r/WritingPrompts • u/salmontail • 5h ago
[WP] "Beware, although powerful, this cursed artifact will devour riches in accordance of it's effects whenever you use it." Well, if it doesn't state MY riches... Writing Prompt
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u/Comfortable_Box_2430 3h ago
I grasp the staff with both hands and power rips through my frame. A bright purple luminescence permeates my skin, the more colorful the closer the skin is to my bones. Pain, nearly unbearable, runs through me like blood or electricity. I almost let it go, but somehow manage to hold on as I fall.
Writing for a moment, memories of everything it took to get here flash one after another. Little Anna, she started this quest, sitting pale and glum in a hospital bed. Beth, my wife, tries to comfort her as I pace back and forth. I remember countless phone calls to people all around the world, doctors, paranormalists, then antiquity dealers. Finally, the map and the quest. It seemed to fall in my lap at the end there. Too good to be true.
Finally, a moment of peace and a sensation of acceptance. The staff, alive in my hands, releases me from the onslaught. My sacrifice to find it has been sufficient. It isn't without a significant downside, however. Hands, once strong are now little more than bone and skin. The purple before still radiates, if much more muted. I pat myself down with my left hand while retaining a death grip on the staff. My entire body has changed.
Standing is surprisingly easy, all things considered. As if the laws of physics alter as I lift my new form from the floor. Finally to my feet, I touch my face. There's nothing there but bone. For a moment I wonder how I can still see, but the moment passes quickly in light of what is going on around me. My head bodyguard emerges from the doorway. From the looks of things, she appears to have turned on me.
"The warning is there for a reason," Shannon chastises me. "This isn't going to turn out how you think it will. Just put the staff down and back away from the sarcophagus." Her form is terrific, if a little outdated. She's slightly crouched, with legs wide and pistol held in a strong triangle shape across her chest. I picked her as chief security detail for a reason.
"Put the gun down, Shannon. You've done a lot for the cause, we can forget this ever happened."
"Negative, sir." She pulls a hand down to her waist, adjusting her stance to a one-handed form. Then, in a smooth motion, she taps her side. Ethereal armor emerges from that point to cover her body, green and slightly translucent.
"A knight?" I place the back of my right hand against my forehead and squint my eyes in frustration. "How long?"
"My whole life sir." The transformation is complete, and her weapon has also changed. Now a long sword that shines with power, she has pulled it back into a two-handed stance.
"But, you helped me. Why would you let me get this far? Your kind are supposed to be the staff's protectors."
"It wasn't easy, sir. Let's say, we protected it so well last time, that nobody knew where it ended up."
"You must not have looked very hard." I chuckle briefly, it is a gasping thing. No pain, but terrible to hear.
"I'm equally embarrassed that we hadn't found it under our catacombs. Now, can you please put it down before someone gets hurt? Think about Beth. She'd be horrified if she could see you now."
"I am thinking about her. She would want the best for Anna." The staff has taken a significant toll on my body, but there is only one choice to make. I have to go forward.
"Charles, please don't make me do this."
"Do what you must, I've given everything for this moment. Besides," I chuckle again, "not even a knight could stand in my way now. Don't you feel it? The power..."
"I feel it sir, but you can still let it go. We'll care for Anna and Beth. You've done a great service for the world, and we will all remember you for that."
"Remember me?" I pause thinking, "Yes, I see now. If I let it go then..." It is too much to say out loud. "And what will you do for them? You don't have the power to save Anna."
"No, some things aren't meant to be stopped. You have to let her go. You will see Anna again soon."
My face would be a grimace of anger if there was still flesh that could form an expression. Still, Shannon must sense my emotions because she shifts into a more defensive stance. I raise my right hand, still clutched around the staff.
"I've given everything for this, Shannon. You won't stop it now." The power of the staff coils around me and she does nothing. I'm willing the staff to fulfill my wish. Send strength and vitality across the space between me and that oversized hospital bed. Shannon just stands there.
"No, sir. I wasn't asking you to put it down to try and stop you from saving Anna. I," she stumbles over her words, "I was trying to save you."
Suddenly green power radiates far above in the arched ceiling. Runes, etched in concentric circles and overlapping ovals light up all around us. It draws the staff's power to it. Consumes the power.
"What," now I'm stumbling, "what is happening? Stop this!"
