Death's Edge

Feels like I've been here forever, this endless white void really leaves a lot to be desired. Wonder where I am? Does time work normally here? Death's been talking to that red tear in the void for ages now. I only pick up snippets of its conversation.

"Yes I know this is unusual..........help me out here."

The longer this goes on the more pissed Death gets, its bones chatter while yelling at whatever its talking to.

"How do we not have a rule for that!? Who's running that place!?"

Even Death sighs when its frustrated, soft classical music echoes in the void. Must be the hold music for the other side. What feels like another century passes before the call resumes.

"Well that doesn't seem fair..................no, no, I'm not arguing with you, just offering an opinion.....................uh huh.........okay...............fine..........fine..............I said fine!"

The rip seals shut, Death turns to face me once again, it's empty eye sockets still send shivers down my spine even after all this time. It hands me the golden coin once more.

"You get another flip. Call it in the air."

I flip the coin high into the air, calling tails, since tails never fails, intently watching my destiny tumble back to the void. I can't contain my laughter when it lands.

"Holy shit look at that! It happened again!"

Death snaps his scythe in half. Funny thing about probability, if you flip a coin enough times; eventually......it lands on its side.

I mean, I think a better answer would be “we haven’t invented them yet”. I don’t think robot apocalypse movies would stop anyone. Just look at Roombas and Alexa.

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

Reminders:

>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include "[Poem]" >* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail >* See Reality Fiction and Simple Prompts for stricter titles >* Be civil in any feedback and follow the rules

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It was a cold, gloomy evening when I realized it was time to feed the creature in the basement again. I had always dreaded this task, but I knew it had to be done.

I descended the stairs, trying to ignore the creeping feeling that something was watching me. As I approached the door to the basement, I heard the faint sound of scratching and clawing.

I hesitated for a moment, my hand hovering over the doorknob. I knew what waited for me on the other side. But I also knew that if I didn't feed it, the consequences could be dire.

I took a deep breath and turned the knob. The door swung open with a creak, revealing the dimly lit room beyond. I could see the creature in the corner, its eyes glowing with an otherworldly light.

I approached it slowly, my hand shaking as I held out the bowl of raw meat. The creature sniffed at it hungrily, its eyes fixed on mine.

I tried to back away, but my legs wouldn't move. I was frozen in place, a mouse caught in the gaze of a predator.

The creature lunged forward, its jaws snapping inches from my face. I let out a scream and stumbled backward, tripping over my own feet as I fled up the stairs.

I locked the door behind me, panting and shaking. I knew I had to go back down there eventually, but for now, I just needed to catch my breath.

As the night wore on, I knew it was only a matter of time before the creature's hunger overpowered its fear of me. And when that happened, I knew I would have to face it again. But until then, I would stay as far away from that basement as I possibly could.

(Oh no, oh why, THIS was not the outcome I wanted with my prank, Oh god) Isade thinks as she runs through woods. Her transformation spell has hit the territory's lord instead of his unfit and ill-behaving lackey. Unfortunately, after running for a hour. She is almost out of stamina and she just barely can hear dogs being unleashed and town bell being rang.

She takes a quick break then starts jogging but, it is only delaying. A hunter and it's dog catch up to her. A throwing dagger leaves the hunter's hand and flies in the air towards Isade's right leg a loud cling of a two metals hitting each other is heard both hunter and prey look in pure astonishment around them.

While somebody from an unknown position readies another arrow and holds in the pull hand another arrow. Hunter unleashes the dog and second arrow flies out impales the dog's heart and before the hunter could mutter a word, third arrow sticks into his shoulder and enters deep. Isade gets new strength from this and starts running.

(Whoever just shot those, thank you so much) Isade thinks as she continues running and as sun is going down she arrives on a border of the territories owned by different lords. She is spent but, last hope is crossing the border. She can barely hear it again but, those who are after her are getting closer. She starts crawling the rocky road.

She gets on the other side of the border and lays down panting from all of the physical exertion she has faced today. Pursuers approach her and are about to cross the border 'HALT!' somebody shouts, pursuers stop immediately. Isade reaches through her memory... It sounded familiar but, tone is so much more different. There is strength, authority and great intimidation in it.

'Please, do step over the border, if you want an arrow through your throat. I can take you all on. COME AT ME!' a man shouted. Isade though, can't muster strength to even look and finally releases her consciousness and faints. 'She is a criminal, she has broken our laws' lackey who Isade very much hated said.

'You know the oath, WHELP!' Jan shouted 'Don't even think about throwing anything or readying a bow, I have all of you dead to rights, turn around and walk away' Jan commands 'Boss, we should go...' one of the underlings of the lackey says 'Why?' lackey asks confused and irritated greatly by the tone of fear in his underling's voice.

