Blood of Mages: Rift of Chaos, #3

By AJ Martinez

Akielas has lost his magic and is now on a journey to recover it. Caim, the demigod, was captured by the Specters. The Specters need one more Cosmo Jewel to be at full power and use the energy of the eclipse to cast their spell upon the world. Hope seems lost and the tri-eclipse is near. 
However, with all the chaos that has happened, there is still light.
A new mage is protecting the last remnant of the dragon gods. The Effeelions who live in the sky lend Akielas their forces. A new weapon is discovered to defeat his enemy. 
Time is running out and Akielas is quickly running out of options. 
The fairy king foretells of the world's doom.
An old friend returns from beyond Necrovania to give him a helping hand. 
The final battle is here and the Specters must be defeated before the tri-eclipse strips the world of all its magic.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AJ Martinez
• Release date: Nov 24, 2017
• ISBN: 9781641360296

AJ Martinez

Hello there my name is A.J. Martinez and I am a fantasy author living in the state of Connecticut USA. I walk with my head as high as the clouds and my feet on the ground. I am on a journey to become a full time writer and do nothing but write novels of warriors, mages, lore, magic, summons and unspeakable mystical powers. These stories in my head are trying to find a way to manifest and writing its the way to bring the world of Odealeous to life. My desire is to write fantasy stories that will make one soar with the wings of Icarus. To write heart pounding stories to make one wish that the pages will never end. To write stories in a world beyond Hogwarts and Middle Earth and on to the world of Odealeous. To write stories that make one think of the stars of the night during daylight. Stories that make one see rare colors and hear sweet songs only the sirens sing by a glowing river. To tell stories where the arts of the mystic and dragons seem as though they had gone extinct. I write what I dream about and dream so that I can write. I am quite a geek and I am a big time Anime fan. I enjoy going to conventions with my friends and rave parties. My favorite movie is “the matrix” I never get tire of watching it. That is a short summary of me. Sorry, I am better at describing my stories and characters than myself. Any questions don’t hesitate to contact me.

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Akielas

THE TRI-ECLIPSE IS about six days away, he thought as he gazed at the blazing sun rising over the horizon, painting Verday in shades of yellow, orange and red. The morning air was fresh and the wind whistled in the high altitudes of the Quariras Mountains. Akielas inhaled but he could no longer feel the maju of the air with his sixth sense as he once did. After Ember had stripped him of his magical abilities he could no longer feel the same wave of energy from nature. The wave of energy that allowed him to cast spells from the unmanifested. 

Akielas felt weak. His head hurt, his joints ached and his back pulsed with pain from that last strike had he received from Ember. He could not sleep before he teleported to the Quariras Mountains using his blue crystal. The fear kept him awake and he now felt useless to his friends. Useless to his cause and useless to fight against the Specters.

He gazed at the horizon, trying to feel what was beyond the blaze of the sun. He wanted to feel the maju, that tingling feeling like ants crawling on his skin and the frequency of the attribute. It was gone. He was now disconnected from the four natural elements of life.

I am going to have to start all over again, he murmured and balled his hand into a fist. Decades of training taken away from me with one blow. How am I going to regain all that? Only the fairy king knows and this time he will answer. I am not walking out of his realm with anymore riddles and metaphors. He must tell me how to regain my magic, fast, or we are all doomed.

He was soon to step into the realm of the fairy king, a holy entity of light, hoping to receive a direct answer for once. Akielas waited for Eckxio. Only the Elf could give them access to the fairy king for he was the only one that had any zeustoss.

Akielas had teleported from Kazenolumos with the magic of the pentacle portals. Eckxio was supposed to follow him but the Elf kept him waiting as he stood idly on the mountain path. Just when he was about to go back to the portal he heard the Elf yelling, Sorry for the wait! Eckxio ran up the path with his winged necklace clattering against his fractured silver chest plate.  His raven black hair covered the scars on his right cheek and he still had bandages wrapped around his right arm. In his right hand he carried a white shield with his sword, Hadraniel, sheathed in it.

Did you forget? Akielas asked.

I was just chatting with Rey Ling right after you left, Eckxio answered. He said he was going to forge swords out of omnithium and I was just telling him how to design mine.

