by JW Baccaro
THE COMING OF THE LIGHT
BOOK THREE
Guardian Series
By
J.W. Baccaro
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
This is a work of fiction. All characters, places, businesses, and incidents are from the author’s imagination, or they are used fictitiously and are definitely fictionalized. Any trademarks or pictures herein are not authorized by the trademark owners and do not in any way mean the work is sponsored by or associated with the trademark owners. Any trademarks or pictures used are specifically in a descriptive capacity.
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form (electronic or print) without permission from the author. Please do not participate in piracy or violating the author’s rights.
Editing By:
Bonnie Lea Elliott
Book & Cover Design By:
Wicked Muse Productions
®Forbidden Realm Publishing
November© 2013, J.W. Baccaro
GUARDIAN SERIES
THE ENTIRE SERIES
BOOK ONE
BOOK TWO
BOOK THREE
BOOK FOUR
BOOK FIVE
I would like to dedicate this book to Baxter and Jan Stickle—my in-laws. For all of your love and support you’ve given me throughout the years, I thank and love you both!
INTRODUCTION TO THE EPIC GUARDIAN SERIES
The elemental Crystals were originally created to protect the earth. However, Abaddon the Demon Lord plans to use them to transform the earth into a realm of haunting darkness and witchery, forever.
In the Prophecy Of The Guardian a young but powerful Nasharin Warrior, Darshun Luthais is drawn to one of these magical crystals of immense power. He learns he’s the fulfillment of the two thousand year old Prophecy of the Guardian. The Wizard Olchemy informs him that he is the protector and guardian the earth has been waiting for.
With Darshun’s ability to sense the Elemental Crystals, Olchemy devises a plan to obtain them. Accompanied by a small group of companions the hunt is on, in hopes to retrieve the long lost crystals before the Demon Lord claims them.
During the journey, Darshun encounters Aurora, the sole survivor of a now extinct people. He falls in love for the first time, and now resents the so-called Guardian of the Prophecy role.
Due to Darshun’s naïve spirit he’s caught off guard by Nayland, a mysterious dark warrior who confronts him about his abandonment of the quest. He reveals that he too, is a Nasharin warrior, though far exceeding Darshun in skill and power. Darshun’s father, Mirabel saves him from death at the hands of Nayland.
Outmatched and in bewilderment from the attack, a fire awakens in Darshun. He plans on reaching his father’s level of power with a journey to Shajin Island, where Nasharin Warriors train. He’ll be gone for only one day in Earth realm time, but due to the magic of the rigorous island, it will be seven long years for him. Entering the mystical realm of Shajin, he eagerly awaits its life threatening challenges.
In Crossing Forbidden Lines, Darshun faces a solemn heartbreaking betrayal by the woman he loves and is left dying from a hideous torture inflicted by the Queen’s guards. He is healed by a female Elf, Kelarin who he calls his angel.
Feeling his power to be tripled, he battles Queen Talvenya’s son and slays him. Thus, earning the Queen’s undying vow of revenge. Afterward, he faces the Demon Lord in a fierce battle which nearly kills him once again. After a mysterious Elder nurses him back to health, he returns to his father, Mirabel to help defeat the massive army of the Demon Lord.
When the Wizard Olchemy re-surfaces alive and brings his powerful red dragon, along with Darshun’s new Elfin family— they all prepare for a fierce battle in The Coming Of The Light.
The group defeats the Dark King’s Army and Darshun finally faces Queen Talvenya in a final battle.
In Sons Of Fire, the sides of Dark and Light take their places for the Day of Darkness. Minevara, Darshun's sister faces the Vampire Queen, and must save Nayland's life by battling him to the death. Kelarin, Darshun's love is kidnapped to be the Demon Lord's blood sacrifice.
After being bested by The Guardian, Darshun…Queen Talvenya comes to join the Light as King Loreus discovers he may be the ‘One’ chosen to carry the Sword of Purity. In Piercing The Darkness .This sword has been foretold to have the power to unite all the races of the Earth Realm. Kaylis joins them both for a journey to the dreaded Centaur kingdom. Darshun gathers many for the upcoming battles they all will have to face.
CHAPTER ONE
BEGINNING OF THE END
Storming into the Prince's chambers, throwing herself at the foot of his bed, Talvenya trembled unceasingly, her face pale with a host of tears streaming down her cheeks.
Awakened by the wheezing and silent cries, Sicarius jolted from his mattress flinging off the sheets. Clothed in a silk purple robe, he went to his mother, squatting next to her. "Mother?" he spoke, sympathetic in tone.
Talvenya slowly turned her head, eyes swollen from persistent tears, and fell into her son's arms. "It happened again," she mourned. "He was there, commanding his people to—touch me, hit me, torture—"
"Shhh," the Prince soothed, putting a finger over her lips, knowing all too well the meaning of her words. Gently he held her, rubbing her back, the touch of her loosely fitted black gown silky smooth. "It was a dream, that is all mother. Just a dream. No need to be afraid any longer."
