[removed]

I am so glad you liked it!!!

It's the song Centerfold by J. Geils Band

Very interesting, is there a second part?

I would love to read a pt 3 😁😁

Getting game of thrones vibes

"Ok Lanius"

If you was from, where I was from, you'd be freackin dead!

Small Things

​

Elred set the small girl down softly onto one of the dilapidated chairs within the expansive tomb. Through the thick coat of darkness, a few phantom shapes could be made out. Judging by their sharp angles and rectangular bodies, they were shelves of some sort.

​

"Why it so quiet in here?" the girl asked.

​

"I think this place has been empty a long time," Elred spoke softly, "and when all the people left, silence moved in."

​

She looked at him curiously, her mouth squirming into a strange expression. After a few moments she merely nodded, accepting this. Ever since Elred had collected her abandoned on the side of one of the roads outside the razed town of Verrdikt, she'd been a child of few words. It was hard to say if that was due to her limited knowledge of them, or the lack of appetite for them which the world had imparted unto her.

​

Elred pulled a small torch from his bag. Softly, flint and steel clicked together. For a few moments only that rhythm existed in the long vacant space. From the emptiness, eventually, came light. It was soft and orange, gently peeling back layers of the inky blackness.

​

What was uncovered were volumes upon volumes of scrolls. A lost collection of knowledge. They overflowed from shelves, often simply being deposited in unruly stacks across the ground.

​

"Why so many of the paper?" the child asked, now with a few fingers in her mouth.

​

"Well," Elred spoke contemplatively, "people used to write all the stuff they knew down. Stored it in places like this. They wanted to make things easier for people that came after them. Some people didn't like that, though. Thought that people had learned too much. Departed from the faith of the twenty divine - so they all got locked away. Forgotten."

​

"Like me forgotten?" she whispered.

​

Elred winced, his features soft under the gentle firelight.

​

"A bit. People often discard things, not knowing their worth."

​

Though he doubted she really got the nuance of the statement, the girl gently smiled with the far off look she often had.

​

"Will words tell us what to do? To make it good again?" she pawed at her cheek as she spoke, a strange look coming over her. Hesitantly, she asked a question that she'd voiced many times since joining Elred. "They tell me my word?"

​

Elred knew what she meant to ask - her word, anyways. She had never known her name. He began to leaf through the first of the shelves, getting a lay of the structure the scrolls had been formed into.

​

"Well, they say everything you need for a better future and success has already been written," Elred laughed lightly. "So maybe someone figured out how to make it all good again."

​

He doubted that was an easily achievable objective, regardless of the tombs harbored knowledge. Looking at the poor girl though, it didn't really seem like a time for nuanced opinions.

​

"And who knows? Each town did have a Yeuomen."

​

She cocked her head.

​

"Sorry - a writer of words. They kept track of things like births and dates. Collections of events."

​

Sadly, Elred knew their skills were probably very underestimated and largely underemployed in the times before the shattered reclamation.

​

She smiled a far off smile again, eyes not quite focusing.

​

"My word?"

​

"Yes," Elred returned her smile. "Your word."

​

Elred glanced through shelf after shelf. On the Topic of Cold Weather Fertility, The History and Significance of House Verneer, and Appropriate Methods of Long Term Storage for Perishables. All undoubtedly useful - but not the answers he sought out. He masked his frustration - the girl didn't need to see that.

​

"My word?" she probed, eyeing him as he worked.

​

"No, not yet I'm afraid," Elred sighed.

​

"I look?" she asked, placing one faintly damp finger on a scroll near her.

​

Elred paused, a thought striking him. He set down the scrolls in his hands and walked over. Perhaps this journey wouldn't be wasted after all. They'd need many to remember the forgotten knowledge - at least if they ever made it that far.

​

"Quite a good idea," he said, patting her gently on the back. "Do you see the squiggles? They are called 'letters.' This one here is 'V.'"

​

She furrowed her brow, pointing at the letter shown to her.

​

Elred pressed his front teeth against his lower lip. "Vuh - Vee. Like that."

​

She repeated the sound, clearly concentrating. "Vu- Vuh. Vee?" She looked upward, questioningly.

