Yeah, sounds about right.
I recently wrote a story about the end of the world, while in-between writing a novel and some comics. The novel is slightly behind, but has three finished chapters, three over half finished chapters and plenty more left to write. I started in September and have been writing steadily since. But this is about my short story.
It can either be read below, or on my deviantArt here. Please do provide feedback.
- The Ending Star -
On a day of peace and quiet, in the town of West Hamplington, a star screamed and fell to the Earth. Ploughing through rock and hill, nesting itself within Compton Woods.From across a neighbouring field came two young boys running towards it, having gazed upon the fire in the skies. Hopping over the fence, they slowed down, approaching that bit more cautiously.
"Don't touch it. It'll be really hot." said one.
"You're being daft Seth. It'll be really cold." the other replied, correcting his friend.
Still, they ignored their better sense of judgement and continued their approach towards the fallen star.
Deep within and without came a light, flashing and cascading from the stars core, engulfing the approaching boys. As the light died, so did those caught within. Bodies hungrily eaten by the star, it balefully glowed, looking out over West Hamplington.
- - -
Deep within the ground, across the oceans and within the forests, up mountains and down canyons, past the moon and from the hearts of humanity came the stirrings of creatures from a lost age, another time, when the world was smaller.
They stirred and awoke, for the chains holding the star at bay had broken, and they all knew what that meant. Almost all of magic kind had agreed to the sacrifice, to keep the end contained. But now all would need to aid, for the last time it had not been enough. Perhaps the newer races might also be able to lend a hand.
"Send the letters." said the shadows flitting across the world to a man dressed in Victorian garb, smoking a pipe. Briefly fading out of reality, the man picked up a mailbag, spun on his heels and vanished.
- - -
Groggily waking up halfway through the morning, alarm blaring, Sandie Lane rubbed her eyes, still laying in bed, still tired, not moving beyond her arms. Yawning, she threw her hand at the alarm clock, mashing her fingers on the buttons, struggling to shut the damn thing up.
Failing to stop the incessant yelling of the machine, she grabbed the alarm and yanked it out of the wall, throwing it against the wall. It shattered against the metal panel she had left lying there from the last time she had smashed an alarm, a smile across her face as the pieces spread across the wall.
"Well, that's only the second one this year." she muttered, finally picking herself up from her bed. Dropping her legs from the side of the bed, thin metal necklace clinking as she moved, Sandie sidled her feet into her slippers laying there, wiggling her toes in comfort.
She was past her teenage years a few years ago, and was of average height and weight, of average belief and craziness, Sandie had long curly and frizzy brown hair, which was very much suffering from bed hair at this time. Rubbing her deep blue eyes again, she got up and began her daily routine. She went to the toilet, happily drying her hands thoroughly on the nice, warm and fuzzy towel, before she made her way to the kitchen and made breakfast. Such things were far more important to her than showering. Flicking on the TV, she sat down and slowly ate her cereal and drank her smoothie while watching whatever kids show was on the telly during the middle of the morning.
Going back and washing up what she had used for breakfast, Sandie walking past her front door, spying newly arrived post in the basket underneath the letterbox. Flicking through the envelopes, uninteresting and uninspired mail one and all save one, one most unlike the rest. Gleaming in golden writing was just her name, no address or stamp. The writing curled and twisted as she looked at it, and she swore she could hear faint laughter from the inside.
"Curiouser and curiouser." she said, grabbing her letter opener from within the basket she plucked open the letter. Unfolding out from the envelope came a short swish of wind, the scent of roses trailing back to its sender. Reading through the brief note, her eyes rereading it again and again, unsure as to what it meant.
"Miss Sandie Lane,
You are cordially invited to the end of the world council for the prevention of said event.
Please arrive promptly at 1600 by the ford of split intentions.
Yours sincerely,
Jack Robinson
Secretary of the Council""Ach, damn." she muttered, still not entirely sure as to what was asked of her, and yet, she knew entirely what was asked of her. "Guess they'll want me dressed up then." she said unhappily as she rubbed her head in confusion. Putting the letter down on the shelf by the door, she went to her bathroom and started running a bath.
Tipping in some bubble mixture, she grabbed her current book and placed it by the side. Closing the door and locking it, for even though she lived alone you could not be too careful. Hanging up her bed clothes, top first on one peg and bottoms next on the other, she slid off her slippers, leaving her necklace on and slipped herself into the bath. Delving herself into her book, she lost herself for a while. For if it was the end of the world, like hell she would miss out on the ending.
