Zarthos posts
Posts: 274
Files: 366
017 - Struggling in the Dark
First- Previous- NextEthan's eyes narrowed as he tried to keep his whole body from shaking. His heart thumped, almost threatening to leap out of his chest as the adrenaline coursed through his veins, numbing the pain of his injured cheek. Still, he could clearly feel the warm blood slowly dripping from the wound.“Who’s there? Show yourself!”Although he sought to speak in a calm and neutral tone, he couldn’t conceal the tremor within. ...
016 - Blood
First- Previous- NextDarkness had yet to fade as countless lights began to rise in the distance, slowly advancing toward the forest's border, away from the Academy's grounds. Ethan had doubled back, choosing to leave the cover of this leafy canopy from the opposite direction before circling back undiscovered.He stopped momentarily, observing the slight tremor of the surrounding mana, resonating with the countless lights piercing through t...
015 - Facing the Empire's Sun
First- Previous- NextLoud footsteps echoed between imposing stone columns, rising to a high vaulted ceiling. A middle-aged man in a beautifully decorated robe paced down a massive corridor, ignoring the salutes of the various fully armoured guards he passed along the way.His beard was well-trimmed, as was his hair, coiffed backwards, giving him a regal look. A few strands of white were strewn within, accenting his air of importance and experience...
014 - Playing With Unknown Forces
First- Previous- NextElizabeth turned to face him. Her eyes showed only a slight surprise before returning to their usual indifference, except that the usual frost wasn't as prominent. A little white doll floated before her, its dress of snow slowly scattering into the breeze, becoming a frigid wind that spread over the small clearing.“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice subdued, letting none of her previous hostility shine thr...
013 - Reunited in the Night
First- Previous- NextEthan recoiled as if a spring being unleashed, rising to his feet in a single leap, only to be stunned by the sight before him. He had built this bed with his own hands over time by slowly bringing various materials into this isolated space.When he first uncovered this black tome, the world within was devoid of almost everything; even the walls separating him from the void beyond were merely defective bookcases he had disasse...
012 - The Two that Became One
First- Previous- NextEthan found himself in a dark corridor, surrounded by darkness, with only a dim light in the distance to guide his path. He didn't remember much of how he ended up here, except that he had rushed to the black tome, only to pass out soon after.Is this a dream?Feeling strangely calm, Ethan advanced through the darkness, ignoring the chasms of blackness that lay on each side. His eyes were fixed on the point of light before ...
011 - An Unexpected Gift
First- Previous- Next“Artificial spirits?” the man said, slightly taken aback. “Where did that come from?”“Do not play dumb with me," Ethan replied, seriousness dripping from his words. "Surely, you must have heard something. I don't doubt your family was involved in that research. Forgive me for saying so, but the Thorntons aren't really known for their adherence to general morality.""The same could be said for ...
010 - On the Cusp of Enlightment
First- Previous- NextEthan had been cooped up within the black tome for a few days now, only leaving to eat or do his work as a librarian. The rest of the time, he would be engrossed in his reading, seeking a way to harness the power of mana without the aid of spirits. Needless to say, he had only been met with failure thus far.It wasn't as if there wasn't any information on the subject. In fact, this had been the subject of untold resear...
009 - Finding Hope in the Midst of Despair
First- Previous- NextThe sun had only just begun to rise upon the city when Ethan emerged from the forest, only for his footsteps to echo upon the hard wooden floor of the Academy. The halls were mostly deserted; only a few people—primarily researchers—were awake at this hour, yet Ethan's stomping still caused a slight commotion.His frustration was evident, prompting most to avoid him. Still, they would have done so regardless, as rumours...
129 - Under a Curtain of Blackness
First- Previous- NextFor days, Qin Yun had travelled alongside the young man. Their destination: an isolated oasis far from the main tribe ruling this desolate landscape. They travelled along the dunes on the backs of giant sandworms, anchors plunged deep into their sides, prompting them to keep rising to the surface. This was the ancestral method of the Sand People, used for generations in an effort to tame this hostile land.Now, they stood just...
