Arenas of the Future
These short stories drop the reader directly into the action, whether on a playing field or in a distant galaxy, only to pause before the final whistle blows or the mission concludes. As unfinished tales, they prioritize the setup and the conflict, eschewing the traditional ending to emphasize the infinite possibilities of the narrative path. They are snapshots of tension and character development, frozen in time.
This project functions as an experimental program dedicated to exploring the fusion of human creativity with applied artificial intelligence research. It examines how digital tools can act as partners in the writing process, facilitating new approaches to storytelling and scriptwriting while fostering advanced digital literacy skills.
The genres represented here showcase a dynamic range, moving from the physical stakes of Sports Fiction to the speculative horizons of Sci-Fi. The collection also delves into the deceptive world of Espionage / Spy Fiction, the growth inherent in Coming-of-Age tales, and the critical lens of Satire. Authors Jamie F. Bell, Leaf Richards, and Tony Eetak have collaborated to produce these varied and engaging fragments.
We invite you to step into these incomplete worlds and take the helm. Read through the setup and let your imagination drive the conclusion, turning these unfinished fragments into complete stories within your own mind.
Today’s Unfinished Tales and Short Stories
Discover a vibrant mix of short stories that range from the competitive spirit of Sports Fiction and LitRPG to the imaginative realms of Sci-Fi and High Fantasy. This selection seamlessly blends the intrigue of Espionage and Spy Fiction with the humor of Satire and Comedy, while also touching upon unique niches like Boys Love (BL) and Noir. As we navigate the changing tides of publishing, our project focuses on the intersection of digital literacy and creative technology. By utilizing AI-assisted narrative tools, we are redefining how Coming-of-Age and genre-bending stories are crafted for the digital age.
The Puck’s Lament
Author: Jamie F. Bell | Category: Comedy | Genre: Sports Fiction
The oppressive summer heat hung heavy in the stale air of the old university theatre. Dust motes danced in the single shaft of sunlight that pierced a grimy window high above, illuminating the peeling paint on the walls and the worn crimson velvet of the empty seats. On the bare stage, two young actors, Jeff and Laura, were locked in a silent struggle against the sheer, unadulterated badness of a script called ‘Slap Shot Dreams’. Their director, Coach Reese, a man whose passion for ‘the craft’ bordered on manic, watched from the front row, his knee bouncing a steady, unsettling rhythm against the armrest.
The Icy Breach on Cephestus-7
Author: Leaf Richards | Category: Boys Love (BL) | Genre: Sci-Fi
The low hum of Frostfall Ridge Station had become a high-pitched whine, a frantic, losing battle against the encroaching cold. Lights flickered with a weary reluctance, casting long, dancing shadows across the cramped corridors, making the already strained faces of the crew appear gaunt and spectral. Outside, the blizzard was a living, snarling beast, a ceaseless roar against the thin durasteel hull, threatening to tear the very foundations of their precarious existence from the frozen rock of Cephestus-7.
Frozen Assets
Author: Jamie F. Bell | Category: LitRPG / GameLit | Genre: Espionage / Spy Fiction
A wind-swept intersection in downtown Winnipeg where the temperature has dropped to dangerous lows, forcing the city’s inhabitants into the underground walkways.
The Cairn’s Silent Witness
Author: Leaf Richards | Category: High Fantasy | Genre: Coming-of-Age
The boreal forest pressed in, a dense wall of spruce and pine, its summer heat thick and humid, smelling of damp earth and resin. Underfoot, the moss-cushioned ground gave way to sharp, hidden roots. Andie clutched the rough leather map, her knuckles white. Rex moved ahead, a silent shadow among the trees, his eyes scanning for movement. Saol, ever observant, checked their back trail, the rustle of leaves amplified by their frantic pace.
The Algorithm’s Embrace
Author: Tony Eetak | Category: Noir | Genre: Satire
The air in the ‘Communal Connection Centre’ felt thick, cloying with the manufactured scent of spring blossoms and stale desperation. Fluorescent lights hummed a low, persistent whine above the cubicles, casting an unnatural glow on the pastel walls. Through a gap in the blinds, Harry could see the unnaturally green leaves of a young tree, swaying with an almost mechanical precision against a sky the colour of bruised plums.
About the Project
By design, these stories have no beginning and no end. Many stories are fictional, but many others are not. They are snapshots from worlds that never fully exist, inviting you to imagine what comes before and what happens next. We had fun exploring this project, and hope you will too.
The Unfinished Tales and Short Stories collection is part of an experimental, creative arts and research program by The Arts Incubator Winnipeg and the Art Borups Corners collectives. Each chapter is an interdisciplinary arts and narrative storytelling experiment focused on two key areas: AI-Assisted Scriptwriting, where researchers explore using AI to generate story ideas, plot structures, and alternative story arcs to enhance creative development; and Talent Development and Training, where the project studies the necessary skills for creative professionals to manage AI and immersive technologies in production, helping to inform future training curricula. The project was made possible with funding and support from the Ontario Arts Council Multi and Inter-Arts Projects program and the Government of Ontario. We thank them for supporting the arts, digital transformation research and innovation in Ontario.
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