After finally turning the last page she smiled, satisfied with the ending presented to her, the water having long turned cold, she pulled herself and began to dry herself. Having finished with that, Sandie wiggled into a pair of one of her old boyfriend's boxers. Or were they ones she had bought afterwards, because oh geez were they the most comfortable thing she had worn down there. Unsure of what else to wear, she went over to her doorless wardrobe, and pondered on what to wear.
Choosing things that she supposed would be smart, probably what others would want her to wear. And there she was, dressed in a suit and skirt, high heels clicking as she walked, her hair in an uptight bun. Walking past her full length mirror, she stopped and gazed at herself. Frowning, she continued to look before yelling in disapproval.
"Nope, nope. Not doing it." she said, quickly messing up her hair into something far more normal for her, free and wild. Kicking off her shoes at the wall, she watched them bounce off and hit the floor, probably making another dent in the wall as she did. Throwing off the rest of the clothes, still in a highly particular order from top to bottom, she returned to find something far more comfortable, leaving her clothes strewn on the floor, wandering around in boxer shorts, past an abandoned wheelchair and some spare bike parts she kept meaning to swap over.
Quickly, and a bit randomly, Sandie choose an assortment of clothes and started putting them on. A plain black choker, something her last girlfriend gave her before the accident. Rubbing it fondly, reminiscing on only a few weeks prior, on better days. Necklace still worn, as well as a wooden African charm necklace she had picked up on a holiday a few years ago. Two tank tops, red over black and an open sleeveless brown jacket. Squeezing her way into some white baggy trousers that the waist was just never right for, and tying a multicoloured patchwork scarf around her waist as a makeshift belt, she considered herself far more ready. Grabbing a pair of trainers, she put them on upon the stairs before heading to the toilet one last time before heading out. The ride would probably take a couple of others, and this would be the last time to have hot running water for the day.
Heading back to the kitchen, she delved in and stocked up on snack food, as well as preparing a pack lunch. Plenty of sandwiches, cherry tomatoes, a couple of apples, packet of crisps, the last slice of funeral cake and and a chocolate bar, before pocketing the letter. Palming a knife, she dropped it in her bag then slung it across her shoulder, doing up the clasps and fidgeting till it was comfortable. As she looked out over her place before leaving, fiddling with her necklaces, still a bit unsure on what she was doing. As she left, she gave the front door a good slam, making sure it was closed properly.
"Man, I really ought to get that looked at." she said to no-one in particular, before shrugging. "If we survive that is." Pulling out her cycle gloves from her jacket, she did them up, plucking her bike keys out from a separate pocket, undoing the various padlocks she had on her bike, her rather sporty and very rusted bike. Wheeling it out from under the cover, she hopped on and began to peddle, cycling to a council at the end of the world.
- - -
"So then, Mr Robinson - why her?" asked Odette, Queen of the Birdsong, lounging on a couch.
"And why not her?" he replied, tipping his top hat to his questioner before vanishing, as if he was never there, off to deliver the next set of invitations. He had only managed up to L, and as such it was to be a rather busy day for the Spring Heeled Jack.
For Odette herself had only heard the news of the council because of the connections to her new beau, a man who put Nicholas to shame. Sighing, she contented herself to playing on some form of handheld games console, for the council was not due for another twelve or so hours.
- - -
A creaky sign on a crooked building. An oulde time pub lost from the ages, come once more when the signs bode poorly. A wild and scattered red headed manager leans on his stool, legs over the bar, cane resting there as well. His eyes show wisdom and weariness, yet his body speaks of youth and mirth. Spying a couple of new arrivals, he threw his cane over his shoulder, but otherwise stayed where he sat.
"Welcome to the Sleeping King my friends. What perchance will you be drinking this eve?" he asked. As they replied, money exchanging hands, he tapped his cane across the taps, twirling a couple of glasses across it and filling them up without moving, the black oak cane doing all the work. "And there you go. Have a merry end of the world." he said as he finished, throwing their drinks across the bar to directly in front of them, not a drop spilt.
Twirling his cane, the barman resting it across his legs and turned his head to the conversation of a couple of drunk ogres peaking his interest, their conversation not suitable for any time.
"I hear they've brought a woman in." said a drunkard greedily slurping away on a tankard of really rather potent ale, belly hanging well over the stool.
"And an attractive one at that." chimed in a second drunken voice, his chin bathed in froth.
