Sacred Swords

By LeTavious Hemingway Brown

Sacred Swords is the epic story of Leon and his girlfriend Devin who are thrown into a life changing journey by their ancestors. While in their last semester of college things quickly change from textbooks and tests to swords and quests. With the help of their protectors, both are entrusted with a duty to save the world from an ancient evil. The world they once knew is rapidly changing, and even at school things are not all they seem.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 29, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465305916

LeTavious Hemingway Brown

LeTavious Brown was born and raised in Conway, South Carolina. He attended school at Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina. He graduated cum laude and received a bachelor’s degree in Biology in 2010. LeTavious placed third in a national poetry contest held by Eber & Wein publishing, and joined their international society of poets called Poetry Nation. Life experiences combined with the imaginative possibilities of fiction are what shape his writing style. At college is where LeTavious met his fiancé Devin Vestal. She is the muse that heavily influenced the story of Sacred Swords.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Sun, Sand, Swords?

OKAY, I GUESS that was a little much for a beginning. Let me take it back to the beginning of it all. My name is Leon Brown, a normal 21 year old guy for the most part. At least that’s what I think. My girlfriend, Devin Vestal, on the other hand says I’m not. For some odd reason she has a habit of thinking I’m special. I’m appreciative of course, but in truth she’s the special one. This is our final semester in college and its spring break. FINALLY. We’ve decided to go to Port Coastal, a coastal town… with a port. Yeah the name wasn’t too inventive, but hey I didn’t come up with it.

Let’s go for a walk on the beach Leon. Devin said tugging on my arm with a little force. I can tell she wasn’t asking. It was a strong suggestion. I nodded at her approvingly and within seconds we left the crowded boulevard and were on the warm sands. My glasses made the transition from clear to sunglasses as the noon sun hit my eyes. The beach was just about vacant, only a few people were playing or making out despite it being spring time. Devin yanked my arm again, taking me out of observation mode.

What’s wrong? Devin inquired concerned. I stared at her and was awestruck by her beauty like I usually am. Her beautiful deep brown eyes, almost black, held a lot of passion in them; they personified a burning passion like the sun. She radiated warmth like no other human I’ve encountered. Her skin was milk chocolate in hue, and matched well with her long curly black hair. She was sort of tall for a girl, but not really. That’s was her personal opinion of herself. To me she was short. But me being six foot and one inch tall, most people are.

Nothing is wrong. I’m fine. I say with a slight smile on my face. The smile I use when I’m lying so I’m told. She shifted her weight to her left leg and crossed her arms.

You’re lying. she started. I can feel it. You have a certain air about you Leon. You always did. She said looking me up and down. She has said that about me before, but I never really got what she meant by that.

Oh yeah, what’s that air saying baby? I asked with a big grin on my face. She let a slight grin escape and turned her head from me.

Don’t smile at me, that doesn’t always work you know. But you have a certain air, an aura that surrounds you. It’s usually calm, but now it’s conflicted. It’s like you’re worried about something instinctively. She said as she turned and began to walk towards the water. I followed quickly wondering about this air she described. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t notice things that no one else did. Something was odd about me; I was more at home in high places, or windy conditions. Weird. It’s probably why she’s attracted to me, she radiates a strong passionate heat, and I cool her down. That’s what I like to think at least.

You’re right, as always. I do feel something is up. It’s odd here today. I’ve been coming to this beach all my life but today is different. I said. She just turned and looked up at me as she took my hand. We walked down the coast, our feet getting drenched every now and then by the crashing waves. After a few moments of blissful silence I reached in my pocket for my phone. I pulled out the device and it was dead.

Darn, my phone is dead. I wonder what time it is, we have a movie to catch m’lady. I said happily. She gazed up to the sky and stared at the sun.

It’s 1:15 p.m. she said instantly. I looked at her in amazement, like I usually do when she does that. She always seems to know what time it is without a watch or clock. As long as the sun was up anyway.

How do you do that? I asked inquisitively. I forgot all about what time it is and went into observation mode. I do that from time to time as science major.

I don’t know it’s one of my many talents babe. she said kissing me on the cheek. I started to kiss her back until a cold wind shot past us chilling me to the bone. My lips stopped before I reached her face and I pulled back beginning to search frantically. She stomped her foot and crossed her arms.

