The New World: Blue Moon Generatoin
Page 1
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or places is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2016 by Andy Skrzynski. All rights reserved.
For information, query thorwriter7@gmail.com
First Edition, October 2016
Cover Design by Fiona Jayde Media, http://fionajaydemedia.com/
Contents
CHAPTER 1: Again, It Begins
CHAPTER 2: From the Depths of the Lake of Dreams
CHAPTER 3: Splintered Destruction
CHAPTER 4: Cat Eyes
CHAPTER 5: Power Play
CHAPTER 6: The Old Man
CHAPTER 7: Prick of Death
CHAPTER 8: Hell's Vortex
CHAPTER 9: The Wiggler's Dance
CHAPTER 10: From Venus with Malice
CHAPTER 11: Scavengers
CHAPTER 12: Crabby Earth Dweller
CHAPTER 13: Water Crawler
CHAPTER 14: Sky Shadow
CHAPTER 15: Watch Out Below!
CHAPTER 16: This is an Emergency!
CHAPTER 17: Grizzle Fizzle
CHAPTER 18: Evil's Hotbed
CHAPTER 19: Stirrings within the Dark Cave
CHAPTER 20: Two Heads are Better than One
CHAPTER 21: Avian Slasher
CHAPTER 22: Tree Ghosts
CHAPTER 23: Snapper's Slingshot
CHAPTER 24: Bloodsucker's Sting
CHAPTER 25: Absent Minded
CHAPTER 26: Reapers
CHAPTER 27: Bitter Taste of Family
CHAPTER 28: Serpent among the Ivory Swords
CHAPTER 29: Defenders from Afar
CHAPTER 30: Something New, Something Blue
CHAPTER 31: Brain Train
CHAPTER 32: Rattling Sabres
CHAPTER 33: Warning in the Night
CHAPTER 34: Battle Stations
CHAPTER 35: Blackened Skies
CHAPTER 36: Clouds of Terror
CHAPTER 37: Tremors of the Devil
CHAPTER 38: Crazed Warrior
CHAPTER 39: Inside Out
CHAPTER 40: Broken Hearts
CHAPTER 41: Death's Toll
CHAPTER 42: The Judge
CHAPTER 43: The Protector
CHAPTER 44: Field of Blood
Acknowledgements
First Book of the Series, The New World: A Step Backward
Reach Out to the Author
Dedication
In addition to my caring family who has meant so much to me throughout the past 30 years, I dedicate this sequel to our newest member, Sydney (Hoot). Bonnie and I have been blessed with our first grandchild and are thrilled for Colleen and Justin as they begin their journey with their beautiful daughter.
I also dedicate this book to three wonderful people, Arlene Borgsteadt, Donna Taylor, and Paul Davault, who've joined all of my great friends in heaven. I'm happy knowing that your souls are in a better place — close to God.
CHAPTER ONE
Again, It Begins
October 3, 2075
From atop a protective wall, Thoruk, the leader of Ukkiville, tracked the arc of his arrow as it sliced through the air. Descending rapidly, the razor-sharp missile struck his nemesis on the battlefield.
Zolokt stumbled as he clenched the shaft protruding from his chest. He wobbled for a moment and fell backward, writhing in pain.
Without hesitation, Thoruk positioned another arrow against the bow and drew back on the string.
His friend, Stormulka, calmly grabbed the shaft and motioned in Zolokt's direction.
Two cloned mutants with sleek, black horse bodies and massive lion heads galloped toward the stricken Skalag ruler.
Stormulka peered into Thoruk's eyes. "Let his own monsters take care of him."
While Zolokt flailed on the ground, one of the unearthly predators reared then crashed its front hooves onto his abdomen. Gasping, the wounded clan leader shrieked in horror.
The vicious beast stepped back and opened its huge jaws. With long, ivory teeth exposed, it blasted a thunderous roar before chomping one of Zolokt's legs.
The creature's cloned brother clamped down on the other, and the brutal animals pulled and spread his lower limbs further apart.