"I fail to see how that is relevant." replied the bartender, his eyes locking on both of theirs at once in annoyance.
"And we neva asked you in, arm, barman chappy." came the second voice, stumbling over his words.
"Hey, what did'cha say your name was again anyway?" said the first ogre, voice rising in anger.
"I didn't, and if you take that tone with me again boy I'll cast you out naked into the frost." the bartender sternly replied, cane pointing fiercely directly at them, still leaning on his stool and yet rising in stature far beyond what would be considered physically possible.
"Oh, and you can call me Merlin." he continued, his voice suddenly becoming flippant and full of mirth once more, cane slamming on the ground, the drunkards stool legs suddenly turning to water, collapsing the foolish ogres to the floor. Looking at each other in puzzlement and confusion, they turned back to the barman, who did not say a word, just looked fiercely at the pair. Their nerves failing, they ran out of the pub, tripping as they did so.
"Clean up by the bar please." the barman said to a closed door, ownerless brooms wandering out and beginning to clean up the mess he had made. Tapping his cane back on the floor, the stools picked themselves up and fixed each other. Soon there was no trace of altercation in the Sleeping King.
- - -
All across the woods arrived creatures from some corner of another. Some were by themselves represented their species all by themselves, while others come in attendance with others, for either moral support, or the fact they did not truly trust one another. Just because they were out to prevent the end of the world did not mean they were friends at all.
Wolves became men and women, ghostly sprites flew out of rocks, foxes and badgers came out of nearby warrens and trees walked themselves into a better position. All species were invited, for what occurred next involved every species upon, below and above the ground.
- - -
Still lounging in his bar, cane tapping in time to the music now playing, Merlin spied a man pop into existence to the side. Tweaking his cane, he pulled out a beer he had already prepared and threw it to Jack, who effortlessly caught it.
"You were expecting me then?" he asked, taking a sip of the drink offered.
"Indeed I was." Merlin replied, hopping off his seat. "But I'll be a while longer, it's not closing time yet, see? And don't wordy bout that drink - it's on the house." he continued, giving the cash register a couple of taps before leaning on his bar. Hitting the overhanging bell, he decided not to observe Jack as he left, on the road to another council member. Surely not his sister though? For once in his life, Merlin was unsure. He could not remember what happened next, nor the time after.
- - -
"I still can't believe they never got it. I practically signed my name. Morgana Le Fay. Idiots, one and all." said the first voice of the faey, bored of waiting for all the others to arrive.
"Indeed auntie." said the second voice, Mordred, irritated.
Their wings were draped around them as cloaks and dresses, some, like Morgana's elegantly fitting their form, while others like Mordred's thrown about, indifference to their manner of dress. Their hair was wild, plants and animals, even a bird living within. One behind Morgana and Mordred plucked a spider out of her hair and chomped down on it, licking her lips as she finished. Deep black eyes gazed around the still assembled council, the pure blackness not betraying where their gazes fell. Flowing green and golden tattoos written across pale skin glinted and shone in the baleful light of the contained star.
Looking up in puzzlement, Morgana felt a magic she had not felt in a long time.
"Meredith has arrived." she said, as the next emissaries landed.
"Oh wonderful, it's the tooth." said Mordred scornfully.
"Hello cousins." came the obviously false joyous reply from Meredith, aloft on hummingbird wings, before turning to her attendants to dismiss them. "Nipper, Fang, leave us. I think we're going to be having a long discussion with out relatives before the council. How wonderfully pointless." she continued, fake enthusiasm showing through.
"Enough, all of you." said Morgana, irritated at her whole family.
"What did you expect sis?" came a nonchalant voice from above, flitting around them all, flicking his red hair out of his face as he landed.
"Merlin." she said tersely.
"Morgana." he replied. "It's been too long." he said, smiling, embracing her in a familial hug.
"Indeed it has." she replied as they hugged, smiling. "How is he doing?" she then asked.
"Still sleeping, still awaiting. Very noisy snorer." answered Merlin, letting go of the hug and twirling his staff. Tapping his staff on the ground, an armchair growing in the spot. Slumping down into it, he grinned. "So, when do we start?"
- - -
"Humans. Running late as always." came the scornful remark of Anubis as he sorted between various feathers he kept lined in his coat.
"Actually, I think she's right on time." replied the excited voice of the brer rabbit, returning his pocket watch to his jacket, before continuing to check the multitude of wristwatches strewn about his arms.
