Cave of Mystic Dreams

By S. P. Kumar

“S. P. Kumar's first novel, Cave of Mystic Dreams, will impress you in its own right, and even more so when you discover that its author is a 12-year-old middle-school student. Kumar introduces us to a world of adventures as we witness the trio of young protagonists travel to a parallel world to pursue a quest that has been forced upon them.

While always aware of certain powers they possessed, Claire, Jason, and Zac did not understand why until they were plucked from their ordinary lives to aid in a fight against evil which they little understand. Armed with little more than their unusual talents and keen intellects, the three young friends have a surprising amount of acumen and fortitude to forge ahead even when confronted with seemingly impossible tests and challenges.

Despite the other worldly fantasies of monsters, magic, potions, and special powers, the emotions and moral dilemmas they share are poignant and will ring true not only to middle-school readers but also to adventure and fantasy fans of all ages. Kumar is a natural storyteller, and her richly drawn characters and intriguing setting will delight all who enter her mystical world.”

—Dr. Holly J. Bauer, University of California, San Diego

• Language: English
• Publisher: S. P. Kumar
• Release date: May 3, 2014
• ISBN: 9781940745770

S. P. Kumar

S. P. Kumar is a 7th grader living in San Diego, California. She is a voracious reader whose favorite genres include fantasy fiction, mythology and biographies. Her fascination for strange, new worlds and Greek mythologies motivated her to work on her debut novel. What started off as a series of story-telling sessions to her little sister turned into Cave of Mystic Dreams.

Book preview

Special Smashwords Edition

The Champions of Zairon

Cave of Mystic Dreams

By

S. P. Kumar

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events or locales is entirely coincidental.

CAVE OF MYSTIC DREAMS

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you’re reading this eBook and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

Copyright © 2014 S. P. Kumar. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical without the express written permission of the author. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.

The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

Cover designed by Telemachus Press, LLC

Cover art by Prem Kumar

Published by Telemachus Press, LLC at Smashwords

http://www.telemachuspress.com

Visit the author website:

http://www.SPKumarBooks.com

ISBN: 978-1-940745-77-0 (eBook)

ISBN: 978-1-940745-78-7 (Paperback)

ISBN: 978-1-941536-39-1 (Hardback)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014938065

Version 2014.08.13

What People Are Saying About Cave of Mystic Dreams

S. P. Kumar's first novel, Cave of Mystic Dreams, will impress you in its own right, and even more so when you discover that its author is a 12-year-old middle-school student. Kumar introduces us to a world of adventures as we witness the trio of young protagonists travel to a parallel world to pursue a quest that has been forced upon them.

While always aware of certain powers they possessed, Claire, Jason, and Zac did not understand why until they were plucked from their ordinary lives to aid in a fight against evil which they little understand. Armed with little more than their unusual talents and keen intellects, the three young friends have a surprising amount of acumen and fortitude to forge ahead even when confronted with seemingly impossible tests and challenges.

Despite the other worldly fantasies of monsters, magic, potions, and special powers, the emotions and moral dilemmas they share are poignant and will ring true not only to middle-school readers but also to adventure and fantasy fans of all ages. Kumar is a natural storyteller, and her richly drawn characters and intriguing setting will delight all who enter her mystical world.

—Dr. Holly J. Bauer, University of California, San Diego

Kumar’s debut novel is a delightful escape in which good faces evil in a showdown for control over two interconnected worlds. By turns adventurous and funny, dark and creative, Cave of Mystic Dreams follows teenage heroes Jason, Claire, and Zac as they battle monsters of both human and mythic kinds and seek a treasure whose power they are only beginning to fathom. Attuned to the themes of friendship and personal discovery, Kumar’s work is exciting and engaging, one relevant to the interests of middle grades readers. It also serves as the foundation for a complex and thrilling series of books to come.

This book will transport you to another world, and its heroes will leave you dreaming of adventures to come!

—Gretchen Taylor, Francis Parker School, San Diego

Dedication

To my little sister Sanju, who listened to my first stories:

Always remember that dreams can come true.

Table of Contents

Prologue

1: Last Night

2: Portal to Zairon

3: The Pools of the Forgotten Elders

4: Tale of the Queens

5: The Quest

6: Parting Gifts

7: The Entrance Guardian

8: Riddles wrapped in Death

9: Guiding Voices

10: Echoes of the Past

11: Ambush

12: Fear and Insanity

13: Lamia’s Defense

14: Flames of Power

15: Minute Differences

16: Dream Catcher

17: Illusion

18: Yerazig

19: Zarqaui of the Stars

20: The Fight of the Dream Catchers

21: The Light Queen

Epilogue

Excerpt – Rain of Blood

About the Author

Cave of Mystic Dreams

Prologue

A man in a black suit stepped into the back seat of a taxi in New York. He was exactly like a million other businessmen going about their work that evening in New York, complete with a shiny, black briefcase. Yet, if any had taken the time to look at him a little closer, they would have seen that he was no ordinary man.

