For 2 days and nights, Tang Xiu had been in deep thought. He constantly altered and changed the concocted pill formulas in his mind and was finally able to compose a few formulas that could be implemented on Earth.
However, the costs for the products were in line with the manufacturing process, products’ marketing, running the company, and other company management aspects that made Tang Xiu baffled.
Tang Xiu’s past incarnation had long been used to being a lone wolf. He had his servants take care of everything he needed to the point that he only handled his own matters and cared for nothing else.
But in his current lifetime, not only did Tang Xiu have very few friends, he also had no servants, causing him to feel a kind of helplessness, as if his hands and feet were tied.
Although Banshou, Dingzi, and the others were available for him to use, but Tang Xiu didn’t think that these people would have the ability to help him manage his own company.
“It seems like I have to start headhunting for my company or take the initiative to find talented people. However, gaining trust would waste too much time.” Tang Xiu sighed as he continued writing and painting on the paper.
In these 2 days, he had written and painted several thick blank papers in his notebook. When later he realized that painting in his own notebook was only wasting them, he even used the blank exam papers on his desk to write and paint his thoughts.
“Eldest Brother, have you ran into trouble? Are you worried about the College Entrance Test?” Whilst grabbing the painted papers Tang Xiu was drawing, Yuan Chuling seemed to have been drowned in anxiousness as he asked with a worried expression.
“I am planning to rob the bank, do you want to join me?” Recalling those fast-sh*tty-rotten ideas for making money Yuan Chuling had given him, Tang Xiu blasted his instakill reply over to Yuan Chuling.
Having heard it, Yuan Chuling blushed with shame as he smiled, before he replied immediately, “Eh, if you’re really short on money and is rushed, you could really make money that way though. Besides, apart from robbing and gambling, it’s not easy to play in other businesses, since it needs a lot of money and experience.”
“I know that. Anyways, I’m just bored and painted out of boredom. Hey, you’re busy with your study, off with ya!” Tang Xiu pushed him and then continued lowering his head and painted.
Suddenly, Tang Xiu felt a dazzling ray shoot at his face, causing him to frown immediately.
Had it been for an average person, being hit by a light from a glass reflection definitely wouldn’t make them startled, since it was in broad daylight after all. The sun was scorching outside and some people might perhaps play with a mirror or switch the window, causing the sunlight to be reflected onto their body, of which would be deemed as a normal occurrence for them.
However, after Tang Xiu had completed his first cultivation sub-stage, his five senses, as well as Spiritual Sense, was strengthened by numerous times. To the point that he was just like a video camera that was able to completely capture all scenes in a radius of 100 meters inside his mind.
Tang Xiu knew that the touch of light on his face was the sunlight’s reflection. What made him frown was because he sensed that the sunlight’s reflection was strange.
He felt strange because it happened too early in the morning as he was also sitting by the window and the sun was shining on him. In fact, apart from the students who were sitting by the window and a few students who were still outside, it was almost impossible for the sunlight to shine down on the other Class 10’s students.
What made Tang Xiu feel strange was that, because he was perfectly aware that the reflected sunlight was coming from the West, whilst this classroom’s western side was not being shined on by the sun at the moment. Not to mention that this school classrooms’ building was a 10-storey high building and basically would overshadow the residential buildings around it. It was impossible to have sunlight reflection from the residential building below it.
With his lightning fast eye movement, Tang Xiu was able to figure out the direction where the sunlight reflection came.
Tang Xiu saw a devilishly handsome man holding a binocular and gazing toward his classroom’s direction. He was focused on his desk mate, Yuan Chuling.
“Peeping? Surveillance? Or maybe it’s just a coincidence?” Tang Xiu turned vigilantly in an instant as a touch of coldness flashed across his eyes.
Tang Xiu took back his vision and continued to draw on the exam paper. But the corner of his eyes swept toward his right side from time to time to see the movements of those people upstairs in that residential building.
“Holy f*ck!!! Tang Xiu couldn’t have found me, could he?” Almost at the same time, Tang Xiu found that the transvestite man, he also saw that Tang Xiu looked at his eyes. He couldn’t help but suddenly exclaim.
“B*tch! You’re thinking too much! It is 1000 meters away from that building. You can see that Class 10’s classroom due to using binoculars, but Tang Xiu has no binoculars. How the hell is he able to see us?” The moment the transvestite shouted, the frameless glasses man ridiculed him. The transvestite then thought for awhile and realized that he really had thought too much. He felt relieved and continued to monitor Tang Xiu’s actions and movements again.
When the transvestite found that Tang Xiu only glanced at his direction, he retracted back his vision and no longer looked at his direction. He subconsciously felt relieved and a self-mocking smile was revealed on his face, “Sh*t, students these days are really forgetful. It’s only been a day since such the big incident happened, but they have completely forgotten about it today, and are fully occupied with their study as though nothing happened.”
“Then, why don’t you remind them again?” The frameless glasses man repeatedly stroke on a keyboard before he took out his cell phone and dialed a number.
The second the frameless glasses man dialed the number, Class 10’s Tang Xiu got up, making Yuan Chuling, Cheng Yannan, and the other students confused, because he directly left the classroom.
For everything, it might be better late than never, but it was much better to prevent things before it happened.
A torch was ablaze in Tang Xiu eyes as his mind revolved and analyzed everything meticulously. Had there been no such as the thug incident at school 2 days ago, he might have ignored it. But now, he had no choice but to pump up his spirit and mind to prevent the same accident from to happening again.
As the saying goes — Behind the occurrences of all abnormalities, there must be demons pulling the strings in secret.
Some people particularly did surveillance and monitor students with binoculars. And the one who was being the target of surveillance was Yuan Chuling, who was involved in the gangster incident yesterday. This made him certain that those people were absolutely up to no good.
When Tang Xiu had just arrived at the office on the corridor, he saw that Han Qingwu was bending over and cleaning something inside, aiming her plentiful buttock at him at the right moment and angle. Her waist was slim but seemed to be very supple and flexible.
“Teacher Han, are you busy?”
Han Qingwu turned around and was quite surprised to see Tang Xiu at her office. She intentionally scolded him and pretended to be angry, “Hey, why aren’t you studying in the classroom, why are you running here for?”
It took quite a long time for Tang Xiu to choose his words, “Teacher Han, I’m not feeling well. I want to have a check up at the hospital.”
“You’re sick?”
Han Qingwu’s complexion changed. She instantly put the broom down as she half-rang forward and arrived before Tang Xiu in a few steps. She raised her slender white hand to gently stroke Tang Xiu’s forehand.
1 second!
10 seconds!
Half a minute later, with an expression full of concern Han Qingwu softly spoke, “Your body’s temperature is normal. It’s not a fever. But your body might have contracted something. Let’s go! I’ll take you to the hospital myself.”
“This…”
Tang Xiu hesitated at first before he nodded and agreed. He originally wanted to leave by himself and then go to the residential building where those people did the surveillance. But in order to not alert them, going outside of the school along with Han Qingwu would provide a much better cover, and would not cause suspicion to those people.
At the residential building.
The man with frameless glasses put down the cell phone. He rolled his eyes when he heard a “hey” exclamation from his companion. With a disgruntled expression, he yelled, “Shut the f*ck up B*TCH! And don’t make a fuss over nothing! We still have more important things to do. Don’t be such a p*ssy and get frightened over such small things. Even if the Mt. Tai is collapsing in front of you, there’s no way in hell you must get panicked.”
The transvestite retorted angrily, “Bastard, keep calling me ‘B*TCH’ and I’ll f*ck you up! Get your ass off here and see for yourself. That brain damaged boy is coming out with a woman. I know her. She’s that Class 10’s teacher-in-charge.”
The frameless glasses man’s eyes flashed as he grabbed the binoculars and gazed over whilst stroking his chin gently. He chuckled and then spoke, “It’s Tang Xiu, he’s nothing to worry about. His brain is damaged and wouldn’t pose any threat to us. But this woman… holy f*ck! This Big Daddy has long been dallying with a lot of chicks. Never once have I ever f*cked this kind of hot chick. As soon as we solve this problem, I must snatch her and f*ck her good for a few days!”
“We don’t need to watch them?”
The transvestite was somewhat hesitant and anxious. He didn’t know why, but he faintly felt that the frameless glasses man made a wrong judgment. Although his brother didn’t consider Tang Xiu as a threat, but the moment Tang Xiu saw him, anxiousness and tension filled his heart.
The frameless glasses man sneered, “Why the f*ck should we monitor a retard huh? It doesn’t make sense. What we must closely monitor now is that Yuan Chuling brat!”
“Fine, okay, okay!”
The transvestite quickly got rid of the haze in his heart.
Outside the school’s gate, Tang Xiu took a seat in the co-pilot seat and suddenly spoke, “Teacher Han, please stop at the supermarket at the street corner. I’m thirsty and want to buy some water.”
Han Qingwu said, “I’ll help you buy it.”
Tang Xiu did not refuse her since he also planned to make Han Qingwu buy it. Only after Han Qingwu left him would he have the opportunity to slip away and sneak into the residential building, where those people were doing their covert surveillance.
A few minutes later, Tang Xiu smoothly slipped away from Han Qingwu. He quickly rushed over to the neighborhood near that residential building. He stopped for awhile and carefully observed his surroundings. He found nothing abnormal in particular. Based on his memory of the floor and apartment where those people were in, he hurriedly rushed upstairs.
Through his Spiritual Sense, he clearly “saw” his targets in an apartment on the 8th floor. There were 2 men. One man was the one he saw from the classroom, he was holding the binoculars at the moment. The man was at the opposite side of his school as he still gazed and watched the school’s situation. As for the other man, his complexion was overcasted with gloomy shades and cold-chilling eyes while stroking and typing on his laptop keyboard.
“Huh?”
Tang Xiu’s brows wrinkled. For the first time, a chilling cold light flashed over his eyes.
He clearly found a gun and 2 three-bladed army knives on the computer desk.
For a moment, Tang Xiu deeply pondered. He was 100% certain that these people were the criminals. If they were the police in surveillance that was monitoring his school in covert, they also must have guns. But it was absolutely impossible for them to have those Mitsubishi army knives. In addition, the bearded murderers at school before also had this kind of three-bladed army knife.
“Since I have identified their true identity, should I report to the cops?”
The thought crossed Tang Xiu’s mind, but he quickly cast it out. He was a supreme expert in the Immortal World. Even though his cultivation now was only one millionth from before, he was confident that he would be able to handle these worthless thugs.
He finally made his decision.
Just like a vigorous and powerful Spirit Ape, Tang Xiu silently approached that apartment’s door.
  *[Long Taos]: side characters in Chinese operas who perform acrobatics and fight scenes
  *[12.47 to 13.07]: don't ask me about the tree sap


