Nocturnal Academy 13: When Gods Collide

By Ethan Somerville

Necronis the Unmaker is now only days away from tearing open the Wall of Fire. The hordes of imps and demons surrounding the breach are glorying in his imminent arrival.

But the mysterious newcomer to the Nocturnal Academy, the eccentric Rhys Kelly, has an insane plan to close the breach that he believes just might work. It will require the school’s most powerful mages and fighters to join forces with Appleton’s priests and shamans. The timely arrival of the Nocturnal University provides more help in the form of Lord Eldritch, Dr Ashe, Dr Primus, Malcolm and Kim.

However, even with such a diverse group of multi-talented people, they will still be facing off against a truly formidable opponent. The Dark God has millions of monsters at his beck and call, ranging from the tiniest imps and larger demons, to massive lords, devoted Necronites and even his own chosen son.

Necronis is hell-bent on claiming the universe that he believes rightfully belongs to him, and will do anything to thwart his foes.

To succeed Rhys and his small army will require nothing short of a miracle, and help from an extremely unexpected quarter.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Storm Publishing
• Release date: Sep 2, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310963353

Ethan Somerville

Ethan Somerville is a prolific Australian author with over 20 books published, and many more to come. These novels cover many different genres, including romance, historical, children's and young adult fiction. However Ethan's favourite genres have always been science fiction and fantasy. Ethan has also collaborated with other Australian authors and artists, including Max Kenny, Emma Daniels, Anthony Newton, Colin Forest, Tanya Nicholls and Carter Rydyr.

Book preview

Nocturnal Academy 13

When Gods Collide

By

Ethan Somerville

SMASHWORDS EDITION

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PUBLISHED BY:

Storm Publishing on Smashwords

Nocturnal Academy 13

Copyright © 2014/2016 by Ethan Somerville

www.stormpublishing.net

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Chapter 1

The mysterious newcomer to the Nocturnal Academy, Rhys Kelly, found himself in the Nocturnal Academy’s infirmary once more. Only this time he wasn’t a patient. He was here in the capacity of a healer. In front of him, on a narrow bed like the one had occupied, lay a tall, swarthy-skinned youth the lots of thick, curly black hair. He would have been handsome if his face hadn’t been twisted into such a furious scowl. Even though the shaman Star Fang had forced him into a deep coma, from which he couldn’t wake naturally, the darkness within him still managed to contort his features.

The Earth elemental matron had tied him down with thick leather straps, Magickally reinforced to hold unruly weres, just in case. She stood off to one side, watching and making notes on a laptop. Rhys glanced over his shoulder at her. I’m not sure what Star Fang was thinking. Every Necronite I’ve ever tried to convert I’ve ended up killing.

The stocky, florid faced Matron Stein looked up. He couldn’t do it, but seemed to think you could. He has faith in you.

Rhys looked back down at the youth. There was a dark mark on his forehead, shaped like a bird in flight. It was the Mark of Singularity, a sure sign this boy was a follower of Necronis the Unmaker. Even though the boy was olive skinned, the mark was still horribly black against his skin, almost like it was absorbing light. He was well and truly converted.

You can do it, the voice of Rhys’ soul-brother Kamrys seemed to say inside his mind. I have faith in you too.

Rhys sighed. Alright – here goes. He cracked his knuckles and placed both hands on either side of the youth’s head. The lad’s skin felt cold and clammy to the touch, somehow unpleasant to Rhys. He felt like he was touching that vile book, the Necroniad, all over again. Only that book hadn’t technically been alive. This boy was very much so, and even though he was comatose, he still seemed to shift in Rhys’ grip, trying to escape from it. He gave a long, low snarl, like a captive animal.

Rhys focussed on the boy’s mind. He was only human, but someone – probably his dark master – had shown him how to construct a crude mind-shield. However it was rough and full of holes. Rhys slipped through it without even pausing. Beyond lay the mind he’d been expecting – the same shimmering sheet of obsidian that lay inside every Necronite he’d encountered. But the fact this kid was unconscious and restrained meant that Rhys didn’t have to use physical force – the reason why he’d inadvertently killed all the others.

He imagined himself as a brilliant golden light, dawning over the darkness and shining down on it. He imagined the darkness receding from him, baring the thoughts it concealed.

Despite his deeply unconscious state, the boy began to squirm in Rhys’ grasp. Rhys had to tighten his hold. Chunky started to pull against his restraints, and incredibly the leather began to creak ominously. The metal bed-frame squeaked in protest.

Matron Stein couldn’t believe her senses. Was this ordinary human boy going to pull himself free? He would probably snap all his bones in the process! She put down her tablet and hurried over to lend a hand. As she held the kid down she could feel his wiry, alien strength. He was putting everything he had into resisting.

