Chris
It felt like I had been under attack for hours, even though it had only been a few minutes. I may, just may, have overestimated my ability to shrug off attacks. When I first approached the city, there weren't that many people I felt with [Aura Detection] that gave me pause.
There was one I assumed was the city Leader, a barely contained fire that burn...
2025-07-23 21:58:03 +0000 UTC View PostChris
Lakeshore
The message was delivered, and I ensured that everyone heard it. It was the best I could do, and I had to be content with that, even if it felt like it wasn't enough. Three hours wasn't a long time, but it was a convenient time. A convenient time for me, at least.
I was surprised no one shot at me, but I was left to walk back ...
2025-07-22 21:44:04 +0000 UTC View PostVictor
Lakeshore
"They failed, boss," Dez reported, even though it was information Victor had assumed from the outset.
"Did they get any?" Victor responded dispassionately. He wasn't holding out hope. The Assassins were good, but they weren't great. There wasn't exactly a lot of opportunity or need to employ their services.
The few time...
2025-07-21 22:19:45 +0000 UTC View PostChris
Camp outside Lakeshore
"The Walls look strongest here, here, and here. If we are to break through any spot, it would be here, on the back side facing the Lake. The other three sides facing land have recently been reinforced, yet they neglected the side facing the water." Hal detailed the information he had gotten from the Scouts.
Some o...
2025-07-18 22:33:39 +0000 UTC View PostVictor
Lakeshore
They were coming. Deep down, he knew they would, but there was a small part of him that thought they might posture and demand recompense, but those stages were skipped over completely.
Nope. Straight to war.
They didn't even send a declaration or anything. They probably assume it's already been declared after the mi...
2025-07-17 21:39:58 +0000 UTC View PostGavin
Frostheim
Hal was nowhere to be found, and Gavin wasn't sure what he was supposed to do. Younger, lower-level members were looking at him as if he were in charge, and Gavin most certainly was not!
He didn't know anything more than they did! Why were they looking at him like he did?!
Still, he did the only thing that made any sense...
2025-07-16 20:39:40 +0000 UTC View PostChris
Frostheim
The urge to do many things hit me all at the same time as the messenger relayed what he knew. A large force suddenly attacked the mine under the cover of night. The guards and miners fought back, but they were slaughtered. Fleeing miners were chased into the woods as they escaped.
Only a few made it out, and the one in front o...
2025-07-15 21:02:35 +0000 UTC View PostChris
Frostheim
I separated from Lucille and walked to meet Ashley away from our testing area. I wasn't sure why our Healer was running at me, and just in case it was something sensitive, I stepped aside.
Ashley easily closed the distance and was in front of me swiftly, and her face made it clear she wasn't bringing good news.
...
2025-07-14 20:48:16 +0000 UTC View PostVictor
Lakeshore
"Do it." Victor sent the message and sighed.
It was now or never. The crystal mine was at an all-time low in the number of defenders, and Victor didn't think another chance would come like this. They were supposedly having a grand Festival, and many were miles away drinking into the night.
Too bad they never thought the...
2025-07-11 20:27:39 +0000 UTC View PostChris
Frostheim
As much fun as it would have been to stay with the Seed, I had to come home eventually. We had already lined up a few trustworthy guards to watch it while I was gone.
After handing it off to them, I then made my return trip.
A lot had changed in such a short time. I was having a good ole time relaxing as everyone else co...
2025-07-10 19:56:46 +0000 UTC View PostAbigail
The woods surrounding Frostheim
It was only fitting that her return home was marred by snow. Well, marred wasn't the right word, as it wasn't much of an impediment anymore. It may not be the same as Water, but it was still made up of it. She could manipulate it if she tried.
Not as easily, mind you, but that didn't mean it was barred ...
2025-07-09 20:53:14 +0000 UTC View PostChris
Hudson Bay
There was a certain amount of clarity that came with being alone. Being alone and surrounded by blessed silence led to the most relaxed I had felt in a long while. Planting the seed and experiencing my little slice of Winter had a lot to do with it.
I felt stupid for worrying about the decision to wait or not. At some point, ...
2025-07-08 20:37:53 +0000 UTC View PostAustin
Frostheim
Of course it's right as I plan to leave that things get interesting. For nearly a year, nothing of note had happened. No monster attacks, no Demons found, no nothing.
Then, just as Austin was preparing and packing to leave, something big happened. Well, not big big, but still something that stood out.
Christoph...
2025-07-07 20:17:48 +0000 UTC View PostHal
Slightly North of Lake Superior
Hal didn't mind the woods. Most days, he found them rather peaceful and relaxing.
One would think that now that they held actual monsters and beasts that could kill a normal human with a sneeze, that peacefulness would go away, but Hal didn't think so. The spice of danger kept it from becoming something it wasn't. 2025-07-03 23:11:52 +0000 UTC View Post
Chris
Hudson Bay
I had reached the cap. With the final level, I was now level 100 in both my Class and Profession.
It felt... satisfying.
Instead of rushing to take a peek at what my options were, I instead sat down and took a breath. I watched the Formation get to work and just took everything in.
The waves splashed against the i...
2025-07-02 22:08:54 +0000 UTC View Post~~AN~~
This one is entirely new.
~~
Chris
Hudson Bay
'Runes are meaning made into structure.'
