The Transcended: They call him Lucius
  • Reads 520,515
  • Votes 21,119
  • Parts 49
  • Time 8h 10m
  • Reads 520,515
  • Votes 21,119
  • Parts 49
  • Time 8h 10m
Complete, First published May 06, 2014
Mature
1 new part
Horror // Novel // Completed 
~ How far would you go to be free? What are you willing to become? ~
A decade of torture at the hands of the cannibal Lucius has left Amy traumatised. Yet, she remains resilient and is determined to find a way out of his grasp. She will reclaim her freedom one way or another--even if that means becoming someone or something else entirely.

_________
  
2018 Cryptic Awards: The Tower (Best Horror) & The Emperor (Best Antagonist) by @TheCRYPTIC_
Wattpad Featured story August 2014-2017
Gold winner of #FrightFest2016 by @Finnyh
  
---
Praise for "They call him Lucius" part 1 (before new scenes were added)
 
~Phantom_Lover_xo
 This book was perfect. 5 out of 5 stars if I had to rate it. I love it so much.
 You have made a better book in 7 chapters than most people on here can do in 30.
  
~U2fanatic
I didn't like it. I loved it! Oh my gosh, that was just- there are no words to describe it. It felt like I was on an amusement park ride, I swear. I couldn't stop reading it. How dare you make me binge read? :P
You are such a brilliant writer. Wow. Just wow.
  
~Darkelitechief
I honestly think it was an amazing story. a great plot twist; I finished reading it a few minutes ago, and I still cant wrap my head around It! amazing job. I rate it 100 out of 10!
  
~Shaxnas
I think I'm eternally scarred by "They call him Lucius". How someone came up with that is a mystery but nonetheless, it was written awesomely and somehow managed to get a lot more detail in seven chapters than any other 30+ chapter book I've read on here. Great job!
All Rights Reserved
Table of contents
Sign up to add The Transcended: They call him Lucius to your library and receive updates
or
Content Guidelines
You may also like
Attracted to His Cold by whore_for_mafia
37 parts Complete Mature
It wasn't really the result I was looking for. In fact, it was even better. I never really thought that this would happen to me. I never believed someone could love, well, me. But they did. He did. And despite his 'reputation', despite his lifestyle, despite everything everyone had ever told me, I loved him just as unconditionally. But will everything stay in harmony? How long will my paradise last for until my past comes back? Will they haunt me? Catch me? Kill me? "Livia? Tiago?" I ask, my voice breaking slightly. If they're here, then.... "Where is he? Where's-" "Gattina." All the breath in my lungs disappear as I turn to find the source of the voice. Half-way through my turn, I can see his dark silhouette at the end of the hallway. When I breathlessly say my next word, it feels as if I can breathe properly again for the first time in over a month. "Lupo." I run towards him without a second thought, sprinting full speed at him, and jump into his awaiting arms. He engulfs me in the warmest hug I've ever felt, entrapping me entirely - not that I mind. I cry in joy at finally being reunited with him as I bury my head into his neck, burrowing myself into him and vowing never to let him go again. Unwrapping myself from him, I look up at into his eyes. They're filled with love and relief, the same emotions I imagine my eyes are filled with. That quickly changes when his face contorts into one of pain. "Cole?" my brows furrow in confusion. He lets out a pained and strangled noise before he drops to his knees, collapsing at my feet. I gasp when I see Viktor behind him, holding a bloodied knife. A/N: Hey guys. Be prepared for dark themes, mature language, mature scenes, and so much more. Enjoy the roller-coaster, you are locked in... - Potential PTSD triggers! - BDSM themes! - Mentions of rape. - Mentions of abuse. - Mentions of torture. - Gun play! - Knife play! - Dark kink! (Warnings will be put at the beginning of potential trigger chapters)
A L T H E A | Werewolf by LilacLuna_01
45 parts Complete Mature
♠️ C O M P L E T E D ♠️ Enjoy x ••• My sleep was disturbed by a low mumbling. I opened my eyes and looked around. It was still dark out. I looked up to see if Evander was still awake but what I saw made me scream. Evander's blue eyes were glowing and fangs were hanging out of his mouth. He seemed to be mumbling something but I couldn't understand what he was saying. "What the fuck?!" I gasped. Any tiny ounce of sleep I once had was gone as I desperately searched for something to use as a weapon. I found a broken tree branch and lifted it up. "Evander?" I called. His eyes snapped shut and his fangs shrank as I jumped back. He opened his eyes again and looked at me in horror. "Althea?! What are you doing with that?!" He asked incredulously