Oura

By Tom Byckowski

Seventeen year old Noah Brookton simply wants a normal life. Although, it seems as he is destined to a life of unrequitedness. While living in a foster home with his brother, Benjamin, Noah derives strength by touching the pendant around his neck. After a violent household encounter, Noah suddenly finds himself in a strange house with no memory of the past week. What Noah does not know is that he is now in the magical land of Oura, a place where the mind flourishes and his destiny may have already been decided.

Decisions and darkness lie around every corner after Noah is told by his housemates, Novella and Illacia, that they have been awaiting his presence. Chosen as a Mindwalker; Noah must defeat King Hythis as they navigate towards Lyria a secret place hidden from the king in hope of a rebellion.

In this exciting science fiction fantasy, a teenager must learn to trust his inner strength and given powers while attempting to save a magical land from a dark future. There comes a time in every persons life where the person they once were, collides with the person they are going to become.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Aug 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781491740248

Tom Byckowski

Tom Byckowski is currently pursuing a degree in English with a minor in creative writing at the University of Western Ontario. While in school, he was a part of two Canadian National Championships in baseball (2007, 2009), receiving MVP in 2009. Tom resides in Port Credit, Ontario, Canada. This is his debut novel.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

WAKE UP

A fog filled Noah’s mind. He propped himself up on his left elbow; it dug into the dirt.

Noah jolted his body off the cold, hard ground. He rubbed his eyes. His vision was blurry. All he could see was darkness as one single strand of light brown hair hung over his right eye. Thoughts streamed through his mind, but only one was clear: Where am I? As the blurriness subsided, Noah staggered to his feet. But he immediately lost his balance, falling back to the brown, rock-filled dirt.

He peered down at his legs and saw pajamas. Pajamas? Seriously? His Luke Skywalker pajamas were embarrassing, though comforting. Noah once again rose to his feet, successfully gaining his balance this time.

He scanned his surroundings intensely, trying to figure out where he was. Looking up, Noah saw intricate patterns of stars. They hummed with a vibrant golden-blue color. Wherever he was, he wasn’t on Earth. He stood in a large open field, and a soft breeze drifted through his hair. There was complete silence. He clutched the pendant around his neck and held it close to his chest. With a couple of quick steps, Noah moved toward a hill a few hundred meters ahead of him. His legs felt heavy, like his pant legs had been drenched in water. He could hear himself panting as he climbed the hill; his breathing echoed in his eardrums.

The top of the hill was only a couple of steps away now. Noah dropped to his knees, almost sliding forward. Little pebbles shifted at his side. His eyes widened as he looked down—complete nothingness. Darkness. Noah fell backward, his hands supporting his body. Sweat streamed down his forehead.

Slowly, he gained the courage to lean forward toward the ledge. His stare never left the blackness that enveloped the space in front of him as he searched for a rock beside him. Finding one, he held it out past the ledge and dropped it. The rock plummeted into the blackness. Noah fell back once again. He blinked, stunned. He didn’t want to cry. He didn’t want to scream. There seemed to be no words to describe what he saw or was surrounded by. In a way, there was a familiarity to it; then the word for it struck him—emptiness.

Noah raised his hand and smacked his own right cheek. His eyes flickered. I have to be sleeping. This is a dream.

Noah stood, puzzled. He moved his jaw slightly, gripping his chin. Turning around, he looked out across the darkness of the landscape. He had never been in such a dream before. Suddenly, the ground shook, and Noah was sent flying backward, over the ledge. As he plummeted downward, he swiftly grabbed the dirt-covered ledge with his right hand.

Ahh! He winced in pain as his fingers slowly began losing their grip. His shoulder burned, as if someone had lit a match under his skin. He swung his left hand toward the ledge. It missed. He screamed again as rocks dislodged and fell on him. The dust settled as his body dangled into the abyss. He swung his hand again. It caught the ledge.

