“The essence of The Dark Angel shall join with your soul, Alnora. And in doing so, you will be reborn in accordance to the will of the dark.”
Reborn? But…her plans…her grand vision for the destruction of the Luxian Order. Would that change? Would she still be in control? Was some dark spirit going to possess her soul?
In response to her questioning glance, the gathered assemblage of past Dark Angels laughed humorlessly. Then, the tornado began to shrink once more, washing over the ghostly figures and consuming them, ending with the burly form of her master. The energy washed over her as the circular clearing became smaller and smaller until she could see the courtyard once more. The shadowy tornado stopped shrinking once it was thin and tall, stretching into the sky and settling in the center of her sternum. Then, all at once, the storm of energy collapsed, falling into Alnora’s body, being absorbed through her flesh. She screamed as purple jolts of electric darkness crackled over her body. She could feel her broken bones mending; that same viscous, black goo that had sealed her master’s wounds closed every one of her many lacerations.
The influx of energy defied explanation. It was as though someone were pouring molten lava into her chest, filling her with its fury. The energy…it was too much too fast. It filled her, electrified her insides. She was going to explode. Then, just when it felt as though she could take no more, the last tiny bit of darkness flowed into her. Alnora sat bolt upright, her entire body lined with a purple hue.
Looking down between her breasts, Alnora gazed with longing admiration at the small, black and purple gemstone that had lodged itself within her sternum. She watched in amazement as black lines extended out from it, moving along her flesh until they formed a tattoo of long black feathered wings. Her skin had become pale and waxen, much like that of her master. Turning over, she glanced down at her reflection in a patch of ice and gasped. Her eyes were that same sickly shade of yellow and black that had glowered down at her for nearly two decades. The physical changes were jarring, but the sensation of energy was utterly intoxicating.
Alnora rose slowly, slipping the ring talismans from her fingers. She tore the locket from around her neck and the bracelets from her wrists. She casually discarded them in the snow. She would never need them again. Alnora looked up at the sky and screamed, raising her arms straight up. With no incantations, no tiresome finger movements, with nothing but casual thought, she unleashed a storm of amethyst lightning into the heavens as though trying to scorch the sky of the world that had abused her.
The power was unlike anything she could have dreamed. She was a goddess now. Mighty and beautiful. And what’s more, she was still Alnora. She had all of her memories, all of her pain and rage and hopes and dreams. But the transformation brought with it a startling clarity. Whereas she had sought to change the course of The Dark Angel’s mission, it now seemed to make perfect sense.
Balance must be maintained. Patience was needed. The Paragon would fall, but in time, when the moment was right. She needed to maintain the line of The Dark Angel. She needed to find an apprentice of her own—one to whom she could pass the mantle once they had become stronger than she. The line of succession must continue. The order of Dark Angels must be upheld. Find an apprentice. Train them. Die at their hand.
Alnora took a shuddering step back. No. This was folly. This was not her plan. This was something else. Something whispering into her mind. She would topple the Lux. She would take vengeance upon the world. She would never need an apprentice, for she was The Dark Angel. The strongest Dark Angel of all time and…and…
And the line of succession must continue. The order of Dark Angels must be upheld. Find an apprentice. Train them. Die at their hand.
About the Author
Kevin J. Kessler lives in Orlando Florida, where he owns the White Dragon Podcast Network, which puts out weekly podcasts on a variety of topics from Walt Disney World, to movies, television, comic books, video games and more. A lifelong geek, Kessler can often be found at the many theme parks and local attractions in Orlando. He developed the story for Rosinanti as a sophomore in high school, sixteen years before the release of the series.
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Rosinanti: The Rosinanti Series, Book 1: The Rosinanti Dragons are no more. Since their extinction nearly one thousand years ago these primal powerhouses have fallen into the obscurity of history’s forgotten lore. In that time, humans have come to dominate the world of Terra, peacefully ignorant to one horrifying truth: ancient evil stirs around them, waiting to reclaim its lost world. For Valentean Burai, animus warrior of the kingdom of Kackritta, the details surrounding humanity’s victory over the Rosinanti are more than just a history lesson. The long-buried mysteries of this archaic conflict may hold the answers that he has so desperately sought regarding his own past. As the awful truth of the Rosinanti’s supposed demise comes to light, Valentean must stand together with Seraphina, a magically gifted princess, to embark upon a mission to maintain order and light throughout Terra. Only together can these two lifelong friends face down the resurgence of the Rosinanti legacy, and combat the greatest threat their world has ever known.
Rosinanti: The Decimation of Casid (A Rosinanti Novella, Volume 1.5): While an entire world away, men turn into dragons and ancient magic ignites the air, Casid lived on in peaceful ignorance. This tiny village and its people existed outside of the conflict which threatened to swallow Terra, until the day chaos itself landed upon its shores. Now, one lone warrior seeks to protect his family, his friends, and the woman he loves as demons rise from the flames to burn everything he has ever loved to ash. This man is no god, no fundamental force of nature. He is simply a man, alone against the fury of chaos. Casid will be decimated, consumed by the same blaze which threatens to overtake all of Terra. But what will rise from the ashes of this once perfect haven, forged in the fires of tragedy and loss, might become the most fearsome opponent the darkness has ever known.
Rosinanti: Wrath of the Faithful (The Rosinanti Series, Book 2: Valentean Burai and Seraphina Kackritta barely escaped the grip of chaos. Only by working together were these two life long soul mates able to combat the greatest threat the world of Terra has ever known. But when they find themselves separated, with the entire world turned against them, both princess and animus warrior must battle not only the forces of chaos and darkness that seek to end their world, but their own crippling doubts and fears. Valentean must also face the horrifying truth of himself. He is one of the last surviving members of the Rosinanti race, and holds within him world-destroying power, and the unwanted uncontrollable ability to transform into a fearsome dragon. The struggle of man vs beast is not limited to the battlefield. Valentean will wage that war internally, within the confines of his own conflicted heart. But, in the end, who is stronger? The man, or the dragon?
Rosinanti: Rise of the Dragon Lord (The Rosinanti Series, Book 3: Valentean Burai, White Dragon of the Rosinanti, suffered a stunning defeat within the shadow of a desolate ancient city. Beaten and burned to the point of near death, he recovers among his closest friends and allies, while harboring a dark secret. The flames of chaos have latched onto his soul, granting him the power of his ancient enemy, but at the cost of his compassion, his kindness, and everything that makes him who he is. Word of Valentean's newfound ferocity and unnatural ability to transform into a vicious dragon has spread to all corners of Terra, earning him the moniker of "Dragon-Lord" Meanwhile, a world away, Princess Seraphina Kackritta, The Ice Queen, continues to fight against the forces of chaos that have claimed her homeland. Far from the man she loves, Seraphina must focus her magical abilities and lead an armed resistance to reclaim her king
dom from the shadowy evil that has enveloped her people. As the flames of chaos spread out to envelop all of Terra, the Dragon-Lord and Ice Queen must find their way back to one another, and stand together with their allies to beat back the chaotic inferno that threatens to swallow everything they've ever known.
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