A supreme expert in the Immortal World had died, and a strand of his soul returned to its original body on Earth. Tang Xiu discovered with amazement that ten thousand years passed in the Immortal World, yet only a single year passed on Earth.

... 

It was already dark outside when I woke up from my short slumber. I stretched my arms and gazed at the mural painted on the ceiling. 
The painting spoke so much of the past that I think I should remember but I couldn't. I tapped my forehead as a habit in trying to wrack my brain of any sort of memory and gasped upon realizing that there was a bandage sitting across my temple.
I forgot my injury! 
Silly me! 
I sighed and rose up.
I turned around and appreciated the soft comfortable mattress, the fresh smelling linens and cuddly pink pillows enveloping my dead-tired body.
"It was a nice sleep." I said before I stood up and glided my way to the walk-in closet. 
It was nice. Really nice.
No! Nice was an understatement.
That grey door at the corner of the bedroom was in each and every girl's daydream.
As I turned the knob, I was greeted by a number of organized racks of fancy dresses arranged by colors and shades; on my left was a tall wall-mounted shelves of branded bags and limited edition signature shoes.  There were a couple of dresser drawers sitting sharply on the other side that keeps those stunning pieces of jewelry, luxurious fragrances, latest make-ups and other fancy stuff safe and in place.
This is another level of a dream!
I felt that I some kind of entered a mini luxury department store and that I can try on anything I want without being chased out by the sales lady or by the security.
"Impressive!"
Could this room be previously owned by a duchess, or by a princess, perhaps?
I walked in and glanced at the glass-top dresser standing at the center of the room. My eyes sparkled as I gazed at the little fringe tiara sitting securely at the middle of the glass display. I couldn't count how many stones and diamonds I've seen in there but it was beautifully crafted for a princess. The graduated diamond posts, having the tallest in the center and descending in size were separated by narrower posts of stones in different shapes. It exudes simplicity yet grandeur at the same time. 
It was a total beauty.
I searched for a knob or a pull to open the drawer but there was none. 
What a shame! If only I could try it on and feel like a princess even once in my lifetime but the drawer was locked somewhere from the inside. 
I just settled gazing at it for a few moments before I headed out to the bathroom. 
The bathroom was on a whole different level from the walk-in closet. The rich sense of vanilla tickled my nose as I made my way to the giant bathroom. There I saw a shining white tub with golden rims and diamond studded tub faucets sitting as the focal point of the room. 
Three parallel full-length silver bordered mirrors were installed on the left side while two three-tier wall-mounted shelves were hooked in between them. Sitting across the room was a stunning white double sink atop a rectangular wall-mounted floating grey vanity. Four compartments were inside the two soft closing drawers where a pile of clean, fresh towels and linens were stored. There was a frameless mirror medicine cabinet with two doors mounted above the sink.
Just beside the countertop sink was the toilet and the frameless sliding glass towards the contemporary and ergonomically designed shower area. The bathroom fixtures were all sleek and modern in design. Beside the shower glass door was the freestanding towel stand, laundry hamper and floating wall shelves where other bathroom vanities were properly organized.
The tub was the core of the bathroom but the crystal chandelier hoisted above it was the real show-stealer. Like the fringe tiara I saw earlier, the well-decorated chandelier houses different sizes and shapes of yellow and white round cut diamonds. 
"What a beauty!"
My eyes travelled around the whole room and everything around me was screaming elegance, luxury, and sophistication. When I turned to the full-length mirror and saw my own reflection, my face was suddenly flooded with disgust and pity.
"What a minger!"
I got my crimson locks all disheveled, my face so pale, my eyebrows a mess, my lips chapped, my skin totally dry. I stretched my gray pull over and shook my tired legs under my black ripped jeans.
"You need a good bathing, Ruth!" I said with finality before I excitedly walked across the marbled-floor and sat by the side of the tub. I veered one of the tub faucets and a steamy clean water flowed out and quickly filled the tub.
"Oh! This is life!" I exclaimed as I emerged from the water-filled tub, bubbles covering my body from chest down. I grabbed my glass of wine I earlier found inside one of the cabinets and enthusiastically sipped on it. My clothes were randomly scattered on the floor. 
Oh well! No one's ever going to enter my room, anyway.
"Did I lock the door, though?"
I shrugged off the idea and took another sip of wine. I lifted my legs at the bottom edge of the tub when I felt I hit something and it fell to the water. 
"A remote?" I looked on it and indeed it was some sort of a remote control. I pressed the red button in the middle and squealed out a little when a familiar song echoed within the four walls of the bathroom.
"Who knows how long I've loved you…You know I love you still. Will I wait a lonely lifetime if you want me to I will…For if I ever saw you, I didn't catch your name, but it never really matter, I will always feel the same."
"What's with this song?"
Matt played this song in his apartment yesterday when we first met and he listened to it last night too while we were on the train.  
Yet this time, it wasn't a girl's voice singing over a ukulele, it was a man's voice singing while playing his acoustic guitar.
"Love you forever and forever, love you with all my heart. Love you whenever we're together. Love you when we're apart."
Hmm…His voice sounded overly familiar. An inner voice kept telling me that I heard that voice somewhere.
Somehow, that soothing singing voice made me feel at ease as if every line and every strum caress my soul, like every letter and every tune strokes my heart with kindness and yearning.
I pressed the volume up, closed my eyes and let my heart listened to it. The song was nice but it was the manly deep voice of the unknown singer that touched my heart and made it collapsed like a melted ice cream in the middle of the summer's scorching heat. 

