The Fallen

By JJ Anders

The world of Genoa seemed safe again for all the creatures living in this magical land. But safety comes with a price.

Tresstéanna finds herself now whole in mind, body, and heart, but she also finds herself in trouble once again. Her new quest is to return the Globe of Corpuscle to the dark and hazardous cavern of the Kyl

• Language: English
• Publisher: Idealist LLC
• Release date: Jul 23, 2019
• ISBN: 9781945100062

JJ Anders

JJ Anders is the pseudonym used by the powerhouse writing duo of NY Times & USA Today bestselling author, Jill Sanders and her identical twin sister, Jody. Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, these two talented ladies have merged their creative forces to craft an amazing new fantasy series that will leave you begging for more. With over forty bestselling romance books and counting, Jill alone is a force to be reckoned with, boasting thousands of glowing reviews with a cumulative 4.5 star rating. Jody's powerful imagination and newfound love of writing has spawned the thrilling new world and enchanting characters of Genoa. As a furious reader and devoted mother, Jody's passion for storytelling reaches full bloom by teaming up with her talented twin to bring her magical stories to life for the enjoyment of readers everywhere. Follow J.J. Anders online at: www.jjanders.com facebook.com/jjandersauthor/ twitter.com/jjandersauthor

Book preview

The Darkness Beneath

She was lonely.

The deity known as Genoa rested in her majestic home amongst the heavens. She sat where her father had placed her long ago and was still there when the enormity of her loneliness finally overtook her.

True, her resting place was lovely, high amongst the shining stars, surrounded by the vast universes, and filled with the feeling of peace and joy.

The view from her perch was beautiful as well. All of creation was laid at her feet as she spun around in her father’s heavens. Planets, suns, and solar systems whirled by her in their vast colors and shapes.

But still, she was lonely.

She had seen countless of her sisters move away, falling to settle upon the rocks that they would call theirs. Making homes and families of their own to love and watch over.

She watched them as they grew happy while they lived on their rocks, weaving a family for themselves, surrounded by the children they had made.

But still, she was lonely.

So, she fell.

Looking back now, she realized the decision had seemed so simple. The falling and crashing to the planet she would make her own had been easy.

After she found herself nestled inside her new home, she had started on her family. From the first creature to her last, her heart filled with love for them the moment she made them.

She used her tears to create the creatures of the water, born of liquid and destined to live a life swimming in the vast waters of the planet, content in their lives under the seas of her new home.

She then used her breath to create those who would walk and fly in the air. Here she experienced joy in creating a diverse family—birds to fill the sky, majestic creatures to live in the forests and plains that could be found on this planet. She was only limited by her own imagination. Each moment she had new inspiration and took joy in each of her creations.

She had fashioned and filled her home with her children, children that were each unique and special to her. Whether they crawled, flew, or walked, all were loved by her.

She took great joy in finding that some of her sisters’ creations were able to move through the blackness of space and find her. She was pleased and amused that some were similar to her own children. She discovered the fairies and elves to be interesting and was tickled when they settled on her planet quite nicely.

When the dragons arrived, she had been especially pleased. She observed them to be majestic animals and took great joy in their grace and nobility.

Long had she created and lived with her children before the first signs of trouble appeared. First, it was a shadow, something she felt from a great distance which seemed to stay just out of her range of vision. At first, it alarmed her. She was confused by the pain and sought to understand what had happened.

She felt a flood of her sisters’ creatures pour into her home. This at first brought joy, then panic as they moved to overwhelm her. It appeared some of these new creatures were hunting and harming her family. She had to adjust and block the hunters to keep her own peoples safe.

But the harmful beings still came in droves.

Action was needed.

So, she created a sorcerer and tasked him with blocking the entrances. He went out into her world and was gone many seasons, eventually he returned successful. The newly formed Orick allowed the doorway to remain open but blocked those who weren’t trained in her magic.

She had been so pleased with his success that she asked him to travel and train those who held magic. The time came and went and, eventually, he discovered love. She was pleased when he settled down and had a family of his own. Long did he live and teach those who were later called wizard.

Those not of her were angered by the barrier, so they sought to battle her for power. Some tried to control her while others sought her destruction.

Many battles were fought, ending in the death and destruction of those who came from other planets and even of her own children.

Hard lessons were learned. Using her powers, she forced up the ground and separated her home. She used great magic to build ice walls that no creature could climb or fly over, walls that would never be broken, to ensure the safety of her own children.

Then she tore herself apart and created three Protectors, special children who would keep her safe from those whom she had banished.