That was the line I kept repeating in my head. It was said many times in the books, and I was still trying to wrap my head around it all. I knew all this magic and mana was mind-blowing, but meaning made into s...
2025-07-01 23:43:28 +0000 UTC View Post~~AN~~
This has pieces of the old Chapter 325, but enough of it is new I recommend reading the entire thing.
~~
Edward Halstead
St. Louis
Headquarters of the Historian's Society
The usual sounds of scribes writing down information or shuffling parchment were absent on this day. The scruff of pen on parchment had...
2025-06-30 22:36:02 +0000 UTC View Post~~AN~~
This one is entirely new.
~~
Austin
Frostheim
Austin marveled at the work of art resting in his hands. The leather-wrapped shaft provided a comfortable weight that he had sorely missed in recent times.
He hadn't expected the devastation that came with his weapon breaking. He'd never been one for over-the...
2025-06-30 21:06:20 +0000 UTC View Post~~AN~~
This one is entirely new.
~~
Hal
Frostheim
Today was not his day. Of all the things to have happened while Abigail was gone, why did it have to be this?
"And you're sure of this?" Hal asked, hoping that his Scout was messing with him.
"Yes sir, three separate scouts have reported the same thing,"...
2025-06-27 20:42:16 +0000 UTC View Post~~AN~~
The beginning of this chapter is new, but it has parts from old chapters 317 & 319.
~~
~~
Runes and Spells are sometimes thought to be the same thing in different forms, and that assumption is widely held in the Universe. Even if it is wrong.
Spells are an expression of mana. A spell circle or matrix is an inherently magi...
2025-06-26 20:09:14 +0000 UTC View Post~~AN~~
This Chapter is nearly identical to the old one.
~~
Chris
The water lapped up on the shore in a rhythmic hum that was nearly enough to put me to sleep. It had been a long time since I had seen a shoreline. The beach left much to be desired, as it leaned toward rocky over sandy, but it still didn't take away from the scenery.
"W...
2025-06-25 21:52:08 +0000 UTC View Post~~AN~~
This chapter is entirely new.
~~
Rachel
Flame Falls
Rachel stood staring out the window of the Citadel and felt the radiant heat from the treasure flow through her channels. The mana in the air was nearly entirely Fire mana and it felt oh-so refreshing compared to the smothering cold of the North.
Heat suffused th...
2025-06-25 21:32:42 +0000 UTC View Post~~AN~~
The first part of this one is mostly the same but the end is entirely different.
~~
Chris
Frostheim
"The expansion is going well and the first stage should be completed in a few weeks." Abigail listed from her sheet, "Are you any closer on the elevator research?"
"I'm getting there," I said, holding back a sigh. I...
2025-06-24 20:55:46 +0000 UTC View Post~~AN~~
This one was kept nearly entirely the same. Only difference being a few changed words and cleaned up words. I kept it because it shows his practice with [Hammer Reverberation] and the Spirit/Skill link.
~~
Chris
Frostheim
The pale blue tongues of my Spirit Flame flickered and danced as it roared from the mana. I was fee...
2025-06-24 18:35:14 +0000 UTC View Post~~AN~~
Most of this chapter is entirely new but the beginning is nearly the same as chapter 327.
~~
The Admiral (Fitzwallace)
New Norfolk
Marching his army back to the coast felt like time wasted, rather than time well spent, but there was nothing he could do about it. The Admiral could hardly fly, let alone teleport his e...
2025-06-23 20:54:23 +0000 UTC View Post~~AN~~
This one was kept mostly the same with little change from the old chapter. The only difference was Lakeshore's scouts being found around the mine hasn't happened yet.
~~
Gabriel
There was a mustiness in the air that Gabriel still had yet to get used to. The smell of wet fur wasn't the most pleasant and he worked hard to keep his dry a...
2025-06-22 23:46:47 +0000 UTC View Post~~AN~~
The first changed chapter and the rest will diverge from here. Most of it is a combination of the previous Chapter 313 with Vulwin's portion of Chapter 316.
The beginning scene is the only added material, with the rest staying mainly the same. I did take the portion about the Mental defense skill out, but it will be readded at a later time.
~~
Vul...
2025-06-20 20:25:55 +0000 UTC View PostHello All, I just wanted to alert/point out a few things that I have been feeling and what I've seen commented on recent chapters. This is not a hate post or a shit post, I value the feedback and this is not me coming at you for voicing an opinion.
Mostly because I feel it is warranted.
I don't know when it started, but I've felt like the chapters after the Orc finale of the last ar...
2025-06-16 20:00:08 +0000 UTC View PostChris
After what happened– what I did– it was hard to forget what came after. I didn't evolve immediately, but it was within a few weeks.
I wasn't sure what it was that did it for me. I still didn't. I'd spent the better part of a few years in the forge pounding away trying to increase my skills but it felt monotonous and dry.
After Lakeshore, I r...
2025-06-13 20:08:25 +0000 UTC View PostChris
Frostheim
The rest of the Spring and then Summer were peaceful. I didn't get called away for anything and got to spend most of my time going through the same routine I had developed over the years.
Running both Dungeons every morning was becoming a longer and longer endeavor, but it was my best form of essence gathering. Every new floor...
2025-06-12 20:06:02 +0000 UTC View Post