The Third Realm: The Trinity Chronicles, #1

By Charmaine Theron

When Ash, a 16-year-old city-slicker awakens in the Third Realm, he has no recollection of who he is or where he comes from. Chosen by the City of Seraph's Guardians to be a soldier in their elite army, he quickly discovers that this is not his ultimate destiny.

In the Under Realm, a dark force is rising – Drakon and his followers, The Fallen, have resurrected their army, the Dark Legion and they prepare to invade the City.

The Guardians and Ash will do everything in their power to protect their City. But Drakon has come prepared – what was once lost is now in his possession. And nothing can stand in his way – not even the Fifth Guardian, the most powerful of them all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Charmaine Theron
• Release date: Mar 10, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386768203

Charmaine Theron

Charmaine Theron is the author of The Trinity Chronicles. A financial manager by day and a writer by night, she lives with her fiancé, her son and step-son in Waterfall, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Her debut novel, The Third Realm, is followed by her second novel of the series, The Middle Realm. Look out for the release of the exciting final novel in the trilogy, The Under Realm.

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Awakening

The Third Realm

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The sound woke Ash. Bees. Humming. No, it wasn’t bees – the noise was something else.

Shaking his head, his hair fell over his eyes as he tried to jog his memory. What had happened to him? Where was he? He knew his name was Ash, but that was all he remembered about himself.

He squinted, struggling to make out where he was. Bewildered, he blinked in rapid succession as he tried to focus, but the bright light was distracting, even more so than the strange droning sound.

Ash wanted to brush his hair away from his eyes. He jerked his left arm, but it was stuck. And so was his right arm. He couldn’t move. Looking down at his toes, he saw resilient silk threads wrapped around his body. The ends attached themselves to the meridians of his hands and feet, disappearing into his pulsing veins where an energy force rhythmically pumped his blood through his body.

The light sent a zinging feeling through him – his entire body quivered. Then it dimmed and the monotonous humming sound grew louder.

Peering through the mesh of the cocoon, Ash could see that there were hundreds of other cocoons, neatly honeycombed next to one another. He wasn’t the only one there. They droned steadily like bees in a giant beehive and the sound soon became deafening as they buzzed in harmony.

Above him, he could vaguely see a round object that resembled a sun – a Sphere. This was what had radiated the kaleidoscope of light.

Suddenly Ash’s eyelids felt heavy. They fluttered and then shut. He didn’t have any control over them. He lay, motionless, encased in the protective cocoon and a calming sensation flooded him. His breathing shallowed – he was comatose.

The Sphere began sending out strong tremors. Ash jolted around in his capsule but remained in a deep sleep. When it reached its peak, it vibrated with one last shockwave and, as quickly as it had started, it shuddered to a stop.

Silence ensued.

But creaking sounds soon broke the calm as the cocoons detached themselves from the walls. Breaking away like autumn leaves, they drifted to the stone floor below, landing gently, keeping their precious cargo intact. Fissures appeared that broke the pods open, bursting them apart, flowering with new life. The strong threads disintegrated into a fine dust.

Ash sat up and stepped out of the remains of his cocoon, observing that all around him there were other people. Some were standing, others were sitting on the ground – looking dazed. There were young and old, male and female, short and tall, dark and fair, all different, but with one common denominator – they were here – wherever this was.

The floor of the cavern felt strangely warm and comforting beneath Ash’s cold bare feet. Looking down, he saw a spider-web of veins intertwined with each other in the stone floor, also pulsing with the light. The throbbing was the strongest under his feet. He wasn’t quite sure if he was giving off the effect or if it came from the Sphere above him. All he knew was that it made him feel woozy.

Ash splayed his arms out to steady himself and followed the maze of intertwining threads which led him to an opening at the furthest end of the cavern. The others followed. He walked beneath an arch, entering another cavern, and only once he was inside did he realise the immensity of it.

The massive amphitheatre opened out in front of him. Shafts of welcoming sunlight from a skylight streamed in, shining onto the stone floor where an engraving of an unusual symbol marked centre stage.

Ash frowned, wondering what it represented.

His gaze scanned across to the opposite side to where a marble podium stood. Behind this podium, the cavern yawned, wide-mouthed, onto an ancient City below.

Where am I? he whispered, as he edged closer to the mouth of the cavern.

The others tailed him until they were all standing in front of the marble podium.

The City below was breathtaking. Ash stared at it, his body trembling with a mixture of excitement and nerves.

A low murmuring filled the room. It started quietly and grew gradually louder as the people around Ash began questioning one another, confused about where they were.