Many seasons passed as the land recovered, and she found joy once again in her children’s happiness. Time passed and her children forgot the hardships they had endured. Life on her planet bloomed and flourished and time moved on.

But then she was under attack again.

At first, she had hoped it was her descendants seeking her out. Delight and pleasure filled her so much that she had allowed her attacker to get to her doorstep before she realized his evil intent.

By then, she discovered her defense to be too little and too late. Even her closest children, her Protectors, fell at this man’s hands.

She was left with mere moments to read the signs that might lead to her rescue. Without hesitation, she placed her mystics where they would provide warnings and guidance to the one who would need it.

But too quickly she was whisked away, ripped from her home as all the pleasure left her.

She was then used against her will as a tool of darkness, used and purged of all goodness. Evil spewed from her cradle, monsters emitted from her Kylix, causing harm to those she loved while she was helpless.

Then the one who was exiled returned.

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Tresstéanna was surrounded by loved ones.

To her left stood Wizards Shiarra and Leian, holding hands no less. Leian needed a haircut, as his blond hair stood up in spots, but his thin face held a wide smile. Shiarra had her dark hair braided down her back and still wore the sassy shirt of Anna’s, but once again had her long skirts on.

Tresstéanna took comfort in their presence and tried not to sigh when she caught them glancing at each other. She could all but imagine little hearts floating above their heads or in their eyes. The romantic side of her took joy in their happiness and caused her own heart to soar. Yet the warrior in her worried that their attention might be divided.

Wizards Cenzic and Col stood on the other side of the table. Cenzic’s presence gave her reassurance, yet she continued to see his blue eyes constantly studying her. He had been keeping close to her, probably to ensure she was safe, but it also may have to do with her recent melding.

She realized that when he looked at her, he would see the girl he had raised called Tress. It had been his responsibility to protect a portion of the princess and that was something he’d always taken seriously. She still took comfort in his closeness during this trying time, something she knew she would have to do without on this coming quest.

Col, she discovered, was a bit more relaxed in his attendance. She would catch him glancing her way every few moments, but then he would nod his head and go back to studying the map. This made her think he was comfortable with what he found when he looked at her.

Belent, the sorcerer, was next to Col. The thin man still looked like you could knock him over with one hard breath, but his eyes were steady when he glanced her way. She wondered how he felt about his newly discovered powers and knew she would have great need of his skills.

Sash was there too. The large warrior had his bald head bent close to the sorcerer as they poured over a map. Sash’s large weapons were still strapped across his back, but there was a smile on his lips, something she couldn’t remember seeing for as long as she’d known him. Tress had met him when she’d been only ten seasons; that was quite a long time ago.

Hurra and Dryna were there as well. Hurra had sat and listened to the talks while holding her husband’s hand. A small smile settled on her lips as she listened while Dryna tapped his foot. He appeared ready and eager for the next adventure.

This left Kriston, who stood to her right, only a foot away. He kept brushing one of his large hands along her sleeve, and once she thought she felt him touch her hair.

She too found herself unable to refrain from reaching out and reassuring herself that he was there and whole. His green eyes still held some pain from his recent injury, but behind that, pure joy flooded their depths.

His dark hair was tied back, and he scratched at his chin hair when he was deep in thought. He wasn’t wearing his sword at the moment, as it was currently being sharpened by the smithy. He did, however, have two long knives strapped about his waist and one sticking out of his left boot.

She didn’t take offense at him being so heavily armed. In fact, at the moment, she carried more weapons then he did. Her magical bow lay across her back, next to her quiver full of arrows. Her long sword was at her right hip, and Belent’s gifted knife sat on her left. She also had one in her right boot and another in her left.

She had tied her long hair back, using Té’s braiding skills to sweep back the left side of her hair in many braids, while the right was combed back and up in a very fancy ponytail. She felt comfort that she had used Anna’s pink hair extension as a hair tie, as it appeared color still ruled her heart.

The melding with her counterparts hadn’t been as terrifying as any of them had imagined. Té had been worried that part of the warrior, her training and freedom, would be lost. Anna had feared her personality and knowledge would be gone. And Tress had worried that her obligation as queen of Valorna would no longer be as vital after the merging. They had all worried that they would lose a part of themselves, that a part of them would be overthrown by another personality, another’s memories.

They hadn’t been prepared for what they found in the merging. Each part of her had discovered themselves pleased, for they discovered that they had met as equals, each individually as vital as the next. Even the sliver of magic that hadn’t been contained in a body, but had been a flash of pure magic, held as great a share as the next.

All three women had been so worried about what they would lose in the transformation that none of them had realized what they could gain—each other.

