Sean of the Realms

© 2020 Jd Howard. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 11/13/2020

ISBN: 978-1-6655-0616-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-0618-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-0617-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020921355

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and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

Origins

Leaving Home

Into The First Realm

The Humble Cove Inn

The Fifth Realm

Finding Kalli

Visions

The Innocents

A Find and A Loss

Doubt

The Benshi

Redemption

This book is dedicated to those who helped

me along in my own faith journey:

Thelma Louise Bloom

Rev. M. H. Bedford

For Sean, Christina, Anne, Lynne, and Emma Jean

Thank you, John with much love and gratitude.

Chapter 1

ORIGINS

It was a day like many others. The Third Realm was relatively peaceful at this time of year. Rhys, Quinn and Sean were on a hunting expedition gathering roots and wild berries in the Nebula forest. Be careful, Master Sean. Don’t slip on any rocks now and please try not getting lost this time, said Rhys.

Then Quinn chimed in, Exactly. You must realize that even though it’s relatively peaceful now, even the Third Realm is still not completely safe nowadays.

Okay, okay, said Sean impatiently. Come on, guys, I’m not doing anything. Besides, this place is beautiful, how can anything bad happen here?

The safety of a human boy, especially a 12-year-old human boy, cannot be taken for granted in the Third Realm or any other said Rhys. The Nebula forest is beautiful. It is the most beautiful forest within the Third Realm. However, most of its terrain is rocky, steep, and filled with waterfalls. Waterfalls hold special significance within the Realms. They serve as portals or gateways to other Realms and to Earth.

When all three had their arms full, it was time to get back to the cave since dusk was approaching. As they entered the cave, Quinn cheerfully put her bounty of wild berries and mushrooms on the table and said, Well, I guess it is time to start making my mushrooms stew. Rhys, please be a dear and ration out the remaining food. Both of you should wash up. Supper will be along in a short while.

Her mushroom stew was Sean’s absolute favorite. He liked the smell of the cave when she made it. Gave him a feeling of home and being safe. Yet it was not home. Not for his kind, not anymore.

Rhys and Quinn are Realm folk. They are creatures whose ancestors inhabited the Realms long before humans migrated from Earth during the last Centennial Age. Rhys is a noble looking creature with dark black fur and dark, piercing, green eyes. He resembles what would be called a panther on Earth but usually walked on his hind legs. He walks on all fours when convenient or necessary. Quinn resembles a snow leopard with bright blue eyes. She was usually calm and encouraged Sean and Rhys to be so. Sean looked out the opening of the cave, and his soul started to wander. In his mind, he saw battles. He saw fire, fear, fleeing humans and creatures. These images frightened him every night; although, he never told Quinn and Rhys.

He was very young when he came to the Third Realm. As the story went, Rhys and Quinn promised his biological parents that they would protect Sean and be his guardians. They have been the only parents he has ever known. Are you okay, Master Sean? asked Rhys.

The question broke the boy out of his daze. Oh. I’m okay. Where do all humans come from anyway?

Why, they come from Earth of course you silly boy, said Rhys.

Where are my parents from? Sean insisted.

Rhys and Quinn exchanged uneasy glances. And, due to the lack of any other explanation or way to change the subject, Rhys decided on telling the boy the truth.

Why did they come to the Realms? Why didn’t they just stay on Earth? said Sean.

Rhys continued Well, my boy, there have been few humans in any of the ten Realms since the Battle of Winter Solstice.

Humans started migrating into the Realms at the end of the Earth’s three hundredth millennia, Quinn piped in.

Why leave their homes, families and everything else they knew to come to the Realms the boy asked?

Quinn said, Do we need to talk about such things right before supper?

No, said Rhys. But, we should.

Quinn chimed in again, insistent, Stop it. Stop it right now! He is still yet a boy.

Rhys turned to Sean and said, Boys don’t stay boys forever, Quinn, and those that do are useless. He must know the truth at some time. Rhys then began to tell Sean a narrative that would give a clue to his destiny. "Long before time began, Earth was formed by the creator and it had all manner of life. Yet, it was only one manifestation of many dimensions created. Each dimension was given the ability to evolve using the resources formed within it. The creator designed continuity and promise within each dimension. The dimensions have always been connected by portals or gates through which one could travel between them. The creatures of the ten Realms discovered these gateways at different times. As I said, it was within the thirtieth century after the common era that humans began to appear in small numbers within the Realms, however, it was usually quite by accident. But, once they traveled into the Realms through a portal, they were unable to get back to Earth. Interestingly, small human migrations occurred as early as the twenty-fourth century of the common era. On Earth, these portals were usually behind waterfalls, in ocean crevices, deep canyons, and caves, much like it is in the Realms.

