We descend into nothing.
Chain to chain, shoulder to shoulder, four-by-four, we're corralled down limestone steps at the palace courtyard's southern end towards its center. A bard hums. A babe cries out, mine throat tightens. Here, I’ve lived through many births–
Whiff.
Schlink.
And fewer executions.
A skull tumbles onto marbled stone and ends between mine feet. Our sentry. Brown eyes, teary. Accusatory. Though that can’t be right, since our last ale was to erase all facial personhood. Yet, there’s no mistaking the pained cast of Thomas, brother of mine,
only nine Summers.
About the Creator
beluliel
Lost to some.
A Few Moments More
You’ll give it one more minute, and then you’re headed back inside. It’s pretty chilly out, after all. Not that that’s a real issue - you’ve stood out here for longer, and in colder weather. The snow is nearly gone already; tiny, dirt-stained islands of the stuff form a shrinking archipelago dotting the sea of green that is your backyard. Striations of sunlight dance through the trees at the edge of the woods and paint the scene in a camouflage of brown, green, and gold.
By Gabriel Huizenga7 days ago in Fiction
Maya's Journey
In the heart of a picturesque village, where the sun cast golden hues upon cobblestone streets and laughter echoed through the air, lived a young girl named Maya. From the moment she could walk, Maya's eyes sparkled with dreams of grand adventures and extraordinary achievements. While the villagers marveled at her boundless imagination, some whispered behind closed doors, skeptical of her lofty aspirations.But Maya paid no heed to their doubts. She believed in the power of her dreams with a fervor that ignited her spirit like a flame in the darkest night. With each passing day, her resolve strengthened, fueled by an inner fire that refused to be extinguished.As Maya grew older, the weight of expectations pressed down upon her shoulders like a heavy cloak. Family and friends urged her to follow the well-trodden path of conformity, to settle for a life of safety and predictability. Yet Maya's heart yearned for something more, something beyond the confines of ordinary existence.One crisp autumn morning, as the leaves danced in the breeze and the air crackled with anticipation, Maya made a decision that would alter the course of her destiny. With a sense of purpose burning bright within her, she set out on a journey into the unknown, determined to carve her own path through the wilderness of life.The road ahead was fraught with challenges and obstacles, each one testing Maya's courage and resilience. There were moments of doubt, when the shadows of fear threatened to engulf her. But Maya refused to surrender to despair. With each setback, she rose stronger, her spirit unbroken and her determination unwavering.Along the way, Maya encountered fellow travelers who shared her hunger for adventure. Together, they braved raging rivers, scaled towering mountains, and traversed treacherous forests. Their laughter rang out like music in the air, a symphony of camaraderie and shared purpose.Yet for all the joys of companionship, Maya knew that the path she walked was hers and hers alone. Each step forward was a testament to her courage, each obstacle overcome a victory earned through sheer willpower and determination.As the seasons changed and the years slipped by, Maya's journey took her to distant lands and uncharted territories. She faced trials that tested the very limits of her endurance, moments when the darkness threatened to consume her light. But always, just when she thought she could go no further, a spark of hope would ignite within her, guiding her forward through the storm.Through the valleys of despair and the peaks of triumph, Maya never lost sight of her ultimate goal. Her dreams fueled her determination, propelling her ever onward towards the horizon of possibility.And then, one fateful day, Maya reached the summit of her dreams. Standing atop a windswept peak, with the sun setting in a blaze of glory behind her, she knew that every trial, every hardship, had been worth it. For in that moment, she realized that the true measure of success lay not in the destination, but in the journey itself.Maya's story spread far and wide, a beacon of hope for all who dared to dream. Her name became synonymous with courage and determination, her journey a testament to the power of the human spirit.But for Maya, the greatest reward lay not in the accolades or the adulation of others, but in the knowledge that she had lived her life on her own terms, true to the fire that burned within her heart.And so, dear reader, take heed of Maya's tale. For in it lies a lesson that transcends time and space, a reminder that no dream is too big, no challenge too daunting. As long as you have the courage to follow your heart and the determination to never give up, the world is yours for the taking. So go forth, dear dreamer, and blaze your own trail through the wilderness of life. For who knows what wonders await those who dare to dream?
By Fahim Tahmid Mahi3 days ago in Fiction
Vocal Bonus Leaderboard: 05/08/2024
Welcome to the weekly update of the Leaderboard! We're thrilled to showcase Vocal's most discussed stories, popular picks, and rising stars. Let's dive into this past week's standout contributors and their remarkable achievements.
By Vocal Teama day ago in Resources
Comments (1)
That was awesome!!! 💖