Squirming in agony, he howled as a sickening crunch reverberated. A chill rippled down Thoruk's spine. He watched Zolokt's hideous inventions exact a just — but tortuous — retaliation for the suffering they'd endured at the end of his whip.
Attracted by the commotion, other freakish predators cautiously stalked their tormented master. A flying mutant circled above, then swooped to Zolokt and dug its talons into his neck.
The terrified ruler's bloodcurdling scream split the air. Spooked by the noise, the lion-horses jerked back and thrashed, while keeping a firm hold on his legs.
Yanking, the ferocious beasts ripped the limbs from his torso. Grisly cracking and splintering sounds accompanied the snapping of bones, tendons, and nerves.
A glistening, crimson river of blood trailed the mutilated remains as the gruesome creatures carried them away. Unable to bear the sight even from a distance, Zolokt's daughter, Angrokt, dropped to her knees and wept.
Thoruk scanned the disgusting scene and scowled. "Zolokt got what he deserved — being silenced forever by his wicked experiments. Rot in...!"
Present Time
Tuesday ~ July 7, 2093 ~ 10:00 am
Laughter in the distance shattered Thoruk's reminiscence of the fateful battle with the Skalags, which had occurred almost 18 years earlier. Sitting under a willow near the Lake of Dreams, his watchful eyes settled on his daughter, Caruk, and her closest friends, Protivil and Foxulka.
Born within the same month of June as she, both of her cousins spent most of their daylight hours hopping to her beck and call.
Those boys are like a couple of lovesick puppies. Thoruk stroked his beard. They can't be 15 years old already, can they?
An uneasy mood settled over him as another flashback of Zolokt's death struck. Why must this haunt me? It's getting worse!
He shook his head. While his hatred had softened over such a long time, the memory of his murdered father and the death of the prior master of arms, under Zolokt's revenge-filled rule, left little room for mercy.
Relishing the serene surroundings of the lake, less than two miles outside of Ukkiville's protective wall, he appreciated the reprieve from his regular duties.
I can't believe how peaceful it's been these past few years. Can Zolokt really be dead — for good?
While the question often troubled him, he quickly dismissed it. The shredding of Zolokt by the beasts seemed so real on the battlefield. But now, he regretted not having Intellulka inspect the few remaining body parts to make sure he hadn't cloned himself.
With a cane fishing pole in his grip and twin polar bears wrestling by his side, Thoruk leaned back against the tree on a warm, humid morning. Foxulka's white Great Pyrenees mountain dog, Ghost, joined the tussle with the adolescent bears, Chili and Ice. The three were like siblings, spending much of their time together from birth.
Thoruk cupped a palm over his brow to block the reflections dancing across the water's surface. Occasionally, a fluffy cloud broke the sun's bright glare as he squinted to locate the teenagers.
A gentle breeze wafted the fragrance of honeysuckle through the air. He drew a long breath and checked out the shoreline.
Along the closest edge, he found clumps of vines, dotted with the creamy, sweet-smelling blooms. A stand of orange and black-spotted tiger lilies swayed near the sandy beach of Ukkiville's comm
unity park.
Toward the middle of the lake, enjoying themselves in an old, refurbished boat, the three kids clucked like hens. Thoruk's headstrong daughter's wavy, bronze-red hair drifted with the light wind as she directed the retrieval of rigs set out earlier to catch bass.
A Few Minutes Later
Caruk turned toward Protovil, two weeks younger than her and brawnier than most boys his age. "Proto, get us closer — more to the left."
As the rickety, white vessel neared, Caruk grabbed the floating bottle, attached to a long, weighted string and a couple of hooks spaced a foot apart.
She lifted it. No wiggle.
"Nothing on this one." She extended the dangling contraption toward her wiry cousin, Foxulka. "Here, Fox, wrap the line and put it in the rear."
"Surely." The sometimes-stubborn lad, who used every imaginable shortcut and variation of the English language, snatched the makeshift bobber.
Whipping his head to flip long, jet-black hair from his eyes, he wound the string around the old wine bottle and gently placed it behind him. "Ow! Pricked my blasted finger! Shoulda bin careful."
