Ash and Magic

By TheCrimsonDM

At the height of technological and arcane development, america along with the rest of the world was ruined by a magical apocalypse unlike any other. Cherry Blossom wakes from a stasis pod to find her world destroyed and transformed. Through her journey she'll encounter what's left of the rangers, a psychic dog named Red, monsters from the deep, and a ghost from the past. In this unforgiving world, can she find a way to survive?

• Language: English
• Publisher: TheCrimsonDM
• Release date: Aug 23, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463234419

TheCrimsonDM

A creator filled with passion and insanity, their love of music, fantasy, anime, sci-fi, and video games has inspired them to create stories filled with wonder and weirdness. If there was one thing TheCrimsonDM wanted more than anything else it would be to spread the joy of creation across the world and to inspire others the same way they were inspired themselves. Also loves puppies and bunnies and long walks on the beach.

Book preview

Ash and Magic

Written by TheCrimsonDM

Heart of Fire

By TheCrimsonDM

Copyright 2018 Coriantumr Pace

Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard-work of this author.

Chapter List

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty Two

Chapter Twenty Three

The Author

Chapter One: Earth Ending

It was all just a dream, it had to be… An unnamed survivor.

Today was the day that my world ended. Sure it started off normally enough, with me going to the little store just down the road from my house. Sandwiched between a weapon store named Grievous Wounds, and an armor store called, Blade Stopper, was a little store named subtly Grunk’s Shop. I stepped through the little red brick building’s front door and was treated with the cool air from the air conditioner. A few little stalls held food, house supplies, and even some magazines. Of course I was here for none of them.

A little man with gray wrinkly skin sat on a stool behind the front counter. He would have stood at about three feet tall if he was standing. Two pointy ears and a mouth full of sharp teeth would have gone to make him quite frightening a few generations ago, but ever since the goblin tribes merged with society like the orks they actually found themselves quite happy.

He eyed me as I approached. Filthy human, what makes you think you can walk in here?

I shrugged. I guess I just realized that I was tall enough to push the door open and reach all the shelves.

He smirked. Good morning, Cherry.

Good morning, Grunk. Do you have it in stock?

He reached under the counter as if looking for something. Oh, I don’t know. It’s so hard to get things in now and days. No one comes here for basic supplies anymore. All they want is guns, swords, and armor.

I rolled my eyes. Oh and I thought I was the one in anger management. Still, I don't see why weapons are selling so much, it’s not like any of them are ever going to see combat, the war is far away.

Grunk pulled out an old brown leather book with some strange symbols on the cover. He set it down on the table and pushed it towards me. I don’t know, I hear war is coming faster than we think. The dragons are flying their way towards us one horde at a time. After all it’s the year 2199, the melinia is almost upon us.

I pulled out my wallet from my purse and put a handful of gold coins down on the table. Look, a bunch of kobolds, dragons, and weirdoes will never be able to defeat us. We’re the American Thunder Realm. We eat dragons for breakfast with our gunships alone.

As Grunk took the coins I took my tome. He looked serious as he stared up at me. I keep reading things, about bombs that can wipe out entire cities. All it takes is one of them hitting us.

I turned on my heel and began toward the door. There’s nothing to fear, we have anti blasting shields which can withstand even the combined flames of a hundred dragons. A single bomb will never break through them.

On my way out of the shop and out onto the street I opened up my book. Inside I saw an appendix of different spells. Some for pretty much every school of magic I could think of. This made me happy as I was far past ready for some healthy study. As a starling, born with the gift of magic, I had neglected my talents for far too long since school was over.

With this new book tonight was going to be a blast.

A slight tingle on my wrist followed by the sound of a recent pop song about romance started to play. I looked down at my right hand which had blue glowing runes coming off of it. A small holographic display popped up and read the name, Shade. I pushed the green symbol next to the name and put my hand up to my ear. Hey, what’s up?

Where are you? replied Shade, his voice full of urgency.

I’m right out front of Grunk’s shop. Why?

Stay right there. Don’t move.

Okay, are you picking me up o- my voice cut off as I saw a small airship fly over head and slow down as it approached. It sunk lower in the air until it was just barely high enough to avoid any cars driving underneath it. The ship was made of steel and roared impressively with its mighty engines powering the propellers. From the top of it I saw Shade, his long black hair was a mess and the white blue robes he wore looked dirty. He nodded and vanished in a puff of black smoke. Not even a moment later I felt a pair of arms wrap around me, his face hovered next to mine, his eyes were red with exhaustion but soft as they looked at me.

Shade? I asked confused.

The world around me was shoved into a blender which mixed everything around so fast that it was just a bunch of colors. This effect lasted only a moment and then stopped with me still in his arms only now standing atop the deck of the ship. It was a small ship, with a carrying capacity of only a handful of people. The captain began pulling at levers and the ship rose up above the buildings.

