Destiny, and the Red Orb (The Destiny Series Book 1)

by J Deleon

  Scott stopped and held his ground against the wind as he desperately searched for a place to take shelter. Nearly every building now had been destroyed. Large pieces of the ground had been ripped out all over; no matter where they were. Circumstances were only getting worse the longer they survived. To top it off, a few of the members started to get sick, including Scott. It started with a small fever, but then the fever became worse and didn’t go away. Scott would throw up blood every so often as well; nobody knew what it was. Scott tried his best to ignore his symptoms, however, and focus on Ian and the other members.

  “We can’t stay here!” Melody shouted again.

  “Just give me a minute!” Scott yelled, trying his hardest to figure out what to do.

  Every party was now weaker, both in appearance and internally. Scott’s body was now skinny enough to see his ribcage. His skin was tight on him and his cheeks were hollow. Ian’s body wasn’t as bad, but it was easy to notice that he was vastly underweight. Scott fought depression every night, worrying about his fellow group members; his friends. They spent every second of everyday with each other, they were all they had left. They all started out as strangers, the few who survived the monsters, but now, they were practically a family. Scott hated the thought of losing them. Keeping them safe was the only thing he cared about, but most importantly, keeping Ian safe. The son he never had.

  “We’re going to make a shelter! Get whatever you can! Now!” Scott demanded.

  He led the group to a fallen building that blocked away most of the wind and started to build a fort. They used pieces of whatever they could to do so, but after not too long, they had made two small shelters for them. The wind fiercely blew at them, but they took turns holding down the fort. Scott was the only one who stayed out the entire time. He endured the heavy wind to make sure that the shelter didn’t blow away. The others took turns, switching to being inside, sleeping or just resting.

  Scott stood outside, lost in his mind once again. He knew thinking too much was never good for him, but it was all he could do. Even at the dead of night, he stayed there, protecting his friends. Rain started to come down as Scott fought to stay awake. He looked up at the red sky and let the rain pelt his face. His long hair threw sweat and rain side to side as he shook his head. Scott now maintained a short shave, not ever liking the feel of a beard. He reminded himself that Ian was actually starting to grow out his patchy beard. The last time the two had the chance to shave, Ian skipped it and told Scott that he wanted to see how it would look like.

  Scott opened his eyes and stared at the dark night. The sky was a deep dark red. The Red Orb was closer than ever. It looked the size of the sun, but slightly bigger. Even from that distance, the Red Orb was causing tremendous damage to the earth. The rain was hot as it touched his skin. The wind was as well, along with everything else. The world was a hotter place now, as if they would burn up eventually. They needed saving.

  Though he didn’t trust them, Scott had no other choice but to find the sword and give it to Ian. He was their only chance of survival, along with the others that Ian told him about. The lady named Jennifer had the sword at the moment, so that’s who Scott was looking for. He wouldn’t stop until he found her and retrieved the sword. It was their only chance.

  Emry

  The cold wind gently blew on her face. Her scarf covered her mouth and nose as she slowly lifted one leg after another through the heavy snow. She stopped and looked around. The world was quiet around her. Only the soft wind blowing emanated a sound. She now wore gloves to keep her hands warm, thick clothing for her body, a snow cap, and large boots for her feet. All of her body, save her eyes, was completely covered. There had only been snow for the past few days.

  It had been so long since Emry had set off on her own. She couldn’t remember the last time she saw another person, the last tree she saw, or even the last word she said. She felt like it had been years since her journey began. The young lady had learned to survive out in the cold on her own. She kept her body hair long for warmth, she kept a small diet of whatever she could carry, she slept only when the night had long come, and she used the heat of the dawning Red Orb to warm her whenever she could. Although the Red Orb gave her warmth, the snow was too thick and the wind was too cold for her not to freeze.

  Emry didn’t have the slightest idea of what day, month, or even year it was. All she knew now was her mission: finding the Hammer of Life. Sinda had told her about it long ago and hadn’t spoken to her since. Had it been a year? Two years? Emry didn’t know. She stopped worrying about it altogether. Most days, she would only think about him. The being behind the Red Orb. The being that shall never be released.

  The silence comforted Emry. She listened to her soft breathing as she looked around. It was rare when she would stop walking, but something felt different. Emry had stopped focusing on where she was going and just started walking. She figured that if she was destined to find the hammer, she would find it whether she looked for it or not. The Kamara pulsated constantly as she travelled.

  Emry looked down at the perfect snow. Not one snowflake was out of place. This part of the world has been untouched. For miles, only her footsteps broke the untouched snow.

  “Sinda?” Emry called.

  There was no response.

  Emry walked a bit further, then stopped. She looked down in front of her and stared at the snow. She went to her knees and began to brush the snow away. She scooped out inches of snow and eventually feet. She created a hole nearly five feet in diameter. It took her a while, but she eventually hit a stone. She paused and studied it. It wasn’t a stone at all after she noticed it more. It was attached to the ground. She brushed off more of it until an area of the stone was revealed. The ground beside it was only dirt, but for some reason, there was an area made out of a crystal like stone. It glistened as she stared at it.

