In a steampunk city where clockwork inventions are commonplace, young engineer Theo inherits a rundown workshop filled with abandoned mechanical animals. With the help of a mysterious diary left by their grandfather, Theo learns to repair and bring life back to these creatures. But when a greedy industrialist threatens to dismantle the workshop, Theo must protect their newfound friends and uncover the workshop's ancient secrets.

© 2024 Thistle Finch. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Disclaimer:

The characters, places, and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. The author makes no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, or completeness of the contents of this book. The information contained in this book is provided on an "as is" basis, with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, or timeliness, and without warranties of any kind, express or implied.

The author shall not be held liable for any damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. The reader is responsible for their own actions, decisions, and any consequences that may arise from reading this book.

A long time ago, there was a planet on the surface of which a real living Heart was beating. Each of its beat gave life to many wonderful creatures, and humans were no exception. Once, during a mountain collapse, they became afraid that something might happen to the Heart, and built a fence around it. And they started arguing about who is the worthiest defender of the Heart. The fence turned into a wall, and the city rose very quickly around it. Everything that people came up with was immediately brought to life by the love of the Heart. So, they created dolls to help themselves, which significantly accelerated the construction. In the time that was freed up, people took up the war. One day they closed the Heart completely, erecting a dome over it. Miracles stopped happening, and the dolls stopped coming to life. People blamed magical creatures for this and began hunting them. And in order not to stop the construction, they began to chip off pieces of the Heart and insert them into their mechanisms. The city continued to grow. Centuries have passed. The city has propped up the sky with towers. Only fragments of the Heart remained, saturating the black smoke with its breath. Factories that produce nightmarish monsters fed on it. With their help, people continue to wage war with each other for the title of the worthiest defender of the Heart. While it is dying. This is where our story begins...

This is a translation in process. So I am open for suggestions and comments on what to improve in the flow of the text.

In a distant future humanity achieved such a level of technological advancement it was able to breach the borders of three-dimensional reality and move to the multiverses of multidimensions. But some of us were too afraid to move on. So, they stayed. In many ways achieving god like powers and also immortality. But with it came a burden.

For Larry, it's all in a day's work.

Book genres:

Modern fantasy, mystery, lgbtq+ romance, teenage/young adult fiction.

A little content warning:

Mild descriptions of a character's experiences of past physical/verbal/s*xual abuse, suicidal ideation, mental illness, and mild descriptions of violence/violent behavior.

Audience:

Suitable for a bit "older" teenagers and young adults are the "main audience". However, I think anyone can enjoy this book since more adult themes such as se*xuality and violence are described very lightly in this book! No graphic or explicit content is described, I'm just "touching upon" these topics.

Book description:

Will the little village in the middle of nowhere ever be accepting of the two siblings from far away, with peculiar family circumstances? Will the adoptive sisters ever find their love story and will the land of Avoranic forever be led by the peaceful queen they have now? Will perhaps all these people's destinies find a way to be put together and reveal the secrets that have been hiding for centuries?

Are Ellie, Nels, Ingrid, and Aline even aware of the adventure ahead of them? And will Cassidy and Castor lead them in the right direction on their journey?

A story about finding hope where hope no longer exists, about true friendship, and about magical powers in a grey everyday world.

Other information:

I'm writing this story in my free time and some days I have more time than others. However, I plan on making this into a paperback book when it's finished, and my main goal is for it to be somewhat of an ongoing project with not too many long breaks in between chapters. If you want to motivate me, don't shy away from giving me your feedback!

Oh, and another thing, English is not my native language. I'm originally from the Norse countries, so feedback on my English is appreciated (although I'm pretty confident of my knowledge) but if doing so, keep it constructive and fair. Thanks for stopping by.

In the mysterious land of Izanagi, a retired fight champion named Hiro finds himself embroiled in a web of danger and intrigue. After leaving the world of professional fighting behind, Hiro takes up a new role as a bouncer at the local pub, "Kinzoku Tatsu" or The Metal Dragon. The pub is run by his childhood friend, Akio, and it quickly becomes apparent to Hiro that there is more to this establishment than meets the eye.

Little does Hiro know, Izanagi exists in the enigmatic 5th dimension, a realm beyond the limitations of our familiar three dimensions. In this extraordinary world, reality takes on new dimensions, where possibilities are infinite and the boundaries of our understanding are pushed to their limits. As Hiro settles into his new job, he becomes increasingly aware of the immense power that flows through Izanagi, a power that can shape the very fabric of this extraordinary dimension.

However, Hiro soon discovers that his duties as a bouncer at The Metal Dragon entail much more than dealing with rowdy patrons. He must navigate the treacherous landscapes of Izanagi, facing off against ancient demons, local thugs, and formidable adversaries who seek to control and manipulate the power of this 5th-dimensional realm. The biggest threat to the peace and stability of Izanagi comes in the form of an organized criminal organization known as "Warui Mono." Led by a very dangerous man only known as "Kurogane no Oni," this shadowy group operates in the darkest corners of Izanagi, spreading chaos and fear wherever they go.

Kurogane no Oni, a name whispered in hushed tones, strikes fear into the hearts of even the bravest souls. His true identity remains shrouded in mystery, but his power and influence are undeniable. With a legion of loyal followers and a ruthless determination to control Izanagi, Kurogane no Oni poses a significant threat not only to Hiro but to the entire land.

