Run: 2026-02-20-01KHY8KD6PEC4TCCT1XFM31PJD

Run Details

Duration:
21.0s
Cost:
$0.002206
Provider:
xAI

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
Aurora's boot sank into the plush soil with a wet squelch, the kind that pulled at her heel like reluctant fingers. She yanked her foot free, the Heartstone Pendant thumping warm against her chest, its crimson glow seeping through her shirt. Behind her, the Veil's shimmer snapped shut, a faint pop like a champagne cork, leaving only the alien hum of this new realm. Nyx materialised from the shadows at her side, their form coalescing from wisps of darkness that writhed like smoke in a breeze. Violet eyes flickered, scanning the horizon. Isolde stepped forward last, her silver hair catching the amber light filtering through the canopy above. No footprints marked the moss where she trod; the ground simply yielded and reformed. "Feast or famine," Isolde murmured, her voice a riddle wrapped in silk. "The belly knows both, yet hungers eternal." Rory shot her a glance, the Fae-Forged Blade heavy at her hip, its moonsilver hilt cool even through leather. "Save the poetry. Where the hell are we?" They stood at the edge of a vineyard that stretched into infinity, vines thick as her arm twisting up trellises of bone-white stone. Grapes—no, fruits—hung in swollen clusters, each the size of a fist, skins glistening purple-black and veined with gold. The air carried a sweetness that cloyed, like honey poured over rotting peaches, sticking to the back of her throat. Distant laughter echoed, mingled with the clink of crystal and the low roar of flames from unseen kitchens. Nyx tilted their head, shadows rippling across their silhouette. "Dymas. Gluttony's cradle. Belphegor's playground." Rory's scar on her wrist itched, a phantom burn from childhood that always flared in strangeness. She pressed forward, brushing a vine. Juice burst from a fruit under her touch, splattering her fingers with nectar that burned like spiced rum, warm and insistent. She licked it away on instinct. Flavours exploded—tart cherries, smoke, a hint of blood—leaving her mouth numb. "Careful," Nyx whispered, voice like wind through cracked stone. "Indulgence here binds tighter than chains." Isolde knelt by a low bush, plucking a berry that shimmered like liquid emerald. She rolled it between pale fingers, lavender eyes distant. "The earth gives freely, but the gift devours the giver." Rory wiped her hand on her jeans, the fabric already staining dark. The path ahead wound between rows of these unnatural plants, flanked by orchards where trees bore fruits she'd never seen: orbs of crimson flesh pulsing faintly, like hearts; pods that hummed a low tune when the wind stirred. The ground softened underfoot, a carpet of petals that released puffs of pollen-scented mist with each step. Her skin tingled, as if the air itself caressed her, promising satiation. They pressed on, the vineyard giving way to a garden labyrinth. Hedges loomed twice her height, leaves broad and waxy, edged in thorns that dripped a viscous sap smelling of caramelised sugar. A rustle came from within, followed by a guttural chuckle. Rory's hand drifted to the blade, fingers curling around the hilt. Cold seeped into her palm, grounding her. "Company?" she asked, voice low. Nyx dissolved partially, tendrils of shadow probing the hedge. "Souls. Bound chefs, I'd wager. Stirring pots for the prince's whim." Isolde traced a thorn with one finger, unmarred. "Shadows cook secrets here. Taste them, and they taste you back." The laughter swelled, resolving into voices—harsh, accented with forgotten tongues. Rory peered through a gap in the leaves. In a clearing, figures in stained aprons hunched over cauldrons bubbling with iridescent broth. One soul, a burly man with skin like cracked porcelain, stirred a pot where tentacles writhed, releasing steam that coiled into shapes: faces, hands, fleeting memories. The air filled with sizzles and pops, aromas layering—roast meats, exotic spices, an undercurrent of decay that twisted her gut. Unease prickled Rory's neck. These weren't cooks; they were performers, chained by gluttony to eternal service. One glanced up, eyes hollow, spoon pausing mid-stir. Did he see them? She pulled back, heart thudding. "Keep moving," Nyx urged, reforming fully. "Gawk too long, and the hunger notices." The labyrinth twisted deeper, paths forking without logic. They chose left, the hedges whispering as they passed—faint words in a language that slithered into Rory's mind: *Eat. Join. Sate.