Novels by Cindy Chen

Calvin stepped out of Miranda’s house, relieved that one heavy task was finally done. The cool evening air brushed against his face as he walked toward his car. Today had been exhausting, and his mind began to shift toward his clinic—a place that had always been his refuge from life’s chaos. However, his steps halted when he heard a woman’s voice calling his name.“Calvin!”He turned around, his eyes widening at the sight of the person standing there. Alana. His ex-wife, a figure from the past he had worked so hard to leave behind. Reality struck him like a blow—he had completely forgotten about the agreement he had signed to marry her again. That agreement had been in exchange for the immense help Alana provided during a tough time, but now it felt like a weight lurking in the back of his mind.Before Calvin could say anything, Alana ran toward him. In a flash, she threw her arms around him, holding him tightly, leaving Calvin frozen in place.“Calvin,” she said with relief, her voic

As Calvin navigated the quiet streets, the stillness of the city seemed to echo his own sense of exhaustion. His hands gripped the steering wheel loosely, his mind drifting between thoughts of Lizzie and the uncertain path ahead. Suddenly, the silence was interrupted by a soft chime.[Ding!]The familiar sound of the system’s notification brought him back to the present. A faint blue light flickered on the small device attached to his wrist.[New Notification,] the system intoned, its voice calm and measured, a stark contrast to Calvin’s restlessness.“What is it this time?” Calvin muttered under his breath, keeping one hand on the wheel while activating the holographic interface with a quick swipe.The system’s screen illuminated his face as it began its explanation.[Dr. Hudson,] it started, [your recent accomplishments have brought you closer to unlocking the final legacy of your family. Only a few more points are required to access it fully.]Calvin’s brows furrowed. “Inheritance?

When Calvin arrived home, the weight of the past days pressed heavily on his shoulders. He didn’t bother turning on the lights as he entered, letting the darkness wrap around him like a familiar cloak. The house was silent, almost eerily so, but it offered the solitude he craved.His feet carried him automatically to the backyard. The moon cast a soft glow over the small garden, illuminating the simple headstone that marked Lizzie’s resting place.Calvin approached the grave and knelt down, his fingers brushing against the cool stone. For a moment, he simply sat there, the night air still and heavy around him.“I did it, Liz,” he said softly, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions. “It’s over. San Wang is defeated, and the war is finished. Barrion can finally rebuild.”He paused, staring at the ground as memories of Lizzie flooded his mind. Her laughter, her courage, the way she always seemed to know the right thing to say.“I hope you’re proud of me,” Calvin whispered, h

Calvin’s journey back to Nooria was uneventful, but his mind was anything but calm. The weight of his actions in Bacca lingered heavily in his chest. Despite his victory, he felt no triumph—only exhaustion and the nagging thought that the peace he had brokered might be temporary.When the plane touched down in Nooria, the first thing Calvin noticed was the unusual bustle of activity at the airport. As he descended from the aircraft, he was met with silence—a heavy, anticipatory silence that made him pause.A crowd had gathered, and Calvin froze as he realized their eyes were fixed on him. Faces reflected a range of emotions: awe, gratitude, and disbelief. Some whispered to one another, others simply stared. Then, slowly, one person began clapping.The solitary applause rippled through the crowd like a spark igniting dry kindling. Within moments, the entire gathering erupted into cheers and applause, the sound filling the air with a roar of gratitude and admiration.“Calvin Hudson!” so

Calvin’s chest heaved as he faced San Wang once more, their weapons gleaming in the fading sunlight. The battlefield was eerily silent, save for the faint hum of San Wang’s blade and the rasp of Calvin’s labored breathing. The earlier clash had pushed both warriors to their limits, and the tension between them crackled like a storm on the brink of eruption.San Wang’s smirk returned as he lunged forward, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Calvin parried, but the force of the attack sent him stumbling back. San Wang pressed his advantage, raining down a series of blows that Calvin barely managed to block. Each strike forced Calvin closer to the edge of the helicopter platform, where the abyss below waited hungrily.“You’ve fought valiantly, Guardian,” San Wang sneered, his blade locking against Calvin’s air-forged sword. “But your strength wanes. This ends now!”With a sudden twist, San Wang disarmed Calvin, sending his shimmering blade shattering into the ether.

