The Cartographer's Last Compass
By @john1208
Banyu spends his days brewing tea and secretly pining for his childhood friend, Laras, who is being forced to marry a wealthy bully. Scorned for his humble origins, Banyu can only watch from the sidelines, his heart aching. But on the morning of Laras's engagement ceremony, his world is shattered. On his 21st birthday, Banyu awakens the 'Wayfinder's Vein,' an inherited power that reveals the hidden paths to forgotten treasures. He is the secret, illegitimate heir to the legendary House Kartan, a dynasty built on mythic discoveries and unimaginable wealth. Suddenly, he has the power to save Laras and crush those who mocked him. But his new family is a nest of secrets, and his inheritance comes with a powerful, politically-minded fiancée he's never met. More terrifying is the truth nobody told him: the Wayfinder's Vein is a consuming gift. The more he uses its power to find the world's wonders, the more he himself fades from the world's memory. Can a boy who only ever wanted a simple life find a way to save his first love without being forgotten by everyone he holds dear?
3
Dragon's Guardian Gold
By @Darcey Anderson
Max and William, two seasoned adventurers, stumble upon a cryptic map detailing a legendary treasure: a chest brimming with gold, guarded by a monstrous entity. The key to this chest lies with a benevolent, ancient dragon, a creature of immense power but surprising wisdom. To claim their prize, they must first earn the dragon's trust and then assemble a formidable team, for the guardian of the gold is no ordinary beast. As they recruit allies, they uncover hints of a deeper mystery surrounding the treasure, one that ties into the very fabric of their world. Max, driven by a hidden grief, seeks not just gold but validation, while William yearns for a legacy beyond mere riches. Their quest for fortune soon transforms into a desperate struggle for survival and self-discovery.
2