As Hiro fights to protect his friends and uncover the truth behind Izanagi's origins, he must confront the formidable might of the Warui Mono and their enigmatic leader. In this battle between light and darkness, Hiro's journey will test his strength, courage, and understanding of the limitless possibilities that exist within the enigmatic 5th dimension.

Amidst the unfolding mysteries, a legend from Izanagi's ancient past resurfaces. Long ago, a group of mysterious beings known as the Kojinsei inhabited the land. They possessed knowledge and power beyond comprehension, leaving behind their legacy in the form of a supercomputer called Kojin. Built 100,000 years ago, Kojin stands as a testament to their advanced civilization. Its purpose and capabilities remain shrouded in secrecy, but whispers of its existence have echoed through the ages.

The Kojinsei were not the only legends of Izanagi's past. There were also the five ancient warriors who protected the land in times long forgotten. These warriors, revered as heroes, possessed incredible skills and fought valiantly against the forces of darkness. However, they vanished from the annals of history centuries ago, leaving behind only tales and legends.

Among the ancient warriors, one name stands out - Kikai. He is the only one who has been seen in person, having aided his father Foydor when he arrived in Izanagi. Kikai's presence is a mystery, as he is believed to possess knowledge and abilities beyond mortal comprehension. The whereabouts of the other four warriors remain unknown, leaving their fate shrouded in uncertainty.

As Hiro delves deeper into the secrets of Izanagi, he becomes entangled in the enigmatic legends surrounding Kojin and the ancient warriors. The answers to these mysteries hold the key to understanding the true nature of Izanagi and the forces at play. With each step, Hiro uncovers hidden truths and draws closer to the ultimate confrontation with Kurogane no Oni.

In this epic tale of mystery, legends, and the clash between light and darkness, Hiro's journey becomes intertwined with the ancient past of Izanagi. The fate of the land hangs in the balance as he seeks to unravel the secrets of Kojin, find the missing warriors, and bring an end to the reign of chaos and fear. Prepare to be captivated by the unfolding of this extraordinary adventure where the past and present collide in a battle for the future of Izanagi.

Short stories that may be turned into a series of fairytale re-tellings in a dystopian/steampunk/cyberpunk world.

Inspiration:  Violet Evergarden meets the Steampunk world with fairytale re-tellings.

The adventure starts with an obedient and soft-spoken aristocrat lady named Agatha Campbell, she's the daughter of the famous Erwin Campbell who manufactures steam-powered gadget in their time.

Agatha loves the idea of venturing and seeing what the whole world looks like while getting to meet other people on the way. Although she cannot express all her desires to others due to the fact that it doesn't present a noble and obedient woman. For so that she had to rely on her father's decisions for her.

Her father is very strict when it comes to deciding what her future will be by carefully picking a great and beneficial husband for her. However, Agatha does not dream to be wed or wish to be, yet her father refuse to hear her opinion about his decisions because she's only a woman.

One day, the whole country of Geardawn was shaken by mysterious tremors that was felt all over the whole continent with an unknown origin. Robert, the caring librarian and Agatha's friend, told her about his past expedition as a former explorer who discovered the ancient shrine from a rumoured advanced civilization that went instinct a thousand years ago. And according to their findings, it was known for their technical advanced gadgets that made natural phenomenons easier to handle. It was shut by the government for being "too complicated" for the public to handle and abandoned it all away in the shrine thus Robert despised the excuse until the shrine was never sought anywhere. Hence, he believed that the shrine resurfaced again when the tremors happened and gave Agatha an opportunity to pursue what she really desires-- To travel the world.

Her naive and bright views are questioned as she learns about the world and herself that she had never known about.

In a world with different races, magical beasts, and a world full of mana, what would happen if said mana were to be corrupted? "Mana Demons", beings who ingested too much of corrupted mana, began to plague the lands of Lumidia, driving Humans, Elves, and Dwarves to be backed into a corner. Who could possibly stop such a threat?

Enter, Steam Hunters, warriors clad in brass and bronze, using both mind and might to smash, slash, and blast through mana demons, slowly reclaiming the lands they have lost. Follow the journey of five young Steam Hunters, as they take on missions that the average human/dwarf/elf won't do!

In a world surrounded by toxic gases and hazardous wastes, the twelve cities that built on the top of the highest mountains have managed to create "safe zones" in the world and used the people they placed in these safe zones to raise their civilization. The brutality of these twelve city created a  rebellion and gave birth to a new powerful kingdom. Twelve cities were desperate in the face of the new Hildeswat Kingdom. Cities lost their former glory and began to be destroyed one by one by Hildeswat.

Octavia Tarquinia was the princess of one of the last three cities among the clouds. The life of Octavia, who has isolated herself from everyone and spends her days in a dilapidated library, is turned upside down when her city was also occupied.

Octavia was the only person left.

After Octavia came across with Maksymilian Friedrich von Vogel, who was on officer that part of the army which occupied her city, her endless fall has begun.

Sylus is a poor inventor in the City of Leahstra and looks up to the infamous inventor James Michanagan. But a special secret and the ambition to make a better world will cross their paths more than once.

Have fun reading it while reading along listen to "Steampunk Music Compilation | CLOCKWORK LANDS | 1-Hour Mix" - The Spirit of Orchestral Music

Thousand years has passed since the land of Astaria arose.  In a thousand years humans can become gods, gods can become legends, legends can become fairy tales.

Now it is time for gods to walk among mortals. Legends to awaken. Fairy tales to become reality.

Join David as he begins his journey with the gods.

Expect nothing and everything