The Fire Salamander Chronicles Series: Books 1 - 3: The Fire Salamander Chronicles Series Boxset Book 1

by N M Thorn

  Gunz nodded to Kal and channeled the elemental Fire. The power came immediately and easy, wrapping around him like a tender embrace of a lover, penetrating his body and soul, taking him over. Following his mentor’s advice, he let go completely, surrendering to his element. As the healing energy of the Fire flooded him, exultation coursed through him. His fingers dug into the ground as every muscle in his body tensed and he screamed.

  A powerful surge of fire energy spread around him, rushing through the Isle Buyan for miles. The blast was so strong that it knocked Svyatobor who was standing next to him off his feet and propelled him a few feet away. Svyatobor hit the rock with his back and lost his breath for a moment, his phosphoric eyes tearing.

  A wall of fire erupted in the place where Gunz was lying down just a moment ago and when the fire subsided, a giant Fire Salamander, a golden lizard with red stripes and spots along its back, was levitating a few feet above the ground. The lizard’s eyes were filled with scorching fire and small flames were running along the length of its back, all the way to the tip of its long tail.

  “I can’t believe it…” Veles pointed at Gunz, his glowing eyes darted from Kal and then back to Gunz. “This young man is the Great Fire Salamander. Kalidus, did you know… Never mind. Of course you knew that.”

  Kal approached Gunz and brushed his fingers over his flaming back. “Come back to me, my son,” he said with a soft smile.

  Gunz let go of the power, slowly assuming his human appearance. He felt strong and recharged like he never felt after reverting into his natural state before. Usually, he still was tired and weak, but not now. The pain was gone. The flashbacks disappeared completely. Unfortunately, his clothes were also gone, burnt by the fire. All the clothes he normally wore, were fireproofed by a spell Mrak Delar taught him a while ago. But the rags that Karma got for him in the Dark Nav was nothing but that—useless rags.

  Gunz became aware of his state of undress and gasped, stepping behind Kal. Angel took his trench coat off and threw it over Gunz’s shoulders, which he gratefully accepted. As he was buttoning up the coat, Gunz noticed that all the scars were gone from his body. Only in the place where Agent Zvereva placed her cursed rune were there thin white lines in the shape of that rune.

  Kal touched his chest, tracing the shape of the white lines with his fingers. “Scars left by magic never disappear,” he muttered and slipped a heavy gaze at Mrak Delar. “Am I right, Ancient Master?”

  For a split-second, Mrak Delar’s face became ashen, but he quickly collected himself and cleared his throat. “Yes, Great Salamander,” he replied quietly. “That’s true.”

  The tall man whom Gunz couldn’t recognize came closer and offered his hand for a handshake.

  “My name is Semargl, Great Fire Salamander,” he said, giving Gunz’s hand a firm shake.

  “Slavic god of Fire,” said Gunz, observing the man with interest. “It’s an honor to meet you, sir.”

  “The honor is mine. It’s not every day a Great Fire Salamander is born,” said Semargl, a smile hiding beneath his flaming mustache. “I am glad you are all right. Dark Nav is not gentle with our kind. However, you are safe now and it is time for me to leave. If you ever need me, you know how to summon me.”

  Semargl waved his hand unfolding the fire curtain of his portal and walked through it, disappearing on the other side. Once Semargl was gone, Veles spoke up, pushing Kal lightly on his shoulder.

  “So, your little one is the Great Fire Lizard, eh?” he said with a lopsided smirk that didn’t seem to fit his overall grizzly appearance. Kal nodded and Veles continued, his face cold and serious once more, “I do not have much time. I believe war is coming and my brother Chernobog and I will need your help if we stand a chance of winning it. We’ll need all of you fighting on our side.”

  “War?” asked Aidan. “Am I missing something?”

  “Aodh mac Lir,” said Veles inclining his head, “I’m glad to see you here, god of the Otherworld. I will need you to tell everything I’m going to say right now to the Lord of the Wild Hunt, Gwyn ap Nudd. And the answer to your question is yes. You are missing something. So are all your friends.”

  Gunz exchanged an uneasy look with Karma and Angel. But they were just as puzzled as he was. Kal frowned and put his hand on Gunz’s shoulder, like he was trying to protect him from what was coming. Mrak Delar’s hand moved down to the black long sword at his belt and he frowned. The energy of his elemental power spiked up around him, coloring his eyes black, betraying his true emotional state.

