Enigmatic Fantasies #33 - Goblins and Gems [#99]

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            The bag was nestled by the riverside, a glint shined from within which caught Gibblegack's eye. The goblin scrambled down to the mysterious sack and snatched it from the ground. As he pulled open the cloth, his eyes lit up with glee.

            "What are you doing Gibblegack," his brother Stigle yelled, "throw that trash away, we've got places to be."

            "No Stigle this isn't trash, this is a treasure," Gibblegack revealed the contents of the bag. It was filled to the brim with brilliant gemstones, each prettier than the last. Stigle's eyes bugged out of his head as sprinted down to the riverside. The older goblin pawed over the contents of the sack to ensure his eyes did not deceive him.

            "Gems, jewels and so much more," Stigle drooled, "how much is here? It must be two, no, three years of hard labor's worth."

            "That means, we're rich?" Gibblegack asked.

            "More than rich," Stigle wagged his finger, "there's enough here to live a whole life without work."

            "No more work?" The younger goblin exclaimed.

            "No more hard labor," Stigle affirmed.

            "No more yelling for being too slow?" Gibblegack inquired.

            "No, we'd do the yelling," Stigle explained.

            "Oh, yes yes," Gibblegack squealed in glee, "let's go now, live like rich goblins."

            "No, not yet," Stigle stopped his brother, "we can't go and say nothing yet if we do some big lug will take it from us. Got to sneak it in slowly, then we live like big shot goblins."

            "I don't want to wait," Gibblegack whined.

            "Don't care, just wait," Stigle snatched the bag out of his brother's hands, "I'll hold the bag now, you'd just lose it."

            "No fair, I found it," the younger goblin argued, "I should hold it, finders keepers."

            "You thimblehead," Stigle spat, "it my idea to sneak in gems so, they don't get taken, that means I should hold it."

            "How do I know you not going to steal some of it?" Gibblegack countered, "I never counted them, you could easily slip one or two in a pocket, and I'd never know."

            "Why'd I do that?" The elder goblin took offense to his brother's accusation.

            "Why wouldn't you?" Gibblegack pointed out.

            "That's nonsense," Stigle pulled the bag around his back and began to back away.

            "I knew it you're trying to trick me," Gibblegack lunged at his brother.

            "Get a hold of yourself," Stigle tried to reason with the other goblin, as he struggled to keep his grip on the bag.

            "Give it back," the younger goblin tugged on the bag.

            "No, you'd lose it," Stigle pulled back. The two wrestled over their treasure until the poor sack couldn't take it anymore. The bag was ripped in two, and the precious gems and jewels flew into the air, crashed down and broke into a million pieces.

            "You broke them," Gibblegack screamed as he scratched at his brother.

            "You started it," Stigle swiped back. The two goblins continued to fight and wrestle and took no head of the jagged shards that surrounded them on the ground. Nor did they notice the writing on the bag that read, "Glass Gemstones."

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Sometimes we fight over the most worthless things without realizing it.

Until next time, Read, Comment and Enjoy

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Strange Sci-fi Tales #20 - Stranded Among The Abandoned [#98]

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            In all honesty, the crash wasn't so bad, it was being stranded that was the problem. It was only made worse by the fact that the entire planet was abandoned. Not only was he stuck out here, but he was also going to be here for a long while. At least there were still some buildings intact and hopefully some buried power sources.

            He trudged down the empty streets of a once mighty city. His eyes scanned the vicinity for a building with a solid roof or the flicker of an artificial light. Plenty of musty and nasty stenches assaulted his nose, while he avoided the many puddles of stagnant water that lined the streets. He wondered how much further he should search. He was already an hour out from the crash site, and the sun hung low in the sky.

            Before he could make a decision, he came to a dead stop, as the sight before him made the answer clear. The many puddles of water gave way to a black lake of murky water that slowly consumed the city. He could go no further, nor was he willing to make his temporary home anywhere near these dark waters.

            As he turned back to return to where he came from, his thoughts drifted to the city. He remembered stories of this planet and the many cities which dotted its landscape. Apparently, it was the jewel of the galaxy at one point, his eyes caught sight of a sign above him which said as much. Then it all collapsed one day, all at once, in a horrific once in a millennium accident.

            He shuddered to think about how a single event could bring down an entire planet. It was never that simple, there was always build up or cracks in the foundation long beforehand. Yet, every time he heard of this place, it was always said a single event brought it down. Something worse than an economic crash, natural disaster or man-made calamity.