Stop here, please, said the man. The taxi pulled smoothly to a stop before a dilapidated, old shack. The driver looked uncertainly from the spiffy man in a black suit to the shack in an old, deserted part of town, in the middle of many more like it.

You sure, sir? Ain’t nothin’ here.

I am.

Ya want me to wait, sir?

No, thank you; I am sure I will be fine. He tossed a wad of bills at the cabbie, who decided not to argue. The black cab sped off into the darkness. With a weary sigh, the man stepped into the shack. It was empty. He stepped through a tiny door that looked as if it led to a broom closet. A red light blinked.

Step in front of the scanner, said a tinny, mechanical voice. He stepped in front of the light. It beeped, and turned green.

Access granted. Proceed. The back wall slid away and he stepped through the opening. There was a young woman of about twenty, standing with her back to the opening as he came through. As the door slid shut she turned gracefully. She was tall and slim. She had long, straight, blonde hair; large, wide, blue eyes; and fair skin. Her lips were pink and she had a complexion college girls all over the globe would kill for. She wore a white, sleeveless dress that shimmered with different colors when she moved, like oil on water. She radiated patience, kindness, and goodness, and her eyes showed an age far beyond what was seen on the surface. A golden cord pinched her narrow waist and she glowed with a golden light. From the cord hung a gleaming sword with a golden hilt, set with diamonds. Upon her head rested a golden tiara with a single diamond at the center. As she turned, she unfolded white wings that, like the dress, shimmered with the colors of the rainbow. Her feet were crossed at the ankles, and she hovered a few inches above the ground, toes pointing straight down. She looked like an angel.

They’re ready. We must make haste, Menasce, she said softly. She had a light, lilting accent. Her voice radiated kindness and beauty, yet also rang with authority.

They’re not ready. We need more time, to train them, ready them, said the man.

A luxury we do not have.

This war has lasted for centuries. Let it last a little longer.

"They must be ready. We must resolve this now." The man hesitated, and then nodded slightly. The queen’s perfect features relaxed slightly. She handed him a small packet.

You have your orders. She turned back again, wings swishing through the air. The audience with the queen was clearly over. The man bowed stiffly, and then retreated back the way he had come. He appeared outside the men’s bathroom at a McDonald’s. He ordered dinner, then sat down with a weary sigh. Ai, his lady was a crafty one. He had followed her since the beginning of this war and seen her through many close scrapes, ever since the mishap with her husband, who was taken by the other side. Yet, this was the first time he had doubted her judgment. Menasce Gerard was not one to play dice with the lives of children. This war was no place for children. He studied the back of the package. Portal. Seats three. Directions inside. Stay flat on the ground to avoid accidental leaving behind of body parts. The waiter set his burger and coffee in front of him. He took a long, slow sip of the drink. Menasce Gerard had been around for far longer than he looked. The man who seemed to be in his fifties was millennia old. Yet for the first time he felt the age in his old bones. The people of the Light were supposed to be immortal, unless fallen in battle. But Menasce knew in his heart he could not survive this thrice-blasted war. There would be casualties. He stood up abruptly. The lady’s orders must be obeyed. He was already dialing as he stepped out of the restaurant. If they were to gamble the world, let them not be cowards about it. The children would be taken.

The burger sat untouched on the table.

1: Last Night

Jason Gray walked outside from the cafeteria onto the bright, green lawn, teeming with students. His best friend, Zac Duran was with him. He had known Zac his whole life. Zac’s hair was light brown. He was tall, with hazel eyes, and a wicked sense of humor, and a talent for annoying Tori, Vicky, and anyone else in a fifty-mile radius.

I see her, said Zac, interrupting Jason’s thoughts. See, over by that tree. Jason and Zac’s other best friend, Claire Chandler, was reading a book with a dark cover, sitting under a tree. Jason and Zac went over. Jason had met Claire at junior high, and since the school continued through high school, they hadn’t been separated. Claire had long, blonde hair and light-blue eyes. She cared a lot about school and loved to read. She was on the soccer team and had led the team to the finals last year. Sitting on the grass, or on the bench by her, were their friends Vicky, Tori, Avery, Ethan, and Gabriel. They were doing homework, playing video games, talking, or just generally fooling around. Avery blinked onto a spiky mascara brush, and Tori was doing some complicated waterfall braid on Vicky, wielding a hairbrush with one hand and a giant aerosol can of hairspray with the other. Jason only knew it was called a waterfall braid because of living with two sisters. Tori, Vicky, and Avery were cheerleaders and some of Jason, Claire, and Zac’s best friends. Tori had curly, brown hair and warm, brown eyes. Vicky and Avery were twins. They both had blonde hair and brown eyes, but Avery’s hair was closer to gold, and shorter. They didn’t look very much alike. Both Vicky and Avery had known Tori and Claire since the age of three. Both had the name Victoria, but neither Vicky nor Tori liked that name. In fact, they hated it. Zac loved to wind them up by calling them that. Ethan and Gabriel were on the basketball team with Jason and Zac. They were both tall, and good at the game.

