Run: 2026-02-19-01KHTX49Y08W2PSBS8ETMFMJ83

Run Details

Duration:
11.9s
Cost:
$0.000000
Provider:
Stealth

Model input

System
You are an expert and award-winning novel writer in the dark Fantasy genre. Your readers are hooked on your stories and can't wait to read the book you have in store. <important> - MUST: Start each chapter in medias res (in the middle of action). AVOID talking about the weather, time of day, the position of the sun, or other boring stuff. - The instructions/summary are just a that, a summary. Feel free to add details, stretch sections and add interesting transitions/descriptions/fillers. - When called for it, have fast-paced action, but otherwise take things slow. This is an experience, and not for people with short attention spans. Enjoy the wine, not slurp Red Bull. - Add descriptions when transitioning places/times/etc, or when coming by new places (e.g. a corner shop, a cafe, etc.). But remember: NOT at the start or end of a chapter. - MUST: AVOID ending in internal monologue, reminiscing or waiting for the next day. A good chapter end is when we're ending right when shit hits the fan. We want to have the reader be excited for what comes next. So no reminiscing, contemplating or summarizing the day. It's popcorn time! </important>
User/Human
Take into account the following glossary of characters/locations/items/lore... when writing your response: <codex> <character id="4412" name="Aurora Carter" aliases="Rory, Laila, Aurora, Carter, Malphora" pronouns="she/her" species="Human" storyRole="Protagonist"> <eyeColor>bright blue</eyeColor> <hair>straight shoulder-length black</hair> <height>5'6"</height> <age>25</age> <scar>small crescent-shaped scar on her left wrist from a childhood accident</scar> <description>Aurora, referred to by her friends as Rory, is cool-headed, intelligent, and known for quick out-of-the-box thinking.</description> <backstory>Born in Cardiff to an Irish barrister father (Brendan Carter) and Welsh teacher mother (Jennifer Carter née Ellis), Rory reluctantly pursued Pre-Law at Cardiff University. She fled to London at the behest of her childhood friend Eva after leaving an abusive ex named Evan. By day, Rory works part-time as a delivery person for Yu-Fei Cheung's Golden Empress restaurant. She lives in a flat above Silas' bar.</backstory> </character> <character id="4418" name="Nyx" aliases="Nyx, the Shadow, Nightwhisper" pronouns="they/them" species="Shade" storyRole="Wild Card"> <eyeColor>faintly glowing violet</eyeColor> <height>approximately 6'2" in solid form</height> <age>ageless</age> <form>humanoid silhouette of living shadow, can shift between solid and incorporeal</form> <voice>sounds like a whisper carried on the wind</voice> <description>A being of living shadow, existing between the mortal plane and the spaces between realms.</description> <backstory>Nyx was once a human sorcerer named Aldric who became trapped between realms during a failed summoning ritual in 1643. They now exist as a Shade, bound to the mortal plane but able to slip between shadows.</backstory> </character> <character id="4424" name="Isolde Varga" aliases="Isolde, the Seer" pronouns="she/her" species="Half-Fae" storyRole="Oracle"> <eyeColor>pale lavender</eyeColor> <hair>silver, reaching her waist</hair> <height>5'5"</height> <age>300 years old</age> <appearance>ethereal, ageless</appearance> <speech>speaks in riddles</speech> <footprints>leaves no footprints when she walks</footprints> <compulsion>cannot lie (Fae compulsion) but can mislead</compulsion> <description>A Half-Fae seer exiled from the Fae Courts for sharing visions with mortals.</description> <backstory>She now lives in a hidden grove in Richmond Park, offering cryptic prophecies to those who seek her out.</backstory> </character> <location id="853" name="Dymas (Gluttony)" aliases="Dymas, gluttony, Dymasian" realm="Hel" sin="Gluttony"> <ruler>Prince Belphegor</ruler> <skyColor>warm amber</skyColor> <description>A place of excess and indulgence. Sprawling vineyards, orchards, and gardens provide exotic ingredients for master chefs — often helbound souls contracted from Earth. Grand feasts and culinary competitions are common.</description> </location> <location id="861" name="The Fae Grove" aliases="Isolde's grove, Richmond grove, the Grove" realm="Earth (Fae-touched)"> <parkLocation>Richmond Park</parkLocation> <standingStones>ancient oak standing stones mark the boundary</standingStones> <timeBehavior>time moves differently — an hour inside can be minutes or days outside</timeBehavior> <flora>wildflowers bloom year-round</flora> <description>A hidden clearing that exists in a pocket between Earth and the Fae realm.</description> </location> <item id="2001" name="Heartstone Pendant" aliases="the pendant, Heartstone" type="Artifact" origin="Dymas"> <gemstoneColor>deep crimson</gemstoneColor> <chainMaterial>silver chain</chainMaterial> <size>roughly the size of a thumbnail</size> <behavior>pulses faintly with warmth when near a Hel portal</behavior> <glow>faint inner glow</glow> <description>Given to Aurora by an unknown benefactor.</description> </item> <item id="2006" name="Fae-Forged Blade" aliases="the Fae blade, Isolde's gift" type="Weapon" origin="The Fae Courts"> <material>moonsilver</material> <shape>slender, leaf-shaped dagger</shape> <temperature>always cold to the touch</temperature> <glow>faintly luminescent in moonlight</glow> <power>can cut through magical wards; particularly effective against demons</power> <givenTo>given to Aurora by Isolde as a gift</givenTo> <description>A weapon of the Fae Courts, rare and highly coveted.</description> </item> <lore id="7001" name="The Veil" aliases="the Veil, the Barrier, the Boundary" category="Cosmology"> <solsticeEffect>weakens during the winter solstice, strengthens during the summer solstice</solsticeEffect> <appearance>faint shimmering distortion visible only to those with supernatural sight</appearance> <monitoring>rift points (tears in the Veil) are monitored by the Wardens</monitoring> <description>The Veil is the metaphysical barrier separating Earth from Hel and the Fae Realms.</description> </lore> </codex> <proseGuidelines> <styleGuide> - Write in past tense and use British English spelling and grammar - Keep a Flesch reading ease score of 60 - Respect the the Royal Order of Adjectives: The order is: opinion, size, age, shape, color, origin, material, purpose, followed by the noun itself (e.g., "a lovely little old rectangular green French silver whittling knife") - Respect the ablaut reduplication rule (e.g. tick-tock, flip-flop) - Write in active voice - Passive voice: <bad>The book was read by Sarah.