Search for the Fallen: True Love Vs Everlasting War Duology, #2

By Jonathan Evan Hudson

Human angels fight people turned demon in the spellbinding world of Teal.

A night just like any other night. A silly prank turns to horror.

And begins a lifelong quest of hope and despair.

Grab this inventive epic fantasy and embrace for the adventure of a lifetime!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Swordpulp Studios
• Release date: Oct 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393543251

Jonathan Evan Hudson

Widely traveled, Jonathan Evan Hudson spends as much time studying life as he does writing gripping tales of fantastic adventures. From the giant redwoods of California to the deserts of Israel, his thrilling stories all draw on first-hand experiences and expand them with the fantastic and his acclaimed creativity.

Book preview

Prologue

Sitting in the chair at the mystic’s shop, Drowen knew Esca and he weren’t going to get out of trouble this time. Of all the nights to get caught, it had to be this one. He had to turn his luck around or else he wouldn’t be able to propose to Esca. Those Nimbus Blue Flowers decorating their hideout wouldn’t last another night, and there was nothing better in the whole land of Teal he could get to replace them.

Of course, being the village pranksters had its ups and downs - like the joy of giving the guys who beat him up a week of gas and diarrhea, and the pleasure of outsmarting the jerks who ridiculed him. He’d never forget the pain of getting lashed when his teacher discovered he had snatched some ryesack weed and lapus fibers from the school to make itching powder. Next time he’d have to be more careful.

This time, a stuffy ice queen of mysticism had caught Esca and him changing the signs on all the shops, including her own. Too bad she didn’t like their choice - Mr. Popper’s Petals. A few flowers might thaw her and let some fresh air in. It would smell better than the musty incense from the candles around the shop.

At least Esca sat beside him grinning as if the adventure had only begun. Maybe this won’t be a total disaster. If I play it right, it could put her in the right mood. He smiled. That’s it. Go with it. This is an opportunity. Just wait for the right moment.

Still, his stomach soured. He couldn’t propose to the slender tomboy after they got punished. Who would want to remember getting lashed and yelled during the night of their engagement? That would be as good as proposing beside a ripe outhouse. No. He had to work out something fast. If only mom were still alive, then I could take my time. But she wasn’t. After high school everyone in Vorshaya Village got married. Tradition insisted on it - get married and have children to make sure there’s always a future generation and a future Vorshaya Village. It provided the perfect excuse for his step-parents to marry him off to some monstrosity like Bucktooth Betty and kick him out the door. There’s no way he’d let that happen. I would rather die than suffer that fate.

The mystic sat across from them. Her twisted smile made his gut squirm as her eyes lingered on his. Not again. Another person who stares at my eyes. Everyone stared at his eyes. No one else in the whole world had one blue and one brown eye. He should charge people for looking. He could join Carrogin’s Circus and travel around the world. When they came to the village this summer, he should ask. He’d just need an act to go along with it.

At least Esca didn’t mind. Unlike the other blue-eyed blond beauties of their village, she resembled a sapling that needed more sunshine and water, and everyone made sure she knew it. Not that he looked much better. They were two peas in a withered pod. Even her family didn’t give a damn about her, just like his family with him.

The ice queen leaned forward. Her billowy, violet dress revealed the top of her pale bosom. Nice view. A frog would fit perfectly between your boobs. Too bad I’m fresh out of them. For regular people a regular reading is in order, but for nasty scamps like you I’m going to try something different.

He blinked. Huh? She isn’t going to yell at us?

She looked at the crystal ball held by a brass talon in the middle of the table. As she waved her hands over it, an image condensed, reminding him of droplets on a steamy window. On top of an ancient board of leather, bizarre golden letters danced about the cover of the book. The letters themselves coiled about like snakes intent on rubbing away their scales.

Drowen watched, unable to look away. Bizarre. This is way better than lashes. What’s this?

What do you see? the mystic asked. The same thing you see. It’s kinda obvious. She didn’t wear glasses, so she had no excuses.