The moment San Wang’s mocking words faded into the air, Calvin’s fury exploded into action. With a burst of telekinetic energy, he propelled himself into the sky, soaring toward the massive helicopter where the self-proclaimed king of Han Xin stood. The wind howled around him as he ascended, his figure a blur of raw power and determination.“Stop him!” San Wang barked, his voice sharp as steel.Elite soldiers poured out of the helicopter, their movements precise and disciplined. Each was clad in advanced combat armor, bristling with cutting-edge weaponry designed to neutralize powerful foes. But Calvin was no ordinary foe.The first wave of soldiers descended on Calvin mid-air, unleashing energy blasts from their gauntlets. Calvin raised his hand, the air around him thickening into a shield that absorbed the attacks. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the shield outward, a concussive wave that knocked the soldiers off their trajectory, their bodies spiraling toward the ground.Another

Astra’s quiet sobs filled the dimly lit prison chamber, her voice trembling with guilt. “If only I hadn’t drunk it… If only I had been more careful…”Her fingers gripped the cold iron bars separating them, her shoulders shaking as tears ran down her cheeks.Calen, sitting on the other side, exhaled sharply, his arms resting on his knees. He hated hearing her like this—so fragile, so broken."Enough," he said, his tone firm but not unkind. "Crying won’t change what’s already happened."Astra flinched, her breath hitching. "But—""Listen to me." Calen’s voice softened just a little. "This isn’t your fault. You were drugged, Astra. Whoever did this planned it down to the last detail. You couldn’t have stopped it."Astra bit her lip, guilt still clouding her expression. "But I—""But nothing," Calen cut in. He turned his head slightly, looking at her through the gaps in the bars. His gaze was steady, unwavering. "They wanted to ruin us. And they would have found another way even if this h

The accusations crashed down upon them like waves against jagged cliffs, unyielding, deafening, merciless."Liars! Deceivers!"The cries swelled, fueled by scandal and self-righteous outrage. The chapel’s once-sacred halls now echoed with venom, its walls pressing in like silent judges.Calen clenched his fists. It didn’t matter what he said. It didn’t matter what the truth was. The people had already chosen what they wanted to believe.His rank, his history, his victories in service—none of it meant anything here.And Astra…She was even more powerless.Just a servant. A shadow in a noble house. Someone to be spoken over, not listened to."Take them!"The order sliced through the air.The guards moved at once. Chains rattled. Hands seized his arms, fingers digging into his skin.Calen’s instincts screamed at him to fight back. But fighting would only seal his fate.With a sharp, piercing glare, he wrenched himself free."I will walk on my own," he declared, his voice cutting through

The moment Astra’s lips crashed against his, Calen nearly lost himself.It was different from before—this kiss was hungry, desperate, burning with something uncontrollable. Her fingers clutched at him, her body pressing closer, her heat seeping through his clothes.Damn it.He knew she wasn’t in her right mind, but gods, she was making it impossible to think.His hands instinctively found her bare shoulders, his fingers grazing over the fevered skin. Too warm. Too intoxicating. Too dangerous.Then Astra’s trembling hands slid lower, reaching for the last barrier of her clothing.And for a split second, Calen almost let her.But suddenly—Light flooded the chapel.A harsh, blinding glow filled the once-dark space, illuminating everything.And before either of them could react—A group of people burst into the room.Gasping. Murmuring. Judging.Calen froze in place, still holding Astra in his arms. Astra, whose shoulders were bare, whose body was flush against his, whose lips were still

