Soltis: The Fall of Bolt

By Omar Morales

Experience a world of magic and wonder through the eyes of a young human slave. Roy was serving his lizard-like master, until one day, he and his friend Rena decide to explore an ancient temple. There Rena finds herself experiencing a vision in which an invasion was being instructed to commence. That would be the moment when both their lives would change. They would get to know magic far thought extinct and also the true face of madness with Mandigar. With their village destroyed shortly after the vision by the madman and his forces they set out on a journey to warn their oppressors on the impending danger from a once extinct species, the draconians.

On the road to the capitol, they meet people of all species and nations, even a disappearing castle. This race against time, creatures, people, and politics could only culminate in the grand master tournament. A tournament where all the nations gather and fight to become the leader of the allied nations. Here they meet an emotionless elf, a seductive assassin and a statue-like warrior like no other fighting for their nations while madness slowly approaches in the wake of their burning village.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 21, 2016
• ISBN: 9781503527317

Omar Morales

My name is Omar Morales, and I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in the year 1989. Since I was eight years old, I was into storytelling. I started watching series with my mother and eventually by myself I would create alternate situations and play with my toys with those little fan fictions. Eventually by age ten, I drew my first comic book and showed my family, as would any kid that age. Creating stories has been part of me since I can remember. It was only when I reached high school when I actually saw myself writing something more. I started this novel when I was in tenth grade. I had read fantasy and also was influenced by classics like Homer's “Illiad” and even anime, so my inspiration came from many places. I would say that the motivation to write this story was to create a fantasy world that seemed connected with what we know. How species are not clones but individuals with complicated minds, and how discrimination is better seen from afar when it happens to most people all the time. I hope whomever reads this story enjoys every moment of it.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Temple of Salumandra

This story is top secret, only high officials know the details of this story and how it started. You see the beginning of a story is the hardest thing to do. Where to start…? Well, let’s start at Yowell. Yes! That is the perfect place to start the story. Yowell is a village in the coast of the continent of Forok. The village belongs to the Bolt kingdom, which is famous for its minerals, jewels and warm weather. The village at this time was celebrating the fifty years of their kingdom’s relocation. Yes, it’s a long story, but let’s take it step by step.

So, where was I? Yes, Yowell in celebration. The Saurians developed a taste for feats of strength and agility, so most of the celebrations were basically arena festivals, which concentrate on a contestant fighting one another or a beasts. This celebration takes the small quiet coastal village and transforms it to a lively and exciting scene. Many nations go to Forok at this time, especially to the capitol of the Bolt Kingdom, Frandel the so called jewel of Forok. I am sorry I have been rambling on…

Without further delay this story goes something like this…

The village of Yowell is in all celebration. People are walking all over the village, selling and buying merchandise, talking, dancing and especially commenting about the main event of the day in the local arena. The village looked amazingly decorated with flowers on the side of the houses, the trademark fountain in the middle of the village was brilliantly showed off, with its bursting streams of water flowing upward, creating a nice rainbow while the light hits the gentle spray. Any visitor could see the arena in the corner of the village next to its fantastic forest of Londren, with its thick trees and only road to the Titan Mountains southeast of the capitol, Frandel.

Now the exquisite arena was made of stone marble and obsidian. The black and white structure caught the eye of anyone passing through, it is a work of art created not by the Saurian, but the previous inhabitants of Forok. An empire that spanned through the entire continent, and almost brought the world to its knees. Inside the arena no soul could fit this day, with Saurians, elves, orcs and other species screaming, drinking and enjoying the matches of the day, and waiting with anticipation for the main event.

A voice could be heard all around the arena. Now, ladies and gentlemen the fight that you have all been waiting for, our champion! The crowd could hear getting more excited, the screams could reach the farthest corners of the village. The pride of Forok, one of the five generals of the Draconian War! Murray Flash Claw Pathorn!

Immediately after those words, the sand covered base of the arena opened a hidden door. From the hatch a brown scales lizard head start emerging slowly. The people screamed and cheered louder and louder. The public could see his fierce yellow eyes with a shoulder armor pad on his left side and a spear on his right hand. He emerged and looked ravid. With scars all over his body, which looked like sword wounds, a leather belt was crossing his chest and strapped the shoulder pad, short white pants, and a blade on his left hip.

