Oh wow ! It’s funny in a way, of course Earth 4 would be the most similar to ours, with both good and bad things, and of course the Angels’ coming would be used as media material, with politicians trying to get a good image. I didn’t quite get the whole ending, even after looking up what March Madness was, but I’m guessing there is some kind of corruption here ? With the protagonist, who I assume to be either a fallen angel or Cain himself (the idea of inserting more biblical elements is very bold and interesting in itself), offering a list of sinners in exchange for his own guarantee to go up. A somewhat dark, but not dystopian take on the prompt.

saving this for later

It was going well until she found out I'm a furry. But we're getting ahead of ourselves, aren't we?

It was your average Monday, and I kept sneaking glances at Laria who was sitting a couple rows over from me. She was our resident goth when goth as a style was dying out, and there were rumors she was a witch. Arthur, noticing my furtive glances, dared me to take her out on a date, and despite my insistence that I couldn't - I didn't even drive a car - he and a bunch of other guys insisted, and transportation would not be a problem since one of them volunteered to double-date with his girlfriend.

So now it was Friday night, and we skipped out on the football game to go to an Italian place, which Laria and I decided on. The four of us got our orders in, and then it was time for conversation. Gerald, the guy who was dating Hannah, let slip the fateful remark, and I felt a chill in the air as Laria fixed me with a strange yet powerful stare, and I felt electricity flow between us as something clicked in place.

The rest of the date proceeded without incident, and we went out separate ways as Gerald dropped each of us off. Laria gave me a kiss as I stopped at her door, and the sparks seemed to intensify.

That night was the most painful one I ever had, and I passed out at some point for the rest of the weekend, even missing church that Sunday. When I awoke early Monday morning, I was thirsty above all else, and so I went to the bathroom for a drink of water.

Turning on the light, I was grateful I held a plastic cup, the strange sensations from my proprioception making sense now as I beheld the body of an anthropomorphic bassarisk, and I realized Laria had turned me into what I now knew to be my true fursona. Odd, I thought, looking up what I had become. I've always thought of myself as a wolf, but...this 'ringtail' fits me to a T.

I suddenly grew a big self-conscious, noticing I was naked, and shuddered as I thought of the fright I must have given my folks. Only then did I realize all the time I had lost as I glanced at the date on my phone, and got to work right away on the homework that would be due later that day.

When I got to school that morning, I noticed that despite how different I was, people were treating it as though it was...normal? Then I realized that they were whispering not about me, but about Laria, and I turned around and beheld the most beautiful bassarisk woman I had ever seen.

First period was awkward as the teacher seated us next to each other, muttering something about the consequences of wish fulfillment and curses whilst offering congratulations, and Laria mentioned to me that the teacher is her father. With a common name like Smith, I wouldn't have guessed. She promised to explain everything to me at lunch, and I reluctantly agreed, though I wanted to know right then what was going on and why both of us were bassarisk people.

The explanation took the whole lunch period after we got our meat-laden meals, and now I understood why her dad was both upset and elated. Apparently if a witch or wizard transforms someone into something else by a curse or fulfillment of a wish, that person's soulmate is transformed as well in order that no barriers be erected in the way of true love. And so, when she transformed me into my true fursona, she became her true fursona as well, and since we were soulmates...

Years have gone by since then, and after graduating from high school and college, we are the proud parents of many children, all bassarisks as well...at least until they meet their soulmates. Then they become their soulmate's true fursona. Having this "curse" be passed down and propagate through further generations does not concern us; after all, humanity needs to speciate, as 8 billion of a single species is too much. And it turns out we weren't the first to undergo such a transformation, as descendants of other such couples from throughout history have come out of the woodwork to help us find jobs and other things necessary for functioning in society. You know those mascots you see at sports games and theme parks? A good number of them actually have actual furries underneath.

As I lay here with Laria in my furred arms, making love once again, I once more thank Gerald for mentioning that small detail about me. Without that remark, I would be a lot worse off in life right now. That sly fox...

