Post your short stories!

>>9234985
>“Strange that a man so young should desire age beyond measure. I am quite old, you see. This body aches and the cold of winter brings indescribable pain to my bones. Yet I am immortal, so I can never die.”
>“Surely the one who gives eternal life may take it away!”
>“Alas, I have no such power. But tell me, why do you seek life eternal?”
>“That is simple! One lifetime is simply not long enough to accomplish all that I desire! Why, it took me nearly six months just to get to this temple! Other fools waste their lives on base impulses and indulgent vices, and before they know it, there is no life left to waste! So I ask you, great Master, what must I do to receive your gift?”
>“You need not do anything! I will give you what you seek if you only ask. But know this! Many like you have come here, seeking life eternal. But only five have received it!”
>“Why? Have you not declared the gift free to those who desire it?”
>“Of course. But when the time comes to take it, most have chosen to return home and live out their mortal lives instead.”
>“Then all but five men were cowards! I know the consequences of such a gift, and I am ready to bear them.”
>“Is that so?” The Master nodded humbly. “Then bear them you shall. Touch this pearl of blue around my neck, and the gift is yours.”
>Without hesitation, the man reached out and claimed his prize. At his touch, the blue pearl changed to a deep orange. The man fell unconscious. When he awoke, he felt a terrible ache in his gut. The cold mountain winter seeped into his bones. When he moved his tongue, he found that he had no teeth. When he touched his hands, he felt wrinkly, dry skin. He could feel a necklace of pearls weighing on his brittle neck. But worst of all, he could not see!”

>>9234989
>“Master, what have you done?! My body aches and I cannot open my eyes!”
>The Master chuckled in a familiar voice. “I assure you, your eyes are quite open. Unfortunately, blindness is not uncommon in old age.”
>“Master, how do you speak in my voice?!” The man was frightened but he could hardly move in his aged state.
>“I have done no such thing, for this voice is now my own, as is this body.”
>“But you promised me immortality! Life beyond measure!”
>“And I have given it to you. As I promised, you will never die!”
>“But this aching body is too much to bear! How will I accomplish everything I dreamed?”
The Master reached down and took the necklace of six orange pearls, and placed it around the neck of his new, youthful body. “That is not my concern. You were a young man with all the time in the world, yet you spent that time in the pursuit of more time. You called others foolish for following their hearts and living their lives pleasurably. You called the men cowards who refused my gift. Now you have a life eternal, devoid of such pleasure. Is this not what you sought, brave traveler?”
>“But you yourself bemoaned the curses of immortality! Why do you inflict it upon others?”
>“Arrogant though you may be, I feel no pleasure in your suffering. You see, when I killed the Master long ago, he cursed me with life unending, lest six youthful souls declare me forgiven by willingly taking my place. Now that I have filled up each of the six blue pearls with six orange glows of youth, I may live out my days in this final body, and at last, die in peace!”
>“Then you are not the Master, but the Demon! Tell me, what happened to the other five whom you have cursed with such pain?”
>“They went back down the mountain, and they live to this day. This I promise is the truth.”
>“Please, Demon! I have made a mistake! I wish to be mortal again!”
>“Alas, I have no such power.” The Demon grabbed the ancient man before him, dragged him outside, and threw him down the mountainside. The sounds of muffled screams and shattering bones echoed for miles, heard by no one.

There once was a man named Larry.

>>9234996
Needs work.