《One Shots》


 Tempest Melody

    Gaery reluctantly pounded against the wooden door, not wanting to be in the rain for a moment longer as the outskirts of the storm flooded the streets. Streaks of green, orange, and blue lightning painted the clouds as the bolts splintered across the sky. Cold anxiety stirred within Gaery as the weather persisted. He swore at the door''s silence, banging against it harder.


    Crack!


    Gaery flinched at the magnificent bolt of lightning as it descended down from the heavens upon a tower in the distance. Stone and brick crumbled down from the building. Within moments the entire thing came crashing down to the ground, covering the streets in debris.


    Finally, the door swung open.


    "Gaery!" Alara exclaimed, "Come inside, quickly. What the hell are you doing out there!?"


    "I was hunting in the forest when it appeared." Gaery explained, as he entered. "Barely got out in time."


    "Did you sing to it?"


    "No." Gaery responded, "But I wanted to. Desperately. Just being in its presence made me want to risk it all."


    "I don''t blame you," Alara said, placing her hand on Gaery''s. "I probably would have been tempted too."


    "Would you?" Gaery said, looking her in the eyes while removing himself from her touch.


    Alara''s gaze drifted down. "No. I wouldn''t have."


    Silence donned the room after Alara''s last words while the thunder screamed from outside.


    "The storm is more ferocious than I expected." Alara said, breaking the edged silence. "I fear it will swallow the entire city."


    "The Chorus will seize it."


    "I''m not sure they can this time, Gare." Alara responded, "It''s too strong."


    "Then we all die." Gaery said, plainly.


    "Not if you help them."


    "Brilliant idea. My hexed Voice will no doubt prove useful."


    "Just talk to them. The Conductor will restore your Voice if you show that you care about this city and want to save it. I know she''ll forgive you."


    "I nearly killed everyone, Alara. I betrayed the entire kingdom for what I did. They aren''t exactly going to take me back with open arms."


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    "If you don''t try, the kingdom will crumble."


    Silence fell once more and the two sat in cold contemplation again. Minutes passed before anything else was said.


    "Alright, I''ll do it. Do you have the Mutestone?"


    "Always." Alara said, producing a smooth black rock. Gaery took it, moving towards the door, but stopped before touching the knob. Gaery remained frozen for another minute before Alara approached.


    "I don''t think I can stop it." Gaery said, shakily.


    "It''s okay." Alara whispered, holding him tightly. "All that matters is that you''ll try."


    Gaery nodded, hugging Alara one last time before opening the door to head out into the storm once again.


    ~~~


    Gaery sprinted as fast as his legs would carry him through the city in search of the Chorus of Storms. For half an hour he had searched without luck, but fortune smiled when he heard Voices.


    Amidst the abrasive wind and rain, the Chorus of Storms stood tall in defiance against the tempest.


    "Remain firm everybody!" The Conductor shouted over the booming thunder, adjusting her eye patch. "The storm is yours! Let your Voices be heard!"


    Lightning struck another tower only much closer this time. Gaery lunged forward shoving the Conductor just before a shower of debris came crashing down from the tower.


    "Gaery?" The Conductor questioned, "What are you doing here?"


    "A ''thank you'' for saving you from being crushed would have sufficed." Gaery responded.


    "If you''re looking to get your Voice back you can forget it. We can handle this ourselves." The Conductor regarded, turning back to the Chorus and adjusting her eye patch again. "Come on everyone, louder! I want to be able to hear you from the other side of the world!"


    "Look around you, Remera!" Gaery screamed, "The storm is consuming everything! You need my help. My Voice is strong. I can handle it. I can save everyone!"


    "You squandered the trust I had in you when you called the storm to this kingdom four years ago, Gaery!" The Conductor bellowed, ripping off her eye patch and revealing the empty socket beneath. "You are the reason the king took my eye when he found out it was one of my Vocalists who endangered the kingdom. He was my best friend and now he won''t even speak to me!"


    "I''ve made mistakes, but I''ve changed. Just let me make this right. I beg of you."


    Gaery fell to his knees, uttering one final word.


    "Please."


    Remera looked down at her former pupil. He looked different now than when he did before. He looked strong and confident then, but now he just seemed...hollow. An empty vessel.


    "Lift your chin."


    Gaery obeyed. Remera placed her hand against Gaery''s throat and sung.


    Let the song of the storm be sung once more by this sore throat.


    Gaery''s mouth opened, producing a hum of warm vibrations. Gaery felt a surge of life as he regained what was lost for so long. Like a piece of his soul had returned making him whole again.


    "I trust you to do the right thing, Gaery."


    "You shouldn''t."


    The Conductor glanced at him in confusion but it was already too late.


    Gaery pulled the Mutestone from his pocket and threw it on the ground near the Chorus''s feet activating its magic. The Chorus descended into chaos as their throats produced only silence. The Conductor tried to sing but she had found that her Voice wasn''t with her either.


    "There''s no point in trying to sing," Gaery explained, "It''ll be another hour before you''ll even be able to speak. But don''t worry. You need not sing. Only listen."


    Gaery turned away from the Chorus towards the storm, spreading his arms open wide embracing its cold, liberating rain and began to sing.


    Mistress Storm I sing for you.


    Please grant us the oblivion that we wish to view.


    Let your rains breed bottomless lakes


    And leave nothing behind in your wake.

 Cursed Currency

    "Ninety-two percent." Evan stated colorlessly, as he injected his sai into the throat of the demon, absorbing its soul into the Vessel.


    Another bloodthirsty fiend charged towards him, hungry to avenge its fallen brethren, but with a graceful cut of his blade, Evan felled the beast, claiming yet another demonic soul to add to the Vessel.


    "Ninety-three."


    He proceeded to the portal of swirling blackness from which the demons emerged, dispelling it with a flip of the Dark Coin. As always it landed on tails.


    Evan fingered the face of the coin, opening the floodgate of memories held within it.


    Her soothing hand still remained fresh in his mind; it was the only thing keeping him warm in a world of endless December. A mere phrase uttered her lips was enough to liberate his calloused spirit.


    "How was your day?"


    Evan quelled the nostalgia and journeyed back home.


    ~~~


    Evan opened the doors to the Citadel and strolled over to Mac, handing him his Vessel.


    "Pretty heavy this time," Mac stated, placing the Vessel with the others. "You must have killed a lot of them."


    "It relieves the pain."


    "Still broken over what happened to Alyss?"


    "I''d rather not discuss it."


    "Let it go, Evan. She''s gone," Mac responded, "That was a year ago. You can''t go soft on me."


    "Look, I bring you a myriad amount of demons every day. What more do you want from me?"


    "Give me the coin."


    "I need it to do my job."


    "Every slayer in the Stygian Covenant knows how to open and shut the portals without the Dark Coins now. Everyone except you. That girl weakened you and that coin from her is nothing but dead weight."


    "You know nothing about her," Evan''s voice went quiet, radiating dangerously.


    Mac recoiled, "Listen, I''m doing this for your sake. I know from experience that connections wither resolve. Just give it to me."


    "Conversation over." Evan replied as he turned and walked away.


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    Mac reached into Evan''s pocket to grab the coin before he could escape.


    "What the fuck, Mac!" Evan snapped into action, wrestling Mac over the coin.


    "Let her go, Evan!"


    "Fuck you."


    Evan''s last word fell along with the coin. The black currency twisted viciously in the air before making contact with the marble floor below. The sound of the coin hitting the surface resonated, triggering the magic to take effect. Swirling black smoke spiraled out of the coin as the portal was conjured.


    "What have you done?!" Evan cried.


    "Just close the portal!" Mac responded.


    But it was too late. The demons were already pouring out of the gateway like water from a faucet. Mac swiftly made a run for the Vessels. The Stygian Covenant could not allow the demons to get a hold of them. They might manage to free the souls inside of them. Years of hunting down thousands of demons would have been for nothing.


    Evan initiated combat with the monsters standing before him. A demon slashed him with his sword, but Evan was too fast. With a mere flick of his wrist he managed to parry the blow with his sai and then drive in close for the final strike.


    "Ninety-four percent," Evan muttered.


    The clattering of boots sounded off in the distance. Evan looked back to see the members of the Stygian Covenant arriving to the Citadel to fight back the demonic forces. Evan took advantage of their assistance to swoop in and pick up the Dark Coin, but a powerful force propelled Evan backwards along with everything else in his vicinity. Thunderous footsteps shook the ground as another being emerged from the portal.


    A Devil.


    Evan got to his feet and acted quickly by summoning a ball of electrifying energy. He released it at the Devil but the lightning bolt bounced off of his adversary like a twig. Evan swore. He was never great at magic but it was the only thing that was effective against a Devil.


    But then Evan remembered the Vessels. With the power of the souls within them maybe he would have a fighting chance. Unfortunately, it was a risky endeavor. Absorbing demonic souls into one''s body wasn''t exactly safe for the host''s mind. But it was a sacrifice that needed to be made if they were going to stop the demons.


    He stormed towards the room behind the Devil. Scattered demons polluted the path but Evan cleaved through everything in his way with ease. The Devil took notice of Evan and produced an enormous ball of Hellfire, hurling it at him. Evan leaped behind the cover of a throng of demons, allowing them to take the heat of the blast. Evan sprinted as fast as he could to the Vessel room, sliding beneath the legs of the Devil and dashing through the door.


    Without any further hesitation Evan took one of the Vessels and opened it.


    "Don''t do it, Evan!" Mac cried. "You know what those souls will do to you."


    "I don''t have a choice!" Evan exclaimed.


    Before Mac could stop him Evan absorbed the souls into his body. Darkness invigorated him as the voices of several demons whispered to him in his mind. Evan silenced the voices and exited the Vessel room.


    Evan imbued his faithful sai with all of the energy that he could muster and threw it at the Devil. Unlike the lightning bolt, the blade managed to penetrate the skin, greatly weakening the monster. The Devil collapsed but also laughed.


    "Pathetic pygmy." He snarled. "Not even you can destroy a Devil."


    He was right. No matter how powerful Evan was nobody could completely kill a Devil. But he could vanquish him back to Hell with the Dark Coin, but in turn it would be lost forever.


    Evan grabbed the coin and dug deep into his resolve, fighting back the part of him that refused to let go of her and against all of the voices of demons in his head who told him not to.


    Evan flipped the coin; for the first time it landed on heads. The coin touched the Devil banishing him back to Hell along with the last memento Evan had of Alyss.


    "One-hundred percent." Evan whispered. "The pain is gone."

 Flight Spare

    Roulette sprang alive at the ringing of the bell. Without hesitation he leaped out of bed and stripped his night garments, substituting them for a full set of chainmail armor. After he was clad in metal, he retrieved his longsword and greatbow, exited the bedchamber then scurried down to the castle citadel.;


    The palace was in disarray when Roulette arrived, with knights sporting the same assemblage of gear as him, frantically pushing past one another. Roulette was quick to immerse himself in the chaos as he pushed his way through the crowd. His body came to an unexpected halt when something tugged his shoulder.


    "Where do you think you''re going, Rule?" Denis scoffed. "You''re barking mad if you think you can catch a Shael."


    "A Shael?" Roulette questioned.


    Denis nodded, "Apparently it was roaming the lower towns earlier this morning and is storming the castle now."


    "I need my horse." Roulette said.


    "What?" Denis asked.


    Roulette shoved passed him, exiting the palace and making his way down to the stables. There his faithful black steed Nox awaited. Roulette patted his horse on the head then promptly saddled him. Nox groaned from the saddle. It was heavy because it was not only a seat for riding, but also a quiver for greatbow arrows.


    "Oh, hush. You''ve rode with it on before." Roulette muttered as he settled himself into the saddle and rode off.


    Roulette brought Nox to a stop once they exited the castle gates. After positioning himself close to the city walls he jumped off of his horse and plunged his greatbow into the ground, readying it to notch.


    Archers lined the garrison above. The parameter appeared empty, but they released their flaming arrows into the sky regardless. It was obvious that something was there, it just couldn''t be seen.


    A target was finally uncovered amidst the storm of projectiles.  An arrow came to an abrupt stop, floated for a moment and then a figure was revealed, as if a shroud was unveiled. There it was. The invisible dragon. The Shael.


    The beast was still in the air despite the archer''s arrow, but was slower now and no longer invisible, making it easier to target. Roulette reached into his saddle quiver and strung a great arrow into his bow. The time to act was now. The Shael would escape if he didn''t kill it soon.


