The Ghaxien Chronicles: The Last Full Blood

By Austin Buhl

The Last Full Blood
Sarah Johnson skillfully dodged the powerful blast of energy barreling toward her from the training drone. Intercepting the Kanalaball with ease, she hurled the purple ball back in its direction, sending the drone flying to the back of the battle chamber.

• Language: English
• Publisher: New Horizon Publishing
• Release date: Dec 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9781087936758

Book preview

Austin Buhl

The Last Full Blood

The Ghaxien Chronicles (Book One)

First published by Barnes & Noble Press 2022

Copyright © 2022 by Austin Buhl

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

First edition

ISBN: 978-1-0879-3675-8

Editing by Samiya Johnson

This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy

Find out more at reedsy.com

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For my wife, Savannah, and our two beautiful girls, Nevaeh & Ashlynne.

Without you three, this would’ve probably been done about 6 months ago! ;)

Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged.

- Samuel Johnson

Contents

Acknowledgement

1. Battleball

2. The Delegation

3. Borealis Station

4. Ascension

5. Alpha Squadron

6. Icegulch

7. Githorix

8. The Hidden Prison

9. The Escape Plan

10. Far From Over

11. Reunited

12. Stowaway

13. Betrayed

14. Redemption

15. Emotion

16. Inevitable

17. The Battle of Phodaria

18. Just the Beginning

Epilogue

About the Author

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank the following people for motivating me throughout the entire process of writing this novel:

Mike Dickson

Linda Cannon

Joanie Raisovich

Kate Ashbrook

Kisa Murrin

Holly Hanzo

Brian Paone

Samuel Kennedy

1

Battleball

Sarah Johnson skillfully dodged the powerful blast of energy barreling toward her from the training drone. Intercepting the Kanalaball with ease, she hurled the purple ball back in its direction, sending the drone flying to the back of the battle chamber.

Suddenly, the dark room lit up, and Jarnu Kackdrop, Sarah’s head trainer and closest friend since she arrived on the home planet of the Ghaxien Order, Phodaria, stepped inside.

Fantastic job repelling the Kanalaball, young blood, Jarnu said with a smile. I believe you’re ready.

Sarah gawked as he spoke. With a confused glare, she asked, Are you sure?

It had been only eleven months since Sarah left everything behind on Earth to follow in her ancestors’ footsteps and join the Ghaxien Order, a celestial governing body that has defended the peace of the galaxy for over forty-seven hundred years. Ghaxien trainees are not typically permitted to ascend to the Order until they have completed at least two years of training.

But Sarah was different.

After centuries of cross-breeding among species in the galaxy, the bloodline of the Order has faded away. The entire population of Ghaxiens in the galaxy are now half-bloods, those who possess the Mark, but are limited are their connection with the founders of the Order. After a despicable alien race known as the Yeldrien brutally murdered Sarah’s entire family, she was the only remaining full blood in the galaxy.

I’m as certain as I’ve ever been about anything, Jarnu replied. Waving a ComTab up in the air, Jarnu explained, When I finish up the training report, I will present my approval for you to ascend to the delegates.

Sarah flashed a smile toward Jarnu as his palm graced across her back. This can’t be real, Sarah thought! But, deep down, Sarah feared ascending. The expectations surrounding her were colossal. Everywhere she went on Phodaria, everyone looked at Sarah as if she were a god. Even some of the Delegation looked up to her. She believed everyone involved had rushed her entire training to get her ready for ascension. In times like these, she wished they did not view her as Sarah, the savior, as some call her, but as the Sarah she used to be: the ordinary twenty-two-year-old girl from Los Angeles, California.

A long way from home.

Sarah looked up at Jarnu and said, thank you!

Of course, young blood, Jarnu replied. So, what are you getting into later?

I guess I am going to read up some more on the training-

Oh, geez, Sarah! Jarnu interrupted.

-scrolls.

You read more than anyone, even more than the scribes who write the training scrolls. Jarnu began to smile. Enough!

