First Novel Words for the Week (December 2025, Week 4)

First words were laid down on the novel the Sunday just gone - and, yes, at the time of prepping this post, it looks like we have a real chance of finalizing the draft for this little monster before the week is out. Will it be done before the year is gone? Well, that's a good question, but I'm only just getting back on my feet with the words, so let's just take it as it comes. There's 'would be nice' and 'recovering what we've lost and keeping it,' and the latter is more important...and still fragile.

Now, words.

First Novel Words for Week 4, December 2025: Dark God's Demise (2nd Ed.) 

Brianda and James stopped at the base of the dais, looking at the creatures that stood above them. Juliette, they recognized, but the beautiful monster standing at her side was new. His skin was the color of polished bone, and his eyes shone with emerald and azure fire. Black hair cascaded down his back in gleaming curls, and the breadth of his shoulders and chest would have been the envy of any fighting man, even as it tapered to a narrow waist that hinted at the litheness of a duelist.

Where Juliette was watching the battle with some concern, however, this creature’s attention was focused solely on Brianda. It stretched forth a hand, beckoning her over.

“Come to me, child,” it crooned. “Let us finish what we have begun. Come to me.”

Brianda felt its voice wash over her, felt the enchantment in its tones, and wondered if she had any right to resist. The wound at her throat flared with fire. It burned, catching the breath in her chest and making her choke at the sudden dryness at the back of her mouth. The heat of it crisped the suggestion in the creature’s magic so that it did not find a hold on her mind.

The creature snarled in fury…and Brianda’s sword snarled back.