final stretch of sand between the fence and Fischer, he could hardly contain his excitement. The time of Fischer’s uncontested reign was finally at an end.
He had five cultivators with him, all of which were loyal to him. On top of that, he had the support of two non-cultivators, and though they were yet to ascend, they were almost there. They were far from regular h...
2024-04-25 09:00:11 +0000 UTC View PostFollowing the feast, I lay on the sands, one hand holding my stomach and the other resting against Maria.
“I never want to eat again,” she said, letting out a half-laugh, half-groan.
“See how you feel about that tomorrow,” I said. “But I get where you’re coming from. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so full.”
“The feast was a trap,” Theo complained from somew...
2024-04-24 09:00:07 +0000 UTC View PostAs George watched the spirit beast, he got the inkling that it was suffering from delusions of grandeur. He swallowed, his throat feeling dry.
Something was wrong.
It was hard for him to place exactly what it was, but he got the sense it wasn’t the mere existence of a powerful spirit beast. That, surprisingly, didn’t seem to bother him much. It was an odd sensation, but the long...
2024-04-22 09:00:10 +0000 UTC View PostThe susurration of voices died, replaced by the sound of air rushing past my ears. Even after the blinding light of the exploding bubbles dissipated, an invisible current still moved around us, whipping at my clothes and hair.
I barely registered the sensations, instead focused on the System message that had rudely commandeered my field of view.
You have successfully tak...
2024-04-19 08:00:06 +0000 UTC View PostPleasant heat washed over me, making a smile spread over my face. Fragrant steam rose from the barbecue plate, bringing with it the scents of beef tallow, fresh fish, woodsmoke, and myriad herbs and spices. I’d seasoned each slab of mature blue fish with a different combination of seasonings, and my mouth watered as I considered how they’d all taste.
In the few hours the residents of ...
2024-04-17 08:00:08 +0000 UTC View PostAs Rocky soared through the darkened sky, he reconsidered his life choices.
He’d been launched dozens of kilometers into the air, the very world turning into a vast circle beneath him. At first, he’d been filled with joy—he had never graced such heights. The moment he began to descend, however, realization washed over him.
Though he’d been flung higher than ever before, it...
You, as a descendant of the great Kraken Rider, should beware anyone selling directions to the heavens. This does not, however, mean one shouldn’t try the techniques and meditations of other sects, churches, and families. Knowledge may be gleaned from the guidance of others, after all, even if your only insight is what not to do.
Though easier described than practiced, one should follow...
2024-04-12 08:00:05 +0000 UTC View PostAs he strode beneath a forest canopy, Deklan held his hand out, feeling the stray drops of rain that bounced off leaves above and fell toward the forest floor. Every few seconds, a tiny droplet splashed against his upturned palm. It made his smile spread even wider, and he lifted his face, enjoying each fragment of rain that hit him.
Rather than fishing, he and his brother had gone for a ...
2024-04-11 08:00:04 +0000 UTC View PostBeneath a roiling sea of gray clouds, Barry shook his head at the people emerging from the prison. The traitors appeared genuinely shocked, bringing him no small amount of amusement. They’d truly thought their plans were unknown.
He glanced at his lone companion, bending to scratch her soft-furred head. Corporal Claws trilled, leaning into his touch before stretching and hunching ...
2024-04-10 08:12:37 +0000 UTC View PostWithin a dark and humid room, a devout man practiced his craft.
The scents of earth, mildew, and sweet herbs surrounded him, standing in stark contrast to the haze that usually filled his domain. It had taken Solomon most of a week to create this place of worship—the holy ground upon which he would take steps on the stairway of ascension.
For as long as Solomon had been practicing...
2024-04-08 08:00:06 +0000 UTC View PostNow that Roger and Sharon had joined our heretical endeavors, the rest of the week sped by in a blur.
Each morning, I’d wake to a knock on the door, then receive a barrage of love from Maria while Roger scowled and Sharon smiled. After having breakfast on my porch, we’d all head down to the rockwall and start fishing.
With the tastes of coffee and croissant lingering on my...
2024-04-05 08:14:56 +0000 UTC View PostBeneath a hideously bright sky, Augustus Reginald Gormona squinted toward the rising sun, willing it to retreat behind the horizon.
As with everything lately, it didn’t go in his favor, and as the golden orb rose ever higher, taunting him, he turned his back to it, refusing to witness any more insubordination, perceived or otherwise. He let his thoughts wander, imagining what he could h...
2024-04-04 08:00:04 +0000 UTC View PostAs with every other cultivator, Roger and Sharon were fast learners when it came to knots. Their fingers deftly tied the thin lengths of line together, easily replicating my movements.
“How does this look?” Sharon asked, holding up her paternoster rig.
“Perfect, Mom!” Maria gave her a wide grin. “You’re a natural.”
“Yours is expertly done too, Roger,” I added...
2024-04-03 06:59:55 +0000 UTC View PostA soft breeze blew at my back, coming from the western mountains. The air swept along its currents had a hint of sweetness, my senses also detecting notes of wood, earth, and decaying leaves. The ocean lay before me, its softly lapping waves kicking up sea spray that joined the other aromas.
I closed my eyes and breathed deep, allowing the surrounding fragrances to whisk me away.
Wh...
2024-04-01 08:00:08 +0000 UTC View PostI licked my lips, my consciousness warring with itself to understand the message I’d just received.
