M I N I M

invidious | tragedy | Complete

The Demon Lord has fallen. The Hero has his victory, at the expense of everything he fought to save. Bereft of purpose, he begins a journey through the uncharted ocean beyond his archipelago on a pilgrimage to the mythological Spine of the World. M I N I Mis an experimental short story where each section is divided in two. It can be read sequentially - consuming each section holistically - or chronologically - reading the first part of each section until the story's end and then reading the second part of each section in reverse.

4.83 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 11:14

Silence

White Whiskers | mystery | Complete

After her return from St.Petersburg, the daughter of a small church priest keeps eerily silent. The priest goes down to his personal hell of loneliness and remorse in the desperate search for an answer. A chilling Russian gothic from Leonid Andreyev (1905), the master of psychological drama and suspense. The translation is mine. The original book is in the public domain.

2.45 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 10:39

The Antithetical

Druadan | mystery | Complete

"The Antithetical" is a gripping tale of fantasy, horror, and adventure that transports readers to a world where gods and mortals coexist in a tenuous balance. However, when the kingdom of Allano is thrown into chaos and despair, its citizens are driven to madness and the protagonist, an undying being trapped in a place reserved for the broken and wretched, finds a glimmer of hope. Determined to uncover the truth behind the curse plaguing the kingdom, the protagonist embarks on a journey of self-discovery and redemption. As the protagonist delves deeper into the mystery, they encounter incredible obstacles and unearth secrets that challenge their beliefs and push the boundaries of their imagination. Through this journey, the protagonist grapples with themes of identity, morality, and fate, and comes face-to-face with their own limitations. The outcome of their journey is uncertain, but one thing is for certain: they will never be the same person again._____________________________________"The Antithetical" is my first (short) novel. It springs from my love of fantasy, philosophy, Lovecraft and From Software. I hope you enjoy it, and if so, please leave constructive feedback. Please remember that, as I said, The Antithetical is/was my first novel.As Brandon Sanderson said, "If you are a new writer, your job is to turn yourself into a person who can write great novels, NOT write a great novel."I'm not "satisfied" by any means, but I will apply what I've learned to my next novel.

11.16 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 10:40

Planetary Paranoia

FancyOtter-98 | one_shot | Complete

The sun's gone out in the solar system, but who's to blame? A short Story inspired by Douglas Adams

0.32 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 11:10

Beyond Death’s Boundary

Hokage of Literature | horror | Complete

When Calvin finds a knife walking home he is engrossed with its tempting powers and learns of its means of bringing back a loved oneat the cost of killing a human. He kills his brother, Nathan, in order to ressurrect his life's love, Yui. However, complications arise when his brother rises from the grave as a flesh-eating monster bent on gaining untold power. And what's worse is Yui seems to have memories of when she was deada mystery that could have bigger implications than humanity could understand.

29.05 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 11:54

into the water

Robin Autumns | horror | Complete

A boy thinks he's getting away this time, but nature won't let him.

0.60 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 11:56

3 AM Anecdote(One-Shot)

LAHIN | mystery | Complete

An eerie car ride that ends abruptly. A short story//one shot.

0.30 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 11:57

We Set the Sky on Fire

Yaksher | one_shot | Complete

A wanderer stumbles upon the City of Wizards on the day they celebrate their triumph over their tyrant gods and watches the view with an old wizard. A 4th of July fireworks-inspired short story, set in a world where gods are plentiful and sometimes they die. Cover image is an awful photo of part of the inspiring fireworks show in question.

1.09 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 12:28

The Pale-Black Maiden

SRTudor | contemporary | Complete

Martin, longing for excitement in his monotonous life, decides to drink at a local pub. There he meets a strange woman who promises him an escape from mundanity. But at a great price.

1.53 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 14:11

An Appendage of Zjeut'rek, Son of Olfhgns

unknown | horror | Complete

Cosmic deities? Ha! They're far more than that. They are our universe and its masters, and the masters of all other worlds, their flesh being the space between. They are the creators, the destroyers, preservers. Alpha and Omega. Their immortal servants are mistaken for demons and angels on the world of plain and stupid mortals, and although we may call ourselves their descendants, our divine blood has been so diluted and our eyes have grown so rotten that we can no longer see them without going mad upon a mere glance at the outline of their shadows. No, instead we delude ourselves, thinking we can hurt them by battling with their ageless, yet barely killable abominations of children, just like the old Mad King, and just like me. Baron Arthur Grey of Oxfordshire. A fool and a coward, who's fear of losing his own world, led him to lose a free one.