    The arrow flung from Roulette''s bow as he released its nock. The arrow pierced through the air gracefully in a straight line, unswayed by the wind. An excellent shot.


    But nonetheless a miss.


    Nox neighed.


    "Yeah, I know I fucking missed." Roulette muttered, dropped the bow then closed his eyes and inhaled.  With his mind clear and his anxiety cast off, he collected the bow and took aim once more.


    He fired again. This time the path between the arrow and its target was exact. His accuracy was impeccable. The arrow would reach its target.


    A flash of blinding blue light exploded in front of the dragon. After the light subsided, it was revealed that the Shael was still alive.


    Roulette swore again and hopped atop Nox, kicking him into motion. The dragon was too far away now, he would have to ride in closer and fire from horseback.


    Roulette rode for a hundred paces before drawing his greatbow. It was no easy feat aiming a bow while riding, let alone one of this size. It was always meant to be used as a stationary weapon. It required too much space and upper body strength to be fired while mobile which is why Roulette fell from his horse after he fired. He recovered quickly after the fall and returned his gaze to the sky.


    It was hard to see but Roulette noticed wavering in the Shael''s flight as it flew past the forest up ahead with a large black rod protruding from its back. It was a hit.


    Roulette smiled triumphantly. The beast was still flying but it was soon to land. There was no way it could withstand a direct hit and remain in the air for long. Roulette got back on his horse and rushed to the forest.


    The creature had lost an excessive amount of blood, but it wasn''t the trail that led Roulette to its location.  The screams were responsible for that. Roulette left Nox far from where he heard the cries. There was no point in endangering him while he hunted the dragon.


    Nox neighed in protest.


    "Stay here, Nox." Roulette ordered. "I won''t have you burned to a crisp by a dragon."


    The horse''s eyes were full of reluctance, but remained put as Roulette left.


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    The Shael had landed near a stream in the middle of a forest clearing, sprawled across the grass adjacent to the waters.


    It wasn''t alone.


    A single greatbow arrow laid directly next to the wounded creature, doused in blood. The dragon flailed, wailing out in agony against the touch of the woman who was with it.


    "Easy, Nyla." The woman cooed, "It''s almost over. Just one more."


    The dragon screeched as the woman reached into it again, digging even deeper despite the creature''s spasms. With persistence, she managed to remove the second arrow from the dragon''s body, much to its dismay.


    "See?"The woman began, "All better now."


    The arrow was removed and the Shael dragon looked as if it had reached some semblance of ease but it was still distraught. Its eyes remained forward, fixated on a single target.


    "What is it, Ny? What do you see?" the lady asked, but when she turned around her question was answered.


    "Never expected to see such a grand beauty. What a sight indeed." Roulette announced with his greatbow notched and ready to fire.


    "Flattery will get you nowhere with me."


    "I was referring to the dragon."


    "What a sight indeed." The woman agreed, resting her hand on the scabbard at her waist.


    "Ease. I''m not interested in killing you." Roulette stated. "I''m only here for that thing behind you. Now move over or-"


    Roulette couldn''t finish his sentence before she threw herself at him. In a split second she was already vaulting high in the air, scimitar drawn.


    Roulette fired his greatbow at the speeding assailant, but a bright flash of blue light surrounded her, deflecting the arrow. The light blinded Roulette, forcing him to drop his great bow. He recovered from the daze just in time to block his opponents blade with his greatbow, snapping it in half.


    Roulette drew his longsword and attacked. Sparks flew as their blades clashed. Roulette pressed hard against his opponent, putting all of his weight behind his sword. He and his weapon were a lot bigger than her, she wouldn''t be able to defend for long.


    The woman back stepped, retreating from Roulette''s relentless force. Roulette dove in quickly to regain dominance. She was tiring from his blows.  As long as he kept the pressure, she would submit.


    The scimitar flew out of the woman''s hands after Roulette performed a broad slash with his longsword. After disarming her, he went in for the final stab.


    But much to his surprise the acrobat jumped backwards, missing Roulette''s blade, then sprung off of the tree behind to propel her forward. The blow sent him tumbling to the ground as her foot connected with his face.


    "Well aren''t you the jumpy type?" Roulette sneered, wiping away the small rivulet of blood sliding down from his nose. "You''ve got a fine set of legs. I reckon you''ve got more kick than my horse and you''re a dragon rider. I think know what I''ll call you."


    "If your swordplay was half as good as your talking, maybe you''d be a decent warrior." She said, retrieving her weapon.


    "It''s all in good fun, Cloudkicker."


    "What did you just-"


    Roulette dipped low and executed a sweeping kick that managed to knock his opponent to the ground.


    "You''re not the only one whose quick." Roulette stated. After disarming her again he approached the dragon.


    "Don''t!" The woman exclaimed. "Please. I''m not your enemy."


    "No. Just an acrobat who broke my bow along with my nose."


    "I was only doing it to protect, Nyla." She said, gesturing towards the dragon. "Everything I''ve done I''ve done to protect her. She means everything to me. Please. I just need to get her out of the kingdom. That is all."


    "Do you know how many lives that thing and the rest of its kind has ended? How many wives stay awake at night wondering if their husbands will ever come home? How many children wonder if they will ever see their fathers again? I can tell you how many. Two hundred and fifty-three. I remember every last one of my friends who died trying to protect their kingdom from the dragons. It never gets easier, telling them that their family had been burned alive or mauled to death by those things. Never."


    "She hasn''t killed you."


    "Excuse me?"


    "She hasn''t killed you." She repeated. "She could have burned you alive at any point during our fight just now but she didn''t. She chose not to harm you."


    "Well maybe she was feeling slothful this time around."


    "You told me you remembered every single person in your kingdom who''s ever fallen to a dragon. How many have fallen today since we arrived?"


    "She hasn''t killed today.  She could still kill tomorrow."


    "She''s never once killed."


    "What a coincidence. Neither have I."


    "Pet her." The woman said.


    "What?"


    "Pet her." She repeated. "Look into her eyes and decide whether or not you see a killer."


    "Now why would I do that? Just so that she can burn me to a crisp? Or so that you can crush my skull with one of your fancy dropkicks?"


    "I''ll clear away from you and you can hold your sword to her neck as you do it. So that you''ll be ready if she attacks."


    "Fine." Roulette obliged. "I need to practice my reflexes anyway."


    Roulette approached, pointing his sword as he came closer to the beast. He was primed to react to any attack that the Shael would throw at him. Fully prepared to defend himself.


    But when he was close enough to peer into the beast''s eyes he eased. His guard dropped as he looked and he felt his sword arm naturally fall to his side. There was no malcontent to be found within the confides of Nyla''s eyes. Only shy, frail innocence.


    "Go on." The woman encouraged. "Pet her head."


    Roulette was slow to abide at first but eventually reached out to touch the Shael. Petting the dragon wasn''t as daunting as he had expected. It was just like petting any other creature.


    Like petting Nox.


    The loud thunder of horse hooves could be heard in the distance. The King''s Guard were on their way now. They would be here within moments.


    "Go." Roulette said. "Get out of here."


    "What?" The woman breathed in disbelief, "Just like that?"


    "I can always change my mind if you don''t like it..."


    "No, no, no. Thank you." She stuttered. "Very much..."


    "Roulette." He finished.


    "Thank you. Roulette."


    "You''d best be off, Cloudkicker." Roulette said, tossing the scimitar. "They''re coming."


    "I have a name you know." The dragon rider stated, catching it.


    "What? You don''t like the one I picked for you?"


    "It''s Celia." She said before Nyla took flight. Once the pair was in the air, the Shael cloaked itself once more, never to be seen again.


    Within minutes, the King''s Guard arrived, scouting the area for signs of the beast.


    "Roulette!" Denis exclaimed, "We got here as fast as we could. What happened? Where''s the dragon?"


    Roulette didn''t answer initially. He didn''t respond at all for another several moments. His gaze remained pensive and fixated.


    "Rule?" Denis asked.


    "Not here." Roulette finally said. "It must have gotten away."

 Rift

    Joe and Carli were driving in his Toyota along Second Street. Joe was just crossing the intersection of Second and Gilspring when Carli saw the BP gas station on the side of the road.


    "Let''s pull over." She asked. "I need to use the bathroom. You don''t mind do you?"


    Joe shook his head. "I want to refuel anyway."


    "Maybe grab some snacks too?" Carli suggested.


    Joe nodded in agreement.


    Joe pulled the car over and stopped in front of pump 12. Carli entered the station. The clerk was on the phone while helping a short line of customers. Carli approached the register from the side.


    "Bathroom?" She asked.


    The clerk pointed in response while continuing to multitask.


    "Thank you." She appreciated, before walking to the back corner.


    Carli entered the woman''s bathroom and looked down at the toilet. Upon gasping, she pulled out her cell phone and punched in a number.


    Outside of the station, Joe entered his card and it declined. He continued and tried again without any luck. He then reached inside of his pocket for his cellphone just as it began to vibrate with a new call.


    "I was just about to call you." Joe answered, holding the phone to is ear. "My card isn''t working for some reason, could you ask for 20 on 12 while you''re in there?"


    "You need to come in and check this out." Carli said. "Now."


    "Why, what is it?" Joe asked.


    "There''s something in the women''s bathroom." Carli explained. "Just hurry up, I''ll let you in."


    Joe proceeded into the gas station, turning to the clerk on the phone.


    "Bathroom?" He asked.


    The clerk pointed to the back corner. Joe proceeded, then gave the woman''s bathroom a good knock. Carli let him in.


    "If you want me to come in and do dabs with you again, I''m not..."Joe paused, immediately shutting the door. "What the hell is that?"


    In the corner of the bathroom just behind the toilet, a whirlpool was forming, its waters swirling as if to mimick the object right next to it. The only difference being the distinct, bright red glow emanating from it.


    "That''s what I was going to ask you." Carli finished.


    "How am I going to know?"


    "Supreme intuition?" Carli guessed.


    "No." Joe shook his head.


    "I dare you to touch it." Carli beckoned.


    "Excuse me?" Joe arched a brow.


    "Go on." Carli pointed.


    "You want to touch the swirling vortex?"


    Carli nodded.


    "I don''t need my intuition to know that''s a dumb idea."


    "Don''t you want to know what''ll happen?"


    "Yeah, it could burn my finger off."


    "Or it could give you superpowers."


    "Or infect me with an unknown disease."


    "Or make you see a vision."


    "Or permanently blind me."


    "Or make you lose 20 pounds."


    "Are you calling me fat?"


    "I didn''t say that." Carli deflected. "You said that."


    Joe squinted at her in response.


    "Don''t get so insecure, love." Carli said, lightly prodding Joe''s arm. "It''s a shock that no one at this gas station has flirted with you yet."


    "Does this not count as flirting?" Joe teased.


    "You know what I mean." Carli said, slugging his arm.


    The swirling red vortex appeared to wane in size.


    "Look." Carli said, pointing to the portal. "It looks like its getting smaller. Do something before it goes away."


    "You know if you''re so curious, why don''t you do it?"


    Carli stepped torwards it.


    "No, no, no." Joe said, pulling her back immediately, "I wasn''t serious. Ugh. If you''re going to actually try and do it, just let me instead." Carli smiled.


    Joe approached the swirling vortex, staring down at it hesitantly before inevitably taking in a deep sigh and bending over. With a single finger he touched it.


    Joe vanished in the blink of an eye, seemingly sucked into the swirling energy of the vortex. He was suddenly surrounded by dazzling streaks of red light so bright they forced his eyes closed. When he opened them again he was in a completely different world. He appeared to be in some kind of vast desert, stretching on as far as he could see. Everything around him was as red as the vortex that came before. Red rocky plains of dirt, stretching on for what seemed like miles. Red lightning streaking across the sky. It was like being inside of a volcano. The air carried a particular stench about it. Purple clouds polluted the sky, accentuating the red lightning flashing on indefinitely behind it. And in the distance along the horizon, at the center of it all was a long vertical line of even more crimson red light connecting all of the way to the heavens.


    Joe blinked, likely in disbelief of everything he had just witnessed. His ear twitched as a noise went off. Joe turned instinctively towards it. In the distance he could see figures, several of them running in his direction. And then suddenly, he winced sharply in pain as if stung by something. He quickly pulled up the sleeve of his jacket and looked down to see a red glowing shape singeing his flesh. A closer look revealed the image of a circle with a diamond surrounded by another diamond. Joe pulled his sleeve down again and focused ahead at the incoming crowd. As they got closer to his position their appearences became more apparent. Tall, murky brown creatures with thin and wiry limbs, glowing red eyes and rotting flesh.


