Stories by @rkglv

Dispatch

Superhero Robert Robertson III / Mecha Man attempts to locate his father's killer, the supervillain Shroud, but is lured into a trap by Shroud's gang, the Red Ring. Robert narrowly escapes, only to realize a bomb was placed on his mech suit. He survives, but the suit is heavily damaged and put out of commission. After announcing his retirement to the press and failing to stop a robbery on his own, Robert is approached by the superhero Blonde Blazer, who proposes he works at the Torrance branch of the Superhero Dispatch Network (SDN) as a dispatcher in exchange for help repairing his suit. Having heavily indebted himself trying to maintain it, Robert accepts.

Resident Evil Requiem

Everything is set in motion when a body—the victim of an unidentifiable disease—is discovered in an abandoned hotel. FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft is assigned to the case. But the crime scene is at the very same hotel where her mother died eight years ago. Grace prepares to finally face the past and makes her way to the scene, but this one case leads to uncovering the hidden truth behind the outbreak in Raccoon City, the biological disaster that shook the world. Will this be the requiem that finally lays the memories of that abhorrent disaster to rest?

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.

In the shadows of the Fifth World Fighting Tournament, the clandestine organization J6 advances its nefarious Dural program, aiming to create the ultimate humanoid fighting machine. Seventeen elite martial artists from around the globe, each mastering distinct combat styles, converge to compete, unaware of J6's ulterior motives. Among them, Japanese judoka Goh Hinogami returns, and Jean Kujo, a karateka with ties to fellow competitor Lion Rafale, makes his debut. As these warriors strive for victory, they become unwitting pawns in J6's quest for domination, with the tournament serving as a testing ground for the advanced V-Dural model. Amidst intense battles and personal vendettas, the fighters confront not only each other but also the looming threat of J6's machinations. The tournament's outcome holds implications beyond the championship title, as alliances are tested and secrets unveiled. Each combatant's journey intertwines with the organization's schemes, leading to revelations that challenge their perceptions of honor, loyalty, and the true purpose behind their participation.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

In the summer of 1995, in the fictional town of Velvet Cove, Michigan, four high school friends—Swann, Nora, Autumn, and Kat—form a riot grrrl band, capturing their rebellious youth on a camcorder. Their adventures lead them to a mysterious shack, where an inexplicable event occurs, binding them with a secret they vow never to reveal. This pivotal summer shapes their identities and cements their friendship, but also casts a shadow over their future. Twenty-seven years later, the women, now estranged, are reunited by a mysterious package that forces them to confront the buried memories of that fateful summer. As they delve into their shared past, they must navigate the complexities of their adult lives while unraveling the truth behind the event that tore them apart. Their journey explores themes of memory, nostalgia, and the enduring impact of youthful choices on the present.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance

In the silver mining town of Skalitz, a young apprentice named Henry lives with his mother and blacksmith father, Martin. They complete a sword for King Wenceslaus' hetman, Sir Radzig Kobyla. However, the town is attacked by Cuman soldiers led by Sigismund, and Henry's parents are killed by Sigismund's adjutant, Sir Markvart von Aulitz. Henry escapes with the sword to warn Sir Divish in Talmberg. During a storm, Radzig helps survivors flee to safety. The next day, Sigismund’s army arrives, but Divish negotiates for them to leave. Henry, upset about his parents' burial, returns to Skalitz and is defeated by bandits led by Runt, who steals the sword. He is rescued by survivor Theresa and Captain Robard, who take him to Rattay. Henry wants to recover his father's sword and seek revenge, so he serves Sir Hanush of Leipa and becomes Radzig’s envoy after saving Lord Hans Capon. Henry uncovers a bandit conspiracy and infiltrates their ranks, leading to a duel with Runt. He learns that Tóth possesses his father’s sword and plans to conquer Bohemia. After escaping, Henry warns the Lords, who then lay siege to Talmberg and defeat Tóth's men, capturing hostages. In the end, Henry dreams of his parents and learns of an alliance against Sigismund while preparing to visit a key ally.

