A Child of Two Worlds
Page 32
She tasted only the bitter ashes of soul-crushing sorrow.
The clouds disappeared. The sun kissed her softly.
She felt only the still form of her love.
The plains returned to life.
Her world ended.
Terra’s scream rent the air with its pain. Rain fell from a cloudless sky as the world cried with her.
Epilogue - The Beginning
The rain fell in a fine mist over the crowd of people. They stood before a wooden stage that had been erected where the center of the Arcane City had stood. A crystalline statue of a man pointing to the east with a sword stood behind the woman, panther, and Dwarf on the platform.
“My husband,” Terra said to the crowd, “was not from this world. He came here ignorant of our peoples and customs. He came here not knowing who I was or why he was here. He came here to help us win back our freedom. And today, we are free because of him.”
Her eyes scanned the front of the crowd. All of the leaders of the races of Dae stood in the front. They all looked at her, their faces mixtures of sadness and pensive thought.
“Our victory has come at a very dear price. We have all lost friends and loved ones. But we must continue to move forward.” She beckoned to the statue behind her. “This statue is to serve as a reminder of all who fell defending our world, friends and strangers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, fathers and mothers.” Terra paused for a moment before continuing. “Husbands and wives. The Guardian looks to the rising sun to remind us that each day we must strive for what is right. That each day the sun rises, it rises over one people. As of now, I am recreating the Council of the Arcane City, but it will be renamed. It will, from this point on, be called the Council of the Free People of Dae.
“It is the charge of the Guardian to restore balance not to only one Realm, but to them all,” she continued. “Our allies in Caine and Bara are still under siege. Azreal may have led the armies of Hell against us, but his is not the only head on this snake. In his death, the ones Alex saved are left to carry out his charge. I call the council to a public vote,” Terra said, her voice carrying out over the crowd.
The people in the crowd nodded. She had already told the leaders what she planned. “We will use this time of hard won peace to heal our wounds, gather our forces, and go to the other Realms and free them of the blight that has beset them. All in favor,” she raised her hand. Six hands immediately shot into the air with hers. “It is unanimous. Go and spread the word. The Battle for Dae is won; the war for all life begins.”
The crowds dispersed, and one by one the remaining leaders of the races of Dae bade her farewell. Once they were alone, Terra, Caitlyn, and Brahm turned to face the statue. The Nexus had made it a perfect likeness of Alex, down to the finest detail. Each stood in quiet contemplation.
I’ll miss ye, me friend, Brahm thought. When the tower began to vanish, I knew ye’d done yer duty. Ye saved me life. I’ll do me best to take care of yer family fer ye.
Tears ran down Caitlyn’s cheeks. I was never able to tell you the truth, Alex. I wish I hadn’t been such a coward about it. I’ll try to lead like you did, but… You saved me, and I let you die…
Terra wore the Guardian’s Blade on her back. She had not told anyone the truth about Alex’s birth, and none had questioned the lack of a body. Like every being of demonic heritage, her husband’s body had faded away after he died, leaving only his sword and armor behind. But it was as if he was still there with her. His possessions were the only thing she to remember him by. She placed a hand on her stomach.
It’s only been two weeks since you saved us. I can’t sleep. Every time I close my eyes, you are there. I reach out to touch you, but you are always just out of reach. I woke up in the middle of the night a few days ago to tell you I had an idea for our daughter’s name. When I turned over, you weren’t there. I thought we could name her Jessica. Jessica Zane is a good name, right?
I miss you so much it hurts. There is a hole in my chest where my heart used to be. I wish there was some way I could see you again, my husband.
I love you, Alex.
Goodbye.
Continued in The Libram of Fate:
Book Two of the Nine Realms Series
Prologue of
The Libram of Fate
Book Two of the Nine Realms Series
Prologue - The Penning
“You are sure this is the wisest course of action, Keeper?” Aurius asked, his wings in a protective shroud.