​

He smiled, nodding on encouragingly. So they went, squiggle by squiggle. Letter by letter. Word by word. Though this was not the knowledge Elred desperately sought, he took solace in that for today it would be enough.

​

Perhaps finding one word would make this worth it.

​

[WC: 795]

I am SO screwed, that MC is a US Special Forces who survived the equivalent of hell.

Chilling, and yet full of curiousity about so many directions it could go.

Would work very well as a take on Jekyll and Hyde. Or even an example of Frankenstein's monster done right.

Such a good response to the prompt. Thank you for sharing it.

Now there are... a little over 7000? And some of them are just plain crappy or so bad they should be a -J.

You’re very welcome, I’m glad you enjoyed the story.

This graveyard holds the last 10 generations of your family. This is the first visit you've ever made, and the feeling of a presence weighs heavy on your mind. The old journals of your ancestors have begun to make more sense and you hope to make it out unscathed.

Pt 2: “My turn to ask then?” I inquired.

“She’s sharp!” The tigress chuffed in amusement.

“Go ahead.” The fox agreed. “We made a fair deal. I can’t ask again until I’ve answered your question.”

“Who are you?”

“I am Dr. Martin Raymond.” He answered, his head taking an arrogant tilt. “Member of the Ars Canista, what you human were said to refer to as canines or dogs. I am a professor and a scientist. I teach classes and study extinct species. I specialize in humans. Their history, their biology, etc. With you, I hope to further my research.”

“I’m Audie.” The tigress purred. “Miss Audie Finnicks. I’m Dr. Raymond’s assistant and his apprentice. One day I’ll have his job, which he’s training me for.”

“I won’t retire for a while, so you can wait a few decades.” The fox replied snarkily. “Anyway, my turn for a question. We have only been able to study ruins and human skeletons. I’m curious about everything. How did humans go extinct?”

“It happened fast.” I answered, rubbing my head. The memory was fuzzy. “A certain country-“

“Country?” The fox interrupted. “Like a farm?”

“I mean, a civilization.” I corrected. “Like a group of people.”

“Where did they live?” Dr. Martin interrupted again. He pulled down a large map of the world. It seems a bit different from when I was alive, but the continents were roughly in the same places.

“You need to only ask one question at a time.” Audie reminded him, flicking him with her tail.

“Sorry Eve.” He mumbled. I pointed to roughly the place that looked like North America.

“The southern half of that.” I answered. “They started a war by being too quick to attack another nation during high tensions. They dragged everyone into their war. My country,” I pointed to where Canada once was. “Tried to stay out of the fighting. But we were falsely blamed for harbouring secret alliances. Every civilization destroyed each other. Every one raided for resources and its people killed.”

“You humans are a lot like ants.” Audie commented. “You can do great things, but are always starting wars with each other.”

“You’re not wrong.” I agreed. “In the middle of all this, the planet went through a cold snap. It drifted away from the sun for a short period. This killed nearly everyone. The people used to living in hot climates died first. The people far to the north simply froze. Nearly all of them were picked off by carrion eating animals. I was a survivor, living in and out of ruined cities and towns. Until I took shelter from the blizzard and from what you’ve told me, been frozen for millions of years. The whole thing happened in the span of only two years.”

“The planet is back to its normal state temperature wise.” The doctor explained. “But we are still up north. Only one hundred and twelve kilometres north east from where you were excavated.”

“Can I go outside.” I was dying to get out of the stuffy room with the bright lights pointed at me. My throat was dry. I hopped off my hospital style bed and onto the floor.

“Be careful!” Dr. Martin yelped loudly. “Your internal organs are still delicate! They might need time to adjust.”

“I’ll be fine.” I grunted, feeling dizzy and in pain. “I need to see the sky.” I started stumbling toward the door.

“This isn’t a good idea. There might be widespread panic at seeing a human walking around in public!” Audie huffed, blocking the door.

I glanced at a half open window and hopped through it. I groaned as I landed, but got up.

“Are you authorized to be inside the lab? I don’t see an ID.” Growled a voice. I looked up. Four wolves stated back at me. They were dressed in black and white suits and sunglasses.

“Is that a-“ They looked surprised.

