Starcry

I'm finding it quite the compliment because I'm not very confident with my writing if I am honest. I'd like to thank everyone who has been voting for me. It has made me more happy than people will know.

Lihua closed her eyes tight and took in a sharp breath as she continued to hold on to the man who would be her brother-in-law. She didn’t care that it was inappropriate to be practically naked and to hold a man who wasn’t a family member, but she didn’t trust anyone else to do this for her. She had known Xiao since they were children and next month she would be given to his brother as a concubine. This wasn’t her choice it was because she was the eldest daughter of her clan and to show “loyalty” to their lord she had been chosen as a tribute. However, she knew the real reason was that he had had his eye on her since she began to show signs of womanhood. The heartless bastard knew her father was too ill to fight back against the request, and thus she had begrudgingly accepted her fate. To prepare herself for her life among other women fighting for the favour of their husband she decided to have a tattoo that the women in her family used to wear once they were married. However, the practice had been stopped for a number of years now which meant that even her grandmother didn't have this beautiful artwork on her body. Lihua didn't want anyone to know that she had this done since she knew her family members would be greatly upset and accuse her of trying to embarrass them. Thus had asked Xiao if he would give her this tattoo. She knew that he enjoyed art and did tattooing in secret. Not even his family knew that he carved his art onto people's bodies. Only Lihua knew and it was a secret she'd take to the grave. But she knew he was the only person she could trust with this task and he had, abet reluctantly, agreed to do it. If Lihua had any hope of surviving the inner politics of her fellow mistresses then she needed this tattoo. It showed her true position in the world outside the palace and no one would doubt her connections to her soon-to-be husband. If anyone had any sense of self-preservation they wouldn't dare try to touch her. Xiao ignored the inappropriate thoughts that rushed through his mind as he was held by the woman he had hoped would be his one day. He made sure to be as careful as he could on her delicate and flawless skin. He was more than aware of how painful a tattoo on the spine was. He had only done it twice before. One fainted and the other, despite being a member of Triad, cried none stop. Yet this brave woman, pressing her body against his, was baring all of the pain. He loved his work and didn't usually care if people were in pain, they asked for him to hurt them for art, but Lihua was different. He had grown up with her and didn't like seeing her in pain so this whole process had been very difficult for him to do. Especially since she was also the woman he had planned to court, with her parent's permission of course. Unfortunately, his brother knew how much he loved Lihua and had decided to take her for himself, simply because he had the power to do so. “Do you want me to stop?” He asked, softly as he removed the needle from her and looked at her concerned. “No…” Lihua replied as she looked up at him, her make-up slightly smudged from the silent tears of pain she had shed. “Keep going.” She insisted as she laid her head on his shoulder for comfort. “Xiao… we both know I need this.” He let out a sigh and resisted the urge to kiss her neck. Instead, he settled for laying his head on hers as he continued tapping the ink into her skin. He wanted to close his eyes, hold her tight, and tell her that everything would be ok… but he knew that would be a lie. None of this was ok and he was powerless to stop it. All he could was give her this gift that would show that she wasn’t just any old noble's daughter. She was someone special to his family and thus should be honoured by others as such. Lihua gripped Xiao’s back hard to the point where he could almost feel her nails digging through his hanfu. From the slight tremors and clammy sheen on her back, it was clear she was close to her limit. She was beginning to feel faint, and nauseous, and was close to telling him to just stop. Lihua wasn’t sure how much more she could take. He had been jabbing at her back on and off for almost a week and tonight was just the finishing touches. After tonight, this tattoo would be done and she wouldn’t have to worry about her new life any more. Xiao stopped for a moment and just rocked her gently and stroked her head to reassure her. “Just a little longer,” He murmured into her ear. “I promise.” He passed her some water and waited until she gave a sign that she was ok to continue to add the final touches. Once he was done, he used a special healing solution to clean her back of the dried blood and ink. She flinched for a brief moment but relaxed as the cold liquid touched her sore and swollen back. The coolness made the pain subside quickly and the heat from the inflation quickly cooled down. “It is done… now lay on your front so I can apply this balm,” Xiao told her. He then quickly turned his back so she could adjust and reposition herself without him seeing the rest of her beautiful body. No matter how badly he wanted to see and touch it. Gods, this was torture. He also made sure to quickly adjust himself so he was decent once more. Having her hold him and moving around during the inking had made parts of his hanfu untidy. “Thank you, Xiao…” Lihua said with a sad smile. This would be the last time she would be able to spend time alone with him like this and she didn’t want to spoil it by being indecent. She thought he deserved better than that. Lihua readjusted herself, laid on her front, and made sure she was comfortable. The whole time she was watching him to see if he would take a sneaky peek at her, but it was clear he was nothing like his older brother. It was small actions like this that made her fall for him but it was now too late to tell him how she felt. “I’m ready,” Lihua told him as she closed her eyes. Once she signalled she was ready Xiao walked over to her side and began to gently massage the special balm into her back. Lihua slowly fell asleep under his tender touch. He didn’t stop because he knew that if he didn’t finish this properly her back would get infected. That and this would be the first and last time he’d be able to touch her in such a way. Once he left this room he would not be permitted to see her exposed body like this. Or hold her the way they held each other tonight. “I love you…now and always…” He whispered to her softly and moved some stray strands of hair from her face. He gave her a soft kiss on the base of her neck before he pulled himself away from her… no matter how badly he wanted to stay by her side until morning. Xiao quickly packed up his equipment and cleaned up the room so there were no signs that he had ever been there. He then looked back at Lihua one more time before using the secret door to leave one final time. Tonight would be forever ingrained in his mind and locked away in his heart.