    Joe''s eyes widened upon seeing their true forms as he turned, breaking into a dead sprint. His eyes darted in every direction, as if to search for anything at all along the horizon that could help. His gaze fixated on a rock formation in the distance, a large plateau with bright, pale, moon-like light emitting from the top of it. Joe ran towards it. With the creatures hot on his tail he made it to the valley of the plateau but not before taking a wrong step onto some loose gravel and tumbling to the ground. The wet growling of the mud-colored creatures was not far behind him. Joe turned around and saw them gaining even more ground and winced once more as the diamond-shaped brand on his arm began to glow red again.


    "Joe!" A voice called out in front of him. He turned his head back forwards to see a human hand extended towards him. He reached forward and took it. When he got to his feet he got a better glance at who it was.


    "Carli?" He said with a puzzled expression.


    "Of course it''s me!" She exclaimed. "Who else would it be?"


    "I don''t know," Joe began. "Maybe you were one of those ugly things that''s chasing me right now. How did you get here?"


    "Run now." Carli said. "Talk later."


    "Good plan." Joe agreed.


    The two bolted off towards the valley of the plateau.


    "What should we do?" Carli said as they ran.


    "Let''s just try and get to the top of this mountain." Joe urged. "I''ve got a feeling it might be something important."


    "Alright then." Carli responded. "Let''s get there soon and-"


    Before Carli could finish her sentence Joe fell to the ground once again. Carli turned around; One of the mud-colored fiends had its hand firmly wrapped around Joe''s leg. Joe kicked at it with his other foot.


    "Get the hell off of my friend!" Carli screamed, kicking and grabbing at the creature. A moment later the other fiends caught up to them, forcibly grabbing Carli and dragging her away from Joe. Joe wrestled against the mud creature, dirt caking onto his clothes as he did so in any attempt to distance himself from it. The mud creature bared its teeth, attempting to close in on Joe''s neck.


    "I said..." Carli began. "Get off of him!"


    Suddenly, a bright flash of light emitted in the area, causing the mud creatures to recoil in an instant. Some of them screamed in pain as it washed over them. Joe looked over to the source of the light after the mud creature took a step back. The light waned to reveal Carli again.


    "How the heck did you-" Joe began.


    "No time!" Carli said, grabbing his hand again. "We''ve got to go."


    Carli helped Joe get to his feet. The pair took advantage of their headstart, clearing some distance between them and the dazed mud fiends. Moments later they were about halfway up the plateau, the top of its white evalescent light shining brightly towards the sky. The fiends recovered from Carli''s light attack quickly and were making their way towards the plateau.


    "Come on." Carli beckoned. "Just a little bit further."


    There it was. A few more steps and they would be upon it. Joe crossed the threshold first. The closest creature pounced as Carli made her way towards the white grounds at the top of the plateau. Joe pulled her across as she did. The mud fiend leaped into the air; Carli cried out in fear as it did, but the moment the creature landed on the white threshold, it dissapated in an instant, exploding into particles of golden dust. A sizzling sound occurred as the other mud creatures suddenly got close to the border of the white rocks. As smoke began to rise from the creatures, they took several steps back from the border between the plateau and the path leading back down.


    Carli stood behind the border line and looked over at Joe.


    "Are you okay?" She asked.


    "Yeah, I''m good." Joe said.


    "What happened to them?" Carli asked, gesturing towards the mud creatures.


    "I don''t know." Joe said. "I guess this must be a safe area. Come on, let''s get away from the edge."


    Joe and Carli traveled further towards the center of the plateau, instantly collasping in fatigue onto a set of rocks near the center, where they took several moments to catch their breaths.


    "When did you get here?" Joe asked, breathing heavily as he sat down.


    "I touched whatever that swirling red vortex was right after you did. You had completely disappeared and so I wanted to follow you in." Carli explained.


    "I see." Joe affirmed. "Do you know what the heck that flash was from earlier? You know, the one you used to get whatever those mud things were off of me?"


    "That I don''t know." Carli admitted. "But while it was happening I felt something burning on my arm."


    Carli rolled up the sleeve of her jacket and showed Joe. His eyes lit upon seeing the red sigil branded onto her arm. A circle with a line running through it, connecting to an arch at the bottom of it. Joe did the same with his sleeve, revealing the rune on his arm.


    "You have one too!" Carli said, pointing at Joe''s arm. "What do you think it is?"


    "It looks like some kind of rune. Or sigil." Joe guessed, analyzing the mark on his arm. "Judging by that little lightshow you put on earlier, I''m going to assume it grants abilities of some sort."


    "HAH!" Carli exclaimed, practically jumping out of her seat on the rock. "I told you that touching that thing would give us superpowers."


    Joe''s face produced an impatient expression. "Seriously? That''s what you''re thinking about right now?"


    "Sorry." Carli deflated. "Got a little excited. So what does yours do anyway?"


    "No idea." Joe said. "Mine hasn''t activated yet."


    "Hm." Carli regarded.


    "Any idea how you got yours to work?"


    Carli shugged. "Beats me. Maybe it was just fight or flight kicking in. Afterall, it did happen right when those mud things were about to eat us."


    "Eat us?" Joe questioned.


    "What else would describe what they were trying to do to us?" Carli asked.


    Joe shrugged. "I don''t know maybe they were trying to capture us."


    "To take us where?"


    "To some random cave in the middle of the plains where their queen is." Joe said.


    "What makes you think it''s a queen?" Carli questioned.


    "What do you mean?" Joe asked in confusion. "Why wouldn''t it be a queen?"


    "It could be a king." Carli suggested.


    "What hive has a king?"


    "Maybe the Muddy Buddies'' hive has a king."


    "Sorry, come again...Muddy Buddies?"


    "Yeah." Carli said. "Judging by their looks it seems like they like to get dirty and they''re all friends so why not?"


    "Sorry, Muddy Buddies isn''t what I had in mind when looking at those things."


    "Well, what do you suggest we call them?" Carli shot back.


    "Zombies?"


    "That''s lame." Carli regarded.


    Joe scratched his chin, for a moment he sat up as if to suggest something but then leaned back down in defeat. "Yeah, I''ve got nothing."


    Joe looked downward at the shadows emerging on the ground, then diverted his gaze towards the plains and the darkness stretching across them. He then looked to the big red line of light in the distance that he had spotted earlier.


    "Is it just me or does that light seem to be getting dimmer and dimmer?" He said, pointing towards it in the distance.


    "Yeah." Carli agreed before looking down at the ground as well.  "And come to think of it the ground''s losing some of its luster too."


    "Something tells me that we should probably get out of here before that light goes out." Joe said.


    Carli nodded and then pointed over to the mud demons "That and we''ve still got those to worry about. What are you thinking?"


    "I think our next move is getting to that beacon of light over there and figuring out what is." Joe said. "It''s the only thing other than this plateau that''s stood out so far."


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon."How do you propose we get there?"


    "I think we should take some time to figure out how we can use these runes. The..." Joe paused before continuing. "...Muddy Buddies, didn''t seem to like that light that you cast earlier. Looks like that''s our edge."


    Carli nodded again. "Let''s try it out then."


    Carli and Joe got to their feet, positioning themselves next to each other.


    "How about you start since you have a bit more experience with this." Joe prompted.


    "Alright." Carli said, while spreading her legs shoulder-width apart and thrusting her hand out in front of her. Closing her eyes she took in a deep breath then opened them. Nothing happened. Carli groaned in frustration and then punched outwards with her fist once more.


    "It''s no use." Carli said. "I don''t know how I did it before. But there has to be someway to use it manually without engaging in fight or flight."


    "Describe to me what was going through your head at the time." Joe said, looking at the ground as the lights grew dimmer.


    "I was scared for both of us." Carli answered. "The mud creatures had already caught up with us and I thought you were going to die."


    "But it wasn''t just fear was it?" Joe said. "Surely some other emotions must have been going through your head as well other than just survival."


    "Yeah, I guess I was pissed off too." Carli said.


    "Let''s work with that one." Joe said. "Get angry."


    "Um...I can''t."


    "What?" Joe leered confusingly at her. "What do you mean you can''t?"


    "I don''t know, I just don''t feel mad."


    "Okay we both know that your temper is almost as short as you are." Joe said.


    "I am not that short." Carli remarked.


    "Oh yeah?" Joe said. "Is that why they didn''t let you on that roller coaster yesterday?"


    "I told you hundred times, that wasn''t because of my height! I left because I ate some bad nachos and I wasn''t feeling well." Carli said sharply, before taking a soothing breath and crossing her arms. "You''re going to have to try alot harder than that cause I''m far from pissed."


    "Well that''s good, cause then you won''t be upset when I admit that I was the one who puked on the floor of your old apartment during that party you held."


    "You what!?" Carli exclaimed.


    "Oh boy..." Joe said, taking several steps back.


    The rune on Carli''s arm began to glow brighter.


    "God damn it, Joe!" Carli seethed as the light around her began to expand. "Thanks to you I lost my entire security deposit!"


    Joe ducked behind the rock as the flash of light when off. Moments later, Joe poked his head out from cover. "Great. Well now we know how that works."


    Carli leered at him for a long moment before taking a deep breath to cool off.  "Alright then." she said. "Your turn. I think your eyebrows are crooked-"


    Joe held up a hand. "I don''t need any help getting angry."


    Joe exhaled slowly and mimicked Carli''s mannerisms. He tried to use the rune to no avail.


    "It''s no use." Joe concluded. "It''s not working."


    "Maybe you didn''t get angry enough." Carli suggested.


    "Trust me I was."


    "What were you thinking about?"


    "When you lost the hard drive with all of my pirated movies on it."


    Carli sharply inhaled through bared teeth. "Tsss. Yeah, I''m still sorry about that..."


    Joe waved a dismissive hand. "It''s whatever. Maybe the trigger for my rune isn''t anger."


    "Hmm." Carli pondered, before suddenly jumping with glee. "Oh, I know!"


    Joe scanned the environment again. The shadows stretched even further. Very little light was left on the plateau.


    "Maybe its when you''re pressed to find an answer." Carli said. "You always find creative solutions to things, maybe the answer''s there."


    "I think if that were it I would have used it already." Joe said pointing to the dimming light of the plateau. "Cause I''m pretty pressed now. Let''s get ready."


    "Right." Carli nodded. "So what''s the plan?"


    "When the light finally gives out on the plateau, we''re going to wait for the Muddy Buddies to try and swarm us. You''re going to blast em'' with a beam of light and then we''re going to make a break for that Beacon over there."


    "Sounds like a plan." Carli said. "You ready?"


    Joe nodded.


    The light shining from the plateau finally gave out. The Mud Creatures suddenly began to run towards them. Joe and Carli prepared themselves.


    "Alright, close your eyes." Carli said. "I''ll shout go when you can open them."


    Joe nodded and closed his eyes. Carli stared ahead; the rune on her arm began to glow brighter. Yellow light poured out of her eye sockets; she clenched both fists and crossed them over her chest. As the Mud Creatures began to circle them she released both arms, unleashing a flash of light stunning the Mud Creatures. The light subsided shortly afterwards.


    "GO!" Carli yelled.


    Joe opened his eyes and the two of them bolted down the alley. By the time the Mud Creatures had recovered from the blast, Joe and Carli were already halfway down to the ground.


    Carli looked behind her. "We''ve got the lead on them."


    "Let''s hope we can get a lead on that next." Joe said between breaths as he pointed to the waning Beacon in the distance.


    "It shouldn''t be that much farther. Come on, Joe." Carli encouraged. "You can make it."


    "Unlike you I didn''t run cross-country in high school." Joe panted.


    "That was middle school." Carli corrected. "And I was only on the track team, not cross-country. Besides we''re almost halfway there. We''ll make it."


    "Oh no." Joe began. "I take back what I said earlier."


    "What is it?" Carli said.


    Joe pointed. "Near the Beacon, to the left."


    Onwards behind the Beacon was another rock formation leading into a cave. Out of the cave emerged an enormous figure with 6 spider-like legs, along with a body entirely caked in dirt surrounded by an entire flock of Mud Creatures. The enormous creature leaped out onto the plains at an immense speed headed towards Carli and Joe.


