The Whale Kingdom Quest

By Ming Wei

A completely original imaginative science fiction look at a post-apocalyptic world from the perspective of the sea life that survived. The world under the sea is as disparate and conflicted as the human race that once walked the land. Warring factions make tenuous alliances and fight for their right to remain in this new world. The whale Tenby searches for the last remaining humans, but do any remain? And if they do, will he survive long enough to find them? (Updated Version 2023).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ming Wei
• Release date: Jul 23, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463297766

Ming Wei

WELCOME.Award winning internationally known author Ian Allan pen name (Ming Wei) produces imaginative adult fiction, science fiction, fantasy, free educational books and life blogs. Due to international demand his books are available in Ebook, PDF, Paperback and Hardback formats across multiple different websites and from many UK retail book stores on the high streets.IMAGINATIVE STORYLINES.Read imaginative science fiction stories set in the future about a world destroyed by climate change and human activities. Stories that not only entertain you but also educate you in a non class room and non boring way about what can potentially happen to our planet if climate change is not stopped or at least slowed down. Also read historical fiction stories set in the one of the darkest times in human history and educate yourself about the events that a generation of unfortunate people suffered.2014 AWARD WINNING - SCIENCE FICTION EMBEDDED WITHIN CLIMATE CHANGEIn 2014 before the mass global surge in interest about climate change author Ming Wei wanted to highlight the potential future dangers of climate change and global warming to the world. He did this by creating the ocean world book series, embedding stories into an environment destroyed by global warming and riddled with human pollution, extreme weather patterns, and many more dangers left behind by the human race. The main characters might be sea-creatures and birds but there is a human side to their character. This series proved to be exceptionally popular with readers, many thousands of people have read the books.AUTHOR BIOBest Paperback award winning UK author Ian Allan "BScHons, MBA, AOUG, OUAA" using the pen name Ming Wei Is a university MBA graduate in Quantitative Mathematics and has 28 academic qualifications. He is a Hedge Fund Management Specialist. His first writing venture was to create a science fiction world out of the aftermath of global warming. This series of books proved to be exceptionally popular with readers. So popular that it was turned into a board game by local university students and the first book in the series won a best paperback award in December 2014. Ming Wei got his inspiration for creating these stories from historical events during the second world war along with being influenced by the movies Watership Down, Lord of the Rings, Finding Nemo, and the UK TV series River Monsters. Plus in his private life he has a life long interest in climate change and ocean life, his favourite specie in the world is the shark which also influenced his writing direction in 2014. On 23rd October 2022 Ming Wei decided to begin writing different genre of books and published the first book in the his new romance/war/action series. In his private life Ming Wei is a keen sports fan of American Football (NFL), Football, Formula 1, Rugby League, Cricket and World Rally. Ming Wei is a life long supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals (NFL) and Manchester City FC. In his younger days he played the trumpet in brass bands obtaining trumpet examination grades 3 and 4. He also gained medals in swimming competitions and football. During his life Ming Wei has worked as a Catwalk Fashion Model, IT Manager, Production Supervisor, Factory Manager, Investment Banking, Hedge Fund Manager. During his life Ming Wei has visited France, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Lanzarote, Tunisia, Maui Hawaii, Midway USA, Oahu Hawaii, Philippines, USA, Vietnam.AWARDS WONThe best paperback award (www.thebookawards.com) December 2014.- The Whale Kingdom Questhttps://twitter.com/thebookawardsAUTHOR WEBSITE + BLOGShttps://theoceanworld2023.wordpress.com/PAPERBACK BOOKSWaterstones Retail Stores (UK), WHSmith Retail Stores (UK), Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bokus, Books-a-million, Bookshop.org, Gandhi Bookstore, Google Books, krainaksiazek.pl, Lulu Bookstore, Sandbarbookstore, Saxo.com, Walmart comE-BOOKSApple Books, Barnes & Noble, Checkya, Gardners Extended Retail, Odilio, Rakuten Kobo Bookstore, Scribd, Smashwords, The Palace Marketplace (For libraries, Schools)HARDBACKS BOOKSBlurbFREE EDUCATIONAL E-BOOKSAuthors Official Website, Checkya, Smashwords,BOARD GAMESOfficial Author Website (Sold Out - May 2023), EbayCONTACT AUTHORBlurb, Checkya, Goodreads, Litsy, Lulu, Pearltrees, Pinterest, Smashwords, TheLibraryThing, Wordpress

Book preview

Introduction

The ocean 500 years into the future is full of many creatures. Some are allied with each other. Some are enemies. Some are ancient and are waiting to die. Some are living in the hope that one day the humans will return. There are many different stories and quests to be found within the ocean of the world.

