Myths Illogical

Challenge #04692-L308: There's Always a Catch

Below the waves is a shrine. Those who lay upon the alter join the sirens, gaining a new form and an enrapturing voice. And Arbin had best learn to use these new pipes, for the sacred duty of sirens is to ensure at least one is always singing a lullaby. For if the song ever falls silent, something lurking in the darkest depths may awaken at last…

Inspired by BKF's comment below this previous tale: https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04657-l273-uninhabited -- Deathshead419

They were beautiful, and their voices were enrapturing. Arbin was waist deep in the surf before he thought to wonder what the hell he was doing or why. They were going to eat him!

He half-stumbled back towards the shoreline, unable to run since the water was slowing him down.

One stopped her singing. Well. Changed her tune. "Come, come down. We want you around. Join us all, out of hail or squall. No need to starve nor for tools to carve. Take your ease under the seas."

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Challenge #04678-L294: Strange Submarine Staccato

Things have not been going well for Ludwig and U-634. An English depth charge knocked out the water pumps, the radio is on the fritz, pumping out static in strange, rhythmic bursts, and there are strange scratches and taps on the sub the Skipper swears is the hull scraping against ice. Yet the bizarre patterns, almost like arcane writing he finds when they surface for air, hints at something deeper, and those noises only grow more insistent by the hour… -- Deathshead419

Challenge #04665-L281: Bloodwork Results

The vampiric Count Dragomyr learns to ask first before acting. In this case, by doing so, he saved many lives. Had he rushed in as he so often had done in the desire to care for those he loved, he'd've caused more harm than good. He was grateful this lesson was taught to him.

https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04517-l133-enlightened-self-interest -- Anon Guest

It wasn't just doctors. Dragomyr encouraged libraries and education programs. For anyone willing to learn, the resources could be

Challenge #04657-L273: Uninhabited

A survivor of a plane crash casts a bottle holding his message inside into the outgoing tide in the vane hope that it will be found. Unfortunately for him, it is… -- Deathshead419

Priorities.

Care for any injuries. Find clean, fresh water. Food. Shelter. Then figure out ways to get help. Arbin had patched himself up after returning to consciousness halfway up a tree. He'd thought he was dead when his seat was sucked out with him in it. He was lucky

Challenge #04654-L270: Nibelungen Issues With Betting

Oðinn seeks the Rheingold to pay a gambling debt with Perun, but, he’ll need the wisdom of Thoth in Eagypt to pass the stupid tests to get it and he might run into Siddhartha on his way south. -- Deathshead419

[AN: How to piss off a lot of pagans speedrun ;) FWIW, I am not trying to offend. Of all these mentioned in the prompt, the Buddhists are most likely to be cool with the following]

None can truly die until the

Challenge #04591-L207: The Valley of Cursed Death

Two hunters venture into the wooded mountains of the Mountain West where they come upon the ruins of a frontier town not marked on any maps. An aged man, must be more than a century old, was there at the founding, and tells the two why no one must ever settle on these lands again. -- Anon Guest

There was no such town on the map, yet the town was here. Well. The remains of the town was here. There were buildings,

Challenge #04589-L205: They Hunt in Summer

A disgraced archeologist discovers a ruin dating to the inter-glacial period. However, the searcher finds evidence of life, despite the place being buried for 14,000 years, and that life may be more serpentine than human in nature… -- Anon Guest

[AN: Fun fact - The pyramids were being built at the same time that Europeans were hunting mammoths. So "ruins dating back to the inter-glacial period" is like... active for Ancient Egypt. I'm going to assume northern hemisphere and inside the

Challenge #04575-L191: What Price a Wish?

All around the world have opened strange, white colonnaded buildings like banks or fancy law offices. Except these "Exchanges" are entirely empty save for shadows behind the frosted windows at the back who never speak. Here a lucky few can redeem gold lettered coupons for any wish the heart desires. Though the mouth had better word the request carefully, as those shadows listen carefully and there are no refunds... -- Anon Guest

They literally turned up overnight. On one day, it was

Challenge #04570-L186: Felt Idols

A toy shop proprietor sells plushie Cthulhu toys and cartoonish picture books, spreading joy to the children of his fair city in mockery of a century dead antiquarian.

