A Tale Of Realms Unknown - Enlightenment

By Justin Vining

Enlightenment, Book 3 of 3
The final satisfying ending for my ATORU series.
After their experience in the previous book, they attempt to come to grips with reality. How do you live now knowing what they know?
They each live separate and distracted lives, trying to forget their experience.
Alaina starts Karen's quest alone.
Quentin adventures in Telaria and gets in more trouble than he could ever dig himself out of.
Alaina eventually convinces the other three to get the band back together for one last adventure. They all rise in their abilities and literally nothing can stand in their way. Of course, trouble finds them!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Sep 22, 2017
• ISBN: 9781387247202

Book preview

A Tale Of Realms Unknown - Enlightenment

A Tale Of Realms Unknown - Enlightenment

A continued science fiction fantasy novel series by Justin Vining

Book 3 of 3

Note: this book is intended for adult readers.

Copyright JTV Books, Justin Vining 2017

Contact: [e-mail]

Please like JTV Books on facebook.

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V. 1.2F 2019.

Preface

After finishing Karen’s divine weapon scavenger hunt, each character did what they needed to cope in their own ways.

Meeting Gods and doing their bidding has messed with them all a bit, as would it anyone.

For about a year, the four friends have went their separate ways and re-sorted their thoughts about life. What exactly do you do, and how do you live, now knowing literal Gods truly exist, are watching, and are, manipulating you…

Especially knowing that your Gods in particular are fucking pink fairies....

Serenity is a completely different community now. Alaina went to town, quite literally with her wand. She helped automate most of the lesser and tedious jobs. She created enough buildings, factories, and supplies that Serenity doesn't need her or her friends much anymore. Alaina particularly was blamed at first, for wrecking their local economy, for all her good hearted efforts.

Their celebrity status rose even higher. So much so they moved out of their cottage and into a more private abode deep in the fog.

About a year has passed since the events of the Weapons of the Gods...

Act 1

Quentin whispers to Tux, You go left, I'll take right.

Tux nods and moves stealthily. As he does his scaly skin changes color, blending him into the cave walls. Quentin waves his hands in various gestures, whispers, then touches his eyes. His spell now makes him see immensely better in the dark cavern. He moves further around the large opening of the cavern, along the right wall. He knows from experience, it's best to stay in the shadows.

After several minutes he hears a single loud groan. He sees a light flicker from across the cavern, he assumes it’s Tux signaling him.

Quentin slowly makes his way toward the center of the cavern. He passes his hands over some stalagmites, assuring his physical and emotional balance on the damp and slick rock under his feet.

Another louder groan happens, slightly shaking the cavern. Luckily he has his hand planted, keeping him from falling over.

Moments later he sees a large, long, knotted wood club with an enormous hand clinging to it.

It's just an ogre! Quentin hears Tux whisper, from beyond this ogre in front of him.

Quentin grunts softly, Just an ogre… shaking his head.

He waves his hand creating an artificial light source in his palm, the ogre stirs, its groaning gets louder. Quentin flings his light source toward the ceiling and it sticks, now lighting the whole area. Quentin now looks upon a waking ogre that stands 12 feet tall.

Quentin waves his arms over the ground creating a mist that forms and collects on the ogre's legs. The ogre begins to swing its club but stops to look down at its now frozen legs. The ogre turns its head looking around in many directions, confused.

Moments later Tux is seen jumping onto the ogre’s back. Tux wastes no time, sinking his dagger into the ogre’s skull then turning it. The single eye of the ogre turns inside its head then it falls on its face. The massive body thuds on the rock floor making a rumble that reverberates through the cavern.

Quentin easily moves out of the way of its falling path.

Tux leaps off, somersaults, and lands on top of the ogre’s back then stands in a victorious pose.

Quentin says with a smirk, You are such a fucking show off Tux!

Ya ya, let'sss jussst find and take the loot... Tux hisses, like most of his words.

Tux turns around revealing his scaly skin then wags his long tail mockingly at Quentin.

"Really? It's bad enough I'm working with a lizard! I'm not getting paid enough for putting up with an egomaniac lizard!"

Quentin starts to hum the song, now stuck in his head. "He's a maniac maniac…"

Tux turns to Quentin quickly with his dagger to his throat then points to Quentin's head, interrupting him.

They stare at each other, neither of them make a change to their facial expressions.

Moments later the artificial light on the ceiling goes out. Quentin quickly throws three more around the ceiling in various places. When their eyes adjust, Tux looks down to see his entire body below the neck, is frozen solid. Quentin takes a step back and begins laughing. Tux smiles then nods his head in approval.

Quentin snaps his fingers, the ice busts apart and falls off, releasing Tux.

Tux says, Niccccee working withhh you old fffriend.

Quentin responds, Absolutely.

He pats Tux on his back, Now how about that loot?

Tux nods before they both start off looking around the open and now brightly lit cavern, individually.

After a few minutes, Quentin hears a click. He instinctively runs over and finds Tux head deep into a literal treasure chest.