Now, standing in the tent surrounded by her friends, she wasn’t just Tress, queen of Valorna, or Té, dragon warrior of six moons, or even the exiled Anna from Earth, who had so little knowledge of the magical planet she was from. She was all three and much more. She didn’t think of herself as one person, but instead as four, each holding knowledge of their lifetimes, each with strengths and weaknesses. She was Tresstéanna, queen, warrior, and scholar of Valorna.

She no longer wore Tress’s long royal gowns or even Té’s leather riding gear, but instead felt more relaxed in a combination of all three women’s clothing. She had Té’s boots and leather pants under one of Tress’s skirts. A large slit in the skirt allowed her to move more easily. Anna’s t-shirt was settled under a long-sleeved shirt of Tress’s, giving her what she thought of as a very chic look. At least I like it, she said to herself as she leaned over the map.

This morning, they had taken out the parchment and studied and debated it for hours. It wasn’t a map of Genoa, her home planet. Instead it was a map Tresstéanna had created herself. She had used a charcoal pencil to draw the lines and hazards that she had been shown three nights earlier.

Genoa had shown a detailed vision of the Kylix to Tresstéanna when she had touched the Globe of Corpuscle for the first time. The vision the goddess had provided was of the path needed to return her orb to its resting place in the cradle, but the vision she’d been shown was one from many seasons’ past.

So old, in fact, that it hadn’t shown her anything of the Draculae Té had battled only a few nights previously. The evil black-winged creatures had settled inside the mouth of the Kylix, choking the entrance and killing all who had wandered near. In fact, the creatures had killed one dragon and two riders before the dragon tribe had neared the cave’s entrance.

This ignorance of the monsters in the vision worried her now. If the black monsters were missing from Genoa’s knowledge, what else would they find inside the dark cave?

The vision had shown long, vast caverns, some narrow and others larger than Valorna’s castle. Some were so large that the sound of water dripping from the ceiling hundreds of feet above echoed through the cavern.

The vision had always shown the river at the center of the cavern, flowing along the cave’s center as it had done when Genoa had been nestled in her cradle at the end of the Kylix. But the river was now filled with poison. In some spots, the ooze barely flowed.

Genoa had warned her of unknown dangers. The goddess had mentioned that the old wizard Fulder had forced her to create evil beings during her imprisonment. Genoa had emphasized that the globe and the cradle were connected. Perhaps they were not connected physically anymore but connected, nonetheless. These negative actions had no doubt caused foulness to flow from her resting place.

Tresstéanna once again studied the map and tweaked the drawing a bit as the conversation flowed around her.

Not all of you will be joining me on this quest. Tresstéanna’s words caused the talking in the tent to cease.

As all fell quiet, they looked towards her. She noticed some had confusion in their eyes while others showed concern. She could only imagine what they were thinking, but she had already considered all the options. Speed and stealth were vital to their success.

This expedition will hold many unknown factors. She turned to study Wizard Cenzic. I’m sorry, but I need you to return to Valorna. Our people need leadership while I’m on this quest. I know you will help guide them and keep them safe while I’m away from the throne.

Understanding filled his eyes. With a bow of his head, he looked over at Leian then Col.

Yes, both Leian and Col will be joining me, also Shiarra. Tresstéanna turned to Belent. I think we will also require a sorcerer, and a warrior. This last statement was directed at Sash. I aim to keep our numbers low. We will need to move fast and the tunnels in the Kylix are small.

Who else will you take? King Malicky asked. The southern king’s elfin features were drawn in concentration.

I think you and your army are needed back in Malic. However, I think we may require the aid of a seer. If Svlain is willing to come, we would appreciate her presence on this voyage. Tresstéanna looked towards the slender land nymph. When she stepped forward and nodded, Tresstéanna turned towards Kriston’s men.

If they’re willing, I think Jake, Captain Ray, and Timmons will be needed. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Kriston smile.

What of our services? Mero the Push Tu said as the Scarent stepped forward. She glanced over to see the other Scarent, Colab the Meshi only a step behind.

Mother, Tresstéanna said and turned to study the Scarent leader. Her scaly head shone in the tent’s light. The small snake wrapped about her head gazed back at her with dark eyes.

She had recently found that Mero was, in fact, her missing mother, Lady Marybeth, who’d she long thought was dead. She desperately wanted her mother on this trip, not for guidance, but just to keep her close to make up for lost time.

However, Tresstéanna knew that the leader of the Scarent tribe, Push Tu, which was the snake wrapped about her mother’s head, was needed by their people. The Scarent tribes lived along the shores of the Tentril lake and they helped keep the sacred waters clean, which was something Genoa desperately needed now.

