It was a pleasantly cool day in Tropica—until a heat like that of the sun bloomed.
Fergus squinted and leaned back from the forge’s glow as he threw another shovel of coal into the hearth. He stepped to the side, wiping sweat from his brow with a burly forearm.
“Ready, Duncan?...
2023-10-05 11:06:44 +0000 UTC View PostThe midmorning sun beamed down. I held a hand to my forehead, shielding my eyes. A sparse cloud drifted before the light, providing a modicum of relief. A soft breeze blew across the fields and the sugarcane leaves rustled and shifted around us, highlighting the silence that stretched between Bar...
2023-10-04 09:49:20 +0000 UTC View PostBarry woke to a strange sensation. Something was tugging at his core, and he sat up slowly, rubbing bleary eyes.
The moon shone down through the thin curtains of his bedroom. Helen murmured softly, so he reached over and smoothed her hair, willing her to not wake.
The tugging in his c...
2023-10-02 11:33:07 +0000 UTC View PostThe magnificent creature stared at me with inhuman eyes in the last hints of daylight peeking over the western mountains.
Its white plumage was accentuated by black feathers on either side of its body. It stretched its wings and opened its long beak, revealing the inside of a tan-colored po...
2023-09-29 06:44:24 +0000 UTC View PostThe night’s cold air lingered within the woodworking shop. It was punctuated by the scents of unknown woods and lacquers, a soothing yet unfamiliar mix. A layer of shavings lay scattered over the floor beneath Gary, and he stared down at them, not trusting himself to mask the emotions roiling w...
2023-09-28 02:25:12 +0000 UTC View PostCorporal Claws, master of the log and guardian of the pond, luxuriated on her favored perch.
A cool breeze wound its way through the forest, but given her superior body, she barely noticed it. She rolled onto her back, letting a ray of sun land on her belly fluff. With a chirp of sheer cont...
2023-09-27 05:28:03 +0000 UTC View PostAn ancient being stirred.
She returned to herself slowly, and as her awareness bloomed, memories returned. The last she recalled, she was being torn apart, and terror reigned as she sent her awareness down, inspecting the damage.
Her core was... changed.
She feared she would fin...
2023-09-25 10:36:44 +0000 UTC View PostThe world was upside down, and Corporal claws gazed out at it.
She rested on her head at the base of the light-blue tree, a cooked crab clutched tight, and her back feet dangling above her, twitching of their own accord. No matter how many times she blinked, the scene didn’t change.
A lump formed in my throat, and my body involuntarily froze as a wave of adrenaline washed over me.
The water seemed to change temperature; where its cool touch was previously welcome, it now felt intolerably freezing as the shadow shifted beneath us.
Even with my eyes still adjusting...
2023-09-21 11:29:01 +0000 UTC View PostCool air tickled my skin as I soared through the air, and I smiled at the water rushing up to meet me before I splashed into the ocean.
Its icy temperature sent a thrill coursing through my body, and I arched my back, curving up through the water to breach the surface.
I gasped instin...
2023-09-20 09:49:13 +0000 UTC View PostTree-kun is still very far from friend status, but I thought it would be fun to put the poll out for the next creature. Bless you and your choices.
2023-09-18 22:05:02 +0000 UTC View PostAs the sun peeked in through his tent’s opening, Number Three rubbed tired eyes.
Each day since they had left Gormona, he’d woken with a smile on his face and a racing heart.
Today was no different.
He still couldn’t believe they were really doing it—truly leaving the ca...
2023-09-18 11:24:02 +0000 UTC View PostPinpricks of moonlight broke through the canopy above, illuminating the root thundering toward my chest. Thick as an otter, the root would tear through most men.
I appraised the root further as it tore through the air. If not for my enhanced body, I wouldn’t have been able to spot it. Luc...
2023-09-15 09:11:33 +0000 UTC View PostThe being within the light-blue tree stretched her awareness out as she woke from her slumber, thoughts addled and mind foggy. It hadn't been long since her last moment of awareness.
Despite the insignificant stretch of time, she immediately noticed something: the latent energy suffusing th...
2023-09-14 08:42:14 +0000 UTC View PostThe sun beat down on Sergeant Snips as she approached a rather silly looking creature. It had already been taken care of, and its lifeless mouth hung slightly ajar, revealing black flesh and sharp teeth within.
Her master had said the System called it ‘excellent bait’, which meant it wo...
2023-09-13 10:25:46 +0000 UTC View PostSawdust and the scent of wood filled the air, and as I read the System messages again, my mouth grew dry.
