Axel Rhodes and the Golden Scarab: Axel Rhodes Adventures, #1

By S.W. Lothian

Axel Rhodes has a great life, but routine isn't always exciting. He wants to break free and find his place in the world, he wants to make a difference and finally be the hero he knows he can be. Little does he know that his wildest dreams are about to become his reality.

The Museum of Grandovia is home to a million secrets waiting to be unlocked. While filling in time at the museum, Axel has a curious encounter with an ancient force amid a trove of priceless treasures. Someone is calling him. Someone needs him. It's the time a new hero is chosen.

The fragile peace in ancient Egypt is threatened by a long-time feud between two powerful brothers, Seth and Horus. Axel and his best friend, Linc, are joined by a new ally, Rani, as they transcend time to save the day. The trio of heroes-in-training embark on a perilous race through the scorching deserts of ancient Egypt and temples full of hidden chambers primed with deadly traps. All the while, an army of deadly statues (Uberdiles) are determined to stop them at any cost.

It's up to Axel and his friends to find the mysterious Golden Scarab, defeat the threat of evil, and save history. If they fail, the impact on the future will be a disaster.

This is such an exciting and enthralling ride that you'll need a rest at the end. But once you've caught your breath, you'll be busting to continue the incredible AXEL RHODES series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: S.W. Lothian
• Release date: Apr 19, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005437794

S.W. Lothian

S.W. Lothian is the author of the popular AXEL RHODES time-travel action series that includes The Golden Scarab, The Cursed Nile, The Fallen Pharaoh, and The Missing Link (to be released). He has also won a legion of fans for his quirky and off-beat TIME SQUARE series that includes The Shift, UFO, and Triangle (due 2022). He has also released the first book of his dystopian New York thriller SUBWAY series. SUBWAY | PALLIATOPIA has been popular with fans of The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner series. S.W. hails from Western Australia and due to personal experience is an advocate for Childhood Cancer Awareness. More information about S.W. and his books can be found at www.swlothian.com . You can also find him on social media | Facebook - S.W.Lothian : Author | Twitter - @swlothian | Instagram - swlothian | Goodreads - swlothian |

Book preview

By S.W. Lothian

You are about to embark on a journey that will leave you exhausted.

Are you up for it?

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Praise for AXEL RHODES and the GOLDEN SCARAB

Readers' Favorite Book Award Finalist

This tale is a great adventure ... I was enthralled ... - READERS' FAVORITE

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P

raise for the AXEL RHODES series

AXEL RHODES and the GOLDEN SCARAB (Book 1)

This tale is a great adventure ... I was enthralled ... - READERS' FAVORITE

AXEL RHODES and the CURSED NILE (Book 2)

... absolutely wonderful - even better than the first.

- MOTHER DAUGHTER BOOK REVIEWS

AXEL RHODES and the FALLEN PHARAOH (Book 3)

It’s an exceptional adventure series. - GOODREADS

Wow! This third book is absolutely awesome. – AMAZON

This series keeps getting better! - THIS KID REVIEWS BOOKS

AXEL RHODES and the MISSING LINK (Book 4) - Due in 2021

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Dedicated to my Dad, the man with a thousand stories.

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Written for my children, Jake and Madi, a story for them to remember.

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AXEL RHODES AND THE GOLDEN SCARAB

By S.W.Lothian

Smashwords Edition

This book is also available in print at several online retailers.

Copyright 2012 by S.W. Lothian

Revised 2020

Copyright 2021 by S.W. Lothian

Cover Design/Illustration by S.W. Lothian

Copyright 2021 by S.W. Lothian

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

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This ebook is licenced for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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All rights reserved.

No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from S.W. Lothian. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

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AXEL RHODES AND THE GOLDEN SCARAB

By S.W.Lothian

CHAPTERS

1. Chaos

2. Museum

3. Mummy

4. Vision

5. Anubis

6. Decisions

7. Memphis

8. Rani

9. Quest

10. Gadgets 101

11. Motives

12. Mau

13. Calm

14. Quake

15. Bubastis

16. Temple of Bast

17. Feline Tomb

18. Maze

19. Uberdiles

20. Golden Chamber

21. Ambush

22. Traps

23. Dead End

24. Golden Prize

25. Onward

26. Desert Beasts

27. Sandstorm

28. Lost

29. Found

30. Battle

31. Golden Peak

32. Final Task

33. Victory

34. Secrets

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From the Author

Connect with S.W. Lothian

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. 1 .

CHAOS

Heliopolis, Egypt – Current (Ancient) Day

THE BILLOWING DUST and smoke of the explosion scattered on the wind. At the square's center, the towering obelisk tilted and swayed, threatening to fall and crush everything on the ground below. He would need to move fast to escape its fall.

In every direction, there was fighting and destruction. The usually peaceful town square had become a war zone. Axel led the others through the tangle of battling statues. His energy was waning as he climbed and stumbled amongst the debris.