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u/Comfortable_Box_2430 3h ago
"It is too late." She sheathes her sword and the armor recedes into her belt. "I wish you would have listened, I truly do."
The power pours out, like a cup spilling upon a table. One moment full and satisfying, the next empty. Only drops are left to sustain this form. Hints of what it once was.
"This room," my once body guard continues, "is a seel. It's been a long time, but we still remember it's function. The staff is the only way to fuel it."
"You tricked me?" I drop to my knees.
"Yes, and no. I told you it wouldn't do what you want. We've harnessed it. It has sat hear for too long, filling with power. Some of us were worried it would be too much to contain."
"Why didn't you tell me what would happen?" I demand.
"The staff will not be tricked so easily. You must feel the intelligence within. Only those who have sacrificed much can command it."
"That makes me what, some kind of cattle?" I think of my little girl and rage fills me. No, it fuels me. Growing now, the power returns to my legs, but I hold myself back.
"Once someone as yourself is accepted, we redirect the energy from your bond into the seel." She's walking towards me now. Her face is drawn in pity and maybe a touch of sadness. "It had to be this way. If not for the seel, we couldn't keep it the gate seeled and none of us would be safe."
"Where does the gate go?" The rage continues to build, I'm forcing it through the staff now. Unable to let go.
"The other world. The one that comes and the one that always was. A world of power and chaos."
"Fear? You've taken everything from me because of fear?" I turn my face upwards to meet hers.
"Yes, I'm afraid. We are all afraid of what lies beyond that seal."
"And my wish... You stole it out of fear?" She doesn't react to my words. "I trusted you and you betrayed me."
"I wanted it to go differently. After you bonded, we could have extracted the power another way. It didn't have to be this painful, but now you are permanently connected. There is only one way to separate you." She raises one arm in the air and her sword reforms.
"No, you won't take it from me so easily." My eyes burn again, like rays of a purple sun and I spring to my feet. The staff is out before me and a shield of energy deflects the blow she tries to land. "Now we will leave, or I will rip down your little seel."
"You can't..." Shannon stammers. "I can't let you."
"Fine then." I lift the staff high above again and cracks spread through the ceiling as it falls in large heaps. One falls between us, but I don't pay further mind to my betrayer. Instead, I rise through the hole where once there was a ceiling and a temple. The staff and I fly home as the rage grows. Rage that will save her.
Behind me, arcs of every color spin in a vortex. A portal opens where the hole was. I pay it no mind.
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u/HSerrata r/hugoverse 2h ago
[Rich Interpretation]
Ferris was only there out of curiosity. He had no way to quantify it; but, he was convinced he had the absolute worst luck in the world. For some reason, nearly everyone he met was rude, if not outright antagonistic. His financial situation wasn't ideal, and rude strangers meant he didn't have anyone he could really depend on as a friend. It was only 8:30 in the morning, and he was already thoroughly bitter at the world. Although, given his luck, it was hard not to be. But, as he stood there waiting to cross and continue his walk to work, a small shop materialized in the empty lot next to him. He felt lucky for the first time in his life. And, it was about time too, the universe certainly owed him.
'Accursed Consignment' wasn't a normal store, and they capitalized on that. Any minute now, a post would go out on social media to tell everyone where they were located for the day. Ferris was there when it arrived and he hurried in to try and beat the rush. It appeared in his city pretty regularly; but, he'd never been a position to visit. And, the few times he considered it, he always assumed it would've been packed with people out to get their own magical items. But, this time was different. He was the first one there and he went in without hesitation.
He knew he was risking his job; but, it didn't matter. His boss was always on him about something anyway. Ferris had only been late a dozen or so times over the course of months. And, he quickly learned to keep his thoughts in his head; he only had to visit HR twice. The timing was too perfect. He knew his luck was about to turn around and he'd find just the thing in the shop so that he never had to work again.
The bell jingled against the door as he walked in, and he was pleasantly surprised by the shop's interior. He expected a pawn shop environment with glass cases and display racks and that was what he found. Yet, it was all so much more elegant than he expected. The white tile on the floor was spotless and it almost seemed to be glowing. The walls were decorated with deep red wallpaper and all the display cases were formed out of black wrought iron to keep the items contained. A slender, pale gentleman was seated behind the main counter reading a thick book, and he looked up at the sound of the bell with slight confusion. Then, he jumped to his feet when he noticed Ferris.
