Kingdom of Shadows

By Cody Green

Fallout has happened. Survivalist's being the most threatening of the fallout, Ryuu Kunari and his friends must survive the harsh conditions and fix them.
This Anime-Inspired Book tells the story of a recent victim to a city fallout with Survivalist's taking control of all power, and how he needs to stop them. Filled with humans, Creatures from the Elf's world known as Coltares. and a science fiction inspired group of survivalist's who take control and destroy anyone in their way

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Mar 22, 2016
• ISBN: 9781329989887

Book preview

Kingdom of Shadows

Chapter 1 Kingdom of Shadows

It was dark, and nothing to be seen for miles. Just the floor and a ray of light. A young teen. He had dark hair, blue eyes and wore red canvas shoes, black jeans and a zipped up hoodie of white over a black T-shirt.

He was sitting there on the floor hugging his knees. When he started thinking of the memories of what his ex, Ayame said.

When someone hugged his from behind as faint voices could be heard saying I love you repeatedly

Eventually, we can start our own life together. Wouldn't you like that? Ayame said, Ryuu trying to push her away saying Stop softly in a tired voice

We could be together forever and live in the city. WOULDN'T THAT BE AMAZING!? Ayame said, as her voice sounded like a demon. As blood spilt from her eyes and mouth like thin liquid

Ryuu woke up in a cold sweat yelling as he calmed down realizing where he was, sitting on his bed looking around as dry tears were wiped from his face

Where am I? He questioned himself I don't recognize this room. He thought looking around more. He got up and walked into the bathroom to wash up, after that. He walked into the kitchen to see if there was food in there. He found a can of soup and a small pack of saltines. He heated the soup up and walked over to the table.

The room was silent, a clock ticking as it counted seconds gone by. Ryuu tried remembering what happened. But he couldn't think of what happened. As he remembered more he heard a loud scream in his head and a bloody image of his mother dead, as he got up fast Mom!? He said, as he knocked over his water from the table

He stood there as he couldn't remember and he started having an emotional breakdown knowing whatever he remembered was the fate of what really happened. He knew reality was a sick game of life that no one had asked for. Brought into this world without choosing.

Hours passed before he got over his mothers death. While not completely, he knew he couldn't dwell on it to tear him apart, as he was torn inside already.

He got up and went outside to see he was in a small village. Minimal food, but food stands none the less. It was the beginning of winter as there was a small amount of snow on the ground. The grass frosted over and the daylight bright. Ryuu looked around and saw someone walking towards him waving Ah, Good morning, Mr. Ryuu! the man said.

He had purple med length hair, wore a top hat and leather armor over an average day-to-day outfit

Who are you? Ryuu asked, as the man stood in front of him, shaking his hand

Ah, of course. Where are my manners he said spacing each word I Am Jasper the 2nd. Humbly at your service the man said to Ryuu Walk with me. I'd like to show you around Jasper said. Walking with Ryuu, his arm around Ryuu's neck My name is Jasper the 2nd, as you already know. I am a board member of this town hall here in town. He said pointing his cane around to the town hall like a cursor, continuing to walk

You may have suffered short term memory loss, or even short term amnesia. But don’t worry you'll be back to normal within a few weeks Jasper said waving his cane around

Ryuu pulled away and stopped walking

Woah, wait. What happened to me? Ryuu asked

Well. You were found under some ruins in the city.  You see, fallout happened, war on territory presumably. It's been going on for a month now. While there weren't nukes or anything used. Something much worse was Jasper said, turning away and walking more

A black hole. That's what happened. It's unknown how or why it happened. But everything seems stable so far. Jasper continued We assume you had friends. When we brought you back here - eh, free of charge of course- you were mumbling many, many things about saving friends. Looking for them and even a girlfriend, hmm? Jasper said.