The obelisk’s final moments played out in slow motion, before finally surrendering to gravity and crashing to the ground twenty yards behind him. The collapse shook the earth like a quake, sending a wave of debris and dust over everything in its path. A large block of stone pummeled Axel’s back and knocked him to the ground. He landed heavily on the rubble, winded and dazed but alive. Two seconds slower and it could have been worse.

Linc helped him to his feet, flinching at the sight of blood seeping through the cloth of his friend’s tunic. There was no time to check the wound, they had to keep running toward the temple. Through clouds of dust that stung their eyes, they stumbled up the weathered steps and raced inside. Linc and the Egyptian boy pushed the huge doors closed and locked them shut with a large wooden beam.

The near-silence was instant.

They heaved for breath as their lungs begged for air.

Ax’s back is bleeding, said Linc.

Yeah, yeah. I know. It’s sore but I’m fine. We have to keep going.

The boy raced across the antechamber. This passage leads to the inner chamber. Once inside, there will be one final task.

Muffled banging and yelling leached through the wooden doors behind them. They needed to keep moving before the beasts broke through. Axel ignited the pendant to light the way as they ran into the passage and lunged down its steps into the darkness before them.

Everything was moving so fast. The rough chiseled walls were a blur, the air was stale and damp, and each pull for breath seemed harder than the last. The quest had left Axel’s body tired and his heaving lungs burned. But nothing would stop him finishing what he’d started. The final phase would be fueled by adrenaline and fear.

They finally reached the end of the passage and burst into a cavern. He fell to the floor and fought to catch his breath. Then wonder took hold as he saw the incredible chamber before him.

At two football fields long and with walls as high as a forty-story building, its size was breathtaking. An orange glow flickered from hundreds of flaming torches lining the walls. The chamber’s edge had a narrow border of floor only a few yards wide. Beyond that was a plunge so deep, it contained only darkness. The cavern’s proportions were incredible, but even that was eclipsed by what stood at its center.

Beyond the dark void was another narrow band of floor that surrounded an enormous stepped pyramid. Each waist-high step led Axel’s eyes upward to reach three-quarters of the cavern’s height. Near the pyramid’s peak he saw flickering torches on each corner.

This final challenge would be his biggest test. The time was upon him to end the chaos and restore the balance of peace. How he had found himself under such pressure was still impossible to grasp. His life had changed forever and to fail now would be a total disaster.

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. 2 .

MUSEUM

Rossdale, Grandovia - Current Day

DUST SWAM IN the rays that cut through the gaps in the blinds. Trills from distant birds and the hum of cars swept the valley like a soundtrack of urban life.

An eye opened and squinted, then closed.

It remained that way for the next few minutes, until opening to squint again, struggling against the sting of light.

The new day summoned the sleeping lump. His body slowly woke although his mind fought to stay in his dreams. Each passing second moved him closer to consciousness and the reluctant awareness his slumber was over.

Axel Rhodes was a typical 16-year-old. He never got enough sleep and didn’t care about anything beyond today. If he could do what he wanted today, everything was good. Tomorrow would sort itself when it arrived. Any plans to plot out life beyond today were just pointless dreams of his parents.

He was standard height and build, and had a thick mane of dark hair that reset to a random style each day. Chocolate was his weakness and he stuck to a small group of friends. Quality over quantity was his way. Collecting friends for the sake of numbers wasn’t his thing.

Homelife had always been good, he had no complaints. His sister Grace was cute, for a little sister, and his parents were a breeze. They lived in Rossdale, a standard burb on the outskirts of Grandovia. A city with more than a million people, along with their cars, their pets, their hopes, and their dreams. In Grandovia, each day was the same as the last. It couldn’t be any more normal if it tried.

He lounged in the tangle of sheets, gazing at the stars on the ceiling. They had been there since he was six and still had the power to steal his thoughts. They were a leveler, a reminder of how small he was in the big picture. Nothing more than a speck, in a house, in a city, on a planet in the universe. A speck that was nothing more than a grain of sand on a hundred-mile beach.

He sat upright with a burst and flicked the sheet aside. The mist had cleared from his brain and he was ready to start the day. His feet dabbed at the floor, it was covered with scattered moments from previous days. Mostly, it was clothes, shoes, socks, and towels. The latest were on top and conveniently placed to re-use.

As time passed, the pile grew taller and the oldest clothes were buried deeper. But it didn’t matter; his mom would cave in and take them to wash at some point. This suited him but not so much his mom. It was a battle of wills that he always seemed to win.

Crunch.

He’d stepped on a plate of dried leftovers from last week’s snack. His foot nudged it closer to the wall where it would be out of his way. His mom would find that too. He walked down the hall and stairs, passing the wall of holiday snaps he never took time to notice. Yes, they had been great times, but they weren’t important for today. Nostalgia was always a distant second to the promise of food.

His stomach groaned on cue as he arrived at the kitchen. His little sister, Grace, was already at the table with her favorite doll, Molly. She looked up with her signature smile, happy to see the big brother she adored.

Good morning, said his mom. How was your sleep?

Yeah, good, but still tired, he replied with a yawn and sat in his usual spot.

What would you like for breakfast?

Toast’d be good.

