The Last Light Series Omnibus One: - The Dreamer and the Deceiver - All Things Eternal - Ode to the King: A Superhero Epic Fantasy Collection (The Last Light Collection Book 1)

by Alex Villavasso

  THE END

  A Note to the Reader

  I want to take the time to thank you for reading my story. I’m an independent author so having my work read by even one person is a step forward in chasing my dream.

  That being said, if you enjoyed this story, it would mean the world to me if you could leave a review for this title. The process will take less than five minutes. All you have to do is click the link below and write a sentence or two expressing your thoughts. Hopefully, your words can inspire others to take a chance on my work.

  All Things Eternal

  Thank you very much.

  The Last Light Book Three: Ode to the King

  Alex Villavasso

  Copyright 2017, Alex Villavasso

  All rights reserved

  This novel and omnibus is a work of fiction and is a product of the author’s imagination.

  All events, places, and characters are either fictitious or portrayed in a fictitious manner. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form except by an authorized retailer or once written permission from the author is received.

  For inquires, contact the author at AlexVillavasso.com

  Please support the author and do not encourage or participate in distributing this work through illegal means.

  Thank you.

  Get Two Exclusive Short Stories

  FOR FREE

  Sign up for Alex’s New Release and Promotions Newsletter and get two exclusive pieces of content delivered straight to you.

  To access the offer right now, click here.

  Prologue: Forsaken

  5 Years Ago

  The last of Emil’s fingers broke, releasing the hold Arius held over him. His body fell forward, causing him to fall face first into the ground, broken and beaten. His body thrashed as he tried to subdue the unbearable pain that coursed through his body.

  In a mix of rage, frustration, and agony, Emil grew sick and vomited on the leaves beside him. He incoherently moaned to his brother who had turned away from him, leaving him to fend for himself in the woods alone.

  I’m sorry brother, Arius thought as he moved slowly through the pouring rain, using only the trees to anchor him on his path. Never once had he used his powers on another Abnormal until that day, and of all people, his first victim was none other than his brother. With the image of his downed younger brother still seared into his mind, Arius continued to walk, forsaking all notions of sympathy he had for the one who had attempted to take his life. Why does it hurt so bad? Arius placed his hand on his throbbing chest as he rested against the stalk of a nearby tree, the rain that fell overhead cooling his body as he inhaled the damp humidity of the forest air. So, there’s a limit. Other Abnormals are harder to control, Arius thought while he paused to rest. Or maybe, it’s him. As Arius leaned against the base of the tree, he coughed and a streak of crimson erupted from his mouth. “Damn it...” With his free hand, he wiped the blood that spilt over from his lips and then studied the red liquid smeared against his knuckles. I have to become stronger.

  The pattering rain rhythmically pelted Arius’s skin as he turned and pressed himself against the tree he had grown used to. A band of light pierced through the air, changing the atmosphere and bringing life to his dull and damp surroundings. Arius’s senses stirred with the coming light but he realized it was just a streak of lightning contrasting against the oppressive night sky. If his brother, Emil, were to find him now, he wasn’t sure that he would be able to beat him. Not in his current condition. He really tried to kill me. Arius grimaced.

  Sluggishly, Arius pushed off the base of the tree and pressed his hand against his solar-plexus, ordering his steps meticulously to avoid any bystanders that may be around. My own brother, my only family... For now, I leave you. But one day I’ll find you and you’ll understand. I will be king and change this world. I’ll change everything.

  Chapter 1: The Black Rebellion

  At last we meet, brother.

  It was like they all died in front of him. The haunting memory that Silvia had planted in Emil’s head bled through his consciousness as he saw Arius boldly planted on the center stage. His vision swirled with blue fire as the hate for his brother fueled his taste for revenge. The hilt of Emil’s blade creaked and the energy around him steadied into a controlled ember. Ignoring the screams and cries of the people, Emil remained still. The throngs of people rushed past him, fleeing towards the exits. They were the least of his concerns. All that mattered was the judgment he had sworn to bring.

