Aether Codex Volume 5: Lessons of the Heart: Aether Codex, #5

By KJ Davis

The Aether Codex Volume 5: Lessons of the Heart is an engaging pair of separate, but connected stories across space and time. This volume of the Codex introduces two stories from the future past that give the readers a deeper connection to the main characters of the Aether Star Chronicles series: Lunessa and Solan.

 

The Fall of Círdanópa recounts a major event that took place on the elven homeworld centuries ago. The ill-fated calamity pulls the reader into the final moments of a vicious war between the citizens of Eldamar and an invading horde of demonic monstrosities, led by a faction of dark elves, called the Moriquen. Battle plans and tactics are wiped away when a new missive arrives from the front lines: A portal is being constructed to allow the dreaded Dark Lord's ship, the Ōmatanār, past their planetary defenses! Now the race is on to stop the massive death ship which is capable of siphoning the very life force of the entire planet dry. How will the Eldalië elves and their allies survive? All eyes turn to their only hope with fear and questions filling their minds: How can Lunessa, the young and inexperienced Scion of Avalon, stop Daechir and his demonic horde with only half of a broken Aether Star by her side? 

 

The second act, A "Simple" Mission, travels across space and time to follow Sergeant Solan Marcus Adams, leader of a team of Apex Special Forces called the Mavericks. The genetically enhanced super-soldiers, called Hy-Gens, are sent out to collect a mapping drone that was knocked off course. Sounds like an easy job, but in the words of the lion-hybrid leader: "Simple mission briefing, simple orders. First impression? Anything they tell us is "simple" never turns out that way." Along the way, the team works out how best to complete the humans' orders to 'go fetch'. Of course, any grunt will agree that no amount of planning survives first contact, and this op was no different. A surprise attack from nowhere forces the team to make quick adjustments and decisions that come at a high cost. Will they survive a powerful onslaught from this new, unknown enemy? How can a team, as close as a family, cope with the devastating aftermath?

 

The Aether Codex mini series is presented in the form of historical recordings from the great Library of Avalon. From the classical book cover styling to the entry-log format of Act II, the Codex is designed to look, feel, and read as if you had randomly pulled an old dusty book from a shelf filled with tomes. KJ wanted to immerse her followers with her descriptive writing and fantasy/sci-fi worldbuilding she created for the main series; to such an extent that the readers of this volume become part of the story!

• Language: English
• Publisher: KJ Davis
• Release date: Mar 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798985874501

Book preview

THE AETHER STAR

CHRONICLES

Presents…

The Aether Codex

Volume 5:

Lessons of the Heart

By

KJ Davis

KJ Davis logo

Copyright © 2023 by KJ Davis

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.

This a literary work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are based on the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, and/or locations is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the prior written permission of the copyright owner, expect for brief use in a book review or interview with the author.

To request permissions, contact the author via her sponsor at: [e-mail]

Author’s website: https://kjdauthor.wordpress.com

First Printing, 2023.

English versions:

eBook ISBN: 979-8-9858745-0-1

Print ISBN: 979-8-9858745-2-5

Spanish versions:

eBook ISBN: 979-8-9858745-1-8

Print ISBN: 979-8-9858745-3-2

Published by

A Little Help Company

11936 W 119th St #179

Overland Park, KS 66213-2216

www.alittlehelp.com

To my Knight-In-Not-So-Shiny-Armor,

Your encouragement urged me to start this journey.

Your support gave me the strength to conquer my fears and overcome the obstacles along the way.

Your love allowed my heart to soar above the mountain tops and weave new stories for the world to enjoy.

I shall love you, always.

-KJ

Table of Contents

Preface

Content Warning

Prologue – Lessons of the Aether

Act I – The Fall of Círdanópa

Chapter 1 – The Innocent Heart

Chapter 2 – The Broken Heart

Chapter 3 – An Intermission

Act II – A ‘Simple’ Mission

World Military AAR

Chapter 4 – Solan’s Log

Chapter 5 – Something… Off

Chapter 6 – Doc’s Report

Chapter 7 – Cassini Command

Chapter 8 – Recording Error

Chapter 9 – The T-Drive

Chapter 10 – Solan Remembers

Chapter 11 – Plan B

Chapter 12 – Lights Out

Chapter 13 – That’s not an asteroid!

Chapter 14 – Bowan’s Decision

Chapter 15 – In The Silence

Chapter 16 – The FRAGO

Epilogue – The Sleeping Heart

Appendix

Glossary

About the Author

Preface

Dear Readers,

Thank you for choosing this supplemental eBook to my series, the Aether Chronicles. As a working mom, wife, and the matriarch to a large social family, I must balance several responsibilities for my family every day. Yet, as an aspiring author, I allow myself moments where I can drift away into the colorful multiverse of my stories. The characters and fantastical adventures that are portrayed within these pages have been my invisible companions since childhood. They comforted me through my darkest hours and celebrated my personal little victories. Now, a few centuries later, I find a new sense of joy and excitement as I share these hidden treasures with the world. I hope that you will find the same comfort, encouragement, and inspiration that I did bringing them to life in this series. Together we will explore the depths of an emotional abyss, fly high into the clouds on magical wings, and experience the thrilling excitement of space battles, fearsome monsters, and a mystical cat species called the Ma’u.