Sarah admired his smile. It was the first thing she had noticed about Jarnu. Sarah closed her eyes and remembered back to the first day they had met. She had only been on Phodaria for a week and the change of scenery and variety of species on the planet was still mind-boggling for her. When Sarah walked into the Anzae Battle Chamber for the first time, she cringed in fear as Xoraura, Chancellor of the Ghaxien Order, introduced Sarah to her new trainer: an eleven-foot-tall, blue-skinned Limomoxian with massive muscular arms and legs. Sensing her fear, Jarnu knelt down in front of Sarah and Xoraura and let out a smile that lit up the entire arena. Since then, the two have grown exceptionally close and Sarah considers him family.

Do you want to come with us to watch a game of frogball? Jarnu asked. With a mischievous grin, Jarnu added, I know Josh will be there.

Definitely not if he’s there, Sarah replied as her stomach began to churn. I have no interest in speaking with him.

It’s been nearly a year, Sarah, Jarnu replied, waving his arms in the air. Are you really still mad at him?

Hell yes I’m really still mad at him!

Six months before Sarah flew to Phodaria to join the Order, Sarah met a nice-looking young man outside the bar her family owned in Marina Del Rey. Sarah fell quickly for his dashing charm and his chivalrous acts of kindness. But only a few months later, Sarah’s entire world turned upside down. Her family was killed and her best friend was captured, forcing her to sway from the only life she had ever known and travel across the galaxy to her new home on Phodaria. But as she stepped off the Mastion, the Order’s command ship, Sarah noticed a familiar face waiting for her on the launch pad.

Hey, Sarah, Josh said as he approached her. Noticing the redness on Sarah’s face, doubled with the sparkle of confusion in her eyes, Josh added, listen, I can explain!

Despite his desire for a resolution, Sarah had still not spoken to him to allow him to explain everything over a year later. It all made sense. Around the same time her and Josh met, scouters for the Order began to arrive, using every persuasive technique to try to convince her to join. Sarah felt used, believing Josh was just another scouter.

Come on, Sarah. It’ll be fun, Jarnu replied. You deserve a little celebration for making it to ascension. This is a big deal.

I know, I just… Ugh! Sarah hated that her feud with Josh was interfering with friendship with Jarnu. After a few moments of hesitation, Sarah said, Fine, I will go!

Yay, Jarnu replied, stomping his feet with a giddy laugh.

On one condition! No way am I giving in so easily.

Oh, Sarah, Jarnu huffed. You and your negotiations.

I will go if-, in the very unlikely event, -you beat me at battleball.

Jarnu smiled and nodded, a compulsive grin on his face.

I Don’t know why you’re smiling, buddy! Battleball - think dodgeball, but with a Kanalaball - was one of Sarah’s favorite things her and Jarnu had ever done together. Sarah even considered herself a battleball pro.

Without looking away, Jarnu swung his arms out, dimming the lights and activating the battle chamber. In a split second, the bare metal walls faded away until it immersed them into a cold and barren wasteland.

Your move, young blood, Jarnu shouted.

Sarah eased her breathing, calming her nerves, as she smacked both of her hands together. As Sarah yanked her hands apart, energy circulated throughout her body, erupting out of her palms into a Kanalaball. Pulling it toward her right hand, Sarah locked eyes on Jarnu as he began circling around her. This is too easy! Pivoting on her left foot, Sarah slung her arm backward and launched the Kanalaball at Jarnu, sending the burst of energy into his abdomen, catapulting him up in the air before he fell and landed hard, facedown on the ground.

Jarnu turned over onto his back, grunting at the throbbing pain that was covering his chest. He saw Sarah’s lips moving, saying something. But, he couldn’t hear her. Only a constant ringing pulsated in his ears, each second becoming more unbearable. As he lifted up to his feet, Jarnu huffed at the realization that he had lost. With his back turned to Sarah, Jarnu popped his neck and stretched his arms, his ego not ready to end the game.

Turning around toward Sarah, Jarnu smiled and said, best two out of three?

Why not? Sarah laughed. I can do this all day.

Still smiling, Jarnu nodded and then swirled his forearm around his body. With just a quiver of his finger, the surrounding terrain shifted again, transforming the cold wasteland into a warm and mesmerizing beachfront. The realism of the tropical scenery was fascinating to Sarah. She knew the Ghaxien Order was powerful but was still star-struck about the amazing things they could use their power for.

Sarah walked out to the shoreline, feeling the calm wind brisk across her face as the orange sun radiated around her body. A glimmer of hope that she was not as far away from home as she thought. She closed her eyes, listening as the birds chirped and sang. Lost in her trance, Sarah opened her eyes and walked forward as the tide swept water in between her toes. It all felt too real.