What is this place? asked a young girl.

No one answered.

Behind Ash, an older woman piped up, "We’re in heaven."

Ash widened his eyes. No way, this can’t be heaven! I must be dreaming.

He pinched his arm, expecting to feel nothing, but, when he felt the shooting pain, he knew he was here – here in some sort of reality.

This wasn’t a dream at all.

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Pealing bells startled Ash and, moments later, a regal man in a white tunic entered the amphitheatre.

The man appeared to glide. His long, white cloak billowed out behind him, shadowing his every step. His sandaled feet were silent on the stone floor. Woven into the fabric of his cloak were flecks of golden thread which caught the sunlight, making it glimmer. He had long, greying hair and the pointed tip of his grey beard reached just above his waist. His deep, brown eyes reflected an inner wisdom.

The man slowed his pace as he approached the podium, and, as he got closer, Ash noticed how tall he was. All eyes focused on him. He stepped onto the podium and, on the back of his cloak, a golden emblem shimmered.

Turning to his attentive audience, he raised his arms out to his sides, palms facing upwards. The vast City stretched out behind him, silhouetting his grandeur. The bells stopped ringing and the crowd before him looked on in awe.

His voice was vibrant when he addressed them, Welcome, neophytes. He lowered his arms to his sides. I am Thanos, Guardian of the Region of Gaia in the City of Seraph.

He stretched one arm out toward the archway and his voice boomed as he announced the arrival of three more people, Galene of Hydor... Aella of Aer... Kyros of Pyr.

Three other Guardians crossed under the archway, walking gracefully in a line toward the podium. Their white cloaks skimmed the floor. Embroidered on the back of their cloaks, their unique emblems shimmered in gold.

The captivated crowd parted, opening up a central space in the heart of the cavern for the Guardians. The Guardians stepped onto the outer ring of the symbol.

It’s been five hundred years – five hundred years since I awakened here, said Thanos. Our forefathers have scribed that we came from the planet Earth.

The other Guardians remained perfectly still, the sunlight sparkling off their cloaks. The neophytes around them were mesmerised – the atmosphere was electric.

When we enter this world... our world, the Sphere heals us. This allows us to continue our existence. You have awakened in our land – the Third Realm. Thanos stepped off the podium to walk between the neophytes. As he strolled between them, he touched their shoulders, welcoming them.

The Guardians understand you have many unanswered questions. You’ll eventually learn the answers to them, but for now... Unexpectedly an echoing sound drowned out his words. To be heard he raised his voice above the noise, ...let us give our devotion for our unity.

The distinct sound of marching feet came closer. Ash turned to see soldiers in red tunics entering the cavern, marching in perfect synchronisation. Red cloaks were draped across their shoulders and, at the corners, a bronze chain held their cloaks together across their chests. In the centre of this chain was the Unity symbol.

Straight and tall the soldiers marched, proud to be the protectors of their City. They filtered in front of the rows of terraced benches that lined the outer edge of the domed cavern. Halting, they turned about and waited. Not one of them flinched as they stood to attention, looking directly ahead, eyes focused forward, every muscle in their bodies tense.

The Guardians strode forward to stand on their emblems. At the same time, Thanos joined them. When all four were standing steadfast, they joined their hands.

Ash watched intently and what unfolded next was extraordinary.

The Guardians raised their hands above their heads. The Unity symbol shone with a brilliant light around them. The beams shot high above their heads, showering them in a golden starburst. The outer circle gleamed with the same celestial light, forming a closed circle around the Guardians, uniting them. From the centre, the most magnificent shaft of light shot up and out of the natural opening into the sky above. The Guardians lifted their faces skyward and closed their eyes.

Together they recited the devotion, United we stand, divided we fall. We are united together by the power of Aether, where good shall prevail over evil, for all eternity.

The neophytes were silent as they watched. The woman next to Ash reached out to grasp his left hand and a small girl on the other side of him clutched his right hand.

Goosebumps covered Ash’s body. His fine hairs stood erect on his arms and on the back of his neck. He shivered, and that was when a powerful energy surged through him for the first time.

Chapter 2

An Ancient Proclamation

Ash and the other neophytes stepped from the stone stairway that led them down from the mountaintop, onto the cobbled streets below. He glanced behind and saw the mountain towering over them, overshadowing the City.

A spectrum of colours painted the blue sky above them; azure and sapphire hues streaked across the sky. The vast, white clouds puffed themselves out as if to welcome the neophytes.

