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A collection of short stories for your reading enjoyment
Currently 12,517 short tales
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The Cruel Ruler: Antipas's Reign of Terror
Antipas, the fierce and formidable ruler of Pergamon, sat upon his throne, his eyes fixed intently on the visitor before him. The man, a young noble from the nearby city of Ephesus, trembled with fear as he approached the dais. Antipas was known throughout the region for his brutal tactics and unrelenting ambition, and the noble knew that he had entered the palace at his own peril.
"What brings you to my court, noble?" Antipas growled, his voice like thunder.
The noble swallowed hard and bowed low before the throne. "My lord Antipas, I have come to offer my services to your majesty," he stammered. "I am a loyal subject of yours and wish to prove my devotion in any way possible."
Antipas raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
"Well, my lord, as you may know, the city of Ephesus is in dire need of a new aqueduct system. The old one is crumbling and no longer provides enough water for our people. I was wondering if your majesty would be willing to provide us with the necessary resources to build a new one."
Antipas leaned back in his throne, his mind working. He had always been a shrewd negotiator, and this offer seemed like an opportunity too good to pass up. "Interesting," he said. "Tell me more."
The noble explained the details of the project, the materials needed, and the labor required. Antipas listened intently, his eyes never leaving the noble's face. When the noble finished speaking, Antipas nodded slowly.
"I like your proposal," he said. "It is...creative. I will consider it carefully and give you my answer soon."
The noble nodded nervously, grateful for the chance to present his offer. As he left the palace, he couldn't shake off the feeling that Antipas was not as pleased with the proposal as he seemed. But he knew better than to cross the ruler of Pergamon, and so he returned to Ephesus with a mix of hope and trepidation.
Days passed, and the noble heard nothing from Antipas. He tried to ignore the growing unease in his stomach, but it was no use. He couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong. And then, one morning, he received a summons to return to the palace.
He arrived at the palace in a state of panic, his heart racing with fear. When he entered the throne room, he saw Antipas pacing before him, his face dark and brooding.
"So," Antipas growled, "you think you can come to me with your little plan for an aqueduct system and expect me to simply hand over my resources, do you?"
The noble trembled, his eyes fixed on the floor. "I...I didn't mean to offend your majesty," he stammered.
Antipas laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "Offend me? You foolish noble. I am Antipas, the ruler of Pergamon. I will not be offended by anything. But I will be impressed by your audacity." He gestured to a nearby guard. "Take him away and have him whipped until he can remember his manners."
The noble screamed as he was dragged away, his body battered and bruised from the lashings. Antipas watched with a smirk on his face, pleased with himself for outsmarting the foolish noble. He had always been a master of manipulation, and this latest victory was just another notch in his belt.
As the days passed, the city of Ephesus grew more and more desperate for water. The old aqueduct system was crumbling faster than ever, and the people were growing sick and weak from thirst. But Antipas remained unmoved, his attention fixed on his own ambitions and power plays. And so, the city of Ephesus suffered, while Antipas basked in his own glory, a cruel and heartless ruler who cared not for the needs of his subjects.
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Max's Mastery of Metalwork: A Tale of Detail and Admiration
Unveiling Aachen's Enchanted Realm: A Traveler's Journey into Magic
Aaliyah: The Star Who Shone Brightest Despite Criticism
Arnie's Adventure: The Little Aardvark Who Stood Up for What Was Rightfully His
Arty the Aardvark: The Unlikely Rockstar of the African Savannah
Aardvarks and Hyenas Unite for an Epic Journey and Lasting Friendship.