    "WHOA!" Carli screamed in awe. "I told you they have a king!"


    "Ugh, Carli please."


    "Sorry." Carli apologized immediately. "What do we do, Joe?"


    "I''m thinking, I''m thinking." Joe repeated.


    The King was approaching closer and closer. Carli clenched a single fist as her eyes glowed again before throwing another bolt of blinding light at the creature.


    "Joe!" Carli called out again. "It''s not working!


    "I know!" Joe said.


    The King took another step towards the pair. Joe''s entire body froze the moment the leg of the giant monster hit the ground. Reality began to bend around him in an instant. Golden light completely flooded his vision and time slowed into a blur. But while time slowed, he didn''t, his presence began to ascend rapidly. Before he knew it he was in the sky looking down upon everything. He tried to move his head around but it was as if his body wasn''t there. As if he was a transparent entity or maybe not even an entity at all. He turned his attention downward, and as he did, his presence focused in on it, like a camera entering zoom. He saw Carli along with everything else. The Mud Creatures tailing the King, the ones behind him and Carli, and even himself. He looked at the King and took a moment to analyze all of its body parts. He shifted his perspective underneath it and noticed a black, jewel-like object beneath its stomach. After seeing it, Joe heard a loud voice echoing across the area calling his name. He turned his awareness back to his body and attempted to syncronize with it. In a mere moment he was back. Time sped back to its normal cadence. Joe was standing back on the ground of the world filled with red skies. He looked down at his arm. The diamond-patterned rune on his arm was glowing a bright red before its shine began to fade away once again. Joe turned his attention back onwards.


    "Joe?" Carli said, waving a hand in front of his face. "You good?"


    Joe turned to Carli. "Get beneath it."


    "What?" Carli questioned.


    "You heard me. Just do it." Joe said. "Trust me."


    Carli produced a reluctant sigh before running straight forwards and diving directly under the creature''s stomach.


    "Shoot the black gem under its stomach!" Joe instructed.


    Carli obeyed, closing her eyes for a long moment before opening them again and blasting a shot of light directly into the black gem. Upon making contact with the underbelly the King let out an ear-deafening schreech and then began to tilt to the side before collapsing onto the ground next to Carli. Joe ran over and extended a hand to her, hoisting her up to her feet. They both broke into a sprint again. The entire world became enveloped in darkness, all but the faint light of the Beacon as it dimmed nearly to the size of a pedestal. Though it was hard to see anything in the darkness, the sounds of the hellish fiends surrounding them were still apparent, like the voices of a thousand demons calling out from the shadows of hell.


    "Carli!" Joe called out in peril. The Beacon diminished to the size of an apple.


    Admist the darkness suddenly there was light as Carli activated her rune again. The flash revealed everything for the briefest of moments. She looked back. Joe was on the ground surrounded by Mud People with Carli standing within arm''s reach of the Beacon as it continued to evaporate. In a split second, Carli extended her foot back. The moment Joe grabbed hold of it, Carli immediately made contact with the Beacon, sucking them both into the vortex as it vanished into nothing.


    ***


    The two fell several feet from the air onto the filthy ground of the gas station bathroom.


    Joe looked around him, touching his chest and other parts of his body as if to assure himself that they were real. He then turned to Carli.


    "You alright?" He asked.


    Carli nodded to him then pushed air out of her cheeks. "I never thought I''d feel so happy to be back in this dingy gas station bathroom again."


    Joe nodded back to her. "Me either."


    "Is your rune still there?" Carli asked.


    Joe rolled up his sleeve for both of them to see. Nothing there but his own skin.


    "What about you?" Joe asked rolling his sleeve back down.


    Carli extended her arm forward. Nothing.


    "Interesting." Joe commented.


    A banging occurred on the door catching the pair unaware.


    "What''s taking so long?" The voice on the other end  "Other people have to piss too you know?"


    "Come on." Joe said. "Let''s get out of here."


    Carli and Joe opened the door and exited. A woman waited outside.


    "Oh." The woman smiled upon seeing them. "That''s why."


    "Up yours." Carli said, extending her middle finger at the other woman as she entered the bathroom. Then she swore. "Damn it."


    "What?" Joe asked.


    "I never got the chance to actually use the restroom."


    ***


    Joe and Carli walked down the gas station aisles. Joe produced a sigh of relief and then removed the baseball cap from his head. Carli pulled out her ponytail, allowing her frazzled hair to fall down wildly over her face.


    "Joe..." Carli beckoned, tugging on Joe''s arm.


    "What?" He asked.


    "See that woman over there whose getting her stuff checked out at the cash register?"


    Joe nodded.


    "When I first walked in, she was at the end of the line."


    "What?"Joe asked. "Are you sure?"


    Carli nodded.


    "Then that means its only been 5...maybe 10 minutes absolute max. In that world it felt more like 30." Joe said, grabbing a plastic basket and reaching for a big package of flavored tortilla chips.


    "Explains what?" Carli asked, grabbing a pair of Twinkies, tossing them into Joe''s basket.


    "When I went in, there was a bit of a delay before you got there. Time must run a bit faster in that world."


    The two walked over to the refridgerated section. Joe grabbed a few 16 oz water bottles but Carli stopped him.


    "Don''t get Ice Mountain." Carli said, replacing the bottles.


    "Why not?"


    Carli shrugged her shoulders. "I dunno, something about spring water just doesn''t taste good."


    "Okay." Joe shrugged and grabbed two bottles of Dasani instead, then made his way towards the cash register.


    "I''m going to grab a slushie real quick." Carli said. "I''ll meet you in the car."


    "Okay." Joe said to her before approaching the counter.


    "Pump 12?" The cashier confirmed.


    Joe nodded, handing him the card. "And a 24oz slushie too. I tried using card, but it kept on declining."


    "Yeah, that pump''s been acting up recently." The clerk said. handing him his receipt and debt card. "Here you go."


    "Thank you." Joe said, accepting the bag of snacks and exiting the store.


    Joe returned to the car, placing the bag of snacks in the passenger seat.


    "What was that anyway?" Carli said, leaning against the car side.


    "No idea." Joe said, selecting mid-grade before grabbing the gas nozzle. "Maybe a pocket dimension or something."


    "Pocket dimension?" Carli questioned, taking a sip from her slushie.


    "It''s like another dimension only smaller." Joe said, making a tiny space between the fingers of his free hand as he placed the nozzle into the gas tank of the Toyota.  "My question is what was one doing in the middle of the woman''s bathroom?"


    "Maybe an eldritch demigoddess really needed to shit and decided to see what it was like to use a normal toliet." Carli suggested.


    Joe arched an eyebrow at her. "So you know about Lovecraft nomenclature but don''t know about pocket dimensions?"


    Carli shrugged. "I had to read Lovecraft for a class."


    The gas nozzle clicked. Joe removed it from the tank of the car and returned it to the dispenser.


    "What I''m really trying to wrap my head around is those monsters though." Joe said, opening the door to the Toyota and entering the driver''s seat. "What were they?"


    "I told you." Carli said, entering into the passenger seat. "They''re Muddy Buddies."


    "You know what I mean." Joe said, reaching into the snack bag for a Dasani.


    "I have a theory about it." Carli said, taking another sip from her slushie.


    "Go on." Joe said, doing the same with his water bottle.


    "Well what if that dimension was an abstract manifestation of the environment."


    "Come again?" Joe asked.


    "Think about it." Carli said. "We were in a filthy gas station bathroom and what was one of the first things we found in that world?"


    "Filthy monsters." Joe answered.


    "Correct." Carli said before continuing. "And those creatures were allergic to whatever that plateau was made of."


    "Wait, are you saying that the plateau was a manifestation of the bar soap that was on the sink?"


    Carli nodded.


    "Huh." Joe said, opening the bag of chips. "Now that I think about it that does make a little sense. And it explains the runes as well."


    Carli nodded as she reached for a chip. "That was what I was thinking too. By the way, how did you know about the weak spot on the King?"


    "It was when I activated my rune." Joe said.


    "You actually managed to activate it?" Carli said.


    Joe nodded. "For a brief moment yeah, and I think you were right about the whole "being under pressure" thing because it happened right as we were facing the King."


    "What was it like?" Carli asked.


    "It felt strange." Joe began. "Like time had frozen and I was in the third person looking down at everything. My body was completely gone too. The whole time it felt alot like I was inside of a camera to be honest. But it wasn''t just viewing. I felt that I had somewhat of an insight onto everything I was looking at too. And that''s how I knew that damaging the gem would work."


    "Whoa." Carli said, opening the Twinkie package. She extended one to Joe. "I never felt any of that while I was using the light magic. The whole time I was just trying to blast everything to bits."


    "Sounds like you." Joe said as he bit into the Twinkie. "And I''m glad for it. Honestly you did most of the work out there."


    "I wouldn''t sell yourself short." Carli said biting into her own Twinkie. "You helped me figure out how to use my rune afterall."


    Joe smirked. "By making you positively livid."


    A smile bloomed on Carli''s lips. "And with strategizing."


    "Well, I think I''ll have a chance to showcase my supreme strategizing skills out on the road today."Joe gathered up the trash from the snacks into the plastic bag. "Ready to go?"


    Carli nodded. "Yeah, I feel better now."


    "Not for long." Joe smirked. "I''m positive that slushie''s going to make you have to piss again later."


    "Just shut up and drive."

 Bloodsport

    The beating of hooves sounded off like rumbling thunder as the pair of riders raced through the woods, desperate to distance themselves from the Militia who weren''t far behind.


    "Come on, Duke. Pick up the pace." Mylan called back. "Unless you want the Militia to turn you into food for the maggots."


    "You grabbed the fast horse." Duke replied.


    "No need to blame the horse for your awful riding." Mylan jeered.


    "Maybe if you''d let me focus, I''d ride much faster." Duke spat then glanced behind him. "They''re gaining on us."


    "Ride faster then, slow poke." Mylan taunted again. A peeling noise could be heard. "Give your horse a kick. She''ll speed u-"


    "Did you hear that?" Duke interrupted, looking behind him.


    "Yes the hooves are quite loud." Mylan responded impatiently. "Eyes forward, Duke. The slope ahead is steep."


    Duke caught a glimpse of one of the Militia riders notching an arrow to a bow.


    "Stop worrying about them and focus on clearing this hill-"


    "Mylan! Look out!" Duke cried.


    The arrow flew forward, finding its mark. Mylan flew off of his horse once the arrow connected with his side, sending him tumbling down the hill.


    "Shit!" Duke exclaimed before accelerating to catch up with the rolling Mylan. Duke''s horse took off running from the moment he dismounted, just as Mylan''s had.


    Mylan didn''t say a word. Duke couldn''t imagine the amount of pain he was in at the moment, but the broken arrow shaft protruding from his ribs gave him an idea. Duke''s hopes soured. With the Militia hot on their tails and Mylan''s injury, they wouldn''t make it far. Not with both of the horses gone.


    Duke looked ahead. Past the bottom of the hill, he spotted a large wooden shack with a fenced garden. If running wasn''t an option then perhaps they could hide. It wouldn''t protect them for long if they were to take shelter there, and they would have to deal with whoever was inside swiftly, but it would at least buy them a few minutes before the Militia could intercept them.


    "Come on, friend." Duke said, hoisting Mylan onto his shoulder as he made his way towards the shack. "Don''t fret. There''s shelter just over there."


    Duke laid Mylan next to the door of the shack then kicked it open, keeping his sword ready. The inside of the shack was littered with an assortment of various items. Herbs hung from the ceiling along with several other surrounding plants. Tall stacks of old books. Shelves filled with glass vials, jars, and flasks. Some were empty while others were filled with colorful unknown liquids. The inside was crowded, but no person was in sight.


    Duke removed the clutter from one of the tables then went to retrieve Mylan, gently laying him on top of the table while allowing the arrow to hang over the side.


    "Duke." Mylan uttered weakly, "It hurts so much."


    Duke frantically scanned around the shack for something, anything that might help with the wound.


    "I''m not going to make it." Mylan concluded. "You need to leave before they get to-"


    "Shut up." Duke snapped, cutting Mylan''s words short as he rummaged around the shack. "You are not going to die. At least not before you help me get to the city. You still owe me a drink, shitstain."


    "Are you seriously still on about that?"


    "Yes!" Duke exclaimed. "We would have never gotten drafted if you hadn''t tried to steal that keg of ale!"


    "Hey, you didn''t have to help me." Mylan pointed out. "Just like you don''t have to help now if you don''t want to die along with me."


