You’ve settled into your camp for the night. A hazy flame licks at the cold, mountain air. The shadows stir, churning like warm butter. You are no longer alone. Before you can reach for your weapon, a cloaked traveler makes themself comfortable across from you.
Mouth agape, you only manage to shake your head and mutter a welcome. Small talk ensues. They seem friendly enough. In fact, they’ve even offered to tell you a few stories if you’ll share your fire.
All character art drawn by Clya Lyren.
https://www.twitter.com/Clya_Lyren
clyalyren.carrd.co
THE SECOND DAY OF SPRING
“The Second Day of Spring” Ch. 1
Cover artwork by @clya_lyren Story written by “Jungle” Once upon the second day of spring, a blazing sun heralded the tides of war: a bloody phantom of smoke rising up from its grave, the horizon. The shade loomed tall and menacing – visible even from across the Medial Sea. An appropriate declaration of defiance. As I turned away from the saltwater spray of the docks, I felt a warmth I’d nearly forgotten as it washed over the scars on my back: the first rays of Dawn, embracing the day and casting the night’s cloak aside with her sweet refrain. I…
“The Second Day of Spring” Ch. 2
Cover artwork by @clya_lyren Story written by “Jungle” Traveling by horseback is a decent enough way to get around the Emerald Ring. Not everyone would agree with me, though. A Darterfly or a reliable ship would make for a shorter trip in most cases. A team of Mirwolves could run just as fast and they wouldn’t fall prey to some of the predators that prowled the forests of the Eastern Wilds. So why was I bothering with a horse? Simply put, convenience is kingly. My horse was such in shape and function only. Surely no real horse could race along…
‘A Sage, a Demon, and a Game of Chess’
Where am I? A bright, full moon hangs overhead, shedding its light on a clearing in the middle of a forest. The surrounding trees loom tall, like dark and ominous strangers. Standing alone, I feel exposed. It seems as if the entire world is asleep. Something rises up from the center of the clearing. It seems… geometric, somehow. What is it? My boots plod against damp grass as the structure grows larger and sharper. It’s a door. Just a door, no building behind it. Who put this here? My unease melts away into curiosity as I circle the doorway. My…
‘A Visitor’
I know this place. Four white walls, a white ceiling, and a matching floor, all smooth and spotless. A bare cot in the corner of the room illuminated by one lonely lightbulb. How long has it been since I left this shithole? “Wake up, Celestria.” A monotone voice addresses the room with its grating drone. The tiny hairs on my forearms jump upright, wavering like a tightrope walker crossing a perilous line. My brow furrows. Looking back towards the cot, I spot the hazy outline of a little girl sitting by herself. She hugs her knees to her chest as…
‘The Huntress and the Lost Cub’
Trust yourself. Believe in the vision. I crouch in wait at the base of an aging birch tree, drawing the gray fur of the Wolf Mother around me to ward off the chill. The familiar smell keeps me calm and drives away the anticipation of the hunt. Even still, I am cold. Off in the distance, I can see the great stone wall marked by a crescent moon. Behind it looms the True Moon, full and bright. With or without its light, I see all – moss draping the wall, a snake slithering through the dead leaves on the forest…
‘A Black Cat and a Bad Dream’
Where am I? A bright, full moon hangs overhead, shedding its light on a clearing in the middle of a forest. The surrounding trees loom tall, like dark and ominous strangers. Standing alone, I feel exposed. It seems as if the entire world is asleep. Something rises up from the center of the clearing. It seems… geometric, somehow. What is it? My boots plod against damp grass as the structure grows larger and sharper. It’s a door. Just a door, no building behind it. Who put this here? My unease melts away into curiosity as I circle the doorway. My…
‘The Wolf Mother, a Floating Forest, and Many Ways to Murder’
I can see the sun peeking over the eastern horizon. I can smell soil and grass just a few inches below my nose. Marty lies at my side covered in olive drab from head to toe. We raise our heads high enough only to see what’s ahead: barren, empty flatlands surrounding a mossy green cityscape. The Ivy City. “Farmlands?” I ask. “Likely. No crops though.” Marty replies and shifts his weight to one side. “Abandoned?” I return. “I don’t think so. Look.” Marty nods. I look in the same direction and spot something out in the distance. Barely visible. The…
‘The Wizard and the Prisoner’
“Hey dude?” I look up at the big guy, Arden, as I finish unbuckling the belt. This belt belonged to Jeb. Jeb’s dead now and I’m already tired of seeing Arden’s naked ass. I start sliding the pants off of the dead guy, but I still have to fight the urge to puke because I think Arden hit Jeb so hard that Jeb might have shit in his briefs. Either that or Jeb never bathed. I’d buy it either way. “Yes, Dash?” The big guy responds as Jeb’s pants float over and smack his unassuming face. He has a weird…
‘Three Ducks and Some Broken Cuffs’
“Better keep up with me, punk.” “Piss off. It’s been a long week.” My comeback gets the angry reaction I expect: my captor jerks me around with my restraints. I lost track if it was Jeb, Jed, or Jef speaking. All three of them looked and sounded the same anyways: identical triplets, little piggies in uniform leading me on a leisurely trip through the Bloody Sands. At this rate, we’ll hit Palladia before sundown. Unless I can bust out of these cuffs first. “Dash? That’s your name? Hah.” I think it was Jeb speaking now, but who knows. He spits…
andante 