The World of Shangrila: The Lightning Tower

By Aaron D'Cruz

The World of Shangrila: The Lightning Tower is the first of the trilogy. Three children are teleported to Shangrila, where there is a battle between the Naturalians and the Technolians. The wizards, witches, and animals battle a losing battle against the robot, tanks, and planes. The children have been brought as they know about both nature and technology and can bring balance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: May 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9781514498880

Aaron D'Cruz

Aaron D’Cruz was born on February 21, 1978. With his father being Anglo-Burmese, a mix of Portuguese, where D’Cruz originates, but was born in Burma, with English mixed in, and his Mother is Anglo-Indian, Aaron is a blend of a multicultural background. Aaron married his wife (who is Hindu, adding to Aaron’s diversity) in July 29, 2006. He has one daughter, who was born October 2008. Aaron has always been interested in writing and has written many stories, which were mainly given to family members to enjoy. These stories vary in content and age ranges. He has also a love for poetry and has submitted a few to the local newspaper. He is hoping to publish more stories in the future within different genres and suitability ratings to become a diverse writer.

Book preview

Copyright © 2016 by Aaron D’Cruz. 733160

ISBN:   Softcover        978-1-5144-9889-7

              EBook            978-1-5144-9888-0

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. date: 11/10/2016

Xlibris

0800-056-3182

www.xlibrispublishing.co.uk

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One – All but a dream

Chapter Two – The Bite of Reality

Chapter Three – King Obliging

Chapter Four – Traitors Within

Chapter Five – Lost Hope

Chapter Six – The Battle Plan

Chapter Seven – Battlefront of Hope

Chapter Eight - The King of the Dragons

Chapter Nine - The Plan

Chapter Ten - The Unification of Realms

Epilogue

Prologue

Brandon, alongside Emma and a tearful Stacy, stayed close behind King Obliging and his son Marduk. I want to go home! cried Stacy. I don’t want to be in Shangrila any more.

I know Stacy, Brandon said trying to comfort her. I thought this was some dream too. Now, I can feel the reality of it all. They had never thought it possible. A world within a world. Space within nothingness. They would never have believed it, if someone else was telling them. Now, they had to believe as it was happening to them.

They don’t need us anymore. Stacy rides beside Marduk, Send us home. Send us home now. You don’t need us anymore.

Sorry, Marduk replies softly, lowering his head, I can’t.

Can’t or won’t? Stacy snaps.

Stacy! Emma says trying to calm the situation.

"What Emma? We all know why you want to stay, Stacy’s eyes flashed her anger at Emma. How do we get home? To Earth I mean?"

I do not know of this thing - what did you call it - Earth? Marduk replied regally. But I must prepare for battle. Darkness is upon us and we will need to fight soon.

But Marduk – Emma’s cries are ignored as Marduk gallops faster, away from them towards the mountains, escorted by his royal guards.

I guess we are alone, Brandon says. We came here somehow, and we can leave. I am not giving up. We will get home.

Chapter One – All but a dream

M id November, and winter had began to show her ugly head, as a cold wind began biting people’s noses and ears. Emma didn’t mind. She rather liked winter. Christmas was coming and she hoped for a white Christmas.

Her friend stood close enough to steal some body warmth from her. Emma hardly noticed, she was busy watching her breath and imaging she was a dragon. Good game, Stacy broke her imagination and she turned and smiled. Your Brother is almost about to score. The cheers from the crowd also warned Emma that her brother Brandon was goal bound. She turned as Brandon dribbled the football on the right-wing.

He saw an opening. Don’t pass it! Mr Jones, the school’s P.E. teacher, cried as Brandon passed the ball to Dylan. Dylan took a shot. Saved? Mr Jones yelled. Brandon, you see an opening, you take it. Mr Jones coached the school’s football team and hated losing. Tackle! Tackle him Daniel! Daniel did as commanded and knocked his opposition to the ground with a shoulder barge. The whistle blew. Penalty? screamed Mr Jones at the Referee, You blind Ref? He’s acting! The Referee just gave Mr Jones a look of disdain and pointed to the spot.

Must have hurt, Emma said to herself. Cold often makes things hurt worse, right?

I guess!

Stand like I showed you Michael …. like this! Mr Jones cried and demonstrated the stance with his own body.

The opposition shot and the crowd roared Goal!

Mr Jones was now furious. 3-3. He called Brandon over as the ball was carried over to the centre of the pitch, Now Brandon, I told you to finish this game. Do it! He placed a sketch of the field, Rory here, he pointed to midfield. Get Dominic here, he said pointing attacking midfield, and Dylan here, he said pointing to be a central striker, so Dylan distracts them and you go in right, as I’ve noticed they are weak on the right, you run in right and score.

The ball was placed in the middle of the field and Brandon quickly passed to Dylan. Dylan knocked it back to Rory. Rory played the ball back to defence. Dominic dribbled forward. Dominic went around one opponent. Then another…and another. He made a quick pass to Rory. Rory then took on two opponents and chipped it to Dylan. Three of the opposition came at him and he passed back to midfield. Mark got the ball and lobbed it into the box. Rory volleys it. The ball skims past the post.

Nice try! Brandon smiles as he runs back to midfield. The Keeper kicks the ball out to the Defender who quickly kicks it to the Midfielder as Brandon charges in. He slide-tackles and gets the ball back. He keeps his footwork light and dribbles past two Midfielders. He sees three Defenders coming for him and passes to Rory. Rory, man on! Brandon warns.

Rory looks up and sees the defender coming for him. He passes to Dylan. Brandon makes a run into the box. Dylan lobs the ball into the box. Brandon jumps and volleys the ball. Goal! The crowd cheer.

Emma looks at her watch, Game is almost over. She smiles as the ball is being kicked around in midfield.

Good goal by your Brother though, Stacy smiles. Emma removes a box of cigarettes and a lighter. I thought you quit? Stacy snaps.

I have, Emma smirks putting them back in her pocket, Disgusting habit anyway. Just do it to look cool. The whistle blows and they all cheer as the home-side win again. Nine games without a loss, isn’t it? Stacy nods as the players all shake hands with one another.

Emma and Stacy meet with the team who are celebrating. Wanna come back to mine and play some games on the console? Dylan asks.

No thanks, Brandon smiles, I have to walk my sister and her friend home.

We’ll come. The rest of the team cheer.

Brandon wraps his arm around his sister’s neck playfully, What did yah think of the game, Sis?

I thought you was amazing, Brandon, Stacy winks to Brandon.

You can go if you want? Emma says. I’m big enough to walk home alone, you know? You are only a year older than me.

I know, Sis. Mum would have my guts for garters if I didn’t though. Brandon playfully tosses Emma’s hair.

I’m sleeping over too! Stacy reminds him.

I’m going for a shower and meet you near the gate, ok?

They arrive home and Brandon turns his console on. Anyone up for a game? he yells as the girls giggle as the run upstairs.

Have you done you homework? his Mother yells from the kitchen

It’s Friday Mum. He turns, grabs the control pad and sits down. OK, time to complete this level.

Brandon! the girls yell from their room. Come here!

What is it? Brandon yells as his computer generated knight slays a robot. I’m busy!

Brandon, please, Stacy yells.

Brandon sighs and pauses the game. Very well! He gets up and runs upstairs. What is it?

"You know we share a