    "You''re not going to die." Duke reiterated. "Just keep breathing and try to relax. I''m going to get you patched up and then we''re going to get the hell out of here."


    "And how do you plan to do that?" Mylan countered. "You have little more than a minute before the Militia get here."


    "Herbs, flasks," Duke began, then gestured around him. "Books everywhere. This place looks like it might belong to an alchemist. Maybe there''s something here that can help you. Like a tonic, or an elixir, or..."


    "Or a poison." Mylan stated stoically.


    The sound of the hooves grew louder.


    "Damn it." Duke swore, then proceeded to grab a small red vial from off of the nearby shelf and rushed over to Mylan. " Here. Drink this."


    "I''m NOT drinking that." Mylan said. "Do you even know what it is?"


    "You''re about to die in seconds anyway. We should at least try, on the insanely off chance that it might actually work."


    "Oh and here I thought I wasn''t going to die." Mylan mocked, producing a scowl.


    "Drink!" Duke said, forcing the vial into Mylan''s mouth.


    Mylan gagged as he swallowed the contents of the vial. Mylan went silent after consuming the vial of red liquid.


    "How do you feel?" Duke inquired.


    "Cold." Mylan said, eyes fluttering shut.


    "Whoa, Whoa!" Duke said, snapping his fingers in front of Mylan''s face. "Keep those baby-blues open."


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Mylan said nothing.


    "Mylan!" Duke shook him.


    Still nothing.


    "Mylan?" Duke grimaced. "You still there, old friend?"


    Duke dismayed as Mylan became unresponsive. He was certain that it wasn''t the arrow that had killed him, it wouldn''t have ended him so suddenly. No, rather it was from the potion that he had forced him to drink. He had caused his friend''s death.


    The sound of hooves and boots hitting the ground grew louder. Duke drew his long sword and readied himself for what was to come.


    The door busted open as the Militia entered. Duke took the first warrior by surprise before he could fully enter the doorway, slashing him across the chest with his longsword and pushing him out with a slam of the door. Duke repeated the process for three more men, not allowing even an inch of leeway between the soldiers and the doorway. Duke threw his body weight against the doorway as the Militia began to ram it from their end. The door budged as Duke''s strength faltered, knocking him to the floor. The Militia men entered, one of them took the lead and engaged Duke. Duke brought his sword up to meet the soldier''s. He countered the first swing of the soldier''s sword but not the second. Duke recoiled to the back corner of the shack after the soldier sent his sword flinging out of his hands. The soldier closed in on him, raising his sword to strike once more. Duke shut his eyes and braced for the end.


    Two bodies landed on the floor with a massive thud, accompanied by a hoarse scream of pure terror. Duke''s eyes were still closed, but he could hear the soldier''s boots as he turned to face what was behind him. Within moments he too was crying out in horror.


    Duke opened his eyes. He looked around. Fresh blood soaked the floor. He caught one last glimpse of the soldier who had disarmed him look up in terror before being dragged back into the shadows.


    A figure emerged within the darkness, saturated in blood. Duke took several steps backwards from it. He ran into the table behind him and then ran into a realization along with it once he noticed it was empty. Instead of distancing himself, Duke approached the figure at the other end of the room.


    "Mylan?" Duke inquired.


    The figure in the darkness growled in response, but remained in place.


    Duke nodded. He went across the room to recover his sword, then approached the doorway, opening it slightly. Duke took position a few paces in front of it and then nodded to the darkness once more.


    The door opened as four more soldiers entered the shack. The first soldier had a crest shaped medal attached to his chest accompanied by a firm, steely, gaze. Duke waited for him to approach before engaging. The soldier forced Duke into the back wall of the shack, raising his blade to strike. Duke intercepted the sword with his own, locking both weapons into a clash.


    The figure in the dark roared again then snatched one of the other three men by surprise. The second soldier let out a cry of fury and dove into the darkness towards the figure. The figure clashed with the second. Not much was visible, but the tumbling between the two individuals could be heard. Eventually the fight made it into the light as the soldier threw the shadow figure onto the ground with a powerful slam. Before long the soldier had him pinned in an inescapable grapple. Mylan let out an ear-piercing shriek as the light met his face, relentlessly convulsing with all his might against the soldier''s ironclad grip over him, like an insect in the spider''s web. Doing anything within his power to get back to the dark.


    Mylan''s piercing scream prompted the soldier attacking Duke to look back for the briefest of moments. Duke took advantage of the distraction and shoved the soldier back causing the crest medal to fall from his chest. Duke held his blade at a low guard and charged full speed at the second soldier. He planted his feet just before reaching the soldier, using the momentum of his charge to pivot his blade into a swing towards the enemy''s neck, lobbing its head into the adjacent wall. The dark figure screamed in anguish, retracting from the light upon being freed. Duke took up a position in front of it, directing opposing the two remaining soldiers.


    Duke pointed at the severed head. "If you don''t want to end up like him. Or them." Duke continued, gesturing towards the other bleeding bodies on the floorboards. "I suggest you turn back now."


    The other soldier turned tail and ran out the door in an instant while the remaining soldier stayed firm, readying himself to attack.


    Duke gripped his sword in response. "Don''t do it."


    The soldier grunted through gritted teeth.


    "So you''re a Lieutenant, eh?" Duke commented, pointing to the fallen crest on the floor where the two of them had clashed. "That explains the bravery."


    Another hiss emitted from the darkness. The soldier was startled initially but chose to maintain his posture, bold but nonetheless still frightened.


    "You know, my friend here never left any of his victims alive long enough to see what would happen after he bit them." Duke began. "I wonder if they''ll end up just like him."


    The soldier produced a sigh of reluctant surrender, tossing his sword to the side in defeat before reluctantly facing the door.


    "Grab the head." Duke ordered.


    The soldier grimaced but obeyed. He exhaled sharply in pure perplexion as he picked the head up from the floor then proceeded out of the shack.


    Duke shut the door to the shack after the lieutenant left and approached the shadow figure''s corner of the room.


    "Sorry about that. Didn''t mean to frighten you." Mylan croaked, slightly poking his head out. "I''d show my face, but the light hurts."


    "Nevermind that." Duke said. "How do you feel?"


    "Thirsty. My throat feels like I ate a bucket of sand." Mylan answered.


    "And your wound?" Duke asked.


    "Better than my throat." Mylan said. "It sealed right up after I fed on those soldiers. Might be a bit of arrow that''s still stuck inside me though."


    "You''ll live. Alright, maybe we should just rest here for now." Duke suggested. "If they come back through the door again, we''ll be ready to flank them. WIth your new strength we should be able to take them."


    "Sounds good to me." Mylan sighing out of fatigue as he leaned against the wall.


    An hour passed since the two men had heard the thunderous hooves of the Militia horses or the footsteps from their soldiers.


    Mylan began extending a cautious finger towards the light.


    "I wouldn''t do that if I were you." Duke warned, looking out of the window. "Just wait it out. Maybe the effects will wear off."


    Mylan nodded, retracting his hand.


    Duke turned away from the window. "There''s no sight of them. Everything looks clear outside. I think your fangs managed to scare them off. For now at least."


    "What do you think that potion was that you gave me?"


    Duke picked up the vial from off of the floor and inspected it. "Vampire blood, maybe?"


    "Maybe." Mylan said, then produced a sigh of discontent. "Well, now what? It doesn''t look like the Militia will be coming back anytime soon, but we have a new problem now. The horses escaped with our money. Even if we managed to make it to the city harbor without them, we still won''t have enough to buy a ticket away from this miserable place."


    Duke slowly shifted his gaze from the vial in his hands to a pile of burlap sacks in the corner then smiled. "I don''t think that''ll be an issue."


    "Eh?" Mylan questioned.


    Duke grabbed one of the burlap sacks filled with potatoes and emptied them onto the floor.


    Mylan sighed and rolled his eyes. "Duke, what are you doing?"


    "Reach out with your hand again." Duke said.


    "Why?"


    "Just do it."


    "Alright." Mylan shrugged.


    Mylan reached forward, placing his hand into the light of the windowsill. Nothing happened.


    "No burn." Mylan reported, "I can''t feel my fangs either."


    "So the effects are temporary..." Duke mused.


    "Duke, you''d better start making sense." Mylan grumbled.


    "Didn''t you say that the first thing you wanted to do once we escaped was to start a business?"


    "Yes, but I hardly see how that applies here." Mylan said, puzzled.


    "How much do you reckon a man would pay to experience life as a vampire for just an hour?" Duke questioned. He then took one of the flasks from off of the shelf and dangled it in his hand. "Or maybe a dragon, who knows?"


    Mylan''s expression went from confused to enlightened. "I think you''re onto something."


    "Are you thinking what I''m thinking?" Duke smiled.


    "Black market?" Mylan smiled back. "Fuck yes."

 Dwelling Black

    "Come to us." It spoke to me. The voice that no one knows from the depths that no one sees. It wasn''t the first time I head it''s chilling voice. I had been hearing it since I was eleven on the day when I nearly brutalized my schoolmate. I had ignored it ever since. And now it whispers to me once again.


    The shadows began to dance along the walls around my room, twisting into dreaded amalgamations of hands, horns, tails, and fangs.


    "Come to us." It repeated. "Come down to us."


    I got up from bed and dressed myself for public. I didn''t make myself breakfast. I already knew there was no food in my kitchen. I opened up a drawer to my dresser on the way out. Only 6 silver left. Enough to pay for what I wanted on my final day of life.


    ***


    I took my silver coins and left for the quarry. I stripped quickly and leaped into the pool as soon as I got there. Cold waters accepted me with open arms. I felt my mind ease as I sunk into them. I let my head along with the rest of my body fully submerge into it, as if to purify me of all the bad thoughts.


    I opened my eyes to a sea of evanescent skulls. They swarmed me in an instant. I was too petrified by the sight to even move. I glanced down to see two glowing skeleton arms wrapped around my legs.


    I immediately brought my gaze up to the sunlight piercing through the water and began to push my arms into motion. Not so much swimming, but moreso grasping to pull the surface towards me.


    I gasped for air as soon as I broke out of the water. Relieved simply to be breathing. When I looked back down into the surface I saw nothing. No skeletons, no bones...nothing.


    No rest for the weak, I concluded. It seems the bad thoughts would be my company for today. I climbed out of the water, dressed myself and made my way over to the tavern.


    ***


    I was the first one to arrive at the tavern, when it was just opening. Upon entering, I sat down at a random table. A woman emerged immediately to take my order.


    "Hello, my name is Ralla." The serving girl greeted then looked me up and down. "Would you like some food?"


    "No?" I asked. "Why would I need that?"


    "You look like you haven''t eaten in weeks." She said.


    I shrugged and replied. "It won''t matter soon anyway."


    Ralla nodded in agreement. "What would you like to drink?"


    "Lager, please." I answered.


    "How much?"


    I reached into my pockets and dropped the six coins onto the table. "However much this gets me."


    Ralla looked down at the coins. "You look like someone who needs more than just lager." She said, taking a single coin from the table and leaving.


    She returned shortly with a tiny glass of ink-black liquid.


    "What''s this?"


    "Drink it." She said. "If you don''t like it I''ll bring you some lager."


    I shrugged. "I''m not opposed to trying something new."


    I choked as soon as I took a sip, the taste was so intense. I coughed hard the moment it went down. I had never tasted anything that bitter in my entire life.


    "Oh, I''m really sorry." The server immediately apologized. "I should have just warned you about how strong it was-"


    "No, no, it''s fine." I said, coughing again. "Do you have any more?"


    "Umm," Ralla said, almost puzzled. "Yeah, we do. We actually have a lot of that in the back. No one really likes to drink it so I wouldn''t mind just giving it to you for cheap."


    "Thank you." I appreciated, sliding another coin her way. "Could I have a lager to go with it as well?"


    "Sure." Ralla said, accepting the coin. "I''ll get that for you right away."


    She disappeared to the back again. I took another drink, finishing the glass of...whatever it was that she gave me. I didn''t even know what it was. It didn''t taste like any beverage I had consumed before. I could have been drinking poison for all I knew, but I didn''t care. I knew it would get me drunk beyond the stars. I was already feeling it by the time she returned with two more glasses.


    "Here you are." She said, setting the glasses down.


    "What is this called anyway."


    "It''s made from a plant called Drifting Lily." Ralla answered. "But here in the tavern we just call it a Buster."