Ow! Sarah screamed. She stubbed her toe on a pile of rocks half-buried in the sand. The rocks brought back childhood memories of her and her sister skipping rocks in the ocean, drowning the pain almost instantly. Sarah missed her sister. It was hard feeling any other pain, for she had already experienced the worst pain of all. Sarah bent down and picked one of the rocks up, analyzing the texture. The stone flew from her hands and bounced across the water with a flick of her wrist. It was peaceful.

Um, Sarah!

Oh, snap! Sarah screamed. She turned around and saw Jarnu standing before her, wielding a Kanalaball. Without moving her head, Sarah looked out of the corners of each eye to plot her escape. But it was no use. I’m trapped!

Go ahead, Sarah said. Take your shot!

Jarnu smiled and then softly lifted his hand and gently threw the Kanalaball at Sarah’s torso, knocking her back into the water. As soon as the Kanalaball escaped his hand, Jarnu ran over to Sarah, lifting her out of the water and carrying her back to shore.

As he dropped Sarah to her feet, Jarnu said, Guess we are tied.

Sarah smiled. Is he serious? Not even close! She had beaten Jarnu at least a hundred times in Battleball. This was the first time that he had defeated Sarah.

You ready for round three? Sarah asked.

I’m always ready! Jarnu replied.

Jarnu reached his arm out to shift the terrain once again, but Sarah tugged at his arm, pulling him back to her.

My turn, Sarah said.

Jarnu nodded and backed away as Sarah closed her eyes. Twirling her fingers around frantically, she used all of her strength to drain the ocean around her and then lift the terrain up, creating a frigid mountain range.

Sarah opened her eyes in shock at how detailed the mountain was. It was like she was eight years old again, vacationing with her family in Mount Snow, Vermont. After their deaths, Sarah clung hard to these memories. They were a flash of hope that one day she would rise above the ashes of the evil Yeldrien and destroy them once and for all for taking her only family away.

Sarah walked into a mystical cave and saw her reflection on a sheet of ice on the floor. Oh, my gosh! She was unrecognizable. The skin on her face was coarse, and her eyes were heavily bagged. Everything she saw in her head - her family, her friends, her life - were memories, not just of her past, but of a completely unique identity that seemed foreign to her now. It was like she had lost a part of herself when she agreed to join the Order.

Sarah dwelled on her new life as she stood in the cave’s mouth. The sound of footsteps approaching around the corner startled her. In the flash of an eye, Sarah wielded her Kanalaball, awaiting Jarnu’s strike. She skittishly made her way out of the cave, determined to achieve victory. As she stepped into the blistering cold void atop the mountain, she circled, prepared to meet Jarnu’s eyes. But all she saw was a blanket of snow and a grayish-blue sky.

Sarah!

Sarah jumped. A few hundred yards away, she noticed the silhouette of a life-form hiding behind a rock. She gazed around, trying to figure out where the familiar voice was coming from.

Jarnu? Sarah’s pulse raced, and her breaths came in short spurts.

Sarah, she heard again. Be calm, Sarah.

Am I losing my mind? How am I hearing him? Her ability to hear what Jarnu was thinking - and feeling - terrified Sarah. And it just kept getting worse!

There she is, Jarnu said. Stay there, Sarah. I’m coming for you!

Sarah hesitated. Her instincts told her to flee, but her mind could not get her feet to move. Sarah was distracted, yearning for the answer to why the thoughts she possessed were not hers.

Noticing Jarnu approaching, she retreated back inside the cave. Her eyes closed at the sound of his footsteps crunching the ice around the entrance. She pulled herself back to the wall of the cave, digging her back into the ice to avoid detection. Oh, shit! Sarah slipped on a sheet of ice and fell hard into the icy wall, creating large cracks in the ice. Okay, Sarah. No sudden movements! Sarah crouched onto the ground, feeling defeated. Not again! She reached her hand out to her side and launched a Kanalaball at the wall opposite to her, sending a chunk of ice crashing into the slick floor. Outside the cave, Sarah could hear Jarnu gasp through the sound of his footsteps approaching the entryway, along with the cracking sound of a Kanalaball forming.

