Heir of Mjölnir (The Dragon Hunters #4)

By Drako

The servants of Hecate have been subject to persecution for many years. They have been misunderstood, accused of worshipping the devil. And Hecate has had enough. The Devil, Lucifer, has finally invaded the human world and his true servants, warlocks, are growing bold. Lucifer’s influence has spread throughout the world and nothing is the same as it was before he came. There are those that can counter the power of the warlocks, and Hecate may have found one.
Vax King had just graduated high school when the world changed. And unlike everyone around him, he saw through the lies. The world was trapped in the spell of the father of all evil and he seemed to be the only one in the immediate area that could see it. Then again, he’s a solitary witch and no one else knows it. But he’s shocked when the goddess Hecate appears to him with a quest to gain a weapon to help fight the forces of evil. The weapon is the legendary hammer of the Norse god, Thor, Mjölnir, and if he can find this he can lead the forces of Hecate against their greatest enemy. But to gain it, he must survive the Rose realm and prove his worth. Should he fail, death is all that awaits. Can he prove to the enchanted weapon of the deceased god that he is more worthy of wielding it than the original owner, and therein become the leader of an army of witches ready and waiting to stand against Lucifer?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Drako
• Release date: Jun 11, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301148967

Drako

Drako was born in 1987 in St. Louis, Missouri. He is mainly a fantasy writer, though he also writes some poetry and general fiction. He is very active on both twitter and facebook and has his own website at www.drakosden.com which is frequently updated with news on his books and fun extras. When he isn';t writing, he's busy helping take care of his nieces and sons, playing videogames, reading, promoting, and spending time with family. He also just recently started a podcast at https://anchor.fm/drako5 which goes to several other platforms, including spotify, google podcasts, and apple

Book preview

Prologue

Rose Realm

Mjölnir, the mythical weapon of the legendary thunder god, Thor, rested in one of many temples in the lethal Rose Realm. True to its name, this place with its varieties of the famous flower, a land of great beauty. The beauty was deceiving as it was one of the most dangerous realms to venture into. Hecate, the goddess of magic and witchcraft, stood in the temple and picked up the hammer. When the Aesir had been destroyed, she had kept their magical weapons for the time when they would truly be needed. She examined it as she stood in wait for another god.

The hammer wasn’t very large. It was made in the style of war hammers of its time. The handle was made of steel wrapped in brown leather and was long enough to be held with two hands, though only one was needed for those with the strength to lift it. The head of the hammer was the largest part, made of a metal far stronger than those used by mortals with a large lightning shaped insignia carved into both of the longest sides. Power hummed around the mystical weapon.

The temple suddenly went completely dark for a few seconds, making the goddess somewhat uneasy before the god she was waiting for appeared. Shorter in stature than most gods, the god of darkness and shadows stood before her, his light brown eyes displaying his agitation. Power radiated from him as he stood in full black body armor covered by a black leather trench coat. His light brown skin held a slight glow to it and his long black hair a mystical sheen as it rested down to his shoulders.

Why have you called me to this horrid realm? he asked irritably.

To show you this. Hecate held out the hammer. This hammer will be the key to your entrance to the earth.

How so?

Simply put, the one that gains this will call you into the realm. He will call to Erebus, which is you now, and bring you into the realm to finally remove Lucifer and his influence from the world.

His face twitched. It will take a while for me to adjust to that name.

It is as much your name as Brandon, she told him patiently.

Brandon chose to move on. I’m assuming you need me for something, or else you could have sent me a message.

Yes, you must bless the weapon to draw you to it. She handed him the hammer.

I suppose that’s simple enough. Brandon took the hammer and poured a small bit of his godly energy into it. Do you have a candidate in mind?

Of course. He’s a mortal born witch and one of the few to sense something is amiss in the mortal realm. Hecate waved her hand and an image appeared.

Doesn’t look like much, Brandon grunted.

You’re looking as a mortal, not a god.

Brandon shook his head. No, I’m looking as the lord of darkness. He will not call on me. Like any mortal, he will not see the god of darkness as a benevolent being and indeed, the original Erebus was not. He must learn to embrace the darkness before he reaches this. He raised the hammer. Until he truly understands darkness, he will be unable to lift this any more than any soul was able to do so while Thor still lived.

Hecate folded her arms across her chest. How do you propose he learn?

He must see into the heart of the world as it is now. Put him on the front lines with those that resist Lucifer, his skills will need to be up to par to pass my test. Brandon walked to the altar and struck it, embedding the hammer in it. When at last he lifts it from this stone altar, he will be ready to face his destiny. I hope you made the right choice.

One

The world had changed. Most mortals were blind to it. They didn’t realize that the god they now worshipped was a lie. He portrayed himself as the one true God. He called himself the God of light, love, and all that was good. There were some that knew the truth and Vax was one of them.

At eighteen years old, he was rather tall and solidly built. Standing 5’10" tall, he had long red hair down past his shoulders and crystalline blue eyes. He’d been born mortal but had discovered the Craft and with it, the goddess Hecate. Despite his mortal heritage, he saw the truth. The world had gone to hell, and nowhere worse than his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. Too bad the idiots didn’t know it. But the masses were simple minded. Vax was not. This god was pure evil and his most faithful servants were as well. And someone had to start fighting back. To do that, Vax needed a bit of help.

