THE OFFLINE SERIES

He would destroy the world, and anyone in it, for her.

Lysander Duleon, a half-elf-turned-vampire, is searching for a way to subdue an ancient deity. However, gaining its power comes at a steep price…

This novella serves as a prequel to Shadow Dance. It's dark, deep and thrilling, and transports you to Theadrath. If you're looking to fully immersing yourself in a world brimming with magic, then Blood Ritual is the perfect starting point.

Graphic
Blood, death, violence.

What would you do if fiction became reality?

Saga escapes her mundane life of modern stresses and anxieties, a failed relationship and a monotonous job by immersing herself in Reign Online, an MMORPG set in a fantastical world filled with magic and mystery. When dark whispers begin to invade her mind, she is pulled through a rift into a world eerily reminiscent of the game she plays.

Whatever brought her to this place stalks her at every turn, a sinister siren song calling to her, bringing her closer to a source of power that threatens everything. Trapped in this confusingly familiar world, she must find herself, her strength, and allies to help her survive.

Grand Prior Roseheart, the leader of a paladin order, sees the potential and power in Saga. Persuading her to join his order, he is convinced that she is the key to defeating the dark magic that blights the land — but is that all he sees in her?

Graphic
Anxiety and panic attacks, blood, death, depression, gore, hallucinations, psychological abuse, religious themes (based on the MMO/fantasy setting), torture, violence (including domestic abuse).

Moderate
Bullying, PTSD.

Mild/implied/off-page
Addiction (magical substances), animal abuse (implied), animal death, body dysmorphia (implied), child SA (implied), classism (implied), profanity, nudity, racism (implied), SA (implied), sexual content (fade-to-black), sexual harassment, vomiting.

The dark whispers become louder until they almost completely drown my thoughts and take over who I am. The words uttered from my tongue and the blood I spill are more and more the actions of the monstrous entity that guides my hand than my own.

Losing Saga meant losing the only path I had to master the magic of the Light. She was the vessel, an uncontrolled font, fatal in nature, and yet untainted. She was the one I had been waiting for. The one I forcefully brought into Theadrath. The key to bring back my lost love.

Saga's companions are attempting to revive her. The Master told me so. Good. Let them bicker amongst themselves. Perhaps the paladin will sever the head of that three-eyed vampire. That would prevent the slumbering darkness within him from reaching my domain. 

Will those fools resurrect Saga and have her Light penetrate the thick veil of death to bring her back to me? I will prepare, I must prepare. I will see my love again, whatever the cost. Saga, the paladin, that three-eyed vampire, the world—they can all burn for one last kiss from my beautiful—

Yes, Master. It will be done.

Graphic
Anxiety and panic attacks, blood, classism (implied), death, death by suicide, depression, feminine rage, gore, hallucinations, psychological abuse, pining (bordering on obsession), religious themes (based on the MMO/fantasy setting), torture, violence (including ritualistic sacrifices).

Moderate
Involuntary use of magic substance/drug (Shimmer), PTSD.

Mild/implied/off-page
Addiction (magical substances), child SA (implied), mention of a stillborn child, nudity, profanity, sexual content (fade-to-black), vomiting.