Orion's Awakening: Star Magic, #1

Dedication.

This book is dedicated to my Grandmother Grace Ann Joseph, who always taught me that no matter how dark times got there will always be brighter times in the days ahead.

It is also dedicated to all the children in care, always keep your heads held high and never let anyone put you down, because you can achieve anything and everything you put your minds to.

Contents.

CHAPTER ONE: THE DREAM

Chapter Two: Life As Usual

Chapter Three: New Beginning’s

Chapter Four: Back To School

Chapter Five: Betrayal

Chapter Six: Camping

Chapter Seven: Choices

Chapter Eight: The Journey

Chapter Nine: The Arrival

Chapter Ten: The Palace

Chapter Eleven: Setting Things Right

Chapter Twelve: Learning The Truth

Chapter Thirteen: Saving Aurorina

Chapter Fourteen: Royal Duties

Chapter Fifteen: The First Farewell

Chapter Sixteen: A Spark Of Hope

Chapter Seventeen: The Tale Of Two Brothers

Chapter Eighteen: Following The Pilgrimage

Chapter Nineteen: Entering Eymd’s Dream

Chapter Twenty: Rescuing Lillithan

Chapter Twenty-one: The Bond

Chapter Twenty-Two: Preparing For War

Chapter Twenty-Three: The Eve Of War

Chapter Twenty-Four: The Final Battle

Chapter Twenty-Five: Waking up

Epilogue

Thanks

Chapter One

The Dream

IT WAS NEARING MIDNIGHT on a small quiet street in Fittleworth. A derelict cottage sat, where under the overcast twilight sky you could just make out that the front door had been boarded over. It’s guttering hung slack and the old brick work crumbled away. Upstairs in one of the bedrooms three boys slept, one of whom laid tossing and turning, dreaming such an amazing dream.

He stood in a chamber covered in magnificent golden tapestries all with the initials I.O. embroidered upon them. A colossal crystal throne dominated the centre of the room, and a small polished wooden table sat next to it with various items upon its surface. He walked over to an open window on his left and gasped in amazement as his eyes fell upon a golden city glistening under the light of a planet that was Orbiting so closely he felt like he could just reach out and touch it. Sighing he spun on his heel and wandered back towards the wooden table, he picked up a crystal goblet and turned it in his hand, where under the light the initials I.O. shone through the frosted glass. A door crashed open behind him, making him jump and sent the goblet flying through the air. His fingers grasped trying to catch it, but he failed, and it crashed to the floor where it shattered into a million shimmering pieces. A tall, bald, plump, blue man skidded to a stop in front of the boy and bowed deeply.

I tried to catch it, the boy said as he felt his cheeks burn in embarrassment. I’m sorry.

There you are Cobossal Orion, the man replied in a deep booming voice, completely ignoring the broken glass. Wandering around the palace by yourself today of all days."

Um, who are you and where am I? Orion asked puzzled.

I am Jasper, your personal butler, and you are in the summer palace, of course, now please we must be getting on.

He began to usher Orion towards the door he had entered. Floating orbs of light lit the corridor beyond, and portraits of peculiar looking people lined the walls.

They walked past an archway, and Orion stopped so he could peer inside, three men sat levitating gently in mid-air reading. One of the three men rotated whilst he hummed an eerie tune to himself, he looked over the top of his book and spotted Orion looking at him, smiled and winked at Orion before he returned to reading. Before Orion could say anything, Jasper placed his hand on Orion’s shoulder and ushered him on once more, they walked down the corridor until they came to an arched door that looked gold but as Orion stepped towards it he noticed that it was in fact made of wood, a silver crest sat upon each of the doors, both of which contained a single blazing phoenix along with the initials I.O. etched alongside them in golden lettering. Jasper pushed one of the doors open and guided Orion inside. After seeing the golden city, Orion couldn’t imagine anything being better, but he was about to be proven wrong. A strange looking tinted glass pod spanned an entire wall, a glass dresser sat neatly in one of the corners with bottles of various shapes and sizes sat upon it, and Five silver wardrobes stretched from floor to ceiling.