Only, the toys begin whispering in the night, the picture books reveal quite starkly arcane hidden messages under moonlight, and one mother complains of a plushie leaking blood, the proprietor realizing too late what he's really been spreading... -- Anon Guest

The toys looked pretty cute. One of the selling points on the packaging

Challenge #04560-L176: Sanguine Apocalypse

Vampires have overrun the world, so humanity lives on at the poles where the sun always shines, conducting a treacherous twice yearly migration. -- Anon Guest

The world has gone to shit, but not in the way you might think. On the other hand,the climate change and overpopulation issues are solved. Also... not how you might think.

The Earth got overrun by Vampires.

Personally? I blame the kind of people who -er- wanted to "be friendly" with made-up monsters. There's a

Challenge #04558-L174: Era, Era, Tourist Fhtagn

A fun vacation ends with bringing home a little trinket, a squid headed god seated on a rune covered throne. Only, ever since, my dreams have grown ever stranger as a yearning fills me... -- Anon Guest

Don't touch that! Just... don't touch. Bad things happen to anyone else who touches that. Trust me, okay? You don't want the literally gory details.

Yes, I carry it around with me everywhere. No, I don't know if that's a good idea, but after what

Challenge #04517-L133: Enlightened Self Interest

They noticed that their vampiric lover had begun to change their diet. Less bread was being offered, fewer potatoes, fewer baked treats. Instead, leaner meats, more vegetables and fresh fruit, more water, and even a change in the tea.

When confronted, the vampire looked into their eyes with immense worry and said softly, "Your blood is getting far too sweet." -- Anon Guest

[AN: Calling back to https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04494-l110-agreement-on-amends ]

Love is a strange beast and takes many shapes.

Challenge #04494-L110: Agreement on Amends

Beneath the glow of the full moon, Count [REDACTED] gazed longingly into his lover's eyes. “My darling, my eternal flame, my heart’s joy taken human form. I’m begging you to drink more water your blood tastes like shit.” -- Anon Guest

[AN: This prompt has been altered to skip merrily around other people's IP. I try to avoid copyrighted material around here]

Compte Dragomyr couldn't keep it to himself any longer. He had to tell her. Yet he could not

Challenge #04362-K344: Matthew 25:35-40

You're about to face the Judge. The spirit can see your heart. Read your thoughts and feelings. And they will tell you what you do NOT want to hear. The truth. You sure holding your rank and throne is worth this? -- Anon Guest

You live your life, and then it ends. Many, many chapters have been written about what happens next. But for a great majority, they agree. After the spirit leaves the mortal realm, there is judgement. Judgement, and peril.

Challenge #04291-K273: A Chance at Mortal Redemption

A very old angel, and an ancient demon, both sat together talking, watching the peoples. Seeing how the humans treat the children born to them simply for looking like their ancient ancestors, saddened them.

"Even we demons know this is wrong."

They are human and have free will.

"Doesn't mean it's not wrong."

In that, at least, we very much agree. -- Anon Guest

[AN: Reminder that I am trying my soul to whispers in keeping my stories OUTSIDE of fandom spaces.

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A 195-post collection

Challenge #04692-L308: There's Always a Catch

Challenge #04678-L294: Strange Submarine Staccato

Challenge #04665-L281: Bloodwork Results

Challenge #04657-L273: Uninhabited

Challenge #04654-L270: Nibelungen Issues With Betting

Challenge #04591-L207: The Valley of Cursed Death

Challenge #04589-L205: They Hunt in Summer

Challenge #04575-L191: What Price a Wish?

Challenge #04570-L186: Felt Idols

Challenge #04560-L176: Sanguine Apocalypse

Challenge #04558-L174: Era, Era, Tourist Fhtagn

Challenge #04517-L133: Enlightened Self Interest

Challenge #04494-L110: Agreement on Amends

Challenge #04362-K344: Matthew 25:35-40

Challenge #04291-K273: A Chance at Mortal Redemption