#nightofthelivingwriters

[aj-the-satyr]

Night of the Living Writers day 31

(Alrighty time for the last one. Once again HUGE THANKS go out to @writerofwriting and if you don’t follow them, why not? They’re awesome! Oh I should tag the official blog @thenightofthelivingwriters as well. Anyway the final prompt for this wonderful event: The Witching Hour.)

I looked at the clock again, it hadn’t really moved since the last time. Well it as a whole hadn’t moved the second hand was still doing its battery powered laps swooshing past the numbers without a care. There were still 15ish minutes left of the 31st day of October, less now. This had taken time to type. Seconds passed with each press of a key. The music in my headphones bounced along with nary a care for time my head bobbing along to its wonderful rhythm. I paused briefly to like the current song, adding it to the long list of favorites that I had. Did this really count? I wondered. This is incredibly meta of me. Typing what I’m thinking. I glance at the clock again. My little purple robot friend that keeps track of the time for me. I mean the laptop I type on has a clock, all computers do, but that just isn’t the same. Plus I hid the taskbar thing so I’d have to move more than just my eyes to get the time from it anyway. I correct errors like I always do. I mean that’s fine. I don’t type perfectly. There are times when I even think the stuff I write is not worth reading, but recently I’ve received some nice praise from new friends. More error corrects. Never get that I before e thing right it seems. Man this is just a stream of consciousness, correct that word, isn’t it? This amuses me, minutes before midnight, the Witching Hour, I sit typing, enjoying the act of writing. I smile. This has been fun and this event has inspired me to write again. I enjoy my characters and I hope that people who read my stuff do so too. The Cartographer, born out of a D&D game. Marcus and Lars.... born from a request I got to write about someone else’s character. Lamont and his friends, from the universe created by a good friend and I. Chance.... a character that has demanded the spotlight in my head for a while now. A quick tab change to like another song. Man this is weird writing this. Is this even in the spirit of the Night of the Living writers thing? I chuckled softly. I’m writing and loving it. Ideas are bouncing around my head again. Characters want the spotlight. More wait in the wings, biding their time until it’s right for their entrance. Another look at the clock. Just a couple of minutes to midnight, or thereabouts. I doubt my purple robot is accurate, in fact I doubt it is. I imagine it might be a little fast so that if I glance at it and am running a little late for something I end up being not as late as I think I am. Anyway I should end this.... this whatever it is. Thanks for reading if you did and I hope you enjoy what I write. If not... hey I am not trying to please everyone. As long as my writing makes me smile and my characters continue to get themselves into difficult spots, I mean I swear I have no control over these people, I shall continue to write and enjoy it.

Once again thanks to @writerofwriting for this whole wonderful event. And keep on writing you awesome people.

[falling-rivers]

Reposting bc I posted this super early

NIGHT OF THE LIVING WRITERS DAY 3: COLD

@writerofwriting @nightofthelivingwriters

I apologize, it’s pretty long and pretty dark (TW for mention of murder, raising of dead, devils, hell, eating of eyeballs, mention of possible mutilation…) so I just linked it from google docs (because mobile is my main source of posting and I want to give y'all fair warning before you read. I dont usually write horror so its probably not as bad as I think it is but this is definitely not what I usually write).

The fic ends up at about 1,700 words, so it is a bit of a read, but it also may be the beginning to a new WIP I have about witches! Feel free to leave comments as well, I’m excited to see what you all think! And do not feel obligated under any circumstances to read or comment, either.

[aj-the-satyr]

The Night of the Living Writers day 15

(Here we go again. This has been great fun to do. @writerofwriting @thenightofthelivingwriters today’s prompt: Isolate)

I find myself alone. In some ways this is what I’ve been seeking to achieve all this time. I would push people away, mock them, answer their questions only with sarcasm. Now I am here I find that I hate the quiet. No sounds of others living their lives. No questions from Veler checking in on me. No snarky conversations with Wings. No complaints from Princess. Who would have thought I’d even miss that? It’s strange. To seek something, to be so vehemently sure that is what you want, only to find you’ve made a mistake. Or have I? I mean I dragged them into the tangled web that my magicks caused without even asking, merely by being around me their lives were worse. Perhaps now they can find a true purpose. Veler can find his daughter, Wings can solve his family issues and Princess can find her true path. I traveled alone before, why should now be any different? I can survive. I mean, I survived without them before I can do it again. Why should my future be any different from my past? All pain fades after all.