The Keeper of Fate looked at his brother. Aurius had been raised to the Seat of Honor for less than a millennium, the span of a breath to the Keeper, and this was the younger angel’s first Penning. “I have seen eons come and go, stars born, burn, and die, and stared into the heart of the Void. I am sure,” the ancient angel said, his powerful voice resonating in the Chamber of the High Seats.
The final page of the Libram of Fate stood open before the Angelic Council. He had little choice in what to include or leave out. This was his ninety-ninth Penning, but it was the first time he was personally involved by the text. Holding his sleeve back, he dipped the quill into the inkwell.
“But,” Emiriel, the Seat of Justice, protested, “she will be your daughter.”
The Keeper removed the quill from the inkwell, lest it become over-laden with ink, and set it in its holder with delicate care. He looked about the High Seats, taking stock of all assembled. All the Seats were occupied, save his, and the Seat of Hope.
This was the first Penning with an empty seat since The Dawn. Some had protested moving forward, but the tenets were explicit. Every hundred million years a new Libram must be Penned, and the Keeper of Fate was merely a conduit for its truth. It was the Keeper’s task to be the interpreter of the omens, inscriber of its pages, and enforcer of its words.
“I am aware,” the Keeper said. “There is no other conclusion to this Libram of Fate. All of the signs have pointed to this end. I do not understand why you all protest.”
Ymirion, the Seat of Truth, stood. “You have never had children, Keeper. You do not understand the pain you will cause yourself.”
The Keeper nodded and clasped his hands behind his back. “Of that, I am also aware. Concern yourselves for me not. If your apprehension stems from worry, then do not fear. I would not allow a child to stand in the way of duty. This must be done. My daughter’s death will be the catalyst that pushes him to the pinnacle he must reach before the end.”
“Very well,” Ureon, the Seat of Faith said. “Finish the Penning, Keeper. And may this Guardian forgive what you have done.”
The Keeper lifted the quill and brought it to the final page of the Libram of Fate.
On the day of Magic’s triumph, the Nexus shall fall and a wrathful Guardian rise in her place to lead the Nine to balance.
Acknowledgments
There are so many people I would like to thank for making this book possible, but to include them all and what they’ve done for me would be a book itself.
First, I would like to thank the Academ…
Oh, wrong speech, one sec… Here we go.
I think, that when it comes to thanking people, you should always start at the beginning, and there are a few people that helped set me down the writer’s road earlier than anyone else. They are my supporting family, teachers, and friends. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without their selfless help making me who I am.
There is, however, one person that did more for me when it comes to helping me put pen to page and face to keyboard (that’s what it feels like some days). She is a steadfast writer, great friend, and most importantly grandmother. Anyway, with no further ado, Lottie Brent Boggan, without you, I would have likely given up this mad pursuit of putting my thoughts to the page long ago, and I can never thank you enough for pushing me with the gentle ferocity that you have.
Next, even though she has the dedication, my wife helped me out tremendously with this undertaking, providing innumerable hours of test r
eading and editing. She’s awesome, and I don’t tell her that nearly enough.
Third, all of the Coasties of Cutter Mellon (I told you guys you’d get a shout-out.) who helped me with troubleshooting some of the jagged areas. Rodney, for the immense help with the planning, world-building, and fantastic feedback you gave me; Jeff, for the fantastic sketch of Caitlyn; J-rod, Anna, Rachel, Theresa, and everyone else for all the tips you each gave me. There are far too many of you to name all here, which speaks volumes to the giving nature of my shipmates.
And D, everyone at TheNextBigWriter.com, especially Aunt Janet Taylor-Perry, E. M. Havens, and Andreas Wiesemann. Each of you gave me excellent feedback and really helped develop my writing style.
About the Author
Mark Cole is an Operations Specialist in the United States Coast Guard and is currently stationed in Mobile, Alabama. He lives there with his wife and two daughters.
If you have any questions, comments, or just want to tell Mark how much you loved his story (Aren’t you so sweet), feel free to contact him at mcthew@outlook.com or www.facebook.com/mcthew.