* She shook her head, blue eyes narrowing. The pendant warmed again, a steady pulse like a second heartbeat. A archway of woven vines ahead opened to a grand pavilion, marble floors veined with gold underfoot. Tables groaned under feasts: platters of glistening meats carved from beasts with too many limbs, pastries that breathed faint sighs when cut, wines in goblets that refilled themselves from ethereal springs. Helbound souls lounged on cushions, stuffing their faces with abandon, cheeks bulging, eyes glazed in rapture. Laughter boomed, but beneath it, a wet, choking undertone—like drowning in cream. "Wonder what they did to earn this," Rory muttered, stepping onto the cool stone. Her boots echoed, drawing a few bleary stares. Isolde's lips curved, not quite a smile. "Sins of the fork and cup. Excess calls to excess, a mirror ever hungrier." Nyx hovered at the edge, incorporeal now, violet glow dimmed. "It's a trap. The more you take, the less you leave." Rory's stomach growled despite herself, the scents assaulting her senses. She sidestepped a soul who belched a cloud of butterflies, wings dusted with spice. A discovery caught her eye: at the pavilion's centre, a fountain bubbled with liquid gold, droplets forming shapes mid-air—fruits, jewels, lovers entwined—before splashing back. She approached, mesmerised, dipping a finger. It tasted of sunlight and regret, sharp on her tongue. "Beautiful, isn't it?" A voice slurred from a nearby table. A woman, ethereal yet bloated, extended a hand heavy with rings. "Try the ambrosia pie. Melts the soul clean." Rory withdrew, the gold lingering like a promise. "We're just passing through." The woman's laugh bubbled like the fountain. "None pass through Dymas unchanged. The prince ensures it." Nyx materialised between them, shadows flaring. "We go." They hurried on, the pavilion's din fading behind veils of hanging vines that parted like curtains. The air grew thicker, humid, carrying the tang of overripe fruit and smouldering herbs. Orchards flanked them now, trees ancient and gnarled, branches sagging under burdens of exotic produce. One fruit, scaled like a serpent, hissed softly as Rory brushed past. She jumped back, hand on the blade. "Alive," she breathed. "All of it." Isolde nodded, plucking a leaf that unfurled into a tiny map—lines twisting like veins. "The garden maps itself to desire. What you seek, it feeds." "What do I seek?" Rory asked, half to herself. The leaf shivered, words forming in dew: *Home. Escape. Truth.* Unease coiled tighter. Nyx led them now, slipping ahead to scout. The path sloped downward, soil turning to a mosaic of tiled fruits—grapes for eyes, pomegranate seeds for blood drops. Distant music swelled: harps strung with gut, drums of stretched skin, a melody that tugged at her core, urging her to linger, to taste. They emerged into a sunken amphitheatre, tiers of seats carved from amber stone overlooking a central arena. Chefs—more souls—competed below, flames leaping from pits where ingredients screamed as they hit the heat. A massive figure oversaw it all from a throne of woven baskets: Prince Belphegor, his form a bloated shadow, horns curling like feast rolls, eyes pits of endless night. He clapped, and a victor's dish rose on a pedestal, aromas wafting up—rich, intoxicating, laced with something feral. Rory crouched behind a low wall, pulse racing. Wonder flickered despite the dread; this realm pulsed with life twisted into excess, a dark mirror to Earth's banal hungers. Nyx's whisper brushed her ear. "The heart of it. Portals out lie beyond him." Isolde's eyes glazed, vision taking hold. "The prince dines on dreams. Feed him one false, and the gate yawns." Rory gripped the blade, its cold a anchor. Below, a chef presented a platter: a beast's heart, still beating, garnished with eyes that blinked. Belphegor leaned forward, jaws unhinging. A shadow detached from the throne's base—another Shade? No, a lesser demon, slinking towards the tiers. It paused, nostrils flaring. Scented them. "Move," Rory hissed. They darted along the rim, but the demon's cry rent the air—a bellow like tearing silk. Heads turned. Belphegor's gaze swept up, locking on. Souls surged from seats, mouths agape, hands clawing. The ground trembled as vines erupted, coiling like serpents. Nyx solidified, shadows lashing out. Isolde drew a rune in the air, petals exploding into thorns that shredded the nearest grasping soul. Rory unsheathed the blade, its edge humming faint light. The first vine whipped at her leg. She slashed, moonsilver parting it like butter, ichor spraying acrid. But more came, the amphitheatre alive with hunger. Belphegor rose, throne splintering under his weight. "Fresh morsels," he rumbled, voice a landslide of gravel and greed. "Come. Dine with me eternal." The chase ignited, the group bolting for the far gate as the realm's belly roared awake.
