The Thirteen Masteries: Andolongada

By Jarom Smith

Nine gifted people are gathered together and taken to a mysterious hidden island where they learn about their distinct special abilities. They are given the charge to find Vaal, a powerful man who creates terror all over the island, but hasn't been seen in centuries. As their gifts grow more powerful they discover that their task will not be as easy as they thought, as well as secrets hidden all over that they were never meant to find.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Feb 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483521398

Book preview

Chapter 1

Eudeara's Blessing

Go!

We can’t! Eudeara, she is still in there!

Has she finished it?

I... I’m not sure. I believe so.

Ugh... she should be here!

I saw her last in the catacombs! I never did see her flee!

Then... they could have her. We should have stayed with her, Lairan!

At that time, the two men spotted the frantic woman running from the catacombs with hoards of people pursuing her. Look! She’s coming! Nidyl...! Nidyl ran to Eudeara using his great speed and strength. He was gone only briefly before he returned with Eudeara in his sturdy arms.

Lairan, I...! shouted the maiden.

Eudeara, are you hurt? What happened? he asked her desperately.

I-I finished it, but Vaal’s armies were hiding throughout the halls! I thought they were dead! He... he has so many. Eudeara explained disparagingly, hardly catching breath. He must have been hiding there for days. I could not completely bless the three of us, but the rest them will return. I know it. I tried Lairan, I really tried... Eudeara explained, her eyes welling up with tears of regret.

I know, my dear. You did beautifully, Lairan reassured her lifting her beautiful chin from her chest, and pulled her into his embrace. Just then, the three heard crackling in the woods approaching. We must go, right now.

Weapons, Lairan. Nidyl ordered. Quickly.

Lairan looked about and found a large rock. He scooped his hands into the stone, which began to spark and bend as he forged three steel scimitars with his bare hands! After shaking the excess matter from his fingers, he distributed them to Eudeara and Nidyl and fled into the wilderness.

Eudeara...

I know, I’ve already begun. Eudeara threw her hands above her and continued to reach toward the sky as if to reach something that was not there. He then pulled her hands down. Alright, we will not be detected easily, and those who are now pursuing us will likely be lost in the woods.

Nidyl hoisted the two into his arms and ran. They were now in a territory dense with enemies who could not seem to track them. Nidyl stopped as he crossed paths with four of the Breathing Dead soldiers. Vaal had been quite busy since they last saw him. Protecting his comrades, he continued forth and ran himself into one of these slaves of Vaal, killing him upon impact. The others obediently attacked the team. Nidyl sped around one of them and attacked quickly with powerful blows of his scimitar. Eudeara leapt onto another and stepped up its body while swiftly kicking it in the jaw. When it fell to the ground, she knelt next to it and broke its neck. Lairan took little time to quarrel with these mindless servants. He fought the third off with all the skill he possessed. Adrenaline flushed into him and he quickly placed him scimitar through the lungs of Vaal’s soldier.

At last, the three of them moved on rushing though the forests. Their confidence waned now, their only goal being to escape the unfamiliar territory of Dmeelian. So much had changed in so little time. They feared they would be overwhelmed by the seemingly endless hordes! Vaal... how did you do this? Nidyl thought in awe of what their enemy had accomplished, and what he was willing to do to see the three of them perish.

It wasn’t long before their path was obstructed by a furious flame, which burst suddenly in front of them! Is it a catapult? Eudeara asked.

No, Lairan answered looking confused. It is Lunivene!

She is alive?! Nidyl asked.

No, look! The scar from where she was impaled. Vaal restored as a Breathing Dead. She doesn’t understand what she’s doing!

What about your blessing?! The mastery is no longer her own! It should be lost!

No, not until she... Look out! Eudeara screamed. Vaal was behind them surrounded by an army of murdered citizens of Andolongahda and Dmeelian, all now Vaal followers, whether they wanted to be or not. Vaal, let us pass, we want nothing from you. the fair Eudeara beseeched.

I told you from the very beginning to trust me with my own mastery. I can do remarkable things. Vaal boasted.

Vaal! Stop this! We understand now. There’s no need for this! Eudeara exclaimed raising her arms toward Vaal’s army of the dead. She began forming a blessing upon herself, Lairan, and Nidyl.