Chilling. An ironic thought, that this segregative system prevents any improvement whatsoever, separating reformed people and those still in need of guidance. Hell is real now, because they crafted it as such. It’s another interesting take, like every person that moves gets some parallel life, be it better or worse. A scary thought, to imagine what Rederick could have done to earn a one-way ticket back to Earth 7. But this idea of people feeling like they “belong” to a specific society, be it specifically good or bad, is another thing that could be expanded a lot.

[deleted]

Also, lots of high level Blue Robes made fun of her cheap rituals during the civil war/rebellion, but were slapped right back in the face after witnessing her results.

In the empire of Uvort, magic is used for a variety of purposes. Art, rituals, warfare, & medicine. Magic itself is restricted for the Nobels & religious servants, as they are considered the only ones “worthy” enough to wield it.

In Uvort, there are several orphanages who take in babies & teach the children to perform rituals & make potions, strictly meant to aid the medical needs of nobles. They wouldn’t object, they were taught o worship Nobles as highly as their gods. It was their duty to serve a Noble, even if it costed their own life. If you did not follow these instructions, you were not a Blue Robe Mage.

In one orphanage, there was a girl named Maggie Day, her last name comes from the South Day Church. She was a very dedicated young girl. She loved the feeling of helping out the nobles & using magic. But she also fell behind her peers, only being able to remember a fraction of the spells, earning teasing from her siblings & hard schooling from her teachers. At some point, a Nobel, Sir Draco, came to Sour Day when Maggie was 15. He went around the church to pick out his personal Blue Robe Mages. As he walked around, he noticed Maggie’s radiating dedication despite her low skill level, he knew he needed her.

Later on, Maggie & couple of her sisters were chosen to aid Sir Draco & his family. Maggie was excited to work for Sir Draco, driving her to work hard & please her new master. In the end, Maggie’s life was simple & pleasant from them on, but there was something bugging her. She often found it strange how the servants never got the same got any treatments. They worked just as hard if not harder then the mages, even helping the mages out, yet we’re never allowed to be healed by magic. If the mages are allowed to do this onto themselves & other mages, why can’t the servants be given that privilege? This puzzled Maggie.

One day, a servant skinned their leg & was venerable to infection. Despite this, they were not given treatment. It was only when Maggie stepped up & went to help the servant. She treated the servants wounds & prevented an infection. The servant was extremely grateful, but Sir Draco didn’t show the same attitude. He talked with Maggie & told her to never to do it again. She asked him why, he responded saying servants weren’t worthy, gods & the earths gifts shouldn’t be wasted upon trash. Maggie objected saying they weren’t trash, but Draco stood firm & demanded she never do it again with a thunderous roar. She crumpled & went with his demands.

Later on, Maggie would try to convince herself what she did was wrong, but seeing how grateful the servants were showed how good of a deed it was. She couldn’t hold it in & decided to secretly help out the servants. Unlike normal rituals requiring days of prep & expensive ingredients, Maggie would settle for cheap substitutes & do quick rituals. Over time, she managed to improve these rituals & make them far quicker, taking only a minute to execute with 2 minutes of prep. It was because of this that she managed to get away with treating the servants. But, she would eventually be found out, leading to her being punished by whips & casted into Thunder Tomb prison, where she would be reformed to serve only the nobles. But Maggie wouldn’t budge, despite the torture she believed what she did was right. She believed the servants deserved as much respect as nobles.

At some point, a coup was formed against the Uvort empire. The rebels leading the coup aimed for Thunder Tomb & freed prisoners who were captured for reveling against authority, including Maggie. Maggie’s wounds were treated by the rebels, but she after gaining enough strength she treated herself. Soon after this, she was asked to join the rebels. At first hated the idea of fighting against nobles, but remembered how horrible they treat servants, especially the people they imprisoned. She agreed to join, as long as they didn’t stoop down to barbarians. It was then that Maggie Day became the rebels first Blue Robe Mage. She helped to treat wounds of the injured & teach others how to use magic. She also learned how to improvise with the recourses she had, just as she did with Sir Draco’s servants. Eventually, she managed to make quick & cheap, yet effective rituals to heal soldiers & people. And, it was easy to learn, a far greater quantity of people easily could learn these rituals with enough practice, plus there were only a few to memorize, leading to quick mastery with only one thing to focus on. Maggie was proof of this, she was the fastest healer & her results were extremely effective despite the speed of the ritual. These healers & Maggie far outclassed the traditional Blue Robe Mages on the empires side who were still struggling to shorten their medical rituals & retain similar effectiveness, along with having to spend lots of money on expensive ingredients.

