The Key of Nether

By Adeleke Kayode

Trent and his allies have left the safety of the kingdom of Taren and now journey into the Outland in search of the black key. The Outland is a place where scoundrels and rogues run amok, people battle to the death for sport, and even the seemingly harmless locals can't be trusted not to slit your throat.

Trent, Jenko and Lily will need their wits about them if they are to survive. The crowned city they are from might as well be a different world compared to the Outland. The rules are different and ever changing. And if you can't learn fast you won't live long.

They might not be knights yet but they're on a mission of great importance. While the secrets of the black key remain a mysterious to a select few. The power that it might hold is too danger to just let anyone get their hands on it.

Join Trent and his friends as he continues his journey and witness his tale unfold, these are his story, his chronicles.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Adeleke Kayode
• Release date: Oct 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463661949

Adeleke Kayode

My name is Adeleke Kayode. I've been writing since I was little. Specifically since my brother told me I couldn't write a story. That day I took out a notebook and started writing. Even though I never quite finished the story I started. I kept changing it and coming up with new and different ideas. Because of that I realized I loved writing, creating characters, worlds and stories. I'm looking forward to sharing my stories with you. So when you have the time check them out. Hopefully you'll find something you like.

Book preview

First I was a scrawny boy with luck that was nonexistent. A problem here, a problem there. Bullied by an old drunk, beaten by a young bully who fancied himself a knight. Even so none of that stopped me for trying to become more than I was. To learn, to grow, and become grand. One day I would be a great hero.

Things weren’t quite working out the way I had imagined. Instead of me acquiring the skills I would need overtime at Gilgamesh, an academy for young heroes. I was acquiring them through trial and error, or more apt in this case, trial by fire.

Yes, magic coursed through my veins. And over the course of the last month I wasn’t quite as scrawny as I used to be. Not as scared either. My magical ability had grown not as much as I’d liked but I managed.

Every day I was tested and somehow I managed to make it to the other side. Surprising since I now lived through nearly endless torment from my bully Jenko. It was all in the name of training. And yet I was fully aware that wasn’t true. Lily Ann…Lily was never quite as harsh so clearly Jenko didn’t have to be either. In his mind that meant the exact opposite.

Now that the three of us were away from the safety of the castle city. Away from the watchful eye of anyone in some position of power that would stop Jenko from going too far. I had to fend for myself. In the end it was really no different than being in Taren. Only now the practice swords were replaced by real ones. I could use magic. And the three of us, Jenko, Lily, and I were journeying to Outland in search for answers.

What we were looking for in particular only Jenko knew at the time. I now know that the answers we sought all revolved around a particular object. A key. A black key to be specific.

Chapter 1

Smoke rolled off the campfire into the night sky. Shadows danced along the ground as metal clashed against metal. The white blade of my pale sword caught the blade of Jenko’s Midnight. A blade that was as dark as its name. The glow from the fire cast itself on Jenko’s face. Revealing his reddish golden hair, fair skin and athletic build. In comparison to him I still looked scrawny despite the slight increase in muscle.

My hair was dark, growing out wildly. It was still short but wasn’t as neat as it once was. Outside of the glow of the fire I was harder to spot thanks to my dark skin. Save for my silver eyes. It wasn’t easy to track exactly where I was.

Well Al-bin-pus. You ready to concede. Jenko spoke with an odd snarl at the end.

My name is Trent. With what little you have for brains. I know it’s hard for you to remember but at least try to.

Jenko smirked, responding to my comment by moving Midnight along the length of my sword. He pulled his arm down attempting to strike my left leg. I jumped back just before Midnight struck the ground. Jenko leapt after me slashing the air in front of him. CLANG. Metal against metal. Jenko slashed at me again, this time going for my right shoulder.

Turning my blade to the side I deflected Jenko’s slash holding him steady. He moved his free hand placing it against my chest. I felt the surge of magic as it spread across his hand and through my chest. My body rocketed backward. Air was forced out of my stomach. And I hit the ground with a hard crash.

Showing no sign of letting up Jenko aimed his hand at me. His palm and fingers pointed toward me.

Dancing spark. Entertain me with joyous clamor. And ardent fiery.

