There were several benefits to digging. It was hard work, but the labor was cathartic. It also helped Loras to focus and kept his mind from wandering back to dark thoughts. He also slept better, mainly because he was so exhausted. He was grateful to find that the deeper his sleep, the less likely he was to be visited by dreams. Most importantly though, digging gave him a goal. And with the goal, came hope.
It was not easy sleeping over the top of a hole, but Loras had gotten used to it. Now, as he lay on his back and inspected what was left of his dirt-caked fingernails, he had a decision to make. After weeks of digging, his tunnel was nearly complete. Two days ago, he had begun to hear noise on the other side of the tunnel wall. There were no voices, only mechanical sounds; clicks and hums and something that sounded like steam escaping. There were other sounds too. The intermittent clanging of a hammer hitting an anvil. There was the screech of a circular saw. All sounds that might have come from a blacksmith's shop. But no voices. There were never any voices.
Loras knew that the only way out of his cell was through whatever room his tunnel had led him to. For two whole days he had patiently listened with his ear to the rock and had not heard the sound of anyone speaking. Even so, he had a feeling that someone was there, working. The question was, could he overpower them? And if he could, then what? Loras had been blindfolded when he was brought down to his cell. He couldn't remember how far he had walked or in which direction. But Declin had found a way out, so it must be possible. He had to at least try. Staying locked up in his cell was no longer an option.
Loras descended into his tunnel and crawled the thirty feet until he reached the end. He then carefully scraped the last bits of rock off of the tunnel wall until he estimated that only a couple of inches separated him from the room on the other side. He tucked the makeshift pickaxe into the back of his pants where he could quickly retrieve it if necessary. It was worn down to a thin sliver. It did the job, thought Loras thankfully.
Loras took four steps back into the tunnel and lowered his head. He listened and could quite clearly hear the rhythmic clanking of metal on metal in the adjoining room. He timed up the strikes and then right as a clank was about to sound, he ran forward, dipped his shoulder and burst through the wall of his tunnel.
He may have underestimated exactly how little rock was left in the wall, or he may have been just a bit too excited to escape his cell, but either way, Loras’ momentum met little resistance. He ended up sliding several feet into the adjacent room. The clanging stopped.
Loras looked up from the floor. All he could see was a cloud of dust in a large, dimly lit room. As the dust cleared, shapes began to form all around him. Every inch of the wall and ceiling contained some sort of tool or machine. There wasn't a single empty space. A track ran around the circumference of the room. On it, a small mechanical creature zoomed back and forth, gathering and replacing objects on the wall. The creature paid no mind to Loras as it grabbed a large wrench-like device and sped on down the track. Loras wondered if that was what was making all of the noise he was hearing.
"I wondered when I would be seeing you..." said a low, rumbling voice from behind Loras.
I guess that answers that question, thought Loras as he leapt onto his feet and spun around to meet the voice. A Gartune stood bent over a table in the back of the room, his back to Loras. Gods, it sounded like he was right behind me. Loras kept his guard up and walked slowly toward the Gartune. As he approached, he began to realize how large the Tormada was. Even bent over, the Gartune was taller than Loras.
The Gartune continued to pay no mind to his intruder. Instead, he gave his full attention to the object on the table in front of him. As Loras approached, he was able to see what the Tormada was working on. It looked like a metal net. The Gartune's fingers were a blur as they weaved delicate metal strings in and out of the net. Loras had never seen such craftsmanship, and the speed at which the Gartune was working was incredible. Loras stopped his approach and just stood, mesmerized, watching the Gartune go about his craft.
A few more seconds passed before the Gartune tied the last knot in his net. Then, without leaning up from the table, he threw the net at Loras, yelling "catch!" Awoken from his trance, Loras reached out at the last second and caught the net in his hand. As he did so, the net burst through his fingers and impossibly thin wisps of metal expanded rapidly from Loras' hand and wrapped around his entire body. Before he knew what had happened, Loras was immobilized by a hundred unbreakable metal threads.
The Gartune, still bent over his table, turned his head slightly toward Loras. His skin was a lighter tone than most Gartune, although it was hard to tell because it was almost entirely covered in dirt and grime. He was also cleanshaven, which was also odd as Gartune men held their goatees in high esteem. His thin mouth was spread into an enigmatic smile and the one eye that Loras could see seemed to have specs of white within the purple iris.
"What's your name, boy?"
Loras struggled briefly with his restraints to show that he would not be a willing captive. "My name is of no concern," said Loras, trying his best to sound brave.
The Gartune chuckled and turned to completely face Loras. His other eye was golden. "Well hello, Ofno Concern. My name is Hyperion. Welcome to your new home."
Glossary
Adem
One of the Fallen Reytana.
