The Chronicles of Levi & Jones: Orion's Tomb

By Ryan Crawford

Best friends Levi Lumboss and Jones Jackson guard a powerful secret. They hope their upcoming summer vacation from school will be a time of relaxation. However, dark forces are determined to obtain the secret and will do anything to get it. Time itself depends on the boys fighting to keep those forces from gaining the power they hold. Danger lur

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crawford Adventures
• Release date: Dec 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9798987554906

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Published by Crawford Adventures 2022

Bradenton, FL

Copyright © 2022 by Ryan Crawford/Crawford Adventures

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022922699

Cover Design by Rebecca McGillicuddy of NoirArtist Illustrations

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living ‘or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Paperback ISBN: 979-8-218-10444-3

e book ISBN: 979-8-987-55490-6

Printed in the United States of America by IngramSpark

To Devon and Zack,

I hope I inspire you as much as you inspire me.

Love Dad

Contents

Dedication

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Chapter One

The old haunted mine remains hidden and silent. Nothing moves as it is a damp, sooty, coal-laden, musty void without light or life. The darkness conceals a massive network of caves and tunnels that extend for miles below the Earth. This underground maze contains cracked, disintegrating lumber, decomposing bones, and broken mining equipment used by prospectors who died generations ago. Deep in the mine tunnels, bent and damaged mine carts and their broken tracks lead into the dark abyss. Spider webs hang from every angle, yet nothing inhabits the murky environment. Large chunks of fractured rock and broken ore litter the unnerving atmosphere. The rotting remains of creatures that once crept around this subterranean cemetery cover the ground. Within the mine, the air is thick and oppressive, smelling like mold and mildew while the taste of rotten milk fills your mouth. The feel and energy of death’s crushing grip are impossible to escape.

In the desolate, undisturbed mine shafts, time stands still. Interrupting the darkness is a sudden earthquake exploding thousands of miles away from the town of Coralbrink. Massive sections of the Earth’s tectonic plates shift and collide. These lethal shock waves travel hundreds of miles deep beneath the surface before arriving in Coralbrink. As a result, the mine’s most profound and darkest areas sustain significant damage. Massive slabs of stone split and fall from the highest points of the most severely damaged chambers. The extreme shaking forms many new fractures, holes, and breaches. A single fracture emerges on a cavern wall at the mine’s lowest point before the disturbance stops. This fracture emits a dazzling red glow that pierces the dusty atmosphere.

A mysterious, supernatural cloud formation appears as the light stabs through the damaged rock wall. It flows through the crack like steam escaping from a broken pipe. A terrifying, whirling sound travels through the air like a tornado. While it moves through miles of passages and caverns, something evil is developing. Its ghostly manifestation stirs up dead spirits as it leaves the cries of death and pain in the distance. The strange formation changes shape, expanding and contracting. The stench of moist, rotting flesh permeates the hazy mass as it moves through the mine.

The entity travels for several hours before arriving at Levi Lumboss’ outer cellar wall. The phantom cloud lingers in the area and solidifies, swinging back and forth, colliding with the stone foundation. Because no one is home, the ghostly intruder striking the wall remains unheard. It causes significant damage every time it hits the same spot. A thin, deep crack forms on the foundation’s surface.

There is a moment of silence before a venomous, wicked whisper rings out, Levi. Jones. Die. Root Mine,

Following the delivery of those terrifying words, it squeezes through the crack and into the cellar. It drifts up the dark stairs to the first floor in seconds. The spook quickly enters the house through the gap between the cellar door and the floor.

The poltergeist trembles as it explores Levi’s house. The shapeless mass shows intelligence by examining the house in search of something. There are sounds of heavy breathing everywhere the spirit moves. A bloodshot, mutilated eyeball forms as the smokey ghost passes cupboards, drawers, and closets that open on their own. The spirit becomes angrier as it searches under furniture and other objects for something specific but is unsuccessful. After inspecting the entire house, the ghost disperses outdoors via the keyhole of the front door and into the town of Coralbrink.

There are no clouds in the sky while the sun rises above the horizon. Coralbrink has yet another wonderful day as a fresh breeze blows through, causing the trees to sway. Coastal waves crash against barnacle-covered schooners and boats. Birds chirping and distant seagull cries permeate the air. Visitors, friends, and families crowd the community park streets and paths while walking through town. Onlookers marvel at the massive breakwaters repelling violent ocean surges attempting to approach the marina. On this peaceful day, everyone goes about their business. Nobody imagines that something could ever disrupt time’s delicate balance, let alone that such a thing exists.