One of the most feared creatures in Mentra, a beast with no fear, only inhabiting the deepest depths of Syndel’s vast unknown lands. Hunted only by aracnadocs, the gray three horned behemoth! The crowd was still cheering but the elves stayed quiet and the orcs screeched almost losing themselves in madness. One gate opened and an immense creature with gray hair, hound like head with a dark mane and three dark green horns. The creature looked three times bigger than the Saurian. Murray took steps towards his right, waiting for the beast, the crowd stopped cheering and observed the creature coming out of the gate with drool dripping from his monstrous mouth of blade like teeth. The Saurian stood his ground and thrusts his spear to the arena floor. Then he moved his body side to side, it almost looked like a dance, moving his head and shoulders and getting lower and lower to the ground. The behemoth looked at the lizard man and roared. Murray looked at the beast with his yellow eyes and drew his sword slowly as the beast approached. The crowd could feel the tension in the arena floor as one of those living being’s lives was about to be taken.

The behemoth roared and started its charge, with stomps that made the ground tremble and the crowd gasp. The Saurian waited, looked at the beast and in a matter of moments he jumped. The creature looked at the leaping Saurian high above and instantly blood gushed out of the beast’s back and mouth. There was almost no time to see what had happened, the Saurian had taken his spear from the ground and with his tail threw it a the beast opened mouth, it pierced the beast all the way through and the audience could see the spear coming out of the animal’s back. The monster roared in pain and as it roared the lizard man came down and sliced its leg off while retrieving the spear with his tail. Immediately when the behemoth fell he took the spear and pierced its heart. The crowd cheered while this act of cruelty happened and the now drenched with blood Murray looked at the audience and walked towards the gate where the monster came from.

The beast’s blood flowed on the arena floor and the Saurian walked slowly out of the view of the blood craving populous. The drops of blood fell off the lizard man’s tail leaving his print in the field. The Saurian entered the chamber and found himself with a young boy. He looked at the brown short haired youth, with green shirt and dark brown pants. Murray looked at him and the boy with no questions or commentary gave the warrior a towel, which he immediately used to dry and clean all the blood that covered his face. The boy’s cinnamon colored skin and light brown eyes trembled with the sight of the Saurian’s fearsome appearance.

Did you watch the match? Murray asked with a voice compared closer to hissing.

Yes, are you tired? Your voice seems stressed.

My voice is fine… He responded and now the voice seemed more human, only prolonging the S like a serpent. You’re not one to talk about voices. Your voice cracks like a roster.

Yes well, I am becoming a man…

You are right of course, sixteen year since the day I found you and Rena. What did you think about the match?

It was a massacre… When we practice back home you taught me to fight as equals, this was a something else, completely unfair.

Good, you know your lessons. He walked towards the door. Bolt is polluted, decaying, but Roy, I believe you and Rena are the key for changing this.

How can we be the key?

You will know once we get to Frandel He smiled showing his razor sharp teeth. You and Rena have the day off. Be ready to leave tomorrow in the morning. I will wash up here and go home so drop by if you need something.

Are you certain?

You might be a slave legally, but you are like my child. He left and the young boy was thinking about his free day.

After the conversation with Murray, Roy left the arena grounds, and I would imagine it was an excruciating experience having to walk through all the people trying to enter and leave the arena. Thankfully the boy knew his way around and escaped the sea of people and ended up at the beautiful fountain in the middle of the village.

Now where is Rena… She always gets lost doing stuff for Murray. I thought she was getting water… As those words were said a young silky haired woman approached with a bucket. The young woman set the bucket on the floor her flawless tanned skin was being shined by the sun’s light that almost gave her a magical appearance. Rena! She smiled with the sight of Roy.

What Roy?

Murray gave us the day off so let’s take the water back to Murray’s. The bucket was heavier than it appeared, but they started walking towards the arena. His master’s house was close to the great structure of marble and obsidian. Before being overrun by people they took a left at a road where a butcher shop was and continued down the road until finding their master’s mansion. The building was impressive, with three floors and about eight other humans living inside the establishment. Rena opened the front gate and they walked inside the compound. The mansion is made of brick and stone, it has vines and flowers all over. Around the building there is a stone path with gardens to each side. Roy and Rena walked on the stone path to the left and they could still hear the commotion of the arena.

How was Murray’s match?

It wasn’t a match… It was a slaughter… I don’t get why the Baroness wants him to fight these creatures to the death…

I don’t know, I think it’s because people like watching him fight. He is the best warrior in the kingdom, so it’s natural the people want to see him. Both of them walked to the right side of the mansion. The entire estate was filled with gardens and a side house that had equipment for maintenance and some armors and weapons. Roy placed the bucket next to the corner wall of the mansion.

