March 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- VICTORY TO STARBEAST

[Teresa Edgerton]

Since mosaix won't be here for a few days, but sent in his choice of theme and genre in advance just in case, herewith the March Challenge thread:



Rules:


Write a story inspired by the chosen theme and genre in no more than 75 words, not including the title.


One entry per person


All stories Copyright 2014 by their respective authors,
who grant the Chronicles Network the non-exclusive right to publish them here


The complete rules can be found at Rules for the Writing Challenges



Contest ends at 11:59 pm GMT, March 23 2014

Voting Ends at 11:59 pm GMT, March 28 2014


You do not have to submit a story in order to vote --
in fact, we encourage all Chrons members to take part in choosing a winner



The Magnificent Prize:


The Dignified Congratulations/Grovelling Admiration of Your Peers
and the challenge of choosing the next month's theme and genre



Theme:

Death


Genre:

Fantasy​

 

[Hex]

Re: March 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST !!!

To Dance with Death

No one ever likes me. I'm not even allowed a tux. Dad says I gotta wear my robes.

Not fair. No way I'll get a prom date.

Then the new girl comes over. "I like 'em tall," she says. "Thin, interesting. Haunted."

Prom's perfect. We dance, drink punch and during Careless Whisper she lifts her pink mouth to my frozen rictus. "Kiss me, D--"

Thud.

Ah, crap. Now no one likes me again.

 

[Khayos]

Re: March 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST !!!

Wishful Thinking

The barb wire fence shivered in the biting wind.

I scratched at my bristled and blistered head where the lice crawled and

tugged my striped uniform down.

Hunger dragged his teasing claws across my bones and I thought:


'When Death comes for me, God will have to beg for my forgiveness. I want him on his knees and I want him to beg.'

And then I began to cry, because that is how my Mother went.

 

[Remedy]

Re: March 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST !!!

Son of the Mighty Mizerathi


As I watch his scales peel and fall,

I see that my father is no more,

His horn falls last, on stone it shatters,

From mighty leader, to dust and tatters.


The elders squabble to breathe his ash,

To grasp his power, they rut and smash,

My instant longing for his guidance return,

Begin years of loss and grief and yearn.


Outcast princes must move as wraith,

‘Til reunited with fathers, through death… and faith.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Re: March 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST !!!

DEAR CHARACTER




I’m sorry; I had a fantasy trilogy to fill.

Here goes:

Sorry for killing your loved ones, for your bitch of a mother, for the torture (but, hey, it made the book), for bringing us to this point.

“It’s not like I’m real,” you said, and stupid me agreed.

Now, my hand hovers over the keyboard. I don’t want it anymore than you. Perhaps we could call it setting you free.

Either way, I’m sorry.

 

[Nick B]

Re: March 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST !!!

The Hardest Part

Silently the figure put his hand upon the crying child’s shoulder. The boy looked up, sad and confused. He never knew how to comfort the young. The scene was quiet; the orcs had fled after the slaughter.



His gaze turned downwards and fell upon a small figure lying next to his father, both pierced by arrows, still holding hands.


These are the hardest thought Death, as he took the boy’s hand and led him away.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Re: March 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST !!!

Coin of the Realm

On holiday in the Greek isles I met an old fisherman, his skin burnt to ebony by many suns, who offered to show me a secret. We sailed along the coast in a small boat painted with eyes. He showed me a sea cave, where a cache of ancient silver coins lay hidden. I offered to pay him for this extraordinary sight. "Do not worry, miss," he said. "You will pay me, sooner or later."

 

[farntfar]

Re: March 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST !!!

- Jenny!We’ve done it. We’ve killed the Daleks

- Yes.But MY GOD! The Doctor’s dead too! He said it’s his last. He’ll never comeback.

- TheDoctor lies! Bring him into the TARDIS.



After a few days, fully regenerated and reintegrated,the Doctor had redesigned the console and was working on some of the outer rooms.
“So! The aquarium!

Well I don’t think we’ll be needing YOU anymore!” she said and deleted the bicycle.



Fantasy? No. Well I know. Its not a serious entry.
But anyone waiting for something like this was in fantasy land.

 

[Juliana]

Re: March 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST !!!

Agents of D.E.A.T.H.​

She gave him the standard Heavenly smile as she held out his ID. New to his wings and halo, Roger wondered if he'd ever look that cheesy.

"Welcome to the Department for Eternal Angelic Thermodynamic Harmonization."

Roger took the badge. "So what do we do, exactly?"

"We make sure Heaven is at the correct temperature."

Roger grimaced. "Sounds a little... boring."

The angel shrugged. "Why do you think we call it DEATH?"

 

[alchemist]

Re: March 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST !!!

Death Rides A Black Cab

"Where to, mate?"

"Equine hossspital, pleassse."

"Bit early for Halloween, innit?"

"Ah, my attire. How original. Ha ha."

"No need for – Hey! Learn how to drive, you idiot... Honestly, guv, these foreigners. Coming over 'ere, taking our jobs –"

"Watch out! That busss –"

CRRRUNNNCCHHHH!!!!!

#

"Ssso, our rolesss are reversssed."

"Bit ironical, innit guv?"

"No. Irony isss defined asss –"

"Watch out! Elephant riding a rat –"

"Idiot!... Accursssed Hindu deitiesss. Coming over here, influencing our mythology..."

