Dark Ages: Book One: Vendetta

By Shawn Jacobs

History has repeated itself and the Dark Ages of man are upon us once again.

Several hundred years after the end of the worlds second ice-age and the near extinction of the human race, mankind is in a state of rebuilding. The technology that we once took for granted, and believed would usher us into the future, has become nothing more than a myth to a species that is once again on the brink of destruction. War looms on the horizon, a war that has been going on since the dawn of creation. Now it would seem that the final pieces of a dark, menacing plan have been put into play, and mankinds darkest hour is at hand. But all this is irrelevant to one woman.

Luna Ayala-Kin, Infantry General of the once prominent Tereye army, has embarked on a murderous quest for revenge after having everything that she once cherished violently stripped away. The loss of her young child has driven her to the point of utter madness, and she has vowed to stop at nothing until her blade is coated in the blood of the one that took her daughters life.

Her three year journey has left nothing but devastation in her wake, and still she has not found the answers that she seeks, answers that could lead her to the kingdom of Golgotha, and her quests end.

With hope and sanity rapidly dwindling, at her most vulnerable state, a dark and magical being from her past has offered her the key to her success, at a price that may be too steep. The temptation will change everything. Will Luna be prepared to sell her soul for revenge, or will she continue on her bloodthirsty path of destruction alone, blind, and in the dark.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: May 7, 2012
• ISBN: 9781462000999

Shawn Jacobs

Shawn Jacobs has been creating the Dark Ages series for over a decade. He lives in Texas with his wife, Amy, and their four daughters.

Book preview

1

Dusk was quickly approaching; the last rays of the sun were becoming less and less visible through the forest that surrounded the dark, murky swamps of the Dead Lands. The forest’s native predators hissed and snarled from the shadows as they caught the intoxicating scent of fresh meat.

Luna had been navigating her way through the swamp for three days; this would be the third night. Vines and thicket stretched up and out from all directions, making certain paths virtually impenetrable. There was a deep fog that seemed to hover just above the surface of the muddy waters. The water itself reeked of hopelessness and despair, as if there would never be an end to this treacherous journey.

Luna’s dark leather boots were covered in mud, making each footstep heavier than the next. The brown leather flaps of her skirted outfit were caked as well, dripping clots of wet soil with every step she took. Her top was connected to the skirt as a one-piece, a sleeveless leather corset that left most of her arms bare. Her arms were smudged with streaks of mud and riddled with small, bloody scratches from being snagged one too many times on branches and the dead trees protruding from the marsh.

Strands of her thick red hair were knotted and clumped with mud, matted to her cheeks and the back of her neck. Her skin didn’t appear nearly as creamy as it had before embarking on her quest. It was dry and rough like sand. Luna’s face was streaked with dirt and dried, crusty mud.

Her sword was in its sheath, hanging over her left shoulder and down her back. She held the sheath’s leather strap in her left hand and Moonshine’s reins in her right as she led her steed through the bog.

Moonshine was exhausted; her four hundred-pound frame was threatening to give out at any moment. She stood nearly six feet tall and two feet wide. Moonshine was considered to be one of the biggest of all the pike breeds. Her species had evolved from the ancient horse bloodline, which, in the old days, were utilized by man for multiple purposes. Presently, pikes were one of the few means of traveling across land.

Moonshine’s gray and spotted-white coat was coarse and tough like armor, making it difficult for a predator’s teeth to penetrate through her fur and skin. Her huffs were rock-hard, solid as stone. Unlike their predecessors, pikes had grown into carnivores out of necessity. All plant life had been destroyed during the ice-age of the forty-seventh century. Horses, as well as many other plant-eaters, faced extinction. Their evolution was inevitable. As years passed and the world changed, the animal kingdom was forced to follow suit.

Traversing the swamp had a tiring impact on Luna’s petite body as well. Her legs dragged from exertion, her pace grew slower and slower, and her strength was rapidly depleting. What Luna lacked in strength, she made up for with will and sheer madness.

The vicious hunters that ruled the forest varied in size and appearance, but not in ferocity. Even the slimy hemath grew to be no bigger than the size of an average human hand but possessed enough venom to kill Luna and her trusty mount three times over.

