by Richard Webb It was hard to tell which was worse: the shrieks of agony from the wounded, piercing the air, or the stink of sweat, urine and blood. The sudden screams still sent a jolt up Sathra’s spine and the tang of infected flesh in the air still made her gag occasionally, despite the…
Read moreCrow Barn
Crow Barn by DC Diamondopolous The rope pulled at Calypso’s waist. She staggered then stumbled as she clawed her way up the hill with Phoebe tied below. They had been searching for Alawisha, their younger sister, since her disappearance the day before. Hunger, thirst, and fatigue were ignored as panic pushed them to the edge…
Read moreThe Sisterhood at the Edge of Eternity
The Sisterhood at the Edge of Eternity by Steve Carr The shimmering silver underbelly of the enormous ship broke through the dense, dark clouds as it descended into the gale force winds that swept the planet’s surface. Eight large metallic legs with claw-like feet extended out from the sides of the ship. Plumes of vapor…
Read moreRise of the Guild: The Monster
Previously, Abelon stopped by a pond near the Derry’s fields. The bank was muddy, but Abelon sank down to his knees anyway. The ground soaked his pants and brought goosebumps to his arms. Placing his hands on his upper thighs, Abelon leaned over to stare into the depths. He willed something to be there, but…
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Abelon Wisecraft could hear his mother coughing in the next room, the barking and gurgling broken up by her gasps for air. He turned onto his side to face the wall, studying the stained wooden panels. He was nineteen and already the world had lost its shine. Once his mother was gone, there would be…
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I walked along the rough, uneven surface of the table, human craftsmanship at its finest. I kept my eyes fixed on the rows of canned food stacked neatly, ready to be tucked safely away in the cellar. I smiled, flexing my fingers, muscles warming with anger and urgency, so close. I reached out to press…
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The adventurers entered the entrance to our cave carrying torches, their sweaty, fleshy faces lit by the dancing flames. One was tall and lean, bald head gleaming like a radiant beacon. The second was shorter, almond hues against a mass of black curls. I was thrilled. It was hell to get here. I hadn’t planned…
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Jolly surveyed the boy’s skin. Lesions covered his upper body, leaking noxious pus. The boy caught Jolly’s eye, silently pleading for relief. It was a well crafted avena curse, a child killing curse. The boy had days before death would grant its own succor. “Shit, kid,” he muttered. “Please, your man swore you could save…
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The autumn air slipped in between the torn armpits of Balon’s tunic, chilling the sweat trickling down his sides. He wrapped his arms around his body and looked around the wood. The pale white trees maintained their impartial pose, naked branches shuddering in the wind. Balon looked at the sun sliding down the horizon. If…
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Ada watched the water slip between her fingers. She wondered if she stopped fighting it if her fingers would slip into the pool and mix with the runoff. She could yield to older, greater forces than she could contain. Would she be better off melted into a puddle? She could float along, doing her part…
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