Loksfjoer

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

The relief Fenna felt when Sil had joined them didn't last long. The onslaught of enemies pushed them back. Every step she had to go backwards to evade a blade coming in her direction was another step won for the enemies. She used the short spear form in close combat, blocking weapons with the shaft, pushing someone away with the blunt end and stabbing with the pointy end. There were just too many of them. She could have done so much more. The power that had surged through her already felt like a distant memory. She was certain no decision had been wrong. With magic being used on both sides it could just be the edge they needed to have the mana restored on their side. And imagine having this army in front and the skeletons in their back. If only it had lasted for a few more seconds, she could have focussed on this problem in front of them. She shook her head. It wasn't good to dwell on it. She had to focus on the here and now.

It was just the three parties defending this bridge, and it was clear they were in over their heads. Her arms burned from pushing and pulling and swirling her spear around. She stabbed one of the orcs that came close.
"Behind you."
Fenna turned around immediately and blocked an attack, thankful for the warning. She wasn't sure who had called out to her, but it had come just in time. Her arms trembled as she kept the sword away from her, but the grinning orc pushed down and the blade inched closer to her face. What made it worse was the orc's breath. It reeked of death.
Sil swooped in, clawing at the orc. That distracted him enough for Fenna to muster her strength and push the sword out of the way, turn the spear and stab her opponent.

Another down, and another took its place, and Fenna had to defend herself again. This wouldn't end. It was hopeless. All she could do was try to stay alive and take as many enemies down with her as possible. For the first time since she got in this world, Fenna realised it could very well end here, and she would never see her family again. And she continued to push her aching muscles, because giving up now would mean she'd die in this far-away land. But how long would she be able to keep this going? Another five enemies? Ten perhaps? She had to take another step back. At this rate, they would soon lose the bridge.

Sil circled above Second Chance, diving down to aid the party members when enemies approached from behind, claw at them and fly out of reach.

Microfiction and Poetry Contest Hall of Fame

MF&P 13 - Luck

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Superstition Kills

(TW: Cat Death)

I sat beside my mother, the little home cage empty except for me and her. My littermates’ scents lingered, but they were long gone. Nobody wanted me, the little jet black kitten. The humans said it was because of a belief that black cats were bad luck. I was the only completely black one, and that fact seemed to burden me.

The humans agreed– to find me a foster home. Our ears perked at the idea. Foster homes were places for cats to go be cared for temporarily until the humans found them a willing forever home. But would even a foster home take me?

My mother and I shared tongues once more before the humans herded me into the little cat carrier. I mewed a sad goodbye and was lifted away.

I eyed the world outside from the little carrier. A blue sky splattered with fluffy white clouds was high up above. The sun shone as it was at its peak– noon, so the humans said. They put me in the backseat of a car, they called it. It moved along with us inside– rather fascinating, if you ask me.

They stopped at a small brick house and carried me out in the carrier. A pleasing-looking family of humans stood there. The adult male frowned and spoke, “It’s a black cat?” He looked at me through the bars, skeptical. “Don’t you guys know the rumor around these things?” The father spoke. After a few minutes of speaking, the family still agreed to take me in, but the father was still slightly skeptical.

I was turned over to the care of the foster family. They took me in somewhat reluctantly, but welcomed me. They let me out of the carrier to explore the small room they were situating me in. It had various cat toys and objects inside, to keep me entertained.

…………..

The father of the foster family still didn’t quite like me. And throughout my first full week with them, it’s like they had a case of bad luck. But not from me, right? From the kids having a bit less than decent grades to the dad getting a speeding ticket…

He blamed it on me, the father did. “It’s that damn black cat,” he’d growl to the mother. “You know those things are cursed!”

……

By the first day of the next week, the father was done with being irritated by bad luck that supposedly was caused by me. He sent me back to the shelter, and.. There wasn’t much else they could do– I was getting older and less adoptable. With sad tones, they spoke to me, “Dear kitten.. We’ll have to send you off. We need room for more animals, and nobody is adopting you. It will be quick.” I understood– in order for them to care for more, I had to go.

They bought me into the room with the bright light. Sorrow shone on their faces and they brought over a sharp object. I looked on as they struck me with the pain, and away went my vision– fading to black.

By @leopard

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Fenna heard Allison and saw the injured target, but as she was thinking about switching weapons and taking her bow again, she was distracted by a voice. The sounds of the battle around her dropped to background noise as she tried to make out what was being said to her. She heard the words. She felt the words. But she couldn't make them out. In her mind she saw the Wellspring she had visited. The one she had come in contact with.

