Corilia: Return of the Protector

By Joseph Hunninghake

Tyler Haysgard's life is changed in a split second when he finds himself on the world of Corilia after losing his parents in a house fire. He must acclimate himself to this new world and his new role as the Protector, facing strange beasts and enemies beyond his imagining. This is the first part in the Corilian trilogy and sees Tyler as he begins to take on the consequences of Corilia's dark past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Aug 19, 2017
• ISBN: 9781387176922

Book preview

Corilia: Return of the Protector

Corilia: Return of the Protector

Book 1

© 2017 Joseph Hunninghake.

All rights reserved.

All names, characters, and places are fictional or written about in a fictional nature.

Printed by Lulu

www.lulu.com

Illustrations by Matthew Fey

Akorat of Light

Akorat of Darkness

Akorat of Earth

Akorat of Air

Akorat of Fire

Akorat of Water

Chapter 1: The Chasm

Dad, I burnt the bread again. The boy said walking up to his father who stood in the storage room of their bakery taking inventory.

The boy’s father chuckled.

Okay, let’s go through what went wrong, He said, patting his son on the head. What did you put in the oven?

Dinop.

Alright. Now what do we know about dinop grain?

It makes good bread. The boy stated.

Well… yes, but it’s a low heat grain, so we bake it later in the day when the oven’s cooled down. The man said when the neighboring storeowner burst through the door with a manic look on his face.

You need to come outside! He cried.

The father and son, both very confused, followed the man outside. The moment they stepped outside the man immediately felt sick. The air was stale and heavy, and the sunlight began to wane. The neighbor pointed at the sky behind them. The man and his son looked up in awe at the phenomenon that rolled toward the city.

Jet-black clouds barreled toward them with furious whips of red lightning emanating from within the monstrous storm. The eeriest aspect was the deafening silence that spread through the city. The father felt sheer panic in the face of it, but all the same, he could not bring himself to utter a single word or even cry out in fear, nor could anyone else. A tingling feeling crept down the man’s neck and he turned around to see an identical storm racing at them from the opposite direction too.

Is this an Akorat? The son asked.

They’ve been gone for a long time. The man said.

Maybe they came back?

Shh! The man responded, waving off his son’s question.

At that moment, the two identical storms collided over the city and begin rotating around each other forming an intense cyclone. The red lightning began to emit sound, issuing deafening booms throughout the city.

Get inside! The man quickly ordered to his son and neighbor.

No sooner did they shut themselves inside the man’s bakery that small black stones began to hail down from the sky, some of them noticeably on fire. The stones clattered on the wooden roof of the bakery, some even breaking through. The son went to pick one up, but as his hand neared the stone he could feel the intense heat radiating from it and pulled away. As the stones piled up on the ground outside, the man began to smell something burning. He looked up and saw that the roof of the bakery had caught fire!

The storage room! Quick! The man shouted over the increase of stones that began to break through the roof. The storage room they closed themselves in was constructed entirely of stone and was dimly lit by a few candles along the walls.

They heard the diminishing patters of stones on the roof and grew concerned as smoke very slowly forced itself in through the seams of the mostly well-sealed door. The man tore off his shirt, stuffing it along the bottom of the door.

I’ve never heard of anything like this! The neighbor exclaimed, starting to become hysterical. We’re going to be roasted alive!

Calm down! The man shouted. The stones have stopped falling, so we’ll be fine as long as we can make it outside. I’m going to open this door and we’re all going to run.

They all nodded in agreement. The man grabbed his shirt and threw the door open to be met by roaring flames consuming the bakery.

Run! The man shouted, but his neighbor fell to the ground in a panic upon seeing the flames.

You need to run! The man said grabbing at his neighbor’s shirt, but his neighbor swatted his hand away.

We’re safer in here! The neighbor cried.

The man wanted to argue, but heat flooded the storage room.

Fine, He said. Shut the door when we leave and we’ll come get you when the fire’s died out.

Just go! The neighbor yelled. The man and his son sprinted through the bakery, managing to break through the door, making it outside. However, they did not feel very safe as the black cyclone still loomed overhead and the red lightning battling within it.

We need to find cover! The man said.

There isn’t any place. The son responded, looking around at the countless buildings on fire.

Run for the temple! The man said, referring to the Temple of Light that stood in the forest a short distance outside the city. They ran as fast as they could, pushing through panicked individuals flooding the streets and avoiding the bodies on the ground of those who could not find cover from the stones.

