Dark and Far: The Quest for the Seed of Life

By Christopher D. Johnson

A young boy is plunged into a world of magic and wonder as he attempts to cope with the loss of his father. With his friends at his side, Anubus must traverse the galaxy to find the legendary seed of life. If he and his friends fail, they face the ultimate price, death. Explore distant desert worlds filled with giant puppies, space pirates and evil dark overlords in this magical book of adventure.

Magical battles, mystery and self-discovery lay ahead for Anubus, Bob and Kimi as they discover the truth behind the way the universe really works. With the use of magic suits, the friends stumble through the galaxy haphazardly in hopes of discovering not only the seed of life but also a way home. This is what happens when your guide on a field trip ends up being an alien.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Apr 8, 2013
• ISBN: 9781626756113

Book preview

ISBN: 9781626756113

Introductions

Beginnings are hard and slow. First comes birth, which is a joyous occasion that’s always remembered and honored each year thereafter. Then comes childhood, where ones identity is defined by experience. Blah, Blah Blah. At least that is what my parents always said. Have fun when you’re young, but not too much fun. Stay safe and don’t eat that berry. Luckily, this is no ordinary story of beginnings. A story not filled with the standard constraints and everyday restrictions. To the people of my world, this is a story of legend.

Funny enough it starts out on your world. My name is Yuro Darko and I am going to be the narrator of this tale. Although a lengthy one by most standards, it was my favorite growing up as a child. This is the tale of my family history. Not a boring one by any means. So let me first start off by telling you a little about myself.

I was born on the world of Dema to a mother who was of royal Demanan blood and to the first and only human to set foot on our world my father Anubus. My mother always thought he had a funny name and so did my father. When he was young he thought his parents had played a joke on him. But he would come to discover that this name was one of legend. My parents fell in love, got hitched, returned home and had me. I have only met my grandparents from Earth twice. They were the first to pass through the gates. Well, grandfather was and then grandma, a momentous occasion that will be explained later. If I don’t get it right, he’ll pop-up, grab my ears and lick my face for getting in wrong. He is a strange old dude. So I guess I will start with him.

My grandfather was born on your world. This was when your world had no real space travel and had yet to rediscover that magic was real. Yah I said it, magic is real, you just have to find it. That’s what grandfather told me. Not sure what took humans so long, but whatever. He said that humans were a race of pure potential that was stunted by its own pride. Being human and knowing this, I guess you can say his view about his own people set him apart from the rest. They knew it and he knew it. His whole life he felt lost in a sea of ignorance. Fighting the impulse to conform, he began by dreaming of worlds beyond the skies. One where magic and technology where intertwined in an undefined tapestry of wonder. He would come to discover that the worlds that he dreamt of actually existed, but the lines between good and evil where also blurred and gray.

One day during his youth he found the truth in dreams and formed gateways to these dreamt of worlds. From dream to dream he traveled. All the while listening, looking and learning. Helping others when he could, hoping to see all the wonders of the universe. Though, my father was my grandparents’ true treasure.

This is his story, the story of my father, Anubus Darko. Born to Dion and Kay Darko of the planet Earth, the savior of the universe.

Chapter 1

A Rough Start

The first day at a new school is usually the hardest. Not many people remember their first day but Anubus did. It was the worst day of his life. That was, thus far. Growing up he always believed that the stories his father told him about the worlds and the people he had visited were to be taken with a grain of salt. Never once really seeing any sort of magic, it was all just fairytales in his eyes. And so just like every other fairytale he discarded and forgot them. Anubus was the one of the most analytical people in the world. I mean if he couldn’t see it, then it wasn’t real.

One, two, three, Anubus was one to count clouds above his head without seeing shapes. At the age of five, he would spend hours trying to read books on how things worked. His favorite TV show was Myth Busters and How it’s Made. Even in preschool he used to argue with the teacher on how it was impossible, to get green eggs and ham from any natural source. Well, that is, without some sort of genetic manipulation or food coloring, he’d say highlighting the word genetic and manipulation in his dictionary. He grew slower and smaller then other kids until his first day of 5th grade. This day was his true beginning.

Anubus thought of school like day care. Walking into the kitchen Anubus approached his mom Kay and looked up at her with a loving expression.

"Mom I am ready for school." He said as he held his hands in the air with quotation marks emphasizing on the word school.

Where did you learn that from? Kay asked.

Daddy showed me when we were watching a movie and used a funny voice. He giggled as he explained. It was that one spy movie with the retro stuff in it Mom.

Oh... Kay replied, as she thought. That man better stop teaching my little boy about such bad habits With a smirk and a hug.

Kay kissed her son on the cheek and pushed him out of the kitchen.

Don’t do that anymore. Here, take your lunch and get the rest of your stuff ready Anubus. She said in a stern voice.