Oh really? So you’re not going to kiss me? she said angrily. She reached up to pop me on the arm until an intense heat hit us from behind her, warming her core. Her anger faded and she began to search for its source. Simultaneously we both turn and ask. Did you feel that? we both stopped and stared at each other.

Yeah, it was an intense cold wind. It is blowing at 45 mph, eastward. I said instinctively. Knowing the speed of a passing wind, or an object in air is another talent of mine.

No it wasn’t, it was a strong heat, and I’d say a good 98 degrees. She said in protest. Our eyes narrowed. We both instantly yell out LIES. That’s how our arguments start. Good times, good times.

What do you mean? It was heat! Devin cried.

No it wasn’t! I yelled in protest. Devin started to rant on and on about the heat, but I stopped paying attention. I felt something moving. Not on my body, or the ground. But something in the sky was moving rapidly. Cutting the air currents and headed towards us from above. I held up my finger to her face signaling her to hush, but that only pissed her off.

Oh no the heck you didn’t… she growled. She quickly bit my finger as I was gazing up at the sky.

OW damn it! I yelled not turning my head from the sky. A whistling noise hit my ears. Whatever it was in the air was getting closer. Her grip on my finger grew tighter, and that noise grew louder. I snatched my finger from her teeth and tackled her to the nearest sand dune with all my strength. She may be a woman, but she was mad strong, I had to use my strength sometimes. We both hit the sand with a thud. She gazed up at me with a new look in her eyes and her mouth dropped, before she could say anything two loud crashes came from behind us and sand flew up into the air covering us. Once the sand stopped pelting us, I pushed myself up from the ground. I didn’t realize it but I was lying on Devin. I began brushing the dirt off of us and she laughed a little.

That was so damn hot… she said aloud to herself. I looked at her with a smile.

You know, some of the oddest things turn you on. I said standing then helping her to her feet. I looked behind us to see what made that crash, and was even more surprised than before. Devin asked me what was wrong but she figured it out when she stepped from behind me. We both looked at the spot where we once stood and saw there were two swords impaled in the ground. The sword on the left was a long blade, silver in color at first glance, but it had a golden glow to it. The hilt was wrapped in red dyed leather with a diamond on it. A slight wind was coming from it, pushing the sand away from it. The sword on the right was a bright golden color and I could feel it radiating heat from where we stood. Its hilt was wrapped in black leather with a ruby on it. The sand where it was impaled wasn’t sand anymore. It was turned to glass. That meant that sword was unbelievably hot. Devin looked at the swords with suspicion then stared me up and down.

Baby, what’s wrong. That… That air that you usually have about you is… is going crazy! she said slightly scared. I turned to look at her and saw her hair was blowing back in the wind. I closed my eyes and felt the air, but the air wasn’t moving. There was no wind. I opened them and looked my body up and down. I could see it; the air was coming from me. I didn’t have time to focus on it, because Devin tried to put her hand on my shoulder but her hand was too hot for my skin. When she made contact it made a slight sizzling noise and I jumped back nimbly.

AAAAH… I yelled. Just my luck my shirt was on fire where her hand was. I lifted my hand towards it to put it out then the blaze was gone with a gust of wind. Things were officially weird, but somehow felt right.

Baby I’m sorry, I didn’t mean… . I don’t know how I… . HUH? she said perplexed. I turned towards the swords again. I felt like the silver one was calling me so I walked towards it.

Wait, don’t touch it! Devin warned fearfully. That’s what her words said, but her body was doing the same for the golden sword. We walked up on the swords then looked at each other to confirm if we really wanted to touch them. She nodded at me and we reached down taking up the blades by the hilt. Mine rose out the ground with a burst of wind that lifted me off my feet slightly then the wind stopped. The wind just swirled around the blade. Devin’s came out of the glass with a burst of heat leaving flames on the sand. When they died down more glass was left on the beach. I looked the blade up and down; it felt like nothing was in my hand. It was light as air. It was air, yet it was a blade. That’s the only way to describe it. I looked at Devin and she was turning hers from side to side. I reached to touch it and the hilt was radiating a lot of heat. I drew my hand back so I wouldn’t get burned. She seemed fine, as if the blade was cold. She touched mine with ease; it almost seemed to give her power slightly, like air feeding a fire. She took her hand from the blade after feeling the power.

