Ashley Falcon

IMPORTANCE ANNOUNCEMENT 2 - Patreon Updates

Hi Guys,

Whew. This has been a hectic weekend. 

There are a few things I'd like to say in this post because I want to be completely transparent with all of you. 

I'm disabled. I can't really use my hands, but the reason for that is because my upper body itself is a bit strange. The disability itself started a while ago, but two weeks ago I woke up in a lot of pain with my whole right-side numb, and a couple of other health issues have been piling up, and we decided...

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Hi Guys!

From next month onwards all tiers will be following RoyalRoad's scheduling. 

I understand this is a decision that will likely cause many to unsubscribe, but the truth is it was already in consideration over the month because writing 30-35k weeks was becoming unsustainable. 

I would like to say that this news is coming because I burnt out due to writing too much.

Unfortunately, that not the case.

As many of you may know I'm disabled and have bee...

Chapter 169: The meeting isn't over until the fat bird sings.

Re-write in progress

Chapter 168: After all I’ve been through, and everything I’ve done, what made you think I was going to do this quietly?

Hi Guys!

Today is turning out to be a really busy one (a lot of stuff piled on suddenly) so the next chapter may come a bit later. I'll keep you updated if so, but the overall amount of extra chapters wont change. 

Enjoy!

****

I stood in the middle of a corridor and a headache was forming in my skull. There was always a sense of pressure that pushed against me when I encountered a new obstacle. This man said he believed I was an impostor and he had come to see me ...

Chapter 167: What happens if Sauron loses his contact lense?

My footsteps echoed across an empty corridor. Murals and tapestries hung on the walls, depicting ages gone by. Priests gave water to the thirsty, and knights fought valiantly against monsters. Each one showed a different good deed enacted by the church.

Above each of the tapestries was the symbol of a single eye.

I was wearing my purple robes, the patterns gathering together in the middle of them to form the same eye I saw on the murals.

"How much do you think they know abou...

Chapter 166: Reincarnation is a get out of jail free card. If you’re in jail. And dead.

Asking Amanda about reincarnation was a flash of curiosity. The words had flown out of my mouth, but I didn't regret it.

I wanted to know the answer.

“Are you finally getting sick of reading about Marked ones?” Amanda followed my gaze to the bookshelf as she hopped onto the sofa beside me.

Her crimson hair lit up and she smiled in excitement. Getting her talking about books was the same as firing a cannonball.

She couldn't be stopped once she got going on the topic...

Chapter 165: In the event of fire don’t walk into the flames. Seriously. Fire is really hot.

Gerial and I spoke deep into the night, and I ended up sleeping in the chair after creating a dirt nest for Gold on the desk.

It was a break all of us needed.

We’d both left the room together sporadically so that the church would know we were both safe. Bishop Kavenaugh couldn't keep the grin off his face.

He didn't seem at all suspicious of me.

I kept the words Gerial had said at the top of my thoughts. His attack was still fresh, so I'd told him to rest for longer....

Chapter 164: Having motive, justification, and a bloody knife in my hand does not mean I killed this man.

Hey guys!

Familiar chapter title?

I've completely re-written chapter 163! And most of this chapter is new, with some things moved over from the previous chapter 163. 

Please make sure to read both, as there have been important plot points covered in the new chapter 163!

Enjoy!

****

Gerial was back to his normal self by night-time. We'd spent hours laughing and talking, and playing ‘battle for Illima’, a scriber board game I'd borrowed from my grand...

Chapter 163: Ohana means family. Family means no consequences for kicking you.

Hi Guys!

Familiar chapter number? Yes!

I re-wrote almost all of this chapter, so its practically a brand new one! You will still be getting chapter 164, but I had to re-write this one because there was a huge glaring plothole I'd written. 

Also, I didn't like the way I'd written Gerial. It wasn't true to my vision of him and this book so I've edited that too. 

Enjoy!

****

I stood in silence, watching Fue’s Marked one closely. I'd accused her of ...

Chapter 162: Remember to be polite when accusing someone of murder. After all, you might be right.

Memories of my previous life flashed through my mind. I’d never forgotten Earth, nor did I want to. My old life held precious memories that I would cherish forever. But it was the memory of my violent death that I had lived over and over again in my mind.

Falling, pain, dying.

Don't hate me for this.

Three years ago those were the last words spoken to me before I died. I'd always remember them, and I’d gone through the memory countless ...

Chapter 161: Stranger danger is real. Unless they have gold. No, wait. Especially if they have gold.

Hi guys!

I wasn't too impressed with the first three chapters of my last book, so I wanted to improve by making the first three chapters of this book impactful.

I've loved what I've written! (sorry if that seems cocky haha, I just like improving)

Enjoy!