He must not know what his body was doing wherever he was. I ignored it. "What the fuck are you?!" ••• Althea Kastellanos runs away from her overbearing family, in hopes of experiencing a life she never had. Evander Leos just wants to chill and do the right thing. How can he? Two different walks of life meet and create something... magical. ~~~ ⚠️ DISCLAIMER ⚠️ I do not own any of the images or videos used in this book. All the characters are from my imagination. This book is fiction. This book contains mature themes. I put warnings at the beginning of every chapter before you read if any explicit content is coming. ‼️ I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO MENTION THAT THIS STORY IS STRICTLY FICTION ‼️ ‼️ EVENTS AND CHARACTERS IN THIS STORY ARE ALL FICTIONAL ‼️ ⚠️THIS IS ALSO MY WORK. ANYONE CAUGHT COPYING THIS BOOK ANYWHERE ELSE WILL FACE CONSEQUENCES UNDER THE COPYRIGHT LAWS ⚠️ ‼️‼️‼️ THIS BOOK IS MARKED 'MATURE' AND CONTAINS SENSITIVE CONTENT. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED ‼️‼️‼️ ⚠️ ALL CHARACTERS ARE OVER THE LEGAL AGE OF CONSENT IN THE UK (16+) ⚠️ ~~~ Started: 24th November 2020 Completed: 8th February 2021
Mated To The Dragon✔(COMPLETED) by LadyGaara
65 parts Complete Mature
-COMPLETED AS OF JUNE 1, 2017- Highest Ranking: #1 - November 27, 2018 ~READER REVIEWS~ "WOW" - StephanieSmith193 "I love you!! And I think you are very talented!! Keep up the good work!!!" - NoraHurst "This is a beautiful fairytale!" - suga9scupin "I really appreciate this description. So detailed in all the right places." - jonubastard "Very very INTERESTED... Ama buy your book if published." - suga9scupin "I'm so proud of you! But I'm so sad this story has ended. When I saw "completed" in the title I was like 'holy hell where have I been', and instantly knew I had to get to reading. Thank you so much for many wonderful years and great chapters, you're so awesome for putting out great content despite the many tragedies." - DeathByAPilgrim "Girl let me tell you, thank you so much for creating such a wonderful book,I really enjoyed and I was in tears. You did such an amazing job boo, thank you for your book." - herssheys "Awesome job ur story really pulled me in. Your characters were so real that I cried when they cried and laughed when they laughed. Everything was so real and so involving that it felt like I was right there with them. Keep up the writing and I am hooked for life." - macker729 ***** STORY DESCRIPTION: She lowered her fingers to the creasing of her pants with one hand, where he'd touched her and brought her to an orgasm so effortlessly. Then she let her other hand graze over her neck until she felt the tender spot where'd sucked and nipped at her skin - further claiming her. Proof. It was real. She let her head relax against the wall, and her eyes drifted closed again. She wanted to grasp that again. Grasp that passion, and relive it once more. It reminded her that she wasn't a mistake and she wasn't pathetic. She had found the one. The right one. The real one. Her Bounder. <Warning: Story May Contain Sexual Scenes, Profanity, Graphic Violence, Unnecessary Exposure Of My Personal Life To My Precious Readers, And Other Detailed Events>
After All This Time// Sebastian Sallow x Reader Hogwarts Legacy Fanfiction by c0nfring0
99 parts Complete Mature
Note: If you like this story, go and read my Ominis x Reader fanfic titled 'No Choice But You'! ---------- After everything that happened in your fifth year, you and Sebastian struggle to understand what you feel for each other. It's their seventh year, and you're both turning 18. It's been so long since you've talked to each other- since you've seen each other. Once again, he's the only thing on your mind, and you're not sure what to do about it. How are you supposed to know if he likes you back after all that happened? As you navigate the social aspects of your seventh year, other sinister plots are brewing, right under your nose. It seems that some of Isadora's stored magic has found its way out into the world and men that used to work for Rookwood are attempting to harness it like Ranrok had tried before. You and your friends have to come together and try to stop them before it's too late. ---------- This is a Sebastian x Reader fan fiction. I do not own any of the characters or copyrights for this world. In the story, y/n is a fem MC who is in Slytherin. DON'T FORGET TO GIVE STARS IF YOU'RE ENJOYING IT!! TRIGGER WARNINGS (ratings with how much of each type of content is included): -Strong depictions of violence and gore (7/10) -Some spicy content (7/10) -PTSD, flashbacks, and trauma discussion (9/10) -Drugs and Alcohol (3-4/10) -Some Foul language (1-2/10) If any of these topics are uncomfortable for you, please proceed with caution.