1.40 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 14:32

No One Like/s Albert

fsarbolaez | horror | Complete

A man lives his life in Boca del Locura County, with no actual social life to speak of, but not exactly by choice. One day, he overhears his supervisor and coworkers talk about something that might be connected to peculiar and disturbing circumstances, which has haunted him throughout his life. This moment of eavesdropping quickly sends him colliding into a confrontation with tragic consequences. (Content Warning: Contains abuse, other traumatic experiences, and a moment of gore)

2.61 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 14:36

Roboworld

HexagonCube | mystery | Complete

"Even in a modernized world, we can never live a life of perfection." In the year 3020, humans and robots live on the same planet. There are flying cars, talking robots, futuristic weapons, and more. With such advanced technology, life seems perfect. That is until a new Master takes over and the world becomes a complete chaos. NOTE: In this story, Kizuna Ai is created by the Master, not the original creators. I DO NOT OWN KIZUNA AI, SHE IS CREATED AND OWNED BY EN MORIKURA, TOMITAKE & TDA. WARNING: RATED NC-17 FOR EXPLICIT LANGUAGES AND SOME UNCOMFORTABLE SCENES

29.18 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 14:43

The Only One: A Robotic Flash Fiction

Kaylie Night | psychological | Complete

It's cold. 39020 feels cold. He knows what that word means: "feel." According to his databases, it's not a word that should apply to him.

0.27 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 14:47

Essokinesis

The Thaumaturge | contemporary | Complete

The fourth entry inThe Thaumaturge series. Jackie, a 17 year-old girl in Nevada, 2023, finds that she suddenly develops pyrokinesis. Kineses are potent superpowers that an extremely small amount of people around the world have developed. Her friend, Paul, who she meets in a government protection program to protect these few superpowered individuals, has a rare kinesis; dimensiokinesis, the ability to open gateways between dimensions. This draws the attention of Phineas, the owner of an extremely rich weapons company, who also secretly harbors a kinesis. This story follows the duo as Phineas attempts to kidnap Paul and utilize his powers for his own mysterious purposes. None of this goes unnoticed by Leviticus. The return of The Thaumaturge is imminent.

4.96 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 15:36

Pass The Salt

Kai Willow | contemporary | Complete

It's finally here, Kelly's birthday. This was finally the year Kelly would get the birthday surprise she had always wanted. Her boyfriend Mike may be unreliable and doesn't listen to her. Not to mention that her best friend Tiff isn't that much better.But for them to miss all the signs and hints that Kelly has laid out the past year. They would have to be transformed into Helen Keller.

2.61 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 16:56

Y-Labs Experiment

DrpyCatty | contemporary | Complete

Down on his luck, Louie Sen found a job offer after visiting his friend at the local cafe. Desperate to make ends meet, he takes this strange opportunity, and comes out a new man. [Commissioned Work]

1.51 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 16:55

Encapsulation - FIRST DRAFT

ArgyleInsect | sci_fi | Complete

This is the first draft of the story. The edited and expanded final version is available free for KU subscribers and for sale on Kindle. Planet Dirt: Remnant of an exile world, ground down by governmental and megacorp warring.The Accident a generation ago erased what its inhabitants had not already forgotten.Their brightest scientists vanished without a trace, leaving only the icy Wasteland.Carrick, a gangster, chooses Wasteland exile rather than betray the Family. Intelligent and loyal, he determines to bend the frontier's prisoners to his will.After all, when people won't choose what's best for themselves, they must beforcedto choose.But the Wasteland conceals impossible scientific phenomena that force Carrick to realize how little he understands.And when an officer of humanity's ancient, starfaring empire crashes into the Wasteland's heart, he reveals Planet Dirt's coldest secret.The Accident was only the beginning of a bitter end.

23.62 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 17:44

Stone Ascendant

Qiander | one_shot | Complete

Lost souls enter the multiverse.We follow the story of one of them as he rises. Novice writer of terrible talent writing in his second language.

3.55 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 17:56

Kill Shot

Jeffrey B Wolf | one_shot | Complete

Kill Shotis an action heavy science fiction short story, set in a time where the rich mind-ride the combatants of intergalactic battle royale matches, experiencing everything the fighters do, whether those warriors are human, alien, or machine.

3.55 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 17:56

The Harbinger's Children (Guardians Of The Arcane Chronicles Vol. 2)

Mercynarie | tragedy | Complete

The Sequel to Guardians Of The Arcane Chronicles is here! After the abdication of its former president and the truth revealed about the origins of their world, Sirius City is thrown into even further chaos. But even now, sinister forces plot to challenge the country's right to live. As Sirius City reels from its rapidly worsening racial issues, a calamity strikes their country. Natural arcani has been mysteriously corrupted, transforming magis who use too much of it into hideous monstrosities. Faced with an unprecendented disaster, the Guardians struggle to contain the disaster while facing their own set of challenges. Will they emerge victorious once more? Or will they finally drown in the sea of the world's sins?

26.15 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 11:07