  Curious, Emry continued to shovel away the snow until more and more of the area was uncovered. It wasn’t until she got further into the stoned circle when she hit something sticking out of it. It was hard, but it wasn’t as rocky as the stone. It was smooth. Emry brushed off more snow until the edge of a large hammer was identified. The head of the hammer was laying on the crystal stone, like a sword on a pedestal. The handle was long and perfectly carved out of a fine wood-like substance. The head was large and jaded at the edges. Markings were carved on the side. Emry couldn’t make out what they read.

  “Sinda. I found it.” Emry spoke quietly.

  Slowly, Emry gripped the handle and picked up the hammer. It was easier than she expected it to be; virtually weightless.

  “What do I do now?” Emry held the hammer.

  “It appears Sinda isn’t here with you, anymore.” Destiny’s voice bellowed behind her.

  Emry turned around. Destiny’s silhouette beckoned just a few feet away. It stayed there, above the snow, staring at her.

  “I won’t use it.” Emry told it.

  “My dear child, there is so much you still don’t understand.”

  “You’re not trying to save us. You’re trying to free him. Yourself.”

  “And if so, why would that be the wrong decision? Without me, you will die. This universe will cease to exist.”

  “I’d rather die than live the rest of my life with you.”

  “Wise, but not the course of action you will take.”

  “I don’t care about what I’m destined to do. Nothing will make me do it.”

  “You are just like her. The one who defied me. But unlike Jennifer, you must obey.”

  “I won’t.”

  “I’m trying to help you.”’

  “You’re trying to kill us.”

  “What do you think happened to Sinda?”

  “Wh—what?”

  “Surely she just didn’t abandon you. I’m sure you were able to notice her weakness when she would speak to you.”

  Emry was scared.

  “You’re right, I’m not Destiny. I’m greater than desti
ny. They put me away, but I have my ways. For millenniums, I’ve been reaping from them. Now they know what I can do, but it’s too late. Destiny is long gone, and so are the others.”

  “Stop it.”

  “One by one, I reaped their souls. Using them against each other. Changing destiny and space itself in order to get this far. I’ve killed gods, I can kill you.”

  “Then why not?”

  “Because to you, this is life and death, but for me, it’s a key.”

  “You need us.”

  “Perhaps, but your childishness won’t stop me. Nothing will. No matter what you say or what you do. No matter who tries to defy me, the Red Orb will be stopped. I can see it now. The three of you, scared, confused, and staring me in the eyes. Destiny is a shell that will be broken, but I will emerge from the pieces.”

  Emry was shaking. She shut her eyes and whimpered. She fell to her knees and faced the snow below her.

  “Now child, go. You have a long journey ahead of you. Awaken your hammer and find the others.”

  Scott

  Scott, Ian, and the rest of their group had travelled long and far over the past year. Many of the nights were filled with tears and starvation. The days were held together by fear, pain, and survival. The monsters were finally leaving them alone. For some reason, they had stopped looking for them. Something told Scott that the aliens had also known about what had been happening. They were searching for the sword, and they didn’t have it.

  Scott slowly walked through the streets, guiding his small group through the city for the hundredth time, searching for Jennifer. Through the harsh sickness and the constant pain, Scott fought on. He told himself he wouldn’t die until he knew his group was safe.

  The Red Orb loomed over them. Scott looked up to the sky, waiting for it to just come already. He was almost gone.

  “Scott.” Ian spoke behind him.

  Scott looked forward and saw something he hadn’t seen in a very long time.

  “Stop. All of you.” Scott stopped moving. He stuck his arms out to stop the others as well.

  “Who is that?” Melody asked.

  “It’s that girl.” Ian answered.

  The girl who pleaded for Sean’s life was walking down the street along with her group. After so long, the same group happened to be walking down the same street. This was destined to happen.

  “Destiny.” Ian whispered.

  “Let’s go. They have the sword.” Melody stated.

  Scott thought about every scenario that he could imagine. They needed to do this. Maybe it was destiny. Scott started forward, leading his group down the street. Soon, the other group noticed, but didn’t run away. They walked forward as well.

  Jennifer

  “Jennifer.” Cecily called as Jennifer watched her feet move.

  The group had been travelling almost none stop since they left the gymnasium. They circled through the city, wandered outside of it, and then back into the city. For so long, they had no luck.

  Jennifer looked up and noticed immediately what Cecily wanted her to see. It was a group of people. The first group of people that they had seen in so long.

  “It’s them.” Lela pointed out.

  “Look, it’s Ian.” Michael stated.

  Jennifer propped up at this. “Ian?” The short boy was walking at the front.

  “Yeah, that’s him alright. I will never forget his face. And that man.” Cecily stared.

  Jennifer saw a tall, lanky man walking next to him. His long hair drooped just over his shoulders. His skin was tightly wrapped over his bones.

  “This is it.” Jennifer continued to walk forward.

  The group became more visible as they got closer. It wasn’t until they were nearly twenty feet away when the skinny man stopped walking. Jennifer did the same. The groups stared at each other in silence.

  “I assume you’re Jennifer.” The lanky man said.

  “Yeah.” Jennifer held the sword at her side.