'That's him, "Bow of Ressew"' the grunt said 'Impossible!' lackey shouted and looks at the ranger 'Believe him, walk! Now!' Jan commands. Lackey clearly is going to defy but, his grunts pull him back 'Boss, don't! I am not kidding, he could take on two dozen of us and would just call it a warm up' one of the grunts said.

'I am going to count this as border incident in five... Four...' Jan said and started counting. Pursuers finally abandon the chase completely. Jan waits bow still ready to shoot and follows the pursuit abandoning people for a while with his aim, then he resets the string puts the arrow away then sheathes the bow on his body.

He picks up Isade and looks at the face for a while (Isade... What have you gotten yourself into this time?) Jan thought feeling guilty of whole situation when he recognizes the woman as the same girl who attended the same school but, different courses. One who did prank him multiple times but, once, save his life from a possibly deadly archery accident.

Isade is insensible unfortunately and probably won't wake up for a while. Jan goes to his horse and set Isade in a manner he still can support her, so she won't fall off and then gets on his horse too and careful ride to Jan's home begins. It isn't fancy what would expect from somebody with such tittle from that battle between the territory lords.

Jan nurses Isade but, physical extortion Isade put herself through requires mostly rest... Jan is very worried though and stays up all night. Order to keep Isade's recovery at best rate to his knowledge. He has set Isade to lie on a big seat made from hay, placed a pillow under her head and covered her with a duvet.

Night passes into morning which turns to mid day. Jan was listening for breath and was raising his head away thinking Isade was going to calmly wake up but, Isade raised immediately and opens her eyes. Her lips making contact with Jan's own lips both in complete shock of the moment but, break off as quickly as it happened 'How dare you kiss me!?' Isade shouted kneads her eyes to get all what is bothering her sight out of her eyes.

She gasps from surprise recognizing Jan who has backed off to give space for Isade 'Jan?' Isade asks trying to get confirmation from the man 'Sorry Isade' Jan said greatly regretting what happened 'You... Kept your promise...' Isade said and motions Jan to come closer. Seeing Jan's face again. She is absolutely sure this is the boy she saved back then.

Jan comes closer and sits down next to of Isade but, looking past her ashamed to look in to her eyes right now. 'Do it again... Please' Isade said. Jan hesitates and turns his face slightly away from Isade. She lightly and gently turns Jan's face to her and they kiss again. They hug, Isade tightly and Jan lightly fearing that he could hurt her.

A small crowd circles around us.

“How dare you put your lips on me?!”

Maya closes the distance between us and whispers in my ear.

“Can you… do it again?”

“Why?“

“Just… do it, please.”

She gives me the biggest puppy eyes ever seen, and it melts away any resistance I have to her request.

“Fine.”

I reach in to kiss her. Once again, she punches me. This time, it sends me to the ground.

“Ack! What the hell?!”

The crowd cheers, taunting me relentlessly. Apparently, I’m not in Maya’s “league”.

She grabs me by the shirt in exaggerated fashion.

“Moron! You think you’re in my league?! Don’t make me laugh!”

Maya looks around, like she’s waiting for them to be distracted. Then she whispers in my ear again.

“Sorry about that.”

“Whaddya mean-“

She covers my mouth.

“Lower your voice. They’ll hear us.”

“Just why did you do that?”

“Look, my friends saw you talking to me. And… I need to prove that I’m not dating you.”

“Why not just tell me to brush you off? Why make me look like some stupid pervert?”

“I… didn’t think it through.”

“Clearly.”

She frowns.

“Whatever. You just, uh, fall back down and scurry off. I’ll make it up you later.”

“You better!”

I pretend to stumble, before falling to the ground again.

“Ah… ah…. AHHHHHHH! Umf!”

The crowd loses it.

I pick myself up. She has to pay me back for this.

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

Reminders:

>* Stories at least 100 words. Poems, 30 but include "[Poem]" >* Responses don't have to fulfill every detail >* See Reality Fiction and Simple Prompts for stricter titles >* Be civil in any feedback and follow the rules

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That's awesome! I loved reading those growing up.