    "Hm." I said, downing the next glass. I could already feel my balance starting to shift. If I wasn''t in this chair I''d probably be on the floor.


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.Ralla scoffed. "I''m surprised you like it that much."


    "Yeah." I said, washing my mouth with the lager she brought me.


    The doors opened as another man entered the tavern. A man of moderate stature with a long coat and the scabbard of a sword strapped to his side. Overall he wasn''t incredibly intimidating but he still commanded some degree of presence, certainly more than I would.


    When he took a seat at one of the empty tables, the serving girl turned back to me. "I''ll be back to you in a bit after I''ve finished with this gentleman."


    I nodded in response as she left my table to attend to the new patron. I took another sip of my drink.


    "Come down to us." The voices from beneath the floors whispered to me again. "Come back down to us."


    Damn it. And just when thought that I had finally managed some peace and quiet. I kept my head down and took another long drink from my lager, nearly downing the entire thing. Fuck this life. Fuck this mind and body. I came to this tavern to do one thing and that''s what I''ll do.


    "Come to us. Come to us. Come to us." A familiar voice reiterated.


    "Shut up." I uttered out loud.


    The floor screeched as the man slowly turned his chair to face me. "Something you want to say to me?"


    I looked away, finishing my beverage without sayin anything.


    "If you''ve got a problem with me then say it." He beckoned.


    "I have no quarrel with you." I said, my fingers blushing around the empty glass of lager.


    The man stood up and took a few steps towards me. "Out with it then."


    "Sit down, coward." I warned. "Don''t start things you can''t finish." I felt the rage bubbling from the depths of my stomach. It took everything I had to push it down. I''m out of drink...


    "Don''t think you can just insult me..."


    He placed a hand on my shoulder. Too late. I felt everything rise up in a second like a volcano erupting from a bottle. The glass shattered in my hands. I shoved his hand aside and immediately pierced him in the side of the neck with the broken glass. He winced in a second before toppling to the ground. I stood up from the chair, my shadow looming over his body.


    The glass shard turned to ruby as I clenched it in my hand.


    "Do it." The voice said. "Cross that line."


    The shard fell out of my hand, landing on the floor with a thud. My emotions cooled as my gaze met his innocent eyes. The volcano of rage in my gut had transformed into an ocean of shame that was soon to pour out in rivers from eyes if I didn''t leave now.


    "Are you...okay?" Ralla asked. I felt her gaze lowering to my hand.


    "Keep the change." I said, walking out of the tavern.


    A single teardrop left from my eye. I wiped it away in an instant as I closed the door to the tavern.


    "What do I need to do?" I asked.


    "Go back." The voice instructed. "Return back to where it all started. We''ll be waiting."


    I let out a repressed sigh and began to walk.


    ***


    I took the trail from the forest back to my home. I went into my house and removed one of the wooden planks from the floor and then reached to pull out the tiny box underneath.


    The box contained my mother''s heirloom. I had kept it with me long after she passed from this world. The day she had given the heirloom to me I started hearing the voices, the same day I had nearly killed my classmate for making fun of my teeth for being crooked at school. Ever since I''ve wanted to bury it for a long time and forget about it, but no matter how much I wanted to I could never bring myself to get rid of it. I had a feeling that I was about to find out why.


    I returned to the quarry after retrieving the box. It wasn''t long before the end and if I was to die it would be in the waters. I stripped down to my naked body again once I arrived, then opened the box and removed the heirloom from it. A silver pendant engraved with an intricate and swirlling design. I stared at it, mesmerized for several moments and then placed it over my neck before diving into the river.


    The scenery changed and I was enveloped into darkness from the moment I passed through the waters. The glare of piercing sunlight from above the surface slowly faded to black, shrinking smaller and smaller into darkness. I sank like a stone into the oblivion. After enough time passed I didn''t feel the waters around me any longer. I didn''t feel anything really. Almost like the opposite experience of what the Buster drink had done to me. When I drank that it felt like everything rushing in all at once. Instead this time I simply felt numb to the point of mindlessness.


    I emerged from the dark into a dim lit room with a throne at the other end of it. On the throne sat a mere sillouette of a woman. A shadow shaped in the form of a crown sat next to her.


    "We''re glad you can join us."


    "Where am I?" I asked the lady on the throne.


    "Where you belong." The shadow answered.


    I threw my hands in defeat. "Well, I''m here now. Isn''t that what you wanted all these years?"


    "Not what we wanted." She said. "What you wanted."


    "What do you mean me?"


    The sillouette waved a finger at me. "Don''t play coy. We all were there with you at the tavern. You enjoyed it."


    "No." I responded as my mind recollected the image of the man on the ground. "I feel nothing but shame for what I did."


    "If you were with us, you wouldn''t have to feel shame. For anything." The shadow on the throne said. "Nobody expects virtue from a devil."


    I fell silent for a long moment. The figure on the throne grabbed the crown and approached me. I looked up to her, the empty sillouette had transformed into a fully corporeal woman. She extended the crown to me. I turned away from it.


    "You can free us from shame too. Long have we waited for our ruler." She said, then leaned in closer to whisper in my ear. "Long have I waited for my king."


    I turned back to her, looking down at the crown and then towards the endless hordes of dark fiends before me, that stretched on forever.


    "No shame." She said, placing the crown into my empty hand.


    Taking in a deep breath I looked down at the crown in contemplation then placed it over my head. The moment it donned, the ocean of fiends bowed before me. I couldn''t help the smile of satisfaction that was slowly stretching across my lips. The Queen''s face mirrored it as I walked back to the other side of the room to take my seat at the throne.

 7000 Chemicals

    It was a dark and placid night. Grasshoppers chirped in the backyard. The boy in the red sweatshirt exited from the back door in a hurry, frantically checking behind him to ensure he wasn''t being watched. He continued onward.


    Shadows chased along the tree-lined horizon. Thick and brown, coagulated sap leaked from several trees; viscous bubbles slowly began to rise from the bog at the center of the forest, giving way to the emergence of a figure ascending from its waters, covered in thick black goo. It let out a viscious roar that carried all the way across the forest.


    The demons began to emerge. Thousands of malevolent creatures of the dark crawling out from every hole and every crevice of the forest, all headed towards a single direction.


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    The boy in the red sweatshirt lit a match. Simultaneously, flames emerged in the forest behind the creatures, their wicked and morphed faces revealed under the smoldering light for all to see. As the fires grew, so did the bloodthirst of the creatures. They all broke into a sprint from the clearing of the forest towards the back yard.


    The boy looked ahead in pure horror as they came for him. His soul was what they were after. To devour him. To take his young life for there''s.


    As the creatures all swarmed him in a wave, one by one they all transformed into smoke, all rushing into the open mouth of the boy.


    The boy in the red sweatshirt coughed out a cloud of smoke as the cigarette left his lips.


    "Everytime you smoke, there''s a toxic mix of over 7000 chemicals coming for you. That''s the real cost."

 The Caretaker Village

    "You didn''t fail, Kylo." Rey said standing up. "Kylo failed you. I won''t."


    Luke was shook as he looked back at the woman. How she stood with such conviction, the fierceness in her eyes. She had looked up to him with such admiration.


    Horns could be heard in the distance. Rey and Luke turned to the coast and investigated.


    Rey peered down at the island as the ships sped across the waters.


    "It''s a tribe from the neighboring island." Luke stated, joining Rey by the cliffside. "They come here once a month to raid and plunder the caretaker''s village."


    "Come on, we''ve got to stop them!" Rey said, breaking into a run.


    "Do you know what a true Jedi knight would do right now?" Luke asked, remaining as still as a statue by the cliff. "Nothing."


    "This is not a lesson, they''re going to get hurt! We have to help!" Rey protested.


    Luke turned back to her, the wind coursing through his hair. "If you meet that raiding party with force they''ll be back next month in greater numbers and with greater violence. Will you be here next month?"


    Rey turned from Luke back to the island. The ships were approaching closer.


    "That burn inside you," Luke said over Rey''s shoulder, "That anger thinking of what the raiders are going to do. The books in the Jedi library say ignore that, only act when you can maintain balance. Even if people get hurt."


    Rey broke away from Luke and began sprinting down the cliffside, "Rey, wait!" Luke''s voice trailed behind her.


    Rey vaulted over the edge of the cliff, using the Force to spiral down the rocks. She landed onto flat land with a thud. Rey broke into a full sprint, igniting her lightsaber as she ran. She couldn''t allow them to do this. How could Luke allow them to do this?


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    Rey let out a ferocious cry of war and slashed the bamboo gate apart, kicking the door open as she entered the village, ready for any and all resistance she would meet. She froze.


    The entire village was brimming with life and animation. A vibrant bonfire sat at the center of it, surrounded by the several huts that loomed over the fanatic caretakers adorned in bright lights. Lamps and torches further illuminated the encampment, while the "raiders" entered, bearing large beads and ropes. Loud music played in the background while everyone danced and celebrated.


    Everything broke into a dead silence as Rey broke through the gate. The caretaker''s faces produced gaping expressions as all of their eyes fixated on the woman ahead and the bright evanescent lightsaber that was raised above her head.


    Rey lowered her lightsaber up as her eyes scanned the encampment in both confusion and apprehension.


    One of the caretakers gestured to Rey with the rope.


    Rey''s eyes shifted from the caretaker to her lightsaber before looking back at the caretaker.


    The caretaker swung her rope again in response.


    Rey rolled her eyes and then proceeded to wiggle her lightsaber in the air.


    The caretakers cheered and life sprung back into the encampment. Rey exasperated as she disengaged her lightsaber. She turned her gaze over towards one of the huts in the encampment. In it sat both R2 and Chewbacca, surrounding a campfire endowed in beads and ropes.


    "Seriously?"


    ***


    The party and music continued as normal after Rey''s interruption. Luke stood by at a nearby balcony, staring off into the moonlit ocean while the festivities went on. Rey approached.


    "Raid and plunder?" Rey questioned, annoyed.


    "In a way." Luke replied with a shadow of a smile blooming on his lips.


    "Was this a joke?" Rey asked furiously.


    "Sorry, I didn''t think-" Luke burst, barely able to contain his giggles. "You ran so fast..."


    "I thought they were in danger. I was trying to do something." Rey said, her words edged with frustration.


    "And that''s what the resistance needs." Luke responded. "Not some old, failed husk of a religion. Do you understand now?"


    "I understand that across the galaxy our real friends are really dying!" Rey exclaimed, barely able to hold back the anger and pain from seeping into her voice. Luke frowned, saying nothing.


    "That old legend of Luke Skywalker that you hate so much¨C I believed in it." Rey spat bitterly. "I was wrong."


    Rey walked away. Luke watched her go.

 Bloodsport 2: Hunting Grounds

    The deep sky was blanketed with a plethora of heavy gray clouds, looming over a cold and still forest. A midnight moon hung low and close in the sky, even admist the endless amalgamation of dense, murky clouds, its piercing white light shined down to illuminate every region of the forest along with all of its inhabitants. In a clearing at the center of the forest, the hill sloped down into a shallow stream. Amongst all of the animals hiding from the deep of the night, a single deer found its way to the stream, dipping its head down to drink from its waters. Meanwhile, several yards away the woman named Meg was leaning up against a tree, hid behind its cover as she spied at the lonesome creature.


    Meg reached into the pocket of her sturdy, long coat, producing a vial of green liquid. She stared down at it hesitantly for a moment, but inevitably placed it back into her pocket. She then reached into her cloak, substituting the green vial for one of the four engraved daggers attached to her belt. Leaning ever so slightly out of cover, she clenched the dagger tightly in her hand, closed her eyes for a moment as she positioned herself in front of the deer. One of the three shapes engraved on the surface of the dagger, a rune at its center with three horizontal lines, began to glow with brilliant turqoise light. Moments later, energy surged through the knife, with ribbons of lightning coiling it like a snake, converging at its tip to form a cone around the blade. The static emitting from the blade crackled sharply. In the distance, the deer''s ear began to twitch.


    Meg flung the knife, sending the electrifed projectile slicing through the open air at top speed, but it was too late. The deer had already leaped out of the water, bolting away from the area in seconds as the dagger sailed harmlessly into the bed of the stream, casting a net of electricity across its surface. Meg swore audibly then proceeded to walk over to collect her knife.


    "Oh, so close." said a voice carried across the clearing. Meg turned around in an instant towards the direction of the voice, unsheathing a new blade from her cloak before recovering the one embedded in the stream.