Cool! Esca said. "What does Cypher of Heaven’s Gate mean?"

Huh? He looked harder. How could she see something he didn’t?

And you? the lady asked.

There has to be some trick involved. I never pulled off an illusion this good. The only way I know how is to trick the target into drinking a potion and then playing into their hallucinations. But we didn’t touch any potion today. This must be magic. Cool! I’ve never seen magic before. I wonder if I could learn it.

Weird letters. He stared harder, but nothing changed. This could be a test to see if I have the potential to be a wizard. I have to pass it. They keep moving around.

Roo, said Esca, You need to look at it for a little while. Then the words will pop into your head.

His eyes scanned every piece of the image, every scratch in the leather cover, every twist in the golden letters, every indent in the board holding the book. Come on, I can do this. The serpentine symbols slithered about. Why are they moving? There must be a reason. They coiled and slithered some more. No patterns showed up. No hidden message either.

Ganch it, I’m going to fail the test, but lying won’t work if I don’t have the potential to be a wizard. No, I don’t see anything.

The medium smiled. Wait a moment. What’s she scheming? Grown-ups don’t punish us with tests or games. Young lady-

Lacy, she corrected. He released a hint of a smile. At least she’s enjoying this.

Escaline Silverhawk Vorshaya, the lady continued. She’s good. I wonder if she knows my name too - Drowen Bluedeer Vorshaya. She hasn’t asked if we’re related, so maybe not. Most outsiders think that sort of idiotic thing until we tell them our surname is our middle name. Of course, sometimes that sort of mistake comes in handy at times - there’s no need to trick them into thinking we’re innocent, loving siblings. You just read the title of a book. Its contents can end the centuries-old war between Heaven and Hell, but no one yet has been able to break the magical code that hides its secrets.

He perked up. Heaven and Hell? Heaven directed the heroes that destroyed the Minions of Hell - evil people who sold their souls and became monsters. Everyone in the land of Teal feared those monsters. If anyone deserved to be called a gooworm, they did. They murdered whoever they wanted on a whim.

Not even the Head of Vorshaya Village could destroy a Minion without the help of Heaven, and here Esca and he would be able to strike the fatal blow to Hell. Awesome! They’d hurt Hell more than all three of the Talented Clans combined. Not one of the clans could harm a Minion, and each clan - the Vorshaya, the Harthson, and the Norgene clans - comprised the best warriors of the land. Each clan had a special power no other group of humans had: the Norgene clan could shapeshift, the Harthson clan could communicate with and control beasts, and the Vorshaya clan could enhance their body’s abilities temporarily.

Like most Vorshayas, Esca and Drowen could boost the speed of their movements and heal minor injuries quickly. That would definitely help them in their future journey, just like it had helped them in their adventures in the mountains surrounding the village. Drowen could also enhance his hearing so well he could hear heartbeats, and Esca could enhance her sight so well that she could see a fly crawling on a peach a thousand feet away. Although only the most talented Vorshayas got further training and went on missions requested by governments and the wealthy to enrich the village, Esca and Drowen would definitely encounter some kind of master of battle that would train them in techniques not even the Head knew. That sort of thing always happened in legends - in Dendric’s heroic struggle against the barbaric were-trolls of the north, in Peteric’s war against Canestron Greenwolf Harthson and his army of beast slaves - so it had to happen to them. It was just a matter of time.

However, none of those talents mattered against Minions. The monsters could regenerate from any damage dealt them and if they touched you, it was over. Instant death, if the Minion wanted it. They needed Heaven’s help. There was no way they could stand up against Hell without effective weapons, and only the magic of Heaven could really harm Minions.

If we end the war, we’ll become famous. Everyone will know us! Everyone will come to our village to get our help. We’ll become rich. Very rich. Super rich. And we’ll be heroes! Everyone will look up to us. Those gooworms will beg us to forgive them. We’ll be treated like royalty. He smirked, his chest swelling. No more teasing, no more beatings. Everyone in class would talk to them. All of their instructors would seek their advice. Strangers would smother them in gratitude. Minstrels would even weave tales of their heroics. It’ll be great. Esca and I would be together, too. I can’t wait!