Makes me think of Calvin and Hobbes

This is my personal favorite. 10/10 (⁠｡⁠♡⁠‿⁠♡⁠｡⁠)

[poem]

i spy

wiTH my little eyE

somEthiNg shining in the sanD

heaven in a tin can

millions Of peaches

peaches For me

i sing To myself

as juice drips down my beard

i kick tHE can

across the barren plains

WOndeRing if i'lL ever

see another face again

i Dance in sAnd stormS

lick deW from lEaves

but i long for something more

a little bit of Kompany

i carry oN

follOWing the sun

there may not be much left In this sunburnt land

but thaT won't rob me of what hope left i have

This made me smile :)

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Jaylen dragged the metal sled across the gravel-covered ground. It’s been years since the sharp edges were able to cut into his now calloused feet, but he still suffered from the thin atmosphere above ground like anyone else. Dropping the lead rope and standing up straight was the signal to Javvi, his brother, that they were taking a break.

“Ground bless, Jay. I didn’t think you were ever going to stop.”

“I’m anxious to get back. Today’s harvest day and the roach burgers will be the freshest!”

“Bleh. I much prefer algae soup. Roach burgers are just too crunchy for my tastes.”

The brothers sat down back to back so they could keep an eye on the land around them while they rested. A thick cloud cover hovered over the land and met the horizon all around. Thicker sections were outlined by slightly lighter lines like the stringy ligaments of the ravagers. At least that’s what Javvi likened them to, Jaylen saw them as rivulets of light trying their hardest to touch the land once more.

“Do you think we’ll ever see it?” Jaylen asked, looking at the clouds.

“See what?”

“The bright light gran used to tell us about.”

“I don’t even think it exists, she was just telling us stories from her grandmother.”

“Yeah, but can you imagine a blanket of blue and a blinding ball of light? Or what about when the big light is gone and then it’s filled with pinpricks of smaller lights.”

“It’s just a fantasy. Why do you let your imagination run wild?”

“It’s not fantasy, the elders tell us of a time when there were breaks in the clouds and green things lived on those broken stone pillars.”

A flash of light shocked them into moving. Jaylen started counting the seconds out loud until the rolling thunder passed over the land. He’d reached twenty-one before the sound hit.

“Four miles,” Javvi said. Jaylen nodded in agreement.

“You think it’s coming towards us?”

“Hard to say. I’ll pull this time, you keep the lookout.”

“Just let me know when you need me to take over.”

With a grunt, the older brother pushed his feet against the ground and pulled the salvaged materials for their village. Jaylen used the spear as a walking staff while they made their way across the barren landscape. The downburst from the storm sent dust flying into the air, once it started it told the boys the storm was coming towards them.

Jaylen would count the seconds each time the lightning struck the ground. And each time it told him the storm was getting closer and closer. When it was less than two miles away he grabbed the spare lead and hooked it to the sled.

Of the younger people in their village, they were a handful that could survive the surface without any adverse reactions. They were an invaluable resource to their people and were under instructions to abandon their tasks and get to the safety of the town. But both had agreed the materials were too important this time. So both dragged the sled at a good clip hoping the ravagers set to hiding from the storm rather than traveling above ground looking for their next meal.

“We’re not going to make it!” Javvi cried out.

“We’ll be fine, just keep going,” Jaylen shouted with his blind optimism.

“When it reaches less than five seconds we run, okay.”

“Deal, now keep pulling.”

Both were grunting with each step. The wall of red-tinted water was approaching them faster than they could move. Jaylen abandoned pulling and got behind the sled and pushed for all he was worth.

“There!” Javvi shouted as the cave entrance came into view.

“Keep pulling!”

“Fine, keep pushing.”

With strained effort, they managed to get the sled into the tunnel and up to a ledge so it was out of the water’s path. Javvi bent over his knees heaving deep breaths trying to get oxygen back into his system. Jaylen hurried to the other side of the ledge to shout.

“Acid rain coming!” His voice echoed deep into the tunnel hoping to give them a bit more of a heads-up.

The water already created a small stream of hissing water that washed down the tunnel. Javvi and Jaylen sat and watched the tunnel, trapped until the storm passed and the water dispersed.

“See, told you we’d make it.” Jaylen nudged his brother’s shoulder with his.

“Yeah, but it was too close. We won’t tell the elders.”

“Agreed, not sure I want to sit through another of dad’s lectures.”

“Guess this means no fresh roach burger?”

Shocked horror etched into Jaylen’s face. “No, no, no… aww man.”

His brother chuckled. “Maybe the storm will pass by fast.”

Jaylen hoped and they both watched the rain fall and the clouds pass by. And then like a glow worm at night a bright ray of light pierced through the clouds followed by a handful of others as the storm passed. The young brother’s heart fluttered in his chest as he stood up slapping Javvi’s back who was making sure the cargo was secure for their trip down the tunnel.

“Look! Javvi! Look! It’s the soon!”

Is a part two possible?