Roy, you said we have the day off. I have a plan on what to do. She said and looked at him with a big smile. The kid knew that Rena’s smile meant something completely risky. He only remembers the times that they went in the animal cages of the arena and trying to pick a fight with the local militia. Just because Murray trained them in basic fighting techniques they cannot take down the world.

You remember the old temple you went to look for Murray’s sword?

Yes, it was in the Salumandra temple, but we are not supposed to go there unless we have permission from our master. Why do you want to get in trouble again? She looked at him and walked closer and stopped inches from his face.

We’ll be able to see what it is, so top secret that humans cannot see the temple. So don’t be scared as always and accompany me. She smiled and grabbed his hand. Come on, let’s go.

They start walking out of the mansion’s estate and find on the way their master Murray walking towards his property. They notice that he is wearing a black trench coat that is usually worn by the Bolt high captains. He notices Roy almost being dragged by Rena out of the front wooden gate.

Where are you two off to?

No where specific, just around the village, to see what we can do. She looked at Roy seriously and he just recomposed himself, stood firmly and nodded his head.

Can’t speak? Murray smiled and Rena looked away.

Yes I can speak… I was wondering why are you wearing a military coat.

Well, I need to get used to it once again. Once we get to Frandel I need to be wearing it all the time. Murray looked at his black and yellow edged cloak. I will not keep you then, have fun, there will be food when you return. He walked past them and smiled at both.

He seems sentimental…

Well, it’s been almost twenty years since he has gone to the capitol. Maybe he feels something life changing is going to happen. Roy insisted and they both walked away towards the middle of the town.

After they reached the central fountain in the village they turned towards the beach here the harbor has fish merchants and boat craftsman. They pass the entire harbor and entered the human section of the village. There was a transformation, from the stone road and lively nature of the village the atmosphere was dark and with poor maintained shacks, roads made of mud and people some on the streets while others sick and mostly abandoned.

I hate it how they treat humans…

I know, Murray said that we would change this. Roy replied and they finished walking through the human sector. They both saw an immense forest with very old trees as tall as any building in the village with roots that grasped the ground tightly that nothing could take it down. There was a path between all the trees, both of them took the dirt road and headed towards the temple.

What does it look like?

The temple is made of obsidian with stone pillars that look like warriors. When I went Murray’s sword was over the altar in front of a statue holding a huge sphere. The strange thing is that the sphere was not made of obsidian, it’s made from a red and silver material. They walked and Rena was having a hard time not tripping on some of the roots that were still on the path.

A red and silver stone… What do you think it is? I have never read or heard of a stone like that. You think it’s magical? She seemed very intrigued with the entire idea of something so mysterious.

Don’t know, maybe. It is in a temple and the Saurians do not want people entering or even visiting it if they are not authorized. I would think it would be much more difficult to enter the forest knowing that the village is filled with people from all other nations and species. He looked all around and no guards were present in the entrance of the forest or inside.

Maybe all the guards are being used for public order. Normally I do see three guards in the gate that we took to leave the human district.

After a few minutes they find a clearing and Rena stops. There is an impressive structure made or obsidian. The black temple was like Roy described, pillars that look like warriors. Each warrior had a different weapons from left to right the warriors have a spear, the next a word, an axe and a hammer. Rena walked closer to the structure and touched the swordsman feet. Roy looked in the distance and his head starts hurting. It did not happen the first time he visited the temple.

Meteora… Meteora… he heard over and over again. At first it started with whispers and it grew lauder and lauder. He stopped walking when the pain was unbearable. Meteora…

You coming? She got closer and touched Roy.

I’m sorry… I was distracted. Rena looked at him and patted his shoulder. Yeah go ahead with me. I might take some time looking at this wonderful structure.

She looked at him once more and slowly walked to the structure. Roy looked at her entering the structure. The voice in his head faded as mysteriously as it appeared. Roy stepped in the structure a few moments after Rena. Immediately as he placed a foot in the structure heaviness came over him. His movements became sluggish and felt the air around him passing on his skin. The interior was spacious with statues made of marble and rows of seats that went towards the end of the main room. Light passed through thin windows that illuminated the statues and the middle of the rows, but the most impressive thing in the temple was the statue behind the gold colored altar. The statue was as big as the obsidian soldiers, and as Roy remembers the statue is holding a mostly red stone with some silver covering some areas. He turned to look at the entire room and noticed that the obsidian was different. Each area had a different colored obsidian stone, some had red lines others grey but the most curious is the material used close to the altar that had a blue shine. The temple was something to behold and wondered why the Saurians did not visit it more frequently.

