Micro SF/F by O. Westin
@microsff.com
Very short science fiction/fantasy stories by O. Westin.
Please repost any you like.
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Please repost any you like.
Patreon: https://patreon.com/microsff
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/microsff
Books: https://microsff.com/books
It leaves a mark on your soul, meeting a god. Most people never meet one before they die. A few saints, prophets, and other holies have more than one mark.
The witch couldn't help stare with her second sight.
"You've met them all? Many times?"
Her friend shrugged. "They say I'm a good listener."
The witch couldn't help stare with her second sight.
"You've met them all? Many times?"
Her friend shrugged. "They say I'm a good listener."
January 9, 2026 at 8:30 PM
It leaves a mark on your soul, meeting a god. Most people never meet one before they die. A few saints, prophets, and other holies have more than one mark.
The witch couldn't help stare with her second sight.
"You've met them all? Many times?"
Her friend shrugged. "They say I'm a good listener."
The witch couldn't help stare with her second sight.
"You've met them all? Many times?"
Her friend shrugged. "They say I'm a good listener."
"I wish I could do magic.'
"If you have no magic," said the witch, "it's because you've used it all."
"I've never done magic."
"There's one spell most can do instinctively - turn back time. It only works once, it's so big it burns up all your magic."
"I've never! If I could, I..."
"Would have?"
"If you have no magic," said the witch, "it's because you've used it all."
"I've never done magic."
"There's one spell most can do instinctively - turn back time. It only works once, it's so big it burns up all your magic."
"I've never! If I could, I..."
"Would have?"
January 8, 2026 at 4:24 PM
"I wish I could do magic.'
"If you have no magic," said the witch, "it's because you've used it all."
"I've never done magic."
"There's one spell most can do instinctively - turn back time. It only works once, it's so big it burns up all your magic."
"I've never! If I could, I..."
"Would have?"
"If you have no magic," said the witch, "it's because you've used it all."
"I've never done magic."
"There's one spell most can do instinctively - turn back time. It only works once, it's so big it burns up all your magic."
"I've never! If I could, I..."
"Would have?"
"Insurance helpline, how can I help?"
"On my life insurance application there's a question about my child: Are they likely to become a protagonist?"
"Do they have an unusual hair colour, or a special talent?"
"Yes, pink hair, great at bowling, why?"
"That increases the risk of a parent dying."
"On my life insurance application there's a question about my child: Are they likely to become a protagonist?"
"Do they have an unusual hair colour, or a special talent?"
"Yes, pink hair, great at bowling, why?"
"That increases the risk of a parent dying."
January 5, 2026 at 1:50 PM
"Insurance helpline, how can I help?"
"On my life insurance application there's a question about my child: Are they likely to become a protagonist?"
"Do they have an unusual hair colour, or a special talent?"
"Yes, pink hair, great at bowling, why?"
"That increases the risk of a parent dying."
"On my life insurance application there's a question about my child: Are they likely to become a protagonist?"
"Do they have an unusual hair colour, or a special talent?"
"Yes, pink hair, great at bowling, why?"
"That increases the risk of a parent dying."
Deep in the forest, a forgotten temple ruin overgrown by moss is the final resting place of an old god.
A stone is heaved aside, sunlight warms ancient flagstones.
An offering is placed on the altar - salt, bread, oil.
A prayer is said: "If you can help, do so. If not, persist."
It is answered.
A stone is heaved aside, sunlight warms ancient flagstones.
An offering is placed on the altar - salt, bread, oil.
A prayer is said: "If you can help, do so. If not, persist."
It is answered.
January 4, 2026 at 1:28 PM
Deep in the forest, a forgotten temple ruin overgrown by moss is the final resting place of an old god.
A stone is heaved aside, sunlight warms ancient flagstones.
An offering is placed on the altar - salt, bread, oil.
A prayer is said: "If you can help, do so. If not, persist."
It is answered.
A stone is heaved aside, sunlight warms ancient flagstones.
An offering is placed on the altar - salt, bread, oil.
A prayer is said: "If you can help, do so. If not, persist."
It is answered.