  “Tch...” The ember that glossed over Emil’s body peeled off into the ground, chipping the tiled floor with an array of small sparks that inadvertently slipped through and pecked at the earth. Emil stared at the flecks of his energy stabbing into the concrete beneath his feet and then closed his eyes. His aura condensed again. A gust of wind kicked up the traces of debris that were scattered around him. I’m coming for you. Emil opened his eyes and snarled, his goal in plain sight.

  With blazing speed, a blue streak ripped through the air, but Arius found it well within himself to remain unnerved in the face of adversity. “Virgil,” Arius whispered softly, his lips then returning to their former smirk. Just before Emil was in striking distance, a seemingly normal man leapt from the stage, his body turning to steel mid-flight.

  What!? Emil thought as the Abnormal came his way.

  The steel titan intercepted Emil, delivering a blow straight to Emil’s face that shot him out of the air and down into the city square, ruining the earth his body scraped against.

  “Excellent,” Arius whispered.

  The people in the square shifted like ants, disturbed and oblivious to the grand scheme of the transpiring events. The six-foot-tall, steel-bodied Abnormal slowly walked through the crowds in pursuit of the downed hero who was just now regaining his senses.

  “Should we help them?” Luna asked as she, Grim, and Sage watched from afar.

  “No,” Sage responded swiftly. “It’ll be better to wait until we know exactly how many there are. Something’s not right. I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s something. I felt it when Arius began to speak.” Grim stood silently, impartial to Sage’s words as he watched for the young hero’s next course of action.

  “Damn it...” Emil shakily stood from the gravel he found himself buried in as the Abnormal shrouded in steel slowly approached him. “He’s a cocky one,” Emil muttered under his breath before spitting out the excess blood that lined the insides of his mouth. His jaw was bruised and ached with every breath. His clothing, frayed from dragging across the earth.

  The muscle-bound Abnormal crept closer to Emil, and Emil did nothing to increase the distance. Skye and Omari were elsewhere, still hidden and looking for their opening to strike if needed. There were two other Abnormals aligned with Legion that had yet to appear and, without Skye, Emil was oblivious to their potential advances or attacks.

  Emil glanced at his brother who was still on the stage watching him with a mocking glare. As their eyes met, Emil’s face morphed into a snarl. His brother’s time would come soon enough, but first he had to deal with the titan before him.

  “It would be in your best interest to get out of my way,” Emil rasped. As expected, the muscle-bound Abnormal said nothing and continued his march. A tilted smile crossed Emil’s face as his aura reignited; sending aggressive sparks of energy down his body that danced along the distressed earth. “Fine then, have it your way.” Emil raised his blade to his chest and charged towards the giant, meeting him halfway.

  Emil’s blade crackled with energy as he swung into the giant’s chest, but the Abnormal’s forearm blocked it entirely. The sharp sound of metal hitting steel echoed through Emil’s ear as he gandered at his enemy’s endurance. With a grunt, Emil pressed the blade deeper into the Abnormal’s forearm. Sparks of energy trailed from his sword but there was no sign of damage from the opposition. The steel Abnormal huffed and threw his forearm away from his chest, pushing Emil off bal
ance and leaving him open to the coming attack. A swift, silver fist crashed against Emil’s skull, causing him to stagger backwards.

  The Abnormal swung again and Emil ducked and placed his free hand to the steel Abnormal’s abdomen. Got ‘cha. Emil smirked as he began to channel a stream of condensed energy into the palm of his hand. Emil pressed firmly against the Abnormal’s skin and his energy crackled with jagged bolts, rendering his hand unsteady as his attack rapidly lashed against the steel surface, striking with no discretion. Stunned, the Abnormal initially flinched but his unexpected recovery left Emil wide open to his assault. What?! It’s not working? Unaffected by Emil’s attack, the steel-bodied Abnormal swung his fist down on Emil’s head, knocking him to the ground. Emil’s vision blurred as his body collided with the earth, the shock of the impact further impairing him. Rather than listen to his body’s demands, Emil knew he had to move.

