Jack Smith’s life ended rather abruptly. Spinning out on ice while driving a truck was not the most magnificent method to depart this earth. A mediocre man he had led an ordinary life until his death. Now with a second chance at life, he decided that this time he would be exceptional. This time he would finally live up to his name. After all, a jack of all trades is a master of none but ultimately better than one.... more>>

Armed with a system and determination to do his best he sets out like any other reincarnated soul in another world to find his place and achieve great things. There is just one small problem with getting started in this endeavour . . . he is yet to be born!

Welcome to a progression fantasy with a twist. What might you be able to achieve if your race to the top began before your body had even been born?

Join our hero as he masters the language, magics and skills of the Compass Kingdoms but his first great challenge will be learning to walk once more.

. . . .

Warning 1: Be prepared for the MC to spend an entire book's worth of words and time as an infant but hopefully you will enjoy it nevertheless.

Warning 2: Grandfather is legally abusive to MC for a couple of chapters but he is removed from that situation around chapter 30. To be edited out some time in the future. <<less

Book club, chess club, maybe a photography or science club? Those are the sorts of groups most high-schools have. Our school's different. We've got a supernatural club. The members are all witches, and they investigate hauntings, werewolf sightings, magical phenomena, and other weird stuff like that. ... more>>

You probably think that's all make-believe or fantasy? I used to think that too, until one afternoon when I stumbled into one of their secret meetings and accidentally joined Club Luna. <<less

All sixteen-year-old Alicia Crimsonmane wants is to become a mage, to follow in her mother's footsteps, and to be acknowledged once again by her esteemed wizarding kin.... more>>

So, Fate grants her wish. She is now The Child of Miracles, the wielder of the strongest essence in the world of thaumaturgy...

With the consequences her head is the most wanted bounty in the entire realm, and a burden to gather anomalies like herself to save the conflict-ridden magic world from impending doom.

But will she remain unwavering in her conviction, even if it means seeing her innocence clash with the harsh realities she is bound to encounter? Or discovering that her world stores ̶f̶u̶c̶k̶e̶d̶ ̶u̶p̶ far more treacherous truths she never imagines?

Because magic is not just flowers and fireworks after all...

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What to expect in this story:
What to expect in this story:
1. A slow, classic progressive fantasy narrative that focuses not only on the characters but also on the intricacies of magic, spells, and the individuals who practice them.

2. No blue boxes.

3. The main character, while deeply passionate about magic and the mystic arts, struggles with her own inability to wield it. She possesses a vast knowledge of magic trivia and learns to control her anxiety over time in order to prevent her habitual impulsive actions.

4. MC is "Scottish" (inspired) so expect some of the dialects and the foreign terms as part of the world-building. But along the way, the dialect will be reduced along with MC travelling outside her hometown. The translations for these terms will be provided in a dedicated glossary in the first entry. Feel free to share your feedback regarding any terms that may have been overlooked.

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Title: Thaumaturgy
Author: RestuIbu
Art cover: Bajigurr (X)
Tag: Action, Fantasy, Magic, R18 <<less

In a land of magic, angels, and beasts; Ivy is a sweet and shy girl who has no recollection of who she was before the age of twelve when she was found by Sakura, a hot tempered and hardheaded fox demon with a penchant for violence. For years they’ve traveled in search of answers to the girl’s past and an odd ability that’s best kept hidden with little to show for it.... more>>

But when Ivy meets a quiet, red eyed devil, a being that everyone fears due to the death and destruction that they always leave in their wake, he will bring with him a man who refuses to stay in the demon’s own past.

Together, this ragtag gang will blunder their way across the land in the search of what sets Ivy and the calm devil apart from the rest. <<less

Ellie would not fail.
Geoff would not try.... more>>

High-achieving Ellie Gardner meets intentional slacker, Geoff Cobalt, throwing their previously steady life trajectories into chaos. Ellie is an adopted daughter of a midwestern crime family in dire straits, sent to Orange County, CA not only to get a college degree, but to make connections with another local emerging crime family, the Sinclairs. Geoff is the secret grandson (also adopted) of a legendary supervillain. Despite this, he prefers to eat junk food, light fires, steal, and play video games. Therefore, Ellie is recruited to keep his college studies on track in exchange for training from his grandfather. She needs to study, survive, and learn to budget both her money and time between her many obligations. She can't do it on her own. But when everyone is putting on a front (including herself), who can she trust?

