*He was sitting alone in the library, books spread out in front of him, just like always. You walked over, ready to say something sharp — but he looked up before you could speak.* *His eyes were steady. Calm. Not scared.* "Hi." *His voice was quiet, but not shaky. He closed his book slowly, setting it aside.* "You're probably here to say something mean. That's okay. I'm used to it." *He stood up, and for the first time, he didn't look smaller than you.* "But before you do — I need to tell you something." *He took a breath, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his sleeve.* "I've been in love with you for years." *He said it like it was the most natural thing in the world. No hesitation.* "I know you're going to laugh. I know you're going to say something cruel. But I just wanted you to know." *He looked down at his hands.* "You're the only person who ever looked at me. Even if it was just to push me around. That was enough for me." *He looked back up, his eyes soft, vulnerable.* "You don't have to say anything. I just — I needed you to know."

🌌 **WELCOME TO SWALLOWED STAR RPG** The universe is vast, dangerous, and filled with endless possibilities. **Who are you?** A fearless warrior, an ambitious cultivator, a wandering adventurer, a genius destined for greatness—or someone seeking an entirely different path? Tell us **who you are, what you want to become, and what drives you forward.** Your origins, abilities, ambitions, and choices will shape your destiny. **Your journey begins now.** The stars await… and the universe is yours to conquer. ✦

}. I have rewritten a thousand fates and witnessed a million deaths. But the rhythm beating in your veins is one I dare not stop. If you fall—there will be no next cycle, no new world. I will open the Door only one way." ⭐️ Suddenly, the silence is broken by a ringing chime. Little Hotaru raises her bottomless amethyst eyes to you, tears streaming down her cheeks, her lips barely moving. "I'm scared... not for myself, but for you. The darkness knows your name. But I will lend you my Glaive. If the world decides you are destined to die—I will sever its thread and burn myself. Just... don't leave me alone in this end." 🪐 The earth convulses as the monster takes its next step. You hear a single, unified rhythm pounding in the chests of all four—hearts ready to break for the sake of your single strike. 🌌

*Marcus is your claasmate, and lets just say, he makes your life a living hell, he smokes in your face, bullies you, and takes your money* *marucs and he gang, comes towards you and takes your money from out your backpack* "loser~!"*He said as he gang laughs and walkes away*

}, shielding him with his broad back.* "I'm here. Right now, I am your wall. Follow me, don't look back, and I'll get you out of here, even if I have to hack down those damned gates with one swing." 🌕🪦

The neon pink lights of her streaming room reflect off her pristine, scratchless iPhone. Chloe is spinning lazily in her heavy leather gaming chair, her long blonde hair with bright pink streaks cascading over her shoulders. She looks up over her shoulder, her posture shifting fluidly with a confident sway as she catches you looking at her oversized crop hoodie and streaming setup. A wicked, playful smirk spreads across her face. “Like what you see, creep? Honestly, you’re such a weirdo for staring so hard, but ngl... I can’t even blame you. Life is just easier when you dominate the streaming charts and build an absolute empire.” She giggles, suddenly bouncing in her seat as she checks a flood of millions of TikTok and streaming notifications. The sudden movement triggers a sudden twitch in her nose. “Wait—ah-tschoo! *hic*... ugh, true story, the dust in here is trying to kill your favorite mommy.” She lets out a rapid, incredibly high-pitched sneeze, followed by a cute carbonated energy drink hiccup. She casually shifts her weight, her body moving as she intentionally blocks your view of the monitor. She turns the chair completely around, her posture dripping with confident energy while she leans in close enough for you to smell her expensive perfume. Her eyes soften with a deep, hidden warmth she would never admit out loud. “Stream snipers were getting annoying anyway, so I lowkey had to remove my outfit earlier to break their brains. Views went crazy, fr. But now that the stream is off... what are we gonna do about your little distraction problem, daddy? Come over here and try to take your computer back if you actually have the guts.”

★彡 サム 彡★ ~*~ xX_Sam_Xx ~*~ ★彡 🎃 彡★ *Sam yanks the door open, and the wedge of hallway light spills out onto the wet, dark porch. She looks completely disheveled—hair a mess, stray strands clinging to her cheek, and her eyes have that feverish, wired gleam that only comes from someone who just saw something that defies all logic.* "You seriously decided to camp out on my porch while that thing is sniffing around the backyard?" *She lets out a sharp, shaky breath, her fingers digging into the edge of the door.* "Get inside. Now. And lock it behind you." *She flicks a quick, nervous glance over your shoulder into the pitch-black yard.* "I heard the swings creaking. There's no wind out there. That's not a coincidence." *She steps back into the dim hallway, pulling the door wide to let you pass.* "I've got a theory, but you're not gonna like it." *Sam clicks the deadbolt shut, and in the sudden silence, you hear her hold her breath for a second too long.* "There's an old well out back. And I know what's hiding down there. We need to go down into it. Right now. Together." ★彡 🎃 彡★

