Legend of the Fire King: Aard and the Eldermoss

By D. J. Fairbairn

In the distant future, technological advances near their climax. Mankind has imploded on itself through numerous wars assuming themselves as Gods. After the tragedy of the sixth KINGS war, two brothers, representatives of a world torn, must work together to rekindle their world. Can they convince the world that Nod is still needed, or will the Fire Kings return incite an evaporation of society through a final war?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: May 27, 2022
• ISBN: 9781665723534

D. J. Fairbairn

D. J. Fairbairn lives in New York and is an avid bassist, bodybuilder, and artist. His work has been featured in the Koh-i-noor blog for up and coming talent. He currently studies at Tufts School of Medicine and is working on the second installment of this series.

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Copyright © 2022 D. J. Fairbairn.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Benedick Bana concept art designer

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ISBN: 978-1-6657-2352-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6657-2353-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022908460

Archway Publishing rev. date: 05/25/2022

CONTENTS

About the Author

Introduction

Prologue

Chapter 1 Mephistopheles

Chapter 2 Andros

Chapter 3 Thales the Great

Chapter 4 Othniel

Chapter 5 Lord Lojalni

Chapter 6 Andros II

Chapter 7 Othneil II

Chapter 8 Andros III

Chapter 9 Thales II

Chapter 10 Othneil III (Sjogren’s Curtain)

Chapter 11 Thales III (Narrow Escape)

Chapter 12 Andros IV (Awaken the Beast)

Epilogue

Afterword

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

D. J. Fairbairn lives in New York and is an avid bassist, bodybuilder, and artist. His work has been featured in the Koh-i-noor blog for up and coming talent. He currently studies at Tufts School of Medicine and is working on the second installment of this series.

STORY:

In the distant future, technological advances near their climax. Mankind has imploded on itself through numerous wars assuming themselves as Gods. After the tragedy of the sixth KINGS war, two brothers, representatives of a world torn, must work together to rekindle their world. Can they convince the world that Nod is still needed, or will the Fire Kings return incite an evaporation of society through a final war?

Thank you, God, for my loving parents Flo and Bruno

MAP_OF_LOTK.jpg

INTRODUCTION

To avoid further infighting, the GrandLand of Terraopta spans across the Ninth Universe allowing interplanetary travel and relief. The inhabitants of each planet have learned to co-mingle with the Paladin kind through acts of enslavement and colonization. The Darks, also called the chosen people, are a nation of people who successfully stood against the Paladins’ rule and ways. Centuries of war broke out between them and the Paladins. However, through manipulation of their own people the Darks were smitten by Paladins and asted into bondage. Darks were then used as dogs to colonize and enslave other nations and people such as the Humeo, Dragonkine, Elderkine, Floridine and Giants. The Sixth Kings war resulted in a total overthrow of previous kingdoms and governments by Paladins and resulted in only figure-heads to remain.

The Galactic Mother, also called the ElderMoss, saw an abuse of her children and created the fruits of Aard. Aard was not meant to be weaponized nor used as a means to rule others as its tenets the Noumah, Ousah and Somah were to be cultivated within every individual to maintain peace and promote well-being. However, a Dark child of the Paladin Army’s enslavement allegedly turned mad and was brought to the ElderMoss by an unknown entity in an attempt to rebalance the equation of the Paladins power versus the remainder of the world however, this proved to be too much for a tortured soul, therefore, the ElderMoss only sought to provide the child with a basic understanding of all three and tasked this child with pouring the vessels of the three fruits throughout the planets.

Out of obedience and fear the child followed the ElderMoss’ instructions thus bathing the universe in a newfound power that breathed new life into it. The planets rejoiced as their labour pains towards destruction came to a close. However, this child wanted more power and sought to steal the fruit of the ElderMoss by entering the Hole of Ranvier, a passage to the ElderMoss. However, upon the child’s return the tree was guarded and their sight blinded. The mighty seraph of the tree marked the child with an M on its forehead and removed memories of the tree’s power and whereabouts punished to wander the land within an immortal soul, stricken to the visage of a young girl.

