Stillwater Arcane Novels & Stories

“Sounds awful.” “It was effective,” he said simply. Nyra nodded. “Classic soul-mirroring technique. Rooted in the same logic as the Confession Basin near Aemrys. Structural Arcana: Reflection and Reversal, Volume 1, page 93.” Thalia leaned toward me. “Does she ever not have a reference?” “I’m starting to suspect no,” I whispered. “I heard that,” Nyra said calmly, turning the page. Despite myself, I smiled. The silence that followed wasn’t awkward.

"I call upon the spirits of old, ancient magic, lend us your strength." The cavern quivered, a hushed stillness descending upon the battle. An ethereal presence filled the air as the combined power of Luna, Elias, and Amelia surged through the moonstone. The energy coalesced into a blinding beam, aimed directly at Alaric.

Will she achieve her goal or become a pawn in his sick world? Once again, you have been warned and can turn back if you are uncomfortable with the warning. Welcome to The Silent Stalker!

ARC 5: The War for Blackreach. No one stepped onto the platform. An uneasy silence settled over the chamber, broken only by the slow grind of ancient gears buried somewhere beneath the mountain. Silver runes encircling the platform pulsed with a steady rhythm, brightening and fading like the heartbeat of something vast sleeping below. Astrid kept her sword raised as she studied the mechanism. "Talk." Elian never looked away from the platform. "Once it starts moving, it doesn't stop."

“Still active. We left it for bait.” Ryn opened one of the books. “Names, dates, payments. They’ve been moving money through Marr and Veyr for years.” Elara looked at Aria. “And?” Aria set down her notes. “And they tried to scry through Anchor 12 last night. I felt it. It was low level, but it’s the same signature as the blood magic at Drayce.” She looked at Darius. “Whoever it is, they’re close. Or they have someone close.”

“Yes. The weapon hall just beyond the east wing. We call it the Ember Forge. It’s where we craft and repair crystal weapons. Corin has been there since early morning most days.” My brows pulled together slightly. “Making weapons?” “More than that,” he replied. “Maintaining them. Strengthening the crystal cores. With the shadow demons appearing more frequently, we can’t afford for anything to fail in battle.” His words settled heavier than I expected. Of course. That made sense. Still— Something about it didn’t sit right with me. “Thank you,” I said quietly. The guardian gave a respectful nod. “My name is Garrick, Princess. If you need anything, you may ask.”

Tristan from the Heavenly Medical Pavilion suddenly locked his gaze on Ashton like a bloodthirsty hunter who had found its ultimate prey, his gaze brimming with unrestrained fanaticism. "What is the Ninefold Arcane Technique?" Connor and Francis felt their hearts drop as a sudden sense of dread rose within them. "It is said that the Ninefold Arcane Technique is capable of bringing people back from the brink of death. I can't believe it's actually real!" Tristan swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on Ashton with nothing but blatant greed.

Evan was in a mysterious white space. An old stranger just handed Evan his legacy in full. The information crashed into Evan's mind like the waves of the sea. Eventually, the waves condensed into three simple words. They read, 'Ninefold Arcane Arts.' The Ninefold Arcane Arts had everything from geomancy and martial arts to medicine, formations, and mystic arts. He tried to use it a little, and energy was starting to fill his battered body. "It's actually working!" He was delighted. A sliver of energy popped up in his elixir field, and it was like a dragon flying in the skies. Even his senses were sharpened.

Craig looks up at me and does his best to straighten up. “We followed the leads, sir,” he replies, looking me in the eyes, “that we gleaned from the conversation with the other priest, who wished to remain anonymous. They were…fruitful. We found this one’s lair, for lack of a better word. It was actually in a sewer – in an abandoned maintenance room. He was living there doing…” Craig hesitates and then shrugs. “Forgive me, Sir, for the dramatic language, but ‘arcane magics’ are the only words coming to my mind now. Lizard skins…and – and snail shells, in jars – he had a cauldron –“

Derek pinched the bridge of his nose. “Why do you think like this?” Lewis looked offended. “Because you are Derek Stygian,” he said without missing a beat. Paulo carefully examined the package. It had no address, and no sender's name. It just had Derek Stygian written on it. Derek’s expression grew colder. “Open it.” Lewis nearly jumped. “What?” Derek looked at him. “I wasn’t talking to you.” Lewis sat back down quickly. Paulo hesitated briefly. Then carefully, he opened the box. The room grew silent as he opened it. Raine moved closer. Lewis remained far away.