Nocturnal Academy 15: the Dark Magick Side of the Moon

By Ethan Somerville

All communication with the Nocturnal Moonbase has been lost, and the rescue party sent to investigate has not returned.

A second party is collected and includes Professor Abbacus, Alice and Andre. They travel to the Moonbase to find it airless but not abandoned. A nasty surprise within leads them down into a grim realm not even the genius Abbacus realised existed.

But from this dark place the party travels to a world the Professor knows all too well. It is a world within a world of strange, prehistoric creatures, beastmen, ancient temples and shining cities inhabited by godlike beings.

It is also a world of dark secrets, abandoned friends and old enemies. One being in particular has been waiting over a century for Professor Abbacus to return so he can have his final revenge upon him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Storm Publishing
• Release date: Aug 31, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370773718

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.

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Nocturnal Academy 15

The Dark Magick Side of the Moon

By

Ethan Somerville

SMASHWORDS EDITION

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PUBLISHED BY:

Storm Publishing on Smashwords

Nocturnal Academy 15

Copyright © 2016 by Ethan Somerville

www.stormpublishing.net

Smashwords Edition License Notes

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Chapter 1

The Mirror of Albiroth hummed with power. The various intricately-carved monsters surrounding it growled and flexed their claws and other appendages in anticipation. Their enchanted eyes glowed from within. Even though Professor Abbacus knew exactly how to operate the thing now, and the creatures obeyed him implicitly, that didn’t stop them from being generally bad tempered. After all, the artefact had been created by an ancient, incredibly evil mage from the Magick Earth.

The mirror glass depicted only flashing lights, swirling colours and random shapes. Professor Abbacus had not yet put any coordinates into the standalone computer connected to the device. He stood off to one side, his mismatched hands on his narrow hips, and stared at Professor Longenfang in disapproval.

"I will ask you again, are you absolutely sure you want to go ahead with this madness?"

Absolutely, the tall, blonde werebeardog answered. He was standing with his feet apart, brawny arms folded. He was dressed in his usual white singlet and camo pants tucked into thick-soled hiking boots. Nothing else.

Professor Abbacus rolled his single human eye at him. And nothing I say will dissuade you?

Nothing, Longenfang said with the same conviction.

Professor Abbacus heaved a very loud and theatrical sigh. And I made a promise, didn’t I?

You did.

Abbacus lifted his mechanical hand, wagging a steely claw in Longenfang’s face. You do realise that this is a one way trip, don’t you? The Mirror of Albiroth may be an exceptionally powerful artefact, but I can’t hold the portal open indefinitely.

Oh yes.

You’ll be stuck there, with no way of contacting this universe.

That’s my choice.

Professor Abbacus stared intently at him. And that’s all you’re taking? Just the clothes on your back?

You might like to take an entire house-full of equipment with you when you travel, but I’ve always gone light. Longenfang pressed his hands against his chest. I’m a fully-trained were, and as a were I’m equipped to survive in any hostile environment. And besides, I’ve been across twice now.

Yes, but only for short periods. Never for a mission this long and complicated.

Longenfang flipped a hand at him. "I’ll manage, Icarus. Now stop asking so many questions. You’re stalling."

Professor Abbacus realised Longenfang was right. He was wasting time. He really didn’t want Longenfang to leave on what he thought was a dangerous and completely foolhardy adventure. Oh very well! he grumbled, and turned to the computer keyboard, with its old-fashioned typewriter keys inscribed with Magick sigils.

Longenfang watched Abbacus punch in the sequence for the Magick Earth. The carvings around the mirror’s border became increasingly agitated as the power built. The chaotic colours in the glass churned faster and faster. Then Abbacus put in the last rune and all the carvings hissed with excitement. The colours swirled off to the sides, resolving into a peaceful early-morning scene; that of a serene park filled with leafy European trees. Above stretched a slowly brightening sky still studded with stars. Abbacus remained hunched over the keyboard, clutching the sides with both hands.

Longenfang gulped, realising that it was time to leave. On the other side of the mirror lay the Magick Earth version of Hyde Park – the exact place he’d arrived previously, when he was helping to track down missing student, Millicent Jorgenson. But now it was his turn to dither uncertainly. What did he say? He was leaving and probably never coming back. Um … well, I guess this is it. Goodbye, Icarus. He stepped forward to touch Abbacus on a leather-covered shoulder.

For a moment Abbacus didn’t move. Then slowly he turned around and looked up at Longenfang. There was a tear in his blue eye. Goodbye Albrecht, he said softly.

An unfamiliar lump rose in Longenfang’s throat and he gulped, unsure of what to do next. Not one for effusive displays of emotion, he stuck out a large hand.

But Abbacus didn’t take it. Instead he flung his arms around Longenfang’s shoulders and hung onto him as though his life depended on it.

