The Outcasts' Journey

By Derek Ebersviller

Despite his best intentions, Masato never saw eye to eye with his father. Their tensions culminate when a disastrous accident forces him out of town. Taking the opportunity to broaden his horizons, he soon finds quite a collection of unusual companions. Among their ranks are several individuals with enigmatic capabilities known as Empyreans.

Unfortunately, along with their strength, the Empyreans also bring a multitude of nefarious foes who wish to snuff out their power...or use it for other purposes. It'll take more than his amateur swordsmanship to keep him alive in the first installment of the Halcyon Rhapsody trilogy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Derek Ebersviller
• Release date: Nov 9, 2011
• ISBN: 9780984601431

Book preview

The Outcasts’ Journey

Derek Ebersviller

Copyright 2011 by Derek Ebersviller

Smashwords Edition

The Halcyon Rhapsody Trilogy

Book 1: The Outcasts’ Journey

Book 2: Land of Iniquity

Book 3: The Mirage Empire

Copyright © 2010 by Derek Ebersviller. All rights reserved.

Halcyon Rhapsody Trilogy logos designed by Derek Ebersviller

Cover Art by Fernanda de Oliveira

ISBN: 978-0-9846014-3-1

I would like to extend a special thanks to Fernanda de Oliveira, the amazing artist who created this book’s cover art, and to Thressa Johnson, the brilliant English major who helped me edit.

By Derek Ebersviller

Chapter 1

Sacrifice

Thank goodness you’ve come, Doctor Megiddo. We’ve no idea what it means.

The young father stared intently at the doctor across the small hut as he entered through the simple flap that served as a door. His face was plastered in a light sweat, a genuine look of fear illuminating his eyes, but a glimmer of light shone. He still had hope for his newborn son.

Closing the flap behind him, the doctor moved towards the father. I came as soon as I heard, Moksha. Where is the boy?

Eager to see his newborn treated immediately, Moksha led the doctor to the back partition of his family’s tent. As he walked through the flap his wife gazed up towards him. Like his, her face was decorated with sporadic beads of sweat. Like Moksha, she had light brown hair, hers tied up in a single short ponytail. In her arms she held her baby. As her eyes met his, he could see in her a combination of love and worry for the infant.

Doctor Megiddo moved hurriedly to the woman and motioned for her to let him see the boy. She began to, but stopped suddenly, glancing to her husband for reassurance. He nodded towards her. It’ll be alright, Dharma. Megiddo’s already shown me his medical prowess and it’s simply amazing! If there’s anyone who can help us, it is him. The words he spoke were true but in his heart he doubted that Megiddo could treat this particular affliction. Still, his words calmed Dharma enough to make her hand over the child.

The doctor cautiously unwrapped the baby and turned him over in his hands. He began crying and writhing about in the man’s pale, thick arms. Dharma began trembling lightly until Moksha placed his arm around her.

Megiddo’s eyes widened as he observed the skin at the base of the baby’s spine. A small red flower adorned with four petals covered the skin at this point. He slowly raised his eyes and glanced at Moksha with a look of terror.

What…exactly is it? Moksha demanded anxiously.

Megiddo closed his eyes for a moment and breathed deeply. Finally he explained. It’s a tattoo. It symbolizes that this boy will develop a heightened sense of a particular chakra. Your son will develop extraordinary power as a result. It is truly a blessing of the grandest variety. You should be proud.

Dharma and Moksha smiled mildly at each other. Dharma quietly muttered, That’s…that’s wonderful. Though…what exactly are chakras?

The doctor wrapped the baby back up and handed it to its mother. The energies that facilitate the human body accumulate at seven different points called chakras. Each of these energy centers accentuates different parts of human nature and potential. This tattoo augments those qualities monumentally. In all my travels I’ve only come across one other. Your son shall know tremendous glory.

