The Hollow Fight

The Eagle Parrot crew fights for their lives. Daily Flash Fiction Entry.

The Hollow was alive with movement, the figures sliding over the rocks with an eerie, unnatural grace. Darius stepped forward without hesitation, drawing a slow breath as he summoned the magic thrumming beneath his skin.

Elara caught his arm. “Wait. We need a plan.”

“There’s no time to talk,” Darius said, though his voice was soft.

Rockford barked, his hackles raised as the figures crept closer. The vines clinging to the cliffside began to writhe, as if sensing the dark energy pooling in the bay. One thick vine dropped low from the rocks above, lashing toward them.

Kale yelped and ducked just in time, nearly falling over the ship’s railing. “The plants too? Seriously?”

Elara drew her sword in one smooth motion, slicing through the vine before it could snag Kale by the throat. “Stay sharp,” she barked.

The misty figures reached the edge of the water, their hollow smiles widening. In the strange, silver moonlight, Darius caught sight of something glinting on the nearest figure’s chest a brooch or a pin, shaped like a coiled serpent swallowing its own tail.

He cursed under his breath. “Drakon sorcery.”

Elara’s eyes widened. “They’re not just spirits. They’re controlled.”

Darius nodded grimly. “Which means we can break it.”

The first of the figures leapt across the narrow gap of water, landing on the ship’s deck with a sickening thud. Darius didn’t hesitate he thrust his hand forward, magic sparking in the air. The figure shrieked as the blast of energy hit it, scattering its mist like body into the night.


“Kale!” Elara shouted. “Get to the sails we may need to run!”

“We’ll stall them!” Darius answered, tossing another surge of magic at an oncoming figure.