“It’s okay!” The fox and tiger opened the door and rushed out. “That’s only the human female. She’s perfectly harmless, aren’t you?” Dr. Martin looked for my affirmation.

“Yes. I’m not going to do anything.” At my words the wolves recoiled.

“Relax, she’s with us.” Audie assured them. “Can’t you go back to your bed?” She looked at me hopefully.

“I have to see what’s become of the world. And I need to breathe under open air.”

“Alright.” Dr. Martin agreed. Audie looked shocked. “You might as well get a look. I need a volunteer to help her.” He turned to the wolves.

“I’ll help.” One wolf stepped up. His voice was deep and gruff, but calm and gentle sounding.

“Alright then, you’ll be responsible for watching her day and night.” Martin ordered. “Don’t let her out of your sight for a moment or let anyone near her.”

“I can do that.” The wolf answered. “She looks kind of cute. I expected humans to be hideous. Wait, where is she?”

I stumbled forward, making my way through the halls. Strong arms lifted me up from behind. “I’m afraid you are in no condition to walk ma’am.” The wolf growled. “I must assist you.” He carried me like a baby, his movements calm and professional. I felt awkward.

“Be gentle with my specimen! I don’t want any damage!” Hissed Dr. Martin. He got my attention with a shape yip. “This is one of my bodyguards. He is now yours, his name is Fen Silverback. He will protect and accompany you. Audie and I will see to your needs.” Suddenly we pushed through the double doors and into the sunlight.

I looked around, awed by the sight. Animal were everywhere, flying, walking, running. All on their hind legs like people. The snowing sky was beautiful above me. I blinked, my eyes softening. It was the prettiest thing I’d ever seen.

I’d y’all like, I’ll do a pt 3.

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I have not seen my father in a decade. His desire for a son eclipsed his marriage. After two divorces, he had ten daughters, and three were extramarital. He abandoned us all the same.

I lived to become the daughter he could be proud of. I studied hard, forwent marriage, and joined the military. I barely survived the last war and wanted to see him again.

I knocked uneasily on his trailer door and heard him stir inside. I straightened up my jacket and tucked any stray hair neatly behind my ear. My heart skipped as he neared the door.

He opened the door so aggressively that the hinges could fall off. “WHAT” he sprouted, looking around wildly before his eyes fell on mine. His initial shock dissipated and was replaced with what I could only describe as disgust.

“Father.” I swallowed. The speech I had prepared left me without effort. I lifted my chin and faked a toothy smile.

“I have returned, I said barely audible, from war.”

He let go of the door and it swung towards me. My elbow caught it and I stepped into the familiar trailer.

He watched me closely in bemusement. He was silent, and we met eyes.

“War.” I said again this time loud enough for him to hear. “I have returned from it.”

He seemingly lost interest in me and turned back to the TV in the background.

Blood rushed to my face, and my nails pinched into my palms.

“WAR DAMMIT,” I shouted stomping my foot. “I COULD HAVE DIED YOU BASTARD.” I was surprised by my outburst and looked brazenly at the cluttered floor.

If I had remained my gaze, I may have noticed his surprise. By the time I looked up I saw contempt.

“War? You do not yet know war. You are a child who has tasted their first autumn frost and called it winter.” He spoke to me like a child, and I felt myself sinking into my uniform.

After all these years, he viewed me as a damsel in distress. The dismissive tone caused a lump in my throat and tears to sting my eyes.

“Fuck the riddles, dad.” I said fighting back tears, “ I am a soldier.” He was unmoved and his eyes trailed back to the TV.

“Take that monkey suit off, Lindsey. You are an embarrassment to this country.”

I was dumbfounded and shook my head in disbelief. My shoulders lost all tension and I couldn’t stop the tears from coming.

“But Dad.” I choked out. His disgust for me grew, and he turned his head to focus more intensively on the TV.

“I have no children,” he said coldly. My heart dropped, and I cried in my uniform as he walked off.

I don’t normally comment much but I had to to tell you that this was beautifully written! I loved it!!

The Storyteller could see the eyes of the class glaze over, their attention reduced to embers. He decided on a change of pace. “I know history can be boring. Some of you may never be interested in it and that’s alright. But it is so important to know why things are the way that they are now. Do any of you remember how we first settled Altus II?”

