The Smoke At Verdain
- Reads 38
- Votes 3
- Parts 12
MatureComplete Fri, Dec 19, 20251h 49m
Verdain breathes smoke instead of air.
When a refinery explosion tears through the city's underbelly, disgraced journalist Elias Mercer finds himself chasing more than a headline. The fire burns blue, the dead whisper through the haze, and power trembles in the hands of those who built the city's bones.
Caught between a faith that hears voices in the smoke and an industry that worships progress, Elias uncovers a secret that could remake Verdain-or drown it in ash.
In a world where machines whisper and gods refuse to stay buried, truth may be the most dangerous invention of all.
All Rights Reserved
Join the largest storytelling communityGet personalized story recommendations, save your favourites to your library, and comment and vote to grow your community.
You may also like
Apocalypse: I will help my family survive!! Stockpiling Supplies in my Space
Novel Rating: 10/10 A mysterious global blackout causes schools to shut down, factories to stop operating, and all land, sea, and air transport to be suspended. Supermarkets are completely looted, and a greater crisis quietly begins to unfold: Relentless heatwaves, solar radiation, sandstorms, meteor showers, tectonic plate fractures, torrential rains, tsunamis and floods, plagues of insects and snakes, influenza and pandemics, mutated viruses, zombie sieges, biological mutations, extreme cold and blizzards, melting icebergs... Under such severe crises, human life is no longer protected. All social systems, laws, and order collapse entirely. Jiang Si survived ten years in the apocalypse: Her grandmother was swept away by a storm, Her grandfather was taken by a tsunami, Her father was bitten to death by zombies, Her mother fell ill and took her own life, And she herself was dissected alive by a mutant. Her entire family met a tragic end. But when she opened her eyes again, Jiang Si discovered she had not only been reborn, but had also gained a personal dimension space. And now, there was still one month left before the apocalypse begins. Jiang Si immediately entered full-on hoarding mode-buying RVs, helicopters, yachts, gold bars, gourmet food, weapons, and medicine... Even a domineering and majestic white tiger voluntarily walked into her trap: "Let me snuggle~ Let me hug~ Let me play with your big fluffy tail~" Life is sweet and cozy now. This time, she refuses to let her whole family perish again! But... Why is her big white tiger not only shedding fur-but also shedding skin? And why did he turn into a super handsome guy?!
Famine Survival: Helping my family and became leader Stepmother Villainess
Novel Rating:10/10 #1 - space #1 - travel #1 - drama One moment, she was battling zombies in the apocalypse. . The next, she found herself transported to an ancient era, becoming the so-called wicked stepmother of two children in a poverty-stricken household. She initially thought the heavens had sent her here for a peaceful retirement, only to realize she was meant to endure countless trials instead. . Rebellions, famine, countless dangers-she fought her way through one crisis after another. Just as she finally arrived at a safe place, she was met with plagues and war. Fortunately, she had her golden finger (cheat ability), and none of these obstacles could truly stop her. . . But can someone please explain why the long-dead father of these children suddenly came back to life? Not only was he alive and well, but he was also thriving in the capital. And to top it all off, he seemed to be... pampering her? "Fleeing Famine + Strong Male & Female Leads + Sweet Romance + Dimensional Space + Farming + Hero" Apocalypse Overlord vs. God of War Prince
𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝐿𝑜𝓈𝓉 𝒮𝑜𝓃 𝑜𝒻 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒮𝒽𝒶𝒹𝑜𝓌𝓈
Eighteen years ago, a woman vanished with her newborn son. She left behind a powerful husband, three sons, and a criminal empire known only as The Shadows. Everyone believed she had abandoned her family. The truth was far more dangerous. Determined to save her youngest child from the life that consumed the rest of her family, she erased his identity and disappeared. For eighteen years, Noah lived an ordinary life. Then his mother died. Now strangers know his name. Powerful men are watching him. And a family he never knew existed has finally found him. Three brothers claim he belongs with them. The Shadows claim him as blood. And someone within the organization wants him dead before long-buried secrets come to light. As Noah is pulled into a world of loyalty, betrayal, and violence, he must uncover why his mother fled-and what she was trying so desperately to protect him from. But the deeper he digs, the more one question haunts him: Was his mother hiding him from The Shadows... Or hiding The Shadows from him? In a world built on secrets, trust is a luxury. And love may be the most dangerous secret of all.