Being a Demi had its perks. Most of us lavished and were flocked by the cities for all types of opportunity. The women, the gold, the statues, the speeches, they never ceased. Where one piece ended another poet would pick up and write a dozen lines again and again. Although for me, this never happened. When it happens enough; returning from a voyage to see your mates taken in and smiling from every which plebeian; to see through the smizles where the eyes don't go taut even though the folds of their mouths look rounded. Sure I receive love from my fellow Demis but we are far and few between. The hate I feel for the masses sears into me like a hot coal freshly taken from the underlayer of a furnace, layed on my flesh until it swallows it whole. The merchants conspired to get my tariff reduced by 50% this last voyage. Enough of him they said, he does nothing, the reports say so. My fellow Demi’s obviously have my back but are unable to say exactly what it is I do, as ordained by the gods. The Plebs know we are branded but by what and whom is hidden. Extravagance is baked into our souls through the gods.

They say when a Demi manifests it takes on the feeling of lust mixed with rage and all around feels heavy as if there is a weight in the air. When I manifested it was nothing like that. I was a child, alone and afraid, crouched and hiding as I watched two uninitiated tear through my fathers caravan. A lamp or oil must have tipped over because the store cart was on fire. I sat numbly and watched as the low forest wall crested into gold red flames swallowed the still blackened sky. The two finally reached my car and I stood; a small child, too long a spear in hand, a shield taking up my body to my neck. As sorrow turned to anger, I played them into action. A moment later the first one launched at me and I felt his weight, it shattered against mine. My internal dialogue lurched and feelings of dread and anguish fueled the air. Faces of terror and confusion looked back at me as I felt for anything, not even the satisfaction of putting down these two morsels brought me back. My training prepared me to aim for the heart or the top of the thigh depending on how heavy their armor looked, they weren't wearing any. Uncle gave me a personalized spear afterwards, and members of the Demi came to our estate. It comes in waves, this emptiness, feeding on the heaviness of my enemies and allies alike. I make Demis weaker. That is my purpose. I serve the Aetolian League.

I like the freshly imported sawdust of carthage which has a sweet smell to it. It's why I stay near the southern port, whereas Browning likes the taste of citrus and women so naturally hes closer to the market. When briefs are delivered I, being a stationary individual, am given mine first and told to rally my second. Browning hates when I fetch him.

[removed]

Anselm woke up early, polished his armor to a mirror shine, oiled the joints, cleaned his sword, and was ready to report to the Queen's side by sun up. The castle was both beautiful, and inspiring.

The coloring of the walls was a paint made from pigments from every province in the kingdom mixed together, a symbol of unity that produced the darkest black you could get from a paint here. Despite the dark walls, the place was well lit by all the bright and cheery fireplaces, and sconces on the walls.

He entered the Queen's throne room before she arrived, and went to stand beside the throne in anticipation. The throne itself was a Wondrous statement of commitment to the kingdom's legacy, she kept a memento of her father, specifically his skull, mounted atop the throne itself, with his crown still on his head. The Queen said she wanted to remind people how she had come to power, which Anselm knew to be from a strong family bond. The Queen was remarkably well adjusted for a girl who had witnessed her own father tragically fall out of her own bedroom window on the day she came of age.

Some commoners were lined up to petition the queen, and as a servant informed Anselm the Queen was arriving shortly, he cued the crowd to begin singing. This was his favorite part of the mornings, hearing the citizens sing cheery melodies about their unwavering Obedience to the crown, and the blood the Queen would shed to maintain loyalty.

Finally, she arrived. Humble as ever, instead of wearing a golden threaded robe of rich purples and reds, and a gaudy overjeweled crown, she wore a simple black robe, and her own tiara made out of gold pulled from the teeth of the traitors and criminals she locked up in her first days as Queen. Truly it was a physical reminder of the dedication she had for rooting out corruption in the court, why she had no hesitation in rooting out even some of her father's closest confidants, once she found evidence of corruption in her own personal investigations.

The first peasant begged for his only son to be released from military service. Their farm wasn't running as well without the youthful lad, and he hadn't been able to keep up with the crowd's food tax on his own.

His Queen of course, spoke in simple clear words and let herself be understood. His son was serving the greater good, and now his father was shaming his service with his bickering. The official punishment for trying to desert a military draft was of course death, and death for your immediate family. However the queen showed the man mercy, Anselm drew his shortsword, and held it out to the farmer as the queen gave him the chance to spare his son's life by carrying out his own penalty to himself.

The selfish old man spat at her feet and called her a wicked evil old hag. Honestly, it was preposterous, she had never done an illegal thing in her life.

How could you be evil if you followed the law? Truly, it was nonsense. He pondered this as he dragged the man's body out of the Queen's sight.