created_at"2026-02-20T19:32:05.488Z" 2/20/2026, 7:32:05 PM
model"x-ai/grok-4-fast"
app_id182717
external_user(null)
streamedtrue
cancelledfalse
latency3049
moderation_latency(null)
generation_time20340
tokens_prompt5338
tokens_completion2418
native_tokens_prompt4889
native_tokens_completion2505
native_tokens_completion_images0
native_tokens_reasoning394
native_tokens_cached159
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"completed"
usage0.00220645
router(null)
provider_responses
0
endpoint_id"c9586d9d-97ff-40ca-ae94-22504d6f9b7e"
id"e98bcdee-0658-e2eb-8433-3eec1377ec61"
is_byokfalse
latency408
model_permaslug"x-ai/grok-4-fast"
provider_name"xAI"
status200
api_type"completions"
id"gen-1771615925-tW95pEocDgdhHsixVXIz"
upstream_id"e98bcdee-0658-e2eb-8433-3eec1377ec61"
total_cost0.00220645
cache_discount0.00002385
upstream_inference_cost0
provider_name"xAI"

Evaluation details

Result Evaluator Details Meta Data
100.00% Adverbs in dialogue tags
Target: ≤10% dialogue tags with adverbs
totalTags10
adverbTagCount0
adverbTags(empty)
dialogueSentences29
tagDensity0.345
leniency0.69
rawRatio0
effectiveRatio0
96.69% AI-ism adverb frequency
Target: <2% AI-ism adverbs (58 tracked)
wordCount1512
totalAiIsmAdverbs1
found
0
adverb"softly"
count1
highlights
0"softly"
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)
10.71% AI-ism word frequency
Target: <2% AI-ism words (290 tracked)
wordCount1512
totalAiIsms27
found
0
word"flickered"
count2
1
word"scanning"
count1
2
word"silk"
count2
3
word"glistening"
count2
4
word"echoed"
count2
5
word"crystal"
count1
6
word"shimmered"
count1
7
word"loomed"
count1
8
word"traced"
count1
9
word"resolving"
count1
10
word"porcelain"
count1
11
word"fleeting"
count1
12
word"pulse"
count2
13
word"marble"
count1
14
word"stomach"
count1
15
word"desire"
count1
16
word"mosaic"
count1
17
word"racing"
count1
18
word"pulsed"
count1
19
word"whisper"
count1
20
word"trembled"
count1
21
word"weight"
count1
highlights
0"flickered"
1"scanning"
2"silk"
3"glistening"
4"echoed"
5"crystal"
6"shimmered"
7"loomed"
8"traced"
9"resolving"
10"porcelain"
11"fleeting"
12"pulse"
13"marble"
14"stomach"
15"desire"
16"mosaic"
17"racing"
18"pulsed"
19"whisper"
20"trembled"
21"weight"
100.00% Cliché density
Target: ≤1 cliche(s) per 800-word window
totalCliches0
maxInWindow0
found(empty)
highlights(empty)
100.00% Emotion telling (show vs. tell)
Target: ≤3% sentences with emotion telling
emotionTells0
narrationSentences113
matches(empty)
100.00% Filter word density
Target: ≤3% sentences with filter/hedge words
filterCount1
hedgeCount0
narrationSentences113
filterMatches
0"see"
hedgeMatches(empty)
100.00% Gibberish response detection
Target: ≤1% gibberish-like sentences (hard fail if a sentence exceeds 800 words)
analyzedSentences132
gibberishSentences0
adjustedGibberishSentences0
longSentenceCount0
runOnParagraphCount0
giantParagraphCount0
wordSaladCount0
repetitionLoopCount0
controlTokenCount0
maxSentenceWordsSeen38
ratio0
matches(empty)
100.00% Markdown formatting overuse
Target: ≤5% words in markdown formatting
markdownSpans2
markdownWords6
totalWords1490
ratio0.004
matches
0"Eat. Join. Sate."
1"Home. Escape. Truth."