Ok, mom. He replied as he walked out of the room mumbling, I don’t know why I have to go to 5th grade I am already smarter than most of the kids in my class.

He walked down the hallway, not watching where he was going, and swiveled around as the world began to sway as he moved. He got dizzy.

Wooo! He said as he attempted to turn into to his room.

Suddenly clipping the corner of the wall with his shoulder, his whole body spun around causing him to slam into the opposite wall.

Everything ok? Kay yelled after hearing a loud thump, from the kitchen.

Yes I, I, am ok. I think it jumped out at me. Anubus replied rubbing his sore shoulder.

Sure it did... Kay replied as she put up quotation marks and continued to work in the kitchen.

Noticing the ruckus coming from the hallway Anubus’s father Dion yelled. It did, I saw the wall blink! The corner of the wall shifted a bit!

They all laughed thinking that Dion was playing. This wasn’t the first time he made this remark.

Ok everyone, we got to go to work! Get all your stuff and fall in before the Gribletop catches up to us! Dion yelled as he opened the door to the garage.

Following close behind him, Kay became unnerved for a moment.

Don’t start with that Gribletop thing. That is so annoying. You know how much it frightens him, Kay said as she popped Dion in the shoulder.

Locking the door behind them Anubus turned to his Mom with great enthusiasm. It is okay Mom, Dad and I already had a talk about that.

Yeah tell her son. Dion said as he fastened his seat belt.

Yeah Mom, Dad told me the whole story about the Gribletop. You know, the Gribletop is the creature that gets you when you have something to do and you don’t feel like doing it. They are only about a foot tall and if it catches you, they nag you until you are back on the right track. But then again, that isn’t real so there is no reason to be concerned. Anubus said in an excited voice as he placed his bag on the seat before getting into the car and fastening his own seatbelt.

Ah, I see? That boy has no imagination.. Kay said softly in a sarcastic tone while leaning over to Dion. She then whispered. Why did you lie to that boy? You didn’t tell him anything about them traveling in packs and having razor sharp teeth or the fact that they are actually tall. The only thing you did tell them is that they nag. Which they do, that is, while they roast you.

Knowing that he left out some small details, Dion nodded and looked on, as he made sure that everyone had buckled up.

Traffic that day was relatively light and the sky was clear and sunny. Usually they would talk joyfully in the car, but today things fell silent as soon as the doors closed and their seatbelts were fastened. Time passed slowly during this trip and Anubus enjoyed every minute of it. With a smile on his face he felt that going anywhere new was always better than going to the same place. Butterflies filled his stomach. In a way, it was his most favorite part that day. Seeing the people, animals, buildings and places made him happy making every trip a new adventure in itself. Small birds flew high above them as he stared into the sky wondering what kind they were.

"Is it a squirrel? No..." He thought to himself.

Nothing really bothered him during rides in the car. Not the red lights. Not even his mom as she grabbed the oh crap handle when his dad was driving crazy.

His school was a small place, located in the center of the city, surrounded by large skyscrapers and a few trees. Only slightly larger than a gas station, it looked a little bit out of place, but it had a very homey feeling to it. Designed to look like a cottage, the main door sat in the center of the building, the stone walls, worn by time, showed the true age of the school. On the left side was a small plot of land that had been converted into a playground with some grass, a play area with jungle gym and swings, a sand pit and large tree in the corner of the lot. On the right side was a host of small bungalows near the main building, which were used for the overfilled classes. Surrounded by a large gate and seemingly larger guard, this place reminded Anubus of his fathers’ fairy tales. Like one of the castles his father had described to him many times before. As they approached the school, an uneasy feeling fell over Anubus. This was the first time he would be away from his parents.

Mom, do I have to go today? Why can’t I be homeschooled anymore? Anubus asked, as he reached for his bag.

Well, you already have your bag in your hand so you might as well, Kay replied in a soothing voice as she reached over and rubbed Anubus on the head. Unlocking his door to let him out Dion then unbuckled his son and placed him on the sidewalk next to him. All ready, Little Dude? Dion said as he adjusted Anubus’s backpack.

Actually, the security guard scares me a little, Anubus said, as his mother gave him a kiss on the cheek.

It is ok honey; your Dad will walk you in. Kay said as she kissed Anubus on the cheek.

Yeah I will walk you in, Little Dude. Come on lets go. Dion said in a cheerful voice grabbing Anubus by the hand.

Say goodbye to your Mommy Anubus. Dion said as he patted Anubus on the back.

Bye Mommy, I Love you Anubus said as he gave his mother a big hug.

Walking slowly in a line of kids, Anubus turned waved to his mother. Dion and Anubus made their way toward the gate of the school. The giggling of some girls rang out behind them in a sudden outburst.

