Onc25 Stories

Round 3 Ambassador Pick Finalist: Top 4 Once, you were a character in a story, your life crafted by an unseen hand, your destiny inked into pages. But that story was deleted, erased from existence. Now, you wake up in the Hidden Library, a place where discarded characters and abandoned tales linger. You have no name, no memory, only the weight of an existence that no longer belongs anywhere. But the Library is in turmoil. Books are unraveling, their worlds colliding in chaos-romance heroes stranded in dystopian landscapes, fairy-tale villains haunting contemporary settings, cookbooks whispering eerie prophecies. The ink that binds these stories is breaking. A voice calls out to you from the pages: "Tell me your story, and perhaps I'll grant you the love others failed to find." Guided by an ancient entity known as "The Archivist", you must restore order to the Library by weaving these fragmented stories into one cohesive masterpiece. But as you travel through the wreckage of broken narratives, something stirs in the ink. A truth long buried within the Library's depths a secret about who you really were before your story was erased. Can you rewrite your fate? Or will the Library consume you, turning you into just another forgotten page? #ONC2025 Main Prompt: #40 Sub Prompts: #100 & #59

In the desert of Western Kemp, hidden within the towering cliffs, lies the legendary Temple of Akh-Neteru: a place of ancient wisdom and forbidden knowledge. Carved seamlessly into the mountainside, the temple houses the lost secrets of the afterlife, creation, and enlightenment. For centuries, it has remained a myth, a whispered legend among those who traverse the desolate sands. For a small group of initiates, the temple's sacred truths are within reach. Hathor, a celestial falcon halfbreed with a mysterious heritage. Gavriel, a devoted warrior torn by doubt. Oronos, a former acolyte from Atlantis. Nalini, a grieving widow desperate to resurrect her lost husband. Drawn together in pursuit of the ultimate knowledge of life and death, they uncover ancient texts and secrets long buried. In a reimagining of "The Divine Comedy," four souls journey through a metaphysical underworld and higher realms shaped by ancient myths and world religious traditions. As they navigate these realms, they uncover hidden truths about Atlantis, setting the stage for their awakening and the fate of the world. But the temple is not without its dangers. Forces beyond their comprehension are awakening, and as Atlantis teeters on the brink of collapse, they must decide how far they are willing to go for the knowledge they seek. Can the boundaries between life and death be undone, or is there a reason the afterlife must remain untouched? With the fate of Atlantis hanging in the balance, the four initiates must confront their deepest fears, their desires, and their devotion to the Truth. **** "The Guardians of Atlantis" is a science fantasy novella set in the Third World Universe created by author Sunny Ghauri. Though it runs parallel to the events in the novel "The Sky Gods of Atlantis," this story stands on its own as a tale of power, loss, and the eternal struggle between life and death.

Colby is finally doing it. Not selling his family home like he's meant to be doing, that's just a side project. His real goal is to get in contact with his father's ghost and determine just what life after death is really like. Maybe he shouldn't have tested his new ghost hunting hobby on the ghost of a serial killer.

ᴡᴇ ᴀʀᴇɴ'ᴛ ᴅᴇᴀᴅ ʏᴇᴛ But in the eyes of the world, they might as well be. It's been three years of learning the rules. Don't skip checkpoints, don't leave the city, don't cough too loudly, don't hold a stranger's gaze. The most important-when you see the virus in someone's eyes, don't hesitate. Breaking this one could cost you your life, and the life of every one you love. For one young biologist, the rules of this new world has come at the cost of too many friends, too much family. And though its always a possibility he never imagined one day he'd be on the other side of it. But when that's exactly where he finds himself one day, he and a group of carriers must race against time and away from the law to find a cure before its too late.