No...not again, my lady. We will have no more cursings on our people. Vaal stated firmly Lunivene! Lunivene heard her name and sparked a flame in her wrist and let the flame crawl up her arms. A harsh wind carried the flaming mass down toward Eudeara and her friends. They were engulfed in a scorching fire! The flames died down quickly exposing Lairan and Nidyl who were left untouched by the flames. Lady Eudeara, however, fell to the floor and was lifeless. Somehow earth around the two men was moist enough to save them, yet Eudeara was slain.

Eudeara! Lairan turned to Vaal who had watched in delight of what had happened. Eudeara! Oh Eudeara, no...! The man lamented.

Nidyl’s face turned to stone as he lifted himself off of the ground gazing at his dear friends unrecognizable remains. "She saved... us." The brawny leader uttered.

But not herself. Lairan grieved and handed the body to Nidyl Don’t you let him raise her back. He ordered mightily. You hideous little thing. Why would you do that? Lairan asked with a heart broken, and utter confusion. You shan’t win this! I give my word.

Before any of them knew it, Nidyl was behind the risen Lunivene with Eudeara’s body in his arms. He grabbed her by the head pierced her lungs with a concealed dagger. Then captured her body and quickly ran off with it.

There goes a faithful friend, Lairan. Vaal sneered.

He is a faithful friend and a good man. You, Vaal, are a deplorable boy throwing a tantrum! Lairan rebuked the young man.

Y-You should learn not to mettle in others’ lives! You had no right! Not a single one of you truly ever cared! Curse you all! Curse all twelve of you! Vaal mocked. I used to have a life! You and this wretched mastery stole it from me!

You did! You did have a life, Vaal! Why you chose to destroy it, we’ll never understand! You could have simply returned to us! You could have used judgment with your mastery. Look at you now! Look at what you have turned into! Lairan censured staring at him with intense pity and grief. God help you, boy. God help you.

Lairan’s wise words didn’t seem to bode well with Vaal, and in an instant, the two broke into battle. Lairan was cut in the stomach with Vaal’s Dagger, but resolved to attack Vaal head on. He jumped in the air and kicked him three times with both feet before he finally landed on the ground. Vaal jumped onto a tree and kicked off of it for momentum. While in the air, he turned to strike Lairan. Lairan ducked and hit Vaal in the face with his forearm. As Vaal fell to the floor he looked upward and caught Lairan petrifying a large branch of a tree, turning it to stone. Lairan pushed his hand through the branch like butter, and the branch was severed sending it fell down toward Vaal. He managed to remove his body from the blow, but his arm was crushed underneath it. In cowardly outrage, Vaal ordered his followers to attack Lairan as his arm began restoring.

Nidyl returned from hiding the body of Lunivene and the rest of the Masteries who had been killed. He witnessed Vaal’s minions attacking Lairan, who attempted to create flat stone shields around his body from the dirt of the ground, but they were pulled away. Vaal’s people surrounded him and executed him with the stones he himself created.

Nidyl ran to them in a fury with the speed of a cheetah. Within a minute, all nearby minions were destroyed except for Vaal’s second in command, Mot, who was not a slave like those who had pursued them out of the catacombs. Nidyl and the young Vaal stared into one another’s eyes with more hate than either of them had ever felt. It seems I still haven’t managed to end you, Nidyl, and yet you have failed to kill me as well. Vaal told him, restoring his maimed arm to its original healthy structure.

Nidyl screamed holding back his tears. You know you cannot win this. Eudeara finished the blessing, you fool! Nidyl shouted with an intense release, satisfying his rage and hate.

She... did what? What blessing do you speak of?

Eudeara, she preformed a secret blessing upon the nine dead Masteries!

What did she do?

You dekkit fool, Do as you will! You shall be nothing!

I do not believe you! What was Eudeara’s blessing?

We have lost so much because of you. Nonetheless, you will recompense for everything you have carelessly taken. Your plan has failed, Vaal! Nidyl shouted, running off away back to his ship.

That is a very standard Nidyl, Mot- ever the simpleton. I do more than simply restore the dead. said the young rival to his comrade. Come, Mot. Let us prepare for Eudeara’s blessing.

Chapter 2

Grant

No, no, no! You’re sure?!

"Yes, Mr. Baker, he is! He just called to inform us!"