The ground rumbled. Fenna clutched her spear in both hands, but her muscles relaxed when she felt the source of the rumble. It was familiar, there was no reason to be afraid. Suddenly, a surge of power went through her. She recognised the feeling of the Wellspring. It was that, but more, so much more. Her mind filled with images. She knew where they were, she knew exactly where each Wellspring was. She could see the battle around her, but also further. Much further. Thousands of images appeared to her all at once. She knew where all the allies were, and she saw enemies that approached, the routes they took, how the battle was progressing.

She first directed her thoughts to Sil and connected with her to check how she was doing. She was aware of the falcon in a way she had never been before, and she knew Sil was aware of her as well. It only took a second.

Then her mind went to the casters and healers who had depleted their mana and had used their spells in the battle. She knew where each of them was. The allies who used the magic of the Wellsprings would all, at the same time, be surrounded by a faint glow in a similar colour that had erupted from Fenna, and they would all feel their magical reserves fill up and limited spells be restored.

She knew everything, she also knew this wouldn't last. Her eyes settled on Citadel Mountain, on one specific point above the Wellspring, and she aimed her spear at it. It was impossible to miss. A bright beam came from her spear and hit the surface of the rocks exactly at the point she had intended to hit.

As the beam died out, the light around Fenna faded, and she dropped to her knees. Her body felt empty.
Up, she thought to herself. She used her spear to push herself up again. Up, no time to rest. The battle is far from over.
She looked around. How much time had passed? It had felt like an eternity and the blink of an eye at the same time. The positions were roughly the same, seconds had passed at best. The enemies closest to her, she would focus on them. No, the ogre. It was still in the kneeled down and bent over position as it was when Allison had first called out to her, although it was working its way up again. She quickly swapped weapons and took aim, taking in a deep breath and concentrating, allowing her Eye of the hawk to work, aiming at an exposed weak spot. The arrow pierced the sky and flesh, and the ogre fell down.

One of the Knights came close. With no time to put it away, she dropped her bow and grabbed her spear. It could have been too late if Sil hadn't flown in and distracted the enemy by getting up in his face, pecking once and retreating.

---

While the soldiers at the Bazaar tried to keep a close formation, the skeletons had found a weakness in their defences and slashed through. The poured into the Bazaar.
"Reformation, close the gap!"
Several of the Falcons headed the order and turned to the skeletons that were now in the Bazaar. Ten of them stayed in close formation as they pushed back against the skeletons. They hacked at the bones and skeletons dropped as they inched closer to the gap. The skeletons had no regard for their own safety and were easy to kill because they didn't defend their weak spots, but they were relentlessly going forward, swinging their swords with just one intention: kill the living. One of the Falcons got slashed in the neck and dropped down. Another was stabbed in the gut and fell to his knees before falling over. Every time one of the Falcons died, the others were more determined to avenge them and push back. Save the living. Swift, as Fenna had thought them. Precise. Make every hit count. Look at what you want to hit, aim before you swing.

More soldiers joined them, from other factions too. The gap had to be closed.

The leatherworker had been assisting at a different location, but when he noticed the gap he too went towards it to aid the people. One skeleton came close, but the slash only made a scratch on the enchanted armour. Nimuer turned and cracked the skull of the skeleton with his hammer.

Microfiction & Poetry contest #13 - voting and feedback

Today is the day of the deadline and 4 people voted.

Superstition Kills wins this round! Congratulations @leopard!

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Fenna joined the others to get an update on the situation. The summary of it: it was grim. There was very little hope, the enemy was overpowering them. But it had to be done. She went to the Falcons first to let them know they would be joining all the others to defend the Bazaar, but before she could tell them they asked about Sil. Their concern was real and Fenna choked up, she had to clear her throat before she could tell them Sil was recovering, followed by the order they would defend the Bazaar. She appointed a second in command to oversee them while she would join her party.

She had to believe in them. It didn't feel right to leave them, but she had confidence they would do well. Right now she had to focus on her own task. She joined the others at the bridge. It was strange to be standing here without Sil. For years she had done everything without a falcon by her side, but now she missed having her winged friend near her. However, it felt good to be reunited with her dear friends who thankfully had all survived so far. Zell barely, but he too had made it to this point.

None of the enemies were allowed to cross this bridge and they had to make sure of that.