"He’s out there still, you know… roaming the wastelands in anger—rage for what I did to him. One day, he will find me, Ormehth—"
"Don't even speak his name!" Sicarius hollered, flaring his nostrils, the flames in his gaze high. "That beast isn't worth it. His vile hands shall never lay a finger on you again, not while I live. I promise." He pushed aside a lock of her raven hair, kissed her forehead, then gazed into her timid eyes, her violet colors glistening from the tears. "I love you Talvenya, my mother, and I swear to never let such harm befall you a second time. Now think these things no more, no more mother—think these things no more!"
She nuzzled her head against his like a tamed feline, inhaling his scent of musk and sage, adoring the words he’d spoken, the strength in his tone. She believed him and felt protected.
Sicarius moved behind her and began massaging her shoulders slowly working his strong hands down the spine, then gracefully back up and along her arms, his heat converting into the muscles soothingly. He kissed the back of her head, below the ear lobe and the side of her face.
A loud purr came flowing from her mouth like a constant stream of gentle water or a continuous mild and warm breeze. She faded into a trance, falling ‘victim’ to her son's natural gift of hypnosis and closed her eyes tightly.
"You are the Queen of Asgoth," Sicarius whispered into her ear while kissing her neck, "Champion of seduction, domination. You are my mother, my Goddess, and no harm can befall you, no vile can corrupt your immaculate spirit. You are Talvenya."
She opened her eyes the timid look long gone, replaced by the typical seductive stare. She rose to her feet, standing above her son, gazing down at him. She knew what’d happened, again faced with a terror that haunted her past, its filthy hands taking hold of her in a dream, but could not recall the event because of her son's unique gift of hypnosis.
Like-mother-like-son, Sicarius seemed to be a natural at bringing others into a state of his control.
Fortunately for Talvenya, he erased the most painful event of her dreadful past each and every time the memory unfolded itself, normally by way of a dream…or rather, nightmare. When faced with the reality, she would storm to her son for comfort and healing, never telling another living soul, especially
Tanarokai. He knew not her past and surely would see this fear as a weakness.
Sicarius was different and immoderately close to his mother, adorned in pleasing and keeping her safe.
When the hypnosis ended and the darkened memories were forgotten, Talvenya would return to her common self, the Queen of Asgoth, Goddess and Dominatrix, knowing no fear or weakness, fearing no mortal. The roles in royalty would immediately shift between mother and son. For no longer would Sicarius be the one comforting and protecting, his place would be back at her feet, worshiping his mother, his Goddess, where in turn she watched over him and provided any desire he so craved.
Now, realizing his mother was ‘the Queen’ once again, he got on his knees and bowed his head before her, then lowered his face to gently kiss her bare feet, his lips warm and moist.
"Stand," she commanded.
Sicarius obeyed while meeting her violet eyes, keeping his body stiff and straight like a board.
Talvenya touched the side of his face, his skin felt polished, sleek and trailed a hand down under his chin. Then she delicately ran both hands through his silky orange-red hair and gently pulled, so he would fall closer to her. She kissed his forehead.
Sicarius knew this as his mother's way of thanking him, and she seemed well pleased with her son.
"Return to your bed. Sleep."
The Prince nodded and obeyed her command. He nestled back up under his thick wool blankets and once more, did Talvenya venture over and kiss his forehead.
"Sweet dreams," he muttered.
Talvenya smiled, knowing his words were honest and sincere. She probably would dream nicely for the remainder of the night. She always did after these moments with her son. The vivid horrors Sicarius took away did not usually show their face again for another three or four years. In truth, her son was the only individual she loved, and would protect him if it meant giving up her own soul. At times, she chuckled at these feelings, thinking how those among the Light shared similar feelings for one another. But her love for Sicarius ran deeper than any mother's love. For what mother would gather the children of others to have them sacrificed in place of her own? When it came to Sicarius, nothing else mattered, no life but her son’s.
She made her way to the exit, her black gown trailing the floor. She glanced back at Sicarius.
The Prince already looked asleep, peacefully the blankets moving up and down from his breathing.
Unexpectedly, a loud cracking came from outside the door with a red light shining in from under the crack. Quickly she stormed it open and in horror witnessed Darshun in such dire rage she might even believe he now stood aligned with the Dark.
Flames of red brewed around him chaotically as he stood in his Transformation. A wicked grin appeared on his lips as he pointed past Talvenya's head—into the Prince's chambers.
In fear, she promptly turned around to witness her son surrounded in flames, his body levitating, the fire brutally eating him alive as he thrashed to and fro helplessly, screaming for his mother’s aid. Every passing moment the fire grew more intense, scorching away at his members. This wasn’t natural it even seemed illogical from the sheer force and intensity he should’ve been incinerated by now. This was more an inferno of torture.
"Darshun stop this!" Talvenya screamed, throwing a fist his way.
Never exchanging a look, he simply caught her wrist and pulled her to the ground, her lips splitting open against the stone.
"Mother—please!!" Sicarius shouted, desperate for relief, even death.
Then just as Talvenya attempted to rise to her feet to take another blow at the wicked Nasharin, the brewing flames exploded, Sicarius' charcoaled members scattering into different directions before turning to complete ash—right before Talvenya's eyes. "No!" Talvenya shouted, awakening from the nightmare.