Well we’re not ready for him. I told everyone he was arriving at ten-thirty! I have things I need to set up. I had other colleagues that I wanted him to meet. This could completely spoil our presentation!

Well, I’m not worried. You always seem to find a way to fix these sorts of problems. said a peaceful Kent to his boss.

Yes, maybe, but the ‘Revive Project’ is something rather improbable in the first place. This funding is too important for him to make such an unexpected change in our scheduling! I have spent too much of my career trying to explain this to other scientists all over the world. If Mr. Hudsen denies us, that could be the end, Grant ranted to his assistant.

Well, I called the staff and told them to be here in thirty minutes. We’ll have at least another half hour to prepare. They’re in the lab as we speak.

Grant took a deep breath. Even this small act by his faithful assistant took a little bit of pressure off of his shoulders. Yes. Thank you, Kent. We’ll be reviewing everything with the staff starting with Berry.

Grant and Kent walked down the hallway of the research center to the information department. There, they found a slightly heavy, middle-aged man. Berry, what have you got for us? Grant asked.

Hey, Grant! Wow! You look great, today! For a man in his seventies, you really keep in shape!

Grant laughed for a moment. Thank you, Berry.

"Seriously, the man’s supposed to be in his seventies. What potion did you take?"

Yeah, yeah. Tell that to my knees.

Didn’t you just have another surgery a few months ago?

I did, and it didn’t work this time either. Grant reported with much chagrin.

Oh, I’m sorry. How did you manage to take care of this surprise from Mr. Hudsen? Berry asked.

Ha! Grant’s brain is already at work. You can’t stop is now! Kent told them both. It’s like an endless ocean of knowledge and good ideas.

Barry, can you show me what you have decided to show Mr. Hudsen? If you can, that’s great. If you can’t we can come back later. Grant encouraged with zest.

Berry chuckled heartily and replied, No I’m good. I can show you right now.

Wonderful! Go right ahead, Grant told Berry, sitting himself on the counter behind him.

Berry pulled out a large poster board displaying many arrows and pictures. It seemed as if he was trying to explain a cycle. Here, I have a visual picture of how the project is supposed to work if we were to be successful. What I’m trying to do is show him the reality and the science of what we are trying to do. Here, I show the cadaver. Then I show the techniques we use to restore the cycle. On this other display, Berry began, pulling out another board, I show what happens inside the body and what happens physically to the person’s body, and we go through the process from there. Berry explained putting away his poster board. So, what do you think?

I think that’s great. What do you think Kent? Grant asked.

I think its fine. It shows clearly what we’re trying to do and should answer most of his questions. I think Berry’s ready. Kent told them.

Good! Then, let’s move on to Lab D. Tiffany was nervous earlier. She wasn’t ready for him to come today, either.

Oh, that’s fine. Her looks alone should get us the funding, Kent snickered, I’m not worried about her department.

Just tell her to change into a lower cut shirt! shouted Berry from his desk.

Grant shook his head as he and Kent Left the room. They walked down the hall and up the stairs toward two glass doors that led to the lab. You’re a good looking young man, Kent. Why don’t you ask her to dinner? I’m sure she’d love to.

Yeah, but I don’t really want my job or the project interfering with my relationships right now. Kent told him.

What do you mean interfering? You’re both working on the same project! Grant thought.

Kent bowed his head down and smiled to himself , Is that really how you feel? In all honesty the only reason I didn’t take more action was because I didn’t think you would approve, but if that’s how you feel I agree! You know something? We’re working on the same project, anyway. It’s not as if anything would conflict.

Of course, Grant agreed, I was just thinking that, He said under his breath as Kent strolled ahead of him in eager haste. Grant entered the laboratory at last. Kent had already arrived on the bottom floor and was speaking to the young brunette.

Grant walked slowly down the shaky metal steps observing the conversation. Tiffany spotted him and waved. Kent turned and provided a stealthy thumbs-up, conveying that Tiffany had accepted the invitation.

Okay, let’s get started. Tiffany began, her dainty finger shaking, hardly able to hold the file folders she pulled from the heavy cabinets. She reached into her lab coat and pulled out a piece of paper. She read it and began to present the lab. Here is where we will be placing the cadaver and this is where the operations will be taking place. This will actually cause many functions of the body to be reversed temporarily. We will also replace many dysfunctional body parts. As far as we know, there will be no memories of what had previously happened to it. We have no knowledge to say that the reproductive organs will still be reliable once revived. We then awaken the body with nuclear energy charged into the body to reactivate the dying cells in the brain. We have named this process, ‘Cerebral Nuclear Reanimation’." Tiffany explained as if she were telling Mr. Hudsen himself.