From Teenage Dreams to Global Acclaim: Aaron's Journey to Becoming a Music Producer Extraordinaire
Sailing into the Depths: A Young Man's Quest for Oceanic Wonder
Bringing Dreams to Life: The Magical Adventures of Ava
A World of Magic: The Ancient Tree's Lessons
The Ingenious Abacus: How One Man's Passion for Mathematics Changed History
Young Blacksmith Continues Legacy of Grandfather's Forge After Tragic Fire
The Abacus Master: A Legacy of Mathematical Brilliance
The Abacus Wizard: How Li's Math Skills Brought Prosperity to a Rural Chinese Village
The Math Whiz of the Village: Maria's Abacus Adventure
The Engine Room Enigma: A Mysterious Encounter at Sea
The Magical Adventures of Luna and Abalone: A Tale of Friendship and Wonder
The Secret Life of Abalones: A World of Wonder and Adventure
The Magical Abalone: A Tale of Friendship and Wonder
Abigails Journey: Finding Hope Amidst Regret
Abandoning My True Self: A Journey of Rediscovery
Abandonment: A Journey of Resilience
The Shadowed City: A Haunting Legacy of Disappearance
Maria's Mystical Journey: Unlocking Her True Potential
The Kind Heart of Abase: A Legacy of Compassion and Caring
The Brave Girl of the Rolling Hills: Abash's Quest to Save the Forest
Abashed: The Animal Communicator's Quest for Kindness and Protection
The Legend of Ash and Lila: A Tale of Unlikely Love
Emily's Gift of Courage
Unlocking the Art of Winemaking: A Small Village's Legacy of Passion and Excellence
The Sky's Great Mystery: A Massive Light Figure Appears in the Abatement
The Ancient Tree's Gift: A Boy's Quest for Communication
Ember's Legacy: A Young Girl's Quest to Protect the Natural World
The Secrets of Abattoir: A Gateway to Malevolent Spirits
The Magic Within: A Kind Man's Journey to Enchanted Lands
The Boy Who Wished for Adventure: A Magical Tale of Travel and Triumph
Ali's Journey: Pursuing Knowledge and Enlightenment in Baghdad's Great University
The Golden Age of Baghdad: A Love Story of Rebellion and Freedom
Amidst the Winter's Darkness, a Beacon of Hope: The Story of Abbé Pierre and His Café of Compassion
A Glimmer of Hope: A Priest's Encounter with Magic
The Wishes of the Abbaye de Bellevue: A Monastery's Descent into the Supernatural
Finding Peace in the Face of Doubt: The Story of Brother Thomas
The Abbess's Heart: A Tale of Love, Compassion, and Redemption
Finding Peace and Purpose at St. Agnes Abbey: A Story of Grief, Healing, and Redemption
Unlocking the Secrets of the Ancient Abbey: Sarah's Journey to Enlightenment
Finding Peace in the Ancient Walls: A Young Woman's Journey to Solace at the Abbey of St. Mary
The Eternal Sanctuary: A Place of Peace and Legacy
The Magic of Abbot: A Young Man's Quest for Ancient Power
Finding Inner Peace: A Journey of Discovery and Transformation
Finding Peace and Purpose in the Heart of Abbots
The Shroom's Sinister Spell: A Clever Inventor's Deadly Descent into Dark Magic
The Mysterious Case of the Disappearing Donuts: A Tale of Mischievous Treats
The Magic of Abbr: A Curious Girl's Journey to Mastery
The Secret of the Hidden Clearing: A Brave Girl's Quest for Adventure and Survival
The Guardian of the Woods: A Young Girl's Quest for Magic and Protection
Adventurous Brave Curious Expeditions in Enchanted Lands: Alice's Magical Journey
King Edward Abdicates, Leaving Behind a Legacy of Kindness and Compassion
The Kingdom's New Queen: A Reflection of Wisdom and Compassion
The Kingdom's Unlikely Abdication: King Edward's Journey to Simplicity
The Kind and Just King: A Legacy of Wisdom and Compassion
King Henry's Legacy of Peace: The Kingdom's Path Towards Selfless Leadership
A New Queen, a New Era: The Transition of Power in a Far-Off Kingdom
A New Era Begins: King Edward's Legacy Continues
Abduction and Experimentation on an Unknown Planet
The Nightmare Unfolded
Sarah's Journey: From Earth to Alien Ship and Back Again
The Shadow Watchers: A Chronicle of Fear
The Mysterious Abductions of Willow Creek: A Town Forever Changed
Abducted by Alien Zorbs: Sarah's Fateful Night
Escape from Captivity: A Tale of Determination and Freedom
Trapped in Darkness: Sarah's Escape
The Alien's New World
Abe's Community Garden: A Small Act of Kindness with a Lasting Impact
Abe's Elemental Magic: A Simple Tailor's Quest for Heroism
Sailing Through the Storm: Abeam's Heroic Rescue
Abed's Magical Grove: A Legendary Adventure of Wonder and Discovery
Abel's Quest: A Journey of Kindness and Adventure
The Craftsman's Quest: Unlocking Inner Power and Potential
The Passionate Pursuit of True Love: The Tale of Pierre Abelard and Heloise
The Curious Adventures of Abelson: A Young Girl's Quest for Magic and Bravery
Abelsons: The Portal to Infinite Journeys
The Secret Isle: A Journey of Discovery and Redemption
Finding Solace in Aberdeen's Cozy Cup
The Secret Heart of Abernathy: A Tale of Adventure and Homecoming
A Town's Transformation: From Industrial Hub to Artistic Oasis
The Evil Force Within
The Aberrants Tale: A Mysterious Encounter in the Rainy City
The Girl Who Saved Eleria: A Tale of Magic and Bravery
Alice's Enchanted Adventure: The Girl Who Could Talk to Animals
The Magical Friendship of Hootie and Betsy: A Tale of Joy and Wonder
Thieving in the Night: A Master Heist
The Book of Unlocking: A Tale of Ingenuity and Responsibility in a World of Advanced Technology
Finding Hope: Better's Journey to a Better Life
The Betters' Downfall: A Hero's Quest for Humanity's Future
The Magic of Community: Ember's Legacy
The Bettors Curse: When Desire Becomes a Living Nightmare
The Shadow Whispers: A Beta's Descent into Darkness
Embracing Abeyance: Finding Hope and Resilience in the Face of Adversity
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All stories are fictional works
- You may use any of these short stories as a base to create your own longer stories! -