  Ian stepped forward. His hair was just over his eyebrows, his baggy clothes were dirty, and his light skin was almost as tight on his bones as their leader. The entire group seemed to be in worse shape than their own.

  “Ian.” The leader called.

  “It’s okay.” Ian replied, continuing to step forward.

  Jennifer then approached the boy. The two stopped, just a foot between them.

  “How old are you?” Jennifer asked.

  “Sixteen, I think.” Ian told her.

  “You’re very young.” Jennifer responded.

  “Maybe, but I have to do this.”

  Jennifer hesitated for a moment.

  “Jennifer.” Cecily spoke.

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t.” Jennifer gripped the sword tighter.

  “Jennifer!” Cecily said worried.

  Jennifer heard footsteps behind her. Ian looked past her, but Jennifer kept her eyes on him. The footsteps stopped abruptly. A few seconds later, Jennifer heard the familiar toon that Cecily would hum when she was nervous.

  “Dun dun dun DUN dun dun dun.” Cecily’s scared voice hummed.

  Jennifer slightly turned her head. “It’s going to be okay, Cecily.”

  She watched from the corner of her eye as Cecily shut her eyes and put her head down.

  “Things are never going to be okay, Jennifer.”

  Jennifer felt awful. Hearing that nearly stopped her from continuing. Jennifer then looked to the ground and held back tears.

  “Please, they’ll kill us all.” Ian’s voice shook.

  Jennifer suppressed the feelings and looked back up at Ian.

  “I don’t trust them.”

  “Neither do we, but it’s our only chance.”

  “He’s the chosen one.” A member of Ian’s group stated.

  “No, there are no chosen ones.” Jennifer told him.

  “The gods spoke to him.” The man replied.

  “Was it Destiny? Yeah, he spoke to me too.” Jennifer finally felt brave.

  Ian’s eyes widened. “What did they say?”

  “That you were destined to find the sword, not me. But I found it. I still have it.” Jennifer addressed everyone around. All her life, she had been afraid. Her social anxiety had always gotten the best of her, ruined her life even. All of the missed opportunities, all of the moments she couldn’t cease, she wasn’t going to make this one of them. “Destiny tore me down, clawed at my insides, and threatened me with death if I didn’t give you the sword. He’s probably watching us right now, but I’m not going to do it.”

  “But—” Ian couldn’t find the words.

  “I don’t know what it is, but he wants you to do something for him—something bad. He’s manipulating you. He’s manipulating all of us. But we can stop it. We can be strong. Destiny doesn’t control us. Destiny can’t—” Jennifer suddenly began to cough. She pulled out her hand and covered her mouth. She looked at her palm and saw blood strewn all over it. She then began to cough again.

  “Jennifer!” Cecily called out just before she felt Ian’s hands gripping the sword.

  Jennifer picked up her head and tried to pull Ian away. Almost immediately, a gunshot was fired from behind her. The gunshot was followed by several more. A war was starting.

  “Jennifer!” Cecily called out.

  “Ian!” The leader of Ian’s group shouted as well.

  Jennifer and Ian didn’t move from their positions, however. The two stood in the middle of the battlefield as their two groups took cover. Jennifer wasn’t going to let go of the sword.

  Ian fought for the sword, Jennifer wasn’t going to be able to pry him off. She looked up at him and stared at his eyes. They became covered in a red substance that quickly spread through his face like veins. It covered his arms and hands, making him stronger somehow. Jennifer held on, however, not giving Destiny the chance to overtake her.

  “Jennifer.” The all too familiar voice spoke behind Ian.

  Jennifer looked up and saw Destiny’s silhouette sta
nding over Ian. This nearly made Jennifer let go, but she held on.

  “You’ve done it. You’ve proven to be stronger than I had imagined.”

  Jennifer fought Ian’s strength with all of her might.

  “Now let go.”

  Jennifer felt the same pain as she did the first time she met him. Her insides tightened, she couldn’t breathe, and her eyes started to bleed.

  “Very well then. Prove to me how strong you are.”

  The feeling became worse. Jennifer screamed and fell to her knees, but the sword was still in her grasps.

  “Give him the sword, Jennifer.”

  “No!” Jennifer thought.

  “Fine.”

  In that moment, time slowed down. The gunshots were slow enough to see the bullets flying by. Ian was slowly yanking the sword as Jennifer held on.

  “You have bested me. No other creature has ever been able to do so. And to think it came from just a simpleton.”

  “I don’t care what anyone says. Anybody can make a difference.” Jennifer was speaking to him through her thoughts.

  “Yes, you have proven that. Never in existence has someone proven to be this strong. You can be the inspiration of an uprising all over all of the universes. Any of you could be just as destined as Ian—I see that now. I thank you for reminding me that, but the time is now.” Destiny whipped around Jennifer and moved closer to her ear. “I can help you. I have the power to manipulate time and space. You don’t know what you are stopping.

  “With the Red Orb stopped, I can bring life back. All of your family, your friends, your life. Cecily’s life. She could continue her life she so much begs for. Ian could go back to his family, see his sister again, and be normal once more. I can give you all of these things. Just give Ian the sword.”