Each of the ten Realms in this dimension of our universe is unique in topography, weather patterns and number of inhabitants. The beings that inhabit them could be human, creatures, hybrids and Zheida. There is a common tongue such as the one we speak and different dialects. Earth has many languages and dialects. Realm folk do share one noble belief. You see, Master Sean, Realm creatures value above all things: peace, justice, truth, and loyalty. The situation was and, is still, quite different from Earth. Humankind on Earth had many wars. And those wars spawned more wars. There was always fighting of some sort.

"Why are humans so different from the Realm creatures? asked Sean.

Rhys continued. Well, dear boy, I just told you why. Rhys turned to Quinn and asked, What were the usual reasons for many of those humankind wars?

Quinn thought for a second, then she said, Well, let’s see. There are so many, but the basic ones concern which folk worship the true God, who can lay claim to what land, someone wants someone else’s stuff and here’s the funniest one: we are better than them. It’s all because of Chaos I tell you, she sighed.

Rhys continued. "When Chaos came, they ruled. Using war, anarchy, suspicion, and fear to supplant peace and harmony was much easier on Earth than in the Realms. It is amazing how most humankind can be so complacent with Chaos. And those who tired of it migrated into the Realms once the portals were discovered. They formed small settlements and lived in peace with all the Realm folk. Alas, good things cannot last. Chaos followed the humans into the Realms. They tracked them down like bloodhounds. Then life in the Realms changed completely and irrevocably for us. The Benshi came. The Benshi is the coldest most malevolent creature to ever exist on Earth or the Realms. It was created by Chaos for the sole purpose of rounding up every human being within all ten Realms and deporting them back to Earth.

The humans were held in horrible conditions in the ghettos prior to deportation. It was a terrible time for all. Some waiting for transport to Earth died in the ghettos and most would rather die than go back. Eventually, they formed an alliance: the rebellion. Many joined the Brotherhood Militia. Human and Realm creatures stood shoulder to shoulder and fought back. You see, Master Sean, your family and ours were members of the rebel forces. Sadly, most were killed; we were too few. The others were scattered to whereabouts unknown. A great many went underground still loyal to the cause and to the Creator.

How do they track them down? The humans I mean, said Sean.

Quinn explained further. Their spirit prints gave them away, which is why many migrate and hardly stay in one place. My dear, all of humankind and creatures are born with a soul which is unique, for every being. It is what makes each human being a specific individual with its own consciousness. Therefore, each soul has its own spirit print and those prints can be used to trace an individual because they are related to the prints of ancestors and the living. The print is strongest when the person is alive but never fades completely. Even when a person dies, the print remains stays in the spirit world and can travel through portals and throughout time. Creatures have souls but the spirit prints have a common distinction among species and can be distinguishable.

So, one can tell the difference between human and creature spirit prints? asked Sean. He was getting very tired and supper proved highly informative. However, he was still worried about the recurrent visions in his head. He thought to himself, it’s best to talk about that another time.

After Sean was in bed, Rhys and Quinn suddenly understood that the peace they had known in the Third Realm would be ending sooner rather than later. No one, not even the Chaos family knew of Sean’s whereabouts. Rhys and Quinn intended to keep it that way for as long as possible. Sleeping was restless for all that night.

While waiting for breakfast, things were quiet as Sean was practicing his telekinesis, he was balancing a full cup of cream over Quinn’s head. He added a spoon, a little higher than the cup. Maybe I’ll add a fork, he thought. But it all loudly crashed to the floor as Rhys bounded in and said, Good to see you practicing, Master Sean.

Sorry, Quinn, mumbled Sean as he cleaned up the cream.

Quinn then smiled and said, I don’t mind your practice, Love, just not so close to my head next time.

Sean began setting the breakfast table. As he finished, a vision came roaring into his head. The boy whimpered, closed his eyes, and fell to the floor. Rhys and Quinn rushed to his side. And as he opened his eyes, he saw the sheer worry in his friend’s faces. What is it this time: a simple vision, a premonition, or a prophecy? said Rhys.

