Within The Shadows, Rai Saga Anthology Vol. 1

By James Quinlan Meservy

The First Creature of Rai, Azreal, Member of the Howler Clan, woke on the Hill of Entrance, saw the beauty of the then newly created Realm of Rai. One passion engulfed his every thought ever since. To be the sole ruler of the afterlife. He was so close to achieving his goal. All he had left to do to have enough power to challenge the Light, the Threat, and the Strazmei for ultimate dominion was conquer the mortal Realm of the Light.

Origin of an Oracle:

Deep in the MesoAmerican jungles, a young Hyaryl devoted her soul to the Master of the Deep Swamp for the ability to control the weather. But now she is questioning whether it was worth the sacrifice.

Welcome to the Realm of Rai:

The day Jonathon Hunter died, he learned two very important lessons. First, death was not the end of existence. Second, he was alone.

The First Denizen War:

Olya, Daughter of Valhalla, loved the Norse people. She loved her family. She loved the island of Valhalla. But most importantly, she loved Kyralt. Kyralt loved her, too. But when war breaks out, is their love enough to keep them together?

Excal'Byr:

When the Second Denizen War comes to Mount Olympus, Persephone flees. But is there any place in the world far enough away to escape the grasp of battle?

I Am Master Serv:

Naservin Mastrov has one goal. Become the greatest master of Previst-Sil to ever live on the Realm of Zhestoviya. But to do so, Nservin must find his estranged brother and convince his brother to teach him.

Ashes of Tragedy:

Cyrus McCreed is faced with a decision. Act and save his great-nephew from certain death, or trust in the Light, and watch as tragedy strikes.

Unicorn Dreams:

Amanda Adams must face her past. In doing so, she realizes the true influence angels and demons have on mortals.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Quinlan Meservy
• Release date: Oct 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201407032

Book preview

Perspective

- Jason Christian Robinson

Death is not the end of existence

It is the gateway to the next stage of mortality

As a Creature of Rai

Origin of an Oracle:

Deep in the MesoAmerican jungles, a young Hyaryl devoted her soul to the Master of the Deep Swamp for the ability to control the weather. But now she is questioning whether it was worth the sacrifice.

Welcome to the Realm of Rai:

The day Jonathon Hunter died, he learned two very important lessons. First, death was not the end of existence. Second, he was alone.

THE FIRST DENIZEN WAR:

Olya, Daughter of Valhalla, loved the Norse people. She loved her family. She loved the island of Valhalla. But most importantly, she loved Kyralt. Kyralt loved her, too. But when war breaks out, is their love enough to keep them together?

Excal’Byr:

When the Second Denizen War comes to Mount Olympus, Persephone flees. But is there any place in the world far enough away to escape the grasp of battle?

I Am Master Serv:

Naservin Mastrov has one goal. Become the greatest master of Previst-Sil to ever live on the Realm of Zhestoviya. But to do so, Nservin must find his estranged brother and convince his brother to teach him.

Ashes of Tragedy:

Cyrus McCreed is faced with a decision. Act and save his great-nephew from certain death, or trust in the Light, and watch as tragedy strikes.

Unicorn Dreams:

Amanda Adams must face her past. In doing so, she realizes the true influence angels and demons have on mortals.

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Origin of an Oracle

A Rai Saga Short Story

James Quinlan Meservy

Part I

The Realm of the Light

I

Realm of the Light

Hyaryl lay on her bed. The buzzing of insects distracted her thoughts. Sweat covered her body, dampening her bedclothes. She rolled to her side and moaned. A buzzing insect flew past her ear. She swatted it away. She rolled to her stomach, stretched her legs out, and rolled onto her back. Giving up sleep, she sat up. 

Hyaryl, an unfamiliar voice called out to her the moment her feet touched the floor.

Darkness. The same darkness was soothing, but that was when she was alone.

Hyaryl, can you hear me?

I hear you, but I cannot see you.

A tall, majestic man stepped out of the corner of her room.

Please do not be alarmed. I have come to speak with you.

She opened her mouth to scream, but he held out his hand. No sound came out of her mouth as he approached her. He waved his hand. A cool breeze swept across the room, taking the humidity and the insects away. The temperature dropped several degrees. Hyaryl took a deep breath. Chilly air refreshed her body and cleared her mind. The man waved his hand. A candle on Hyaryl’s night stand lit. 

You look familiar, she whispered, unable to speak any louder.

I do? the man asked, stepping toward her.

As if I have seen you in my dreams. Grateful he prevented her from rousing the servants. 

Perhaps you have.

Who are you?

I am your Master.

My father is a free man.

I am your Master, not your father’s. Serve me and all of your wildest dreams shall come true.

Hyaryl took a step toward him. Like what?

Serve me, and you will become High Priestess.

And what if I refuse? She folded her arms across her chest.