Calen’s steps faltered as Astra’s voice, soft and trembling, reached his ears."You… you can’t take me back to the Frost estate right now," she murmured against his chest.His brows furrowed. "What? Why?"Astra hesitated, her breath uneven, her fingers curling slightly against the fabric of his shirt. Shame colored her face as she struggled to get the words out."I… I think I drank something," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "And it’s making my body feel… strange."Calen stiffened. His grip on her remained firm, but his entire body tensed. "Astra," his voice was low, warning. "Don’t tell me you—"She shut her eyes tightly, unable to meet his gaze. Her entire body felt as if it were burning from the inside out, every nerve hypersensitive. It was humiliating. And yet, the unbearable heat wouldn’t stop.Then, before she could second-guess herself, she reached up—and pressed her lips against his.Calen’s breath hitched, his mind going blank for a moment as the unexpected w

The chapel was silent.A hollow, breathless kind of silence.Calen stood near the altar, hands clasped loosely behind his back, his sharp eyes scanning the dimly lit interior. The tall stained-glass windows were nothing but dark outlines at this hour, their colorful depictions of saints and warriors now muted under the absence of daylight. The flickering candlelight cast shifting shadows along the stone walls, elongating the pews, distorting the space into something almost unreal.He exhaled slowly.Why had Astra asked him here?Of all places, this?The chapel was always empty at night. No guards. No servants. Just cold stone and lingering prayers. That was what made it both safe and dangerous at the same time.His brow furrowed as he recalled the letter.It had been so direct.Meet me tonight. At the chapel.Nothing more. No explanation. No pretense.That alone made him wary. Astra was a servant. She wasn’t reckless—she wouldn’t dare summon him like this unless it was something of gr

Calen pushed open the door to his temporary quarters, a modest yet well-maintained room assigned to him after his placement was finalized. The scent of polished wood and faint traces of old parchment greeted him as he stepped inside, but his attention was immediately drawn to the neatly folded uniform laid out on the small desk near the window.His new uniform.His gaze shifted to the insignia resting beside it—Second Lieutenant.Calen exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.So, it was official.The rank still burned in his mind, a bitter reminder of what had been stolen from him. He should have been higher. Should have been more. But it was done. Complaining wouldn’t change anything."This is better than nothing," he muttered under his breath, trying to ground himself.He reached out, fingers brushing over the fine material of the coat. It was well-made, the fabric thick and sturdy—something meant for an officer, not just a common soldier. At the very least, it was something

As the smoke began to dissipate, revealing the chaos of the decimated lab, Jack's enhanced vision honed in on Patrick, a formidable figure even in his wounded state. Blood trickled down Patrick's forehead, mixing with the grim determination and seething anger in his eyes. His breath came in ragged gasps, a testament to the intensity of their struggle."You think you can defeat me like this?" Patrick's voice reverberated through the chamber, his words dripping with contempt as he advanced towards Jack. "I won't let you win, Jack!"With a sudden burst of speed, Patrick lunged forward, his armored form hurtling towards Jack with frightening velocity. Jack barely had time to react, his instincts kicking in as he braced himself for the impact.The clash was thunderous, the force of Patrick's charge slamming into Jack like a battering ram. They grappled fiercely, each trying to gain the upper hand in the brutal melee. Jack's muscles strained against the weight of Patrick's armor, his mind r

Jack's situation was dire. He lay on the cold floor, pain radiating through his body, Ashley's bloodied form just out of reach. His vision blurred and darkened at the edges, but he wasn't ready to give up. He knew he had one last trick up his sleeve.With a barely noticeable movement, he activated the communication implant Jill had embedded in his arm. It was a last-resort device, meant for emergencies only. Jack whispered urgently, his voice barely a breath, "Jill, now!"Even though it looked like he was talking to himself, he knew Jill was listening. His eyes briefly met Patrick's smug gaze before he summoned all his remaining strength. With a sudden, almost inhuman burst of energy, Jack leaped high into the air, his body propelled by the advanced tech Jill had provided.He soared upwards, smashing through the ceiling and creating a gaping hole. Dust and debris rained down as the astonished guards and Patrick stared up, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief. The room fell s