He tried to pull himself up but failed. Noah grunted in pain. He was determined to live; he had to try again. Gritting his teeth, he slowly pulled the weight of his body up. He closed his eyes as sweat streamed down his face. Finally, his right knee caught the tip of the ledge, and he could pull himself up. He lay on his back a foot away from the ledge, his chest rapidly moving up and down. Boom. Once again, the ground shook, and Noah opened his eyes. Alarmed, he supported himself by his elbow again and rose to his feet. Boom. Although the sounds were overpowering, Noah’s curiosity pushed him toward them. A series of cracks followed as lightning brightened the sky. Noah ran as fast as he could down the hill. Panting, he leaned over the hump of a second, smaller hill.

Two figures stood in the middle of a platform. Noah noticed that the people around them had their eyes locked on the two figures. No one moved. There was an eerie quietness for a moment. Then the figures suddenly clashed, moving at unnatural speeds. It looked as though they were teleporting. The figures flashed in and out of Noah’s vision, delivering what looked like a flurry of attacks. Boom. Crack. The sky filled with more lightning. Everything settled for several moments. No one moved; no one talked.

Noah looked at the figures, trying to make out their features. He was still almost fifty yards away; he didn’t dare move any closer. With one more crack, one of the figures fell to his knees. The light that had been around the kneeling figure began to fade. It flickered in and out, like a lightbulb softly being unscrewed. The other figure said something as he thrust his sword to the sky. It was streaked with blood. There was so much blood Noah wasn’t sure where it was coming from. The darker figure ripped something from the person kneeling, a piece of clothing maybe. He threw it to the dirt. The taller figure raised his mighty blade. For a split moment, the defeated kneeling figure cocked his head toward Noah. It surprised him.

Just as the blade was brought down on the kneeling figure’s head, a distant voice shouted, Noah!

CHAPTER 2

TREE HOUSE

"N oah! Noah! Benjamin yelled. Get your ass out of bed! We have to get to school!"

Just a dream, Noah said, wiping the layer of sweat from his brow. He had kicked his covers off, and when he looked down, he immediately saw his black-and-white-striped Luke Skywalker pajamas and grinned. He knew he shouldn’t be wearing the pajamas at the age of seventeen, but they were one of the only things that gave him comfort. Since Noah was young, he’d had vivid dreams that were almost impossible to explain. He was used to it for the most part.

Noah rolled out of bed with messy hair. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and slowly lowered his bare feet to the cold, uninviting hardwood floor. He fumbled about in the bathroom and then met Benjamin downstairs, grabbing an apple from the kitchen before his younger brother could push him out the door. Although Noah found school boring, he was glad that Benjamin was excited about something in his life.

Benjamin, with his soft hazel eyes, was never far from Noah’s side. He was bound to be a tall man when he got older; Noah was sure of it. Benjamin always seemed to grow two inches for every inch that Noah grew.

Benjamin was the only reminder that Noah had ever had a family. He didn’t remember much about his parents. Noah ran his index finger down the small linked chains around his neck, to where his pendant hung. He ran his hand along the rugged gold casing of it. Sometimes he thought he could see faded blue colors within it, but he assumed it was the reflection of his eyes. It was comforting, and it always had been. Although it had never been said that his parents had given it to him, Noah assumed they had, seeing as how his foster mother, Mrs. Faye, wouldn’t have ever given him something like that. Noah had never understood how Benjamin could throw his away, but Benjamin wasn’t a sentimental kind of guy.

How are your grades looking? Benjamin asked as they made their way down the front steps of Mrs. Faye’s ancient house.

Ha, doesn’t matter. I mean, you think someone is going to fund our tuition money for college? Noah replied.

You’ve been working for a couple of years, and I’ve been working for just over a year. You know we don’t buy much. I could spot you. I think we could manage it, Benjamin said, clearly excited about the thought of his older brother having the opportunity to go to college. He stopped and turned to Noah. Look, man. Our childhood ended a long time ago. Why fake it now? Maybe we just gotta work really hard so that our twenties will be the childhood we never had.

We’ll take it day by day, buddy. And thanks. I don’t say this enough, but you know I always have your back. Besides, you’re the only blood I have left in my life. Family is family, right? Noah said as Benjamin kicked a stone from the sidewalk. A smile crossed Benjamin’s face. In a sense, there was no older or younger brother—they both looked up to each other; they both respected each other. Noah knew Benjamin would always be his number one priority. He would do his best to give Benjamin good opportunities in life.