Eventually, the rebels won. A new partial Democratic Republic government was formed by the rebels, leading to greater civil rights to servants. And, Maggie Day was renowned as the Blue Saint, known for her innovation in medical rituals & god like skills. Maggie Day founded the Blue Day church, a church that would teach anyone of any social class how to perform medical rituals & assists all they could support. Maggie Day felt proud of herself, knowing she made a great impact & proved a great help to others. Eventually, she died at the age of 56, a pretty good life span during her time. She was greatly remembered for her warm personality, peaceful attitude, & skills. She even has a holiday named after her called MaggusDayus, a holiday where one helps out their community & celebrate with magic fire works.

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[removed]

Happy cake day!

came here to mention op was channeling Dresden Files

"How long has it been?"

Janet checked her pocket watch. "Nearly 45 minutes, if this time is right."

"That doesn't seem right. It feels like it's been longer." protested Ed.

"Right or not, it's all we've got at the moment," I said. "For the sake of sanity let's not contest the one mostly-functional timepiece we have, alright?"

Ed grumbled to himself and sat back in his chair.

I didn't want to admit it, but he was right. It seemed like it'd been hours.

When I first boarded the 11:00 PM train to Chandley, I had barely noticed my two fellow passengers. Ed, though I didn't yet know him by name, had taken the backmost seat in the car, resolutely staring out at the blurred scenery beyond the glass windows. He looked to be around his seventies, with white, thinning hair and a scowl seemingly etched across his face. He barely glanced at me when I entered the car.

Janet had been on her phone in the seat across from me. I could tell at once she was the sort that liked the look of older fashions. Long, black dress, red beret, a haircut straight out of The Great Gatsby-- I wouldn't have been surprised to see her at a Comic Con.

No one said anything at first. Why would we? Ostensibly, we would only hold each other's company for 20 minutes at the longest. So we sat in silence.

The first stop was made as per usual. Since it was so late, it was hardly a surprise when no one got on. I did note with some curiosity however, that a single man in a long coat and bowler hat was standing on the very edge of the platform, staring into our car. His face was void of expression, motionless.

He continued to stare into our car up until the very moment the train began to move again, at which point he glanced at something on the back of his wrist that most certainly was not a watch. I shrugged and turned my attention to the moderately more interesting advertisements posted near the ceiling.

I only began to notice something was off when we entered the tunnel. The moment the dark, brick walls encompassed our car, I noticed Janet frown for the first time since I'd seen her.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

She glanced up at me and gave a rueful half-smile. "Lost signal, is all. Probably the tunnel."

I nodded agreeably and glanced at Ed. He looked less irritated now, and more bored. My eyes drifted to the rushing wall of brick out the window, letting my mind wander.

I don't know how long I sat there, simply staring out at the blur of red. I only realized that it should have given way to more varied blurred tones when I glanced back at Janet. Her expression was now a mixture of confusion and irritation.

"The fuck?" she exclaimed.

"What?"

"Not only do I not have signal, but the clock is messed up now too!" She held both her phone and an open pocket watch in front of me. The numbers on the phone screen read 11:24 PM, while the watch ticked steadily from 11:46.

I immediately checked my own phone, only to find that it too read 11:24PM.

"I just synched them this morning!" She explained.

Only then did Ed break in. "How long is this damn tunnel?"

No one had an answer.

After a few hurried introductions, we set about determining how long we had been in the tunnel based off of Janet's watch and the last recorded time on our phones. It was, after all, all we could do.