  “What are we missing, Great Veles?” asked Aidan.

  “The pendant that was stolen. Young Salamander, do you know what this pendant was?” asked Veles, raising his hand up to pet a large black bird that was nestled on his shoulder. The bird produced a screeching kraa and shifted closer to Veles’ cheek.

  “The mage never told me what this artifact was or what kind of magical properties it possessed,” replied Gunz, observing the bird with interest, wondering how he didn’t notice it before.

  “The Axe of Perun,” replied Veles. “That’s what it was—”

  “No!” exclaimed Mrak Delar, taking a step forward. “No, it can’t be. In 1812, I personally entrusted a young Guardian witch, Countess Anastasia Demidova, with the safekeeping of the pendant. How did it end up in Chernobog’s possession? She was supposed to guard it for as long as she could and then pass it to the next worthy Guardian of her choosing.”

  “Countess Demidova was the one who summoned Chernobog and delivered the Axe to him,” explained Veles. “She believed that the location of the pendant was compromised, and that she no longer could protect it. She was an elderly woman at that time and she didn’t trust anyone in the Order, including her own daughter. She strongly believed that Chernobog was the only god of Slavic pantheon who needed it the most and had the best chance of keeping it safe.”

  “On no, it’s worse than I expected,” muttered Mrak Delar. “For a few months, I was sensing some disturbance beneath. I could feel it even in Kendral. But I never thought…” His voice trailed off, and he felt silent. The storm gathered around the World Tree and lightning split the sky. Masters of Power were able to control the weather and the quickly gathering storm showed that the turmoil of Mrak Delar’s emotions was affecting his control of the power.

  “Gwyn ap Nudd mentioned something along those lines too—disturbance beneath, something dark rising,” said Kal, frowning. “Mrak, why didn’t you say something to me?”

  Mrak just shook his head and didn’t reply. The Ancient Master was showing signs of distress and fear. Mrak Delar went through many wars—human and magical, torture and slavery, but he never showed any fear no matter what he had to face. This behavior was so unlike him that Gunz felt chills running down his spine.

  “Kal, Mrak, can someone please explain to me what’s going?” asked Gunz, throwing his hands in the air.

  “I can try,” said Veles with a sigh. For a moment, the ancient god appeared tired and despondent. “I do not have time to spare, but you need to understand. The Axe of Perun is a powerful magical object. It is a weapon like nothing you have ever seen in your short life, young one. Perun, the god of Thunder wielded this weapon in his fight with Skiper-Zmey, the Lord of Chaos.

  “It happened quite a few thousand years ago. I doubt even Kalidus is old enough to remember those dreadful days. The Lord of Chaos ruled this realm. Terrible times, indeed.” Veles shook his head, his bushy eyebrows gathering above his blazing eyes in a frown. “Skiper-Zmey captured Perun and held him captive in chains for three hundred years. And when his brothers finally freed him, Perun used his Axe to fight the Lord of Chaos.

  “To make a long story short, Perun defeated Skiper-Zmey. Him and his brothers confined the Lord of Chaos inside a large oak coffin, restraining him with heavy chains, sealed the coffin with cold iron, and buried it in a sacred location. I placed the enchantment on the place myself. For three hundred and three years, Skiper-Zmey remains in his enchanted sleep,
dead to the world. But as a part of his punishment, every three hundred and three years Zmey awakens. He recalls his defeat and thrashes around in his coffin, unable to break his chains and free himself. After three days, he falls back into his enchanted sleep.

  “Only the Axe of Perun can destroy the coffin and break the chains that hold the Lord of Chaos. This is the only weapon in this world or any other world that can set Zmey free. And now it is missing. Right at the time when the Lord of Chaos is supposed to wake up.”

  “I’m sorry, but it just so—,” said Gunz, stopping himself from using a word that would offend the powerful Slavic deity. It wasn’t news to him that all serious spells and enchantments always had some disclaimers in tiny letters attached to them. But some of the ancient enchantments were done in a way that was just inviting trouble to happen. “Why would you place an enchantment that wakes this pure evil up? Why not just destroy him. Or at least keep him in his enchanted sleep forever?”