You have become a woodworking trainer!
You have advanced to woodworking 8!
You have advanced to fishing 37!
...
2023-09-11 08:54:25 +0000 UTC View PostCorporal Claws, chosen of Fischer and warden of the forest surrounding her beloved pond, grinned mischievously.
Last night, something had eluded her. She knew not what it was, but the creature would be punished for its hubris.
She released her arms, and a pile of fish fell to the fore...
2023-09-08 09:38:29 +0000 UTC View PostBoth mine and Maria's arms were full as we strode toward Tropica.
The rising sun had crested the horizon, allowing me to steal glances at Maria and the obvious joy and anticipation spread over her face.
"You know, if someone saw you smiling so hard about creating heretical objects, th...
2023-09-07 10:42:41 +0000 UTC View PostA cool breeze caressed Rocky's body; it was a welcome sensation following his feast. Moonlight shone down from above, reflecting off of the thin metal tray he held high.
Swifter than either of the humans could see, Rocky smacked them both on the head—not hard enough to hurt, but firm enou...
2023-09-06 10:40:25 +0000 UTC View PostI leaned down, eyebrows knitted as I stared at Leroy.
I clicked my fingers softly before his face.
"You with us, mate?"
Leroy startled and his eyes cleared.
"O-oh. Sorry. My mind went elsewhere for a moment."
It's not surprising that there's some lingering damage...
2023-09-04 01:44:18 +0000 UTC View PostTime seemed to freeze as I watched Leroy lift the rod and set the hook.
The muscles in his arms bulged. He leaned back, bracing against the fish's mighty run. The wind blew his short hair back, revealing his expression. And, above all else, he had a smile on his face of sheer, childlike joy...
2023-09-01 06:51:58 +0000 UTC View PostLeroy's face was more than a little confused as he looked down at the tangle of tackle connected to my fishing rod.
I had the smaller rod with the sabiki rig attached. It had three lines running from the main one, each of which was tied to a small hook and metal offcut to attract baitfish. ...
2023-08-31 05:18:53 +0000 UTC View Post***
Chapter 91 of book 1 has been significantly changed in regard to Joel & Jess's missunderstanding of Snips' and Fischer's dynamic. It's (imo) more enjoyable now, and they don't think Snips has bad intentions ofr Fischer.
*** 2023-08-30 11:41:27 +0000 UTC View Post
The sun beat down from above, blanketing me in its warmth.
A soft, calming breeze blew over the sandy flat by my home, bringing with it the scents of salt, ocean air, and deep-fried fish.
A crunch rang out, and my heart pounded.
Maria's eyes went wide at the taste, then she clos...
2023-08-30 11:40:33 +0000 UTC View PostIn a long abandoned room high above the capital city of Gormona, several kingdoms’ worth of ancient constructs sat dormant.
In times long gone, the acquisition of such treasures had been the driving force behind wars, betrayals, the fall of empires, the desolation of entire continents, an...
2023-08-25 11:21:05 +0000 UTC View PostThump. Thump. Thump.
I opened my eyes at my head’s audible pounding and let out a soft groan.
“What happened last night…?”
My mouth was dry and tasted horrible as I sat up slowly, rubbing my temples.
The thumping came again, and I cocked my head a...
2023-08-25 11:19:40 +0000 UTC View PostFollowing the gods’ departure, the hellhound had spent what felt like millennia in a sort of stasis.
Over the course of weeks, his awareness had slowly returned as power once more trickled through the world he inhabited.
The hound had hoped the returning power heralded the gods’ c...
2023-08-24 09:23:43 +0000 UTC View PostI thought it would be fun to have you, my kind patrons, help choose the direction of the story.
I have ideas for all of the following, and whichever option wins will join the gang at their earliest convenience.
2023-08-23 08:34:49 +0000 UTC View PostI woke from a dreamless sleep and sat upright as something punched me in the stomach.
My eyes darted around the room, but I was alone. I brought a hand to my abdomen and felt it for pain—there was none; all that remained was a vague sense of wrongness.
Was I dreaming, but can’...
2023-08-23 08:30:23 +0000 UTC View PostI leaned against Barry for support as I tried to stand.
"Barry."
"Aye?"
The world spun, and I grinned at him.
"You're the best, mate."
"No, Fischer," he slurred. "You're the best."
"Yes, yes—you're both the best," Maria said, helping us stand upright...
2023-08-22 08:00:08 +0000 UTC View Post