WIN #AtoZChallenge 2025 fantasy

WIN!

A great way to promote a story, article, book, or your author brand is with a GIVEAWAY!

There is only one mandatory entry-- two comments on this Blog in April 2025.

Others are options for more chances to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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QUESTION -- Have you entered to win?

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My A to Z 2025 theme is a fantasy story. (And some of the process of writing it as well.) 🕮

- J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZchallenge

https://bsky.app/profile/jlennidorner.bsky.social  My current favorite social media site.
https://amzn.to/41QBB4P Author page on Amazon — please consider following and supporting this indie author!
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-lenni-dorner  BookBub author profile— I'd be grateful if you'd follow me.
  #AtoZChallenge a-to-zchallenge.com Kindly check out the blog hop's website.

Valianter #AtoZChallenge 2025 fantasy

[Story scene post]

"The portal they used to leave? It closed," I say.

"It can be opened when Xeata-Lidoffad is between Ospinevarn and I, and in a straight line, blocking me from the light. You are a Brown; you could destroy the arch. That would prevent the portal from forming."

"I can do that. Will it hurt you? Does it hurt when we Browns chip away at you?" I never thought of my world as alive before.

"You are in tune with me. Think of it like your hair. You have had your hair cut, yes?"

"Of course."

"It did not hurt. But if the hair is ripped from you, that does hurt, right?"

I nod. Can Darterra see me nod? I stand up. "Of course."

"You are in tune with me. It allows you to feel the difference, much like cutting hair rather than ripping it out. A little is acceptable, good even, but too much is bad. You can sense the difference, where the line is. That is the design of the Browns."

"Am I the last of my people? What will happen to you when I become a level five?"

The whole of Darterra shakes. I fall down, hard. 

"I never wanted the jewels to live so separated from each other. With the redesignation, I hoped to right a wrong. The Golds and Silvers took offense. I cannot make Silvers. Some were in me, waiting to move through the Birth Place. There are no more. I made Golds to travel and discover. They fulfilled their purpose."

"That's why there were none this time?"

"Yes. And the Golds were keeping the jewels apart. They brought hate and pain to me. I broke off to avoid such feelings. That is why I broke open the cavern. The Silvers needed to find it so they could leave, and take the Golds with them."

"But everyone died!"

Darterra shakes again. It quakes my entire body. I grip the ground.

"I never wanted that! It should not have happened. But, you are still here."

"I am just a Brown."

"You will be the Valianter, the one who will raise the next generation."

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Key dramatic question that will take whole story to answer:

Could Belp have prevented all this death, how, and if so-- why didn't he?

And what led Jaildarn to become the cause of such annihilation? 

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QUESTION -- What do you think of, or feel about, the world's decision? 

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My A to Z 2025 theme is a fantasy story. (And some of the process of writing it as well.) 🕮

- J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZchallenge

https://bsky.app/profile/jlennidorner.bsky.social  My current favorite social media site.
https://amzn.to/41QBB4P Author page on Amazon — please consider following and supporting this indie author!
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-lenni-dorner  BookBub author profile— I'd be grateful if you'd follow me.
  #AtoZChallenge a-to-zchallenge.com Kindly check out the blog hop's website.

Understand #AtoZChallenge 2025 fantasy

[Story scene post]

Dead bodies surround me. I touch the still-lit, but cracked, brown jewel at my suprasternal notch. After traveling to more places than I ever imagined existed, and finding no one else alive, I am finally on the Opal path. 

At least, I assume I am. There are no other paths left. And here, I have found more death than anywhere else. Jewels of every color. Well, not every. The Golds and Silvers didn't send any of their own to level five. Though, I'm not sure they can join the spirit realm. 

Opals. No light in any of their jewels. Their bodies are curled on the ground. I do not want to see what they are curled around. I do not want to look. 

But, there they are. The tiny forms of level ones, brought forth to the world only to die. The redesignation jewels, colors mixed, are all dark. 

I scream at the horror. I've screamed and I've cried. I've begged the world for help. There are no Reds left to help me, to let the spirits console or guide me. There is no one for me to lead. 

Stumbling over a body, my leg gets wedged into a crack in a rock. The rock has a large, twisted tree growing around it, the roots keeping the cracked rock together. Such a nice rock. If I had my pickaxe, I could turn this into a bench, maybe a table and a bench. Simple, better days, when I had a purpose. 

"Oww!" Something pokes my wedged leg. Another, harder poke, and I'm shoved from the crack. 

"You are not an Opal," a disembodied voice says. It's deeper than any cave, stronger than any rockslide, and more surrounding than any cave. 