One of the kids from the left began to read from his textbook, boredom seeping from every word: “In the Old Era, the human clans of our home planet Earth encountered the first-“

“In your own words please.”

“Uh. The Earthy Stars-“

“Earthen Sons!” interrupted a girl from the back. “The Earthen Sons wanted a fight!”

The Storyteller smiled. “Yes, we’re getting to that part. See, in those days, humans were still fairly new to being afraid. Many of them saw a challenge in every obstacle, a reward to every risk.”

“Well that’s stupid,” chimed a student from the very back row. “It’s amazing they lasted as long as they did.”

“It was admirable, really. Your predecessors accomplished so much so quickly because of it. But I digress. There are logs of some humans from even before The First Parlay who would stockpile supplies and weapons, bracing for - or rather yearning for - various apocalypses that never came. Unfortunately, The Earthen Sons were no different other than in their organization.

When we first established contact with an alien race, we looked to the stars with hope in our eyes, apprehension clouded by relief that in this vast ocean, we weren’t alone. The Sons, meanwhile, grumbled and took to the streets, protesting any attempt at dialogue much less technological exchanges.”

“What a load of steam. Just holding everyone else back.”

“Well that’s not very fair. To them, the unknown was a terrifying place, and rightly so. Any minor move could have been a step toward annihilation. Imagine if, say, the Svortuk found them first. If they tried to continue communicating, we wouldn’t be here to have this conversation today.”

“Were we so lucky,” grumbled a voice from the middle of the shelter.

“I heard that.”

“Sorry, Storyteller. Please continue.”

“Humans soon learned that we were a minuscule part of a larger empire, claimed by entities we had yet to lay eyes upon.”

“The Others!” a student yelled excitedly.

“Yes. Some people pictured them as insects, others imagined spacefaring mollusks, and many simply thought of them as almost human.” He had to pause while they laughed, some mimicking finger antennas on their heads, others pretending to swim through an imaginary ocean with pulsating limbs. He smiled at the thought of how glad he was that these references weren’t lost on the children.

When they settled down, he bagan again. “The Sons saw The Others as a threat to their independence, an affront to their liberty, a faceless guard placing shackles upon humanity’s feet. And when it became clear that the Others merely saw us as an out-of-the-way curiosity back then, too distant to mine for resources but intriguing enough to maintain contact, the Sons took this as an insult. And no one could have guessed what they were planning.

“That awful attack got the attention of The Others instantly. They did not yet understand then that humans thought differently from one another, that differences in opinion existed. They saw the attack as a declaration of war and they acted accordingly. Leviathans - that’s what we call the Others’ living ships, appeared at the periphery of our old solar system. Their response lasted less than two New Era minutes, and with no more effort for the Others than us swatting at an annoying insect. A tiny portion of one of Sol’s own asteroid belts was redirected at Earth and that’s all it took to destabilize Earth’s orbit. Not that anyone would have survived the impact anyway.”

The children merely sat with their eyes downcast, but obviously paying close attention. The Storyteller knew they had little reason to feel attached to the early humans even if they descended from them. Too much of daily life now would be completely unrecognizable to the ancestors anyway. But the halfhearted elimination of over 99% of a sentient species - as well as countless other innocent species sharing the planet - is still sobering to think about.

“The few Wanderer ships soon held the only life known to Earth. That is where our Forefathers established what we know of humanity today. The handful of ships were afraid of being hunted down until the last Earthlife perished. But the Others are straightforward beings. The attack came from Earth, so Earth was removed. The ships were as interesting as space debris. They saw no threat.”

“How did we become friends then.”

“Well, ‘friends’ isn’t really the correct term but it took a very long time to get to where we are now. We understand the Others a little better and their logic behind the attack in the moment became impossible to argue with. Little more than a reflex of scratching an itch. Likewise, they are now at least somewhat comprehending that humans are a spectrum rather than a singular mind. And if it wasn’t for them, the Svortuk would have already eaten at least a portion of our known galaxy.

“See, we thought we knew war, knew fear. But we couldn’t even comprehend back then just how little we mattered.”

Lmao smart move there

You are the one who writes the pages

Seconded. I wish I could upvote this twice

Part 2?

holy smokes, that was fantastic