A Tale of Realms Unknown - Weapons of the Gods

By Justin Vining

Book 2 of 3 in the A Tale of Realms Unknown Series.
Avoiding spoilers, after the events of the first book, the four friends settle in to their new home comfortably. Alaina's dagger, found to be non typical, and an accompanying vision sends them all on a scavenger hunt for more of these bizarre weapons. Each one found seems to be specific to each one of them. Why? Where are they from? What are the for?
Serenity and the friends also make a new enemy while investigating who Dre and Drak were and where came from.

Like my first book, this is a completely unconventional series full of satire, self mockery, sarcasm, pop culture references, and general nerdom.
If you liked the first book at all...this one will please you more. As all the character set up is done and all the fun is to be had.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jun 12, 2017
• ISBN: 9781387034031

Book preview

A Tale of Realms Unknown - Weapons of the Gods

A Tale of Realms Unknown - Weapons of the Gods

(Book 2 of 3)

A science fiction/fantasy novel

By Justin Vining 2017

Note: this book is intended for adult readers.

Copyright JTV Books, Justin Vining 2017

Contact: [e-mail]

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V. Rev1.1F 2019

Preface

Alaina narrates to Quentin, Ariana, Lint, and Poe, You traverse deeper into the abandoned mine. You see no clues of master Huberts’ hidden treasure cache. Poe, being clumsy, your boot hits a rail on the floor with a clink. Something stirs nearby, then rumbles, then you see 4 jackals screaming and running toward you. Roll for initiative bitches!

All four roll their respective dice.

Alaina reviews the rolls and says, Lint you are up first, what's your action?

Lint says nervously, So, uhmmm I attack the nearest jackal with, uhmmm, my sword of strength plus 2 and...

Quentin mimics playing a fictional instrument and hums along, then says, I inspire you, plus 5 attack.

Thanks Q…. Lint says unsurely.

Alaina smiles and motions, Roll to hit.

Lint rolls his D20 and gets a natural 20, he is not excited.

Quentin's eyes open wide.

Congrats you crit! Please narrate the kill! Alaina announces.

Lint says weakly, uhmmm I slash him with my sword?

Alaina and Quentin facepalm.

Ariana is laid back in her chair, half asleep. Poe is more confused than Lint and hopes he isn't called next.

"Poe, you're up, what do you do?" Alaina asks.

Poe anxiously says, Ummm. Run away?

Alaina bites her lip and confirms, You want to abandon your friends, your party?

Yes?!

Alaina says sternly, The DM recommends that you should attack, before you are attacked. Plus, leaving your party will leave you vulnerable...

Oh? What's DM again?

Quentin scoffs, Gods sake Poe! Just attack!

Poe nods unsurely, Ok I'll do that... I attack with my +1 bow. He rolls and gets a 15.

Alaina says, You hit, roll for damage.

Poe rolls a 7, then adds his bonuses quickly to total of 12.

Alaina narrates, Your arrow flies true to its target, piercing its skull, making it fall quietly.

Poe gets excited, briefly.

Alaina says, Ari, your go.

Ariana yawns and rolls her dice, getting a 4.

Alaina tilts her head curiously and asks, As DM, I assume you meant to attack?

Ariana, unamused, coldly says, Yeah, I cast guiding bolt.

Alaina frowns, Sorry Ari...but apparently your spell failed and just fizzles in front of you.

Ariana snaps her fingers, Whatever, I'm done for today anyways. She gets up and walks out of their kitchen.

Yeah I have to get back to work. Lint adds as he gets up and leaves with her.

Poe then excuses himself out with a gentle bow and follows Lint, leaving just Alaina and Quentin who look at each other in disappointment.

Alaina says, Guess it's just me and you Q.

He nods sadly in agreement, "Yeah we need to find some more consistent players it seems... Though no one else in this freaking realm is interested!"

Alaina nods and shrugs, Well, it was about the same trouble back on Earth too...

Good point...

