Patrick Marrero
Stories (16/0)
Desolation Valley
There weren't always dragons in the Valley. Long before anyone can remember, this was a dead place. Rock so dry even the sand had vanished, no sign of grass or even desert plants, let alone beasts or birds. Any that passed through the valley would perish in short order, and so terrible was the place that any bones left from then became as ash. Even those who followed the gods decided this place was beyond their patrons powers. Then they came, from the deep stories of myth.
By Patrick Marrero2 years ago in Fiction
Cyber Hunter
Data is everything, that’s the world we live in now. Reality, material, it all became little more than inconvenience. Everyone escapes to immaterial, to zeros and ones. Reality became too much for them, for the average Joe who just wanted to have a good time. Money, food, crime, pain, even death. The basic things that make life became anathema to what people wanted. Now, they found a way to run from it.
By Patrick Marrero3 years ago in Fiction
Voices of the Lagoon
Late Morning/Early Afternoon Manuel looked to the distance as the waves crashed alongside his boat. He stood at the bow holding tight to the rope of the sail. His friend David was in the cockpit, directing the ship to Manuel’s gestures. The sky was clouding, and they were a good distance from any shore. The had lost sight of any land more than an hour ago, but David had sense enough to know the way back. It was more the possible storm in near open water that worried him. Not for the first time on this trip did David regret agreeing to help Manuel.
By Patrick Marrero3 years ago in Horror
My Little Sunshine
There are a few events in my life that changed everything, but the first one would be when I met my daughter. I had a bad experience with the fairer sex in my high school years. Cliche as it might be, I was left broken hearted in my final year do to a girl who didn’t share my affections. I had sworn off women after that, went to college, focused on my studies. It was simpler that way, and I was happier. Then, randomly I met the woman who would become my wife. We dated for a few months, and then she told me she had a daughter. I wanted to meet the little scamp, so I did.
By Patrick Marrero3 years ago in Families
Dangling off a Bridge
Many years ago my best friend Phil and I had made rather hilarious blunder. We were both in our earl collage years and short on money, as most were at the time. I get a call one day informing me about a possible job, selling a product that I won’t mention for legal reasons. Seems a like a good deal, so I tell Phil about it and we agree to meet the representative.
By Patrick Marrero3 years ago in Confessions
Bodies of the Pear Tree
Bodies littered the field in all directions, limbs sundered, blood drained or draining. Arrows filled several, and broken swords poked out of others. The very dirt and grass was awash with red, muddy not from rain but from bloodshed. Even now, though much quieter than before, the sounds of people shouting and calling curses echoed in the air. The clang of metal was sluggish, tired from the carnage around. It was only a handful of warriors that remained in the field of the dead. Armor that were it not for paint or colored cloth would be indistinguishable from each other, swords and shields clattering with parry and strike. Those fighting would or could not put all their might into it anymore. A single soldier charged three, all of them holding spears. They stabbed but he just allowed the spear tips to bounce off his plate armor. His enemies could not react quickly as he closed in, their weapons to long, and his sword found purchase in the necks. The soldier did not wait to confirm their deaths, he moved to the next only to see a single enemy pull an axe from the body of his comrade, the bodies of the others freshly dead. Both looked at each other. Instinct told them to charge, to claim a final victory, but both did not move. Standing tall, weapons at their sides they just looked at each other for a long moment, turning ever so slightly in the same direction.
By Patrick Marrero3 years ago in Fiction
The Cold World
Cold, a simple thing to be sure, but often the simple things are the most powerful. The cold drives people mad, hunting for firewood in wild frensy to avoid freezing, or trapping people and forcing them to eat each other. For all the politics and arguments on the nature of evil, the absence of warmth is stronger still.
By Patrick Marrero3 years ago in Fiction
Vengeance Eternal
Glowing bright, brighter than the sun or moon at night, it called me. From the time of my youth, when my father put a wooden sword in my hand and told me how to kill a man, it was there. The elders say it is a vile monster, trying to lure away those of us strong enough to fight. The mothers and wives say it is a harlot’s trick to take away sons and husbands. The children call it ghosts here to eat us. No one can agree on what it is, only that we should avoid it. But I could not, not fully. I never strayed from my village, never wondered into the woods after this green light, but I never looked away from it either.
By Patrick Marrero3 years ago in Fiction
Crown of the Grand Horn
Ortiana was a land of chaos and blood, broken in ages past when kings held petty wars for personal pride. None can tell when the fall happened, which army ran amuck where, only that the old castles were in ruins and lands shattered to separate villages. Now it was ruled by the sword, the horse lords of the north and barbarian hordes of the south would not let the bloodshed end. Any village had to spend its days worrying about an attack, rest and peace were far off dreams.
By Patrick Marrero3 years ago in Fiction
Forgotten Lady
The floor was an ebb of motion and gyration as people danced back and forth. The night was loud as music blared and people cheered. A full celebration, fancy dressed and custom suits all around. The main hall of the venue was covered in all manors of decoration. Syrius sat in the managers nest looking at it, smiling brightly.
By Patrick Marrero3 years ago in Fiction
Unwelcome Presents
Today was a good day for Alison. She woke to a sunny sky, the house wide speakers playing flawlessly, and a fresh made breakfast waiting for her. When she left her home she even let the house staff have the day off. She remembered smiling as the bowed low. Traffic was light as well, travel fast, and the office work was easy. She couldn’t remember a single day that went by so well.
By Patrick Marrero3 years ago in Criminal
Pistris Legion
Perfection, something that will always be strived for, but never achieved. That is the premise of life in many ways. Evolution is all about adapting to life, reaching ever closer to perfection until change must happen again. Not so with sharks. They have remained stable for millions of years. That is why they make up the legion.
By Patrick Marrero3 years ago in Fiction