Working Title: Love-Death-Monsters
 

Yeah, that title sucks. It's basically a plot summary, but whatever. That's why it's a working title!

The style of this was inspired by a blog called Hitherby Dragons. There's a very long archive, but it's quite interesting. Mostly it takes typical notions of how the world works and subverts them in a fantastic setting.

Note that this is NOT an actual story from that world, and it does not fit into any continuity from there. Also, you don't need to read anything from there to enjoy this story.

Criticism appreciated, but if you just want to say that you loved it, that's fine too.

The Story itself
 

Not many people get to die for love. I don’t recommend it. Here is the story of one who did:

They are in the monster’s cave. The monster is probably planning to eat them. It hasn’t yet. It’s busy doing something in the front of the cave. It could be that it wants to torture them, or maybe it’s lonely. But it’s probably going to eat them. People have disappeared before, and none of them are here. There are bones underfoot, rattling. So they will most likely get eaten.
Sylvia is not afraid of death. She is waiting.
The monster turns around. It reaches out it’s twenty finger claw for Sylvia. At least, that’s what it seems like. She isn’t really counting. She is waiting. Preparing. Preparing for...
Mark jumps in front of her, screaming “No!” The monster doesn’t stop reaching. It’s claw closes on Mark, and crushes him. Sylvia winces as a splash of blood hits her.
“Idiot.”
She waits for the monster to reach for her, and then she presses the button.
Everything goes white, then black. Sylvia thinks she’s dead. She’s not though. Only the monster is. And Mark. She sheds a few tears for him. It’s a hollow victory. She’s won, but lost Mark, her love.
She couldn’t tell him about the device. The monster would know. If she had risked it they would have both been dead. Still, it stung.

Love is a fine thing. Except when it costs you the one you love in vain.