Aefort
Master Gartune tracker. Lives in the forest with his children, Damnar and Damina.
Aeil River
The main river of The Crescent. Forms from a waterfall at Za’dyn mountain then splits into two tributaries. One branch of the Aeil leads to Reysa, the other leads to Gartol.
Arsdale
Forest city.
Asher
Reysene teenager.
Atholos, King
Reysene king. Died at the end of the Eighth Great War.
Aura
The essence of a slain Tormada. A powdery dust that floats to The Scales after a Tormada is killed. Some qualities of the deceased Tormada are retained within the aura.
Battle Plains
Mostly desert area that expands from the base of Reysa all the way to Hadrian’s Canyon. The site for most of the great wars.
Belkore
Gartune. Childhood friend of Xander.
Bodong
Tactical maneuver performed by the Gartune in which they strike their eüroc into the ground, causing a small hill to form in front of them. They then catapult themselves onto the top of the hill where they can meet a Reytana who has jumped into the air.
Calan
The second Omega. Born to Reysa. Sought to bring peace to The Crescent through unifying the two races. Created the hyper-rail. Assassinated at a Summit meeting by the Gartolians.
The Crescent
The civilized portion of the planet Torma. Called “The Crescent” because of the shape that The Crescent Mountains form along the western border. Tormans are the main inhabitants.
Crescent Mountains
Large, curved mountain range that forms the western border of The Crescent. The peaks of the mountains are said to be uncrossable.
Damina
Gartune tracker. Twin brother is Damnar. Father is Aefort.
Damnar
Gartune tracker. Twin sister is Damina. Father is Aefort.
Dario
Reytana. Governor of Reysa.
Declin
Waif. Lives in Woodhaven.
Dellwood Forest
Large, wooded area that extends from The Crescent Mountains to the Battle Plains.
Delucean Sea
Enormous ocean to the east of The Crescent
Drohnus
The third Omega. Born to Gartol. A fierce and maniacal warrior, responsible for two centuries of war known as “The Plague of Drohnus.” Thought to have died attempting to climb Za’dyn Mountain.
Eüroc
Gartune weapon. A bow staff made from a composite of stone and metal alloy. Can transform through its
tre’ance.
The Fallen Reytana
Those Reytana that were killed during the Eighth Great War but were not returned to Reysa as newborns.
Gar’on
The god of stone and metal.
Gartol
The home of the Gartolians. The city is halfway built into a cavern and sits mostly in shadow.
Gartolians
The citizens of Gartol, pledged to the god Gar’on. A hard and violent race.
Gartune
Tormada created by Gar’on to rule over the Gartolians. Can manipulate the ground forming small hills and creating minor tremors. Excellent engineers. Their eyes turn violet when they receive their metal at age eighteen. Sometimes referred to as “diggers.”
Gracien
Reytana captain.
Hadrian, King
King of Gartol. Fierce Gartune warrior. Father to Lex, Septa and Xander.
Hadrian’s Canyon
The canyon that leads to Gartol. Changes names to reflect the current king or queen of Gartol.
The Hole
A large cave within one of the Crescent Mountains that serves as a hideout for the Lost Reytana. Had previously been used by Declin’s family to smuggle goods.
Hyperion
The fourth Omega. Born to Gartol. A master engineer responsible for the creation of many Gartolian advancements, including the eüroc’s tre’ance and possibly the sun shield.
Hyper-Rail
Hyper-fast railway that connects Reysa to Gartol. Built through a joint effort between the Reysene and Gartolians during the rule of Calan. Uses both solar energy and magnetism for propulsion.
Lem
Waif.
Lex
Gartune. Eldest child of Hadrian. Died during the Eighth Great War.
The Lift
Giant elevator that connects Reysa to the ground level.
Loras
Reytana. Eighteen years old. Regan’s twin brother. “Wears the rings.”
The Lost Reytana
Those Reytana that disappeared before the end of the Eighth Great War, leaving Reysa undefended. Have not been seen for eighteen years.
The Lotus
Solar energy collection device in the courtyard of Reysa’s capitol building. Contains a large orb at its center and is surrounded by several leaf-like structures and tubes for distributing the energy throughout the city.
Lucan
Reysene professor.
Lyse
Water elemental created by Rey and Gar’on to rule over the waterways. Custodian of the Tormada newborns as they travel from The Scales to their city.
Mendkin
Giant, furry woodland creature. Harmless unless it is hungry.
Miles
Waif bartender in Woodhaven.
Morlo
Gartune. Commander in the Gartolian army. Responsible for creating the underground tunnel from Gartol to Reysa.
Nimber
Raccoon-like forest animal.
Octavia
The first Omega. Born to Reysa.