…

"And when at last I find you; your song will fill the air…"
Marcus paused on his way to the corner room and turned to the closed door on his left. He can hear the faint melody coming from her room. It was that song. She was playing that song.
He stood outside her door and quietly listened to it.
"Love you forever and forever, love you with all my heart. Love you whenever we're together. Love you when we're apart."
"And when at last I find you; your song will fill the air. Sing it loud so I can hear you, make it easy to be near you. For the things you do endear you to me, Ohh... you know I will…"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
"Ruth!"
In a snap, Marcus found himself inside the bedroom with his eyes busy searching for her. 
"Ruth! Where are you?!" 
"In here!" A fainted voice came from the bathroom. 
Without having any second thought, Marcus crossed the room and sprinted towards the closet.
There, he found her body lying on the floor in a very awkward position. Her naked body was leaning against the cold marble floor while her scattered clothes were on the floor.
"What happened?"
"Get me a towel, first!" She screamed cramming which body part she should cover first using her arms.
Marcus grabbed a clean pink robe from the stand and tossed it over her nakedness. He hesitantly turned around and waited for her.
"Can you get up?" There was a hint of worry in his voice.
"Look away!"
"I'm not looking!" He gagged. 
"Just don't look, okay?" Her voice trailed off a bit. 
He was worried if she hurt herself again.
"Okay." He raised his two arms as a sign of defeat.

She liked him first. He never liked her back. She stalked him. He hated her. She loved him. He never loved her until that incident happened that made him fall for her like crazy. She moved on. He won her back. They got married and lived happily after.

So what's the twist?

She forgot everything about him.
Now it's his time to make her like him again. To stalk her. To make her fall for him all over again. To win her heart back again. 

Will Mr. Hughes, the wifeless husband finally make Ruth, his forgetful wife come around for the second time?

White.
That's the first thing that came into mind as the silhouette of a person took form. Above, below, to the left and the right was a wide expanse of nothing as far as the eye.
[Am I dead?]. The blue silhouette slowly stood up groggily but fell face first as it tried to take a step forward. Instead of affecting the floor, it did a full front flip back onto its feet as if it was being suspended in the air only to find solid ground again.
[I guess that answers my question.] It didn't feel any sense of balance at all. In fact, it felt nothing at all, no force or dizziness as he spun, no taste, touch or even smell. [hmm... Is this Heaven or Hell] it said as it sat crossed legged scratching its chin, spinning in place.
NEITHER.
The voice boomed as the silhouette felt a force pull it. Looking at the source of the voice it had half expected a bearded old man sitting on a throne but it saw a black silhouette, unlike itself this new person was wearing a robe with silver engravings with hair that looks like black tendrils flowing in water. It was sitting cross-legged as well with its right elbow resting on its thighs, resting its chin on the back of its hand.
"You are in my domain and as you realise, you are dead." The voice from the silhouette was that of an adult man. "I have chosen you to represent me for a game that will soon occur." He paused as if he was waiting for an answer.
[...I mean that's cool and all but... what exactly happened to me?] It asked as it was placed facing in front of the shadow man.
He shifted himself as he drew a glowing circle in the air with his left hand and snapped his fingers on the other, forming a mirror in front of it. Looking at itself it noticed how it looked like a glowing shape of a man with no face or body at all. The mirror rippled, replacing the silhouette with a bewildered man.
He was tanned and had short spiky hair; he wore a pair of frameless spectacles which had a speck of noticeable dirt on its lenses with a plain blue polo shirt and grey joggers. He had a plump hairy face and looked muscular, but with his body fat; it was hardly noticeable. [That's me] the man spoke as it rubbed his face at the mirror.
The mirror rippled again, and it now showed the man walking on a pavement with an oversized bag hanging loosely against his back with a pair of earphones playing music in his ears and phone in hand. He walked with a slouch and walked rhythmically, like he was marching to a beat. He was walking along the fence of a campus building snaking along the pavement as he moved under the shadows of the trees along the path.
He stopped to wait at a stoplight, looking up, annoyed that the red man interrupted that his rhythm as he focused back on his phone with a novel on its screen. There were a handful of cars waiting patiently to go in each direction. "Are you sure you wish to continue?" the Shadowman asked with concern, like I was going to see something inappropriate.
[Might as well see how I go...] The mirror continued where it left off. The green man appeared on the other side and he walked across, making quick glances between his phone and the cars. He reached to the other side quickly until he felt he was missing something. He stopped at a safe distance from the road as he rummaged through his bag, checking its contents. Even with the music in his ears, it was not enough to block out the deafening screech behind him.
He flinched and turned around to see the stoplight in front of his face. It smashed against his head with a sickening crunch, blood spurting in the air as he slammed the back of his head on the pavement.
In the space with the Shadowman, the same man as on his knees as a sharp pain stabbed through his head and the flood of memories and sensation crashed against his body. He would've thrown up everything in his stomach, but he stopped himself and heaved as sweat trickled down his face.
The Shadowman waited patiently, although he had no face he had a look of pity. Wiping the sweat off his face as he sat crossed legged again, panting as if he had just run around in a stadium. "I believe we haven't introduced ourselves." The Shadowman reached out a handshake. "You can call me Cyan." The man looked at the hand as he read through the torrent of memories.
[Martin I-I think] he shook his hand. [At least it wasn't a truck.] He laughed softly.
"Oh please, that just be messy and don't even start on the cleanup costs."
[.... Thanks? I guess...You said something about a game?]
"Of course." Cyan snapped his fingers as the surrounding scenery changed. The white space turned to black as the diamond-like glow of stars appeared all around them and a planet appeared below them. It looked like Earth, but the planet's continents were different and two Moons orbited around it.
"If you agree, we will send you to this world along with others in similar predicaments." Cyan snapped his fingers. Although they were stationary everything around them shifted and moved at incredible speed towards the planet. "There you will traverse the lands and impact the world." They went over forests, valleys, mountains, deserts, tundras, farmlands and many more until they stopped above a bustling walled city. It was in a valley with the most noteworthy buildings being an arena in the south-west part and a temple of sorts a couple of blocks away. There were mansions and various other buildings, but the castle that stood in the centre outshone them. Martin could even see the people below.
At the East, the Sun was slowly rising, making this entire scene look like it was dragged out of a fairytale. Cyan snapped his fingers again as everything vanished around them. He snapped again and four items appeared, a pink heart, a gold coin, a sword and a ball of fire.
"There you can love, get riches, be renowned and manipulate the elements of the world." As he listed them, the items floated in between them and slowly revolved.
[What if I refused?]