Cool! Esca said, Do I need to go find it? Like an adventure? I’ll be a legendary hero! Roo, you’ll be my sidekick. We’ll win the war for everyone.

He grinned. Heroes, adventures! What a future! He shut his eyes. A whole journey with Esca. We’ll travel the world. I won’t need to propose to her tonight. When the time’s right, I’ll do it. Maybe she’ll - he snickered - let me hear her sing. I won’t have to spy on her any more. She’ll break all the glass in sight. No. The glass will beg to be broken. Maybe she’ll do it in her undies like she does in front of the mirror. His cheeks warmed. A naked Esca. What a sight.

The mystic smirked. Even she knows this is awesome news. Well, Heaven and Hell already have copies of the book, but a single mistake in deciphering it destroys the copy. Heaven has all but given up on it.

The air tightened around him, chilling his skin. He tried to rub his hands, but they wouldn’t move. It was as if the air had become stone. Huh?

Hey, said Esca, her voice wavering, What’s going on?

Drowen couldn’t breathe. He froze. Something’s wrong. I’ve got to do something. A Minion might have already found us. I can’t waste my time sitting here!

Sinking in her seat, the mystic spread her arms in a circle. This village hates you, Esca.

Drowen tried to roll his eyes but they didn’t respond. We already know that. They hate both of us. We don’t need you to tell us that.

Huh? she said, This isn’t-

Not even this boy respects you. What?!

Esca blinked, then stared at the mystic. What the ganch is she talking about? Esca, don’t believe her. He strained to open his mouth; that lie had to be corrected before she had doubts. But his muscles refused to respond. They just sat there relaxed, as if nothing was happening. The treacherous things couldn’t recognize how important his words were. They had to work.

His sweetheart looked at him. Her eyes begged him to refute the mystic, yet his body didn’t respond. Maybe this is a test. She’s testing our resolve. That must be it. If we don’t trust each other down to the core, we’ll fail. Roo, why - why aren’t you saying anything?

Silence. Horrible silence. Then his mouth whispered a lie. It is true. You are pathetic. No!

Her mouth dropped open, yet his heart pumped a normal beat. How could his body betray him like this! No! How can you say that?

I do not care for you, his mouth said, the false astonishment of revelation echoed in his fake voice. What sort of test is this?!

Her eyes bulged, then glistened. No, this can’t be happening. I love you! You, you-

Become one of us, said the psychic. Huh? What’s she talking about? Ganch it, she’s the one doing this to me, to us. Take revenge on this horrible world. Destroy these liars and frauds.

Revenge? she said. His eyes refused to dart around, They just stared straight ahead. Esca, no! Can’t you see the truth? It’s all a trick. Why can’t you see it? Since when could someone pull the wool over your eyes?

Yes, revenge. You’ll have more power and beauty than anyone could hope for. Humanity will be jealous of you, and you’ll be able to destroy the ones who hurt you, who betrayed you.

Pain sparkled in her eyes, yet his heart refused to tremble, to chill with fear. This can’t be a test. There’s no way. The bitch continued. This can’t be happening. Your father will never hit you again. Your sister will never get the better of you again. Your peers will never harass you again. This boy will never lie to you again.

Don’t listen to her! Yet Esca shut her eyes, as if she believed the mystic. What’s there to think about? Just say no! She opened her eyes. No doubt lingered in those hard orbs. A flicker of despair touched her face. Then her frown mutated into a smirk.

Fine. I’ll do it.

His heart refused to pump harder. It refused to race with his mind. His puppet body simply relaxed and obeyed another master. I knew you were no good. You failed at being a Vorshaya. You will fail at this too.

Don’t listen to me! Why don’t you see how she’s manipulating you? It’s a trick. It’s all a trick! She didn’t even glance at him. How could she shut him out so quickly? She loved him.

