Rise of The Order: The Awakening Trilogy, #2

By BRANDON ROHRBAUGH

After the events of Mermaid Cliff, Mark Parker joins The Order and trains for the inevitable war with the dark forces that threaten the world.

Dark magic, spirit animals, and supernatural forces are revealed in this Book 2 of The Awakening Trilogy.

After arriving in Dracfort, Mark Parker learns the way of The Order and trains for the battle of his life. He learns more of Demons and Angels and that there is magic alive and well in the world. Before he can face his fate back on Mermaid Cliff, he learns of an evil that is closer than he thought. The truth about the real world of supernatural beings and dark forces is revealed in this book 2 of The Awakening Trilogy.

Mark meets new friends and enemies along the way, but he never forgets about his mother and the evil cult waiting for him back in Rockport. The events that transpire in this book will thrust readers into the epic finale of the trilogy of book 3.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BRANDON ROHRBAUGH
• Release date: Mar 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215968345

Book preview

The Phoenix, somewhere on the Pacific

The dark grows in strength every day, making this, our journey to Rockport, even more important. We have been waiting for this day for many long years.

The time has finally come for Mark Parker to begin his training in Dracfort.

I lost contact with Taylor and Richards many days ago, but I must not worry; Mark is our final chance to put Aurora to sleep for the last time. With every passing wave, I pray that he made it to the island and is awaiting our arrival. If he truly is the chosen one, he will be there. The road ahead for Mark is a grueling, confusing one.

My father spoke of a boy who would put the Syreni to rest. Mark is that boy, he must be. I feel sure of it. The people of Dracfort believe I can deliver this chosen one to them. But still, I have my concerns that Mark cannot train in time for the inevitable war between the Order and the Syreni.

Some in our colony, too, will not accept Mark, being from the evil bloodline; he will need to accept who he is and decide for himself. He has a battle ahead of him as his blood, filled with darkness and corruption, will try to consume him. We will try to train him to control the darkness, use it for good. But who knows if we will win?

My ancestors sailed on this very ship many years ago in the Great War. Once, evil ruled this land, demonic beings and other creatures rising to conquer this world. Our ancestors fought these ancient creatures, banishing them for good, or so they thought and hoped. Some evil remains, gaining in strength, and we know the evil ones will one day terrorize this land again.

Aurora is the first demon we have found in the past 500 years, but Mark is the only one who can defeat the evil for good. The Syreni, though, will protect her at all costs, ensuring their bloodline continues.

I fear Mark will have a tough challenge when he faces his friends and family of Rockport.

I am dying now, my time as leader ending soon. I must hold on for a little while longer, until Mark is ready to lead the Order. He isn’t from the Lai family, yet his fate is still set in stone. He will one day defeat the great evil and command the Order against whatever darkness comes next.

The moon, bright tonight, guides our path through the rough waves. I feel the storm in my blood already, roiling; the storm of the sea, and of what is to come.

In the distance, I can see land; it is Rockport. Getting closer, a single torch stands burning around the darkness of the night. I must end this entry now; the time has come for Mark Parker to see the world for what it truly is.

- Josiah Lai

Chapter 1

Icould barely make out the massive ship as it approached. The moon piercing through the vast sails uncovered a great phoenix painted on the side. I grabbed the torch and stood up, waving my arms. The ship seemed to slow in that moment, like the crew had just seen me standing there. A light flickered from the ship, confirming it.

I quickly jumped in the small rowboat and paddled toward the massive ship.

The closer I got, the more nervous I became; my life would never be the same. I was a murderer on the run from the police and the Syreni. Richards had risked his life to free me, so I must not disappoint him. Taylor had died so I could live on, and I had to continue for her.

The ship became more enormous by the second; both the vessel and the enormity of the undertaking bore down on me.

A ladder made from ropes barreled down the side as I approached. I hesitated, but I reached for it. I looked back towards the town of Rockport. One day, I would return and get justice for those who did not deserve to die. I climbed the ladder and a hand reached over the edge. They swiftly pulled me up on board. In front of me stood a man with long black hair, wearing a robe of some sort. I could hardly contain myself as I waited for him to speak. The giant ship creaked and swooshed and moved sharply, and it headed back out into the abyss.

