The Beast Within

MermaidAriel13

Reads 215
Votes 40
Parts 4
Time 26m

Start reading

Reads 215
Votes 40
Parts 4
Time 26m

MermaidAriel13

Mature

A young alchemist surrenders himself to the Goblin King to save his sister, but quickly learns he has given up more than his skills and body.
    
    ***
    
    After twins Jakob and Annika kill their abusers and flee their home, they get captured by a creature from ancient, dark lore - the Goblin King, a cannibal-trickster with a fondness of riddles and gold. If they can't answer or the answer given is wrong, he takes a piece of their bodies for his meal, thus killing them slowly and in anguish. 
    Jakob, an alchemist in training and book-lover, holds the Goblin King off in his own game, but Annika isn't so lucky. When Jacob proposes to buy their freedom, their captor isn't swayed, as his hunger for human flesh is greater. In a last, desperate attempt to save Annika, Jakob eventually surrenders himself. 
    But the cost for his sister's freedom is greater than expected, and Jakob must ensure he doesn't lose himself to not only the beast who holds him, but to the one within.
    
    This story is a Faustian retelling of Hansel & Gretel, Rumplestiltskin, and Beauty & the Beast.
    
    ***
    IMPORTANT; please read the author's note for all trigger warnings. Advised for mature audiences only.
    
    Written for The Shortys 2024, hosted by @ShortStory and @PoetryAll Rights Reserved

Table of contents

A young alchemist surrenders himself to the Goblin King to save his sister, but quickly learns he has given up more than his skills and body.
    
    ***
    
    After twins Jakob and Annika kill their abusers and flee their home, they get captured by a creature from ancient, dark lore - the Goblin King, a cannibal-trickster with a fondness of riddles and gold. If they can't answer or the answer given is wrong, he takes a piece of their bodies for his meal, thus killing them slowly and in anguish. 
    Jakob, an alchemist in training and book-lover, holds the Goblin King off in his own game, but Annika isn't so lucky. When Jacob proposes to buy their freedom, their captor isn't swayed, as his hunger for human flesh is greater. In a last, desperate attempt to save Annika, Jakob eventually surrenders himself. 
    But the cost for his sister's freedom is greater than expected, and Jakob must ensure he doesn't lose himself to not only the beast who holds him, but to the one within.
    
    This story is a Faustian retelling of Hansel & Gretel, Rumplestiltskin, and Beauty & the Beast.
    
    ***
    IMPORTANT; please read the author's note for all trigger warnings. Advised for mature audiences only.
    
    Written for The Shortys 2024, hosted by @ShortStory and @Poetry

4 parts