When his fallen comrade's pregnant wife is marked for death, Ibris Mansa, a soldier turned syndicate boss, steps in to protect her. But the child she carries is being hunted for its rare genetic potential. Ibris must uncover the truth before the child is taken and powerful of Atlantis silences them both. *** This story unfolds on the ancient continent of Atlantis, the one of myth and legend. Long before its fall, the civilization is already decaying from within. Nobles flourish, animal human halfbreeds are cast aside as a slave race, and unchecked technology, paired with an A.I. religion, pushes society toward collapse. At the center of it all stands Ibris, a bull halfbreed. Tall, broad-shouldered, and horned, he was engineered to serve Atlantis's elite as a symbol of their religion but chose rebellion instead. Brutal in battle and reckless in his vices, he carries his burdens with raw strength as danger, drink, and a long list of fleeting lovers trail close behind. Now Ibris fights for all genetically engineered halfbreeds, leading a resistance against those who would keep them enslaved as tools of the powerful, while navigating the loss of his own wife and child. "The Halfbreeds of Atlantis" is a science fantasy novel set in The Third World Universe, created by Sunny Ghauri. It is a prequel to dystopian romance novel "The Sky Gods of Atlantis."

In the desert of Western Kemp, hidden within the towering cliffs, lies the legendary Temple of Akh-Neteru: a place of ancient wisdom and forbidden knowledge. Carved seamlessly into the mountainside, the temple houses the lost secrets of the afterlife, creation, and enlightenment. For centuries, it has remained a myth, a whispered legend among those who traverse the desolate sands. For a small group of initiates, the temple's sacred truths are within reach. Hathor, a celestial falcon halfbreed with a mysterious heritage. Gavriel, a devoted warrior torn by doubt. Oronos, a former acolyte from Atlantis. Nalini, a grieving widow desperate to resurrect her lost husband. Drawn together in pursuit of the ultimate knowledge of life and death, they uncover ancient texts and secrets long buried. In a reimagining of "The Divine Comedy," four souls journey through a metaphysical underworld and higher realms shaped by ancient myths and world religious traditions. As they navigate these realms, they uncover hidden truths about Atlantis, setting the stage for their awakening and the fate of the world. But the temple is not without its dangers. Forces beyond their comprehension are awakening, and as Atlantis teeters on the brink of collapse, they must decide how far they are willing to go for the knowledge they seek. Can the boundaries between life and death be undone, or is there a reason the afterlife must remain untouched? With the fate of Atlantis hanging in the balance, the four initiates must confront their deepest fears, their desires, and their devotion to the Truth. **** "The Guardians of Atlantis" is a science fantasy novella set in the Third World Universe created by author Sunny Ghauri. Though it runs parallel to the events in the novel "The Sky Gods of Atlantis," this story stands on its own as a tale of power, loss, and the eternal struggle between life and death.

For Centuries Grim has been collecting souls. It's what he does, it's his purpose. One day, while collecting a soul in the park, he comes across a lost puppy. For reasons he can't explain, the urge to return the small dog to his owner is overwhelming. He soon finds the animal's owner, a woman in her mid-twenties named Maria. He is struck down by her beauty and realizes that he had once claimed the soul of someone she loved. He becomes even more conflicted when he realizes he has just one year to claim her soul.

Short Stories from all genres

ONC 2026 In a world woven with secrets, silence can be deafening. Eighteen-year-old Luca Kant has never known the sound of her own voice; born deaf and raised under the suffocating grip of her controlling father, she is haunted by the shadow of her mother's mysterious disappearance. Did she flee from the clutches of a man who could be a monster, or did something more sinister happen? Nineteen-year-old Boy Harrison lives at the wrecking yard. He can speak, but hasn't spoken since he was four. He is haunted by nightmares that echo a woman's voice warning him that to remain safe, he must remain silent. Fate draws Luca and Boy together. Long-buried memories and cryptic connections between their lives begin to unravel. As they delve deeper into their entwined pasts, eerie parallels unfold-did Luca's father play a role in the dark mystery surrounding her mother's fate? Does he hold the key to both their truths? How is Boy connected, and who is the woman he dreams of? In a gripping tale of identity, resilience, and the haunting weight of silence, Luca and Boy must confront their monsters and uncover the chilling revelations that bind them on a riveting journey where silence speaks volumes and whispers could change the course of their lives. PROMPT 80 - Monsters don't live under our beds. They live in the recesses of our minds. (Variation of Edgar Allen Poe's famous quote.) My interpretation - Monsters didn't live under your bed. They sat at your table.

2026 ONC HONORABLE MENTION (Top 40) - When a killer feral hog invades Verity State Park, Officer Rylee Harding quarantines the entire area until the threat can be eliminated. She soon discovers doing the right thing isn't easy, because summer has just begun, and the livelihood of Verity's residents depends on the seasonal flood of tourist dollars. Facing opposition from town officials, her neighbors, and even members of her own family, Rylee stands firm in her decision and risks her life and the life of her unborn child to face down the remorseless monster. This story is written for ONC2026 using prompt number 78: You begin to realize that nothing is quite what it seems. Jowls, Copyright ©2026 by Dennis Royer, @dennisroyer All Rights Reserved. Cover art by Deviant Art / ArtVixen0520. Used by permission.

Multiple rollicking romances, and unexpected twists in the world of espionage as viewed by telepathic cats who twice save the world from a nuclear Armageddon. A fun read, just ask your cat.

Nova Jone's life changed dramatically upon discovery that she was the long-lost daughter of notorious pirate, Dahjlonica, and the former delinquent orphan became a pirate princess. She and her father made a profitable living raiding shipments between worlds, especially from the Hahn family, the most ruthless of warlords that rose after the Sol Commonwealth abandoned the Orion Outlands and consolidated within the inner worlds. Nova had a high price on her head. And as if that wasn't enough, the Commonwealth were coming back to reclaim the Outlands, and they had little regard for piracy. Elite Ranger Jake Barton led the way, with orders to eliminate Nova Jones. But as he tracked Nova, doubts grew in his mind. Who was the true villain?

ONC 2025 JASMINE BAKER has given up on men and has decided to find herself. She catches the 6.20 from Flinders Street, each evening. Intrigued by one of her fellow passengers, she watches and listens to phone calls she can't understand. Jasmine witnesses Train Guy exchange packages with another passenger. Her imagination takes over. He has to be a drug dealer. When she sees him beating a man on the station platform Jasmine realises, she could be in danger. An unknowing witness to what must be criminal activity. Prompts - 57 - Two lovers - one is the villain, but no one knows it except the other. Can their love survive the truth? 126 - Because you're you, and I'm me and we just don't fit - Idea of you. Book by Robinne Lee.

She was once a character in a deleted story, now lost and memoryless in the Library Limbo. If she wants to get her memories back, she's going to have to work on her backstory - by helping to fix some stories that have gone wrong. Now, she's forced to team up with an overly-peppy cheerleader and a guy who insists he used to be a detective. As they delve into romance, mystery, and fairy tale stories, she realizes that things might not be as simple as they seemed. All she can do is hope the next plot twist isn't her own.