Guardians of Lakaya: Wrath of the Phoenix: Guardians of Lakaya, #2

By Richmond Camero

The surge of Lifeblood grows stronger. With each passing minute it threatens the lives of the people not only in Anarri, but also in our world. Guier and the Perennian Lords have felt the source of Lifeblood in Lakaya but Perennia does not have enough strength to find the source. Now, the fate of the world lies in the hands of three ordinary people.

A soon-to-be priest searches for a purpose for his gift.

An ambitious business tycoon finds proof that the ability users exists.

A humble fish seller faces the monsters of the past that haunt him.

Three unlikely heroes called for one mission: to save Lakaya.
But one question remains - will they answer the call?
Or will they be consumed by the Wrath of the Phoenix?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richmond Camero
• Release date: Jan 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393587903

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

Guardians of Lakaya: Wrath of the Phoenix

GUARDIANS OF LAKAYA

—

BOOK TWO

Richmond Camero

Copyright

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form by any means without the written permission of the publisher. The author appreciates you taking the time to read this work. Please consider leaving a review wherever you bought the book, or sharing the book to your friends or blog readers to help spread the word.

Thank you for supporting the work of this author.

Guardians of Lakaya: Wrath of the Phoenix

Copyright © 2017 by Richmond Camero

All rights reserved.

CHAPTER 1

Phillip Agustin wiped the sweat off his forehead.

The deacon was presiding his third mass for the day. The lector read the announcements and Phillip listened without paying full attention, having heard the announcements for the third time. He was already tired and the hot summer morning was not helping.

After the announcements, Phillip stood up and said the final blessing. The choir sang the recessional song and Phillip, along with the other servers of the mass, lined up in front of the altar. They bowed their heads and walked toward the back of the church. He walked slowly, biding his time. The recession was one of his favorite parts of the mass. During this part, he could speak with his parishioners even for a short while. He walked toward the church’s entrance and stood by the door.

Thank you for coming, Phillip said. He shook the hands of a white-haired elderly woman who smiled back at him.

Have a great Sunday, he said to a man in his early forties. The man was with his family, and his two daughters walked toward Phillip and asked him for his blessings. Phillip held their heads gently.

He greeted the people that approached him. The people smiled at him in return.

Father Phillip, a woman said to him while he was shaking her hands.

Not yet ‘Father’, Phillip said with a smile. I’m still a deacon.

Oh, it’s almost near, the woman said. I will be in your thanksgiving mass.

Thank you, Phillip replied. And please pray for me.

We will, the woman said.

Phillip still smiled when the woman left. After many years of studying and rigorous training, he would become a priest soon. He was serving his last few weeks as a deacon and after being ordained, he would already be called Father. He knew it was his calling ever since he was a student. Phillip grew up in a Catholic environment. In his twenty years of education, he had studied under the roof of a Catholic school. As an altar server in his teenage years, he already knew what he wanted to be.

Now, here he was — the shepherd of God’s sheep.

Phillip was assigned to the Church of Saint James in Lakaya after he graduated from the seminary. He served as the deacon of the church under the wing of Father Anthony, learning the discipline and ways of the priesthood.

The flock of people thinned. He looked around and got back inside. His forehead was sweating again, so he wiped it while walking, thankful for the big wall of fans recently installed in the church. Phillip walked through the aisle, observing that there were still a few people kneeling on the pew in fervent prayer. A few stood in front of the statues of saints and the Blessed Virgin. He nodded to the people that met his gaze.

Phillip reached the altar and bowed his head, then he walked toward the sacristy on the right. He removed his garments, grateful for the coolness it brought. Underneath, he wore a plain white shirt that tucked into a pair of black slacks.

A woman wearing a tight bun on her head appeared from the kitchen. Would you be eating here, Deacon Phil?

Phillip’s stomach rumbled. What’s cooking? He asked.

There’s omelet and toast. I’m also brewing coffee, the woman replied.

I think I’ll eat, Phillip said. Then he remembered that he was scheduled to meet his friend on vacation. Just a quick bite.

The woman nodded, I’ll set the table.

Thank you, Phillip said. I’ll eat after I change.

When the woman left, Phillip went upstairs to his air-conditioned room. He went to the bathroom and washed his face. He took a fresh shirt and a blue polo from his closet. After changing, he returned to the dining area.

The smell of lightly burnt toast and brewing coffee was welcoming. He wanted to eat a lot despite the scheduled lunch with his friend. On the table, several omelets were on a serving plate, along with half a dozen slices of bread, butter, and marmalade. He took an omelet and two slices of bread for himself.

While he ate, a man entered the dining area. Sir? The man asked.

Phillip looked up, still chewing on his bread. He swallowed and said, Good morning, Dennis. Have you eaten already?

Not yet, the man replied. What time will we be leaving, sir?

Maybe, in half an hour. Come on, join me first.

Dennis stood there for a moment, then finally joined the deacon. Phillip noticed that there was only one plate on the table so he stood up and took another plate from the cupboard. He placed the plate on the table and gestured for Dennis to sit down.

Help yourself, Phillip said. When Dennis sat down, Phillip asked. How’s your daughter? Is she out of the hospital already?

Not yet, she’s still confined, Dennis responded. But the doctor said that we can leave the hospital in a few days.

Dengue’s a bit prevalent lately, Phillip said. He took a bite of his second toast, followed by a forkful of eggs. Tell you what, he said in between his chews. Why don’t you spend today with your daughter? I can commute by myself.

No, no, it’s okay. My wife is with her right now. It’s really okay, don’t worry.

All right, thank you. After you drop me off, you can take the rest of the day off.

Dennis nodded at Phillip. They finished the rest of their breakfast in silence. Philip resisted going for a second serving. As if on cue, the helper came back when they were done. She took the plates and the utensils and brought them to the sink.

I’ll get the car and meet you at the back, Dennis said.

Sure, Phillip said. Dennis walked briskly. Phillip got out of the sacristy into the garden and walked toward the back of the church. He stood under the shade while waiting for Dennis. Phillip looked around and checked if there was someone nearby. Seeing none, he raised his right hand in front of him. He stared at his palm and after a few seconds, a red light bloomed from its center toward the fingertips. It outlined his hands but was barely visible. It felt warm like the heat from a lit candle, but comfortable.

Phillip heard the screech of tires and quickly placed his hand on his pocket. He waved to Dennis riding in a Honda Civic. The vehicle stopped, and he entered through the front passenger door.

Let’s go, Phillip said. He took his hand out from his pocket, the red light already gone.

CHAPTER 2

The first thing that Guier heard was the sound of rushing water.

He stepped out of the Gate and found himself beside a river. "Clavisi," he whispered. The Gate where he came from diminished in size until it disappeared. Guier looked around and surveyed his surroundings. The riverbanks were lined with several trees and it seemed no one lived nearby. It was right that the Perennian Lords had opened the Gate to Terra in this place.

Guier walked out from the protection of the trees to see the vicinity more clearly. There was a concrete bridge raised above the river. Traffic was bad and the cars idled. He walked toward the bridge and noticed two men fishing by the riverside. They were oblivious to his presence and he walked past them. With his eyes on the two men, Guier didn’t notice the dried leaves on the ground. He stepped on a few of them and one of the men looked up. The man eyed him with a frown on his face. Guier nodded at him and continued to walk toward the path leading to the main road. When Guier was already several feet away, he risked a glance and the man glared back at him. He walked more quickly.

Guier neared the residential houses and felt conscious of his clothes. His robes were worn out and did not fit modern clothing. His black Yggdrasil staff also stood out. He would attract attention in his current state. He looked suspicious