Epic Fantasy Short

The people of Minnesota believe the twin cities to be Minneapolis and St. Paul, but what they don't realize is the name actually refers to a parallel dimension known as The Realms, where creatures of myth roam freely. Humans stand only a dimensional barrier away from the most terrifying and horrible monsters imaginable, but there are select few who answer the cries for help, who guard the world of mankind and keep it safe from harm.

During his first 1,000 years of life in The Realm, Lucifer becomes an authentic superstar. All of his fellow brethren adore him and the passionate way he leads worship. His best friend Michael has been cheering him on since literally lifting him out of his Creation Cocoon. And then it happens. An unexpected rift between Lucifer and Michael inaugurates Lucifer onto the path of rebellion. While smiling at his best friend every day, Lucifer begins to amass custom-designed weapons. His rebellion will everything.

Here is where the saga ends and the legend begins...You may not remember the glorious age of VHS, but that is not a prerequisite. As has been the custom in compiling these anthologies, the crème de la crème of authors and filmmakers who both lived and thrived during the period in question, like the Avengers assembled to bring you this - the last dance.

The Dance of Moonlighters: Heather needed to prove not only to herself, but the world, that she was more. More than a simple thief. It took her years to perfect her craft. Adapting to those around her. Surviving alone. Now her years looked to be spent on proving she held more in her hands than the items she borrowed. In this short story for Heather Halcyon, we discover a glimpse of her life and how she crosses paths with familiar names and faces. This is The Dance of Moonlighters, a tale of a thief who lives as a Queen.

The first time Darrion struck her, Lana loaded her wagon and left Cynegil. Two-year-olds should not hit like that. She draped the windows of her cottage with dense cloth and worked by a single candle. If she timed her flight well, she could pass through the market during changing of the guard. In another era, under another king's reign, Lana would have rejoiced that Darrion had inherited his father's gift. Now, if Lana does not present her son to the king, she could lose her head.

Word has spread that the Howler King has been defeated, though many of his magically created intelligent wolves still roam the land. Slowly, people in the kingdom have tried to recover from the war and live somewhat normal lives. However, some learn that no matter how much they want to put the past behind them, the terrible events of the war haunt them still.

"Dagon." Howard Phillips Lovecraft (1890-1937) is a novelist famous for his horror stories, fantasy and science fiction. Although he was not famous during his lifetime, his work is now considered a classic of literature. Lovecraft's work has influenced many authors, including Stephen King, who considers him "the greatest craftsman of the classic horror story of the 20th century."

Dyana Graceford never asked for her engagement to the mysterious Prince Rydan, who has been locked away in a tower for most of his life due to an unknown but terrible affliction. She had no way of knowing, however, that this unwanted engagement would lead her into the woods of the infamous witch who burdened the prince with his curse. Can she convince the witch to lift it? Or will Prince Rydan be doomed to spend the rest of his life as a monster?

An innocent Human child is murdered by an Elven artisan in the village of Foxglove Falls, under Lorewyn's jurisdiction as Constable. With the child's parents and the rest of the village outraged - and rightfully so - the administration of justice falls into the hands of a divided Elven tribunal...with Lorewyn's reputation and a promise she made on the line. Tristyn Caelbryn, a young novice Mage, is faced with a dilemma when the Nullification Act is passed in New Sylestia by the Elven council, preventing humans from continuing to practice the magical arts.

You over there – come a little closer. Closer still; there’s no need to be shy. We have tales of terrors beyond your wildest nightmares; stories of monsters, madness, the dark and the dangerous. The dead have voices, and we need to be heard.Settle down, sit tight. We’re going to be here all night.

A gift of power was once handed down to one of the earliest inhabitants of the planet Kaliya, and through countless lifetimes the gift has altered the patterns of fate for all beings who live there. Though the power of the violet fire is inherently good, it was indeed an inconceivably dark force that first brought it there. The Star Gazer, a primitive and wooly beast who was not wholly unlike the Khurran of Wild Mountain, must bear the frightening responsibility of keeping the power safe, lest it forever be cast into oblivion!

In a world ravaged by climate change and teetering on the brink of disaster, marine biologist Elaine embarks on a life-altering journey. When her research submarine becomes trapped beneath the ocean's floor, Elaine discovers an extraordinary underground civilization—the enigmatic Luminari. These advanced beings hold the key to Earth's salvation, but their offer comes with a condition: humanity must change its ways.

Hope - The most precious of all the gifts from the gods and the only one saved when Pandora lost the others. But, how will the world cope when a major disaster strikes and it seems that hope is finally gone?

A time so very long ago decided the very fate of our race. Men and women once survived below the Earth's crust. Our faces, banished from the warmth of the sun, and left to the darkness and the cold stone. Our tale has been told so many times by so many different people. Yet, no one heeds the warnings, and the message of the tale is lost from generation to generation. The time is coming again, oh so very soon it will be upon us. Darkness will fall upon the Earth, and one of the five races will reign supreme.

The Bluesman - musician, magician, lethal killer. Thrown into our world from a parallel universe, the Bluesman seeks to save the Earth from being overrun by the horrid, mutated creatures that came with him. Armed with magic, skill, and his companion, Scotch, he faces these monsters hoping to create a peaceful world for all.

Welcome to the magical land of Snowybrook Vale! While you're here, enjoy good company, fine drink, and elegant lodging, all to be had at Vale's premier vacation spot, Snowybrook Inn. But if you venture into the countryside, watch out for shadows! Because Goblins lurk behind every rock, and Imperial soldiers are always around, looking to teach unruly frontiersmen a lesson.

When Angli cattle thieves slaughter his wife and son, Dwras son of Gwyn vows revenge upon their murderers. But how can a mere farmer prevail against ruthless, trained warriors? For the answer Dwras must look not to his sword, but within his heart.

Sergeant Jacob Knox leads the Head Knockers, a unit of scout-saboteurs in the war against the Dread Duke and his armies. They are the favorite squad among Captain Brighton's Stormwalkers, until an ambush by shapeshifters kills the Captain, half the company, and Knox's best men. Now the new Captain has new orders: he's sending the Head Knockers to investigate an abandoned village, the possible source of the attack.

Welcome to the magical land of Snowybrook Vale! While you're here, enjoy the good company, fine drink and elegant lodging to be had at the Vale's premier vacation spot, Snowybrook Inn. But if you venture into the countryside, watch the shadows! Because Goblins lurk behind every rock, and Imperial soldiers are always around, looking to teach an unruly frontiersman a lesson. Snowybrook Inn is a series of ongoing whimsical fantasy short stories. Each story is mostly self-contained, so you can pretty much listen anywhere in the series without missing anything crucial.

Delve deep into this fantasy, science fiction and philosophical compilation of short stories by a highly imaginative author. Explore life and death, technology, science, religion and many more themes such as time travel and existence.