Come on now, you know why we are here, Akielas reminded.

The two men walked up the path of dirt and gravel. The wind blew harder as they trudged up to the Stonehenge of the fairy king. Akielas could already see the rocky slopes that surrounded the megaliths. They quickened their pace in a hurry to see the holy entity. Every minute of the day counted towards their goal to the defeat the Specters.

Once they arrived at their destination they slowly stepped into the Stonehenge and Akielas stood before the stone pedestal where a cluster of zeustoss shards formed a tepee. Akielas gestured at Eckxio prompting him to use the broken zeustoss sword that had served in many battles. The Elf stepped forward and held the sword up high to call the fairy king.

"Loveon Vujuzen, Voe baasho zuo!," Eckxio called the fairy speaking Ozilanji, the elfin tongue.

The zeustoss shards began to glow as well as the broken sword. The sword began to shake in Eckxio’s hand and Akielas heard the humming of the realm of light. A sweet angelic hum that put him at ease. Then the shards released a soothing yet blinding flash of light that forced Akielas to shield his eyes and when he opened his eyes again he was no longer in Verday.

It was as if the night had come too soon. Stars shined everywhere and the Stonehenge floated in the night sky. The Quariras Mountains had disappeared and beyond the megaliths there was nothing but blackness. Glowing clouds and dust drifting through darkness in blue and violet hues. This was the realm of the fairy king but Akielas believed that they were somehow above the clouds of Odealeous.

The humming continued and when Akielas looked at the zeustoss shards they had released a beam of light skyward, summoning the fairy king. They gazed up and saw the holy entity descending from what seemed to be a portal, much like the ones that Caim used. The fairy king was only two feet in height; his skin was olive and his hair white. He fashioned white robes with golden swirls and over his head was a halo of two rings that spun in and out of each other. He had four gossamer wings and released golden dust every time they fluttered. His forehead was tattooed with an upward arrow and his gentle smile was so contagious that even Akielas could not resist even his foul mood.

I was expecting you, the fairy king said as he paused over the zeustoss shards.

Then you already know why I am here, Akielas assumed and stepped forward.

The fairy king laughed and Akielas remained solemn.

I have lost my magic, Akielas stated and frowned.

The fairy king did not respond and continued laughing. Not a laugh of mockery but a graceful laugh of joy, however, Akielas was not in the mood for such blissful expressions. He wanted immediate answers but he dared not rush the fairy king.

Fairy king, Elisol, is there anything that I can do to restore my magic? Akielas asked as he frowned.

The fairy king ceased his laughed, cleared his throat and made eye contact with Akielas. The fairy king had a look of certainty as if to say, you have lost nothing.

How can you restore something that is still in its place? Elisol replied and smiled.

What do you mean? Akielas was perplexed.

You have not lost your magic my good friend, Elisol answered. I look at you and I still see maju moving in the channels of your spine.

What! Akielas snarled. But I can’t cast a single spell.

Well how can you if your channels are blocked, Elisol said.

Akielas remained silence for a moment then looked at Eckxio and the Elf only shrugged. He believed that he had lost his magic and the fairy king now tells him that it is only blocked. It was a relief yet confusing. So I am not completely useless, he thought, well that is good news.

Elisol, you can see my channels of maju? Akielas asked gazing up at the fairy king.

My eyes can see both the physical and the mystical sides of a being, Elisol answered. I can see the paths of maju blocked in your spine. Someone had attacked you there and now you have lost your deep connection with the natural elements. This is preventing you from being able to feel your own maju. Your sixth sense has been closed and you must simply open it again.

But how do I do that? Akielas asked eagerly.

It won’t be easy but it can be done, Elisol said. The most important thing for you to understand is that you never lost your magic. Remember, if you can take the belief from a man, then you can take away his magic.

My father once said that same thing, Eckxio whispered and Akielas looked back at him.

Do you understand what he speaks of? Akielas asked the Elf.

Magic is strongly linked to our beliefs. Much like a religion, Eckxio answered. Sounds like a common fact, but I think it is something that eludes many mages. I thought you would know this already.