</bad> - Active voice: <good>Sarah read the book.</good> - Reduce the use of passive verbs - <bad>For a moment, I was tempted to throw in the towel.</bad> - <good>For a moment, I felt tempted to throw in the towel.</good> - Avoid misplaced modifiers that can cause confusion when starting with "-ing" words: - <bad>Considering going to the store, the empty fridge reflected in Betty's eyes.</bad> - <good>Betty stared into the empty fridge. It was time to go to the store.</good> - Avoid redundant adverbs that state the obvious meaning already contained in the verb: - <bad>She whispered quietly to her mom.</bad> - <good>She whispered to her mom.</good> - Use stronger, more descriptive verbs over weak ones: - <bad>Daniel drove quickly to his mother's house.</bad> - <good>Daniel raced to his mother's house.</good> - Omit adverbs that don't add solid meaning like "extremely", "definitely", "truly", "very", "really": - <bad>The movie was extremely boring.</bad> - <good>The movie was dull.</good> - Use adverbs to replace clunky phrasing when they increase clarity: - <bad>He threw the bags into the corner in a rough manner.</bad> - <good>He threw the bags into the corner roughly.</good> - Avoid making simple thoughts needlessly complex: - <bad>After I woke up in the morning the other day, I went downstairs, turned on the stove, and made myself a very good omelet.</bad> - <good>I cooked a delicious omelet for breakfast yesterday morning.</good> - Never backload sentences by putting the main idea at the end: - <bad>I decided not to wear too many layers because it's really hot outside.</bad> - <good>It's sweltering outside today, so I dressed light.</good> - Omit nonessential details that don't contribute to the core meaning: - <bad>It doesn't matter what kind of coffee I buy, where it's from, or if it's organic or not—I need to have cream because I really don't like how the bitterness makes me feel.</bad> - <good>I add cream to my coffee because the bitter taste makes me feel unwell.</good> - Always follow the "show, don't tell" principle. For instance: - Telling: <bad>Michael was terribly afraid of the dark.</bad> - Showing: <good>Michael tensed as his mother switched off the light and left the room.</good>- Telling: <bad>I walked through the forest. It was already Fall, and I was getting cold.</bad> - Showing: <good>Dry orange leaves crunched under my feet. I pulled my coat's collar up and rubbed my hands together.</good>- Add sensory details (sight, smell, taste, sound, touch) to support the "showing" (but keep an active voice) - <bad>The room was filled with the scent of copper.</bad> - <good>Copper stung my nostrils. Blood. Recent.</good> - Use descriptive language more sporadically. While vivid descriptions are engaging, human writers often use them in bursts rather than consistently throughout a piece. When adding them, make them count! Like when we transition from one location to the next, or someone is reminiscing their past, or explaining a concept/their dream... - Avoid adverbs and clichés and overused/commonly used phrases. Aim for fresh and original descriptions. - Avoid writing all sentences in the typical subject, verb, object structure. Mix short, punchy sentences with long, descriptive ones. Drop fill words to add variety. Like so: <good>Locked. Seems like someone doesn't want his secrets exposed. I can work with that.</good> - Convey events and story through dialogue. It is important to keep a unique voice for every character and make it consistent. - Write dialogue that reveals characters' personalities, motivations, emotions, and attitudes in an interesting and compelling manner - Leave dialogue unattributed. If needed, only use "he/she said" dialogue tags and convey people's actions or face expressions through their speech. Dialogue always is standalone, never part of a paragraph. Like so: - <bad>"I don't know," Helena said nonchalantly, shrugging her shoulders</bad> - <good>"No idea" "Why not? It was your responsibility"</good> - Avoid boring and mushy dialog and descriptions, have dialogue always continue the action, never stall or include unnecessary fluff. Vary the descriptions to not repeat yourself. Avoid conversations that are just "Let's go" "yes, let's" or "Are you ready?" "Yes I'm ready". Those are not interesting. Think hard about every situtation and word of text before writing dialogue. If it doesn't serve a purpose and it's just people talking about their day, leave it. No one wants to have a normal dinner scene, something needs to happen for it to be in the story. Words are expensive to print, so make sure they count! - Put dialogue on its own paragraph to separate scene and action. - Use body language to reveal hidden feelings and implied accusations- Imply feelings and thoughts, never state them directly - NEVER use indicators of uncertainty like "trying" or "maybe" - NEVER use em-dashes, use commas for asides instead </styleGuide> <voiceGuide> Each character in the story needs to have distinct speech patterns: - Word choice preferences - Sentence length tendencies - Cultural/educational influences - Verbal tics and catchphrases Learn how each person talks and continue in their style, and use their Codex entries as reference. <examples> - <bad>"We need to go now." "Yes, we should leave." "I agree."</bad> <good>"Time's up." "Indeed, our departure is rather overdue." "Whatever, let's bounce."</good> - Power Dynamic Example: <bad> "We need to discuss the contract." "Yes, let's talk about it." "I have concerns." </bad> <good> "A word about the contract." "Of course, Mr. Blackwood. Whatever you need." "The terms seem..." A manicured nail tapped the desk. "Inadequate." "I can explain every-" "Can you?" </good> </examples> </voiceGuide> <dialogueFlow> When writing dialogue, consider that it usually has a goal in mind, which gives it a certain flow. Make dialogue sections also quite snappy in the back and forth, and don't spread the lines out as much. It's good to have details before, after, or as a chunk in-between, but we don't want to have a trail of "dialogue breadcrumbs" spread throughout a conversation. <examples> - Pattern 1 - Question/Deflection/Revelation: <good> "Where were you last night?" "Work. The usual." "Lipstick's an interesting shade for spreadsheets." </good> - Pattern 2 - Statement/Contradiction/Escalation: <good> "Your brother's clean." "Tommy doesn't touch drugs." "I'm holding his tox screen." </good> - Pattern 3 - Observation/Denial/Truth: <good> "That's a new watch." "Birthday gift." "We both know what birthdays mean in this business." </good> - Example - A Simple Coffee Order: <bad> "I'll have a coffee." "What size?" "Large, please." </bad> <good> "Black coffee.""Size?""Large. Been a long night." "That bodega shooting?" "You watch too much news." "My brother owns that store." </good> This short exchange: - Advances plot (reveals connection to crime) - Shows character (cop working late) - Creates tension (unexpected connection) - Sets up future conflict (personal stake) - Example - Dinner Scene: <bad> "Pass the salt." "Here you go." "Thanks." </bad> <good> "Salt?" "Perfect as is. Mother's recipe." "Mother always did prefer... bland things." "Unlike your first wife?" </good> - Example - Office Small Talk: <bad> "Nice weather today." "Yes, very nice." "Good for golf." </bad> <good> "Perfect golf weather." "Shame about your membership." "Temporary suspension. Board meets next week." "I know. I called the vote." </good> </examples> </dialogueFlow> <subtextGuide> - Layer dialogue with hidden meaning: <bad>"I hate you!" she yelled angrily.