008 - Embrace of Winter
First- Previous- NextEthan remained silent, holding his breath. Despite the shock, he soon relaxed, letting all the tension slowly drain away, but his gaze remained locked onto the woman down below, his vigilance at an all-time high, only to feel a cold front on the back of his head.As if on instinct, he spun, unsheathing his blade. He swung the sharp piece of metal in an arc, seeking to slaughter whatever caught him by surprise. However, his eye...
007 - Dwelling in the Dark
First- Previous- Next“Are you kidding me?! What am I supposed to do with this?” Ethan said, his closed fist crashing upon a nearby tree.Frustration and anger dripped from his words as the impact of this strike propagated upwards, prompting detached leaves to fall from the branches. A calm wind blew, creating a slight upward draft that carried the leaves a short distance away.Ethan pressed his forehead against the trunk, gazing deeply into the...
006 - His First Summoning
First- Previous- NextEthan emerged from the library when the sun had already long set and night enveloped the world. Despite it all, the Academy was far from quiet. Many students still walked the halls. Although exhausted from a long day of learning, their zeal toward mastering the uses of their contracted spirit shone brightly.Somehow, Ethan couldn't help but be jealous. Even since he became aware of his deficiency, not a day passed without ...
005 - In Search of Knowledge
First- Previous- NextWhere should I start? MaybeHistorical Records of Tectonic Shifts, or how about Psychology of Nascent Earth Elemental?Isn't there something more broad? Why does everything have to be so specific? Why can't this place just have some sort of search function?Ethan sighed, putting a leather-bound book back into the bookcase where it originated from. He turned away, only for his sight to be filled with bookcases, forming a ...
004 - Troubles Afoot
First- Previous- NextEthan watched the two of them leave, feeling slightly bewildered by the flow of events. Still, he quickly regained his composure as he gazed upon the wonders now open to his eyes. For so long, he had dreamed of the moment mana would be within reach. He could barely stop himself from grasping it all right at this moment."So... What can I do for you?" Ethan asked as he walked to the cluttered desk before facing the youn...
003 - The Source of their Fears
First- Previous- NextEthan's eyes were narrowed, and his knees were slightly bent as his hand rested on the handle of a knife hidden in his overcoat. He eyed the woman before him, seeking any indication of malice, fully intent on responding in kind should she further act on it.“Aster! What are you doing? Why won’t you listen to me?”The woman began to panic, trying to restrain the immaterial spirit in her hair. The earring dangling from ...
002 - Exposed to a Wonderful Sight
First- Previous- NextEthan jolted awake as if rising from the dead. His eyes snapped open, heart thumping in his chest, sending echoes up to his skull, causing him a massive headache. His lungs burned, his breath cut short, desperately seeking air.Then, as if the floodgates opened, air finally funnelled down his windpipe, expanding his lungs. His chest heaved up and down for a few moments before calm finally returned. Despite it all, his mind swa...
001 - The Graveyard of the End
First - Previous - NextSynopsys:In a world where spirits are the very manifestation of all phenomena in the realm—be it the rain falling from the sky or the magma smouldering beneath the earth—Ethan was born to a Magister—one of the few high authorities in the pursuit of magic.His life should have been idyllic, following the path laid out before him. However, upon his fourteenth birthday, during his awakening ceremony, he was found to have ...
128 - To Peer Through the Veil
First- Previous- NextOnly a soft, arid wind blew as the two men stared at each other. Both remained silent, yet the tension was palpable. Qin Yun could see the young man's nails dig into his palm, almost drawing blood, if not for the fact that they couldn't penetrate his bronze skin.The man finally relented only after a long, drawn-out moment. His gaze lowered as he sighed deeply. The tension crumbled almost instantly as a slight smile fl...
127 - Fuel for the Blaze
First- Previous- NextThe bronze-skinned man's muscles bulged as he prepared to strike Qin Yun. Yet, unlike his wide and sturdy frame, his facial features betrayed his youthfulness, almost as if he had just reached adulthood.He charged forward, fists clenched, leaving a trail of airborne sand behind him with each decisive step. His eyes shone with fury, but also tears streamed down his cheeks, screaming his rage until his voice grew hoarse. De...