The two parents beamed happily down at their son. Megiddo reached into his robes and pulled out a long chain. The young parents stared nervously at the doctor. A gust of wind shook the wall of the tent violently. Their baby’s crying escalated to a shriek. It opened its bawling eyes for a brief instant to catch a flash of metal.

The top of the tent, now cut free, blew off towards the horizon while the bottom toppled over. Moksha and Dharma stood back from where they were with the baby clutched protectively to Dharma’s chest. Across from them Megiddo stood, swinging the chain around in his hands.

In the open air his features became more discernable. He had dark eyes and erratic vermilion hair. He donned a heavy black cloak and swung a chained scythe over his head. Which is why I must kill him now before he becomes too dangerous to stop. The last tattooed one I encountered grew intoxicated with his powers and is now the single largest threat to Shirana. I cannot allow another such power to grow from this sprout.

Dharma stared at Megiddo with an intense hatred, but he did not falter. I never expected the two of you to just let me have my way. At the very least, I hope you understand my motivations for killing him.

Moksha put his hand on Dharma’s left shoulder and slowly turned her away from Megiddo. He then raised his eyes to meet his adversary’s and drew a katana from the scabbard attached to a sash around his waist. You speak with the assumption that you will be able to. As the last of the blade came out of the scabbard he positioned the sword in front of him, clutching it firmly with his right hand. But I shall not let you lay a hand on this boy.

The two warriors lunged at each other. Megiddo hurled the scythe at Moksha, who in turn struck it down with his katana. The scythe bounced off of the ground and the doctor pulled back on the chain, cutting the side of Moksha’s leg in the process. His blood glinted as it splattered to the ground but he gave it no thought.

Megiddo stopped his scythe as it returned by pressing his foot to the blunt side of the blade and, spinning his weapon right-side up again, grasped its handle. At the same time Moksha charged, holding his hilt with both hands to intensify the force of his swing. Megiddo lunged forward and quickly used his left hand to clutch the guard of Moksha’s katana. With both of his opponent’s arms incapacitated at the expense of only one of his, he threw forth his scythe, but not at Moksha.

The swordsman’s eyes followed the scythe to its actual target and quickly discovered his wife and child in immediate danger. Moksha jumped up and thrust his legs into the chest of his opponent, freeing his hands and blade. Quickly he angled his blade perpendicular to himself and plunged it into one of the links of the chain, stopping the scythe just before it made contact.

Megiddo stopped his fall with his left hand and kicked his right foot up into Moksha’s face, using his left foot for balance. Moksha fell down to the ground but remained clutching his hilt, thus effectively disarming his opponent.

The doctor stared down at the twitching body of his opponent. You are indeed a skilled swordsman, but you’ve got miserable stamina. A slash to the leg and a kick to the face have you on the ground twitching? You’d have done better were you not watching out for your family, but it would not have saved you. Still, I must commend your dedication. Despite your wretched condition you continue to defend them valiantly. It makes me sick, he laughed.

Megiddo stared at Moksha’s arm holding his katana. The doctor reached underneath his cloak with his left hand and pulled out another blade attached to his chain. This blade was shaped differently, however. It resembled a rectangular prism but with eight prongs protruding from it in four groups of two.

A look of confusion appeared on Moksha’s face, causing Megiddo to grin in amusement. Like it, don’t you? Well then, allow me to explain my weapon before I put you down. It is a single chain with a device attached to each end. I use the scythe for broad sweeping attacks and the pike for narrow piercing attacks. Both can be used for either offense or defense as needed, and so it excels in versatility. I call it the Ravager. You disabled the scythe… Megiddo slowly began spinning the pike, picking up the pace gradually. …And so now your death shall be by the pike!

The pike flew forward towards Moksha. Dharma’s eyes widened and instantly filled with tears. The baby’s crying suddenly ceased…

Blackness. Enveloping blackness. Dharma carefully set the baby down and smiled at it lovingly with her blackened eyes. She stood up and turned towards Megiddo, who was shaking in disbelief. The pike remained lodged in a black barrier several inches from Moksha’s back. Small cracks from the impact surrounded the pike of the Ravager.