They knew.

Yes, Master Sean, you have had these spells since you were young.

How long have you known? asked Sean.

Oh, since we first came here with you after the Great War, Quinn replied. It was very frightening for the both of us, at first. Then we came to understand what they are. They are visions, it is a gift that is the mark of your people.

They are nothing to fear. But you need to learn to control and read them for your gift to be useful, said Rhys. What did you see?

Sean began to describe the vision. Well, they come on quick. They are all different except for one thing. There is an eye. I always see a large eye with a black pupil centered inside of a three-pointed star. At the center of the eye, there are always creatures and humans screaming and running. I always feel cold, very cold, when they happen.

Quinn and Rhys looked at each other. Their fears were confirmed. It was the mark of Chaos. Rhys then piped up, Well, my boy, we need to figure out these visions and get ready for the times to come. Because they are coming whether we are ready or not.

But before anything happens, we should explain things to him, said Quinn.

Yes, Master Sean, before any plans are made, before any deeds are done, you must understand Chaos.

After breakfast, Rhys, Quinn, and Sean went walking to the riverbank with fishing gear. They were crossing the meadow and Sean could see the shimmering river below. The Third Realm had two suns. The first sun rose in the East. The second sun rose South East. And both suns set in the West and Southwest. The two got into a small boat and cast their lines. Quinn took her seat in the middle of the boat. Sean took in the depth of the Third Realm’s sweeping beauty. It had many forests. Those forests were greener than any on Earth or the other Realms. Those forests harbored much magic, many secrets and many refugees like them. The sky today seemed bright and serene with a bluish-purple hue. No fish were biting. Not that he would have noticed. He had questions, many questions, but he didn’t quite know how to ask. But he tried his luck. How long have we been here? asked Sean.

Well, since you were almost two years old. So, it has been about ten years, said Rhys. He continued. Quinn and I knew your family well. We were all like family. You have an elder sister. Her name is Kalliope.

Sean became excited. Really! What was she like? he asked Sean.

All who knew and loved her call her Kalli, she is a feisty one. Like your mother, she is a born warrior.

"She is? Don’t you mean she was?" asked Sean.

No, said Quinn I mean is. Kalli is still alive out there somewhere. Rhys and I can still feel her spirit print because we are so close to you. Where is she? Who knows? But one thing I know for sure is that she is still alive."

Then what are we waiting for? Let’s find her and my parents! Sean yelled. By now, he was standing up in the boat and shaking it.

The girl can be found yes, but where to look? That is the question, said Rhys.

Sean began pacing in the small boat. Calm yourself, boy! Rhys shouted.

What about my parents then? said Sean.

Well, finding your parents would be a more difficult task. You see, we have lost their spirit prints. Neither Quinn nor I can sense them. We know that they are not in this Realm. Whether they are alive or not, we certainly do not know.

Sean began to feel tears welling up in him and he wanted to cry. Rhys said in a calming voice, Master Sean, we know it isn’t the same, but as long as Quinn and I draw breath, you will never ever be alone. In fact, Sean, he continued, you are never truly alone. The Creator makes sure of that.

They walked back to the cave in silence. There will be supper tonight since they did have a small catch. But whether he was or not, Sean still felt very alone. After supper, all of them sat by the fire. Sean sat expectantly in the silence. Rhys cleared his throat and began solemnly. "Chaos, they are a family of sorts. They are three twin siblings: two brothers and a sister. Their parents were human just like yours. And for a time, they were human too. The parents were members of the Synod, the ministers of Justice who ruled the ten Realms. Like all good parents, they loved their children but often indulged them. However, those children were much different than their parents. They did not have a heart for the good of others. Even now, there is a bitter rivalry between them. As they grew, they hungered for power. They tended to be selfish and sometimes cruel even to each other. They had everything the Earth and Realms had to offer. Yet, the greatest prize among them was power. They grew tired of their parents’ teachings of justice, truth, and loyalty. Since their parents were members, either of them could have taken up their seat in the Synod, if they had studied and had any hint of compassion. But merely being a member of the Synod was not enough. They craved power over Earth and all the Realms. They would stop at nothing to achieve it. That is when they conceived of the most terrible being imaginable. And that being is the Benshi, the demon man of malice, lies and cruelty. He derives his strength from Chaos. They ordered this beast to kill everyone on the Synod,