Prologue

It has been a several months since Nicholas’ death. The LRA has been disbanded. All Rafnians are now one together and are no longer separated by factions or banners. The hidden realm of Serenity is still kept secret to the main Rafnian community per request to the council. This agreement is valid as long as they share technology and resources, in open trades. The world of Serenity has regained its beauty and grace after the battle that took out a third of the town. Everything is rebuilt, and the city retains its charm, beauty, and grace. All is back to normal, including life, as the Rafnians knew it.

Quentin, Alaina, and Ariana have settled comfortably into Serenity, their new home. All three have been delegated jobs. They were not thrilled about, though not opposed, as they expected it to happen at some point. Ariana works with Lint in political relationships between Serenity and Notifica. Quentin was made lead of reconstruction and is now over planning and development. Alaina has been working with Lint’s research and development team. She and lead researcher Poe are currently studying the mysterious black dagger in the Research and Development section at the basement of city center.

After the battle for Serenity, the three were given little info and had few leads of who Dre and Drak were. Alaina’s procured special dagger has come into the spotlight as a clue to who, what they were, and where they came from...

Act 1

Alaina's black dagger hangs hooked to a machine that is currently scanning it with multiple rays of lasers and lights. Various colors reflect from the machine and change as it hits the blade. Once the scan is complete, Alaina takes off her protective goggles  and looks at it through a microscope on another table. Poe examines the scan results on a separate monitor.

This is most interesting.

What's that? Alaina asks.

"The machine cannot identify the elemental properties of the dagger. Apparently it has no, protons...? But it also has an infinite number of them?"

Alaina tilts her head confused, How is that possible?

Poe shrugs, No idea! Must be a glitch. It shouldn't be stable. I'm guessing it won't fit on your human periodic table of elements then!

No it wouldn't! Alaina remarks before she chuckles to herself, Glitch in the matrix!

Poe squints his eyes through his spectacles.

There is also a small measure of harmless radiation permeating from it.

"Harmless radiation?"

Yes, similar to low level electromagnetic radiation. It's  harmless. He assures her.

Ah right, like phones, comms, and such... Hey take a look through the microscope here.

Poe walks over to her and peeks through the microscope. He adjusts his body and bumps into her.

Oh sorry he says as he pats her shoulder softly.

No worries. she says with a smile.

Poe says while glued to the microscope, "So I see light, emanating from the dagger?"

Alaina nods, "Yes, that's what I noticed. That, and the surface is completely and perfectly smooth."

What? Poe looks again, adjusting the focus on the microscope and turning the blade.

Poe steps back and looks at her disbelieving, "Gods! This, cannot have been made by any beings or technology that we know of. This may be a divine weapon."

Alaina waits a moment to see if he is pulling her leg, then she laughs heartily.

"Oh Poe! Why not just assume it's  aliens! She makes a mockery of the X-Files theme. Doo wee doo wee wee doo!"

Poe stands unamused, I don't get your reference?

Alaina acts dramatically, "You know, crop circles, the pyramids, Easter island, flying saucers...we can't explain it, therefore...must be aliens!"

Poe crosses his arms, and tilts his head, Yes, you have told me about those Earthly phenomenon. However, I have also described logical reasoning for each to you.

Alaina rolls her eyes and sighs defeated.

"Oh, right, nevermind Poe. You are no fun." Alaina gently pushes Poe on his shoulder.

Poe looks up, smiles, and asks, So, what do we call the material it's made of then?

Alaina ponders for a minute, "How about multi-chromium?"

Poe looks at her intrigued, Is that some other reference I don't get?

Alaina chuckles, Oh no, I just spat it out, sounds cool!

I agree! Poe marks it down, smiles again, and says, Next test?

Alaina nods, Yes, let's attempt its usability... Though I'm not touching it again!

Poe scoffs, shaking his head, Yes, so you have told me many times!

Poe removes the dagger from the machine using a thick cloth and takes it to a nearby, large, isolation chamber with thick walls and a vault style door. Inside is a table set with several items. Poe puts on thick leather gloves and a face shield.

Alaina laughs at him, It's not going to blow up in your face!

Poe turns to her, Would you like the honor then?