Mark Parker, we have been waiting a very long time for this, the robed man said.

I’m here to help, I want to take down those responsible.

Patience; you need to be ready first.

Patience? Another man cut in, approaching us. We don’t have time for that, Josiah!

The first thing I noticed about the other man was a sword strapped to his belt with a tiger’s head atop the handle. His hand rested on it, ready to pull it out at any moment.

Mark, my name is Josiah Lai, leader of the Order. This is Lucian Cole, my advisor, he explained.

It’s nice to meet you both, I’ve heard a little about the Order.

We lost contact with Richards and Taylor a while ago, what happened? Josiah asked.

The Syreni, including my own mother... They killed Taylor with a poison covered ancient knife.

The Venom Dagger, Lucian cut in with terror on his face.

What is that?

The Venom Dagger was one of many great weapons forged by our ancestors long ago, Josiah explained.

We had that dagger at a secure location. If they indeed, have it, that location has been compromised, Lucian muttered, kicking a bucket into the dark sea. Things are far worse than we feared.

Calm down Lucian, you’ll frighten the boy. Tell us what happened with Richards.

I still couldn’t believe what has happened. I couldn’t believe everything that I had learned over the past few days. Part of me was still trying to wake up from this nightmare.

Just breathe; try to remember everything, Josiah said.

He placed his unusually warm hand on my shoulder and a memory entered my mind, but it was not my own; a giant bird, a phoenix, flapped its mighty wings above a horde of demonic beings.

I took a step back and widened my eyes. Josiah’s hand dropped from my shoulder, and he nodded at me as if he had seen the same thing.

Well, boy, we are waiting for an answer! Lucian yelled. There are a lot of people waiting for answers.

Richards and Taylor were working together, I answered. I didn’t know they were a part of the Order. Richards saved me, he freed me from the Syreni! Taylor died saving me; they both saved me.

I am sorry you had to go through all of this, but you need to understand that you are part of this. We need you if we are going to stop the evil that exists. I am sure you have many questions, but you need to rest for now.

Wait, aren’t we going to go back for Richards? I challenged. I can’t leave him behind.

He knew one day he would have to sacrifice himself for something bigger, Josiah answered. Believe me, he understood that and was ready for it. Show him to his room, Lucian.

They will kill him when they find out what he did!

Let’s go, kid, Lucian demanded and forced me away from Josiah.

I walked toward the door, and cold raindrops fell around us. First slow and then in an instant turned into a torrential downpour of cold, silvery drops. The waves grew higher which rocked the boat.

Down here, kid, Lucian said and pointed at a worn cot in the corner of the room.

"What did he mean, something bigger than himself?"

"You, you are the chosen one."

I couldn’t help but think of Jason and the others in that moment. The name, The Chosen Ones, that we had come up with. We were just kids. None of this should have ever happened.

You don’t seem to believe that, almost as much as I don’t.

"There is a great war coming, so maybe you are this great warrior our ancestors told us about. Maybe you’re not. All I’m saying is I’ve been training my whole life for this fight and I’m not going to let some kid come in and get in my way."

He hung a lantern near the cot and walked out of the door, locking it. I walked over to the cot and sat down next to a trunk on the floor. I knelt and opened the ancient-looking wooden box. Inside were several pictures and other little items. I pulled out one picture with Josiah standing next to a few children. I held it closer to the lantern to brighten the picture and it revealed that two of the names of the children were Taylor and Richards. They must have been with the Order when they were kids.

One thing that bothered me about the picture was Josiah looked like he was in his late thirties in this picture, yet he appeared the same now. I turned the picture over and a single year, 1989, was written in ink. He would have to be around sixty if this date was right.

The light from the lantern dimmed and flickered before shutting off completely. A single glare from the moon crept through a crack in the door. The rough storm outside grew. The ship crackled and moaned as it pushed through the immense waves of the deep ocean. I grabbed the sides of the cot and held them firm against my chest and hoped for the best. The cot swayed forced me into the side of the boat. My head banged off the creaking wood which caused my eyes to go dark.

