The Realms: War of Avon

By Wenhan Li

Nathaniel Chase, a fourteen-years-old boy living with his mother after his father left them, was greeted by a devil when he was watching TV at home one day. After almost getting kidnapped by a stranger and making a pact with the devil, Nathaniel was taken to a new land called the Twilight Realm. It was there that Nathaniel not only met his father but also unlocked his aura, the true potential and power of all things. After many days spent in intensive training of both body and aura, Nathaniel finally was put to the test to protect the Twilight Realm, which was slowly succumbing to the shadow of the Dark Realm. It was now up to Nathaniel and his companions to end the march of the Dark Realm and protect the Twilight Realm.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 4, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524528515

Wenhan Li

Wenhan Li is a Chinese boy now in the 8th grade at a Texas middle school. He came to the United States at the beginning of 2011 with his parents when he was 10 years old. Wenan likes reading and writing. He began to write this novel in the summer break of 2013 and fi nished it in the fall semester of the 7th grade. Now he is working on his second book.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

In the deep, dark heart of the Dark Realm, an old, crumpled temple sat in the middle of a clearing. The temple was ancient, built before anyone could remember. Dark, broad-leaved vines covered most of the temple’s surfaces, hiding it from plain sight. No creatures lurked in the clearing, nor was there any that dared to set foot in it. For something’s presence terrified them.

Deep down below the temple, through a hidden passageway, rested a majestic chamber. The chamber had a domed ceiling, covered with beautiful patterns and pictures. A circle was engraved into the dome, and a smaller one inside the first. Two pentagons, overlapping each other with their tips touching the inner circle, sat with a star design in the middle of it. The areas between the two outer circles were filled with ancient writings, glowing with power.

Directly below the diagram was a gigantic trapdoor. In front of it, facing the door was a slab of simple and plain stone, bigger than a man, three feet high, and smooth as glass. A man wearing black head to toe stood in front of the slab, facing the trapdoor and looking at the runes on the ceiling.

The man wore a mask and a set of armor, all of them were black. It wasn’t the simple color of black. It was the complete absence of light. No light reflected off the armor and the mask, nor did they radiant any. The man had shoulder-length, wavy black hair, smoothly pushed back to make it flow behind him. He was tall and lean. His armor hid his body.

He looked closely at the diagram above him, the edge of his brilliant eyes twitched as he gave the slightest hint of smile under that dark mask.

Behind him, a slithering snake crawled through the secret passageway and into the chamber. It stopped five paces behind the man and hissed.

Lord Desssiraga, it hissed. I carry a messssage from Lady Luvia.

What? Desiraga asked coldly without looking back.

It ssseemsss that Sssir Ssscarface hasss located the boy, it hissed. He hasss already moved out to retrieve him.

Good, Desiraga kept his voice leveled. Now leave me alone.

The snake silently slithered back through the passageway and disappeared from sight. When Desiraga can no longer sense the snake, he sighed

Finally, he thought. The Destined Day is almost upon us.

He reached into his bag and took out a stone knife and a stone bowl. He set them down carefully on the slab of rock in front of him.

"Salhopa!" He yelled. The knife and the bowl blazed for an instant, but immediately dropped down to a faint red glow. However, power still came pouring out of it.

All I need now is the boy.

CHAPTER 1

I’m about to die.

A knife is pointed at my throat, and I can’t move no matter how hard I try.

I’m a sacrifice.

A sacrifice for the end of another world.

My life changed dramatically at that instant.

Imagine this: a boy sitting alone in his living room on a normal weekend, watching TV. He’s got some refreshments and some videos games piled up on the table. He’s home alone. His dad hasn’t been back for years and his mom is out shopping.

Now, imagine this: one second, I was sitting on the couch and watching TV. My dad hasn’t been back for years and my mom is out shopping. The next second, a demonic beast broke through the front door.

Get the picture?

Normally, you would scream and hide. Right?