He smeared the blood across his faded, purple shirt; the one he'd wear every day if only his ma would let him.
Caruk motioned toward another marker. "Over there, let's get the next one."
"Caru, watchit!" With eyes the size of walnuts, Fox pointed over her shoulder at the lake. A large dorsal fin plowed through the water directly at her.
The big, trailing wake suddenly became long, narrow snapping jaws with glimmering teeth. As the aquatic beast accelerated and continued its beeline toward Caru, she yanked her hand back, narrowly escaping its razor-sharp bite.
Wicked, what was that? Her heart pounded against her chest.
Standing next to her, Proto banged the oar against the side of the boat. The deafening booms echoed through the air.
The finned creature turned, glanced at him, and dove straight down, splashing its tail before it vanished. The bottle plunged underwater.
Sucking a quick breath, Caru jerked her head to one side, then the other. "Where did it go? Keep looking! Proto, get ready to chase it!"
A booming voice shot from the distance. "Caru, what's happening?"
She spotted her father on the shore. "I don't know — something big grabbed the bait. We're going after it!"
"No, don't...!"
Ignoring her father's shout, she pointed at the huge beast bursting the water's surface. "Over there! Go!"
CHAPTER TWO
From the Depths of the Lake of Dreams
Moments Later
Tuesday ~ July 7, 2093 ~ 10:40 am
Intensely curious, Caru disregarded her father's yells in the background. She squinted, searching through the bright reflections off the Lake of Dreams. The creature erupted above the surface 50 yards to the right.
Caru leaped to her feet and pointed. "Starboard! Two o'clock! Row, Proto, now!"
She waved her arm in a circular pattern toward the destination. "Let's get that blasted thing!"
Grabbing the oars, Proto rapidly pumped the paddles, and the boat jerked forward.
Caru wobbled and fell, almost tripping over the edge.
While the monster dove again, Fox's voice rang out from the rear. "Brutish, that sucker's huge!"
The aquatic predator submerged and popped to the surface time and time again as the chase ensued. Several minutes later, it slowed to a drift, sunken and invisible in the deeper water. The trailing bottle, anchored to the mysterious being, floated to the top.
As they neared, Caru hooked the cord with the handle of her knife. She wrapped the line around a cleat, securing the marker to the bow. Hand over fist, she and Proto pulled the weighty freak of nature from the depths.
Intrigued by small, white spikes appearing from the black abyss, Caru bent closer for a better look. Enormous, menacing jaws rushed toward her.
"Watch out!" Proto yanked her back. With one swift movement, he snatched the small battle-ax from his belt and gashed the beast's neck.
It spun toward the bow and dove, jolting the craft forward as Caru clung to the sideboards for dear life. The vessel streaked across the water for several yards, suddenly veering to the right.
She and her friends flew through the air as the boat flipped over. Splashing with arms and legs churning, she and her buddies scrambled toward shore.
Thoruk dove into the lake and feverishly swam toward the children. Ghost and the twin bears followed.
Once again, the dorsal fin sliced through the water in a direct line toward the kids. Thoruk hollered. "Fox, behind you!"
The teeth of the tenacious being shimmered in the sun as its jaws opened wide. Blood streamed from its slashed neck, staining the pool around it.
Suddenly the creature thrashed in place, halted by the stout line attached to the capsized vessel. The monster vigorously wagged its powerful tail.
As the terrifying fish dragged the boat closer in its relentless advance toward the teens, Caru turned toward Fox — fear shrouded his face.
She grabbed his shoulder and pulled. "Get to shore!"
Swimming in a frenzy beside her flailing cousins, she glanced to her rear during every other stroke. That thing's going to kill us! "Keep going!"
As the predator quickly closed, a loud splash broke her concentration. She stopped and whirled in a dog paddle.
On top of the beast, her father gripped a fin in one hand and with the other stabbed the creature's gills with a bowie knife. The gigantic fish dove while Thoruk held firm.
Caru screamed. "Father!"
