Chronicles of Aphel: The Shadows Beneath: Chronicles of Aphel, #1

By Brandon Wonnenberg

A Must Read For All Fantasy Writers!

 

After losing his family, Alex Century was forced into a strange New World, a world filled with magic and Mystical Creatures, where he discovers his origins and his family's killer. But when he finally finds a new home in the school for magic, he must join with a Princess, a Trickster and the rest of his new friends to protect it at all costs, or risk losing everyone's souls to the darkness that lurks below.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brandon Wonnenberg
• Release date: Oct 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393305361

Book preview

Chapter 1: The Orphanage

Alex ran down the snow -filled street, panic filling his chest as he pushed himself faster and faster. The snow covering the sidewalk in front of him flew to the side as his naturally green eyes began to glow grey and a torrent of wind formed around him. 

His legs then began to move faster, as his palms began to glow the same shade as his eyes. The snow that was flung to the side painted the world behind him white as he ran, and despite the aching in his legs, the sight of the rapidly rising sun made him push himself even harder.

He didn't bother stopping as he reached a familiar large black fence. As he got to an opening his glowing palms wrapped around one of the thick pieces of the metal, and he swung himself full speed towards his destination, a large, black, decrepit building. 

Loose black tiles seemed to shift and turn from their place on the building's thick stone walls, in the cold fall winds. Large windows were placed sparsely across its outer walls, each of which was covered by long, dense, red curtains. 

In each corner of the building, tall winding towers with black cone-like roofs rose into the sky. Four smaller windows that seemed to resemble clocks were placed evenly upon each wall at the very top. 

Alex pushed himself towards the back of the building and then slid to a quick stop, barely keeping his balance as he slid across a small piece of ice. When he found his footing, his gaze travelled up the side of the wall and towards a single propped open window. 

With a slight smile on his face, he looked towards the sun and then back towards the window. Then he swiftly threw his arms towards the ground, and once again, his palms and eyes began to glow grey. 

Then he burst into the air, a flurry of wind surrounding his sparsely dressed body, nothing but a thick whirlwind of snow left behind him. He easily grabbed onto the windowsill, pulling himself through into a dark room. 

Despite the gargantuan size of the Orphanage where he lived, his relatively small room was crammed with dozens of other beds. And for a second, he let his gaze wander. Dammit Porter, he thought to himself as his eyes landed on a bed, the only empty bed in the entire room. Where are you? 

He shook his head in disbelief and anger, but quickly he lowered himself onto his bed and slowly shut the window above him. 

The annoying snores of all the other boys filled the quiet room with noise, a noise which helped calm his anxious mind. And just as he pulled the covers over his body, the clock struck seven, and in a hurry, he forced his eyes shut, his ears listening intently. 

Just as he expected, not even a second passed before the door frame began creaking, letting in strands of glowing light. Too close today, he thought to himself, his mind wandering to the thought of his friend. Sorry, Porter.

He knew he shouldn't be up right now, but despite his fear of being caught, the fear of accidentally falling asleep was stronger, so he let his eyes slip back open. 

Standing in the doorway was a beautiful woman who wore a long black robe around her slender body, she looked calm, but after all the years he's been around her he knew she was angry. Her fingers were curled into fists, and her usual piercing gaze had shifted into a hellish glare, Alex's heart stopped for a moment before he realized she wasn't even looking towards him. Instead, she was looking just enough over his head that she didn't seem to notice his open eyes. 

Alex knew his room better than most; after all, he had been living there for around six years, and he knew precisely whose bed she must've been looking towards. 

When he realized the woman was starring towards Porter's bed, he felt a tingling fear begin to swell up within him. 

Then a devilish smile grew across her painted black lips. Up, she hissed; her voice soft yet booming. 

Instantly most of the other orphans rose from their pillows as if they were awake the entire time even though they all still looked half-asleep, and soon the rest followed, all except for one. 

Alex's gaze landed on the poor boy who still slept, his soft brown hair fell across his young face, the small boy, maybe nine or ten years old, looked peaceful. Freckles covered his face, along with all kinds of old scars and wounds. 

Get up... get up, Alex thought, his heart beating faster and faster as the woman approached him, a grin spreading across her black lips. 

