Small pieces of fiction to liven your day
Hi guys,
I’d just like to start by saying welcome to my page. Here you will find various stories that I’ve written. For short stories, have a look through the Short Stories Category. For my more extensive works click on the Stories link in the navigation menu. I hope you enjoy your time here and don’t forget to leave me a message with your thoughts at the bottom of the post.
Springtime at Shylenin Academy is my favourite season. The flowers and trees bloom, and most days are sunny with a pleasant breeze. It’s a day like that today. I cut today’s classes and am currently laying under a teekay tree with my eyes closed. The breeze blowing across my face is amazing and the leaves block out just the right amount of sunlight. Laying there, I drift into a light sleep and dream. Standing in front of me is a black-haired beauty dressed in a skirt and tank top with a mage’s long coat over the top. Slowly she walks towards me while taking off her coat. I blink and she pressed against my chest. A faint scent of flowers comes off her hair as the top of her head rests against my chin. Tracing a pattern on my chest, she reaches up and touched the side of my face. With a soft smile of longing, she pulls me close and whispers in my ear.
“You belong to me, Arbelest.” A jolt runs through me and I wake with a start, sitting straight up.
“Bad dream?” I look to my right and find a big man sitting against the trunk of the tree.
“Sup Ky?”
“Not much Remy. The prof was asking after you again.”
“He just wants to know if I finished the modifications.”
“Have you?”
“Yeah, like last week. But I’m still not sure going for an air drive was the right choice.”
“Why’s that?”
“Well…” I extend my hand out and open a portal to my personal armoury. A long-barrelled rifle slowly comes out and hovers in front of me. I grab hold of it and set myself in a firing position.
“For one the recoil is higher now. As well as the consumption rate. But shots are steadier over longer distances and I can also bend them to my will if I so choose.”
“Sounds like the pros outweigh the cons.”
“Ish. The higher consumption of my force is annoying. I lose it maybe thirty percent faster than when I was using a fire drive. How about you? I heard you were adding a secondary drive you your sword.”
Smiling, Ky reaches into his armoury and pulls out a single-edged great-sword.
“I added it. This sword now contains both a fire and earth drive. It means my power slashes can have more destructive power behind them.”
“I see. That makes sense. Given that your role is vanguard more power is better. Unlike my scout role.”
“Speaking of which, did you end up getting your new close-range weaponry?”
Smiling, I reopen my armoury and put the rifle back into it. And instead this time I remove a pistol.
“Yeah, I got two Nomad pistols. Both running fire drives. Good up close and personal weapons.”
Handing the pistol to Ky, I get to my feet and stretch. Looking down at the academy, I feel a desire to turn and walk the other way. I’m what they would class as an elite among the students at the academy but I’m also the largest truant and slackest student.
“Not bad. What’s the consumption rate like on these bad boys?” Says Ky as he hands the pistol back to me.
“Considerably low. Considering their close-range capabilities.” I place the pistol back into my armoury and bend down to the ground. Picking up my black duster, I shrug into it and turn to Ky.
“Well, shall we go get some lunch?”
“Sounds like a plan.” Together we set off down the hill towards the academy.
Arriving at the academy cafeteria, my hunger outweighs my dislike of the school, and I head toward the counter to order with Ky. I place my order and we go sit at a table by the window.
“So how are the new students coming along?” I ask Ky while leaning on my hand.
“Hmm, most are doing alright, but there’s one girl who’s struggling. She’s a couple of years older than the rest, so she doesn’t learn as quickly. But you would know this if you actually showed up to teach them once in a while. You should you know. You are the arbalest after all.” A Cold chill runs down my spine as he calls me by my call sign.
“Remy Leevencor!” Turning towards the sound of someone shouting my name, I find the student president standing at the entrance, her eyes ablaze with anger. Getting up hastily out of my seat as she approaches, I move so the table is between myself and danger.
“Hey Prez, how you doing?”
“Don’t you hey Prez me, mister. Do you know how many lessons you’ve missed this week alone?”
“Ummm….” A tingle is my only warning as a voice echoes through me.
“Mark. 600 lels.” Time stops as a red line appears. Running from the top of the hill behind the cafeteria, it goes through the president’s chest and ends on my stomach. Without thinking, I launch myself across the table. Grabbing the prez with my left arm, I drag her to the ground with me. A bullet whistles above my head and glass shatters. Just before we hit the ground, I put out my right arm and use it to roll forward into a kneeling position. I extend my arm with a mutter.
“Come arbalest.” My armoury opens and, in an instant, I’m clad in white armour. My rifle appears in my hand and in one motion I bring it to my shoulder and fire. I don’t need the announcement to know my shot was true. But it comes anyway.