As the enemies approached - Orc Heavies and Knights of Terequette with Ogres in the middle - Fenna thought about what the best strategy was. She would have time for one well-placed shot, after that she'd rely on her spear.
As Barracker hurled a knife to one, Fenna took her bow and one enchanted arrow. She had prepared several enchanted bolts for MacKensie during the days of preparation, but had prepared a couple of arrows for herself as well. She aimed the ice arrow at the neck of one of the Ogres, took a couple of seconds to concentrate and active her Eye of the Hawk. The ice arrow released and pierced the neck of the Ogre. She quickly glanced over the battlefield. There was time for one more. She placed another ice arrow on the bow, took in a breath and concentrated before releasing it and hitting another in the neck. The downside was that her knowledge of Ogre anatomy was practically non-existent and even though the arrows hit where she wanted them to hit, they weren't immediate fatal blows.

With Adam the bear going through the ranks and the enemies trying to get closer, Fenna decided that switching to her spear was better now. She moved forward to stab the first of the Knights she could reach.
When Barracker called out, she glanced in his direction. It was clear what he wanted, but Fenna wasn't in the position to quickly get to him, nor did she consider herself the most agile to pull off what Barracker wanted her to do. Her eyes darted to where Allison and MacKensie were, if neither of them was closer she'd go in.

As the defences of the bridge happened, the rest of the soldiers had to defend the Bazaar against the onslaught of skeletons. The Falcons stayed together to fight against this enemy with sword and spear. Hacking at the bones, stabbing them in the eyesocket and pulling the head off. They did what they could.

Among the defenders was Nimuer Farlorn, the leatherworker. He wore earth-based enchanted leather armour which gave it properties similar to the spell stoneskin, leather gloves with a fire enchantment, and leather boots of light feet to help him move faster. He wielded an iron hammer and a wooden shield and bashed skeleton skulls.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

I won't be able to post before I go to bed, but I'll have one up tomorrow as early as I can.

Microfiction & Poetry contest #13 - voting and feedback

This is probably a non-issue and I don't know if this has been discussed already, but taking a look at this after having not been involved in the contest for so long, I just realized: would it help to have the theme and prompt listed as a reminder of what they were somewhere? Mostly just in case someone is coming here after having not seen the original post for this round of the competition.

@Exit

That is a good point and I will keep this in mind for future contests.

Microfiction & Poetry contest #13 - voting and feedback

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Banners created by Celxstiial

Welcome to the Voting and Feedback round for MFP#13!

Voting and Feedback guidelines

• Please take your time to read through all the entries before voting for your favourite work. The reasons you base your vote on are up to you, as long the vote isn’t based on whether or not you like the author.
  It would be nice if you could share why you voted for a specific work.
• Giving feedback is optional but highly encouraged. When giving feedback you should be respectful and constructive. It’s good to point out any flaws or the things you feel could be improved or why you didn't like something, but don’t be mean.
  Make sure to point out what you liked or what appreciated in the entry too.
• Contestants may (and are encouraged to) vote and/or give feedback for the other entries but shouldn’t vote for their own entry. If contestants wish to withhold a vote and only give feedback, that is good too.
• The entries are anonymous unless the writer asked for having their name added. That being said, writers may claim their work at any time during or after the voting period.
• The entry with the most votes will win, but in case of a tie a Contest Mod will cast the tie-breaker vote.
• You can vote for entries and post your feedback in this thread, but if you rather have your vote and/or feedback be anonymous you can PM it to @Loksfjoer.
• The voting period deadline is March 20th, 9:00 CET, which is 8:00 server time (both times are in a.m.).

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The Entries

Superstition Kills

By @leopard - TW: Cat Death

I sat beside my mother, the little home cage empty except for me and her. My littermates’ scents lingered, but they were long gone. Nobody wanted me, the little jet black kitten. The humans said it was because of a belief that black cats were bad luck. I was the only completely black one, and that fact seemed to burden me.

The humans agreed– to find me a foster home. Our ears perked at the idea. Foster homes were places for cats to go be cared for temporarily until the humans found them a willing forever home. But would even a foster home take me?

My mother and I shared tongues once more before the humans herded me into the little cat carrier. I mewed a sad goodbye and was lifted away.

I eyed the world outside from the little carrier. A blue sky splattered with fluffy white clouds was high up above. The sun shone as it was at its peak– noon, so the humans said. They put me in the backseat of a car, they called it. It moved along with us inside– rather fascinating, if you ask me.

They stopped at a small brick house and carried me out in the carrier. A pleasing-looking family of humans stood there. The adult male frowned and spoke, “It’s a black cat?” He looked at me through the bars, skeptical. “Don’t you guys know the rumor around these things?” The father spoke. After a few minutes of speaking, the family still agreed to take me in, but the father was still slightly skeptical.

I was turned over to the care of the foster family. They took me in somewhat reluctantly, but welcomed me. They let me out of the carrier to explore the small room they were situating me in. It had various cat toys and objects inside, to keep me entertained.

…………..