    Meg looked up to see a woman with legs crossed sitting comfortably along a tree branch. With apple in hand, she stared down at Meg from atop the tree with a blank yet amused glance.


    "A fine night for hunting isn''t it?" She said, taking a crunch out of her apple.


    Meg said nothing, staring at the woman in the tree with cold caution in her eyes.


    "Do you prefer deer or rabbit?"


    Meg replied once again with silence.


    "Sheesh, I''m asking you that question as if you could catch either." She continued, taking another bite from the apple. "If you were actually capable of hitting something other than the river then maybe that question would apply to you."


    The woman tilted backwards and allowed herself to slide off from the high tree branch, turning her body upright during the vault as she descended. She landed from the 30-foot fall on her feet. Meg produced a slight twitch at the sound of the impact.


    "I mean all night you couldn''t catch a single thing." The other woman said as she began to walk forward. Meg took a step back from her, holding out the newly drawn blade at a reverse grip in front of her.


    "Would you give it rest and just end her already, Velle?" Another voice called out.


    Meg instinctively jumped, turning around to see another figure emerge from under the darkness. A man in a black cloak with his face hidden under its cowl along with a single-edged long sword strapped to his side.


    "You give it a rest." Velle shot back. "I''m not sharing the score with you, Majin. You''ve been coat tailing for too long now. Have you even managed to catch something during this entire season? Talk about pathetic. You''re barely a step above this one in skill." she continued, pointing at Meg.


    The one named Majin dipped his head low upon hearing Velle''s response. "I would like to leave soon. It''s late, it''s cold, and your words wound me."


    "Oh the baby wants to go home and cry over his inadequecies. Per usual." Velle replied. "Just tough it out like you try to do every night. Maybe if Carson pity''s you he''ll share."


    "No." Majin said, deflating even further. "You don''t know him at all if you think he shows pity."


    An enormous whooshing noise could be heard in the distance. Around the same time another black figure emerged, this one much larger and bulkier than Majin.


    "I don''t know what''s taking so long here. If you all want to leave, then leave." The new figure said, approaching the area. "Leave her to me if you lot are too chicken shit to do anything."


    "Hey, that''s what Majin said." Velle countered. "Don''t lump me in with him. I''d never lose to the likes of you, Carson."


    "Well you spent all of this time here. You clearly saw her, but chose not to do anything." Carson stated. "Seems to me like you were too scared to act so, yes, I think I will be lumping you in with the likes of Majin."


    "The likes of Majin is still within earshot." Majin cut in.


    "Shut it, lowlife." Carson and Velle said simultaneously.


    "Okay." Majin agreed, then turned to Velle specifically. "What''s the actual reason it took you so long anyway?"


    "Well you know..." Velle said as her eyes became fixated on Meg.


    Up above, some of the clouds in the sky began to part. At the same time, Velle''s mouth opened wide as she brought the apple to her face. The low moonlight shined down, revealing a set of ivory white fangs as they sank deep into the apple. Juice trickled down as Velle bit into the fruit, inviting a long slender tongue to trace across her chin before returning to her mouth.


    "...I love to savour the meal." She said.


    "Shall we make it a contest then?" Majin suggested. "To be the first to capture the human before 2 o clock?"


    "That sounds fine by me." Vella responded with a sinister smile stretched across her lips.


    Meg turned instinctively towards the three new foes appearing before her.


    Majin adopted Vella''s facial expression face as he slowly walked over to Meg. "Scared are we? Don''t worry. I''ll be gentle."


    Meg about-faced and instantly bolted in the opposite direction. Within moments she was already several yards ahead of them.


    "Oh how I love it when they run!" Carson exclaimed, exploding into a dead sprint; Vella and Majin darted forwards as well, following several yards behind Carson.


    Meg''s eyes didn''t stray from the path ahead. From how she moved her body one could tell that her thoughts were only of running. The crunching of leaves got louder and louder as the pursuers began to close the distance on her.


    "Over here, girlie." Carson screamed from behind. "I don''t bite."


    Meg dipped right and set her gaze straight ahead. A hundred yards away was a single white birch tree. Meg focused in and gripped her dagger tightly. Within moments the three-lined rune produced the same blue glow as before. Another cone of electricity surrounded the knife as Meg dove to the side and flung it at the birch tree. The lightning dagger soared forward like a bird, producing a whistling noise as it cut through the air in a straight-line before eventually sailing into the tree. Its energy fizzled out in an instant, causing smoke to lift from the black spot in the tree where the dagger made contact.


    Carson was closer now, merely yards away. Meg turned to face him, drawing her third knife into a reverse grip with both hands. With fangs bared, Carson took an enormous leap forward, rapidly closing the distance between them. The ''X'' shaped rune engraved into the top of the knife began to glow with light. Meg closed her eyes and took a deep breath inward then plunged the dagger down into the earth.


    Carson''s claws struck an inch from Meg''s face before the field of light surrounding her instantly emitted outwards. After the flash of brilliant light, Carson was immediately flung backwards, landing to the ground with a thud. Meg dropped the knife for a moment after Carson was stunned. Closing her eyes and pausing to reclaim her breath. At the same time, Majin and Velle were beginning to catch up as well.


    Meg focused once more as the two other vampires began to approach. Meg pulled out her last knife. The third and final rune, a ''C'' shape, on the knife began to glow. With another flash of light, Meg disappeared in an instant.


    "Where did she go?" Majin asked.


    "No idea." Carson answered, wiping the blood off of his brow. "Don''t care either. Is anyone even going to ask if I''m alright?"


    "You''ll be fine, you big baby." Velle answered.


    Majin walked over and removed the knife that was staked to the ground, manipulating it in his hand as he analyzed it.


    "What is the deal with these knives anyhow?" Majin asked. "What kind of tom-fuckery was that?"


    "That human''s got magic." Velle answered. "I think that much is pretty obvious don''t you think."


    "Great." Majin said. "A young magician. This is going to be too big of a hassle. We should just go."


    "Now just hang on." Velle said. "I''ve watched her all day. It''s clear that she can''t just keep using the spells over and over again. It takes alot out of her. And from what I''ve seen she only has three of the same runes on each knife."


    "So what do they do?" Carson asked.


    Velle held out her hand for the knife, Majin handed it to her. Upon recieving it she pointed to the rune at the center with the three stripes. "Well it looks like this one charges the blade with electricity increasing its lethal potential." Velle moved to the X-shaped rune. "This one looks like it creates a shield of some kind used defensively to repel attacks." then proceeded to the C-shaped rune. "And this one probably warps the user to another location."


    "Any idea where to?" Majin inquired.


    "She can''t have gone far. It can be reasonable to assume that the farther she travels the more stamina it consumes. Let''s split up and find her quick."Velle said. "I''ll carry the knife."


    The other two nodded in concurrence then proceeded to split off into three directions.


    ***


    With palms pressed firmly against the birch, Meg gasped desperately for breath. She leaned her body against the white birch tree, taking out the knife she threw at it earlier. Looking down at the ground. A single drop of blood fell onto a leaf. Meg felt her face with her hand then looked down to see the red along her fingertips. Carson''s attack from earlier must have managed to cut her before she warped. Meg stiffened. Out of the corner of her eye she could see a dark figure approaching and the loud crunching of footsteps in the distance. It didn''t appear to notice her, but that was likely to change in a matter of moments. No time to rest now; Meg prepared herself. Meg wiped the blood off her fingers then reached into her cloak again for the vial of green liquid.


    "Here goes nothing." She muttered to herself before unscrewing the cork and downing its contents.


    Several yards ahead the sound of footsteps grew less distant. Majin looked over to the white birch tree and noticed the blood running along its trunk. Majin smiled, unsheathing his sword.


    "Did Carson hurt you? Don''t mind him." Majin said. "Whenever Carson hurts me I always comfort myself. I can comfort you too, if you''d like."


    Majin stepped forward, surveying his surroundings. His nose twitched as he sniffed the air then averted his gaze down at the base of the tree.


    A branch snapped from above. Majin instinctively looked up as Meg descended from the adjacent tree. Majin snapped his sword arm up, intercepting Meg''s blade; the moment her feet landed on the ground, his sword was already in motion producing a barrage of precise cuts and slashes. Meg leaped back to distance herself and escape from the blows. Majin held his free hand out, motioning for her to come forward.


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    "Come on." Majin beckoned. "This wolf''s long since lost its bite."


    Meg darted towards Majin, blade in hand. Majin took his sword up into a defensive stance. Meg struck low towards his abdomen. Majin drove his fist down, deflecting the blade then cut swiftly with his long sword. Meg dipped backwards, causing the sword to produce a sharp whistle as it passed cleanly through the air in front of her chest. As Meg dipped she drove in for a counter strike. Majin blocked the blow.


    Meg lunged forward and kept slashing, grunting audibly in frustration as Majin deflected each and every one of her blows. Meg swiped left at him with her dagger but the vampire swatted it away once again, allowing his sword to lick along the flesh of Meg''s wrist. Meg winced in response; upon breaking her guard, Majin kicked forward with his leg at the opening he created, sending Meg spiraling backwards into the air before tumbling hard onto the ground.


    Majin sighed impatiently. "I can really see that you mean to give this your best effort."


    Meg groaned as she failed to get to her feet, she clutched her stomach tightly, then covered her mouth with her hand before leaning over and vomitting onto the ground. Meg weakly stumbled over onto her back, struggling to get back up.


    Majin produced another exassperated sigh. "You can''t be serious. Is that really all you''ve got? You disappoint me..."


    Majin took a few steps closer to her and lifted his sword up closer to his face examining the blood left on the blade from the wound he gave Meg. Gently, he dabbed his finger along the blade, then inserted it into his mouth. His eyes closed with splendor for a few moments before fluttering back open again.


    "Your blood is fresh." He said with relish. "Like strawberries."


    Majin gripped his sword with both hands once again and brought it high into the air. The blade fell like a guillotine. With precise timing, Meg twisted her body and managed to intercept the strike with her leg, kicking the flat of the sword with her boot and sending the blade spiraling in the opposite direction. With Majin''s weight suddenly thrown out of balance, Meg got to her feet, driving a clenched fist into Majin''s stomach and sending him flying backwards like his weapon. Landing on his feet he held his mouth with his hand and coughed. He looked down upon his hand to see blood.


    "Now I like that." Majin lips quivered as a smile stretched across his face. "You might make me sweat."


    Majin''s shadowy figure became a blur as he flew forward with blinding speed. But with equally impressive reflexes, Meg took a single step forward with her left leg as she flung the dagger forward in a split second, breaking his momentum completely. Majin''s body fell to the ground with a thud after the dagger pierced his chest. Majin tried to grab the dagger. At the same time Meg reacted faster. The three-lined rune on the dagger began to glow at the clenching of Meg''s fist. Majin''s entire body jolted as the electricity suddenly coursed through his entire body. A stream of smoke began to rise up from the body as Majin stilled. Meg walked over and collected her knife, but Majin let out one final cough before she could touch it.


    "Looks like you managed to get me afterall." Majin smirked. "I guess I should be thankful. Now this wolf can finally rest in peace."


    Majin''s eyes closed shut as the color seemed to drain from his entire body. Meg produced a harsh cough several times before letting out another viscous wrench as she vomitted onto the ground once more.


    Recovering, she coughed a few more times before pulling out the empty vial. "Ouf, that kicks like a mule." she said patting her stomach with a clenched fist. "Never ordering that at the tavern. Alright then. One down. Two to go."


    Meg crouched next to the dead vampire and grabbed the handle of the dagger while it was still in the body. The shine of the third rune glowed and she vanished in a flash of light.


    ***


    Carson traveled back to the forest clearing, sniffing like a hound as he scanned the area inquisitively. He immediately turned when his eye caught something in the distance. He approached the object and picked it up, immediately producing a groan.


    "Good lord." Carson muttered tossing Velle''s half eaten apple aside. "That woman has a horse beat."


    A splashing of water could be heard from the nearby creek.


    Carson flinched at the sound. Turning around he cracked his knuckles and carefully walked towards the creek. Carson saw a mass and quickly jumped towards it. Something in the water. Carson grabbed at it and turned it around. He gasped.


    Majin''s lifeless eyes looked up at him.


    "Majin..." Carson breathed.


    Up above, Meg charged the lightning rune into her dagger and lobbed it at Carson. The vampire wasn''t quick enough to dodge in time.