Impertinent girl. He held out his hand. Hyaryl screamed, arched her back, and collapsed on the floor. Her body jerked. When the pain subsided, she filled her lungs with the still cool air and climbed to her feet. She conveyed a newfound respect. He nodded. The floor and walls of her bedchamber shook. She fell to the ground, and the tremors stopped. Her master reached down and offered his hand.

I have powers that will make you quake and tremble. Serve me and all my power shall be yours.

She knelt at his feet. I devote myself to you and shall serve you and only you from now until the day I die.

And beyond, he intoned.

She looked up at him questioningly.

Life does not end after death. You are my servant until the End of Days comes to the Realm of Rai.

She bowed her head and spoke. I shall serve you from this moment forward until the end of eternity.

Rise, my child, Master said.

She obeyed.

I command you to become the High Priestess before the end of your twentieth annual.

Those who desire to serve the gods enter the temples as children. I am in my twelfth annual, and will not be accepted.

Your father is a wealthy man. I am sure you will find a way, he replied.

Yes my Lord, she bowed.

When she looked up, he was gone. But the unseasonably cool air remained. She returned to her bed. The bedclothes were dry, and her pillow was soft. She closed her eyes and thought about her Master, and how she could convince her father to allow her to become a priestess.

Realm of Rai

SHE STOOD BEFORE A fountain of black marble. It was a massive four-legged beast sitting on his haunches. Scales covered his body.  Wings protruded from his back. The creature’s head turned toward the sky, his mouth was open. Hyaryl had the distinct impression that the beast was breathing fire. Instead of fire, water poured from the mouth, and flowed down the body of the statue gathering in a shallow pool of water. A long tale curled around the water forming the wall of the fountain. 

Three smaller statues stood at the feet of the great, massive beast. The statue nearest her was the likeness of a man, tall, slender, strong, with wings growing out of his back.  The farthest statue; a distorted woman no taller than Hyaryl, a beak instead of a mouth, claws rather than fingers, and wings growing out of her back.  Between the statues was the image of a creature she was extremely familiar with.

An alligator, she thought aloud.

Yes, a deep male voice replied from behind her. 

Hyaryl gasped. She peered into the eyes of a large canine. His well-defined musculature visible despite his layer of jet-black fur. His eyes were also black. A horn, the color of ebony, jutted out of his forehead. Hyaryl felt fear. She refused to show it even though her height was a diminutive knee-high to the canine.

What are those other creatures?

The canine howled.

The man with wings is a cherub. The beak-faced woman is a harpy.  The large four-legged reptile is a dragon, he said.

And what are you?

The great canine glared at her and bared his teeth.  Hyaryl braced herself for an attack.

I am Azreal, member of the Volkrog Clan, and Oracle to the Master, he said.  My chosen manifestation is that of a howler, as you can clearly tell.

Clearly, Hyaryl agreed, despite not understanding.

Master has instructed me to teach you the ways of natural magic, he said.

For what purpose?

You are rather inquisitive for such a young mortal. He eyed her.

I just like to know what I am learning and why.

You have courage, as well as intelligence.  The question is will you grow in wisdom?  If my glimpse at your future is true, then you will learn not only wisdom, but patience as well.  But alas, the future is always in motion.

She opened her mouth, but no words came out. She closed her eyes, shuffled her feet, and stared.

With a mastery of natural magic, the heavens and the earth will obey your command.

How useful. I am your eager pupil, Master.

There is but one Master in the Deep Swamp, he instructed as he gestured toward the statue of the dragon.  I am simply your teacher.

I understand, Teacher.

Come, there is much to learn, and not much time before your consciousness will need to return to the mortal realm. He turned away from the statue. She followed, and stood still. Her mouth fell open. She stifled a scream of delight–a palace of black marble.

What is the matter, child?

My entire village could fit inside that structure.

Yes, the Black Palace is a marvel to behold, but you cannot learn its secrets by staring at it from the outer courtyard. Come, you have much to learn, and your time is short. Teacher resumed his stride.

II

Realm of the Light

Hyaryl entered her personal quarters within the temple. She chanted. The door slammed behind her. She faced it and spoke the enchantment which prevented any sound from filtering out.

She screamed. 

What is wrong with her? Hyaryl paced across her room. She waved a hand. Her bookshelf burst into splinters, tossing the books and other items shelved there across the room. I am the only one who can prevent the drought, your highness, because I am the only one who is preventing the rains from falling in the first place!

She tightened her fist and her bed caught fire. She screamed and stamped her foot. Ignorant fools! Just because I am sixteen does not mean I do not know how to command heaven and earth.

She chanted. A rain cloud formed in the ceiling of her room and released its water.

Hyaryl tilted her head up and opened her mouth. She drank of the sweet water.

Enough, Hyaryl commanded.

The raincloud vanished. The smoldering bed returned to its natural state. The bookshelf reformed, and everything in the bed chamber returned to its proper place.