Ash and his fellow neophytes found themselves standing in a deserted marketplace. Bare stands crammed the area and, on the ground, a few bruised apples lay discarded. A broken bag of flour had been pushed under one of the stands, attempting to hide it. Whoever had been here beforehand looked as if they had packed up and left in a hurry.

He shifted his weight restlessly from side to side, peering over the taller neophytes in front of him to get a glimpse of what would happen next.

Thanos stepped onto a sturdy wooden stand just high enough so that Ash could now see him. One of the soldiers made his way over to the Guardian and handed him a papyrus scroll. He tugged at the woven rope holding it together, unravelling it, and slowly he unrolled the scroll.

Perplexed, Ash frowned, and his forehead furrowed, making his thick, dark eyebrows almost meet together in the middle. What’s going on? Ash wondered.

Thanos cleared his throat. "Neophytes listen carefully to the following:

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Proclamation

City of Seraph

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Whereas, each and every Seraphian coexists with the elements of our land, we hereby uphold the harmony of our City and accept the Region that we are selected for during Eklektos; and

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Whereas, whoever we are chosen to abide with, we, as Seraphians, will unite with this family and do our utmost to follow our ancient traditions that we have inherited from our forefathers; and

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Whereas, the duty that we are selected for, we will accept the responsibility and pledge ourselves for as long as we remain citizens of the City of Seraph; and

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Whereas, the neophytes who will be mentored in their respective duties by the Guides, will be accepting of their mentors and learn from them to the best of their ability.

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Now, therefore, I, Thanos, Guardian of the Region of Gaia in the City of Seraph, do hereby proclaim that this day of the 17th Awakening be celebrated by all citizens for the acceptance and welcoming of the neophytes."

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Thanos rolled up the scroll and, as if on cue, the soldiers circled around the neophytes enclosing them. He stepped off the stand and joined the other three Guardians at the head. They waited nobly, side by side, their shoulders touching one another.

"Forward we go to the Regions," Thanos bellowed.

The soldiers lurched forward, heading directly south. Their sharpened spears bobbed up and down as they marched. They clasped their bronze-covered wooden shields in their left hands and securely fastened to their sides, their sheaths housed short, double-bladed swords.

Fascinated by the soldiers, Ash kept up with their fast pace. His physique was lean, but he was athletic so he managed to stay at the front of the procession which allowed him to be one of the first to see the stone archway come into view.

Ash turned to a well-built man walking briskly beside him and pointed toward the arch. Do you see it? he said breathlessly.

The man nodded. This place seems too perfect. Do you think they’re hiding something from us?

It feels weird. So familiar... like I’ve been here before, Ash mused, as he brushed his blond hair off his forehead. But I haven’t...

Earth is where the Guardian said we were once from. It’s all so strange – so strange, the man said as his forehead creased deeply.

I don’t get it! If we were from Earth then why’re we here? Ash looked puzzled for a moment but his expression soon changed when he noticed the landscape open out in front of him.

"Look at that wall!" a young woman behind Ash exclaimed.

On the horizon, a high, outer stone wall towered over the City below, dwarfing it. Ash traced the lower, inner wall with his eye, following its sturdy structure to where it joined the high archway that stood at the entrance to the first Region.

The soldiers came to an abrupt halt at the arched entranceway. Behind the low walls people were singing in saintly voices, their strange language unknown to the neophytes. Ash’s ears were ringing with the sound of their song as it grew tremendously louder, welcoming them. He tilted his head. The indecipherable words became familiar, but then the Guardians turned to the neophytes and the Seraphians stopped singing before he could identify the words.

Before us lies the Region of Gaia where our earth element flourishes, said Thanos.

The Seraphians parted on opposite sides of the cobbled street, clapping enthusiastically and making way for the neophytes. They lined the sides of the entrance beneath the Gaia archway.

Thanos strode forward to mingle with the neophytes, making them feel at ease, even though they didn’t fully understand this process. As he passed some of them, he touched them on their foreheads, indicating to them that they belonged here in Gaia.

The Gaian emblem on the archway shone as the neophytes crossed into their chosen Region, amid cheers from the Seraphians who welcomed them.

Ash could feel his pulse race – his heart began beating wildly as he wondered which Region he belonged to. He didn’t understand how or why this was all happening, but the thrill of it made his adrenalin pump.

The Guardians, soldiers and remaining neophytes began their procession once again, heading clockwise toward the west of the City.

Enormous mountains were visible in the far distance. They jutted out of the terrain like jagged spears, their tips bleeding with snow. Cascading off these craggy mountains were crystal-clear waterfalls which spilled into the meandering streams below.

