I’m combining two flash fiction challenges this week.

The first is courtesy of Carrot Ranch: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a wise story. It can be about wisdom, expressing wisdom or advice for turning 50! It can be a wise-cracking story, too. Go where wisdom leads you.

The other comes from Chuck Wendig, where we were to pick two items from two lists and write an X vs Y story. I randomly chose mine, but I’m not going to tell you what they are until after the story because that will ruin the ending. It’s a pretty kickass combo though.

Here goes!

The Battle

The apprentice watches as I light the incense. “How can you stay so calm?”

“Trouble will always find us, so why worry?” Wafting the smoke, I channel the spirits to help. “This battle is not a new one.”

“I think it is,” he says. “We’ve never fought anything like this.”

“Of course we have.” Picking up the lantern, I head outside. “And we will do what we always do. Pray. Fast. And fight if needed.”

An echoing roar reaches us. Our gaze follows the beast sailing through the sky.

“I don’t think fasting will help this time,” he says.

The battle was Monks vs. Dragons.

Told you it was kickass.