Quentin clears his throat. Tux slowly brings his head up and smiles bashfully. 

Gold coins fall out of his mouth that were in his cheeks, filled like a squirrel.

Tux says with a mouthful, "What? I opened it for usss! I was going to ssshare everything, like alwaysss!"

Quentin gives him a disappointed look and says, First, that's gross, you have no idea where those coins have been.

Tux shrugs and nods in agreement.

"Second, were you going to share like at Bigsputin valley?"

Well ok…

Turners town mine?

Umm I wasss going to…

OR Lakeside Grottos?

Tux lowers his head, defeated, then says innocently, Do you blame an old thiefff for trying, eh?

Quentin shrugs and says, Anyways, what's today's catch?

He looks into the chest with Tux.

Tux says playfully, Oh, jussst sssome preciousss gemsss, jewelry, a new dagger... FOR ME, and coinsss, lots of coinsss!

Tux picks up and lets several of the coins fall through his fingers slowly. Both of their eyes open wide and mouths drool.

Quentin rummages through the chest and says, You can have the dagger…

Tux leans back and sees Quentin with a perplexed look of his face that turns to an investigating one. Quentin holds a particular purple gem up close to his eye, inspecting it. He waves his hand over it, whispering incantations, causing it to glow in various colors.

Tux now stares at him oddly and says, Take it out to dinner firssst…

Quentin laughs, Oh my friend, this gem has a special enchantment. I think it might be the last of four Wozler stones I need for my staff.

Tux scoffs loudly, rolls his eyes, and says, Take it, and let'sss get out of this ssstinky cave!

Quentin says, You're such a sceptic.

Tux snarls back, You waste your time with legends, mysteries, and fetch quests.

Quentin laughs to himself, "Fetch quests."

Tux and Quentin make it back to their city of Humblehills. This is an old town of medium size located in the central territory of the world of Telaria. Most buildings are wood, some are fancier ones with stone exteriors. The town is not the richest, but it has most of anything you would want, for sale. Most notably about the town is the rolling hills that hugs the outskirts, hence its name. A river runs through and feeds a stream that gently runs down the main streets and by city hall.

Quentin makes his way around town easily, he knows it well, he has lived here for many months.

Sssssee you later old friend. I'm off to fffind sssome more fffun! Tux says with a smile as he runs off.

Quentin waves then heads into a shop with a small hanging wooden sign with two larges blue T’s. It reads below, Tiffany’s Trinkets.

As he enters, a door bell rings. Not a moment passes before a tall, light skinned female elf runs up to Quentin and hugs him. Her hair is blonde and long, her face is cute, approachable, and she has long, straight up pointed elf ears. One noticeable difference in this elf is that she is rather thick compared to all other elves who are generally fit and thin. She does however hold up her weight well in her basic shopkeepers garb.

Quentin begrudgingly accepts the awkwardly long hug.

So good to have you back Q! What have you brought me?!

Quentin with a grin pulls from his satchel a purple gem. The elf tries to snatch it from him but Quentin instinctively pulls it back.

Come on Tiffany, you know how this works…

Tiffany lets off a loud sigh, shrugs, then heads to the counter. She pulls out several gadgets with various lenses of different sizes, colors, and types. Quentin hands her the gem carefully. She inspects it over the counter with all her gadgets then looks at Quentin with a sad, disappointed face.

Quentin yells, Fuck! then stomps his foot on the old knotted wood plank floor.

Tiffany gives him a moment to cool down then says, Sorry Q, maybe next time it will be your missing Wozler.

Tiffany waits a moment more to say inquisitively, This is however, a very valuable gem nonetheless. I'll offer you twelve platinum, and five gold for it, unless you want it for its fire spell enchantment…?

Quentin raises his eyebrow and says, Coin please.

Tiffany wraps the gem in an intricate cloth, places it in a box, then stores it behind the counter. She then counts out the coins into a large bag and hands it to Quentin.

He says plainly, Thanks T, see you later. then begins to walk away.

As he reaches the door Tiffany says, See you at Grug’s?

Quentin stops for a moment.

She bites her lower lip then licks it as she stares at him impatiently awaiting his response.

Quentin turns his head slightly and says, Sure.

Tiffany lays over the counter and watches Quentin leave with a twinkle in her eye and a smile on her face.

Act 2

Quentin sits at a corner booth inside Grug’s, a local pub in Humblehills. A stoutly dwarf brings him a slab of cooked meat, steamed corn, loaf of bread, and a large tankard of ale. Quentin raises the tankard to the dwarf who nods in return.

Moments later Tiffany happily plops down across from Quentin, nearly startling him.

Hey Q!

Hey T.

The dwarf comes back and asks in a deep voice Hey T, your usual?

Yes please! Tiffany answers then leans across the table with her head propped up with her arms. She seems to stare happily into Quentin's soul.

So how was your adventure?! she asks gleefully.

Quentin takes a bite then gulps down some ale and shrugs as a response.

