MapleRoyals' Writing Contest [Unofficial]

I'm so sorry but I won't be able to write anything at all .. I have been sick so I rearranged an exam to another day.

 

Alright, feel better!

 

Idk if I can still submit anything but here goes:

It's as if we were playing hide-and-seek among the bamboo grove
Walking along the gilded path,
looking for you
searching
searching hopelessly.
This make-belief life of ours
where we play truth or false
where each smile is a lie
each laugh is a cry inside
needs to stop
You say we still exist
I say we do;
Just not together anymore.

We stand, you
on your pedestral,
me on my broken glass.
And yet I'm clueless,
how do I paint this scene to you?

Should I garnish it with flowers?
Vibrant colors
splashed across the easel?
Or with jagged swords drawn
across the paper with spilled blood and tears?

Either way, I'm still lost
in the dark unforgiving abyss of my mind.
This peekaboo game of ours should continue,
we'll continue with
our game of masks.
I'll put on mine,
and you yours.
once again, we'll dance
around the bamboo grove
with careful joy and cautious grins...

Mistakes will be made;
wrongful glares will be thrown.
Now, let the roulette spin
and the game begin.

 

The Black Mage

"Mom...?" the child sniffled as he curled up. Fire. Monsters... and a man dressed in a black robe. They had taken his mom away. Brutally killed her. And left him behind. "Why couldn't take take me as well?" his mind was running around in all directions. He was alone... in a burning forest in Leafre, surrounded by Cornians,Wyverns and Skelesaurs, commanded by the Black Mage. "Why? WHY?!" he cried as tears gushed down his face. Footsteps were approaching him, he had mixed feelings... to leave this world and join his mom. Or to continue and achieve his dream of becoming a Hero of the Maple World. He peered up, seeing a man. White hair. Blue Eyes. Dark skin tone.
With a pole arm on his back. It was Aran. The legendary hero. Aran carried the lost child on his back and ran back to the ship. The child couldn't think of anything. His mind was blank after losing the only person who cared for him. Not knowing anything, he was on the floor on a dark and cold floor. "Aran, please come with us too! We'll retreat to Victoria Island and..." a female voice begged. Her voice faltering. Aran cut her off. Arn merely apologized. And left. Running towards the flames of the forest. The child, snapping back to reality, stood up. "Are you feeling okay? I'm so glad you're safe." the same female voice had asked. Startled, he spun around... seeing the one and only Athena Pierce,the skillful bow-wielding expert. She had a dark expression on her face as she looked out the window. "I'm fine..." the child stuttered. He walked towards her, staring out the window. They were in the high above in the air. He looked down. To his horror, he saw 5 people battling the same man dressed in a black robe that took his mom away. The one using a pole arm caught his attention. It was Aran. An icy fear twisted around his heart as he saw the Black Mage, raising his staff, then slamming it onto the ground. A strong cold wind had shook the boat. He shielded his face with his arms, then looked back down. The scene had paralyzed him with fear. The other 4 had fallen onto the ground, struggling to get up. 1 was missing. The child looked for the last hero who attempted to stop the Black Mage. The child saw a giant ice block in the middle of the zone. And once again, the hero inside was also wielding a pole arm. It was Aran. Frozen to the spot. Athena Pierce slammed the window shut. She had an aura of dark menacing of hatred, and a tear stained face. She kept silent throughout the entire ride.