100.00% Missing dialogue indicators (quotation marks)
Target: ≤10% speech attributions without quotation marks
totalAttributions13
unquotedAttributions0
matches(empty)
88.98% Name drop frequency
Target: ≤1.0 per-name mentions per 100 words
totalMentions51
wordCount1311
uniqueNames14
maxNameDensity1.22
worstName"Rory"
maxWindowNameDensity2
worstWindowName"Rory"
discoveredNames
Heartstone1
Pendant1
Veil1
Rory16
Fae-Forged1
Blade1
Isolde8
Nyx10
Unease2
Prince1
Belphegor4
Earth1
Shade1
One3
persons
0"Pendant"
1"Veil"
2"Rory"
3"Isolde"
4"Nyx"
5"Unease"
6"Prince"
7"Belphegor"
8"One"
places
0"Blade"
1"Earth"
globalScore0.89
windowScore1
100.00% Narrator intent-glossing
Target: ≤2% narration sentences with intent-glossing patterns
analyzedSentences95
glossingSentenceCount1
matches
0"not quite a smile"
100.00% "Not X but Y" pattern overuse
Target: ≤1 "not X but Y" per 1000 words
totalMatches0
per1kWords0
wordCount1490
matches(empty)
100.00% Overuse of "that" (subordinate clause padding)
Target: ≤2% sentences with "that" clauses
thatCount0
totalSentences132
matches(empty)
100.00% Paragraph length variance
Target: CV ≥0.5 for paragraph word counts
totalParagraphs45
mean33.11
std22.71
cv0.686
sampleLengths
064
128
230
319
427
579
614
760
815
933
1079
1160
125
1320
1419
1578
1633
1713
1847
1976
2022
2121
2221
2364
2429
2512
2616
278
2864
296
3025
319
3210
3354
3479
3542
3619
3729
3822
393
4024
4139
4234
4323
4416
100.00% Passive voice overuse
Target: ≤2% passive sentences
passiveCount0
totalSentences113
matches(empty)
100.00% Past progressive (was/were + -ing) overuse
Target: ≤2% past progressive verbs
pastProgressiveCount0
totalVerbs280
matches(empty)
0.00% Em-dash & semicolon overuse
Target: ≤2% sentences with em-dashes/semicolons
emDashCount16
semicolonCount4
flaggedSentences17
totalSentences132
ratio0.129
matches
0"No footprints marked the moss where she trod; the ground simply yielded and reformed."
1"Grapes—no, fruits—hung in swollen clusters, each the size of a fist, skins glistening purple-black and veined with gold."
2"Flavours exploded—tart cherries, smoke, a hint of blood—leaving her mouth numb."
3"The path ahead wound between rows of these unnatural plants, flanked by orchards where trees bore fruits she'd never seen: orbs of crimson flesh pulsing faintly, like hearts; pods that hummed a low tune when the wind stirred."
4"The laughter swelled, resolving into voices—harsh, accented with forgotten tongues."
5"The air filled with sizzles and pops, aromas layering—roast meats, exotic spices, an undercurrent of decay that twisted her gut."
6"These weren't cooks; they were performers, chained by gluttony to eternal service."
7"They chose left, the hedges whispering as they passed—faint words in a language that slithered into Rory's mind: *Eat."
8"Laughter boomed, but beneath it, a wet, choking undertone—like drowning in cream."
9"A discovery caught her eye: at the pavilion's centre, a fountain bubbled with liquid gold, droplets forming shapes mid-air—fruits, jewels, lovers entwined—before splashing back."
10"Isolde nodded, plucking a leaf that unfurled into a tiny map—lines twisting like veins."
11"The path sloped downward, soil turning to a mosaic of tiled fruits—grapes for eyes, pomegranate seeds for blood drops."
12"Chefs—more souls—competed below, flames leaping from pits where ingredients screamed as they hit the heat."
13"He clapped, and a victor's dish rose on a pedestal, aromas wafting up—rich, intoxicating, laced with something feral."
14"Wonder flickered despite the dread; this realm pulsed with life twisted into excess, a dark mirror to Earth's banal hungers."
15"A shadow detached from the throne's base—another Shade?"
16"They darted along the rim, but the demon's cry rent the air—a bellow like tearing silk."
100.00% Purple prose (modifier overload)
Target: <4% adverbs, <2% -ly adverbs, no adj stacking
wordCount1333
adjectiveStacks0
stackExamples(empty)
adverbCount26
adverbRatio0.019504876219054765
lyAdverbCount8
lyAdverbRatio0.006001500375093774
100.00% Repeated phrase echo
Target: ≤20% sentences with echoes (window: 2)
totalSentences132
echoCount0
echoWords(empty)
100.00% Sentence length variance
Target: CV ≥0.4 for sentence word counts
totalSentences132
mean11.29
std6.52
cv0.577
sampleLengths
021
120
223
322
46
516
614
712
87
919
108
1123
1218
1320
1418
159
165
1716
186
1921
206
2111
229
236
2414
259
2610
2712
2838
2917
3012
3111
3221
3310
3411
357
365
379
3811
398
4011
4110
428
4314
4426
4520
464
4712
488
494
76.26% Sentence opener variety
Target: ≥60% unique sentence openers
consecutiveRepeats1
diversityRatio0.4621212121212121
totalSentences132
uniqueOpeners61
0.00% Adverb-first sentence starts
Target: ≥3% sentences starting with an adverb
adverbCount0
totalSentences106
matches(empty)
ratio0
100.00% Pronoun-first sentence starts
Target: ≤30% sentences starting with a pronoun
pronounCount22
totalSentences106
matches
0"She yanked her foot free,"
1"They stood at the edge"
2"She pressed forward, brushing a"
3"She licked it away on"
4"She rolled it between pale"
5"Her skin tingled, as if"
6"They pressed on, the vineyard"
7"she asked, voice low"
8"She pulled back, heart thudding."
