I vote for /u/shetellsweetales for "White".

Runner up: /u/Fordregha for "Stars of Fire".

Honorable mention: /u/madlabs67 for "Arbora".

Character > Prose > Setting > Story

That's the ranking scale that fell out of these after reading them a few times. What I mean to say here is that everyone had an engaging story, most had a well elaborated setting, many had well executed prose, and some had characters that stuck with me. A good character to me is like technology so advanced it seems magical; how people craft them is a mystery.

I couldn't tell you why Marion and Kovar are good characters, but they are, so "White" got my vote. I had a Stephen Kingish vibe through the whole thing, almost Dark Tower-y, and I mean that in the good way. When I finished this one the first time I thought, "This had better win" and my opinion didn't change after a few re-reads. Well done /u/shetellsweetales.

"Stars of Fire" felt a bit weaker on characterization but in this case the sheer story makes up for it. I was reminded a little of Mote in God's eye - a book that I've started and finished in one sitting multiple times because I just have to see what happens next even if it is four in the morning and I already know. I can see it developing into a novel on my bookshelf with a well worn spine.

"Arbora" was tough to not vote for, again due to the strange magic of a real character rendered well in a strange but engaging setting. In the end I just didn't feel as hooked by the conflict as I did with the others. But it was a close thing.

Well done to everyone who entered the contest! It's been great fun reading all of these.