Surprise, surprise. It was always the same. She passed him some toast and juice she’d perfectly timed for his arrival. He pulled off the crust and took a bite before swigging his juice.

Lucy Rhodes was the perfect mom. It was in her DNA to fuss and there was nothing she wouldn’t do for her kids if they asked. Before being a mom, her obsession was anything ancient. It led her to study at the University of London. After graduating, she landed her dream job at the British Museum. And within months, she had joined a research team on location in Egypt.

At around the same time, Axel’s dad, Trent, started at the same museum. Their internships crossed at dig sites in Egypt. And just two years after first meeting, they married in the shadows of the Pyramids of Giza.

Two and a half years later, Axel was born. Lucy left her position at the British Museum and Trent scored a new role at the Grandovia Museum of History. Since then, Lucy had relished her life as a happy and dedicated mom.

Dad’s already gone to work but we’re going in to see him later. You can come if you want, she announced, as he sculled the last of his juice.

Hmmm, maybe. Ask me later. Even with no other plans set, he didn’t want to lock into anything yet in case something better came along. This non-committal approach was his standard. Never look too keen or they’ll think they’ve figured you out.

After deciding a visit to see his dad could fit into his schedule, Axel arrived at the museum with his mom and Grace. To the left, the grand old building’s facade stretched into the distance. To the right was more of the same. Two stone arches dominated the center like openings to the past, and between them a modest brass plaque tagged the building.

GRANDOVIA MUSEUM

Welcome to History

Axel bounded up the steps, two at a time, then charged through the arches into a large internal courtyard. Grace tried to copy but her legs were too short to keep up. She slowed and waved to the dozens of statues lining the edge of the roof instead. As usual, there was no response but she was certain they saw her. Perhaps next time they’ll take the time to wave back.

The old building surrounded the cobbled square like protective arms. Each wing had a sloping roof of dark gray slate battered by decades of weather. Time had painted mottled patterns on its surface in a thousand shades of dull.

They arrived at the heavy doors of the main building. Axel pushed them open and entered a magnificent space that buzzed with muted chatter and echoic footsteps. The room simmered with an energy that made the old building seem alive. Shiny display cases protected ageless treasures. Hundreds of historical moments lived in incredible paintings and heavy tapestries on the walls. And above it all, elaborate cornices bordered priceless frescos that spanned the ceiling.

Grace loved the echoes of her shoes as she bounded past lines of marble statues and battle-scarred armor. As usual, her energy was high in her mode of continuous dances, jumps, and skips. Mrs. Rhodes quietly asked her to stop but it did nothing to quell her mood. A moment later, Mr. Rhodes appeared on the opposite side of the chamber and stole her attention.

Daddy, she yelled and raced across the room toward him.

Hey, Missy Moo, he replied, scooping her up in a hug. How is everybody?

Fine! said Mrs. Rhodes, arriving a moment later and pecking him on the cheek.

How about you, Sport?

Yeah. All good, said Axel.

Great! You’re just in time for a snack.

They left the main chamber and walked along a corridor toward the museum offices. As soon as they reached and entered the fourth door on the right, Axel and Grace swooped to the plate of donuts like seagulls to discarded fries.

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. 3 .

MUMMY

TIME PASSED SLOWLY as Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes chatted about boring. Grace drew flowers on a piece of paper to stay entertained, but for Axel it wasn’t so easy.

I’m bored! he said suddenly. I’m gonna look around.

Sure, his dad nodded, but don’t go too far. Mom won’t want to go searching when it’s time to leave.

He returned an automated reply and left the office, heading back toward the main hall. Unlike his dad, he found history as exciting as going to the dentist. So, finding something to quell boredom in a museum was a big ask.

A sign caught his eye. Crypts of Egypt. Maybe it had mummies - that could be interesting - dead things in crypts.

Curiosity was piqued. Sweet.

He followed the sign toward the crypts, slowing to stare more than he should at a pack of glazed visitors shuffling behind a guide with a flag. Why would anyone with half a brain deliberately visit to look at old stuff that had been dumped or buried by someone long dead? It didn’t make sense.

Once the pack had passed and their shuffling steps faded, it was just him and the echo of his own feet. The corridor seemed impossibly long and there was no one in sight. It felt like the museum had closed and he was the only living thing left. He had to admit, the quiet around him felt creepy.

What the heck am I doing here? He considered returning to his dad’s office, maybe the boredom of parent chatter wasn’t so bad.

He decided to press on, passing the Chamber of Natural Wonders, the Incan Mysteries, and the Dinosaur Digs. There was a moment of action when he glimpsed another pack of zombified visitors. They were crowded around a glass cabinet in a room called Days of Knights. He rolled his eyes and continued to follow the signs.

Finally, an archway loomed, framed on each side by matching black stone statues on chest-high gold boxes. They looked like underfed dogs with tall pointed ears and long slender noses. Their beady black eyes made him cringe, they seemed to be looking straight toward him. He looked down at a plaque and brushed over the words with his fingers.

Anubis, the jackal-headed god, was linked to the afterlife and mummification in ancient Egypt.

He was the protector of the deceased and their tombs, and known to escort the spirits of