Legacy of Avalon

By Nathaniel Vanderkooi Smith

Two half brothers magic awakens as they fight for their lives in parallel worlds. Discovering their destinies and the wonders of magic in fantastic cities. A sinister group tries to lead the parallel worlds into darkness, can the Brother's stop them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jun 27, 2015
• ISBN: 9781329275904

Book preview

Legacy of Avalon

Legacy of Avalon

Book 1 of The Knights of The Nexus

Written by Nathaniel Shea Vanderkooi Smith

Published by Nathan Vanderkooi Smith

Copyright © 2014 Nathan Vanderkooi

Legacy of Avalon ISBN 978-1-312-56539-5

Author’s Note

This is a work of fiction. Any name, character, location of event are the product of my imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

For all those who believe in themselves.

Chapter 1

Bullets whizzed by his ears, Adrenaline rushed through his veins heightening his senses as he weaved through the few remaining shrubs and ditches. A hundred yards in front of Edward, the Communist Alliance soldiers held a hilltop fort. The Communists shot downhill at the oncoming Allied Soldiers. Edward began an ascent up the hill towards the Communist Fort.

Aiming down his scope at the soldier on the machine gun, Edward spoke. Time to die commie. He pulled the trigger and saw blood spray into the air. He started up the hill, his heavy gear weighing him down slightly. Two soldiers popped their heads over the trenches edge.

Edward took both of them out as soon as he saw them. He pushed forward hearing his own comrades behind him. He made it half way up the hill when a wave of Communists jumped over the trenches and started charging. He fired a whole clip, killing a score of them. The Communist wave was soon decimated as the Allied Armies reached the top of the hill. He jumped into a trench and followed it to the main bunker, taking out numerous enemies along the way.

He turned a corner in the trenches, coming upon a door and the main bunker. Edward crept up, listening for voices of the enemy. He heard people yelling in Korean. He looked back where he had come and saw two of his squad mates jogging through the trenches. With a wave of his hand they hurried up. Once they were next to him he kicked open the door, taking aim and firing at the Communist alliance officers. Two soldiers ducked behind some crates, but the rest were dead in seconds.

The two survivors started shooting towards the door. Edward took one out from behind the door. The other was shot in the head by Tommy, the squad mate to his left. They entered into the bunker. Place the charges, then we keep moving forward. He went to the south side finding the laptop that was the objective. Placing the laptop in his pack he turned around Got it. Charges set? He said looking at his squad mates.

Yes, sir They replied before making their way out the other side, no one was waiting there.

Running through the trenches they took out the few surviving Communist soldiers they came across. After a minute of running a huge blast went off, scorching their backs with heat. They kept running until they came upon the Alliance’s temporary base and the General who had ordered the laptop’s retrieval. Edward waved his squad mates off and walked over to the general pulling out the laptop. Sir, objective accomplished, we retrieved the laptop and blew the bunker.

The General saluted, Good job Sergeant. I thank you for your hard work. Take a break. We’ve pushed the Communists off the hill and back to the city. We’ve won the battle for the night. Edward saluted again and walked towards his squad mates who had found a small bunker and were taking off their bags. He pulled off his bag and pulled down his Kevlar jacket. Seven cigarettes was all that was left in his final pack, six were left in his pack after he sparked one.

Got an extra one, Ed? His newest squad mate, Charles asked.

I didn’t think you smoked Charles. Edward remembered Charles saying so, when they had been at training camp. Charles had brown hair brown eyes, and a very innocent personality; not the type of guy to be fighting in a war.

Yeah, well, I figure a bullet will kill me long before a cigarette. He gave a half-hearted chuckle.

Edward gave a grim smile and passed him a cigarette along with the lighter. He had felt that same feeling long ago. Charles was a private who was a year younger then Edward. He had joined at the age of sixteen, a year younger than Ed.

He had realized months ago when he saw his own squad captain shot right in front of him. This war was real, and it was scary. Many soldiers did not know how to respond emotionally, they cried every night in fear or went totally crazy. The good soldiers just shouldered it and kept fighting.