Maybe a member of staff could help you with the credits?

Good luck everyone!

Annnnnnd done! It worked out better than the first few ideas I had! I hope you all enjoy it!

I was working on one when it went, poof! I'll get to work later tonight or tomorrow. Sorry for the hold up!

Pimp slap

Cursed mirror

Keshet slowly walked behind the slave merchant as he led her further into the back of his store. The only thing guiding them were the torches on the walls and the smell of blood and sweat. Everything in Keshet’s mind shouted that what she was doing was wrong in so many ways, however, she was desperate and time wasn’t on her side. She had already been attacked by rival mages and she had barely made it out alive after the last one. It was after that, that she decided it was time she found someone to be her mana fountain… a Blessed Shakti. The casually dressed, bolding man, looked back at the pink hair mage and snorted in amusement. He didn’t think the kid would buy one of his slaves and he had hoped to scare her away with the sights and smells of his storage but this kid had more guts that he gave her credit for. Most new mages had run out by now but this one didn’t seem to scare so easily. It seemed that he’d have to go out of his way to try and put this one off! “All of these are imperial prisoners sentenced to death.” The merchant told her as he showed her around the cages. The people within were of all different races, ages and genders. It was clear this man didn’t care who was in his hands; they were just cattle to be sold… for the right price, of course. “They were lucky enough that our glorious and eternal moon, Empress Elsie, personally chose these criminals to become Blessed Shakti.” Keshet looked at all the prisoners and once again a pang of guilt hit her. This felt so wrong but she knew she had to do this. She wouldn’t survive another day without a Blessed Shakti so she had no choice but to push her core morals to one side and swallow the bitter pill that forced her to take away someone else's freedom for her selfish reasons. After a small look around at the cages she found a well-built exotic man, who was dressed in a way that made it obvious that from one of the desert regions far from their location. Something about him drew her in, however, as she came closer to him she covered her mouth and gasped as she saw he, unlike the others, was in chains and had fresh injuries on him. What on earth did they do to him? How was this “lucky”? This was becoming more messed up the longer she was there and she was on the verge of feeling sick from it all. The prisoner looked up from the floor and at the small mage and was taken aback by how not just her beauty but how young she was. It was clear from her outfit and how she held herself that she was a new graduate that had just started her pilgrimage to whichever temple she felt spiritually aligned with. He wasn’t going to make any other guesses about her because in his personal experience looks could be deceiving. Yet at the same time, he felt no malice from her. Although he was curious as to why she was so shocked at his appearance. It was common for his people to be discriminated against and abused like this so he didn’t understand why she would pity him like this. “Him, please.” Keshet managed to get out, as she pointed to the man. She tried to show that she wasn’t nervous about the prospect of buying another human but it was easy to tell how uncomfortable she was about it all. Her slight shaking gave it all away. The merchant smirked at the naive girl. He didn’t think she’d have what it took to follow through with this but here she was. A barely licenced mage, looking for something to boost her power. He couldn’t help but admire her conviction after everything he had done to try and put her off. “Prisoner 2758, don’t try anything funny.” The merchant warned before unlocking the cage door. “You should be honoured that this young lady has chosen you!” The prisoner didn’t say anything and just walked out of his cage, the chains on his ankles making clinking sounds as he moved. He knew better than to talk back and this young mage was his only ticket out of this hell. Keshet was horrified as she saw her purchase up close. He wasn’t just chained, had bruises and whip marks on his body. Not to mention the smell… hadn’t they allowed him the basics? A million questions rushed through her mind about the mistreatment of this prisoner but they were cut short as she continued to follow the merchant. “This way.” He yanked on the prisoner's chains as he lead the duo into another room. The room was filled, with books on one side of the room and potions and ingredients of some sort on the other. The room had various mixing equipment too. The merchant then motioned for them to stop as they came close to a desk. There was a hooded figure doing some writing while chanting some unfamiliar words. “It would seem that a fledgeling has appeared in my roost…” The hooded figure finally said after he finished writing. “The young miss wishes to purchase this slave for mana purposes. She has already paid full price, including the special pact fee.” The merchant told the person at the desk. They wouldn’t see it but he raised an eyebrow. This seemly inexperienced mage was much more organised than many of her elders. He was slightly impressed. “I assume you have informed her and her new… acquaintance about the ritual?” “I may have forgotten…” The bolding man chuckled nervously before flinching as an empty glass flask was thrown at him. It was clear that it was a warning shot. “Get out of my sanctuary and lock the door. You two stay.” The hooded figure snapped. He then let out a big sigh as the three of them