Humans

The existence of humans is just a myth held by the faithful few. Rumours have circulated the ocean for the past 150 years that two humans escaped the massacre that was the battle of Dry Mass. Many believe there is a human tribe hiding and living in underwater caves that contain an air supply from volcanic gases inside the earth’s crust. The last remaining dolphins are said to hold the key to the answers regarding the myth of the humans. The Shark Kingdom has been trying to capture the last few dolphins during the last 150 years so that it could wipe out the last few humans (if any remain). The whale kingdom has sent out many quests during the past 150 years to find the humans so that an alliance could be established for fighting the Shark Kingdom, while others like the Shark Kingdom and the Sea snake Kingdom have sent out quests to exterminate the humans. After 150 years and many quests the humans have never been found. The only evidence was 75 years ago when a dolphin was captured by a Sea snake tribe and they found a human cloth tied around its tail. It is believed only a human could tie such a knot. And the cloth was new and not weather beaten for decades. The dolphin was captured off what was once a place called China where many underwater caves were believed to exist.

Whale Kingdom

In the cooler waters of the poles the Whale Kingdom made their home 150 years ago following defeat at the battle of Dry Mass. The cool waters surrounding their home stops enemies venturing into the waters of the Whale Kingdom. But as time progresses the waters around the Whale Kingdom are becoming warmer, and the dangers that warmer waters bring are forever moving closer. The Whale King believes that the Shark Kingdom will be able to venture into the waters of the Whale Kingdom in about 20 years’ time. In the last 10 years more shark activity and raids have taken place along the water borders of the Whale Kingdom. The Whale Kingdom has a good sized population, but not large enough to conduct a full scale war against the Shark Kingdom and its many allies. Many whales were lost during the battle of Dry Mass where they were allied with the humans and dolphins 150 years ago. That battle resulted in the destruction and defeat of the human race. The Whale Kingdom contains many stories including quests to find the remaining humans, and the long arduous journey from the Battle of Dry Mass to the safety of the cool waters around the pole.

Dolphin Kingdom

The Dolphin Kingdom was almost destroyed at the battle of Dry Mass 150 years ago. The few remaining are believed via myth and legend to have taken the last two surviving humans into hiding. Because of this myth the dolphins of the ocean are widely hunted by the Shark Kingdom and its many allies and many friends. The few remaining dolphins in the ocean no longer have permanent homes because of the ever increasing threats to their lives. Dolphins move in the depths of the oceans hoping to avoid preying eyes and spies of the Shark Kingdom. 150 years ago the dolphins were good friends with the humans and are sworn enemies of the Shark Kingdom. It is believed that the dolphins’ numbers are decreasing year after year because they are never in the same place long enough to breed. The Dolphin Kingdom is a known friend of the Whale Kingdom.

Shark Kingdom

The Shark Kingdom and its allies were responsible for the destruction of the human race at the historical battle of Dry Mass and will not stop until all the humans are destroyed. In the past 150 years the Shark Kingdom has established an empire including many of its closest allies so that all the power of the ocean is theirs. Sharks are the best warriors within the ocean, and each year their numbers are multiplying due to the expansion of the amount of ocean under their control. The Shark Kingdom exterminates all those that oppose it. The only enemy that can match a shark for its skill and bravery is a dolphin. But in the past ten years the sharks outnumber dolphins 1000 to 1. There are many stories to be told about the Shark Kingdom; Their rise to power, The battle at Dry Mass and their many quests to find the mythical last two humans, and the most fearsome shark ever to swim the ocean The Whale Catcher.

Sea snake Kingdom

The Sea snake Kingdom are strong allies of the Shark Kingdom. Sea snakes are very strong, fast and intelligent. These creatures can survive anywhere in the ocean, but favour the warmer waters around the equator. If these creatures venture into the cooler regions of the ocean they do not stay there for too long. For the majority of their time they live near to the seabed. They have very strong links to the Shark Kingdom, and in some parts of the ocean they live side by side. Although the snakes do not want sole power and control of the ocean they like to be involved with the activities in the Shark Kingdom. Sea snakes are very loyal and protective of their own race and the races of its allies. The ocean contains large volumes of sea snakes which kill its enemies via injecting a poison. At the battle of Dry Mass the sea snake’s army was able to slither onto the remaining land mass during the first wave of attack, where they inflicted large casualties on the humans. The only sea creature that is immune to the poison of the sea snake is the whale, although the sea snakes’ poison does weaken the whales which then allows the sharks to attack.

