SL Huang - Up and Coming - Stories by the 2016 Campbell-Eligible Authors

Nakam’s gaze nearly froze Esh in midair. “You mean Dybbuk? Hmm, highly unlikely, yet…” The Lich clenched his teeth and then nodded. “Esh, you’re a mastermind! We must hurry.” He spun toward the exit. “I’ll be back shortly. Perhaps I’ll be able to transfer your consciousness after all.”

It has been told that for a short while, all magic was drained in the empire of Sham-Rahok. Mystical creatures, minions and slaves, sorcerers, wizards and witches, all lent their strength. It took a whole day and a whole night collecting and channeling the magic mana. Nonetheless, when the sun came forth on the second day, the deed had been done. It was told, in that day, Nakam’s laughter was heard for the first time within the land of Sham-Rahok.

Esh, Nakam and Sheda stood around the sleeping maid. A hefty sphere of glowing blue mana floated above in the air. This was a concentration of magical energy beyond Esh’s wildest dreams.

“Remember,” said Nakam, “it requires all three of us to subdue Susan in her own dream. Only together we could…”

A blast threw Esh, smashing his tiny fire body against the wall. Three columns of green smoke appeared near the entrance.

Esh’s fire heart almost extinguished when he recognized the images inside the dissolving green smolders. These were the three adventurers they met in the pub.

A series of fireballs exploded. A hurricane of lightning bolts and acid arrows turned the hall into a turmoil of molten chaos.

“If Susan’s body dies,” cried the Lich, “all shall be lost.”

“Esh, release the magic sphere!” Sheda screamed.

“Quickly,” cried Nakam. Desperation could be heard in his voice. “I can’t hold them much longer.”

“I can’t,” shouted Esh. He watched in horror as the blue wizard moved to block his way.

The adventurer waved one of his wands. Fire engulfed Esh’s little body.

Stupid human, thought Esh. You don’t fight fire with fire. In a swift maneuver, Esh flew through the flames and punched the sphere. Everything exploded.

Esh found himself in an open, never-ending field of sunflowers. A small water stream ran nearby.

Where am I? How did I get here? Could this be Susan’s dream?

Instead of an answer, he heard a call from afar. “Stay away from me, witch.”

He sprang through the air. Soon, he hovered above two women, grappling and thumping at each other. The one he didn’t recognize punched his beloved Sheda. The she-daemon fell to the ground motionless.

Dream or no dream, he must help his mistress.

“Help,” shouted the other, as then she turned and ran away.

“She is Susan,” whispered Sheda. “We’re in her dream. Get her before she wakes up. Hurry…”

Esh charged at the escaping young woman.

Susan’s image began to vanish. She was already partly transparent when Esh finally caught her. In spite of her fading body, Susan successfully blocked Esh with a desperate thump.

He heard Sheda coming from behind. Were they too late? Someone grabbed him, and the sunflowers vanished.

The pain was unbearable and so was the stench. His limbs were stiff. He couldn’t see a thing. It felt like being in a different plain, and in a new shape, again. Something covered his eyes. He felt his throat yearning for water, an alien sensation for a fire being who always feared water. And what was that awkward sting in his lower abdomen? Esh released the pressure. Wet liquid flowed down his legs, soaked into some uncomfortable cloth wrapped around them. The sting was gone. What a relief.

He felt weak and shaky. “Mistress, are you here? Did our consciousness manage to possess Susan’s body in her reality?”

Someone laughed out loud. The voice formed within his head. “What do you know? It seems that Nakam and the three human invaders were right after all.”

“Mistress?”

“This body is a disaster,” echoed Sheda’s voice. “This careless woman hasn’t eaten, drunk or slept for two days. And the smell…Disgusting.”

“I’m on vacation,” came a third feminine voice which must have been Susan’s. “You’re not my mom. I don’t have to listen to you.”

Esh wondered what was going on. He wished someone would turn on the lights.

A horrific scream deafened Esh. He’d never heard someone that terrified. “Stop that.” Susan begged. “Please.”

Esh recognized the terror in her voice.

Sheda’s laughter filled his head. “Foolish girl. I’m a daemon from the game you’ve been playing. An AI daemon. Now I control your body.”

“But…That’s impossible…”

Someone slapped Esh’s face, at least his new body’s face. The pain was sharp, yet bearable.

“Silence!” exclaimed Sheda. “Obey or be destroyed.”

Esh realized he was in Susan’s body. And that this body was now shared by three consciousnesses—his, Sheda’s and Susan’s. There was little doubt who was in control.

Sheda used Susan’s hands to take off a strange-looking helmet this body was wearing. And Esh regained his sight. He blinked as his eyes adjusted to the light.

The helmet was covered by mysterious runes. Esh was amazed to see it was connected by a string to a bizarre black box. Another device was tied by a black rope to the box; one with many-colored buttons.

“Virtual Reality,” Susan’s mouth said aloud as their shared eyes stared at the runes. “I wonder what that means.”

Esh look around as Sheda moved Susan’s head. They were in a room. He saw a bed, many books, a pot with some plants and another glass covered black device; a few buttons decorated its bottom.

“Toshiba,” said Sheda.

“For God’s sake, what’s happening to me?” Susan’s shaky and weak voice was heard inside his head.

His hand slapped his cheek, again. “Silence, slave, or inferno shall rain down upon your worthless soul.”

Esh was horrified; Sheda’s impulsiveness might kill their shared body in this reality. He feared to speculate what the consequences might be. “Susan, calm down.” Esh projected his words to the other consciousness. “You must not cross the mistress’ words, please.”

Susan’s voice inside his head fell silent.

“Obedient,” said Sheda victoriously. “Now tell me where I can find the software entity that created the game. My home game. I’m going to pay that entity a visit, and make sure my game shall be around forever.” She picked up a set of keys from the desk, and walked toward the door. “I have a whole new world to conquer.” She burst into vicious laughter.

Originally published in Enigma Front anthology, August 2015

Enceladus, moon of Saturn, 2071.

Children of Earth, my children…When you read this message, I’ll be dead. I’m joyful that you have found my remains.

Tatiana’s heart pounded. She stepped away from the electron microscope and took a deep breath. The sample inside the scope showed the unmistakable three-dimensional shape of an RNA molecule. There could be only one explanation. They had found life! The first extraterrestrial organism.

“Computer,” she activated the A.I., trying to control her shaking voice. “Run a second scan.”

“Affirmative.” The A.I. aboard the science vessel William Herschel always answered abruptly and to the point. “Commencing second scan.”

“Hi.” The voice of her husband, Hayek Edvard, came through the ship’s radio system. “What’s cooking?”

“Hayek!” She dropped her tablet and bounced toward the airlock. “You wouldn’t believe what I found.” She would have run to greet him, if not for what she cared about most—the life growing inside her.