fantasy
Celebrating the fantastical. Let your imagination run wild.
The O’Leary Line
“This,” the demon said “is something entirely new.” In front of her stood a frail old man who bore his weight on a cane and it didn’t look like it was going to keep holding him up for very long. She smiled with only one side of her mouth and not with her eyes. “Lemme guess. You want to be young again?” “No.” He said. “You want to be rid of that cane?” Again he said “No.” “Well, why are you here? Quit wasting my time. Spit it out, old man. I don’t have all night.” She did actually have all night. “I have been told that in exchange for these offerings” he laid a small wooden box at her feet “you will engage in a contest and if I win I can have one request granted that you must honor. And if I lose... I lose my soul?” It sounded stupid when he said it out loud. She disregarded his words because truth be told, it didn’t actually matter much to her about his soul. Who cares about souls? What did he think she was going to do with it? If he lost he was hers to use. He was a vessel to sow pain for her amusement. Let him think that was his soul. The truth was far more painful and if he was too dumb to get specifics, she wasn’t going to do the work for him. It’s his fault if he’s not a good negotiator, not hers. She picked up the box and lifted the lid. It contained a plain gold ring, a vial of some kind of small white rocks, and a feather. “This is supposed to be a lock of your true love’s hair. Your true love is a bird?” He seemed to shrink into himself. He stammered “It’s the closest I have. I’ve buried my wife and son and now all I have is Agnes.” For the first time she noticed the tiny and unremarkable little bird on his arm. It was an owl. “And what’s this?” She held up the vial. “This is supposed to be the blood of your mortal enemy. Your enemy bleeds rocks?” “That” he said, with fire in his eyes “IS my mortal enemy. That is the substance I found with my son’s body. That killed him so, yes it’s both mortality and my enemy.” She stood for a moment that felt like an eternity as she weighed the depth of his words and, more importantly, the pathos of his very existence. “I choose the terms of the contest since you chose to bend the offerings to your will.” Again, an eternity passed in a moment where he knew this is a terrible thing to which he was agreeing and that possibly he was blinded by anger and despair and that he had redefined the state of being over one’s head and yet he still he agreed. There was steel in his eyes and foolishness in his heart. His little owl shuffled her feet on his arm, bringing him back to reality. The demon could barely contain her giggling. “Okay, old man. I challenge you to a contest of dance. Out of the... kindness of my...heart... I’ll allow you a fortnight to prepare. This is more than generous and you should thank me. You will meet me there.” She pointed to a distant structure that he didn’t remember having seen before. “Don’t be late.” He looked even shakier than he had been a moment ago, if that was possible. With that, he turned away and limped slowly back down the lonely dirt road.
By Deborah Winslow5 years ago in Futurism
The Kings Hand
“That was good” she exclaimed as she walked out of the eatery. Sandy always thought that every meal was great and deserved a statement of appreciation. She lived to eat and ate to live, at least that's what she always says. Nothing made her happier than a nice meal and a pack of trollis for dessert. She lived a simple life on this military base she calls home. Nothing else was all that different about today except now our brave soldier girl is about to experience an event she will never forget. She was unaware that she was being watched through a steel grate by a fairy looking for help. But we will get to our hero and her encounter soon, first let's go to another World. The world of Helleafia.
By Alex Gumby5 years ago in Futurism
Nighttime Servitude
Flying has always been a pleasure. The feeling of freedom it gives is the most beautiful thing I have ever felt. I just sometimes wish I would have chosen to be able to do this on my own. But of course not. My family had to be cursed into a life of servitude. Being a horny teenager can sometimes come with a huge cost.
By Alexander Mikesell5 years ago in Futurism
A Fae World
I live in an old house in the middle of the forest. Most people think that it is creepy, but the only people who think that have never actually seen it. The forest is beautiful and full of amazingly bright colors. Nobody comes out here though so of course no one could actually see the beauty for themselves. This is because most are scared whether they admit it or not. Everybody has told stories to their children about creatures in the forest since the beginning of time. They are said to take you back to your most fearful memories and then feed off of your fear. Though I haven't seen anything in my years living here. I've lived here for the past twelve years. The only company I have is my pet owl Serene. I live in a world with magic, so it is unusual to have an owl as a pet, opposed to fairies and dragons, but I chose her because she looked just about as lonely as I was when I found her.
By Lisa Luehrs5 years ago in Futurism
What Happens When a Thoughtless Girl Pushes the Limits of Belief Too Far
Without scheming to do wrong, or to make others unhappy, there may be error and there may be misery. Thoughtlessness, want of attention to other people's feelings, and want of resolution, will do the business. ~Jane Austen
By Lynda Coker5 years ago in Futurism
A Concept of Revolt
To say the United States has regressed since the Objectivist purge began two years ago would be an understatement. The cities are sparse shells, industrial areas have become reminiscent of the Soviet Union, post World War II. This once “shining beacon of freedom” has become a polluted wasteland full of poverty and disease.
By Jonathan Fiero5 years ago in Futurism
The Gift
As Baharsh poured drinks for everyone, Yhgand gestured to a chair for her to take a seat. He and Meikosh sat on one of the couches, leaving Baharsh and blue eyes the other. Before he could sit there was a timid knock on the door and a female darminian came in, carrying a tray of meat, cheese, bread, butter and what appeared to be scrambled eggs. She, too, appeared timid around Aryna, but not scared per say. Setting the tray down, she looked at Baharsh intently, seemingly having a silent conversation with him.
By sith queen5 years ago in Futurism