            Was it the water, or was the water the end result? Did they see it coming, or did it come out of nowhere? He wished he knew, but he never did get a straight answer on what happened here. In all honesty, it wasn't the crash, or being stranded or even knowing he wouldn't be found for a long time that disturbed him. It was that he didn't know why this place was abandoned, and worse yet no one would say why either. These thoughts lingered with him as he returned to the crash site. Should he be worried, or had the disaster passed?

            In all honesty, the crash wasn't so bad, it was being stranded that was the problem. It was only made worse by the fact that the entire planet was abandoned. Not only was he stuck out here, but he was also going to be here for a long while. At least there were still some buildings intact and hopefully some buried power sources.

            He trudged down the empty streets of a once mighty city. His eyes scanned the vicinity for a building with a solid roof or the flicker of an artificial light. Plenty of musty and nasty stenches assaulted his nose, while he avoided the many puddles of stagnant water that lined the streets. He wondered how much further he should search. He was already an hour out from the crash site, and the sun hung low in the sky.

            Before he could make a decision, he came to a dead stop, as the sight before him made the answer clear. The many puddles of water gave way to a black lake of murky water that slowly consumed the city. He could go no further, nor was he willing to make his temporary home anywhere near these dark waters.

            As he turned back to return to where he came from, his thoughts drifted to the city. He remembered stories of this planet and the many cities which dotted its landscape. Apparently, it was the jewel of the galaxy at one point, his eyes caught sight of a sign above him which said as much. Then it all collapsed one day, all at once, in a horrific once in a millennium accident.

            He shuddered to think about how a single event could bring down an entire planet. It was never that simple, there was always build up or cracks in the foundation long beforehand. Yet, every time he heard of this place, it was always said a single event brought it down. Something worse than an economic crash, natural disaster or man-made calamity.

            Was it the water, or was the water the end result? Did they see it coming, or did it come out of nowhere? He wished he knew, but he never did get a straight answer on what happened here. In all honesty, it wasn't the crash, or being stranded or even knowing he wouldn't be found for a long time that disturbed him. It was that he didn't know why this place was abandoned, and worse yet no one would say why either. These thoughts lingered with him as he returned to the crash site. Should he be worried, or had the disaster passed?

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If no wants to say why a place was abandoned, then there's probably a good reason why.

Until next time, Read, Comment and Enjoy

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Enigmatic Fantasies #32 - Unsecured Cargo [#97]

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            I could finally see the harbor over the horizon. Within the hour we'd dock and unload our cargo, yet my nervousness did not fade. I've been concerned ever since we secured our cargo, and I won't feel safe until I'm certain that thing can't escape. I wiped the sweat off my brow and went out onto the deck. The crew milled about the top of the deck, a general excitement filled the air, then I emerged with my sour expression and paled face.            

            "What's the matter, Doc? Still, seasick?" One of the sailors inquired.

            "No, I'm fine," I assured, "I'm just concerned about transferring the cargo."

            "Aw Doc don't be that way," he patted my shoulder, "the beast gave us trouble before, but it hasn't let out a peep in over a week. Besides, it ain't escaping from those bindings."

            "I sure hope so," I lowered my head and tried to push down a wave of nausea. I sweat bullets as I counted the remaining minutes on our journey.

            "Hey Doc," the sailor continued, "is it hotter than usual, or is it just me?" I looked back at him, he was soaked in sweat.

            "Now that you mention it," I replied. The heat was unbearable, and while the sun did beat down upon us, it wasn't the culprit. No the ship itself seemed to radiate heat, I could practically feel my shoes melt off my feet as the heat grew worse. I went dizzy from the rapid increase in temperature and struggled to stay on my feet.

            "The lower deck is on fire," another sailor yelled out. I believed him, but I was more concerned as to why. I didn't have much time to consider as the heat grew worse and worse, to the point the metal on the ship began to melt. I couldn't even breathe, not that I'd want to with all these metal fumes. As the boat continued to melt, I finally saw the source. A single giant claw burst from below deck and gripped onto the top deck. A horrific sound rang through the air as the metal was wrenched apart, and a towering figure emerged from inside the ship and flew into the sky. Its red scaly body contrasted the blue skies, it two giant wings cast a shadow over our boat, its breath hissed with flame. This mythical beast roared into the sky and fly towards the harbor in front of us.

            "What have we done?" I choked as I slowly faded from consciousness.

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Sometimes you feel concern in your gut for a very good reason.

Until next time, Read, Comment and Enjoy

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