****

A calm had fallen onto the room, blanketing any panic that had formed. I’d called the guards to take the rock, but they’d already been aware of it.

On it was the symbol of Artus, the divine.

F...

Chapter 160: I prefer to take life one obstacle at a time. But lately, several have tag-teamed me at once.

Hey Guys!

Whew, I woke up with a big old feeling of imposter syndrome. Then I wrote this chapter and it went away, woo!

Enjoy!

****

My guard held Gerial in his arms. Gerial’s hand hung limply towards the ground, blood dripping off his fingers and into the water. The sight of Gerial’s injuries kicked me into action, adrenaline surging through my veins.

"Take him to the nearest church, immediately." I ordered the guard holding him.

The guard nodded and di...

Chapter 159: Remember to schedule an appointment when opening a portal.

The sword sliced at my head, barely missing my cheek as I ducked underneath it. That was a mistake. My opponent’s leg kicked out from below, pushing my right foot to the side and breaking my stance. I tumbled and a flash of steel was the last thing I saw as the sword plunged into my chest.

"I win." William’s triumphant voice echoed in my ears.

He towered over me and offered me his hand. I clasped it and he helped me stand up. I looked down at my wound. The battle each damage b...

Chapter 158: It’s nice to take a step back and admire the view. No jokes. No deaths. Just nature and friends.

The person responsible for trying to turn me into a slave was standing in front of me. Heat washed off him in waves and his silver eyes bore holes into my head. I was expecting to see anger, and fury.

There was only indifference.

“Are you accepting the claim?” Ignatius’s icy voice sent a shiver down my spine.

We stared at each other. The man was expecting an answer right now, and I wasn't sure how he would react to not getting one.

A single chirp broke through my...

Chapter 157: Art is in the eye of the beholder, but I’m blind as a bat.

The aftermath of master Strand’s attack taught me an important life lesson. I can't leave an unconscious body in the middle of a hospital and skip the paperwork.

"You're lucky you have friends in high places.” Gerial spoke.

The authorities arrived a few minutes after everything was over. They’d cleared the area and taken Master Strand away.

After that came a rigorous questioning process that had been interrupted by Gerial.

"I told them the truth." I shrugged. "Th...

Chapter 156: Sometimes stabbing the elderly is the only solution we have.

Whew! Sorry for the delay.

My computer suddenly updated, then my internet went out.

I may come back to edit this chapter.

Book 3 is finished! (a couple of epilogue chapters to tie things up incoming)

I finished this book in 27 days (ish) and its the first time I've finished a book within a month. Its a very emotional moment for me, because getting this far has always been a dream of mine for a long time.

I'm still very new to writing, and I have a lot to learn, b...

Chapter 155: Fool me once shame on me. Fool me twice and you'll end up in the hospital.

Hi Guys!

Sorry for the late chapter, I spent a solid 11 hours on this one.

I may come back to see if any other edits/changes need to be made.

Enjoy!

****

My mother killed a man. Ever since I was born every part of my life had been affected by that incident. It determined where I grew up. My social standing was dictated by its consequences. And all of it had led me here.

To the breathing and living golem in front of me, who also claimed to be the man she had...

Chapter 154: Dead men wish browser histories told no tales.

Hey Guys!

Please note that the Mythic Magician tier will be following the regular RR schedule as of the 1st of May. This does not include the Friday and Saturday (AEST) at the end of April which will still have extra chapters posted.

Enjoy!

****

I stared at Bob. My mind raced with possibilities, and Gerial grimaced beside me. I’d jumped the gun, and now it was my turn to respond. The sound of little Bob’s pen scratching against paper filled the silence.

Bob�...

Chapter 153: Behind every successful negotiation is a substantial amount of stupidity.

A shadow crossed over mine as Gerial walked beside me. The sound of our footsteps pressing against the stonepath filled the air. The museum towered over us, a single building floating among a storm of mana.

“Anything to report?” I asked calmly.

The air whistled across my body, spinning across my ears, and bringing a voice with it.

“Nothing, Master Silver.” My guard replied. “There is no ambush.”

I nodded at his words. We were preparing for...

Chapter 152: Cry havoc! And let slip the hogs of war!

There were things in this world that took me a long time to piece together. Their customs were different from Earth, and so was their food. Magic was in the air and something I thought was normal could turn out to be a glamour.

"Little Bob’s a golem?” I smacked my palms on the table in front of me. “Are you sure?”

I’d met the kid twice and talked to him and I hadn't picked up on that at all.

Gerial nodded, his fingers interlocking as he thought over today’s event...

Chapter 151: The easiest way to shop with kids is not to.

The quiet atmosphere of the bookstore settled around me as I gazed down at little Bob. I thought the child was reaching for my inventory, but he had actually wanted my wrist.

"Sorry little guy, I'm not going to be going anywhere with you." I spoke. "Where’s your dad?”