This is amazing! She ran towards the altar and looked at the immense statue. Can I touch the stone he’s holding?

Don’t… you will fall and then I have to carry you back.

So you’re telling me I am heavy… I am fat! She turned and looked at Roy very seriously and all that the young man felt was fear. He never knew how to deal with Rena when she gets irritated or mad. I am going to climb this statue and touch the stone. She started climbing and Roy walked closer until he was under her. She continued with great enthusiasm, when she was near the statue’s head she stopped and looked at Roy. How do you like the view? She smiled and looked at Roy under her.

Come down Rena, and you know I don’t care for the view! So come down and let’s go back.

You don’t care about the view. Well too bad! She continued climbing and was face to face with the strange stone. She extended her hand and touched the red and silver sphere. See nothing happened… This is disappointing…

Ok so now come down.

When she started to climb down she felt the air change, she felt heavier, started to harder breaths and she slipped from the statue’s arm. She felt like she was falling and suddenly she found herself in a dark room. She saw nothing only darkness, she could not even see her hands. Roy! Roy! no one answered her calls, there was only silence. Suddenly a light appeared beneath her, she looked and it was getting closer and closer. She could distinguish a man with a black and purple robe kneeling. The light was brighter by every moment; she could recognize the man even better. He has white skin and pitch dark long hair; he also has a silver and black armor.

My lord, you called me.

The echoes reached Rena’s ears and made her shake. Is this real? Or imagined… it all feels so real… immediately she is interrupted by another light over what it seems to be a man sitting on a throne. She could not distinguish the man’s face but he is wearing a white, purple and black robe, he almost looked like a priest and looked human.

Ghaleon the dragon master. Rena looked at the kneeling man. Are the preparations ready? The man on the throne asked with a voice that seemed like a monster.

Yes my lord. The only problem might be the grand tournament.

No problem, Mandigar has everything under control. Suddenly a strong wind blows Rena’s hair and she observes how a tornado materializes a man next to the dragon master.

Is he trying to question my methods…? The newly materialized man said but he seemed to be crying. The man has a mask on, Rena could distinguish that the mask was white almost like those theater mask that she sees in plays that she enjoys reading. He was wearing a brown trench coat and green pants and very distinctive brown boots.

No Mandigar, he is just concerned about the tournament.

I have a plan sir… The masked man started laughing hysterically. A plan that the tournament would work in our favor. Now the man said outraged.

How would it work for us!? The dragon master stood up and faced Mandigar.

I pity you… Mandigar turned and looked at Ghaleon, his mood changed once again to indifference almost no emotion. With such a simple mind, incapable of seeing beyond the surface. He screamed with agony and tears dripping from his mask.

SILENCE! ordered the robed man sitting on the throne. Ghaleon do not question Mandigar’s methods. Mandigar, the dragon master will be joining you in the campaign against Bolt.

My lord… why… the masked man looked at the robed man laughing. Ok… even with him there will be no resistance… Rena saw how the masked man disappeared with another wind current. The armored man kneeled once more and the robed man stood up.

Ghaleon, I know your troubles with Mandigar, but this invasion needs both of you. Hunt the hydras and obtain the arc.

After those words the light vanished and she found herself once again with no sound and only darkness. She looked at every direction and nothing changed, she just started to listen to something in the distance, a voice familiar to her that calmed her heart.

Rena! Rena! She heard and the image of a young man with brown short hair and light brown eyes. Rena! You ok? You fell and I grabbed you. It was something dangerous! I thought you were hurt! She looked at him and looked immediately at the statue, the sphere was glowing and she immediately stood up.

Roy… we need to leave.

I could not agree more. They started walking out of the beautiful structure. what happened that you slipped? They were outside of the structure and Rena turned towards Roy.

I think I saw something. When I touched the stone I was in another place…

Yeah you were in the air…

No! I mean I was in a dark room and saw… saw…

Saw what? He asked and Rena looked pale and started pointing behind him. Suddenly Roy feels his head hurting and falls on his knees. At that moment Rena pushes him to the ground and she throws herself. An immense axe comes swinging inches away from them. Meteora… Roy still heard in his head. Roy stood up and turned around; he found that the obsidian soldiers had come to life. He saw every warrior moving like beings of flesh and blood. Rena looked at the beings and started to scream. Roy’s headaches stopped and he took Rena’s arm and started running back to the village.

How is something like this possible? He said while looking behind him and observing trees being smashed and stomps following them.

I don’t know… but this is serious. Who can help us?!

Don’t know, but we have to get to the village… The militia can stop those things.