A SENSE OF UNEASE QUICKLY overcame me. I looked around and was back on Mermaid Cliff. I stood up and walked toward the edge where a girl was perched. She had her back to me, so I couldn’t make out who she was. Rain began falling, the cold drops hit my head. The girl took a step forward and walked right off the edge as I stood by and watched.

No! I screamed.

I ran over and laid as close to the edge as I could. The girl’s body laid mangled on the sharp rocks below. I could just make out what was beside her; the creature they called Aurora. A sword stuck out of its chest, blood-soaked sand all around them. The more I focused, the more I could see of the gruesome scene. My mother and Josiah lay motionless by them both.

The raging sea taunted me, a wild and massive wave formed deep in the ocean. The water rose higher and higher, and my heart pounded. But this giant wave was not a wave at all; something was alive in there, beneath the ocean. The water swirled, the clouds darkened, and the sky turned blood red. The rain had turned into blood and fell harder and harder, burning my eyes. I wiped them, but it was no use; blinded by the blood, an ear-piercing screech deafened me. I closed my eyes and let out with a gut-wrenching scream and just like that it was silent.

I found I wasn’t on the beach anymore. Wind blustered around me. Sand hit me in the face. Scorching rays of the sun blinded me. I stepped forward and nearly walked right off a massive skyscraper. I stepped back in fear and noticed a telescope ahead that pointed out towards the surrounding city. I could make out a giant shiny, black wall that covered the outskirts of the city. Just on the other side of the black wall was desert as far as the eye could see. Far in the distance, I could just make out mountains.

I walked over to the telescope and looked through, pointing it toward the ground below me. A large dome-shaped building was constructed in the middle of the city. Several people stood around it. I focused the lens more and was stunned. Creatures walked around in clothing. Animals, blue, pink too, all walked among humans. Just then, a black armored car pulled up outside of the coliseum. The back door shot open and out stepped a man with slicked, black hair. The strange man had a pickaxe tied to his back. A group of heavily armored men escorted him inside the building.

I moved the telescope to focus on the mountains in the far distance. I could just make out birds flying high above them. I zoomed in and focused the lens as much as possible; they weren’t birds at all. Flying around the mountain were dragons. I scanned a river far to the East before finally moving away from the scope and staring up at the sky. It turned red around me as the wind picked up. I closed my eyes and told myself to wake up.

MARK, IT’S TIME, A voice called out above me.

Mom? I questioned.

I fell to the ground, then focused on Lucian as he stood above me.

What happened? I asked, getting my balance on the wobbling ship.

You wouldn’t get up, so I flipped your cot, he smirked. "Sounded like you were having a nightmare. Oh, and don’t ever call me mom again."

A pain on my head caught my attention and I remembered hitting it before getting knocked out. I felt it with my hands and pulled a tightly wrapped bandage that was around my head.

Did you put this on my head?

No, one of our people did, do you know what day it is?

What do you mean?

You’ve been asleep for a few days, kid. We’re almost here, you need to come with me now.

What happened to me, where are we?

The last place you’ll ever call home, he said and walked out of the door.

I remembered the dream I’d had, so much death and darkness consumed my thoughts. A scrambled puzzle of confusing pieces filled my mind. As I walked to the door, I heard a noise, like a whisper, behind me. I turned quickly and scanned the dark room; nothing. It felt like I was starting to go crazy. Voices, dreams, death, and confusion was what my life had become.

I opened the door and was blinded by the bright sun, followed quickly by a frigid breeze. I squinted and balanced my bearings once again.

Take it all in, a woman’s soft voice came from behind me.How are you doing? I see you took your bandage off.

Yeah, are you the one who put it on for me?

Yes, my name is Deluca, I am the doctor around here. We noticed you had hit your head, so I stitched you up, but you were out for a few days.

I noticed a glow about her, like a glare that omitted from the sun.

Well thank you, I can’t believe I was out for so long.

Ah, Mrs. Deluca, thank you for taking care of Mark the past few days, Josiah uttered as she walked away.

Come with me, I want to talk with you, he said and lead me to the front of the ship.The other day, when you came aboard, you saw something when I touched your shoulder.

I hesitated and tried to remember what he was talking about.

When you put your hand on my shoulder, I a great bird, flying above a horde of creatures.

You get these visions a lot, don’t you?