I Am Only One {Mature Vampire Romance} by EmelineRousselot
172 parts Complete Mature
Highest Rankings: #1 Vampire #1 Paranormal #1 Fantasy #1 Supernatural #1 Action #1 Dragon #5 Romance #5 Wattpad's AD App 100 MOST READ LIST! Her body was exquisite. I wanted to run my tongue around her hardened nipples and grasp her hips while sinking inside her. I contemplated what sounds she would make when I nudged her deep, and how long it would take before she screamed my name. It wasn't a matter of if she would scream my name, only when. I shook my head, trying to clear my rampant thoughts. If she'd never been touched by a man, starting out with me was an extremely dangerous choice. Anxiety rolled through me. There would be no 'starting out', because that implied a continuation and all she had was an ending. I hadn't just come here for answers. Tonight, she was going to die by my hand... NOTE: Contains graphic intimacy, intense relationships, humor and clever twists you will never expect! FOLLOW me to see the PRIVATE chapters! TRIGGER Warning: contains episodes of sexual violence. Jadalove16: Honestly, this book deserves a Grammy, an Emmy, an Oscar, a Golden globe, all the Watty awards and every award that exists. This is hands down the best Wattpad book I have read and it is most definitely is in the top 3 of my favourite books ever. It is by far the most unpredictable book I have ever read. I seriously want this book to be published and sold because I would definitely buy it. This book deserves universal recognition, that's how fucking great it was. I constantly put off sleep because I was so absorbed in the story. I even went to bed one hour before I would wake up one time. Even though the this book was based on fantasy it felt so real and the characters, the problems, conflicts and everything that occurred was realistic. It was well written and hardly predictable. When you thought you knew something, it was something completely different. This book was an emotional rollercoaster and I enjoyed the ride. © 2015 All Rights Reserved
Complications (MxM) by StxnedWriter
16 parts Complete Mature
**WARNING** ~contains explicit content that may not be acceptable to all viewers. discretion advised~ "No no no no..." My words trailed "NO!!" I screamed, pulling harshly at all my restraints, attempting to get free, hearing the harsh clank of metal on metal with every movement. Colder than the table beneath me, chills ran through my body. This couldn't be happening, please. A sadistic laugh rang through the room and my head fell in defeat as my eyes squinted closed, not wanting to see his face. "Yes, actually." I felt his disgusting, filthy hands trail down my arms. I could feel him leaning forwards, moving himself closer to me. I couldn't bring myself to open my eyes, so I just lay there, waiting for what I knew was to come. "You're mine now, mut." His voice made my body tense more than it already had. The way he sounded so angry. So possessive. I dared myself to speak, "W-what ar-are you gonna d-do to me?" My voice shook and wavered so much in my fear that it was numb to my ears. Alpha Dave let out a low, calloused chuckle that sent chills throughout my body. He said, in a deadly low voice, "I'm going to remind you who you belong to." * DISCLAIMER- In this story world, each person gets five potential mates! * Blake Daniels' story has been one tragedy after another, Complications littering his route, tripping him on his journey through life. At this point, he's entirely disgusted by his Complacency. For as long as he can remember, he has been at the whim of everyone's desires, neglecting his own. This left him wondering: what it is he wants? Could it be the sweet relief of death? Escape? Or simple Convalescence? *** ~Ms.Witch *** BOOK ONE IN THE ~Escape~ SERIES! Book 1: ~Complications~ Original Created- 2015, Completed- 2016 Rewrite Created (October) & Completed (December)- 2023 Book 2: ~Complacency~ Created (January) & Completed (March)- 2024 Book 3: ~Convalescence~ Created (April) & Completed (May)- 2024 Thanks for reading!