Of course I don’t know, that is why we are here, Akielas confessed. How come you never spoke of this?

I am not much of a magic user, you should know, Eckxio replied and crossed his arms. I just thought of it right now since the fairy king mentioned it. But it wasn’t just my father. The first time I came to visit the fairy king about eight years ago, Elisol told me the same thing. I do believe in magic but I cast spells in my own unique way using extromancy.

Our friend Eckixo understands, Elisol stated. I helped him cleared the beliefs that were no longer serving him.

Akielas thought about it for a moment. When he was young he had never heard any of his masters speak of the aspect of believing, when it came to magic. It was indeed something that was over looked. Recalling all the training that he had gone through when he first learned pyromancy till now, he had never heard of anyone speak of the power of believing.

Magic comes from the unmanifested, Elisol explained. Your maju is not visible until you make it visible. The spells mages cast are first seen in the eye of the mind and from the unmanifested maju takes its physical form as all things in nature do. The plants, the trees, the mountains, the sky, the wind, the sun and all living creatures. Everything contains maju. Think of the first time you cast your first spell when you felt the waves of energy in your body. Think of the first time when you first felt the vibration of the elements. The different frequencies of the elements and living things. To be able to cast spells is to be able to draw power from another realm. It is to be able to see beyond your current reality.

I see, Akielas said, realizing that he was still whole. So then what can I do to reawaken it? What can I do to belief again?

It could take the same amount of years of training as when you first started. However, there is a quicker way. It is called the art of deevinacy, the fairy king answered. An art thousands of years old.

Please teach me, Akielas urged reaching out to the fairy king but was pulled back by the force of the holy entity. The fairy king did not allow anyone to touch him. Anyone that tried to reach for him or touch his shards would be gently pushed back.

I am afraid that I won’t be the one to teach you, Elisol said. I can point you in the right direction, but there are things that I cannot show you otherwise I would be interfering with your fate.

You know my fate? Akeilas asked, disturbed.

I have said too much. It is time for you to go, Elisol said and laughed as he ascended back into his realm.

Wait! I have but one more question, Akielas begged.

Elisol paused aloft and looked down at Akielas.

Tell me, please, at least tell me where I can find a mage who knows the art of deevinacy, he urged.

Very well then, this I can help you with, Elisol said. Go to the mage hidden in the frozen ivy forest of the spiral country. She is one of the few souls that know the art of deevinacy. You might be afraid of what you find and must overcome it. Many people give up after their first try or commit suicide because they cannot withstand what they find within. However, if you can master deevinacy then you will be able to reach the omnith state.

Omnith state? What is that? Akielas asked as he watched the fairy king depart.

The fairy king ascended, rising with the beam of light coming from the zeustoss shards below. As he rose he unleashed a flash of light that forced Akielas’ eyes to close. As the light vanished he felt as if he had just awakened in the early morning. He surveyed his surroundings and found himself back in the Quariras Moutains. Rocky slopes around the Stonehenge and the sun blazing above in the blue sky.

The spiral country, where could that be? Eckxio asked.

I know where it is but I have no friends or connections in that country, Akielas replied. It is the country known to be ruled by the element of water. I traveled to many countries but I have not spent enough time there to form friendships.

Yes, you are blessed with many friends, Eckxio complimented. I was hoping you would know more.

Not this time. It is going to be a challenge to find the frozen ivy forest, Akielas said. Elisol said that if I can master this art of deevinacy I will be able to reach the omnith state. I am not sure what that is.

I have heard about it before, Eckxio said.

Have you? Akielas was surprised. You Elves know many things. Why have you never spoken of this before?

Because it is only a legend and until now that I recalled it since you mentioned it, Eckxio replied and jabbed Akielas arm.

So then what is it? Akielas asked.

My father told me of a legendary Elf in our history that had mastered the art of deevinacy and was able to reach the omnith state of infinite power, Eckxio explained. It is said that the omnith state gives mages unspeakable powers. The Elf of legend that my father told me about reached the omnith state when he fought a monster that attacked Evee Iris. That is when the omnith state was first witnessed and afterwards the Elf was never seen again. I was told that the omnith state is some kind of gift from the gods. An overwhelming enhancement where a mage cast spells that they did not believe they could at first.