Shut your mouth, Roo. You’re worse than Boblet.

It was one of their secret catchphrases - they had a number of phrases that sounded like one thing but meant another. That one meant she was on his side despite pretending to hate him. Oh gods, what’s she thinking? There’s no way she can outwit that witch. If he could respond, he’d say So what?, and it’d mean cut their losses and run.

The Minion revealed her gray horns, like two horrible claws that came out of her skull. Oh gods no. She waved her hand and revealed a bite-sized apple with a terrible red glow; a horrible light that stained everything it touched with the color of blood, crimson disgusting blood.

Eat this, all of it, and say the words that come into your head. Say every single one, no matter how silly you feel.

Drowen’s eyes burned his sockets. No! Don’t do it. We were so close to getting married. How could this happen? How can’t you see it’s a trap? Esca took the apple and studied it for a couple moments, checking its stupid curves and its sickening skin. Doubt! She’s has some doubt! It’s not worth it. Whatever she promised it’s a lie. It’s more obvious than cow shit piled on a plate.

She smiled and plopped it into her mouth. Gods no! Crunches broke through the concrete air, and her gulp crushed his last hope.

Esca shut her eyes. A few moments of silence. Maybe it won’t work. Maybe … then she spoke.

"I rid myself of this disgusting soul

And request the splendor of Hell’s blessing.

Grant my wish, my innermost desire.

Crush my humanity and grant me perfection.

Turn me into a Servant of Hell

And I shall be perfection itself!"

A horrible red glow lit the air around her, then blazed into an evil sun. The brilliant crimson seared his eyes, overwhelming them with the terrible light. Let me blink. Please let me blink.

The light collapsed, and a disgusting, impish monster stood in place of the girl he had loved. The thing resembled some goblin midget out of a nightmare with its twisted, toothy face and misshapen, pointed fingers. Oh Lords Blaze and Bane, save her. If he ever needed the help of the gods, he needed it now. Where were they when he needed them the most?

The Imp mumbled a few sounds that came closer to a dog’s mumbles than any human speech. Its eyes rolled around as if it couldn’t figure out how to look straight. From out of its mass of wild blond hair protruded two horns, each with the rusty gold color of oak leaves in fall - the only thing on it that wasn’t an utter eyesore.

Esca! What did she do to you? What’s going on? Esca was the thinker, the planner. How could he hope to outwit this horrible beast of a woman? But I’ve got to. Esca always kept a clear head. How could she fall for such an obvious trick? I’ve got to save her. But how? Oh Lords Blaze and Bane, how?

The hellish mystic beamed at her prize, as if Esca were a reward better than anything the gods could ever grant. How could he stop that monster from taking her? Heaven! This mystic is a Minion. Heaven fights Minions. Then Heaven would know how to save Esca. That’s what I’ll do. But I can’t just head over to the Tower of Heaven and beg for help. Who would bother helping me? No one. That’s who. I need to join them. I need to practice my skills. I need to become the best fighter in the world. Then they’ll beg to have me.

But what if there’s more of these impish things? I’ll never recognize her. There must be something on her that I can identify her with. Her face won’t do. Everything’s so wrong with it. It’s an unspeakable disaster. Nothing stands out. Neither will her body. Her hairstyle can be changed, if anyone bothers to try. Her horns … that’s it! Those patterns on her horns might be the only way I’ll ever recognize her again.

He took a good hard look at them. On her right horn a dusty squiggle of red resembled a curled-up inchworm. Her left horn had a couple of isolated rusty spots but nothing special. He burned the image of her horns into his mind.

The mystic wiggled her fingers with a grin, a terrible, disgusting grin. Esca! Another promising Imp to add to my collection!

His throat clenched so hard that he squeaked. The Minion looked at him again. You’re not worth the effort. Not even the Imps would want your soul. Get out of here. Then she smirked. Oh gods, now what? I can’t save her if I’m dead. But if you tell anyone about my show, your little Esca will regret it.