Patrick, sensing a slight tremor of control slipping from his grasp, attempted to regain his dominance with a sneer. "You think you're clever, don't you, Jack?" he jeered, his voice echoing off the cold, stone walls of the lair. "But you're just bluffing. We both know what happened the last time you tried to fight alone. You lost, and you lost badly. Look around you. My men guard every corner of this place with the highest vigilance. There's no help coming from Jill or anyone else. You think you can fool me? I anticipated your move, and I've made sure it won't happen."Jack's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing as he fixed Patrick with a steely glare. "You talk too much, Patrick," he retorted, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. His confidence was unwavering, a stark contrast to the villain's bluster.Without another word, Jack launched himself into action with a burst of explosive energy. His movements were a blur, honed by years of training and battle-hardened experience. He b

As Jack's cries of anguish reverberated through the glass chamber, something within him snapped. A surge of adrenaline and sheer willpower coursed through his veins. His eyes, still wet with tears, hardened with a new determination. He strained against the metal restraints with every ounce of strength he possessed, the cords of his muscles standing out in stark relief against his skin.The glass walls seemed to close in on him, but Jack refused to accept defeat. With a roar of pure rage, he wrenched his arm free from one of the metal bindings, the steel groaning under the force of his fury. The other restraints seemed to tighten in response, but Jack was beyond pain now. He tore at the remaining bonds, his breath coming in ragged gasps.The guards outside the chamber stared in shock, their initial disbelief giving way to alarm. The sight of Jack breaking free sent a wave of panic through them."What's happening?" one of the guards shouted, his voice tinged with fear.Patrick's smug ex

Jack watched intently as the guards began to unfasten the restraints binding Ashley to the chair. Every movement seemed to drag in slow motion, his heart hammering in his chest. Despite her weakened state, Ashley managed to shake her head weakly, her voice a mere whisper, carrying the weight of her desperation. "No, Jack," she pleaded, her eyes wide and glistening with tears. "Please, just go. Leave me."Jack’s determination was unshakeable. He shook his head firmly, his jaw set in a hard line. "Ashley, you have to go now," he insisted, his voice steady and resolute, cutting through the tense atmosphere like a blade. He knew there was no other option if she were to have any chance at freedom.Ashley remained in the iron grip of the guards, her strength all but spent. Her eyes, though filled with despair, still bore into Jack’s with a silent plea, a plea he could not heed. She understood the depth of his resolve but felt the crushing weight of helplessness. Her body slumped slightly as

As Jack was escorted further into the heart of The Golden Apple's new stronghold, the dimly lit corridors seemed to close in around him, suffocating him with their oppressive atmosphere. The guards flanked him on either side, their eyes boring into him with a mixture of suspicion and contempt.Patrick stood at the end of the hallway, his presence commanding and his demeanor oozing with arrogance. His arms were crossed over his chest, and a smug smirk played at the corners of his lips as Jack was brought before him."Well, well, if it isn't our obedient little errand boy," Patrick sneered, his voice laced with disdain as he regarded Jack. "Coming here unarmed, all for the sake of the traitor who betrayed you. How noble of you, Jack."Jack's fists clenched at his sides, his nails digging into his palms as he struggled to contain his rising anger. He knew Patrick was trying to provoke him, but he refused to take the bait. Instead, he focused on the urgency of the situation at hand."Wher

The light of the full moon envelops the room with a magical glow, creating a magical and serene atmosphere. Moonlight gently kissed Nola's face which was tense with pain. I stood by her side, my right hand holding hers tightly, conveying warmth and strength from every touch. But the healers want me outside, so I have to go out.“Arghhh!! It hurts!" she cried, the sound of the night's silence interrupted by a cry of pain. The healers forbade me from entering the room, and I could only hear moans and screams from behind the door. Anxiety swept through my heart, I couldn't wait to hear news about Nola's condition.Suddenly, a healer came out of the room and approached me.“My King, you can come in and accompany the Queen,” he said to me.I went into the room and held Nola's hand. Nola held my hand tightly, her eyes staring at the ceiling of the room filled with darkness. Deep moans escaped her lips every time a contraction hit. The light of the full moon, even though it couldn't enter th