Forbidden Intimacy by falingnlovewthestars
53 parts Complete Mature
COMPLETED **be aware i wrote this when i was much much younger, if you want to read a better written story then please check out my current book "chaotic love"** **this book has grammar mistakes, plot holes here and there and honestly just all together poorly written. it's what i get for writing so young so you might want to check out "chaotic love" instead! i'm currently writing it and could use some support! it's definitely way better written than this book so read at your own risk** This Is A Student/Teacher Romance! *WON 4th IN THE ROYALTY AWARDS* _______ "Allison." He breathed as his face became closer to mine. "Yes Jace?" I said breathlessly as our lips were just centimeters apart. He looked into my eyes. "I want you." His breathe fanned my lips. "So take me." And then his lips were down on mine. ___ Allison Grey is a Seventeen year old girl who quickly finds her self in a forbidden situation when she finds herself falling for her English teacher Mr.Andrews. And she knows this is wrong ,she is in an abusive relationship with a guy she still loves ..but cant seem to help and fall for her older teacher. With run - ins and some slip ups ,will Mr.Andrews find out about her abusive boyfriend ? Will he fall for Allison ? Will Allison find herself madly in love with her teacher ? Will they become guilty in a forbidden romance ? But most of all ,will she get hurt again ? Can she ever trust another guy after all she has been through ? Allison has no idea what surprise will come to her... ___ Started Date • 7/1/17 End date • 11/12/17 *This story contains mature content and strong language* This story is complete fiction! There will be NO COPING MY BOOK If you see someone is coping my book please tell me and report
Them (K/DA x Male Reader) by WoffleStomp
43 parts Complete Mature
-You are Y/N L/N, some people call you a psychopath, some people call you their savior, while others may just call you a profitable business partner. You may have no powers, that you know of, but you wouldn't need them anyway. You were discharged from the Noxian army and forced into taking the blame for a war crime you didn't commit. You are capable, you are unstable, and the Ionian prison can only hold you for so long. You are too crafty for your own good, you could kill and strategize before others could walk. You and your cellmate make a plan to break out, and when you do, you are greeted by an old friend waiting for you at the end. You go straight into illegality, developing a name for yourself; "The Black Death". All of your "business" dealings lead you to the K/DA, you do everything in your power to be loved by them and protect them, and I mean everything, even if it involves stabbing your friends in the back, even if it involves acts of violence, even if it involves manipulation... [SO FAR, EXPANDED AND ENHANCED HAS NOT BEEN STARTED, AND THERES NO PLAN TO START IT AS OF 7/3/24(US), SORRY.] -WARNING: This is one of my earlier works, there is going to be plot holes, pacing problems, and the love comes horribly fast because I didn't understand it at the time. There will be psychological abuse, dark undertones, dark overtones, drinking, perhaps drug use, blood, gore, violence, perhaps excessive violence, and probably sexual content. Also, this will be one of the darkest, PTSD-ridden Y/N's I write yet, that's the plan. It's cringey...
Unwanted Mates (Black Moon Book One) by GosiaAC
44 parts Complete Mature
"He can die 'cause we haven't had sex?" I say as the weight of what she's just told me hits me like a ton of bricks. "The longer the Alpha stays in that state the more dangerous it gets. The pressure on the body because of a conflict with his decision not to mate with you and his wolf's need to mate carries a huge risk." BLACK MOON Book One completed a stand-alone story. ***** Alpha Mikkeli Blackwood is strong, but he wasn't always strong. His past was painful and full of fear until because of his first kill he gained respect. Now 27 he rules his pack with an iron fist as an Alpha of the Blackwood Pack. Even though strict and merciless Mikkeli is a fair leader who values power a little too much. With a sudden exposure to his older brother's secrets, he is forced to give shelter and protection to relatives he has never expected to have. To make matter worse one of them is 19 years old human girl who seems to be the first one in years not to show any respect for him... Hannah has just lost her parents and is now faced with the responsibility to raise her 3 werewolf siblings being human herself along with a sudden danger lurking in the shadows. Forced to trust those she was taught to never trust, Hannah has to face a completely new life in the werewolf pack ruled by forceful Alpha Blackwood. Although werewolves shouldn't have secrets from their pack, Hannah is to find out that Blackwood Pack is full of secrets and some of them are deadly... „The book had all sorts of elements of emotions like mystery, romance, guilt, etc. I loved the plot, glad it's not a regular rejection book. Love how the story is unfolding after each chapter" Review by @simrangharge, Twirling pages (The Review book) THIS IS MY FIRST BOOK AND I HOPE YOU ALL WILL HAVE AS MUCH FUN READING IT AS I HAD WRITING IT :) THERE ARE SOME HEAVY TOPICS MENTIONED (like rape and child abuse). PLEASE COMMENT :) None of the pictures used in this book are mine.