The father of the foster family still didn’t quite like me. And throughout my first full week with them, it’s like they had a case of bad luck. But not from me, right? From the kids having a bit less than decent grades to the dad getting a speeding ticket…

He blamed it on me, the father did. “It’s that damn black cat,” he’d growl to the mother. “You know those things are cursed!”

……

By the first day of the next week, the father was done with being irritated by bad luck that supposedly was caused by me. He sent me back to the shelter, and.. There wasn’t much else they could do– I was getting older and less adoptable. With sad tones, they spoke to me, “Dear kitten.. We’ll have to send you off. We need room for more animals, and nobody is adopting you. It will be quick.” I understood– in order for them to care for more, I had to go.

They bought me into the room with the bright light. Sorrow shone on their faces and they brought over a sharp object. I looked on as they struck me with the pain, and away went my vision– fading to black.

The theme is you

I've never won but I did meet you.
Thank you for everything you do.

Unlucky Day, Lucky Girl

By @Nani

Today was not a good day. It was Friday the 13th, the unluckiest day that pops up a couple times a year. Mia couldn't stand the hype behind Friday the 13th.

In the morning she knocked over her coffee, completely frying the motherboard the day before a major essay was due, then the bus was late which led her to completely miss her transfer and her class for the afternoon. And the piece de resistance, she fell down the stairs, nearly breaking her ankle. Fortunately, at the clinic it resulted in a nasty sprain, but no worse for wear. She pulled out her phone to call Liam, who hopefully was out of work by the time she called.

“Hey Mia, how’s my favorite girl?”

At the sound of his voice, the tears couldn’t stop. She lasted half a breath before she bawled over the phone. At her incomprehensible words , Liam’s brows furrowed in both confusion and concern but he booked it to her college. She managed to give her location for him to pick her up . He immediately hugged her the moment he saw her in front of him. This in turn accidentally made her bawl once more, but this time was less of stress and more relief that her favorite person was there with her.

Once they made it home, she explained what happened, making sure her leg was lifted. “It’s today I tell ya! Today was cursed!”

He chuckled while she gave the explanation of what happened, in the meantime, he grabbed her favorite ice cream from the freezer with a ton of whipped cream and two spoons. She definitely deserved it tonight. “Well, whatever it is, today is over. Now we feast!”

She smiled at him. He always knew what to say to make her feel better. Ice cream for dinner? Definitely deserved tonight for the two of them. She grabbed a spoon and scooped some while lifting it for a toast.

“Cheers, and screw Friday the 13th!”

“I’ll cheers to that. And ice cream!”

Clink

Mia loathed Friday the 13th, but with Liam there to help her, maybe she can survive it. She was definitely lucky to have him.

Luck

_Report _ Fleet Valkyrie, 3rd Expedition Force Primus._
_SECURIYTY. FLAG LEVEL_

13 ships broke orbit of Legus Prime.

One failed To make orbit. Crashed into plains North East of traitor capital. [Special notice in report ground command.]

11 DESTROYED in void.

1 ESCAPED. Assumed target primary. Escape vector listed in attached charts.

Thought of the day.
Vigilance is a Virtue.

_REPORT ENDS_

…

It was a broken man who looked out back over the burning lower district of the city as they broke orbit from the careful concealed ships under the former drill yards of the governor's guard. Explosions rippled as the covers and buildings fell into the pits created in deepest secrecy. That rubble disabled the engine of the Tradesman13, luck was not in its favour as it fell away from the group and the blast wave shook the very air as its engines plowed into the ground with force that the simple transport could never withstand.

His shadowed and lined eyes watched the lights blink in the stars, hundreds of them and everyone was an enemy. They had demanded more and to take less, to allow them more of the great tithe…

Negotiations ended the day one of his zealous “leaders” crossed the line. He was messy, maybe they had a hope then they had none. One Fleet grew to 5, strangling inwards like a coiling snake as his ships burned and planets fell one by one under the guns of the 3 bitchs of Mars they called them. One was technically the daughter but since they looked alike the propagandists had a field day.

He watched ships burn even as they made the final jump with Frigates with their distinctive pink flashes belonging to the youngest of the three as they had worked out, bionic eye and scars on her face that his allied caused and turned her from a minor problem to a major threat as she got creative and applied that drive the Young possessed to prove themselves.

…

Unknown Hab Block. City Octus, Planet Gelomorth.

…

Storms raged about the ocean world's endless seas as the great city anchored to the bedrock of the planet, they were on the 3rd such location as the sounds of loud aircraft engines competed with the noise of the storm. In the short time since his once ground dark hair had turned grey as they ran, he had sent the family away and was now aboard the dubbed lucky 13 heading away from the system under the cloak of a priority medical trader to another sector.