“Mark. 600 lels. Target eliminated.” It’s times like these I wish I never possessed my artificial eye. Standing, I wave my hand and my armaments go back to where they came from. Turning around, I find the president kneeling, tears streaming down her face.
“That armour. Remy…,” she whispers. Turning from her, I mutter to myself.
“I didn’t need your tears or that look to remind me.”
Hi guys,
I will be putting up some new posts tonight. Stay tuned though guys because I have been working on some new stuff that will be going up very shortly. Just putting the finishing touches on them.
“Welcome to the 31st century, where if you can dream it we can make it. Real companions are a thing of the past with today’s artificial companions. Available in any shape or form, we cater to your needs. Dynassus industries. We’re for the future.” The advertisement wakes me. Looking over at my clock, I groan as it reads 8.15am. With a wave of my hand, the clock turns off. Sitting up slowly, I come to the realisation I’m not alone. There are naked women on both sides of me. One has long black hair the length of her back and the other has blonde hair with blue tips around the same length. With a sigh, I get up and stretch without waking them. Well, waking is probably the wrong term, activating is more correct. The two girls are androids of a sort. The term that’s used these days is companions. Available in any shape or form, these two women are mine. Changing out of my sleeping pants into jeans, I walk to the dresser. A small device on top has a blinking green light. Tapping the light causes it to open revealing a hexagonal shaped blue crystal. Holding it up, I inspect it closely. A hairline crack runs down one side. With a sigh, I press the panel on my chest. Opening up it reveals a cage that the crystal fits snuggly into. Closing it, I wait for a moment as my HUD boots up. Revealing current power levels and a host of other information. Ignoring it, I move around the room, getting dressed. Moments later, a knock sounds at my door before it opens. Walking in comes a tall, broad-shouldered man, with short black hair. Carrying a tray with breakfast, he promptly walks over and places it down on my dresser.
“Morning Lance. What’s the latest?” Leaving the tray, he sets the room to rights as he replies.
“Well, boss, things are certainly about to get interesting. VDO has made their move finally. They’ve released their military grade hardware to the open market. Also, you received an Intel package from hospice. They found two more bodies last night. Same M. O as the previous ones. Bones badly broken and throat cut deep enough to partially sever the spine. And again they were both hunters and participants in the low levels of Halberds Arena. Apart from that nothing new has happened.”
Taking a sip of my coffee, I sit by the window and look out at the city. Across from me I see the Nexus building. Nexus, the foremost leaders in companion technology.
“Any word from Nexus on my order?”
“Hmmm, let me look. Apologies for missing it. Your order has arrived. They have a time slot free for this afternoon for fitment if you like.”
“Book it in. Hey lance, any idea about that?” As I finish, I point to the bed. Looking at the bed, his face turns red and anger etches his features. As if sensing his rage, both women sit up, the sheet sliding off their bodies. Looking over their shoulders, they both catch sight of the big man at the same time. Fear crosses their faces. They yelp and bolt out the door. With a humph, lance stomps out of my room after the women. Soon enough, the sounds of things being broken and yelling voices reach me. Smiling wryly to myself, I continue drinking my coffee and eating breakfast. After all, I was the one who didn’t want a boring life. It’s certainly anything but that theses days.
Setting on a bench listening to the roars of the crowd outside, a young woman runs her hand over the hexagon crystal in its holder on her forearm. Her fingers slowly chasing the inscription etched on one face. Outside her room, the crowd’s cheering reaches a crescendo and her heart begins to race. Getting to her feet, she walks slowly to the door of the room and waits.
“And the first of our next competitors. Runner-up in last year’s tournament, Kia Allesaar!” Walking through the door, Kia blinks as the lights blind her for a moment. Raising her hand in greeting, she steps out onto the top of a flight of stairs as the crowd roars around her. Making her way slowly down the stairs, she focuses on the platform at the bottom and her curved keyboard resting there. As she reaches the platform, the spotlights shift to the other side of the arena and the announcer’s voice booms out over the crowd.
“And facing up against her is the one and only Myelle Von Liesa. The victor of last year’s tournament. The rivalry between these two women runs deep and…” Ignoring the announcer, Kia focuses on the other side of the stadium as a woman with long brown hair and piercing green eyes takes the stage. Striding down the stairs, the purple crystal hanging around her neck catches the light and seems to glow. Reaching the platform, Myelle picks up her violin and bow and smiles across at Kia. As if someone had turned the volume to full, Kia staggers for a moment as the sounds of the crowd come rushing back. Looking up, she watches as the spotlights move to the centre of the arena and a man wearing a shiny suit and oversized sunglasses appears.