    "Gah!" Carson screamed in pain as the knife bit into him. He looked down as warm blood streaked out of the wound. He pulled out the dagger, throwing it to the ground.


    "It''s so cold..." Meg''s voice beckoned from beyond the stream in the forest clearing.


    Amidst the bleeding, Carson''s lips slowly creased into smile. Getting to his feet he pulled out the dagger and began walking towards the trees.


    "I could keep you warm, you know." He said, extending his hand in front of him. A ball of flame erupted from his opened palm.


    "Oh, I''m sure you could." Meg continued.


    A twig snapped. Carson immediately spun himself backwards and threw the fireball at a nearby tree. The entire trunk snapped in half as the fireball connected, combusting into splinters of wood.


    Carson chuckled slowly, "Little birdie knows how to play."


    "You can drop the act." Meg said. "You don''t have to pretend to be strong."


    "And what makes you think this is only an act?" Carson challenged.


    "I know you''re sad that I killed your friend..." Meg began. "Majin was it?"


    "It was only a matter of time before that dead weight became dead." Carson scoffed. "Hell, that sick bastard probably wanted you to kill him."


    Carson traveled deeper into the forest. Away from the faint light of the moon into the darkness. Another twig snapped in the distance in front of him. Carson threw a second ball of flames at it, destroying that one too. Then another and another until a new clearing was made in the forest. Finally Meg was visible at the center of it.


    "There you are." Carson said with delight, throwing an inferno of flames at her like a dragon''s breath. Meg held the blade out in front of her and activated the X-shaped ward rune, holding it steady with effort as the relentless combustion from Carson''s fire pounding against it. Carson stepped closer and closer as he forced Meg further into submission. She dropped the veil the moment her back was against a tree. At the same time Carson''s flames began to cease.


    "Nowhere left to hide." Carson stated, igniting the fire in his hands once again. "And I know that you''re low on magic too.I know it''s exhausting for you to use that knife of yours."


    "Not if I just use it to slice you up." Meg said.


    Carson scoffed. "I''m not like Majin. You won''t be able to even scratch me with that thing at close proximity."


    "Won''t know until we try will we?" Meg began, then grabbed the knife and proceeded to slit her palm with it, allowing the blood to trickle along her wrist.


    Carson licked his lips as the bloodthirst began to visibly take him over. He darted forward, fireball in hand. At the last moment Meg dipped to the right. As Carson came closer to the tree the light of his flames began to illuminate the tree and all of its features his eyes widened as he saw it.


    A three-lined sigil carved into the tree.


    Meg clenched her fist, remotely activating the sigil. Lightning surged outwards from the tree, creating a new fire along its trunk and completely incapacitating Carson in the same fashion as Majin.


    Carson muttered. "I should have seen that one coming." Carson muttered. "You''ve been warping this whole time, haven''t you? Just to get me to this spot?"


    "Bingo." Meg answered, squatting down next to him.


    "But how..." Carson said. "You can only warp to where your other daggers are..."


    "Now, now." Meg said, dangling the dagger left and right as if to shake her head with it. "Think it over."


    Carson stopped in hesitation for a moment and then his eyes widened. "If you used the lightning sigil then you could have also carved out warp sigils as well. And the only reason you would do that is because your other daggers aren''t with you-" He paused for a moment as the realization hit him. "Velle..."


    Meg plunged the dagger in between Carson''s eyes and then proceeded to warp again.


    ***


    "Great. Did those two idiots get lost." Velle uttered. "Whatever. That just means that I''ll kill the bitch myself."


    Velle stopped for a moment. She looked around for a moment in confusion but then pulled out the dagger from her belt.


    The C-shaped rune was glowing blue.


    Before she could even turn around Meg''s dagger was embedded into her back.


    "I''ll be taking that back thank you." Meg said, reaching slowly into Velle''s hands for the dagger. Velle fell to her knees the moment Meg removed the other knife from her back. She grunted in effort as she desperately crawled away from Meg.


    "I really thought you''d put up more of a fight." Meg sighed before getting in close and reaching for Velle''s collapsed body.


    Velle spun onto her back in an instant, peering directly into Meg''s eyes. The hunter froze as she met her gaze, becoming as still as a statue. Velle''s eyes slowly clouded into pure darkness like ink corrupting water. The world suddenly became swathed in seas of red color. Meg looked up to the sky to see a moon filled with blood and looked down to see Velle gone. Time became as deliberate as Meg''s body, with the falling leaves drifting down to the earth in slow motion as if stilled by the wind. The autumn leaves fell from their trees. As the first one came crashing down to the earth the collision could be heard from miles away like the deafening roar of thunder. The sound became increasingly distorted as the moment carried on, diluted by the stillness of time. Fire suddenly cast onto the grass from the moment the first leaf fell, spreading across its blades, extending to the adjacent shrubs, twigs and other greenery surrounding it. The falling leaves in the air that were yet to touch the ground also burst into flames as well. An apple hanging by a nearby tree was pulled to the earth by the relentless gravity, splitting perfectly in half from the moment it touched the ground before spontaneously erupting into an explosion of flame.


    Motion slowly returned to Meg''s limbs, gradually as she strained in resistance against the slow-motion but not with enough speed to escape the fast spreading flames. Meg''s eyes darted frantically, scanning for any escape from this sky of raining fire until she saw a figure in the distance standing next to a flowing river. The figure''s image was likely a blur at that distance, but its silloutte could still be seen. Meg darted towards it, her limbs moved slowly and fluidly as she were running underwater. She let out a deafening scream as the burning leaves came into contact with her body. She dived left, leaping onto the grass as another exploding apple fell to the ground next to her. The rapidly spreading flames began to chase her, devouring every blade of grass in its path, accelerating with every step that she took. The blurred figure in the distance began to notice Meg approaching, frantically attempting to move away from her and the path of fire following her. As she came into proximity, Meg instinctively leaped forward, tackling the figure and causing both of them to sink into the cooling currents of the river bank.


    Meg blinked. The red light of the blood moon had faded away, washing back into pure white. The flames around her had dissapaited, the grass turned back to green and time flowed once more, undistorted. Suddenly she was back in the clearing of the forest, standing over Velle after having knocked her to the ground, knife in hand, ready to plunge it into her. Velle''s eyes began to flood with black once more. Meg reacted instantly, activating the shield rune on her knife, causing Velle to violently jolt backwards as the ward clashed with her magic. Meg got close enough to grab hold of Velle, dropped the knife, and punched her square in the face. Then again. And again, until the only sound permeating throughout the silence of the still forest was the whip-like crack of Meg''s fist connecting with Velle''s flesh.


    The noise ceased. Meg let go of Velle''s collar allowing her body to fall limply onto the ground once again. The vampire''s face had swelled drastically, to the point where anyone could tell just by looking that it was a fight just for to keep a single eyelid open.


    "I have to say I''m impressed. I never expected you to get past my illusion." Velle commented before coughing up fresh blood. "Curious how a human could keep up with us. Even one with magic."


    Meg pulled out the empty vial from her long coat for Velle to see.


    "What is it?" She asked.


    "Beats me." Meg shrugged.


    Velle chuckled. "You drank a potion without even knowing what it is? Tsk-tsk. Bad move..."


    "It helped me kill you all didn''t it?"


    "True." Velle conceded. "You know for a shitty hunter you make an excellent murderer."


    "I love to savour the kill." Meg said before producing a scoff. "I''m not going to lie to you. It was extremely satisfying killing your friends."


    "What, Majin and Carson? Please." Velle scoffed. "As if those two could ever be considered my friends."


    "Pity that you''ll have to die alone then." Meg said before stabbing Velle in the throat.


    Meg looked down as Velle''s body became lifeless. The color drained from it, in the same manner as the other vampires. Cleaning off the blood from her knife, Meg looked up at the sky once again. All of the clouds had parted, allowing pale white light to wash down on her.


    "What a brilliant moon." She said.

 Falling Change

    I was enjoying a nice coke, on my front porch, in my old squeaking rocking chair, on a hot winter saturday. I had a whiskey sour along with my coke too. At least...I think it was a whiskey sour. Wait...what even is a whiskey sour? Is a whiskey that you filled with a handful of starbursts and jolly ranchers to dissolve in the night before count as a whiskey sour? Well anyhow that''s what I have on the table next to me. The weekends have been pretty peaceful as of late as well. Ever since the university students have left town for winter break. Mira used to always call it a hot winter since here in Florida our winter days only ever dip into the 50''s at most. Its not so much as a winter as it is simple break from the heat, and today was certainly a good break. Sky full of clouds. The heavens in overcast. And a nice breeze. A hot winter day at its finest. That''s what she always called it. At least when she was still here. I took a sip of my coke then elected for something stronger.


    Things were peaceful without the student traffic. Quieter. I could finally hear myself think without having to go to the library. The wait that I would usually have to spend in line to get my morning coffee seemed practically non-existent. The actual traffic on the road was gone too, which did wonders for my anxiety during drives. The bars were pleasant too. No more below 21 (not referring to age) bimbos with fake id''s coming in and ruining my pool table time. It was nice to be around the local townies for once and have a meaningful conversation about something other than football, memes, crypto or... ASMR mukbangs.


    As my piece of shit rocking chair produced a long, excited, shriek in protest to my leaning, I was painfully reminded of why I kept the stupid thing in the first place. She used to sit in my lap, stealing sips from my craft beers as we looked up to savour the last moments of darkness before the sky gave way to morning. I would always tell her to get her own. She would always say "okay" before tauntingly proceeding to chug my entire can as I struggled to pry it away from her. And then when it inevitably spilled all over me she would lean over and clean it up using her tongue. And then I would stare into her eyes for a long moment before kissing her. And then it would escalate into more than just kissing. Escalate onto the sofa first; then escalate up the stairs. Into the room of rest that made even time sleep. She would arrive at the same time as the sun. The pleasure would make her sing. The kind of delicate melody uttered by angels. A loud, piercing, cry. An excited shriek.


    In the distance I could see the bar that I normally went to on tuesdays. A group of young people were just entering. I could tell they weren''t townies...or of age for that matter. They were all smiles, like they didn''t have a care in the world. Eager eyes full of excitement. Like balls of sunshine the student body were and with so many of them in one place, it was never dim.


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    I took another sip of my whiskey. Life had been pleasant for the past 2 weeks, don''t get me wrong, but it also felt a bit... empty. It was practically a ghost town here. I was only 23, but sitting out here on the porch in my old, beat-up rocking chair with my "whiskey sour" made me feel twice my age. It had been 5 years since I dropped out. I had decided to stay in town and since then my life hadn''t really gone anywhere. Like I''ve been in stasis for more like 10 years as a opposed to 5. I didn''t want to leave the college yet or maybe I was too scared to. Maybe I was scared of the endless gray that awaited outside of this bright and flashy bubble of a town.


    I felt a prick of coolness nip at the center of my palm. I looked down at my hand to discover something I hadn''t seen in person for a long time. A small needle of ice. I stared out as another needle fell from the heavens...then two...then four. Multiplying by the second until the horizon was filled with nothing but falling precipitation. Being a Florida man for over 5 years now, cold was practically foreign to me, but as the precipitation continued and the sleet turned into gentle chilling drops of rain on my face, I felt something begin to take shape. The streams of waters streaking down my face erasing the past, leaving me no longer the same. Cool cleansing waters from above. Falling change.


    The clouds parted above, allowing the sunlight to spill back on to the porch. As it did a big red pickup truck arrived. The driver parked the car along my side of the street, then exited the vehicle. He was a fit and relatively built man. He looked to be around my age only far more attractive and with a bigger truck than mine. As he reached into the bed of the truck, he produced a small jean-blue recliner then set it in the grass next to the sidewalk. After leaving the chair on the side of the street, the man promptly returned to the driver seat and took off without further pause.


    Setting my drink down, I stood up from my seat and walked down to the sidewalk, taking my rocking chair with me. After leaving the old chair on the curb, I gathered up the small blue recliner and took it back to my original position on the porch. I sat in it. It was comfortable, in a way that I didn''t know was possible. It was comfortable, but I didn''t sink into it. I could already feel it doing wonders for my back. I reached out with my empty hand for one of my drinks, but instead changed direction and grabbed onto the hand at the side of the recliner and kicked up the foot rest. A wave of drowsiness suddenly washed over me like rain, and I drifted off into a long and deep sleep, not knowing who I would be when I woke back up.