Stories are meant to be shared:
<<< first story < previous story next story > latest story >>>
Enter the tomb. Count your blessings. A baker’s dozen. Hopefully enough. The air is dank and stirred by a cold and distant wind, like a grave without a bottom. Proceed into the first chamber. Shrug off the necrosis trap. Count your blessings. Seven now. That cost you dearly. Why did you skimp this time? You know how dangerous these old tombs can be. Fight the gravelurker. Stitch up your wounds. Count your blessings. Four left. Used to be a scrap like that wouldn’t use any. Are you getting slower with age? Fumble with the door enchantment. Another necrosis trap. Sloppy. Count your blessings. Just two, but no point in turning back. You gave your last gold to the mangy cleric who sells watered-down relics and benisons, and you won’t get another chance at these burial goods. A sound from deeper in the tomb. A charnel guardian, crackling with brimstone and unholy invocations. You’d need a dozen blessings to face it down, even at your peak. But it has the scent of your fear now. Too late to run. Fight as best you can. Keep the sweat from your eyes. Remember your footwork, your words for warding evil. Grit through the blow. Keep the blood from your eyes. Count your blessings. All gone now. You are alone with the concessions that brought you to this tomb like a thief in a night that feeds on thieves. Count your blessings. Count your blessings. Maybe if you die fast enough, it will let you stay dead. I launched a Kickstarter for a new deck of worldbuilding prompts last week! I would be absolutely thrilled if you would consider checking it out, spreading the word, and pledging!
Short story written by Peter Chiykowski
website twitter facebook instagramStory prompt taken from a photo by Malcolm Lightbody
website twitter