Strange. Beautiful. Shocking. Surreal. APEX MAGAZINE is a digital dark science fiction and fantasy genre zine that features award-winning short fiction, essays, and interviews. Established in 2009, our fiction has won several Hugo and Nebula Awards. We publish every other month. Issue 125 contains the following: EDITORIAL Editorial by Jason Sizemore Words from the Honorary Special Editor by Jeffery Reynolds ORIGINAL FICTION COTTONMOUTH by Joelle Wellington Next to Cleanliness by Rose Keating Discontinuity by Jared Millet Candyland by Maggie Slater Gift for the Cutter Man by D. Thomas Minton Wake Up, I Miss You by Rachel Swirsky CLASSIC FICTION Deep Night by Tenea D. Johnson The Ever-Dreaming Verdict of Plagues by Jason Sanford The Rat by Yohanca Delgado INTERVIEWS Interview with Author Joelle Wellington by Andrea Johnson Interview with Author Rose Keating by Andrea Johnson Interview with Cover Artist Marcela Bolívar by Russell Dickerson NONFICTION Alone? Or, How a Survivalist Reality TV Show Defangs Publishing's Narrow Definition of Agency by Maria Dong Flesh Eggs by Ken MacGregor REVIEWS Review of Grave Reservations by Cherie Priest Review of Malefactor by Robert Repino Words for Thought: Short Fiction Reviews by A.C. Wise

Before the Dawn Cataclysm, Moander the Darkbringer corrupted Tyche, Goddess of Luck. In a desperate attempt to preserve Tyche's goodness, the gods clove her in twain, creating two daughter goddesses: Tymora, Lady Luck; and Beshaba, Lady Doom. In the eons since then, the two sisters have existed in total enmity. Now a great power has hatched a mad scheme to re-create the goddess Tyche by reuniting Tymora and Beshaba, regardless of the potentially calamitous consequences. In a decision fraught with godly intrigue, Joel, the Rebel Bard, priest of Finder, is chosen to uncover whoever is behind the abduction of the sister goddesses. Aided by his old allies, Holly Harrowslough and Jas, and his new friend, the kender Emilo Haversack, Joel must find a way to prevent the merger of Tymora and Beshaba before disaster overtakes the luckless Realms. The Forgotten Realms meet Dragonlance meet Planescape in a heart-stoppin gadventure that spans three worlds.

Battle the forces of darkness in the Forgotten Realms® Two angels given mortal flesh are sent to guard two star-crossed lovers, born scions of rival merchant houses. At first, it looks as though love will conquer all, and the rift will finally be mended. But there are those who hate the word peace with a passion so much that it poisons everything they touch, corrupting house to turn against house, mother to turn against child, and angel to turn against angel. Dawnbringer is the perfect meld between classic and contemporary fantasy, with shades of Romeo and Juliet, told from the perspective of guardian angels, in a world where sorcery and monsters are commonplace.

An official guide to the most iconic legends and legendary creatures from the world of Magic: The Gathering The world of Magic: The Gathering is home to many fantastical characters and creatures, but perhaps none so intriguing as its legends. Legendary dragons, demons, angels, goblins, vampires, merfolk, wizards, and more roam the multiverse. These characters harken back to Magic’s early history, having been introduced in one of the first Magic card sets (1994’s Legends); new legends continue to tell epic stories in lore and on the battlefield through the present day. Magic: The Gathering: Legends showcases high-quality reproductions of the legendary card art from across the game's history—in many instances for the first time outside of the card frame—along with accompanying histories written by Jay Annelli. This collection also offers exclusive insight into the art and mythology behind some of Magic: The Gathering’s most powerful, popular, and enduring legends, including Niv-Mizzet, Emmara Tandris, Marit Lage, Sisay, Atraxa, the Eldrazi titans, Edgar Markov, Queen Marchesa, Zurgo, Pia Nalaar, Zacama, King Algenus Kenrith, Snapdax, and many, many more.

Vindeon is a brand-new fantasy role-playing game focusing heavily on immersive acting and fast action rules, enabling players to get the most out of their game sessions. The Setting The world is not healed. The elves, dwarves and humans have just begun to recover and rebuild after the devastation wrought by conflict and change. But not all. Some realms fell in the chaos, and now lies in ruins or serve even darker purposes. In this time of instability, you are trying to find your place in the world. There is no telling what fate Vindeon has in store for you or your companions. No telling how small or grand adventure looming just beyond the horizon or behind the next bend of the forest trail. Player - Character You play a character in a darkening, torn world, who embarks on an adventure or campaign, forging your destiny along the way or die trying. The world is unforgiving an often brutal, but it is not yet bereft of love and joy. There will always be hope. Embark on these undertakings as one of the three playable races: humans, dwarves and elves, choose from nine unique human, dwarven or elven cultures and their culture-specific professions, to customize your character to fit your preferred play-style and acting. Or go rogue and create a profession of your own. Fate is in your hands! Welcome to Vindeon

Fate can be cruel. Left devastated by the attack, Erica is thrown ever deeper into the shadows of Limbo society. And she is in danger. Someone is hunting GateKeepers like her, hunting and killing them. But why? And then there's her family past - the one her mother's kept hidden all her life. The one that impacts not only Erica's future but Guy's too. Are they ready to face their Fate? Though, these are the least of her problems. The army of Lost Souls, led by their mysterious commander, is preparing to strike... Soul Dominion is an epic urban fantasy with Time travel, mystery, found family and love. Perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare's Shadowhunter books and Annette Marie's The Guild Codex! This series is for you if you love: *mysteries galore with twists and turns... *a wide array of supernaturals from vampires to kitsune, Chinese painted skin demons to angels, shifters and more! *Time travel shenanigans *snarky Faeries, sassy best friends, and found family fun *British humour and sarcasm *love triangles with slow-burn romantic tension *Global destinations with East Asian influences *Diverse characters with LGBTQ+ representation This is the second part of a trilogy - one story over three books - and not a standalone book. This is the second part of a trilogy - one story over three books - and not a standalone book.

As the writing competition comes to its conclusion, Ashe must turn the page and forge ahead, regardless of the outcome. However, the next chapter in her life proves to be a difficult one a