Zanufey nodded. ‘In assisting others, the self is helping itself. You of Aralansia might also have become trapped in the Lower Realms, had you failed.’
Issa swallowed and imagined being stuck here with Baelthrom. Death was better. ‘It’s just not how I imagined things might have gone. In the Dark Rift and beyond, I saw that it wasn’t just Maioria, the darkness affected other worlds and realms far beyond here.’
‘Yes, all beings of light were called to assist, and that was what you witnessed,’ said Zanufey. ‘Maioria is the centre point where the final outcome was decided.’
‘And Ayeth? Where is he now?’ asked Issa quietly.
‘He has gone to the Lower Realms where he can begin a long healing process. He must heal the part of him that became Baelthrom, and to do that he must descend to where his vibration matches that of a place to incarnate. If one chooses other than the light, then seeks to return to the light, this is how it happens.’
‘It’s a brave soul who chooses other than the light,’ Issa shook her head in awe. How brave were those warriors who dared to go into the darkness? ‘Can he be helped?’ she added.
‘Always there is help and guidance for a soul asking for it,’ Zanufey smiled.
Issa sighed, feeling relieved. ‘None of us are ever lost.’
‘No, but we can choose to be,’ said Zanufey. ‘Now comes the time for you and your current race, and all Maioria to heal. The dark energy has been cleansed from her planes, and old lands have gone whilst even older lands from eons ago have arisen as Maioria ascends to her pure form.
‘Now is a time for rebuilding and learning about the purer magic that pulses through your world. Use the power of your precreative force to create things anew and teach others the gift. Write down all that you have seen and witnessed. Become the scribe, the historian, and teach it. Think it, write it, speak it, be it. When you feel you have done all that you can do, we will speak again.’
‘What happens after I have written it down?’ Issa asked. If she had an assignment, as she saw it, she was keen to know about it this minute.
Zanufey laughed—a sound like the low notes of a harp. ‘In the realms of physical matter, there are always beings and planets requiring assistance. Think on this if you wish: if you were to save a world so fallen its magic had gone completely, how would you help it?’
Issa frowned and rubbed her chin. ‘Hmm, it’s not so easy when you say it like that. Hmm, perhaps, it sounds silly, but perhaps I’d give them a relic, like the raven talisman or maybe a sword with special powers—like Velistor, Staff of the Gate. Yes, that’s it! I’d give them something with the power to open the gates to higher dimensions, where help may come through as needed.’ Issa laughed nervously, it sounded foolish saying it out loud, but how did one save a falling planet?
Zanufey smiled. ‘Thinking on how to help is the first step, you’re fast becoming a noble Guardian and Way Shower. When you’re ready, there are many beings who need such help, but for now, healing the self is most important.’
Issa yawned, the higher frequencies of the light were swiftly tiring her, and the light began to fade along with the figures within it. Issa closed her eyes just to hear the resplendent music one last time before it faded away completely.
Rather than the empty, lonely feeling she experienced whenever Zanufey left, she was filled with energy and joy, and something else, a keen desire to help those worlds Zanufey spoke of. Not yet, I must heal myself and help Maioria and her people first. There was a whole new world out there to explore, and fantastic new magics to discover.
Chewing her lip, Issa held up her hands. Did she dare try? What if she felt nothing? What harm can trying do? Someone had to be the first… She reached for the Flow. There was nothing, nothing responded, it wasn’t there…
She let go and was about to drop her hands, and then she felt something. She realised she had always found the Flow in her head, but she felt this something deep within her chest, above her heart and in the middle of her body. It was where she felt joy and excitement.
She focused on that feeling and brought it forth—it felt like tiny bubbles flowing from her chest into her fingers. Letting her breath go, she pushed it out. Sparkling light burst out of her palms and into the chamber swiftly filling it. It bounced and refracted off everything, humming and thronging so loudly every object in the room vibrated with increasing frequency. A half-drunk wine bottle from the previous evening jostled off the cabinet and smashed on the floor, followed by the two glasses, the windows rattled and the floor rumbled.
Ehka, who had been roosting in the rafters, left his perch and squawked madly as he flew around the room.
Asaph bolted upright in bed, clutched the sheets and stared wildly at the dancing light and the bird dodging it.
Issa laughed hysterically at the shock on his face as the power continued to flood from her fingers. With quite an effort she let go of the power coursing through her and jumped onto the bed.
‘It’s back. It’s back!’ she squealed.
Asaph started to laugh as she jumped around him. ‘The light save us,’ he sighed. ‘Why do I feel the adventure has only just begun?’