He laughed, either he was lucky or he was unlucky as the sound of distant thuds were coming that no one could stop. He had lost but he smirked as he looked out at the stars.

…

It was a mess the investigation Team found in suite on the night of Friday the 13th. Blood, skull fragments and such matter where scattered across a floor turned brown with time and cold. They had been delayed as the area's power grid was cut and jamming had turned the area black in multiple ways.

The footage they had captured showed a female figure in armour, her helmet was fully reflective in deep grey but her escort of 5 power armoured figures in a shocking pink was a bold statement. They were not stopped and moved like they knew everything ahead of time.

A hidden grainy camera in the room they found showed an angle that answered the questions they already guessed. A red eye glowed in the darkness and was starkly lit by a storm of lighting as they stood, raised her pistol and fired a single shot with a shape of a long blade across her back. The woman barely broke step as she was handed a helmet by a companion showing long blonde hair tied back and a message They did not pick up.

…

Deep space Lucky 13 passed the warship with oversized engines and running lights on with a deep pink flash along its superstructure without notice. The ship began to descend as they passed With a shudder across the cargo vessel as vastly more powerful engines than their own lit bright blue stars of artificial Light in the void.

The cargo ship passed freely through every step without a flaw or mistake. “Space Traffic control copies, safe voyages Lucky 13. Watch out for the wake, Frigate left A churn coming in hot.”

“Copy. Lucky 13 out.”

…

_FLASH MESSAGE_
_SECURITY SPECIAL MISSION_

Done. Valkyrie out.

_MESSAGE ENDS_

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

When they approached the barricades of the Bazaar MacKensie joined them and Zell finally woke up. That was one less worry, but her biggest still lay in her arms. She knew Sil was alive, but she needed medical attention. She nodded once when Zell thanked her, but the look in her eyes didn't change and both turned their attention to Sil.
"I hope so," she answered MacKensie's question honestly. "I mean, she should be if I can find a healer for her."

The first two clerics she approached wanted to prioritise the human casualties, they didn't see any reason why they would waste time and magic on a bird. Fenna didn't waste time by trying to argue and just went to the next healer. Fenna was grateful that MacKensie stayed with her as they tried to find someone who could help.

The third looked from Fenna to Sil and back to Fenna with compassion in her eyes. "Lay her down, I will do what I can," she told them. As she worked her magic to heal the falcon, she continued the conversation. "Our Ranger had a boar. I know how close they were. I know how devastated he was when he lost his animal companion. But don't you worry, your falcon seems to be a tough girl, I'll be able to heal her."

Fenna fought hard to keep back the tears. She did not want to lose Sil. MacKensie was with her, a comforting arm around her and she tapped it to let her know she appreciated it. When Barracker asked how she was, Fenna was able to answer she'd be okay. She desperately wanted to see it happen, but for now she had to trust the Cleric. The pat on her shoulder was appreciated.

When MacKensie left Fenna didn't know why, but she also didn't stop her. There was enough going on, the enemy was still near. She wouldn't stop anyone from doing their job. She had a job to do as well, but she couldn't leave Sil. Not yet.
Five of her soldiers approached her to see how Sil was doing and one of them briefed Fenna on the status of the Falcons. They had lost a more then half of the soldiers at the wall and during the retreat. Too many. Way too many. Realistically, Fenna knew that wasn't her fault, they had been stationed at the far end of the defenses and had been in the back of the retreat, but she still felt responsible.
"Everyone who's not in need of healing should regroup and get ready to defend the Bazaar," she told the soldier. "Enemies are closing in. The healed soldiers will join when they can. Relay those orders to the others. I will give more orders when I know more about the strategy to defend this place."

MacKensie and Barracker returned to let her know they would go to the command post, just after the Cleric announced she had done all she could.
"I will join you shortly," she promised the two and turned to the healer. "Did it work?"
"Your falcon will be up in no time. You can leave her here to rest, she will find you."
Fenna gently stroke the feathers. "You're a brave girl, Sil. Join me when your wings are strong enough."

Fenna straightned her back. She had to stop wasting time and get into action again. The Bazaar had given a breather, but at the edges there were still people fighting and thousands of skeletons were approaching. She remembered their very first fight against skeletons on the day they arrived here. Those creatures hadn't stopped them back then, and wouldn't stop them now. With her spear in her hand, Fenna walked towards the command centre as well to get new orders and see how her friends were doing.

Mcrofiction & Poetry contest #13 - luck

We are at 4 entries and I will create the voting thread today.
Thank you for submitting your entries!