Other Sea Creatures in the Ocean World

There are many other creatures within the depths of the ocean. Some are loyal to the Shark Kingdom. Some creatures have no loyalties towards any other. Some of these creatures have been identified, some creatures have never been seen and some are just part of myths and legends. This list includes the Octopus Kingdom, Dark Killer Whale Kingdom and the Squid Kingdom. There are also myths about underwater dragons which have never been seen. There is also talk within the Whale Kingdom of movement below the seabed. Many whales believe that some worm,shaped creature lives in the seabed, although never seen, whales that have been present within their cave homes have felt shaking of the walls and the sound of something burrowing through the seabed. Myths about a creature living in the seabed first emerged 100 years before the battle of Dry Mass by humans who claimed a worm,shaped creature attacked the human miners of a gold mine in the old continent of Africa.

There is one creature that lives above the ocean. This is the Bird Kingdom, no longer the type of birds remembered 500 years ago. These birds are covered in a thicker feather due to the increase in the sun’s rays. Only a creature that can withstand high temperatures can live above sea level. These birds are friends of the Whale Kingdom and were once allies of the humans. These birds provide information about the movements of the Shark Kingdom and their allies to the Whale Kingdom high office. Unable to live underwater the Bird Kingdom make homes on the old wooden wreckages and debris that float on the ocean surface. Particularly around shallower waters of the oceans where floating debris groups together due to the flow of the ocean currents. In some parts of the ocean this group of floating debris can cover a 1 km square in size. The birds are very rarely attacked by members of the Shark Kingdom or its allies, because the thick feathers that cover the birds are toxic to sea creatures. Only the sea snake is immune to the creatures of the Bird Kingdom. At the battle of Dry Mass the queen of the Bird Kingdom was killed by a sea snake that had slithered up onto floating wreckage during the cloak of night fall. There are many untold stories of the ocean.

1st Book in Series - The Story Begins

The Whale Kingdom

Tenby approached the central cave of the Whale Kingdom where he had been requested to attend a meeting with the Whale high office. As Tenby grew closer and closer to the entrance of the central cave he felt the walls closing in on all sides as the cave narrowed towards the entrance. The tension within Tenby began to rise the closer he got to the entrance. Tenby glanced at the cave walls which were littered with memorabilia and objects from throughout different eras of the Whale Kingdom. On the right of Tenby was the skeleton of Bowyan the Wise Whale who was responsible for establishing an alliance with the humans 30 years before the battle of Dry Mass. Tenby began to sense the nostalgia, emotion and pride that all whales within the kingdom felt with the mention of Bowyan the wise whale. To swim past the skeleton of probably the greatest whale of all time made Tenby feel part of something special. After all, the Whale Kingdom using the spirit of Bowyan the Wise Whale overcame defeat at Dry Mass and stabilised their own existence and kingdom.

Tenby was just a normal medium,sized whale army sentry that had spent the last five years protecting the borders of the Whale Kingdom against the ever increasing threat from the Shark Kingdom. During this period Tenby has only had one encounter with a shark which lasted only a few minutes before the shark returned to the depths of the ocean. Just as Tenby was passing through the entrance into the central cave, the thoughts ran through his mind. What does the high office want with me? Do they want to promote me within the whale army? It is usually large,sized whales that are promoted to the ranks of captain within the whale army. Tenby was surprised that the Whale high office had requested his presence. So, full of nerves and anticipation, Tenby swam forward into the central cave. The Whale Kingdom is built within 300 underwater caves around the North Pole area of the ocean and entrance to the cave system is patrolled by members of the Whale Kingdom army.

Tenby came to a halt in a cave lit up by underwater glow worms within glass gaskets that were once a present from the human race during the early days of the alliance between the Whale Kingdom and the humans. These glow worms are now an established cultural part within the Whale Kingdom and to own underwater glow worms is to be judged as being middle class within the Whale Kingdom. In front of Tenby was King Kolan. Tenby was shocked to be in the presence of King Kolan. King Kolan was never seen talking to normal everyday whales. Tenby began to sense a strange situation was forthcoming. Why would the king of all the whales want to speak to him? King Kolan waited motionless in front of Tenby wearing the seaweed cloth of royalty which is passed down from king to king throughout the generations. The only none royal whale to have worn the seaweed cloth was Bowyan the Wise Whale because of what he accomplished for the Whale Kingdom. To be given the privilege of wearing the seaweed cloth was the highest reward a whale within the Whale Kingdom could receive. And in 200 years since the adaption of seaweed cloth only Bowyan the Wise Whale has been given the right to wear this cloth.