Many years after the Black Mage took over. The Maplers, had formed a party squad consisting of 30 members to finally overthrow the Black Mage. The no longer lost, or a child, now known as Tom was part of it. He looked at his bow that Athena Pierce gave to him before she had went on a expedition to defeat Horntail, another threat to the Maple World... However, she didn't return, he remembered the hero that saved him and the man who took his mom away. He knew he had to finally end this. Before many others end up like his past self. As the briefing concluded, they were going into the Black Mage's throne. Undetected, or so they thought... Tom used his power to strengthen his other comrades and it began. They entered the throne room. The Black Mage was sitting on it. Tom stared at his black, beady eyes. Tom resented him for what he did, and he was about to get his revenge. They opened fire. Warriors with spears, axes and swords rushed to attack him. Shadowers sneaking with Dark Sight for a surprise attack. Night Lords throwing stars at an incredibly unbelievable speed. Magicians summoning minions and firing bolts of lightning,fire and light at him. Buccaneers and Corsairs assisting the Shadowers and Night Lords. And finally, the archers. Tom, breathing in and out, slowly. Aimed his arrow, and fired. Barrages of flaming and iced arrows followed behind. The Black Mage had put up a barrier deflecting all of the stars and arrows and had chains coming out from his sleeve binding the warriors and buccaneers. They struggled to break free but it was futile. Using his psychic powers, he controlled the the stars and arrows, driving them straight towards the helpless Warriors and Buccaneers. It was gruesome. Blood splattered everywhere. Bishops were running to aid they're fallen comrades. However, the Black Mage had captured them in a bubble-like force field. Draining the air out of it. The Bishops too had fallen. The Shadowers had sneaked up behind the Black Mage, about to deliver a fatal blow, but the Black Mage had sealed them. They were vulnerable,and they too, were silenced. The Night Lords and Corsairs burst into flames as the Black Mage cast an explosion. The Archers and Arch Mages retreated, their surprise ambush had failed. However, the Black Mage didn't let them go. He vanished from his throne, and had appeared right in front of their very eyes. He cursed all of them, no healing, no power, nothing. They couldn't use any of their skills. He put down a gravity trap, forcing each one of them to lie face-flat onto the floor. The Black Mage smirked and taunted them, "Get up! Or I'm gonna kill you." Followed by a maniacal laughter. He bent down next to Tom, and whispered to his ears,"I remember you boy. I spared your little soul and you come back trying to overthrow me? Pathetic. Let's have some fun shall we?" Tom was being controlled by the Black Mage, he stood up, drawing his bow and arrow and aimed at his friends. "Shoot them!" the Black Mage demanded. Tom resisted, he didn't want to do it. "Sorry..." Tom somehow blurted out as he shot up into the air, the arrows multiplied. A shower of arrows rained on his friends. Tom dared not open his eyes. The Black Mage snickered,"Now, its your turn." Tom was petrified. Not knowing, he shot another arrow in the air. And then. He fell to the floor. Lifeless.

Thanks for reading my story! I hope I'm not to late to submit this story! I hope all of you know how this story had started in Maple!

 

I'm running.
Wait, why am I running?
Where am I?
WHO am I?

"Hurry up!" a voice calls from a distance.
Familiar. It's a familiar voice.
"Phantom, hurry! He's coming!"
Phantom? Who's th-
A roar. I'm sure that was a roar.
Wait.. I'm running from something.
As I look behind me, I suddenly feel the warm breath of the monster that's catching up to me.
"Phantom, I'll cover you!"
Who is that? Why don't I remember where I am? Who I am?
As the gap between the monster and I increases, I see a dark figure in front of me.
"Wh-who are you..?" I stutter.
"PHANTOM! THIS IS NO TIME FOR JOKES.. WE HAVE TO GO NOW!"
She's holding a bow and arrow.. she? I know her. She's.. my memory is blurred. I can't remember.
I'm afraid, but my only choice right now is to continue following her. Where is that monst-
A deafening roar fills the forest, rustling the leaves.
Wait, a forest? It's damp. When did I get here? This is no time to be thinking, let's go! If I don't follow her, I'll be dead just like..
Cygnus.. My queen.
"WAIT! WHERE IS CYGNUS? WHERE IS SHE?" I yell towards the archer in front of me.
"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME? LET'S GO!" she replies.
I can feel tears coming, but I don't know why.. Who is Cygnus? Why do I care about her so much?
It's time to go.
"Hurry! Get on!" The archer calls.
It's too dark, I can hear the monster's steps catching up to me. Where do I go?
It's too late.. It's here.
The monster, whatever it was I couldn't explain it. The name.. balrog.. it's all coming back now.
As it flew towards me at a seemingly impossible speed.. it suddenly felt like time slowed down.
I could see it, it's blood red eyes, devilish horns, it was almost like.. a minion.. of the BLACK MAGE!
I could feel the hatred seething through me, the name itself.. I don't remember why but I hate it.
And as the balrog flew towards me, I didn't know what I was doing.. but I.. I killed it. And with it.. dropped money, and an amulet.
It looked so familiar, that amulet. It brought me to tears, but I don't know why.
WHY DON'T I REMEMBER ANYTHING? I picked up the amulet.. and on the back the name engraved..
Cygnus.

 

Sudden influx! Really looking forward to the end results, now.

 

Spoiler

Are you saying I have one day to write my nasty Shrek x Momiji x Carl Wheezer x Powdered Toast Man orgy fanfic

 

Yes.

 

I love this part. You make it sound like the pirates are merely the thief's little helpers. #ThiefMasterrace (@Kaizoku @Goofy @Zoink goml)

And the last sentence just makes it sound like "oh right, there's those useless archers, too. great."


Anyways. I'll be publishing the scores of the above contestants after discussion with the other person judging these texts. I enjoyed reading every single one of them.

 

One day left (13 hours!)

Those that requested a detailed analysis will receive that today.

 

I think Marty's into me.
Wanna date?

 

l0l

 

Hello Marty and Royalers. Just a short story. Enjoy!