Akielas pondered for a moment. He had heard many tales. Such tales that had lead him to the immortality pendant that he wore around his neck. Such tales that had lead him inside the walls of Ironside. Such tales that had lead him to the desert country in Zolan seeking the Golden Sun. With only a few days left, is it even worth pursuing, he thought, no, I must stay focus and steer my attention away from such tales, for now.

The fairy king said that most men give up on their first try or commit suicide, Akielas said.

If the fairy king was willing to point you in the right direction then it must be worth the risk, Eckxio added.

Indeed, Akielas agreed.

Well then, I am heading back to the elfin village to visit my family for a moment. I will meet you back in Kazenolumos, Eckxio said. He waved goodbye and ran down the mountain path.

We only have a few days till the tri-eclipse so be back soon! Akielas shouted as he watched Eckxio leave. And I must see my own family as well. Before I meet my death.

Akielas ran to the pentacle portal down the mountain path. He wanted to see his son again, for he felt that he did not have many days left to live.

Serena

UNDERWATER.

She swam between long kelps, being careful not to get tangled and risk being poisoned by a predator. She had been poisoned many times by large jellyfishes and spotkin lionfishes before. She knew the pain that waited after the smallest sting or light touch of even the most beautiful colorful sea creature in the ocean. It might have been a common accident in her youth but these waters were like a home to her and she would not make the same mistake. There was not a stripped fish or bottom feeder she had not seen or studied. No dolphin in the south western seas that did not know her name. No seal she had not played with and no shark that did not fear the sight of her cold stare and chilly presence.

The ocean was her playground and the cape kelp forest that she swam through was like a backyard for her castle. Like a lionfish, her blue and black dreadlocks helped her camouflage and capture her prey. Using hydromancy she could shape shift parts of her body and imitate the sea life breathing underwater for hours. She could swim rapidly with fins for hands and feet. And her favorite spell, shift from waist to toes and take on the form of a mermaid.

Today she swam not for fun or to get away from her royal life as a thirty year old princess. She swam hunting for a lunar fish that contained what she believed was the cure to her father’s illness, his majesty, King Sarbock.

Her slim and long body coiled through the waters. Her spell gave her gills to breathe and fangs to frighten predators. The water was warm and as she swam down to another part of the forest as a school of yellow fishes swam around her. She coiled to the valley filled with aquatic plants glowing in countless colors. The deeper she swam the darker it was but the brighter the plants glowed.

It must be hiding somewhere between the corals, she thought as she surveyed the lower forest. Clown fishes swam in small groups over the coral reefs and as she descended they jetted away leaving bubbles that blurred her view. Lunar fishes loved to lay their eggs inside the coral caves. It is unfortunate for the mama fish but I need her oils. She brought her hands together and chanted a spell. Bubbles left her mouth as she whispered, aquabos keen. She closed her eyes and they ached as the spell began to work. When she opened them again her pupils dilated and her vision zoom into the valley of sea greens and corals. She scanned as she swam, hunting down the lunar fish.

She had caught one before with cryomancy, freezing inside an ice sphere as it swam. Lunar fishes were fast and they were as big as her hand. However, the oils inside their bodies were able to heal many illnesses throughout the history of her people in Maer Weeyar. She had seen how it reduced her father’s disease and sought more. Lunar fishes were a challenging prey and had the stamina to swim for miles in order to escape their prey. Last time she caught one she had swam five miles chasing it. When she finally spotted one at the bottom of the coral and kelp forest she paused and slowed down her movements. With her zoomed vision she could see it resting between two red corals, on top of the sand. Its head shaped like a half moon and the rest of its body coiled like a serpent with fins waving like blue curtains on its back. It was blue and changed colors throughout the day but she had seen its many hues. It could not fool her.

I see you little fish, she thought as she slowly sank trying to make sure it does not see her shadow. Stay right there, I am coming to get you. She moved around the kelp and hid behind the reef of coral from which it slept. She plotted to capture it with an ice spell like last time or enjoy chasing it down the northern sea of Maer Weeyar. Fishes like these are rare. I have one chance.

