Skyfire: Dreamslinger Fantasy Adventure Series, #2

By R.J. Johnson

Four incredibly powerful Dreamslinger stones have revealed themselves to the world. The struggle to control them continues… 

After Alex McCray and his friends escape the chaotic events brought on by billionaire Rupert Kline, the team retreats to San Diego where Alex is forced to reveal a dark secret from his past. But he soon realizes he isn't the only one with a secret. An obsessed archeologist discovers a Dreamslinger stone in South America that grants him phenomenal powers. Alex, Emily, Scott, and Christina must band together and confront their past to save the world's future.

If you like exciting adventures and mind-bending storytelling, you'll love R.J. Johnson's highly anticipated sequel to Dreamslinger.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Babylon Books
• Release date: Nov 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781954871618

Book preview

Chapter 1

Kevin Breynard wiped the sweat off his brow and tried to think about anything other than the heat. He was exhausted, but sleep was impossible. The oppressive mid-morning humidity had him wishing he were back home, basking in the glow of man’s greatest inventions – the air conditioner.

The last thing he wanted to do was spend another second in this stupid jungle thousands of miles from home, but his dream was to become an archeologist and he needed experience in the field. That meant forgoing creature comforts for a few months, which was a small price to pay for fortune and glory as his hero and inspiration, Indiana Jones, might say.

Besides, he had learned at a very young age that if he didn’t occasionally sacrifice a little luxury, he didn’t appreciate the good when it came along.

Deciding he wasn’t going to get any more sleep, he rose from his hammock and moved to his laptop where he began preparations to record another video for his YouTube channel. He had been streaming his team’s adventures in the jungle for the duration of the expedition and had attracted a small, but loyal following.

Plus, it was a good way to let his mom know he was still alive.

Day 144, time is... Kevin checked his watch, just before 12 noon local.

He scrambled for his notes about the expedition and showed them off to the cameras.

As you can see, we’ve been busy. This is just the latest in our ever-expanding empire of paperwork. Just goes to show you can’t escape the bureaucracy, even 1,000 miles away from civilization.

He reached in the rucksack next to him and pulled out a knitted UCSD flag his mother had sent him, displaying it for his audience.

I got the care package, Mom. Thank you!

He turned the flag over in his hands, a small grin appearing on his face. Viewers should know my mom made this for me so I can show my university pride... I guess... in the middle of the jungle?

His sly grin spread as he thought of his mother becoming embarrassed by his teasing on the ‘internets’ as she called his blog.

I mean, it would’ve been nicer to get cookies, but that’s all right. With the way things are going out here, some creepy crawly would’ve gotten to them before me anyway.

He turned to the camera, his expression becoming serious for the audience.

I wish I had better news about the project. It’s not going well. Professor Collier says we might be out here for a few more weeks. There are some promising leads he wants to follow up on, but we’re just waiting to hear back if we’ll have the funding. Our supply situation has become . . . a bit sparse. One way or another, we’ll have our answer on when we’ll be coming home soon.

Kevin paused, thinking about the many times over the last few months the professor promised results, only to see their hard work produce nothing but aching muscles.

He shrugged and smiled at the camera.

Anyway, the professor seems confident that this latest survey will finally bring some tangible results so stay tuned for that!

He waved his arms in a TADA motion as if he were a magician. Kevin liked to throw in a bit of showmanship every so often. It wasn’t much, but hey, neither was his audience.

"In other news— Gah!" Kevin was startled as the flap to his tent flew open.

He accidentally bumped the laptop and the camera pointed towards the other graduate student who had signed up for this trip to the middle of nowhere, Rachel Murphy.

Kevin sighed in relief. Rachel’s freckled face and red hair was a welcome sight – far better than the tiger he half-expected to see nosing its way into the tent. It was an irrational fear that presented itself every time the flap to his tent opened.

What’s wrong? Did I catch you getting some ‘private time’ again? she asked, using air quotes, a knowing grin spread across her face.

His face grew hot, and he shook his head vigorously.

No! Jesus Christ, Rachel! No... he said, scrambling to his feet, trying to demonstrate he was fully dressed and his shirt tucked in. I was recording a video for the blog about our extended stay and how we’re—

Rachel laughed and punched him softly on his arm. Relax, I’m messing with you.

She plopped down on her sleeping bag on the opposite side of the tent, laying out as she stretched. Professor Collier wants you up at the worksite to help drill again.

Kevin groaned.

Professor Maxwell Collier was the reason they found themselves in the middle of this godforsaken jungle. Their brilliant, but decidedly eccentric professor, believed he had discovered the location of the legendary lost city of Paititi in the foothills of southern Peru.