So, you’re a valkyrie are you? Here I’d thought that every last one of you had been killed off. I’ll have to make it so, threatened Megiddo.

Dharma’s voice resonated with confidence as she spoke. It has been ten years since I’ve summoned these powers. I knew that if anyone aside from my husband saw me use them I would be hunted relentlessly. But if it means that he may live I will make that sacrifice. For him and for my son it is here that you will die! she cried.

Megiddo chuckled maliciously. But there are dangerous drawbacks to your abilities aren’t there? You are able to generate that manifestation of yourself through astral projection and it has drastically increased defense and offense, but any wounds it incurs affect your actual body. It quickly drains your physical strength as if you were performing its actions yourself, which of course become much more draining with its increased power. Either of these causes can kill you very quickly, but I suppose you’ll last longer than you would have otherwise. I must admit you did well. Although it’s wounded your arm, both ends of my weapon have been nullified and you have the remainder of your astral body to attack me with. This will be quite difficult to win. So be it; let us begin.

Dharma’s right arm was bleeding at the same spot that her astral body’s arm was hit with the pike. On the other side of the chain the left arm materialized and instantly struck at Megiddo. He swiftly dodged and moved backwards. It’s a shame you’re rooted to that spot. If you move too far I’ll be able to attack your husband. You’re also anchored by your baby, he taunted as an astral foot formed near her child. This gives me all the time I need to prepare a counterattack. You can’t reach me here.

Dharma’s blackened eyes glistened with contempt towards the assailant. Suddenly the left hand of her astral body grasped the chain of Megiddo’s weapon and pulled back forcefully, propelling him forward and into her range. But it’ll be far more interesting to draw you into this trap! he laughed hysterically. As he flew towards the valkyrie he drew something from his clothing and tossed it straight towards Moksha. Dharma quickly expanded her astral body to protect her love from the device. She realized it was an explosive as her right arm burst into further pain. The madman’s gambit was punished, however, as the left astral hand swatted him into the ground.

I wonder which will run out first: my stamina, or yours? You’ve done well in only partially materializing your astral body to conserve your strength but I wonder how long you can last. By your own admission you haven’t used your valkyrian abilities in ten years. You’re starting to collapse already, aren’t you?

The valkyrie shook in pain. As she tried to stabilize herself she looked forward to her unconscious, rigid husband. She turned and looked back at her newborn. The tears in her eyes began to drip down her face. How right you are. I won’t last much longer like this. As she spoke, the rest of her astral body formed in front of her until the shape of a large gorilla was formed. It then crushed the chain connecting the scythe with the pike.

If I continue to fight you all three of us will die by your hands. She began walking towards him. And so I will end it now for both you and me. The wind blew her pony tail gently and she wiped her bangs out of her eyes. Her tears stopped. You shall not escape these eyes. I will protect my family!

As she continued toward Megiddo she redirected her astral body away from her husband and son and to quickly ensnare the villain. She approached him as fast as her wounded body could as he deployed a large assortment of explosives at the astral body. The explosions battered her body, blood dripping down from all over.

One of her eyes went out. She became dizzy. Further. Almost there. She pulled a dagger out of her shirt and removed its sheath. She wedged herself between her astral body’s limbs with Megiddo, her dagger facing his heart. He sighed. I suppose I was careless. Well then, if I’m to die here then at the very least I should go out with a bang! He removed another explosive and bit off the cap.

Just as the dagger came near his chest the two of them were engulfed in a brilliant explosion. Both of them were consumed by the flames and the astral body disappeared. Red smoke ascended into the sky.

The desert was calm once again, with the exception of a tiny crying baby.

***

Red smoke was still wafting towards the sky when Uriah arrived several hours later at dusk. The cloaked figure crouched over the seared body left by the explosion. He shook his head disdainfully. Such a pity, Megiddo, and just a day after your admittance to the Lawbringers. You were nowhere near ready to join our organization but I thought you could at least assassinate an infant.