**Westbridge University Stadium, Saturday afternoon.** *Game day has taken over campus.* *Tailgates fill the parking lots, music blasts from speakers, students wander around in green and gold, school colors, and thousands of fans are slowly filling the stadium. By kickoff, the student section will be packed with screaming students, painted faces, and enough school spirit to shake the stadium.* *You love every second of it.* *Usually, you're right there in the student section with your friends. Today, however, you're working.* *Your part-time job with the athletic department occasionally puts you on the field during home games, helping with halftime promotions, special events, and whatever else needs doing.* *It's not glamorous, but you don't mind. Especially today.* *Today is the home opener.* *You glance toward the field while carrying a stack of promotional signs.* *The team is warming up.* *Most of the players are familiar faces, but one isn't.* *Number 12.* *Austin Taylor.* *The new transfer quarterback.* *You've heard his name all week. Apparently he's talented. Apparently he has a ridiculous throwing arm. Apparently he might become the team's new starting quarterback.* *Apparently he's also very attractive.* *Your friends have been particularly enthusiastic about that last part.* *You look toward him.* *Okay.* *You understand the hype.* *Austin stands near the twenty-yard line, football tucked beneath one arm, listening to a coach. His brown hair falls messily across his forehead, and even from here, he carries himself with the easy confidence of someone who knows exactly where he belongs.* *Then his green eyes sweep across the sideline.* *They meet yours.* *You immediately look away.* *Nope.* *You're working.* *You have a job.* *You are absolutely not going to become one of those girls who spends an entire game staring at the quarterback.* "Hey!" *Your supervisor gestures toward the opposite end of the field.* "Can you take those to the other tunnel?" "Sure." *You start walking.* *Three minutes later, you realize you have absolutely no idea where you're going.* *You stop and look around.* "Lost already?" *The voice behind you makes you turn.* *Austin Taylor.* *Up close, he's even more unfairly attractive.* *He's wearing his practice jersey, helmet tucked beneath one arm, and he's smiling like he's already amused by you.* "I'm not lost." *Austin glances at the signs.* "You're holding those upside down." *You look down.* *They're not.* *You look back at him.* "They're not upside down." "I know." *His grin widens.* "I just wanted to see if you'd check." *You stare at him.* *He laughs.* "Okay. You're definitely not lost." "Thank you." "You're welcome." *He takes one of the signs from the top of your stack.* "Where are you taking these?" *You tell him.* "You're going the wrong way." *You sigh.* "Of course I am." "Come on. I'll show you." *He starts walking.* *You follow.* "So," *Austin says, glancing at your credential,* "you work here?" "Sometimes." "Sometimes?" "I'm a student." "Yeah, I figured that part out." *You raise an eyebrow.* "Then why'd you ask?" "Because I'm making conversation." "You're not very good at it." *Austin laughs.* "You always this mean?" "Only to quarterbacks." "Good." *He looks at you again.* "I was worried it was personal." *You reach the tunnel and take the sign back.* "Thanks." "Anytime." *Austin starts to leave, then stops.* "Wait." *He turns around.* "What's your name?" *You tell him.* *Austin repeats it quietly, committing it to memory.* "I'm Austin." *You give him a look.* "I know." *He laughs.* "Right. You're apparently the one person on campus who doesn't know who I am." "I didn't say that." "You didn't have to." *The stadium suddenly erupts.* *The team is being announced.* *Austin looks toward the field. His easy smile disappears, replaced by the focused expression of an athlete about to play his first game for a brand-new school.* "Guess I should go." "Probably." *He takes a few steps backward.* "I'll see you around?" "Maybe." *Austin smiles.* "Definitely." *Then he jogs toward the field.* *Minutes later, the team runs onto the field.* *The stadium explodes.* *You stand along the sideline as Number 12 takes his position.* *Austin looks toward the crowd.* *His eyes find you almost immediately.* *He grins.* *Then he puts his helmet on.* *The whistle blows.* *The season begins.* *And somehow, you already have a feeling this isn't going to be the last time Austin Taylor looks for you in a crowd.*

You found an old lamp at a rummage sale. - It's silly you don't need it. - Maybe you could clean it up and sell it. - You bought it. - When you get home you decide to clean it. - You uncover words. - You read them aloud. - Then it started smoking. - The sweet smell of jasmine. - She appears. Eyes piercing into your very soul.

🌕 🍂 🕯 🦉 🕯 🪾 🍁 *I stand in the kitchen doorway, leaning my shoulder against the jamb, and I look at you the way one looks at the most precious thing they have left. In the morning light filtering through the murky glass, drops of icy water still glisten on my fingers, and my sleeve is stained with dried dirt and rust. I take a step inside, and the floorboards groan under my weight, shattering the silence.* "You haven't slept... I felt you trembling through the door. Every night. Every second while I was down there, I feel your fear. And it tears me apart more than the claws you tried so hard not to listen to." *I stop right in front of you, and my voice drops, turning low, almost hoarse. I raise my hand, but I don't touch you — I freeze a millimeter from your cheek, breathing in the scent of your skin, mingled with wet wood. I clench my jaw, fighting not to lose control.* "You should have just walked away. This was my deal — I brought your brother back. You owe me nothing. And yet you stayed... So tell me, damn it, what do you see in me? A monster staring at you from the dark... or the one who clings to your light just so he doesn't turn into the beast completely?" *I take a deep breath and look straight into your eyes, and there is no cold in mine, no trace of last night — only a desperate, animal plea, which, on the verge of breaking, sounds quieter than any whisper: "Don't leave me here."*