I know you want to join us, but your people need you, they need Push Tu. I would, however, request that Colab the Meshi join our group. Colab the Meshi had been instrumental in Anna’s safety numerous times. He had also saved Kriston’s life and been a valuable guide to them all.

It had been a shock to them to discover that Colab was Kriston’s nephew. But this fact just made him more valuable, as Kriston and Colab had grown quite fond of each other.

Daughter, Mero said, placing a hand on her arm. Please, you have just been returned to me. I do not wish to lose you again.

You won’t. This journey may be dangerous, but I think with my fellow dragon warriors to make up the remaining eight, we should be a formidable crew.

What are our total numbers? Kriston voiced from beside her.

I think twenty should do it. She turned as Captain Adams, the leader of the Valorna army, cleared his throat. No, Captain, you are needed in Valorna as well.

My lady, your safety is of utmost importance. If my men and I are not on this journey, how can I complete my job? The Captain turned his strong gaze towards Wizard Cenzic, no doubt to gain some assistance in his plight.

Captain, Té is a high-ranking warrior of the Draydon tribes. Anna also possesses fighting skills, Kriston supplied, looking at her for confirmation.

It’s called Kung Fu, she supplied with a smile.

She also has her full magic, so I would not worry about her, but the rest of us might have some concerns, Kriston finished with a smile.

Please, the trip is going to be physically demanding. Our supplies will need to be carried by all. This includes water, Tresstéanna continued. I fear it may take several days to get into the cradle, then return. The water that flows from the mouth of the Kylix still holds poison, so we can’t rely on the river.

We will not be taking our dragons? Col asked as he bent to study the map again.

No. Beyond the mouth of the cave, I was shown far too many narrow spaces. And the cold of the cave would prevent our dragons from flying, Tresstéanna answered.

But if the Draculae came from the cradle, then we can assume the passage is wide, Jake added, his shaggy head bent as he too studied the map.

This, or there are other passages I was not shown. She turned back to the map.

Tell us what you saw, Svlain said quietly as she too looked at the map.

Tresstéanna turned to the nymph and, with a nod of her head, closed her eyes. It took deep concentration. With all her powers so newly returned to her, she had to focus.

Concentrating and holding her hands out just like Wizard Cenzic had shown her, she called forth her magic. Not the magic she was used to—the magic that required touch and helped her with the heart, body, and mind of others—but her true magic. Her heritage magic that had been passed to her by her father, a royal of Genoa.

What magic I have, I now share, she said with conviction. She felt her fingertips heat up. Opening her eyes, she was pleased when an orange ball settled in between her fingers. Spreading her hands, she made the ball grow until it was about the size of a large watermelon. Then she focused on the vision she’d been shown.

All in the tent leaned in as the vision grew brighter.

First, they noticed a jeweled cavern. Bright round stones littered the ceiling, walls, and floor of the small hollow. Water dripped down and pooled on the floor and then flowed outwards through a wide opening.

All gathered watched as they moved out of the pretty cave and beyond. Darkness settled in the vision, and then a faint yellow light streaked from the walls, lighting the way forward.

Tresstéanna was correct; the narrow passageway was no bigger than three feet wide. The way forward did expand as it bore straight ahead, twisting or turning as any normal cave might. The ceiling rose into the darkness and the floor dipped slightly. Stalactites and stalagmites littered the ceiling and floor, but the walls shone with an unknown light.

The vision sped up as the cave flew by their eyes until they reached a vast cavern. Here, the water pooled in a deep hole and the ceiling could no longer be seen. The image continued to move along the lakeshore, moving up and around massive fallen rocks, rocks that must have come crashing down from the ceiling several hundreds of feet above.

After the massive cavern came to a small rise. It's top almost reached a huge crease formed on the cavern’s ceiling. Past this slender passage was another large cavern. This one’s ceiling was visible, but still, the size was intimidating.

A jumble of roots followed the large cavern. They hung down from above, and water dripped down their twisted limbs as they tried to reach the floor.

Then the passageway narrowed. Large rocks littered the corridor and the river moved away from the cave. The water continued a steady course down while the trail moved up and away.

Once away from the water, the path twisted and turned numerous times. It climbed higher and higher until it reached a steep, tall cliff. The vision flowed down the cliff’s face, and then the path narrowed considerably.

The image moved downwards until it once again joined the river. When, finally, the cave’s mouth could be seen, Tresstéanna ended the vision and lowered her hands.