"you're mine... even if you hate me".
She trusted him more than anyone... and that was her biggest mistake. One accusation. One moment. And everything changed. When the world pointed fingers at her, she waited for him to speak... but he didn't. He chose silence. And she chose to leave. 5 Years later, fate brings them face to face again... but this time, she's not the same girl. And he's not the same boy either. She built a life where no one could question her again. He built a world where no one could refuse him. Two different lives. Two broken hearts. One past that refuses to stay buried. Will they find their way back to each other... or will their past destroy them once again? "You're mine... even if you hate me." 🔥
Chains of Silence
Sierra Esposito knew three things well. One- People were inherently evil and selfish. Two- Words are what got you hurt. Three- Sometimes it was easier to accept the situation, rather than fight back. These three rules got her through life-- not unscathed, but alive. Even when she didn't want to be. ... Giuseppe De Santis had been searching for his missing daughter, ever since she was taken all those years ago. When he finally gets the phonecall saying she's been found, he's ecstatic. Finally happy that everything can go back to the way it used to be. But Sierra has changed since she was a baby and she knows nothing of him and his world. And when she isn't speaking to him or her brothers, it's almost impossible to get her to open up. They must learn to be a family again, but that's almost impossible. There are so many secrets between them and other factors are at play. Factors that are determined to get Sierra back, no matter who gets hurts. ... TW* This story has mentions/depictions of assault (physical, sexual, mental, etc), alcohol abuse, drug abuse, self-harm, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, violence, and anything else falling under those categories. Please prioritize your mental health. *Any images in the cover and/or chapters are not mine. I found them on Pinterest* *I own all the rights to these characters. Please do not pirate my work*
Checkmate
London Hawthorn wasn't your average thirteen year old. Though physically he was perfectly normal, brown wavy hair and ice cold eyes that made girls go wild. But what set him apart from other boys his age was the fact that at only thirteen years old, he was already solving a murder case. However this wasn't just any murder case, it was the twisting, terribly sad, and downright confusing case that belonged to his own blood. His mother. When things begin to unwind and reveal itself, London is tasked with finding his father-a man who is supposed to be dead. And with his father comes his siblings, six of them. All tall, strong, and absolutely gut wrenchingly terrifying. With voices that could send shivers down the bravest of souls. As London sets out to find his father, with only a backpack and a locket, he also begins to find clues. Clues to what? Well, that's for London to know, and for you to find out. Will London ever find his father? What will happen when he does? Will this terrifying man even bother with his thirteen year old son. And what will happen when these clues begin to reveal themselves? Will London finally find the culprit behind all his years of hurt, or is it as it seems?
USOMATEKISI WAMI
Meet Nala Zikode, a teacher in her early 30s who loves and adores kids with all her heart. Her kind, tender, and humble nature, coupled with her calm aura, makes her instantly lovable to children and those around her. But what happens when an unfortunate event at school forces her to cross paths with the devil himself? Will she remain silent and keep her calm and humble demeanor? This is a story of two worlds colliding, where Nala's world is about to take an unexpected turn.
