The Inkwell presents: Mors Immortalis

By The Inkwell

It is one of the few constants in the universe: Death. But, for some, this is less so than others. But what do they think about it? Are they scared, intrigued, or simply bored with the idea? It is such a human condition that, maybe, it doesn't even cross their mind. But little in the world is unkillable, and as such, they have to face it. And that, our friends, must be terrifying.

The Ancient Evil - The condemned requests a stay of execution to answer a question.
Center of Entropy - When the gods go to war, all bets are off.
Awakening - A commander considers the price to pay on the eve of battle.
Misalignment - Koda discovers that rebirth can take many forms.
Instruments of Entropy - Once the singularity is reached, turning it off stops being an option.
Last Bite (tent) - If given the chance to regain what you gave up, would you take it?
Caliber - The sins of the past are never far away.
Canary's Song - What better way to ease the pain than with memories of better times?
Glamour - One man must decide if humanity deserves to be more than pawns.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Inkwell
• Release date: Apr 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215292143

The Inkwell

We are a writing collective founded on Discord that currently includes 20+ writers all helping each other on the climb to completed works.

Book preview

Copyright © 2023 All rights reserved by their respective authors.

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

Cover design by LA Harper

Edited by Abigail Winslow, Ian Kitley, and LA Harper

The Inkwell presents

asherz Kuma

IanKsimone

LaHarperSig

Mors

Immortalis

April 2023 - Volume XXVI

azaJessie17

samciel

alice

Thank you for opening the twenty-sixth edition of The Inkwell’s monthly writing collaboration!

The Inkwell is a Discord community of like-minded writers looking to share the worlds crafted from their imaginations with all. We, those same writers, thank you for taking the time to enter a small collection of those worlds. Each are spawned from a single concept, resulting in a wonderful universe full of possibilities. From blood and gore to mystery and romance, this is a mere window into what we offer – not just singly, but as a whole. We hope you’ll return, continuing to explore the furthest reaches of our minds.

Each month, the community chooses a prompt, and those interested are tasked to write a tale of no more than 2,500 words. This month took a bit of a darker turn as we asked our writers to consider death through the eyes of the undying. How would an immortal, or functionally immortal, being react when faced with the end of their own existence? And would they go gentle into that dark night?

It is one of the few constants in the universe: Death. But, for some, this is less so than others. But what do they think about it? Are they scared, intrigued, or simply bored with the idea? It is such a human condition that, maybe, it doesn’t even cross their mind. But little in the world is unkillable, and as such, they have to face it. And that, our friends, must be terrifying.

So now, as we force them to face the ultimate equalizer, we ask simply: How does an undying shuffle off the mortal coil?

Other Titles from The Inkwell:

A Coat, A Message

What Are You Waiting For?

Early for Eternity

Facing the Consequences

A Literary Mixtape

A Celestial Alignment

Invitation to Attend

My Soul to Keep

Defining Traits

Unreliable Witness

Bonus: Final Call

Why Are We Here?

Skin in the Game

You Never Forget Your First

Floodgates

Blind to the Truth

Parting Words

This is Not an Anthology

Revenants

Night Shift

What Dreams May Come

Unlikely Alliances

Necessary Fare

Bonus: Final Call II

Ouroboros

Twice Upon a Time

Triumvirate

Table of Contents

The Ancient Evil

Written by Alice L. Help

Center of Entropy

Written by Sam Ciel

Awakening

Written by Ian Kitley

Misalignment

Written by Kuma Harley

Instruments of Entropy

Written by Jesse Pollard

Last Bite

Written by Simone De Boudoir

Caliber

Written by Asher R. Lorcans

Canary’s Song

Written by LA Harper

Glamour

Written by A.K. Ronin

The Ancient Evil

Written by Alice L. Help

A myriad of snowflakes whipped into Theora’s face while she finally made her way to the cusp of the continent’s northernmost mountain range—the place called Zenith of the End. Three unrelenting years of travel had brought her to this solitary place, where the Ancient Evil had been sealed away millenia before.

Beside the white-covered grand summits, the sealing cube appeared comically small. Embellished, littered with engravings to keep its contents enclosed, it hovered a few finger’s widths above a weathered stone pedestal. And yet, despite its size, it was one of the most powerful items in existence, strong enough to withstand aeons of assault.

With an ear-rending slash of Theora’s sword, the cube’s outer shell broke in a glittering burst of sparks, releasing a black ooze that exerted a severe gravitational pull. Quickly, Theora touched it, and was dragged inside.

Now in a small, yet infinitely vast room, Theora needed a moment to adjust to the low light. All around her, nebulae and galaxies, interspersed with countless stars, coloured the endlessness. And there it stood, a few steps away, on what seemed like a limitless, mirror-calm sea.

The Ancient Evil.

Theora sat down, blocking the flickering rift she’d torn open by entering. As she rummaged through her belongings, the Ancient Evil noticed her, and slowly approached. It bore the shape of a small woman, clothed in a ragged, mud-coloured cloak, a devilish grin engraved upon her face.

Why, hello there, she said, her voice made of the sounds of a million crying birds.

Theora’s cold and weary gaze rose. Ancient Evil—

You can call me Dema.

Unfazed by the interruption, Theora continued, Dema—what is your dying wish?

While awaiting the answer, she extracted an old, large scroll, gently unrolling it in front of her.

Wow, cutting right to the chase? I wanted to chat!

This scroll contains the pinnacle of magical research. Humankind’s greatest spell. It’s only effective against beings older than ten thousand years. When cast, it pierces immortality.

Dema intently inspected the scroll, and the complex words, symbols and diagrams engraved on it, morbid curiosity filling her expression. I see. I guess you had to go all out to kill an undying thing such as me. So, you mentioned a wish? You’ll grant a wish before you off me?

The evils you committed are deep in the past, Theora said with an empty gaze. "I have no relation to them. You’ve had time to atone. I bear you no ill will, and yet, for the safety of those to come, I must end