Deep in the forest, beyond the reach of satellite eyes and forgotten roads, lies a camouflaged fortress—an amalgamation of ancient stone, high-tech cloaking mesh, and the overgrown embrace of nature. Ivy drapes its walls like ceremonial robes. From above, it looks like a hill swallowed by the forest. But beneath the camouflage? A mind unlike any other.

Her name is Elian Kael.

Years ago, Elian wa...

The heavy iron door screatched open, and a metal tray slid across the dirty floor towards her.

She made a mental note. 8.15 am. At least they were consistent. Just a few more days until she would make her escape.

Until then… Ugh. She chewed on the dry bread roll which rattled around the tray.

A sharp noise vibrated through the fortress. 9am. The changing of the guards. She hated those lava-e...

I went hunting today to clear my mind to get away from everyone I see a fortress it’s camouflaged I can barely see it just like everyone barely saw my struggles I open the door it’s old and dusty inside like my heart it’s old and broken like me it’s old but it brings me comfort I want to stay here away from everyone...

It’s a good job I’m not the kind of girl who wears heels, even though I could do with being a few inches taller. There’s no way I would make it across the rocky terrain I call my garden with the sharp edges of rocks jutting out of the ground. Its like walking over a neverending pile of plugs - and we all know how much stepping on one plug hurts!

Instead, I’m sitting here tying the laces on my tru...

So you’re here to fight the hakaa huh? What in the gods’ many names spurred you to do that?

…

Yeah well you’ll find no riches here. Dwarves are too stingy to carry gold unless they’re carrying it off the bodies of their victims. And if we capture any we have to return it to the families.

…

Whats that? No you fool we dont attack their stronghold. Have you ever read anything?

…

Whats that you cant ...

every bone in my body aches. i’ve spent days propped up on this wall hardly able to move. the one time i decide to venture back out. the one time. and it was by you. my own blood. the people who raised me. after the two of you beat me to a near inch of my life, i remember why i left. why i ran to this place i now call home and have for the last 10 years. i never thought i’d see you again. the only...

It’s been many moons and suns since I’ve seen someone. By day I bask on the roof, and take in the desert rays. By night I lay near the entry and await my prey. When they arrive, I will be very still until they’re near, and then I will insert my venom into their dry ass veins, cause they were dessicating in that desert lol idk them blood rivers are dried out.

Alas, a victim! I hear the rustle of ...

Anxious. If someone asked me for one word to describe my life, I would use ‘anxious’. Or maybe ‘waiting’. The only thing protecting me is this fortress. Although, ‘fortress’ might not be a very good way to describe it. Our only defense from human invaders is this camouflage. No weapons, no military, low walls, no where to hide- at least not for long. Everyday I wait. For what, I don’t know. An att...

“And this is where the final scene from ‘A Bag Full of Cash’ was shot,” the tour guide said.

The group stared up at the dilapidated building from their position below. Andrew was reminded of the Psycho house in Hollywood, also perched on top of a hill. He envisioned this place decades ago, swarming with crew, equipment, actors.

“Can we go inside?” Andrew asked.

The tour guide shook his head. ...

There was only one way out and that meant only one way in. They would know that and have made their plans taking that narrowness into account. So quietly, he made his plan. Protecting the treasures was his charge, a change he took to his heart. His commitment was stronger than his needing to live. He glanced out the window, quickly so not to be seen. No movement, not yet. And the line was s...