Ex-girlfriend. Ryuu said to Jasper. Either way, you were mumbling some interesting stuff there. Your friends might be in trouble. Especially if the survivalists got to them. Jasper said to Ryuu

Listen. I'd like to see you later on if that's fine. I have something I'd like you to have Jasper added

Yeah, sure. Ryuu said back to jasper

Well. I got stuff I need to do. Help yourself to the town’s data base if you need a memory refresher Jasper said, tossing his ID to Ryuu, You'll need that for access to the data bank. I look forward to our next meeting Jasper informed him, ending the conversation

The town bells rung as the clock hit noon. Ryuu sitting on a bench looking at the ID thinking of what to do. He laid his head back, looking at the clouds

It'd help to know these names first. All I know is my mother. Other than that, who else?

Ryuu thought. He remembered a single flash of a girl; she was one of his closest friends. She had a bandage on her cheek. She wore a green shirt with a black overshirt and skirt. Thin boots and she had baby blue hair and eyes. Thinking of this Ryuu got a bit of butterflies in his stomach. Katsumi... He mumbled I'll start with her! If she has a file on record. I can see if she's in town

Ryuu began walking towards the library to get into the data bank.

Ryuu arrived inside, it was a huge library. Books and electronic data. He showed the ID to a higher-up and got into the data bank. From there he searched for Katsumi finding a file on her

Ramirez, Katsumi

Age: 16

DOB: Sept, 17

Sex: Female

Information

Orphan. Parent’s status: KIA Nov 4th, 2034

Status: >Unknown<

It didn't leave Ryuu much hope, as the file didn't have much information. He noticed that her parents were killed in action on November 4th of that same year. A few weeks before the current date of that day he woke up

He decided to look at his mothers’ record to see if anything was different

Kunari, Riely

Age: 49

DOB >Unknown<

Sex: Female

Information. Art teacher, single mother, Kingdom City resident

Status: Deceased - Nov, 4th, 2034

Ryuu decided to look at his own record to see if something was the same

Kunari, Ryuu

Age: 16

DOB: Sept, 20th

Sex: Male

Information. Kingdom City Resident. Orphan as of Nov, 4th, 2034

Status: Alive

So the 4th is the day of the fallout Ryuu said to himself. He got up a minute later closing the data bank. He put the ID in his pocket and walked out the library

He decided to go home as he didn't know what else to do. He put his hands in his pocket and found a wallet; it had a small amount of money and cards. But among them, he found a school ID. He looked at the address on the back of the ID realizing he could go home

He quickly ran over to someone and asked if they knew Jasper and asked where he could find him. Someone pointing towards the center town. Saying address 127

Ryuu ran over to Jasper's home.

Before he could knock, jasper already opened the door. Drinking tea, he took a drink and finished Let me guess. You want to visit the address on that ID. Jasper asked Ryuu.

Yes! Ryuu said in an enthusiastic attitude Well. I suppose I can take you. But I'd like my ID back as well Ryuu gave the ID back to Jasper as he walked out the door Alright then. Let's go see your home Jasper said. Walking towards the town exit

The house was a few miles away and there were no active tech-trains

Later that afternoon. Jasper and Ryuu arrived in the city. Walking through the destroyed towns looking for Ryuu's apartment. Ryuu couldn't believe his eyes

This is all the destruction of one group... Wanting control and power over a city. See what they have done, nothing to control anymore. Jasper said with a sad expression. He tilted his hat down.

Both continued to walk. Turning the corner, Ryuu saw visions of where memories took place. He saw visions of his younger self with his mother, as they walked he saw visions of himself and katsumi and visions of Ryuu's first kiss with Ayame. He clinched his chest where his heart was and cried silently, walking by.

They stopped walking as a run down building was in front of them. This is it. Jasper said to Ryuu. You’re sure you're ready? Jasper asked right before Ryuu was about to open the door. Silence followed as Ryuu didn't make a move, he then answered

Yes. and opened the door. And saw his living room in the way he left it I remember this room now... It doesn’t look like anything was damaged Ryuu said in confusion.