I’m not dead yet, you jerk, Megiddo hacked. What are you doing here?

The master told me to track you in case something like this happened. You really do play too roughly though. Do you always incinerate yourself while fighting?

It’s not my fault. The brat’s mother was a valkyrie.

You should have been able to handle that, Uriah lectured him. Where is the Muladhara?

How should I know? I got knocked out by the blast. He could see the smoldering corpse of Dharma a meter or so away. The father must have taken him somewhere. He was injured, though, so he couldn’t have gone far.

Uriah took a swift glance around and spotted a short trail of blood. It tipped him off to the direction that Moksha had fled, even if it didn’t lead all the way. Will you be alright here on your own?

Yeah, I’ll be fine. I’ve tanked far worse damage than that.

I’ll be back soon then. And so he began to follow the blood trail towards his prey.

After about an hour he reached the sea, the Azure Steppes. Trailing the blood droplets he found the body of a young male, in his twenties, Moksha. So this must be the father. He must have known we would come when Megiddo did not return. Instead of giving his wound time to heal he agitated it by carrying his son out to the ocean. Turning the body over, Uriah was startled to discover it was not yet a corpse. So you’re still alive, eh? Well with all the blood you’ve lost that won’t last long. He uncovered his face from his cloak and cast a melancholy look downwards.

Moksha squinted at the figure in agony. My wife gave her life to protect our son. How could that have been in vain? I couldn’t live with myself if I wasn’t brave enough to do the same as her, he stated before breaking off into a cough.

Uriah smiled lightly. A noble act indeed. Do you really think he’ll survive though? He’s not a day old and now alone at sea. Under such fragile conditions he cannot hope to survive.

Perhaps you are right, though perhaps you aren’t. I choose to believe that he will find land soon and be taken up by adoptive parents. Oh, he will suffer greatly until then. Hunger pains, cold, loneliness. Nothing that an infant should ever have to face. However, should he survive he will be stronger, Moksha explained through his obvious pain.

Stronger? the Lawbringer questioned.

Yes, stronger. If Shirana is his enemy then he will need to develop strength. Strength beyond what his tattoo will give him. If he cannot survive this trial, he would have no hope against the likes of you, would he?

Uriah turned towards the sea. No, I suppose he wouldn’t. We will find him though, of that there is no doubt. These Empyreans are too large of a threat to my master to assume anything. Until he or his body is found I will not rest, for I too believe in your son. By the way, which one was it?

What do you mean? Moksha inquired.

The tattoo. Where was it located, what did it look like?

Moksha contemplated whether or not to reply. I hope you’re not attempting to make me betray my son with valuable information. Are you?

Uriah laughed quietly under his breath. You needn’t worry. We will be looking for all of the remaining six, not just your son. Whether or not you tell me will not affect my search in the slightest. I was merely curious. He opted not to mention that Megiddo would tell him regardless. Making his wife’s sacrifice so trivial would be cruel.

I believe you. You may be the enemy but I can tell you are honorable. Very well, I shall tell you. It was located at the bottom of his back, at the base of the spine. The coloring was-

Red, Uriah interrupted. There are four petals around it. It empowers the root chakra. His gaze returned to the sand beneath him. He crouched down and picked some up in his sand, then watched it pour out of his glove back to the ground. His powers shall draw heavily on the earth.

Moksha grinned happily. The earth. Good, he shall be well protected then. Suddenly he felt a large pang in his chest, and gripped it tightly.

The agent turned away. You’re at your limit.

Moksha nodded in agreement, although Uriah clearly was not looking. I would appreciate it if you would end it here and now, whilst a happy thought still inhabits my mind. He removed his sword from its scabbard and gripped it by the blade, the hilt pointing towards the enemy.

Such unnecessary death. That damn fool is so careless, failing his mission and spilling the blood of the innocent. Very well, I shall indulge you, warrior of the desert. He grasped the handle and raised the blade over the dying sun.