So, that’s what I did.

You may think that I’m a coward, but think about this. How in the world am I supposed to fight a black-and-gold demotic beast with dragon claws for hands and feet? Not to mention that long tail and huge wings.

So, I ran into my room and locked the door. I thought about calling 911, but who would believe me when I say that I’m being attacked by a demon?

As I waited behind the door, I tried to listen to what was going on downstairs, expecting some crashing and banging. However, nothing came.

This is not happening. This is not happening. I talked to myself while relaxing and backing away from the door, and BAM! My door exploded inwards, showering me with pieces of splintered wood. A man-sized hole was carved out in the middle of the door. Standing on the other side was the beast.

Mom is so going to kill me, I thought.

Your mom would do that? the beast asked innocently. She would actually kill you for breaking a door?

It can talk! I thought. And it can read minds!

Duh! the beast said. What else do you think I’m doing?

Well, who are you? I asked, trying to delay my miseries. For some strange reasons, I don’t feel afraid anymore.

Huh, the beast grunted. Usually they all say ‘what are you’. He stared at me, his golden pupils staring deep into mine. The name is Blaze. I’m a Devil of the Dark Race, he said. I’m rather a higher class. It’s a pleasure meeting you.

I stared at him, lost of words. This was not what I imagined what demons would be like. I always thought they were mean, kind of grotesque looking, and on fire.

The lower class creatures of the Dark Race called Demons, are like that, he said casually. Clearly he heard my thoughts again.

So, why are you here? I asked, trying to continue this conversation. This, after all, is still a demon. Devil, whatever. No matter how innocent he sounds. Just look at what he did to my door.

I’m hungry, he rubbed his scaly belly. You got anything I can eat?

Down stairs to the left, I said. You will find a fridge. I paused and looked at him. Just try not to destroy anything.

As I said those words, a man jumped through the window and grabbed me.

He instantly bonded me professionally, as if he had done many times in the past. He completely ignored the Devil as if it wasn’t there.

A little help here? Can’t he see you? I thought, knowing Blaze could hear me.

Nope. Blaze shook his head. I have completely cloaked my presence to every living creature but you.

Can you help me? I’m about to be abducted here! I thought angrily. I’ll buy you ice cream later!

Fine, I will make you a deal. The Devil clasped his hands together businesslike.

What?

You’re about to be abducted by Scarface, one of the most experienced bounty hunter in the history of bounty hunting. Blaze smirked. Someone must really want you if he or she is rich enough to hire Scarface. Probably someone that wants you dead…

Stop babbling! Just tell me the deal! I was getting really annoyed.

Here it is. It froze for a second then grinned ear-to-ear. I will rescue you from good old Scarface over there and protect you for the rest of your life in exchange for… he stopped and looked at me stopped grinning. He was dead serious. For your soul and body.

What does that even mean?

It means that I will be your bodyguard for the rest of your natural life-span. Blaze chuckled. In exchange, I will be able to live inside your body. I can overtake your soul anytime I want to, and control your body with my consciousness, and I can come out of your body at will. He stared at me coldly. As for the part about your soul, I’ll simply eat it after you die. He put out his claw. Deal?

I took a moment and thought. If I scream, Scarface would probably kill me on the spot. If I agree with the Devil, I would be free, but I would be trapped in him after I die.

Is it a deal or not? Blaze asked impatiently. I’m getting hungry again! He pointed a claw at Scarface. You’re going to die for sure if you say no.

Fine! I thought. Deal! I shouted. Instantly, the room’s temperature dropped greatly. I felt hot and tingly. I felt myself shrink as the Devil entered my body. He was standing in front of me one second, but he was gone the next.

Then, the strangest thing happened.

Hey, this body isn’t half bad! I heard myself speak with delight without actually saying the words myself. The words were the Devil’s, it sounded dark and dry.

Scarface instantly realized something was wrong and dropped me. He took out some sort of necklace with a big raindrop-shaped jade and tied it around his neck.