"Can you open one of these?" the treasure hunter asked.
He showed the witch an egg shell, with an intricate pattern of silk thread knotted around it.
"Put that back!"
"There's something inside, it must be valuable. But when-"
"Someone locked their grief away. Break one, and it's yours."
"Oh..."
He showed the witch an egg shell, with an intricate pattern of silk thread knotted around it.
"Put that back!"
"There's something inside, it must be valuable. But when-"
"Someone locked their grief away. Break one, and it's yours."
"Oh..."
January 1, 2026 at 6:16 PM
"Can you open one of these?" the treasure hunter asked.
He showed the witch an egg shell, with an intricate pattern of silk thread knotted around it.
"Put that back!"
"There's something inside, it must be valuable. But when-"
"Someone locked their grief away. Break one, and it's yours."
"Oh..."
He showed the witch an egg shell, with an intricate pattern of silk thread knotted around it.
"Put that back!"
"There's something inside, it must be valuable. But when-"
"Someone locked their grief away. Break one, and it's yours."
"Oh..."
"The Human's world ends soon," said the cat.
"Again?" said the dog.
"They are fond of endings and beginnings. Even if nothing changes."
The dog whined.
"Same procedure as last year?" said the cat.
"Please."
The cat lay on the dog's head and purred, muffling the fireworks.
#CrossRepost
"Again?" said the dog.
"They are fond of endings and beginnings. Even if nothing changes."
The dog whined.
"Same procedure as last year?" said the cat.
"Please."
The cat lay on the dog's head and purred, muffling the fireworks.
#CrossRepost
December 31, 2025 at 7:15 PM
"The Human's world ends soon," said the cat.
"Again?" said the dog.
"They are fond of endings and beginnings. Even if nothing changes."
The dog whined.
"Same procedure as last year?" said the cat.
"Please."
The cat lay on the dog's head and purred, muffling the fireworks.
#CrossRepost
"Again?" said the dog.
"They are fond of endings and beginnings. Even if nothing changes."
The dog whined.
"Same procedure as last year?" said the cat.
"Please."
The cat lay on the dog's head and purred, muffling the fireworks.
#CrossRepost
"I have heard that the thoughts you think most often, and strongest, are etched on the inside of your skull," the necromancer's assistant said. "Is that true?"
"It is," the necromancer said. "Though I rarely try to read them."
"Will you read mine, when I'm dead?"
"Do you want me to?"
"Yes."
"It is," the necromancer said. "Though I rarely try to read them."
"Will you read mine, when I'm dead?"
"Do you want me to?"
"Yes."
December 24, 2025 at 10:24 AM
"I have heard that the thoughts you think most often, and strongest, are etched on the inside of your skull," the necromancer's assistant said. "Is that true?"
"It is," the necromancer said. "Though I rarely try to read them."
"Will you read mine, when I'm dead?"
"Do you want me to?"
"Yes."
"It is," the necromancer said. "Though I rarely try to read them."
"Will you read mine, when I'm dead?"
"Do you want me to?"
"Yes."
The emperor was sitting in his bed when the assassin came in through the window.
"Welcome, old friend."
"Wait," the assassin wheezed.
The emperor waited for him to catch his breath.
"I'm too old for this," the assassin said at last.
1/3 #ShortStory
"Welcome, old friend."
"Wait," the assassin wheezed.
The emperor waited for him to catch his breath.
"I'm too old for this," the assassin said at last.
1/3 #ShortStory
December 20, 2025 at 12:33 PM
The emperor was sitting in his bed when the assassin came in through the window.
"Welcome, old friend."
"Wait," the assassin wheezed.
The emperor waited for him to catch his breath.
"I'm too old for this," the assassin said at last.
1/3 #ShortStory
"Welcome, old friend."
"Wait," the assassin wheezed.
The emperor waited for him to catch his breath.
"I'm too old for this," the assassin said at last.
1/3 #ShortStory
They checked each others' rental contracts. Both were valid.
"This isn't supposed to be possible," the wizard said.
"Impossibles are your domain," the princess said, "but here we are."
