by

The Quest – 55 Word Story

quest

compliation of images from pixabay

Slayer’s sword splits the night, lightning sharp, severing the troll’s head. Other monsters flee the blaze, bloodied, dying, howling in terror.

Silk hair swirling, blade singing, Slayer spins. He strikes, lean, beautiful, emerald eyes flashing, screaming, “I shall know my secret, beast!”

Trolls cower, break before him. “Alas, revealed,” one wails. “You are the monster.”

103 thoughts on “The Quest – 55 Word Story”

  1. joannesisco says:
    June 18, 2016 at 4:41 pm

    Such a terrible secret indeed and rather eerily prescient given the events of last weekend and the exposure of another monster.

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      June 18, 2016 at 4:52 pm

      Yes, the righteous beauty who is in fact the beast and doesn’t see the vileness of his acts upon the innocent. It seems to be a theme of our times (perhaps of humankind). Thanks for visiting, Joanne. Have a wonderful Sunday 🙂

      Like

      • joannesisco says:
        June 18, 2016 at 4:54 pm

        yes – that does seem to be prevailing theme 😦

        Happy weekend to you too. The weather here is glorious and tomorrow the family will gather for Father’s Day. Looking forward to it 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Erik says:
    June 6, 2016 at 12:48 am

    I admit, I didn’t read all of the comments on this one; so if you’ve already answered what I’m about to ask, please indulge me: What prompted the exact number 55 here?

    Liked by 1 person

  3. patriciaruthsusan says:
    May 24, 2016 at 7:56 am

    It’s amazing how much you got into 55 words. Well written, Diana. I don’t know how I missed this one. I’m glad I found it. 🙂 — Suzanne

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Marje @ Kyrosmagica says:
    May 15, 2016 at 8:51 am

    This is great short but gripping. Nice one.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. stephie5741 says:
    May 12, 2016 at 7:47 pm

    Very powerful. Great job!!!

    Stephanie
    http://stephie5741.blogspot.com

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Ali Isaac says:
    May 12, 2016 at 4:23 pm

    Oh! Very clever! Wasn’t expecting that, but so true.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Annika Perry says:
    May 12, 2016 at 4:27 am

    Diana, this is too scary for me! Already hiding behind my pillow! 😀😀

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Julie Holmes, author says:
    May 12, 2016 at 4:18 am

    Well done! Always amazed when writers can share so much of the story in so few words. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Elisabet says:
    May 11, 2016 at 2:36 pm

    Loved it! Shared it on my Facebook from your page.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Nitin says:
    May 11, 2016 at 12:28 pm

    as always i enjoyed the richness… and the revelation at the end was a treat.. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Robert Matthew Goldstein says:
    May 11, 2016 at 11:25 am

    Reblogged this on Art by Rob Goldstein and commented:
    I loved this and had to share it.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Robert Matthew Goldstein says:
    May 11, 2016 at 11:08 am

    Yes! Cinematic!

    Liked by 1 person

  13. thelonelyauthorblog says:
    May 11, 2016 at 8:34 am

    Bravo. What a short yet powerful write.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Lynz Real Cooking says:
    May 11, 2016 at 7:36 am

    Wow your writing is so vivid and full of images that pop out! I admire your writing so much!

    Liked by 1 person

  15. heylookawriterfellow says:
    May 11, 2016 at 7:21 am

    This was incredible.

    But there was a small, impish part of me that wanted the troll to say “Dude. Slayer, take a chill pill.”

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Cristina.Criss.wordpress.com says:
    May 11, 2016 at 7:00 am

    Nice post , I follow you , if you want me you can watch and

    Liked by 1 person

  17. tedgiffin says:
    May 10, 2016 at 8:57 pm

    The 55 words chosen in the piece, prove to me, that you are a Master at your craft!

    Liked by 1 person

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      May 11, 2016 at 5:35 am

      Oh, thank you! As a lyricist, I’m sure you know well how hard it is at times to find the right words and make them fit! Thanks for the visit, Ted. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      • tedgiffin says:
        May 11, 2016 at 3:53 pm

        Yes, it can be so difficult. The words you choose gave the maximum expression within the minimal framework. I know it , at times, looks effortless when it is not. My problem with lyrics, is either having nothing to say and making it sound forced and dishonest or the words are correct but the melody is not proper. Like how many syllables can I put in a group of 1/8 th notes in the measure= 8. Get it?

        Liked by 1 person

  18. anotherfoodieblogger says:
    May 10, 2016 at 5:35 pm

    Oh quite unexpected Diana! Great job!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. sonshinegreene says:
    May 10, 2016 at 3:05 pm

    How do I make a thumbs up sign?

    Liked by 1 person

  20. C.M. Blackwood says:
    May 10, 2016 at 2:28 pm

    Great tidbit. Beautifully written!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Steven Baird says:
    May 10, 2016 at 2:14 pm

    Wow! That had the impact of, well, a blade to the neck.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. C.E.Robinson says:
    May 10, 2016 at 1:55 pm

    Diane, nicely done! Powerful descriptive words! Perfect, complete thought! 💛 Elizabeth

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Damyanti Biswas says:
    May 10, 2016 at 1:06 pm

    That’s very cleverly done!

    Liked by 1 person

  24. jademwong says:
    May 10, 2016 at 11:58 am

    Wow! The descriptions, the adjectives, those words literally grab the reader and pull the reader in.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Bernadette says:
    May 10, 2016 at 11:46 am

    Ah, the revelation that the demon always dwells within each one of us. Very nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. Ocean Bream says:
    May 10, 2016 at 11:00 am

    Oooh I love this Diane!

    Liked by 1 person

  27. babbitman says:
    May 10, 2016 at 7:54 am

    Love it. Definitely Pratchett-esque morality on show there! I was trying to recall what else it reminded me of and then realised that Slayer is Gaston from Beauty & The Beast. But you still pack more imagery in than a Disney cartoon – and in just 55 words too!
    🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  28. balroop2013 says:
    May 10, 2016 at 7:36 am

    This is akin to poetry Diana…love the alliteration in this short piece. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  29. tamaraprokopchuk says:
    May 10, 2016 at 7:18 am

    Beautiful ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  30. vanbytheriver says:
    May 10, 2016 at 6:52 am

    You pack so much into so few words. Well done, Diana. 💕

    Liked by 2 people

  31. Frank says:
    May 10, 2016 at 6:46 am

    Nice. Poetic. Dramatic… Makes 100-word drabbles look long-winded!

    Liked by 2 people

  32. nonsmokingladybug says:
    May 10, 2016 at 6:09 am

    Grat job. Now I want more 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  33. ghostmmnc says:
    May 10, 2016 at 6:01 am

    I’d like to read more about Slayer! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  34. Mary J. McCoy-Dressel says:
    May 10, 2016 at 5:47 am

    Wow! Impressive 55 word story, Diana. ⚔ 👍

    Liked by 2 people

  35. Nurse Kelly says:
    May 10, 2016 at 5:41 am

    Assaults the senses, Diana. I love “Trolls cower, break before him.” Hope you have a great Tuesday. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  36. This Mortal Flesh says:
    May 10, 2016 at 5:41 am

    I dig it!

    Liked by 2 people

  37. Al Lane says:
    May 10, 2016 at 5:33 am

    Great twist! Really punchy writing to get all that in 50-ish words 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  38. Richard Ankers says:
    May 10, 2016 at 5:30 am

    That was good. Very dynamic. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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