by E L Strife
Anger and fear flooded his body. It’s a dream. Wake up. Wake up!
Bennett clambered up in bed, sweat steaming from his skin, clouding the room. Waves of nauseating heat registered in his awakening brain, sending a guttural gasp raking his sore throat. He was burning up yet cold with dread. The images he’d seen were fading too fast for him to grasp them, but they left him feeling desperate.
Smoke wafted up from the glowing edges of a hole forming beside him in the mattress. A flame licked up at his face. Startled, he grabbed a boot, stomping it out.
His hands seared like he’d stuck them in a pot of boiling water. At the scent of burnt leather, he dropped the singeing shoe. Lifting his fingers to inspect the damage, the red-hot iron of them snapped alight.
“Gah!” Bennett thrust his fists away from his body in a panic. He leapt up and carelessly flung his door open, stumbling outside to search for the one person he figured could help.
Brittle pieces of his charring clothes broke off in a dusty trail, following him across the hall to Atana’s room. Noticing the holes in his uniform, exposing more skin every second, he spun back to his door to grab another set. Placing his left hand to the metal panel, he watched the edges of his wristband warp from the heat. The screen flickered and darkened. He was locked out of every closed door in Home Station.
Crap! Bennett rammed a shoulder into the steel, knowing it was futile but hoping, on the off chance, it hadn’t latched. The panel didn’t budge.
Across the hall, he slapped a palm repeatedly against her door. Seeing his handprint glow orange in the metal, he lurched back.
“Nakio?” Please be in there.
He scoured the other doors in his hallway for one that might be open or ajar. If he could get himself locked behind a watertight hatch, any room, he had a chance to contain his potential energy.
Every one was shut.
Bennett’s face screwed up. Oh, why didn’t I think of that earlier and stay put?
Two shepherds passed by the end of the hall, causing him to slink into the deepest corner of the dead end. To his relief, they didn’t appear to notice.
A firestorm was bad enough. A shitstorm was a whole other matter.
He tensed his shoulders and tried to visualize what had held back his fire on Agutra, days earlier. Atana and Azure’s shield bubbles. He’d managed crucial pieces on instinct when guarding her but never manifested one in entirety.
Flames from his fists crawled up his forearms with renewed fuel. Heavy needles of alarm wove through his limbs. He shook his hands out to awaken his body. Orange wisps flared off his fingertips.
“No!” That’s the opposite of what I want! He spun an angry circle into the hallway. Taking a deep breath, Bennett narrowed his eyes on the floor.
They can do it. Why can’t I? Focus, idiot.
He wanted to grab his head in confused disbelief but stopped himself when he saw the melted wristband again. Growling, Bennett curled his fists up before him. A bubble was too delicate to handle with the chaos brewing inside. He needed something that felt as if it were unraveling, like him. When we were naked, they made me a tornado.
Envisioning the whirling ribbons came easier.
The door swung open as golden bands inched to life around his hips and chest. He grimaced, shying back a step.
Atana’s fingers splayed in shock. Firelight reflected in the glossy surfaces of her eyes as she surveyed his condition. The bottom lip she’d been chewing on slipped from her teeth. “Uh, Jameson?”
“Please, tell me you can help.”
Apprehension flitted across her face, knitting her brows together. She looked no more confident than he felt.
He hung his head inside his patchy cover and cursed.
Thanks for reading!
Your feedback is crucial to the success of indie authors.
Please help us out by leaving a review.
Let us remember our common vulnerabilities and strive to have Atana’s integrity,
Azure’s sense of commitment, and Bennett’s eye on the future.
We can build a world at peace.
Sneak Peek at Book 3
My spark within burns bright and dark:
A blend of heaven's innocence and hell's wrath, a storm of colliding galaxies.
I am in the water you drink, the air you breathe, the land that houses you,
And the stars you look toward for hope.
I see and know all, from the cosmic fringe to the spirit inside.
There is no conviction stronger than mine, nor sense of duty.
I have been called upon to do what angels won't and the meek cannot.
From the shadows, I fight for the future of the universe, the future of us all.
I am a prospector.
The Prophesy: Part 3
An infinite loop is broken by time. New links will hold the line.
The deepest vein must pay the price and be the thorn that fuels the knight.
The dust of stars our lone guide, we must find hope where shadows lie.