The spires of the temple appeared over the trees, but as they approached the forest edge the ground began to shake violently, knocking everyone down. Buildings that had not already been destroyed by the stones crumbled and the ground in front of the man and his son started to fracture. On both sides of them, people and structures fell into the widening rift. The man grabbed his son and stumbled back to escape the encroaching chasm. It was then that the shaking stopped and everything fell silent. The storm above dissipated and the sunlight returned as though nothing had happened, but indeed the entire city had been destroyed and a massive ravine tore the Temple of Light away, it’s spires still peering over the trees.

It looks like the temple’s alright. The man said, returning his attention to the destruction around him.

Was that an Akorat? The son asked.

Cries echoed throughout the city as survivors took in the horror around them.

I don’t know, The man said solemnly. I don’t know.

Chapter 2: The Key

It was the beginning of summer and Tyler Haysgard had just woken up. A young boy of 16, he was finally about to get his very first car. With the freedom of mobility at his beckoned call, he would get to spend more time with his friends, and more importantly, his girlfriend, Nicole.

Tyler ran outside and was ecstatic to see a gray car in the driveway. He jumped in his car and sat there examining his new car. Then he realized his parents were gone...again.

Tyler’s parents were good people, but were always busy with something, usually business, so he was used to not getting much attention from his parents. Instead he would always go and hang out with his friends at the movies, the pool, or wherever they felt like going. Though, he spent most of his time with Nicole.

Nicole was one of Tyler’s classmates and a childhood friend. They had known each other since Tyler moved to town in the third grade, but they had only recently started to date. She was slightly shorter than Tyler and had long blonde hair with pronounced green eyes. She was far less outgoing than Tyler, but was an avid reader intrigued by curiosities, be they odd books on ghosts and spirits to ancient civilizations’ social norms.

Doesn’t it ever bother you that you never get to see your parents? Nicole asked as they drove around aimlessly after their lunch date.

Nah, not anymore. Tyler replied.

Come on, it has to bother you. She said giving him a look of disbelief, Your parents weren’t even there to give you your car. They’re always working!

I’ve gotten used to it. Tyler lied, Besides, their jobs pay for everything I have.

"It’s important to work, but your parents work way too much. You need to spend more time with your parents, for your sake." Nicole said.

And why’s that? Tyler challenged.

It screws you up mentally. She said sincerely, You may not know it, but you’ll grow to hate your parents and feel worthless yourself.

I doubt that.

It’s true. Think about it, if you want to feel good about yourself you naturally go to your parents for a compliment or even just a hug, but your parents are never around. You spent more time with your nanny than you did them! That’s not healthy for you. You have to talk to them before you lose the opportunity.

I’ll see if I can talk to them tomorrow. How’s that? Tyler said.

No! Nicole said quickly. You have to talk to them tonight!

But it’s our movie night tonight! Tyler pointed out, secretly hoping he would not have to confront his parents. Plus, tomorrow’s a Saturday, so they won’t be as busy.

The longer you put this off, the harder it’ll be to face it. Nicole said, putting on a warm smile. We can reschedule movie night for tomorrow, and you can tell me all about the conversation you’ll have had tonight!

There’s no convincing you otherwise, is there?

Nicole smiled and shook her head.

Fine, Tyler said, turning around to drop Nicole back at her house. I’ll talk to them tonight. We’ll see what happens.

After he dropped off Nicole at her house, Tyler quickly drove home, determined to catch his parents before they ran off to the office to finish some paper work or set up some appointment. When he got home, he was relieved to see both his parents’ cars in the garage. Parking in front of the house, Tyler braced himself for an argument.

Mom…Dad? Tyler said rather quietly as he stood there in the living room.

Yes, Tyler? His father responded as he walked into the living room in his suit.

His father was a tall man, built like a football player, which was certainly a convenient trait for him during his years playing football all through high school and the first two years of college, but an injury stopped any sports dreams, so he turned to business. His mother on the other hand did not appear nearly as intimidating, but was sharp as a tack and excelled in the business world. The two of them together made a dynamic team that were very successful, though at the cost of being successful parents. Tyler always wondered how his parents met, but they never took the time to tell him.

Do you like your car? His father asked as he picked some papers off the coffee table.

Yeah I like it. I was hoping to talk to you about something. He said.

Not now, your mother and I have a meeting to be at in an hour.

This late?

I don’t choose the times, and we have clients in other time zones.

Can’t you spare a moment?

What do you need, son? His father asked while continuing to collect his things.

I... I want you and Mom to spend some time with me. Tyler stammered.

What did you say? His father asked angrily. Tyler instantly regretted beginning the conversation the way he did.