Hurricane. I say quietly. She turned her had to the side and looked at me confused.

What? She asked finally.

The blade’s name is Hurricane. Don’t ask me how I know… It just told me its name is Hurricane. I said confused yet assured. She started to call me crazy but the only word she could say was,

Soleil.

Is that your swords name? I asked. She nodded.

Wait, these aren’t ours are they? she questioned with a worried expression.

I don’t know, but it feels that way. answered. I walked around with the blade in hand getting a feel for carrying it. I had no clue why, but it felt like I should be the one to wield this blade, be the only one to wield it. I grasped the hilt with two hands and took a fighters stance I’d seen on an anime I’d seen once. I swung it from above, then instantly moved into a slash to the left. Quickly I spun and back slashed my invisible opponent. I rolled to dodge the imaginary opponent’s overhead strike. I sprang to my feet and thrust my sword at the air and a gust shot from the blade sending sand flying into the ocean.

WOOOOW Devin and I both say. My mind instantly started working I stood and grasped the blade with both hands and pointed it at the ocean. I thrust it again and an insanely strong gust shot from its tip. It formed a part in the ocean that went a few miles out and thrust me back into the sand.

That was AWES- I started but I broke of speech to raise my blade in defense of the golden sword coming down upon me. The swords hit with a loud clang and began to vibrate. Devin was on the other end of the sword smiling. I pushed her blade back and hopped up with a cross look on my face.

What was that for? I said half yelling. She smiled and took an attack posture.

You were learning how to use yours. I learn by doing. she said playfully. I was at the moment I realized she wasn’t trying to harm me, but she was going to attack again. This woman has stolen my heart metaphorically, but now I fear she wants it for real. I smiled and raised my blade. I couldn’t help it, but it felt right that I should spar with her. I would never raise a weapon to her any other time. With a yell she tried again for an overhead strike. I lifted my blade up to parry it. I pushed her strike off and she stumbled back, but didn’t fall. She quickly slashed to my right, again I parried. I swung towards her left and she dropped to the ground watching it go over head. She aimed her sword at me and flames erupted from it. My eyes grew wide as the blaze flew towards me. I had no time to react so I just brought my arms up over my face. As the flames crept towards me at blinding speed a wind suddenly whipped up and surrounded me. The flames hit the wind wall and dispersed everywhere. When I finally looked up she was already rushing towards me, I charged her instinctively and our blades met in front of us. Now it was a contest of strength. We moved in and our hilts were rubbing against each other. The diamond on Hurricane hit the ruby on Soleil and a blinding white flash erupted from the blades. I couldn’t see anything anymore, couldn’t feel anything. It was like I died, or faded away from existence. I couldn’t see Devin anymore. I called for her but I lacked a voice. I just sensed she was there. But where was there? Where was Here?

Where am I? I yelled but I wasn’t answered.

CHAPTER 2

The Sun loved the Sky, and the Sea got jealous

I YELLED QUESTIONS into the white void for as long as I could bear, but it was to no avail. I was giving up hope of understanding this place. I figured I’d give it one last try. With a hell like this, what could I lose?

Where the hell am I!? Look someone better tell me what’s going on! I just wanted to go the beach with my girlfriend, and I ended up finding two weird swords and now this! I yelled out into the void. Again no answer came to me. I could still sense Devin’s presence, but I couldn’t get to her. This was frustrating. The wind whipped up around me; well what I thought was me. I couldn’t tell what was me and what wasn’t. The wind grew into a hurricane, at least a category three. Even in this form I could tell. Then it went collapsed upon itself and became a tornado.

I guess I made you wait long enough my son. A powerful voice roared into my mind. It’s like the sky itself was talking to me.

Son? I’m not your son, whoever you are. I protested shakily. I was scared, but I’d never admit it. The tornado took the shape of a man. Not a normal man though, he stood at least twenty stories tall. I was adorned in golden armor with a long flowing cape that seemed to extend into eternity. I gazed into it, and lost myself in its majesty. It was like looking to the sky on a clear day. Before I knew it I was zoned out not focusing on the huge man. He cleared his throat and broke me from my trance. I looked him in the face and he looked almost identical to me. His skin was caramel in hue and his face was young in appearance. Yet it was wise with infinite wisdom.