I fell face first on the floor. Surprisingly, I didn’t feel any pain. I can feel the floor and everything, but I didn’t feel the pain in my nose and knees.

My demonic structure have hardened your body, making it more durable and powerful. Blaze explained in my head after feeling my shock.

So, basically I’m super-human now? I asked.

Yep. He answered.

Got to admit, being super-human is going to be pretty awesome. Think about it, I can’t get hurt, I have super strength, and that’s all that Blaze have mentioned.

I, actually Blaze, charged Scarface.

Just before my fist contacted with his face, I was thrown all the way across the room by an invisible force. And this time, even though my back didn’t hurt, my fist throbbed in pain.

That thing around his neck is draining my powers! Blaze thought angrily.

What are we going to do then? I asked desperately, seeing that the Devil had no power over the bounty hunter.

As those words left my thoughts, a man came through the door. He was tall, skinny, wearing a tuxedo with pants and black leather dress shoes. His eyes were astonishingly green. He looked like a man in his forties.

At the sight of the man, I felt the Devil inside shrink. His consciousness shrunk until mine took back over.

What’s wrong? I asked silently, adding a tone of amusement to my thought.

That guy in suit is bad news for me. Blaze thought. I can’t let him find me.

Who is he?

His name is Michael Brown. The Devil thought. He is the Magician, really good one, too. The guy’s part of the Council.

So? I thought. What is a Magician and what is the Council?

The Magician is one born with an extraordinary amount of Aura, the essence that most humans grown completely ignorant to. The Devil explained. He can shape that Aura into elemental forms such as fire and ice. He paused and I literally felt his soul shiver. The Council is the ultimate ruling party of all super-natural beings. It is made up of the Necromancer, the Alchemist, the Magician, the Sorceress, and Hades, the King of the Dark Race. This guy right here, believe it or not, is the Magician!

But why is he bad news for you?

Well, you see, the Council declared me a Segra for life. See the symbol on my hand? The Devil thought happily. I’m officially an outlaw, since it was declared by the Council! But the bad side is that anyone can take my life for a reward from the Council.

Why?

I destroyed their meeting place by accident. Blaze’s soul laughed. I was napping in the cellar of a castle and they were meeting on the floor above me. I got bored listening to them and destroyed the floor they were on, right from underneath their feet. I injured a lot of them, too. He grinned. It was fun.

So you’re basically a wanted criminal? I asked, this is getting rather interesting.

Yep.

I looked back at the man in suit. He didn’t look like much to me. He was rather scrawny in a way, kind of powerless. That was, until I saw a lavender glow around him. Instantly, the room smelled like lavender.

The man clapped his hands together, and then reopened it slowly, creating a straight line between his hands.

Finally, when his hands were about a meter apart, he grabbed the lavender line between his hands and the line instantly became a medieval sword, however still a glowing lavender color.

He stepped into the room and charged, not at me, but at Scarface, who instantly unsheathed a sword also.

The two clashed together in a frenzy of clangs, neither one gaining a step. They destroyed my shelf and managed to put a huge cut in my wall.

My mom is so going to kill me now, I thought out loud.

Suddenly, the room’s temperature dropped again as snowflakes began to rain from the ceiling. There was barely any snow at first. Then suddenly, all the snow began to circle Scarface in a spiral and Michael concentrated.

The snow around Scarface soon became a blizzard, then a storm, ripping some books and papers from my wrecked shelf. Seconds later, the storm got even stronger as the Magician added chunks of sharp-edged ice into the storm, shredding the bounty hunter’s cloths and body.

Scarface cried out in frustration. Even though the talisman on his neck was weakening the power of the storm, it was still not enough.

With a yelp of anger, he jumped out of the window that he came from and escaped. I watched as he took out a pair of tiny paper wings, which instantly became a pair of full-sized wings big enough for an elephant. He attached the ends onto his back and flew off.

