by Zach Ellenberger The glow of the Northern Lights illuminated the night sky. The Valkyries had arrived to claim the souls of Magnus’s fallen brothers who had been slain in the valley earlier that day. Knowing the gods were present, Magnus communed with them, consulted them for their wisdom in hopes to heed their counsel….
Read moreUnder Distant Skies
by Andrew Albritton “This has to be it,” Ambrose said, taking a bite of beans in the firelight. “Tomorrow, we’ll find the treasure.” “I hope you’re right,” Garrison said. “Otherwise, we’re going to have to find jobs.” Ambrose laughed. “We can’t have that.” Ambrose and Garrison were camped at the top of a shallow canyon,…
Read moreThe Guide
by Sarah Hozumi Celea watched the birth of a star from the comfort of a tree branch belonging to an enormous white cedar. She watched as the remains of spirits became particles of energy that all were pushed to one point in the night sky. With a brilliant flash, there in the sea of stars,…
Read moreConversations in Space
by Paul Stansbury The Kūaka hurtled through space, its New Hope colonists slumbering in suspended animation. Inside, all was still in the darkness except for its passengers’ thoughts coalescing in a reality beyond the bounds of the conscious and subconscious. “They say before the sixth ice age, Earth was mostly green and great oceans,…
Read moreThe Follies of Men
by Aline Herbreteau The moon was round and bright in the twilit sky. Its silvery light glanced off the newly fallen snow, sprinkling it with diamonds, and spilled upon the castle steps. Every tree in the forest was draped in shimmering snow and trimmed with frost. Every creature, every plant, every snowflake had stopped moving;…
Read morePaid to Remember
By Emad El-Din Aysha This Union you want With the earth and sky, This union we all need with love, A golden wing from God’s heart just Touched the ground, Now Step upon it With your brave sun-vows And help our eyes To Dance! — Hafiz “Is this not a bit too much,” Al-Jahiz said,…
Read moreThe Glass Leg
by Thomas Cannon Her freckles and small eyes gave her a strong resemblance to Laura Ingalls from the TV show. She even had two thick braids of brown hair, but she also had a nose ring and a scorpion tattoo on her neck. Her looks were an odd juxtaposition of innocence and rebellion. However, it…
Read moreLittle Green Men
by Curtis A. Bass Lieutenant Caleb Cooper “Burke! Move your ass. We’re on a timeline here,” Gilmore barked. There he goes, showing his ass again. I wish he’d just lay off. “Ignore him,” I whispered, my face close to Burke’s ear as I worked on his helmet. Louder I said, “Hold yer damn horses, Cap….
Read moreEva and the Man Tree
by Enoch Daniel High on a misty mountain, up above the clouds, in a lush, little valley nestled between snowy peaks, there once lived a girl and her mother. They had a cabin made of logs and mud surrounded by woods. The light was soft as worn linen, and the air held a breath of…
Read moreThe Forbidden Martian
by Margaret Karmazin I awoke and struggled to sit up. It was dark except for emergency floor lights, and I was ravenous. The door to my cell was wide open. Groggy and confused, I sat up, then very carefully stood. Where were my torturers? Why was it cold? Not sure of my strength, I crawled…
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