Seaweed cloth originates from the depths of the waters of the South Pole where very few species have travelled to. It is a unique cloth found only in a small part of the ocean, it is also claimed to be mythical and remains hidden from all species within the ocean until it selects the species with the most pure heart and soul. Then the cloth becomes visible to the species that it has chosen.

Legend has it, that it was this moment in time that whales obtained the powers and abilities to communicate to humans; many believe it was the power of the seaweed cloth. And today many whales fear that the loss of the seaweed cloth would result in the loss of the ability to communicate with humans. Legend has it that 150 years before the battle of Dry Mass a group of five large whales were sent to explore the depths of the South Pole waters to find new resources and riches. Only one whale returned wearing the seaweed cloth. The writings of this legend are sketched onto the wall within the central cave. Tenby remembers fondly his school days when his teacher told him about this myth.

With a deep voice King Kolan spoke to Tenby. Welcome my Whale Kingdom subject. A slight silence followed which seemed like a lifetime to Tenby as the nerves within his stomach began to bounce around one more time. Again the tension within Tenby began to tighten, Tenby began to wonder if he would lose his voice due to nerves. King Kolan took control of the conversation again. My subject I have requested you here for a purpose. Located to the left of King Kolan was his daughter Louisa who Tenby was secretly in love with, but never spoke openly about this to anybody because it was forbidden for a normal whale to marry a royal whale.

Since the age of five when Tenby first saw Princess Louisa he had feelings for her, she was the most beautiful whale within the kingdom, but Tenby always knew that he was never going to fulfil his desires towards her. Waiting there in complete silence Tenby fought his lack of concentration towards the king because of his feelings for Louisa. Again King Kolan spoke but this time the voice changed. It was louder and more direct. My Whale Kingdom is becoming more and more vulnerable to the attacks of the Shark Kingdom and its many allies. I fear we are becoming weaker while they become stronger.

Looking directly at King Kolan Tenby thought, How could he help this situation? He was only one individual whale. King Kolan continued in the same tone of voice. Somehow I have to increase my numbers and I cannot do this with my own species alone. I have to try and find my old friends the Dolphins. King Kolan paused briefly before starting again. Five days ago a whale explorer heard rumours that the dolphins are moving close to our border lands, I need to find these dolphins and establish communication with them. Why? thought Tenby, keeping his mouth shut, because you never spoke to the king unless asked to do so. Tenby knew himself that there were only a few dolphins in the entire ocean and even with their numbers the Shark Kingdom would still outnumber us. Tenby knew there was more to this than he had heard so far.

The dolphins have a secret, a secret that could change the whole situation within the ocean. King Kolan was now speaking very low, as if he did not want the guards around the edges of the room to hear. After the defeat at Dry Mass I lost contact with our friends the dolphins and we have not seen them since we fought our way here to our new home. King Kolan looked at his daughter and then looked back at Tenby, this time his eyes were wide open, piercing straight into the back of Tenby’s head.

King Kolan spoke again lowering his voice, Tenby moved two feet closer to the king so that he could hear. Many believe that two humans survived the defeat at Dry Mass and the dolphins hid them away from the rest of the ocean world. King Kolan continued. It is also believed that these humans have in their possession a weapon that could be used underwater to destroy the Shark Kingdom. By this time King Kolan’s voice had changed to one of excitement.

Somehow we must find these humans and discover what this weapon is. The key to this is to find the remaining dolphins. King Kolan paused, straightening his body to show the greatness of his size. You, my servant, are going on a quest out into the ocean to find the humans. Tenby stood there, not knowing how to respond. Fear shot through his whale body like electricity through a wire. Why me? Tenby opened his mouth but the words did not come out. How could he refuse a king? If he refused he would be shunned by his family and be a lonely sentry all his days. If he agreed he would probably become supper for the Shark Kingdom or even worse the sea snakes that take pleasure in digesting their lunch over seven days during which time their lunch is kept alive within their stomachs.

