11920+ Fantasy Short Stories to read

Submitted by writers on Reedsy Prompts to our weekly writing contest. Though fantasy is well known for its epically long sagas, fantasy short stories can deliver all the genre’s best attractions with one punch — or, shall we say, in one fiery dragon breath?

🏆 Winning stories

“Fae Touched” by D. Grimes

Siobhan awoke to the Irish sun spilling in the open doorframe of their single-room cottage. Her back pressed against Sean’s, and she moved carefully so as to not wake him on his day off morning duties— today, she would feed the cattle and chickens. She rolled over, a stray mattress feather poking her side, and saw Aoife’s small body in her basket, enveloped by a blanket. A surge in Siobhan’s chest shot her awake—Aoife hadn’t cried once through the night. Siobhan scrambled to her feet, bare soles pressed into the cool packed dirt, no longe...

79 likes 42 comments 42 WINNER 🏆

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“Do Flamethrowers Belong In The Library?” by Kenz Ross

We lose people all the time. It’s just the nature of the job. What can you expect from a place full of nooks and crannies people intentionally go to get lost in? I usually don’t worry when I don’t see someone for a while, but when it’s been days since someone’s checked out, it’s usually a sign that I need to step in. I’m not doing this alone, thankfully. No Librarian i...

154 likes 150 comments 150 WINNER 🏆

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“The Fate of Customer 12” by HR Pinches

 Normal people don’t have destinies. Of course, I never tell them that. When they come into my shop, I take their palms solemnly—after I take their payment, $25 cash or card—and stare into the blankness of their futures with undue reverence. Day after day, year after year, they come: the businessmen and the soccer moms, the mailroom clerks, dentists, and hairstylists of the world. The politicians and the theologians, too. The young an...

245 likes 109 comments 109 WINNER 🏆

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⭐️ Recommended stories

“The Shadow” by Matthew Madsen

A modern retelling of the fairy-tale The Shadow by Hans Christian Andersen. I knew a guy who died from choking on birthday cake at someone else’s party.  ‘Knew’ is a strong word. We weren’t much more than acquaintances. I heard the news, felt a little bit sad, and then got on with my life. Sometimes, though, I can’t help thinking about how many tragedies...

4 likes 4 comments 4

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“The man of the sorrowful eyes” by Venecia Alvarado

As he crossed the threshold of the door, a storm erupted outside, carrying with it a resigned sigh from the twenty-four-year-old. Youthful years were exhausting too, he thought. Turns out, in a world where technology had consumed all fields, being passionate about art was almost unbearable. Avis considered himself a spontaneous artist, someone whose inspiration flowed at his whim. Rainy nights were perfect for letting hi...

2 likes 1 comment 1

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“The Enchanted Mirror of Mystic Beach Lighthouse ” by Kristi Gott

"Gateways to moments suspended in air, Time's threads in the fabrics it weaves, Blessed with enchantments, unseen and rare, The Mirror makes Magic for one who believes."Luiza Maria felt a shock as she looked at the strangers around her wearing clothing from over 100 years ago. She remembered gazing into the old-fashioned mirror from the antique store. It's wood frame was intricately carved. She recalled reading the poem engraved on...

6 likes 4 comments 4

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“Imaginary Space ” by Waaa Intresting

It gazes at me, across the reflective surface, a twin that stares at me. Mirroring the gaze, I have on others when they turn around and walk off. Gaze where it's just ever so subtle they can feel my stare, almost unconsciously they will turn around, but ever so knowingly, my eyes have pre-emptively shifted elsewhere. The lake lies eerily still, more than it was before at least, that figure wore an expression foreign to my understanding, yet that gaze was eliciting the most alarm. I paralyzed, yet in the imaginary space between me a...

9 likes 0 comments 0

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“Good Company” by Raquel Belury Rosenberg

My cheeks stung. My body burned with open wounds and admonishment. The very follicles of my hair rebelled in their purgatory of being partially ripped out. When I reached the creek, I fell to my knees. Water cooled my burning skin and camouflaged my tears, but nothing could be done for my broken voice asking nobody for everything. “Please,” I begged the earth, “I can’t do this anymore.” She did not reply an...

9 likes 4 comments 4

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“Mirror, Mirror, let me out.” by Anuv Ahuja

“This one looks good,” I murmured to myself. “I can put it right above the sink in my bathroom.” I was shopping for mirrors and other furniture, just like everyone else. Our town suffered after the earthquake. Many of the houses here were too old to handle it. I looked at myself in the mirror. I had a sharp jawline, dark, messy hair, and blue eyes. I was wearing some fitted jeans with a nice sweatshirt on top. The closes...

1 like 0 comments 0

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“The Shadow” by Matthew Madsen

A modern retelling of the fairy-tale The Shadow by Hans Christian Andersen. I knew a guy who died from choking on birthday cake at someone else’s party.  ‘Knew’ is a strong word. We weren’t much more than acquaintances. I heard the news, felt a little bit sad, and then got on with my life. Sometimes, though, I can’t help thinking about how many tragedies...