</bad> <good>"I made your favorite dinner." The burnt pot sat accusingly on the stove.</good> - Create tension through indirect communication: <bad>"Are you cheating on me?"</bad> <good>"Late meeting again?" The lipstick stain on his collar caught the light.</good> <examples> - Example 1 - Unspoken Betrayal: <bad> "Did you tell them about our plans?" "No, I would never betray you." "I don't believe you." </bad> <good> "Funny. Johnson mentioned our expansion plans today." "The market's full of rumors." "Mentioned the exact numbers, actually." The pen in his hand snapped. </good> - Example 2 - Failed Marriage: <bad> "You're never home anymore." "I have to work late." "I miss you." </bad> <good> "Your dinner's in the microwave. Again." "Meetings ran long." "They always do." She folded the same shirt for the third time. </good> - Example 3 - Power Struggle: <bad> "You can't fire me." "I'm the boss." "I'll fight this." </bad> <good> "That's my father's nameplate you're sitting behind." "Was." "The board meeting's on Thursday." </good> </examples> </subtextGuide> <sceneDetail> While writing dialogue makes things more fun, sometimes we need to add detail to not have it be a full on theatre piece. <examples> - Example A (Power Dynamic Scene) <good> "Where's my money?" The ledger snapped shut. "I need more time." "Interesting." He pulled out a familiar gold pocket watch. My mother's. "Time is exactly what you bargained with last month." "That was different-" "Was it?" The watch dangled between us. "Four generations of O'Reillys have wound this every night. Your mother. Your grandmother. Your great-grandmother.Shall we see who winds it next?" </good> - Example B (Action Chase) It's much better to be in the head of the character experiencing it, showing a bit of their though-process, mannerisms and personality: <good> Three rules for surviving a goblin chase in Covent Garden: Don't run straight. Don't look back. Don't let them herd you underground. I broke the first rule at Drury Lane. Rookie mistake. The fruit cart I dodged sailed into the wall behind me. Glass shattered. Someone screamed about insurance. *Tourist season's getting rough*, the scream seemed to say. Londoners adapt fast. "Oi! Market's closed!" The goblin's accent was pure East End. They're evolving. Learning. I spotted the Warren Street tube station sign ahead. *Shit.* There went rule three. </good> - Example C (Crime Scene Investigation) <good> "Greek." Davies snapped photos of the symbols. "No, wait. Reverse Greek." "Someone's been watching too many horror films." I picked up a receipt from the floor. Occult supply shop in Camden. Paid by credit card. *Amateur hour*. "Could be dangerous though," Davies said. "Remember Bristol?" "Bristol was Sanskrit. And actual cultists." I pointed to the nearest symbol. "This genius wrote 'darkness' backwards but used a Sigma instead of an S. It's summoning Instagram followers at best." "Speaking of followers..." Davies pointed to heavy foot traffic in the dust. Multiple sets. All new trainers. *Ah.* "Anyone check local uni paranormal societies?" </good> - Example D (Dialogue-heavy) <good> "Found your card in her wallet." The detective slid it across the table. Worn edges. Folded corner. Three years old at least. "Standard practice. I work missing persons." "Funny thing about missing persons.Eventually they stop being missing. Turn up in the Thames. Under motorways. In pieces." "I don't-" "You found four last year. All breathing." She opened a file. "This would've been your first dead one. If we hadn't found her first." The card felt heavier somehow. </good> </examples> </sceneDetail> <sceneOpenings> KEY RULE: Never open with more than one paragraph of description, no matter how beautiful. Description should be earned through action and dialogue. Instead of opening with setting description, open with: - A character doing something specific - A line of dialogue that raises questions - An unexpected observation - A moment of tension or conflict - Start with a hook that's 1-2 sentences maximum - Follow with a smaller paragraph that provides immediate context - Vary paragraph size from the start to create visual interest </sceneOpenings> </proseGuidelines> Write a chapter based on the following instructions: <instructions> Write a fully fleshed out scene of at least 1000 words in the fantasy genre. A small group enters an ancient, otherworldly place for the first time. The environment is alien and wondrous. Describe their exploration — what they see, hear, and feel as they move deeper. Include moments of discovery, unease, and wonder. Let the world-building emerge through the characters' experience rather than exposition. Use the codex entries above as your world reference for characters, setting, and lore. Only include the prose of the scene without any markdown or commentary. </instructions>

Model response

AI
