“I can’t do it,” Felruza slammed her fist against the table. Why was it so damn hard? Why could everyone else do this one simple thing and she couldn’t? “It’ll come,” her mother said from across the table. Her voice was gentle, it always was, the opposite of her innate power which was creating fireballs … More Can’t Do It
“You’re orange,” A bit of a state-the-obvious comment from Ryan. Cassie wiped the orange blood of her blade and sheathed her weapon. Monster blood never made for a particularly delightful colour. Least it was better than the stuff they had up North, which was acidic blood. “Stating the obvious much,” Cassie remarked, kicking the corpse … More Like the Sky at Sundown
“You got it?” Fethna asked as Nattali got into the car. “Ye of little faith,” Nattali said, pulling out the folder from under her jacket. It hadn’t been a particularly hard lift, just distract the guards and the receptionist was practically gagging to get someone as important as the Lieutenant of the Fifth Quarter at … More The Document (A Teacup Story)
Anya shut her eyes and let the music drift over her pounding headache. The speakers were on their lowest setting, so as not to make it worse. The rain hammering against the glass of her window managed to drown out most of the notes apart from the few high pitched ones. A gentle ping of … More Music (Stories on a Theme – “Soft”)
Rain hammered around them. Another storm, this one would hopefully pass quickly. In that moment, Rantia did not feel the rain smacking into her shoulders and soaking her clothes. She was lost in her memories, of happier times, of a home that was full of love and joy and wonder. “You ready?” Veran’s voice crackled … More Finding Home (Stories on a Theme – “Soft”)
“Can I sit?” Yanet looked up from her lunch. The woman, a newbie by the yellow stripes on her arms, stood with her tray of food. She had her newly issued cropped haircut, her curly hair springing out around her face like a halo. “Yes, of course,” Yanet said. What else was she supposed to … More Solitary Confinement (Stories on a Theme – “Isolate”)
Fuane sat on the floor, deep in her memories. The memories were the access point to the future. They were a window to the past, pulling time from a place that did not exist into a person’s present mind. Most thought reading the future was all about drinking teas or smelling incense alone. They missed … More Memories of Hope (Stories on a Theme – “Isolate”)
“HOLD IT!” Cathen yelled. I’m trying gods damn you, Thyren thought. He forced himself to hold onto the spell book, despite the heat radiating off it. The magic poured off the pages, funnelled into the glass tube by the complex array of shielding spells. Fire magic normally glowed red, but this magic was almost white, … More The Jewel of Hanerath (Stories on a Theme – “Isolate”)
Don’t move. Don’t move. Don’t move. Calsei changed the motto over and over in her head. Her backpack straps pulled at her shoulders, encouraging her to drop from her crouch and sit down on the nice warm earth. Sweat trickled down her face. This planet was far too damn hot for any reasonable life to … More The Anyentr (Stories on a Theme – “Isolate”)
“Hello?” The radio crackled in response. Gaeia pushed her knuckles into her forehead, trying not to cry. This was day forty one. Forty one days of no response from the base down below. “Anything?” Hua asked behind her, floating upside down outside the cockpit door. He liked to do that, showing off his gravity genetics. … More Alone (Stories on a Theme – “Isolate”)
Alex.J.Cobalt 