"I am the last Brown. Who are you?"

"Darterra."

"That's the name of this world." I look around for the source. It seems to be from the crack in the rock.

"I am the celestial body orbiting Xeata-Lidoffad, the world you see in the sky. Once, I was smaller, and I lived there. There was an incident. I broke off and drifted away. I can never return, nor can I drift any further."

I nod, as if this is normal. Talking to the world. Maybe I need the Black to come give me medical attention. 

"Is the cracked rock your mouth? Do you usually speak?"

"What you call a cracked rock is the Birth Place. To you, a Brown, it looks like a rock. It looks different to every jewel group."

"I don't understand. Not really. Why are you talking to me?"

"You stepped in the Birth Place, Belp."

"How do you know my name?" I flop down on the ground and rub my leg.

"I made you. I made all that I allow to live on me. Well, mostly."

"Mostly?"

"The Silvers are from Xeata-Lidoffad."

"And the Golds?"

"No. Only the Silvers. But, having lived on me, they know nothing about their origin. It no longer matters. They have all gone home."

"Will they return?" I move to a crouched position. 

"It is possible, but unlikely. No more will come from the Birth Place. The only other portal is in the cavern in your mountain."

---

Key dramatic question that will take whole story to answer:

Could Belp have prevented all this death, how, and if so-- why didn't he?

And what led Jaildarn to become the cause of such annihilation? 

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QUESTION-- What are your thoughts on the world becoming a character?

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My A to Z 2025 theme is a fantasy story. (And some of the process of writing it as well.) 🕮

- J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZchallenge

https://bsky.app/profile/jlennidorner.bsky.social  My current favorite social media site.
https://amzn.to/41QBB4P Author page on Amazon — please consider following and supporting this indie author!
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-lenni-dorner  BookBub author profile— I'd be grateful if you'd follow me.
  #AtoZChallenge a-to-zchallenge.com Kindly check out the blog hop's website.

Terrible Tragedy #AtoZChallenge 2025 fantasy

[Story scene post]

"The new level ones. Did any survive?"

The Black seems to concentrate for a moment before replying. "I cannot tell. The BirthPlace is too difficult to read. I know they are not alive anywhere else." 

We make our way out of the cavern. Piles of bodies await us. I fall to my knees. Hot tears flow down my cheeks. 

"How can this be? What do we do? It's all so terrible. Perhaps Jaildarn should have driven me to level five, too." 

"It is rude to say such words in their presence." The Black grabs my arms and hauls me up. "Keep focus on the ones who need you. Belp, you were second in command of this village. Now, you are the leader." 

I wave my arms wildly, "leader? No one is left!"

The Black grabs my chin. "You are the only living leader of our kind on all of Darterra. Find our people. Gather them. Lead them. I feel their fear, but I am unable to help." 

I take a deep breath. The Black releases my chin. I wipe my face with my sleeve. "How do I find them? I have never left this village." 

It takes time, but we prepare for my journey. The Black helps me learn to navigate, to pack, and to follow his map. "Just help one individual at a time. In the wake of this terrible tragedy, do your best." 

"Funny enough, a Gold would be best suited for this." 

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Key dramatic question that will take whole story to answer:

Could Belp have prevented all this death, how, and if so-- why didn't he?

And what led Jaildarn to become the cause of such annihilation? 

---

QUESTION -- Are you celebrating World Book Day, and how?

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My A to Z 2025 theme is a fantasy story. (And some of the process of writing it as well.) 🕮

- J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZchallenge

https://bsky.app/profile/jlennidorner.bsky.social  My current favorite social media site.
https://amzn.to/41QBB4P Author page on Amazon — please consider following and supporting this indie author!
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-lenni-dorner  BookBub author profile— I'd be grateful if you'd follow me.
  #AtoZChallenge a-to-zchallenge.com Kindly check out the blog hop's website.

Syzygy #AtoZChallenge 2025 fantasy

[Story scene post]

"Syzygy," Jaildarn says as he sits on my back. "The alignment you see in the sky. Night in the day. The portal will remain open only as long as the alignment lasts. So I must leave you, Belp. We go now to travel and discover." Golds and Silvers funneled through, one by one, into the lit portal. 

"What if you hurt those who remain? What if there are consequences? What if you can't return? The Birth Place maintains a balance, as everyone knows, what if there are no more Golds or Silvers because you intend to leave?"

"Why does everyone know that? Because Opals and Reds tell everyone what to believe? What if they're controlling the numbers? Golds aren't dependent on them. We think for ourselves. The real reason the number of Golds and Silvers dwindles is that they aren't bringing our level ones. And now this abomination of mixed jewels, this redesignation? Yet none of our kind. None at all. No, Belp. We are the future. We are survivors. Good-bye."