Connect With Elysia
Subscribe to my personal blog: elstrife.com
For book-inspired images, find Elysia Lumen on Pinterest
Follow Elysia Lumen Strife on Goodreads
Catch ElysiaLStrife on Twitter
Follow AuthorELStrife on Facebook
Watch Elysia Lumen Strife on YouTube
Find Elysia Lumen Strife on LibraryThing
Pronunciation Key
Names:
Amianna – Ah-mee-ahn-uh
Amora – Uh-more-uh
Azure – Uh-zoor
Balie - Buh-lee
Dequan - Day-quahn
Glato - Glah-toe
Gruégon - Grew-ae-gone
Hyras – Hi-rahs
Imara – Ih-mahr-uh
Jorjan - Jore-juhn
Josandizer – Yohs-ahn-di-zur
Krett – Kreht
Lavrion – Lahv-ree-ahn
Miskaht – Miss- kaht
Mratus – M-rat-uhs
Nakio Atana – Nuh-key-oh Uh-tahn-uh
Nalli – Nah-lee
Nephma - Nef-muh
Omut - Oh-mutt
Paramor – Pair-uh-more
Prixxa – Pricks-uh
Ramura – Ruh-mur-uh
Remmi – Rem-ee
Rimsan – Rihm-sahn
Ronux - Row-nucks
Saema – Say-muh
Tivar – Tie-vahr
Species:
Dagganak – Da-gahn-ahk
Euli – E-you-lee
Kojaqx – Co-jacks
Kriit – Kreet
La’kian – Lah key-ahn
Linoan – Lih-noh-uhn
Linéten – Lihn-ay-ehn
Marakou – Mahr-uh-koo
Mirramor – Meer-uh-more
Noriamé – Nohr-ee-ah-may
Picree – Pick-ree
Primvera – Pryhm-vair-uh
Simmaro – Sim-ahr-row
Suanoa –Sue-ahn-oh-uh
Warruk – Wahr-uhk
Xahu’ré – Zuh-who-ray
Places:
Agutra – Uh-goo-truh
Arasu – Uh-ray-sue
Ether – Ee-thur
Nuiive – new-eve
Lizra – Lye-zur-uh
Semilath – Sehm-ill-ahth
Vioras – Vee-or-us
Zephyr – Zef-fur
Other:
Hatoga – Huh-toh-guh
Kyra – Kye-ruh
Japous – Juh-poos
Jesiar – Jess-ee-ahr
Marusa – Mar-ooh-suh
Doku – Doe-koo
Kiatna – Key-aht-nuh
Rhizoras – Rise-ohr-uhs
Verros – Vair-ohs
Zusha – Zoo-shuh
UP Code of Appropriate Actions
Any violation, as presented with adequate proof to Command, will subject that shepherd to a complete evaluation to determine if the shepherd in question is capable of continuing with the Uni
versal Protectors. If a violation is confirmed, the shepherd will be sentenced to early retirement and begin out-processing immediately. Technical details are listed under Home Station’s C:Shepherds’ StandardsMandated Codes.
Rule 1: Never Get Involved.
Your duty is to respect your job, your responsibilities, and others.
Any personal relationships (ie: friendship, family, intimate) are strictly forbidden.
Rule 2: Serum for Stability.
Without it, our cause is lost.
Rule 3: Plan, Prepare, Perform Perfectly.
Error is not tolerated.
Rule 4: Treat All Earthlings Equally.
Do not place the value of one individual, no matter their affiliation or worth, over that of the masses.
Rule 5: Be Proactive.
Maintain physical health, skills, and knowledge and adapt to the evolving needs of your position.
Rule 6: Do Not Disclose Identifying Information,
Allowing Others to Know You as Different From the Masses.
Information concerning the UP program shall not be shared with any civilian, under any circumstances.
Release of information about your personal self/life is to be kept to a minimum,
Disclosed only as essential to successful performance of missions.
Rule 7: Honesty Prevents Failure.
Be upfront and forthright so tasks may be completed with minimal interference.
Rule 8: Lead by Example.
Guide less-experienced shepherds with idealized performance and explanation of expectations.
Rule 9: No Shepherd Left Behind.
A fallen shepherd will not be left in the field to fall into combatant possession without due cause.
Rule 10: Respect Command.
They protect us as we protect the people.
We Are Kindred IN Death.
It is only in life, that we can be different from others.
Let us use this time to make a positive impact.
We are all equal, united as one.
Shepherd’s Oath
My strength comes from those before me. I honor them now and forever, as I continue their tradition.
I solemnly swear: to be honest and fair.
With integrity and a balanced mind, for this vocation, I was designed.
Not akin to any zone, we call Earth our only home.
We’re the last true armor for the vital spark.
