Damon L. Wakes's Blog, page 6

A Stab in the Dark

Flash Fiction Month 2024, Day 22 Water sloshed underfoot as Herakleides stumbled through the monster’s lair. In his right hand, he held his sword at the ready. With his left, he adjusted his blindfold, ensuring there were no gaps by the bridge of his nose. “Keep alert, Nikephoros!” he whispered. “The gorgon could be anywhere!” […]

The Waking of Nyarthalos

Flash Fiction Month 2024, Day 21 “You don’t understand!” Raelynn struggled against the robed figures holding her. “Nyarthalos wasn’t left here to fend off the Destroyer—they’re two aspects of the same god!” “No,” said the High Priest, his eyes fixed upon the altar as he climbed the steps of jade. “It is you who do […]

‘Twas the Night Before…

Flash Fiction Month 2024, Day 20 Challenge #9: In collaboration with another author, write a story in which the protagonist makes a deal with a supernatural being but loses the benefits during the story as a result of their unwillingness or inability to keep up their end of the bargain. The story must include the points […]

“Inquisition” Now Available in French

Some great news today! Inquisition – an interactive piece I wrote as part of Flash Fiction Month 2016 – has just got a French translation thanks to the fantastic people over at litteraction.fr. You can find the story’s page here, and the story itself here (as a downloadable PDF). Since I only speak a little […]

The Warlord and the Rings of Gold

Flash Fiction Month 2024, Day 19 When the last nation fell beneath the warlord’s banner, he turned his attention to the land of the gods themselves. High were the walls and long was the bridge, but against all the warriors of the world even these defences were doomed to fail. Striding over broken wings and […]

The Princess and the Monster

Flash Fiction Month 2024, Day 18 Challenge #8: Write a story including a gullible protagonist and an antagonist that exploits them. The point-of-view character must be chosen by a coin flip. Optionally, one or both must have a sidekick. At last, Sir Warrick’s sword struck something solid: he found its blade lodged not in living briar, […]

No Bones About It

Flash Fiction Month 2024, Day 17 There was no flesh on the face beneath the cowl, no eyes in the sockets of the skull, yet still something like a frown passed across the face of Death. “How do I build archer towers?” “You need radiant ore,” said Tim, not looking up from his phone. He […]

The Hero on the Bridge of Jet

Flash Fiction Month 2024, Day 16 Challenge #7: Write a story including at least one mention of tentacles and the names of five crystals. The dog lies on its side upon the cobbles, maggots spilling from empty eye sockets, its ribcage heaving with every breath. Varma watches from beneath a crumbling archway, one hand clenched around […]

Worth the Wait

Flash Fiction Month 2024, Day 15 “It’s a mathematical impossibility. Malihini won’t reach this star system for another eighteen months. We’ve got three before the food runs out. Six on half rations.” “Or a solid twenty-one if we reduce the crew to just one person.” “And how do you propose we get them off this […]

The Little Cat Who Was Never Fed Ever

Flash Fiction Month 2024, Day 14 “Meow!” whined the little cat, meandering eagerly around the kitchen floor. “Aww!” Vicky waved a little scrap of chicken overhead. “Diddums! Has nobody fed you ever?” Suddenly, the front door burst off its hinges. “Freeze!” yelled a voice from the hallway. “Cat Police!” “Whaaa?” Vicky turned just in time […]