Prompt 75. You've worn a mysterious ring since childhood, but one day it opens to reveal a tiny creature telling you it's been trapped inside all along and more secrets are on the way. Greta Shrub is about to turn fourteen years of age, but growing up in the home of her heartless Aunt, Mrs Vivora Grogan has not been easy. Enduring loneliness and cruelty, at the hands of her Aunt and her three spoilt cousins, Greta Shrub's stark and unfortunate childhood only acts to strengthen her resolve and her natural independence of spirit. These qualities of character prove especially essential when an unexpected and previously unknown visitor arrives at her door. But what does her sinister Uncle Ulric know about Greta's past and future? And what is his interest in the mysterious Garnet Ring that Greta has worn about her neck since childhood? And what is the Garnet Ring's relationship to the magical but mystifying occurrences that have become a feature of Greta's lonely life? Do these curious incidents have any connection to a high-school named Snapdragon's Academy, that Greta has heard whispers about? Could this society be the key to her escape from her ruthless relations who wish to use Greta's new supernatural powers in their unscrupulous schemes?

When Darlene Hathaway is discharged from the hospital, the first thing she does is go to her dance studio. Sure, she might not be taking ballet classes anymore, but it's better than being alone. The first person she meets there is Hope McKaye, an up-and-coming comic book illustrator, the only student at her high school to graduate at sixteen...and Darlene's childhood best friend, whom she drifted away from in ninth grade. Hope's happy to see her again, and she's even willing to let her stay at her apartment for as long as she needs, despite Darlene's hesitance about letting her back into her life. But her entire life can't be made up of late night walks on the cold beach and following Hope around her various jobs. Darlene has to come to terms with why she's here--why she's freeloading off of someone who used to be so close to her instead of forging her own way in life---in order to move forward.

[ONC 2025] Two college roommates search the city looking for a hidden Taylor Swift concert while using a glitchy Spotify playlist as their guide. ••• Draya, a struggling college student, is desperate to pay her tuition before the final deadline. With no other options, she and her best friend, Emily--her outspoken, culturally aware roommate who shares her love for Taylor Swift--head to a pawn shop to sell Draya's rare Taylor Swift collectible, worth over a thousand dollars. But their hopes are crushed when the shop owner offers little to nothing. Just as disappointment sets in, a radio announcement reveals a secret Taylor Swift concert hidden somewhere in Washington, D.C. At that moment, Jae-won, a cute guy from their college, walks in and accidentally leaves his phone behind. Draya notices too late, but when she picks it up, she finds an open Spotify playlist filled with a Taylor Swift song. As Draya and Emily listen, they realize the playlist might be more than just music--it could be a guide to the hidden concert. With no tickets, little money, and only song lyrics as their clues, they go on a thrilling race across the city, chasing one lyric after another. But will following the music lead them to Taylor Swift, the cute guy-and the chance to change Draya's future? ••• PROMPTS: 107. You never realized that your Spotify playlist is predicting your future - until the songs start to come true. (Main Prompt) 128. »Meet me behind the mall at midnight. Don't bring anyone!« © 2025 Elle J. Nior. All Rights Reserved. This work is protected under international copyright laws. (First draft!) Updates incoming Cover by me on Canva

🏅Shortlist 2025 🏅 Detective Michael Wulfe has solved every case that has come across his desk--with a little supernatural help. However, a recent string of unconnected murders leaves him stumped and the people of Keirwood Heights nervous. On top of everything, the police chief is getting dangerously close to Michael's own secret that could end both his career and his life if he doesn't close the case soon. ONC Prompt 87: A skilled detective has solved almost every case that has come across their desk. But one case seems to elude them, with no apparent connections between the murders. That is, until something changes everything. Rated T for violence, but there's no swearing or smut.