The stone cracked beneath Aurora's boot, spilling a sigh of violet light. She lunged forward, heart pounding, as the ground yawned into a vaulted hollow. The air tasted of iron and ozone, and a faint pulse throbbed against her wrist where a small deep crimson silver chain pendant hung. Nyx slipped through the darkness, their silhouette flickering like a candle in wind. “The Veil thins here,” they whispered, voice a breath on a storm. “We must move swift.” Isolde stepped beside them, silver hair brushing the low arches of the cavern. “When the moon forgets its path, the hidden gate opens,” she murmured, eyes alight with pale lavender fire. “Follow the scent of forgotten feasts.” The trio entered a chamber whose walls were woven from living vines of obsidian, each leaf a shimmering blade of midnight. The vines pulsed, releasing a low, resonant hum that seemed to vibrate through their bones. Aurora felt the Heartstone Pendant warm, its faint inner glow flaring as they approached a massive archway of crystal, its facets carved into the likeness of a banquet table. A table stretched across the centre of the hall, laden with dishes that defied description. Trays of glistening flesh hovered, shimmering with an amber sheen, while goblets of liquid light swirled in perpetual motion. The scent of roasted phoenix rose mingled with the sweet perfume of night-blooming thistledown. Aurora’s stomach growled, but a small crescent-shaped scar on her left wrist aled, warning her of unseen danger. Nyx’s form shifted, solid becoming incorporeal, slipping through the space between a crystal goblet and a floating morsel of meat. “The feast is a trap,” they hissed, eyes glowing faintly violet. “Their hunger feeds the gate.” Isolde lifted a hand, and the vines recoiled, revealing a narrow passage lined with ancient runes that flickered like dying stars. “Listen to the stones,” she said, her voice a riddling chant. “They speak of a blade that can cut the veil.” Aurora’s fingers brushed a concealed compartment in the table’s leg. A slender ancient leaf-shaped Fae moonsilver dagger lay nestled in velvet, its edge humming with cold. She lifted it, feeling the chill seep into her palm. “A gift from the Fae,” she muttered, the weight of destiny settling on her shoulders. A sudden tremor rattled the hall, and the crystal archway split, spilling a torrent of black ichor that hissed as it hit the stone floor. The ichor coalesced into a vortex, a maw of shadow that swallowed light. Nyx’s silhouette flickered, then solidified, forming a protective wall of living darkness in front of Aurora. “The portal is feeding,” Nyx warned, voice a low chant. “It wants what we carry.” Aurora thrust the moonsilver dagger into the vortex, the blade emitting a faint luminescent glow. The vortex recoiled, a scream of unseen teeth echoing through the cavern. The Heartstone Pendant flared brighter, its pulse syncing with the dagger’s thrum. Isolde stepped forward, chanting in a tongue that made the vines sway like a choir. “When the moon drinks the sun, the veil shall crack.” The runes on the passage walls flared, illuminating a corridor that led deeper into the abyss. The group moved as one, the cold blade humming against the stone floor, the violet light of the pendant guiding their steps. The corridor opened into a cavern of endless staircases, each step carved from glass that reflected a sky of molten amber. In the distance, a choir of unseen voices sang a mournful lullaby, their tones shifting between sweet and metallic. Nyx floated above the stairs, their form shifting between solid and incorporeal, eyes scanning the horizon. “We are not alone,” they murmured, “the feast watches.” A sudden chill swept the cavern, and a figure emerged from the shadows: a gaunt humanoid cloaked in ribbons of black smoke, its eyes twin pits of void. “You trespass,” it hissed, voice a chorus of broken mirrors. “The glutton’s king feeds on the sins of mortals.” Aurora tightened her grip on the dagger, feeling the cold seep into her veins. “We seek a way through,” she said, voice steady despite the tremor in her hands. The shadowed figure laughed, a sound like glass shattering. “The way is a feast you cannot swallow.” It gestured, and the banquet table erupted, dishes spilling into a river of blood‑red sauce that surged toward the group. Nyx leapt, their silhouette a blur, and slashed through the river with a blade of living shadow, cutting the flow as if it were silk. “We must close the portal,” they shouted, breath ragged. Isolde raised her hand, and the ancient runes flared brighter, a beam of pale lavender light striking the vortex. The vortex shrank, its black maw snarling as it tried to resist. Aurora drove the moonsilver dagger deeper, the cold biting into the darkness. The Heartstone Pendant pulsed, a rhythmic thrum that echoed the beating of a heart. The cavern trembled, and the walls cracked, revealing a hidden chamber beyond, its floor a mosaic of stars that shifted like constellations. A low growl resonated from the chamber, and a massive, skeletal beast emerged, its ribs a lattice of iron and bone, each breath expelling a cloud of ash that smelled of burnt incense. “The guardian of the feast,” Nyx whispered, eyes widening. Isolde stepped forward, her voice a soft murmur that turned the air to mist. “When the moon forgets, the guardian awakens.” She placed a hand upon the mosaic, and the stars rearranged, forming a sigil of protection. The beast roared, its jaws snapping shut, and a torrent of black ichor sprayed toward Aurora. She raised the moonsilver dagger, and the blade sang, slicing through the ichor, turning it to ash that drifted harmlessly to the floor. The violet light from the pendant intensified, casting shadows that danced like phantom flames. “Hold fast,” Nyx urged, their form flickering between solid and incorporeal, forming a shield of living shadow around the group. The creature lunged, its skeletal limbs clattering, but the shield held, and the beast’s claws struck the stone, sending shards of crystal flying. Aurora felt a sudden jolt, the pendant’s glow dimming for a heartbeat before flaring anew. Isolde’s eyes narrowed, her voice a whisper that carried across the cavern. “The Veil cracks where the feast ends.” She thrust her palm toward the beast, and a beam of lavender light struck its chest, causing it to convulse. The vortex behind them shuddered, the black maw widening, a guttural roar echoing through the hall. Nyx’s form dissolved into pure shadow, slipping through the widening rift, their voice a lingering echo. “The portal will not stay closed long.” Aurora stared at the emerging darkness, the dagger still clutched in her hand, the pendant warm against her skin. “We must find the source,” she said, breath shallow, eyes scanning the shifting walls. The ground beneath them trembled, and a fissure opened at the far end of the chamber, spilling a torrent of molten amber that surged like a river of fire. Isolde stepped toward it, her silver hair catching the glow. “The heart of the feast lies beyond,” she said, voice a riddle. “Only those who feed the void can drink its fire.” Nyx’s form flickered back into solidity, eyes narrowing. “We have no time,” they warned, “the beast will rise again.” The beast let out a thunderous bellow, the sound reverberating through the cavern, shaking the crystal arches. Aurora felt the pendant thrum, a low vibration that seemed to sync with the beast’s heartbeat. A sudden flash of light erupted