As he watched Scarface flying away, Michael Brown snapped his fingers. The sword and storm disappeared instantly, though the room still reeked the sweet scent of lavender.

The Magician turned around and looked at me.

Are you Nathaniel Chase? He asked, his voice full of authority.

Y…yes, I stuttered under the pressure of his Aura.

Come with me, he said simply.

Why should I? I asked. It seemed pretty obvious this guy was a good guy, but I was still not trusting him without a reason.

As you can see, your life is in great danger, he said expressionlessly. Whoever wanted you, dead or alive, must be really powerful and rich if he or she can hire Scarface.

I noticed, I said simply.

The man that wants you is Desiraga, the man said. The ultimate outlaw in the super-natural world. He paused and glared at me with those unnaturally green eyes. The man is trying to summon something big, no doubt some monstrosity.

What does that have to do with me? I asked, this is getting exciting in a way.

You see. In order to summon whatever he wants to summon, he would need a tremendous amount of Aura, he looked into my eyes. And that’s where you come in.

I still don’t get it, I said.

How do you think I found you? How did the Scarface find you? He looked at me more aggressively. Suddenly, I got the feeling that he wasn’t looking at me anymore. And how did you think that Devil inside of you found you?

So you knew, Blaze took over me instantly, talking through me as if he has been doing it all his life.

Yes.

Will you kill me? Blaze used my body and stared back into the Magician’s eyes.

Sadly, your deal with Mr. Chase allows you to dwell inside his body, Michael Brown sighed deeply. I can’t kill you without killing the boy.

Will you kill the boy? Blaze asked, sending a shiver through my spine.

You know as well as I do who he is, Michael said. I will not kill him.

Well, I guess I will live then. Blaze said happily. He suddenly shrunk his soul and let mine take back over.

Come with me if you want to live. Michael said once the switch between souls was done. He turned and walked toward the door, his heels clacking on the disastrous floor.

Should I? I asked Blaze.

Sure. Blaze thought. He already knows I’m in here anyways.

I nodded and walked after the man, catching his sleeve as he walked out of the door.

What about my parents and friends? I asked, thinking about my parents’ reaction when they see all this with me missing.

It has already been dealt with, Michael said without turning around. I casted a spell over all the people that had even just one glance of you, they won’t remember that you ever existed unless I lift the spell. He walked down the stairs, I followed. Any questions regarding me can be answered by Blaze. Just ask him.

Where are you taking me? I asked.

He remained quiet. After a few seconds of silence, he said, You’ll see.

We entered main bathroom downstairs. It had a big bathtub, a shower, a big sink with a shelf next to it, and a man-sized mirror, one of those that you can see yourself from head to toe.

Michael stopped in front of the mirror and put his hand on it.

Get in, he said, pointing at the mirror.

I looked at him as if he was crazy. It’s just a mirror, it’s impossible to get in… I stopped as Michael put his left hand through the mirror, which rippled on contact.

Well, I shouldn’t be surprised. I got a Devil inside of me, a guy tried to abduct me, and there was a snowstorm in my room. I thought positively.

That’s the spirit! Blaze cheered. Now get in that Portal.

What’s a Portal? I asked curiously.

Not a Portal. The Portal. It is a constantly moving door that connects Earth to the Realms. The Portal moves to a different spot every hour. The Devil explained. And it happens to be in your bathroom this time.

I stepped forward and put my hand on the mirror and pushed. My hand went in smoothly as if I was pushing my hand into a bowl of jelly, except this was freezing cold.

I guess Blaze got tired of waiting, because he suddenly took over my body and jumped through the Portal. I caught a glance of Michael as he stepped through the Portal after me.

As I was in the Portal, I couldn’t see anything. It was pitch dark in any direction that I looked. Suddenly, I felt myself falling.

I began to pick up speed. I could now feel the wind as they gushed pass my face.

