Malia Kao

“The Rhythm of the Storm” by Malia Kao

Submitted to Contest #267

The last rays of the setting Sun were partly obscured by the approaching storm clouds looming on the horizon. I stood at the sink in my kitchen looking through the small square window washing the dishes from tonight’s dinner absentmindedly. I watched as the rim of the Sun disk sank below the skyline and disappeared. The dark clouds drove in closer, and the sky grayed. The sound of the steady stream of water from the sink and from the ocean just a few hundred yards from my cottage washed over my ears and flushed out the thoughts running aroun...

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“Eugenia Graves” by Malia Kao

Submitted to Contest #251

Some seek Truth through external means: impressive words, idyllic prophets, omniscient gods. But some turn their seeking inward, delving so deeply that it nearly destroys them. Then, at the abyss, they will find Truth and transcend, enlightened.-Eugenia Graves I closed The Ascension with a snap and let out a breath. The last words in the book still hung in my mind, not quite sinking in; the aftershock hadn’t hit me yet. Did I read ramblings of a madwoman or proclamations of a genius? I placed a forefinger and middle finger at each temple, ma...

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“The Robin” by Malia Kao

Submitted to Contest #238

The sun touched the fertile landscape with its golden fingers as the cockerel crowed triumphantly. The rhythms of the dawn swelled with the growing light, marking the end of the night's dominion. Amidst the celebration of nature, a young man lay quietly in his bed, shades drawn and windows shut, and he stared contemplatively at the ceiling above him. He felt ill this morning, not of the body but of the mind. He had begun feeling this way every so often since the death of his father about five years before. His friends had tried their best to...

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“The Horn of Ganu” by Malia Kao

The prayer hour was announced with the chiming of a clear bell at the pinnacle of a spiraling tower, its polished surface reflecting shards of light onto the city below. The masses slowly made their way out of small buildings made of earth and straw, thronging through the narrow streets to the temple. The temple was the largest building in the city, able to house the entire populace with some room to spare. Everyone held a small candle in one hand, shielding the delicate flame with the other, as they meandered through the quickly darkening c...

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“Matador Bar and Lounge” by Malia Kao

Submitted to Contest #233

Lisa woke up on the side of the road and slowly took in her surroundings. Where the hell am I? Everything looked fuzzy for some reason. She must’ve bumped her head pretty hard. She tried to recall her last memory, but her head throbbed with the effort. A light breeze caressed the side of her face, and she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she finally recognized where she was. Her mood lightened a little as she gingerly got to her feet. She quickly checked herself to make sure there weren’t any physical injur...

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“Illuminance” by Malia Kao

Submitted to Contest #232

The digging call reverberated throughout the network of tunnels. Kitsi filled his lamp with the pieces of illuminance he had placed next to his resting pad and a dull red light emanated from it. It felt warm and comforting as he briefly held it against him. He carefully crawled out of the hole leading from his living quarters. Further into the tunnel, he saw the dim glow of the other lamps as they emerged from their holes. He skittered over to meet them as they began funneling to the assignment room. They flowed like a river of red down the ...

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