Alaina's face quickly turns serious, sad, and almost as blue as her curly hair. The dagger already reminds her of Nicholas, she wants to forget all that happened. She definitely doesn't want to touch it again. She doesn't want to kill again. She doesn't want the feeling it gave her while in her hand, again.

No...sorry.

Poe sighs, Ok then, let's begin.

Alaina watches inside the room, from some distance back. Poe grabs the dagger and tries to slice a candlestick on the table. The candlestick cracks and snaps against the pressure applied from the blade.

Interesting... Poe remarks.

Next, Poe tries to cut paper, but it shreds as he slices it.

Alaina says, Hmm, I suppose try the piercing test next.

Poe nods and attempts to stab the dagger into a thick old book, but it barely pierces it. When he pulls it out only a small indention shows in its cover. Poe holds the dagger up to his eye and inspects the blade.

"So, it certainly looks sharp and straight, with a honed edge, apart from its curvy profile."

He feels the blade edge with his glove and sees no effect. He removes his glove and gently attempts slicing his hand.

Ouch! he reels back.

Oh God Poe! Why would you remove your…

Poe laughs heartily, So gullible my friend!

Poe shows her no sign of a cut and says, The blade feels like it's rounded. See? He gently holds her hand out and slides it slowly across her arm.

Huh, that's fucking weird! Alaina says as she instinctively takes the dagger from him to see for herself, then blacks out.

Act 2

~Alaina comes to on the floor of a bright white room. The only thing she sees is a blurry table. She gets up and feels an extreme fuzziness about her that she blames on her vision. On the table in front of her is the dagger, crystal clear. Beside it are three other items that are so blurry she cannot determine what the are. Beyond the table is a pinkish figure that moves slightly and creates a loud static like sound. Moments later her vision goes dark and she awakens with Poe’s arms around her. ~

Quentin was alerted to her unconsciousness and ran in. He sees Alaina in Poe's arms. She is starting to awaken, her eyes flutter and open slowly.

Quentin asks nervously and curiously, What's going on? Are you ok?

Alaina grunts and says, Yeah, I think so.

They help her to her feet. Quentin has a look of concern to Alaina but annoyance toward Poe as they steady her.

Alaina says weakly, "I had a vision of a white room. The dagger was on a table, with 3 other blurry and unrecognizable objects. Something or someone was beyond that I couldn't make out either, and was creating a God awful static sound... I...need to go home and rest."

Good idea, I'll take you. Quentin says comforting, then gives a quick aggravated look to Poe."

The next day Alaina, Quentin, Ariana, and Poe stand outside the isolation chamber, looking in through an observation window at the dagger.

Poe says to Alaina, You do not have to do this, so soon. We can put off testing as long as you would like.

Alaina says sternly, I'm fine, thanks for coming. as she looks to Ariana and Quentin who both rub her back.

Alaina walks alone into the containment room. She jumps a little and shrieks as the vault style door closes with a loud clank behind her, then makes a sealing sound. She pauses and looks fearful at the dagger that’s still sitting on the table from yesterday. She doesn't want to see the vision again.

Poe signals from the window Alaina and smiles. She smiles back and waves to them through the window. She notices again that Quentin doesn't seem himself. He has recently been short with her, quiet, and without his typical quirky remarks. He has been worse to Poe, she admits to herself.

Alaina refocuses her thoughts, closes her eyes, and quickly grabs the dagger. She opens her eyes slowly and realizes the vision didn't happen again.

As she holds the dagger she senses its... belonging to her, apart of her, somehow. She places it down and stares at it. She notices the feeling has changed to longing for it. She picks it back up and the feeling changes back. It soothes and comforts her like the return of a long lost friend.

Ok I'm...ready she says aloud.

She tries to cut the candlestick and it effortlessly passes through, creating a perfectly smooth and clean cut.

Next she tries a bolt of leather, again it slices through, with no effort.

She moves onto a piece of wood. She places the dagger on it and presses down hard, expecting resistance, but the blade slices the wood so quick and easy that her knuckles hit the table then sting in pain. She drops the dagger and it bonuses off the table then drops onto the floor.