When the stars fall, it has already begun 
When Zenith opens, the seals will be undone
When there is wrong, there is right
When there is truth, there are lies
When change inevitably comes, don’t be afraid when all is done. 
===================
MC isn't the smartest, so do not expect him to make too many smart decisions.
The story is slow and wordy, so apologies in advance

I sit up panting, soaking wet with sweat. My hair is sticking to my face, and my bedsheets are on the floor of my room.
"Thank goodness it was just a dream," I sigh, "A super creepy dream."
"What dream?" A male voice questions from behind.
My body goes numb. That wasn't a dream? Is the man with the cloak back to finish what he began? Was I kidnapped? My whole body trembles as I turn to look, ready to scream my lungs out for help.
"Ugh, are you serious? Jake!" I yell.
The voice belongs to one of my older brothers, not a creepy dude with a hot accent who's about to murder me. He's sitting with his legs crossed on my white lounge chair, a half-read book in his hands.
He raises his eyebrows in question. "What? Did I do something wrong?"
I slam my fist down on the sleep killing contraption on top of my bedside table. My entire body hurting as I crawl out of bed and walk to my window. Drawing the velvet curtains back, I close my eyes and feel the heat of the sunlight on my skin. It feels good to be alive!
"Did you get lost?" I ask.
"Nope," He replies nonchalantly.
"Then what are you doing in my room?"
"Sitting. Catching up on some reading."
I sigh. "I can see that. Now, leave."
He stands up, book still in hand, and while taking off his glasses, says, "Fine, but next time you have a bad dream, don't call me."
"As if I'd ever call you," I mutter under my breath.
"You did. Almost woke up the entire house with your screaming," He says as he exits my room.
"Great, it's gonna be one of those days," I sigh grabbing the towel hanging outside of my bathroom.
My bathroom is probably one of the best you'll ever see. It has a frameless, glass shower with dimmed blueish-purple lights above the showerhead, giving it a soothing glow; a flower-shaped in floor bathtub decorates the middle of the room. To the left, there's a round floating sink with a large, oval-shaped mirror-lamp mounted on the wall. A white, floating toilet sits next to it on the left. And of course, I can't forget to mention the wide in-wall tv on the right wall. If you didn't know, now you do: I'm filthy rich!
"Aahh!" I scream, looking at my reflection.
I. AM. A. MESS.
Puffy eyes, red nose, and hair stuck on my face like I've been running a marathon. As I walk closer to the mirror, the door suddenly flies open, revealing a frantic looking Shain with a bat in hand and his bored-looking twin Axdrel not far behind. He marches into the bathroom, searching for any potential threats. He looks under the sink, behind the window curtain, even in the tub, giving up when he doesn't find anything that could harm me.
Quickly turning around, he questions, "Rouge, why did you scream when there is absolutely nothing wrong?"
Crossing my arms, I lean against the sink and stare up at him. I mean, he can't be serious. Did he suddenly go blind? I point at my hair and face and say with as much attitude as I can produce this early in the morning, "Um, I'm sorry but have you SEEN the way I look?"
He stares at me with a gaping mouth, misbelief written all over his face, then at Axdrel, then back at me. Closing his emerald blue eyes, he pinches the bridge of his nose and takes a deep breath.
Through clenched teeth, he growls, "So what you're telling me is that there's NOTHING wrong. You just happen to look like you've rolled around in a dumpster all night. And. . .THAT'S why you screamed bloody murder!"
Giving him one of my best eye rolls, I answer, "Uh, yeah. And wipe that 'I-wanna-kill-you' look, from your face 'cause you know that you spend endless hours in front of the mirror doing nothing but stare at that ugly mug you call a face every morning."
He holds up his hand, "Did you just DARE call me disfigured?"
Just goes to show how much they actually listen to me. Although I did call him ugly, the truth is that Shain is actually a hot guy. Standing at 6'2'', olive-skin, emerald blue eyes, almost white, blond hair, and a lean swimmer's body, most people fill his ego calling him gorgeous. His twin Axdrel, on the other hand, is 6'4'', has pale skin, exotic green eyes, jet-black hair, and unlike Shain, has a more muscular build. Axdrel is what a ton of people call a hot, walking sex god. Don't ask me why, the nickname says it all.
Of course, to me, they're just the most annoying pair of brothers. 
"I didn't. But if that's what you heard, it must be for a good reason"
Maybe I went a little too far. I may not have died in my dream, but I might now!
"Why you little―"
"Alright, I've had enough," Axdrel intervenes before Shain can reach me and do any actual harm. He stands with his back to me, facing his twin. With his left hand, he tightly grabs Shain's forearm, and with the right, he pushes at his chest, trying to get him out the door. But he's not budging. Axdrel steps closer and whispers something in his ear, too low for me to hear. After deep consideration, with an exasperated sigh, Shain storms off.
"What'd you say to him?" I ask while picking up the towel I had dropped without notice.
Axdrel just smiles and pats my head like I'm some sort of child that doesn't understand anything. "It's not anything that you need to worry about. Now, get ready before everyone leaves, and you're stuck without a ride to school," he says walking out.
I close my eyes and lean against the closed door. Let's just hope today gets better.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
And that's life with a bunch of weird older brothers.
I don't think I've introduced myself yet, my name's Rouge Haden-Zotkin. I'm the only female in my family. I'm also the only one out of all of my siblings that has both my father's and my mother's last name. The reason? I'll tell you. I have 16 older brothers, yep, you heard right, 16 older brothers. Mom and dad sure had a lot of fun. Half my brothers look more like my mother, and the other half looks more like my father.
So, what my parents did, for some odd reason, was split their last names between both halves. The ones with my mother's traits were named Haden, and the rest got Zotkin. I have both my father's features and my mother's feminine looks so, I got both. Weird, right?
Now that we're done with my family's silly last name story, let's continue with my life.

Note: Statements in () are translated from the French language.

She stopped walking and faced me, she looked too serious, lacking a single smile, and her eyes glazed over. I knew I needed to stop talking or change the topic, and to stop talking did not sound to me like the best option. I needed to talk about something riveting, something to restore smiles to her face.

We began climbing the most beautiful staircase I had ever set my eyes on. The staircase had purple lights illuminating from the risers and threads, the banister and handrail had gold filigree all over it, and there was a large mirror with an ornate gold frame on the wall at the landing. 


(Hey! Why are we going upstairs? I know your guest room is downstairs.)


(We are going to my dad's room to say hello to my dad.)


(Oh! Really? How about your dad say something like 'yo Young man! So you the one keeping my beautiful, sexy, thick angel so late? You are under arrest for mishandling of the minister's only daughter' then he puts me in handcuffs and hands me over to the cops?)

She stopped moving forward and revised, then she walked so close to me smiling, and she clung he fingers to mine, we looked at ourselves in the mirror on the wall at the landing. She swung her Hans around my waist line clinging on to my body; her chest rubbing mine.


(Beautiful, sexy, thick angel and her handsome, cute, slender guardian angel. No one can do that to you baby; not under my watch.)


(Alright abby) 

We disengaged and began walking the last stairs. We arrived at a wide passage with frameless mirrors on every part of the wall, then we stopped at a golden fancy pricey door which I guessed was Mr Enzo's. I looked at myself in the mirror and just then I realized that dressing like a mafian was a bad idea and I thought about what changes I could make. I quickly pulled off my jacket and placed it on my forearm, then I thought about all that uncle Tega taught Jade and I about talking with a cop; I knew it was high time I put those teachings into practice.

Just right about then the door opened, and Mr Enzo stood right before us smiling as he opened his arms to receive his daughter, the door closed behind me automatically.


(My sweet girl! I have been waiting for you to come back so I can get some rest. I have got a busy day ahead.)


(I am so, so, so sorry daddy.)

Mr Enzo, a brown skinned aged man of about fifty years, a bit potbellied. He was on a flat top hairstyle just like mine which helped relax my nerves; he was moderately bearded and at about my height. He wore a gold colored night clothes and a pair of brown slippers. 

I felt left out of the play for centuries. So, I slowly changed my position in other to be noticed.

"Hello Mr Enzo!"

"Hello sonny! How are you doing?"

"I am doing great and you?"

"Oh! I am okay, just a bit pooped and needs some rest."


(Um! Dad, this is Sam, my friend, he was the celebrant.)