Seeking a distraction, I wandered over to the rods.
“Triton’s slick conch,” Brad swore.
“Agreed,” Greg replied, his gaze distant.
Maria leaned back on her bench, her eyes darting around the room yet focusing on nothing in particular. “That... wow...
2024-03-29 08:02:38 +0000 UTC View Post“Okay, everyone,” I said, looking down at the bench before me. “Follow along.”
Maria and Deklan were on either side of me, the former grinning and the latter serious. The rest of the apprentice woodworkers were arrayed around the room, awaiting instruction behind their benches. We all had a square block of soft wood with a hole drilled in the center, and as I set mine in a vice, I...
2024-03-28 11:41:16 +0000 UTC View PostThe sun approached the western mountains as I crept down the rocks with three fish in my arms. When I reached the water, I set them down and washed them off one by one.
“So,” I said, glancing up at Deklan and Trent, “there are a bunch of ways to prepare fish.”
Deklan pursed his lips. “How do you choose which method to use?”
“It depends on the size and species, us...
2024-03-27 08:00:16 +0000 UTC View PostWith Maria at my side, a fish flopping around at the end of my hook, and the afternoon sun high above, a brilliant blast exploded from Deklan.
I closed my eyes as a pulse of chi trailed the luminescence flying from Deklan’s taking-shape core. It slammed into me, almost knocking me from my feet on the slick rocks. A large portion of the surrounding world’s power poured into Deklan, sol...
2024-03-25 08:15:13 +0000 UTC View PostWhen the sand beneath my feet turned to rocky headland, I took a deep breath of the salt-filled air. I had all the things I could need; an armful of rods, a smattering of friends with me, and Maria. As a stiff breeze blew past, Bumblebro and Queen Bee crawled down from my shoulder to take refuge in my pocket. Their cute little heads poked out, gazing at the surrounding landscape in the afternoo...
2024-03-22 08:00:06 +0000 UTC View PostMaria’s hand was once more in mine as we strode through the lush forest. She rested a watermelon-sized rock atop her other hand that was so big I’d almost call it a boulder. Bumblebro and Queen Bee sat on my shoulder, their wings twitching nervously. I reached up and patted the top of their heads with a finger, trying to reassure them.
“Sure you don’t want me to carry that?” I a...
2024-03-21 08:00:04 +0000 UTC View PostFor the first time in the last twenty-four hours, we moved leisurely.
Our fight, flight, and general tomfoolery within Gormona had been adrenaline-pumping and surprisingly enjoyable. But now that I was walking hand in hand with Maria and had a genial crab riding my shoulder, I was reminded of what I truly enjoyed in life. The canopy above filtered out most of the sun’s light, and as I l...
2024-03-20 08:00:05 +0000 UTC View PostWith chi-filled food powering our stride, we made it back to New Tropica in no time at all.
The moment we caught sight of the village, I stopped walking and leaned down toward Maria. “Are you seeing this too?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“I was just wondering if the barbecue gave the food a hallucinogenic boon or something...”
“You’re not imagining it, Fischer,” Theo ...
2024-03-18 07:59:14 +0000 UTC View PostYou might recall that one of the first lines of this manual is: “Do not share this work with anyone other than the Kraken bloodline or their immediate family.” But since then, I have repeatedly stressed the importance of helping others. Selflessness lies at the core of our philosophy, and yet, these instructions are to be kept secret, given only to those we deem worthy.
I...
2024-03-15 08:07:22 +0000 UTC View PostI adjusted the end of last chapter so that the barbecue plate transformed into a whole-ass bbq. I originally planned for them create that at the start of the chapter, but this feels better for the story's flow. Changes below.
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I’d thought the original mold he created was big; the thing sitting on the bench before us made it pale by c...
2024-03-14 08:00:05 +0000 UTC View PostThe cloud of power flew into Roger’s core, expanding its bounds.
When the foreign essence joined with his, it took on the same blade-like aspect. I knew what would come next, so I dashed forward, letting my own chi spew from my abdomen. A pure bubble of white wrapped around Roger and me just in time. Uncountable arcs of power shot out from him, slamming into my shield and doing their be...
2024-03-13 07:56:38 +0000 UTC View PostHey gang!
Book 1 is finally out in all the formats today. You might have already seen it posted somewhere because I've been doing the advertising rounds.
If you want to check it out, you can find it here: https://mybook.to/hereticalfishing
I have no expectation for any of you to buy it, so I'll...
2024-03-13 02:32:55 +0000 UTC View PostAs I trailed Roger up the stairs from the amphitheater, I glanced back toward the stage.
From the looks on the congregation’s faces, they knew the subject of the conversation I was about to have. Sharon waved at me, giving me a reassuring smile that did wonders for my racing imagination; if she was happy about our little chat to come, it couldn’t be too bad... right? Sergeant Snips bl...
2024-03-11 08:01:17 +0000 UTC View PostBeneath a star-filled sky, I ran.
Humanoid shapes sprang up from all around me, reaching out with ethereal limbs and seeking to slow me down. The sand beneath my feet was pitch black, and no matter how many steps I took, the distant horizon remained the same. There were no features, nothing to break up the dark monotony of the desert landscape except for the ghostly appendages grasping fo...
2024-03-08 08:00:07 +0000 UTC View Post