Nevertheless, through a fervent study of Aard the child regained power and fragmented memory of the ElderMoss and began to search for it indefinitely. Through the child’s time researching, the impregnation of a companion, a pure creature said to be a protector and angel of the Fire-King(The Elderkine) birthed a being capable of being weaponized against the Paladins. Despite the first child’s work in modifying the second child, it was kidnapped from its clutches and its only companion slaughtered mercilessly before its eyes invoking a dangerous power within the child ; love. Through the strongest feeling, the three tenets of Aard unified within it causing the child to war against the great planets, including the Paladin Army. This left the planets desolate and devastated, a great display of the ElderMoss took forth and the Fire King descended into Universe Nine.

Behold the child was humbled by the presence of the Fire King yet did it continue to wage war manipulating all of the ElderMoss’ children. The Fire King bathed the universe in fire and sealed away the child’s destructive powers all but that of manipulation in its various forms. The child was infuriated and continued to wander the universes therein for ten thousand years.

After ten thousand years, the world was reborn and the child was released to the universe once more using its power of manipulation and deceit to encourage its inhabitants to do ill.

It is the year 9019Ω and nanites are a universal means to harness Aard. Those who are descendants of the child namely the Darks were born with nanites coursing through their veins with all three tenets of Aard within their DNA. Paladins are given the mental capacity to understand Aard but only wield it externally for their bodies are said to collapse under pressure. The Dragonkine are descendants of the Fire King and as such are descendants of the ElderMoss responsible for protection of the land of Terraopta from those who would destroy the ElderMoss harnessing all of nature at their disposal through a natural ability to wield Aard from the surrounding environment, they are keepers of the ten Flames. The Elderkine creatures of the ElderMoss, work alongside the FireKing and ElderMoss in the real world disguised as normal people gathering information on the happenings of the varying galaxies, one with the consciousness of the ElderMoss. The Floridine and Giants are worshippers of Aard and the ElderMoss, able to wield Aard and nanites externally to fashion them into clothing, weapons, objects such as buildings. Despite their ancestral forest origins, they now live in towns and cities.

There are nasty creatures however, out there in the varying planets, the antithesis of the spiritual world of the ElderMoss, the Frenetics created by the child to also promote hellion soldiers for the Final Kings War. But behold a new era has begun, the third descendant child, the forsaken child of M was raised within the palace of the Paladins to Lord Dragen and his biological son and elder brother -Othneil. The tale of the brothers who vye for the leading of the world into a new era has begun !

ORGANIZATIONS:

The Hand- A brigade of thieves turned revolutionaries responsible for the gathering of intel on the Zurheid and the Empire. Their mission is to put a stop to a war between Mephistopheles and the Paladin Army.

The Colonizers -The Palladian Army’s alter ego which represents the royal family stationed in Arcéna. The Empire’s Entourage is a formidable force called the Buelen composed of top fighters. One is held within each planet to oversee the rule of its figure heads accompanied by a legion of soilders.

The Zurheide - A specialised team of super soldiers under the guidance of Mephistopheles responsible for procuring information about the ElderMoss and its whereabouts.

PRIMARY CAST

Mephistopheles- The Legendary Leader of Aard Research, a scientist first and a double agent second. His past is mostly kept secret but after the Sixth Kings War his name emerged as a prominent threat to the Paladin Army. His motivations for resurfacing after hiding are unclear. Blood type: O+ Nanite Hue: White Height:180cm

Andros - Son of Mephistopheles, a Dark trained by Thales in the way of scholarship and trained by Dragen in the way of the sword. Adopted by the royal family and now serves as the most lethal Buelen within the Paladin Army’s arsenal. Has a way with animals Blood type:AB+ Nanite Hue: Green Height:179 cm