Somehow (using technology that Kevin was still struggling to understand) the professor claimed to have found evidence of a hidden city buried in the valley they had been searching over the last three months. Unfortunately, they had come up empty and privately, Kevin and Rachel had agreed they were unlikely to find anything anytime soon.

He couldn’t keep me on computer duty? he asked, rubbing his face to wipe the sweat off.

The generator’s finally out of gas, so the computer’s down. She pulled out her knapsack and rummaged through the front pocket. Where the hell is my wallet?

Finally, she squealed in triumph as she withdrew the small leather bag. She pulled some cash from her pocket and stuck it into the wallet. Professor Collier gave me the last of his cash. I’m heading to town for some supplies he wants. I’ll be back in a day or two.

Lucky... Kevin grumbled.

Hey, I earned this break, she said, shuddering. My girls were on full display all morning.

She stood back up and raised her arms up in the air, stretching as the thin white material of her t-shirt struggled to stay put, her black sports bra standing out.

The pervert couldn’t keep his eyes off me all morning. When the generator died, I took my chance and asked for a favor while he was distracted.

Wish I had a nice pair too...

They’re a lot more trouble than they’re worth, Rachel said, the trill of her Southern accent thick with sarcasm. Besides, I wanna Skype with my boyfriend and the satellite internet here sucks.

First world problems... Kevin snorted, rolling his eyes. He sat up and yawned, hoping to shake off the cobwebs from not enough sleep. Don’t kill yourself hiking back up here with everything, Kevin said. Take an extra day. I’ll keep Collier off your back.

She smiled and touched his arm, Thanks. I could really use a break away from this place.

Bring back all the beer you can carry, and we’ll call it even, he replied.

Rachel’s face went slack in relief. She crouched up and leaned forward to awkwardly hug Kevin in the cramped space of their shared tent. You bet, hun! Anything in particular?

So long as it has bubbles and alcohol, I guarantee it’ll taste like ambrosia compared to the treated river water we’ve been drinking.

True enough.

The perky, 22-year-old redhead put her knapsack on, tightening the straps around her body to secure it firmly against her body. You’d better get out there. Professor Collier hates when you’re late.

Kevin grumbled and again questioned his decision to major in archeology. The Indiana Jones movies had made things appear a lot more fun than the actual experience of searching for lost treasure. Hollywood had failed him.

He grabbed his Yankees ball cap and followed Rachel out of their tent and into the oppressive heat.

Rachel adjusted her knapsack one final time, shifting it to find a more comfortable position.

See you in a few days, she said and waved as she set off down the trail, back toward civilization.

Kevin returned her salute and watched her move down the trail that wound towards the closest town located, about ten miles away. The well-worn path leading back to the town presented minimal dangers, so he wasn’t concerned about her safety.

Besides, she carried a gun and knew how to use it. He was more concerned for whatever, or whoever, might get in her way.

As much as he liked to gripe, the jungle where their base camp had been set up over the last three months never ceased to amaze him. The canopy of lush green plant life fascinated him and there was something primal about living in the warm hug of the rainforest.

He had grown up in a different kind of jungle – an urban one with concrete and skyscrapers that seemed to have people bursting out of them everywhere. The complete lack of anything resembling civilization was a strange experience for a kid who had grown up with the busy, nonstop action of a New York City borough.

Kevin knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and he was lucky to see the unspoiled, remote jungle just as it had been in the eons before man even existed. It was something he tried to keep in mind during the longer days of the expedition.

Despite the valley’s natural beauty, he personally believed the remote area they found themselves in had been just as hostile to primitive humans as it was to them now. Professor Collier may have staked his reputation on finding a lost civilization in this valley, but after the last few weeks, Kevin doubted they would find anything remotely interesting out here.

At 39-years-old, Professor Collier had the energy and lust for discovery normally reserved for freshman students attending their first lectures. However, with that level of enthusiasm came a distinctly difficult type of personality. Kevin wasn’t sure if his professor was wandering around with an undiagnosed mental disorder, or if the man was just a jerk.

Either way, the time he had spent with Collier over the last few months hadn’t been easy. The professor had high standards and that had already led to more than one student quitting in frustration.

For his part, Kevin knew he had a chance to be part of history, and he was willing to put up with the professor’s eccentricities. But as their expedition entered the end phase, it was becoming harder for him to put up with the man’s behavior.

Especially with the lack of results.

If he lost his temper now and told the professor to stuff it, he would just end up fired and lose whatever credits he’d been working toward this whole time. All the hard work, sacrifice and early morning cold baths in the nearby river would have been for nothing.

He slapped at his neck, hoping that the enormous bug feeding off his blood wasn’t venomous. Based on the amount of supplies they had left—even after a resupply from Rachel’s trip to town – they wouldn’t have more than another week out here.

This expedition was coming to an end one way or another – even if the professor wouldn’t admit it.

