by Kelly Matsuura A weak pulse, lethargy, and fainting spells—Dr Yamata knew his wife was infected by a yōkai parasite. But which one? “We shouldn’t have gone camping,” he mumbled, searching for his copy of The Harikikigaki, an ancient acupuncture text. Later, he found Chiho unconscious in their backyard. As he desperately tried CPR, […]
by Andrew Kurtz Max listened as the freak show owner addressed the crowd. “In this coffin are the remains of the blood-thirsty pirate, Orange Beard, who removed the hearts of his victims.” Inside was a skeleton with a shredded black eye patch and a bright red jewel in its ribcage. “The jewel is said […]
by Chris Hewitt “Hanging is too good for him,” the Governor had declared. “Decency demanded justice and an example.” Forgoing the execution, they’d clapped Freeflint in irons and hung him naked from the dockside gibbet for all to witness. “You shan’t escape this time,” promised the Governor, placing guards on watch. Freeflint lasted an […]
by R.A. Goli The pirates spilled from the docks and into the village. They were after food, silk, and animal hides. Women, too. Elizabeth ran back to her cottage, remembering the rough hands of the man who’d used her for his pleasure last time. She released her familiars. By nightfall, a hundred rats invaded […]
by Joachim Heijndermans We be a happy crew once. There was rum, spoils, and women. So many women, all who stopped struggling once the cutlass touched their necks. We shouldn’t have taken her. If we’d known what she’d truly been. Not a lass, but— Now we sail. We sail on this demon of a […]
by Ali House The attack was swift and merciless. By the time the crew noticed the Jolly Roger, it was too late. Pirates swarmed the ship—sharp blades in their hands and murder in their eyes. Soon the entire crew lay dead on the blood-soaked deck. The unmanned ship was left adrift, with nobody to […]
by Patrick Winters They’d plucked him from the sea one evening, lashed to a barrel and floating along, unconscious. Once he’d stirred, he gave his name as Jonah, of all things. The men wanted to cast him back to the waves that instant; the captain ignored their superstitions. The ailment swept over them soon […]
by Nerisha Kemraj John Smith’s greedy eyes beheld the moss-covered chest. There it lay before him. A lifetime of searching, and endless, near-death battles, brought down to this single moment. Word of King Ragnar’s lost treasure had travelled the world for centuries, and now here it was, his to own. “I am now the […]
by David Green “At last,” Bode cried. “The Fountain of Youth!” Captain Kenway nodded at his first mate, letting him step forward. They’d sailed for decades before hearing whispers of Bimini, and the fountain’s location. “Aye,” Kenway said, drawing his flintlock pistol, aiming at the back of Bode’s head. “Everlasting life. A secret I […]
by Kelly Matsuura “Kanami, darlin’, you’ll finally be whole.” Captain Purge tapped his boot on the slime-covered trunk with glee. Kanami’s head floated forward, her ratty hair brushing the trunk’s exterior as she gave it a fervent sniff. Purge shuddered. Once an enchanting princess, Kanami was now a curse to the ship. He never […]