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Also by Araya Evermore
Goddess Awakening ~ A Prequel
When strangers knock on Fraya’s door in the middle of a stormy night, her life is changed forever. The man is a bard, a warrior, and a follower of the Old Ways. The woman is a seer, heavily pregnant with a child so blessed by the goddess, they are forced to flee for their lives.
Download it HERE
Night Goddess ~ The Goddess Prophecies Book 1
Issa knew nothing of the evil ravaging the world until Dread Dragons invade her home. Her family murdered and her village razed, she flees for her life from the immortals hunting the Raven Queen of prophecy. Visited by a goddess cloaked in the stars, Issa discovers her past has been a lie, her destiny is entwined with…
Buy it HERE
The Fall of Celene ~ The Goddess Prophecies Book 2
The battle for Maioria has begun. Issa faces a deadly enemy as the Immortal Lord’s attention turns fully in her direction. The hunt is on for the Raven Queen and nothing will stand in Baelthrom’s way—he must destroy this new power that grows with the rising dark moon…
Buy it HERE
Storm Holt ~ The Goddess Prophecies Book 3
The Storm Holt… The ultimate Wizard’s Reckoning, where all who enter must face their greatest demons. No wizard knows of a woman who has entered and survived since the Ancients split the magic apart. Already demons and the strange white spear plague Issa’s mind, but to find her answers she must enter the Storm Holt and…
Buy it HERE
Demon Spear ~ The Goddess Prophecies Book 4
Demons. Death. Deliverance. All these Issa must face as darkness strikes into the heart of their last stronghold. Greater demons are rising from the Pit, Carvon is brutally attacked, and a horrifying murder forces Issa and her companions to flee. But despite the devastating loss, she must keep her oath to the Shadow Demons and alone reclaim the spear that can save them all…
Buy it HERE
Dragons of the Dawn Bringer ~ The Goddess Prophecies Book 5
Sacred lands fall. The Sword of Dragons is stolen. There is no reason to hope, and yet Issa must find the strength within herself to wage the war that will save Maioria.
Issa can trust no one. Her closest allies betray her and nobody is as they seem. When a Dromoorai captures her and a black vortex to another dimension rips into her room, she realises the attacks will never stop…
Buy it HERE
War of the Raven Queen ~ The Goddess Prophecies Book 6
They had both been chosen: he to save another race; she to save her own from what he had become. Now, both must enter Oblivion and therein decide the fate of all.
The dreaded war has begun and is sweeping across Maioria. Despite gaining victories, Issa is forced to endure terrible loss and face defeat as the Dark Rift descends. For all her powers, she reluctantly realises…
Buy it HERE
About Araya
Araya Evermore is the author of The Goddess Prophecies epic fantasy adventure series. She has been exploring other worlds and writing fantasy stories ever since she came to Planet Earth.
Despite holding a degree in Philosophy and Theology, and a Master’s degree in Computer Science, living in fantasy worlds will always be her true passion. Which is why she left her successful career in The City to embark upon her first love; writing fantasy.
Originally from Somerset, England, where she eternally hunts for Excalibur, Araya has been living in America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Europe for many years. Aside from writing, she spends time working, feeding wild birds, talking to trees, swimming, cycling, snorkelling and playing with swords. Having lived in the mountains, she realised she is a sea-based creature, and now lives by the ocean.
Don’t forget! If you’ve enjoyed what you’ve read, please head HERE to leave me a review. Thank you!
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Acknowledgements
Thank you to Jon for his unending support and patience. Thanks to Ian for all his help, ideas and encouragement. Thank you to Jill for her excellent editorial work.
A special thank you to Dan and all my Beta Readers (you know who you are) who made this work that much more epic. Thank you to my precious Reader Team who make this work especially fun, and to all the great people on the Raven Guild Facebook group who never fail to make my day.
Thanks to Milo and the Deranged Doctor Design team for their wonderful cover art. Thanks to the Cosmos for making this work possible. I would also like to thank you, the reader, for continuing the adventure.
Glossary
Notable Characters of the Light
Issa – Issalena Kammy. The Raven Queen. Young woman from the Isles of Kammy. Chosen by Zanufey.
Asaph – Asaph Dragon Lord. The Dawn Bringer. Last of the Dragon Lords and heir to the throne of Drax. Chosen by Feygriene.
Arla – Strangely gifted, somewhat wild child in the Temple of Celene.
Ayeth – Powerful Aralansian wizard and emissary to the Yurgha.