She got closed enough to be able to aim and make sure her spell is successful. She moved around the coral towards the right hoping it still snoozed but she saw it shutter and spread the dust. She cursed and lunged casting her ice spell. On that very moment it ran away faster than a roach on her bedroom floor. She shook her fist with anger and growled then swam above it, tracking it down with her zoomed vision. School of fishes cleared the way for her as she swam rapidly trying to catch up with the lunar fish. She saw it swimming at the very bottom amongst the roots of kelp, zigzagging around them. It is trying to confuse me. Smart little shite, she thought. 

The lunar fish move so much and so fast, her eyes could not keep up with it. Just when she thought she had lost sight of it, a harpoon came from above unexpectedly like lightning on a tree and landed at the very bottom of the cape kelp forest. She looked up and saw who had thrown the harpoon. Samird, you scared the scales off me, she wanted to tell him.

It was her lover Samird. He was a fish from waist to toes just like her, using water magic to mimic sea creatures. His dreadlocks were up to his shoulders, he was tan and muscular with yellow eyes like panthers. He sank to her level and when he was close enough she pushed him playfully.

She swam down to where the harpoon had struck. It was tangled in the kelp and when she pulled it out of the lunar fish it had pierced through its body. She took the harpoon and swam up quickly to the surface eager to return home with a cure for her father. As she ascended to the surface she released her aquatic magic and paddled with two long legs and her eyes returned to a cold grey color.

She swam to the nearest boulder by the shore with Samird. The fins on her hands were still vanishing as she got closer to the shore. When she jumped on to the boulder she had taken a full human form. She was slender, tan and her face was sharp with a long pointy nose and small lips painted blue. Her arms and legs were tattoed with fish scales and ocean wave patterns. Most importantly was the family sigil on her forehead. A whirlpool in the shape of a diamond. The most frightening yet beautiful thing about her was her small eyes. Her chest was small covered by a dark blue and black top mix with indigo stripes. Pieces of sapphire were braided and hung from the hems of her short skirt like beads. A silver snake bangle coiled around her wrist and arm. Her feet had silver bangles as well but were sometimes confused by prison shackles. Her blue dreadlocks were passed her shoulders, thick and bound by black strips. Some men had told her that she reminded them of a poison lionfish and some had said that she was the seduction of the ocean. As the princess of Maer Weeyar she wanted to represent the element of water itself. Some called her princess Scorpio but her name was...

Serena, her lover called to her. I caught another one.

Beautiful, she responded as Samird swam to her. How are you better at catching fish than me?

Samird jumped out of the water with a pulse using hydromancy. He held another harpoon with its end through a lunar fish. He placed it down on the boulder and sat next to her. Serena rested her head on his broad shoulders and caressed his face. They gazed at the sun together and held hands. Seagulls flew above, waves crashed on the boulder where they sat on, the warm wind brushed against her body gently.

I was born in a family of fishermen before I become a Narb Thale for the king, Samird answered and brought her face in for a kiss. You made me worry going in ahead without me.

I like to lose myself in the sea, Serena said and kissed him.

Then it is a good thing I am here to prevent you from going too far, Samird replied.

Far enough so no one can see us, she added and kissed him again.

Samird remained silence and stared at the horizon. Serena felt guilty bringing him out here with her knowing very well that what they were doing was wrong, especially while her father was ill and unable to lead the country.

How long do you think this will last? Samird asked solemnly.

Serena brought his arm over her chest and replied, As long as possible.

We cannot continue to live in this fantasy, Samird stated and stood up on the boulder, gently removing her arm. He stood six feet tall and topless. A steel guard on his left arm and a fish scale tasset armor. His dark dreadlocks were pass his neck, he was burly and the strongest of all her Narb Thales. The rules of royalty say that the princess cannot marry or even less, fall in love with someone below royalty. We can have our fun and precious moments but in the end, my princess, you will have to find a wealthy man to fit your standards.