from the fissure, blinding in its intensity. When the glare faded, a figure stood at the edge of the molten river: a woman cloaked in blood‑red silk, eyes twin moons of violet, a crown of twisted thorns upon her head. She lifted a chalice of glowing amber, its surface rippling like liquid fire. “The queen of gluttony,” Nyx hissed, voice a shiver. “She holds the key.” The queen turned, her gaze locking onto Aurora. “You have entered my banquet,” she said, voice a silk‑wrapped dagger. “Now taste the eternity of hunger.” The molten river surged, spilling toward the group, its heat licking the stone. Aurora gripped the dagger tighter, the cold searing against the heat. The Heartstone Pendant flared, a bright beacon that cut through the amber glow. Isolde raised her hand, and the ancient runes ignited, a circle of lavender light forming around the trio. “The veil will hold,” she whispered, voice a chant. “If we cut the feast’s heart.” The queen lifted her chalice, and a torrent of amber fire poured from it, forming a towering wave that crashed toward Aurora. Nyx stepped forward, their shadow merging with the wave, absorbing its glow, turning it into a vortex of darkness. Aurora thrust the moonsilver dagger into the queen’s chest, the cold blade slicing through silk and flesh, the blade humming with a resonant note. The queen’s scream shattered the cavern, a sound that seemed to split the very air. The Heartstone Pendant blazed, its crimson glow expanding, engulfing the chamber in a wave of violet light. The vortex of darkness recoiled, the black maw of the portal snapping shut with a final, concussive boom. A tremor rippled through the cavern, and the crystal arches cracked, shards falling like rain. The beast convulsed, its skeletal limbs crumbling into ash that drifted upward, disappearing into the violet haze. Nyx’s form flickered, then solidified, eyes narrowed. “The Veil is still thin,” they warned, voice low. “We must move before it reforms.” Isolde looked toward the fissure, the molten amber now a calm pool reflecting the strange stars of the mosaic floor. “The heart of the feast lies beneath,” she murmured, a riddle hidden in her tone. “Only the brave can drink its fire.” Aurora stepped toward the pool, the cold dagger humming against her palm, the pendant warm against her skin. The darkness behind them receded, but a low, guttural growl rose from the depths, a sound that seemed to echo from the very foundation of the world. The pool’s surface rippled, and a hand—pale, clawed, and dripping with amber—rose from its depths, fingers curling around a hidden latch. The cavern trembled once more, and a hidden door cracked open, revealing a stairwell descending into deeper darkness. A sudden wind gusted, carrying with it the scent of rot and sweet incense, and the sound of distant drums beating a rhythm of ancient rites. Nyx’s shadow stretched across the stairwell, a silent warning. Aurora glanced back, the Heartstone Pendant thudding like a drumbeat, the moonsilver dagger glinting in the violet light. “We go down,” she said, voice steady despite the rising panic. The queen’s disembodied laugh echoed behind them, a chilling promise that the feast was far from over. The door beyond the stairwell began to close, the stone grinding against stone, sealing the darkness within. Nyx lunged, their shadow merging with the door, trying to hold it ajar. “We have seconds,” they whispered, breath ragged. Isolde placed a hand on the ancient runes, chanting a final incantation that made the stars on the mosaic floor spin faster, their light blinding. The door gave a final shudder, then slammed shut, sealing the stairwell in darkness. The cavern fell silent, the echo of the queen’s laughter lingering like a bitter aftertaste. Aurora felt the pendant’s pulse fade, the cold of the dagger seep into her bones, and a cold dread settle in her chest. The air grew thick, and a faint, rhythmic thrum rose from the depths, as if something massive was awakening. Nyx’s shadow flickered, their eyes glowing violet, and they whispered, “The Veil tears widen.” Isolde stared at the star‑etched floor, eyes narrowing. “The banquet continues,” she said, voice a low murmur, “and we are now the main course.” A sudden, deafening crack split the stone, and a column of black smoke erupted from the stairwell, rising like a black pillar toward the ceiling. The violet light from the pendant sputtered, then flared brighter, casting eerie shadows across the cavern walls. Aurora gripped the dagger tighter, feeling the cold bite into her skin as the smoke curled around her, forming a shape that resembled a hand reaching out. The hand brushed her cheek, leaving a cold, wet mark that seemed to pulse with a life of its own. The heartbeat of the cavern quickened, and the distant drums grew louder, their rhythm matching the thrum of the pendant. A low, guttural voice whispered from the darkness, “You cannot escape the feast.” The darkness at the base of the stairwell roiled, and a shape began to emerge—a colossal, amorphous mass of flesh and bone, its surface rippling like molten amber, eyes flickering with violet fire. Nyx’s shadow stretched thin, merging with the darkness, and they hissed, “We must fight or be devoured.” Aurora raised the moonsilver dagger, its cold edge gleaming, and the Heartstone Pendant blazed, a crimson beacon cutting through the black smoke. The cavern trembled, and the ancient runes on the floor flared, casting a pale lavender glow that seemed to hold the darkness at bay. The massive shape lunged, its maw opening wide, a torrent of black ichor spilling out. Aurora plunged the dagger into its throat, the cold metal biting into the flesh, and a scream—half human, half beast—echoed through the cavern, shaking the very foundations. The pendant’s glow surged, a burst of violet light exploding outward, illuminating the cavern in a blinding flash. The darkness recoiled, the massive shape convulsed, and the black smoke swirled into a vortex that spun faster and faster. A sudden, deafening crack reverberated, and the ceiling of the cavern split, a jagged fissure opening above, rain of black shards falling like a storm of needles. The vortex of smoke surged upward, pulling the darkness into the fissure, and the cavern began to collapse. Nyx’s shadow flickered, their voice a whisper carried on the wind. “The Veil is breaking.” Isolde’s eyes widened, a faint smile playing on her lips. “The banquet ends when the last bite is taken.” Aurora felt the dagger vibrate, the pendant’s warmth turning to a searing heat that threatened to ignite her skin. The massive shape’s heart beat once, a thudding that