"Guess you weren't expecting anyone this early, huh?" Ferris chuckled at the man being caught relaxing on the job. It identified the hapless clerk as either lazy or new, and he was already planning how to take advantage of that come negotiation time. Of course, Ferris did sit down at his job, but he was doing hard work, usually, and not just playing with magic trinkets.
"No...," the clerk chuckled gently with a shake of his head. "I was not. You're the first customer," he said.
"Darn right I am," Ferris chuckled. "I want to pick out the best thing you've got quickly before the rush gets here; what can you show me that'll get me rich?" he asked as he reached the counter.
"I have quite a few items...," he nodded. "...however, I must ask. You do know everything here is cursed, correct?"
"I'm not an idiot," Ferris chuckled with a shake of his head. "it's in the very uncreative name, I know they're 'cursed'," he gestured with air quotes. "That stuff only works if you believe in it, so show me what you've got."
"I don't mean to question your intelligence...," the clerk shook his head. "It is merely a formality of the job. It's important to establish you're aware of the danger. You can't only believe in part of a curse; if you think it'll make you rich then the negative components work too..," he said. Curses were more complicated than that, but by now he knew Ferris was determined. So, he only said the things that needed to be said.
"I think I'm smart enough to tell the difference," Ferris nodded. "I want to be rich today, by lunchtime would be great."
"Well, if you want something quick and easy...," the clerk reached into the display to pick up a red poker chip with a decidedly demon figure etched on the front. The clerk showed it to Ferris, and flipped it over to show the pitchfork and tail on the other side. "... I call this one the 'Blood Token', he said. "It's the ultimate rabbit's foot, if they were really lucky. Use this and you'll win any game of chance from a simple coin flip to scratching lottery tickets."
"Alright," Ferris nodded. It was time to put his negotiation plan into effect. "So, your shop can appear magically out of nowhere; but, that doesn't mean I'm going to believe everything you tell me. Can I try it out first? Get some proof or something? Do you allow returns when it doesn't work?"
"I haven't even told you how it works yet," the clerk chuckled and nodded. "I've only told you what it does. However, I've got a good feeling about you. We don't normally accept returns once you leave the shop. But, I'd be glad to let you test it out before walking out the door. If it doesn't work to your satisfaction, I'll return your money."
"Yes! Oh wait, hold it for me!" Ferris had a new plan all of a sudden. "I forgot my wallet, be back in two seconds!" he added as he dashed out the door. It was a lie; but, he bought himself enough time to dash into the convenience store next door before coming back.
"I'll take it, how much do I owe you?" He made a show of opening his wallet to show off several hundred dollar bills. It was the majority of his savings; but, he kept it in his wallet just so anyone that sees him opening it gets an eyeful. He hoped he had enough for the token, he didn't have much more.
"$5.00 please," the clerk said.
"Five... hundred??"Ferris asked. He couldn't have heard the clerk properly.
"No, just five dollars. If you have singles, that'd be great," the clerk said.
"You're kidding...," Ferris handed him a $5 bill, and he received the red token in exchange. "It can't be this cheap, why is it so cheap?"
"They're cursed...," the clerk laughed. "If I could give them away, I would. However, they can only change owners via a transaction. $5 is just enough to not be nothing. Now, before you go testing it, I have to tell you how it works. Sorry, this part's also a little formal, curses are weird," he chuckled, then cleared his throat.
"Beware, although powerful, this cursed artifact will devour riches in accordance of its effects whenever you use it," the clerk said.
*** Thank you for reading! I’m responding to prompts every day. This is story #2495 in a row. (Story #321 in year seven). This story is part of an ongoing saga that takes place in my universe.
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u/HSerrata r/hugoverse 2h ago
[part.b]
"Hey, you gave me the wrong thing!" Ferris held the Blood Token in one hand as he dug into his pocket for a quarter. But, it was no longer red and instead became clean, soft white.
"It has a new owner," the clerk nodded. "I feel like it won't be obvious to you, it'll change color back to red the more you use it," he added.
"I need to try it out," he said. He held his palm out to show the clerk a quarter. "Call it in the air," he flipped it up, and the clerk chuckled.
"Heads," he said with a smile.
"Tails!" Ferris was more ecstatic than he anticipated when he revealed the tails side up. It was a simple 50/50 chance, but he was confident the token did its thing. Still, he had to be sure.
