United - A Storiiverse Fantasy Flash Fiction Story by Ondrea Keigh

An AI generated concept art image of Solace and Benjamin's wedding rings.

United

A Storiiverse fantasy flash fiction that takes place between the events of The Story and The Mission

We stand face-to-face. Her hands rest within mine, warm and strong. I am faintly aware that they fit together as though they were sculpted to be intertwined. I gaze into her sunflower eyes, golden and alight with strength and joy that seem to emanate from her soul. My compass. The tension within me—a chisel that has etched away my joy since Mary’s death—falters.

“I do,” I say, barely registering the priest’s words that prompted me to respond.

“And do you, Solace Devo, take this man, Benjamin Arlin, to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?”

The dark skin at the corners of her eyes wrinkles as her smile grows into a grin. “I do,” she says confidently as her grip on my hands tightens.

I swallow hard as the priest’s next words are lost in the sound of my thudding heart. But my soul within me calms like a ship suddenly free of a terrible storm.

A string of words reach my ears. “You may now kiss the bride.”

The phrase is like an opening door. A door to a new life I never thought I could have. When the Prince released me from darkness, I hadn’t thought my pain could heal any more than it did in that moment. And yet, here I am. I send silent thanks to the King who brought us together as I draw Solace in close. She wraps her smooth, sepia arms around my neck. Our lips touch in a sealing kiss.

I am faintly aware of the priest turning to face the crowd and saying, “I now present to you, Benjamin and Solace Arlin.”

We reluctantly part and turn to face the guests, hand in hand. United at last.

Mary: A Storiiverse Flash Fiction Story by Ondrea Keigh

AI generated concept of Mary Arlin, Benjamin Arlin's first wife.

Mary

A Stroiiverse flash that takes place shortly before events of The Story

She stands in the field, shining like the wildflowers around her. Her long, brown hair grazes her waist. Two braids are pulled back at the sides of her head, each elegantly overflowing with flowers. The smile she casts over her shoulder makes me weak in the knees, and the world around me shrinks until all I see is her. Spinning with her hands outstretched, loose strands of hair caressing her fair face, her silken laugh floats through the air into the very depths of my soul.

“What?” she giggles.

I realize I am staring, and I smile. “Nothing. You’re just…stunning.”

She purses her lips and saunters over to me. She wraps her pale arms around my neck and gazes into my eyes. Their golden hew is speckled with brown and flecks of yellow, a constellation I cannot look away from.

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, is it not?” she whispers.

I shake my head. “You are beauty.”

She laughs. It’s a sound sweeter than sugar and softer than a morning breeze. I soak it in and let it ease my soul as I wrap her in a hug, closing my eyes and inhaling her scent. Roses and pine, with a hint of freshly baked bread. I feel my smile deepen. Her laugh echoes in my ears. Then, it grows distant. I frown, wondering how that could be. I am holding her. But still, the sound fades.

“Mary?” I ask with my eyes closed and my arms tightening around her thin frame, trying to keep her close. “Don’t go,” I whisper. Tears sting my eyes as I hear her laugh fade still further. I try to open my eyes. I must see her again. But…

My eyes snap open. I am staring up at the night sky; hot tears slip down my temples. Stars sparkle between slow-traveling clouds. My heart shatters as the sound of her laugh vanishes into the night.

A Treasure Found: A Storiiverse Flash Fiction Story by Ondrea Keigh

AI generated image of Ed walking toward the healer's hut.

A Treasure Found

A Storiiverse flash that takes place one year before The Mission

The smell of fish wafts through the air as I trek through the port toward the dock. I check my list. The healer on the shore is particular about her fish. And Mrs. Alves won’t stand for me returning without the medicinal herbs. The Village is growing, and though I wonder if it is safe to let it do so, I smile at the thought of the faces I will see upon returning.

“Ah, Ed!” says Bard, the burly man in the market wearing a fish-stained apron. “It’s been a while. You after those herbs again?”

I chuckle at Bard’s long memory, “It’s been on five years since I’ve been back. How did you remember?”

“The healer loves her fresh Makr.” Bard leans in close, “She’s quite taken with you, too, I might add.”

“It’s probably only because I bring her favorite fish each time,” I explain with a laugh. “It ensures I get the newer supplies.”

“I’m sure it does, lad, sure it does. And you’re in luck today! Me maty just brought some in from the sea this morn.” He gathered a large fish and showed it off to me.

“That’ll do nicely, Bard.” He wraps the large fish and hands it over for a few coins.

With fish in hand, I head to the shore. The shack I seek lists awkwardly to one side, defying the laws that govern most houses. Seafoam rushes up the shore as I descend the stairs to the beach, careful to avoid the ice-cold waters of the Eastern Sea.

“Achoo!”

I stop and spin around, searching for the source of the sound. The bank is empty, but I quickly spot a small form under the dock. A small girl with black hair hanging to her waist, no older than four years old. Drenched in the cold water, she struggles to sit up. I rush to her side.

“Hold on, little one,” I say, wrapping my arms around her.

She struggles for only a moment, but upon feeling the warmth of my body, she settles. I scoop her up, holding her tight. “What’s your name, little one?” I ask as I search the port for any sign of her kin.

She coughs and sniffles, her shaky hands gripping my shirt as she whispers, “Yuuki.”