"Ah! The Tega's boy, am I correct?"

"Yes you are, Mr Enzo."

"Happy birthday son."

"Thank you."


(Um! Dad, he understands French; he was the best in French classes back in highschool.) 

"Son of a gun!"
(You understand the French language?)


(Yes I do.)


(Your mom French?)


(No.)


(Your dad?)


(Not at all.)


(So! how did you?)

He walked to a large golden locker at the extreme of the room, rummaging through it for what I could not guess.


(Um I enjoyed the French language a lot and wished to learn it at all cost, even though it kind of sounded so complex; but like my mom will always say "love it, and you will do it better". I loved the French language and I learned it better. Moreover, some English words are borrowed from the French language.)

He returned with a bottle of MOET wine in his right hand and a box of choccies in his left hand, he handed them over to me.


(That is such an enthusiastic story to hear son; I am staggered. This bottle of wine is your birthday gift and this box of choccies is for being a wonderful kid. I hope to chat with you again.)


(Thank you so much, Mr. Enzo. I appreciate it.)


(You welcome son. Maribel, show him to the guest room, and please get him to comfort.)


(Okay. Good night dad.)

They kissed each other chastely on the cheeks. 


(Goodnight Mr. Enzo!)


(Goodnight son!)

Maribel and I descended the stairs chatting and laughing. Maribel never thought that I could put up such astounding performance in there, and neither did I. We walked through a cozy quiet passage and stopped at a silver decorated door - the guest room. Maribel twisted and pulled the knob to open the door. She switched ON the lights to expose the beauty of the room.

"Okay baby boy! Make yourself very comfortable. You can take your shower, watch television, listen to music, read a fanzine, or anything you want to do."

"So, where you gon be at baby?"

She moved closer to me again, groped through my thighs for my cock, and rubbed it gently with her fingers. I quickly chucked all that I had in my hands on the bed, and grasped her sexy thick ass, and massaged it calmly.


(I will be gone, freshen up. We've got hours handsome. I will be with you soonest.)


(Okay beautiful. Do not keep your guest so uncomfortable, your dad warned.)

"Woe betide anyone who does. See you in a few, sweetheart."

"You too sexy sexy."

She left shutting the door behind her. I had a quick shower for just two minutes and I was out of the bathroom wearing just a PUMA boxers. I switched ON the television and the CNN news was on display; I had to just mute the television. I picked up my phone from the table and connected it to the Sony music player, then played a music playlist consisting of songs from: Trey Songz, Jacquees, Omarion, Usher, Tory Lanez, Loudtrips, R Kelly and Partynextdoor . I titled the playlist 'sex playlist'.

I took out a half filled bottle of 'loud' and a piece of Raw rolling paper from my jacket and slowly rolled a joint, then I rummaged through my pockets for my lighter and finally found it. I sat in the recliner, lighted up my 'jay' and began smoking. I moved my body slowly to the rhythms of the melodious sound as it overwhelmed the room through the music player. 

There was a slight noise behind the door for few seconds, and the door opened widely.


Hello guys!
Did you know that the chills you get when you listen to music, are mostly caused by the brain releasing dopamine while anticipating the peak moment of a song?



Samson Frodd popularly known as Loud in this contemporary male leading romance, goes through an unconscious transition of spreading love to spreading legs. Samson is what the lover boy is called, while Loud is what the playboy is called.

Loud attends his homeboy and new friend's birthday party at the Cave City where he meets quite a pretty,  properly shaped and captivating Melanie (Ashley), of whom he claims to be the one.

COULD SHE BE THE ONE?

Every inch of my body was electric with nerves. I stood just outside the temple. My ballet pumps had been taken off me and I stood there barefoot before a long carpet of white rose petals, leading all the way up to the altar. Just in front of the altar, a white claw footed, porcelain bath had been placed, ready for my cleansing. I took a deep breath and started slowly down the length of the temple.  I imagine my wedding to be similar, only sunflower petals instead of roses.  Every step I took increased the butterflies in my stomach. The ceremony is supposed to allow me to come into my full power. During the cleansing, I release myself of childlike restrictions and accept all my gifts. I'm terrified I no longer have any gifts left to discover. I'm terrified if I have new gifts of what they'll be and how I'll control them. When we first develop our powers, we are like little whirlwinds of Chaos. But once we know how to gain control, we're fully responsible for anything we do. What if I break something? What if I hurt someone?
I take a deep breath in a failed attempt to calm my rising nerves as I prepare to climb the stairs at the altar. As usual the Coven is seated on pillows and my mother, dressed in all her finery is stood by the basin, my father by her side. I glance up at her, the flickering witch lights bouncing off the crystals in her diadem. She beams down at me reassuringly. I undo the ribbon that secured my cloak and pass it to the witch to my left, my hands trembling ever so slightly and I ascend the four tiny steps on to the platform.
Just like every cleansing ritual, the bath was full with herbs and essential oils for purification; sage; chamomile; cinnamon; lemon balm; sandalwood; lavender; rosemary; hyssop; sweet grass; peppermint. I guarantee they're all included.
I walked around the bath and stood in between my parents, taking a hand from each.
"We call upon our ancestors, to aid this daughter of the Coven, to protect her. We call upon fire to purify and empower her. We call upon water to cleanse and unblock her mind. We call upon the Earth to protect and ground her. We call upon air for clarity and to help release her from the past. Lastly we call upon spirit to guide her to her higher self, to release her gifts and embrace her magic."  My mother's voice echoed around the room.
"Let us begin," she said, signalling everyone to begin chanting 'ohm'. This sound opens the seventh chakra, something to aid me in reaching my higher self. My parents steadied me as I stepped fully clothed into the bath, my head just above the water. This part was all down to me.
I took a deep breath and silenced my nerves, imagining every muscle in my body was relaxing more and more on each exhale. I allowed the scents of the herbs to fill my nose and take me into a deep state of meditation. I visualized all the negative energy in my body, like black fog, being pushed out of my fingertips by the bright, white light of positive energy. I let the white light sweep through me, making me warm, the negative energy being diluted by the water. I thought about the bath being rejuvenating and my soul and body being cleansed. I then focused on my head. That place in the middle of the forehead where your metaphorical third eye is. Of course you don't have an actual third eye, you just have a chakra that links to prophecy, future and power.
I stopped visualising, surrounding my imagination in darkness. 'I accept power, I accept who I am', I thought to myself. I waited. Nothing. 'I accept my power, I embrace every part of me and I accept who I'm supposed to become.' I would be yelling this by now if I wasn't thinking it.
  My vision burst into bright white light. I was in a field. No. I was in that field. I was laid on the grass staring at the sun.
"Maivy!" I heard a girl shriek. A Slender girl with fierce auburn hair danced up to me and grabbed my hands. She giggled and pulled me so we were spinning. We fell to the floor in fits of giggles.
"Oh Maive." She said." If only we could stay like this, young. But tonight we celebrate our 21st birthday." She sighed.
"Melvina, nothing much will change, we'll just have more magic, more power! We'll be even more a twin force to be reckoned with!" The words came from my mouth but it wasn't me who was saying it. I was in the past, this was a vision. I looked down for the first time at a body I didn't recognise. I was slimmer; my own raven locks were replaced with the same auburn hair as the girl next to me. I was taller too, how had I not noticed this before? The girl I called Melvina let out a deep groan.
"Come on!" she complained." It's going to take an hour to tame my hair!" The vision faded and I was back to darkness, but not for long.
A yellow light flickered, then as if it had been switched on; I was suddenly in a huge hall. Ginormous crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. The room was decorated with lilies, in abundance. At the end of the hall, on a raised platform were four empty, gold thrones with red velvet cushioning. Waiters passed by with silver platters passing round tiny, bite-sized foods. Beautiful women in huge dresses danced with handsome men in suits. I'd never been amongst such grandeur and eloquence. Those who weren't dancing were dotted around the room in small groups, talking loudly, laughing, drinking alcohol and being merry. To the left of the hall were three huge glass doors. Red satin curtains, draped around the top of the frames, tied back with yellow rope. The doors were open and they led on to gorgeous balconies above the most wonderful garden. What I wouldn't give to be out in the world like this, to see the moon and the stars, to dance barefoot on the grass, to laugh and be merry without a care.
I headed towards the balcony where I could see Melvina standing alone. Her face was panic-stricken and she jumped when she saw me. Her face cracked, her composure practically shattering before my eyes as she burst into tears.
"Maive, what I saw! What will we do? We're done for!" She sobbed into my shoulder. Once again the vision faded to black.
This time when my eyes opened I was on horseback in the midst of a thunderstorm. The rain was coming down hard and fast and I was drenched. In the distance was the ruin of a tower on a hill. Lightening danced around it and thunder echoed through it.
Once there, I stepped through the stone archway and over to the middle of the room where a stone table stood. The room had no ceiling, so there was no chance of getting dry any time soon.
Around the table, three figures waited for me. One was Melvina, but the other two were boys I didn't recognise.
"Did you bring it?" one of the boys asked in a harsh, gruff voice. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a medium sized item wrapped in cloth. I opened the cloth to see an oval mirror. I looked into it and for a second I saw my reflection, the reflection of the real me, not Maive and surprise flickered across my face. I turned it over and took it out of its black frame. The frame was made out of some sort of wood and was inscribed with a language I couldn't read. I gently placed the now frameless mirror on the stone slab, and returned its frame to my pocket. Melvina produced an Athame that I recognised immediately as my mothers.
"Remember Mel, we all have to do it." The second boy instructed. Melvina nodded and held the dagger over the mirror.
"Earth, I call on thee!" she yelled.
The boy, who first spoke, wrapped his hand around Mel's. He called on an element, this time Fire.
The second boy did this same, calling on the element of Air.
I placed my hand around all of their hands and also shouted. "Water I call on thee" my skin tingled with the usual feeling of an incantation.
"Spirit we call on thee, to break this mirror and to protect our people!" We shouted simultaneously. A bolt of lightning hit our hands, making the Athame glow, and coursing energy through our veins. Together we stabbed the mirror and it broke into four pieces. My vision went black once more.
I heard the boy's cry, the one from my first vision. I pierced my ears and shot through me like a surge of energy, forcing me into some sort of semi consciousness. It was then I realised I couldn't breathe. I felt like I was suffocating. Drowning. I was drowning; my lungs were on fire, I could feel the water around my body, cold and unforgivable. I pushed with all my might to open my eyes. I was surrounded by murky water. I could feel my parents trying to pull me out the water but they couldn't. They couldn't prevent me from seeing what the universe needed me to see. I pushed myself into a sitting position, gasping for air before coughing up water and my lungs. My body ached for oxygen and I wondered how long I'd been deprived of it.
"Aoibheann! What did you see?" my mother desperately begged me before I blacked out.