He hits my back as he gets off me. I groan in pain, unable to retaliate or follow him. 

"Do you not care, honestly not care, that Reyrigo is dead?" 

He pauses. "Whatever might have been between us, that was weakness. It is not as if we could have had a future. I did invite him. There may be rocks on the other side. We can see at least one mountain from here when we look at that world. But he refused. He felt nothing. So, no, no, Belp, I honestly do not care. In the end, he didn't either. No one cared for the Golds and Silvers. And now we will outlive you all." 

Then, he was gone. The portal closed behind him. It was dark in the cavern for a moment. But then daylight returned, and with it the complicated means that illuminated this place. 

The Black walked over and rolled me on my back. "Your jewel is cracked. The light remains. Odd. How are you feeling?"

"Betrayed. Devastated. Grief like I've never conceived. Scared."

"Physically. I can't heal the rest. I'm a Master healer, not a Master of time. A shame, because that would be useful."

I stare at him as he pulls me to my feet. "Is there such a jewel?"

"No. I am pulled to life in need. As such, we Blacks have a rough idea of the population, feeling everyone's basic life force. Or rather, I suppose, just me now. I am the last of my jewel. As are you." 

---

Key dramatic question that will take whole story to answer:

Could Belp have prevented all this death, how, and if so-- why didn't he?

And what led Jaildarn to become the cause of such annihilation? 

---

QUESTION -- Do you feel Jaildarn was right? 

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My A to Z 2025 theme is a fantasy story. (And some of the process of writing it as well.) 🕮

- J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZchallenge

https://bsky.app/profile/jlennidorner.bsky.social  My current favorite social media site.
https://amzn.to/41QBB4P Author page on Amazon — please consider following and supporting this indie author!
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-lenni-dorner  BookBub author profile— I'd be grateful if you'd follow me.
  #AtoZChallenge a-to-zchallenge.com Kindly check out the blog hop's website.

Redesignation #AtoZChallenge 2025 fantasy

[Story scene post]

The light flickered in her Opal jewel. Likewise, the daylight dimmed. I looked up to see whose hand was on my shoulder. A Black jeweled individual stared down at me. 

"Hurry, let me work while there is still time."

I moved out of the way. It had been a long time since I had heard of the Black jewels, master healers. This one must have been drawn to Quisbaqol. 

There were murmurs all around me. I looked, worried about what else could happen, and saw people pointing to the sky. It was, indeed, getting dark during the day. 

"Do you need help? Can I do anything here?" I asked the Black. 

"No. Stop the Gold leader. The Silvers must not open the portal."

I scrambled from my spot. Everywhere I looked was horrific. So many dark jewels. No Reds preparing remembrance ceremonies. Decorations from the planned celebration of new life were tattered and trampled. 

Carefully, I snuck to the back side of the cavern. Reyrigo and I devised a secret second entrance as a precaution against a collapse. It wasn't very stable, so we hoped it would never be needed. The risk was worth it to me now. 

The Silvers were doing something by the circles. Jaildarn was ordering Browns around, but no one was near him. I crept behind him. 

"What if this isn't safe?" I whispered in his ear.

"Safe?" He laughed. "You know nothing about living, Belp. Which is fine, as your life will no longer matter soon."

"How can you say that? Was I not a friend to you? Did you not find kindness and care in this village?"

He grabbed my hand and pulled it to his jewel. "Master of travel and discovery. We exist to go where others have not. Those evil Opals brought no new life of my kind, nor of Silvers, to this world. They fear us and want to eliminate us. We will show them!"

I shake my head as I try to get my hand back. "The Opals make no such choices. The Birth Place gives what it gives."

"Redesignation! That was their claim as the abominations were brought to this world. The Opals want to reduce the population. Mixed jewels. It's disgusting! And no new Golds or Silvers? They mean to wipe us out. This place was hidden. Look at the walls, Belp! Those circles were carved by early Silvers and Golds. There are instructions. Markings used by our people. And your early Browns? They covered it up!"

I shove Jaildarn. "Liar. You know that the Golds were summoned the moment this cavern was found. You were the one sent here."

He knocks me to the ground. "And now I lead the Golds and Silvers. I found what we needed. We will survive. We will leave this place."

The cavern went dark for a moment. Then a silver light came from the arranged stone arch that the Silvers surrounded. The light swirled. A Gold looked to Jaildarn. With his nod of approval, the Gold stepped into the portal. 

---

Key dramatic question that will take whole story to answer:

Could Belp have prevented all this death, how, and if so-- why didn't he?

