STAR WARS: The Heir of The High Republic - Chapter 14: Shadows in the Dark

The Empire's forces retreated in desperation—trampled by faceless horrors bringing darkness and death to these once beautiful lands.Only the most courageous stood in defiance, forming a last defence to buy the people time to flee—fighting until the final embers of hope burned out.A man stands with a silver sword, like a beacon of hope to those around him. He roared with all his might drawing his blade against the overwhelming enemy!“You face Lancelot, Sword of the Empire! ”These horrors tested the Lord's grit and loyalty in the final moments.“Should my blade break, I will use my body!”The knights had fallen, broken swords for their tombstones, and lords fled, betraying the Empire to survive.“If my body breaks, I'll use my Soul!”Lancelot, the sword of the Empire, fought alone.All hope seemed lost.“And if my Soul fails...”What could a single man and his army do?He fights against the dark tide, blade in hand, heart on sleeve.“I will sell myself to the devil for revenge!”But he was too weak, too fragile.The last Lord of humanity stood against the enemy.Lancelot was a master of the sword, a mortal, neither a God nor a Saint.Miracles were beyond his reach.Now only a broken man impaled on his own destroyed throne.His blade shattered—now, like rose petals, it was scattered across the charred ground.Lancelot's soul was fated for the abyss as the light faded from his eyes.His last ounce of resistance used staring at the man who betrayed the Empire.Now with only the desire to kill, crush and seek revenge smouldering inside him.Now unwilling to die and desperate to fight once again.He desired to fight for the people who supported him.Lancelot refused to surrender, to fall like this.As quietly in the abyss, a voice whispered to him.It tried to entice the Lord, ignite his desire to win and fight again.“If given a second chance, to relive your life with a different choice... Would you Accept?”Blood gathered in his throat, forcing him to reply in his mind.A frail and broken voice'There is no reason to ask, of course!'“No matter the cost?”'Even if I were to lose everything...''If my people can live on. I would sacrifice everything I have!'“You will no longer be the same, a monster, twisted and vicious.”“Will you still accept?”The Lord's heart ached, taking great pride in his humanity.To lose that caused his mind to falter.Finally, out of power, unable to speak or reply with a trembling arm.Lancelot reached out.Towards the raspy voice.Towards the abyss.Towards a new future.[So you would accept after all...]'I must accept.''I must stand tall.''I must not break.''Because...''I am the Lord of humanity![Nay, you are the king of demons]

[Kill level 4 weirdos (characteristic: silent), you can redeem 3000 system points, or the system can be devoured to extract characteristics! 】

Chen Ge listened to the voice in his mind and looked at the wild cat that was killed by his own hands. His expression was a little subtle for a moment.

Returning to the community, looking at the friendly security guard, the system prompt sounded in Shen Ge’s mind again——

【warn! Found a level 5 weirdness (Characteristics: three heads and six arms), detected that the host’s current strength is definitely no match for him, please flee the scene quickly! 】

For a moment, looking at the oranges handed over by the security guard, Shen Ge didn’t know whether he should accept them or not.

The next day, Shen Ge went to the supermarket and bought a box of instant noodles and some snacks.

[The host sneaked into the mysterious and haunted area of ​​Level 6 and collected a large amount of supplies. His courage was astonishing and he was rewarded with 1,000 system points! 】

Shen Ge was about to scan the QR code to pay, but his hands froze in mid-air…

- Description from novelbuddy

A conversation with a handsome stranger leaves Ariane chained in a cellar with a strange affliction. She soon discovers that the darkness of the nineteenth century’s Deep South hides many dangers. Mages, wolf shifters and the humans who hunt them play a risky game where to stumble is to die, all under the amused gaze of the apex predators of the supernatural world: vampires.

It is never healthy to attract the gaze of the aristocracy of the night. It takes much to survive in this merciless world, but Ariane will not let that deter her. The southern belle has a bite, and she is willing to learn and to grow in this hostile new world. She will use whatever means necessary to reclaim her freedom, be it guile, charm, or those intriguing new instincts that make blood so delectable.

This is a story of vampires as I believe they should be, with their strengths and weaknesses, with their remnants of humanity and the beast inside. Updates every Friday. Mind the tags.

Cover by Antti Hakosaari: https://www.artstation.com/haco

Special thanks to Svensonsen for getting me started, as well as Omi Nya, Hesketh, Rhaegar, Yaksher, Selkie and Raven for proofreading my stuff. Thanks to my patrons and you dear readers, for the support. I could not do it without you.

Journey is on Amazon, both in ebooks and audio. here is a link to the first one:

https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B08DK6G8Y8

The story probably exists in your local marketplace as well of I can tempt you.

A hundred years ago, the blue star world fell into an endless abyss, and the era of abyss lords for all began.

Become the lord of the abyss, expand the territory, and resist the invasion of the abyss. The lord is hope, and the lord is destiny!

A hundred years later, a boy who has obtained a soul-entry talent, a treasure chest, a resource crystal, and a summoning scroll, will be perfect after ten consecutive draws? Hundred consecutive draws will produce legends?

What are you waiting for?

Wu Feng, who became the will of the abyss, was interviewed: “I really just didn’t want to lose my status as a lord, so you believe me!”

When you gaze into the abyss, I am the abyss!

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Readership: 892119197.

- Description from novelbuddy