We disarm evil and preserve peace for every heart.
The greed of others will not sway our actions but fuel the purpose for our reaction.
Our decisions remain unbiased and objective. In this state, we shall be effective.
We will continue to safeguard the innocent until every last drop of our blood is spent.
Though our bodies may weary, as long as they’re warm,
We’ll stay calm and controlled, amidst the storm.
We are a symbol, for those who see, no matter our pain, we will set them free.
Even on the darkest night, we are their shepherds, their guiding light.
We fight for each other, ‘till the wicked succumb. We are all equal, united as one.
We are the Universal Protectors!
Translations
Xahu’ré
A – li
Again/repeat – orsa
All – é
And – im
Are/Be – vi
Baby – amiimi
Bad (situation) – mriikrii
Bastard – ehrun
Bare/exposed/raw-liatti
Beams (light) – viiar
Beautiful – lisano
Bed – veruliat
Bird-like creature – Calila(n)
Blessings – pelaeso
Body/single being – giatmano
Boots – duan
Bread – mok
Breath – vehr
Broken – teglik
Brother – marrat
Can – yui
Careful – sisano
Child/ren – amras
Cold – sua’o
Come/follow – ruaha
Comfort – veruusia
Control – grekrat
Cruel – sua
Day/cycle – vimora
Deal/manage – sakimo
Death - niveriia
Desire/need – tus
Different – ja’aht
Do/perform - tahtu
Door – gromat
Dreams – lianar
Dry – hesse
Each other/our masses – giat’ii
Eternity/forever – iveron
Family – Veriat
Father – miipa
Fear – eskrii
Feeling – trus
Female/Her – miia
Fight – nux
For/present/gift – dakan
Friends – layha
Freedom – avituvey
Get – tuess
Give – dak
Go/be over there – avi
God/spirit – Diete
Good – siisa
Have/hold – iitues
Heart – tannas
Here – shirrahs
Hey/attention – asii
Honor - pelamiit
Hot – grat
How/explain – suriah
In – amah
Is – il
It – ras
Item/something – it’yan
Kiatna – life form (general, mamallian)
Kill/murder – krat
Know/aware – ku
Leader/ruler – noa
Let – lakat
Life – veriia
Lifeforms/ beings – kiatna
Light – viia
Love – verons
Luck – mamua
Male/He – marra
Mate – ituviia
Me/myself – sim
Moon – mora
Mother – miima
Mutiny – ongkrat
Naked/bare – liatti
No – aht
Not – ahtz
Of – zi
On – sur
Open – rhassa
Out – ruut
Pain/ed – mriitrus
Peace/rest – tivalla
Please – niema
Promise/swear – verso
Protect – mitras
Protector - mitron
Purpose – mocohas
Resist (fight back) – ongx
Sacred Mother – Saema
Sad – su
Safe – mitrasso
Separate – grom
Sky – evus’ii
Sleep – lian
Something – it’yan
Sorry /heart cries out– sutannas
Soul – veriisa
Soulless – veriisaht
Stay/be here – virrahs
Stop – nigh
Strong – tiisa
Suicide – simkrat
Surround/
encompass – ’ii
Sweet – susse
Thank(s) – eih
The – du
They/them – roa’ii
This/that – yan
Tired – Liat
To/Directional – vey
Together/united – alatus
Triangle – etiizano
Unfamiliar/Unkn – Kuuah
Until/Pending - veyha
Up - evus
Us/we (our group) – ria’ii
Until/pending – yanir
Use – tusan
Warm – sussia
Warrior/sir/sgt XA – Martiis (male)
Martiisa (female)
Wash/clean – zeeja
Welcome/hello – asiivé
What – hu’te
White mush meal – Izanot
With – itu
Worry – Iyanimi
Wrong – naaht
Yes – tsu
You – ahna
Yourself – ahnasim
About the Autho
r
Elysia Strife was born in the U.S. in 1986. Since she was a child, she's been making up characters and stories in her free time. Discovering her passion for science fiction, futuristic dystopias, and conquering impossible odds, the mix swirled together into the vibrant world of fantasy she creates today.
Adopted by two educators, she developed a love of learning. She holds two Bachelor's of Science Degrees: Exercise Sport Science and Interior Design. Her past wears fatigues, suits, and fitness gear, sprinkled with mascara and lace. She likes the kick of a 30-06, the rumble of a hot, 350-ci V8, and snow and sand beneath her tracks.
Strife loves connecting with readers and welcomes all feedback and questions.