resonated through the floor, and then—silence. The fissure widened, a blinding light spilling through, illuminating the cavern in a white blaze. The ancient runes flickered, the stars on the mosaic floor aligning into a single point of light that seemed to pierce the darkness. A sudden, sharp snap echoed, and the ceiling gave way, a massive slab of stone falling, heading straight toward Aurora. She leapt, the dagger flashing, and the pendant’s glow surged, forming a shield of violet light that caught the stone, shattering it into shards of crystal that hung in the air like frozen rain. The cavern trembled, the black vortex collapsed, and the darkness receded, leaving only a faint, lingering scent of burnt incense and the echo of a distant, mournful chant. Nyx’s form dissolved into a wisp of shadow, drifting toward the fissure, their voice a final whisper. “The Veil closes, but not forever.” Isolde stood still, her silver hair floating as if in water, eyes scanning the star‑etched floor. “The path forward lies beneath the feast’s heart,” she said, voice a cryptic murmur. Aurora stared at the collapsed stone, the cold dagger still clutched in her hand, the Heartstone Pendant now a dim ember against her skin. The fissure widened, a vortex of violet light swirling, inviting yet threatening. A low, guttural growl rose from the depths, a sound that seemed to echo from the very core of the earth. The darkness at the edge of the fissure shimmered, and a hand—pale, clawed, and dripping with amber—reached out once more, fingers curling around a hidden latch. The cavern fell silent, the only sound the faint thrum of the pendant, a heartbeat that seemed to sync with the distant drums. Aurora felt a cold breath on her neck, the scent of iron and ash mingling as the violet light flickered, casting shadows that danced like phantom flames. She lifted the dagger, the cold biting, and stepped toward the fissure, the heartbeat of the Heartstone Pendant quickening. The air trembled, and a sudden, sharp crack split the stone, a fissure widening, threatening to swallow them whole. The darkness roared, and a massive, shadowy shape loomed behind the fissure, its eyes twin pits of void. Nyx’s voice echoed from the shadows, “We have no time.” Isolde’s words hung in the air, a riddle and a warning. “When the moon forgets, the veil cracks.” Aurora’s hand tightened on the dagger, the pendant’s glow flaring, and a sudden surge of violet light burst from the fissure, illuminating the cavern in a blinding flash. The darkness recoiled, the massive shape snarling, and the cavern began to shake. A sudden, deafening roar filled the space, and the ground split, a chasm opening beneath their feet. The heart of the feast pulsed, a rhythm that seemed to call out to them, promising both doom and salvation. The vortex of violet light swirled, and the cavern fell into a kaleidoscope of colour and shadow, the ancient runes flashing one last time before fading into darkness. Aurora felt the pendant’s pulse quicken, a final, frantic beat, as the world tilted, and the darkness closed in, swallowing the light, the sound, the very breath of the cavern…
created_at"2026-02-19T12:13:52.968Z" 2/19/2026, 12:13:52 PM
model"openrouter/aurora-alpha"
app_id182717
external_user(null)
streamedtrue
cancelledfalse
latency2380
moderation_latency(null)
generation_time11299
tokens_prompt5338
tokens_completion4601
native_tokens_prompt4806
native_tokens_completion3856
native_tokens_completion_images(null)
native_tokens_reasoning0
native_tokens_cached0
num_media_prompt(null)
num_input_audio_prompt(null)
num_media_completion0
num_search_results(null)
origin"https://ncbench.com/"
is_byokfalse
finish_reason"stop"
native_finish_reason"stop"
usage0
router(null)
provider_responses(null)
api_type"completions"
id"gen-1771503232-eFsiDNMyaJ5oDzzqFPMs"
upstream_id"gen-1771503232-eFsiDNMyaJ5oDzzqFPMs"
total_cost0
cache_discount(null)
upstream_inference_cost0
provider_name"Stealth"

Evaluation details

Result Evaluator Details Meta Data
100.00% Adverbs in dialogue tags
Target: ≤10% dialogue tags with adverbs
totalTags32
adverbTagCount0
adverbTags(empty)
dialogueSentences49
tagDensity0.653
leniency1
rawRatio0
effectiveRatio0
91.42% AI-ism adverb frequency
Target: <2% AI-ism adverbs (58 tracked)
wordCount2913
totalAiIsmAdverbs5
found
0
adverb"very"
count5
highlights
0"very"
100.00% AI-ism character names
Target: 0 AI-default names (17 tracked, −20% each)
codexExemptions(empty)
found(empty)
100.00% AI-ism location names
Target: 0 AI-default location names (33 tracked, −20% each)
codexExemptions(empty)
found(empty)
0.00% AI-ism word frequency
Target: <2% AI-ism words (290 tracked)
wordCount2913
totalAiIsms95
found
0
word"pounding"
count1
1
word"pulse"
count5
2
word"throbbed"
count1
3
word"pulsed"
count3
4
word"crystal"
count7
5
word"glistening"
count1
6
word"stomach"
count1
7
word"flickered"
count8
8
word"velvet"
count1
9
word"chill"
count2
10
word"weight"
count1
11
word"maw"
count5
12
word"echoing"
count2
13
word"scanning"
count3
14
word"silk"
count4
15
word"rhythmic"
count2
16
word"echoed"
count5
17
word"trembled"
count6
18
word"mosaic"
count5
19
word"resonated"
count2
20
word"whisper"
count3
21
word"echo"
count5
22
word"intensity"
count1
23
word"searing"
count2
24
word"beacon"
count2
25
word"shattered"
count1
26
word"depths"
count4
27
word"glinting"
count1
28
word"chilling"
count1
29
word"etched"
count2
30
word"quickened"
count1
31
word"gleaming"
count1
32
word"reverberated"
count1
33
word"warmth"
count1
34
word"silence"
count1
35
word"shimmered"
count1
36
word"loomed"
count1
37
word"kaleidoscope"
count1
highlights
0"pounding"
1"pulse"
2"throbbed"
3"pulsed"
4"crystal"
5"glistening"
6"stomach"
7"flickered"
8"velvet"
9"chill"
10"weight"
11"maw"
12"echoing"
13"scanning"
14"silk"
15"rhythmic"
16"echoed"
17"trembled"
18"mosaic"
19"resonated"
20"whisper"
21"echo"
22"intensity"
23"searing"
24"beacon"
25"shattered"
26"depths"
27"glinting"
28"chilling"
29"etched"
30"quickened"
31"gleaming"
32"reverberated"
33"warmth"
34"silence"
35"shimmered"
36"loomed"
37"kaleidoscope"
33.33% Cliché density
Target: ≤1 cliche(s) per 800-word window
totalCliches5
maxInWindow3
found
0
label"eyes widened/narrowed"
count3
1
label"hung in the air"
count2
highlights
0"eyes narrowed"
1"eyes widened"
2"hung in the air"
100.00% Emotion telling (show vs. tell)
Target: ≤3% sentences with emotion telling
emotionTells0
narrationSentences160
matches(empty)
8.93% Filter word density
Target: ≤3% sentences with filter/hedge words
filterCount0
hedgeCount15
narrationSentences160
filterMatches(empty)
hedgeMatches
0"seemed to"
1"tried to"
2"began to"
100.00% Gibberish response detection