Then, the next second, I was fifty feet in the air, right on top of a species of tree that I have never seen in my life.

I fell through the air, landing on the huge leaves of the tree. The leaves slowed my progress downwards, but I still landed hard on my back as I hit the forest floor.

Next to me, Michael landed graciously, hovering in the air with a lavender circle under his feet. It kept him a foot off of the ground.

Really, couldn’t you make one of those for me? I groaned.

Since you have a Devil merged with you, this kind of a fall shouldn’t kill you, he said, looking down on my face. It probably didn’t even hurt.

I chuckled.

I swung my head around and observed my surroundings, but all I can see was trees and shrubs, none that I had ever seen before.

Where are we? I asked.

We are at the very edge of the Twilight Realm, Michael explained.

Hey, Magician! Blaze said through me. If I come out of this kid’s body right now, will you kill me?

Probably not, Michael shook his head. I see some uses in you.

Alright then, I really have to stretch my old bones!

Suddenly, I felt all the strength inside of me vanished, only to return a moment later. Next to me, Blaze stood ominously in a spot of shadow.

You know, now that I’m looking at you from a different perspective, you actually look pretty awesome, I said. That black and yellow contrast is pretty cool.

I know, right? Blaze grinned.

Cloak your presence so that only Nathaniel and I can see you, Michael said coldly to Blaze. Or I may be forced to kill you.

Why? You don’t like to be seen with a Devil? Blaze said sarcastically.

Now! Michael threatened.

Fine, fine. Whatever.

Whatever Blaze did, I did not feel it. I could still see him standing right next to me, wings closed tightly on his back, his tail curved like a snake.

Now, let’s go, Michael said. He turned on his heels and walked off toward my right.

Where? I asked, catching up with him. Now that I have gotten used to having the Devil inside of me, I found it quite frustrating running, since I didn’t have demonic powers at the instant. I felt weak and unprotected.

The city of Avon, Michael said. He looked at me with glory in his eyes. The City of Magic.

CHAPTER 2

I hate this place, Blaze grumbled.

Shut up and keep walking. Michael said without looking back at him.

Can’t you just fly us there? I asked Blaze. You got those big wings, can’t you do that?

Nope, Blaze shook his head. I can only fly because my bones have air bubbles in them, he explained. But that makes me weaker.

But you blew up my door! I argued.

With magic, he said. I can concentrate my Aura into my different body parts.

It is the easiest use of Aura, Michael chimed in. All you have to do is imagine it happening, he paused. But you need to be Evoked first.

What does that mean? I asked.

There are two types of living. He waved his hand, creating a chart floating in mid-air. First, there is the Blind. Most people are what we consider Blind, he pointed at the chart. Being in a state of Blind is what most humans adapted to.

Meaning… Blaze tried to talk.

Meaning they can’t see the world of magic. Michael cut him off.

I thought for a moment. I honestly don’t see how the word Evoked and Blind have anything to do with each other.

They are named that because… Michael stopped. You know what, I don’t know.

But then, since I was never Evoked, how come I can see him? I pointed at Blaze, who shrugged.

I don’t know, Michael said. I’ll have to get someone to look at you.

How about the other state of living? What is it? I asked.

The second state of living is the state of Awakened, Michael said. It is the state after being Evoked. You will be able to use your Aura and see Aura.

Okay. I nodded. I see where Awakened and Blind kind of ties in together, but that Evoked word still don’t make sense.

To be Evoked is to be stimulated by an outside source of Aura to realize one’s own, Michael explained.

This was a lot to take in. Just ten minutes ago, I was still in my house, watching TV. But now I’m wandering around in a magical realm with a guy that can make lavender stuff come out of the air and a Devil. And even worse, I felt like there was something really important in my past that I can’t remember. Something that was supposed to make all of this logical.

Do you know anyone that can read my past? I asked, hoping one of them would say yes.

No, they said in unison.

