Pentalore - Awakening (Book 2)

Pentalore - Awakening

The second book in the Pentalore Prophecies Saga

(Crossover with Proteus - Dark Empire)

Second Extended Edition

Copyright © 2017 / 2018 Alexander Nassau

Published by Alexander Nassau at Smashwords

ISBN: 9781370461417

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

"For Amanda

Sometimes you just have to forget what you were taught, think of everything you have lived and experience in your life and create something that makes you want to put your thoughts down on paper. Only then will you be free to create and destroy worlds in your mind and let imagination rule."

See More from the Author on my Blog

Smashwords Edition License Notes

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Table of Contents

Previously

Prologue

Chapter One - Uncertain Destinations

Chapter Two - Distant Lands

Chapter Three - The Right Questions

Chapter Four - Odyssey

Chapter Five - World of Fire

Chapter Six - Unsuspecting Students

Chapter Seven - Forbidden Places

Chapter Eight - Discoveries

Chapter Nine - Discord and Harmony

Chapter Ten - Prophecy and Destiny

Epilogue

Catch up on the Endless Saga

Continue the Adventure

Preview of Pentalore - Legends

More Books from the Author

Authors Retrospective

About the Author

PREVIOUSLY

Human history is an open book, or so they would like to think. In this modern age of science and understanding humanity knows much, and what it doesn't know it seeks to explain with logic and reason. It is a universal truth though that history is not what we think.

If I asked you what happened yesterday in the world, you would know a little of these great events that have transpired around you. They would be reported on the internet and the television and written about in newspapers, but even you would know that what is reported is shrouded in lies and half truths. This is the nature of humanity.

If I asked you to tell me what happened fifty years ago, then this would be a far more difficult question. You would need to research this by looking at newspapers. Television was only just becoming established in this time and the internet is a distant dream. The people of this age could rely on the radio to bolster their knowledge, but the fact is the truth is still hidden from most.

If I asked you what happened one hundred and fifty years ago... well, you would struggle. Only newspapers would bring you events and certainly not on a global scale. Beyond word of mouth, you would be unaware of what was happening beyond your door step, and lies and half truth mask reality for a commoner.

If I asked you what happened three hundred years ago... well, I think you get the idea. The only facts we have are what has been written and collected over time, all told from the point of view of those without science or understanding. These unenlightened minds trying to reason reality and always get it wrong. This is where legends and myth come from, those of limited scope trying to reason what they do not understand.

There is a problem though. All legends and myths have their origins and even today, humanity is unaware of what is around them, hiding in plain sight.

They came to our world tens of thousands of years ago and if you know where to look and you understand the truth of who and what they are, you will see the clues throughout our short history.

A cave painting nearly twenty thousand years old showing humans being taught to hunt by a tall creature with horns and wing. This stick figure painting could easily be dismissed, but it shows the truth. The Gargoyles that reside on the walls of Cathedrals, these dark winged beasts that protect and watch over these most holy of places, yet religion does not see these hideous statues as evil, a glaring contradiction. The legends of dragons and demons that run throughout every culture, some of them revered, some of them despised. In this modern age of enlightenment, they are simple stories, myths of our simpler ancestors.

They are not myth. They walk amongst us, silently moving in our world.

They are the Aemon, what people would call demons. They are all but immortal and they are stranded on our world. They came to Earth as peaceful explorers through the great rifts, portals that connected the world of Aemus to Earth, but also a darker world as well. They travelled to Aeyra, the home world of the Archals, a dark and sadistic race of creatures and unleashed them on our world. The Archals posed as gods, seeing humans as their slaves while the Aemon believed they should be allowed to develop of their own accords, and so started the war, the fate of humanity at stake. It was a war they all lost. The Aemon were afflicted by the Blight, a biological weapon developed by the Archals that rendered the seven races of Aemus sterile. Then it was believed the Archals poisoned the great rifts themselves, severing the ties between the worlds leaving those Aemon on Earth stranded.