One thing, Grant added rather interruptedly, Be sure to focus on why we must change the normal flow of the body in order to slow the aging and reactivate the nervous system. For our own sakes, it would be good for us to explain that as well as purpose for the use of nuclear energy.

Okay.

And another thing, Kent interjected, Relax. You know this stuff. Show him that you are confident through work and research that we can literally revive a body from the dead. Can you do that? Kent asked her.

Of course I can. Tiffany expressed as they promptly exited the laboratory. Thanks, Kent.

Grant went up the stairs and back toward his office. When he entered his office, he began to search through papers scattered all over his desk. Kent walked into his office looking at a clipboard. Sir, Mr. Hudsen will be arriving in a few minutes. Is there anything else you would like to look over before we give him the tour of our facility?"

No sir. replied the tired old man, I believe we’re ready. Just pray that Mr. Hudsen is a broader-minded man than we hear. The telephone on Grant’s desk rang. Kent answered it, Hello? He greeted, No, this is Kent. Grant listened as Kent’s face changed from the light smile to a look of alarm. Right now? Okay thanks we’ll be right down. Kent informed the secretary hanging up the telephone. Mr. Hudsen just arrived!

Both men hustled down the hall and jumped into the elevator, fastening their ties and buttoning their coats. They arrived at the bottom floor where they saw stout man with a gray mustache conversing with the secretary at the front desk. Mr. Hudsen? Grant stated confidently.

That would be me. The aged man answered turning toward Grant.

Hello, sir. I’m Grant Baker. I’m the president of the organization.

Listen, I don’t have a lot of time. Why don’t you go ahead and get started on your pitch?

Grant, caught in a bit of shock, nodded his head once and said, Right this way. First, they headed to the information center where Berry gave his presentation. Mr. Hudsen still held strong to his grim face. He had not smiled since he had arrived, and despite his age, they couldn’t spot any evidence of laugh lines.

Mr. Hudsen rubbed is chin in thought. I’d like to see where you plan on doing these operations.

Yes, sir. We were just on our way there. Kent informed they walked down the long hall to the laboratory where Tiffany was working at her desk. Once she heard their feet on the metal steps she sprung from her chair and stood up straight. Mr. Hudsen, this is Tiffany. She runs this lab you see here.

Does she? I am impressed. He flirted. You’re so young.

Uh... Thank you, sir. Tiffany replied rather disturbed by the seasoned man practicing no restraint in making his physical attraction to her very clear.

Please, call me Stan, Mr. Hudsen insisted.

Grant chuckled inside. He didn’t dare look over at Kent lest he lose his composure. It seems as if her looks just may get us the funding after all. He thought to himself.

What was that? Mr. Hudsen asked.

What was what, sir? Grant wondered.

I don’t think that comment was appropriate.

Grant gave a nervous smile and wasn’t sure whether he should present a nervous laugh, or vomit. I’m fairly certain I didn’t say anything.

Mr. Hudsen gave Grant a look of disdain. Then, he turned back to listen to Tiffany’s presentation

Alright, let’s get started.

Okay well, these are the machines and tools we will be using for the operation. The young biologist began.

Why spend so much time and money to bring back the body? There doesn’t seem to be any purpose in doing so. These techniques are complicated and your knowledge of what will happen is much too vague. Mr. Hudsen informed

Well... Stan, Tiffany flirted back, this is why more funding is needed. We are actually not sure, at this time, what will happen once the operation is carried through unless we get permission to practice this more. Although the concept may at first seem far fetched, we have years of research to support our hypothesis. Tiffany informed him. Oh yeah! It can even lead to studies that slow or even stop aging! She shouted nervously breaking her composure.

Yes, I see. Mr. Hudsen replied with contempt in his shaky old voice. You need approval in order to continue research for your hypothesis, and yet you still need more research if you want the approval. This project brings many complications. Mr. Hudsen explained.

Grant felt as if a stone dropped into his gut. The hopelessness was hardly bearable. "Well, we are confidant that you will receive a return on your investment. Let’s go to my office where I can show you