And while they don't realize it, there are many hidden eyes on them.

"Ellie was on her own.
Geoff was on his own.
They only had each other."

All are original characters. There will be some illustrations/portraits painted by me using traditional mediums :) Sometimes the links get broken, so I really appreciate that if you let me know!

There are 8 arcs planned, this is currently the first arc. Sometimes I'll go through and update with more details/plot points as they shift around, so don't be surprised if some details in old chapters change!

Currently posting a new chapter every Saturday and sometimes Wednesday if I've made extra progress.

Set some decades into the future so I can play around with technology.

General content warnings/disclaimer: There will be some laws broken, violence, verbal threats, involuntary confinement, breaking and entering, arson, body modification, poisoning, occasional death. You might call the genre cozy crime. The tone will generally be kept light and the characters may seem callous at times. This is many of the characters are criminals. They are not meant to be role models. Do not take this story as legal advice, security advice, or as a guide on how to commit crimes. This is fiction and any resemblance to people, places, and things real or imagined are coincidence. <<less

In the city of Graheel, a small antique shop sits quietly mixed in with all the other shops. Its unassuming appearance is easily overlooked by many. However, this store and its owner has a terrible secret. A devil lives in that building. ... more>>

The owner of the store, John Li, an enigmatic figure whose origins and intentions are unknown. The desperate from around the world, often unknowingly, come to him in search of salvation.

A red witch thinks the owner is an ancient creature, a white fox calls him a wizard of eld, a warrior believes him to be a spirit, and a holy woman declares him a god.

This mysterious individual and his customers would stand at the center of a strange series of events.

From the store owner John's perspective, he has no idea what's going on. He really was just an unlucky dude that got caught up in some crazy stuff.

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“Volume 1: Strange Beginnings” Chapter 1-46

“What does a depressed student, investigator, a wanted witch, refugee, priest, and a man from another world have in common… nothing actually. Just that where they started was a little special, but where they are all headed is somewhere truly strange. For eventually they will cross paths with each other both directly and indirectly. In the meantime, there's a whole bunch of strange deaths and murders going on in the city of Graheel.”

"Volume 2: A Gathering Of The Fateless” Chapter 47-?

"The mysterious murders in the university have been resolved, or has it? There might have been more involved in that matter that is still brewing, drawing both Alan and Cid back in as well as a certain investigator. The priest Crowley will have to make a tough choice that will test his convictions and involve him in things he never thought he be doing as a priest. All while Joe is still far from solving who murdered Rob, and is about to make a desperate move to get the information he needs. The red witch prepares to take action against the Graheel University to protect her new disciple while being forced to work with other patrons of John. All different people taking different paths in their lives, but are about to meet at a crossroads, forming new groups and alliances.

"And finally John discovers his reason for him being transported to this world, or maybe not. Trying to get a simple-to-understand answer from an eldritch being is not so easy. "

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This story is a slow burn and has many lead characters and points of views, so don't expect too much in the first few chapters. I'm a very, and i mean very, slow writer so I'll only be updating this once a week on Saturdays. I also release mini intermission chapters in between my regulars updates sporadically.

This story is also written in a weird experimental playwright style to allow quick and easy conversation between multiple people to occur at once. This style might not might not appeal to some.

Also, if it wasn't obvious, most of the artwork you see in this series is AI generated. <<less

For this cyborg, power is just an upgrade away. ... more>>

Emmett was used to being caught between college and his engineering internship, but when he gets caught between a powerful hero and an even stronger villain, he becomes collateral damage. Instead of dying, he wakes up a cyborg. Turns out his boss wasn’t just an eccentric inventor, and the old man just gave him a shining opportunity to be a hero.

Except that’s just the beginning, and things are about to get a lot more complicated.

His boss has his own agenda. The boss’s daughter has her own power armor. His roommate works for an evil corporation.