How many did you guys kill? Liserg, a German soldier who was sitting across the bunker, asked loudly to everyone.

Edward grimly chuckled to himself as he thought about it. Charles was the first to answer though, Fifteen. I can remember every one of them too. His voice was depressing and rough, as he smoked his first cigarette. Edward took a big drag of his own and looked at Charles.

He spoke up, breathing out a puff of smoke. I got no clue, somewhere around fifty for today. Turning to Charles with a serious look he spoke quietly. Charles, don’t remember their faces, you will regret it. You were stationed at home for a little while, so you don’t know what it’s like to kill. It can be easy or it can be tough, but you never remember the kill. They will either haunt you in your dreams making you go insane, or you will relish in their memory and turn into a monster. I’ve seen both on the field, alive and dead. His face showed the truth and all the pain he had seen in a year and a half of fighting.

No one spoke to him after that, keeping their conversation to themselves. Edward smoked his cigarette watching the smoke float away into the sky. The stars shined through in the night sky and Edward began to think, something he hadn’t had the time for recently. He thought back to when he was a kid and how all the adults were so much bigger. He remembered how the soldiers who had left when the war began looked like heroes. He remembered how his mother looked the day she left.

Looking around him he saw the other soldiers and thought, ‘Most of these soldiers are nothing more than kids.’

Lying with his head on his jacket he thought of his mother and the good memories he had of her. It was the only thing he had left of her. A somber happiness fell across him as he fell asleep that night amidst his brothers-in-arms. They lie in a bunker in the middle of Turkey, just outside of Ankara, a city that was now just hollow ruins of warfare.

They woke to the shouts of soldiers and blasts of tank fire. Edward sighed and got up, his mind used to this. When he was ready he looked at Charles who was shaking as he put on his pack. Edward walked over and helped him. Calm down man. You’ll be okay. I’ll make sure of that. When Charles was done Edward patted him on the shoulder, Now, let us go see the general for our mission. Just keep your mind clear. Remember your training and survive. They left the small bunker, rifles at the ready, picking up ammunition at some storage boxes outside.

Edward led the small squad of three through a few trenches, passing by other soldiers as they moved towards the general. They reached him as some lieutenants were reporting the situation to him. Edward walked up and saluted then waited till the Lieutenants stopped talking. Squad Alpha Phi reporting for duty.

The general saluted back, The enemy started bombardment at 0600. The slope makes it difficult to make it through. Enemy soldiers have tried moving up themselves but we have pushed them back. I would like your squad to go south and find a way to the enemies’ flank and take out some tanks.

Charles stepped forwards and said nervously, But that’s a suicide Mission, there are only three of… He stopped talking when Edward pulled him back abruptly, motioning him to be silent.

Edward stepped forward and said, Yes Sir, we will do our best sir! Edward gave a salute and dragged Charles away and around a corner in the trench then slapped him across the face.

Calm down right now! We are Soldiers. This is our job, and you must realize we are not the only ones who have been given this mission but the General has already ordered other soldiers to do the same thing. We are just a small team and we are not given any communicators. You should know that this war has gone on so long we no longer have the best technology. If you find a dead soldier with one go ahead and take it, but most other squads receive orders through the squad leader’s headset. Now let’s get going Charles. I promise that you will be okay, I will protect you. Edward turned around and started walking.

He made his way through the trenches, Tommy, and Charles following him. He could feel the fear emanating from Charles, while Tommy was stoic as he always was. Edward was happy he had Tommy with him, they had been in the army for three years. He was a great soldier, but not much for a leader, he never talked. Well, not since the lieutenant and most of the squad died. Tommy took the rear and Edward led the way to the southern edge of the trenches.

Edward looked up over the edge. He saw the hill going down at a forty-five degree angle, with very little cover except for some large metal boxes spread out about every twenty-five feet for cover. Past that at the bottom of the hill the forest started, the forest covered the south and south west sides of the hill. Edward saw some of the allied soldiers moving down the slope and into the forest without harm.