Shade pulled me tighter and leaned in. His lips met with mine and I felt myself melting into his embrace. For a split moment I had forgotten what I was even trying to do today. Then he pulled away. I love you.

I shivered a little but stayed in his loving embrace. I love you too. The gears began turning in my brain again. Hey, I know it’s my day off, but you can’t just abduct me like this mister. I pulled away and met his eyes. They were full of a worry I’d never seen him have before. It was almost like he was grieving. What happened?

I… it doesn’t matter. I just need to get you to safety. You’re the only one I could contact, Shade looked over at the captain. We’re going to Mind Sweep.

The pilot nodded. Aye Aye.

I looked out around us. The glowing island city of New Star. Right off the coast of Thunder Realm, a stretching metropolis of humans, goblins, and other races which had banned together to form our wonderful country. We were heading toward an area right outside of Star Park, which was more of a forest then a park. Shade let me go and adjusted the red ribbon tied around his sleeve. For a guy he was actually shorter than me by a few inches but unlike most this never bothered him.

Shade, what’s going on?

All hell is about to break loose, Shade said quietly. Do you know how many millions of people are living in the city beneath us?

I shrugged. I don’t know.

A little around 3 million. There are eight billion people in our world right now. his eyes grew wide as he stared across the cityscape. You’re a teacher, you can appreciate how significant that number is right?

I shook my head. I teach magical theory, not magical practice, or math, or history, just theory.

He laughed in a high pitched manic tone. Okay, that makes sense. Anyway three million sounds like a small number compared to that, but then you start thinking about how many cities we have, not to mention towns, villages, and what have you. Then you start considering that we are only one country in the entire world.

Honey, I said gently as I put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. You’re not really worried about all the people in the world are you?

No, Shade said. I’m worried about losing them.

My heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t even fathom the idea of losing that many lives nor how it could be accomplished. Still it was clear that Shade was worried, truly worried about this. That won’t happen. Even though I said the words, I couldn’t make myself believe them.

The airship began to lower itself. Down below I saw a lot of soldiers wearing the traditional blue and yellow armor. There was even a few people in strikingly colored powered armor. Weaponized vehicles and APCs were all lined up in front of a large single story square building. The airship landed on its roof and Shade quickly teleported us off the top. A few more soldiers were already arriving to greet us before we got off.

What’s going on? I asked once more. I was used to seeing a few military personal in the city, but this looked like they were preparing for a full assault.

A blinding flash of light illuminated the sky behind me with a rainbow of color. A huge blue shield bubble shield appeared around the city itself. A thunderous roar followed, so loud that it hurt my ears. I glanced behind me to see a mushroom cloud of rainbow colors. Shade quickly jerked my head away from it and made me look into his eyes.

That’s what’s going on. Now follow me and don’t look at the sky, or else it could damage your eyes. Shade grabbed my hand and had to half drag me across the rooftop as my legs had failed to remember how to move by themselves.

As soon as we were inside I saw a rush of military personal and blue robed scientist much like Shade moving about. In one room I saw a map of the American Thunder Realm and all its impressive glory. The map showed every single city, town, and military base in bright lights. One by one the lights were going from white, to red, to disappearing completely.

I was dragged down the hallway, into a staircase past several check points and then into a lab. There were six pods in the room, huge bulbous purple things that looked between egg and plant. Shade and me were the only two in this room and he started pushing buttons on a command consol next to one of the plants.

Shade, what are you doing? What’s going on outside? I don’t understand.

The pod hissed and a crack appeared down the middle of it. The thing opened up to show some sort of organic chamber large enough for a human to crawl inside. If I had to be honest the thing looked a little like a womb or something. It was too gross for me to want to keep staring at it.

Shade looked at me. This is one of the seeds from the Ancient Trees. They can withstand even direct contact with balefire, though what we’re dealing with outside could possibly be worse. Still they will survive even a sun going super nova. Go inside and you’ll be safe until this whole mess is over.

I stared at him. What about my family? Will they be safe?

Shade nodded toward the other five pods. Look I only have six of these things. I’ll do what I can to save people, but I am putting you as my first priority.

Is the world ending?

You saw that map upstairs?

I nodded.

We’re the last country to be hit by it.

Hit by what?

Shade walked over to me, threw his arms around me once more and kissed me. His tongue slipped into my mouth along with a sweet taste. Had he slipped something my mouth? My limbs grew instantly heavy and my eyes started to droop. Carefully he led me to the pod and leaned me back inside of it. The organic insides were a bit sticky and warm, but felt safe. I looked up at Shade.