9"They chose left, the hedges"
10"Her boots echoed, drawing a"
11"She sidestepped a soul who"
12"She approached, mesmerised, dipping a"
13"It tasted of sunlight and"
14"They hurried on, the pavilion's"
15"She jumped back, hand on"
16"They emerged into a sunken"
17"He clapped, and a victor's"
18"It paused, nostrils flaring."
19"They darted along the rim,"
ratio0.208
30.75% Subject-first sentence starts
Target: ≤72% sentences starting with a subject
subjectCount91
totalSentences106
matches
0"Aurora's boot sank into the"
1"She yanked her foot free,"
2"Nyx materialised from the shadows"
3"Violet eyes flickered, scanning the"
4"Isolde stepped forward last, her"
5"Isolde murmured, her voice a"
6"Rory shot her a glance,"
7"They stood at the edge"
8"Grapes—no, fruits—hung in swollen clusters,"
9"The air carried a sweetness"
10"Nyx tilted their head, shadows"
11"Rory's scar on her wrist"
12"She pressed forward, brushing a"
13"Juice burst from a fruit"
14"She licked it away on"
15"Flavours exploded—tart cherries, smoke, a"
16"Nyx whispered, voice like wind"
17"Isolde knelt by a low"
18"She rolled it between pale"
19"Rory wiped her hand on"
ratio0.858
0.00% Subordinate conjunction sentence starts
Target: ≥2% sentences starting with a subordinating conjunction
subConjCount0
totalSentences106
matches(empty)
ratio0
5.01% Technical jargon density
Target: ≤6% sentences with technical-jargon patterns
analyzedSentences57
technicalSentenceCount11
matches
0"Aurora's boot sank into the plush soil with a wet squelch, the kind that pulled at her heel like reluctant fingers."
1"They stood at the edge of a vineyard that stretched into infinity, vines thick as her arm twisting up trellises of bone-white stone."
2"The path ahead wound between rows of these unnatural plants, flanked by orchards where trees bore fruits she'd never seen: orbs of crimson flesh pulsing faintly…"
3"Her skin tingled, as if the air itself caressed her, promising satiation."
4"Hedges loomed twice her height, leaves broad and waxy, edged in thorns that dripped a viscous sap smelling of caramelised sugar."
5"One soul, a burly man with skin like cracked porcelain, stirred a pot where tentacles writhed, releasing steam that coiled into shapes: faces, hands, fleeting m…"
6"They chose left, the hedges whispering as they passed—faint words in a language that slithered into Rory's mind: *Eat."
7"Tables groaned under feasts: platters of glistening meats carved from beasts with too many limbs, pastries that breathed faint sighs when cut, wines in goblets …"
8"She sidestepped a soul who belched a cloud of butterflies, wings dusted with spice."
9"They hurried on, the pavilion's din fading behind veils of hanging vines that parted like curtains."
10"Below, a chef presented a platter: a beast's heart, still beating, garnished with eyes that blinked."
0.00% Useless dialogue additions
Target: ≤5% dialogue tags with trailing filler fragments
totalTags10
uselessAdditionCount3
matches
0"Isolde murmured, her voice a riddle wrapped in silk"
1"she asked, voice low"
2"Rory asked, half to herself"
0.00% Dialogue tag variety (said vs. fancy)
Target: ≤10% fancy dialogue tags
totalTags9
fancyCount7
fancyTags
0"Isolde murmured (murmur)"
1"Nyx whispered (whisper)"
2"Nyx urged (urge)"
3"Rory muttered (mutter)"
4"A voice slurred (slur)"
5"she breathed (breathe)"
6"Rory hissed (hiss)"
dialogueSentences29
tagDensity0.31
leniency0.621
rawRatio0.778
effectiveRatio0.483
73.6138%