The Esca-thing tried to smile, although the shape of the distorted ditch in its mouth could mean anything. Its moan turned into a mild squeal. No! I’ll do anything! Don’t hurt her.

Now go to sleep, said the Minion, And when you wake up, this will all be over. For now.

The mystic waved her hand at him. As the scream caught in his throat, it choked him until darkness overcame his senses.

Chapter

One

A NEW LEAD

The Minion called the Enchantress had struck again. Drowen fingered his saber. If only I had gotten here sooner. Hopefully Esca wasn’t the one behind it. It was his second year as an Angel of the Sword for Heaven, his twentieth year of life, and he still had no clue about Esca’s whereabouts. In the four years since the mystic tricked her into biting the bane, Drowen hadn’t found a single clue.

Drowen gazed upon the wreckage of the bookstore - the charred ribs of wood, the ash of burnt books, the shattered glass scarred with cracks and darkness. This incident was about some book. Heaven had said so and it made sense. Why else would a Minion care so much about a bookstore if it wasn’t?

Maybe the Enchantress knew something about Esca. Maybe Esca was the Enchantress. No, Minions retain similar tastes from when they were human, and Esca didn’t care so much about bookstores. Only the telltale sign of red ash revealed the fire had a hellish origin. Plus Esca would do something more creative than blow up the store - like move all the bookshelves on top of the highest building in town or strip the wood and rebuild the store upside down.

The Enchantress wouldn’t know anything about Esca. There’s no reason for it. He clenched his hand. Does the Enchantress really have the book? Heaven says she has a copy, but then there’s no reason for her to continue destroying bookstores. Well, maybe one. I know a bad book can piss off a reader, but this is ridiculous. In all likelihood, the Enchantress wasn’t being a critic. She probably had a sinister reason for all of this destruction. Every other Minion he had encountered had one. Heaven definitely wants that book too. Lords Blaze and Bane, what book could it be?

He paused to catch his mistake. Only people from the Talented Clans viewed the gods Lord Blaze and Lord Bane as equally capricious gooworm gods, one for summer and one for winter. Everyone else viewed Lord Blaze as the source of everything good and Lord Bane as the source of everything evil, as Heaven insisted they do. Praying to Lord Bane for help would raise more than a few eyebrows. No need to get that kind of attention. It was bad enough that he planned to rescue a Minion. Angels should slay Minions, not save them.

No. I mean Lord Blaze, what book could it be? A spell book? There’s plenty of those out there. A secret history? A map to lost treasure? On my next break I’ll ask around some more. So far Tillia’s team had to do this in Perrywood, as did Aldric’s team in Gomville. Heaven must have omitted something important. Or they don’t know the whole story.

Walking around the ruins, he sniffed the air. Inside the cool substance a fetid stink from the streets mingled with the ruby-sweet scents of the stands’ fruits and flowers. Nothing. There should be some sort of clue. Devils aren’t known for their brilliant schemes. Hopefully, she was still a Devil - the bestial phase after the Imp phase, but before the more powerful humanoid phase of Demon. Few Devils could plan out a truly complicated scheme, and these attacks seemed pretty straightforward. Either she came up with a simple but clever way to avoid detection or she used her Power to evade them. All Devils had some sort of Power, like telekinesis, control of an element, illusions, or something worse.

I just need to search harder. No trace remained of the Minion’s scent, neither the smell of brimstone nor the smell of burnt pine needles. Not that he could ask anyone if they had smelled it. Only Angels could smell the stink of Minions. Most smelled like brimstone, although some smelled like burnt pine needles for some mysterious reason. Neither was good news, though.

Unless she’s already a Demoness.

Demonesses appeared as beautiful girls so one could waltz right into the store and sneak away afterward. With their looks, they could con some guys into helping them too. Plus, at the Demon phase, they had magical powers on top of the ability to transform back into their bestial forms. Those gooworms were hard enough to beat without magic, despite the fact that Angels had magic at their command.

A Demoness could set a store ablaze with ease and escape without a