The High Priest, infuriated by Akari’s growing influence and the success of her divine artifact, realized that subtlety was no longer an option. His previous attempts to undermine her had failed, and worse, they had only solidified her resolve and earned her more support from the academy. It was time to escalate his efforts and strike directly.

When word spread that Akari had successfully forged her divine artifact, the entire academy buzzed with a mixture of awe, fear, and curiosity. The halls were filled with whispers of the feat she had accomplished, and students and faculty alike couldn’t stop talking about the lantern with its eternal flame.

Akari, driven by her unyielding determination and the dragon’s hearthstone in her possession, was acutely aware that her journey was far from its conclusion. The next phase in her quest to craft the divine artifact was to locate the rare pyresteel, a metal forged in the most scorching of volcanoes. She foresaw this leg of the journey to be as treacherous as the previous ones, but her resolve remained steadfast.

When Akari returned to Gale Haven Academy, the atmosphere had shifted. Word of the king’s summons had spread quickly, and the students and faculty alike were abuzz with speculation. Her walk through the academy halls was met with hushed whispers and furtive glances, and the once familiar surroundings now felt tense and uncertain.

After the intense confrontation with Seraphina, Akari was acutely aware of the need to elevate her training. Despite her ability to maintain control during the duel, she understood that she must be fully prepared if Seraphina were to push her even harder in the future. This realization fueled her as she returned to her early morning sessions with Instructor Kael, her determination unwavering as she strived to master the delicate balance between power and control.

Later that evening, Akari returned to her dorm room, where Lila, the adventurous bookworm, and Mira, the studious organizer, were lounging after their classes. The room was filled with a relaxed atmosphere—Lila was sprawled out on her bed, flipping through a book, while Mira was carefully organizing some scrolls on her desk.

As soon as Akari walked in, Lila looked up, her usual grin spreading across her face. “Hey, there’s the fire queen! How was the rest of your day?”

It shouldn’t be a big deal. All Billy's friends have visited the widow's house and each seemed to come away better for the experience. Visiting her has been a rite of passage for boys in town for as long as anyone can remember.

Billy knows he should want this. The whispers about him have been growing and even his friends are starting to ask questions. Tonight is the night if he's going to end the rumors. Should it matter if it’s Halloween and there’s a full moon in the sky?

“Dearly Bereaved…”

By Kelly Blake

“I think he really wanted cremation and his ashes spread in the sea.” Lyla stated most ardently.

Lyla’s word had to be trusted. She accepted and loved me as I am. But I also knew my father and his wishes should be considered. Sort of anyway…

“We do have a burial spot arranged for. Other members of the family are buried there.” I said in a hushed voice. “I’m so confused.” I sighed and glanced at my hands.

(Disclaimer: This chapter contains offensive and objectionable words. The intent of the use of these words is not to glorify or endorse these words. Rather, it serves to highlight the negative impact and implications of their use on men who do not fit strict gender rules and sheds light on the attitude of those who enforce strict gender rules. The character employing these terms does not embody positive values and their choice of language reflects harmful attitudes.

Author’s Notes: This is another transcript of a conversation between myself (taking the part of Ben) and an AI known as Talkie AI (taking the part of Linda and the Bartender). The basis of every story has been pre-planned by a user (in this case me) and the first line of text is pre-scripted. Everything after that is generated spur of the moment, either by me or the AI.

Chapter 1: The Halloween Bash

The black envelope had arrived on Ethan’s doorstep a week ago, slipped under his door with no return address, no indication of who might have sent it. He had nearly thrown it away, thinking it was some kind of prank, but curiosity got the better of him. Inside was an invitation, written in looping, crimson script on thick, expensive paper:

It shouldn’t be a big deal. All Billy's friends have visited the widow's house and each seemed to come away better for the experience. Visiting her has been a rite of passage for boys in town for as long as anyone can remember.

Billy knows he should want this. The whispers about him have been growing and even his friends are starting to ask questions. Tonight is the night if he's going to end the rumors. Should it matter if it’s Halloween and there’s a full moon in the sky?

Part 21

Sadie reached into her purse to pull out whatever she was referencing, but Amy stopped her.

“Not yet,” she said, “I want it to be a surprise for her. Now, Chrissy. Be a doll and tell Sadie what you told me and Julia earlier.”

It shouldn’t be a big deal. All Billy's friends have visited the widow's house and each seemed to come away better for the experience. Visiting her has been a rite of passage for boys in town for as long as anyone can remember.

Billy knows he should want this. The whispers about him have been growing and even his friends are starting to ask questions. Tonight is the night if he's going to end the rumors. Should it matter if it’s Halloween and there’s a full moon in the sky?

Part Twenty

She was kidding, right?

This feminine/sissy nonsense had already spun out so much more than Chris had expected. The main way he was able to reconcile the embarrassment of letting his cousin do all of this to him was the fact that there was a clock on it. Amy definitely wouldn’t be able to explain this to her mother; she was manipulative, but not that manipulative. Even if Chris couldn’t speak up for himself, as Amy now had that video to use as leverage, his current image was so much more extreme than a simple prank.

Part Nineteen

Part Seventeen

“Of course!” Amy darted out of the room and up the stairs.

Julia took Chris’s hand and walked him the opposite way towards the kitchen. “Better lighting in here,” she explained, “You do want your boobs to be just right, yeah?”

He didn’t dignify that with a response.

Part Fifteen

Amy just smiled.

“No need to wait,” she said, “Won’t it be more fun to see if Sadie recognizes her when we’re done?”

“Hmm, true! I’m not sure I would have known it was Chris–sorry, Chrissy–if you hadn’t told me right away,” Julia replied. She opened the box and took out something round-ish that Chris didn’t immediately recognize, “Sorry, they’re not quite her color.”

“That’s okay!” Amy exclaimed, “It’s all make-up safe, right?”

Part Fourteen

At least they were done. Mostly.

Chris was still wearing a bra and nothing else above the waist, and he was assuming that his cousin wasn’t going to be satisfied until he was dressed like a girl from head to toe. Which is why he was surprised when Amy walked over to the hallway door, rather than her closet or one of her drawers. “Come on, Chrissy. You can’t hide out in here forever, even if you’d prefer a bedroom like this over your own.”

Part Thirteen

Sitting there and allowing Amy to move a brush towards his face was already a lot, and Chris had to resist the urge to flinch when the tool came into contact with his cheek. He had already resigned himself to going along with this; the last thing he needed was to give his cousin the satisfaction of enjoying his awkwardness and discomfort along the way. Even if they both knew that this was awkward and uncomfortable, and was going to continue to be as she smugly made him look more and more like a girl.

(Author’s Note: Moving forward, assume Chris is speaking in his feminine voice unless otherwise noted. I imagine the italics would get old really quickly if I did that for the whole story!)

Part Twelve

Less than an hour ago, Chris would not have remotely entertained what his cousin was suggesting.

Diva in Disguise Chapter 19

After lunch I was engaged in doing the dishes after clearing away. I had been left alone to complete these chores as Madeleine had engaged my co-worker in other duties, a circumstance I found unamusing. After I’d finished, I tossed the dishtowel in the laundry basket and moodily marched upstairs to the maid’s room. I was at an all-time low. That dark cloud threatened to engulf me whichever way I turned.