Come on out, Sarah, Jarnu shouted. I know you’re in there!

Sarah wielded a Kanalaball of her own and sauntered out of the cave, determined to make her trainer wait. Standing face-to-face with Jarnu, Sarah could see the look of determination on Jarnu’s face. She held her Kanalaball up and got into an attack position as Jarnu placed his Kanalaball to his side and prepared to defend.

Sarah lunged back and began to launch the Kanalaball at Jarnu but paused as she heard his thoughts once more.

I need this!

Sarah felt a sense of guilt creep over her. Though Sarah considered Jarnu one of her closest friends on Phodaria, she had never spent much time with him outside of training. Nearly every time he had asked her to do something with him, she was busy with other parts of her training, or she made up an excuse so she did not have to interact with Josh. Sarah had little training left to look forward to, and she knew that once she ascended, the Ghaxien Order would force Sarah to cooperate with Josh somewhere down the line.

This may be the only opportunity I have left to spend time with Jarnu. Overcoming her pride, Sarah viciously launched the Kanalaball in Jarnu’s direction. Jarnu quickly countered and launched a Kanalaball into Sarah’s abdomen, sending her flying into an icy wall. She watched as her Kanalaball promptly glided past his head and out towards the deep abyss.

Great job, young blood, Jarnu screamed as he helped her back to her feet. I guess I will see you tonight at the frogball match?

I guess so, she smirked. Sarah was a very competitive person, and losing to a close friend made the loss sting much more.

Jarnu smiled at her, relieved both because he won and because he had successfully trained Sarah and prepared her for ascension so fast. I’m so proud of you, Jarnu thought to himself.

Thank you, Sarah replied. Sarah immediately regretted her words. She could remember seeing nothing about Ghaxiens having mind-reading abilities in the scrolls or the Ghaxien codex. Surely Jarnu would think she was crazy.

How did you… Jarnu paused.

I’m just thanking you for being a great trainer, Sarah replied softly.

Oh, okay. Geez, for a second there, I thought you were reading my mind.

Goodness, Jarnu. Are you crazy? Sarah asked as her heartrate started to ease. Back on Earth, she was never really much of a liar. She despised dishonesty. But she was unsure how the Ghaxien order would respond to such a strange power.

As they stared at each other, Sarah noticed the reality around her shift once again. The ice melted away, and they started descending towards the ground. In an instant, the bare gray walls inside the Anzae Battle Chamber surrounded them once again.

They both stared around the room, confused. Neither Jarnu nor Sarah had disabled the battle simulator, but it had somehow turned itself offline. Suddenly, they heard the creaking of the South door sliding open and they heard footsteps approaching behind them, each step intensifying with each passing moment.

Sarah and Jarnu turned around and saw Stella Nigerius, the oldest and wisest citizen on Phodaria and the Headmaster of Boxworth Academy, the Ghaxien training school, staring wide-eyed at them. Oh, no!

This playtime party is over! Headmaster Stella shouted. Sarah, you are late for my class.

Sarah looked at Jarnu and then looked down at the ComPad on her wrist. She was thirty-five minutes late to Headmaster Stella’s Universal Mythology course. Sarah could see the fire in her eyes. One of her biggest pet peeves was having a pupil be late to her class. She knew the Headmaster would surely let her have it.

In Sarah’s defense, she is ready to ascend, Jarnu explained. I’ll actually be presenting to the Delegation my recommendation that Sarah immediately ascend to the Order.

Sarah lifted her eyebrows, baffled as she giggled inside her mind. Did he really just say that to her? Headmaster Stella and Jarnu were opposites. Jarnu believed the best way to train was by incorporating fun into their sessions. Headmaster Stella thought the best way to teach was having Ghaxien recruits spend three hours a day learning about mythical space demons or Greonium, an mythical element the Headmaster has a constant obsession about. Sarah was not shocked at the way the two were clashing. Sarah nearly burst out a laugh, but Headmaster Stella’s presence horrified her. Her eyes were fiery red, and she looked like she was about to scream.

I don’t care what she is ready to do! Headmaster Stella shouted. Until I get an order from the delegation, Sarah will report to my class on time. I should not have to come to chase her and her trainer down to pull her to class.

I apologize, Headmaster, Sarah replied.

Now, get to class!

Sarah nodded and rushed to the exit. As she began to step