Now Professor Longenfang had even less of a clue about what to do. Eventually he put his arms around Abbacus and gave him an awkward pat on the back.

"Please don’t do this," Abbacus whispered.

Somehow Longenfang managed to extricate himself from Abbacus. I’m sorry Icarus, but this is the only thing I can think of that will make me happy again. He stared intently at him.

Abbacus stared intently back. Then solemnly he looked away. Alright. He pointed at the portal. Go on if you’re going. Before the park fills up with rich snobs walking their silly little dogs and overdressed ladies in overlarge hats.

Professor Longenfang squared his shoulders and approached the portal.

For several minutes after the portal had shut down behind Professor Longenfang, Professor Abbacus stared bleakly into the Mirror of Albiroth’s dark, empty glass.

Bloody moron, he said eventually. Then he left the area and trudged into another part of his laboratory to continue preparations for the impending journey to the moon. They would be leaving that very evening.

He didn’t need to worry about explaining Professor Longenfang’s absence to Madam Nocturna; Longenfang had already handed in his resignation to her. Although she was also a good friend, he hadn’t told her the entire truth, just that he was going bush to find himself and probably wouldn’t be back.

Since weres did that sort of thing a lot, she didn’t question. Of course she was very disappointed to lose one of the best PE Masters she’d ever had, but she would have definitely made an enormous fuss had Longenfang told her where he was really going. In fact she would have ranted and raved and tried to talk him out of it.

Longenfang had told Abbacus that he simply didn’t have the energy to go through with such a conversation. Especially since there was more than a slight chance the no-nonsense Madam Nocturna would convince him to stay.

No, he’d told Abbacus, better to take a chance, as ridiculous as it is, than to spend the rest of my life wondering ‘what if’.

Abbacus had had to agree with that. He was a veteran of taking ridiculous chances.

As evening arrived he checked his trolley for the umpteenth time and finally zipped it closed. Everything he would need was installed inside. He stepped back from the dilapidated old wheeled container and snapped his fingers at it, activating a multi-level Tesseract spell.

The trolley collapsed into a tiny cube on the dusty floor. He picked it up and popped it into a pocket. Then he collected his battered, broad-brimmed hat and grubby grey scarf, and left the lab. The lights deactivated behind him. Since he wasn’t sure how long the trip would take, he locked the heavy steel door behind him and activated a couple of runes that only the House Heads would be able to deactivate. Then he headed through the labyrinthine corridors to the portal room, where a permanent gateway existed to the Nocturnal Council headquarters in Geneva.

Already waiting were Dr Nigel Ashe, a wererat caught in half-man, half-rat form, and Dr Muriel Primus, a gorgeous vampire woman with curly brown hair that was constantly moving. Both were dressed in practical jumpsuits and carrying small packs. Scarcely had they finished exchanging greetings when Alice Dibble and Andre Sauvage arrived, dressed in their winter school uniforms and lugging huge, bulging rucksacks.

I don’t think you needed to bring such enormous bags, Abbacus growled at them. I have everything we could possibly need in my trolley. He patted a pocket. I even packed a canoe.

The tall, black-haired girl glared at him through her dark blue eyes. Did you pack us any food?

Um, said Professor Abbacus.

"A canoe?" the blonde French youth exploded. Mon Dieu sir, what the heck do we need a canoe on the moon for?

Alice put her hands on her hips. You didn’t pack any food, did you?

I thought about refilling the fridge in the portable house, but I never got around to it, Professor Abbacus admitted.

Some of us actually have stomachs, you know Dr Ashe patted his.

That work a little too well, put in Dr Primus. "I don’t think I’ve ever seen a were eat quite so much.

The small wererat drew himself up, whiskers quivering. "I’ll have you know I metabolise everything I eat extremely efficiently and am in excellent shape."

Yes yes. Dr Primus patted him affectionately on the head. Fortunately I’ve packed us both a good selection of high energy bars that should see us through this mission.

Alice and Andre giggled at the sight. Professor Abbacus simply harrumphed loudly and folded his arms. Now where’s Madam Nocturna? She told us to be here promptly at eight o’clock, and it’s now five minutes past! He started to pace up and down.

No need to be so impatient, Icarus, Dr Ashe told him. She called a few minutes ago to say she’s on her way.

Suddenly the brick wall shifted aside and in strode Madam Nocturna. Since she always wore lacy dresses of dark colours, such as black, red, blue or purple, and her long dark hair with its distinctive white streak always flowing freely over her shoulders, the lady that strode in was almost unrecognisable.

The Principal of the Australian Academy was dressed in a form fitting black jumpsuit with a small pouch at her waist, her long hair pulled back in a tight braid.

Ah, excellent – everyone’s here. Right on time.

Five minutes late, grumbled Abbacus.

She glared at him. You’re going to quibble over five minutes? After disappearing without trace for weeks on end?