My name is Aoibheann. My people  spent 21 years living in caves, hiding from the Tyrant King Dolion who is hellbent on destroying all those who possess magic. He makes his wealth on the death, gloom and disease that his people live in. Magic was a hope, something good although our gifts were never accepted. King Dolion chased us into the deepest depths of the earth. We call the people above The Hollows, beliveing that our gifts fulfill us.
on the eve on my 21st birthday i had a vision. This vision would spark a series of uncontrolable events that would change the world as we've come to know it.


Hey guys, I'm going to be updating every Saturday. Also there's a few names that are a little difficult to pronounce so I'm going to put it here for you.  
•Dolion (dough-lee-on)
• Arlie ( Ar- lee)
• Aoibheann ( ay- veen)
• Jakkob (Jack-ob)
• Haniyya ( Han-ee-ya)
• Kaden (Kay- den)

"Hah,since you're not leaving anymore you say,should we just get married then???",Shia was trying to intimidate him and she thought she succeeded when she saw him froze for a moment.Mischief was written all over her face."What,speechless now?",she probed.. 
"You can't marry someone like me right? and you realized it a long time ago,so just---

"I'm married",Xim cut through her words.

"Huh?",she frozed in his sudden interruption. He's married? It was her turn to be speechless. The words "I'm married" was somewhat unpleasant to her ears. What is he keeping me for then? a mistress??deep inside her,she knows that this guy still holds a special place in her heart. And her mind now was screaming the word "mistress" repeatedly. No, over my beautiful body! She unconciously shook her head and murmured things that Xim couldn't understand.
Seeing her reaction,Xim's mischievous smile appeared on his face, 

"What are you thinking?"he asked.

"You, do you intend to keep me as a mistress huh??,if you do, I'm telling you right now, I, Yoshiabelle will never lower my dignity for you, I will never be a mistress and will do everything to get away from you!"

"Who said anything about being a mistress?,Little monkey,you think too lowly of your husband.

"What monkey? whose husband? ugh!!! dont confuse me anymore!"Shia became teary eyed from being too agitated.What is this guy talking about,her heart can't take the suspense anymore.

Xim stopped being mysterious and decided it would be best to tell her the truth. Seeing her agitated expression,he scoot over and hugged from the side. He leaned her head on his chest which she surprisingly didn't refuse. She can't deny the fact that she missed his warmth.

"Stay here for a while, I'm going to get something to show you.",he stood up and went to his study room to grab a folder. He stared at it for a while like it was something he couldn't believe he could obtain one day  and smiled in satisfaction. 

He went back right away after grabbing the folder and frowned when he saw that no one was on the bed. But then sighed in relief when he heard the sound of water running in the bathroom. And relief turned into worry. She's still weak, what if something happen to her. He didn't dare to  imagine the things that could happen to her. 

Feeling like she didn't have had a good bath for so long, Shia felt so uncomfortable specially when Xim gets closer to her. She was unconscious for more than a year and she didn't brush her teeth that long,. What if Xim suddenly kissed her? That was why she gave up from the idea of not talking to him because he reminded her of what kind of punishment he could give her. She couldn't imagine it if Xim kissed her and then suddenly dropped dead on the floor infront of her just because she didn't brush her teeth yet. That would be so embarrassing. Taking the opportunity that he was out, she slowly got out of the bed and went inside the bathroom. Stepping in,she wasn't surprised to see the color design. Pink and lavender. What's up with the designer?. It was a french-style bathroom. The bathroom was unusually spacious and has a touch of comfort and luxury. It has a pink large tub and a chandelier over it. With a lavender curtains around it. On one side was a marble-topped vanity with a large frameless mirror with a pale pink pattern wallpaper. It also has an eco-friendly cork floor to keep your feet warm. She wondered if a little princess owns this room. It surely belongs to a princess. Getting on with what she intended to do,she first washed her face and brushed her teeth. The tub seems to be calling her attention. Must be nice to soak in a hot bubble bath. Taking her time, she took of her clothes while filling the tub. She sighed. Her body couldn't keep up. She easily gets worn out. With great difficulty, she managed to set herself inside of the tub,.The water was so relaxing, it made her smile in satisfaction. She closed her eyes and let her mind drift. She fell asleep in the tub not knowing that a certain someone was pacing back and forth infront of the bathroom door. 

"Shia, I'm just outside the door if you need any help okay?"he got silence in return.

