Guardians of Lakaya: Smoke and Mirrors: Guardians of Lakaya, #3

By Richmond Camero

Being a part of the paranormal department in the police force, Kylie Fajardo has yet to face a real case dealing with the supernatural. When she crossed paths with the Guardians of Lakaya, things are about to change. She finds herself dealing with powers beyond her. Will the one thing she's been working for her whole life consume her?

Meanwhile in Anarri, Guier finds himself in the middle of his own predicament. Since Maleva and the rest of Oblivia had escaped, no traces have been found. But Guier refuses to believe that Oblivia is gone. Together with Dror, Guier searches for Oblivia in hopes of bringing peace to Anarri and Terra once and for all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richmond Camero
• Release date: Jan 12, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393575399

Richmond Camero

Richmond Camero is the author of the Guardians of Lakaya series. He tells stories from the fantasy and science fiction genre. He builds worlds inspired by anime, video games, books, and his experiences in real life. He molds characters from different ethnic backgrounds with diverse traits and larger-than-life goals. Richmond is working in the IT industry since 2010 and does his writing during his free time. He likes to read fiction and self-help books. He lives in the quiet town of Bulacan, Philippines.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Not everyone would choose a prison as a home, but Legessa couldn’t imagine herself being anywhere else.

Legessa walked along the corridors of the Stonewall quarters, her dark skin gleaming against the dim oil lamps. She carried a broad two-bladed ax in her back. Violence was not prominent among the Stonewall prisoners and Legessa hadn’t needed to wield her ax, but impressions were important if she wanted to govern several hundreds of petty thieves, assassins, and murderers. She checked if the ax was fitted properly behind her.

Legessa took the stairs leading to the prison’s receiving area. On the landing, she was met by a lean man with long, dark hair. He held a parchment with the insignia of Perennia, the Yggdrasil tree on a royal blue shield. Myther recently joined the Stonewall, but Legessa found him reliable.

Good morning, Warden, Myther said, tilting his head The stiffs are here.

Legessa answered with a smirk. Take me to them, she said.

With pleasure, Myther responded.

The pair walk toward the Stonewall’s main entrance, a twenty-foot, six-inch thick wooden door. Three stiffs, or new recruits, stood in front of the gate. Several of the Stonewall guards watched them with amused eyes. The guards snapped to attention when they saw Legessa and Myther approaching.

At ease, Legessa said. What do we have here, gentlemen? Do you mind introducing yourselves?

The three men standing in front of Legessa scrambled and introduced themselves one by one.

Portcos, ma’am.

Umal. Umal, ma’am.

Filias. M-my name is Filias.

Legessa smiled at Myther. They can talk, at least. She looked back at each of the men, meeting their gaze. I hope you know why you’re here, boys. The work’s not pretty and it will be tough, but Perennia has entrusted us to maintain the peace and freedom that we are enjoying. And I will do everything in my power to make it stay that way.

Legessa let her message sink in. The men seemed at awe at her words.

Do you understand me? Legessa shouted.

Yes, Warden! The three men answered in unison.

Legessa clapped her hands together in approval. Very well. We’ll show you the Stonewall. Myther led the men and show them the different floors of the Stonewall prison. Stonewall prison had eleven total floors. They were in the highest of the eleven floors containing the only entrance and exit. The rest of the floors were underground. The first basement was made as living quarters for Legessa and the rest of the guards. Basements two until five were for prisoners who had committed minor crimes. The fifth basement was the Stonewall’s supply floor. This is where food and other utilities were managed. Basements six to eight were made for prisoners with mildly serious crimes.

That’s it, gentlemen, Myther said as they reach the end of the corridor of basement eight.

But what about those stairs? There’s still a floor below this, ain’t it? Umal asked.

Legessa and Myther exchanged smirks. Do you really want to see?

Of course, we do, Portcos answered. If we’re living in this hell hole-

Legessa hit Portcos in the head. Mind your words, stiff. This isn’t a hell hole. This will be your home. Respect it.

Portcos recovered himself. Y-yes, Warden. I’m sorry ma’am.

Legessa smiled in satisfaction. Shall we? Legessa led their party and went downstairs. Unlike the previous floors, the stairway of the ninth basement led to a thick wooden door. Two lit torches were on the wall in either side of the door.

What’s on this floor? Filias asked.