Which, on one hand was a good thing. Kevin had been dreaming about fast food and the smell of freshly-ground coffee from his favorite shop nearly every night over the last month.

He chuckled to himself. A person missed the strangest things when they were cut off from human civilization.

He spotted the professor, who was working intently on clearing brush from a nearby cliff.

Professor! he called ahead, his voice echoing in the valley.

You don’t have to shout, Kevin, the man said mildly, not turning around.

Kevin tripped over the uneven ground as he approached the professor who was still hacking away at the thick jungle brush.

I’m sorry, Professor, he said, panting slightly as he attempted to catch his breath. Didn’t want you to shoot first and ask questions later.

Professor Maxwell Collier grunted in response and returned to pulling the weeds away from the rock face.

Kevin watched the professor work with some interest for a few moments, patiently waiting for the man to take a break.

Professor? Kevin began hesitantly. I’ve been thinking. With supplies running as low as they are? We won’t have much left even after Rachel gets back from her resupply run. Maybe it’s time we called it? If we begin packing everything up now, we’d be done before she gets back.

Collier stopped his work on the rockface and tipped his hat back, breathing heavily with exertion. He turned to him and tilted his head in exasperation. Do you know why we’re out here Kevin?

I know what you told the University, Kevin replied. I know your evidence is compelling, but you gotta admit, Professor, it’s not as if we’ve had a lot of success out here. We haven’t found a hint of any kind of former settlements out here. A discarded bowl, an arrowhead or... anything that would lead us to believe anyone ever lived out here, let alone an entire lost civilization.

Collier grunted and withdrew a handkerchief and wiped the sweat off his forehead.

Ever since I was a child and first heard about the lost city of gold, I’ve dreamed of accomplishing what other explorers and other men in our field could not do – find the lost city of El Dorado, Collier said, putting the handkerchief back in his pocket. A tale so fantastic it defies belief.

Kevin nodded.

I learned early in life that your beliefs come to define you and that without facts, beliefs are meaningless. As I learned more about the real history behind El Dorado, it didn’t dissuade me from trying to find the legendary lost city of gold. Because the facts I have support my theory that the lost city is right here, right under our noses and it doesn’t matter if you don’t believe me. Collier titled his head toward the cliff above them and waved a hand at the section he had been clearing. I’ve never believed in anything more in my life. I can’t explain it. I can’t excuse it. All I know is, I have to pursue it.

The professor turned back to him, desperation in his eyes.

I can’t go back to the University regents without solid results from this dig, Collier said. If I find nothing, my career is finished. I will be nothing. The university will cancel my grant and I’ll end up teaching AP history to bored high school students in some two-bit town where my fiancée wants to move.

Is that really the worst thing in the world? Kevin asked after a moment. It’s an honest living.

Collier squinted at him, a slight smirk appearing on his face. My destiny does not lie in a stuffy classroom in some nowhere town. A man only has one chance in this world to achieve immortality and this is mind.

Collier reached out and touched Kevin’s shoulder. I just need you and Rachel to bear with me for a few more days. I know we can do it. I know it with every cell in my being.

Kevin said nothing, feeling that hollow pit in his stomach open as he listened to his boss manipulate him. He hated himself knowing that he was falling for it.

Please, Kevin, Collier said, stepping forward. My gut tells me we’re on the right track. Do you really want to step away right as we stand on the precipice of history?

Of course not, Kevin replied after a moment. He cast his eyes down, then back up at the section where Collier had been working. I’m still here aren’t I? I’m... I’m just saying, we’re not gonna survive much longer without a major resupply. We need food, water, and money for fuel. We’re not gonna achieve anything out here now that our computer is down.

The professor’s eyes crinkled in anger as his voice became low and dangerous. We’re out of communication with the University?

Kevin felt the panic begin to rise in his stomach. Rachel said you knew-

Why weren’t we prepared for this? Collier demanded. What happened to the remainder our resources? You were supposed to be keeping track. Why did you allow this to happen?

Kevin averted his eyes. You instructed us to stay close to camp and keep the dig going rather than resupply last week, remember? We’ve been using our reserves all week.

The temper faded from Collier’s eyes and he appeared somewhat confused for a moment. He shook his head. Ah of course, I forgot. He sighed and slapped his hat on his leg. I’m sorry, Kevin, I’m just...

I know, Professor, Kevin said. I feel the same way. It’s all this damn humidity. Fries the brain.

It’s no excuse, Collier said firmly. I’ve got to stop losing my temper over things like this. My fiancée says I ought to start meditating.

If I didn’t believe in what you were doing, I wouldn’t be out here, Professor, Kevin said softly. Whether we find anything out here or not, I’m learning a lot. And hey, maybe whatever we’ve accomplished over the last few months will help the next person who might come searching for Paititi.

