The first time I saw him, it was a Friday evening. I opened the door, and he was stuck to the ceiling—arms and legs spread like a spider—staring at me with bulging, blood-red eyes. Strangely, I wasn’t afraid. It felt like I had known him forever. Like he was no more surprising than a housecat I’d had for years. From that day on, he was always with me. In the car. On the street. At the office. He’d appear out of nowhere, sometimes even arriving before me. I knew no one else could see him. He was a strange, imaginary creature. A triple-pronged tail, long leathery tongue, rough skin like horn, clawed fingers. Not scary, exactly—more absurd. Laughable, even. His size changed constantly—sometimes as small as a mouse, sometimes as big as a crocodile. Once, I saw him shrunk down, hanging from the chandelier like a bat, watching TV. His shadow on the wall startled me at first… but then I saw him and couldn’t help laughing. He didn’t like that. He immediately leapt onto the coffee table, grew into a giant lizard, and glared at me like he was offended. Up until yesterday, I’d never seen him eat anything. But yesterday, through the restaurant window, I saw him leap off my car hood, reach into a filthy gutter, and pull out a fat rat. He held it up, studied it curiously, and then stuffed it sideways into his mouth.

Just a normal person in an ordinary world, right? Ethan Cooper is just trying to find his place in the world but still takes the time to admire the flowers. On a night, only slightly unlike any other, he feels the darker side of himself rear its ugly head. The Dark Lord, as he wants to be known, gains an unimaginable force and successfully surpasses the gates of Hell, summoning his darklings along as he descends towards the closest known place with life, Haven, Earth. A sudden darkness seems to have the entire city in its mitts. Echoes of terror fill the air. It's time someone becomes the hero, even if it takes the darkest part of them self. Everyone may fear it but it's either that or no one left to fear anything. He will have to do whatever it takes to save the life he's created and save the people he loves. But is he willing to take the risk? Open Novella Contest Round 3 Long List

[LONG DESCRIPTION COMING!!!] ⚠️ Content Warning: This story contains depictions of death, violence, moral conflict, and spiritual themes (heaven, hell, fallen angels). None are meant to offend or promote harm, they exist to explore emotional depth and character choices. --------------------------------------------------- STORYLINE: The world is a mysterious place for a human, who knows what might seek our path after death. Towards the light? or to everlasting flames of darkness, but what if those places were rotated by a curse? In this earth, the Afterlife and the Netherworld are swapped, because of an hex of a Calley has turned in. Only one person could expel the swap, to save the truth and avoid humans walking towards the wrong direction. At last it was her, The Last Calley, MC Mercedes. The only thing she has to do is annihilate the Calley whom lifted the curse, Virsúe Madam Calley. Certainly that wouldn't be facile. Once the mission is comepleted, she would also have to face her death and vanish from existence. Yet she needs to learn and encounter religious, paranormal & supernatural events and stories. Will she ever make it before the truth is deceived? --------------------------------------------------- DISCLAMERS: ~This story contains fictional interpretations of the afterlife, angels, and other religious imagery. It's not meant to offend or represent any real beliefs, it's purely a creative reimagining. ~The Calley is a work of fiction inspired by mythological, biblical, and fantasy themes. It does not aim to represent or disrespect any real religions, beliefs, or sacred figures. ~All characters, worlds, and events are original creations meant for storytelling and artistic exploration only. Reader discretion is advised for dark or mature themes involving the afterlife, morality, and supernatural conflict. ~This is a story about choice, legacy, and the line between redemption and ruin not a reflection of real faith. 【A story by Shayne