And what led Jaildarn to become the cause of such annihilation? 

---

QUESTION -- Would you ever be willing to go to another world?

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My A to Z 2025 theme is a fantasy story. (And some of the process of writing it as well.) 🕮

- J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZchallenge

https://bsky.app/profile/jlennidorner.bsky.social  My current favorite social media site.
https://amzn.to/41QBB4P Author page on Amazon — please consider following and supporting this indie author!
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-lenni-dorner  BookBub author profile— I'd be grateful if you'd follow me.
  #AtoZChallenge a-to-zchallenge.com Kindly check out the blog hop's website.

Quisbaqol #AtoZChallenge 2025 fantasy

Story scene post]

The village was decorated for the impending joy. Everyone danced and celebrated, waiting for Reyrigo and Quisbaqol to return with level ones. Then the ground rumbled, as if a rockslide was starting or many were approaching. I made my way to the village entrance.

Through the trees, bodies approached. Several rode on the backs or shoulders of Greens, masters of the forest, a sight I had never seen. Golds and Silvers landed in front of me. The largest wore a long flowing, ornate garment on his broad shoulders. His sandy hair was in curls threaded with flowers, and dark blue eyes shimmered as he slid down from his mount and poked my chest. 

"Stand aside, Belp. We have come for the place that is rightfully ours." Jaildarn sneered at me as if I were his enemy. As if I had never clothed him when he was cold, bathed him when he was dirty, and fed him when he was hungry. Pain I never knew before filled my gut and chest. 

"What place is that? Shouldn't you be in your area, arguing about who will neglect your young?" It was mean, but I hoped to remind him.

"The Opals have betrayed us all!" He waved his arms. 

I screamed as tears poured down my cheeks. From the backs of two other Greens, ropes pulled bodies down. It took several Golds to drag Reyrigo's body to my feet. His jewel, once the brightest among our people, was now dark. 

"How could you?" I cried as I looked to Jaildarn.

He held a rope tied to Quisbaqol's neck. Her jewel flickered, barely any light remaining.

"Tell Belp the story, the last lies of your people." He threw the rope to me. "It will occupy him while we complete our mission."

I stared in disbelief. "What mission? Jaildarn, what have you done?"

He pointed to the sky and shouted, "Our time nears! See Ospinevarn and Xeata-Lidoffad as they near each other. Soon it will be Night in the Day. The Silvers will open the portal. And we shall find glory!"

His followers cheered. Jaildarn led them up the mountain to the mouth of the cavern. The stones blocking the entrance did not deter him. Silvers and Golds lined up to move them. A few shouted to make the Browns do the work. The Greens that carried them crumpled to the ground, their jewels each going dark. 

I knelt beside Reyrigo's body, the rope to Quisbaqol's neck still in my hands, as Golds pushed past me and abducted several of my people. They went willingly and easily moved the stones. Even still, the Golds harmed them once the task was done. My whaling pleas meant nothing.

"What is this? What is happening?" I freed Quisbaqol and held her.

Though her speech was raspy, she got the words out. "He invaded the Birth Place. Our Opal leader pulled new life into the world. We knew something would be different, but we knew not what."

She pulled me closer. "Mixed jewels. Level ones were born with jewels of multiple colors. The first was a Blue-Brown. A Master of water and mountain? Where would they live?"

I shook my head. "Incredible."

"More and more came like this. Finally, a Purple-Red. Spiritual and Order? Three such were given to this world. The Birth Place closed. No more would come for this generation."

"Yes. I understand. Only so many are brought at any given time." Not being an Opal, I know very little about the process. But it made sense.

"No Golds or Silvers were given." Quisbaqol grabed my ear. "None. That is when Jaildarn attacked us."

"Attacked?" I couldn't fathom this.

"No more Opals, no new life."

"Quisbaqol?" I shook her as her eyes closed. 

A heavy hand landed on my shoulder. 

---

Key dramatic question that will take whole story to answer:

Could Belp have prevented all this death, how, and if so-- why didn't he?

And what led Jaildarn to become the cause of such annihilation? 

---

QUESTION-- Have you ever seen an eclipse? 

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My A to Z 2025 theme is a fantasy story. (And some of the process of writing it as well.) 🕮

- J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZchallenge

https://bsky.app/profile/jlennidorner.bsky.social  My current favorite social media site.
https://amzn.to/41QBB4P Author page on Amazon — please consider following and supporting this indie author!
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-lenni-dorner  BookBub author profile— I'd be grateful if you'd follow me.
  #AtoZChallenge a-to-zchallenge.com Kindly check out the blog hop's website.