Haylock

37 - Truth

George Kraken, lord of Tropica village, ran for his life.

Each turn he took, there his pursuer was, taunting him. The cruel antagonist would snarl and laugh, his predatory eyes tracking every...

36 - Introductions

I watched Rocky closely, having sensed a visceral reaction from him when George fell to his knees.

Rocky, for whatever reason, saw it as a betrayal. An egregious insult.

So when Rocky e...

35 - Correction

As Rocky walked the final stretch of sand between the fence and Fischer, he could hardly contain his excitement. The time of Fischer’s uncontested reign was finally at an end.

He had five c...

34 - Coincidence

Following the feast, I lay on the sands, one hand holding my stomach and the other resting against Maria.

“I never want to eat again,” she said, letting out a half-laugh, half-groan.

33 - Crabby

As George watched the spirit beast, he got the inkling that it was suffering from delusions of grandeur. He swallowed, his throat feeling dry.

Something was wrong.

It was hard for him t...

32 - Congregation

The susurration of voices died, replaced by the sound of air rushing past my ears. Even after the blinding light of the exploding bubbles dissipated, an invisible current still moved around us, whi...

31 - Feast

Pleasant heat washed over me, making a smile spread over my face. Fragrant steam rose from the barbecue plate, bringing with it the scents of beef tallow, fresh fish, woodsmoke, and myriad herbs an...

30 - Self-Control

As Rocky soared through the darkened sky, he reconsidered his life choices.

He’d been launched dozens of kilometers into the air, the very world turning into a vast circle beneath him. At ...

29 - Chekhov's Crab

You, as a descendant of the great Kraken Rider, should beware anyone selling directions to the heavens. This does not, however, mean one shouldn’t try the techniques and meditations of other sect...

28 - Double Trouble

As he strode beneath a forest canopy, Deklan held his hand out, feeling the stray drops of rain that bounced off leaves above and fell toward the forest floor. Every few seconds, a tiny droplet spl...

27 - Double-cross

Beneath a roiling sea of gray clouds, Barry shook his head at the people emerging from the prison. The traitors appeared genuinely shocked, bringing him no small amount of amusement. They’d truly...

26 - Escape

Within a dark and humid room, a devout man practiced his craft.

The scents of earth, mildew, and sweet herbs surrounded him, standing in stark contrast to the haze that usually filled his dom...

25 - Revenge

Now that Roger and Sharon had joined our heretical endeavors, the rest of the week sped by in a blur.

Each morning, I’d wake to a knock on the door, then receive a barrage of love from Mari...

24 - Trust

Beneath a hideously bright sky, Augustus Reginald Gormona squinted toward the rising sun, willing it to retreat behind the horizon.

As with everything lately, it didn’t go in his favor, and...

23 - Hooked

As with every other cultivator, Roger and Sharon were fast learners when it came to knots. Their fingers deftly tied the thin lengths of line together, easily replicating my movements.

“How...

22 - Conspiracy

A soft breeze blew at my back, coming from the western mountains. The air swept along its currents had a hint of sweetness, my senses also detecting notes of wood, earth, and decaying leaves. The o...

21 - Path to Power

I licked my lips, my consciousness warring with itself to understand the message I’d just received.

Seeking a distraction, I wandered over to the rods.

“Triton’s slick conch,<...