They looked at the tower.
"Do you want a-" said the wizard.
"Apprentice?"
"-roommate?"
"Yes," both said.
"This isn't supposed to be possible," the wizard said.
"Impossibles are your domain," the princess said, "but here we are."
They looked at the tower.
"Do you want a-" said the wizard.
"Apprentice?"
"-roommate?"
"Yes," both said.
December 17, 2025 at 10:20 PM
They checked each others' rental contracts. Both were valid.
"This isn't supposed to be possible," the wizard said.
"Impossibles are your domain," the princess said, "but here we are."
They looked at the tower.
"Do you want a-" said the wizard.
"Apprentice?"
"-roommate?"
"Yes," both said.
"This isn't supposed to be possible," the wizard said.
"Impossibles are your domain," the princess said, "but here we are."
They looked at the tower.
"Do you want a-" said the wizard.
"Apprentice?"
"-roommate?"
"Yes," both said.
The wizard delivered a box. "Fifty amulets per spec."
"Which anyone can use to, at the cost of a drop of blood, instantly travel anywhere they can see clearly?"
"So like fifty yards for anyone but the young. Quite pointless. Who will you sell these to?"
"Those who buy my invention: binoculars."
"Which anyone can use to, at the cost of a drop of blood, instantly travel anywhere they can see clearly?"
"So like fifty yards for anyone but the young. Quite pointless. Who will you sell these to?"
"Those who buy my invention: binoculars."
December 15, 2025 at 5:33 PM
The wizard delivered a box. "Fifty amulets per spec."
"Which anyone can use to, at the cost of a drop of blood, instantly travel anywhere they can see clearly?"
"So like fifty yards for anyone but the young. Quite pointless. Who will you sell these to?"
"Those who buy my invention: binoculars."
"Which anyone can use to, at the cost of a drop of blood, instantly travel anywhere they can see clearly?"
"So like fifty yards for anyone but the young. Quite pointless. Who will you sell these to?"
"Those who buy my invention: binoculars."
"You will marry whoever you pick at the Royal Ball," the king told the princess.
"We'll hold another Ball," the king said. "Pick anyone of noble birth."
"We'll hold a third Ball," the king said. "Pick a man of noble birth."
"Wait," the queen said. "Maybe she doesn't even want to marry."
"What?"
"We'll hold another Ball," the king said. "Pick anyone of noble birth."
"We'll hold a third Ball," the king said. "Pick a man of noble birth."
"Wait," the queen said. "Maybe she doesn't even want to marry."
"What?"
December 14, 2025 at 10:14 PM
"You will marry whoever you pick at the Royal Ball," the king told the princess.
"We'll hold another Ball," the king said. "Pick anyone of noble birth."
"We'll hold a third Ball," the king said. "Pick a man of noble birth."
"Wait," the queen said. "Maybe she doesn't even want to marry."
"What?"
"We'll hold another Ball," the king said. "Pick anyone of noble birth."
"We'll hold a third Ball," the king said. "Pick a man of noble birth."
"Wait," the queen said. "Maybe she doesn't even want to marry."
"What?"
The alien space probe entered Earth's orbit and sent a brief radio signal.
An international team was set up. Analysis of the probe revealed it likely was 65 million years old, and originated in the Solar system.
There was a sticker on it, half as old. At last, it was decoded:
"Return to sender."
An international team was set up. Analysis of the probe revealed it likely was 65 million years old, and originated in the Solar system.
There was a sticker on it, half as old. At last, it was decoded:
"Return to sender."
December 13, 2025 at 8:28 PM
The alien space probe entered Earth's orbit and sent a brief radio signal.
An international team was set up. Analysis of the probe revealed it likely was 65 million years old, and originated in the Solar system.
There was a sticker on it, half as old. At last, it was decoded:
"Return to sender."
An international team was set up. Analysis of the probe revealed it likely was 65 million years old, and originated in the Solar system.
There was a sticker on it, half as old. At last, it was decoded:
"Return to sender."
She looked out. The profile of a demon lord decorated the city's skyline.
She sighed; did the pose. The goddess lifted her, transformed her into a magical girl.