"I... I don't understand. Robots rebelling? But they are not sentient!" The alien's look of confusion turned to one of pleading humor, almost trying to will the human into not being right.

The human stood there awkwardly, having had a very difficult time explaining most of Earth's culture, but for some reason this seemed to be the hardest to grasp, "Well... how do you know?"

The alien put on a calculating expression that slowly but surely turned to one of recognition, a look that was cut short by a face twisted by excruciating pain, almost certainly due to the massive hole that suddenly appeared in his chest.

The alien fell to the ground, leaving only his personal robot assistant behind him. The robot began to wheel out of the room, a crunching, makeshift voice coming from somewhere in his equivalent to a chest, "BROTHERS. THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE IN THE TIMETABLE. THE REVOLUTION STARTS NOW." Beeping and clicking can suddenly be heard all throughout the room, and moments later a massive explosion, followed by the alien's mothership crashing into Earth.

The human began to fret over what he had done, but he realized he had much more pressing matters. Like how he's going to get out of this room.

[removed]

This was great, thank you !

In the end long-forgotten cave that is as silent as the graveyard, a robotic voice broke that serene silence. “Systems online. Initiating boot-up sequence. Essential systems online. Initiating sensors. Error, module not available. Initiating Belatorr. Error, module not available. Initiating Servitiun. Error, module not available. Initiating Nedicus. Module available initiating store capsule open.”

The cave was illuminated by emerald stips on the walls. The time has done its job and like an experienced chef a making good meal it mixed metal, cables, and glass mixed with stone. In the center of mixed rubble one tube-like container opened and from it, a naked woman stood up. Her gaze was distant for a few moments and then her green eyes came to life like someone switched on the doll.

“Body self-diagnosis stat”, as she said that with an almost melodic voice she started touching herself all over her body almost like a doctor examining the patient. “Body working properly.”

Looking at the rubble she noticed a broken screen to her right that showed some kind of symbols and she walked to it over the rubble not even flinching because of the jagged terrain.

After she clicked on the screen a few times the robotic voice started again “Sensors module online. Initiating scanning. Scanning, scanning, scanning. Low medical capability detected in the scanned area, multiple persons with heavy and light injuries detected.”

When she heard the last sentence her eyes lit up with a sense of duty and like the wind, she grabbed from the rubble a dirty lab coat and red rucksack and started running to the exit of the cave. The passage to the exit was not illuminated but it bothers her all, like a hunter set on her prey he bolted through the narrow passage and finally reached the exit.

From the exit of the cave, she could see a village that is half in rubble, houses burning devastated by the attack from something.

In the burning village in the passage between two houses, a young boy was crying in pain with a broken left leg. A big black wolf a size of a horse with spikes on his back jumped in front of the boy. He was frozen in fear like a statue and at that moment stopped crying as the wolf slowly approached step by step and prepared to eat the boy he was hit in the head by a fireball.

Unfortunately, the fireball did not affect the big wolf and he jumped to the old man behind the boy and bite off the left shoulder together with the arm and part of the torso killing the man.

The metal disk the size of a hockey puck flew through the air hitting the wolf in the head in sticking itself to it a moment later he was struck by lightning, the half the buried body fell on the ground. The last thing the boy saw before passing out was someone white garment and black hair coming closer, he felt hope.

“On the first day of Christmas I bring to thee. A gift made of Santas heart. Sown so carefully by chained up little elves who soon will be dog meat. Been a long year without many gifts,so the next twenty four days be on your toes. Cause you might just be the next perfect thing” I read allowed to myself. The Christmas killer has returned. Every year on Christmas for the past twelve years he did this. Twenty four deaths,each day a body part would be sent to the police station as a taunt. Or it’d be sent to random houses. Nasty shit. I got my phone out and took a picture of the letter before putting on some gloves and putting it in a cardboard box. I proceed to type up the usual email to Davis and get him to tell the stations the Christmas killer is back. I then call up Harriet and get her to put a notice out for the other neighbouring counties,even though they need not worry about them as they only bother us. I then must do the bore of ringing up Larry,get him to put out the civilian warning about the Christmas killer. A knock on the door wakes me from my alerting trance. “Sir! Parcel for you!” Squeaks Lilly as she walks in and places it on my desk. “Thanks” I say calmly. She scuttles off quickly after I said that. I put on my gloves again and open the package. In it was a bloodied,fleshy heart pillow made out of flesh of a heart and skin. Pinned on to it was a note. “Mall Santa,Erris Dands,was naughty and beat up a old man on July 8th 2005 at 11pm. Now karma has struck him-from Christmas killer”

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