There is a difference in the difficulty of magic, Michael explained. It is much easier to use Aura to control and create nonliving items than living ones.

And the only one that have Aura powerful enough to actually control a human mind went missing seventeen years ago on the seventh of July.

Who was he? I asked.

He was the King, Michael said.

Oh, that little guy. Blaze said.

No, you shall address him as His Majesty, Michael said threateningly. Any more rude comments about him out of your filthy mouth and I will kill you.

Whatever, Blaze shrugged.

Who is he anyways? I asked. It was getting annoying listening to those two argue.

He was the supreme ruler of all super-natural beings. Michael said. "And we, the Council were his formal officers.

He disappeared on the seventh of July, seventeen years ago, and returned several years later. That was the day I found a note lying on my pillow. Written on it were my instructions regarding you. I never saw him, but I knew that the note was genuine. I recognized his handwritings. He said that there will be no more Kings after him, and therefore the Council was established. He also said in the note that he left a son on Earth and asked me to find you at all costs.

Did you say he disappeared on July seventh? I asked, a hint of surprise in my voice.

Yes, why?

Well, that’s today, isn’t it? It’s my birthday! Before you guys showed up my mom was going to get me some stuff for my birthday. She said she’s going grocery shopping but who believes that? Anyways, could this all be a coincidence? My birthday and all this that’s happening.

It’s not really a coincident, at least for me. In the note, I was instructed to watch over you once I found you and take you with me when you’re fifteen. It is kind of a coincident that Scarface happened to show up today. I guess he simply decided to make his move today, Michael said. I trusted His Majesty’s order and it paid off. He was a powerful man. After he left, the Amulet of Avon dimmed. His Majesty was tied to the Amulet, so it’s dimming caused us many worries.

And that is?

A powerful talisman that constantly heals you, Blaze answered. I’ve heard of it, but never seen it myself.

Of course you haven’t, we of the Council hidden it where no one but the Council and His Majesty can find it. Michael said.

Why? I asked.

It is the greatest treasure of the Twilight Realm. Michael said.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a high pitched squeal shook my eardrums.

Uncle! A girl ran out of the forest. She tripped over a tree root and fell, but a fluffy white pillow formed right in front of her, catching her fall.

Juria! Michael stretched out his arms as the girl gave him a bear hug.

Uncle! She squealed with delight, hugging Michael even tighter.

C…can’t b…breathe… Michael choked. Let go…

The girl, Juria, let go immediately.

Juria, remember the search I was in? Michael asked Juria. The mission the King left for me?

Of course, Uncle! The girl said.

Well, here he is! Michael pushed me forward. The person that I’ve been guarding for the past few years.

Him? The girl instantly turned to me. A magnifier appeared in her hand. She began to look at me up and down. But he looks so scrawny and weak.

It is him for sure, Michael said. He can see magic without being Evoked and Desiraga sent Scarface for him.

He seriously sent Scarface? Juria said, completely ignoring me.

Yes.

Hi, I’m Juria! She stretched out her hand.

Nathaniel Chase. I shook her hand.

That’s so common it’s hard to remember. Juria complained. I know, I’ll call you Nate! It’s much easier to say than Nathaniel.

Sure, I guess, I said. I was quiet taken back by her outward attitude.

Oh my, I forgot to introduce you. Michael apologized. Nathaniel, this is my niece, Juria.

Hi! Juria said. I’m Juria! She stretched out her hand, again.

Nathaniel Chase. I shook her hand, again.

That’s so common it’s hard to remember. Juria complained, again. I know, I’ll call you Nate! It’s much easier to say than Nathaniel.

Okay, I guess. I don’t know what to say. I wanted to point out we already had this conversation, but it just felt rude.

Hey, didn’t we have this conversation already? Juria said. You’re dumb!

I… I completely lost my words. Is this girl serious?

Suddenly a few colorful clouds formed on top of Juria’s head. Together, the clouds said Nate Is Dumb. Then