Monday, May 21, 2012

Cherie Reich's 2nd Annual Flash Fiction Blogfest


This awesome blogfest is hosted by Cherie Reich. She's a flash fiction genius! The rules are simple, and there's cool prizes.

1. Entries must begin with the two words: Lightning flashed.
2. Entries must be 300 words or less and be in prose.
3. Entries must be posted on your blog between May 21 - 23.
4. You must sign up in the linky list to have your entry be counted.

On May 25, Cherie will announce the six finalists and open voting through May 28th.

On May 29th, Cherie's third year blogversary, she will announce the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners as well as a random winner selected from the participants list. All ties will be broken by Random.org.

Now what are the prizes?
First place - $25 gift card from Amazon
Second place - $20 gift card from Amazon
Third place - $15 gift card from Amazon
Random prize - $10 gift card from Amazon

Here's my entry. A flash piece inspired by some old gods.

SEASONS
 
Lightning flashed and the last demon fell to the ground. The stench of charred flesh was too familiar. Perun lowered his fiery bow and gazed across the field of the dead at his final target. The great serpent roared and uttered curses most foul. The earth shook and the sky grew dark in anticipation.

Perun stroked his beard, finding comfort in the small act. He had already fired upon the serpent. His thunder arrows alone would not defeat it.

The great and hideous beast spread its wings and launched itself off its perch. It sped across the battlefield and spewed blue fire at Perun. He dodged left then right, constantly moving, and firing arrows at what he deemed to be its weak spots. Nothing slowed the serpent down.

Its tail lashed out on one pass and caught Perun off-guard. He flipped head over heels and came to rest on a heap of dead enemies. His body screamed with pain and exhaustion, but he didn't let the cries escape his lips. He could not fail. To do so would leave the world in icy bleakness for eternity.

The serpent landed behind him as he pulled himself up. Perun searched his pack for another weapon, but all he had left were three golden apples. He turned to face his enemy. Three would have to be enough.

Spreading its wings and roaring, the serpent seemed certain of its victory.

Perun tossed the apples into the air and chased away the growing darkness as they began to glow. They sizzled and popped, ballooning into massive balls of lightning as they flew at their target.

The serpent snapped at the first one, unwisely swallowing it. The other two hit it in the chest. The bright light from the explosion hadn't faded when Perun leapt onto the beast and ran one of his arrows through its massive eye into its brain.

It slumped over, dead.

Dead until next year when winter came to the world again, and Perun would be forced to wield lightning once more to bring forth spring.

63 comments:

  1. Now this is pretty awesome Christine.. I want to know more about this dragon beast... very cool flash fiction. Well done.

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    1. Thanks! It was inspired by a Slavic legend. What nabbed me was the golden apples, because that's where the ancient people thought ball lightning came from.

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  2. Your work is excellent as always, I was on the edge of my seat. Your described the beast and the action perfectly. I also love the concept that Perun has to fight monsters every year to bring about spring.

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    1. Thank you! Sometimes the bringing in of a new season can be vicious. Though this year, I think we skipped winter and went right into another hot summer!

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  3. This has a nicely epic feel to it that suits the myth behind it well.

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  4. so cool! love dragons! and this is a genius legend for changing the seasons!

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    1. Thank you! I love thinking that there's a fight for a new season to come in. Sometimes with the weather, it feels that way!

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  5. Excellent! Good thing that doesn't really have to happen though.

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    1. Thanks! Hmm, wouldn't that make an interesting story if you could play it out in a modern setting.

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  6. i too love dragons--you have an awesome imagination!!

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  7. I liked this "Dragon Ridder of Perun" story. ;^)

    Nice work!

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  8. Remind me to go vote for you because you should get #1

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  9. This was great- lots of tension and the last line hit the mark like it should it a flash piece.Thanks for the opportunity to read it.

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    1. Thank you. I worried a little bit about this piece since it's different from what I normally write. Yet everyone seems to like it. :)

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  10. WOW! That is all I have to say.

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  11. Nice! I like the description. Mine is scheduled to go up on PepperWords later today.

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    1. Thank you. My head's still full of Sherlock today!

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  12. Thank you for entering my 2nd Annual Flash Fiction Blogfest! The six finalists will be announced on Friday, May 25th. I will further comment on your entry on Thursday.

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    1. You're welcome. :) I hope I can surprise you with this story!

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  13. Great action scene. Well done, it was very vivid in my mind's eye. Thanks.

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  14. Loved to read this as a full-length story.
    Brilliant as always!

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    1. Thank you! Perhaps I'll have to keep this idea and store it away for when I have some time to lengthen it.

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  15. I like all the action. Great entry! :)

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  16. I love how you got me expecing one thing and delivered something else. Nice, Christine.

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  17. Ah, good ole fantasy... Enjoyed the action.

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  18. You already know my feelings about this. I just love this piece! The ending is great.

    Andrea

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    1. Thank you very much. You definitely helped make me feel better about it.

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  19. Loved the action in this. Great imagery.

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  20. I loved that this is how spring returns :) Great story!

    Have a wonderful day,
    Sylvia @ Playful Creative

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  21. I really like the action and the mythic aspects.

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  22. Perun's determination and perseverance are compelling. Nice job!

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  23. Good action and use of myth!

    Allison (Geek Banter)

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  24. I have to say this would make a fantastic conclusion (or turning point?) to a longer piece. Great sense of fluid action, could picture the archer and serpent perfectly.

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    1. Thank you very much. I like writing action scenes!

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  25. Intense action and a very fast flowing read. I liked it a lot! :)

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  26. Wonderful as always. your stories leave me exhausted as though I have been a part of the action. :)

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    1. *LOL* Thank you. I'm glad to have given you a work-out.

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  27. There is so much I like about this entry. The action, the winged serpent, Perun and his apples and loved the ending! Great job.

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  28. I knew from the great opening line that this would be a perfect story, and it was. I especially like how this is not the end, not really. It's a major victory but Perun has to fight this fight again in future, poor fella. Loved it. :-)
    Some Dark Romantic

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    1. Thank you very much. Yes, poor Perun, but I tend to think he might enjoy it in a way!

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  29. I had a nostalgic thought about my grandfather always telling me that thunder was just the sound of the angels bowling above after reading your story, but let me tell you that your myth was not only more original, but better. It really did have the perfect ending.

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    1. Thank you. I remember being told that one about angels bowling too.

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  30. wow really liked that final sentence that kicked it over into something really unique and fascinating like tales of greek gods

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    1. Thanks! It's a precursor myth to the Greek ones. Perun came before Thor and Zeus. Everyone borrows a little bit of the myths before for their own. :)

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  31. An excellent take on the Norse legend; I love the conflict in this. Nicely done :)

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  32. Wonderful job! I love myths. There was a great rhythm to the sentences too. (BTW, I had no clue this was you.)

    I'll announce the finalists on my blog tomorrow.

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    1. Thank you! I'm happy that you liked it and that you didn't know it was me. That was my biggest challenge! You've read so many things I've written, it's hard to find a style you won't pick out as mine. :)

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  33. Hi again, Christine - thou hast been tagged with the Lucky 7 Meme! Click here to read all about it! :-)

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  34. I feel like I'm in the story. Great use of imagery and the other senses.

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