Monster: The Revenants of Embri - Revenant Tales, #3

By Ravyn Karasu

In the world of Embri, one will find the ordinary and extraordinary. The two superior species on the planet are human being and revenants, a type of creature that manifests as a walking and sentient skeletons. Some are good; some are bad, but many have a story to tell.

While her brother delights in watching horror movies, Allison is terrified of the monstrous creatures in them. Seeking an escape, she goes to the park for some fresh air and company with friends to whom she can relate. What she finds there is that not all monsters look scary, and not every friendly face is trustworthy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ravyn Karasu
• Release date: Jan 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386049364

Book preview

Introduction

Welcome to the world of Embri. It is a world very similar to our own and also a world of fanciful creatures and tales. The following story takes place within this world and is part of a collection of Revenant Tales .

The revenants in this series are living skeletons of different types (ranks) and are ruled by a hierarchy. These tales focus on smaller events, tales, and experience within the Revenants of Embri series.

The collection of tales that have gained a paperback status have done so due to their length. They are longer than short stories, but also shorter than the main novels within the series. The stories therein the Revenant Tales collection of the series are thereby not as in depth and informative about the universe as the greater main novel series.

It is therefore the purpose to make such a disclaimer. The novellas of Revenant Tales are not part of the main Revenants of Embri novel series but are still canon in that universe. Characters and events may appear in some capacity within the main novel series.

It should also be noted that there is no particular order in which these stories (or the main novel series) must be read. The publication date is not part of a particular linear timeline, but all take place at different points therein.

If you enjoy this tale, you may enjoy other stories within Revenant Tales and the overall series, The Revenants of Embri as a whole.

ONE

Allison Bowers curled up tight on the couch, her knees to her chest and her arms wrapped about a couch pillow and pressed against them. It was a pathetic way to hide, especially due to her peeking over her barrier. On the floor before her were her older brother, Artie and their cousin, Harry. The boys were the same age—ten; perfect for the pair to be close playmates. Allison, at eight, and a more conservative girl by comparison, had little to nothing in common with them.

Currently, the boys were acting up in front of the television, making a mess of the large bowl of buttery popcorn and pop cans. The movie that played on the television was of the horror genre. An air-headed young woman, barely clad and screaming, trying to escape a deadly monster: a beastly looking humanoid skeleton—a revenant—with tattered clothing hanging from his bones. It was a new installment of the boys’ favorite horror series, yet they had already seen it several times. Allison had always managed to avoid these viewings until now; her own stubborn fault, if one were to be honest. Now, she could only freeze and cower at the skeletal creature killing and shredding everything in his wake.

Boys! Mom called from the kitchen, Don’t you spill any of that soda or butter crap on the carpet! It’ll ruin it!

Pfft, like it’s not ruined already, Artie chuckled and gave Harry a nudge.

A roaring, shrieking sound came from the revenant monster as he sprung out in standard jump scare fashion and grabbed the screaming lady by her shoulders. He lifted her up and took a bite out of her. At this point, Allison screamed and hid her face. That got Mom’s attention. She came in with firm steps as she wiped her hands on her apron.

"What are you watching?"

"Revenant Evil III, Harry replied. It’s the newest one in the series. And, so far, it’s the best! These high schoolers sneak into this huge abandoned mansion. But there’s a revenant hidden in a secret room in the basement. He gets free and..."

"Ugh, more of your silly schlock, Mom sighed. What have I told you about showing this trash to your sister? You two may be able to handle the gore and stuff, but Allison can’t. You know this."

"Me?!" Artie squeaked in surprise.