Deus: We are all Lords - Chapter 13 XIII

In a realm rife with war and conquest, only the strong and cunning may survive.Planar travel has become the determinant of strength.Nobles and powerhouses travel the myriad planes, invading and plundering them to increase their personal strength, grow their military might and fund their endless wars.A systems engineer and lifelong web novel reader is reborn as Alex Fury—a young noble deemed talentless by his own family. Lacking his family’s bloodline powers and warrior potential, Alex is exiled to a Mage Tower.His fate is clear: master magic... or lose everything.No cheat system. No divine blessing. No hidden power.What he does have is a mind sharpened by logic, engineering... and stories.Blending the System Engineering and web novel knowledge of his previous life with the Rune knowledge of his new world, Alex Fury creates a revolutionary new form of magic unique to him...RuneTech Magic.From Runic Artificial Intelligence to an Interplanar communication networks; From Rune-powered super soldiers to Rune-crafted Power Armours (and mechas), from new energy sources to Perpetual Energy.With this marriage of science and technology, Alex will usher in advances previously thought unattainable in his new world, and his old one.This is a tale of power, rebellion, ambition- and legacy.Empires will rise to crush him. Worlds will try to deny him. But with intellect, invention- and just a spark of madness, he will carve his name into history.Witness the birth of the Rune-Tech Sage, and the beginning of a legend that will echo across worlds.

Elia is a poor university student until the night she’s taken to the world of the Anima—ruled by humans whose ancient hearts pulse with the blood of animals. There she’s forced into a battle to the death. But when Elia survives, and refuses to kill her final opponent, the King must either kill Elia himself, or take her as his mate.

Reth, the brutal King of the Beasts with the blood of lions, shocks everyone when he chooses the weak, human Elia to become his Queen. He promises her every comfort of his wealth and position—but he is clear: She will not warm his bed. He chose her to defeat those that were trying to corner him into blending his Leonine line with the Wolves.

Elia needs the help of the Anima to become stronger and rule them well. But the vengeful Wolves see only a weak human that brought them shame. As Elia and Reth grow closer, the wolves are determined to destroy her. Will Reth and Elia admit their feelings for each in time to fight for the Kingdom—and their lives—against the villainous wolf-tribe? Or will the wolves kill Elia and steal the throne?

[Mature content - no sexual violence]

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He stalked towards her, chin low so the shadow cast by his hard jaw cut across the thick fur collar of his vest. His hair had fallen over his eyes in the scuffle, so he peered at her through it like a lion in the grass. With each step, his graceful, rolling gait reminded her of a predator stalking its prey. Despite the forest floor littered in twigs and leaves, he didn’t make a sound.

“Wh-who are you?” Elia stammered, backing away, her hands up. He met her step for step until she came up hard against the tree behind her—and didn’t stop until he loomed over her, so broad his shoulders and chest made a wall in front of her. She could feel the heat rising off his skin in the cool, night air.

“I am the Leonine King.” His voice was a dark, husky gravel. Behind him a chorus of wheezes, howls, and chirps of agreement rose from the people watching. “And you are?”

“Elia,” she breathed.

“Elia,” he growled, leaning in closer, bringing with him the scent of pine and rain and the musk of something distinctly male. “I am Reth.” He said the name with a strange, guttural roll in his throat. “I am King of Beasts. I am Clan Leader, and I am Alpha of WildWood.” Several snarls rose from the crowds behind him then, but he ignored them.

Elia swallowed as he leaned in until the scruff on his jaw rasped her cheek. “I am the King,” he said, “And you will be my mate.”

The forest behind him erupted.

Zhao Du'an, a government official leading a cautious life, finds himself transported to another world where he becomes the favored 'pretty face' of a female emperor and an oppressive, power-abusing villain. Before he can relish the moment, he faces mortal danger for releasing a national criminal. Cornered and desperate, he plans to soothe the female emperor to seek mercy, only to discover his 'leading gigolo' role is a sham.Worse still, his notorious reputation prompts officials and heroes alike to impeach and eliminate him; and martial artists and clerical magicians consider him a disgrace. Overwhelmed, Zhao Du'an decides it's better to stop being human to survive.Starting by betraying his allies, he becomes the Emperor's top lackey. Years later, amidst heavy snowfall in the capital, the female emperor Xu Zhen Guan sighs atop the city tower, 'It was supposed to be a pretend companionship, how did it turn real...'Also known as 'Deceiving and Flattering at the Court of Great Yu', 'The Record of a Villain Going White'.