Winds of Darkness

LeeAlexander | horror | Complete

Dante DeWisr is an ordinary military veteran, a desk jockey in the private sector. He wakes up with a hangover to the worst day of his- and everybody's life. Soon, his hangover is forgotten as frost settles in on the strangely dark July day. A mix of light sci-fi with low fantasy in a post-apocalyptic setting in near future Earth. Follow Dante as he tries to make sense of a dead world.

4.23 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:51

The Departure

Illhark | horror | Complete

Within the enigmatic Illian Cluster, a hungry creature named Zev prepares to depart from the space station for good, content to go wherever the cosmos might lead them. When they arrive on planet Hallow, they set a chain of events in motion that will change countless lives, human and otherwise. Also in the AUU-16 universe: Soulless (Apparently) The Departure  Night Game  Ystets Lake

17.21 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:57

A Test of Knives

Averichollie | mystery | Complete

In a world of unending rain, hacker "Vio" is invited to interview aboard the Salieri Crime Family's starship; Salieri's Shadow. The other candidates have their own secrets, however. Ones they'd do anything to protect. Soon Vio finds herself caught in a deadly cat-and-mouse game of twisting alliances and dark secrets. Dogged by merciless criminals and clever conmen she must figure out who to trust before the secrets of Salieri's Shadow claim her too.

12.28 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 12:06

Ravenous reflection (A short vampire story)

sarvashaktimaan | mystery | Complete

Woe is upon the town of Drezin. It knows it not. A magister had come on a hunt, invoking a prize beyond refusal and a secret not understood - one with consequences beyond the wildest estimation. Of course, no one could know that. Not even the vampire who the offer is made to. And the request was so easy: Help capture a variant demon that devours its victims through reflections. Take the payment in blood, then run before the past catches up with them. That is of course, unless an opportunity presents itself to outrun said past. And none are more keen to do that than the immortal with millennia behind and centuries ahead. Or - as any descendant of the Hungerer ought to - devour it whole. Expect: Unapologetically evil strong protagonist, fast pacing, a peek at fantasy from an angle not commonly discovered. Participating in the Royal Road Community magazine event of June 2023. It is a 16 thousand word self-contained finished story. If you like my writing I have an ongoing long term story which you can check out here.

9.26 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 12:11

Do You Believe in Aliens?: A Satirical Flash Fiction

Kaylie Night | satire | Complete

Diane has been a prankster for as long as Megan has known her. So when Diane announces that she's an alien, Megan is waiting for the punchline . . .

0.60 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 15:17

Day of Doom

The God Of Boredom | satire | Complete

A guy wakes up in the morning. That, alone, is a traumatic experience by itself. But then the sun goes out. The guy figures that it's just some freak solar eclipse or something like that. After all, he isn't exactly a scientist. But, no; The same thing happens again the next morning. And the next. The guy must now figure out what's going on. This is my 2nd fiction, written for the [Royal Road Community Magazine] Contest, with the first being something I'd rather not show you. When I started this one(a couple hours before I wrote this synopsis), I had a fair idea of what I was doing, kind of. Cover by MRMerrigan.

4.41 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 15:18

My Immortal Myth-Take [January 2024 Royal Road Community Magazine Participant]

Zeke Stone | satire | Complete

Max Masters wants to get away from it all. He wants to isekai, to get out of his mundane existence, just like what happened to all his heroes in the books he reads. The problem is that it is easier said than done. Yet he is certain that with perseverance he will meet a certain truck, and through it get all that he deserves; ultimate power, immortality. And a harem. My Immortal Myth-Take is a satirical fantasy short story, an entry in the Royal Road Community Magazine.

7.93 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 15:19

[Short] behind your smile | 你的笑容 (COMPLETED ✓)

Amae | one_shot | Complete

COMPLETED: 01/02/2019 "The loneliest people are the kindest.""The most damaged people are the wisest.""The saddest people smile the brightest." All because they do not wish to see anyone else suffer the way they do.