  From the ground, Emil vaulted just as his opponent shot his steel foot down, ripping into the concrete. The shrapnel brushed past his face while he remained suspended in the air.

  “We really should do something,” Luna suggested as she watched Emil’s fight in the distance. She grabbed both of her elbows as she pressed her forearms against her stomach.

  “I agree. Look at Arius. He’s doesn’t even seem worried. The young king is a fool if he thinks he has the upper hand.”

  “That’s not what I mean, Sage,” Luna announced as she pinched the bridge of her nose. “We should help him.”

  “The kid? I wouldn’t worry about him. He’s more than capable of handling that brute,” Sage responded, his eyes fixated on the current battle. “At worse, his friends will be there to back him up. I’m sure of it. Besides, we don’t have the time for detours. We should take this opportunity to kill Arius before he notices we’re here. Luna, destroy his carriage and disperse the soldiers guarding him.”

  “Got it.” Luna’s jet-black hair began to ruffle with the coming wind that stemmed from her hand. Sage smirked as he watched the vortex blossom in the center of her palm, and then returned his gaze to the unsuspecting king. Within seconds, a vortex roared from Luna’s hand, aimed at the center stage, carrying chunks of debris as it traveled.

  Arius turned nonchalantly in the face of the coming cyclone, impressed but not in the least threatened. So there are others. Interesting, he silently mused as the horizontal funnel rushed towards him.

  Not far from the stage, a massive stone wall shot up from the earth, blocking Luna’s attack entirely.

  “Damn it! There’s another Abnormal with him!” Luna scowled as she turned back to her comrades. “I can’t get through that thing. It’s huge.”

  “You don’t have to tear it down. Strike from above. Call down a tornado and wipe him out,” Sage said, unmoved from the unforeseen turn of events.

  “No.” Luna’s voice quivered but quickly recovered after she shook her head. “No. It won’t work...too much time and energy.” Sage’s eyes narrowed and his brows depressed under his silver hair. “I don’t want to be caught gasping for air if more of Legion shows. I’m going over there now before he gets the chance to escape.”

  “Fine. Grim and I will look for openings elsewhere and flank him from the ground. The sky is yours.” A sly smile ran across Luna’s face as a sense of relief passed over her. A gust of wind blew beneath her feet and rippled through her clothing as the airflow became more pronounced. Luna’s smile faded once she pointed her palms downward and to her side, the added flow of wind lifting her into the sky. As Luna soared upward, the stream of wind she generated kicked gravel towards her allies. Sage’s face remained motionless as his manifestation emerged and shielded both himself and Grim from the minor annoyance. “Let’s go, Grim.” Sage watched as Luna flew overhead, rapidly approaching the ridged wall of earth. Her black hair streamed behind her and a look of determination burned in her eyes.

  As Luna zoomed towards the barrier, she realized that the structure of the wall began to change. The wall subtly shifted while the tectonic plates shuffled beneath its surface. As she neared the wall, the wall shifted again and she saw the tips of what appeared to be tiny lances poking their heads from the encampment. It wasn’t until they fully emerged, elongated and plentiful, that she realized their true intent. “Shit,” Luna mouthed as a set of spires shot from the wall and hurtled her way. She was still in motion but suddenly the current that pushed her, stopped. She froze. There were too many to dodge and they were coming too fast. The only thing she could do was brace for the inevitable and pray that her body would survive the tectonic thrashing that was bound to occur.

  As Luna braced for impact, a wisp appeared just before she closed her eyes. A shadow of a man appeared, materializing in front of her. In one swift motion, he dove into her and Luna felt a sudden drop emerging from the pit of her stomach. A second later she opened her eyes and gasped as her breath returned to her lungs, her body unharmed and on the ground. “You too, huh?” she said calmly, as if her life hadn’t been in jeopardy only seconds before. “Thanks.” Luna’s expression was light but darkened as she noticed the crimson streak that trailed down Omari’s arm from his shoulder, staining his shirt. “It got you...” The sound of the spires crashing into the houses that lined the square seemed distant to her.

