Emerge: The Scholar: A Fully Illustrated Character Journal

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by Melissa A. Craven




  Table of Contents

  Emerge: The Scholar

  Praise For The Emerge Series

  What Reviewers Are Saying About Emerge

  Copyright

  Also by Melissa A. Craven

  DEDICATION

  Emerge Family Tree

  The Ouroboros

  Winter 1164:

  The Old Generation:

  Greggory Tristan McBrien

  Naeemah El Sadawii

  Daniel Loukas

  Emma Renard

  Jin Jing Long

  Ming Lao Long

  Liam McBrien

  Aidan (Aide) McBrien I

  Hélène Renard

  Greyson Hauser

  Imogen El Sadawii

  Lucien Daniels

  Seamas McBrien

  George Uruk

  Scott (Fitzie) McBrien

  The New Generation:

  Darius McBrien

  Naomi Hauser

  Quinnton Greggory Loukas

  Sasha Louise El Sadawii

  Aidan

  Aidan Loukas McBrien II

  Allie

  Alexis Ann Marie Carmichael

  Graham Xavier Loukas

  Chloe Lu Long

  The Mortals:

  Carson Carmichael

  Lily Carmichael

  Vince

  McKayla (Kayla) Pierce

  The Enemy:

  Livia

  The Ancients:

  Navid

  Nadira El Sadawii (Hatshepsut)

  Sayid El Sadawii (Senmut)

  Kassandre

  Ashar

  The Last Queen of Indriell

  Alexander: The Scholar

  Follow Melissa Online

  Emerge: The Judgment

  Melissa's Recomendations

  Emerge: The Judgment Sneak Peek

  Immortal Lexicon

  EMERGE

  THE SCHOLAR

  A FULLY ILLUSTRATED CHARACTER JOURNAL

  Melissa A. Craven

  Praise For The Emerge Series

  2016 RONE Awards Winner - Cover Design

  2015 Dante Rosetti YA Awards Finalist

  2015 International Book Awards Finalist

  2015 USA Best Book Awards Finalist

  Read Freely Top 50 Indie Books of 2015

  Two Time Recipient of Reader’s Favorite

  Five Star Review Award

  What Reviewers Are

  Saying About Emerge

  An unhurried but engrossing start for a potentially riveting paranormal series.

  ~ Kirkus Reviews ~

  Melissa A. Craven is fantastic at world building and creating strong origin stories for her characters. This is one Indie book that should be on every YA shelf.

  ~ YABooksCentral.com ~

  This story has a good message for young readers, especially young girls. Craven did a nice job of packaging that message into a fun, paranormal action story that readers can get excited about, with a romance that will get them talking, too. ~ Readers' Favorite ~

  Emerge – The Awakening grabbed my attention within the first few pages and refused to let go until the very end. ~ Readers’ Favorite ~

  Originality is the distinguishing characteristic of this story! Young Adult Fantasy has been pumped out like never before, but Craven has skillfully developed an Urban Fantasy set in a real life, believable context. I can almost believe this ancient race of Immortals actually lives among us. ~ Hub Pages Reviewer ~

  Never once when reading did I stop and think, this kind of reminds me of (whichever book insert here). Bottom line, get this book. It’s amazing and worthy of your time. Warning though... you might get obsessed. ~ The Book Goddess ~

  This was such an impressive start to a unique new series. The characters are the true stars. Allie was a breath of fresh air when it came to heroines.

  She was totally badass. ~ Literary-ly Obsessed ~

  Emerge: The Awakening is a story that begins as a single snowflake and ends in an avalanche. Melissa A. Craven has put together a story that unfolds and unfolds and unfolds again, revealing characters of unusual depth. ~ Amazon Reviewer ~

  From the first page to the last, Melissa A. Craven has a talent for keeping her reader’s attention as she reveals Allie’s story, layer by interesting layer. And when you get to the last page, you are left wanting more! ~ Amazon Reviewer ~

  The immortal characters in "Emerge" all have a special gift, but so does the author. Craven’s is a superpower that we can all benefit from: storytelling.

  ~ Amazon Reviewer ~

  EMERGE: The Scholar © July 31, 2016

  By: Melissa A. Craven

  Midnight Hour Studio INC

  Atlanta, Georgia

  All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events 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 locales is entirely coincidental.

  For more information contact: [email protected] or visit the author's website at www.melissaacraven.com

  Book cover design by: Rachel Bostwick

  Interior design by: Melissa A. Craven

  [email protected]

  ISBN 10: 0-9909819-5-9

  ISBN 13: 978-0-9909819-5-4

  First Midnight Hour Studio Edition: July, 2016

  Also by Melissa A. Craven

  Emerge Series:

  Emerge: The Awakening (Book 1)

  Emerge: The Edge (Book 1.5)

  Emerge: The Judgment (Book 2 Available for pre-order 10.15.16

  Emerge: The Volunteer (An Emerge Short Story, Coming soon)

  Emerge: The…? (Coming 2017)

  DEDICATION

  To all the wonderful people I've met since this venture began

  You've helped make my dream a reality

  Click to see larger

  The Ouroboros

  The origin of the Ouroboros serpent is deeply rooted in myth and legend. Once the sigil for the Queens of Indriell and their eternal royal line, it has since evolved to symbolize longevity and the cyclical nature of the universe. Creation from ruin. Renewal from destruction. Life from death. Even Immortals cannot escape the power of nature.