[aj-the-satyr]

Night of the Living Writers day 23

(Keeping it going. @writerofwriting @thenightofthelivingwriters Today’s prompt: Prophecy.)

There was a KRUNCH as her fist connected with the face hidden in the hood.

“What does your precious Prophecy say about that?”

The robed figure crumpled to the ground as if she’d somehow removed their soul with the blow. Two others were quick to their fallen comrades side. A third figure addressed her, disapproval echoing around the triangular room.

“How dare you assault one of our member!”

“Where is he?”

“We have told you that we do not know.”

“Yet you proclaim to know all! You talk to me of a Prophecy that I must fulfill and of a great darkness that approaches, yet when I ask a simple question you instead claim ignorance.”

“We...... we cannot keep track of your Father. He eludes us.”

“He was never my Father.”

The hood tilted to the side.

“Was..... never.....”

“Now I know you’re useless. I should have listened to him.”

“You’ve spoken with him?!”

“Of course I have. Now where’s Val?”

“Your companion is safe in.....”

“I didn’t ask how she was, I asked where she was. For all your talk you don’t seem to be immune to physical violence.”

“You are outnumbered.”

She growled and her muscles flexed in a rather unnatural way.

“Brother! Remember the stories!” Said one of the two tending their fallen comrade.

There was a sigh and she and Val appeared back on the street.

Val looked around. “What just happened?”

Sel snorted. “I asked to leave.”

“Asked?”

“I was very insistent.”

“Yeah...... guess you can be that.”

[aj-the-satyr]

Night of the Living Writers day 30

(Penultimate day........ Almost done. This has been great. Once again thanks to @writerofwriting and @thenightofthelivingwriters ok... today’s prompt is Warmth.... hmm.....)

The Cartographer looked at the tent, the snow had given it a light dusting. He pondered the Wizard’s words about it being bigger on the inside but felt something inside his mind rebel at even the mere thought of trying to go inside. He sighed and threw another stick onto the small fire he’d built, the warmth from the flames fighting against the cold that seemed to permeate this place. He frowned, it certainly wasn’t a natural cold that much was clear. Shame he hadn’t learned any magicks to help him combat this.

“Well you’re new.” A voice echoed around between the trees.

The Cartographer sighed. “You’d be the person they are here to stop I assume?”

“You assume correctly. You are with them?”

“You are trying to destroy the world. I am in this world and thus would rather not be destroyed.”

“I could spare you, you are not from here.”

“And why would you do that?”

“Well first you would have to swear not to challenge me for the heart of the Princess Uzuri.”

The Cartographer blinked as he rubbed his hands together then held them to the fire. “A princess? This is all about a princess?”

“Not just any princess, the most beautiful princess in all of the Kingdom.”

The Cartographer rolled his eyes. He may have joined this idiotic quest because he’d learned that using the lockpicks in quick succession was taxing on both body and mind and was just passing time but this..... “You’re destroying the world over a girl?”

“Not exactly. I am merely removing all competition in my quest to win her heart.”

Whoever this person was they were an idiot. “That is some ritual.”

“Indeed, but I can add another exception for you if you betray your newfound comrades.”

“They are not my comrades.”

Laughter. “Then you agree to my terms.”

The Cartographer had taken the time while chatting to locate the source of the voice, it was a simple projection spell, nothing fancy. He stretched then turned to face the proper direction. “No. I mean I had planned to abandon these fools and their doomed world when I felt sure that the method I would use to do such wouldn’t leave me hopelessly weakened but now..... now I have decided that I would like to personally see your head removed from your body.” He waved a hand and simply cut off the flow of mana to the projection, effectively cancelling the spell. He turned at another voice, this time it was the Wizard, Dorovan.

“Impressive. I suppose considering that symbol on your arm I should have assumed you to be talented in other ways. I heard your initial plan by the way.”

The Cartographer shrugged. “I know a few tricks. I thought it was the Warrior’s turn to take watch?”

Dorovan frowned. “I felt the magic. It seems you attracted his attention.”

“You don’t say his name.”

“You don’t say yours as I’m pretty sure it is not The Cartographer.”

“Point. As to my plan, do you plan to do anything about it?”

“No, I mean it has changed has it not?”

“Indeed.”

“Then tomorrow we shall reach his tower and kill him.”

[storytimejustice]

I would love this

SO HEY

I’ve decided to run an event.

