Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~ - Chapter 6: Punishment game

Riven's life turns upside down when Elysium's Multiverse absorbs planet Earth. On the fringes of a newly growing galaxy where magic and fantasy are both very real, the inhabitants of three merged worlds must find a way to survive the trials Elysium sets out for them. Riven finds himself thrust into a whirlwind of chaotic events just trying to make it out in one piece, learning how to craft the dark arts to do his bidding as he strives to keep his loved ones safe.But the powers of this new multiverse have other plans for Riven's tiny planet, and Elysium's worldwide trials are just the beginning.*A mixture of brutal violence, the darker aspects of humanity, and comedy. Centered around a blood mage / warlock and his demonic summons. This story is full of gory fight scenes, you have been warned.**Inspired by 'Defiance of the Fall', 'Primal Hunter', 'The Legend of Randidly Ghosthound', and 'Infinite Realm' series. I hope I do them justice.*

The country girl, Emily, was an orphan. She survived off the scraps that she could find from families around her. Every one of them despised her.

One day, a fairy-like little brother came to the city and brought her home.

At first, Emily wasn’t popular in other people’s homes, but she quickly awakened her god-tier learning talent. She could learn pretty much anything and everything in an instant.

Soon, Emily was regarded as a child prodigy. She was proficient in all sorts of arts, including zither, chess, and calligraphy, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

The elders and older brothers who didn’t really like her in the past were all captivated by her and spoilt her like a little fairy.

Every day, her grandparents, parents, uncles, aunties, and brothers fought to pamper her.

Grandpa said, “Baby, can you help Grandpa take a look at this painting?

Grandpa liked to collect oil paintings, but his deteriorating eyesight couldn’t discern good paintings from bad ones, and he kept getting tricked by sellers . So he had to consult the seven-year-old Emily because paintings that passed through Emily’s hands were never wrong.

Her father pleaded, “Baby, help me. The chairman of the Gu Site Corporation wants to get a calligraphy painting from you. This will determine whether my company can land a deal with them!”

Her brothers pleaded. “Baby, are you busy today? When are you going to visit your brother’s school? I promised the principal that I would bring you there. You can’t go back on your word.”

When Aria turned five her grandmother told her that their family has never been blessed with a mate and not having a mate doesn't mean they won't find love.When Aria turned eighteen, her desire to have a mate became stronger because her best friend whom she had a crush on found his mate and the pure joy in his eyes when he told her about the mate bond, place a emptiness in her heart.“You are special, Aria. You have the power to turn back time.”That was what her grandmother told her when she claimed she was cursed and even though she was not satisfied with that answer, she never asked again.Two years later, Aria got a call from the hospital and found out that her grandmother has been poisoned and the only way for her to save her grandmother was to accept this deal made by the Alpha of the Shadow Moon pack“Marry Alpha Tristan, have him fall for you and then kill him.”It was the only way to saved her grandmother so she agreed despite knowing that she was walking into a lion den, because how was she going to kill a man who despite losing both his sight and his mate, command enough power and authority to still be called a Alpha.How will Aria feel when she realized that the man she has been task to kill has been waiting for her for five lifetimes and have just two years left to live?What situation will Aria find herself that will require her to turn back time and what price will she pay for altering time itself?-----------ExcerptAria felt uneasy by his silence and wondered if it was the right moment to use the techniques, Hailey has taught her.Taking a deep breath, Aria stepped closer and closed her eyes as she brushed her lips against Tristan's.Tristan stiffened when he felt her lips on his and without thinking, he immediately pushed her away.Seeing the angry look on his face, Aria felt like it was all over; she was definitely going to be killed now.But Tristan expression was shadowed by more than anger. How had she gotten so close without him sensing her? And why--why was his heart racing like this?

A conversation with a handsome stranger leaves Ariane chained in a cellar with a strange affliction. She soon discovers that the darkness of the nineteenth century’s Deep South hides many dangers. Mages, wolf shifters and the humans who hunt them play a risky game where to stumble is to die, all under the amused gaze of the apex predators of the supernatural world: vampires.

It is never healthy to attract the gaze of the aristocracy of the night. It takes much to survive in this merciless world, but Ariane will not let that deter her. The southern belle has a bite, and she is willing to learn and to grow in this hostile new world. She will use whatever means necessary to reclaim her freedom, be it guile, charm, or those intriguing new instincts that make blood so delectable.

This is a story of vampires as I believe they should be, with their strengths and weaknesses, with their remnants of humanity and the beast inside. Updates every Friday. Mind the tags.

Cover by Antti Hakosaari: https://www.artstation.com/haco

Special thanks to Svensonsen for getting me started, as well as Omi Nya, Hesketh, Rhaegar, Yaksher, Selkie and Raven for proofreading my stuff. Thanks to my patrons and you dear readers, for the support. I could not do it without you.

Journey is on Amazon, both in ebooks and audio. here is a link to the first one:

https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B08DK6G8Y8

The story probably exists in your local marketplace as well of I can tempt you.