“Okay Ladies. Ready your devices.” Gesturing to the two women, he waits a moment as they get ready. Removing the crystal from her arm, Kia brings it to her lips and kisses it softly.
“Lets do this, Drakon.” In a single motion she slides the crystal into a slot on the keyboard, where it glows softly.
“Ladies and Gentlemen. Both our contestants are ready. Let’s Begin. Round 2 of the greatest music battle in the universe begins now.” As he walks from the centre of stage a large siren sounds, announcing the start of the battle. Smiling, Kia strikes the keys of her keyboard and a low melody sounds from it. Flaring brightly, the crystal emits a line of energy that rises above Kia’s platform. Pulsing, the energy twists itself into a mighty dragon. Landing lightly on the centre platform, the dragon roars and lets out a burst of energy fire above it. From the other side of the room, the first draw of the violin can be heard and purple energy blossoms around Myelle. From the crystal in the base of her violin, a purple line of energy rises above her and twists itself into a broad shouldered, plate wearing knight. Clashing its sword against its shield, it lands heavily on the centre stage. As the two women look across the stage at each other, they smile and they both begin to move. Fingers sliding over a keyboard and the bow sawing across the stings, their music fills the stadium. As the music notes soar through the air, the knight and dragon charge towards each other, clashing in a burst of light.
Looking out over the city from my penthouses window, I sigh. Turning, I catch sight of the emblem embedded into the wall of the study I’m in. A very good likening to a dragon. And I should know, I am one. Humanity believes that Dragon-kind died out centuries ago. Some doubt that we eve existed at all and are nothing more than folktales and legends. But that’s not true. We simply changed with the times. We traded our caves for manors, and our hordes of treasure for cash. As beings of magic, taking on a human disguise was easy enough. We imitate families, and when it comes time, we take the role of the next generation. Always hidden in plain sight. Eventually the manors and cash gave way to penthouses and banks as the modern world took over. The skies which we once solely ruled are now shared with the humans. Not that we really spend anytime up there anymore. Turning away from the window, I take a seat at my desk when my intercom sounds.
“Mr Radiston. There a Miss Morgan here to see you.”
“Send her in Toni.” Waiting for the door to open, I look down at the article I opened moments before. Reading it carefully.
“I assume you’ve seen the news then?” Looking up at the woman who walked in, I smile at her.
“Just finished reading the article you sent. What’s going on Morgan. It’s not like you to take an interest in world affairs.”
“I take an interest when they pertain to us.” With a laugh, I get up from my seat and walk over to the bar. Pouring myself a glass of whiskey, I offer one to the woman standing in front of me. She shakes her head and moves over to the other side of my office, taking a seat on the guest lounge.
“What makes you think this has anything to do with us?”
“C’mon Arthur, there no way you’re that naïve. This has the Blacks written all over it.”
“The Black Dragons have kept to themselves for the last seven hundred years. Why would they bother moving into the open now? Why Morgan?”
“Because of her.”
“What’s she got to do with this?”
“Are you serious Arthur? After all this time, you’re still holding a torch for her, aren’t you? How can you, after everything that happened?” Taking a long sip of my drink, I sigh and turn to answer.
“I’m not. I’m just not so quick to condemn the other dragon races, that’s all. Why do you think Ravenna is involved?”
“I have reliable intel on this. Her and a few others are trying to break the seal that binds Ayrenth.”
“Why in god’s name would that want to unleash one of the leviathans?”
“From the way I understand it, they want to go back to a time when the dragons ruled and had a free rein.”
“Free rein? What we have now is as close to freedom as we’ll ever get. Freedom back then was an illusion. We were hunted and persecuted. Were it not for Uther and My father, we would have been destroyed millennia ago.”
“I know this Arthur. I know it’s how you got your namesake. But left unchecked, they could unleash a new dark age. A time that hasn’t been seen since Alexander.”
“What would you have me do? Assume the crystal throne and assert my authority over all dragon-kind? Such a thing cannot happen.”
“Why, because you’re a silver? The other races would stand behind you if you declared yourself king.”
“The other races. You ‘re dreaming. The reds do nothing but amass power. The blues have devoted their life to studying. Good luck getting one of those out of their books. Most of the greens have assimilated into the earth and the browns, well let’s not even get started on the browns.”
“You know, Arthur, you’ve been a lot of things over the years, but never a coward. It doesn’t suit you.” Before I can stop it, my power wells up inside me of me. For a moment shock covers her face, before she hides it.
“So that’s how it is. Why didn’t you say anything?”
“What would I say and how? This never happens. Dragons do not change their race.”
“What does it mean?” Turning to the window, I look out over the city once more.
“I do not know.”