Tenby had never seen a sea snake but it was the thing he feared most in the world. Tenby looked directly at King Kolan and spoke with a calm voice (hiding his nerves). I accept this honour, my lord. After a few more minutes of small talk about the conditions of the quest and the facilities available to Tenby between the king and Tenby, Tenby turned to leave the central cave, moving closer to the exit. But just before Tenby moved though the exit King Kolan raised his voice. If you succeed whale Tenby you will receive the gratitude of the entire Whale Kingdom and you will have the pleasure of making a request of any type to the king. Thank you, my lord. Tenby spoke firmly looking directly at his daughter Louisa before turning with a sense of purpose and moving directly and swiftly through the entrance of the central cave back into the corridor he was in before. Tenby moved through the corridor not knowing what the future held. The quest begins!

Grand Old Library

Tenby arose from a deep sleep feeling the worst for wear. Whales within the kingdom that spent large amounts of time around the Whale Kingdom water border regions were renowned for having many deep sleeps. Whale scientists believed it was the effect of spending time within the region where cold and warm water meet. Some even believed that the Shark Kingdom was poisoning the waters around the Whale Kingdom, but this theory did not hold much substance because even though the Shark Kingdom were sworn enemies of the Whale Kingdom, the sharks still needed a pollution free ocean to live in. Only the Sea snake Kingdom could remain in polluted waters and thrive. But even the Sea snake Kingdom would not put its close friends the Shark Kingdom in danger.

Maybe it was the effect of the rising temperatures, the melting of the ice caps at the pole, or the contaminants that were once contained within the ice that were now being released into the ocean due to them melting. There have been many theories and debates within the high office of the Whale Kingdom but no general conclusion. In the last three years the Whale Kingdom high office had implemented a law that allowed a whale to spend no more than a maximum of twenty years of its entire life span in the water boundaries region. Whales within the Whale Kingdom had a life expectancy of around 180 years.

Tenby groaned out loud waking from his deep sleep, feeling like death warmed up. Tenby began to feel movement throughout his body. Tenby’s home cave was about ten metres by five metres in size and contained very little of material value. There were no glow worms in the room because he was a low ranked whale, the cave walls were plain and dull and to be quite frank Tenby’s cave lacked character or style. It was no more than an unlit hole in a rock. It was common for army sentry whales to live in humdrum plain surroundings because they neither spent much time there, and neither did they have any family members living with them.

The plainness and darkness of his home cave was the furthest thing from Tenby’s mind. It was 14 hours since his meeting with King Kolan but the words spoken at the meeting had played over and over in his head a thousand times. Why him? His question was never fully answered by King Kolan. Was it because Tenby had a special talent? Tenby did not believe that theory. Tenby believed it was because he was more disposable than the other whales that were protecting the border water regions. Was there something else behind his selection? In just under two day’s time Tenby will venture out of the Whale Kingdom region for the first time, once all his supplies have been arranged. More importantly, the period before he starts his quest will enable Tenby to visit the grand old library and research documents relating to the Dolphin Kingdom. Tenby had only once seen a picture of a dolphin in one of the old oyster shells within the library while he was still a student many years ago.

On entering the grand old library Tenby froze and tilted his vision to a 70° angle. The grand old library was the biggest of all the caves within the Whale Kingdom, and was also regarded as the most important, because within its walls contained documents from the beginning of the Whale Species from the time humans hunted them from the cold waters of the Arctic Circle. All the documents within these walls were written in the ancient whale language of bubble tongue which is the native language of the whale. Only the Dolphin Kingdom can understand this ancient whale language, and during the battle of Dry Mass whales and dolphins used the bubble tongue language to communicate without the threat of the Shark Kingdom and their allies understanding.

The grand old library cave stood at nearly 300 feet in height and contained twelve different levels. Documents ranging over 5000 years old were kept preserved in oyster shells that filled the shelves that had been cut into the cave walls. At the birth of the Whale Kingdom a whale by the name of Red discovered the potential of using oyster shells to place documents within, which would then preserve these documents throughout time without any depreciation of the condition of the documents. The Red whale is part of Whale Kingdom legend, and once a year on the first day of the fourth month the Whale Kingdom pays respect to the legend of the Red whale. The name was given to the whale because of his blood stained body following years of battles with human whalers that wanted to capture the whale and use its body for resources. It amazes Tenby that whales and humans went the full circle and became very close friends and allies and ultimately died side by side at the battle of Dry Mass. The seed of this friendship was Bowyan the Wise Whale and