And so they have lived amongst us since that terrible day letting history pass them by, trying not to interfere, and staying in the shadows.

Previously in Pentalore Darkseed and in the Dystopian Detective The Ancient Girl.

For Doctor Marcus Knort, his life has moved on since his youth and the adventure he had in the Forgotten Library. Now working for Regent Namah his job is to catalogue the Rift network and try to find the mysterious Origin, the first Rift on Earth. After years of travelling the world he finds himself in the small mountain town of Essauberg in the North East of the United States, a place he has grown to love. Working alongside Countess Seberus he believes he has found the Origin, yet his research has unleashed something on this small town, creatures from Aemus called Zathis, dark beasts that are ruthless predators.

What Marcus didn't know was a darker plot hiding right in front of him. His friend, Doctor Callisto Darkholme has a secret. A fairly normal young medical doctor, she is still trying to regain her memories after a terrible accident, yet her memories are impossible. She has knowledge of things she shouldn't know, that no one outside of the Aemon themselves should know.

When a call comes in to Sheriff Lexa Bridge of an attack, Cali goes with her friend only to find a bloodbath as they come face to face with a Zathis stalking them. Escaping they managed to make it to the Obelisk that Marcus is studying only to be pinned down and then the truth is revealed, Cali becoming something far darker. She is an Aemon, yet one that Marcus has never seen before, as if she is all of the seven races, a hybrid of staggering power. In the chaos Cali kills the pack Alpha and flees, terrified of what she has become leaving Marcus and Lexa injured and hurt, Seberus tending to them.

With the arrival of Regent Namah, Terralor and Marcus's old friend Dee Chambers, now the Regent's personal bodyguard, Marcus, Lexa and Seberus must work with them to end the threat of the pack of Zathis hunting in the mountains as well as find Cali who is in a confused and frightened state. The threat the Zathis posed is ended when Cali saves Marcus from certain death, yet coming face to face with Namah, the Regent tries to kill Cali, losing her mind. In a shocking move, Marcus renders the Regent unconscious and escapes with Cali, meeting Lexa as the three friends know they are in deep trouble as they find a place to hide from the wrath of the Regent.

Seberus comes to blows with Namah over her actions however the Regent's fears are founded. Cali is not human and is certainly a creation of Moritas, her twisted half breed niece. She holds the cure to the blight, but there is something far darker that spurred her on. Her name in their language is Kali, which for the Aemon is a name that strikes fear in to their hearts, a dark legend of a goddess known as the destroyer of worlds. What only those of the highest bloodlines will know are the Prophecies of Pentalore, and they foretold the return of Kali, and now the final Prophecy of Chrona the mad is coming to pass.

With news arriving from England that Vala Sach has brought the Hakoran scientist Beasar back from the dead, the Regent is forced to return home leaving Seberus to clean up the mess. Considering the bitter feud between Namah and Seberus, the Countess decides to get some payback, disagreeing with Namah's irrational stance. She tracks down Marcus, Cali and Lexa providing them with money and a car as she tells them where they can find the answers they need. In the mountains of California, the Master of Penglai still lives, Anchee Sheng, the last survivor of his wise old race.

Back in England, Namah is presented with a shock as she arrives at the Forge, home of a group of alien's living on Earth who bring news of a darkness emerging in the void beyond our universe, a darkness that if not stopped will consume them all.

The Alphians are asking for their help. Viewing one of these monster's vessels, it is clear that the Temple of Apeyra on Aemus is actually the remains of one of their warships and may well hold the secrets to stopping these creatures. They offer them a way home aboard one of their ships and the promise they will connect Earth and Aemus once more, yet Namah cannot escape the fact the Prophecies of Pentalore are gaining strength. With family from a distant land bringing the gift of hope and unity to their people, added to the return of Kali and a cure for the Blight, it is clear to Namah that her fears are justified.

Consulting with the members of the Terran Assembly, the leaders of the seven races, the decision is made. They will return to Aemus, connect their peoples once more and help these Alphians to discover the secrets of this dark ruin in the Fire Deserts.

