Novels by Dep Flair

After a while, Louise Bond walked into Sophia's office with the confidence of someone whose entire world had changed overnight. Gone was the nervous energy that had characterized her before the Fashion Week show. In its place was something Michael recognized immediately—the bearing of someone who had discovered their true purpose."The media response has been incredible," Louise said, settling into the chair across from Sophia's desk. "My agent says I've received more interview requests in the past 48 hours than in my entire career combined."Sophia looked up from her tablet, where she'd been tracking the continued explosion of interest in neural-responsive fashion. "How are you handling it?""Better than I expected," Louise replied honestly. "There's something about knowing you're part of something genuinely revolutionary that makes all the attention feel... meaningful."Michael observed the conversation from his position near the window, still wearing the black mas

Michael's phone had been buzzing nonstop for three hours. By the time he made it back to his apartment, the notifications had reached the thousands. Every major news outlet, fashion magazine, and technology blog was covering the Fashion Week show that had "changed everything overnight."He scrolled through the headlines on his secure tablet, each one more dramatic than the last:"NEURAL FASHION REVOLUTION: The Dress That Reads Your Mind" "BREAKTHROUGH OR BREAKDOWN: Technology Meets Couture" "THE FUTURE IS WEARABLE: Inside the So Black Phenomenon"But it was the video clips that truly captured the magnitude of what had happened. Louise's walk down the runway had been recorded from dozens of angles, shared millions of times across every social platform, and analyzed frame by frame by fashion experts and technology commentators.The dress itself had become iconic within hours. The flowing colors, the responsive patterns, the way it seemed to pulse with Louise's heartbea

The runway stretched before Louise like a pathway to another world. From the wings, Michael could see the packed auditorium—hundreds of fashion industry luminaries, technology journalists, and cultural critics all waiting to witness what the media had dubbed "the most revolutionary fashion show in decades."Louise stood beside him in the experimental prototype, her breathing controlled but her energy electric. The advanced So Black dress appeared deceptively simple in the dim backstage lighting, but Michael knew that once she stepped into the bright runway lights, once her nervous system fully engaged with the neural interface, everything would change."You ready for this?" he asked quietly.Louise nodded, her hand briefly touching his arm. The moment of contact caused the dress to shimmer with warm gold threads—a reflection of gratitude mixed with determination."I've been ready my whole career," she replied. "I just didn't know what I was getting ready for."Th

Fashion Week had arrived with the force of a cultural hurricane. Michael stood in the shadows backstage at Lincoln Center, watching the controlled chaos that preceded Liana Garcia's show. The venue buzzed with unprecedented energy—photographers jostled for position, fashion journalists whispered into phones, and industry insiders tried to catch glimpses of what everyone was calling "the most anticipated show of the decade."The backstage area was a maze of hanging garments, makeup stations, and nervous energy. Models moved between stylists like dancers in a choreographed performance, their faces masks of professional concentration. But Michael could feel the underlying tension crackling through the air."This is insane," Sophia whispered, appearing beside him with a tablet clutched in her hands. "The media coverage is beyond anything we anticipated. CNN, BBC, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar—everyone's here."Michael scanned the backstage area, his enhanced perception cataloging t

The next evening, Michael stood in Liana Garcia's main atelier, watching the controlled chaos of Fashion Week preparation unfold around him. Seamstresses worked at a dozen stations, their fingers flying over fabrics that shifted color in the studio lights. Pattern makers consulted tablets displaying designs that seemed to move and breathe on the screen."She said yes," Sophia announced, approaching with barely contained excitement. "Liana agreed to feature So Black in her show."Michael felt a surge of relief. The meeting with Megan had gone better than expected. Once the young engineer understood what they were building—fashion that could literally express human consciousness—her enthusiasm had overcome her natural caution about publicity."But?" Michael prompted, hearing the hesitation in Sophia's voice."She insists on total creative control," Sophia replied. "Complete authority over the designs, the presentation, the messaging. We provide the technology, she deci

The elevator to Liana Garcia's private studio required a special key card and biometric scan. Michael adjusted his black mask as they ascended to the fortieth floor, the city lights blinking below them through the glass walls. Sophia stood beside him, her usual confidence tempered with nervous energy."Remember," she whispered, "she's going to test you. Liana doesn't work with anyone unless she's absolutely certain they understand her vision."Michael nodded. He'd spent the entire day researching Liana Garcia's work, studying her previous collaborations, understanding what drove one of the most demanding artists in the fashion world. The Black Investor needed to be more than just technically competent tonight—he needed to be visionary.The elevator doors opened to reveal a space that was part laboratory, part art gallery, part fashion atelier. Mannequins displayed impossible garments that seemed to shift and breathe in the ambient lighting. Fabric samples hung from the c