He walked down the hall to his room, he found all his stuff. On his nightstand he found pictures, one of which was a picture of him and ayame together. He picked it up and looked at it, beginning to cry. He threw in down as hard as he could yelling in pain

Damn it! I hate you! he yelled crying over the broken picture Why did you promise me things!? You didn't keep those promises! You lied and left me! Ryuu yelled in tears. Jasper understood his pain and decided not to say anything.

A while later Ryuu got up and saw the picture of him and his mom on the nightstand. He took the picture and threw it down, and took the picture out of the broken frame. Taking the picture with him. He wiped away his tears and got up. Gathering important stuff with him from his room Lets go he said as he finished. As Jasper stopped leaning against the wall

They walked out the apartment back outside and decided what to do from there. Jasper saw a shadowy figure run by a lot of cars. And started hearing noises

Take this Jasper said to Ryuu, handing him his cane What about you? he asked as Jasper picked up a pipe off the ground Don't worry. Just fight. If we get split up, meet me in the center forest. It's on the map in your bag.

Jasper said to Ryuu, watching for people as a group of survivalists came around them

Ryuu and Jasper surrounded, Back to back against each other. Wait for an opening Jasper told Ryuu you're in private territory. Leave now or be killed one guard said, in a distorted voice

Jasper hit the guard in the face with the pipe he had picked up. Cracking the helmet the guard was wearing Run! Head for the center forest! Jasper told Ryuu in a struggle, blocking a guards attack with the pipe Go! Jasper yelled to him

Ryuu had run off climbing against walls of knocked over buildings and running down an ally, he jumped on a wall and over a fence and fell through some old wood into a basement and got knocked out from the fall

Ryuu had thought to had woken up, he was in a white space with nothing around Where am I? he asked himself quietly.

Well, you're home A shady man said, in a British voice Took quite a fall, didn't ya?

I don't know you... And I still don't know where I am, I don't recognize this place Ryuu answered Well. That's cause you're knocked out. You're dreaming the man said.

While you're waiting to get up, why not talk to me about yourself, Yeah? the man asked

Like what, you already know who I am. You're my- what are you exactly? Ryuu asked Well. I'm that voice in your head the man said poking Ryuu in the head This place is your imagination and dreams. Your hopes and everything in-between, quite empty though the man said

Yeah. I don't dream much. Don't know if I will have dreams or hope knowing what happened. Ryuu told the man Well, that ain't a reason to give up; you have katsumi to look for. Jasper is waiting for you the man told him I might be your mind talking. But I am unique to you. I am what you make me; I am what you make me sound like. Just gotta believe, keep searching, or someone will beat you and that isn't good, is it? the man said to Ryuu Now wake up the man said to Ryuu

I said wake up! Jasper said to Ryuu, shaking him Come on! We don't have much time. We gotta get to the center forest. I know a couple of friends there, they will look after you Jasper said to him, helping him up

We should be able to make it by nightfall if we can avoid contact with the survivalists Jasper said to Ryuu as he climbed the vines he used to get down to the basement

Ryuu, take this. You'll need it. Jasper handed Ryuu a Scythe sword. It was activated by a button on the hilt of the blade. When activated, energy would flow in position to form a blade These are weapons from years ago, how'd you get this? Ryuu asked All will be answered soon. But please. We have to go! Jasper said, as he and Ryuu snuck out of the city it'll take a couple hours to get through the forest Jasper told Ryuu But we might be able to find an active Line-Train

A few miles out of the forest. There was a Line-Train, still active but needed to be rewired to work without money If you're going to rewire it, you better hurry. They're on their way, and they look pissed Ryuu told Jasper, as he was already working on rewiring the dash I know, I know! Jasper said in a worried tone Almost. Just fight if they make it over! Jasper said to Ryuu as he was almost over with the rewire

One of the guards had made it to the train and grabbed Ryuu by the shirt, Ryuu took the cane Jasper had carried around and smacked the guard in the face and legs hard and hit his hand, breaking it