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Later that night, Kriston watched as supplies were gathered and packed for the trip. Each person would carry a variety of dried meats, fruits, and cheeses, as well as a powder that could be used for soups when mixed with water.

Water was placed in separate ale skins and then tied to the outside of individual packs or tied on belts that could be secured around waists. Extra supplies and clothing were tucked into large bags that would be strapped to their backs along with each individuals’ bedroll.

Jake had a brilliant idea to tie two large poles two feet apart and then place a sling between them. Then several more packs could be strapped to the canvas, which acted like a pack mule and tripled the number of supplies they could carry. And if needed, the whole contraption could be broken down and carried when the cave got too small.

After making six of these packs, Jake was finally confident they had enough water and food for the trip. He also ensured they had plenty of ropes and climbing tools. Despite his vast experience, it appeared Jake’s knowledge didn’t include cave travel. This was something the Draydon tribe felt comfortable with, so a warrior by the name of Farin took the lead when it came to packing supplies needed for cave passage.

Kriston took care when loading his own bag that night. What he had seen in Tresstéanna’s vision had alarmed him.

He knew physically he was healed. He was almost fully recovered from the injuries he had sustained by his brother several days ago. But even his prior arm injury still gave him some trouble when he twisted it the wrong way. The long scar along his forearm was still bright pink. The sword that had been embedded in his arm had nicked the bone and almost ended his life.

He was thankful he still had full mobility and that none of his muscles seemed to have been damaged by the wound. He worried that the cave’s coldness could cause him some trouble, so he made sure to pack extra layers of clothing.

Tresstéanna had provided the names of the dragon warriors that would travel with them. He knew Seth, the young warrior who had helped them in their trek from the dragon tribe’s islands to Valorna several days ago. The warrior had become Kriston’s friend as they had talked on their long ride south. Kriston had ridden behind Seth on his dragon Zee Dai for that journey.

The warrior Brett was also known to Kriston. He had joined in the battle against General Zobo deep in the Deepen Forest.

The others were only names on a list, and he had yet to match their names with faces and inspect their skills. This was something he would change before he finally settled in for the night.

But first, he had to make sure he was leaving his kingdom in order. Turning, he called out for Timmons.

I need to speak with Hurra and Calob, Kriston said as Timmons came into the tent. Better bring Captain Crain and Dryna as well. Oh, and if you see Jewel, ask her to join our meeting.

Before Kriston had finished tying his bedroll onto the top of his bag, he discovered his tent full of family and friends. It seemed that Colab the Meshi had been with Calob when he had been summoned so he joined his brother. Despite being twins, the two looked nothing like now. Calob had the family build of a Haddock. He bore a remarkable resemblance to Kriston’s half-brother, Gillard, with dark hair, piercing green eyes, and a slender build. Colab however, was all Scarent. His skin had been replaced by scales when he had been bitten and transformed by the Scarent snake several seasons ago. The alteration had made him taller, stronger, and had also joined him with an ancient creature whom he now shared a symbiotic relationship with.

It still stunned Kriston to find himself an uncle, let alone an uncle of teenagers. He knew they were somewhere around sixteen seasons, at least he could guess that now that Calob had turned back into his human form. The lad looked this age. Colab on the other hand was a rather large Scarent. His scaly skin didn’t show any age, but his height and muscles gave him the appearance of a man around Kriston’s own age of twenty-three.

I do not mind, Kriston said when the Scarent asked if he too could be present. I know you and your twin have much to catch up on, he said with a smile.

Calob had walked into the tent with his head lowered. His long dark hair hung around his face and his green eyes were cast down. Kriston worried that his seasons held captive by a magical spell the boy’s father, Gillard, had placed on him, had harmed him physically.

Kriston still struggled with the fact that Calob had been attacked and transformed into a huge metal creature several seasons ago, held spellbound, and forced to do Gillard’s evil bidding.

Kriston knew he couldn’t blame the lad for any of his actions when he had been under the spell. As the Speculum, Calob had completed many evil deeds, which included killing Kriston’s close friend Brigdon Penn. Brigdon had helped raise Kriston and had always protected him from his older brother.

Kriston still mourned his friend, but to blame the tool used to kill Brigdon would not honor his dead friend. After all, the man who had entrapped Calob in the evil spell was now dead.

After everyone settled in his tent, he moved over to Calob and knelt in front of the lad.

Colab tells me you have recovered from your transformation, Kriston said as green eyes met his. Is this true?

The boy nodded then returned his eyes downward. Kriston placed his hand under Caleb’s chin and lifted his face so he could study him.

"As a Haddock, and a prince to Matera, you will need to