"Yeah, that'll be me you're talking about." said Sandie, as she strolled into the assembled gathering, pushing her bike along side her. "It's a hell of a time finding this place, but good thing I got this old thing." she continued, leaning over the handlebars, finally taking into appreciation the assembled masses. "Had to get off for the last bit though. Funny set of stiles you got back there."
"This is right weird." she muttered, seeing all eyes gazing at her, a human, the first human to attend a council since Arthur Pendragon himself. At least, before he became something else.
"The last has arrived. We shall now begin." boomed the voice of Bahamut, last of the lizardkin, seaborn of a lost age.
- - -
"We have failed, and the judgement is now upon us." moaned Gamayun, flying through the crowds as she spoke. Bird wings flapping furiously as her beautiful eyes roamed across everyone she flew past.
"Nonsense - the auguries have held true so far. We can prevent the end again." came the quiet but commanding voice of Odin, Scion of Norsica, dressed in brown robes, snow white beard nesting two black ravens, wolf to either side of him, simple branch staff held in his hands, his single eye rapidly flicking between attendees.
A thousand voices screamed and pleaded the opinions of a thousand species, and a thousand voices fell upon two-thousand deaf ears.
"Enough." roared Bahamut, bringing the council to order. "One at a time, we must have order."
And so began the council discussing the best method to chain the star back up, this time as a far more permanent solution.
"Perhaps we could bind it with runes, and then Merlin could use some of his alterations on them, create some ever shift runes?" asked Odin.
"I could try that, but I don't think it'll work. After all, we tried that last time to no avail." replied Merlin.
"Unless we mixed the runes up with orbic chains of binding?" added Horus.
"What, and then combine it with underworld ropes?" asked Hades.
"No, won't work." replied Anansi. "But maybe we could retell a story, rewrite what the star was?"
"Could you do it though?" asked Rama.
"Well, no. Not alone, maybe with the powers of everyone else? added Anansi.
"And you're sure you're not just trying to get our powers for yourself?" replied Odin, obviously wise to Anansi's game.
"Er, partially, I think, maybe. No. But it would be nice." stammered Anansi.
"Moving on." said Bahamut, steering the conversation back on track.
"Could we not just drop it in the ocean?" asked Sandie, who soon felt two thousand eyes upon her, scornfully looking. "OK, OK. Stupid question then." she replied to their accusative glares, hands up in mock apology.
"Unfortunately, that will not work. It has only taken the form of a star." added Susanoo.
"It is more of a malevolent force of nature, trying to exorcise all of reality, including itself." said Merlin.
"Why would it want to do that?" replied Sandie.
"Because it's nature." replied Odin gruffly.
And so it continued. None could form of agreement of a plan that would assuredly contain the problem. And yet they persisted, for if they failed, there would be no world anymore. Something would have to be done, and it would have to be far grander than what had gone before.
"Wait, what is it doing?" asked Sandie, panic in her voice, spying a glow arising from the star.
A harsh light, stronger and fiercer than before, a maleficent hue growing larger, rising in tempo as it beat as heart, thrashing against invisible chains.
"No, not yet!" came voice the voice of Morgana, now truly fearful for her life.
Beating his cane against the floor, Merlin began additional spells of containment. The brer rabbit unleashed temporal bindings, Bahamut gave a stream of frost, Odin throwing his staff into the blaze, Morgana's writings travelling across the air, Meredith loosing arcs of memories. Bolts and spells flew from all manner of creature, all in the council understood the peril, for all was escalated quicker than foreseen.
Chants rose and songs befell the star, psychics threw their cards and golems surrounded it, a pair of ogres striking with old weapons. Zeus' lightning struck true, Horus and Anubis' staves whispering, Susanoo unleashed torrents of the sea upon it. Rama fired golden arrows as dragons rose and struck out, Arthur awakening, knights from across the lands answering his call. Ishtar and Ares fought side by side as Gamayun cried out in despair. Anansi spun his web as the monkey king tried to trick the star with a hair.
Even Sandie pulled out her knife and made an attempt at stabbing the star, a snark filled comment of the folly of her actions lost in the blaze.
It was a time of legends at that finest.
All tried to contain the wrath of fire.
But it was all for nought.
Cracking against the walls of reality, the very fabric of existence tore apart as the star unleashed its last and final effort. Finally free from the shackles the council had imposed upon it, it lashed out, starlight engulfing them all. Flares reached out as it truly reignited, the heat poring across the cracks, streaming out across the Earth.
And then the world died.
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