Home to our water element is the Region of Hydor, announced Galene. She stepped forward to do the Eklektos ritual, choosing the water neophytes. They walked beneath the shining Hydor emblem, knowing that this was where they belonged.

Ash and the procession continued their march onwards, to the north side of the City. As they rounded the corner, another archway came into view. Ash turned his attention to the shining light.

Aella sang the words in her sweet voice, Welcome to Aer Region... here we’re blessed with our air element.

The neophytes who were chosen crossed into their Region – welcomed by the radiating light above their heads.

Now, only Ash and a small group of neophytes remained. The last Region that lay ahead of them was on the east side of the City.

Ash’s eyes flicked from side to side, taking in his surroundings. Each Region reminded him of a large, quartered pie which surrounded the mountain in the heart of the City.

The soldiers marched swiftly onwards, their leather boots clack-clacking rhythmically on the cobbled street. Appearing ahead of them was a grand archway. The emblem already gleamed in anticipation of receiving the last of the neophytes.

The Guardians turned to face them.

Kyros was this Region’s Guardian. He moved forward and announced, The Region of Pyr is where the fire element is protected.

The Seraphians behind the low wall were singing the same song. Ash’s ears rang with the high-pitched sound of it, the words resounding in his head.

The song! I understand the song, he thought.

Kyros strode between the neophytes touching the last of them on their foreheads. When he reached Ash he hesitated, unsure, and then slowly raised his hand to tap him on his forehead.

The crowd parted, allowing Ash and the last few neophytes to step through the archway. As he did, the Pyr symbol beamed its energy, more powerful than it had ever done before. His inner core pulsed. He closed his eyes as if under a spell. His arms quivered. Heat pulsated through his veins as energy from the Region of Pyr engulfed him.

Chapter 3

The Choosing

Ash blinked, trying to refocus. His fingertips tingled from the vibrations that were slowly subsiding. His skin was hot to the touch. Something extraordinary had happened to him. The last thing he remembered was stepping under the archway and now he was further down the road. How he had got there, he didn’t know.

In their excitement, the Seraphians around him jostled and bumped into him, almost knocking him over. He followed them in a daze, his head throbbing from the intense surge, while stars still studded his vision. They led the neophytes down the cobbled streets, singing and dancing, as the procession made its way toward the centre of the Region.

They wove their way through a maze of narrow walkways between the sturdy, stone houses with pottery-tiled roofs – heading in one direction and then turning in another. The unfamiliar surroundings confused Ash; he lost all sense of direction. Soon after that, they emerged from a side-street and the neophytes found themselves in front of an arena.

This arena was similar to the amphitheatre they’d just come from, but with two differences. It was an open-air arena and was on a smaller scale. At the entrance, where the semi-circle of tiered seating didn’t quite meet, stood an imposing bronze cauldron raised off the ground by a solid stone base. A mysterious flame flickered inside, burning in a perfect circle.

Guarding the cauldron were soldiers, and, in front of them, facing the tiered seats, stood Kyros. The Guardian was statuesque, honoured to be the protector of this Region, and his smoky grey eyes reflected his passion. His broad shoulders and long unruly blond hair accentuated his warrior looks.

A handful of children pushed their way through the throngs of people and crowded around Kyros.

Choose him, shouted a grubby-faced boy, for me. He pointed excitedly toward Ash.

No, replied a teenage girl defiantly. I don’t want another brother.

"Well I don’t want another sister!" the boy argued back.

It’s not your choice anyway... the Guardian chooses. The girl placed her hands on her hips and glared at her brother.

Kyros smiled patiently at the children and then touched his finger to his lips indicating to them to be quiet. Aether chooses, he whispered to them. He turned to address the crowd in a deep voice, As the proclamation stated... next is the choosing of your family.

A movement caught Ash’s eye and his attention shifted away from Kyros to a slender girl dressed in military attire standing to the side of the cauldron. She was about sixteen years old, the same age as Ash. A leather band held her braided strawberry-blonde hair off her face, but one curling wisp had escaped, touching her cheek and she brushed it aside. This was what had distracted him. Their eyes locked and he smiled. She didn’t smile back, but her green eyes flashed mischievously. She’s a soldier! Ash chuckled under his breath.

He turned his attention back to Kyros who had called a Seraphian family from the crowd to stand before him. He raised his arms above his head and closed his eyes. As he did this, the fire in the cauldron burned fiercely and the flames leaped upwards with a powerful force. Light radiated out of the Guardian’s arms, he shimmered before the astonished neophytes who believed this to be some kind of magic. After a few minutes, he opened his eyes and strode over to Ash who was near the