Arriving at his home, he ran upstairs to his room and closed the door, locking it behind him. His family was absorbed in this faith they believed to be Christianity and what he was about to do was a clear violation of that. Lucky for him they weren’t home.

Reaching under his bed, he pulled out a small trunk. Opening it, he took out a small circular altar board with the witches’ star, or pentagram, on it. He then removed five white candles and set them around the board on the floor. Vax lit each of the candles and sat cross legged on the floor. As he’d practiced countless times before, he closed his eyes and calmed his mind, focusing on the energy flowing within him. Over the course of several minutes, he pushed out all of the negative energy, grounding himself before working the magic he’d planned. Finally he was ready.

I beseech the goddess of witches,

Mistress of magic, crossroads, and entranceways

Daughter of Asteria

I ask your presence in this dark hour

To aid your servant in using this power

To cast aside the darkness and restore light

To open the eyes of those in plight

Dispel the lies and reveal the truth

Goddess Hecate, I call you forth

As he opened his eyes, he felt a surge of power. The power was familiar, cool and comforting. He felt it every time he used magic. To his surprise, there was a very unusual looking woman in his room. She towered over him and gazed down with bright violet colored eyes. Her dark blue hair was so long it almost swept the floor. She was dressed in a long violet gown of an older Greek style that matched the color of her eyes.

I didn’t think I’d get summoned here so soon. She looked around the room. It has been too long since I was able to enter this realm.

Vax was too stunned to speak. He’d never seen the goddess before. Normally he felt her presence and occasionally heard her speak.

Since you’ve called me here, that means you know the truth, she continued.

Vax nodded slowly. Well, yes, I know this God is false.

"Oh, he is a god, though simply is not who he claims to be. The goddess studied the boy before her. Vax King, a solitary and mortal born witch. You are not yet aware of your full potential, yet you have the innate ability to see and sense evil. Tell me, why have you summoned me here?"

Vax frowned. You are the patroness of all witches. If anyone could free the world of whoever this god is, it’s you.

Hecate smirked. "If only it were that simple. There are laws of the universe that must be obeyed and the god perverting your world is none other than the Prince of Darkness, Lucifer. I will need assistance to remove him. That is where you come in."

Me? Vax blinked. "What can I do?"

There are forces here that stand against Lucifer. You will join them in the fight.

Vax looked skeptical. I can hold my own in schoolyard and street fights, but how am I supposed to fight the forces of the devil?

You are a witch, and you have the power flowing within you. Use your spells and you will do fine. Hecate gestured to his trunk. Take your wand and stones, they will be of great aid to you.

Am I leaving right this moment? Vax asked.

Hecate nodded. Pack quickly. Lucifer senses my presence and will come for you. Grab some clothing and put everything in your backpack except your wand.

Vax rushed to follow orders. Where do I go from here?

Once you have fled this place, find a man named Tydarius. He may actually find you first. Trust him, as he is leading one of many groups fighting against Lucifer.

Vax finished packing and finally grabbed his wand out of his trunk. It was about twelve inches long and made of copper plated with gold. It was thin and simple, with no real design to it. It was merely a means of conducting energy. Hecate stepped forward and cupped his face in her hands. Vax felt that cool, comforting energy flow from the goddess into him.

You have my blessing. Wield your inner power freely and flee from here. Go, now! She vanished.

Vax quickly let his room and headed downstairs to go out of the door. As he got there, he sensed something on the other side and back away. Whatever was at his door was an enemy. He could sense the evil radiating from them. And yet they actually knocked on the door.

Vax King! Open up, this is the Black Jack Police Department!

Yeah, right, Vax mumbled sarcastically.

Whatever was on the other side of his door was actually posing as the local police department. Vax backed away from the door, gripping his wand firmly as the knocks gained force. He realized that whoever was on the other side of the door was about to kick it in. If he had any power, now was the time for it to work.

I call upon the power of Hestia,

Goddess of hearth and home

To seal this door against all those who seek to harm

Those who come with evil intent

Rebound their power back to them

Protect this home even after I’m gone

As I will, so mote it be

Vax pointed the wand at the door and a golden light flashed around it. He heard a startled cry and a crash outside.

I guess that worked. Vax turned and headed for the back door.

Exiting the door, he pointed his wand at it and it locked behind him. He glanced only briefly at his home before he set off on foot.

Two

Vax hadn’t gone far when a strange man blocked his path. He was tall and pale skinned with long black hair and dark blue eyes. Dressed in blue jeans and a navy shirt, the man was clearly toned, his muscular physique rippling beneath the fabric. He was taller than Vax by a couple of inches and currently watched him with curiosity.

I would never have pegged you for a witch, he commented.

Who are you? Vax demanded.

Oh, forgive me. I’m Tydarius, a knight of Erebus. I believe Hecate told you to expect me.

Vax sensed something amiss and looked behind him.

What do you see? Tydarius asked.

Six behind you, Vax answered.

Same behind you. Tydarius smirked. I believe this will be a felony in your world.

We’re taking out the cops? Vax asked.

Oh, maliciously. Tydarius actually grinned as he ran past him.

Vax shook his head and ran the opposite way. Now he was in his comfort zone; he could always hold his own in hand-to-hand combat. He found it strange that these cops weren’t using guns, but today was a strange day.

The cops had run forward