There was always one place they couldn’t avoid when walking to school down the narrow streets of their small town: the forest. Although it wasn’t very large, it held a lot of memories for Noah and Benjamin. The feeling of nature under Noah’s feet coincided with the fresh smell of oak trees. Benjamin ran ahead of Noah. It was obvious where he was going. Noah eventually caught up to him and peered upward.

Halfway up one of the trees, there was a tree house, their tree house. We have time. Let’s go up, for old time’s sake, Benjamin said with a smile on his face as he looked at Noah.

Wait, you pushed me out of bed because we were going to be late for school, Noah replied. He checked his watch. They still had forty-five minutes until school started. He whispered a couple of curse words. A few minutes, all right? he finally said, reluctantly.

Noah swung his backpack off his shoulders and rested it next to the tree. He walked fifteen or twenty feet and stuck his hand into a pile of leaves and pulled out a ladder from under the brush of the forest floor—their ladder. Benjamin was the first one up the tree. Once they were both inside, Noah looked around at the old magazines and toys they used to play with when they were younger.

Remember this? Benjamin said as he tossed Noah a small figurine. It was Raphael, from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. His once-red mask was now turning brown and discolored. Noah smiled, thinking of their younger days.

Their tree house was the only place they had to themselves. They had built it with their own hands, although it looked as if it was about to fall apart. It was the place they came to get away from the madness at home.

Mrs. Faye was drunk almost all the time. Noah remembered too many violent nights, which normally ended in bruises and scars. He ran his thumb across his chin. A scar, about an inch long, ran jaggedly across his skin. It wasn’t visible unless he tilted his head up. This was one of the few injuries from Mrs. Faye’s violent outbursts.

You think she meant to push you into the corner of that table? asked Benjamin. Noah assumed his brother had seen him playing with the scar. Noah didn’t respond, holding back the urge to get angry.

A couple moments later, Noah put his hand on Benjamin’s shoulder. You know our past has been a struggle, but if it’s in my power, I want you to know that the future will be better for us. We’re going to be okay, Noah said. Through the scars, bruises, and tears, I’ve learned that life is inevitable, man. There is nothing we can do to stop what has occurred or what is occurring around us. Take it at face value. Learn from what has happened and accept the fact that there is nothing you can do to change the past. There never will be. Just keep moving forward. Noah shifted and made his way through the hole in the floor of the tree house.

He waited at the bottom of the tree with his backpack between his legs until Benjamin eventually came down. Let’s get to school. This isn’t a place of sadness; it’s our safe haven, Benjamin said as the brothers began walking through the remainder of the forest.

School passed slowly for Noah. It always did. When the final bell rang, he was relieved that he no longer had to go through the motions—a facade, where there was no end goal but working in a local drugstore the rest of his life. Noah and Benjamin met up and silently walked home from school together.

CHAPTER 3

FAYE

T he sky turned dark as nighttime fell. The clouds hung low, shading the brightness of the stars. Noah peered out his window, pendant in hand. It was difficult for him to understand how, in a world filled with so many people, he could feel lonely—so inadequate. He would give anything to have a normal life, a life with his parents, a family. Noah’s thoughts were cut off as he heard a loud smash coming from downstairs. He ignored it at first, figuring Mrs. Faye had had too much to drink. But in a matter of seconds, Benjamin came barreling up the stairs. In a frenzy, he managed to exclaim, Noah! Come quick—it’s Faye!

Noah blinked once before processing what Benjamin had said. It took him another second to decide whether he cared if Mrs. Faye needed his help. He hesitantly rose to his feet, and then his legs quickly caught motion.

She lay in the kitchen, beside the table. It would have looked like a typical night for Faye because she normally ended up sleeping on the floor, but then Noah saw blood spilling from her forehead.

Do something! Benjamin yelled as Noah stood there looking over Mrs. Faye. She must have fallen and hit her head on the corner of the table. Noah’s mind flickered. He saw himself lying on the kitchen floor, blood oozing from his chin. Mrs. Faye had caused that pain. But although Noah hated Mrs. Faye, she had still taken them in. She was still their caretaker. And Noah owed her his help.