Unrepentant, he glared back. I stand by my reasons. And we’re not all here. Where’s Harmon?

He’s waiting for us in Geneva. He left a few hours ago to make sure the Moon Portal was up and running. Now, are we all ready to go?

Yes, chorused Dr Ashe, Dr Primus, Alice and Andre.

And where are your supplies? Abbacus continued. Surely you didn’t expect me to pack your things for you?

Madam Nocturna glared at him. Really Icarus! She patted the small pouch at her belt. "You’re not the only one who can cast a Tesseract spell you know. But I certainly don’t feel the need to tempt the fates by packing quite as many layers into one as you."

Abbacus sniffed. How much room does it need to expand?

A two metre cube. With a ten metre space inside. No more. I also don’t feel the need to bring an entire laboratory with me. Now, if you’ve quite finished asking questions, we shall go. She strode towards the portal. Drs Ashe and Primus followed.

Alice turned to Andre and stuck out a hand. He took it and they stepped through after their principal.

Professor Abbacus brought up the rear.

On the other side of the portal stretched a long chamber with tall columns lining the walls and supporting a high vaulted ceiling. In between the columns were a number of archways with swirling portals inside. Each was labelled in neat Gothic script.

When Alice and Andre had been here previously, a space at the far end of the room had been concealed behind scaffold and plastic sheeting. This had now been removed to reveal another portal, somewhat larger than the others and more brightly coloured.

Each portal in the room had a few manastones embedded in the walls around it. Those leading to Earth-based schools had five each, and the one to the Nocturnal University possessed six. But the new one, to the Nocturnal Moonbase, had ten. All were glowing brightly.

Andre whistled. Ten stones! That’s pretty impressive!

It needs that many to maintain all the spells required to keep the portal locked on to the moon, Dr Ashe explained.

Standing on one side of the Moon portal was Lord Harmon Eldritch, dressed in his usual top hat and tails. He was leaning on his cane, but when he noticed the group approaching, he straightened with a noticeable expression of relief crossing his pale, concerned face. He was carrying something in his other hand, which looked like a collection of rings.

Are you ready to go, Harmon? asked Madam Nocturna.

Yes, but you’re hardly dressed for an expedition, grumbled Abbacus.

You should talk, snapped Lord Eldritch, in no mood for the Professor’s grumpiness.

Madam Nocturna turned to Abbacus. "You are in a mood today! What’s wrong? Are you worried about this mission?"

Abbacus turned to stare at her. But he responded telepathically. I’m sorry Elliana – I guess I’m still upset about Albrecht’s resignation. It was very sudden.

He said he wouldn’t be back, but I can’t believe that, she responded.

He sounded pretty final to me.

We shall see, Icarus.

Lord Eldritch held out the rings. I was fortunate to get these made up on very short notice. They are powerful Magick items that will provide us with air, heating and cooling, and protection from radiation. Like spacesuits. They’re powered by manastones so they’ll last indefinitely, but if they sustain too much damage, they will break and stop working.

Excellent, said Madam Nocturna. They’ll save on a lot of complex and high-level spells.

Wow, cool, said Alice.

Lord Eldritch handed them out and explained how to put them on. They clipped around the throat like a torque. Only Professor Abbacus declined to take one. He patted the electrothaumaturgic generator in his chest. Already taken care of, Harmon.

Eldritch stared at him through his intense dark eyes. And you’re radiation-proof as well?

Professor Abbacus rolled his eye. Yes, Harmon. And just in case I’m also protected from demons, undead, low level Magick and rabid killer bunnies.

Alice snorted and clapped a hand over her mouth.

Lord Eldritch took a deep breath. Even though he didn’t say a word, everyone was sure he was counting to ten inside his head. Madam Nocturna explained to him telepathically why Abbacus was so irate.

Well, he’d better not let it affect his decisions. We’re going into some extremely dangerous and unknown territory. "Alright, has everyone closed their torques? If they’re not shut properly, they won’t activate and it’s extremely cold at the other end of this." He gestured to the big swirling portal.

Everyone quickly re-checked their torques.

This portal isn’t like the others, Eldritch continued. It’s a lot further to the moon than anywhere else. The trip could take a few minutes. Don’t struggle or you’ll be buffeted about and more than likely vomit. Just let the Magick do its work. He stepped forward to jump through first, but Professor Abbacus grabbed him with his human hand.

Let me go through first. He’d rolled up the right sleeve of his coat, baring his mechanical arm to the elbow. He’d activated his lightning-bolt thrower and its capacitors were already humming. If there is anything nasty waiting for us on the other side, I can make short work out of it with this.

Lord Eldritch lifted his cane, which also contained a number of offensive spells embedded in it,

Reviews for Nocturnal Academy 15

[Sarai Phillips · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Super dry barely moved the story along . Hope 16 is better