Her Sinful Temptation | Book One Of Russo Series  by Kimoralee-
65 parts Complete Mature
[Semi Edited ] Previously Know As 'Adoration' Book One In The Russo Series "So fucking tight" he praised backing up looking at my body as he thumbs my clit-Spreading my legs open getting full view of my aching pussy. Clenching uncontrollably around him as he brought on yet another orgasm. "Fuck,Amore your dripping" he said smirking while fingering me faster. His hands travel up and down my body before grabbing my neck. "Suck" he demanded as I took his finger in my mouth sucking and licking as if it was his dick looking him in his eyes. "Such an obedient little slut" he boasted smirking at me. - Elianna DuPont Perez was the daughter of Danger. She was the definition of beautiful and deadly. Her very name itself could bring people to their knees- Her words could leave you in a mix of not only self pity but a mix of hurt at her reckless tongue, her beauty was her power and she used it too her advantage. Leonardo Russo was the son of The Italian Mafia Don, Heir to his family's Business. He was labeled desirable and wanted by many and was known to be the son who was closed off and to himself even though he was the next heir and the future Don. He was a dangerous temptation In waiting. Their families come together and become allies for a mission. A mission which changes everything. Sparks fly, Blood is splattered and tears are shed. A beautiful recipe for disaster just waiting to happen. - Warning The writing in this book is in no way shape or form professional. This book includes mature topics and scenes so please be advised. Mentions of sex, torture, explicit language and description, weapons: knives and guns and more I'm not going to sit here and say this book is 18+ because it's not, it's more so for a mature audiences so read if you wish. ------ [ Word Count: 80,000- 100,000 words ] Most Impressive Rankings ☆ #1 In Bdsmrelationship #1 In Bwwm #4 In Passion #6 In Assassin #14 In Series #24 In Fear
Olive the Other Werewolves by hooodster
46 parts Complete
"Shift." His voice hit me like a serrated blade as he stepped out of the crude semicircle of hardened wolves that had formed around me. I pushed myself off of the cold floor for what felt like the thousandth time that day, wiping the small trail of blood coming off of my lip and down my chin. "I won't ask you again." My limbs felt like lead, these wolves had been at me for hours trying to get me to shift into my wolf, unbeknown to them was that their efforts would forever be futile considering the fact my wolf wouldn't make an appearance for me even when I begged. I seriously doubted she would suddenly pop up as a result of their abusive tactics. Instead of explaining my circumstances, driven by a bizarre combination of adrenaline and fatigue, I leaned back on my heels and sent the largest loogie I'd ever conjured flying over and landing squarely between the eyes of the man before me. oOoOoOoOoOo As a late bloomer who was incapable of shifting yet, let alone making any contact with her wolf, Olive Ludovic's life was not off to the best start. Growing up, constantly being tormented and taunted by those around her forced Olive to grow a tough skin and work even harder, despite the fact she was without her wolf. When her home is taken over by a dark pack, life seems to only get worse for Olive as it is quickly discovered that her mate is none other than Matteo, the Alpha of the very pack that was terrorizing her people. It seems to her, that life is just a little bit easier for Olive the Other Werewolves. oOoOoOo hello! just fyi there will be mature language and content as the book progresses so i'm letting ya know now ;) HIGHEST WEREWOLF RANKING = 2, LOVE RANKING = 3 (out of 1.8 million books XD), MAGIC RANKING = 1, ROMANCE RANKING = 1 (out of 1.5 million books XD), VAMPIRE RANKING =1!