PROMPT#11. Vampires are bound by an ancient destiny: their soulmate is always human, and this bond is governed by three rules. The smell of their soulmate's blood is irresistible, its taste sweeter than anything else, and if the love is unrequited, it can be fatal. Fearing this inevitable bond, most vampires try to avoid it. But what happens when one of them discovers that their soulmate is a human who not only rejects them but loathes them? * * * * Maximilian Kreutz passed through Kirovka to take a shorter route to his destination. But unexpectedly, he saw Tatiana Dmitrievna Vasilieva, at that moment, it was not her beauty that struck him. There was something more dangerous, more violent to his senses, the subtle, tantalizing smell that seemed to cling to. The air seemed humming around the girl, and being a vampire, it was a trap he couldn't avoid. His fangs moved spontaneously, his body reacting before his mind could even keep up. The sweet, metallic smell of its blood seemed like an irresistible call, pulling him closer like a storm he couldn't stop. He tried to pull away, steeling himself, but that scent kept enveloping his senses, like a forbidden temptation he couldn't escape. He seemed to be going crazy with hunger and the intense desire to taste the girl's blood. He followed it out of his own accord, as if it were a shadow that could not be avoided. When the sky darkened, under the silence of the night, he secretly entered her room. He knows about the rules of his clan, but he can't control himself to taste her even if he dies. In One step-one moment-and he was about to see the blood that captured him. But at that very moment, Tatiana suddenly opened her eyes and with a skillful move she pulled out a knife from under the pillow to kill him, he was lucky because it did not hit his neck, but he was hit in the chest. At that time, he found out that the woman he wanted to taste blood was a Vampire Hunter. -L♠️

"I never loved anyone more than dance." "Not even me?" "Not even myself." Kadijah Meadows is an Inglewood born renowned ballerina (and social media princess) who clawed her way up the classical ballet scene. After a traumatic injury ruined her chances of touring with the American Ballet Theatre, Kadijah is up aganist the scrutnity of the world -- yet again. But when that door of opportunity is reopened by her ex, well, everything, how can she say no to the terms and conditions? Sincere Williams needs a rebranding. He has the opportunity of a lifetime, a lifetime, to play his idol in a biopic projected to bring millions. However, while he's the perfect actor, his idol doesn't find him.... authentic. Luckily, he has the perfect opportunity to prove that he's just that - assuming she says yes. So here's what these Inglewood-born/Agoura Hills-made exes will do: Spend 3 months pretending to be engaged, film a television series following their little charade, and absolutely not fall in love. Because that's how everything got messed up the first time, isn't it?

Dr. Elara Voss and Dr. Niall Renton are close colleagues, working together to get humanity to live on the moon. But all goes wrong If Niall makes a big mistake. Now Earth and its population are doomed. Can they fix it? Or is this truly the end of the world?

Prompt 75. You've worn a mysterious ring since childhood, but one day it opens to reveal a tiny creature telling you it's been trapped inside all along and more secrets are on the way. 62. You wake up and bump your head on glass. Confused, you realize you're trapped inside a miniature snow globe. How did you get here, and more importantly, how will you get out? Tristram Wald likes to spend his days daydreaming about all of the magical things that he wishes would transpire in his lowly, humble and mundane existence. As an orphan, he was taken in by his Uncle Giacomo and forced to endure hardship and cruelty, and is eventually put to work in his Uncle's celebrated shoemakers shop. But now Tristram Wald is eighteen years and he has big ideas of his own Tristram wants his own success and fortune. A chance encounter with the beautiful Princess Oriana Aureum cements the idea of escape from his humble beginnings in Tristram's mind. Desperate for riches, so that he will be eligible to marry the princess, Tristram allows himself to be coerced by a mysterious Goblin named Grimalkin who claims he can weave straw into gold. But Tristram will soon find out that putting his trust in a renowned trickster can have sinister consequences. The Gold Weaver of Goblin Wood is a dark fairy-tale, horror.