An elderly gentleman stands on the sand near the marina, gazing out at sea. He enjoys the fresh sea breeze and the sun’s warmth on his face during his daily walk. He fumbles around in his coat pocket for something to feed his little winged beach friends.

There you go, Paul, he remarks as he kneels to offer a cracker to a pelican he feeds daily.

He stands up, closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and mutters, We made it another year.

The man’s name is Edward Shipero. He is a local celebrity and hero, according to some. The upcoming town festival is in his family’s honor.

The Shipero Brothers Boat Festival is a popular annual event on the town’s waterfront. The upcoming festival will observe the 110th anniversary of the town’s oldest shipbuilder. This celebration includes a parade, food vendors, fireworks, games, and activities. The christening of Shipero’s newest and largest wooden vessel will be the festival’s focal point.

Volunteers make preparations in anticipation of the festivities. Ships’ hulls are polished, and sailboats raise their beautiful sails. Captains take great satisfaction in displaying their vessels near the shoreline. Anglers aim to show off their nets and fishing gear. Canapes and decorations are being made for the ceremony. Firefighters prepare old and modern trucks for the procession by cleaning and polishing them. Everyone is carefree because the entire town is filled with joy.

A dark, foggy mass creeps around town, lurking in the trees, sneering at citizens. Its rage grows while it hunts from tree to tree, wailing and searching.

Most individuals dismiss the distant howling as a strong breeze blowing through the woods. While the dark mass drifts, it comes into contact with the occasional bird sitting on a limb and instantly kills it.

Levi. Jones. Die. Root Mine, moans the haunted smoke while it makes its way through town, intent on finding its prey.

Two weeks after their adventure of discovery, Levi Lumboss and Jones Jackson’s lives return to normal. While struggling to make sense of their experiences, they must now protect the powerful, precious object they discovered. They uncovered the last surviving fragment of the mystical tree of time, a piece of its root. Whoever possesses the root can travel back in time, but only to their current location. Malicious souls want to take the root and use it for their own evil purposes. When Levi and Jones discovered the room containing the root, the timeworn tribal guardian who protected it imparted a secret to them. He said their fate had been predicted thousands of years before they were born. They would serve as the new guardians of the root. They must safeguard the revered artifact and guard its many capabilities from abuse. Jones, the slightly portly and shy ebony guardian, is never far from his backpack because he carries around the root. Levi, who is white, skinny, and kind of nerdy, still wears his goggles on top of his head as a tribute to his favorite scientist.

Later that day, Levi and Jones sat in their 8th-grade English class, talking to their classmates. Conversation buzzes about summer vacation, and Levi and Jones are excited about entering high school next year.

OK, everyone, it’s Wednesday, and I’m sure there’s no need to remind you that this is your last week as eighth graders, Ms. Barron says. Most of the students begin cheering. You’ll all be freshmen next year, and I’ll miss you dearly. Please stay in touch because I’d love to hear about your successes. She then delivers the final assignment.

For your final homework assignment, I want you to write a paragraph describing what you plan to do throughout summer vacation. It is due on Friday, and I will grade them while class is in session. Please have a great, safe day. Class dismissed. She sighs. All the students rise to their feet and prepare to leave.

Woo-hoo! This is sweet! We’re going to be freshmen, Jones. Do you know what this means? Levi asks.

Jones nods as he packs his backpack. He carefully places the books in his pack close to the root.

It means we will be big-time freshmen, which sounds great. Next year Levi, you, and I will be the studs of Binsley High. I can’t wait for summer break to begin. By the way, has your mom told you where we are traveling yet?

Not yet. The owner of the travel agency should tell her soon, and then we will be out of town for a while on our first real vacation. Jones looks out the classroom window. Aww, man, it’s raining again.

Levi tenses as he looks out the window because he remembers the last time he left school when the weather turned inclement. Jones and Levi say farewell to their buddies in the hallway after leaving the classroom when a young woman walks up behind them.

How are you, Jones? Ashley, the girl Jones has been crushing on for months, asks while touching his shoulder.

How are you today, Ashley? Jones inquires as he becomes nervous, causing sweat to form under his arms.

Are you going to the parade? she asks, taking his hand in hers.

Levi nudges Jones because he is too shy to look her in the eyes.

Jones replies, Um... yeah, seeking to loosen his collar with a finger. Are you going?

Well, ya, why else would I ask you? Do you want to meet at the ice cream shop or somewhere? Ashley proposes.