But he didn't, the boy didn't even open his eyes before the woman's hands wrapped around his small, frail neck and pulled him from his bedsheets, slamming him against the wooden wall as if his body weighed as much as a feather. 

A scream burst from the boy's mouth, and a few of the other orphans gasped, mostly the newer and younger ones, while most of the older orphans either stared at the woman with a look of pure sorrow and fear or had turned their heads away, altogether averting their gaze. 

The woman stared into the young orphan's eyes, tears dripping down his freckle filled face, as he struggled to free himself from her iron grip. 

Slowly she began to pull back her free hand, her fingers curling into a fist, and then Alex's eyes began to glow. Moments before she drove her fist into the young boy's stomach, her arm stopped inches from the boy's flesh. 

For a second, the woman struggled, gritting her teeth as she tried to move her fist into his stomach, but it wouldn't budge. Stop, Alex growled, the palm of his hand glowing grey as he pointed it at her, then slowly the woman turned her head towards Alex, her eyes wide and nostrils flaring with anger. 

Why do you never learn? she asked calmly. 

Mistress, he's new and doesn't know the rules yet. 

The boy fell from her grip and tumbled onto the ground, his small fingers wrapping around his swollen neck, as his tears flooded the floorboards beneath him. But you do.

Her words left her mouth calmly, but seconds later she turned to face Alex and buried her fist deep into his stomach.   

His hands quickly clutched his stomach as he nearly fell over in pain, yet before he could even make a sound, her knee shot through the air, and it smashed into his nose. The last thing he heard before falling to the ground in an overwhelming amount of pain was a crack.

The use of your powers is strictly prohibited, she hissed. Especially against me.

Anyone else? The Mistress gloated as she looked to all the other fear-stricken orphans. That's what I thought. 

Her gaze shifted down to the groaning Alex, and a look of disgust spread across her face, as blood began to flow from his nose like a river and stain the floorboards red. 

Everyone, get yourselves to the dining hall, and you, she stared pointedly down at Alex. Get yourself cleaned up and forget about Porter, he's no longer an orphan here. 

Alex wanted to question what she meant, but by the time he gained enough strength to open his mouth, she was already gone, along with every other orphan in the room. 

Eventually, he managed to stand and quickly, he slipped out of the room and into the barely lit hallway. The only light source around was coming from a few dozen candles that spread along the painted black walls. 

Slowly Alex walked along the corridor on a direct path towards the bathroom in hopes of cleaning the dry blood that now caked his pale face, and as he turned the corner, he saw the bathrooms door swing shut. 

I swear to god, he muttered under his breath as he pushed himself into the bathroom. The first things that Alex noticed were the bright blue stalls that lined the wall and the perfectly clean white urinals and sinks, and even the smell of roses filled his nose as he walked further. Porter? Alex called out, but it wasn't Porter standing in the bathroom; instead, it was a large over-weight, blonde boy wearing long, partly torn up pyjamas that were filled with small designs of aliens. Ben? What... what are you doing here? 

Alex! he yelped as he slightly jumped back. I’m looking for Porter, have you- His eyes suddenly widened at the sight of Alex. Alex! Are you okay? What happened? Does Pearl- 

I'm fine, Ben, Alex smiled softly, before looking away and turning to one of the many pristine white sinks. And no Pearl doesn't know, and you aren't going to tell her. 

She'll want to know, Ben argued. 

I know, and then she'll get herself hurt. So, don't tell her. Alex turned the sink's knob, and cold water began to pour out, he grabbed a small cloth at the sink's side, and slowly wet it. 

But Alex- 

No, buts, he laughed. Come on this is nothing compared to the other things she's done. 

I... I guess. 

And I know, he smiled once again, before cleaning off his nose with the water. So, why are you looking for Porter? 

It doesn't matter, he muttered softly. 

Alex sighed loudly. Please don't tell me this is about what I think it's about? 

I saw it, Alex! Ben suddenly exploded, panic filling his face as his eyes widened in fear. It was outside my room... it was... it was dragging someone. 

Ben, Alex sighed. You were just having a nightmare; The Mistress is the only monster here. 

Ben shook his head. This is why I wanted to talk to Porter, you never believe me, he cried. Please tell me you've seen him today.