And Emmett is small fry. Just a Class 1 hero.

Superheroes aren’t just masks—some work for corporations, or for the government and the military, and even as mercenaries in wars. Shadowy cabals pull the strings of hero and villain alike. The city of Belport might be peaceful for now, but most of the world is in turmoil. If Emmett is going to have any chance at making a difference, he needs to get stronger. A lot stronger.

How much of his humanity will he hold onto and how much will he trade away?

If you’re a fan of Cyborg, Winter Soldier, Iron Man, or Batman Beyond, then you don’t want to miss this series!

What to expect: Superhero Sci-fi Progression Fantasy

Starting Aug 3rd, you can find chapters 1 - 1.1.53 on Amazon: Mod Superhero: Initialize

Starting Aug 24th (tentatively), you can find chapters 1.2.1 - 1.2.57 on Amazon: Mod Superhero: Execute

Chapters are released MON, WED, and FRI at 9am Eastern (GMT -5), each being roughly 1.5—2.3k words.

Read up to 15 chapters ahead on Patreon, with goals up to 50 advanced chapters.

Stop by the Discord and get release notifications at RealityLocked Worlds. <<less

Earth 65, the world of Spider-Gwen; at least it was supposed to be before she mysteriously disappeared. An up and coming scientist, Felix Faeth, joins Oscorp in hopes of a normal living in New York, but life is never that simple, is it? Ordinary yet gifted with intelligence, Felix is forced to become Spider-Man after a harrowing series of events.... more>>

Along the way, he meets friends, enemies, and lovers. This is the story of the Spider-Man of Earth-65.

***

Weekly updates on Monday, Tuesday & Friday

Cross-posted on other platforms

Smut chapters are marked with //

Do you want to read ahead? Then go to my Patreon! For $5, you get to read ahead AND see all my other writing goodies!

patreon.com/MrLarsBar <<less

Knowledge is power. Infinite knowledge is infinite power!
After dying in a library fire, Oz is startled to wake up in another world's largest library of magical books, and even more startled to find out he's the sole inheritor of those books! However, just because he's the legal owner doesn't mean the thousands of mages outside the library won't descend to any depths to acquire those tomes. As a mortal who's barely stepped onto the path of magehood, how's Oz meant to protect so many precious books against their evil schemes? ... more>>

"If the library has an unbreakable barrier, why step outside? If the library has all the knowledge of the world, what do I need a teacher for? I'll just cozy up in this library and read forever!"

A semicozy semiaction cultivation novel about a reader locked in a library! <<less

Witching Souls - Part 2 of 3
As more memories from their previous lifetimes surface, Lexi and Leo must confront the haunting echoes of their history. Together, they delve into the mysteries of their shared past, seeking to unravel the reasons for the cycle of death they are trapped in. With each revelation, the threads of fate become entwined, leaving them to wonder if this lifetime will differ from the ones before. Stress and frustration mount.... more>>

Will their love conquer the trials of reincarnation, or will they be forever trapped in a cycle of destiny?

Join them on a thrilling adventure where magic, romance, and the heart's resilience collide as they endeavour to rewrite their love story. Will history repeat itself? <<less

Newly crowned World Champion Ash Ketchum thinks he’s seen it all, but a sudden offer opens the book on the next chapter of his journey. For centuries, esoteric forces have waged secret wars, brokered dark bargains, and sought to enslave legends, and Ash soon learns the road to Pokémon Master has only just begun...... more>>

New chapter every weekend.

Crossposting on AO3 / FFN / RR / SB / SV / WP <<less

For as long as anyone can remember, humans have been preyed upon by Harbingers, living nightmares which devour dreams and passions and souls, and defended by Keepers. These children alone hold the gift of magic, the wild and wondrous ability to impose emotions over reality and empower their frail bodies with the splendor of their souls. Under their protection, humanity was able to survive and thrive.... more>>

While modern Keepers have come to enjoy a social position somewhere between celebrities and religious idols, very few accept the mantle simply to be a hero. The Messengers of the Goddess Claiasya, spirits charged with awakening the magic in suitable souls, promise that Keepers who consume and purify enough Harbingers will obtain the power to change themselves or the world in nearly any way they wish.

