Welcome travelers! You’re about to embark on a quest, an adventure to mystical lands and undiscovered planets, or underwater enclaves and cities full of futuristic technologies. These places are inhabited by monstrous beasts or characters with mysterious motives who may also control weapons of wonder. All of this fantasy and science fiction originates from your imagination. The quest is yours to choose. This is Prompt Quest!
The Rules
The rules are simple. Two prompts are provided, one fantasy and the other science fiction. Choose your genre and write a short story over the next two weeks using that genre’s prompt. We’ll host a gathering to celebrate what’s been accomplished and to highlight your stories at the end of the two weeks. You can share them on The Pitch discussion thread at the end of the month as well.
(The Gathering discussion thread will take place on Wednesday, June 12, starting at 12am EST., and will run all day.)
The Prize
If you keep your short story under 2500 words and embed a link to this Prompt Quest post at the end, then you will be permitted to submit it to the next season of the Lunar Awards even though it’s published before the season’s start date. This is your reward for completing the quest, a valuable secret pass to enter through our hallowed gates with honor. I can’t wait to greet you!
The Prompts
Science Fiction
Write a science fiction short story that takes place in a futuristic technocracy. The all too perfect artificial entity ruling this society grants one citizen a private audience annually. Unfortunately, all who meet their digital overlord vanish forever. This year you have been chosen, and you’re determined to be the first to return in nearly a century. Or maybe something better awaits?
Level Up!
(Optional) Other than the protagonist and artificial entity, limit yourself to only two other characters in the story.
Fantasy
Write a fantasy short story that takes place in a subterranean kingdom that has been gifted immortality by mysterious “surface dwellers”. However, this gift is only available to half of the citizens, and only after the other half are killed. While the elite argue the fate of millions, you discover a secret that would change everything. Do you reveal it, or do you take your chances and hope you’re one of the chosen immortals?
Level Up!
(Optional) Flip the script. Write it from the perspective of one of the surface dwellers who is observing the fate of all subterraneans.
Safe travels on your quest!
If you have questions or suggestions, feel free to comment or send me a DM.
Very intriguing sci-fi challenge. 👏
Phew, these are both rather bloodthirsty prompts… not sure I can come up with something, but never say never, right?