Her eyes searched back and forth in desperation. Where is he? Please keep him safe, Lord!
Hundreds of bubbles popped the surface, turning bloody as a crimson film spread across the ripples. Tiny whirlpools faded where the struggle once churned. Twenty seconds passed, still nothing.
Caru yelled. "Where is he?" She swam toward the location and dove, thrusting her arms backward as she kicked.
Five seconds later, an explosion of air pockets rushed past her. Muffled gasps and her father's voice filtered down from above.
Caru closed her eyes. Thank you.
As she drifted higher, something grazed her leg. She gasped and sucked in a deep breath.
Water flooded her lungs, and she choked. Desperately Caru propelled herself toward the blue light of the sky.
When she popped above the surface, a fishy-smelling spray shot from her mouth and nose. Gulping air, she hurried to Thoruk's side and hugged him tight.
Her father squeezed her. "Thank God, you're okay! I don't know what you were thinking, girl!"
He shook his head. "I'm just glad you're alive, and none of you got hurt."
Nearby, the beast broke the water's plane and bobbed with the waves — lifeless. Thoruk snatched a line from the partially-submerged boat, wrapped it around the creature, and secured it to his belt.
As tensions eased, Caru and the others slowly swam to shore. Partway there, Fox stopped and pointed at a distant tree. "Who's that?"
Twenty Minutes Later
After helping her father load the slimy, monster fish in his buckboard, Caru looked down. The bloody carcass stained her tawny deerskin shorts and top.
She sniffed her hands. "Whew, I don't know if I'll ever get rid of this stink!"
Thoruk glanced at her. "It'll come out."
He motioned with his head. "Before you get down, hide that thing with the blanket."
While covering the aquatic vertebrate, she noticed two fresh slashes on her father's side. "You're hurt."
He looked at the wound. Red streams dripped from the gashes. "I've had worse. It's nothing."
Caru had heard that perturbed tone plenty of times. She waited till her cousins started gathering the fishing gear not laying on the lake's bottom.
"Father, what's wrong? You don't seem happy."
He scratched his tightly-groomed, cinnamon-red beard. "I'm not. I'm upset with you. You took off when I said don't."
Her father waved his arm. "Not now. We'll talk at home."
Figuring she was in big trouble, Caru frowned as she hopped down. Thoruk latched the wagon's gate and pointed to the cluster of honeysuckle.
"Smear those blooms on your hands. It'll help that smell. Hurry, we need to get this creature to Inquisivil so he can check it out."
She sprinted to the honeysuckle, rubbed her palms vigorously with the fragrant flowers, and then climbed into the seat beside her father. The two boys sat on the oak planks in the rear next to the prize catch.
A persistent bang sounded from behind Caru. She turned and spotted one of Proto's feet, bare of any footwear and pounding on the floorboards.
He must have lost a moccasin during our rush. The dangling threads from his denim cutoffs and green, sleeveless shirt dripped in a puddle where he sat.
Thoruk snapped the reins. "Get going, Cocoa."
As soon as the mare jerked forward, Fox yelled. "Keep this bucket rollin'! This thing reeks — it's wicked!"
Partway up the road and eager for any distraction to take her father's mind off her poor discretion, Caru twisted toward Proto. "Was that you making the monster dive the first time it came at me?"
"Yeah, that's why I pounded on the boat. I needed to get its attention to encourage it to dive. I let it know there was better food below. It responded by taking off after the bait, instead of you."
She reached and gently grabbed his arm. "Thanks. You're getting better with your powers."
"A little bit. Mom's been helping me improve."
Thoruk glanced toward Proto. "That's good! She's the best when it comes to talking with creatures."
Fox smirked and wiggled his head. "Aw, if Animal Whisperer hadn't stopped that thing, I woulda."
Caru smiled at him. "I'm sure of it."
Shortly Afterward
Further up the trail, Thoruk's mind replayed the skirmish with the mysterious fish. That thing must be a muclone. Somebody could have been hurt.
He rubbed his chin. It made no sense; he was sure Zolokt was dead.