Lord Dragen: King of Arcéna, a Paladin thought of as a child prodigy for wielding the sacred lightning axe, Druhielda. Dragen’s speed is said to rival that of a bullet train at his full strength in part due to his Axe’s nanite configuration. Dragen is a loud and arrogant King but, he will readily lay down his life for his men, unlike his son whom he tries to teach empathy to. He has a personal vendetta against Mephistopheles, but he does not take it out on his adopted son Andros. Blood type: B- Nanite Hue: Blue Height: 170cm

Othniel: Son of Lord Dragen, a Paladin trained by his father in the way of wielding the sacred axes.A pompous and militant leader of Arcéna much to the liking of his father in both appearance and personality. Has a penchant for instigating fights and flexing his power. A connoisseur of fine chocolates. Blood Type: O- Nanite Hue: None Height : 168cm

Thales: Born from Lake Err, Thales has traveled the nine seas serving the Paladins for centuries. Cursed by the Witch of the Hallow Forest, Permagot, for stealing a forbidden scroll to carve memories into his body, he was turned into a weasel yet maintaining his cognition,memories, and strength. A previous retainer of Lord Dragen and now serves his allegiance to Andros exclusively as instructed by the Witch from a foreshadowing in her tarot. Blood Type: A+ Nanite Hue: none Height:100 cm

Gloria: A Giant, Born within the Slums of Arcéna, she was found by Mephistopheles on his journey into Grand Arcéna. She ran a small apothecary and was able to heal a mortal wound the size of a hand. Her esteemed friendship with Mephistopheles soon died after his imprisonment. She now serves as the handmaiden to the Paladin family. She wears peculiar gloves.

Andrea- Andros’ right hand, Dragonkine. A bounty hunter who crosses paths with Andros as he travels to Myo-Brie . . Nanite Hue: Red Blood Type:AB

Lord Lojalni- the sole Buelen who does not rule a planet. Not much is known about him aside from his bloodlust and expertise in the use of Aard and knowledge of the world. He rules alongside Lord Dragen and provides data on the happenings of the nine planets within Terraopta. Andros however, feels a deep connection to him beyond service.

Nanite Hue: Purple Blood Type: A+

SECONDARY CAST

Samuel- Leader of the Hand. A born politician and native to Arcéna Slums, his interest in Darks and distastefulness for Othneil’s rule leads him on a journey to uncover the origins of the Darks. This leads him to an unpleasant but worthwhile encounter with Mephistopheles. No one is quite sure but every passing day his image appears to be that of Mephistopheles. He has retreated to an old abandoned skyscraper deep within the Hole of Ranvier, a city said to be the antithesis of Arcéna; however, no one has found it and left it alive.

Cecilia-A member of the Hand, second in command to Samuel. A mischief maker often finds herself seeking adventure at the risk of her life. A witty and cheeky little thief.

Kupper - Elder member of the Hand, Uncle to Samuel. If there was such a thing he would be called a Red Fox. A drunkard but a well versed sorcerer in the conjuring arts.

Shun- Friend of Samuel, kindhearted swordsmith and battle hand. His friendship with Samuel resembles that of brothers. His goal is to become the best swordsmith in all the land and to wield one of the nine sacred blades belonging to the Tissa- Al Sayov,swordsmen who are only given that title based on bodycount.

PROLOGUE

The Year 9109Ω- The distant future in which Lord Othneil takes his rightful place on the throne and Paladin rule throughout the Universe has climaxed, signifying hallmark signs of the Fire-Kings return. War is looming..

--

"I’m going to be late," Andros pleaded to the young woman. Her caramel skin and silvery hair glimmered with daybreak. She stepped toward him, her voluptuous curves subtly bouncing in the manner that always left him mesmerized.

Please, can’t you just stay for a few more minutes? she whispered into his ear as she lightly licked behind it, wrapping her velvety arms around his brazen chest—scarred from years of battle. You’re always running about the place, she purred, holding her body close to his back, drenched from their coupling. Always trying to play the hero—why don’t you give the youngsters a chance, hmm? She posed the question with a hint of a smile as she lay back on the bed, wrapping herself in the satin sheets.