"Damn,what's taking her so long?. Nothing happened to her right? But it already has been an hour and it's too quiet inside. Should i barge in? But what if she get's mad? No, she can't possibly be mad right? I'm her husband now. What's there to be mad about,it's completely normal right? yes,that's right. It's normal." Xim couldn't stopped from being worried and started to talked to himself. 
He hesitated barging in for while afraid that she might feel deprived of her privacy but he can't stop worrying and he felt uneasy. 
He reached for the bathroom door and twisted the doorknob,it wasn't locked, thanfully. He opened it and entered the bathroom. There he saw the girl's head sticking out of the tub full of bubbles with her eyes closed.Her curly hair was tied up in a messy bun. He quickly walked closer and checked her breathing, he sighed in relief after confirming that she's  fine. An idea popped up in his mind. He searched for the shampoo and conditioner and grabbed the showerhead. He untied her hair and gently washed it for her. He just love how it wasn't overly curly. It complimented her cute face perfectly. He made a mental note to get her the necessary shampoo and conditioner that was specially for curly hairs. Seeing that she didn't woke up after washing her hair, he proceeded to wash her body. She can't stay in the water for too long. He carried her out of the bathroom after and gently layed her in the bed and dressed her. He then blow dried her hair.
 His dream to be able to take care of her like this finally came true. Covering her with the quilt,he then slightly lowered the temperature in the room so his pretty little monkey can sleep comfortably. 

He stepped out of her room after making sure that everything was good and went to the kitchen. She will definitely be hungry when she wakes up. She deserves a very sumptuous meal. A smile appeared on his face. Indicating that he was having a nice day.

"Incredible!!" exclaimed a man looking through a telescope. In contrast, a cute little kid looked to be the age of 10 with black hair parted in the middle and a height unusual for his age, measuring 63 inches, tugged at the edge of the long white coat the man was wearing while asking, "What is it, brother?" making the man put the telescope back into place before finally turning around showing a square face sporting frameless glasses with a look of annoyance and long black hair tied up in a ponytail. He slowly bent down while giving the kid a deep look before removing his frameless glasses and rubbing his eyes with his thumb and index finger, keeping like that for a moment while the child poked his index fingers together nervously.
The tension and awkwardness were increasing before the kid broke the silence with a small voice saying, "Mom's fever is getting higher....the maids called the doctor, but mom said she wanted to see you..." the boy trailed off as a few seconds had passed without his elder brother replying which made him think that he hadn't heard it and opened his mouth to speak again but was cut off by his brother saying, "Yeah, I won't be able to make it today." which made the little boy immediately cry out, "But whyyyyyy? Why won't you come home for a while? It's been weeks since mom saw yo-" and started to tug at his brother's hand whose face contorted in a fury at the boy with his brows knit together and his lips pursed while cutting him off, "Because I have given up. She's a gone case, and everybody knows it, the only reason the doctors are still there are for their money, and DO YOU HONESTLY THINK THEY DON'T KNOW!? THAT THEY AND NOBODY ON THIS PLANET CAN CURE STAGE 4 CANCER!!?? DO YOU THINK MONEY GROWS ON TREES!?" said the man while enunciating each word and raising his voice towards the end at the small kid who didn't understand the importance of money and only that his mother wanted to see his elder brother but still looked down at his feet while in a daze about his brother's never seem before anger. Their conversation was interrupted by two knocks on the door, after which a voice sounded, "Excuse me, sir.". At the same time, the man slowly got up, put his glasses on, and walked to the chair behind his desk. At the same time, the boy walked to the opposite side of the desk and sat on a chair too large for him with his back facing the door as the man cleared his throat and answered, "Come in," with the door being opened the instant he finished as a woman wearing a grey suit walked in a while announcing, "Sir Allen wants to see you, Mr.Paul." Excitement once again showing on his face, Paul said," I'll be right there, I've been meaning to see him as I've discovered something of the utmost importance," and looked at the boy for a second before saying, "and fetch him a cab and send him home Suzie." "Will do, sir." While the boy turned around to look at the woman, she gave him a nod and casual smile as the boy slid off the chair, looked at the man a final time and slowly turned and walked away. While the woman held his hand and closed the door behind her as she was leaving with the boy, the man, now alone in his room, leaned back in the chair as covered his face with both his hands while muttering, "She's gone...she's gone.....yes...she is gone."
As the child walked down the stairs with his scarf covering up to his lips and his back facing the tall building, he paused as a snowflake fell on his nose. He felt the coldness on his skin with it before slowly looking up at the sky adorned with stars as his vision all of a sudden zoomed into a blank space nowhere particular in the sky as it folded and distorted before finally shattering like glass as a black hole like structure ate up the boy from above him as he stood with a flabbergasted expression taking him with it to the infinite and unknown universe. 
As a cab rolled to a spot near the sidewalk in front of the tall building, not a trace was left of the boy except for his footprints deeply embedded into the snow on the sidewalk.