Without a thought, Edward jumped up and started running downhill towards the forest keeping a low profile. He made sure his gun was pointed towards the forest moving quickly downhill. The GPS he looked at on his wrist had been taken off a dead soldier several weeks back and still worked fairly well. The Hologram lit up and showed a three dimensional projection of the forest and out to the Communists encampment.

Edward stopped at a set of bushes sitting patiently, waiting for Tommy and Charles. Trotting up next to him they came to a stop and squatted behind the bush too. Okay, we are four clicks south east from the objective. Let’s move quickly, I’m guessing some soldiers have already started the attack. We should come in from the flank. We are a small team and can infiltrate and take out some of the tanks deeper in enemy territory.

Charles stood up a look of fear crossed his face, Why? Why are we trying so hard and risking our lives? Edward grabbed his shirt and yanked him down slapping him across the face again.

Calm down Charles! Edward said and was going to continue but Tommy spoke up.

We fight, and sacrifice our lives so others don’t have to. We fight so our brothers, nephews, and friends don’t die. That’s why. Tommy’s words reverberated in the silence that came. Edward already knew it, but Charles had never thought of it. Edward saw the despair on Charles’ face.

Edward shook his head and pushed Charles away releasing his shirt. Charles, stay here. You are in no shape for this mission. So stay here and don’t let any enemies pass. Edward didn’t say another word but jumped over the bush and motioned towards Tommy. He turned around and began running south.

Tommy followed him stoically, keeping his eyes out as they ran through the forest. Edward scanned the horizon ahead of them, the sun a little above the trees; a lot of shadows filled the forest as they moved south. They saw the green of other allied soldiers making their way a little farther northwest, towards the side of the enemy flank. Edward was glad; the other Allied soldiers provided a great distraction as they continued farther south until they heard the tanks guns to the northwest of them.

They started making their way north, and found two guards by the trees edge. They snuck up behind the guards and cut both of their throats, dragging them back into the forest. They took the uniforms of the enemies stuffing their own uniforms into their bags as they hid the bodies under some bushes.

Edward led the way into the enemy camp, covering his face with his helmet. Koreans and Iranians, and some Chinese were running everywhere, bringing ammo back and forth to the tanks. Edward went straight for the closest tank, Tommy taking the one next to it. The tank shook above Edward as it fired at his comrades on the hill.

They each placed small bombs underneath and moved to more tanks, placing the small gummy like bombs on them. When they had set fifteen charges each they met up together back at the edge of the camp. You ready? Edward asked Tommy, who just gave a nod in reply.

They made their way a hundred feet into the forest, then Edward pulled out a detonator switch and pressed the button, thirty explosions went off simultaneously. The blast deafening any screams. Tommy and Edward continued south and tried going around the southeast side of the camp.

A group of Communist soldiers jumped out and started shooting, even though they were wearing the same uniform. Edward ducked behind a tree, but Tommy was a little too slow. He had brought up his gun turning away, but a bullet had hit him in the shoulder sending him spinning. Edward landed facing the enemy, firing with one hand and taking out two soldiers. One of the other soldiers shot Tommy right in the head as Edwards’ bullet hit him.

Edward looked at Tommy for a second and saw the bleeding hole in his head. He turned back to the enemy and started shooting. There were five in front of him, and he was shooting small accurate bursts. He took out three more soldiers before he heard a crack behind him, and everything went black after that.

His mind swam, he couldn’t feel anything, could not even focus to think of anything. All he knew was blackness.

Chapter 2

Night had fallen across the city. Denver was beautiful in the cool night air, the lights shining brighter. In the suburbs of Denver, there is a large park, where a long winding river makes a small inaccessible island in the middle of the park. Blocked off by trees, a small glade sat in the middle of the island. A young black haired teenager sat on a fallen tree. Beside him was a boy who was about seven inches shorter than the other. He had short brown hair and wore some black horn rimmed glasses. The Black haired boy was lanky, but muscular, the body of a runner.