How’s cheer, Victoria, Avery, and Victoria? asked Zac, grinning. As usual, Tori and Vicky fell for it.

It’s not Victoria, they chimed in unison.

I mean, honestly— Tori said.

It’s such a formal name! Vicky finished.

Too stuffy, Tori continued.

What were our parents— Vicky said.

—thinking? they said in unison.

I mean, come on,

What kind of a name is—

—Victoria? It’s Vicky and Tori! They finished in unison. Zac was grinning.

Done yet? he asked. Claire, Avery, Tori, and Vicky lived on the same street and knew each other so well they could usually finish each other’s sentences.

Okay, stop! said Ethan. You guys are giving me a headache. Jason grinned and flopped down on the grass between Claire and Ethan. Gabriel bounced a basketball up into the air. This morning, the sky had been gray and cloudy because Jason was upset. Yesterday, Zac had come over with a couple of the other guys. Shannon had left dolls in his room, insisted they have a tea party, and had chased the boys out of her room, whacking them on the heads with a broom she had borrowed from the kitchen. But now the sky was blue, sunny, and cloudless. Jason pushed the thoughts away. He knew that thinking of his big secret made it easier to let it slip out. He had been a little kid when he first learned to control the weather. His mom, distractedly looking up from her computer, said she couldn’t take him to the movies like she had promised. Jason had stomped all around the house angrily, and the blue sky had cracked with a rumble of thunder and a bolt of lightning. Half excited, half scared, Jason had run down to his mom.

Mommy, look! I made the lightning!

She had ruffled his hair. Of course you did, sweetie. Over time, he had learned not to speak of it, to try not even to think of it, but only after his parents had taken him to a psychologist, thinking their son was nuts. Oops.

Claire broke into his thoughts. How’d you guys do on the history test?

Uh—horribly! It was so hard, moaned Vicky.

Agreed, said Avery.

It wasn’t so ba— said Jason, trying to salvage the situation before Tori started hyperventilating.

Yes it was! butted in Gabriel.

—If you studied, he finished.

Gabriel threw the basketball at him. It hit him in the chest.

Ow! He threw it back at Gabriel’s head, but Gabriel, expecting it, caught it.

Oh no, said Tori, biting her lip nervously. I have it next. Her brown eyes were full of worry. With everything else, Tori was totally confident. She was popular, pretty, good at sports, and she knew it. But with tests … Tori totally freaked out. Ethan put a hand on her shoulder.

Tori. Relax … breathe. Breathe.

Okay. Okay, she said, her voice more air than sound.

Tori? I don’t think you are breathing at all, said Gabriel.

Nope, she gasped. The bell rang.

Oh no! Tori said, going printer-paper white. Claire put an arm around her shoulders.

Bye guys! Come on, Tori, it’ll be okay. I’ll walk you over. Jason grinned. He could trust Claire to get Tori’s mind off the test. Tori usually did pretty well if she didn’t make herself sick with worry. Multiple times, she’d thrown up over her test paper. It wasn’t pretty. There was also the time she’d bit through her lip, soaked the paper with blood, and been taken to ER? Yikes. Or when she had literally bitten one of her nails off? Tori had issues sometimes.

Jason sailed through the rest of the day, trying to avoid finding out what had happened with the great test fiasco until as late as possible. Basketball practice ran a little late, so Jason took a quick shower and headed home.

He had missed the bus, so Jason walked home. Ethan had offered him a ride home, but he had declined. He preferred walking in the cool, crisp air that carried a hint of fall. He unlocked the door and let himself into the large house. Shannon ran downstairs and hugged him.

Oof! Oh, Shannon, you’re strangling me! he gasped. Shannon was his little sister. He had an older sister too, Talia, but she was almost never home, and when she was, Jason made a concentrated effort to stay out of her way. He had been mad at Shannon that morning, but it was impossible to stay mad at her. She was so sweet and loving, plus adorable, with light-gold hair and blue eyes, just like Mom’s.

Where’s Elle? he asked.

She went somewhere with Talia, just a few minutes ago. Since you were running late, she left a note. Come see! She dragged him into the kitchen. The note read:

Dear Jason,

I forgot to tell you that Talia has a meeting with her teachers today, and your mom didn’t want us to miss it. I left soup in the fridge, and there’s bread. If you two want dessert, I made rice pudding. It’s in the fridge. Finish your homework and take care of Shannon. I should be home around nine, so don’t let Shannon wait up for me. Read her a story, and put her to bed. Love you both! Thanks.—Elle.

Elle had been their live-in nanny since Talia and Jason were little. She was a pretty woman from France, with wispy, blonde hair. Their mom and dad were constantly traveling. When in town, they went to work early and came home late, so Mom had hired Elle to take care of them. Jason hardly ever got to see his parents, except maybe on an occasional Sunday or Saturday. Elle was a fantastic cook, and she tried to be a substitute mom, but it just wasn’t the same. His spirits