  “I’ll be fine. It only grazed me,” Omari sharply responded, his face neutral as he backed away from her approaching hand. Luna’s mouth hung open but she was unable to speak once she realized the reasoning behind his actions. She was allied with Sage, the rogue who had decimated his city only four days ago. It hurt Omari more than he’d expected to shadow the Abnormals that were present in her faction, but he knew it had to be done. The twisting void that stirred in his abdomen festered as he tried his best to bide his running emotions.

  “I’m Luna...and you’re The Saint. I’m sor—” Luna froze.

  Omari’s eyes cut into her like the serrated blades he hid inside his gauntlets.

  “Be more careful next time.” The air pressure shifted around him and Luna flinched. In an instant, Omari was gone and Luna was surrounded by scrambling civilians rushing from the center of the square.

  “What’s with this guy?” Emil muttered under his breath as he continued his assault on the steel-bodied Abnormal. For the duration of the fight, Emil had been pulling his punches, careful not to injure the pockets of civilians that surrounded him. Using his light offensively in a non-concentrated area would only bring about more casualties. He wasn’t that desperate yet—not nearly. The thought of killing more innocents caused his mouth to turn sour with bile. He should be down by now. His armor must be negating most of my damage. He snarled as his aura pulsed.

  “I told you I don’t have time for this!” Emil screamed as he swung his illuminated sword at the burly warrior. Emil’s blade sliced clean through the top layer of the Abnormal’s transformed skin, just as he’d done half a dozen times before. No surprise to Emil, a new layer of steel surfaced over the exposed cut, halting the Abnormal’s blood loss and protecting his body from further injury. Emil knew a counter was coming and back-stepped before the Abnormal’s straight connected. A blaze of blue energy swirled around Emil’s feet and engulfed him in a flame. As soon as Emil’s back foot hit the ground, a blue streak zigzagged behind the brute and Emil reappeared, his feet skidding against the concrete, bearing down on the sole of his shoes as he shifted his weight to limit his inertia.

  And then he kicked off again.

  A hot streak tore through the brute’s back, leaving a defined line that quickly filled with steel. Emil could tell he was confused by the sudden lash of heat and pain that burned between his shoulders.

  As tough as his enemy was, Emil was fast. The only inkling his opponent had that an attack was underway was the blue streak of light that he could barely follow when Emil was going full speed. Emil went to attack again but a spire of earth erupted from the ground, stopping him mid-swing. It’s just like Sil— Before his thought finished, another spike shot from the
earth on his right side. Emil twisted, evading the jagged spire as it ripped through his clothing. An unexpected fist came smashing into Emil’s face, forcing his body off balance. The ground beneath him subtly pulsed but it was enough of a warning to know what came next. Got to move.

  Emil’s aura blazed as he flipped backwards, taking full advantage of the spike that was delayed by the concrete tiles. A row of spikes followed him, piercing through the ground as he continued his trail of flips until he firmly planted his feet and shot off to the left. His aura ignited again as he sped around to flank his enemy, dashing in an erratic pattern to evade the spires that could emerge from anywhere his feet treaded.

  The ground groaned beneath Emil as a wall riddled with stone began to rise in the direction he was heading. Immediately, Emil shifted his momentum and began to sprint parallel to the wall. Before he could break away, another slab rose from the ground in his intended direction, cutting off his escape. “Omari!” Emil yelled as he skidded across the earth, “I need help!” Before Emil could regain his momentum, two more slabs of earth rose from the ground, boxing him in. Damn it. If I jump, I’ll just be a sitting target in the air. “Omari!” Emil clenched his teeth. The earth-born coffin donned spikes from all four sides of its walls. I can’t dodge all of them...no way, Emil thought as he gritted his teeth and bore down on his blade. The sound of spires firing echoed inside the tomb, and Emil braced for impact, reinvigorating his aura and shifting it towards defense. There was no way to know if his aura would hold up, but it was the only chance he had of surviving the attack. Before the spires could pierce his skin, Emil saw a blur appear, and then instantly materialized in the air high above, overlooking the death he had narrowly avoided. “That was close,” Emil said, still in slight disbelief. “Too close.”