Come to me my son. He said as he knelt down. He was now half the height, more manageable. I didn’t realize it but my body was back and I stood at his feet looking up to him. I surveyed my body to make sure that I was all there, I was. But two things were missing.

Hey, Where’s Devin? I asked frantically. He regarded me with a slight smile.

She is having an audience with my queen. He said proudly. Then he unsheathed a blade that I didn’t notice before. It was Hurricane; I hadn’t realized I wasn’t holding the blade anymore. Although I was grateful I wasn’t. The blade was now twenty feet long like the man holding it.

You’re queen? Who are you? I asked finally gaining the courage to. He smiled the rose to his feet.

I thought you’d never ask my son. I almost feared you were a little slow. He said with a laugh.

Oh haha, you try asking a man three times your size a question then. I retorted after I crossed my arms. He looked proudly at me, as if he was glad that I showed no fear now. He raised Hurricane in the air and suddenly we were in a barren land. I could tell this was the past, prehistory, pre-everything. Even with a lack of life, there was an aura of purity about this place.

What you’re seeing is Earth in its youth, after it was newly created by my father. The voice rang out. Everything was pure and beautiful. Unadulterated.

Who is your father, who are you? I asked again.

Oh excuse me, I never introduced myself. My name is Sora Roy; it means Sky king in today’s languages. My father, you would call him God I guess. Sora answered. I pondered that for a while. If he was the son of God, then what was he, if not a god himself?

Are you a god too? I asked timidly

Yes I am by your standards. At least I was. Something like those Greek gods that you modern people learn of. We started those stories. he said with a little chuckle.

Stories? You did? I asked dumbfounded.

Yeah I actually wrote them to entertain my queen, Solara Vestal. He mused.

Vestal that is Devin’s last name. She’s descended from a God Queen. I asked sounding like an amazed child at a circus. The Sky king got a good laugh at my reaction.

I can tell you care deeply for, Devin was it? Yes she is descended from her. Just like you are from me. He said proudly. That information went over my head at first, then it sunk in. I was the descendant of a God as was Devin. Wait Devin was too, from his queen… .

If Devin was from your queen and I you, aren’t we related? I asked confused.

No my son, it doesn’t work that way with Gods. Trust me it’s complicated, and not the time for these questions. I only have a few more moments. I’m going to show you a battle from the past. Sora said with a slight bit of rage in his voice.

A battle, why? I asked even more confused.

For you to get a better understanding of the situation you have now been placed in. Why you’re inert abilities have awaken suddenly. Sora answered. Before I could bombard him with another question a heavy rain started to drench the peaceful landscape that was set out in front of me.

The heavy rain quickly grew into a torrential downpour. The sky darkened as if the sun was fading away. The downpour soon took the shape of a tidal wave crashing down upon the Earth. The waves of rushing water receded revealing a newly formed crater with two larger than life figures in it. One was Sora in full battle armor with his sky cape, and Hurricane grasped tightly in his hand. His breathing was heavy as he struggled to rise. Beside him was a woman, no, a goddess. She wore golden armor similar to Sora’s over an elegant white gown. Devin and Solara could have been twins. I’m guessing that was Solara Vestal. She was just as beautiful as I would have imagined except for one horrid fact. She had a hole in her armor that gushed blood immensely. Her blood was golden instead of red. She grimaced in pain. I couldn’t bear to watch her wince as she rose up.

Solara, Don’t move, I’ll finish this. Please don’t move Sora pleaded with her. Despite his cries she rose up and raised her blade, Soleil to the sky. In response the Sun brightened up a little, but it remained dim as if it was sunset. But it was high noon. This wasn’t looking good.

No my love I can finish this battle with you. she said with a wave of confidence. Hearing that Sora sighed and perked up. But he noticed her arms began to tremble. Sora raised his blade and the wind whipped up ferociously in response. I’ve never seen such power before. A third figure crashed down in front of them. He was clad in blue armor, maybe made of Sapphire. He raised his dark blade. It’s was a deep blue hue, it glistened in the sun as if it was soaking wet. He aimed it at his two opponents.

Look at the Sun in the sky! She’s fading! the man yelled angrily. He seemed bitter about something. Sora looked into the sky whilst keeping his eye on the angry man. The dimly glowing sun met his gaze and filled him with worry.