Mafia: The Old Country

The narrative follows original protagonist Enzo Favara who journeys from a childhood of indentured labor in Sicily's sulfur mines to joining the Torrisi crime family

Moby-Dick

Ishmael travels from Manhattan to New Bedford, Massachusetts, to join a whaling voyage. He shares a bed with Queequeg, a tattooed harpooneer. They attend a sermon and Ishmael signs up for the whaling ship Pequod, captained by Ahab, who seeks revenge on Moby Dick, the white whale that harmed him. Ahab announces his quest and promises a doubloon to the first person who spots the whale. In the end, Moby Dick destroys the Pequod, and Ishmael survives by floating on Queequeg's coffin until rescued by the Rachel.

Sadie Sparks

Sadie Sparks takes place in the fictional town of Harmony and follows Sadie, a teenage girl who learns she has magical powers and becomes a magician-in-training. She is guided by a grumpy, talking bunny named Gilbert, who helps her control her abilities while she manages high school life. The series reveals a weak and dangerous connection between the human world and the Magical Realm, with rifts causing magical beings to enter Harmony. In the end, Sadie uses her enhanced abilities to close the largest rift, risking her life with support from her friends, but the Wardens of Wizardry worry more rifts may follow.

The Day the Clown Cried

Helmut Doork, a former famous circus clown now past his prime, faces struggles in a circus during World War II. After causing an accident, he is demoted but stands up for himself with his wife's encouragement. When he overhears plans to fire him, he drunkenly mocks Hitler and is arrested by the Gestapo. Imprisoned for political reasons, he boasts about his past fame in prison. Doork befriends a fellow prisoner named Johann Keltner who opposes the Nazis. When Jewish prisoners arrive, Doork tries to entertain them, leading to his beating by other inmates. Despite the risks, he continues performing for the children until SS guards intervene, resulting in Keltner's death and Doork's isolation. The commandant assigns him to assist in transporting Jewish children to Auschwitz, and Doork ends up leading them to their deaths in the gas chamber, feeling remorseful and ultimately choosing to stay with them in their final moments.

Avowed

An envoy from the Aedyr Empire is sent to investigate rumors of a corruption of souls on The Living Lands island. The empire's interests are threatened by this plague, prompting action from the emperor to find and stop its source. Inquisitor Lödwyn of The Steel Garrote believes the corruption is part of a bigger issue and calls for eradicating it to unite the island's factions under imperial control. Giatta, a native, sees the chaos as essential to the island's identity and advocates for accepting and protecting it. The envoy must choose between ending the corruption, taming it, or embracing the wild nature of the island. As they unravel mysteries and form a personal bond with the land, they face dangers that threaten both the island and their own soul, leaving them with the responsibility of saving The Living Lands.

Heart of Chornobyl

Skif, a seasoned stalker, navigates the treacherous and enigmatic Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, a desolate wasteland warped by a second catastrophic explosion. This mysterious event has intensified the Zone’s dangers, unleashing deadly anomalies, mutated creatures, and a volatile power struggle among rival factions vying for control over its secrets. As Skif ventures deeper into this irradiated frontier, he uncovers a labyrinth of conspiracies and discovers a force that could reshape humanity—or obliterate it. His journey blurs the lines between survival and obsession, as every choice determines the balance of power in the Zone's unforgiving heart.

Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura

In the world of Arcanum, a delicate balance teeters between ancient magic and modern technology. As new inventions transform society, traditional magical orders and supernatural beings find themselves increasingly marginalized. Into this tumultuous landscape enters an enigmatic individual, the sole survivor of a tragic airship crash. Unwittingly, this mysterious figure holds an ancient relic that may alter the course of the world. Chased by assassins and entangled in a web of secrecy, they discover an ancient prophecy and a hidden conflict between factions who wish to control or destroy the new technological age. Guided by allies both magical and mechanical, the protagonist journeys across vast industrial cities, remote villages, and mystical realms to uncover the origins of Arcanum's escalating power struggle. Along the way, they must navigate alliances and choose between paths of empathy, ambition, and neutrality, each choice swaying the fragile equilibrium between magic and technology. Ultimately, their decisions will determine the fate of Arcanum: whether it will embrace a future shaped by steam-powered innovation or be preserved in its mystical past.