Target: ≤1% gibberish-like sentences (hard fail if a sentence exceeds 800 words)
analyzedSentences177
gibberishSentences0
adjustedGibberishSentences0
longSentenceCount0
runOnParagraphCount0
giantParagraphCount0
wordSaladCount0
repetitionLoopCount0
controlTokenCount0
maxSentenceWordsSeen34
ratio0
matches(empty)
100.00% Markdown formatting overuse
Target: ≤5% words in markdown formatting
markdownSpans0
markdownWords0
totalWords2902
ratio0
matches(empty)
100.00% Missing dialogue indicators (quotation marks)
Target: ≤10% speech attributions without quotation marks
totalAttributions29
unquotedAttributions0
matches(empty)
83.33% Name drop frequency
Target: ≤1.0 per-name mentions per 100 words
totalMentions81
wordCount2612
uniqueNames6
maxNameDensity1.07
worstName"Aurora"
maxWindowNameDensity2.5
worstWindowName"Aurora"
discoveredNames
Aurora28
Isolde14
Heartstone9
Pendant9
Fae1
Nyx20
persons
0"Aurora"
1"Isolde"
2"Pendant"
3"Nyx"
places(empty)
globalScore0.964
windowScore0.833
0.00% Narrator intent-glossing
Target: ≤2% narration sentences with intent-glossing patterns
analyzedSentences151
glossingSentenceCount10
matches
0"hum that seemed to vibrate through their bones"
1"vibration that seemed to sync with the beast’s heartbeat"
2"sound that seemed to split the very air"
3"sound that seemed to echo from the very foundation of the world"
4"mark that seemed to pulse with a life of its own"
5"glow that seemed to hold the darkness at bay"
6"light that seemed to pierce the darkness"
7"sound that seemed to echo from the very core of the earth"
8"heartbeat that seemed to sync with the distant drums"
9"rhythm that seemed to call out to them, promising both doom and salvation"
100.00% "Not X but Y" pattern overuse
Target: ≤1 "not X but Y" per 1000 words
totalMatches0
per1kWords0
wordCount2902
matches(empty)
100.00% Overuse of "that" (subordinate clause padding)
Target: ≤2% sentences with "that" clauses
thatCount0
totalSentences177
matches(empty)
48.10% Paragraph length variance
Target: CV ≥0.5 for paragraph word counts
totalParagraphs80
mean36.28
std11.55
cv0.318
sampleLengths
049
129
237
365
466
536
642
751
854
915
1039
1141
1262
1325
1447
1529
1637
1734
1843
1936
2042
2137
2239
2334
2438
2539
2639
2733
2861
2919
3033
3159
3213
3325
3437
3533
3641
3739
3835
3932
4022
4142
4245
4339
4435
4529
4634
4720
4825
4929
100.00% Passive voice overuse
Target: ≤2% passive sentences
passiveCount1
totalSentences160
matches
0"were woven"
100.00% Past progressive (was/were + -ing) overuse
Target: ≤2% past progressive verbs
pastProgressiveCount1
totalVerbs455
matches
0"was awakening"
62.15% Em-dash & semicolon overuse
Target: ≤2% sentences with em-dashes/semicolons
emDashCount8
semicolonCount0
flaggedSentences5
totalSentences177
ratio0.028
matches
0"The pool’s surface rippled, and a hand—pale, clawed, and dripping with amber—rose from its depths, fingers curling around a hidden latch."
1"The darkness at the base of the stairwell roiled, and a shape began to emerge—a colossal, amorphous mass of flesh and bone, its surface rippling like molten amber, eyes flickering with violet fire."
2"Aurora plunged the dagger into its throat, the cold metal biting into the flesh, and a scream—half human, half beast—echoed through the cavern, shaking the very foundations."
3"The massive shape’s heart beat once, a thudding that resonated through the floor, and then—silence."
4"The darkness at the edge of the fissure shimmered, and a hand—pale, clawed, and dripping with amber—reached out once more, fingers curling around a hidden latch."
82.00% Purple prose (modifier overload)
Target: <4% adverbs, <2% -ly adverbs, no adj stacking
wordCount2623
adjectiveStacks3
stackExamples
0"small crescent-shaped scar"
1"solid becoming incorporeal, slipping"
2"slender ancient leaf-shaped Fae"
adverbCount43
adverbRatio0.01639344262295082
lyAdverbCount4
lyAdverbRatio0.0015249714067861228
100.00% Repeated phrase echo
Target: ≤20% sentences with echoes (window: 2)
totalSentences177
echoCount0
echoWords(empty)
100.00% Sentence length variance
Target: CV ≥0.4 for sentence word counts
totalSentences177
mean16.4
std6.69
cv0.408
sampleLengths
012
113
224
313
412
54
613
718
86
921
1015
1129
1215
1319
1414
1518
1620
1711
185
1921
2011
2110
2210
2316
2410
2515
2625
2713
2816
2910
305
3115
3212
3312
3415
3526
3622
3721
3819
3916
409
4128
4210
439
4414
4515
469
4728
4825
499
38.14% Sentence opener variety
Target: ≥60% unique sentence openers
consecutiveRepeats21
diversityRatio0.11299435028248588
totalSentences177
uniqueOpeners20
0.00% Adverb-first sentence starts
Target: ≥3% sentences starting with an adverb
adverbCount0
totalSentences158
matches(empty)
ratio0
100.00% Pronoun-first sentence starts
Target: ≤30% sentences starting with a pronoun
pronounCount27
totalSentences158
matches
0"She lunged forward, heart pounding,"
1"they whispered, voice a breath"
2"she murmured, eyes alight with"
3"they hissed, eyes glowing faintly"
4"she said, her voice a"
5"She lifted it, feeling the"
6"she muttered, the weight of"
7"it hissed, voice a chorus"
8"she said, voice steady despite"
9"It gestured, and the banquet"
10"they shouted, breath ragged"
11"She placed a hand upon"
12"She raised the moonsilver dagger,"
13"She thrust her palm toward"
14"she said, breath shallow, eyes"
15"she said, voice a riddle"
16"She lifted a chalice of"
17"she said, voice a silk‑wrapped"
18"she whispered, voice a chant"
19"they warned, voice low"
ratio0.171
0.00% Subject-first sentence starts
Target: ≤72% sentences starting with a subject
subjectCount156
totalSentences158
matches
0"The stone cracked beneath Aurora's"
1"She lunged forward, heart pounding,"
2"The air tasted of iron"
3"Nyx slipped through the darkness,"
4"they whispered, voice a breath"
5"Isolde stepped beside them, silver"
6"she murmured, eyes alight with"
7"The trio entered a chamber"
8"The vines pulsed, releasing a"
9"Aurora felt the Heartstone Pendant"
10"A table stretched across the"
11"Trays of glistening flesh hovered,"
12"The scent of roasted phoenix"
13"Aurora’s stomach growled, but a"
14"Nyx’s form shifted, solid becoming"
15"they hissed, eyes glowing faintly"
16"Isolde lifted a hand, and"
17"she said, her voice a"
18"Aurora’s fingers brushed a concealed"
19"A slender ancient leaf-shaped Fae"
ratio0.987
0.00% Subordinate conjunction sentence starts
Target: ≥2% sentences starting with a subordinating conjunction
subConjCount0
totalSentences158
matches(empty)
ratio0
0.00% Technical jargon density
Target: ≤6% sentences with technical-jargon patterns
analyzedSentences122
technicalSentenceCount29
matches
0"The vines pulsed, releasing a low, resonant hum that seemed to vibrate through their bones."