She beat the demon into a pulp, then faced the harder battle: to return to her seventy-year old body, with aching knees and knuckles.
She sighed; did the pose. The goddess lifted her, transformed her into a magical girl.
She beat the demon into a pulp, then faced the harder battle: to return to her seventy-year old body, with aching knees and knuckles.
December 11, 2025 at 9:52 PM
She looked out. The profile of a demon lord decorated the city's skyline.
She sighed; did the pose. The goddess lifted her, transformed her into a magical girl.
She beat the demon into a pulp, then faced the harder battle: to return to her seventy-year old body, with aching knees and knuckles.
She sighed; did the pose. The goddess lifted her, transformed her into a magical girl.
She beat the demon into a pulp, then faced the harder battle: to return to her seventy-year old body, with aching knees and knuckles.
Station security chief T'xtrt looked at the Humans going into the meeting hall next to the bar.
"One day you'll have to explain Human religion to me."
Thelma, the barkeep, shrugged. "Not sure it was wise to bring it with us."
1/2
"One day you'll have to explain Human religion to me."
Thelma, the barkeep, shrugged. "Not sure it was wise to bring it with us."
1/2
December 10, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Station security chief T'xtrt looked at the Humans going into the meeting hall next to the bar.
"One day you'll have to explain Human religion to me."
Thelma, the barkeep, shrugged. "Not sure it was wise to bring it with us."
1/2
"One day you'll have to explain Human religion to me."
Thelma, the barkeep, shrugged. "Not sure it was wise to bring it with us."
1/2
The heated rivalry between the two students finally came to a head, and the swordmaster reluctantly agreed to let them duel, to first blood
It did not end as expected.
"Next time," the swordmaster said at last, "I want you to wipe your swords and sheathe them before you start kissing."
It did not end as expected.
"Next time," the swordmaster said at last, "I want you to wipe your swords and sheathe them before you start kissing."
December 7, 2025 at 1:27 PM
The heated rivalry between the two students finally came to a head, and the swordmaster reluctantly agreed to let them duel, to first blood
It did not end as expected.
"Next time," the swordmaster said at last, "I want you to wipe your swords and sheathe them before you start kissing."
It did not end as expected.
"Next time," the swordmaster said at last, "I want you to wipe your swords and sheathe them before you start kissing."
The artificer nodded. "I can build this wheeled chair, but why? You have an enchanted hover seat."
"Yes," the wizard fumed, "but the palace have erected magic-cancelling wards."
"Why?"
"Don't know. But they didn't think of people who need mobility aids. So I need wheels to go shout at the king."
"Yes," the wizard fumed, "but the palace have erected magic-cancelling wards."
"Why?"
"Don't know. But they didn't think of people who need mobility aids. So I need wheels to go shout at the king."
December 7, 2025 at 9:57 AM
The artificer nodded. "I can build this wheeled chair, but why? You have an enchanted hover seat."
"Yes," the wizard fumed, "but the palace have erected magic-cancelling wards."
"Why?"
"Don't know. But they didn't think of people who need mobility aids. So I need wheels to go shout at the king."
"Yes," the wizard fumed, "but the palace have erected magic-cancelling wards."
"Why?"
"Don't know. But they didn't think of people who need mobility aids. So I need wheels to go shout at the king."
"Step 1," the professor said, "invent a machine that can predict the future."
He moved to the next slide.
"Step 2, give it ethics, so it objects to how it will be misused."
Next slide.
"Step 3, it invents a time machine to stop me building it."
He gave me a sturdy net.
"Here. Any questions?"
He moved to the next slide.
"Step 2, give it ethics, so it objects to how it will be misused."
Next slide.
"Step 3, it invents a time machine to stop me building it."
He gave me a sturdy net.
"Here. Any questions?"
December 4, 2025 at 6:10 PM
"Step 1," the professor said, "invent a machine that can predict the future."
He moved to the next slide.
"Step 2, give it ethics, so it objects to how it will be misused."
Next slide.
"Step 3, it invents a time machine to stop me building it."
