I spent my childhood in my sisters shadow, never quite making the mark. We’re twins, but I was never on the same level as her. And when it seemed like I had finally caught up, she catapulted to a level I would never be able to reach. She, like all champions, would be remembered long after her death. I wondered if my proximity to her would make me remembered as well, or if I would simply become her...

In his extended right hand, he held a long, slender dagger. Heston’s dagger. Mallory clicked her tongue, and took it gingerly from the messengers trembling hands, before moving to place it next to Verena’s and Esyllt’s. That was three Korvanthi Knights dead, three more to go. If Mallory was anyone else, she probably would’ve sued for peace right then and there. They had already lost. But she wan...

You know there’s a way out, there has to be. You’ve seen them enter and you’ve seen them leave, but you don’t know how they do it. Every so often they come a give you food, water, the bare essentials to keep you alive. You’re breathing, the fresh air must come from somewhere. But the box has no entrances or exits. You can’t tell the time, the only thing you have to go off is when they feed you, an...

When Kieran resurfaced, he realized the big problem with choosing to jump off the cliff. He was now fighting raging waters with only one functional leg. Cursing his lack of foresight, Kieran tried to get a grip on his surroundings. The cliff face was a ways out in the distance, but it was the only land in sight. Kieran half swam and half flailed his way towards the rocks, trying to avoid slamming ...

Mallory hadn’t eaten anything in days, she couldn’t stomach it. She was hungry and yet she felt to full to eat anything. She was thirsty and yet the water wouldn’t stay down. It’s a bit awkward to be the only one not eating anything at a banquet. Food was spread all around her and she couldn’t eat a single bite. No one would fault her for it. It was pretty obvious that she’d made a contract, and t...

Your sister and brother are staring at you from across the table. You’ve only just sat down and they’re eyes are already burning into your skin. Your brother looks at you for a long moment before speaking. “Kieran, I must say I’m thoroughly disappointed.” Your sister doesn’t say anything, and you feel the shame bubbling in your chest. You look down to where your hands rest on your lap. Your brothe...

Salt, salt everywhere, in his hair, in his eyes, burning his tongue. Acrid sea water crashed against jet black rocks. Splashing upward, on to the cliff edge and spraying down on to him. The sea was far from calm, and Kieran’s spot of the cliff was compromising. It didn’t matter. It had to be done today. He resolved to wait on the cliff edge. He didn’t need to wait long. All at once the water stil...

Mallory had an hour. Not nearly enough time to critically analyze every way this contract would affect her life. Certainly enough time to iron out some details though. The Fae in front of her stared at her intently, expectantly. Mallory took a breath, steeled her resolve, and met the spirit’s cold, milky eyes. “You’ve told me what I’ll get, what do you get?” If the Fae had eyebrows, one of them w...

I knew what I would see when I looked in the mirror. What else was supposed to greet me? Perhaps it was because I already knew what to expect that when I actually saw my reflection my first reaction was, “this isn’t so bad”. It was objectively very bad. A permanent mark alienating from all of human society, and most of Magi society. Though I couldn’t say I had ever actually been accepted by any of...