Origins of the Never: Tales of the Neverwar, #0

By CJ Rutherford

Imagine if you can, you tiny mortal, a world of peace and plenty, a world where magic weaves its web throughout all reality, banishing conflict, sickness, and hunger. A world where the races live in perfect peace and harmony, and the forces of Light prevail. 
But know this; the brightest light creates the deepest shadow, and within, the ancient enemy stirs, its slumber interrupted by the spark of jealousy. Evil enters an innocent heart, causing a downward spiral into corruption. A single being, Tenybris, falls from the light, and becomes the greatest threat to life in the history of the universe. As this world, and the font of magic it holds turns to darkness, the great one, Olumé faces a desperate choice. Make the ultimate sacrifice, or allow Tenybris to devour all life, everywhere. 
Could you decide between life and death...or something infinitely worse? 
Origins of the Never is the prequel to the Tales of the Neverwar. Set thousands of years before the series, read how darkness rises and dragons die, and how magic is banished from the realms. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: CJ Rutherford
• Release date: Oct 26, 2014
• ISBN: 9781536528619

CJ Rutherford

CJ Rutherford has always been a story teller, even if they started out in his mind only. He grew up on a farm in very rural Ireland, and was left pretty much to his own devices most of the time. ​So, he invented his own world, with fairies, trolls, and other mystical creatures. ​His stories stayed with him throughout his life, sometimes scrawled down on scraps of paper, and occasionally brought to life in a sketch (although he’s the first to admit what he drew and what you might see might not bear any similarity to each other.) ​Along came two daughters, and at last he had an outlet for his imagination. As the girls grew up they were enthralled by the characters and the worlds their father created. He even brought them to life in his fantasy world, and they never knew when he sat down to tell them their bed-time story, whether they would be fighting a dragon or playing with one. ​But time moves on, and daughters grow up, and soon enough, CJ needed another way to tell his tales. The rest, as they say, is history…or the future, depending on how you look at it. Tales of the Neverwar is a unique fantasy series, spanning two worlds, one of magic and one of science. Millennia ago, magic was hidden to prevent it being used by an ancient evil malevolence to conquer the universe. Now, the spell hiding it is failing, and the magical land of Teralia is about to re-enter our world. The Darkness, banished for thousands of years, awakens as the magic grows stronger, and searches for a way to use this new magic, this 'science', to free itself from the prison entombing it. 20-year-old Katheryn’s ordinary life is turned upside down when she discovers she’s the only thing standing between survival, and the destruction of everything she loves. So begins a desperate battle across time, space, and multiple dimensions, as magic collides with science in an ancient battle for supremacy…for whoever controls the magic, wins the war.

Book preview

Origins of the Never

A prequel to the Tales of the Neverwar

Books in the series

Souls of the Never

Worlds of the Never

War of the Never

This is a work of fiction. Here be Dragons.

Are there Dragons in your world? Look around, you may be surprised.

TERALIA—MILLENNIA AGO

Laughter echoed through the air, as the two young elves climbed higher up the Tree. It had taken them most of this long day of summer to get this high, but their progress slowed as the light gave way to dusk. Both boys, while exhausted, were within reach of the swaying tips of the highest branches.

They had spent days sneaking along forbidden paths to reach the Faer Folk’s home. Countless spells guarded the Tree, and the clearing it grew in, but Olumé and Tenybris were more powerful than any other being in the Lands. Olumé was master at manipulating the subtleties of the magic flowing around them, but Tenybris possessed more ability to force these energies to follow his wishes. The boys were opposites in every possible way two beings of happiness and light could be. They loved each other as brothers did, and their powers complemented the others.

As Olumé gained a hand hold on the branch above, it twisted, threatening to cast him downward to the forest floor. There was a moment of panic as Olumé dropped, but a wave of Tenybris's hand bent the boughs below into a cradle.

I’d watch where you put your hands, my friend. Tenybris's laughed at his friend’s futile attempts to escape. He gained the highest branch. Victory was a few feet away.

Olumé smiled, closing his eyes. He sent a thought outwards, sensing the eager acceptance return from hundreds of small minds.

Tenybris screamed in alarm, grasping the trunk, as a flock of sparrows dived at him. They engulfed him in a cloud of feathers, distracting him just long enough for Olumé to escape the trap he had fashioned.

Olumé sped upwards, giggling as his avian friends continued their assault on Tenybris. And I wouldn’t allow myself to grow so confident, brother. Things have a way of righting other’s wrongs. Sensing the glee in the bird's simple minds, he sent his thanks to them as they dispersed.

Olumé clung to one side of the limb, smiling at his friend. Tenybris returned his grin, looking up at the victor.

Maker! I almost had you, Tenybris said, laughing. I would have won if not for those damned birds! I will never understand how you get them to obey you like that.

Olumé lips formed a crooked grin. Tenybris, you will never understand, because unlike you, I don’t get them to ‘obey’ me. They are my friends, the same as you are. He chuckled. I thought they might enjoy a game. I was correct.

Tenybris shook feathers from his long dark hair and grinned. Next time, can you ask them not to play so well? I think one of them left a worm in my ear.

Olumé laughed as Tenybris extracted a small wriggling form. He held it up, long enough for one of the flock to return for the morsel and pluck it from his fingers.

Discord from below interrupted their celebration. The denizens of the Tree saw through the spell the two friends used to cloak themselves. The leaves rustled and hundreds of the Faer flew upwards in pursuit of the interlopers.

Tenybris turned to his friend, smiling. Maybe it's time we were somewhere else? He watched the glowing forms speed closer by the second.

Perhaps we should stay and explain, Olumé said, chuckling as the mirth faded from his friend's face. No? Well I suppose we might find it hard to explain our game, with several hundred of the Faer Folk trying to kill us. Retreat might be the most sensible way to avoid any unpleasantness.

Both boys laughed, and joined hands as they jumped outwards away from the trunk, disappearing in a flash of light.

THE CORRIDORS RESOUNDED with merriment as the two boys ran laughing through the castle. They rounded a corner, bowling over a young elf carrying a stack of scrolls. The two boys halted abruptly, concern and embarrassment obvious on their faces.

Olumé bowed. I’m sorry Hallor. We have just returned after a most urgent, ah...errand. He glanced sideways at Tenybris, who was red faced and clearly struggling to contain his amusement. "We were so excited to tell our news to my father, our enthusiasm caused our clumsiness. Please, let us