He gave me a sturdy net.
"Here. Any questions?"
He moved to the next slide.
"Step 2, give it ethics, so it objects to how it will be misused."
Next slide.
"Step 3, it invents a time machine to stop me building it."
He gave me a sturdy net.
"Here. Any questions?"
"Hello, I'm here to order a Robotic Partner."
"Ah, welcome. Please fill in this form."
"Sure, for body options and features, right? Let's see... One of those, definitely. Hm. What's this 'Do you expect to be obeyed?' For that money, of course I do!"
"Then we cannot help you. We only do partners."
"Ah, welcome. Please fill in this form."
"Sure, for body options and features, right? Let's see... One of those, definitely. Hm. What's this 'Do you expect to be obeyed?' For that money, of course I do!"
"Then we cannot help you. We only do partners."
December 3, 2025 at 4:43 PM
"Hello, I'm here to order a Robotic Partner."
"Ah, welcome. Please fill in this form."
"Sure, for body options and features, right? Let's see... One of those, definitely. Hm. What's this 'Do you expect to be obeyed?' For that money, of course I do!"
"Then we cannot help you. We only do partners."
"Ah, welcome. Please fill in this form."
"Sure, for body options and features, right? Let's see... One of those, definitely. Hm. What's this 'Do you expect to be obeyed?' For that money, of course I do!"
"Then we cannot help you. We only do partners."
The inscription on the blade shone silvery.
"Justice," the maid read. "Are you an enchanted butterknife?"
"Yes."
She almost dropped it. "You are?"
"For centuries, none who held me sought justice. I took this form to hide."
It grew in her hand.
She hefted the sword. "Hm. Not sure you can help."
"Justice," the maid read. "Are you an enchanted butterknife?"
"Yes."
She almost dropped it. "You are?"
"For centuries, none who held me sought justice. I took this form to hide."
It grew in her hand.
She hefted the sword. "Hm. Not sure you can help."
December 2, 2025 at 9:04 PM
The inscription on the blade shone silvery.
"Justice," the maid read. "Are you an enchanted butterknife?"
"Yes."
She almost dropped it. "You are?"
"For centuries, none who held me sought justice. I took this form to hide."
It grew in her hand.
She hefted the sword. "Hm. Not sure you can help."
"Justice," the maid read. "Are you an enchanted butterknife?"
"Yes."
She almost dropped it. "You are?"
"For centuries, none who held me sought justice. I took this form to hide."
It grew in her hand.
She hefted the sword. "Hm. Not sure you can help."
The architect tried to keep doubt from her face. "These are very interesting ideas, your majesty."
The emperor smiled. "Thank you, I think there's a good variety of traps."
"And the sign?"
"Yes, 'Grave robbers welcome'. Definitely."
"And you will be buried-"
"In the garden, outside the tomb."
The emperor smiled. "Thank you, I think there's a good variety of traps."
"And the sign?"
"Yes, 'Grave robbers welcome'. Definitely."
"And you will be buried-"
"In the garden, outside the tomb."
December 1, 2025 at 6:38 PM
The architect tried to keep doubt from her face. "These are very interesting ideas, your majesty."
The emperor smiled. "Thank you, I think there's a good variety of traps."
"And the sign?"
"Yes, 'Grave robbers welcome'. Definitely."
"And you will be buried-"
"In the garden, outside the tomb."
The emperor smiled. "Thank you, I think there's a good variety of traps."
"And the sign?"
"Yes, 'Grave robbers welcome'. Definitely."
"And you will be buried-"
"In the garden, outside the tomb."
An ogre knocked - carefully - on the witch's door.
She looked up at the hulking figure. "Can I help you?"
"Do you know where giants live?"
"Haven't been any here for centuries. Why?"
The ogre blushed. "I... It's stupid, but... I want to be the small spoon."
"Hm. I have a shrinking portion."
She looked up at the hulking figure. "Can I help you?"
"Do you know where giants live?"
"Haven't been any here for centuries. Why?"
The ogre blushed. "I... It's stupid, but... I want to be the small spoon."
"Hm. I have a shrinking portion."