Surprisingly, not one of the violent creatures attempted an attack. In a bestial showing of submission, they remained in the shadows of the rotting forest, growling and hissing to remind her of whose land she was traveling.

Luna’s first two nights in the swamps were riddled with primitive traps, deadly swarms of venomous flying insects, and even a life-or-death duel with the biggest, most dangerous predator of the forest: the singore. It was one of the world’s deadliest creatures, and its brute strength was rivaled by no other creature within the food chain. The singore was a descendant of the forgotten primate species. Thick fur covered its six hundred-pound frame, and a full-furred mane surrounded its neck, ears, and cheeks.

This particular one that had been stalking Luna was full grown. Its mane was a dark reddish-brown with streaks of black down its hide.

Luna stood before the beast, adrenaline pumping through her veins, never once taking her eyes off the long, spiraled horns that protruded from the front of the animal’s thick forehead. The horns spread outward and then curled into a half circle at both sides of its head. Just above its lips, two four-inch tusks stretched up vertically right behind its wide snout, both ending in a sharp point as well.

After stalking Luna for a full day and night, the massive beast viciously charged without warning. But Luna had been preparing for the encounter since earlier that morning; she had been waiting for the predator to strike.

In an impressive showing of her own animal instincts, Luna beheaded the singore, narrowly escaping the clutches of his muscular, razor-filled jaws. She roared with an animal-like rage while holding the creature’s head high above her own—a sign for all the hungry hunters that remained—so they would know that she would not be taken easily. She would not be taken at all.

As strong as Luna was, her weary body couldn’t sustain much more without proper rest. Being that she was so deep in the forest, Luna could stop for a couple of hours without worrying about head-hunters, or anyone attempting to collect the significant bounty that had been placed on her head nearly three years ago. They had pursued her relentlessly up until the point that she entered the swamps. Not even a thousand gold bills were enough to entice the average human to enter the swamps of the Dead Lands.

Luna spotted the mouth of a dark cavern, and decided it was time to rest. She removed the saddle from Moonshine’s back so that her mount could rest comfortably. Luna gathered limbs from the dead trees outside the cave, and, using her blade and sharpening stone, started a fire to warm their cold, aching bones.

The days were humid and miserable, while the nights were windy and annoyingly chilly from so deep into the heart of the swamp. Luna retrieved her brown-furred tippet from one of the satchels on her mount’s saddle. She slipped it over her shoulders, pulling the hood over her head to block the sting of the wind.

Luna sat in front of the fire, going over in her mind the long days traveled. She reached in her boot and pulled out a small, worn out piece of rope. Reaching back behind her head, she tied her shoulder length hair back. Usually her hair was a dark red that brought out the beauty of her fierce, green eyes. However, due to the years of constant travel, her hair was clotted with mud and grime, and covered with the stench of the swamp. Yet, these things did not concern her; revenge was all that mattered to her now.

A few hours had passed, and so far, Luna had successfully fought off the urge to fall asleep, though she frequently slipped in and out of consciousness. She was afraid to close her eyes; afraid to dream. Her dreams were always the same, a reflection of her guilt, her failure; a constant reminder of all that she had lost.

Luna’s eyes fiercely shot open after being closed for a full five minutes. She was suddenly wide awake. Beads of sweat had gathered on her forehead as she slipped the fur tippet off of her shoulders and over her head, setting it down beside her. She had awakened just before she saw her daughter’s face, covered in soot and burning ash. Still, she could not escape the visions of her past. Luna stared into the flames as her most horrific memories were conjured up all over again.

She remembered carrying the stiff, lifeless body of her daughter from the burning Tereye castle just before the flames engulfed her. She remembered gazing into her empty eyes, and she remembered—so vividly—burying her daughter, as well as a piece of herself that died with her. The Tereye city had been ransacked, attacked by a vicious clan while Luna was away leading a hunting party. She returned to find that no one had been left alive.

Bodies were strung up to trees and nailed to homemade crosses to mock the Tereye religion. The once green and fruitful land was covered in ash and embers from the heat of the flames. There was nothing left of Luna’s home, her family . . . her life.