Ever since Veronica was killed, I’ve had nightmares and glimpses of dark stuff.

Mark, you are incredibly special, you must realize that. Your dreams, visions, they are your soul trying to tell you something. Whether it’s a glimpse into the past or future, or a future that could happen, it’s a truly amazing gift. I want to tell you, though, you have demon blood flowing through your veins. Not everyone here is going to accept you.

"Why am I this special chosen one though? I know my family is a part of this sinister cult, but why me?"

Forces beyond our control chose you long ago. My ancestors spoke of a boy who would break free from the corruption and lead us to eternal peace. I believe you are that boy, but just because it is foretold, does not mean it will happen. You will be faced with incredible challenges along the way.

That’s a lot of responsibility for a sixteen-year-old, I laughed nervously. What do you mean, demon blood in my veins? That’s not literal, right?

Have you ever heard of the terms Cambion or Nephilim?

Say what?

Long ago, there were more demons that would walk amongst us, taking the form of humans. Your family’s ancestors treated these demons like gods and would have relations with these demons in rituals.

Wait, you mean my ancestors had sex with demons?

Yes, they would reproduce through the generations, carrying this ‘sacred’ bloodline. The name given to these half-humans, half-demons, was Cambion.

I was stunned at what he told me. I leaned over the railing and tried not to vomit. I don’t know if it was the sea sickness or the whole demon blood in my ancestry.

So, you’re saying I am a Cambion?

Exactly, you have darkness in you, but you have also seen the light. You can break free and destroy this disease.

Demons, creatures, cults, my life has taken a huge turn the past month.

This is only the beginning. I wish we had years to prep you, but Aurora is growing in strength.

I understand. I am ready to do whatever it takes. What else do I need to know?

You are going to meet some interesting people here at the sanctuary.

Taylor told me Dracfort was just as corrupt as Rockport. How is it a sanctuary?

There is a part of Dracfort, where we are going, that is protected from the demonic bloodline. It is secure and hidden from the rest of the world. Our ancestors put an ancient blessing on it, preventing anyone or thing from the Syreni—or of Cambion nature—from entering.

You just said I’m a demon, so how am I getting in?

"I said you were half demon, Mark, and that is where things get tricky. We must brand you with a symbol that will grant you entry."

Like a tattoo?

Exactly.

I guess I can do that, I’ve always wanted a tattoo.

There’s one more thing; humans and Cambions aren’t the only ones in this world. Long ago, angels also lived amongst us. They had relations with members of the Order, creating Nephilims, half-human, half-angel. These bloodlines, like mine, were created in order to fight and stop the dark.

There is so much in this world I never knew about. Angels and demons living amongst us. This was far more than I ever imagined.

So, you are a Nephilim, and I am a Cambion? You are half human half angel, and I am half human half demon?

Essentially, yes, it’s in our bloodlines, Mark, we are descendants of these ancient beings. There hasn’t been a pure angel walk this land since the demon, Aurora, rose.

Ok, one more time. The Order is filled with half angels, known as Nephilim, and the Syreni is filled with half demons, known as Cambion?

Mostly, yes, which is why some people at the sanctuary will not like you being there. Your mere presence will upset some. Those who can look past it, who see that you are here for a reason, will accept you. We are not all Nephilim; we have humans in the Order as well.

I think I understand what you are telling me, after the few weeks I’ve had, I wouldn’t be surprised if the tooth fairy and easter bunny were at the sanctuary too.

We are almost home, we must give you the tattoo now, he said, walking toward the cabin.

I followed him to the door and looked out over the water, able to see land in the distance. Giant icebergs covered the outskirts. Inside the room was a chair, with Lucian, Josiah, and Mrs. Deluca standing around it. I’d always wanted a tattoo ever since Jason got one, but doing it was another thing. I noticed the chair was bolted to the ground; straps hung from the arms.

So, is this going to hurt? My friend Jason got a tattoo once from his dad’s friend, and he said it didn’t hurt, but I could tell it did.

Take a seat, kid! Lucian demanded.

Don’t worry, it won’t be too bad. Please remove your shirt so I can get a better look, Mrs. Deluca responded.

I took my shirt off and sat down on the chair, and