The Satan's Eve (Completed)✔ NOT EDITED by Sheewrites_4fun
51 parts Complete Mature
HIGHEST RANKING-1st in wedding! {23/05/18} & 1st in Laugh! {11/08/18} 13th in Romance! {03/12/18} Sequel to Mr Hulk's Jelly Bunny->Can be read as a stand alone book. Evelina/Velina Storm is a 22 year old half human-half vampire girl who works as a Manager at a restaurant despite the fact that her family is wealthy. You can say that she is the good type of girl but once you hit a bad nerve then well...goodluck. One thing she always keeps in mind is to never show her weaknesses no matter how the situation is. Adam Vernom is a 28 year old Vampire who is also a Ceo of the Vernom Company Ltd. He is the type of guy who you never want to mess with. Of all the things he hates, there is only one which he despises the most which is mates. Adam does not believe in mates, he thinks that they only exist just to destroy lives. What will happen when these two meet? What will happen when Adam know that Velina is his mate? Will Velina resist his seducing ability? Will Adam hate her? After all she is his mate... -------- He yanked me closer to him till our breaths became one and our tips of our noses touched. My eyes bulged like freaking saucers and were staring at his hot ones. "Satan huh? Then Let me show you how he is like." In one swift movement he crashed his plum lips onto mine. I wanted to push him away but could not. I felt my knees buckled and my stomach churned. There was a strange sensation which was restraining me from pushing him away. He plunged his moist tongue inside my mouth exploring every inch of it. My heart was racing and my breaths were hot. I could not help but move in sync with his pace. It was as if it was a magnet pulling me more and more to him. ------- P.s : Please do not copy or take my ideas as they are purely original and my imaginations. Thank you. ♡Also! If you enjoyed this story don't hesitate to share it with your friends! ;)
You may also like
Slide 1 of 18
Attracted to His Cold cover
The Lycan's Origin Series: The 1st Lycan Alpha cover
A L T H E A | Werewolf cover
Mᴜᴛᴀɴᴛ Aᴘᴏᴄᴀʟʏᴘsᴇ 3: Sᴄᴀʀʀᴇᴅ ❪✓❫  cover
Submit cover
Mated To The Dragon✔(COMPLETED) cover
After All This Time// Sebastian Sallow x Reader Hogwarts Legacy Fanfiction cover
I Am Only One {Mature Vampire Romance} cover
Complications (MxM) cover
Never Cry Wolf cover
Forbidden Intimacy cover
Them (K/DA x Male Reader) cover
Unwanted Mates (Black Moon Book One) cover
Her Sinful Temptation | Book One Of Russo Series  cover
Olive the Other Werewolves cover
The Meaning Of Eternity (TMOE #1) cover
Indecisive (COMPLETED) cover
The Satan's Eve (Completed)✔ NOT EDITED cover

Attracted to His Cold

37 parts Complete Mature

It wasn't really the result I was looking for. In fact, it was even better. I never really thought that this would happen to me. I never believed someone could love, well, me. But they did. He did. And despite his 'reputation', despite his lifestyle, despite everything everyone had ever told me, I loved him just as unconditionally. But will everything stay in harmony? How long will my paradise last for until my past comes back? Will they haunt me? Catch me? Kill me? "Livia? Tiago?" I ask, my voice breaking slightly. If they're here, then.... "Where is he? Where's-" "Gattina." All the breath in my lungs disappear as I turn to find the source of the voice. Half-way through my turn, I can see his dark silhouette at the end of the hallway. When I breathlessly say my next word, it feels as if I can breathe properly again for the first time in over a month. "Lupo." I run towards him without a second thought, sprinting full speed at him, and jump into his awaiting arms. He engulfs me in the warmest hug I've ever felt, entrapping me entirely - not that I mind. I cry in joy at finally being reunited with him as I bury my head into his neck, burrowing myself into him and vowing never to let him go again. Unwrapping myself from him, I look up at into his eyes. They're filled with love and relief, the same emotions I imagine my eyes are filled with. That quickly changes when his face contorts into one of pain. "Cole?" my brows furrow in confusion. He lets out a pained and strangled noise before he drops to his knees, collapsing at my feet. I gasp when I see Viktor behind him, holding a bloodied knife. A/N: Hey guys. Be prepared for dark themes, mature language, mature scenes, and so much more. Enjoy the roller-coaster, you are locked in... - Potential PTSD triggers! - BDSM themes! - Mentions of rape. - Mentions of abuse. - Mentions of torture. - Gun play! - Knife play! - Dark kink! (Warnings will be put at the beginning of potential trigger chapters)