"One hour, on the dot." Janet announced.

"Wonderful," Ed grumbled. "Now we know just how much time we've wasted on this thing."

I was about to reply when a shimmering figure appeared in the center of the car. Through the distortion, I could just make out the form of the expressionless man.

Ah, it seems I’ve found a fellow Artificer

The Budget Mage

Flowing gold and rolling silver. The coins rain from a heavy purse onto the table next to mine. The smug look on the man's face as my customers chase his overflow is nearly too much to bear, but I bear it, because I have a secret.

The woman before me shrinks with shame into her chair, her nuggets of raw copper laid out before me. She hungrily eyes the coins, knowing the risk she's taking on a rumor over food. She doesn't deserve this. Nobody does, not even this rich buffoon.

"Sir, would you mind sparing me a gold coin for a brief demonstration?"

"Perhaps if your customers weren't so lazy, you'd already have one."

He may not deserve it, but he sure is trying to earn it. No matter.

My grin widens. "Can anyone in line spare me a gold coin for a demonstration? I promise you'll get your money's worth and then some."

10 gold slam onto my table faster than the man can blink. The confusion in his face is delicious. He doesn't know it yet, but I've got a secret.

"Oh, how nice, they found the gold I dropped. I'll take it back now, please." A soft, manicured hand extends, palm up.

I primly drop the coins into his hand. The smile on my face has spread further, finding mouths in my line. They know that I've got a secret. Mr. Gold and Silver is now wearing a delightful confused frown.

I pull out 10 copper coins and lay them out with the 4 copper nuggets. As I touch the nuggets, they fall to pieces into a pile of copper coins of the same amount. The woman's face falls, but then brightens. "This isn't what I thought they meant..."

On each of the coins is a portrait of the king. I gently boop each tiny regent on the nose, and his frown turns to a smile.

The others are so excited to pick up their one copper, while silver & gold is staring with a mix of outrage and disbelief. My newest customer is starting to smile too. It won't be real magic to her until her belly is full, I know. It wasn't real for me until then either.

Months later, on a quiet day, Silver and Gold is back. Well, mostly. This time he's much more... cloth and dirt. He lays out a single copper coin. "All I have left. Why did this happen? The only thing I can think of is those smiling fools and their copper... what magic is this?"

I cannot hide the sadness from my face. "You would confuse the magic I make for them for the magic that unmade you? No, you received all that you paid for."

"What I paid for? I asked for magic that would make my servants happier, and that purse was worth more than this whole bloody town."

Behind his eyes, you could see a single copper coin slowly drop and bounce a few times. A flash of anger.

"Oh no. You don't know the worst part yet. They came to my line. They paid me too. Can you guess what they wished for?"

"My RUIN?!" he spat the word onto the table, a faint speckle of phlegm flying satisfactorily onto the table he'd so recently covered in coin.

"Would you believe it, but no! They were so grateful for their generous pay, comfortable quarters, and annual day off (all compared to your field hands) they asked for you to be just as happy as they. Their hearts were full of generosity, but they could only afford true magic."

"CHEAP magic!"

"Oh really? Can you afford it?"

A sullen silence for a few moments, followed by the jingling of a coin purse. A few silver totter out on to the table.

"All I have. Really."

He's desperate enough that it's true, and yet it's still not enough for me to feel better. His fear is just more of the yawning pit that I'm trying to fill with kindness. He won't pick up a shovel today and help, but at least the hole will be a tad smaller.

I boop the king on his copper on the nose. "Roll the coin down the street and follow it. Don't bother trying to remember the route, it's just me showing off my magic through a fancy teleportation scheme. The price is kindness. You'll know it worked when the king's nose glows. When it glows, boop it like I did."

"But why copper?"

"I told people to bring something that had no value to them. If they bring something valuable anyhow, I give them exactly what it's worth and not a copper less. It's a simple teleportation spell."

"What if they bring nothing?"

"Then I pay them a copper for their thoughts."

"How can you afford this?"