Look at the little baby saying goodbye to his mommy! The girls sang in a mocking voice, pointing and laughing as they repeated. Lit-tle Baby. Lit-tle Baby. Lit-tle Baby.

All right girls calm down. Dion said as he addressed the girls in a stern voice.

Feeling embarrassed about getting the attention of an adult they quickly turned to each other and giggled before shushing each other. Only a few feet away from them were the main gate and the girls couldn’t help to taunt him a bit more the last several feet.

The Golem Guard is going to eat you. The Golem Guard going to eat you. The Golem's going to eat you. They chanted, as they scurried away laughing.

Looking at the gate Anubus’s eyes glossed over in fear. His eyes focused on the only thing between him and safety, the security guard, but he went by another name in this place. The Golem was what the kids called him. The security guard that didn’t seem to get that he worked for a school and not a prison. His hulking stature and gray security guard suite stretched and creaked with every gust of the wind that passed by him. Always watching, each breath of air he breathed hissed like a snake through his nose going in, and huffed like an ape going out.

"Don’t listen to them, the only thing you have to worry about is the..." Dion said as he paused for a moment to catch Anubus’s attention.

Looking away from the Golems watchful eye toward his father, Anubus then listened as Dion spoke to him in a lulling tone. With every word the world around them shifted as if influenced by something unseen. Looking into his father’s eyes. He heard!

"The shadows in wake hold on and just wait.

Then haste and don’t look behind.

Be sure to pay attention or you’ll go blind.

Because when they come, you will see nothing in front or behind thee."

The Golem disappeared in front them as the words reshaped and bent everything around them. It an instant they were no longer in front of the gate but at the front steps to the main building far away from the Golems watchful eyes.

Don’t turn back, and go, go before a Shadow gets you. Dion said to Anubus as he snapped them back into focus.

Dad Shadows and Gribletops are not real, I am too old for that. But how did we get here. We were just... Anubus replied, only to be interpreted by Dion.

Oh, so you’re a big boy now? In that case then go and have fun. Dion exclaimed as he pushed his son into the front door. Being careful not to turn around, Anubus raised his hand and waved back to his father.

That was weird, Anubus thought to himself as he looked down the hallway in confusion.

Squeaking loudly in the distance, Anubus heard a familiar voice echoing through the large hallway of the building. Hordes of kids made their way to class not noticing Anubus standing in their way, bumping into Anubus as they passed. He blinked and looked in the direction of the voice. Kimi? Anubus yelled, sure that it was his one and only friend.

That day she was wearing a bright pink skirt with a neon green long sleeve top. Her bubble gum pink hair swung gracefully in the wind as she ran toward him. She and Anubus had been friends almost from birth. In fact, that is around when they first met.

On the day of his birth Anubus crawled out of his crib and landed on floor feet first. He then got up and started crawling, which of course for a newborn is a feat in and of itself. Left and then right he dodged the nurses. None of them even once noticed that a small baby was scampering by their feet. Inching his way to the door he noticed a small light coming from a nearby doorway. Pushing it open with his head he noticed an infant girl in a stroller directly across from him passing by. They smiled at each other. She winked and let out a cry that could wake the dead. Startled by this noise the nurses scrambled to attention. Finally noticing Anubus on the floor they snatched him up like a hot potato. Kimi waved as they hauled Anubus back to his crib in a panic. This was a strange event for the nurses but was only the first for these two. They had been friends ever since.

Walking toward Anubus, Kimi threw her large bag of books over a shoulder with great ease. Pushing all the other kids from around her without hesitation.

What’s up Anubus? You ready to go? Kimi asked in a loud voice as she approached Anubus and laid her arm around him.

Bending over, Anubus scrambled to look for something in his bag.

Yeah I just have to check my backpack, He replied with a voice of concern. My Dad likes to leave strange messages on post-its in the weirdest places. He said as he scrambled through his backpack looking for a note. Ummm, food, cell and food, yeah, I am good. It doesn’t look like he did it this time.

The bell rang sending the other kids into frenzy. Shifting around them they all began to push and shove their way to class. A stout boy wearing a red shirt and shorts that were far too small for him shoved harder than the others as he made his way through the crowd of kids. Knocking over every kid in his path, this little monster was getting to where he wanted to go quickly.

Get out of Butch’s Way! It’s Butch’s snack time! The stout boy shouted in the third person as he shoved Anubus and Kimi out of his way into the mass of already fallen children.

What was that? Anubus asked as he tried to help Kimi up.

His name is Butch Bosch and from what I hear he is a total ogre. He speaks of himself in the third person because that is the only way he can remember his own name. But now that he is gone we really got to get to class, I would hate for us to be late on our first day of school. Kimi said as she brushed a bit of dust off her bright neon green skirt.

They barely arrived to class on time and found only the front seats open. In the back of the room were the cool kids, cheerleaders