4 likes 4 comments 4

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“Brushstrokes of Identity: A Portrait Beyond the Scar” by Leilaine Mori

A shattered mirror. It was through it the last time he saw his image. In his parents’ house. While they were still alive. He lost their parents when he was 5. His father had a discussion with his mother, and stabbed her, and after this, he killed himself. But this was long time ago. Different than what everyone expected, he considered himself happy, or as happy as any person, with the ups and downs, of course. When he was young, he used to wake up during the dawn pondering about how it would be his life if they were alive, or if he...

2 likes 0 comments 0

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“Mirror World” by Quentin Eddington

I tried my hardest, I really did, but life was tough. My classes didn’t matter. I mean, really, when will I need to know about the Qing Dynasty in real life, or use any of the vocabulary learned in English class? The only thing kind of useful is my algebra class, because at least that relates to computers and programming and making video games. It’s the only class I could pay attention to and actually get a decent grade...

2 likes 1 comment 1

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“Portrait of a Shrew” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

Marcus Trent entered the door of the gallery. He mingled with the people while furtively looking for his daughter, Victoria. He spotted her but tried to appear like a viewer of the artwork displayed on the walls.It had been very kind for Uncle Jack and Auntie Ruth to invite him to see Victoria's first exhibition. She had become well known for her fantastic abstract and still-life paintings. Both styles she does equally well. It puzzled him that anyone would choose something from real life and, with lines and splashes of ...

9 likes 8 comments 8

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“Caro's Treasure” by R E King

Igor looked like a hideous old toad. His creased motley face, wiry thinning hair and permanent grimace complimented his unpleasant personality. He owned ‘Igor’s Antique Shop’, but in truth, it sold all manner of second-hand goods and junk. Igor did deceased estate clearances and paid a pittance for the treasured belongings of the deceased. He made his living taking advantage of grieving people. Igor disliked me because I often browsed his cluttered store for hours without buying anything and when I did buy, I insisted on haggl...

1 like 0 comments 0

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“Tat tvam asi - you are it!!” by Nakul Puri

Sabina looked closely at her newly capped front tooth in the mirror and smiled to see if it’s color matched the other teeth perfectly. Satisfied she picked up a book and sat on the armchair to read. Her mother had bought the mirror from chandni chawk market after the earlier one broke. The whole family had used the broken mirror for more than a month before she could go to the market for a new one. The br...

2 likes 0 comments 0

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“The new house” by Layla Friend

The first few steps through the hall are always the best. The worn-down floorboards creaking under her feet and the grandfather clock echoing throughout the house. She walks down the narrow hallway keeping her eyes glued to the walls, seeing her warped reflection in every battered down mirror she walks past, the thick dust that has been collecting over the years creating a protective layer. Four altogether, two on each s...

4 likes 1 comment 1

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“Your Greatest Enemy” by Mei Ling Ho

Desire is a more fancy word for a want or need. It laces around a champagne glass, drunken thoughts, a silver and velvet cloak that unveils itself in all of its entirety. Hooded eyes looking back- a mirror that reflects decisions, dreams, life goals that may never come true. It weaves its way into the road, blocking cars from moving forward, blocking those with weaker mentalities from continuing on. It's an interruption,...

2 likes 0 comments 0

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“The man of the sorrowful eyes” by Venecia Alvarado

As he crossed the threshold of the door, a storm erupted outside, carrying with it a resigned sigh from the twenty-four-year-old. Youthful years were exhausting too, he thought. Turns out, in a world where technology had consumed all fields, being passionate about art was almost unbearable. Avis considered himself a spontaneous artist, someone whose inspiration flowed at his whim. Rainy nights were perfect for letting hi...

2 likes 1 comment 1

Read story

“The Enchanted Mirror of Mystic Beach Lighthouse ” by Kristi Gott

"Gateways to moments suspended in air, Time's threads in the fabrics it weaves, Blessed with enchantments, unseen and rare, The Mirror makes Magic for one who believes."Luiza Maria felt a shock as she looked at the strangers around her wearing clothing from over 100 years ago. She remembered gazing into the old-fashioned mirror from the antique store. It's wood frame was intricately carved. She recalled reading the poem engraved on...

6 likes 4 comments 4

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“What the Mirror Wants” by John K Adams

“What’s wrong with me? Do I even exist?” Selma gazed at her reflection in the medicine cabinet mirror. Her irises contracted as she peered into her pupils. “Anybody home?” She chuckled. ‘Of course, I exist. I blink; therefore, I am…’ But somedays she struggled to own that even to herself. Remembering her college biology class, ‘I’m alive. I move and breathe. God knows I e...

5 likes 2 comments 2

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“The Resplendent Quetzal” by James Lane

Brielle Noonypill hurried to stitch her sister’s spangled cotinga costume. Fredericka, the elder Noonypill sister, tore the gown’s train by tangling herself mid-pirouette, while rehearsing her Passage Day dance. “Hurry,” said Fredericka, entering Brielle’s room. “The Cotters are already here, and oh no….” Freddy peeked out the door. “Miss Brightly comes with the class.”Brielle poked herself twice with the needle in the rush to have it ready, and her sister’s impatience was not helping. If her mothe...

6 likes 3 comments 3

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