After a few seconds of Jones stumbling over his words, Levi puts his hand on Jones’s shoulder and says, He sure will, Ashley.

Awesome! I’ll see you later. Ashley responds as she smiles at Jones and walks away.

Jones stammers, She asked me for ice cream...

Levi laughs, I know I was there to help you, Romeo. Let’s go home.

They hear another young girl’s voice while walking down the hallway just as they reach the exit. Autumn, the young lady Levi is hopelessly in love with, greets him.

Levi stares at the ground, scratching the back of his neck as he sputters, Autumn, how are you? What’s new?

Nothing, really. I can’t wait till school is over and I can start enjoying summer vacation. Will you be at the parade? Autumn asks.

Uh, well, Levi stammers weakly.

I’m sure he’ll be there with a smile on his face, Autumn, answers Jones as he places his hand on Levi’s shoulder.

Sweet. See you there! Autumn says as she smiles at Levi and walks away.

Jones stares at Levi shaking his head, and Levi says, What?

Well, Don Juan, who’s the Romeo now?

Alright, we’re both pathetic, but I’m a man of science, and I have no time for that right now. Come on, the bus is leaving in a few minutes, Levi replies as Jones shakes his head.

Despite the unexpected downpour, the two push their way through the crowds, holding umbrellas, until they reach a standstill in front of the bus. The evil fog-like spirit finds its way to the school, and the boys are unaware that danger is present.

Jones leads the way as they approach the bus and start climbing the stairs. The evil spirit descends from the treetops around the school and manifests into a physical body dressed in black. Levi catches a glimpse of the apparition from the corner of his eye. It vanishes behind a massive tree when Levi shifts his attention in that direction. He freezes for a split second, not realizing what he has seen.

Hurry! yells the kid behind Levi, who is also attempting to avoid the rain.

Levi sits next to Jones in the center of the bus, not understanding what he has seen.

Jones asks, What’s wrong with you?

Levi says, Nothing, nothing. I just thought I saw a weird thing.

What did you see?

Well, I’m not sure; maybe it was a shadow?

Jones quips, Please don’t tell me you saw another ghost?

The root vibrates in Jones’ backpack. What the? Oh no, you did see a ghost, didn’t you? Jones whispers to Levi as he panics, looking into his backpack.

Something is happening, Levi murmurs as he helps Jones cover the root.

After vibrating for a moment, it stops.

Huh? Now it stopped. What’s going on here? Jones asks.

I don’t know, but it probably isn’t a good thing, Levi insists.

Both of them look at each other, then out the bus window, before looking back at each other. The bus starts heading down the street toward the boys’ homes.

The dark entity transforms into vapor and follows the bus. After numerous stops, the guys are still on the bus. Levi is concerned that he and Jones are in great danger, and Levi warns Jones to look out for anything out of the ordinary.

If there is something bad around us or if we are in danger, the root should warn us,

Why can’t being a guardian be a quiet and simple job? All I want is to be a normal teen, and I’m tired of being scared all the time. Jones elaborates.

Well, I agree with you, but it chose us to protect it, so we have to do our part, Levi replies.

Ugh, I suppose, but I already know this is not fun. It’s bad enough that we have to take this thing everywhere we go, but it’s even worse that we have to keep it hidden all the time, Jones complains.

The entity following them howls again during their conversation, Levi. Jones. Die. Root Mine,

Levi freaks out as the root vibrates again. Look, it’s doing it again! he mumbles as he looks around the bus.

Jones holds his backpack even tighter. I don’t see anything. What are we looking for?

Arriving in front of Levi’s house, the driver waves as they get off. While the bus drives away, the evil spirit hovers over Levi’s house and disappears. The boys are unaware of what is happening when the root stops vibrating.

It stopped again. This is going to drive me crazy. I’ll be over in a few minutes to hang out, Jones tells Levi. Jones walks the short distance to his home in no time.

Levi pulls a key from his pocket. Checking the mail and letting himself in is part of his routine. After grabbing the mail, he slips his key into the deadbolt and waits for a moment, looking skyward, before turning the lock. While staring into the sky, a smokey distorted hand oozes out of the keyhole of the door handle. Levi closes his eyes and listens to the soothing sounds of the water, birds, and nature.

A dark, gravelly, horrifying moan scares Levi when he hears, Levi. Jones. Die. Root mine!

The dark spirit’s hand is gone before Levi sees it. He jumps back in shock. He looks around,