"You do well to wake a whole army," Tanarokai snarled, stationed beside a dying fire.
Talvenya stared blankly at him and then her surroundings; a little disoriented then realizing she was safe and still at the camp site they'd settled the night before. Her son would also be safe, watching over Castle Volborg back home. "Just a dream," she whispered.
Early morning did come, the sun beginning to climb the red sky. Scattered across the landscape of the lightly wooded forest were the Cullach, awakened from the Queen's horrid screams. But no matter how frustrated they were from lack of rest, none dared complain or look her in the eye.
A gleam resided in her gaze and she did appear after all, not to be herself lately.
"While we're all up, we might as well get ready to depart. We will not be stopping again until we reach Volborg with the prized possession." Tanarokai held his hand atop the black leather sack containing the Air Crystal—last of the four.
They’d left behind a holocaust of death in a once hidden village, hidden right under their very noses, on the out skirts of Asgoth. As to how long the tribe had been holding the crystal or how they even came in contact with it didn't matter to Tanarokai and at the time, Talvenya. They simply marched in, slaughtered and took the sacred element for their own, or rather for Abaddon.
"I'm going to wash up," Talvenya announced, making way to a lake just beyond a small acreage of evergreens.
"Do not be long."
"Of course not," she answered, meeting his glare as she passed him. "The last thing I'd ever attempt would be to anger my King."
Tanarokai looked suspicious as if he knew she imparted sarcasm as he watched the back of his Queen fade into the trees.
* * *
They arrived at Asgoth, making way for Castle Volborg. The city danced with joy upon seeing the return of their rulers, knowing what they were bringing, the weapon that would make them Kings of the New World, without the company of Humans, Elves or any other blasted vile of Light.
“Our Lord is going to be mighty pleased with us, don't you say my Queen?”
"Indeed," she answered lowering her eyes to the stone walkway.
"You share little excitement."
"Oh, I am excited my King. Just—thinking."
"Tell me your thoughts for you've been quiet the entire journey back."
"No need to trouble you with ponderings that are probably nonsense anyway."
Tanarokai opened the front door to the castle, gesturing his hand forward, allowing Talvenya to proceed a head of him. In appreciation she nodded, strolling past him. He followed, shutting the door behind, the loud clang echoing into the hallway. "There should be no need for troubling thoughts my dear," he said, gently taking her hand. "Understand there will be no stopping Abaddon's plans of destruction now that we have the four crystals. And when this world changes we shall rule it forever.”
"…Forever, yes. The power of sorcery, giving us long sustained life has its benefits."
"Indeed so."
"Perhaps Prince Sicarius will reach a similar level in the Darkened Arts where he shall be able to live forever like us, live forever with us.”
"If the boy continues to train just as hard as you and I did, he shall become the eternal Prince of the New World."
"One day—maybe more than a prince, aye? If anything were to happen to you, say an accident or death by battle perhaps, our son would take your place as King and I would step down, so that he may have a Queen, give him a taste of Rule.”
Tanarokai halted in his tracks, throwing her hand from his. "Why is it you suspect tragedy to strike me?" he snapped, casting her a look of rage. "Surely, fate would rather grip its nasty hands upon you…were it to choose one of us. A strong King must live on forever, and by no means would I step down from the throne for Sicarius. What a ridiculous notion. I would sooner take another Queen.”
“Settle down my King. I’m merely trying to comfort you with the thought of your own son ruling the world—”
“Under Abaddon the world shall be mine to rule! No other’s! Any creature so much as thinks to change that”—He clenched his fists—“Including Sicarius, will face the wrath of the Soul Crusher.”
A seething anger began flowing in her veins. It felt bad enough with the dream of Sicarius still haunting her, but Tanarokai might have just pulled the last straw by threatening their own son's life. She glared at him, answering back, "Your tension, cease it immediately. For do not forget whom you are speaking with, your Queen! One whose power transcends your own.”
Squinting his shadow-like eyes he laughed. "My Queen…My Queen, always having a competitive heart; always believing you are the mightier. Never realizing the mere strength in my arms could crush you like an insect."
His deep burly notes irritated Talvenya. She stepped closer to him, a little aura of violet illuminating her presence. "Your strength does not frighten me."
"You forget woman, I wield the Soul Crusher, the most lethal weapon on earth. There is no steel stronger, neither is there any swordsman faster, or magic user mightier. Do not cause your life to end sooner than it should by challenging me."
Staring at him for a long while she took in his words, wondering if they were true, if she really could be the weaker, less efficient one, when all these years amongst their royalty together, she’d always played the dominant.
"These thoughts of mine have always dwelled in my mind, Talvenya; unspoken because they really do not matter. I've rather enjoyed 'allowing' you to think so highly of yourself, so powerful and in control. In truth, what's really bothering you these last seven days is your change in heart.”
My heart? “What are you talking about?”
He stepped a little closer while looking a little meaner. “Since when do you spare prisoners that are worthless to us? There was no reason to allow any of those villagers to live.”
