Fall of Darkness: Fall of Darkness, #4

By Jules Trettel

Gavalon was once a peaceful and majestic land of rolling green hills and lush landscape dotted by
unicorns. That was before Ryze, a thousand-year-old dark sorcerer rose again.

After plagues and famine, trials and lies, and the rise of an unlikely hero who turns out to really be a
prince, the culmination of everything is about to end in one epic battle.

Gavalon can stand strong again if the humans and the magical realm can work together. Time is not on
their side and after generations of oppression, will the magical creatures even want to help the humans?

Divided they stand no chance against Ryze, but together, are they strong enough to defeat him?

Action, adventure, love, romance, and some quirky friends to help along the way define the finale of this
epic fantasy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Julie Trettel
• Release date: Jan 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215676486

Book preview

Chapter 1

Arion! Come quickly, Zallon yelled.

Arion met him in the conservatory. What is it Zallon?

There are reports of sightings rolling in that Ryze has come again. He was battled and defeated in Burning Havens.

If he was defeated then we should be celebrating, right?

Zallon solemnly shook his head. It’s no time to celebrate, Arion. Ryze is still alive.

But you said he was defeated.

Only that piece of him which would draw him to Burning Havens. He was after the stone. We must destroy it before he comes to destroy Gavalon.

How do you know this? Arion asked.

The King sent Garron over with news of dire urgency. A raven appeared to him this morning carrying a message from Burning Havens. The message explained that the stone must be destroyed to defeat Ryze. I suppose they were able to annihilate their stone and Ryze disappeared.

He just left or he actually disappeared? Because maybe that was it. Maybe he’s gone for good now, Arion said hopefully

I wasn’t exactly there, but that’s not what it sounds like. Why would Burning Havens send warning if they didn’t fear him still a threat? We must destroy the stone of Gavalon, Zallon insisted

Okay, so destroy it, Arion said like it was the simplest thing in the world

Zallon opened his hand as if he were waiting for something.

Arion’s eyes flashed to the shelf the rock had always sat upon.

Wh-where is it? he asked.

Zallon soured. I thought it was with you.

I haven’t touched it, well, except for that one time I broke the encasement and awoke an ancient dark sorcerer, but otherwise, never, Arion protested.

Tell me you’re joking, Zallon demanded.

Arion was starting to freak out. Zallon, do I look like I’m kidding you? I don’t have it. I haven’t touched it. I did not move it.

Well neither did I, he said, his voice rising in fear. Where has Helmwyn run off to this time? We must find out if he has the stone.

They set off in different directions to search the house for the old druid. Arion was the first to find him down in the library going through some ancient scrolls.

What is it? Arion asked him.

He shook his head. I do not know. There’s been this rising feeling of doom throughout the magical realm. Have you not felt it? It’s like a siren calling out to us all.

It’s Ryze, Arion said simply. The giant I spoke to said he was rounding up all creatures of magic.

Arion, Helmwyn started.

This isn’t a guess. We’ve gotten confirmation from Burning Havens that he has been spotted. They were able to defeat him for now, but it’s only a matter of time before he comes here. We need to prepare and I need you to fight that call to his side.

Helmwyn sat down in shock. That really does explain all of this.

Helmwyn, why am I not hearing his call? Am I not made of magic the same as you?

The old druid nodded. Yes, but you, Arion are rare and pure of heart. You would never have been able to activate the stone otherwise.

What would have happened if I had touched the stone and not been the wielder?

It would have burned you, a grumpy voice from the corner said.

Who’s there? Helmwyn asked, alarmed.

Bob, the zanzar that followed Arion home and lived in the catacombs beneath the House of Magic, stepped out into the light.

A-a-a zanzar? Helmwyn stuttered.

Helmwyn, this is Bob, Arion said.

Bob? What sort of name is that? the druid muttered.

Arion knew how overly sensitive the zanzar could be and immediately stepped in. Bob is a perfectly respectable name, Arion assured him. Now what do you know about the stone?

Bob harumphed, but conceded. Like I said, if one of ill intentions had come into contact with the stone it would have burned him. Nasty black magical burns.

Helmwyn frowned, as he frantically looked through the book he had been focused on when Arion found him.

There’s nothing in here that says anything about that, he insisted.

And you won’t find it in there either, Bob stubbornly said.

Why not? Helmwyn asked.

Just tell him, Arion said.

I do not know if he can be trusted, my prince.

He is not your prince, gnome, Helmwyn said.

I am no gnome, the zanzar argued. And I gave my allegiance to Arion, Prince of all magical creatures.

Helmwyn stopped and stared at him. He seemed to have no comeback to that.

Bob, just tell him. Please, Arion said.

As you wish, Bob said making it clear he wasn’t happy about it. My annoying cousins, the gnomes, were called in to protect the amethyst of Gavalon. Arion broke the encasement but that was but one enchantment they placed on the stone to protect it.

They protected the stone? Helmwyn asked. It was clear he had no knowledge of anything Bob was saying.

It’s why Jeffrid couldn’t communicate with Ryze until I broke the encasement. It was spelled as a blocker, Arion informed him.

You are correct, Bob acknowledged. There are several protection spells around the stone. I will be surprised if my cousins didn’t leave a tracker on the stone as well. I will need to contact them for those details, he said disgusted by the thought.

I know they are not your favorite to deal with, but it’s really important, because the stone is missing.

What do you mean it’s missing? Helmwyn asked.

I mean gone. Disappeared. No longer sitting on the shelf in the conservatory where it has always been, Arion said. Zallon was hoping you had reason to take it.

I would never, Helmwyn said.

Neither did the boy, Bob said. "At least not through the catacombs. I’ve been watching for him. He has not been around in many days.

He’s still down here? Helmwyn inquired.

"There are other exits down here. I’ve explored most of it