Praise the Orc! - Chapter 5 - Instructor Lenox (2)

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 her past life, Michelle was an ordinary doctor who worked in a small hospital, but once in a while, a strange envelope would arrive at her apartment and she would take up a weaon and turn into a deadly assassin known for her stealthiness. But being a top assassin, Michelle had many enemies and ended up dying, only to wake up in the body of Michelle Grace, a pampered young miss in a world similar to ancient dynasties, except that cultivation existed there. Not everyone could cultivate, but Michelle Grace could.The original Michelle Grace was engaged to the Crown Prince, and he killed her before Michelle took over the body, so after making a deal with Michelle Grace's father, the Archduke, Michelle took on the name Grace and started a revenge plan on the Crown Prince, his lover, his mistress and his father, the Emperor.A bit troublesome: Michelle gained the attention of two men who together were the Dark Lord. They were horrifyingly powerful, so Michelle had to be careful around them. Luckily, they didn't have in their plans harming her, as they were intrigued by her constitution. Michelle possessed a rare blood, which they could use.

After millions of years spent hunting and battling, the forces of darkness were finally pushed back and eradicated. But as Twilight’s lifespan approached its inevitable end, he made a fateful choice—to reincarnate into the future, where a golden age was prophesied to unfold.Now reborn as Twilight Nightfall, a boy who had lost everything to the world, he remembered nothing of his former life.Stripped of purpose and will, he strayed on the path of despair. Yet, in his darkest moment, a reason to live revealed itself.Chosen as one of the sovereign system holders, Twilight was granted an opportunity to prove himself.With sufficient potential, he could earn the highest privileges, rise to the rank of seeker, and represent humanity in the Astral Realm—a game-like world filled with mythical races, limitless resources, and boundless opportunities.Follow Twilight as he ascends to the apex of the Astral Realm, dominating players and rivals alike while gradually piecing together the shattered fragments of his past life, becoming a legendary figure in all worlds.

“They called me a beast,”“They called me a monster,”“They killed my mother and took my sister, yet they called me the animal!”“I will make them pay!”After losing his mother and a young age, Jayden struggled with rage and isolation, getting angry at everybody and everything, while still having the dreams of crushing those who took his mother from himBut his goal was hindered when he discovered that he couldn't possess an ability, he would remain a ordinary human in a world where power was everything.Years after being sent to therapy, he returns only to get struck by lightning. But before he could die, a mysterious interface appeared in his eyes[Requirement has been met][System integrating...][Alert! Non-human genes found in host; modifying system to meet Host's genetic code][Curse has been forcefully activated][Congratulations you have acquired the Beastlord system]“Huh? What the hell is this? And what curse is it talking about?” Jayden thought as he slowly lost consciousnessHe wakes up as a new being entirely, receiving various powers and abilities related to nature and it's creatures, but the most incredible was the absolute control over beasts. Now he could achieve his goals without being stopped and get revenge for his mother. While also leading a war with the ancient beasts against beasts from beyond.....“Mother, i have finally become the animal they say i am,” Jayden chuckled, as he stared at the bright full moon“I have become the lord of beasts,” he stated, as his body began to slowly transform into a large humanoid wolf.