Til Death Rings Novels & Stories

I whisper. Kieran doesn’t move. “I will not.” “You have to.” My voice trembles now. “I’m not going to be the reason the system you built turns you into something that can’t feel.” “Nora.” “If you keep choosing me,” I say quietly, “eventually the Weave will stop you.” Kieran steps closer. “I am Death,” he says softly. “No one dies unless I allow it.” His gaze never leaves mine. “And I will not allow your life to end.”

I furrowed my brow and asked, "What do you mean by that?" Mom burst out laughing before she took out a small remote control from her pocket. "Do you know why we took out that accidental death policy on you? Why did it have to be today, and specifically at this dinner? It wasn't merely a trap—it was a sacrificial rite, Weston." She pressed the button on the remote control, causing the TV to flicker on and display a piece of surveillance footage. That footage showed several people in black robes standing around a baby, chanting incantations.

But I couldn't help myself. "Repeat after me," the officiant says, eager to get his part over with. "I Dalia Shaw take you Jaden Baker to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in richness, to adore and revere you till death do us part," I repeat after him. "You may exchange the wedding rings," I slide his ring down his middle finger. He starts with the engagement ring I never got and finishes with the wedding ring. I hate how perfectly they fit me. Like they were made just for me.

But sometimes, a few madmen still insisted on courting death, leaving Xiao Chen with no choice but to grant them a quick end. “Why are there so many people wanting to die these past few days?” asked Xiao Chen, lying atop a massive tree ten times taller than an ordinary one. “Ugh… It’s been over a week, but there’s still no trace of the Nine Rings of Destruction. Where are they, exactly? This is really strange—what are they waiting for?” Xiao Chen had been searching for traces of the Nine Rings of Destruction, which posed a far greater threat to the divine realm than the strange creatures he had killed before.

After catching my supposedly frigid wife, Emmy Winslow, aroused by our household robot butler, I swallowed my disgust and sent the machine to a destruction facility. I never expected that decision to cost her life. On the way to chase after the robot, Emmy was involved in a horrific car accident and died at the scene. From that day on, I became notorious in our social circle as the jealous husband who drove his wife to her death. Five years passed. Night after night, I tortured myself by wondering if she would still be alive had I not been so petty over a machine. Until today, while discussing business at a private club, I passed a half-open VIP suite and heard one of Emmy's closest frie

Echoes of Resurrection The silence in Black Hollow felt heavier than usual. John stood at the edge of the ruined altar, his shirt torn, blood soaking through the fabric. Sarah’s grip on his hand tightened as the moon flickered behind heavy clouds, casting ghostlike shadows across the valley. They had made it through another night but something had changed. The air was colder. Behind them, the priestess’s final words still echoed: “He was never dead. Only sealed.” John turned to face her tomb, where her spirit had faded moments ago, leaving nothing but ash and a faint pulse in the ground.

"You okay?" I shook my head. "No." We didn’t need to say more. Turtela was with the children, helping them light candles and place them along the long path leading to the Ring of Farewell, the ceremonial ring we used only for the most revered souls. Jackson and Jermaine stood flanking Alexia, who clutched a white lily in both hands, her eyes swollen but dry. She didn’t speak either. This was one of those moments when words simply failed.

Not even to Elara. But to the world. “If I do not return, let this be my gift.” “The flame I once hoarded. Let it burn not for me, but for all.” “Take my last breath, held in the ring of Nightglass.” “Place it at the foot of her light.” “Let the fire remember me.” The ring was found, still cold, still dark, still humming with the echo of a soul not yet finished. It pulsed when held by Riven, who carried it in both hands as if afraid it might vanish.

Monica giggled softly, sliding the rings onto her fingers, trying to hold back tears of joy. "They fit perfectly. We'll take them," Jared said with a smile as they both packaged their rings and exited the store happily. However, their joy was short-lived as a limo slowly passed by, the window whining down, followed by the sound of gunfire. Jared was shot, falling to the ground lifeless. "Jared!" Monica cried out in shock and horror, her eyes turning red with tears. Passersby were drawn to the scene, offering help, but it was too late. Jared lay motionless, his pulse cold. He had died on the spot.

I manage to say and the last of Cordy's reserve cracks as her body shakes with unexpressed grief. "No," she shakes her head. "I refuse to believe it. There has to be a way," her eyes are brightly passionate. "I almost woke her up twice before. This time, this time I know I can..." Simultaneously, all three of our phones beep. "No..." Cordelia repeats before Atlas even begins reading the message, the same message I have on my phone as well. "Tilly passed away five minutes ago," Atlas reports, his voice flat. "Her heart stopped."