I open the door to our apartment, remembering the carton of milk I left on the counter this morning. I slip into my slippers while dropping off my keys in the cabinet. This has been my routine for the past 18 years, but somehow, this time, it felt different: purposeless. I glaze my gaze over the area and despise the silence. It’s despicable really; how she’s made me detest coming back everyday to something I once loved. I used to be able to spend hours with her, nestled up on our couch without a word, basking in the abundant stillness.

As I get ready for bed, I feel the sheets of hopelessness spread over me. It was her shoes I found at first. They lay dormant on the stairs, neatly lined up next to each other. I take off my shoes and set them beside hers while I blink away the tear. I then found her dress: a still pond of silk on the bathroom floor. I peel the clothes off my skin to cover the memories. Another tear forms in my eyes, and this time I let it roll down my cheek. Finally, I lifted off the sheets to find her imprint on the mattress. I fit my limbs into the hollows of her absence, like brushing the last stroke onto the canvas we started on the day of our marriage. My lips begin to quiver as I recall the Saturday mornings we spent with the kids. I see the rays of light shining upon their innocent faces as they frolicked along our glistening lawn. My breathing labors and I feel a moist puddle collecting on the side of my face. I pick myself up and prepare to take my medication. I read the prescription label: Take 2 pills every night. I pour out 18, for every anniversary we spent together.

I’ll see you soon, Annabel.

 

Current rankings:

1. pseudonym - 85%
2. Sila - 80%
3. Midnightx - 78%
4. Insanity Cow - 76%
5. Natsu - 74%
6. fox500xxx - 71%
7. Plenty/MrsPink - 69%
8. Christopher Chance - 64%
9. ChubbyMello - 59%

I changed the percentages for some a bit to represent the quality a bit better, but no ranks were changed because of it.

If you want a more detailed evaluation, PM me or say so on this thread. If you disagree with your score, there is still a possibility of changing it a bit, but only with good arguments to support your points.

 

fuck this report marty

 

Wow @MrsPink 69%

 

HOLD UP
ARE YOU TELLING ME
rip 5th place natsu

 

NOOOOOOOO I MISSED IT, Can I submit now?

 

I'll use a piece of literature I wrote (one of the reasons I was absent from MapleRoyals):
Summary:

“Wave” is a poem from Atwood’s fourth section of her Mourning in the Burned House collection. The work is relatively short, consisting of only four small stanzas in total. The speaker of the poem, presumably Atwood, describes the deteriorating memory of her father. This is not explicitly stated in the poem, thus the “him” referred to in the work could very well have been a husband or even brother of the speaker. This is just one of many examples of ambiguity in meaning in “Wave” which contributes to the overall atmosphere of uncertainty. In the first stanza, the speaker’s grandfather is described as having a wave wash over him while he was sitting in a chair at dinner. This was the starting point of his memory loss. Atwood’s grandfather began to lose “whole beaches”, which refers to his entire memories and thoughts. The speaker then asks her father if he remembered various things but he couldn’t remember anything. In the next stanza, the speaker and her family remain to their father in broken fragments. He would suddenly ask where he was, why it was so cold, and why the speaker was so old all of a sudden. It
is clear that the speaker is hurt and frustrated by his confused words. He wanted to be brought “home” yet all the speaker could do is reassure him that he was safe and provided for here. To this her father disagrees and tells her “No. We need more wood… / The winter’s on its way. / It will be bad” (line 19-21). Once again, the ambiguity of the poet’s writing forces us to question if her father is referring to the seasons, or his own mental state. Her father is seen to have much more wisdom and insight than perhaps Atwood gives him credit for.
Commentary:

In line 5, the speaker states, “1947 / Lake Superior. / Last year”, which is an example of an
allusion. This is a reference to the 1947 shipwreck of the S.S. Emperor off the coast of Isle Royale in Lake Superior. The vessel sank within thirty minutes and killed twelve crewmembers, with the remaining survivors being rescued shortly thereafter. This allusion is significant not only because it is the only one in the entire poem, but also because it raises an aspect of ambiguity and questioning. We yearn to know the purpose of its brief mention. Was the father a survivor of the shipwreck? Could it simply be a demonstration of the unpredictability and fragility of life? The effect of this allusion on readers is that it not only helps us place the poem into a time context, but also aids in engaging us by raising the level of suspense through this ominous event.