Life Is Strange: Double Exposure

Ten years after leaving Arcadia Bay, Max Caulfield, a photographer in Vermont, discovers a new ability to see alternate timelines after her friend Safi's mysterious death. Max uses her powers to uncover the truth, revealing Lucas's plagiarism and Safi's shapeshifting abilities. Their actions lead to a powerful storm that merges timelines, causing Max and Safi to face a tough decision. Safi leaves to explore her powers, leaving Max to choose between waiting for her return or embracing her own abilities. The story culminates in a blend of the Dead and Living timelines, challenging Max to navigate this new reality without Safi.

Matilda (2025)

Is a story about a brilliant young girl named Matilda Wormwood, who is mistreated by her neglectful and ignorant parents. Despite her difficult home life, Matilda finds solace in books and develops extraordinary intellectual abilities. She is also bullied by her school’s tyrannical headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, who terrorizes students and teachers alike. However, Matilda forms a bond with her kind and supportive teacher, Miss Honey, and discovers she has telekinetic powers. As Matilda learns to control her abilities, she uses them to stand up to Miss Trunchbull and ultimately brings justice to her teacher’s past, helping Miss Honey reclaim her inheritance. In the end, Matilda is adopted by Miss Honey, and the two create a loving home together. The story highlights themes of intelligence, resilience, and the power of kindness in overcoming adversity.

Welcome to the N.H.K.

Is a darkly humorous series about Tatsuhiro Satou, a 22-year-old hikikomori who believes a sinister group called the N. H. K. is behind his isolation and failures. Satou's delusions stem from his feelings of inadequacy and alienation, as he grapples with mental health issues and social anxiety. The series delves into depression, loneliness, and the challenges of modern society, as Satou meets people like Misaki, who tries to help him. Interactions with his classmate Yamazaki and Misaki provide both comedic and emotional moments. Through their struggles, the show tackles mental illness and societal pressures, while offering glimpses of hope and human connection in the midst of despair.

Penumbra

The story follows Philip, a man who receives a mysterious letter from his presumed-dead father, leading him to a desolate, frozen part of Greenland. His search takes him to an abandoned underground research facility where something dark lurks in the shadows. As Philip descends deeper, he uncovers a series of horrific secrets tied to an ancient, otherworldly entity and the twisted experiments conducted by the facility's researchers. Battling both physical and psychological threats, Philip must confront a malevolent force that manipulates reality itself. The story delves into themes of isolation, madness, and the haunting question of human survival in the face of unspeakable horrors.

Angel’s Egg

The setting of the film takes place in a primordial land, filled with ruins of buildings and starts with two nameless characters. One of these is a young girl who scavenges a desolate city while protecting a large egg, which she believes will hatch into an angel. The other is a boy with a large gun who disembarks from a tank. The girl encounters the boy who questions her about what the egg contains and suggests breaking it, leading to their brief bonding. He wishes to break it to see what's inside. The boy recounts a story that sounds like an alternate version of Noah's Ark in which the bird never returned and never existed and the ship kept sailing. The girl tells the boy that the bird did exist, and brings him to a fossil of an angel. Later, the boy smashes the girl's egg while she sleeps. This prompts her to look for him and ultimately fall into a body of water, where a large number of eggs appear. After this, the world shown in the film is revealed to have been on top of a shape that looks like the hull of an overturned ship.

T.A.T.u. Paragate

Lena and Julia are a lesbian couple bound by a mysterious and profound strength, as well as feelings as delicate and fragile as glass. They face head-on the "Paragate", a door born from the ambiguity and conflict between reality and unreality, the ordinary and the extraordinary, and through this struggle, they attempt to find substance in breaking away from their current selves and meeting new selves.

Carnival of Souls (2024)

Mary Henry mysteriously survives a car wreck. In an effort to put this traumatizing incident behind her, Mary moves to Utah to take a job as a church organist. However, her fresh new start is interrupted by the haunting, relentless presence of a strange man who seems to follow where ever she goes.

Edna & Harvey

Accompany young Edna and her talking stuffed bunny Harvey on a whacky attempt to escape from her padded cell. Experience a bizarre journey all across the insane asylum and far beyond its brick walls.