Shade removed the red ribbon around his arm and leaned over. His gentle hands tied the ribbon around my left arm as he whispered, I love you. I’ll join you soon, now be safe.

I nodded drowsily. I love you too.

The doors of the pod, if you could call them doors, began sliding close. The moment they did everything became dark, silent, and tired. I couldn’t help but to fall asleep right away. It just felt so safe in here. Although I knew the world outside was burning, I just couldn’t bring myself to care so long as I lay inside this pod.

So while the world ended, I slept.

Chapter Two: Rude Awakening

When you see one of ‘em, you’ll know there’s a lot more just around the corner. A Shadow Merchant’s advice.

In the blackness of my eternal slumber I felt nothing but warmth and love coming my from my cushiony walls. There was little in the way of thoughts or dreams. A few times I felt more then saw images. Moving shadows, dancing lights, things beyond my comprehension, and through it all my mind was still in the calm of this deep sleep.

At least until the day I woke up. The walls to my chamber parted and light flooded my vision for a brief moment before vanishing completely. I fell forward onto the dirt covered floor with a wet slap. My entire body was covered in slime and my limbs twitched as I tried to comprehend my situation. The last thing I remembered was Shade telling me that he would join me soon.

The room around me was dark, almost pitch black. Yet I was used to the darkness and able to make things out. Everything in the room was covered in a thick layer of dust and dirt. The other five pods in the room were all open, their insides were dried out and the pods looked blackened as if dead. The tables lining the walls had all of their tools knocked over.

On slow and shaky limbs I pushed myself up and looked toward the door which was still cracked open. A feint light could be seen beyond. For a moment I stared at the light, wondering where all the electricity had gone when I saw the light being obscured and flickering.

A shrill and cackling voice rang out down the hallway outside. Come, come, we find good loot, loot, and maybe things to stab, stab.

A similar voice added, Yes, yes, we stab, stab already, we stab, stab some more?

I froze for only a half second as I listened to the sound of their mismatched feet pattering down in uneven patterns down the hall. They only got louder as they got closer to me. I looked around the room for anywhere to hide and quickly took refuge behind one of the dead pods. They were big enough to hide behind with minimal effort. I attempted to focus my energy into my hand so I could prepare even the simplest of magical attacks and yet found only a sharp pain in my head. It hurt to breathe down here and my skin burned. It felt like something was wrong with the air.

The door to my room opened and I peered out just enough to see two small creatures about three feet tall, green and bone thin. They were covered in an assortment of fungi and flowers which grew from their flesh and wore tattered clothing. Each one had crude daggers made from jagged pieces of steel at their belt.

One of them looked at the pod I had come from. Oh this is bad, bad.

The other one looked at him. Monster egg?

Hmmm yes, monster egg. It hatch. The creature looked down at the puddle of quickly drying slime where I had landed. It hatch recently maybe. We leave this room alone for big boss.

The other one nodded and they quietly backed out the door and closed it almost all the way again. I listened to them leaving and held my breath. This was probably about as far away from being okay as things could ever be. I had never seen such a creature before in my life, although I’d admit they almost looked like goblins if only heavily mutated.

Once they had left far enough away I took another breath and moved out from my hiding place. It was obvious that these creatures were dangerous, and for whatever reason my magic was not working right now. Worse yet the air here was making me crazy itchy. In the faint light I could see motes of green dust floating about. I felt the urgent need to leave.

I slowly opened the door, it barely made a sound. The creatures were nowhere to be found as I made my way toward the light. From their sounds it sounded like they had trotted off in the opposite direction. So far so good, I continued making my way slow and steady toward the light. The light was coming from the staircase that I had been led down when I first came here. The entire place was covered with dust, broken light fixtures and the ceiling was literally coming down in a few places.

My trip up the stairs only showed more degradation in the building’s structure. It looked as though this building had been hit by a bomb and left to rot for a hundred years. Of course that couldn't be, I just woke up after all. Still my mind had barely any ability to functionally think on that as I knew I needed to escape. Once I finally reached the first floor I saw the old check point I had passed to come in here.

The old check point was left unmanned, and the hall way was blindingly bright beyond. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the level of light and when it did I froze at what I saw. The hallway only continued for a good forty feet before it, along with the other half of the building vanished and a mountain of debris stood beyond that. Grass, and vines, along with huge green roots and massive glowing mushrooms stood there. The mushrooms were glowing against the overcast and gray sky, and motes of colored dust speckled off of the mushrooms.

I swallowed. It was even more painful to breathe up here then down below.

I only took a few more steps before my foot hit something. I looked down and saw a leg sticking out of some trash. A human leg. I jumped back startled yet I couldn’t look away. The man was lying under some garbage, his gray fatigues blending into the old newspapers. His chest was soaked