  “You are very young, Child of Fire, and I will forgive you your insolence,” said Veles, pinning Gunz with his calm gaze and his icy eyes darted to Kal. “Kalidus, you must teach him our ways. Your son is extremely powerful, and he would do well to understand the balance between good and evil in this world and how it works.” Then he turned back to Gunz and continued, “Besides the fact that I had to preserve the natural balance, my enchantment was the worst punishment I could inflict upon the Lord of Chaos. He is forced to wake up and remember his shameful defeat. Feeling powerless to change anything, he repeats this cycle over and over for all eternity. What can be more agonizing for an immortal being?”

  “So, you believe that this mage, Zvereva, stole the Axe of Perun to free Zmey?” asked Aidan.

  “Yes, Aodh, that is exactly what I am saying,” replied Veles, inclining his head. “In a few days from now, the Skiper-Zmey will wake up in his coffin and I believe that the mage will attempt to bring him back, using the Axe of Perun.”

  “Hold on,” chimed in Svyatobor, getting up. “I thought that only Perun and those of Perun’s bloodline could wield this weapon and use its full power. Unless this mage is a great-great-granddaughter of Perun, she won’t be able to use it. And as far as I know, Perun didn’t sleep around. Definitely not with mortal women.”

  “You are right, but you are also wrong, Svyatobor,” said Veles with a half shrug. “The full power of the Axe is available to Perun and his blood kin only, but anyone with magic can use it to a degree. So, this mage can use the Axe to break Zmey’s restraints. And we cannot allow it to happen.”

  “Ah… I need this missing page,” muttered Aidan. “We must know more about this mage.”

  “Yes, Aodh, anything we can learn about her will help us fight her,” agreed Veles. “In the meantime, I must go back to the Dark Nav. My brother and I must get ready.”

  “Wait,” said Gunz. “I need to know how much time we have to get ready. When is the Skiper-Zmey supposed to wake up? You said that it was supposed to happen in a few days. How many days do we have, my lord?”

  Veles slowly put his left hand on the pommel of his sword, his fingers squeezing it absentmindedly. “We do not have much time, young one,” he replied, moving his arm up. The black bird stepped from his shoulder to his hand. “Only ten days. It is truly unfortunate that this year Zmey is supposed to wake up on the night of All Hallows’ Eve. The night where the veil between the worlds of the living and realms of Spirits and Demons is at its weakest.”

  “I thought All Hallows’ Eve doesn’t apply to Slavic pantheon,” muttered Gunz. “Svyatki is the time when all the evil spirits and demons come out to roam the Slavic realm of the living. But it’s in January, not in October.”

  Veles smirked. “Very good, young one. But what you fail to understand is that no matter what our beliefs are and which pantheon we belong to, we live in the same realm and we all are connected. So, on the night of October 31st, the Zmey will wake up and the mage will exploit the weakness of the veil to break him free.”

  “Samhain…” whispered Aidan, his face lit up with a grim smirk. “The only night when Gwyn ap Nudd can walk the realms of the living.”

  “That’s right,” agreed Veles. “We’ll need his help.” The ancient god bent down and let the bird hop to the ground. “Voron, rise.”

  The bird screeched and spun in place. It disappeared in a continuous blur and a heartbeat later, Voron materialized in its place. Gunz gaped at Chernobog’s right hand-man with his mouth open.

  “Are you a shifter?” he mumbled.

  “No, I am not,” replied Voron without giving any further explanation. His eyes crinkled at the corners slightly, but his lips didn’t form a smile. “I am here to create a bridge between you and the Dark Nav, so all of you can communicate easily with my lords Veles and Chernobog.”

  “I will get in touch with you within twenty-four hours through Voron,” said Veles, nodding to Gunz.

  Gunz glanced around, not sure if the god of the Three Realms was addressing him. Surrounded by ancient deities of different pantheons and the Master of Power, he was the least powerful and certainly the youngest. Why would Veles address him and not Kal, Aidan or Mrak Delar?

  “Yes, I am talking to you, young one,” said Veles, chuckling. “It is you whom the mage chose and tried to dispose of. Something about you makes her… um… uneasy. So, try to learn everything you can about this mage and get ready. A deadly battle is coming, and we cannot afford losing it.”

  Veles snapped his fingers and vanished from the Isle Buyan.