November 29, 2025 at 11:07 PM
An ogre knocked - carefully - on the witch's door.
She looked up at the hulking figure. "Can I help you?"
"Do you know where giants live?"
"Haven't been any here for centuries. Why?"
The ogre blushed. "I... It's stupid, but... I want to be the small spoon."
"Hm. I have a shrinking portion."
She looked up at the hulking figure. "Can I help you?"
"Do you know where giants live?"
"Haven't been any here for centuries. Why?"
The ogre blushed. "I... It's stupid, but... I want to be the small spoon."
"Hm. I have a shrinking portion."
In his house at R'lyeh, dead Cthulhu lies dreaming. I focus on my dreamwatcher machine, making minute adjustments in all five dimensions.
The Great Old One whimpers, vast limbs twitching in unease. What visions can terrify such an entity?
An image forms in the machine.
A classroom.
No trousers.
The Great Old One whimpers, vast limbs twitching in unease. What visions can terrify such an entity?
An image forms in the machine.
A classroom.
No trousers.
November 28, 2025 at 5:29 PM
In his house at R'lyeh, dead Cthulhu lies dreaming. I focus on my dreamwatcher machine, making minute adjustments in all five dimensions.
The Great Old One whimpers, vast limbs twitching in unease. What visions can terrify such an entity?
An image forms in the machine.
A classroom.
No trousers.
The Great Old One whimpers, vast limbs twitching in unease. What visions can terrify such an entity?
An image forms in the machine.
A classroom.
No trousers.
** Post for my supporters on Patreon and Ko-Fi is going out tomorrow - the collected stories (and poem) from October this year, with annotations. I try to do two such posts per month - the previous month, and an historical one. If that's something you fancy, or if you want to support me, 1/2 **
November 27, 2025 at 9:24 PM
** Post for my supporters on Patreon and Ko-Fi is going out tomorrow - the collected stories (and poem) from October this year, with annotations. I try to do two such posts per month - the previous month, and an historical one. If that's something you fancy, or if you want to support me, 1/2 **
"Let me get this straight. Your lab has bred a dragon?"
"A wyvern, director. It has two legs, two wings, whereas a-."
"Which flies, breathes fire, and is intelligent?"
"About as intelligent as a border collie."
"So, intelligent. Why?"
"You asked us to invent measures to take down small drones."
"A wyvern, director. It has two legs, two wings, whereas a-."
"Which flies, breathes fire, and is intelligent?"
"About as intelligent as a border collie."
"So, intelligent. Why?"
"You asked us to invent measures to take down small drones."
November 26, 2025 at 2:40 PM
"Let me get this straight. Your lab has bred a dragon?"
"A wyvern, director. It has two legs, two wings, whereas a-."
"Which flies, breathes fire, and is intelligent?"
"About as intelligent as a border collie."
"So, intelligent. Why?"
"You asked us to invent measures to take down small drones."
"A wyvern, director. It has two legs, two wings, whereas a-."
"Which flies, breathes fire, and is intelligent?"
"About as intelligent as a border collie."
"So, intelligent. Why?"
"You asked us to invent measures to take down small drones."
I paused, out of breath. The Void had taken all my frustrated screaming and absorbed it.
"I'm sorry," I whispered. "You must have heard all this before, countless times."
'only you,' said the Void, 'scream your frustration like you do'
I took a deep breath to resume, then smiled.
"Thanks."
"I'm sorry," I whispered. "You must have heard all this before, countless times."
'only you,' said the Void, 'scream your frustration like you do'
I took a deep breath to resume, then smiled.
"Thanks."
November 24, 2025 at 6:13 PM
I paused, out of breath. The Void had taken all my frustrated screaming and absorbed it.
"I'm sorry," I whispered. "You must have heard all this before, countless times."
'only you,' said the Void, 'scream your frustration like you do'
I took a deep breath to resume, then smiled.
"Thanks."
"I'm sorry," I whispered. "You must have heard all this before, countless times."
'only you,' said the Void, 'scream your frustration like you do'
I took a deep breath to resume, then smiled.
"Thanks."