Gothic-fantasy Stories

Natascha Griggs never asked to be a killer. But when her magic spiraled out of control, leaving bodies in its wake, she was given a choice-rot in prison or be sent to the Institute for the Unruly, a facility designed to rehabilitate children like her. She chose survival. But the Institute isn't just a school. Beneath its pristine walls, something sinister lurks. Whispers of a long-dead tyrant, a cult that never truly died-and a chilling truth: they believe she's the key to bringing their leader back. As she struggles to control her power and navigate the shifting alliances within the Institute, Natascha begins uncovering secrets she was never meant to find. With time running out and the walls closing in, she must decide: fight against a past she barely understands or embrace the darkness and become what they need her to be. One choice could save her. One choice could doom them all. ⸻ Disclaimer: The Institute for the Unruly is being written as part of a 30-day rough draft challenge. This means the story is in its earliest, unpolished form, with ongoing development. Expect raw storytelling, evolving ideas, and a journey that will refine over time! TikTok-@katyohera

Anorakii. They are not just a tribe; they are the only life Giiunayi has ever known. As the winter solstice approaches, he anticipates the sacred rite of passage that will mark himself into the heart of the Anorakii, bringing a close to his restless belonging. But as the ancient rituals unfold, they awaken a wrathful force, unearthing dark secrets long buried beneath their warrior ethos. In Knowing, There Is A Sun is a novella of a blessing and a curse, of the struggle against unleashed fury as the shadows of the past close upon not only the fate of the Anorakii but also upon the essence of who Guiinayi is. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Published in February 2025 for Open Novella Contest 2025 Book Cover (Design & Illustration) © by Maddy Alson 2025 Copyright © by CrownedMadness (Maddy Alson) 2025

The first time Mu Hyuk saw him, he thought he was seeing a fallen god. A boy floating above a black lake beneath the moonlight. White wings drifting against the water. Lifeless violet eyes staring into nothingness. Beautiful enough to be divine. Empty enough to be terrifying. Years later, they meet again in the human world- both hiding beneath fragile human appearances, both pretending to be human. But while Meiryu was sent to protect the balance between realms, Mu Hyuk came only to watch humanity destroy itself. They should have stayed away from each other. Instead, they become something far more dangerous: an imbalance capable of tearing apart the boundary between worlds. And somewhere beyond the portal, the Abyss is beginning to wake.

By night, the grand castle falls silent-except for the soft echoes of footsteps that should not exist. A forgotten relic, once an ordinary object, stirs to life when the moonlight seeps through the stained-glass windows. It wanders the empty halls, weaving through shadows, searching for something... or someone. As it pieces together lost memories hidden within the castle's walls, a lingering presence watches from the dark, waiting for the relic to remember the truth.