I – I didn’t mean a-anything by it. It’s j-just that you guys work too much.

Work too much? His father repeated sternly. Do you even realize what we do for you? Do you understand that our work paid for your car, your education, your whole life?

Well, y-yes, but it doesn’t pay for family time. Tyler said, not even sure what he was thinking when attempting this conversation.

Tyler, I don’t have time for this discussion.

That’s the problem! Tyler cried in frustration.

His father stopped, staring off, visibly angered by the distraction his son was posing.

Tyler pushed on.

It’s just... I care about you guys. I know you work hard for me, but I’d like to spend some time with you. You guys dedicate so much time to your normal job it’s like you forget your job as parents–

Okay, enough! His father interjected, shaking his head in thought. …Can we talk tomorrow?

Tyler nodded.

I’m sorry for raising my voice. His father said, patting his son on the shoulder.

Without a word, Tyler pushed himself to hug his dad, to his father’s surprise.

See you tomorrow! He said before running upstairs, passed his mom, to his room.

What was that about? She asked Tyler’s father as he massaged his temples.

I’ll tell you about it in the car, but it looks like we should consider taking some vacation time.

Upstairs Tyler fell onto his bed, his stomach twisting and turning from grief and joy over finally talking to his father. He replayed the conversation in his head over and over, cringing at the impulsive hug, but offering himself a little comfort in knowing that was a typical thing parents and children did. He went back and forth between happy anticipation and dread at the thought of his next encounter with his parents until he eventually drifted to sleep.

That night, Tyler woke up to the sound of an argument going in his parents’ bedroom, or at least what he thought sounded like an argument. He was sad, fearing that the argument may have been about him, and then saw the clock and realized that it was the middle of the night. He opened his door to look at a wall of smoke! Coughing, he quickly rushed to his parents’ bedroom, which was on the same floor as his, and he found that they were crying for help. They were trapped in their room!

He tried and tried to break the door down, but the smoke made him dizzy and weak. Realizing that the best way to help them was to call the fire department, Tyler ran downstairs. Fortunately, he found his cell phone, which he had left on the kitchen counter. Running out the door, he called the fire station and gave them his address. He hung up and sat there waiting, watching as his home was being engulfed in flames and smoke. In a few minutes, several fire trucks and ambulances arrived, but as they got their hoses out to quench the flames, there was a loud crash as part of his house crumbled. Tyler felt his heart stop, but was relieved to see that the part of the house that collapsed was not near his parents’ room. He prayed they could hold on a little while longer.

An opening was created in the flames and a group of firemen rushed into the house to find Tyler’s parents. It was a few minutes later he saw the firemen running out of the house carrying two figures. He was joy-filled to see his parents, but it was short lived when he saw the way the firemen were holding them. His joy turned to dread as he realized his parents were dead.

They were rushed to the ambulance, but it was too late. One of the paramedics told Tyler that they were exposed to the smoke for too long and their lungs just could not handle it.

The firefighters finally got the fire put out, but Tyler’s home was destroyed. He sat down and cried despite all the people around, many of who started crying with him.

Days later, after the funeral, Tyler and Nicole went to visit the site of the fire. Tyler’s house could not even be described as a shell of what it used to be. The fire scorched everything inside and outside the house. Even patches of the yard were burned away from the wild flames.

They were going to make time for me, Nicky, Tyler said, holding back tears. Things were going to change.

I’m so sorry, it must be hard, but at least you know they loved you. Nicole said in a desperate attempt to comfort Tyler.

They always put me second to their jobs, and they didn’t even realize it. I was just too scared to say anything. This isn’t fair! Tyler shouted as he threw the soda can he was holding at the rubble that used to be his house.

What’s that? Nicole asked pointing at the rubble.

What?

That shiny thing in the rubble!

Where? I don’t see anything. Tyler replied

Come here. Nicole said and went to dig through a pile of rubble.

Sure enough, Nicole had spotted a golden key where part of the house collapsed. It was a rather large skeleton key. It had five unique teeth at the end, and they looked as though they were randomly put on. The body of the key wasn’t solid; it actually had a small space running the length of the key. The base end of the key had a large circular ring with six prongs connected to a small globe in the center of the ring. It was a curious object, which neither Tyler nor Nicole knew what to do with.

Finally, Nicole said Maybe you should keep it, since…well you know. And handed Tyler the key, but the moment he placed his hand on the object, a subtle light glimmered and faded.

Did you see that? Tyler asked.

See what?

The key flashed! He said.