A number of fireballs appeared around Jenko like wisps. Within seconds after they appeared they flew at me one after the other. Stumbling to my feet I managed to get up avoiding the first one. A swing from my sword took out the second. Sadly I left myself opening getting my shoulder singed by the third. I ducked avoiding the next flame, then rolled forward going into a kneeling position then rotated my upper body toward Jenko. With a quick wave of my hand as I turned I began my incantation.

Like the sound of a whistle, silent and sudden. Blow past what stands before me.

A wave of wind whipped forward kicking up dust as the wind negated Jenko’s flames. At that moment I felt proud of myself. I was truly improving as a warrior at this rate I would be…hmmm it seems I was forgetting something…suddenly footsteps rushed toward me on the left. So I raised my sword ready to defend myself.

Lily emerged from the dust cloud, once she did I took a step back. Somehow I had completely forget that she was here. Odd considering how I felt about her. Even more so considering that my feelings were of no importance at the moment.

Lily’s grip of her blade was tight she came in from my left, my eyes traced her movement in the dark. Yet I wasn’t fully prepared for her attack. She came in high so I raised my blade in defense. I could feel the force of her slash through my arms and knees. Which bent ever so slightly. Seeing the issue at hand I immediately started moving her blade to the side by twisting my upper body to the right. Our swords moved over, my white blade slid across her sword. Sparks flew about but I ignored them.

Lily stabbed her sword at my side, so I took two steps to the right. Her blade arced a second later attempting to cleave my stomach. She managed to nick me. Pressing my feet against the ground I jumped back while Lily stomped her left foot against the ground. The ground right below me rose in the form of a stone platform. Within seconds I was knocked off balanced hitting the ground a second later.

Magic gathered in my free hand without warning and I thrust my hand forward palm out. Releasing a wave of energy. Lily brushed the attack away with a wave of her hand.

Trent you’ve got to be less predictable.

I’m not predictable I’m just…

Pathetic. Jenko chimed in.

What was strange about that moment was where Jenko’s voice was coming from. Above me. My head looked up and then my body reacted. I crawled backward just as Jenko stabbed his sword down in an opening between my legs. The blade of Midnight was embed in the ground. Not for long as Jenko slashed upward moving his blade toward me. An attempt to block the attack ended in my sword being knocked out of my hand. Although I had managed not to sustain any injury from Jenko’s attack.

So Al-bin-pus, if you’re not predictable then I shouldn’t know what’s gonna happen next should I?

A quick glare at Jenko then I turned my attention to my sword, focusing my attention on the handle. I imagine the sword back in my hand, envisioned magic flowing from my hand to the handle. The white blade wiggled for a moment before being yanked toward me like a fish on a line. BUUUSSHH. Out of nowhere a wall of stone emerged from the ground blocking my sword from reaching me. That didn’t stop me from getting up and rushing toward the wall. A torrent of flame chased after me as I ran, with a quick pivot and abrupt left turn I avoided the flames. Watching them crash into the stone wall.

Crash upon the earth. Fallen star from above. Take aim and rain down ruin.

Illuminate and embolden. A small spark blossoming into a brilliant flame.

After Lily and Jenko cast their spells I noticed something odd. First random sizes chunks of earth began floating into the air disappearing into the night sky. Along with flames that were created by none other than Jenko.

A boulder crashing down upon the mighty. A star burning brightly above. Watch as it falls from the heavens and smashes all with its might. Meteorite.

A boulder crashing down upon the might. A star burning brightly above. Watch as it falls from the heavens and smashes all with its might. Meteorite.

My eyes followed the floating flames and pieces of earth into the sky. I watched curiously as they merged together like an uneven puzzle. Too many pieces to form a truly complete whole. Despite that thought something was formed. A large meteor blazed in the night sky heading down toward me. I remember looking up at it gulping in fear.

Then looking down at both Lily and Jenko with a look that questioned their sanity. A second later I turned around and began running. I don’t know how long I ran just that I ran. I knew I could hear the burning sound of molten rock behind me. I could see the glow and feel not only the heat from the meteor but its immense weight.

Taking in a deep breath, raising my arms high and my legs higher I ran as fast as I possibly could. Then with a foolish quick glance back I saw that the meteor was upon me. Without even realizing it I began muttering an incantation to myself silently. Then the ground