The evil of Necronis slashed and clawed at Rhys as he forged his way forward through Chunky’s mind. He imagined himself filling the boy’s entire brain; not just his surface thoughts but the subconscious as well. He drove down as far as he could, into every nook and cranny, just in case some tiny shred dared to remain, to start anew another day.

Spittle started to spray from Chunky’s lips. The foulest, most incredible curses escaped him. Star Fang’s coma was well and truly broken.

I don’t believe it! Matron Stein cried. He’s not a supernatural – just a normal human boy – but he’s as strong as a werewolf!

It’s Necronis’ doing! Rhys gritted out. He doesn’t want to leave! Sweat started to bead all over his body, and he could feel his hands shaking. Was this what his soul-brother Kamrys did every day? Rhys felt like he was running a marathon.

He hated marathons.

He continued to flood the boy’s mind and body with everything he had, filling him from head to toe with brilliant golden light. As Chunky squirmed and swore, Rhys heard Necronis swearing in his mind. He realised the kid was so strong because the Dark God, peering out through the breach at the back of the Immaterium, was lending him his strength.

But Rhys had many more years of experience than the sixteen year-old boy. Even though he was well and truly lost, as they said, in the dark embrace of Necronis the Unmaker, he had only been a full convert since the age of 13. And back then he hadn’t really understood what he was doing, only that he liked all the promises of power and glory.

Rhys was able to flush every last particle of Necronis from him. Suddenly the tensed kid collapsed on the bed, gasping for air. Rhys fell back in his chair to catch his own breath. He may have eaten a fairly large breakfast, but he was once again ravenous. Stupid carbon-based food, he thought darkly. Simply not enough energy in it.

Matron Stein straightened and checked Chunky all over, making sure he hadn’t torn any muscles or broken any bones. I’ve never seen anything like it. But he appears to be alright.

Give me a sec, croaked Rhys. I’ll check his mind again, make sure no malevolent influences remain. He touched Chunky’s temples again. The kid’s skin still felt clammy, but no longer unpleasant to the touch. A good sign. Rhys slid through the wreckage of his shields and looked into his mind.

The obsidian shield of Necronis was gone, and in its place swam the confused, dreamy, surface-thoughts of a 13 year-old boy. At first Rhys wondered what he’d done wrong. Wasn’t Chunky sixteen? Then he realised – the boy remembered nothing of his time as a Necronite. Unlike his brother, whose mind had been wiped completely, Chunky had only lost three years. He would be able to recover fairly quickly.

Rhys performed a quick mental scan, searching for darkness, but found nothing. He had done it! He had saved a soul from Necronis! He removed his hands from Chunky’s temples and focussed on him with his normal sight.

The boy blinked up at him. "Wh…where am I?’

Er, this is a hospital, Rhys answered. I’m … er, Doctor Kelly and this is Nurse Stein. He gestured to her.

Slowly the boy sat up, rubbing his forehead. Oh man – my head is killing me. What happened? Was I in an accident or something?

Something like that. Rhys wondered what he was allowed to tell him. What’s the last thing you remember?

I’m supposed to be on a school excursion to the Old Cider Factory! A bunch of us were gonna re-enact the summoning ceremony that old William Edgar Holloway used just before he disappeared!

Oh, said Rhys.

Ah, said Matron Stein. Yes, well – I’ll just call Madam Nocturna and let her know Charles is alright, she said quickly. Rhys, since your work here is done, you might as well go.

Sure – of course. Rhys got up, groaning with the effort it took. He hadn’t been awake long, and already felt like going back to bed. Weren’t they going to travel into the Immaterium tonight?

Rhys headed out into the hall to gather his thoughts. Upon his return to the Nocturnal Academy after the harrowing battle at the Old Cider Factory, he’d decided his best option was to put himself into a metabolic coma to recover from all the stress he’d gone through. He’d felt fine upon waking, but now he wanted another rest. Maybe I can bludge some more food from the kitchen, he thought as he headed down there.

He managed to get a ham, cheese and salad sandwich , and was happily chomping through it when the Nocturnal Academy’s principal, the vampire lady Madam Nocturna, appeared in the hall, accompanied by the Vice Principal, the cyborg Professor Abbacus.

Good job removing the Necronis’ influence from that boy, Rhys, the tall, middle-aged headmistress told him. Star Fang was right – he knew you had it in you.

Rhys flipped a hand. No problem. That’s what I’m here for. Apparently. So what’ll happen to him now?

We may have to keep him here for a while. He might have forgotten his time as a Necronite, but now he has the brain of a 13 year-old in a 16-year old’s body. He can’t be reunited with his brother because he was wiped completely and is now on his way to Sydney.

Are his parents still alive?