For October, I’m calling it “Writober” or, for more fun, The Night of The Living Writer!

I think I’ve seen a few of these floating around the inter-webs but, hey! Why not have another?

It’s 31 days of prompts and writing starters to get everyone writing something, no matter how big or small!

Anyone interested in it can rb/reply to this post to be tagged in the list when it’s posted! (Later today!)

[storytimejustice]

October 15th: Moth

I felt a gust of wind scuttle up me as I ran. I heard a snap behind me hoping it was a prey animal. I smelled sewage coming from the city as I neared. 

Just as I stepped foot on concrete I felt toes land on my shoulders shifting to midfoot. I didn’t dare lookup. Looking up meant it was real. So I continued walking and getting strange looks. 

I looked down at my hands, a cat scamper out of the alley, a bug zapper hanging off a front porch. Wait… a bug zapper. Perfect.

Heading towards the zapper I felt the feet shift more as the figure on my shoulders moved to glare at the object. 

I felt heat rush across me from the zapper. I heard a screech as wings stopped moving. I smelled burnt hair and fried… something. I noticed as the feet left my shoulders and there was a clump noise behind me I turned around to see not exactly what I was expecting. 

I was expecting a demon of some sort. But lifting the mask of the figure it turned out just to me someone masquerading as the mothman. But as I continued on with my night I never felt eyes leave me until a new set of soles graced my shoulders but I knew I wouldn’t get away this time.

[storytimejustice]

October 21st: Nightmare

Nova’s body shook the first few nights of his magic being poisoned by Giel as he laid in the Starlight mansion’s infirmary. His body there but his mind was wandering the celestial castle. 

He felt a strange tingle as his body shook and he tried to go to sleep. Just to get some sort of rest. But it seemed like as the darkness overtook him his eyes opened to darkness around him except for a gelatinous half-dragon version of him. 

“You let your ‘father’ get the best of you again? One last time before you sent him here huh?” The clone spoke up with a hum as he looked around at the shadows around him as the darkness began to lighten and Nova watched his doom happen before his eyes. 

He slung the whip back as everyone launched their magical attacks forwards sucking in their spells and at the last second Giel sent out a card that got sucked into the whip before the weapon snapped. Giel was next to nothing left as Nova fell to the ground the disable card Giel threw had been sucked in and its magical energy coiled up with the rest inside Nova. 

He felt it and knew he could dispel it but if he did he’d lose the rest of his energy and his chance at taking down Giel so he did what he thought was best. 

He ended up in that infirmary for a year before he could start walking again weak but Rodney kept him at his side. The second Rodney was in danger though Nova saw a mix of colors creating a galaxy swirl and when it faded he was blasting out a golden beam firing straight through one of the mages that had Rodney cornered. 

Nova was back to life after that and stronger than ever. Mentally and physically.

[aj-the-satyr]

Night of the Living Writers day 27

(Alright feeling better today so lets play some more catch up. Thanks again to @writerofwriting and @thenightofthelivingwriters The prompt for this day was Spell.)

Folar mumbled to himself as he walked alongside the others. He didn’t trust this Cartographer at all.

“Hey Map Maker.”

The Cartographer blinked and turned slowly to face Folar.

“Does the Sword Man have yet another question?”

“Yeah. You don’t got any weapons. You capable of defending yourself? This isn’t a mission of peace. And none of this valuable information crap either we deserve to know so we can adjust our tactics accordingly.”

Eldon smiled and wondered if Folar could get an answer out of the Minotaur by merely being grumpier than usual with his questioning.

The Cartographer turned away as he answered, to focus on their path again.

“I have survived this far into my journey, do what you will with that information.”

“That doesn’t help at all!” exclaimed Folar “We’ve only just met you!”

“But you did not come across my corpse, so that speaks something for my capabilities in combat.”

“And for all we know you could have been a farmer who lead a peaceful life up until this point!”

“Really? I introduced myself as The Cartographer and you presume me to be a farmer? Really Sword Man your lack of imagination makes me hope that your foe has chosen to specialise in illusions.”

Eldon held back a laugh and tapped Folar on the soldier.

“I think you should be focused on the road ahead and not out new friend Folar.” He pointed at a small group of Orks that were headed their way. “You will miss what is right in front of you.”

Folar turned, frowned and then drew his sword. “I hope you are ready for a fight Mr Cartographer.”