Orion caught sight of something moving out of the corner of his eye and turned just in time to see part of the wall sliding shut behind six people. Five of these people wore robes of lilac with their hoods drawn tightly around their faces; they began to bustle around the room as the wall slid shut.

Welcome home Cobossal Orion, it is pleasant to gaze upon your face once more, the sixth person said from the shadows, her voice somehow calming yet firm.

I think there has been some sort of mistake, Orion replied nervously.

The woman stepped forward into the light and lowered her hood. Her beauty was so flawless it made Orion take a step back and gulp. She wore an elegant dress of royal blue and gold that seemed to trail on forever behind her, had long flowing silver hair, shining bronze skin, was around seven-foot-tall and had oval eyes that seemed to dance between silver and gold.

There has been no mistake young master, you are indeed Cobossal Orion I Heir to the Delliumna system and should be addressed as such, the woman replied sternly, going into a deep bow before him.

Please do not bow, there is no need to, Orion said stooping down to help the woman to her feet. What is a Cobossal?

Nonsense sire, she snapped in a stern voice and lowering her head, so her eyes did not meet his. I am Lillithan the Chief maiden, and as the son of the Intenfli and Intenfna, you must and will follow protocol.

What are they? Orion asked more confused than he was before that last question.

They are the rulers of this star system; honestly did you retain no information when we sent you away!

What do you mean sent away? Orion asked.

Orion stood there thinking to himself for a moment and concluded that this must be a dream because the last thing he remembered was laying on his bed reading his favourite novel whilst listening to his two fourteen-year-old brothers snoring in unison from their bunk-bed across the room.

Follow me please young master, Lillithan said abruptly interrupting his train of thought.

She beckoned him towards a door in the far corner of the room and opened it. A sweet-smelling aroma wafted out and filled his nose, calling him inside. Entering the room, he saw one of the hooded figures stood beside a large rustic looking oval stone bath, with no visible taps.

Once the tub is full, get in, and you will be washed, Commanded Lillithan.

I can wash myself thank you, Orion replied turning away in embarrassment.

You have no reason to be embarrassed young master, all the lesser servants are Kalligah, Lillithan replied in a light matter of fact tone.  They are what?

Lillithan strolled over to the hooded figure, undone the drawstring of its hood and yanked its hood back, underneath there was no face just a ghostly figure, with sparkling dust scattered across it.

They were made by your parents before.... she began to say, looking off into the distance and trailing off. Right, into the bath. I will be outside if you need me.

Orion waited for the door to click shut behind him and lifted his white cotton robe over his head, in all honesty, he did feel like he needed a bath as his skin felt itchy, he stepped into the stone bath and slowly slipped into the hot, steamy, sweet-smelling water. The moment he sat down the Kalligah who was running the bath rushed forwards and began washing him vigorously. Orion tried to grab the rough sponge off the Kalligah, but it slapped his hand away and continued to wash him, scrubbing him in places he never knew existed, Orion, watched his brown skin fall away only to reveal a new silver layer beneath. Twenty minutes later Orion emerged from the bathroom wincing in pain from the cleaning he had just received. He walked over to the clothes that had been laid out for him but before he could start dressing the Kalligah who were stood waiting stepped forwards to do it for him. He counted as four different tops went over his head and two different types of bottoms got pulled over his legs. A golden crest got clipped onto his chest, and Orion watched as thin strands of gold and silver shot out of the crest and began to weave themselves around his torso creating a shimmering breastplate. The Kalligah then attached two smaller crests onto each leg, where they began to weave themselves into silver chain-mail trousers.

We must go now sire, the whole kingdom is waiting, and we are running late, Lillithan said tapping her foot impatiently from beside him.