  After the destruction of The Great War, the nation of Indriell faded, and the Immortal world fell on the brink of extinction. But nature was not finished with us yet. We experienced a time of rebirth––the first of many. For the Immortal race exists with such a powerful force that we cannot be so easily extinguished. We have always risen from the ashes of the past to carry on. Even a long forgotten prophecy, foretelling of the coming darkness will not spell our ruin. United, we will boldly face that darkness together and we will prevail.

  Winter 1164:

  I am the Ghost. One of the oldest living Immortals and Complement to the last Indriell Queen—the man no one remembers. The ghost of the past. I am exempt from history because it is my destiny to witness and record it, but never participate in the making of it. That is my role as the first Scholar.

  I am from a time before recorded history. Before the nation of Indriell became the stuff of legends. Long before the Greek gods sat upon Mt. Olympus. Long before the Egyptians ruled the fertile Nile Valley. I am from a time when the power was pure and unsullied. Before the Great War sent us down a path of destruction. Before our
gravest sins gave birth to mortality and death, forever dividing the human race between the Immortals and our mortal children.

  I live in obscurity, hiding in plain sight in a remote corner of the world. My gift allows me to see everything. I alone have witnessed and recorded the private activities of the Senate, the Coalition and every significant occurrence driving us toward devastation and ruin. I am the key. The caretaker of the knowledge and prophecy that can save us. This journal is one of many, but it is the most important. It contains everything I know of the key players in the task ahead of us.

  All of humanity now stands on a precipice. A turning point lies before us. A choice. One way leads to an uncertain future for the Immortal race. The other way leads into a darkness that no prophecy has ever foretold. To survive we must stride bravely toward that unknown future. For the oldest of us, that way is fraught with fear and uncertainty. To the youngest of us, it represents adventure and a new way of life, breaking away from the chains of the past.

  If we are to endure, we must put our faith and our fate into the hands of children, yet Unproven. If the children of the last prophecy fail, we will likely fade from this earth. I hold the true prophecy that foretells of their destiny. The recorded prophecy is false, telling only half of the story. It is the nature of prophecy to be understood only when it is too late to act upon it. For that reason, the Queen and I chose to shroud the final prophecy in mystery, protecting those involved until a time when they must know of their fate.

  Once, we survived the plague that almost destroyed us when Queen Alísun banished our afflicted mortal children more than five thousand years ago. We can survive again. But this time we will not sacrifice the mortal race—our very own children—simply to perpetuate our own, familiar way of life. We are not doomed to repeat the same mistakes of our past if we can rise above it together. This time we will find a way to coexist or we will accept the consequences of our actions, yield the world to our mortal children and go peacefully to our end. To do that, we must be prepared to lose our Immortality. Those who will lead us will not fear death. They will anchor us and they will have the strength to Judge what must be done. The anchor will be surrounded by protectors and scholars alike. The anchor will weather us through the storm.

  I am the father of all Scholars who have come after me. I am the Complement of Queen Alísun. Our daughter, the last First Princess of Indriell, came to us late in life, long after the nation of Indriell crumbled. She became one of the most powerful clairvoyants to ever walk this earth. Our oldest son was born in the years just after the Great War. He was one of the afflicted and was banished to lead the other mortals far from our cities. Once the banished were gone, the Immortals began to thrive again, but the nation of Indriell was no more. Still, the Indriell line continued, flourishing through our children and grandchildren, both bonded and natural born. Our line still thrives in the modern world and it is our duty as a family to enter the approaching darkness armed with knowledge and strength. We will prevail—not for our own agenda, but for the benefit of all humankind.

  It is my burden to watch and record the activities of those vested in the coming events. I have worked tirelessly to gather the necessary knowledge, as various forces have brought them all together. I have acted from afar, divulging the information needed at the right time to ensure those who will play a key role are armed with the experience they need to move forward. Few know of this journal’s existence. If something should happen to me, others will protect this knowledge. But I cannot die. My Complement. My Alísun, has been held captive for two thousand years. One day we will be reunited, but I must evade capture. I cannot risk it, for we will all be doomed if the Queen dies. If the Queen dies, I die, but no one will remember me. I am The Scholar. The Ghost of history.

  I am

  Alexander

  The Old Generation:

  Greggory Tristan McBrien

  From the moment of his birth, I've watched this young man evolve into the powerful leader he is today. I met Greggory when he wasn't much more than a cocky, self-assured boy. My daughter had just shown him he wasn't quite as accomplished with a sword as he thought. Covered in mud, I took his hand, laughing at the arrogant smirk he couldn't seem to control, and helped him back to his feet. Even then––only a young guest in my home––I knew he would play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Immortal world. I've watched him through the centuries as he grew into a man others respect. Alas, like most others, Greggory doesn't remember me. But for a time, he was like my own son, a close friend and confidant to my daughter, Kassandre.