Namah knows that things must continue in her absence though. In a surprising move, she releases Biferus from his prison in order for him to track down Moritas, his daughter. It is a risky move, but one she must make to discover exactly what her niece did to create Kali.

More so, the threat Kali poses must be contained and she must be captured. To that end, she calls on the most feared of the Aemon on Earth to assemble a hunting party.

And that is where this story begins...

PROLOGUE

Walking slowly over to the table he took the small trimmers from the side, his hand reaching out gently to the tiny tree before him as he lovingly stroked the leaves, this piece of the human world ancient beyond its years. With the right care, life on this world could be eternal even without the gift his race had been blessed and cursed with. It simply had to be nurtured and guided by steady hands.

This simple tree summed up this world in all its glory and pain. Care for it and it will grow, but care for it too much and it would grow out of control and hasten its own demise. Injure it though, hold it back and it would ache for life and growth, clawing to fulfil its natural destiny, yet injure it too much would also bring about its demise. Find the balance between care and pain and it breaks its own biological imperatives and it lives far beyond its years.

It was the secret to immortality, although those in the Great Halls called this the Immortalis, a biological secret that had begun with his own race and disseminated to the others. The young ones had leant well, packaged it in to a neat box, a vaccine against death itself. The ultimate cure.

He smiled to himself as he examined this tiny youthful and ancient life before him, the trimmers in his hand as he carefully examined this innocent life, picking the perfect place to injure it so that it would be in pain, but that pain would stimulate the desire within in.

As the tiny branch fell away, he apologised to his companion under his breath. It had been with him for so long now. A tiny sapling from a long gone place the humans called the Immortal Island. He had been impressed by that ancient tree as it stood resolute against the storm, always green and resilient. One summer it had done something he had never seen and fruited. He had taken one of the precious seeds and as with everything, it had grown. The tiny tree before him was all that remained of that mythical place.

He frowned at his thoughts putting down the metal blade, his hand reaching out and gently caressing the leaves of the small tree. There was an ill feeling in his bones, like a storm was approaching and history itself was about to come full circle, a thought broken by the silent approach of Li, his friend.

He turned to see this young monk, his red robes perfectly presented as he carried the tray to the table, Zhanna watching his every move, ever the guardian and protector as she watched from the side of the fire, the light dancing over her skin as it change colour, flashing in an irritated way.

He smiled at her, softly amused by her protective nature, however as Li put down the tray, there was something on it he had not seen for decades. A small white package.

He walked over looking to his friend questioningly. Li turned to him, bowing his head with respect as he shuffled forward, his stick dragging on the ground as he struggled to walk.

Master, Li almost whispered, In the many years I have been honoured by your wisdom and teachings, I have found myself presented with something unusual. A letter arrived at the monastery addressed to the Wise One. None of my brothers hold the depth of wisdom you possess and I believe it is for you.

He picked the envelope up, the paper thick and old, the wax seal on the back familiar to him as he broke it, his fingers aching as he extracted the letter within. Li bowed once again, leaving their presence as Zhanna stirred by the fire, the little fire demon stretching a little like a cat as she stood, tilting her head curiously at him as she walked to his side, his eyes reading the letter as it sank in to his mind, his heart rate quickening.

What is wrong Master? she asked in her soft gentle voice, troubled by his expression.

Yukionna will be arriving soon little one, he sighed, unsure if he should be happy or saddened.

The Duchess visits us Master? This is most unusual yet a great honour, she said with a little surprise.

More than you know my young friend. You will not tell your sisters as only the Seven know of this. She has brought news that family from a distant land have brought hope. Our Regent travels to Aemus and brings the gift of unity with our family once more, he sighed pensively.

We can go home? she stammered in shock and concern, I had dreamed of this day for so long.

Is everything ready in the Heart of Fire? he asked smiling at his little one.