She grabbed him by the shoulders and wheeled him towards the door, as they walked past a mirror Orion caught sight of himself and stopped, little remained of his sixteen-year-old self. He now stood at eight-feet, his once tan skin was now silver, the crinkled afro that usually sat on his head had been replaced by blue spikes, and most disturbing of all were his eyes, they now resembled miniature suns. Lillithan became so impatient she grabbed his arm and tugged him out of the room, they began walking down a long corridor until they reached a portrait that had candles and flowers on a table beneath it.

These were your parents, Lillithan said to him with a pained smile on her face.

Orion reached forwards and brushed his hand against the portrait of the two peculiar looking people. His father seemed to be the same height as him, had glowing brown skin, eyes just like his, a chiselled jawline and flaming blue dreadlocks. His mother was slightly shorter, had powder white skin, topaz eyes that glistened and long flowing blonde hair. Orion could feel the warmth of his tears running down his face, but he couldn’t understand why he was crying, he didn’t even know these people.

I’m sorry Sire; I did not think, Lillithan said placing her hand on his shoulder and squeezing it reassuringly.

I’m not even sure why I’m crying, Orion replied wiping away his tears. Shall we move on?

Lillithan nodded, and they continued down the long corridor until they reached a set of ruby red doors. Lillithan told Orion to wait as she slipped inside, moments later she returned and came to stand beside him.

They are ready for you now, stand straight, keep your head up and step to the same pace I do.

The doors before them opened and the deafening roar of thousands of trumpets hit Orion’s ears. Lillithan took his hand and slowly led Orion down a set of marble stairs. Orion couldn’t help looking around in amazement, the golden city shone in all its glory under the planet's two suns, and the streets were lined with people as far as the eye could see. Above them, a huge hologram of Orion and Lillithan walked, and men and women of different species bowed their crowned heads towards a dazzling jewel-encrusted golden throne.

Orion and Lillithan walked until they arrived at the throne and Lillithan ushered Orion onto it, as he sat golden straps appeared around his wrists and ankles pinning him to the throne, he tried to struggle, but the straps only cut deeper.

‘Wake up Orion, it’s only a dream, just wake up,’ was all he could think to himself as he struggled.

But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t force himself to wake, and the straps had now tightened so much that tears had begun streaming down his face.

Calm down Orion, if you stop struggling the restraints will loosen, this is only to check that you are pure of heart and blood, Lillithan said placing her hand on his shoulder.

A woman in a golden robe materialised in front of him, reached into her robe and drew out a dagger with golden etchings upon it, she approached Orion and raised the dagger above her head.

‘This is it! I’m going to die, and if I die in a dream, I die in real life.’

The woman plunged the dagger down, and Orion closed his eyes waiting for it to strike, suddenly a sharp prick on his finger made him jump. He slowly opened his eyes and looked down where he watched golden blood run from a small dot on his finger onto the blade. The woman stepped back and walked towards a glass table that contained a single wooden chest upon it. She flicked the blood onto the chest and watched as it burst into flames. When the flames subsided, the chest had been replaced with a golden crown encrusted with jewels; a rainbow coloured sceptre and a long elegant sword of gold and silver. She lifted the sword and walked back to Orion when she placed the sword beside him; he noticed it contained writing that danced across the blade. She then retrieved the crown and sceptre.

Lifting the crown above his head; she spoke in a soft voice that echoed across the whole planet. By the power invested in me by the Order of the Old Ones, I crown thee Intenfli Orion I, ruler of the five hundred planets in the Delliumna system.

When the crown touched his head the straps that bound him disappeared, and she handed him the sceptre. Rubbing his wrist, he watched as the woman disappeared in a puff of white smoke.

Lillithan helped him up from the throne, fastened the sword around his waist and led him to the edge of the balcony.

Citizens it is my great honour to present His Royal Highness Intenfli Orion I, may his reign be long and honourable. She raised Orion’s arm in the air before she continued. Long live the Intenfli.

At her last statement, the whole planet erupted in celebration, every man woman and child chanted ‘long live the Intenfli.’