Nothing was fair in this world.
Rhode knew clearly of this. Some players were rich while others were so poor that they couldn't even purchase memorable event items. This was the same for all games. Some players tried so hard that they had cramps in their hands but couldn't even win in the arena. On the contrary, some players could easily win 10 fights in a row. But there was a difference in something that shouldn't be neglected… That's right. Rhode was referring to the two young ladies behind him!
Of course, he knew that Marlene often discussed battle strategies with Canary while Mini Bubble Gum taught Lize as though she was her favorite disciple. After all, although Canary was self-taught and would theoretically be defeated in three minutes, she had destroyed the Mage Association on her own. On the other hand, apart from the 'Treating foes as friends' technique that Mini Bubble Gum came up with, she was also an expert in several other battle tactics. What surprised Rhode was that he didn't expect Marlene and Lize to learn techniques other than spell casting!
From the players' perspective, it would require at least level 50 to obtain the 50 to 60 skill points in order to enhance both the spells and sword skill levels to the Master Stage. But Marlene was only level 48 while Lize was level 43 and yet, Marlene's sword skills and Lize's martial arts had reached the same level as their spell casting abilities?
Players had to put in hard work by completing missions and digging for secret scrolls to increase their skill points. But the two young ladies managed to simply practice and reach this level? Oh my goodness! Although it was already ridiculous that players could increase the strength of their techniques through mastery, wasn't this a totally higher level?
Of course, Rhode only cursed inwardly. Although the two young ladies said with certainty, he didn't believe that they were that capable. Even if Marlene's sword skill and Lize's martial arts had indeed reached that level, they were still spell casters and wouldn't normally have the opportunity for close-combat battles. Just look at the robes on their bodies—perhaps they would tear during battle.
No matter what, at least they possessed some abilities for self-defense and that was much better than being killed instantly. Rhode heaved a sigh of relief. With Anne around, perhaps the battles with the fate images wouldn't be as terrible as he had imagined.
"I repeat myself."
They reached the end of the corridor made of countless mirrors and witnessed an enormous, circular plaza glowing in a faint, white radiance. Not only that, but there were also frameless mirrors hovering above.
"Your fate images are projections of yourself from the other dimensions. Their lifestyles may possibly be different from you, just like how your decisions in this world brought you here today. Likewise, they made their decisions and ended up where they are right now. But no matter how they behave, don't forget that they are just like Serras—a projection and not a living human. Perhaps they have the same memories as yours, but don't be fooled! Understood?"
Rhode wasn't unreasonable in this explanation because players in the game often treated this place as a fun, fortune-telling game. Some fate images held entirely different fates from them. Some couldn't find themselves partners while some were actual playboys in other dimensions. Some couples might turn out as sworn enemies in other dimensions too. Of course, players basically wouldn't take them to heart, which was why they treated it as an interesting fortune telling mechanism.
But this wasn't the game. Marlene, Anne, and Lize wouldn't treat their other selves the same way as players.
Even though the results were entirely different from their decisions, the fate images were still undeniably them. Their memories and way of thinking were similar. Besides, Rhode was clear that everyone had regrets in their lives, just like "I regret not doing this well last time" or "Why did I make such a foolish decision?" What if the fate image that emerged before them happened to be the kind that 'made up for' their regrets? That would be a huge mental blow to them.
"But, Leader, if they are us, why will they fight us? If the fate image is Anne, Anne will definitely not fight herself."
Anne tilted her head and asked curiously.
"That's why I said… They are only pure images. Perhaps they might find several reasons and excuses to engage in a battle with you, but in the end, this is the final test that the Wheel of Fate presents to us."
Rhode came to a halt.
The circular plaza and its perfect, white slab floor flickering with faint radiance stood just before him. Shortly after as the four of them entered the area, the hovering mirror fragments began to spin, connecting to one another like a puzzle. After a few seconds, they merged into a flat, dull mirror and a dazzling flash blinded the visitors.
"…"
Not only Rhode, but Marlene, Lize, and Anne also quietened down instinctively. They stared ahead as they were filled with anticipation, anxiousness, and uncertainty. After all, even though Rhode said that the fate images were just projections, he didn't deny that the projections weren't them. Perhaps Anne didn't realize this, but it was impossible that Marlene and Lize weren't aware.
But unlike the three young ladies, Rhode puckered his brows and cautiously pondered over the upcoming BOSS battle. Right now he could only wish that fate images were in the spell-casting classes. Just like them, the fate images couldn't unleash spells and could only rely on their physical strength to battle. Since this was the case, the threat of the spellcasters was basically zero. But Rhode was aware that expecting to face four fate images in spell-casting classes was just his wishful thinking.
Thud… Thud… Thud…
They heard footsteps.
Then, a shadow appeared within the dim mirror and a familiar voice sounded.
"Anne?"
Lize and Marlene shrieked in surprise. The young lady before them looked exactly like Anne; a head full of soft, golden, long hair, a pair of emerald green eyes, and the slender body. But… the young lady was somewhat different.
Her emerald eyes were completely lifeless. She wore a steel armor of red and black and held two large, sawtooth blades that were two meters in length. Not only that, but she also exuded a murderous intent of a ferocious beast as though a hungry wolf trapped in a cage and dying to pounce on its prey!
"Argh… It seems like the other Anne isn't too happy."
Anne muttered under her breath. In fact, judging from the scars on the enemy, the group knew that she was more like a disobedient pet that was whipped by her owner—they definitely weren't scars from battles.
"Anne…"
Lize held Anne's hand and the latter shook her head firmly and revealed a lively smile.
"Sister Lize, don't worry about Anne! Anne will be fine. Although the other Anne looks pitiful, Anne feels really blissful now."
"Hmph!"
The other Anne let out a distasteful snort that was filled with murderous intent. She had no other desires apart from wanting to destroy and shred everything into bits.
Lize and Marlene watched nervously. The young lady before them was obviously Anne, but due to the different decisions in her life, she became like this. They weren't sure if they could take it so easily as Anne when they faced their fate images later on.
This is troublesome.
Unlike Marlene and Lize, Rhode wasn't in the mood for such thoughts. He also wasn't a sentimental person, not to mention that he knew the fate image ultimately wasn't him. It was apparent that the enemy was the 'berserker' class. He had to admit that this class suited Anne perfectly. But what worried him the most was that berserkers were experts in attack while shield warriors were best in defense. He could count himself fortunate if Anne could result in a draw for this match up. But he didn't know if the enemy had awakened her beast bloodline and the situation would be dire if that was the case.
At this moment, a second figure appeared. Rhode lifted his head and narrowed his eyes.
Marlene.
Unlike the Marlene beside him, the enemy 'Marlene' was clad in red leather armor with a magical sword hung on her waist. If there were something that they both shared, it would be their confidence, pride, and arrogance. But unlike the Marlene who wore pure white robes, the enemy 'Marlene' seemed more like a burning flare.
This is getting…
Rhode twitched his brow. In the game, wasn't this how the young lady who established the all-female mercenary group looked like? Besides, if he recalled correctly, this enemy 'Marlene' held the Magic Swordsman class… In other words, wasn't she the 'Marlene' who was drugged and humiliated before being rescued by her family during the Midsummer Festival? This was also a hell of a situation. Rhode knew that the young lady was incredibly powerful, so would the Marlene by his side be able to stop her?
Lize was next.
Rhode felt rather curious. Even though he was astonished by Marlene's and Anne's fate images, he had sort of expected this result. It was extremely normal for Anne to be a berserker with that mighty strength of hers. On the other hand, Rhode knew the background of the other Marlene. But he couldn't imagine a fragile, timid young lady like Lize to take on other classes.
She couldn't possibly be a Thief, right? Hahahaha. That would be interesting.
As though responding to Rhode's guess, a silver radiance shone from above and landed on the ground before Lize. At this moment, Marlene and Anne turned around and gazed curiously at the figure.
For some reasons, Rhode had a bad omen and it was too late.
The radiance dissipated.
The enemy Lize hovered in midair with a pure, white shield in her left hand and a sword burning in silver flames on the other. A pair of spotlessly white wings expanded from her back, emanating a dazzling radiance.
"What the…"
Rhode had the urge to slam the lid of his computer and head off to bed. How could he forget that Lize was Lydia's half sister?! In other words, the person who gave birth to her was the former Archangel and she had half the angel bloodline!
"T-That's my…?"
Lize stared blankly in disbelief. Although she knew that she had the angel bloodline, she treated herself as a human and not an angel.
This is terrible.
Although the Wheel of Fate sealed off all spiritual powers, the problem was that a battle angel's constitution was much stronger than humans, where not even Marlene and Anne could take her down together. What should they do?
Rhode puckered his brows and scanned the battle angel. The latter turned to him and revealed a surprised expression.
"Mr. Rhode! You're still alive! Wonderful! Weren't you killed by Sister Lydia?"
"…"
The three young ladies turned to him in unison and Rhode twitched his brow.
Why does it sound so ridiculous? What has the other me done to get Lydia to kill him? What sort of tragedy has unfolded? Argh, forget it… I'm not the unlucky one, anyway.
Rhode threw this thought to the back of his head. Then, the final enemy…
Boom… Boom…
The group heard deep, heavy footsteps as a gigantic shadow emerged from the mirror. The figure appeared before them and gave a forthright smile, waving his enormous arm.
"Yo! How are you, my other self?"
"…"
"…"
"…"
Marlene, Lize, and Anne sunk into complete silence. They couldn't be blamed. The man was two meters tall and as muscular as a bear. He also held an enormous black sword. But the problem was that…
"Leader, who is he?"
Anne leaned over and asked softly. Rhode didn't reply immediately. Instead, he stared blankly at the man.
Yes, how did I forget about this? If the fate images are based on the fates in the Dragon Soul Continent, it is only right that my avatar in the game is here, isn't it? But… It is all too late now.
"Argh…"
Rhode clutched his sword and a burst of murderous intent erupted from him.


Rhode is a legendary guild leader of the most influential guild in the VRMMO, Dragon Soul Continent. In order to cope with the death of his beloved sister, he dived into the game for seven long years. During this period, Rhode tries his best to alleviate his emotional pain through gaming, but alas, his life shatters once more when he heard his parents perish in a plane crash.

A month after the incident, he made a decision to quit the game and return to the real world. But just before that, as a final farewell, Rhode decides to fight the most powerful BOSS in the game with his guildmates. In the end, he defeats the BOSS at the expense of his avatar's life. Rhode smiles as his avatar dissipates in a beam of light. However, instead of respawning at the usual platform...

...

"W-wha...!"

Rhode shot up and stared at the unfamiliar ceiling.

And thus, a player who had been creating legends in the game for three eras disappeared just like that...

frameless mirror novel

Mirror Mirror

Returning from the Immortal World

Little Mrs. Forgetful

The Dealer's candidate

Not me

INFATUATION (An Hour Love)

The Rise of the Witches

Big Boss (not so) Possessive Little Wife

Took it out of the competition

Summoning the Holy Sword

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