The blade came down swiftly. Moksha felt nothing, but died with a smile on his face. Your son is quite fortunate. He drove the blade into the ground, next to its master. Then, turning around to return to his colleague he uttered one last sentence before walking off. Then again, if I end up being his pursuer, he is not so fortunate after all.

The waves splashed gently against the shore, slowly rusting the warrior’s blade.

***

What a dump! Megiddo exclaimed.

Four days had passed since Megiddo and Uriah had left from the Mame desert. Since then the two of them had returned to Edrek, Shirana’s capitol. They now waited outside of a building in the outskirts of the city that served as the Lawbringers’ current base of operations. There were three such members: Megiddo, Uriah, and their master.

Uriah sat patiently, awaiting a signal from their master to enter. Deal with it. Why the master is willing to put up with you is beyond my comprehension.

Megiddo turned angrily towards his associate. Well obviously he sees how valuable I am so I think it’s about time I get some respect around here! he raged.

If you want my respect I suggest you not die due to a single valkyrie. You’ve only had one mission at this status and failed horribly. Use your brain instead of swinging that wretched weapon of yours around blindly, Uriah advised.

Megiddo’s face began to boil. Don’t lecture me about how to fight. That is, of course, unless you want to try your hand at me yourself, he threatened.

Enough! echoed an authoritative voice from behind the shoddy door. The two subordinates instantly stopped bickering and quietly entered the building.

A lone cloaked man lounged about, tossing around an apple. Welcome back, my dear comrades. How was your trip to the Mame Desert? he inquired.

Less than perfect, master. In the time it took me to find Megiddo after his defeat the child had already escaped via sea and I was unable to confirm its status. I have prepared to pursue it should that be your desire, offered Uriah.

Which one was it? asked the master.

Muladhara, answered Megiddo.

I see. Well Uriah, that won’t be necessary. His powers may be great in time but he may very possibly be dead already. We will verify his status later, but for now we have more pressing matters, the master replied. I will be leaving Edrek for a short while.

Uriah raised his brow curiously. Something has come up?

It seems that there is a young girl from down south with quite an unusual ability, an ability that I desire. I’ve decided to induct her into the Lawbringers, the master elaborated.

Very well.

We need to begin moving soon, so while I’m gone I want you to prepare for our ascension, Uriah. Megiddo, I would like you to continue looking for the Muladhara and the remaining Empyreans.

Shouldn’t we focus on the one whose location we actually know? Megiddo asked.

The Sahasrara has far too strong of a defense for us right now. Even I am not ready to face him yet. In time that may change. For now this is our best course of action.

The two subordinates nodded. As you desire, master, Uriah responded. Along with his colleague he walked out of the building.

The master yawned and tossed the apple away before walking to a window through which he could see the outer streets of the majestic city. He was so excited he could barely contain himself. Soon he would have this girl’s special talent under his control. He managed to make out the corner of the large central building that housed Shirana’s government known as the Bulwark. Amidst the middle of that would be the large tower where the High Emperor dwelled. The master’s eyes narrowed eagerly. As he pulled down his hood he added, And that too.

The youthful face of a six-year old girl looked up at sky.

Chapter 2

Immolation

Twenty years later…

In the Southlands lies a small town known as Bramble, named for the thorny foliage that surrounds it. A lone dirt road ran through the heart of the town and served as the location of all its business. A tall limber man walked down this road. His hair was brown and unkempt. He wore a lightly armored outfit, enough to protect him during an attack but not so much as to weigh him down whilst traveling.

As he walked through the town he was greeted by miscellaneous townsfolk. Most were casually dressed, as civilians ought to be. A few, like this man, wore combatant outfits. Finally he entered the main plaza of Bramble and located a familiar building. A large painted sign hung out front distinguishing it to visitors: The Burnt Wok.

He meandered over to the bar and strode in casually. After locating his friends, he moved to their table and sat down with them. So, how’re you all doing this fine afternoon? he inquired of the two people at the table.

