Gilbrant nearly walked out of the dining hall the moment he entered. Nose crinkling, he managed to make himself stay. The air reeked, the scent of burnt toast making him paranoid. Clearing his throat, he strode forward and seated himself at an empty end of the table.

The portal clung to Ilan as he reluctantly stepped through. The mission had seemed enticing from the description. An alter-realm in peril, a riddle which time had been unable to unravel, and the promise of weeks spent out of base. Even months if he’d been lucky.

Wednesday has come around again, and I’m happy to present this week’s flash fiction. Vesna jumped when the staff struck stone tiles behind her. The jar rattled as she placed it on the shelf. Tucking her hands behind her back, she turned and inclined her head to Rylith. His appearance’s timing was too coincidental for…

Darkness had taken a break for the night. Instead, the sky glowed an eerie red, trapping Grace within the cave’s confines. The closest cavern when the horns had echoed the length of the canyon.

“I was particularly sensible as a child.” The indignation coating those words ranked among the strongest I’d heard. Serving as a shepherd for the deceased, I’d encountered more self-aggrandized individuals than I cared to recall.

Viden ran his hand over the crystals. The long chambers, extending from and running into the wall, hummed. “They are improved,” he remarked.

“The night will never end.” Tarinne felt the hand withdraw from her brow when the speaker finished. A succinct statement. A promise she craved after daylight had burned a hole in her soul.