Noah kneeled at her side, grabbing a hand towel that hung off the edge of the counter. He dabbed her wounds. She seemed to be unconscious but was still breathing. Before Noah knew what was going on, Faye’s hand struck his neck. Her fingers wrapped tightly around his throat, cutting off all airflow.

Mrs. Faye sprang to life suddenly. She rose from the floor with a steady stream of blood leaking from her head. Her eyes were black, filled with anger and hate. Blood ran along her eyelids, streaking down the side of her face.

Ungrateful, ignorant little kids! Mrs. Faye yelled, spitting blood from her mouth. I housed you, bathed you, taught you how to live. And one of you had the nerve to hit me over the head when I least expect it?

N-no, Noah tried to say, but he could barely breathe.

I should kill you both right now, huh? All you’ve been is a burden to me and my life! A mix of tears and blood ran from her eyes. It was a sight Noah had never seen before. Benjamin stood off to the side, clearly stunned. With her hand still around Noah’s throat, she dragged Noah toward the counter, where she picked up a knife. It shone under the kitchen light hanging from the ceiling.

Mrs. Faye, no! Benjamin cried.

Her eyes were set on Noah’s. One hand remained on his throat, as the other held the knife in the air.

Mrs. Faye brought the knife down. Noah used his left arm to block the blow. The knife grazed his shoulder, neatly slicing his skin.

Run, Benjamin! Noah shouted. Just then, Mrs. Faye lost her balance; the alcohol appeared to be taking over. Noah and Benjamin ran for the stairs. Clothes! Get your stuff! Go! Noah yelled as they ran to the staircase.

Through the panic, Noah could hear Mrs. Faye stumbling up the old creaking staircase.

Oh, boys, she whispered. She ran the knife along the wooden railing; Noah knew he would never forget the dull screeching sound it made.

Before she reached the doorway, Benjamin slammed the door shut, locking it. Noah ran around the room, trying to gather his things.

We need to go, Noah! Benjamin shouted.

Shut up! I know! I need my stuff! Noah yanked his drawers open; his notebooks were in there. Boom! The wooden door shook as Faye pounded. Noah zipped his bag shut and ran to the window. Before he could unlock it and get it open, Mrs. Faye’s arm broke through the wood. With the knife in her hand, she reached in and unlocked the door. It swung open. Noah and Benjamin had their backs to the wall.

Mrs. Faye stopped a couple of feet from them and said, Y-you know, I always wished that I had children. I think that’s why I took you two in, you know. But I can’t do it … not another second. She jolted forward with the knife in her hand.

CHAPTER 4

BLINK

N oah and Benjamin closed their eyes. Clutching his pendant, Noah accepted his fate. Noah instinctually opened his eyes again, and time slowed. His pendant roared. Colors swirled around it. It shone like a star in the dark night sky. Noah felt his body grow weak, as if all of his energy was flowing from his body like a stream. Everything darkened as Noah started fading into unconsciousness.

His vision dimmed in and out. Everything was blurred; he couldn’t see his surroundings. His eyes suddenly throbbed, irritated and sensitive, and he closed his eyelids. Then he heard it, a voice. It pulled him back from the darkness. It was faint and hard to make out.

Noah! Noah! the voice screamed. It was Benjamin. Noah, I don’t know what’s going on, but I need you. Please, don’t leave me!

Benjamin was kneeling beside him; Noah could feel his brother’s presence. Benjamin’s cold hand pressed on Noah’s chest.

Noah? Noah! I’m going to get help. Stay here! I’ll be back as soon as I can!

Noah slipped in and out of consciousness for what felt like a lifetime. His vision returned for only a short moment. The poorly built half-window Benjamin had made in their tree house stuck out clearly in Noah’s line of sight. The red-masked Raphael figurine sat on its ledge, and the branches of stir-crazy trees flurried outside behind it. A million questions rushed through his mind, striking like flashes of lighting, but he couldn’t grab any of them. He had no answers or energy.

Noah let his head softly tilt to the right. Mustering