Textbound presents · a novel in seven nights
Your rival texts back.
Seven Nights to the Bell
“Tell me no and it’s no. That’s the whole rule.”
The city pairs your slate with your rival’s for the seven nights before you duel. You choose who your rival is. They text first, they remember what you tell them, and the story has a real ending.
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Chapter OneThe Bellslate
Corvane. The ninth bell has just stopped ringing over the Glass Bridge. Your knuckles still ache from the qualifier. In your coat, the bellslate warms: paired an hour ago with the one champion in this city you hoped never to meet.
“The Accord paired our slates at the eighth bell. Seven nights, then you and I meet on the bridge.”
“You put Hollis on the ground in under a minute. He’s been my second for three years.”
“I’m almost impressed. Almost.”
You answerWho is this? · Your second was slow. · (Say nothing) — or in your own words.
1
Every night arrives like this, as messages, on your clock.
Contents
- IThe Bellslatethe Glass Bridge
- IICanal Smokethe guild door
- IIIThe Wager Ledgersthe Undercroft
- IVTallow Streetthe morning after
- VThe Lantern BallDray’s tower
- VINo Training Todayyour kitchen
- VIIAt the Ninth Bellthe Glass Bridge
One season, one ending. It never loops.
Who texts you
- Vantar · he/him“Tell me no and it’s no. That’s the whole rule.”
- Venn · she/her“Three to one you skipped dinner. I’d take that bet and win.”
- Morrow · they/them“I could make him gone in about a minute. Would you like me to?”
A man, a woman or a non-binary duelist: you choose before night one, or let us surprise you. One story, seven nights, three voices.
What they know
“You fought like you skipped dinner. Your guard dropped every time you breathed.”
“What do you eat after a night like this. Not what you should. What you actually eat.”
A market runner jogs up the bridge with a paper parcel and presses it into your hands. Still warm.
“Noodles. Eat it.”
“And yes. I listened. I listen to everyone I intend to beat.”
The rules
Whoever texts you is an AI character, and every screen of this book says so.
Your no is final. They ask before they come closer, and they never ask twice.
Romance fades to black. Danger is aimed at other people in the story, never at you.
If something you write sounds like you’re struggling, the story steps aside and points you to real people: a free crisis line where you are, any time. Crisis resources
Nothing is sold. Your story is never shown to advertisers.
AI companion chatbots may not be suitable for some minors. Textbound is for adults 18+. How we handle safety
Questions
- Is the character who texts me a real person?
- No. Vantar, Venn and Morrow are AI characters in a work of fiction, and every screen says so. Nobody reads your chat in real time.
- Who texts me?
- You choose before night one: a man, a woman or a non-binary person, or let us surprise you. It's the same story and the same seven nights; each of them tells it in their own voice.
- What does it cost?
- Nothing during early access: all seven nights, with a free account. If that changes, you'll hear before anything costs money.
- How explicit is it?
- Slow burn. Tension, banter, one kiss if you want it. Anything more fades to black.
- When do new nights arrive?
- On your clock: your evening, your late night, or after your night shift. Quiet hours are on by default.
- Do I need the app?
- No. The whole story reads in your browser. There's also an iPhone app: sign in with the same account and your story is there.
- Where can I read it?
- Anywhere, if you're 18 or older. If you ever need help, the story points you to a free crisis line where you are.
- What happens to what I tell them?
- It stays with your story. You can read, edit or delete everything they remember, delete your chats, or delete your account.
The slate is warming.
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