The prominent literary features of the poem “Wave” contribute to a nostalgic and ambiguous atmosphere, and this mood comes forth to represent the internal struggle of the speaker. Some examples of these devices would be diction, juxtaposition, and syntax. In the first stanza, an extended metaphor is present that compares the natural processes of ocean life to the mental deterioration of her father: “He was sitting in a chair at dinner / and a wave washed over him. / Suddenly, whole beaches / were simply gone” (lines 1-4). It is not likely that an actual wave washed into their house and swept over their father, but the imagery in this line is powerful. Here, the “wave” symbolizes forgetfulness or a decline in mental ability. The first examples that came to my mind were types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Likewise, the “whole beaches” that were swept away represent the disappearance of his entire memories and thoughts. This vivid imagery and extended metaphor act as a hook to the reader’s attention, especially since it is placed as the very first line of the poem without any further context or introduction. In addition, the description serves as a lifeline for readers not familiar with mental deterioration, as the imagery renders the material more understandable.
Diction also plays a major role in establishing the uncertain and longing mood of the poem. For example in the second stanza, the speaker asks her father, “But the cabin, I said, that one / the one with the owl— / don’t you remember? / Nothing was left. No feathers” (lines 6-9). This line is an example of purposeful diction and symbolism. Atwood could have chosen any bird or other form of wildlife in an attempt to make the father remember the cabin, yet she specifically chooses an owl. This is significant because an owl symbolizes wisdom and knowledge, but the speaker’s father couldn’t remember it. Even the “feathers” which form only the exterior of the bird were gone and this demonstrates the severity of her dad’s mental state. Thus readers are given insight on the speaker’s view of her deteriorating father, as she sees him as stripped of his wisdom. Readers are also able to emphasize with her situation, as her pain, longing, and frustration is brought to life in these four lines.

The suspense is further heightened in the third stanza, with the father confusedly asking the speaker, “Why are you so old… / Where is this forest? / Why am I so cold?” (lines 11-13). These rhetorical questions are unsettling because they reveal a helpless and frightened side to the speaker’s father. This indirect characterization allows readers to emphasize with both the speaker as well as the father himself. We can place ourselves in the frustrated shoes of the former because we realize the severity of her father’s memory loss; we can feel the powerlessness and fear in the questions of the latter. The overall effect of this indirect characterization is that readers feel implicated in the lives of the characters in the poem. Thus the third stanza can be seen as Atwood’s appeal to the readers’ sense of pathos as we witness an intimate and emotional experience between father and daughter. Conversely, the next stanza presents an alleviation of tension and suspense: “Outside, the neighbour mowed the lawn…There are no bears. / There’s food. / It isn’t snowing” (lines 15-18). This passage is comforting
and simplistic, compared to the charged questions in the previous stanza. The direct juxtaposition of these passages allows the tension to be built up again in the last stanza by Atwood. More importantly, it presents one interpretation of life. The effect of varying the levels of suspense on readers is that they feel unsettled with juxtaposition of the positive and negative dynamics of life. This in turn helps to maintain the attention of the reader.

The last aspect that contributes to an uncertain and nostalgic atmosphere is the ambiguous syntax of the poem. This goes back to the idea of conventional vs. personal interpretations and explicit vs. implicit meaning. For example, double meaning can be seen after her father asks various rhetorical questions: “Why are you so old, he asked me / all of a sudden? / Where is this forest? / Why am I so cold? / Please take me home” (lines 10-15). From a conventional interpretation, the last line is pleaded by the forgetful father. Yet Atwood does not explicitly portray this. Instead, the line “Please take me home” can be seen as being said by the speaker herself. She is yearning to turn back time in order to return to a sense of comfort, love and safety from her father. She is not happy to see him like this, as no child would like to become the “parent” of their deteriorating guardian. Another instance of ambiguous syntax occurs at the end of the poem: “We need more wood, he said. / The winter’s on its way. / It will be bad.” (lines 19-21). Again, the syntax is ambiguous with the last line. Atwood could have chosen to use commas to show they were all uttered by the father, yet she assigns each with their own separate spacing. The line “It will be bad” can be seen as the speaker foreshadowing what is to become of the state of her father. She is accepting that it will only be downhill afterwards.

In stanza four, the speaker reassures her father: “It’s all right here” (line 16). There is a dual interpretation of the line, depending on which word the emphasis is placed. The speaker is reassuring him that everything he would physically need is here. Yet she could also be indicating that it’s going to be okay, here with her. Finally, the title of the poem, “Wave” also takes on two senses. The title could be a continuation of the extended metaphor for her father’s mental deterioration, and it also could indicate a goodbye wave. This in itself reveals the speaker’s internal conflict between questioning and attempting to change his state of mind, and retreating to ensure his comfort in his last days. She undergoes character development to a dynamic character as she stops pushing his memory and instead, resorts to providing for his needs. This character development and internal conflict produce an emotional effect on the reader because we see the pain the speaker is going through in accepting the withdrawal of her father. These various literary feature of the poem contribute to a nostalgic and uncertain atmosphere, which relates directly to the emotions of the speaker at the time.

 

I'm sorry. I can't just ignore the deadline.