"You are my voice, and I am your eyes," Audrey wrote to Ellis in their shared dream. Audrey Theodore, who is mute, has spent her entire life hiding a secret-she is a comic book artist in a world where art and entertainment are forbidden. Ellis Rowen, a blind orphan, works as a call center representative. When he is alone, he plays the violin-a passion he keeps hidden from others. Since birth, Ellis and Audrey have been connected through their dreams. They share their knowledge and art in this unseen world. Ellis plays emotional music that touches Audrey's heart, while in his sleep, he sees the fictional worlds she creates. Together, they inspire one another. ONC Prompts Main Prompt 77. In a world where art and entertainment are forbidden, you're born to challenge the system and change the world. Other Prompts 102. What is science, if not magic governed by laws instead of emotions? 123. »I'm unstoppable. I'm a Porsche with no brakes. I'm invincible. Yeah, I win every single game« - Unstoppable, Song by Sia 125. »Fear is the mind-killer.« - Quote by Frank Herbert Dune 129. »The ink of our souls binds us beyond the pages of time.«

"They are both sarcastic, yet were once lovers." Once lovers, Damian and Nabia are now enemies - 2 years after college graduation, they led different lives, and one day, they bumped into each other at a cafe. Mixed emotions on the surface, Damian takes Nabia to his workplace, where Nabia is invited to a mission that would change her life forever: "Time travel with me." Will Nabia accept the invitation with her previous college sweetheart Damian? What awaits them in the mission? Will they make it back to the present alive? Read along as Damian John and Nabia Laranca work together to prevent a nuclear apocalypse from spreading into the present!

Life was perfect for Bluebell. He had a wonderful owner who had an amazing kid. Then, the cat came. Bluebell and the cat were a mix that landed Bluebell into the pound. He swears to get revenge on all cats, especially the one that hurt him most. In his new home, however, the kitten there is determined to change his mind. Prompt 106: cat-dog rivalry AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is NOT the same Bluebell as the one in Between Barks and Bites. I just ended up using the same name on accident.

He drew her in red because he hated her. Now, he will paint her in black to make her disappear. Graham Holloway never forgot Celeste Monroe the perfect girl from his university days. Beautiful, popular, cruel. His worst nightmare. His personal hater. While he hid behind his sketchbook, she laughed at him with her friends, never realizing that every mockery was etched into his mind... and into his drawings. Years later, Graham is a successful comic book artist, confined to a wheelchair since his teenage years. Celeste is no longer the queen of anything, but she still hides behind her mask of perfection. When fate forces them to spend a week in the same house, Graham decides it's time to settle the score. His revenge will be psychological, artistic, and physical. He will make her see herself as he remembers her a cruel stroke across the pages of his story. He will lead her into her own desires until she can no longer tell whether she hates him or needs him. Because if Celeste once turned him into the target of her ridicule, now he will turn her into his creation. And when an artist becomes obsessed with his masterpiece, he never lets it escape.

Nivana never wanted to be anyone special. But when she defies Death, she unknowingly awakens an ancient power - one that ties her fate to the very being she just challenged. Thane, the personification of death, is drawn to her. But the more their bond grows, the more Nivana realizes the rules of life and death are not so easily broken. And the price of defying those rules could be more than she is willing to pay. Nivana must decide: can she continue to dance with Death, or will she find a way to escape his grasp?

*ROUND 2 AMBASSADOR PICK* *SHORTLISTED* Homeless girl, Rosalie, is found on the cold streets of Crausley Sands with nothing but the clothes on her back and a black obsidian stone key around her neck, having no memory of who gave it to her. When Rosalie is taken in by none other than Prince Darick Quentin, she learns of the sudden and mysterious disappearance of his cook, Jared Cutler. Is the strange mirror belonging to Darick's newly betrothed wife, Francine, somehow responsible? The answers she is searching for may lie in the key she possesses. Or the truth may just be hidden in the key waiting to be found, in the abandoned hamlet of Grangston Green, and in the Raven who stalks her every move. Once Rosalie remembers where she comes from, the fate of Crausley Sands rests on her shoulders. If she fails, in twenty days' time, during the Prince's coronation to become King, the spirits of the lost witches will rise to avenge their deaths. To end the Quentin bloodline once and for all. ONC 2025 entry Prompts 55, 110, 114

The Open Novella Contest is back for 2025! One of our favourite contests on Wattpad! As a promotional activity, this book will feature entries for the Open Novella Contest 2025 which either meet the criteria of Adult Fiction, or are written by members following this profile.