Fireworks exploded in the sky above, music could be heard from all around, and he heard the clatter of armour from behind him as the guards went into deep bows. Lillithan swivelled him around and led him back towards the main palace, where the crowned, strange looking men and women now stood ready to greet their new leader. It was all too much for him to handle and the world around him began to swim in and out of focus. He felt himself falling backward and as he hit the ground darkness seized him.

Chapter Two

Life As Ususal

ORION JUMPED AWAKE in his bed remembering the fall. Seeing that he was back in his room, he rolled over in the darkness and picked up his phone to see what the time was. It was 6:30am, he sighed and silently slid out of bed. He opened his bedroom door quietly and made his way to the bathroom so he could wash his face. When he looked at himself in the mirror he wondered how he was going to explain the bruises and the swollen lip he had. He couldn’t just say ‘my dad hit me’. Sighing, he finished washing and made his way downstairs in the darkness. He almost tripped over his dad who was laying on the floor passed out at the bottom of the stairs, surrounded by empty whiskey and beer bottles. Orion bent down and silently picked them up, then made his way to the kitchen where he put them into the recycling bin.

Pouring himself a glass of orange juice and a bowl of cornflakes, he sat down at the table and thought about the dream that had just awoken him. He wished it was real, even with the war going on it had to be better than this life with his dad, where he was the punching bag. When he finished his breakfast, he put his glass and bowl in the sink and made his and the twin’s lunches, dreading what he was about to do next, he walked into the hallway and shook his dad awake.

DAD, he shouted as he shook Lawrence.

Lawrence opened his eyes, and Orion moved back just as his father sat up rubbing his head.

What? he groaned.

It’s almost time for you to take us to school, even as the words left Orion’s mouth he regretted them as the smell of alcohol on his dad’s breath hit him, but it was either be driven or walk for two hours.

Get me a coffee and go and wake your brothers up.

Orion rushed into the kitchen and made his dad’s coffee; he then handed it to him on his way upstairs. As he reached the bedroom door, he could hear people speaking, assuming that it was his brothers he pushed the door open expecting them to be up but he found both of them fast asleep.

Jake, Anton it’s time to get up, he said as he got their uniforms out of the wardrobe.

Jake and Anton looked at him wearily as they got out of their bed’s and began dressing in silence, ready for the day ahead. When they got downstairs, Orion sorted out the twin’s breakfast and waited for his dad to come back down so he could take them to school. Once the twins had finished their breakfast, they all made their way out of the front door and to their dad’s rust bucket car. As Orion got into the car, he saw their neighbour Mr. Thomas peering out of his window with a look of disapproval on his face. Lawrence climbed in and started the car as they started moving the car backfired making Orion jump. The drive to school was uneventful apart from Lawrence cursing at other drivers for driving too slowly.

Don’t forget to pick us up today, Anton said as the car rolled up to the school gates.

You are gonna have to make your own way home as I’m off out.

Oh, then can we have money for the bus please?

WHAT DO I LOOK LIKE A BANK, Lawrence shouted slamming his fist into the steering wheel.

Noticing that they had made him angry all three boys jumped out of the car and made their way through the school gates where they would be safe from him.

Bro, you look a bit rough from what he did to you last night, Jake said as he looked at Orion’s face. What you going to tell people?

I fell down the stairs, same as usual, Orion said with a smile on his face, trying to reassure his younger brother.

I don’t think it will work this time, Anton said.

Meet me outside after school, I will sort getting us home, Orion said as he began to walk up the path towards the enormous Victorian building in search of his best friend.

When he entered the assembly hall, he caught sight of Rachel waving him down as he made his way towards her, a man sweeping the floor bumped into him.

I’m so sorry, young man, said a tall man, who had amber eyes, Orion was sure he had seen him before.

It’s okay, Orion said hurrying off.

As he walked towards Rachel, he wondered where he could have seen the caretaker before. Glancing back, he saw the caretaker stood there watching him when the caretaker noticed that Orion was looking at him he smiled and went back to sweeping the floor.