3.76 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 15:25

Cry Wolfe

Zearth | one_shot | Complete

A Doctor deals with the paradox of his lifestyle and his job, hiding them from both within and out of his family. --- Hello, Zearth here. Cry Wolfe is a short Dribble of a Doctor, who has his own secrets to hide. This Dribble idea is based on an image that you can find in the google docs link below, as I do not have the source for it and I do not have permission to use it as the cover. Anyways, enjoy Cry Wolfe and see you soon. --- And if you're interested in what it originally looked like, here's an audio version from the time I wrote this dribble for a discord contest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xly0j5Qshqw And the link to the Google Doc here:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pw69Uf1VExfIf385ZXNTzyFGzLWuUH6-HTRHCQ8bydg/edit?usp=sharing Image credit to user, gej302: https://www.royalroad.com/profile/120649

0.57 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 15:27

The Game (short story)

MichaelJSullivan | contemporary | Complete

I admit it; I'm a long-time gaming geek. When I started back in 1984, I played on a Compaq DeskPro outfitted with an 8 MHz 8086 CPU and an awesome monochrome display adapter. I said I was a geek, remember? During the golden age of computer gaming, otherwise known as the 1990s, each month brought quantum innovations, spurring a host of inventive game designs. For me, the pinnacle was reached with the invention of the MMORPG (massive multiplayer online role-playing game), and my wife and I became lost in the world ofEverquestfrom 1999 to 2001. In the land of Norrath, we made many friends as we rose from a pair of pathetic magic users to guild legends, and I saw how the lines blurred betweenrealityand thevirtualworld. People speak of how computer games are a waste of time. But a great many good things grew out of those days. One of them was a fertile seed of an idea that I pondered well over a decade ago...and still do. This story is the result. What people are saying about "The Game" "An impressive and thought-provoking short story." - Mikel on Goodreads "The Game" is a wonderful short story, asking profound questions about existence and the meaning of life. I really enjoyed and be glad to see more from Troth." - Gil Estel on Goodreads "Great short story...different from much of Michael's writing (at least that I am familiar with). Definitely thought-provoking and chilling towards the end." - Gabe Erwin on Goodreads ". . . this one is just . . . brilliant! Do yourself a favor, everyone, and just read it." - Christomir Rackov on Goodreads.

4.38 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 16:52

Other West: Diablero [Completed]

T E Branco | historical | Complete

A complete Otherwest novella. What if the life you want is taken from you? After surviving the brutal slaughter of his naval squadron, Van Bran believed he could escape the world of empires, war, and magic by forging a new life on the American frontier. As a rancher, Van's life was simple, quiet, and far more peaceful. But when Van and his drovers come face to face with an ancient evil vying for control of the New World, a life of peace may be forever outside his grasp. Unless Van can take up arms once more and face the terrors of his past, he and his friends will serve as spiritual hosts to demonic skinwalkers. Enter the Other West... Follow, read, and comment today! Thank you for reading.

26.99 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 17:29

The Saga of Geir Røshjert

Unraed | historical | Complete

"His name will never be sung, son. Skalds and bards like me will never tell his stories to the mass. But only us and us alone will keep telling his story, his actions, his saga. For he is the man who started all of this." This is a story no man in Lumenter will ever hear, no man except for an Arnesen, for his stories are dull and generic to the ears of the masses, except for us, because he is the very reason why our people traveled this far east, why kingdoms in Erisgi fell and rose, why I... even existed in the first place. He is Geir, son of Arne, called 'the Stranger' by the people. But what he truly is, is a fiery red heart that beats inside every Eyklandian, Arnesen, and me. R鴖hjert (My Submission for Royal Road's Writing Competition in June 2022)