Maelstrom, why would you attack Solara!? Sora yelled as the winds increased in intensity. Maelstrom grew angry. His blade glowed radiantly in the sun. It was like staring into the deepest part of the ocean.

Solara was once my love. If I can’t have her no one else will! Maelstrom yelled. Solara was gasping heavily now, struggling for air. The trembled had evolved into a full shake now. She stripped her armor plating away and her breathing became less labored. Now her wound was revealed. She had been stabbed threw the breast, I’m guessing inches away from her heart. The blood steadily flowed.

I no longer love you Maelstrom. What we had is over. Why can’t you be accepting of Sora? Aren’t you like brothers? She asked growing weaker by the minute, with the sun responding. He lowered his blade a bit and laughed lowly.

Brothers… HA! He’s nothing to me, other than in the way of me killing you. he cried as he began to drop tears from his eyes. I didn’t know gods could cry, but I didn’t think I should ask Sora about his while he was showing me this vision.

He’s right, I’m nothing to him, and he’s nothing to me but an enemy for all of eternity. I pledge that upon this blade. Sora angrily proclaimed, almost in a growl. Hurricane glowed in response to his words. Without warning Maelstrom yelled Tsunami and shot a torrent of water at the ground in front of Sora. Before he could react the water impacted the dirt, blasting mud into his face. He yelled out in pain as he used his free hand to attempt to wipe his face clean.

It’s over! Maelstrom yelled has he lunged forward with a vicious thrust. Sora was defenseless because he was caught off guard. Solara yelled out in desperation and mustered up all her energy left to try to move. The sun returned to its original noon brightness for a split second as she rushed in. She threw herself in front of the blade and it impaled her through her previous injury. This time it was more than a gash. It pierced her completely and shot out of her back. She groaned in pain as did Sora. The blade had pierced his chest as well despite her efforts. Maelstrom yelled out in surprised rage as he looked down to see Soleil had pierced his gut. I watched now with a morbid curiosity. Three gods were now fatally wounded in front of me. A sight that would petrify anyone.

No… I trailed off and turned my head from the vision. I felt a hand on my shoulder, a comforting touch from Sora.

Watch on. You must endure. He said sadly. I turned back after I mustered up the will power to do so.

Maelstrom forced himself off of Solara’s blade and tried desperately to catch his breath. He placed his hand over the wound and created a water bubble over it. It quickly turned a dark gold color. That must’ve been his blood mixing with the water. Whatever he tried to do wasn’t working. Sora looked down at Solara who was now pinned to his chest. Tears streamed down both their faces. She struggled to do so, but she reached up and stroked the side of his face. She dropped her blade to the ground with a loud crash. I forgot they were the size of giants compared to me, the blades as well.

I’m sorry I got you into this my love. she sobbed between words. Sora gazed into her eyes and willingly got lost in them for the last time.

I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you m’lady. He said with a great sadness in his voice.

You did your best to protect me. I don’t blame you my handsome husband. She smiled up at him despite the pain. I realized now she no longer felt pain, only his love.

Even now I can’t help but smile when I see you. I love you Solara. Sora said as a smile crept across his face.

I love you, for now, and forever. I pledge it on my blade She said as she powered through the pain and rose up to kiss him. He did the same and met her lips and kissed her passionately. Soleil started to glow brightly. It must have responded to her pledge. Maelstrom was growing sick of this display of affection and soon expressed it.

That is just pathetic. You’re both weak and pathetic! I’ll see to it that you die miserably and the world belongs to the Dark One! I pledge it on my blade! He yelled weakly. Tsunami glowed as he finished.

Dark One? I asked Sora.

I’ll explain more later. he said in a manner that told me to finish watching. Maelstrom reached for the hilt of his blade and yanked it free of Solara and Sora. She gasped deeply as her lips fell from Sora’s and she fell to the ground like a rag doll. Sora stumbled forward a few paces with his hand on his chest that was now leaking godly blood. He looked at Solara no longer moving and grew angry once again. Maelstrom looked like he was on his last leg, and I could tell this was going to end in one final attack.

Tsunami. Maelstrom said in a deep low growl. His blade covered itself in a whirlpool and he grasped the hilt with two hands tightly. Tears streamed down Sora’s face and his eyes whited out. This was the fearsome sight of a vengeful god.

Hurricane! he said loudly. As he uttered the