She snapped out of it, sucking back the tears that came with her most painful memories. Luna grabbed her blade, unsheathed it, and laid the cold steel across her lap. She reached for her sharpening stone, and began to hone the edge of her sword with long, heavy strokes—anything to quiet the demons of the past.

Moonshine suddenly shivered, awaking from her deep sleep, her senses suddenly disturbed by something dark and menacing. Luna sensed the presence as well. With all the eyes of the forest that she felt upon her, none were as familiar or as dangerous as the two that she felt behind her.

Do you ever get tired of feeling sorry for yourself? A voice asked sardonically from the shadows of the cave. It was a voice that was all too familiar. Luna chose not to acknowledge him, not even half of a glance in the direction of his voice.

A cloaked figure stepped out of the darkness, detaching from the gloom. The light from Luna’s fire illuminated his maniacal grin, casting dancing silhouettes across his pale face. It’s so good to see you, Mercurial whispered as he slipped off the dark hood of his cloak. His hypnotizing blue eyes, brightened by the flames, peered at her through the darkness of his long, layered, black hair. He slowly stepped closer. His muscled frame was more visible, even through the thickness of his black hooded cloak.

Luna, I’ve missed you so much. Luna intensely continued sharpening her blade.

Without stopping, she managed half of a smirk while slowly shaking her head.

I told you about reading my thoughts, Mercurial, Luna calmly stated, while putting her stone down only long enough to make a point. Pointing her blade’s edge directly at Mercurial, she continued, Don’t make me tell you again.

Of course, never again, my love, Mercurial replied with a sly grin. What else would make you happy? You know that I am at your will.

You could go away, and stay the hell out of my head. Luna sheathed her blade, and picked up Moonshine’s saddle while walking toward her mount. Mercurial followed her, calmly chuckling.

You know that I can’t do that, the universe would never allow it. We’re connected, you and I—through the cosmos. You will realize this soon enough.

You’ve been saying the same thing for years, Mercurial. When will you give up, and find another girl to stalk?

Give up on you? On . . . us? Never, my love. Such a bond is not easily severed. It would be like trying to tear the stars from the sky.

The stars eventually burn out, Mercurial, Luna quickly countered as she turned her back on him. Will your fate be the same? she replied with a chuckle as she exited the cave.

Anxiously awaiting my death are you? His grin slowly faded. Why do you deny me, Luna? Do you not realize all that I offer you? Causally, Mercurial raised his hand toward the sky. With a simple movement of his fingers, the half-dead forest that once surrounded them suddenly vanished before Luna’s eyes. It was immediately replaced by a beautiful, radiant garden.

Luna braced herself as her mind struggled to comprehend what she was witnessing. Her entire surroundings had been drastically changed within the blink of an eye. Even the sky was a perfect blue, as opposed to the dreary gray clouds that seemed to have followed Luna for the past three years.

She could feel the warmth of the sunshine upon her face. The grass was lush and as green as she had ever seen it in her twenty-six years on this decaying world.

Luna slowly walked by Mercurial. She let her eyes wander in amazement, catching glimpses of flowers and trees that she couldn’t describe, plant life that she had never seen or even knew existed.

The garden was surrounded by a river that ran from a natural spring. The spring dispersed shimmering showers of beautiful colored water. Golden fish circled each other, swimming fluidly with the flow of the river. The sun reflected off their scales, casting sporadic waves of colors across Luna’s face. She was familiar with Mercurial’s power, but this was beyond anything that she could ever imagine. Luna was mesmerized. Slowly she began to realize that this was her mind’s version of paradise—and Mercurial knew it.

After allowing her to take it all in, Mercurial cunningly continued. I offer you freedom, Luna, freedom from all the chains that bind you to your grief. Your guilt and sorrow, I can take it all away. You will never have to feel anything again. Doubt my love—I know you will—but do not doubt my power. All things are within my power. Realizing that his words had captivated her mind, Mercurial slowly reached toward her face. With as gentle a touch as he could possibly muster, he softly caressed her cheek.