They left the forest and stopped for a moment to look back. Both of them saw nothing, Rena was breathing hard, but Roy was looking for something that told him they were safe. There is a swooping sound in the distance, Roy looked and the trees started breaking. He pushed Rena and an immense war axe smashed between them. Rena run! at that moment a giant spear smashed the ground in front of him. He looks around and sees Rena running towards the human sector and he closely behind. He looks back and sees an obsidian warrior taking the war axe and throwing it once more towards Rena. Re… He tried to scream but it was too late the axe was in the air and about to kill his friend. He stops and to his surprise Rena was saved by a shadow figure.

How did you know…?

Rena, knowing you it was not a stretch to go to a forbidden temple. I did not expect this. Murray placed her on the ground and looked at the obsidian soldiers coming out of the forest. Four… Roy, take Rena and run! He said and got on all fours to the ground watching the obsidian warriors picking up their weapons.

Roy ran towards Rena and Murray passed by him. The young man looked back and saw his master running between the feet of the spear warrior. The giant stomped and swigged his sword but missed the agile lizard man, suddenly a second warrior comes with axe high in the air and breaks the swordsman in half. Roy grabbed Rena and started running, His master was dealing with the warriors with almost no effort. I don’t know if Murray will be ok… He looked back and he sees Murray on the speared warrior moving around his body, this time the same axe warrior swings his weapon and smashes the other in pieces. Roy’s thought of his master needing help vanished.

Roy! Behind you! He heard the Saurian screamed and Rena looked back and saw an immense hammer falling on top of them. She felt someone pulling her and taking her to the ground. The hammer falls next to them and the crash makes them fly several feet away. Roy gathered himself and stood he immediately saw a brown scaled lizard man with a black trench coat on top of the hammer head. He had a sparkling sword in his right hand and his yellow eyes were looking at both humans. The obsidian warrior raised his hammer high in the air and Murray jumped back and started running with all four legs towards the axe giant. Roy and Rena started running towards the human sector once again. There was a smash and rubble crashing on the ground both looked behind them and saw the axe warrior crumbling by the hammer’s force. Murray was in no were to be found. The giant with the hammer started running towards both humans.

Roy… I am so sorry, it was my fault this happened. She had tears flowing while she looked at him. I’ll make it right… She started running towards the soldier.

Rena what are you doing!

Rena STOP! The lizard man emerged from the smoke and rubble and as running towards the giant.

Meteora… Meteora! Roy’s head seemed to be ready to blow up. He was crippled by the booming sounds inside his head. He looked at Rena running towards the giant and Murray trying to get to her. The giant’s hammer started to dropping on top of Rena. Roy felt his head and his heart pounding he saw everything in slow motion. The imminent death of his friend and he was crippled by his body. All the training he had with Murray, skill with swords, bow and arrows even physical training that he thought he could not survive. All for nothing, all that he wanted was to protect his friends and not the moment has come and he could do nothing. Meteora… Meteora.

Rena saw the hammer falling on top of her; she felt her heart drop to her stomach. There was no sound but the wind breaking violently with the hammer’s path, until suddenly he was pushed back. She was blown to the ground and saw a blinding light figure in front of her. It looked like a human figure, she felt the light and it was warm and safe. The light behind the figure transformed to six white wings the hammer disintegrated with the light. The obsidian warrior was pushed back, and Murray stopped and looked at the spectacle of power. The warrior reached high with his fist and tries to smash the figure of light. The fist also disintegrated to dust and the entire warrior was consumed by a blast of light. Rena covered her eyes and felt pulses passing and making the ground tremble with each pulse. The figure of light as it appeared it disappeared and Rena with Murray was left alone looking at particles of obsidian in the air. Murray helped Rena up and looked for Roy; the boy was on the ground motionless.

Roy! You ok? She grabbed him and looked at him sleeping. Roy…

It’s over Rena… Come home, I’ll bring him. He grabbed Roy and they started walking towards his mansion. What happened back there?

We went to the temple… They passed the human sector of the village with ease. I am so sorry… I did not know that was going to happen. That might be why the ruin is forbidden.

No, it’s only forbidden to the humans because of Bolts anti-human politics. That has never happened… what happened in the temple? They were near the signature fountain that was still as beautiful as ever. The sun was still high and people were still walking all around.

It was my fault… I touched the red stone the statue was holding. Murray continued walking with Roy on his back. A strange sight because other lizard people looked in shock that the champion of Forok would be under a human.

You climbed the statue and touched the stone. Rena looked at the Saurian and he was smiling. "Well normally Saurians do the same and nothing like