Just fine, Shoga, replied one, a blonde with a small beard. It’s good to be back, he added with a smile.

Shoga smiled back at him. Good. How about you, Fen?

The clean-shaved red-haired man shuffled in his seat and snatched his sake glass off the table. Not too bad. Better than I have been in the past few months at least. Samu here was just telling me about his time in Edrek. It looks like things are starting to get interesting there, he began.

Oh yeah? Well would you mind repeating yourself then? Shoga asked Samu.

Gladly, the bearded man chuckled while tapping his armor. Both he and Fen were adorned with armor similar to Shoga’s. "Well it was about two years ago when Shirana drafted me into the active service. I would have preferred to get out there and see some action but they stuck me in some menial job issuing out weapons. Anyway, this left me a lot of time to myself, which I usually spent in the Bulwark talking to fellow soldiers.

About three weeks ago I was talking to one guy from up north. He said all the men of age in his village were drafted at once. Sounds suspicious, doesn’t it? Both of his comrades nodded in agreement. "The draft was supposedly random so the chances of all the men in one village being picked at once were ridiculous. Aside from that, Shirana would never logically let such a selection be used even if it did happen. No village would be left completely undefended.

So I figured that I would do some investigation. After I talked to some people in the city I found out that as soon as the men were drafted, a caravan appeared and ordered all the women and children to get on their wagons to be relocated, but nobody knew why. Their village is nothing but a bunch of empty buildings now. There wasn’t anything particular about that village either, just a small military outpost near the coast. As a matter of fact, strategically speaking it would detrimentally weaken Shirana’s defense in that region. Any ideas? he questioned.

Shoga thought for a moment. That is strange. Fewer outposts up there will only encourage Touten to launch a strike. Honestly though, I’m a bit dumbfounded at how rarely they’ve actually moved considering it’s been… he trailed off, not quite able to remember the duration of the war.

Thirteen years, Fen concluded for him. That’s when Touten declared war against Shirana by attacking the north-eastern coastline. Bold move, said they didn’t want to be a member-state of Shirana. I don’t know why the war’s taken as long as it has honestly.

I’ll tell you why, Shoga interjected. It’s the same reason we still haven’t defeated Lothor.

What are you talking about? interrupted Samu. The war with Lothor ended ten years ago. Shirana decided that both the Lothor War and the Touten War were too costly to fight simultaneously so it stopped the first and concentrated on the latter."

Exactly, Shoga pointed out. But Shirana never signed a treaty with Lothor. The public’s forgotten about it but there’s still a weak military front on the south-eastern coast. We have the power to end the Touten War but only if we leave ourselves vulnerable against an attack from Lothor. Conversely we could’ve defeated Lothor but Shirana considered Touten more of an immediate threat.

Shoga’s two companions thought deeply about this for a moment. Finally Samu spoke up. There’s one other thing that bothers me. Everyone in Edrek is talking about how High Emperor Feng is getting old and sick, almost too much to rule. Law dictates that he can hold his office indefinitely but tradition has it for a younger successor to be chosen by now. Furthermore, Feng has to approve all draft selections, so he must have seen this one. I think Feng is plotting something.

Whilst he thought, Shoga picked up the sake bottle and poured some for himself. That would make sense given the evidence. He’s holding onto his power longer than is traditional and he’s permitting unusual militaristic actions. However, I have complete faith in the elected Assembly. I’m sure that they noticed this too and will question Feng on the matter. We’ll let them handle this issue. There’s a reason they’re in office and we’re the soldiers.

Samu laughed before downing another gulp of sake. I suppose you’re right there, Shoga. I’ve had enough of this military talk. How’s it been out here? he asked.

Well I’ve been pursuing the avenues of love, Fen put in. The other two stared blankly at him. I didn’t say successfully! Women around here are so picky. Maybe I ought to head to Edrek one of these days and get myself a good woman, he snickered.

Trust me my friend. The women in Edrek are too high-class for, well, you, Samu jested,