I took a step back and little Bob gazed at me in confusion. He looked down at his hands and then back at me and made a grabbing motion.

Mana Sense.

My skill swept through the surroundings, bu...

Chapter 150: A book is a gift you can open again and again.

The next two days passed without incident. Roxxy warned Amanda about the connection magic, and my guards confirmed that it was possible. I’d also gotten the time to rest. The more I thought about it, the less I was convinced that Bob had anything to do with this.

“The Gesti are an immortal household, they don't tend to drop ice cream on their enemy’s heads as a tactic." William frowned. "They could have easily made up a reason and banned you from the Gesti Sky.”

He was rig...

Chapter 149: My Wi-Fi and I have a connection like nobody else. If it dies, I die.

Roxxy stood alone in the hotel corridor, a hint of cool air brushing past me as water mana spread around her. She was keeping up a defensive bubble, but it wasn't for me.

"Of course we can talk.” I spoke.

I moved aside and she walked inside, her eyes darting from side to side.

“Amanda’s not here?” Roxxy asked.

"You just missed her.” I shook my head. “Did you want her here?”

She shook her head, and I closed the door, turning to my guest.

Gerial...

Chapter 148: Pro tip: Always give a warning note before you set a hotel on fire. It’s good manners.

I stood up as Roxxy’s voice crashed into my ears, rushing towards the door with William. Gold squawked, flying alongside us, heat brushing against his feathers.

The door had already been opened, Gerial disappearing through it.

[Mana Sense].

The moment I entered the corridor I saw the source of the heat. Amanda's door had swung open, five flaming fingers sticking through it.

It was one of the claws she'd used against me in our arena fights. And against Oublie...

Chapter 147: A genuinely serious discussion.

The sound of chirping drowned out the dripping of ice-cream as it fell onto the floor. I didn't move. Amanda had placed the dessert upside down onto my head, and then squashed the ice cream into my hair.

“I-I am so sorry.” Amanda’s eyes were wide. “I'll grab a towel. Or some napkins.”

“I'll go with you.” Roxxy appeared beside her.

They rushed off to the other end of the room, leaving me standing. Agni chirped lightly, breaking me out of my stupor.

I blink...

Chapter 146: Ice-cream makes great moisturizer. It’s a scientifically proven fact, trust me.

My heartbeat quickened as I looked at the card in my hand. Bob was a Gesti, or worked for them. I went over the conversation I'd just had. None of it had been sinister, and I'd sensed no ill intentions.

His kid had been the one to approach me, not him.

“Did you enjoy your R&R session?” A voice called out to me.

It was William.

He was the first of the group to reach me, taking a seat by my side. Bob and his son were out of sight, and even if they weren't I didn'...

Chapter 145: By my first birthday I was a doctor, a mathematician, and a god. I can claim to be anything, but it doesn’t make it true.

Five hours later I stepped off the roller coaster.

Okay, it had only been five minutes, but it felt like five hours.

Whether or not I’d screamed was nobody’s business. What happened on the roller coaster stayed on the roller coaster.

Amanda wasn’t as confident about roller coasters as she'd looked. It was a pleasant surprise. Her legs were jelly as she stepped off the ride and I shot her a teasing smirk.

“Not. A. Word.” She gritted her teeth.

“Your si...

Chapter 144: There are worse things in life than death. Have you ever spent an evening on a roller coaster?

My heart pounded against my chest as I listened to Gerial. He’d said that the Gesti were claiming me, but I didn't know what that meant or what repercussions there would be. There were too many unknowns.

“We need to talk about this.” I spoke.

Gerial glanced over shoulder towards the lobby door.

“We’ll do it when there aren't so many eyes on us.” His gaze shifted toward me.

I paused.

What did he mean by that?

"We can talk at the hotel." Gerial ga...

Chapter 143: First rule of business: Stay out of mine.

Hey Guys!

Today is the the end of daylight savings in my country! That means the uploads are at the usual time for me (10am AEST and 9pm AEST) but may appear different for you.

Enjoy!

****

Sometimes I had to remind myself that it’s okay to sit back and relax. Monster attacks, constant training, immortal household schemes and ungraspable watching horrors took their toll on my mind. Rest and relaxation are what stopped me from crumbling apart.

“My key card is d...

Chapter 142: You're supposed to tell me if I'm rich. That's the rule.

The portal disappeared behind me as my friends stepped through the door. Amanda and Roxxy stopped in shock as they viewed the cities in the sky above and even William looked moved.

“This entire platform is one of nine entrances to Gesti Sky.” My grandma’s voice floated into my ears.

We stood on top of an empty dock, and I could see people milling about below us. The platform we were on extended around us for hundreds of meters before abruptly ending.

Beyond it there wa...