He wasn't in bed this morning, but I'm sure he's fine, Alex spoke softly yet sternly. He's probably passed out somewhere, or maybe he's finally running away from this place. 

He would never abandon us, Alex, it... it took him, it must've. 

Alex slightly shook his head, I know he wouldn't, his voice was softer now. But I also know there isn't a monster in the Orphanage... well except for one. He took a deep slow breath and turned to Ben. I'll go see if I can find him. 

Really? 

Yeah, but you'll need to cover for me. 

Ben nodded quickly. I will. 

Good and if you find Porter before I get back, slap him over the head for me. 

I would, but he's a little tall for me, his smile slipped away once again. 

Ben, you're fifteen, you’re a year younger than us, Alex smirked. You'll get there. 

Yeah, he spoke softly, not looking too convinced. 

And don’t worry, I’ll find him, Alex smiled to Ben. 

Be safe, Ben said again. 

I will. 

Alex cleaned the last little bit of blood from his nose and then said his goodbyes to Ben, before slowly leaving the bathroom. For a few minutes, he crept silently down the hallway, but the sound of high heels tapping loudly against the wooden floor, made him freeze in place. 

He heard them get closer and closer with each passing second, and without even a moment of thought, he slipped through the nearest door on his right and quietly shut himself inside. Darkness quickly surrounded him, with only the soft candlelight illuminating the room, but not by much. Quickly he felt himself regretting his decision. 

Paintings surrounded him along with all types of grotesque statues, which stood tall and imposing, their stone eyes fixated on him, like stony demons, sizing up their prey. But it wasn't the statues that made Alex shudder; it was the paintings, each one of a different nightmarish creature, most of which you could only dream of in nightmares. Massive car-sized spiders and huge elongated humanoid-like creatures with sharp fang-filled jaws, and long whip-like tongues just seemed ordinary compared to the other specimens that filled the hall. 

On the other side of the room, he saw another doorway. A light at the end of the tunnel, he thought, but first, he had to get through the tunnel, the tunnel being terrifying paintings and demonic statues. Fun. Quickly he took a step further into the room, his feet making the old floorboards creak and groan under his weight. 

Alex slowly turned his head towards the door he entered, and to his relief and horror, he still heard The Mistress’ footsteps, and thankfully she didn't seem to hear him. However, she was still getting closer, with this thought in his head he took another step, preying the floorboards wouldn't creak beneath him, followed by another and then another. 

He forced himself to stare at the ground instead of the terrifying artwork that surrounded him, and before long, he had managed to make it to the door on the other side of the long room, the light at the end of the tunnel. 

Then he heard it, on the other side of the door were voices, they were muffled, but they sounded angry as if people were arguing. And once again, he sighed, then he opened the door as he swore under his breath. 

Two girls stood on the other side of the door, bickering with one another, one had curly fiery red hair with orange highlights, and the other had long auburn hair. 

Really, Alex spoke strictly, slowly shutting the door behind him. 

Alex, they both said simultaneously. 

This witch started it, the auburn-haired girl pointed to the fiery red-haired girl. 

I have a name, Pearl, she growled. 

Yeah, and it's witch, Pearl retorted angrily. 

Says the little bitch. 

The fiery-haired girl's naturally amber eyes flared red like fire, as large smouldering embers formed in both her palms. 

You think that scares me? 

Pearl's green eyes turned orange as long brilliant rays of light began to brightly swirl around her arms, but just as the light began to grow, she suddenly started to grit her teeth as she struggled to keep them up. 

Alice, Pearl, enough, Alex spoke sternly, before throwing both his hands towards them. His eyes had gone grey, and so had his palms, quickly the flames in Alice's hands had gone out, and Pearl and nearly lost her balance, causing the rays of light to vanish. 

Pearl instantly turned on Alice once again. You're lucky, my brothers here to save you, she hissed at Alice. 

He's my brother too! 

Not really! 

You little- 

Enough, Alex sputtered, Both of you! 

She started it, Alice blamed Pearl. 

Did not! 

I don't care who started what, Alex growled, I need to find Porter, and I can't have you two fighting while I'm gone. 

Alice's face instantly softened. Porter, is he okay? She asked, taking a small