There are places where the building blocks of creation, the four elements, can be accessed: Underground coal fires that have burned for hundreds of years, blue holes that go on forever, windstorms that never dissipate, and mountains that jut from the ground like a jagged tooth.
I stood on the peak and cast the spell. The spell was easier here, almost eager, as the offering disintegrated and a boulder detached itself and rose up on a crude pair of legs, then bowed.
The bargain was complete, but little did I know what the elemental would expect from me in return.

“Arctic Mountains” by Polar Cruises is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

My very short story collection, The Mountain’s Shadow is available now from Amazon and Smashwords!

Everyday Drabbles © 2025 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0