  AGE: 2,166

  BIRTHDATE: 150 BCE

  BIRTH STATUS: Unknown Origin. Gregg was born near the region of Inverness, Scotland. He was found as an infant in a basket, left on the doorstep of his Immortal guardian’s home. Raised as a servant, Gregg had no true family until he was much older.

  COMPLEMENT: Naeemah El Sadawii, bonded since 1787

  CURRENT LOCATION: Kelleys Island, Ohio

  APPEARANCE:

  EYE COLOR: Golden Amber

  HEIGHT: 5’10”

  HAIR COLOR: Russet red with threads of silver––a sign his heritage is linked to an ancient noble house of Indriell.

  ETHNICITY/CULTURAL INFLUENCES: Celtic heritage

  OCCUPATIONS: Museum Antiquities Curator for the Cleveland Museum of Art. Gregg is also Governor of the Great Lakes Region with his Complement, Naeemah El Sadawii and manages the policing of their region with his lieutenants.

  HISTORICAL BIO: There is much of his early life Gregg does not remember, but I have witnessed it all. He had no true family as a child and spent years toiling as a servant to his guardians, with little training or preparation for his Awakening. Years of starvation and loneliness could have turned him into a hard, unfeeling man, were it not for the love of his father, Tristan McBrien. They met when Gregg was a slave to Rome, a young, angry boy in his first century of life, fighting in the arenas as the famed gladiator, Spartacus. Tristan rescued him from that life and the two later bonded as father and son. That was when Gregg’s life and his training truly began. Tristan taught him to be the bold, fearless and unfailingly kind man he is today, but I like to think I also had a hand in that.

  Gregg spent many years in my household, training with my daughter and eating me out of house and home. (Upon observing the antics of his youngest sons, Darius and Aidan, I can unquestionably say, Karma has a way of getting us all in the end.) Greggory mentored with my long time friend, Ashar, but during his time with us, Gregg formed a rare bond with Kassandre. They were the truest of friends and throughout her life, Gregg never strayed far from her side.

  CURRENT BIO: In 1953, the McBrien family established a home on Kelleys Island where they’ve worked to develop an underground facility to train and hone their skills and raise their children in the obscurity the location provides. Greggory and Naeemah moved to the island permanently just after they bonded with their son, Darius McBrien in 1990. Today, Gregg enjoys his position with the Cleveland Museum of Art where he is head curator and specializes in the ancient armor and weaponry exhibits there (ever the boy with his toys). He and Naeemah also own an antiquities gallery where Immortals come to sell their rare historical possessions that might otherwise cause some raised brows in other such establishments. In their position as Governor, Greggory and Naeemah spend a great deal of time working with their trusted Lieutenants to police the Immortal activity within their borders. But every afternoon their time is dedicated to training their youngest children, Sasha and Aidan.

  Kelleys Island is a safe haven to those key players in the coming events––both young and old. It is here they will train and study, preparing for the choices they don’t yet know they face. I watch from afar, fascinated by the progress they make each day. It is not long now. Soon they will meet their destiny. Soon they will understand our futures rest in their capable hands.

  ABILITIES: Gregg's electromagnetic pulse is used to magnetize his weapons when facing Immortals,
leaving them weak and powerless once wounded. We are violently allergic to the effect of a strong magnetic field, so this rare gift has provided Gregg with the ultimate protection. But using this ability weakens him, so he must be quick to conquer his opponent. Weather Manipulation is a limited gift that allows Gregg to manipulate existing weather conditions––shifting clouds, directing the wind, or causing a glare on a sunny day. During a storm, he can call down lightning to strike as a weapon, or he can guide it safely away from others. Very few know Gregg can see the mortal equivalent of the Complement bond. When he recognizes this bond among those rare mortals, he can’t resist the urge to play matchmaker. Many happy marriages are a result of his meddling.

  WEAPONS: Most often fights with a traditional Scottish Claymore and the highland dirk, but also favors the Asian sai and tonfu.

  TALENTS/SKILLS: Master of various Martial Arts. Has a strong talent for leadership. Most of his life others have looked to him for guidance, a talent his youngest son, Aidan has likely inherited.

  KNOWN ALIASES: Once lived as Spartacus of the Gladiatorial age. Was also known as Simon of Cyrene for a time. There is evidence that he was highly active during the time of the Arthurian legends and may have been one of the Knights of the Round Table.

  TOP SECRET NOTES: Greggory is one of the only living Immortals who truly knew my daughter, Kassandre and her Complement, Ashar, who are no longer with us. During their recent tenure as Chief Justice of the Senate, they were assassinated by the Coalition. Gregg's relationship with Kassandre was extremely rare. Their bond was strong and his loyalty to her was unmatched. When she died, it nearly destroyed him.

 

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