I stare at him for a while. I wave my hand and a meal appears. "Lunch?" another wave. "Dinner?"

"I ...... that doesn't answer my question."

"I waved my hand and food appeared. I waved it again and different food appeared. Magic right? How much food did you leave laying to rot in the sun last month while my line had to go on one meal a day, or none?"

An uneasy shift in his seat.

"You don't have magic, but we both know why you didn't wish for magic. You're educated enough to know the cost. How long before the mage you paid is dead? A decade? Two at most?"

His face darkens. "So what crimes are you atoning for then, budget mage?"

A good start?

so Shadowrun, but with eldritch horrors alongside the great dragons.

Macgyver but he's a mage

(I have never posted here but frankly I adore this plot and feel like the other submissions were a bit...off. so here goes. ahem)

I always liked my privacy. Ever since I was first brought into this world of chaos and confusion, humans scrambling about with their fleeting little lives, their horses and buggies-wait no, their, blast what do they call them? Cars! Yes their cars and bills and so many things to do. I take short trips to certain locals of interest here and there, but never committed to staying. One of the perks of being so old and secretive is not having to deal with, ugh, cults. Honestly I have no idea how my brother deals with it. The ancient one who sleeps, hah, he barely catches a wink with all that noise.

But one day I heard a whisper, just the faintest voice in the back of my skull.

"Please, take her to be your bride almighty Shighoran, please, bless us with your wisdom in exchange for our only daughter".

what in the thirteen circles? I think to myself. It has been an awfully long time since I had heard what they call a prayer, I thought I kept my name away from text or memory. "Ah well, it is a rather slow week, may as well humor them" I say aloud. "Let's see who 'she' is".

With a cloud of black, scentless smoke I began to assume a smaller version of my true form. They went to the trouble of summoning me after all, may as well give them what the asked for. As the two humans shrank back in a not-so-small bit of fear, I flexed my spiked appendages, and wiggled my tentacles in order to form a single question in what the humans call English. "WHY HAVE YOU SUMMONED ME MORTALS?"

The two who had summoned me were on their knees at the edge of the glyphs, and they swallowed as they gathered courage to face me. "We-we humbly offer our only daughter to you. We wish to learn the secrets of the old ways! Please, teach us and have our child as a bride to do as you see fit with!"

Upon their request one of my hundreds of eyes turned to the corner they had just gestured at, and there sat a small, shaking human. A...blast this infernal tongue...a girl? No more than her adolescent years. The cogs in my vast and ancient mind began to turn as I realized what they meant. I stayed silent for a few moments, a plan coming to mind.

"VERY WELL. AWAIT HERE AS I ENSURE SHE SURVIVES THE TRIP". With that echoing command, I point a finger at the small quivering one and phase us both back to my lair, a cabin, only a mile or two outside of the city she currently lived in. Upon arrival, my spikes were gone, tentacles retracted into a short but bushy beard, my only eyes blue and twinkling.

The girl looked up with me, almost unspeakable fear in her gaze regardless of my form, but she did not run. Rather brave for her age I must say. Applying my powers of elder speech, and having a human voice to match, I gently reach out a hand to help her stand. "Fear not. This may be a false form, but the elders are unable to lie". As I say this she hesitates a moment, but grabs my hand and brings herself to her feet.

"Listen, I haven't the smallest idea why or how those humans found my name, but I am not like the other gods. I do not care for betrothal or companionship, but I am not malevolent". The child seemed unsure so I closed my eyes and breathed deeply, trying to simplify my intent.

"What I mean to say is, you are not my bride. You are not my prisoner. If you want, you may live here, with me. I will watch over you, and anything your heart desires, you may have. I know some pretty big people in the world of the old ones, I can pull a favor here or there", I say with a wink. For the first time, the girl spoke.

"I-I wouldn't mind some different clothes. Maybe some food?". Her voice was small and soft, but I was right about her being brave. I chuckle and hold my hand flat in front of her. Instead of the black smoke, a gorgeous dazzle of light began to form into something I knew humans covet, something certainly impossible for her previous guardians to acquire. A credit card, with a limit so large no human could live to see the end of zeroes.