Why don’t you three find out for yourselves? Legessa answered with a chuckle.

The three new Stonewall guards exchanged looks, fear visible in their eyes.

You should do it, Portcos, Umal nudged. You’re the eldest here.

I agree, Filias said.

Stop it you idiots. Let’s just do this together.

They walked toward the door and opened it slowly. The room inside seemed to be lit by torches with brief flashes of light and shadows passing through the opening in the door, but there was no sound coming from the other side. Portcos led the trio, and they walked inside. They found themselves in a dimly lit room.

In an instant, they felt blades on their throats.

What do we have here? A rough voice said.

Looks like someone’s lost, the stranger near Umal said, his blade on Umal’s throat.

Legessa entered the room and said, Hold it. They’re one of ours.

There were three men and two women around the stiffs. Each of them were equipped with different weapons that suit their abilities. Aside from that, four more stood near the walls with bows or crossbows in their hands.

Warden Legessa, I thought you were outsiders, one of the warriors said. He walked near Portcos and brushed his armor. Sorry about that.

W-Where are we? Umal asked.

Still in the Stonewall Prison, lad, Legessa answered. "It won’t be called Stonewall Prison for nothing. Meet the Shadow Wolves, the best and the most ruthless mercenaries that you’ll see all throughout Anarri.

What are they doing here? It was Filias who asked the question.

Legessa smiled, and she looked back at the Shadow Wolves. They’re guarding the prison floor below these.

What’s in there? Filias asked. You won’t be needing this kind of strength if there weren’t monsters beneath us.

Monsters, Legessa said, musing. Then her face contorted. "Yes, that is the best description for them. Beneath us are the most dangerous prisoners of Stonewall Prison. They may be perhaps be the most dangerous people in Anarri, or even the world.

The three new Stonewall Guards huddled together, waiting for Legessa to speak.

Imprisoned in the floor beneath us are the Cursed Knights of Oblivia.

CHAPTER 2

Never in Phillip’s life did he imagine himself wearing a leather armor. His imagination was wild when he was a kid, but he never thought his dreams of being a warrior in his own fantasy world would be true.

Phillip!

As he turned, his eyes met a circular orb of bluish white energy. Within a heartbeat, he lifted his hands toward his face and conjured a thin red lining from his Lifeblood. The orb met Phillip’s improvised shield and instead of shattering, the orb stuck to it. Using the momentum of the orb, Phillip spun and threw the Lifeblood orb back to Guier. Guier raised his black Yggdrasil staff and swatted the Lifeblood orb like a fly.

Well done, Guier said. But you’re distracted.

Sorry. I was thinking of something, Phillip replied. Phillip breathed in Perennian air. He raised his fists in front of him and he let out his Lifeblood. Thin shades of his Lifeblood outlined his fists. Again.

Guier twirled his staff around his wrist. I won’t go easy this time.

You better be.

Guier smiled in reply. He charged toward Phillip and continuously sent out Lifeblood shots from his staff. Phillip opened his fingers wide and his Lifeblood formed into a small circular shield. He was able to deflect Guier’s attacks. But as soon as the first few hit his hands, he already felt the strain. He took a few steps backward, preparing for Guier’s next barrage of attacks. As Guier shot several more Lifeblood orbs, Phillip opened a small portal in his hands. As the orbs hit his hands, it was sucked in by the portal. He opened another portal behind Guier and the Lifeblood orbs shot out from it.

Guier realized what Phillip was doing before the orbs hit him. He turned around, and the orbs were a few inches from his face. He turned his neck, and the orbs singed the tip of his long gray hair. Phillip raised his hands in front of him. He sent out a pulse of Lifeblood from his hands and it hit Guier, knocking him down.

Guier stood up and brushed of the grass on his robe. He walked toward Phillip. That was brilliant! You never did that.

Well, I’ve been improving my skills on my own, Phillip replied.

Let’s take a break. We’ll focus on close-quarter combat after that.

Phillip let out an exasperated sigh. Okay. He hated trading fists with Guier, but he had to learn it. Fighting from long-range to mid-range was his strength. His abilities allow him to defend and attack from a good range. But when the enemy close the distance, he had to know how to defend himself without relying too much on his abilities.

You’re getting good, Phillip, Guier encouraged.

Phillip smiled.