Yes, but they’re both unemployed and junkies – in no fit state to look after a boy with special needs. That’s why Wally and Chunky came back here. I’ll have to arrange for him to be fostered by someone in town, and he’ll also have to go back to school. She sighed. But they’re jobs for another time. Are you in any condition to come with us for a little recce around the Old Cider Factory? To check if any thin places have reopened during the day?

Rhys wolfed down the rest of his sammy. Sure, no problem.

* * * *

Chapter 2

At the Old Cider Factory the police had been and taped off the area, but all the breaches and thin places were still solid. Professor Abbacus and Rhys Kelly couldn’t detect a single rip anywhere.

It appears to be all good here, the cyborg professor announced.

Madam Nocturna rubbed her gnarly hands together. That’s it then. We might as well start our mission to close the Wall of Fire.

But scarcely had she finished her sentence when a sudden wind rushed through the area. Must be a change coming, Rhys mused, looking around. He noticed a very large cumulonimbus cloud had appeared, hovering over the area.

Yes, we’d better get back to the school and get our backsides into gear, Madam Nocturna agreed. I certainly don’t particularly want to be caught out here when that storm breaks.

Professor Abbacus looked up at the giant cloud and adjusted the various lenses from the attachment covering his left eye. Um … that’s not a storm cloud.

Madam Nocturna squinted. What? It isn’t…? She tailed off as understanding dawned. Oh dear. It’s been a while since I’ve seen it from underneath.

What? asked Rhys. What’s wrong with the cloud?

It’s not a cloud. It’s just a disguise. It’s the Nocturnal University.

What the hell is the Nocturnal University doing here? demanded Abbacus. "And why couldn’t it have arrived last night so it could have actually helped us defeat all those demons?"

Madam Nocturna stared up at the underside of the giant floating college. I have no idea, Icarus. But there appears to be something rather odd going on up there. She pointed a long bony finger capped with a long pointy nail. The clouds that normally shrouded it were dispersing, revealing the gigantic contraption’s underside. The thing was about a kilometre across and mostly comprised of rough stone. But parts of its massive engines were visible, and pipes of various shapes and sizes formed complicated structures that ran along its length. Small clouds of steam issued from big pipes at the back.

Rhys Kelly squinted upwards, still trying to wrap his brain around the concept of an entire university that could fly. He gave a long, low whistle. That’s pretty impressive, he marvelled. What the heck is keeping it up? Skyhooks? He giggled. Unfortunately no-one else laughed.

Professor Abbacus adjusted his lenses again. You’re right, Elliana. I can see a whole lot of tree roots and they’re moving, growing down towards us even as I speak! They appear to be holding something, but I can’t make it out… He tailed off and started adjusting the lenses. It looks like some sort of large ring made of … stone?

Madam Nocturna blinked and enhanced her own vision with a spell. She could see the plants too, a large and extremely complicated network of roots, branches and vines that looked deceptively random until she focussed on the thickest knot of activity. There did indeed appear to be some sort of ring thing tucked in there, and as she watched the plants were pushing it to the bottom of their impressive suspended network. Yes, it’s a stone ring alright, but it has moving parts and lots of wooden and metal cables around it. It could be a machine.

A machine of stone and wood? asked Abbacus sceptically.

"You made a machine of stone and wood, remember? The computer that used to operate the old Oval Jungle? The entire Nightmare Games system?" Madam Nocturna retorted.

Yes, I know. But that was me. Who else knows how to do it?

Don’t be such a snob, Icarus. Didn’t you say the Nocturnal University’s Technomancy department contains some pretty powerful mages?

Yes, but I didn’t think any of them had figured out how to link with the sub-botanic matrix… He tailed off, just as a bolt of lightning flashed across the big stone ring. Even though he didn’t need to breathe, Professor Abbacus drew in a shocked gasp. "You’re right, Elliana! It is some sort of machine and it appears to be activating! He flexed his fingers. We need to check it out!" He started to cast a spell.

You’re right! Madam Nocturna thought about becoming mist, but decided against it. There didn’t appear to be anywhere to land up there. So she cast a fly spell and started floating upwards.

Professor Abbacus also rose off the ground. You coming, Kelly? This could be important!

Sure, answered Rhys, and he levitated up after the Professor.

They floated up towards the intricate cat’s cradle. Inside they could see tree-spirits feverishly moving about, disconnecting from one part of the network and reconnecting to others so they wouldn’t fall. It was very difficult to make out where one ended and another began. They all seemed completely jumbled together, with the occasional knot of frenetic activity. More sparks of energy criss-crossed the big ring, increasing in brightness and velocity. As Madam Nocturna, Professor Abbacus and Rhys Kelly drew closer they could feel the power crackling through the air. The deep hum from the Academy’s engines seemed to pulse through their bodies.

An icy shiver raced down Rhys’ spine as he made out the stone ring. I’ve got a bad feeling about this, he muttered.

The tree