That morning, the sunlight played games with the leaves, creating a magical blend of shade and golden glow. The fresh scent of flowers and herbs wafts in the clean air. It was as if nature itself was participating in celebrating this historic moment.The once simple assembly hall now sparkles in the splendor of natural jewels. Folded flags made of silk fluttered brilliantly, and decorations made from dried leaves and fresh flowers decorated every corner of the room. The light from the shining totems reflected the colors of life, implying a new awakening of their power.A moment before the sunlight reached its peak, I came to Nola who was getting ready in the preparation room. The soft light from the crystal chandelier reflected a beautiful glow on her dress made from natural materials, giving her an aura of stunning elegance.When she turned around to see me, her sweet smile filled the room. "Ares," she said in a soft voice that seemed to wash away my nervousness. "You shouldn't have

In an increasingly debilitating state, my voice broke in the reflection of the vibrations of light around us. Light flashed, creating an invisible yet powerful energy network. "I won't give up, even though my body feels increasingly fragile. I won't let you be trapped in this darkness, Nola," I said with trembling determination. The words seemed to be a mantra, strengthening my will even when my body could barely support itself.The Shadow Diamond Totem, glowing with fading black light, spoke in a voice filled with urgency. "Ares Jones, we don't have much time. We have to hurry. Nola needs us.""The Grand Healing Totem's light is starting to fade," she added, her voice filled with determination but sounding fragile. "We have very limited time, Ares Jones."Deep anxiety welled up within me, making me realize that not only these totems were on the verge of destruction, but also Nola and my own life. However, I knew I couldn't give up. It is my mission to reunite Nola's divided soul. Des

The dream just disappeared, fading into endless darkness, and Nola seemed to disappear from my field of vision. I remained asleep, without dreams or images haunting my mind. My body responded deeply to rest, immersing me in an undefined dream world. Abstract images awaken and disappear over an immeasurable span of time. Nola, as if closely linked to the dream world, moved far from the horizon of my mind, disappearing in the surrounding darkness.As morning approached, the sun's rays seeped in through the thin curtains, painting streaks of light on the walls of the tent. I woke up slowly, thrown back into the real world. Rex stood tall by Nola's side, his eyes reflecting a deep worry, hinting at thoughts hovering over the worst possible possibilities."How is she doing, Rex?" I said in a voice that was still hoarse, following the footsteps of the dreamland I had just grasped.Rex looked at me sincerely, his eyes filled with deep worry. “She is still in a weak state; there are no signi

The aroma of spices and herbs filled the air when my eyes opened. My body felt heavy as if all my energy had been drained. Gathering the power to repair The Shadow Diamond Totem was indeed a tiring task.Beside me, Mora stood with a concerned look. "Ares, you are lucky to have survived. But don't underestimate your strength. Don't forget your own limits," he said in a soft voice, hand holding out a healing potion. It tastes bitter but immediately brings freshness to my body."Thank you, Mora. It feels like I was born again," I said with a faint smile.Mora smiled softly. "You will be fine, Ares. The entire tribe is grateful for your sacrifice," she said, her eyes shining with respect."Where is The Shadow Diamond Totem?" I demanded, my curiosity peaked.Mora looked at me warmly. "She is resting in the Shadow Totem Tribe's temple. She needs time to recover her strength from all this."She went to tell the others that I had woken up. Not long after, Toth Karan and the totem warriors ent

In the chaotic battlefield, with magic explosions and echoing groans, I stood before The Shadow Diamond Totem who kept screaming. Her body swayed, trying to break free from the totem warrior's bindings, but her strength only depleted further.I realized that in a state like this, where she was still conscious and twitching wildly, it was very difficult for me to repair her totem codes. My concentration must be stronger than before. However, I can't watch her continue to suffer like this."Get some more blood, we need her weaker!" I ordered several nearby totem warriors. They responded swiftly, opening buckets of blood and meticulously watering The Shadow Diamond Totem. Every drop of blood entered her body, producing the desired effect.However, the woman's desperate screams still roared, filling the battlefield. Bil, with tense eyes, found his courage. "She has to pass out, Ares. We need you completely focused," he said, trying to calm himself and decide on that bold move. I nodded fi