Are you ok Alaina? Poe asks concerned through the comm.

I'm fine, these results are….unexpected. she says as she picks up the dagger and looks at it curiously. She smirks then looks over the lasts remaining tests items on the table.

The only other test objects left were a stack of paper and a book. She tries to stab the book and it goes through the book as if it was water then into the metal table. Her momentum is slowed some as it sunk into the table, giving her some resistance for the first time. Only when the hilt met with the book did it stop her motion.

Alaina shocked and unbelieving, lifts the blade out and moves the book away, revealing a clean slice into the table. Seeing this result inspires her to slice the table alone. As she does it takes some effort but it cuts slow like it's moving through molasses.

Alaina with wide eyes says, I'm am concluding this test Poe.

The vault door opens behind her as she places the dagger back on the table.

Poe asks giddy, "How did it feel cutting through metal?!"

Alaina answers, It was tough. I would say it was like cutting through thick cold syrup or molasses.

Ariana says, "So it only works for you?"

Alaina looks to Poe then nods, Yes, that's what we have found, unless you want to try?

Sure Ariana shrugs.

She goes into the isolation room, grabs the dagger, and cannot replicate Alaina's results. The dagger offers her the same resistances and results as with Poe.

You want to try Q? Ariana asks.

Nah, I'll pass. Quentin responds as if he has something else to do.

Ariana squints her eyes curiously.

What's up your ass Q?

Alaina looks over, interested in his response.

Quentin sighs, "Work, moving all the local resources, building, planning, development...At first I liked my Job, now I hate it." Quentin glances at Poe with disdain.

Ariana smirks, "Yeah Q, I get it. Being a council representative isn't all cupcakes and roses either. I have to actually watch my mouth. Apparently the Notifican Rafnians hate vulgarity! I almost caused a break in the alliance! ME!" Ariana’s laugh fades as she senses Quentin faking his chuckle with her.

Both stop as Lint walk towards them.

Hello friends! Sorry I'm late. Lint says as he walks up to Ariana.

He is dressed in a professional Rafnian suit of dark blues and greys with white lines. His mould is swept to the sides and some slightly forward, all colored bright orange. He pecks Ariana on the check and she returns a warm smile.

Ariana asks, Hey, how was the meeting?

Lint ponders, Umm, how do you humans say it...? It was SHIT!

Ariana laughs, Quentin can't help but to smile genuinely from it.

Poe and Alaina walk over.

Alaina says, Hey Lint, how's things?

Oh just fine, same old politics. How was the testing?

"It was, unexpected... Shall we will fill you in over drinks, our place?"

Sure! See you there.

Quentin hangs back a moment as Alaina, Ariana, and Lint head toward the elevator. Poe starts back towards his desk. Alaina looks back at Quentin and sees him heading toward Poe, as the elevator doors close before her.

Act 3

Back at their cottage, Ariana says from the kitchen with a drink in her hand, There you are Q! We started without you!

That's Fine. Quentin says coldly as he enters from the front door.

He looks and sees Ariana sniffing some fresh vegetative, non edible plants, presented pleasantly in a vase. The Rafnians have no term for floral decorations as they don't typically use them for personal use or gifting. The collection of yellow plants on the table resembles upside down tulips that are tied together and their roots are trimmed off.

Ariana says sarcastically, "I wonder who got me these lovely FLOWERS?"

Lint with a drink in his hand looks around the room curiously with a grin as she stares at him.

Alaina seems slightly uncomfortable with her head down but also sipping on her drink.

Oh me?! Lint boasts. Yeah well, I'm trying to keep you high in spirits!

Ariana has a wide smile that slowly turns down as she sheds a tear. She glances at the picture of Nicholas on the wall, holding his greatsword in a hero's pose.

Lint goes to her and hugs her from behind.

Thanks Lint, I don't know what I would do without you.... I, just wish that the dreams of him would stop, but it's all I have left of him now...

He kisses her on the cheek.

Alaina sticks her finger in her mouth signaling to Quentin