Hyaryl sat cross-legged on the floor, closed her eyes, and concentrated.

Realm of Rai

SHE STOOD BESIDE THE fountain of the dragon statue. Master entertained his two equals, one male and one female.

She bowed.

Rise, Master commanded.

She stood. I have come before you, seeking guidance. The High Priestess, High Priest and tribal leaders see me as nothing more than a young novice, refusing to give me an opportunity to show my power.

I am certain you can find a way to convince them to follow you.

How?

You are a beautiful, intelligent woman, Hyaryl, Master insisted slyly. Discover their greatest desires; deliver that which they seek. They shall elevate you to the rank of High Priestess. Azreal has foreseen it.

III

Realm of the Light

High Priestess. The High Priest knocked on Hyaryl’s door. I need to see you.

Hyaryl smiled. She had done it. It had taken a mastery of natural magic, a few unexpected deaths, and a completely unexpected natural famine. She wore the mantle of High Priestess, and her twentieth annual was yet a few lunar cycles away.

Enter, Hyaryl called.

High Priestess, he bowed when he entered the room, our land is in need of water. This drought is causing a famine that will kill us all.

Hyaryl nodded.

Why do you come to me?

You are the High Priestess Hyaryl, the Maker of Rain, he said.  When you petition, the heavens open.  The gods favor you, hence your recent elevation to the position of High Priestess, despite your youth.

So, you wish for me to bring down the rains?

All I ask is that you petition the gods.

Perhaps the gods will listen to me, if I am persuaded to ask, she mused.

We all shall surely perish if the rains do not pour down from the heavens, he insisted. Is that not persuasion enough for you?

What is it to me if you and your people perish in a drought? She waved her hand. A gold chalice full of water appeared in her hand. She lifted the chalice to her lips and emptied the cup.

She held out the chalice to him. Water filled to the brim. Would you like some water?

He shook his head. The famine will surely end your life as well as ours.

She scoffed, As you can see, I do not require the waters from Heaven to survive.

The High Priest stared at her.

But, she broke the silence. If I were to have a child of my own, there would finally be someone in your tribe worth saving.

You could always adopt a child, he replied. The High Priestess adopting an orphan is uncommon, but certainly not unheard-of. The people will love you for it.

Perhaps, or you could give me a child. Hyaryl stood straight and straightened her dress.

I know the perfect children. Their parents died in the famine, one boy and three girls in need of a mother.

Very well. She turned her back on the High Priest and went to her open window.  Bring my children to me as soon as the heavens open.

It shall be done, he replied.

He turned and left her room.

She muttered an incantation at the door, sealing the chamber from prying ears.

Insufferable fool. What good is an honest man to me. Still, I will be a mother, and my children will grow to serve and obey the Master, she thought aloud.

She withdrew the curtain. She blinked.  Light filled the room, causing momentary blindness. She sneezed.  How she looked forward to her death, when her mortal body with all its little imperfections, would die, and she would be reborn as  Creature of Rai with a perfect body free from light sensitivity. She muttered an incantation.  Her body blended into her surroundings, making her invisible to any onlookers. She leaned out of the window, raised both her hands to the sky, and spoke an enchantment. Cloud blocked out the sun. Lightning streaked across the sky. Water poured from the heavens.

Satisfied, she stepped back into her chamber.  She muttered an incantation and the curtains closed.  She undid the cloaking enchantment upon her room. There was a knock on her door.

She grinned as she straightened her clothes. The High Priest was back with her adopted children. Not the way she always imagined becoming a mother, but there was still time for that.

IV

Realm of Rai

You desire me to offer myself as a virgin sacrifice at the festival? she asked.

I do. Master inclined his head.

I have known many men.

Master scoffed. You chose your men well. The only men who have known you dare not admit it.

I finally have a child growing within my womb. She touched her stomach. It has taken multiple attempts, several fertility potions, and more patience than I can muster. And you command me to abandon my child?

You are with child. You must act now, before you are shamed and forced out of your station, Azreal spoke from behind her.

She turned and bowed. Teacher.

Volunteer as a virgin sacrifice and I shall see to it that you mother an entire nation, Master said.

I have foreseen it, Azreal assured.

She folded her arms across her chest. She uncrossed her arms and inhaled. As you wish.

Part II

The Realm of Rai

V

Hyaryl opened her eyes. She was on the Hill of Entrance alongside the other religious sacrifices offered to the gods. She looked north. The bright light and warmth of the Light Palace repelled her. She looked to the east and saw the Everlasting Mountains. The land looked beautiful, new, and exciting. If things did not work for her in the south, perhaps she would find a home in the east. She turned west and looked upon the Timeless Forest spread out before her. Lush trees as far as the eye could see, but the beauty of the forest did not sway her. She turned south. She walked to her new home in the Deep Swamp.

Master stood at the gates with open arms.

Hyaryl embraced him; a chill ran down her