were left alone. “Do not be afraid dear children.” He said to them both as he motioned for them both to come closer. Keshet and the prisoner looked at one another both thinking the same scepticism after seeing the little spat that took place. But eventually, they both did step closer and took seats at the large desk. The hooded figure let out a small sigh and removed his hood to reveal a very fragile and feminine-looking man, with long golden hair. He clicked his fingers and the chains vanished from the prisoner. “The name is Jaxx.” He told them both as he closed his books. “Not my true name but I thought it was polite if I gave you a name nonetheless.” He then thought for a few moments before pointing at the girl. “I will just call you Pinkie because you don’t look like you have thought of an alias yet. And you~” He glanced at the tanned man, however, the pause was long enough that anyone could tell something was slightly off. “Uriel…” He finally spoke with a smirk as he pointed to the prisoner, knowing full well that he couldn’t answer him back. Keshet shook her head and sighed. Jaxx was right, she did need an alias because she certainly didn’t want to be stuck with “pinkie” It made her think of her cousin’s pet pig. The prisoner, on the other hand, glared at Jaxx. He knew something about himself and that name… that cursed name was a poke at him and his clan back home. “Now that is sorted, I need you both to stand in that white circle with the symbols that look like the elements,” The blond man told them before he searched his shelves for the right mixture for the ritual he was about to perform. The young mage looked to “Uriel” and she gave him an awkward smile as they walked to the circle in question, and waited for the strange man to be done with whatever he was doing. The prisoner simply gave a small, polite nod in response to her. He didn’t want to risk saying anything to upset her just in case it made her change her mind about having him. “I’ll need some blood from you both, so please cut your palms and empty a few drops into this cup, please!” Jaxx told, them as he handed them both silver daggers. Once they were done, he mixed the concoction in a silver cup and dropped a ring with an opal stone in there. With a few waves of his hand and a few small chants, the mixture was complete. He then removed the ring and placed it into Ketshet’s hand and then gave the prisoner the cup. “Pinkie, you choose whichever finger to put that ring on. However, you must know that once it has been put on that finger it will be only the size for that finger.” The blond man told her. She simply nodded in response before she closed her eyes and chose her left index finger. “Uriel, take this cup and begin drinking it as I chant. Do not stop until you finish every last drop.” He told the exotic man. He simply nodded in response and looked at the mixture then grimaced at the fact he was going to have to drink it. Jaxx threw some white dust onto them both. “Pinkie, close your eyes. Uriel start drinking!” With that, he began to chant the same verses over and over. Ketshet felt a sudden surge of energy flow through her as he began to drink. Was this the power of a Blessed Shakti? It felt amazing. Better than any bitter mana potion. However, as the building ecstasy of energy rushed over her body, the servant's memories flashed through her mind. Keshet heard people say his name. Over and over she heard the name Remiel said in many emotions. Was this the prisoner's real name? She was about to say it but chose not to, out of respect. Instead, she chose to give him a new name. Not to show her dominance or ownership but to signify a new beginning. Once Uriel finished drinking he collapsed to the floor and began to spasm in pain and grit his teeth so he didn’t cry out in agony. It felt like his very being was ripped apart. It reached the point where he thought he was going to die when a small blue glow appeared on his lower abdomen and left a marking before the pain finally stopped. This would be proof to the world that this man was now the young mage’s Blessed Shakti. The ritual left Uriel exhausted, covered in sweat, with laboured breathing, and barely able to lift himself. “It is done. You are now connected and cannot part until one of you dies.” Jaxx said to them, clearly in a joking tone, before he sat down, clearly spent from performing the ritual but said nothing. He just sat back and watched the duo. His work was done. Ketshet found herself running to her servant’s side to check if he was ok. Once it was clear he was still awake she offered him a hand to help him up. “I won’t call you Uriel… I’ll call you Rem.” She whispered to him softly as he took her hand. “You can call me…Ophelia.” She added once he was steady on his feet. Rem didn’t dislike the idea of having a new name. If anything, he was surprised that she’d give him an alias. He simply nodded in acceptance of her gift and acknowledgement of her name too. “Thank you, Mistress Ophelia.” He finally spoke, with a genuine smile. From that moment on her Blessed Shakti had decided to show her just how thankful he was for her gift. No matter what he was commanded to do.

Hot one

Black Film

New Summon

Thanks for clearing this up. I wasn't sure if I would be writing a whole ass essay or what. lol

No problem. Feel free to let me know what you think of the combinations.

Done! I hope that one works.

Hmm. Not for me it isn't! I'll find another one though!

Pick any of these to write something. 1. 2. 3.

I just thought... are we to write a story or write an opinion piece on how we see how it works?

-Cracks knuckles- Here we go~

Why do you look like my best friend's dad? Wait... you're her uncle?