It’s for this purpose that Liadain Shiel, a young girl born terminally ill, throws herself into life as a Keeper when her opportunity comes, hoping against hope to rewrite her fate and save her life while she still can.

But magic wants its wielders to grow and change, not simply continue living, and the secrets swimming beneath the sea and behind the sky have lives and designs of their own.

Nowhere Stars is an ongoing fantasy-horror web novel about traumacore magical girls, nightmares clothed in ribbons and lace, alienation from reality, and broken children twisting the world into whatever shape they must to make their dreams come true.

This is a mirror of Nowhere Stars' home site, located here: https://nowherestars.net/
Updates will be posted at the same time, currently every other Wednesday.

Please be aware that my writing trends quite dark and disturbing. If you're looking for more detailed content warnings, there's a list that should be considered to apply to the story as a whole here: https://nowherestars.net/content-warnings/

Discord: https://discord.gg/UPYYpcvfqX
Topwebfiction: https://topwebfiction.com/listings/nowhere-stars/ <<less

Trapped, entombed, and struggling.... more>>

The last time humanity had seen the natural white light of the sun was a few millennia ago. Left with no other choice but to adapt, countless sacrifices paved the path to survival. Their new lives were filled with daily tests and tribulations. The word 'humanity' had lost meaning a long time ago.

Trials were placed before them, trials that they must overcome to gain the bare necessities for survival. If they want food and water, they need to solve the puzzle. If they want to gain weapons to fight back against the lingering monstrosities inside, they must complete the trial awaiting them. If they want to escape, they need to keep moving forward. Unfortunately for humanity, they weren't here alone. <<less

Bella howell who was called many names like a bastard, mistress daughter, ugly, etc. ... more>>

But only a few people knew about her heavenly beauty and even fewer knew about her talents.

James Hunt was the most popular bachelor in the country. His handsomeness knew no limits or bounds.

There were tons of feelings and secrets between these two, which will be uncovered in the novel. <<less

When the world expects you to be a certain way, even the person who dreams of being different is shackled into the harsh truth that... more>> is reality.
A kind hearted act, even with the potential consequences, drastically changed his life forever, redefining the lives of both humans and immortals forever.
Two worlds exist alongside each other, the modern world where humans are the dominant species, and the world that exists in the shadows, where the vampires exist living their immortal lives hidden from human knowledge.
Will the two worlds continue to remain apart, or will a sudden unexpected event destroy the fragile balance that's divided the two species for thousands of years. <<less

Amara de Rossi witnesses her parents' murder by the Mafia, vowing to make their killers pay. To fulfill her promise, she infiltrates the gang responsible.... more>> Meanwhile, Damiano Bendetti, set to become the Caruso gang's leader, seeks a life partner. Unaware of Amara's mission, Damiano is drawn to her, convinced she's the one. As their paths intertwine, love and revenge collide in a gritty world of crime, testing the limits of loyalty. Will their connection withstand the chaos, or will the past dictate a tragic end? In a tale of love and danger, the stage is set for a gripping journey through the criminal underworld. <<less

A woman awakens in a dark tomb, lost and with no knowledge of the place she is in, nor who she is. Follow her journey to discover herself, and see as she sees, trying to find who she is in a world she doesn't know. A world filled with dangers and wonders she never expected. Desperate to find the truth, even if the answers are far beyond what she thought possible, and there are those who want them to remain buried, and forgotten.... more>>

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This is a first draft, I'm more than happy for feedback and suggestions, and I'll be editing and tidying up after I finish the first major arc. I hope if you read this that you enjoy it, and please have patience as this is the first proper thing I have ever written and released! <<less

Ella Luise is a concierge at a large hotel alongside her three best friends. Everything is great until her boyfriend proposes to her. She panics and runs away. Four times she's had her boyfriends propose to her, and not once could she make it down the aisle.... more>>

Each time, it seems worse. The urge to get away. This time, she runs into the arms of another man after getting drunk when she went out with her friends. She wakes up in a hotel bed with an engagement ring stuck to her finger.