The Cartographer didn’t bother with a reply and merely drew his rifle from Beneath his cloak and took aim.

“And just what is that going to do?” Asked Folar

There was a BOOM and a rumble of thunder as The Cartographer fired. In the distance one of the Orks staggered and fell. He simply reloaded while the others were unsure just how to react.

“Impressive!” said Eldon “A portable cannon.”

“Thunder Cannon” corrected The Cartographer “And am I the only one going to do anything?” He said as the Orks decided to charge before more ranged attacks came their way.

“Oh no Cartographer” answered Dorovan “I was just waiting for them to get closer.” He pulled a pouch off his belt and grabbed a handful of whatever was inside before flinging it into the air in front of himself. With a quick gesture and a focused will he turned the sand he’d thrown into a shower of shards of glass that rained upon the Orks and felled them before they could threaten anyone.

The Cartographer nodded. “Impressive Wizard, but do all your spells require such physical components?”

“No.”

The Cartographer smiled a little at the terse reply, he couldn’t say he was much of a conversationalist.

Eldon was glad to not have to use his knives this time. “Stay focused we still have a ways to go.”

Folar took the lead. “We’ll have to find somewhere to make camp soon.”

[storytimejustice]

October 30th: Fae

(I promise I wrote and published this on my Wattpad yesterday(the 30th))

I watched as a boy sketched his sister playing the violin before him on the river's edge. My home. Not that they'll ever know I'm here. 

No matter how many times I've put up fairy circles near where they come to relax they still have yet to notice me. And it's against the rules to show my form to just anybody. Even if I flop out of the water as a fish or turn into a bird they still still don't realize I'm fascinated by their skills. 

Up until I heard it a note resonating an E followed by an M then an ILY. The girl noticed me and I gladly let her know I heard her play her name by sending a ripple out of the water before her. I noticed she had come without her brother today though but I soon forgot about that as Emily began playing a new song I had never heard her play. I danced across the water allowing my feet to barely skim the water as I went creating small ripples making her giggle knowing I was there. 

"Goodbye! I'll see you tomorrow!" Emily had said… but I didn't see her until months later she came without her brother again and began playing a new song. 

I went to dance but before I could begin I realized she was playing a mourning song so I just brushed her hair back behind her ear as she played and watched her lips quirk into a small smile before she focused back into the song. 

She always came to see me at least once a week after that sometimes playing music, sometimes just talking to me even though I couldn't respond in a way she'd fully understand. 

I just made sure to let her know I was there and that I enjoyed her company as she aged through the years and I remained the same.

[storytimejustice]

October 25th: Storm

I kept running as I heard a roar break through the sky and witnessed the gray clouds quickly roll in with whipping winds and rain drops shattering against my skin. And then I saw her black legs with magma cracking through them and tsunami wave wings. 

The spiked tail struck me and sent me flying. It was like Marsha was out of control but at least she didn’t spear me was all I could think as I was flung across the field and then everything went black. 

When I woke up Marsha was gone but a new volcano was in the spot where she had sat and it seemed to have been kept from erupting by a hurricane that was now miles away. What I didn’t know was that when I woke up I woke up and left my body. Along with that this was just the beginning of the storm of events that would overtake the Draconics during their training. 

[storytimejustice]

October 23rd: Constellation

“Alright Nova time for class.” Giel stated as he pulled out a large black book that had shining dots sprawled across it. “Today I’ll give you a list of stars and I want you to name the constellation it makes up. This will be your final try at getting permission from me at summoning celestials.” 

As soon as Nova had a look of fear in his young eyes Giel hit him with the first star 

“Algorab!” 

“Corvus the Crow!” 

“Alphard!” 

“Hydra the Dragon!” 

“Shaula!” And that’s the first one where Nova went blank 

“Cetara!” Giel tried again but Nova’s eyes just gathered tears. “These are obvious constellations Nova! Altarf!” 

“Cancer the Crab?” Nova questioned with his eyes squeezed shut just ready for himself to fail the test and done with getting yelled at. 

“Finally you got something right.” Giel mumbled before closing up the book and putting it back into his spot. “Test is over. You will never be granted a celestial by the king of stars.” Giel barked out before storming out of the room. 

Nova was only six at the time and within that brisk month of November he learned all eighty-eight constellations and their full star patterns. Not that he had the guts to confront his father about it. And then there was the day that Giel died and left Cerberus in Nova’s care.

