Reliquum: Vol 1: Age of Becoming

By Kema Nikuan

There exist’s two kinds of beings that share the tree of humanity, One is the species that we’ve come to know as humans and the other is a far more ancient and powerful branch known as the Magi.


These Magi ruled by Darkness and Light are capable of altering their physical forms at will, controlling the elements, blur the line between life and death, sway the hearts, minds, and wills of others with a mere word, and even change the very fundamental forces of reality at their whim.


Arcades Belmont must navigate this world controlled by elites known as “The Noble Houses” who rule over the common people in tandem with “The Church of Light” and “The Elder Counsel” while fighting off organizations that wish for the death and destruction of him and all of humanity.


Will he be able to overcome these challenges, protect the ones that he loves the most and uncover the truth behind his powers, his birth, and the world itself?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Sep 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781365209048

Book preview

Can you believe that it's already been 7 years since that day?

No, it seems like it was just yesterday.

It doesn’t feel as though time has passed us by so quickly but there’s no mistaking it they’ve all grown so big it makes me a bit emotional.

Yana aren’t you supposed to be readying yourself for the Adolescentem Ceremony you are the presiding Praecepter after all?

I know I just wanted to watch them from this perspective one more time before I become their Teacher. I just know that after today their lives will change forever they’ll see this world for what it truly is they’ll become completely different……

They’ll become completely different people. Adults, is that what you were about to say?

No not that it’s just..…Do you both remember the day of our Ceremony we were nothing like them we’d already seen the truth by their age we were already tainted by the sins of our elders.

We had no other choice.

We were forced to take the weight of the world on our shoulders.

We didn’t have the time or the privilege they’ve been allotted.

True but isn’t that why we did everything we did. To give them the gift that we never had. An actual childhood and genuine innocence.

YANA!

A booming voice interrupted their conversation and suddenly a dark-skinned man with long black hair adorned in the white, and gold uniform of the I.M.A appeared in the Armchair to the left of them. 

Don’t…don’t yell at me like that. You never raise your voice so when you do it’s terrifying

I’m sorry Eve but I....

As he continued to speak his voice began to soften but maintained its air of seriousness.

We all need you to be clear-headed from here on out, you'll be their guide through this coming turbulence.

You’ll be the one who will answer the many questions they’ll certainly have.

And you are not wrong for wanting to maintain their Innocence it is after all the very reason we took the actions we have up until now.

But now it is time to prepare them for what lies ahead.

Both you and Ryu are right, we did not have the opportunity to stay in the dream for as long as they have.

It was unfortunate for us but fortunate for them.

We were forced awake by this world, by the truth and then given the choice to live in a nightmare masked as a dream or stay awake and change what we could.

We chose to rewrite the dream for the next generation.

That’s why your role is so integral to everything we've worked for.

You will be their bridge, a way of easing them into it all.

It's better than being thrown out with no guide to show them the way.

Once they’re awake and ready we can finally bring an end to this long epic.

So please Eve, Calm your mind, Clear away the fog and Set your eyes towards the task at hand.

One that only you can do as only you can.

The man looked at Biyana and Ryu then nodded and as fast as he’d appeared he vanished.

Sadly that’s the most he’s spoken in nearly a year. The only other time he wakes from his slumber is when he needs to give directives and even then it’s only his Astral Projections.

"I wish he would finally wake up. I know that he needs to be in that state to access The Records but It just doesn’t feel the same….he doesn’t feel the same." 

The Mood in the room turns Melancholic

I know Yana it doesn’t feel the same but you know better than anyone how he is when it comes to achieving his goal but it’s that determination and conviction to see whatever challenge that he faces through to the end that’s is the very reason I decided to follow him all those years ago.

When he finally does awaken I’m going to slug him for leaving us alone for so long 

You sure it isn’t the fact that he left you alone I can tell you miss him.

No that’s not what I meant at all and I don’t miss him in the slightest.

Right right….then why are you blushing.

I’m not blushing, it's just hot in here and I have a fever.

You can lie to yourself but not to me Yana you’ve been like this since we were kids

SHUT UP RUEY!       Now blushing from his teasing she proceeds to punch Ryu.

Ouch, you're so violent……I think you broke my arm.

No way your body is made of steel, you remember when you punched that mountain and cracked it in half you didn’t even flinch afterward.

Yeah, not even a flinch you know me Hahaha. Laughing nervously he thinks about the pain he felt after shattering every bone in his