"This is yours. Until you feel safe, I will accompany you when you wish to buy things. When you can take care of it yourself, you may use it as you please. I may not be a fully fledged God, but knowing who my older brother is...let us say no one will question you", I say with another wink and what was-perhaps-not the best impression of a human chuckle, pointing to the tentacles face on the back of the card.

"No one can harm you so long as you possess this. Not your caregivers, and not other dieties". "B-but, why are you being so nice to me Mr...?". "Call me Shiggy", I say, "I like to keep my name out of the history books, much less tedious than being constantly hounded haha". My laugh is getting better I must admit. "Now, there is plenty of food in my kitchen, and a change of clothes in the room I just added, which is yours by the way". I slap my forehead in a joking fashion, "How rude, I didn't even ask your name! What is it, little one?".

"It's-it's Ally Mr. Shiggy".

"Allie, how lovely", I say with a warm smile. "Anyways, I do have one thing to do so please, eat up, make yourself at home, and I shall return shortly".

"Y...you're going to see my parents again aren't you? Please don't change your mind", she squeaks out, tears forming in her eyes.

"I wouldn't dream of it little one", I assure her, "I'm simply giving them the reward they sought, a deal is a deal after all!" With one last smile I vanish into a puff of smoke, and reappear where I was summoned, in human form.

"Lord Shighoran, is that you? Did you accept pur sacrifice?".

Mortals. So pathetic. So easily corrupted. I smile, but something about the points of my teeth seems to have thrown them off. "indeed, it is I. Now then, you wished to have knowledge of the old ones, yes?".

"Please, yes, we beg of you to share it with us!".

"OH very well. The first thing you shall learn from me, the eater of dreams, sibling of the one who sleeps in the dark, ALMIGHTY BRINGER OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE" (my brother would get a kick out of my theatrics I must say) "IS..."...

They waited, holding their breath. These miserable two who would sacrifice their own flesh and blood, so excited to learn secrets only we possess. Willing to give up one who they should have sworn to protect, given their lives for if need be. These two were begging for my secrets, and so I shall share.

"Human skin makes for the most excellent book covers. And I have two novels that need rebound".

Edited to make the ending a smidgen more clear.

Welcome to the Prompt! All top-level comments must be a story or poem. Reply here for other comments.

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I appreciate the resource!

Mixing up that science and magic.

Something is going to go boom.

Yet another merger of magic and science.

Better duck and cover. ;)

"Hmmm that's a good question. And to someone like me hardly a simple question to answer.

Ever since i can remember i have never felt any interest in anything. I have never managed to care about anyone either, some thlught it was because of how i was raised, but i know this is just who i am. I have never seen that sparkle in life that others seem to have when they accomplish great things either, and to be totally honest, that spark always looked shallow to me. Nothing but a chemical reaction of molecules trying to make your brain happy.

I have never craved for anyone like the others either. There has never been any goal that i have been trying to reach. All i have done is follow the path that was in front of me. Without ever moving from it as there is no point in doing so. To me life is much different compared to other peoples, i dont eat for pleasure, i don't go out to have fun, none of that.

Because to me food is just nutrients. To me Entertainment is pointless. To me toilet, shower and sleep are just maintenance. And everything outside of that is nothing but useless noise. All i do is live.

After 19 years, i can easily say that there is nothing that i want to do with my life professor. No school i want to go to. No job i want to act. No one i dream to love or cherish. No goals i wish to reach. No understanding i covet to grasp. None... Nothing.

Life has never given me any craving...

Yes... Yes indeed...

It has not.

It has never done so.

It could never do so.

.

.

.

... So then...

... Perhaps the answer to that lies beyond.

... Perhaps... in a plain of existence above life."

Bloody brilliant. I’d continue reading this for at least 11 more pages. At least.

If it isn’t in embarrassing stories, it’s likely to have their daughter back on witch’s holidays.

Thank you! I’m looking forward to it.