''Who are you?'', asked Artemia.
''It doesn't matter''.
Artemia nodded and the woman turned towards the city. We started running towards the mountains.
Slowly, the city of Targantine receded behind us. The land started to become drier, filled with rocks and thorny bushes.
''Wait'', I called after her. ''I have to go back to the Black castle. Alice was trying to save me. It is all my fault. I have to get her back''.
''If Viktor has her, then she is as good as dead. There is no way you can defeat Viktor. Don't let her sacrifice go in vain''.
''But I have to. She is like a sister to me'', I said, trying to hold back my tears.
''There is someone who can help you and I will take you to him. But we have to leave now. Those creatures will be back, and we have to be out of here before they do''.
''I want to go back to Lycaonia'', I said.
Lucas and Lucy were my friends and they would surely agree to help me.
''Not now. With their king dead, the Alphas will be at each others throats. You do not want to get caught up in that'', said Artemia. ''Besides, the only one in Lycaonia who had a chance against Viktor is dead''.
She was right. There was no way I could kill that monster, even with the help of Lucas and Lucy. The Wolf King himself had failed. I needed help from someone more powerful. I will avenge you, Alice, I promised.
''Alright'', I said, looking at Artemia. ''Take me to him''.
It was almost a week since we had reached the mountains. We had not even stopped to rest. Artemia's blood bottles were almost empty and we had to survive on mountain animals.
It was difficult for me, but I managed to stay in control of my body, without giving in to the instincts. After another week of continuous traveling through the green valleys, we finally reached our destination.
''Welcome to Crystal Vale'', said Artemia. ''The city beyond the mountains''.
I stared in awe at the beautiful city, nestled in the valley below us. Sunlight glittered off the lake that was situated at the edge of the city, beyond which stretched a great forest.
''Is that where he lives?'', I asked.
''Sometimes. But, he still has not returned from his quest in Eitheon'', replied Artemia. ''I am taking you to someone else. His name is Aries Grissom. He is the founder of the Resistance''.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Acknowledgements
Thanks to the God Almighty, to my family, to all my friends, without whose help, I wouldn't have been able to complete this book.
Thanks to everyone who has supported me and helped me. To Enosh Abhishek Soans for helping me with the grammar and editing.
Thanks to Kat Cortez, to Manja, to Brian for helping me share my novel with as many people as possible. Thanks to Aravind N J, to Enosh Abhishek, to Ajith Roysten, to Ronak, to Karthik. B. K, to Deekshith Shenoy, to Paresh G for being the first ones to read my book.
Thanks to all my favorite artists whose songs inspired me and made me believe that I can be whatever I wanna be, especially Eminem, Tupac, Biggie, Avril Lavigne etc. and super awesome bands like Evanescence, Linkin Park, Against the current etc.
Thanks to all the authors like Rick Riordan, J. R. R. Tolkien, J. K. Rowling, Christopher Paolini, George R. R. Martin etc. because of whom I was inspired me to write.
About the Author
Hi, my name is A.Royden D’souza. I was born on March 25, 1996, in Mangalore, a port city in south India.
I was always fascinated by ancient myths and legends, and started writing ‘Atlantis’ when i was 20 years old.
I was inspired by the great writers like Rick Riordan, J. K. Rowling,
Christopher Paolini, J. R. R. Tolkien,George. R. R. Martin etc.
I aim to be one of the greatest fantasy writers of all time, but for that i will need your help.
So, please keep reading my books, and i hope you enjoy my work.
Thank you....
website : www.shadythree.com
instagram : www.instagram.com/shady_three
facebook : www.facebook.com/shadythree
Atlantis: The Beginning (The Atlantis Saga Book 1) Page 21