 

[Droflet]

Re: March 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST !!!

No Pity for the Chosen One.

Ebon considered the ravaged, lifeless world. Once again, his dark obligation satisfied.

If had a heart, would it not break?

As it has always been, so it must be.

But why must it always be the same? he pondered for the umpteenth time.

Your duty is to serve the highest truth.

And what of Ebon?

"Your duty is to …"

“Yes, I know,” he whispered.

Till the end of days I await the final release.

 

[Bowler1]

Re: March 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST !!!

Death and (Back) Taxes

Scratching a bony head, Death paused. ‘But I don’t have earnings.’
‘It’s not you,’ the Goblin Inspector replied, pointing to Deaths Ravens cawing nearby, ‘but your employees.’
Death stared, empty and vacant, ‘I don’t understand?’
‘Your Ravens collect shiny jewels and the like.’
‘So.’
Gormless thought Goblin. ‘You’ve not declared these gains.’
‘And?’ hissed Death, leaning on a scythe.
‘You owe tax, late fines and interest.’
Deaths bones rattled and clanked. ‘I need more time.’

 

[martin321]

Re: March 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST !!!

Health and Safety Gone Barking Mad

"I'm gonna have to shut down this whole operation," said the man with the clipboard.

"But you can't-"

"That boat's unsafe, and the man pushing the stone will injure himself if he doesn't stop."

"But-"

"The dog is dangerous and will have to be put down."

"You can't kill Cerbie!"

The dog bared its teeth and growled.

"Sorry. My decision is final."

Just then Cerberus slipped his chains. "No, Cerbie don't...Oh dear..."

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Re: March 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST !!!

Pavane for a Dead Princess​

Uninvited she came to the ball, all in white amidst the bright colors. White her face, white her winding sheet—but for the red stain where her heart used to beat.

Those she passed by gasped. They’d been told she died peacefully in her sleep.

Lightly she touched the Prince, over his heart. “Until midnight ... or until the dance ends.” Trembling, he led her onto the floor.

Somewhere, far off, a clock began to chime.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

Re: March 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST !!!

On The Ground

Oh, such a beautiful blue sky, and the warm day’s breeze so welcome. But he felt…so cold. The banner, beside him, why did it not flutter in this breeze that dried his wet, sticky tunic? And in his ears, a roaring…in his mouth, a dryness and taste of burning. He felt only ice on one side, and down his leg, why? And that…thing coming towards him…was that an axe it carried?


(Hi everyone! My first real post...please forgive any errors in posting!)

 

[ratsy]

Re: March 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST !!!

Left to Live

“What is it you seek Child?” the voice boomed through the Valley of Lost Gods.

“Why have you forsaken me? I’ve lived for thousands of years and now I seek death. My life’s yours to end,” she trembled for the first time in years.

“There’s a reason you’re here still. You’re not done yet. Forgive me my child.”

“I will be back…”

She turned and walked the way she came; face wet with tears.

 

[Aun Doorback]

Re: March 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST !!!

Lamp it or leave it


He rubbed the lamp.
Your last wish, Master?
"I’ve an Empire, built on enemies’ bones and friends blood."
Ah! Your first wish. Years ago now.
"I’ve a nation’s wealth and opulent harem."
A manly, second wish.
"Yet I only loved my first wife!"
Stolen by the plague.
His old eyes lit up.
"I wish to see them again. My wife and friends."
The Genie grinned. Your wish is my command.
And the King fell dead.

 

[Mr Orange]

Re: March 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST !!!

Revenge of the N.E.R.D.



I am death… I am rebirth… I am order within chaos... I am-

“Brian?”

“Pardon?”

“Stinkface! It’s Dick! Dick Cabezzo… From M-Coll?”

“Dick… Kind of busy…”

“You certainly are Fishbreath! Check that swish cloak! You workin’ for the city?”

“Contractor.”

“No surprise there, ya’ geek! Spell Reg’s?”

“National Energy Reclamation Department actually…”

“Oh… Ummm… Well… You’re busy… Same, actually, got to go…Umm… Really, no need to shake hands.”

“I insist, Dick... Old friend… Goodbye.”

 

[holland]

Re: March 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST !!!

Sailing

Speeding in his wingsuit, high above mountain pastures and forests, he heard a song.

It’s just ringing in my ears, he thought.

Still, skillfully twisting his body, he turned right, towards the lake, following the mesmerizing sound.

Three girls were sitting on top of the cliff, calling his name. Sweet and sad.

Oh...

He pulled the ripcord of his parachute in a desperate attempt to avoid the cliff. Too late.

 

[stormcrow]

Re: March 2014 SEVENTY-FIVE WORD WRITING CHALLENGE -- READ FIRST POST !!!

The Female of the Species

Mistress de’ Ath laced her boots tight at her knees; threw her cowled leather cloak over her shoulders then slipped her oilstone and polishing rags into her saddlebags.

Grasping the pommel she swung a lithe leg over her saddle to sit astride her flame-eyed destrier; eagerly anticipating her nightly ride.

“My sudlice, whelp!” she commanded; a misshapen servant handed her the curve-bladed polearm she named Release.

“Good Night, lady”

“It will be…”, she hissed.