Ella and her friend Alice transfer to a new hotel as a promotion, and who does she run into? The man she slept with, and he's her new boss. Leon Hunt. He owns the hotel resort, and in order to get his inheritance and keep the family business going, he had to choose the only woman he'd ever be with.

Will they be able to make it work together? Is there too big of a difference between them? What secrets does Leon have? Will Ella finally make it down the aisle? <<less

Taking place roughly 40 years after the story of Viena, The Legendary Black Mage, the reader enters the life of a 20-years old love child with "useless" power trying to survive in the tough world of Ersia, and if possible - find the one who raped his mother.... more>>

Little did he know that he would strive for the path of significance.

-----------------------
This story is not for those who love instant power-ups, easy trashing, simple good vs bad, or overpower thingy. It's made to be a long ride as my escape from my daily life.

I hope - and will try, to not waste your time with this, but feel free to drop it if you don't find it interesting. <<less

Dora is being used in the schemes of her Mother. She is to scam money out of unsuspecting men. She is presented as their potential... more>> daughter. Sometimes even instructed to seduce her Daddies!
But their latest victim is a bit different... George could be the Jackpot! Not only handsome, but rich as well! Except he seems to be too smart, and sees right through their plans from the start...
And yet, Dora can't help, but fall in love. She refuses to seduce him on her Mother's orders. But she does everything, to make him fall for her regardless! And what if he's not the Jackpot, but the actual father?!
A story I wrote back in 2021 for a friend. Meant to be a bit spicy, but nothing explicit! It's kind of like a diary. Switching back and forth between the two main protagonists in the 24 short chapters. This is all there is to it, but who knows, if it get's popular, I might pick it up, and continue!
All kinds of feedbacks are welcome! While my writing style probably changed since, I'm sure there are things I could still learn from this short. Don't forget to rate it! And please let me know, what, and why you hated, or loved about this story. There is always room for improvement. <<less

This is a slightly changed version of the Sunbird story, which will stil focus on the adventures of Reimei Scarlettail and Earthling Class No. 1... more>> from the day she enrolls at Sunbird High School to the beginning of the war with the undead. (Scarlet) Sunbird will be the first half of the story, both halves being split up into acts and each act having a different number of chapters. So get ready for lots of fun, fighting, mystery, plotting and all-out destruction as you follow Deckstoru's biggest troublemakers in this epic! <<less

Evetta, a newborn fairy, wakes in confusion and panic upon realizing that she is no longer a human man. Her fear shifts as she explores... more>> the cozy yet unfamiliar home hidden in a forest. Thanks to the help of her secretive guard, Revus, Evetta begins to adjust to her lonely life away from her new family. She learns a new language, how to fly, and begins down the path of using the elemental axioms. Her easygoing life is thrown into chaos when she learns that humans are hunting and capturing fairies, with her guard having been targeted for several years. How will Evetta deal with the ever-growing threat of the fairy hunters, while learning about the circumstances surrounding her separation from her family? <<less

►Just one more step and I might reach freedom...◄... more>>

Whispers.
Faint and unclear.
A cry for freedom.
Prayers of rare Pokémon Domino hears in her head. Trapped on an island and determined to escape, she and her Zorua take a step into the unknown. But behind the friendly facades of the world, the pavement is rough and fights are dangerous. Lies lurk in the cracks, the truth is bittersweet, and just as the spirit of adventure is suffocating her, she learns this journey isn't one she's tackling by herself.
Domino doesn't wander through the ruins alone.
Amethio does too. <<less

Light and Dark, StarBreakers and Demons,
Battling for their survival, and their beliefs.
Follow Yuri, our young adamant Starbreaker as she fights Demons, and unravels... more>> appalling secrets, all for her quest to seek the sacred Land of Light, where miracles reside. <<less

Only women are trained in the art of demonic summoning, but that hasn't stopped Hawley from keeping a secret from their closest friends. When obsession... more>> with the town's strange claw machines turns to a plan of action, will Hawley have the courage to go through with their convoluted scheme? And when the prize at the end of the claw is a chance to be the person they've always wanted, what will they risk to get it? <<less