  Chapter 21

  ~ Zane Burns, a.k.a. Gunz ~

  As soon as Veles was gone, Gunz sighed with relief. He didn’t know why, but the ancient deity was making him feel uneasy. He couldn’t explain it. Veles was nothing but kind and respectful to him. He saved him, releasing him from the ice prison, and protected him from Morena. Even though Voron was still here, standing right next to him, Chernobog’s righthand man wasn’t giving him the same vibe as Veles.

  Gunz observed his friends, his eyes shifting from face to face, stopping on Aidan. He smiled, watching Aidan, Svyatobor and Angel. Aidan was trying to tell them something, but Angel and Svyatobor were ignoring him, bickering with each other. It was such a familiar and peaceful picture that for a moment Gunz forgot why they were here and felt like he was back home in Florida.

  “Thank you, guys,” he said, walking up to his friends. All three of them turned around at once.

  “Thank you?” repeated Svyatobor snickering. “You know that you owe me now, Fire Gecko, right? And I don’t sell my services cheap.”

  “Aw, shut up,” said Angel, chuckling. “You’re not the one who had to go down to the Dark Nav and meet with the god of Destruction.”

  “Shut up, both of you,” interrupted Aidan. “Gunz, with everything that’s going on, I’m just glad to see you in one piece. No gratitude required. You would do the same and more for anyone of us.”

  All of a sudden, Aidan stilled and looked up, his eyes swirling with white and silver light. A moment later, a soft smile lit up his face and his eyes returned to their normal blue color.

  “Gunz, I have to leave now. Are you coming home with me?” he asked, his voice still sounding a little distant.

  “No,” replied Gunz. “I need to talk to Kal first.”

  “Who was it? Gwyn?” asked Kal.

  “Yes,” confirmed Aidan. “Gwyn ap Nudd is back, and he is summoning me. I must go back to my school and open the window to the Otherworld. He’s waiting for me. Would you like to speak with him?”

  “Not yet, I still need to have a word with my son,” said Kal, putting his hand on Gunz’s shoulder. “Go ahead, Aidan, talk to Gwyn. I hope he was able to get that missing page. Gunz will get in touch with you as soon as he gets home.”

  Aidan bowed to Kal and Mrak Delar respectfully and said his goodbyes to Voron and Karma. After that he put his hands on Svyatobor’s and Angel’s shoulders and they vanished from the Isle. Gunz walked to the Alatyr Stone, stopping i
n front of the Master of Power, who was sitting on the ground, his arms resting atop his bent knees.

  “Master Mrak Delar,” said Gunz bowing to him, “may I ask you for a favor?”

  “Yes, young Salamander,” replied Mrak Delar, rising. “What can I do for you?”

  “Can you please take Karma and Voron to my house in Coral Springs?” asked Gunz, sending a guilty look in Karma’s direction. “I lost my keys, but you can—”

  “I am a Master of Power,” replied Mrak, chuckling. “Trust me, I don’t need a key to open your house. I’ll take them to your house and stay with them until you’re back home.”

  “Thank you, Master,” said Gunz bowing to him.

  Mrak Delar approached Voron and Karma ready to teleport them out of the Isle, but Karma raised her hand, asking him to wait. She came closer to Gunz, a guilty look on her face.

  “Zane, I can’t go,” she said quietly, taking his hand into hers. “I’m sorry, but I can’t leave the Land of Dreams. I need to find Milana. She has to be somewhere in the Dark Nav. She couldn’t just disappear without a trace.”

  Gunz bit his lip, shaking his head slightly. “Karma, Chernobog himself said that Milana is not in the Dark Nav. He would know if she was—”

  “And when did you start believing Chernobog?” snapped Karma. “Was it before or after he ordered you flogged and allowed his wife to torture you? You firetwat!”

  Gunz sighed. The old Karma was back, armed with sarcasm and dangerous. “Karma, you said it yourself—Chernobog is the Nav. He would know if Milana was there and I don’t see a reason for him to lie to us. How about we make a deal? Let’s sort out this little problem with the Lord of Chaos rising and once it is all over, I’ll help you find Milana. Deal?”

  Karma sighed. “I hate to admit it, but you’re right… The end of the world kind of takes priority here. But once it’s all over, assuming we succeed and all of us are still alive, you’re my errand-boy until we find Milana. No ifs, ands or buts.”