Octavian’s Pass
Valley that skirts the base of the northern half of The Crescent Mountains.
The Omegas
The children of the Tormada. Since their creation, the Tormada have only given birth four times. These children possess both the powers of the Gartune and the Reytana. Omegas do not have to wait until their eighteenth birthday to receive their powers – they are born with them.
Pipken
Forest animal. Slightly larger than a rat.
Rankin
Gartune. Formerly the chief ranking Gartune in Reysa before Xander’s arrival.
Ray Blade
A Reytana weapon. A sword made out of light energy.
Regan
Reytana. Eighteen years old. Loras’ twin sister. “Wears the rings.”
Rey
The goddess of the sun.
Reysa
The “city on the cliff.” Home of the Reysene. Sits atop the northern terminus of The Crescent Mountains where the mountain range meets the Delucean Sea.
Reysene
The citizens of Reysa, pledged to the god Rey. An ethereal and cooperative race.
Reytana
Tormada created by Rey to rule over the Reysene. Can harness the power of the sun which allows them to jump to extreme heights as well as form weapons out of solar energy. Reytana’s eyes turn gold when they receive their light on their eighteenth birthday. Sometimes referred to as “floaters.”
The Scales of Torma
Tormada regulatory device atop of Za’dyn Mountain. Responsible for keeping the number of Gartune and Reytana even. Can reincarnate deceased Tormada by dipping the slain Tormada’s aura into the Aeil River, thus starting the incubation period that creates new Gartune and Reytana. Protected by “The Guardian.”
Septa
Gartune. Princess of Gartol. Fierce warrior. Middle child of Hadrian. Siblings are Lex and Xander.
Spirea
Forest city.
The Summit
Meeting location for the Reysene and Gartolians built at the exact midpoint of the Hyper-Rail line.
Sun Shield (aka Hyperion’s Shield)
Mechanical marvel created by the Gartolians in order to block the sun’s rays from hitting Reysa. Held up by four arms that are connected to four tanks at the base of the city. Hyperion is rumored to be its inventor.
Tao
Reytana guard.
Tinko
Reysene. Best friend to Loras.
Torma
Planet created by the gods Rey and Gar’on. Indigenous race is the tormans. Civilized portion of the planet is referred to as “The Crescent.”
Tormada
Super-human race created by Rey and Gar’on in order to rule over the tormans. Rey created the Reytana in order to rule over the Reysene. Gar’on created the Gartune to rule over the Gartolians. Both the Reytana and Gartune can grow up to nine feet tall and have a lifespan double or triple that of a torman. Each race has unique powers that are derived from the god that created them.
Tormada cannot reproduce. When they die, their aura returns to The Scales and they are reborn through a two week incubation process as they travel from Za’dyn mountain, along the Aeil river to their assigned city. Tormada grow like normal tormans until their eighteenth birthday when Reytana receive their “light” and Gartune receive their “metal.” At this point, they receive their powers and begin to rapidly transform into full-grown Tormada.
Tormans
Human-like race created by the gods Rey and Gar’on. At first, all tormans lived together peacefully. Later, their allegiance toward either Rey or Gar’on forced them to split off and form two separate cities – Reysa and Gartol.
Tre’ance
An enhanced modification to the eüroc such as a projectile or blade. Each Gartune may select their own tre’ance once they receive their metal
Waif
A torman who did not choose to be a Reysene or Gartolian and so must live in the woods.
Wapas
Mosquito butterflies that can suck the light out of Reytana.
Woodhaven
Forest city located at the point where the Aeil River splits.
Xander
Gartune. Prince of Gartol. Youngest child of Hadrian. Siblings are Lex and Septa. Chief ranking Gartune within Reysa.
Za’dyn Mountain
The tallest peak in The Crescent. Home of The Scales of Torma. Unclimbable.
About the Author
Nathan was born on July 31st, 1981 in Dayton, Ohio. He currently resides in Columbus, Ohio with his wife, Stephanie, and three children: Ellie, Neil and Leah. When he isn’t writing, he owns and operates Blue Avenue Media, a multimedia production agency in Columbus.
He is a fan of all things fantasy – from books to movies to fantasy sports. The first fantasy book he ever read was an old copy of The Hobbit, given to him by his grandmother. He has been hooked ever since. Some of his favorite fantasy
book series include Mistborn, The Kingkiller Chronicles, The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter.
Hyperion’s Shield was a passion project written in two month increments over the span of five years. The idea of the Tormada first came to Nathan on a long train ride in Europe, and the rest of the story evolved from there. Nathan claims that writing this novel was his greatest literary achievement since winning the coveted Power of the Pen competition in eighth grade.
Lastly, Nathan would like to thank everyone who has supported him along his writing journey and hopes that there are many more novels to come.
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