Tiffany smirks at him disappointedly.

Quentin rolls his eyes then begrudgingly answers, Found an ogre in Stintlers cavern, killed it, took his loot.

Tiffany’s eyes light up and she says, "Smashing! You should SO take me with you sometime." Her face lifting to one side in flirting with an added wink.

Quentin grunts then continues eating.

Tiffany gives a brief disappointed look then touches his hand gently and rubs her finger on it, You know we should…

"Not do anything!" Alaina interrupts.

Tiffany pulls her hand back instantly and looks to Alaina with an innocent face, though a hint of fear shows through.

Alaina tilts her head slightly while staring impatiently at Tiffany with her arms crossed.

Tiffany sighs deeply, then says, Bye Q... and walks away sadly, kicking a literal can on the floor.

Alaina sits and gives Quentin a continued unapproving stare. He doesn't look back at her, he instead continues eating and drinking. The dwarf comes back and places a giant animal leg and tankard of Ale in front of Alaina. She starts to say something, then shrugs, and eagerly starts eating.

Quentin and the dwarf, who just realized it's not Tiffany look at each other then shrug.

Enjoy miss... the dwarf says before he walks off.

Quentin watches Alaina curiously as she devours the cooked leg with various spices sprinkled on top.

Quentin says, You are looking good as always babe.

Alaina breaks out a smile while still chewing then swallows and chugs some ale. She lets out a happy moan and says, I always loved this place, and the meat, Serenity needs more meat...!

She finishes the leg, drinks more ale, wipes her face off and continues, ...I figured this would be the most likely place to find you, other than your house down the street.

Quentin nods, Yeah, so are you here to stay this time? I'd really love you to…. an eagerness is in his tone.

Alaina sighs deeply and gives him a saddened look, Q, I have spent a lot of time here with you. We have also had a lot of fun...but I want to start Karen's quest...

Quentin fumes a bit then chugs some ale and places his now empty tankard on the old wood table, though not so gently. The dwarf almost runs over with another full tankard as if he was waiting in anticipation for Quentin to finish.

Quentin chugs more ale and looks at her sternly, I'm not going to be a fucking pawn of the Gods anymore.

Alaina adds, Technically it's one God Q and….

"I'm don't care Alaina! Look, I love and have loved you, but I'm not doing it. I'm happy here in Telaria. This amazing world, its questing, REAL magic, discount Gandalf, and…"

Alaina looks accusingly at him "And... the elf? You love her?"

Quentin scoffs loudly and rolls his eyes, Nope! I have been loyal to you since you went back to Serenity these past several weeks, or months?

Alaina places both elbows on the table and her hands on her face. She lets off a deep sigh and combs back her wavy, long, blue, and green striped hair with her hands then blows air out the side of her mouth.

Quentin, I love you…. Her eyes water up.

Quentin humbly says, I know.

A moment of awkwardness passes as they stare into each other’s eyes, then they both laugh.

Alaina gets up then pushes Quentin further into the booth and plops down beside him. She then lays her head on his shoulder.

She sighs, "FINE, I'll stay for a few days...But then...I'm starting the quest, alone if I have to..."

Quentin sighs heavily then says, Ok, but would Ari really not join you?

Lint laughs and says into the comm, "What do you mean it doesn't have enough flair? It's bright fucking pink!"

Ariana giggles as she looks at the newly placed advertising art piece she designed.

Lint continues, "And it has guns, flames, and sparkles!"

Ariana yells, "And it says Girls, Guns, Glory!"

A disappointed voice comes over the comm, Ok Boss, we will leave the sign as is.

Thank you, and good day. Lint says as he terminates the call.

Ariana looks at Lint quietly for a moment then laughs heartily as she sits on his desk sideways with her legs crossed.

Good one my love, our artwork has definitely struck a chord with many people! Lint says proudly.

Ariana smiles and says, Yeah, it's pretty fucking awesome! I wonder what trouble we can get into together next!...

She thinks for a moment, ...I know! Let's decorate Bob's!

Lint grins, "Oh Ari, ever since I've taken over and you have been my secretary, we have certainly shaken up Serenity!"

Ariana tilts her head softly, moves in towards him, and kisses him gently. Moments of romantic passion float by as their cares are lifted away.

"Fraternization in the workplace again I see." Alaina says loudly with a smile as she is now seen standing outside Lint’s office.

Ariana shrugs saying, Hey, the boss says it's not against the rules so…

Alaina scoffs, Well that always helps, doesn't it Lint?

Lint nods in agreement.

Ariana says, "I love your roller coaster BTW!"

Yeah?! Exclaims Alaina.

Hell yeah! Lint likes it too! Ariana boasts, nudging him.

Lint nods and says, "Yeah, I was scared to death just standing, watching the bloody thing go around. I mostly rode it just to risk death over Ari giving me shit about not riding it! She would never had let it go!"

Alaina and Lint laugh heartily.

Ariana laughs in mockery then she gets up off the desk and walks over to Alaina asking, "So how's