No! she grabbed his arm and pulled him. You don’t understand. She stood up and clutched his arm. Waves crashed below and soaked her legs; she only wished her wetness was caused by Samird himself. You don’t know what is like to be forced to marry someone you don’t like. At least you have a choice. I don’t know. I have to maintain a reputation but I hate it. My father has brought me many suitors even from other lands but I don’t care. I want the power to choose my lover and husband. I am going to change all of that, despite what people say about me.

You would sacrifice yourself for me? Samird asked and frowned.

I would do anything to be with the man I choose, she replied.

Samird pulled her in and grabbed her tight. They lay on the boulder and he removed her clothes. I will not be prohibited from the divinity of love and will express myself as a woman, she thought as Samird took her. She had chosen this part of the beach wisely. It was an area miles away from the castle, a restricted beach reserved for her royal family just at the north end of the Theemas River.

When they had finished they went back to shore and walked back to the campsite. The beach glinted with shards and pillars aquamarine and turquoise. Arched structures rose from within the water and on to the sands. Crabs that scurried away had blue shells and four claws. They kept a distance from each other so that no one would suspect what they were doing. Serena walked in front of Samird so that he was able to see her back and front. The campsite was past the forest of palm trees. It was a long walk that Serena had purposely chosen.

By the way, where did you send the other Narb Thales? Samird asked. He had not seen his fellow knights for hours.

I sent them to search for lunar fish along with my water mages, she answered and giggled.

My princess, you will be the end of me one day, Samird said and laughed. What will you tell your maidens and Narb Thales when we get back?

Don’t worry about it, I will make something up, she said.

Indeed, women are good liars, Samird responded.

Serena turned around and jabbed him playfully. Along the way they hugged, kissed, held hands and pressed against each other’s bodies under the trees. Serena could not get enough of Samird. He was the man she imagine, the man she wished her father would present to her, unlike all those other suitors that tried to get her approval. When she was around Samird she felt safe and sought his approval. There was something about the way he ignored her that pulled her like a fish swimming towards bait on a hook. He was taller than her, strong, confident, handsome and did not try to please her too much like other men have.

When Serena looked up at the position of the sun she had realized that an hour had passed when they reached the campsite. Large pavilions and tents were set by the Theemas river. There were men bringing game from the wild to cook for dinner. She saw her maidens by her hammock and some beared water over their heads from the river. When her maidens saw her arriving to camp they sprinted towards her.

Lady Sarbock, where have you been? A maiden clad in green asked.

The Narb Thale have been looking all over for you, said another clad in blue.

My ladies, I am fine, Serena told them. I had Samird to protect me.

My lady, we received a message from the castle while you were away, said the maiden in green.

A messenger came all the way here? Serena asked and stride to her pavilion. Where is it and what does it say?

To make the long message short, my lady, it said that your father is getting worst, the green maiden answered following Serena into the pavilion.

Serena entered her pavilion with Samird and her maiden. On top of a table she saw a scroll and her spear. With haste she unrolled the scroll and read the dreadful message describing her father’s condition. She gasped and covered her mouth. Her hands shook and her eyes moistened almost shedding tears. She looked back at Samird and said, We leave immediately. Get everyone ready.

ON THE THEEMAS RIVER they traveled back to Sar Thale, the capital of Maer Weeyar, on the king’s boat called the Piranha. They arrived in one day but to Serena it felt like a week. She stood on the front deck of the boat feeling uneasy and apprehensive. If I lose my father then...it hurt too much to think about it. Then I will be alone. I will have to run the country on my own. Maybe my cousins from the south will come and assist me. I hate being an only child. I am scared to do this all on my own and I can’t just run away from this responsibility. No. I trust no one else on the throne besides father. Whatever his current condition may be, with the lunar fish he should get better. There has to be a cure. I won’t let father die.

Many people thought that she was happy living as a princess. Living in a castle with every luxury and all the best servants in Maer Weeyar. However, Serena was lonely. She had no siblings, only her father and her maidens. As for her mother...well...she never knew her.

She looked up ahead and saw the river splitting the horizon into two hills. The hills of Sar Thale. She could see the castle from afar and the waterfall behind it. On top of the two hills there was a bridge in the shape of a koi fish. As the boat got closer she could see the pyramid shape of