10.97 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 17:40

Voracity - Book One

Camelboy | horror | Complete

NOT ACTUALLY COMPLETED Can't figure out how to remove the "Completed" tag :P Update 02/29/24: Working on chapter 12 Voracity - A low-fantasy romance steeped in pain, misery, and an internal hunger bent on consuming the most sane of us all. Thomas is a gentle person, too innocent for his own good. He's kind, thoughtful, and caring. Tragedy befalls the compassionate man and he's torn from his peace by the violent, strangling grip of anguish. Can he remain the kind-hearted man he's always been, or will he slip into dark depths occupied only by those with cracked minds and wicked thoughts as he embarks on the journey of a lifetime, or does he even have a choice? The story is a bit of a slow burn to start, but I promise you'll be rewarded for sticking around. I hope you enjoy Thomas's journey through the dark as he slips into madness.

28.11 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 18:23

No One Sees The Janitor

GhostImageArt | horror | Complete

Dave is not a happy man, But he is a man with a plan. After many years working as a Janitor in the College of Magic, he is finally ready to seize his destiny and become a mage. He has the knowledge he has overheard as he worked and a forbidden object as his focus... but that has to be enough. Who cares if his focus is a mirror? After all... Mirrors can't eat people.

5.61 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 18:19

Ants and Eldritch Horror

LittleCreepy | horror | Complete

If Cthulhu can be summoned by humans who are so far beneath it, why can´t humans be summoned by ants? The answer is, they should be. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- I´ve been wasting my time away on Tumblr and stumbled upon a nice Idea. This is the extrapolation of the question; how do ants see humans and how would you react to a bunch of ants chanting your name? Would you give them sugar if they ask nicely? Would you be a benevolent higher Power? Or something way darker and more sinister than you could imagen. As this is the first story, I have ever written, I could do with some feedback. Thanks The picture is from Ants Australia - YouTube. Just tell me if I should take another picture.

2.62 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 17:44

Comfort Blanket

Astrille | horror | Complete

The only thing scarier than being alone in the dark, is not being alone in the dark. Alice had always been good at keeping secrets. However, when a young man mysteriously disappears, a catastrophic series of events are triggered, threatening to upend Alice's seemingly quiet life. Haunting memories of her past threaten to make themselves known. A childhood protector turns predator, threatening to defend her from all threats  No matter the cost. Can she navigate the dangers of the unpredictable present? More importantly, is her secret worth dying for?

21.53 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 17:48

Ystets Lake

Illhark | horror | Complete

The water level of Ystets Lake is rising without explanation. Maxie the hydrologist and her thrill-seeking companion are out to investigate; they've come prepared for the man-eating aliens in the surrounding forest, but what they aren't ready for is the lake itself. Also in the AUU-16 universe: Soulless (Apparently)  The Departure  Night Game  Ystets Lake

7.83 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 17:53

Memories (Completed)

Invictus21 | mystery | Complete

Jacob woke up in a hospital with no memory of who he is or how he got there. He realised very soon that he had lost more than his memories.His girlfriend, who was with him, was murdered. He is now out to find the person responsible and take revenge. But how difficult will it be when he can't even remember the person who he has lost or even anything about himself. Author's Note: This will be a short story, and I plan to finish it soon. I used to hate when stories were left incomplete. So I promise not to do that. This is my first story ever. So please provide your feedback in any way you can.Enjoy the story

25.73 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 17:57

VINES

Mad Sadie | mystery | Complete

Volume 1: At 6:08 PM, the superhero team known as VINES will die. The building they're in will explode. How? Why? Who would do such a thing? They wish they knew... Volume 2: Superhero team VINES has a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. It begins at 2am, and won't end until Shawn gets over his cold&

20.22 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 18:02

Reincarnated as a Cheeseburger: A LITRPG

Pillage Your Village | satire | Complete

A young man by the name of Otto Von Peter wakes up on a chilly morning as a beef patty. His life is forever changed, especially after he is bestowed cheese. He must attempt to gain levels in order to survive and traverse the human body. How will he survive? Will his friends help him? Is there a way out? Only time will tell.

2.26 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 18:14