This supplemental addition to my main series provides a glimpse into the deeper world building of the Aether multiverse. The Aether Codex is intentionally designed to look and feel as if you had visited the library of Avalon yourself. Much like picking out a book from a dusty shelf at random, we begin with Volume 5 of this venerable collection. Here, you will join a class of new initiates from the Avalon Academy as they receive their first assignment. Take heed to the Master Chronicler’s lesson, review two of the Aether recordings, and try to unravel the mystery that connects them across space and time.

Now, run along and catch up with your classmates before the session begins! Good Luck on your journey, until we meet again.

Love and Blessings,

KJ Davis

Content Warning

This literary work contains subject matter that may be considered controversial or sensitive. This fiction book is intended for a mature audience of young adult to adult readers. The story you are about to read explores the following themes based on four main categories of explicit content.

*** Warning Spoilers Ahead!!! ***

Foul Language: strong, but infrequent – based on authentic military jargon

Sexual Innuendo: none

Violence: infrequent descriptions of brutality and violent battle scenes

Other: subject matter includes brief notations of mutilation, murder, and genocide

Seal of Avalon

Prologue

Lessons of the Heart

T

he tall elven instructor waited serenely as the collection of academy students gathered around the crystalline scrying table. The early afternoon sunlight shone through a row of open archways along the library’s eastern wall and danced over the smooth surface. Her master’s robe of rich emerald and sapphire cast a wash of colors in her reflection. Like oil on water, the rich hues swirled, blending with the golden light. Her jet-black hair had been braided back into a tight bun with ornate sticks that matched the golden embroidery on her sleeves and tunic. She observed the puma Ma’u assisting her today as he guided the youth to their places like a watchful mother tending a litter of kittens. The collection of eager pupils included elven youths, a handful of Ma’u, and two Dragith.

Descendants of the Ancient Ones, the dragon-kin, called Dragith, carried themselves with fierce pride. Scaled bodies, dragon heads, and clawed hands only managed to add to their ferocious presence. Meanwhile, their Ma’uen counterparts brought an air of mystique and fluid grace only achieved by their feline race. Walking upright on their hinds, the Ma’u was a fascinating species with the head, tail, and hind legs of a feline. Their sapien torso was covered in fur and varied with an abundance of breeds, such as tigers, calicoes, and wildcats. The raven-haired elf noticed the puma Ma’u was wearing a simple green wrap skirt. This was the most popular garment among his kin. A golden sash denoted his station as part of the Chronicler’s Guild, and the elf thought it complemented his sandy brown fur well. Once her assistant was satisfied with the assembly, he turned and nodded to the Master Chronicler. Welcome to the Chronicler’s Chambers, young ones. Now that your general studies have concluded, we will begin your initiative process to determine the best course of focus for your higher education. An important part of this is a deep understanding of our history. By studying our past, we gain insight, knowledge, inspiration, or answers to countless questions about the present and the future. It is the responsibility of the Chronicler’s Guild to preserve all records and documents for prosperity and enlightenment.

The elven noble pointed to ancient runic symbols etched into the rim of the scrying table. She read them aloud in the common language. Seek knowledge, for it is the brightest star. Several students oohed and awed as the table reacted to the elf’s magical energy. Glowing softly, the magical counter pulsed in time with her words. Today, I have chosen to focus our study on records from the Aether Codex. Can anyone tell me what that is?

The entire class quickly raised their hands and paws excitedly. Their youthful eyes flashed with eager delight and confidence. The elven professor pointed to one of the two Dragith, who promptly puffed out her chest.

The Codex is a collection of recordings, gathered by the Aether Stars, from across the entire multiverse. For all time! The Dragith’s green and blue frills rose with the youth’s excitement as she stood with her fists on her hips.

Another student, a blonde elf with sea-green eyes, raised his hand again and spoke abruptly. Master. Is it true that the Aether can record events from both the past and the future?

The wildcat next to him lowered her ears and hissed, Not into the future. It is impossible to predict the future and create a record. There would be too many variations!

The Teleri youth scowled at the Ma’u. Yes, it can. The Warden mages use Aether memory crystals to predict the Masta-Oré crop yields.

That is different. The wildcat folded her arms. The memory crystals only show cryptic images, and the Wardens use their own knowledge of nature to read signs and omens.

Before the blonde elf could make