Writers! Rev up your aethereal engines of imagination, and use the image above as a prompt to create a microfiction of one hundred words or less!
Anything that fits under the umbrella of speculative fiction — science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural fiction and more — is welcome to be shared as a comment to this post. I will select my favorite very short story from those submitted… and turn your words into a fully polished and credited presentation (in the style of my Aethereal Musings) to be featured on an upcoming Thursday on the blog!
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!
If your piece is selected to be featured, you will be in the running to win the 2019 AETHEREAL ENGINEER WRITER SUPPORT PRIZE PACKAGE!
This mysterious box will be packed with all sorts of wonderful goodies catering to your authorly needs, all hand selected by yours truly! At a total estimated value of at least $100, you could brag about receiving one of the highest per-word payouts for any submission, anywhere!
How might you win such a fantabulous treasure?
The featured Thursday posts for Aether Prompt winners (not the initial Wednesday prompts) will receive a score. Each “Like” on a post will grant one point to the author’s score, and each unique WordPress reblog will grant three points. The author of the piece with the most points by December 1st, 2019… WINS!
I reserve the full and unquestioned right to break any ties, disqualify entries if shenanigans are suspected, and declare a winner with absolute and final authority. If you win, I will require your physical address to ship your prize to you (with standard shipping included free of charge).
So what are you waiting for? Write to get your creative engines going today! Write for the glory! Write for a chance to win a fantabulous prize!
But whatever you do, just keep writing. :-)
Take care everyone, I look forward to your creations!
~Jason H. Abbott
Aethereal Engineer 
“Don’t be scared, child.”
“I’m not scared,” Ray replied, wiping away a tear.
“Do not worry, your parents are safe.”
Tears started falling again from Ray’s young eyes. “I want Mommy!” she wailed.
A sigh came from the glowing tree. Then it started moving, shifting until it formed into a man, with glowing eyes and spiky branches for hair.
“I am a forest Nymph, and my name is Ekelel. You may call me Teacher from now on.”
The young girl sniffed. “Teacher?”
“Yes child. For I must raise you to be a warrior, and If I fail, we are doomed.”
LikeLiked by 2 people
An epic beginning, and a well written one.
LikeLike
What an ugly thing, Ze thought. The softness of the chubby, hair topped morsel was not only strange for the Bilewood, but also because it made him wonder at the kind of creatures that might live beyond the undergloom.
He stepped from behind the tree, his teeth surely catching the light from the hole the small animal fell through.
No reaction.
No sudden transformation. No emerging coat of slime. Not even a terrifying-
Then Ze cuffed his ears.
The thing had grinned and begun to… hiccup? No.
Laugh!
“Please don’t hurt me,” Ze quickly pleaded. “I can serve!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, Scribe of the Vault, you’ve garnered another win with the March 20th Aether Prompt!
Full disclosure: You would have come in at second place this round if another author hadn’t deleted their comment at some point between now and when I read it. That said, yours is still a strong piece and I enjoyed its humor. Great last line!
Your winning entry will get a featured post tomorrow. :-)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww. I wish they hadn’t deleted their post! lol. Never feels as good to be default. But I thank you either way. Here’s hoping I really earn it next time (I’ll be ready for the shadow pro next time).
LikeLiked by 1 person
+10 points to you for using the word shenanigans
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alright! Now I have 10 points! :-D
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here’s my take on the prompt:
https://thedarknetizen.wordpress.com/2019/03/21/microfiction-warrior-in-her/
Happy reading! :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
A dark opening with epic overtones. It’s good! It seems that a similar feel was picked up on from several of the authors from this prompt installment. :-)
LikeLike
Thank You! :D
Yes, the prompt did lead there! ;)
LikeLiked by 1 person
A twinkle caught the little girl’s eye, then another. She followed the glowing spirit, then chased another once the first burned away. The trail of spirits brought her to a tree that glowed with the same spectral energy as the firefly-sized balls of light.
She stared intently at the glow. Feeling suddenly compelled, she sat by the tree, unable to tear her gaze from it.
The tree whispered, its voice like an echo or a whistle, “Are you the woodsman’s daughter?”
She nodded quietly.
“Your father built a very special house, and he used my child’s body to do it.” The bright knot glared more intensely. “Did you know that I’m equally skilled at construction?”
She shook her head no.
“Then watch the bright light… good girl…”
LikeLike
Gosh darn it – I didn’t read the instructions closely enough and went over the word limit. >_< Here's an edited version – I am SO SORRY for not following the rules the first time…
***
A twinkle caught the little girl’s eye. She followed the glowing spirit, then chased another once the first burned away. The trail of spirits brought her to a tree that glowed with the same spectral energy.
Feeling suddenly compelled, she sat by the tree, unable to tear her gaze from it.
The tree whispered, “Are you the woodsman’s daughter?”
She nodded.
“Your father built a special house using my child’s body as material.” The bright knot glared more intensely. “Did you know that I’m equally skilled at construction?”
She shook her head no.
“Then watch the bright light… good girl…”
LikeLiked by 1 person
No need to be sorry! Just a simple mistake and you fixed it. :-)
LikeLiked by 1 person