Probably just the reflection from the sunlight, Nicole said, but Tyler knew it wasn’t from the sun.

So what’s going to happen now? She asked as he put the key in his pocket.

My aunt and uncle are going to take me in. They live just on the other side of town so we won’t be too far away from each other.

Good! She said with a smile, placing her arm around Tyler, and the two climbed into his car and left.

I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, Nicky. Tyler said as he drove up to her house.

Take care of yourself, Tyler. Nicole replied with a worried tone as she got out of the car.

Tyler’s aunt and uncle didn’t have any children of their own, so they considered him like their son. His uncle was his father’s twin brother, but his uncle is just a little taller and not as strong as his father was. Tyler did not know how to feel about living with his aunt and uncle. He loved them and knew they would give him the attention he always needed, but it was the fact that they were not his parents that bothered Tyler.

A few days had past when the fire destroyed Tyler’s house, and his life. He knew everything was going to be very different. He was almost afraid to be around friends because he knew they would ask about the fire, so he kept to himself most of the time except for occasionally visiting Nicole.

Now what could you possibly open? You’re clearly not a deposit box key. Maybe it’s a treasure chest? Maybe you open a lost world secret? I’m going crazy! I’m talking to a key! Maybe whatever you open is still at the house? Tyler stopped and considered that to be a very likely possibility. Wouldn’t hurt to look, I guess.

He threw on his shoes and headed downstairs.

Hey Aunt Kathryn, I’m going out for a little bit. Tyler shouted before heading out the front door.

Alright, Tyler, take care. His aunt shouted after him.

Getting into his car, he drove over to the site of the fire. Some progress had been made to clear the loose rubble that littered the ground, but the site was still a mess. It was evening and the cleanup crew had left for the night.

Tyler stood at the edge of the debris, and wondered where he should begin looking, or even if he should bother. After all, there was no guarantee whatever the key opened would still be intact.

Sections of the house still stood, charred and glossy. He finally found what he thought would be the safest route to start looking, which ended up taking him to the basement. It was mostly buried with the debris of the upper floors, but at least he wouldn’t have to worry about the floor giving out. He suspected the key went to an old chest, so be began digging around looking for anything of the sort. It wasn’t long before he felt something was very off. He scanned the wreckage and noticed a door opposite him. While much of the house felt no longer recognizable, Tyler had lived in that house long enough to know there had never been a door there.

Cautiously, Tyler approached the door, climbing over the broken and charred rubble. He reached it and threw some boards aside that blocked it. The door had an eerie feel to it, especially when he took out the key and saw that it seemingly matched the lock. Slowly, he inserted the key and heard the tumblers click. He was afraid to turn the brass doorknob, afraid of what may be waiting on the other side. As he pushed the door open, he was shocked at what he saw. He was looking at a dark, slow moving river. His mind felt blank except for two lingering thoughts that began to toy with him: run away or go in. After a minute of debating with himself, he decided to enter the doorway.

As he entered the doorway, stepping onto the short grass, a strange feeling surged through his body that gave Tyler the chills. His eyes were fixed on the large river before him. The water was completely black, with a gray beach. The water barely moved on the surface, everything was calm, and very eerie.

Finally, he broke his gaze and looked at his surroundings. He noticed the full moon overhead, peeking over the tall trees. The trees were completely black in the night, and looked as though they were watching him. He could see nothing in the woods, but had a feeling something was there. Tyler thought he could see something moving across the bank, but a sudden gust of wind shook the trees and moved the water. Tyler shielded his face with his arms in fright.

The gust ended just as suddenly as it began, the trees creaked back into place and the river slowed down to a near stop. Tyler put his arms down and looked across the bank, the creature was gone. He figured the gust must have scared it away. Tyler turned to go back through the door, but the door had disappeared along with the key!

He was definitely scared now, hoping that this was simply a bad dream, he looked around for something that may prove useful, but he gave up quickly. He sat down in the grass, looking at the moon’s reflection in the black river.

He got up and decided to look around to try and figure out where he was. As he got up, he heard a rustle behind him. Tyler quickly spun around and nearly fell backwards when he saw his reflection in a small mirror, only inches from his face.

Good, you’re no demon. A dark scratchy voice said.

The person put the mirror down and Tyler jumped back further in terror when he saw who was holding the mirror.

The thing that stood there was in all truth, a skeleton. Its eyes were pitch black and there were small amounts of flesh along its cheeks, covering its teeth, and the nose had completely decayed away. It wore a black cloak that was battered at the end and covered much of its head. The robes on the