We have completed everything to your wishes Master, she replied, her eyes still innocent of the mission the sisters had been entrusted with. I still do not understand why you had us tunnel in to the side of the mountain though. Would it be impertinent of me to ask if you feel able to reveal this secret?

He considered her for a moment before stroking her cheek affectionately.

It is a Rift young one, a very special point on this world, he replied gently. It is not for us though. Yukionna travels to us because of a secret passed down over tens of thousands of years. She brings the Crystals of Penglai so we may prepare.

I do not understand Master, she replied, her face angered as was so typical of her race, her fiery temperament getting the better of her. The Crystals of Penglai were lost in the Stormfall.

They were not lost little one. I removed them before the end. It is why our home survived partly intact, the power of the event negated. I entrusted them to your Duchess for safe keeping and so they have been under her protection for thousands of years. Yukionna knows the significance though of these events. A Prophecy is coming to pass, the Regent's return to our home has set in motion events foretold so long ago. The Pentalore will open once more and everything is coming to its full endless circle, he sighed smiling at her.

Should I be afraid Master?

For so long Zhanna, I have been blessed with your protection, a mission entrusted to you. So many times I have asked things of you, and you never questioned why I made such strange requests. Everything has been leading to this moment and finally the circle will be ended for me, my destiny to be my own once more. I have done what was asked of me, as you have done as I asked of you, he said resting his hand on her shoulder.

He paused smiling down at this young one, so innocent in her eternal youth.

You should not be afraid my friend. We have much to prepare for and I will need you at my side. The time has come for me to impart some of my wisdom to a young man full of innocence and idealism and I will need you add your own wisdom and fire. You have much to teach little one. Your Duchess will be here soon and once she has arrived, we must prepare ourselves. There are three travellers coming to our door and they will need our guidance and help.

CHAPTER ONE

Uncertain Destinations

Sitting out by the lake they had decided to take a break after driving for near enough four days. He had always wanted to see America and while they were now being hunted by someone he had once looking up to and considered to be a friend, this was certainly the most unusual of excuses to go on a road trip.

What was surprising was just how big the United States actually was. They had clocked up over eight hundred miles so far and were only on their third state having left New Hampshire in to New York, briefly passing through Pennsylvania in to Ohio. They had managed to get to Cleveland before they had agreed they needed a pit stop, finding a nice motel resort near a place called Ruggles Beach.

Cali and Lexa had done what girls always do, pinched the car and gone shopping. He didn't blame them really after their hasty escape from Essauberg. They had got some clothes while they were driving, but they needed to do some proper shopping. He had asked for some tee shirts, boxer shorts and some jeans, given them the sizes he needed and that would suffice for the time being, but it was the eternal mystery of the Universe. How women seem to love their shopping and while they indulged themselves, he was taking a moment to ponder really what had happened on that terrible night.

More specifically, he was trying to understand the reasons why the Regent had lost her mind.

Something had spooked her about Cali and while Seberus had explained a little of it, she had been vague. It was something he had grown to expect from their kind. He didn't know if it was the fact they were ancient and dismissive of humans, or if they were just naturally secretive only volunteering information when it was critical, but they had been left with this simple mission. Travel to Northern California to find the Anchee Sheng, the ancient and wise Vola scientist and hopefully learn the answers they needed and maybe sort this mess out.

So many ifs and buts, more questions than answers and without access to the Forgotten Library he felt like he was not being helpful. In the grand scheme of things though, he was the only one of them that had actually lived in their altered reality, although now he realised more as an observer than as a member.

One thing was clear though. Cali represented something gravely troubling to Namah beyond the fact she looked like Letesh, something that struck fear in to her enough so to single her out for death. It was true the Aemons feared humans, but as groups, not individuals. Technologically advanced and highly intelligent, they could easily walk amongst humanity, but their greatest fear was that of mobs and organised hunts for them driven by the irrational fear of their kind. Never in all the stories he had heard or read in the Forgotten Library had he come across them sanctioning murder of an individual human being, even when perhaps it would have benefited not only them, but humanity as well.

There was something