Mystery
Silence
There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. Then again, 300 years ago, it wasn’t a valley. The man trod cautiously across the uncertain ground, eyes trained on a point in the distance yet unseen, ears open and soaking in the world around him. Screeches and shrill chirps sounded to his right, near but not near enough for concern. To his left, resonating over the dense treetops, a thunderous rush of wings heralded a more sinister foe.
By Kurstin Strange4 years ago in Fiction
The Gemini Coven
Prologue: There weren’t always dragons in the valley. Broken down they were by a divided pathway that seeks no one but someone. Some Thing in partake as to reference what is and is not a breaking point in understanding what lies beyond these shallow ends of the forest. Would or should someone be sufficed enough to believe there not a way of going beyond an endless passageway, or should one entangle themselves along their previous journey, forget the future and forge backwards in an unforgettable time-loop? This being a moment to realize one cannot make a choice without the other, and the other unable without the one. Just how much can one atone in order to create an inevitable experience to believe there is an answer within this divided pathway? Should Some Thing come out victorious from this trial, this Zodiac Trial, only then will I be free to stare off into the valley of dragons once more near an unwanted future.
By Michael G Simpson4 years ago in Fiction
Fifty Six. Runner-Up in The Fantasy Prologue.
There weren't always dragons in the Valley. It was said to be a place of magic, where lords and ladies ruled the world. People would often make a pilgrimage to the Valley, for great blessings could be found for you and your children. They said it was a place of wonder.
By Nathanael Johnson4 years ago in Fiction
Masque of the Black Death. Content Warning.
Once upon a midnight dreary, as I sat lonesome and weary. I thought of all the events of the night before. My deepest fears now confirmed that I was to blame, of all the ones who have gone the same way before. Carrier of the disease, survivor that I am, immunity a blessing and a curse. On the day of Hypomone, the fall of Constantinople and the death of Constantine XI, so we celebrate the birth of the helpful, Ruin of the twenty first year. With décor and aesthetic of the macabre, beauty and of fear.
By Raine Fielder4 years ago in Fiction
Ghosts of the Past
Skips Sandalin poked at the rim of ice choking the neck of his bottle. It was designed to chill the drink with each sip yet all it did currently was inhibit consumption. Skips’ Gills always dried out after using Multi-System Mass Transit, his skinscales were even beginning to feel crispy to the touch. He returned his attention to the elongated boddle of nutrient supplements that came standard in most Federation restock centers. Any attempt to remove the chunk of ice filtering the viscous flood was futile so he turned his attention to the quartermaster.
By A.C Hofstetter4 years ago in Fiction
Downscaled
There weren't always dragons in the Valley. Everyone, especially Bertha "Bertie" Winters, agreed that it was all former Mayor Greene's fault. While Bertie did owe her very nice cottage to the Stone Valley Retirement Community, she laid the blame for having to replace the thatch roof - three times so far - squarely on the Mayor's doorstep. Some argued that the idea of getting a tax break for the struggling town for agreeing to host a "community for those over sixty years old" and not checking the fine print was an understandable mistake, but Bertie wasn't having it. What kind of ninny didn't read the fine print? She had no less than four magnifying glasses herself.
By Melissa Coy4 years ago in Fiction
At the End
It had been the Apocolypse of all apocalypses… apocolypsi? He made a note to ask them once he arrived. He wondered how this would happen, would they fight him? Try to send him down? Pull him up? A grin crossed his face briefly before it resumed a frowning focus. Climbing through the rubble was no easy feat, and as he finally neared the top and saw the two women playing chess he let out a heaving sigh of relief. They seemed to take note of him as well, looking up from their game to glance his way. In mirrored movements they regarded the man panting and clambering up towards them, covered in dirt and sweat. The man appeared to be in his mid-twenties, with dirty blond hair just long enough to brush against his long lashes as warm brown eyes looked up at the women. Finally, he reached the peak and hoisted himself to a full stand, placing hands on his hips and arching back for a few deep breaths. The man coughed and wheezed, beginning to brush the dirt from his clothing.
By The Wild Muse4 years ago in Fiction
The Kingdom of Come Again?
There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. Nor, for that matter, were there any now. In fact, you could go up to just about any Valley dweller while they were going about on their merry business and ask them: “So, what of these dragons, eh?” And quite likely, they would scratch their nose and respond with something like: “What’s a dragon?” or “Come again, mate?”
By Hans-Manuel de Biekieper4 years ago in Fiction
In the Darkness there is Light
Walking down the hospital corridor, Matt feels completely numb. Having known Will his entire life, he's known all of the women he's dated. Despite Will's natural good looks, there weren't many. Shocking, especially since once they reached puberty, pretty much every girl had a crush on Will at one stage or another. Matt was always jealous of Will, but his girlfriends never were the reason; just the attention. It wasn't until Will introduced Matt to Chloe that he truly knew what jealousy was. Matt ached to have a love like that. A beautiful woman, with brains and a great sense of humor, that lit up every room she entered. A woman with natural beauty, but one that never acted as if she knew she was beautiful. In fact she once confided in Matt, that she never felt like she was good looking enough for Will. Shaking his head once more, Matt tries to focus on being the cop, and not the angry friend who wants to kill this Maxwell.
By Amanda McGuire4 years ago in Fiction
In the Darkness there is Light
Standing at the top of the lighthouse, Will watches as Matt talks to a detective. Then he notices the elderly man sitting on a bench behind them. His arms and torso are covered in blood and he's crying and shivering. Grabbing a blanket from a nearby gurney, Will strides over to the man and places the blanket over his shoulders.
By Amanda McGuire4 years ago in Fiction