Belledyn – Issa’s grandmother. Eritara’s mother.
Bokaard - Atalanphian Captain. A Knight of the Raven.
Daranarta - King of the elves in the Land of Mists.
Duskar – ‘Black Fire’ in old Celenian. Issa’s devoted horse.
Edarna Higglesworth – Witch of the West and a Way Shower for Lost Ones.
Ehka - Issa’s guardian raven. Zanufey’s messenger.
Eiretonne – Dwarven warrior. A Knight of the Raven.
Lady Eleny “Ely” – Lady of the Castle Elune. Issa’s friend.
Eritara Jaya – Issa’s mother. Powerful seer in training to be of the Trinity
Fraya Littlehand – Issa’s adopted mother.
Inklemak - Light Dwarf wizard from long ago. Finder of the raven talisman.
King Ixus – King of Drax. Asaph’s father and a Dragon Rider.
Jinfrosthard – Light Dwarf warrior from long ago. Finder of the raven talisman.
Maeve – Lady Eleny’s maid. Issa’s friend.
Maggot – Small Shadow Demon who helps Issa in the Strom Holt. Issa’s friend.
Marakon Si Hara - Half-Elf. Feylint Halanoi High Commander. Creates the Knights of the Raven.
Mr Dubbins - Edarna’s blue cat familiar.
Murlonius – The boatman. An Ancient. Yisufalni’s lover.
Orphinius – Elven warrior. Daranarta’s aide.
Queen Pheonis – Queen of Drax. Asaph’s mother and a Dragon Lord.
Rance – Dark-haired knight and jouster. Cirosa’s former lover.
Sheyengetha - The great elven blue oak and a gateway to another realm.
Thanon Bard – Issa’s father. Bard and follower of the Old Ways.
Thiashar - Swamp fairy. Iyena’s helper.
Queen Thora – Queen of Davono.
Velonorian – Issa’s Elven protector.
Yisufalni – An Ancient and Priestess of the Usteralax people.
Wykiry – Sea Nymphs. The name means “land banished” in the Ancient’s tongue.
Asaph’s Loyal Men
Leaper, Danny, Jekk, Renno, Blaise.
Dragons
Faelsun – A pure blood dragon. Guardian of the Dragon Dream.
Morhork – A pure blood dragon. Faelsun’s brother.
Garna, Rust, Pennarc – Three of the Six Chosen by Feygriene to awaken first.
Gurlanka
Hai “Red Beard” – High Elder.
Jarlain – Friend of Marakon. A High Elder in training.
Shufen - Friend of Marakon. Leader of the Hunt.
Tarn – Friend of Marakon. Jarlain’s half brother.
King Marakazian’s Knights
Cormak, Drenden, Ghenath, Hally, Hylion, Ironbeard, Konnen, Lan, Meyer, Nemeron, Oria.
Karalanths
&n
bsp; Cusap’anth – Triest’anth’s son and tribe leader.
Diarc’ynth - Young female warrior.
Grast’anth – Weaponsmith. Issa’s sword trainer.
Fris’anth – Male warrior. Rhul’ynth’s lover.
Op’ynth – Cusap’anth’s wife.
Palu’anth – Male warrior.
Rhul’ynth – Female warrior. Fris’anth’s lover.
Triest‘anth – Old wizard and former tribe leader.
Kuapoh
Gurapoha – Oldest shaman of the Kuapoh.
Kahly – Friend of Asaph and goblin hunter; the Fearsome Four.
Jommen – Friend of Asaph and goblin hunter; the Fearsome Four.
Tillin - Friend of Asaph and goblin hunter; the Fearsome Four.
Wizards’ Circle – A male order of the most learned and powerful wizards in the Known World.
Averen - High Wizard. Holds the elven seat of Intolana. Elf.
Coronos Avernayis Dragon Rider – Novice Wizard. Keeper of the Orb of Air. Holds the seat of Drax. Adopted father to Asaph.
Domenon - Master Wizard. Holds the seat of Davono.
Drumblodd - Novice Wizard. Keeper of the Orb of Fire. Holds the dwarven seat of Venosia.
Freydel – Master Wizard. Keeper of the Orb of Death. Holds the seat of Celene.
Haelgon - High Wizard. Holds the seat of Atalanph.
Luren - Novice Wizard. Holds the seat of Lans Himay.
King Navarr - Novice Wizard. Holds the seat of Frayon. King of Frayon.
War of the Raven Queen: The Goddess Prophecies Fantasy Series Book 6 Page 50