Hierophantasm
Spectral remnants of an outdated tradition, usually following the death of a person in power.
Do you know where you are? The old woman croaked.
Ren & I both held our breath, trembling. Had it worked?
We'd been pulled in so many directions since last harvest, searching for the true motives behind the High Arcane's barbaric rituals. So many deaths and false promises. So many false leads and dead ends... We didn't dare believe it. Sensing our apprehension, the old woman nodded.
"How?" We exhaled in unison.
"Arcanists are not bound to the perceptive realities of humans. They have their own way of interacting with the natural energies, which in turn have their own ways. Many things that seem to disappear in fact simply fade from our awareness, to be replaced with something else. In our case, rot. Repulsive to some, but to others an ideal habitat and prime source of nourishment".
Ren pulled a face as the woman gestured to a nearby lamb carcass. One of it's eye sockets was riddled with maggots. I winced, as the image of Jonah popped back into my head: His wrists hanging limply from their shackles, one leg bloodied and deformed from where the dogs had dragged him. "This is why you're here" I reminded myself. Ren took my hand, in an act of unspoken solidarity.
"These 'energies'... you make them sound like ghosts" Said Ren, questioningly.
"Ghosts, Gods..." the woman shrugged.
"Their world is just as real as ours, as is their magic. Bizarre, their traditions may be, though no more or less archaic than our own".
About the Creator
J
I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil
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Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
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Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
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Comments (13)
The vivid descriptions create a haunting scene, and the dialogue adds depth to the world-building. A captivating tale that leaves the reader intrigued and eager for more insights into the arcane realms. Great storytelling!
Your word and the story are brilliant! Very well done and very deserving of a Top Story.
Great story. Leaves so much to our own imaginative juices. I'm sure you'll know that we'll be thinking of this for at least a number of hours. Love it.
Awesome
I wonder why Ren and the main character were talking to the old woman. Could it have something to do with Jonah? Intriguing story, and even more intriguing word. Congratulations on top story!
Well, I am calling a lexicographer and demanding this be put in the newest dictionary. Brilliantly done!
First and foremost, I love the word concept and definition. The story is intriguing. It stirs a sharply alert morbid fascination, arresting attention even as it cocoons the mind in a sort of menacing narcotic hush - taken altogether, it leaves me with a mood like that I have felt while looking up at a hazy-haloed winter moon from the underbelly of frigid twilight, made inexplicably uneasy by the soft, slow, irregular sound of bare branches scraping together overhead. Very nice. Evocative. My one critique would just be that I think the connection between the excellent word (which definition communicates something that feels real, feels like it should have a place in the English language) and the story itself could be enhanced…I’m not sure if the old woman is “spectral remains” herself, or whether a “power” has already recently fallen (vs. soon to fall or recently risen), or what could be considered an “outdated tradition” in this world or story. The story raised so many questions as a snippet that it was almost distracting, but not quite. Enjoyed this. 👏👏
Impressive and refreshing at the same time.
Nicely done. Congrats on the TS
This should be made into a longer story, really nicely done. Great work. Congratulations
This makes an excellent short story. Enough hinted and revealed, but leaving much left to the imagination. Very well done.
Very dangerously dark and very well written with details thee as t are creepy
Oooo, I loved how gory this was! Brilliant work!