The Creatures That We Are - Chapter 1188: Present

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.

In a world where humanity lives in suspended space, children undergo a fishing test when they come of age. Those with immaculate talents have the possibility of becoming great fishing masters.

In the endless sea, every life is imbued with a sacred mission. There are fish that can fly, turtles that have absorbed the worldly essence, and whales that can devour the heaven and earth… There are also countless fishers.

Fishing is an art.

There is an ancient saying: If you can’t fish, you might as well be bait.

*WSA Entry****Alex, born into the illustrious and undeniably gifted Blackwood family, was a stark anomaly. While his siblings excelled in everything from music to sports, h e was a blank canvas, utterly talentless. This ostracized him, making him a target for his family's disdain and bullying from his classmates. Finding solace only in the world of anime, Alex retreated into his room, spending days in a state of squalor, fueled by ramen and the fantasy worlds on his screen.One day, while attempting to microwave a plastic container filled with ramen (because even basic kitchen skills were beyond him), the microwave exploded, turning Alex's room into a scene of hilarious destruction. Instead of dying tragically, he finds himself resurrected…in the anime he loved the most, “Swords and Sorcery,” a fantastical world brimming with magic and adventure.As Alex, now a fresh-faced young adventurer in this new world, he discovers he can wield the powers of any character from any anime he's ever watched. Suddenly, his days of being mocked for his lack of talent are a distant memory. He can summon the mystical powers of a powerful wizard, the strength of a legendary warrior, or the agility of a skilled ninja. He even discovers he can tap into the magical abilities of characters from lesser-known anime, like a charming witch from a forgotten shoujo series or a cunning strategist from a tactical mecha anime.Armed with his vast anime knowledge and newfound abilities, Kai embarks on a life of self-discovery and adventure. He'll navigate the complexities of this magical world, forge alliances with unlikely heroes, and face off against powerful foes, all while striving to prove his worth and overcome the trauma of his past. But as he dives deeper into this fantastical world, he'll face a new challenge: can he learn to be happy and find his place in this world, free from the shadow of his former life?***“HAHAHAHAHA! All those useless Isekai animes animes I watched was not for waste after all...Stupid old man! Why don't you laugh at this?”