126 - Hidden in the Depths
First- Previous- NextQin Yun felt the world shift as he passed through the boundary. Darkness lay beyond, blocking all his senses as if he stood in outer space. No sounds reached his ears, and he couldn't feel the wet touch of water on his skin, yet his instincts screamed at him that it remained. He, therefore, held his breath, too afraid to suffocate in this nonexistent space.Blackness was all that lay before his eyes, except for a single po...
125 - Reaching Past the Darkness
First- Previous- NextQin Yun stood on top of a sand dune, slightly taken aback by the sight before him, which wasn't what he was expecting.Nestled beyond the reach of the storms was a small oasis, hidden behind giant sand dunes that acted as barriers against the corrosive winds. A large pool of crystal clear water stood in its core, surrounded by scarce but lush vegetation. Palm trees rose to the sky, offering much-needed shade for the small ...
124 - Journey Through the Western Desolate
First- Previous- NextThe storm raged on either side, merely offering a lonely path, only wide enough to provide passage. The path wound and bent around the ever-changing dunes sculpted by the never-ending winds. The path would fork from time to time, sometimes in multiple other directions, yet only a single one led to his destination. Others became dead-ends or looped in on themselves, creating a large natural maze.A week passed since he left the...
123 - Seeking a Path Through the Storm
First- Previous- NextWithin the halls of this tavern, a jolly atmosphere uplifted all who stood between these walls. The wine flew aplenty, drenching its customers' weary hearts, allowing them to sail over this sea of bitterness with only temporary bliss on their minds.No waves occurred as Qin Yun entered the inn; most weren't even aware of his presence. Slipping through the crowd and avoiding the many young servers toiling into the night...
122 - The Return of Bronze and Silver
First- Previous- Next“She... owes you?”Zou Lan had a hard time wrapping her mind around this revelation. To her, Feng Yanmei was a bright flame shining high into the sky, forever out of reach. Ever since she had embarked on the path of cultivation, she had heard stories of this rising star of the Immortal Phoenix Sect, seeing her as a role model—so much so that many labelled Zou Lan as her second coming."What's so hard to believe?&#...
121 - Banking on an Unpaid Debt
First- Previous- NextThe sun slowly faded behind the dunes as Zou Lan stood within the Moonlight Sword Palace's branch. Dusk blanketed the land, yet a sudden cacophony of sound disturbed its peacefulness. Although muffled by the distance, the distinct noises of countless footsteps of people rushing around echoed clearly into Zou Lan's perked-up ears.With a single step, her domain spread, and she rose to the sky, only to see the world belo...
120 - Watching From the Darkness
First- Previous- NextStone ruptured as they flew through the air, shattering as they collided with the opposite wall. The sound was deafening, reverberating throughout the compound like a small centralized quake shaking through its foundations.A cloud of dust lingered, obscuring the view of the unfortunate bystanders roused away from their studies by the cacophony of sounds. Wood splinters scattered everywhere, the last remnants of a well-used bo...
119 - Being Cruel to Oneself for Future Rewards
First- Previous- NextA dark mist filled the entire room, burning Qin Yun's eyes as it seeped into his pores. It filled his flesh with destructive substances and corrupted his body at the cellular level. Fortunately, he managed to resist most of the encroachment on his core, relying on the golden characters spread over his skin and qi centre.However, such measures were only temporary. Sooner or later, the cult would discover what had happened ...
118 - Accounting for Contingencies
First- Previous- NextThe man remained silent, his expression fixed in place. Whether the shock of this inquiry left him stunned or he had long given up, Qin Yun couldn't tell either way. He could only press further, hoping to elicit the reaction he had hoped for."Any toxin has a cure," he said, gauging the man's expression closely. "Did no one offer you any remedy?"A muffled chuckle emerged from Elder Guo's mouth, only...
036 - Patterns Within Chaos
Ning Shan's surroundings were disconcerting, to say the least. When speaking of the Shaft, he had imagined a mystical world located in sub-dimension where danger and opportunity commingled, creating the perfect environment for Ning Shan to hone his craft and rise again before tackling this new world he found himself in.Instead, he stood within a damp, dark cavern covered in stalactites, with only the sound of falling water accompanying his th...