[storytimejustice]

October 22nd: Hallucination

Lyss walked across the bar steadfastly as she decided to make her move. “Hello. My name is Ana Emera and I’ll be your waitress this evening. Can I start you off with any drinks?” Lyss questioned with her notepad up. 

“I think just some white wine to start. Bottle please.” The man ordered. 

Lyss wrote it down onto her notepad and the dish on the table began to glow as a bottle of white wine and four wine glasses appeared on the table for the group. “Let me know if I can get you guys anything else!” Lyss stated cheerfully and started to strut away a customer service smile plastered onto her face. 

As she stepped around the corner she adjusted a pan from the kitchen to where she could see the group at the table and swirled her hands watching as they all cheered and took a sip. 

Waiting for them to make complete fools of themselves she started walking out the kitchen as her clothes and hair shifted and she watched the chaos unfold. One of the couples stood up to dance bumping into each other and then falling over the table as all four of them sent up a roar of laughter. She couldn’t even imagine the hallucinations they were having. She walked past and with a snap of her fingers metal shavings appeared on their tongues with moonstone and sodalite. 

The sodalite slowed their movements as the moonstone struck their magical energy and pierced it draining it out four different vials on Lyss’ belt filled with different colored air as she opened the door to the bar and kept walking hooking arms with a cloaked man as they kept walking. Mission accomplished.

[storytimejustice]

October 14th: Lie

It all started with an “I’m fine” and an “I’m okay” as Lyss started coming in later in the nights and Nova caught her every time and helped her to bed. 

They were only ten at the time. But Lyss was told by Giel that doing this would protect Nova. She could never tell him the truth though. 

That at the age of eight Giel had started training her to pollute her poisons more and more and control the toxicity. And now at the age of ten she had just done her first kill. Poisoning a man in his sleep with just a few drops of thick black sludge down his throat. 

Every time she came back from an assassin she had a new small scar. Just a nick in her skin somewhere usually where she had forced the poison or blade into the victims bodies. 

Just a nick as a reminder. 

Just a curse laid upon her. 

Just a father that forced her to use her curse. 

And just a lie nightly to protect her brother.

[aj-the-satyr]

Night of the Living Writers day 26

(Man I fell a little behind with this didn’t I? Eh.... getting sick will throw a wrench in anyone’s plans. Feeling a little better atm so I figured it’s writing time. As usual big thanks go out to @writerofwriting and @thenightofthelivingwriters Today’s prompt word was... Shadows.)

Adam’s face remained blank as the man alternated between pointing the gun at the woman he was holding hostage and Adam.

“I Swear it. I’m gonna shoot her.... or you!”

Adam watched how the gun’s barrel wavered as the man moved it. Fear. He looked around. A typical alleyway, poorly lit and full of garbage, including this man. The woman seemed on the verge of breaking, all wild eyes and short breaths. He had to act, plus his show was going to start soon and he’d never been late yet.

“Put the gun down.” He said, keeping his tone as level as he could.

The gun ended up pointing his way again. “Just back off!”

Adam sighed and focused on the shadows around them all. Tendrils snatched the gun away from the man and forced him away from the woman he was holding. Both of the screamed, The man as he was dragged further into the alleyway and the woman as she fled for the street and began calling for help. Adam simply checked his watch he still had ten minutes to get there. He smiled as he stepped into a shadow and vanished.

The police arrived to investigate the woman’s claims later and found only bones.

[aj-the-satyr]

Night of the Living Writers day 22

(Woo! This has been great. I mean I get stuck on the prompts sometimes but it’s been fun to do this. Thanks again to @writerofwriting and @thenightofthelivingwriters and thanks to Writeblr in general, You guys are great. Anyway Today’s prompt: Prank.)

He looked at the bucket on the ground and the puddle of.... slime?

“Was that supposed to fall on me?”

Darrak gave him a resigned look. “Aye Bessie it was. I thought you’d come through this door without pushing it open first since it’s the biggest one.”

The Cartographer shook his head. “And since you’re a Dwarf I find it hard to believe you were alone in this endeavor.”

He heard a chuckle from the room. “Is the cow grumpy?”

“Mildly Wil, mildly.”

“So usual day.” said Wil

“What was this supposed to achieve Darrak?”

“Give me and Wil a good laugh and you a sliming.”

“Well you have failed and now have a mess to clean up.”

“I’ll get you yet Bessie.”