The professor’s face fell as the man’s face flushed. I assure you young man, if I can’t find anything out here. No one ever will.

I didn’t mean it like...

The professor waved a hand at him and sighed. I know what you meant, Kevin, and it’s okay. It’s what I might’ve said when I was your age and stuck in this hellhole.

Kevin felt ashamed of himself. After all, the professor was supposed to be nearing the apex of his career, and yet, all he had seen thus far was failure. It was a well-known joke back at the university that Professor Collier wasn’t exactly stable. But Kevin had ignored the rumors, still dedicating himself to his dream of one day finding the holy grail. Well, maybe not THE holy grail, but something akin to it.

This was the professor’s holy grail. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea to give professor’s hunch one more try.

There is some good news, professor, he said. There’s enough in the generator up here at the excavation site to keep the dig going for another day or two. And it’s not like I’ve got anything else to do.

The professor clasped Kevin on the shoulders. I appreciate your dedication. It’s a rare thing for those in your generation.

Besides, I have a feeling Rocinante will finally deliver the goods today, Kevin said.

Rocinante?

Kevin felt his face flush with embarrassment.

It’s... umm... the name of Don Quixote’s horse. It’s what I’ve been calling the drill while you’re not around.

Collier chuckled, the lines around his eyes crinkling. That’s not bad. I suppose we are tilting at windmills out here, aren’t we?

No more than anyone else with a dream, Kevin replied.

The professor nodded at this and turned back towards the camp. Drill sample cores in this area again. Put ’em together and mark ’em ‘Lot 144’.

Kevin busied himself over the laser drill, programming it to take cores out of the volcanic rock where Professor Collier had indicated.

The professor put his fedora back on, tugging it snug against his head. He turned toward the trail leading back to the main camp only a few hundred feet away and sighed.

I’m going back to camp and review our supply situation; see how long we’ve got.

Roger that, Professor, Kevin said. His fingers raced over the keyboard as he programmed the laser. The generator kicked on and the valley was filled with the noise of the rumbling engine.

Once the capacitors on the laser were sufficiently charged, Kevin aimed the drill toward the rock face where the professor had been clearing away the vines and other vegetation and activated the machine.

The professor headed down the trail and Kevin watched him go. As the drill began to go through its pre-programed routine, he opened his laptop to continue recording his video blog.

He cleared his throat. As I was saying, I don’t think the professor wants to admit it, but I’m pretty sure our time out here is coming to an end. So, with that in mind, I’m going to give you a better idea of how we do things out here at Camp Paititi.

Kevin illustrated how the laser drill worked for his viewers at home. If he knew one thing about the internet, it was you never knew who was watching your videos. Maybe if he was good enough, someone at Discovery, National Geographic or even the History Channel might see his videos and offer him his own TV show.

Because it was beginning to appear that a few new Twitter followers was all he was going to get out of this expedition.

Chapter 2

The sun was rising over the horizon in Joshua Tree as Alex and Emily separated from their kiss. He paused to look at her, incredulous that after all these years, she was standing here in his arms once again.

The last twenty-four hours of his life had been filled with some of the strangest, most tragic events in his life. His father had been murdered. He’d learned about an alien species that had left behind a collection of wish-enabling magic stones that allowed him and others to possess incredible powers. Not to mention the insane megalomaniac billionaire with a stone of his own that was bent on controlling all of them for his own personal gain?

Hell, he had even shapeshifted into a dragon not even twenty minutes ago.

But none of those experiences matched what he was feeling right now as he looked into the eyes of the only woman he had ever loved in his life. Circumstances and his own actions had separated them. But now, they had been brought back together over the years in a way that was not only unexpected, but otherworldly.

I can’t even describe what this means to me... He couldn’t stop looking at her. He reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair away from her face.

She shied away from him and then glanced down at his naked body, raising an eyebrow. He chuckled and shrugged. The shape-shifting stone he had used to turn into a dragon while fighting with the billionaire Rupert Kline had torn everything he had been wearing to shreds. Now that he had shape-shifted back to his human shape, he was naked as the day as he was born.

It’s... Emily hesitated and smiled, her breathing quick. We have so much to talk about. But first, we need to get you some pants.

Guys? Christina, Emily’s best friend, was shouting at them while waving excitedly at the mesa that was still in flames thanks to their earlier confrontation with Kline. I think —

But before she could finish her warning, the entire top of the mesa exploded into an enormous fireball. The quartet of friends were knocked to the ground as the shockwave from the explosion reached them within seconds.

His ears still ringing, Alex shouted to his friends to stay down as he reached out to them with the healing stone and his newfound powers, hoping to keep them safe from oncoming explosion and debris.

As the smoke rose among them and the pressure wave of the explosion had passed, Alex was amazed to see the entire top of the mesa had been destroyed.