𝐃𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐀
[Book #1 of the '𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒐' Series] ╰┈➤ Can be read as a standalone. ⋆˙⟡ DESI ROMANCE ⟡˙⋆ 𝐒𝐈𝐘𝐀 𝐁𝐀𝐉𝐖𝐀 × 𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐉 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐘 When Viraj Chaudhary steps into the Bajwa haveli, he expects a quiet, traditional welcome - not a bucket of cold water splashed over him by none other than Siya Bajwa. Their first meeting is a complete disaster - messy, awkward, and unforgettable. But hidden beneath the laughter, awkward silences, and teasing smiles, a quiet bond begins to bloom. It's shy at first, a spark growing stronger with every stolen glance and unspoken word. Tied together by an arranged marriage, Viraj and Siya are drawn into a journey they never planned - where clumsy beginnings turn into deep, unexpected love. Set against the vibrant backdrop of the early 2000s India, this heartwarming story shows how sometimes, the best love stories begin with a splash. "𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒂𝒘𝒌𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒂 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆" ✿︎𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦✿︎ ~ ARRANGE MARRIAGE ~ AGE GAP ~ SOFT ROMANCE ~ 2000'S INDIAN BACKDROP ~ GHAR KA BADA BETA ×GHAR KI CHOTI BETI ~ SMUT ◾Started on: 27/4/2025 𝐀/𝐍: Your vote and comment would been a lot to me. Thank you for supporting 💌🤍
𝐕𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐲𝐞𝐯'𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬
❝𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧.❞ 𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙮𝙖 ╰┈➤ A seventeen-year-old girl who has never known what it feels like to belong. Or at least... that's what she believes. All Freya remembers is growing up alone. Adopted at six, abandoned again at eight-simply because her family got the child they truly wanted. Later, she was taken in by a wealthy household, but riches never brought warmth. She was never their daughter. Only a stranger under their roof. Bullied at school. No friends. No siblings. No love. If there was one thing Freya did have... It was secrets. Dark ones she could never speak of. Ones she wouldn't even dare to share. She thought this was all her life would ever be. Until... One phone call changed everything. 𝙑𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙡𝙮𝙚𝙫 ╰┈➤A name that screams power, wealth, obsession... and danger. One of the most feared mafia dynasties in the world. Politicians by day. Criminals by night. But behind the brutality lies something far more haunting- A family broken beyond repair. Daniel Vasilyev, married to Aurora, the love of his life, is the father of seven children. Six sons... and one daughter he cherished more than anything. But the name Vasilyev took her away. They lost their softness the moment they lost her. They thought nothing could ever bring it back. Until that call... Until the ground beneath them began to shake. This may be a lost daughter story. But it is also betrayal. Heartbreak. Trauma. Darkness. Chaos. And, of course... Drama. TW : Mentions of Abuse, SA, self harm, rape, torture, kidnapping.
All It Stands For
After her mother's unexpected passing, Gemma is sent to live with a group of strange men who don't seem overly fond of her being there. Their secrets, their strange rules and behaviour make Gemma want to run; to hide, to go back in time to when everything felt safe again. But life doesn't always play the way's expected, and Gemma's life of before can only stay as that: in the past. Top Rankings: 6/11/2025: #1 in grief 7/1/2026: #1 in friendship 9/1/2026: #2 in siblings 13/1/2026: #1 in mystery 1/2/2026: #2 in selectivemutism 7/4/2026: #2 in brothers 8/4/2026: #1 in anxiety
Novel Rating: 10/10 A mysterious global blackout causes schools to shut down, factories to stop operating, and all land, sea, and air transport to be suspended. Supermarkets are completely looted, and a greater crisis quietly begins to unfold: Relentless heatwaves, solar radiation, sandstorms, meteor showers, tectonic plate fractures, torrential rains, tsunamis and floods, plagues of insects and snakes, influenza and pandemics, mutated viruses, zombie sieges, biological mutations, extreme cold and blizzards, melting icebergs... Under such severe crises, human life is no longer protected. All social systems, laws, and order collapse entirely. Jiang Si survived ten years in the apocalypse: Her grandmother was swept away by a storm, Her grandfather was taken by a tsunami, Her father was bitten to death by zombies, Her mother fell ill and took her own life, And she herself was dissected alive by a mutant. Her entire family met a tragic end. But when she opened her eyes again, Jiang Si discovered she had not only been reborn, but had also gained a personal dimension space. And now, there was still one month left before the apocalypse begins. Jiang Si immediately entered full-on hoarding mode-buying RVs, helicopters, yachts, gold bars, gourmet food, weapons, and medicine... Even a domineering and majestic white tiger voluntarily walked into her trap: "Let me snuggle~ Let me hug~ Let me play with your big fluffy tail~" Life is sweet and cozy now. This time, she refuses to let her whole family perish again! But... Why is her big white tiger not only shedding fur-but also shedding skin? And why did he turn into a super handsome guy?!
More detailsContent Guidelines