The short haired boy was skinny and lacked any muscle, he had the look of your stereo-type nerd. They were watching a young blonde haired girl in the center of the glade. She was dancing with herself, but the trees and leaves danced with her as she moved in the darkness. As she did a spin in midair the leaves around her erupted into a flaming dragon that spun around her and danced with her movements.

Apollo, your sister looks really beautiful today. The nerdy kid spoke shyly, not sure if he should speak.

The black haired teen smiled and chuckled. Maybe she does to you. I know that she always tries to look good. She puts a lot of effort into it. Just as much effort as she puts into her magic. She did a flip up through the air, the dragon spinning around her like a wheel. When she landed, the dragon impacted into the ground and erupted into a million fiery butterflies.

Artemis is getting really good. The nerdy boy spoke quietly to the other boy.

That she is, Ryan. She is an amazing mage. I'm lucky she's my twin sister. Artemis stood in the middle of the clearing, watching her butterflies float into the air. It was her brother Apollo, The black haired teenager, who heard the branch crack somewhere in the forest. He stood up off the branch, his right hand immediately going to his hip where he held an old Colt .45 eight cylinder hand gun. All of the bullets were enchanted with some sort of spell.

Artemis was in a daze, and didn't hear anything, as the last of her butterflies died out she collapsed to the ground, already asleep. She did this a lot, tending to overdo anything she did. Apollo turned to Ryan and whispered, Take Artemis and get her on Lillianna then escape and bring her to our house. Hurry. The urgency in his voice told Ryan not to argue.

Apollo walked in between Artemis and the forest. When Ryan reached Artemis he whistled quietly. A White Pegasus flew down from the sky and landed beside him. Hurriedly he lifted her onto the Pegasus. Another branch cracked and Ryan glanced at the forest before jumping on Lillianna and taking off into the air.

Apollo took a slow breath and pulled his gun out of its holster. He held it with both hands, aiming towards the forest. Whose there? Show yourself now.

A young Korean man stepped out of the forest. He wore a black tuxedo and a black cape with no insignia. That is one fine gun you have there. The enchantments are just incredible. His English was excellent, but his accent was still obvious. He wore no weapons and seemed rather harmless.

It is. Who are you? Apollo glared at him, leveling the gun at his chest.

The Korean man smirked and brushed his slicked back black hair backwards. I am Yuu Tang. I am a Mage from Korea. I'm a relatively high level seeker who was sent out to recruit young Mages. Where is the mage I sensed here before?

That is none of your business, sir. At least not for now. Who are you recruiting for? Merlin Academy?

Yuu Tang laughed loudly and leaned against the closest tree beside him. I don't work for that weak academy. They hide on their island and let the humans destroy the world. No, I work for The Asian Mage alliance, we're a group of mages who have told our side of the world about our existence and have taken over the governments.

Realization dawned on Apollo and he steadied the gun, glaring at the man. So your group is behind the war that's going on, isn't it? There was no sound coming from any animals or anything, a barrier had been raised.

Aye, I suppose you can say that. We did tell them what made them start the war. So I take it you won't tell me where that other mage is? Yuu's smile began to disappear and he seemed to become menacing.

Apollo backed up a little keeping his gun raised and steady. I will never let my sister join your group. You are pure evil.

Yuu laughed louder and stood up fully, We are not evil. Maybe from your perspective we are. But if you don't join us, we must kill you and you don't stand a chance.

Remaining as calm as possible the nervous Apollo backed away. Yuu raised his arms and turned his palms upward. Two mini tornadoes began to appear in his hands. Apollo spun the chamber and pulled back the hammer. I won't go easy. Although Apollo sounded brave, he was almost pissing his pants. He'd fought his sister in sparring so he could fight a mage, but his life had never been at risk then.

Yuu swung his arms