You are special, Luna, Mercurial whispered. I knew this long ago. Your will, your . . . fire is like no other creatures that I have ever met in my lifetime upon this decomposing planet. To be this close to you, your very essence is intoxicating. He deeply inhaled—then exhaled. I could float here forever. Accept me, Luna. Come home, and I will make it all better. Just take my hand.

Luna pondered his offer. She had been tempted by him before. It seemed that the more time that passed, the harder he became to resist.

She gazed into the beautiful spring, all his promises rushing through her head.

You wish to add me to your collection, Mercurial? Another one of your puppets?

No. You will sit on a throne beside me. Those who serve me will serve you as well. None of them compare to you, Luna. They are empty, almost lifeless, but you are different. You’re . . . alive, and full of fire. Such a beautiful broken heart. Let me mend it. Come home, Luna.

Luna imagined how easy it would be to say yes. She thought about the ability to turn her back on her quest, a quest that seemed hopeless and never ending. She looked up into Mercurial’s eyes.

I . . . I can’t, she reluctantly whispered. "As tempting as you make it all seem, you know what I have to do, Mercurial. I will kill Lucicrist. He will pay for all that he has taken from me. Until then, I am on a mission. So stay out of my way."

The garden abruptly disappeared and they were brought back to reality, back to the dismal swamps of the Dead Lands. Luna walked right past him, barely brushing his shoulder. She could feel the anger boiling inside him, flowing through his veins like rushing rapids. But if she had learned anything from knowing him as long as she had, it was that in this situation, Mercurial was powerless.

Luna stuffed her furred tippet into the leather satchel bags that were attached to Moonshine’s saddle. She didn’t bother snuffing out the fire; no one would be willing to track her so deeply into the treacherous swamp. Luna tightened the saddle’s leather strap around her four-legged companion, and hoisted herself up.

Mercurial could only watch as she climbed atop Moonshine’s back, grabbed the reins, and, with one pat on the mount’s neck, slowly continued her journey through the swamps once again. A journey that would take her further away from him, down another dark path that would consume her. He had foreseen the dangers of her quest, but even more so, the consequences of her success. But Mercurial knew that Luna did not care to believe in prophecy; only revenge.

His eyes followed her as she galloped completely out of his range of vision. Mercurial took a deep breath and released a light sigh of failure. With a simple thought, he was far away from the putrid swamps and back home in the throne room of his kingdom. Upon his arrival, Mercurial was surprised to find his first companion patiently waiting on him.

Ashes? What are you doing in my chambers?

Ashes stood only a few inches short of Mercurial’s own six-foot height. She stared at him; her deep blue eyes were brighter than his own. Her straight brown hair hung down to the middle of her back, and her skin was pale and flawless like his own. She grinned and puckered her black tinted lips—a permanent trait of those who’d accepted Mercurial’s gift. Ashes wore only a long, black robe. It was tied off at her waist with thin slits up each side of her thighs.

Other than his large fancy throne and the tarnished-brass sconces mounted to the round stone pillars, Mercurial’s chambers were dark and somewhat empty. But his most precious creation was built into the stone floor beneath his feet.

Mercurial looked down to where his most treasured possession was braced inside of the giant floor at the seat of his throne. It was his window to the entire world: his third-eye, a large circular pane of glass that made up nearly the entire area of the floor in Mercurial’s chambers. Through his dark sorcery, it would reveal anything that his mind desired, which was usually Luna. He immediately noticed that his third-eye had been activated.

"Were you watching me, Ashes?"

With a grin that resembled his own, Ashes laughingly chided, I couldn’t help myself. You’re just so funny when you’re groveling. I thought you were going to get on your knees and actually beg her to love you. She no longer tried to contain herself; her laughter echoed off the cold stone walls within his chambers.

Mercurial, finally allowing the anger to consume him, furiously marched toward her with a glare in his eyes that could only be described by the unlucky soul whose misfortune would soon be apparent. He grabbed her by her throat, hoisting her up off her feet with one hand. After three sweeping strides, Mercurial slammed Ashes into one of the stone pillars. He brought his face close to hers so that they were eye