The journey back to civilization took three days of steady travel through forest paths that seemed friendlier now that they were heading away from Shadow Moon territory. The wagon was lighter without all their excavation equipment, but heavier with the weight of Valdris's recovered journals and scrolls."I still can't believe someone got there before us," Lady Celestine said as she carefully wrapped another ancient text. "Three years of research, and we arrive to find empty pedestals.""At least we got the scholarly materials," Lady Evelyn pointed out. "Those journals might contain information more valuable than any artifact.""To academics, maybe. But not to treasure hunters."Marcus guided the wagon around a fallen log. "Could have been worse. We could have run into whoever looted the place while they were still there.""True," Robert agreed. "Tomb robbers aren't usually the friendly type."Draven walked alongside the wagon, lost in thought. The pendant had

The ancient stone structures rising from the forest floor were more impressive than any of them had expected. Carved pillars twisted with magical symbols stretched toward the sky, and a massive stone door was set into what looked like a small hill covered in centuries of plant growth."This is it," Lady Celestine breathed, pulling out her research notes. "This matches the descriptions perfectly.""It's bigger than I imagined," Lady Evelyn said, studying the carved symbols on the nearest pillar. "These runes are ancient. Pre-kingdom era, definitely."Marcus and Robert began unloading equipment from the wagon while the scholars examined the site. Shovels, rope, torches, and various tools that might be needed for excavation."The entrance is here," Lady Celestine said, pointing to the stone door. "But it's sealed with magical locks. According to my research, it requires specific solutions to a series of riddles.""What kind of riddles?" Jin asked."The kind that

They continued their journey through the forest, unaware of the storm brewing in the magical communication networks. Sarah Nightwind's recording crystal had captured every moment of Draven's fight with the ice serpent, and the images were spreading faster than wildfire through guild halls across the kingdom."That was some fight back there," Marcus said as he guided the wagon through a particularly narrow part of the trail. "Where did you learn to fight like that?""Practice," Draven replied, walking alongside the wagon. "Lots of practice.""Practice doesn't create techniques like that," Lady Celestine said. "What you did with those fire petals... I've never seen anything like it in any magical text.""Neither have I," Lady Evelyn added, studying Draven with renewed interest. "And I've read extensively about combat magic."Jin shot Draven a warning look. They'd agreed to keep the pendant's secrets, but the questions were getting harder to deflect."Maybe I'm

The ice serpent struck with lightning speed, its massive head shooting forward like a spear. But Draven was ready. The enhanced Flower Blade technique - something he was calling "Plum Blossom Storm" in his mind - created a whirlwind of fiery petals around him."Impossible," one of the guild adventurers breathed. "He's actually fighting it."The serpent's ice projectiles met Draven's fire petals in midair, creating clouds of steam that filled the forest clearing. But instead of being chaotic, the battle looked almost like a dance. Every movement Draven made sent cascades of burning flower petals through the air, each one perfectly placed to intercept the creature's attacks."It's beautiful," Lady Evelyn whispered from the wagon.She was right. The fire petals didn't just burn - they bloomed and swirled like real flower blossoms caught in a spring breeze. Red, orange, and gold petals fell like gentle rain, hissing softly when they touched the ground."How is he doing that?" Lady Celesti

The morning mist clung to the forest floor as they broke camp, creating an eerie atmosphere that had everyone on edge. They'd crossed into what Lady Celestine's maps marked as disputed territory - land that changed hands between various criminal groups depending on who was strongest at any given time."Stay alert," Marcus warned as he loaded the wagon. "From here on, we're in enemy territory.""Enemy territory?" Jin asked. "I thought this was just wilderness.""Wilderness controlled by the Shadow Moon Sect," Robert corrected. "Same thing as enemy territory for people like us."Lady Evelyn climbed onto the wagon seat next to Marcus. "How can you tell we've crossed into their territory?""The markers," Sera pointed to subtle cuts in tree bark they'd been passing. "Those aren't natural. They're boundary signs.""You can read criminal territorial markers?" Lady Celestine asked with surprise."My family's trading routes sometimes passed through... contested areas," Sera replied carefully.

Their expanded group had been traveling for two more days since rescuing Lady Evelyn, and the rhythm of the journey had settled into something comfortable. The wagon rolled steadily along forest paths, with Marcus and Robert taking turns driving while the others walked alongside or rode when the terrain allowed.Lady Celestine and Lady Evelyn had quickly discovered they had much in common beyond their noble birth. Both were scholars at heart, both had extensive libraries at home, and both shared a passion for uncovering the secrets of ancient magic."The theoretical applications alone would revolutionize our understanding of magical theory," Lady Celestine was saying as they walked. "If Valdris really did create artifacts that could enhance the connection between consciousness and magical energy...""The implications for healing magic would be tremendous," Lady Evelyn agreed. "Imagine being able to amplify a healer's natural abilities tenfold."Draven found himself walking slightly be