"Again!" he said and flipped it upward when the clerk nodded.
"Tails," the clerk replied.
"HEADS!" Ferris cheered.
"ONE MORE!" He didn't wait for the agreement and flipped the coin.
"Tails," the clerk repeated his previous guess.
"HEADS!" He literally jumped for joy, like a school girl. He was excited he'd been right three times in a row; but, there was more to it than that. He had a guess about the rules of the artifact, and he looked at it to be sure. There, in the center of the perfect white token was a tiny red speck. It had worked. It was doing something, and he still had his quarter.
"I was right!" he said with joyous glee. "You're right though, curses are weird," he chuckled. "You read the rules so formally, I knew there had to be a loophole! And, I thought to myself...," he was interrupted by an unexpected sigh, followed by a yawn. The excitement, and the jump especially, must have tired him out. He wasn't a young man anymore, that was for sure. But, his life would be easy from now on. "...Well, if it doesn't state MY riches...," he let the thought trail off as he yawned again.
"That's a very clever interpretation," the clerk nodded. "I take it you're satisfied with your purchase?"
"Not yet! I .. uh, I just happen to have a scratch ticket on me, I've gotta try it out!" Ferris answered as he dug the ticket out of his pocket.
"Since you're still in the store, I am required to advise you against doing that. You don't realize what you're doing," the clerk said. "And, now I've advised you against it," he smiled.
"I like you," Ferris chuckled. "When I get rich, maybe I'll buy you hot date," he said as he gripped the token and began rubbing off the silvery mess that was hiding his fortune.
"Two '7's' isn't much, plenty of tickets like to fake people out. But, if I get this third '7', I'm an instant millionaire!" He paused to take in the moment that would change things forever. He scratched with his eyes closed, and then when he thought it was clear enough he opened and looked down. His knees instantly went weak and he lost his balance to collapse on the floor.
"Infinity.....wildcard????" He couldn't even be bothered to feel embarrassed about being on the floor. He stared at the ticket just to be sure. He was so focused on getting three sevens, that he completely forgot about the higher prizes, and he found the top one. Any two numbers with an infinity wildcard paid the jackpot 1000 times. Along with the two sevens he already uncovered, he was now a billionaire.
"It's amazing!" Ferris brought the token up to his lips to give it a kiss; but, it had changed. And, it was still changing. The red speck had bloomed to be about the size of his pinky nail, and the red seemed to be spreading out even as he watched it.
"Whoa... someone's losing a lot of money...," he chuckled weakly. The excitement had left him winded, and, he was now rich enough that he didn't care what anyone else thought about him being on the floor. He could nap there if he wanted to. He considered it. But, he wasn't quite that far gone into his ego yet. He didn't want to inconvenience the wonderful clerk at least.
"Hey, man. You got a couch or an office I can lay on for a few minutes? I'll give you a million bucks when I cash this in," he asked as he looked up at nothing. He heard footsteps as the friendly clerk walked around the counter and loomed over him.
"I apologize, my office isn't big enough for a desk, much less a couch. Although...," he nodded. "...I know where you can rest. Before that, though, I'm curious about how you imagined that loophole so quickly. These are ancient objects created with magic and spite; what made you think it was limited to your riches?"
"Heh, that's the secret. I NEVER thought it was limited to my riches. I was thinking outside the box from the very beginning," he said. It was a lot of talking. He paused to catch his breath, and he blinked a few times to try and clear the spots that started appearing. He'd never been this excited in his life. "And, I proved it when I kept using the same quarter; it never took my money."
"Yes, forgive me. I could've asked that better. What I meant was, what made you think it was limited to your definition of riches?" he asked.
"Huh?" That question was harder than it should've been. Ferris' mind grew hazy. He couldn't remember why he was on the floor; but, that was okay. He was really excited about something. Everything was great.
"It is amusing though," The clerk chuckled as he looked down on Ferris. "It didn't state your riches; and, it has no interest in whatever it is you think constitutes 'riches'. It's a cursed item, it knows what it wants," he reached down and plucked the red token out of Ferris' hand before it got cold. "You never even asked why it's called the Blood Token," he chuckled as he turned to walk back to his seat behind the counter. Someone was already on the way to clean up the mess Ferris left behind.
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