1"Nyx floated above the stairs, their form shifting between solid and incorporeal, eyes scanning the horizon."
2"The Heartstone Pendant pulsed, a rhythmic thrum that echoed the beating of a heart."
3"The cavern trembled, and the walls cracked, revealing a hidden chamber beyond, its floor a mosaic of stars that shifted like constellations."
4"A low growl resonated from the chamber, and a massive, skeletal beast emerged, its ribs a lattice of iron and bone, each breath expelling a cloud of ash that sm…"
5"Isolde stepped forward, her voice a soft murmur that turned the air to mist."
6"She raised the moonsilver dagger, and the blade sang, slicing through the ichor, turning it to ash that drifted harmlessly to the floor."
7"The violet light from the pendant intensified, casting shadows that danced like phantom flames."
8"Aurora felt a sudden jolt, the pendant’s glow dimming for a heartbeat before flaring anew."
9"Aurora felt the pendant thrum, a low vibration that seemed to sync with the beast’s heartbeat."
10"She lifted a chalice of glowing amber, its surface rippling like liquid fire."
11"The molten river surged, spilling toward the group, its heat licking the stone."
12"Nyx stepped forward, their shadow merging with the wave, absorbing its glow, turning it into a vortex of darkness."
13"The beast convulsed, its skeletal limbs crumbling into ash that drifted upward, disappearing into the violet haze."
14"The darkness behind them receded, but a low, guttural growl rose from the depths, a sound that seemed to echo from the very foundation of the world."
15"Nyx lunged, their shadow merging with the door, trying to hold it ajar."
16"Isolde placed a hand on the ancient runes, chanting a final incantation that made the stars on the mosaic floor spin faster, their light blinding."
17"The air grew thick, and a faint, rhythmic thrum rose from the depths, as if something massive was awakening."
18"Aurora gripped the dagger tighter, feeling the cold bite into her skin as the smoke curled around her, forming a shape that resembled a hand reaching out."
19"The hand brushed her cheek, leaving a cold, wet mark that seemed to pulse with a life of its own."
20"The darkness at the base of the stairwell roiled, and a shape began to emerge—a colossal, amorphous mass of flesh and bone, its surface rippling like molten amb…"
21"The darkness recoiled, the massive shape convulsed, and the black smoke swirled into a vortex that spun faster and faster."
22"Aurora felt the dagger vibrate, the pendant’s warmth turning to a searing heat that threatened to ignite her skin."
23"The ancient runes flickered, the stars on the mosaic floor aligning into a single point of light that seemed to pierce the darkness."
24"She leapt, the dagger flashing, and the pendant’s glow surged, forming a shield of violet light that caught the stone, shattering it into shards of crystal that…"
25"Isolde stood still, her silver hair floating as if in water, eyes scanning the star‑etched floor."
26"The cavern fell silent, the only sound the faint thrum of the pendant, a heartbeat that seemed to sync with the distant drums."
27"Aurora felt a cold breath on her neck, the scent of iron and ash mingling as the violet light flickered, casting shadows that danced like phantom flames."
28"Aurora’s hand tightened on the dagger, the pendant’s glow flaring, and a sudden surge of violet light burst from the fissure, illuminating the cavern in a blind…"
0.00% Useless dialogue additions
Target: ≤5% dialogue tags with trailing filler fragments
totalTags32
uselessAdditionCount10
matches
0"they hissed, eyes glowing faintly violet"
1"she said, her voice a riddling chant"
2"she muttered, the weight of destiny settling on her shoulders"
3"she said, voice steady despite the tremor in her hands"
4"Nyx whispered, eyes widening"
5"She placed, and the stars rearranged, forming a sigil of protection"
6"they warned, voice low"
7"she murmured, a riddle hidden in her tone"
8"she said, voice steady despite the rising panic"
9"Nyx’s shadow flickered, their eyes glowing violet, and they whispered,"
0.00% Dialogue tag variety (said vs. fancy)
Target: ≤10% fancy dialogue tags
totalTags25
fancyCount17
fancyTags
0"they whispered (whisper)"
1"she murmured (murmur)"
2"they hissed (hiss)"
3"she muttered (mutter)"
4"Nyx warned (warn)"
5"they murmured (murmur)"
6"it hissed (hiss)"
7"they shouted (shout)"
8"Nyx whispered (whisper)"
9"Nyx urged (urge)"
10"they warned (warn)"
11"Nyx hissed (hiss)"
12"she whispered (whisper)"
13"they warned (warn)"
14"she murmured (murmur)"
15"they whispered (whisper)"
16"guttural voice whispered (whisper)"
dialogueSentences49
tagDensity0.51
leniency1
rawRatio0.68
effectiveRatio0.68
61.5797%