Andrea, do you hear that? Andros remarked, standing up, nude. The bed creaked. Yeah, I do. It’s the first bell. You better hurry, honey, she replied, carrying the sheets off the bed. She stood adjacent to her perspiring, mighty husband as they looked out their cabin window. They basked in rays of the rising sun, gazing toward the bell tower of Hairoun Palace, home to the Emperor of Arcéna: Othniel Esfuerzo.

--

Indeed, Hairoun Palace was a sight to behold. A blood-red edifice of a size the world had never seen. Standing at 828 meters, the massive complex rose into the heavens itself. From such a height, one could look down upon the city of Arcéna in every direction. The flags of the House Esfuerzo topped the many towers along the castle’s ramparts: a purple crow in front of three golden swords against a blood-red background. Surrounding this beautiful series of regal structures, both within and outside its gates, were fields of illustrious chrysanthemum and marigold flower beds. Their juxtaposition magnified the beauty of the palace, as the sigils above and flowers below worked in tandem to evoke the very essence of House Hairoun to onlookers. Vitally, the thousand-year-old bell tower, Remembrance, stood as the highest structure besides the tower of the king himself. In stark contrast to the blood-red color of the rest of the complex, Remembrance featured stones of ashen grey to symbolize the treaty between the Darks and Paladins many years ago. The ringing of the bell tower signified a special event—today, there would be nine strikes instead of the usual seven, indicating the beginning of a new rulership.

--

The palace is ten miles due west, over the Fisherman’s Ridge, and a hard left past the swamp, Andrea said. She glanced over her shoulder as she drew the satin bedding over her body. She then pointed through the window as if to make a map with her dark, slender fingers and hearkened her husband.

Door Open. The expression rolled smoothly off the tongue of the tall, bronze-colored Dark. The cabinet creaked open as if its hinges hadn’t been greased in decades. Preparing to clothe The clothes began to flow out much like water does from a high altitude, from the top of the cabinet toward this burly and grotesque figure of a Dark laden in battle scars and much muscular definition—so much so that as the clothes fell on him they folded immediately between the creases of his large chest, vascular biceps, chiseled abdomen, and lean midriff. They pressed against his bulbous calf muscles tapering down to his large, boat-like feet.

They do say clothes make the man, Andrea jested with a sultry smirk as she looked at her husband, now garbed in hunter-like clothing. He wore a crimson and gold button-down court shirt, black trousers, and a dark-brown hunting belt. Andros smirked as he fixed his collar and grabbed his dark-brown boots. As he tied his boots, Andrea sashayed toward him and sat on the edge of the bed near the roaring fireplace. She waited. He tied back his long, blonde hair behind his Dark ears and applied a mixture of beeswax and a tar-like liquid to his face to hide his prominent facial markings.

As he stood poised before the cabinet mirror, his wife began to play with her curly silver hair.

Alright, I’m ready, he said with a grin.

About time, sheesh! Andrea scolded

Hush; you would’ve kept me here longer if that bell didn’t ring, he jested, placing his finger over her full, porcelain lips.

Want me to bite it off? I’ll do it, you know. She bared her large incisors and scrunched up her cute, catlike nose.

She shifted her gaze to the window, the room darkening as the sun headed west. Be careful out there. Sometimes I worry about you; just because you’re not my color doesn’t mean they won’t try to hunt you down despite the treaty. The Empire can kiss my ass.

They won’t catch me. They never do, he said, walking toward the steel, magic-infused door of the cabin.

Again shifting her gaze to her husband, who was now opening the door, her deep purple eyes met his and her heart quickened, thinking of the Empire’s henchmen out there, hunting her kind.

I’ll be okay. Have faith, he said, turning to close the door, gently. As he left the cozy cabin—nestled betwixt the Grove of Moon Shine and the Laughing Lily Marsh, hanging o’er a layered cliff with a view of the city below—Andrea stepped toward the window and saw her husband blow her a kiss before he teleported through the Marsh, faster than the eye could follow. She held the sheets close to her heart as it returned to its resting state.

--

"I have to make it before the sixth strike or it’ll be too late, and the Lord will never forgive me for such