Common Land: Eternal Quest Breaker Series, #6

By T. M. Caruana

The leaders of the seven worlds race to find the Secret Heart, the only weapon that can stop Leo.

 

But Leo cashes in on a deal he struck with Nick and sends him on a quest to the Spiritual Mountain, bringing Leo closer to his goal but putting everybody else in danger.

 

As the seventh royal blood heir reveals himself to the Honorary Knight Order and seems ready to merge the seven worlds into one, the prophecy of destruction is close to being fulfilled, and many lives in each world will end. Leo seems to be winning but has one weakness, as the only price Leo isn't willing to pay is his son's life. And Duke is in grave danger, as the Soul Hunter is on his heel to claim his soul.

 

Who will die, and who will survive if the heir merges the worlds and fulfills the destruction prophecy?

 

Be pulled in different directions in this FANTASY QUEST ROMANCE, where you will fear the earth shaking beneath your feet!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marvellous Magics
• Release date: Apr 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215050583

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Duke had dreamt of Luna every night that he could remember. He finally found her outside of his dreams, but she was nothing like he had expected – she was so much more. Completely infatuated and unable to separate from each other, Leo had to find a way to progress in his endeavours sooner than expected in order to save his son’s soul. Not foreseeing his mistake, Leo drove Duke to form his own deals, resulting in him selling his soul to the Soul Hunter.

To get back on track in his life-long ambition, Leo called for Nick to settle his debt by cutting the spell cord linked to the Sabi Ice-Epoch with the Verthious Scissors that Duke had managed to bring back to Leo after a dangerous quest with Eutychia. Nick reluctantly gathered a team to climb the Spiritual Mountain, which means he had to leave Luna behind on Pixi in Noah’s care.

Having had to retrieve Patrick, find Linux, rescue Tailja, and fight off the Contractor before the fellowship could be on their way, Nick now fears that the quest is taking too long, being well aware that Luna had emphasised that he couldn’t be away for long.

Questing through a frozen landscape, facing new challenges in the form of Spiritual Sins, Nick finds himself once again on an impossibly hard mission. He can only hope and pray that he will still have as many friends when he comes back from the quest as he did when they started out.

CHAPTER 1

REMORSELESS WATERFALL

The view of the seven-tiered Spiritual Mountain unfolding in front of them, took Nick’s breath away as he stood with his entourage of six brave souls in stunned silence. The massive grey stones forming high pillars, rose to the sky and were almost entirely covered by snow and ice. There were no other rock formations nearby, so the Spiritual Mountain rose up majestically from an otherwise flat landscape. The morning sun was already up and shining, making the snow glitter and the humid air show the occasional rainbow reflecting just above the ground.

Nick considered his surroundings, from the sharp edges of the rock to the iced slants. There were no previously trampled pathways visible that could guide them to the top, indicating that no one had ever visited or attempted to climb this route before. To survive this hike required a whole new set of skills for all of them. None of the experienced bloodline individuals such as Noah, Tarus, Kora, Leo or the Oracle, were present to advise them how to overcome it.

Bo, you said you knew Sabi like the back of your hand. Is there an ‘easiest’ way up, even if we can’t see it under all the snow? Nick asked.

I didn’t say I knew this area in particular, Bo defended.

Well enough, I don’t think any map can veer us past dangers on this occasion.

Nick’s lip went lopsided in trepidation. Snow danced down the foothill, before some landed on his boots. He lifted his leg to shake it off.

We’re wasting time, Tailja hissed, flexing her fingers around the grip of her bow.

Linux shoved an elbow in Nick’s side. Okay, kudos to the one who makes it back.

That doesn’t really help, Linux, Tailja snapped. It’s our lives you are talking about.

Maddened, Tailja strides through the snow, her messy bun being torn by the gusts of wind.

Yes, that was a bit insensitive, Nick chided, reminding him of Tailja’s boyfriend Luke who had died during their previous quest to Tiger Blood Bay.

Nick stuffed his blonde quiff back into the thick hood, and then shoved Linux with his shoulder when walking past. Patrick adjusted his heavy backpack on his shoulders before he too carried on past Linux. Isedor, Bo and Felicity hurried along after him. The stares Linux was receiving from the group making him raise both hands in surrender, although his grin remained on his face.

Tailja climbed up between two rocks and placed one foot on each. She then stopped. Something seemed to have caught her attention as she was looking at an object just in front of her eyes.

What is it Tailja? Patrick asked.

I can’t find a way to get around this wall. Someone must have deliberately built it here. It doesn’t look like it’s natural.

Patrick climbed up to stand next to her. I can’t see a wall.

That is a hallucination, Bo confirmed. There is no wall, Tailja.

Oh, she muttered.

She grasped the air in disbelief, attempting to touch something which wasn’t there. She then leaped down, surpassing the illusion, and steadied herself on the ground on the other side. Nick waited for the others to follow her climb until he joined them, considering he was much faster than them. They hiked towards a tall plateau, tiered in three steps before it reached an enormous curved wall, digging into the rock face and with no possibility to walk around it. From atop the wall water came running down at the centre of the curve, plummeting into a foaming water hole at the ground’s top tier, which joined to the wall. The strong current then continued to flow underneath a thick layer of ice and down to where they stood.

Nick interlocked his fingers to provide a step for the girls and Bo to climb up to the next plateau. Isedor, Patrick and Linux were too proud to receive help and heaved themselves up. They ascended the mount, conquering two steep ledges before reaching the tall wall and a dead end. Nick looked around the ice-clad wall for a way out, but the sides were solid as they swung towards the waterfall from both directions.

Nick sighed. Can anyone see a way through? Linux, what can you see over there?

While waiting for Linux who was walking at the edge, to answer, Nick saw the girls inspecting the wall closer to the waterfall, and he thought to cover the wall in-between.

Over at this side, there are only walls of ice! Linux confirmed.

Nick shook his head at the bad news. Running his hand across the cold surface without finding a good grip he gritted his teeth. The area was too smooth and slippery to clamber even for his strength. He wouldn’t be able to pull himself up as there was nowhere to secure a hold. Even if it was achievable by using only his ice-picks and his arm’s strength to climb the wall, he couldn’t hike the rest of the mountain by himself.

Grrr! Stupid wall! Felicity barked.

Nick turned to see her kicking the wall, followed by cursing in pain before she gripped onto the boot of her hurt foot.

She plonked down onto her bottom. What do we do now? The only way out is the way we got in.

Patrick shook his head at Felicity for having jeopardised breaking her toe by kicking the wall. This must be the trick of the first sin. We couldn’t really have gone any other way. He walked over to her and twisted her foot, waiting for her reaction without receiving much response. And I’m not healing minor injuries like these.

Felicity frowned as she nodded.

Over here guys. Look at this! Bo shouted and pointed at the wall where he was standing.

Nick waved with his hand for everyone to gather round Bo. Bo pointed at a faint engraving on the wall. It was a rhyme titled ‘Remorseless’. Bo read the words out loud to the group.

Drown your sorrows from things you regret,

Apologise for your sin and have no fret.

Bo turned towards Nick. This must be a clue connected to the first spiritual sin.

It sounds as if you have to wash away your troubling remorse, Linux speculated, pinching at his chin.

Linux turned towards Nick to wait for their next command.

Nick scratched his head. So, someone just needs to apologise for something terrible they’ve done?

Seeing the gushing waterfall next to them, anxiety began to brew inside him, hoping the washing wouldn’t involve its icy water. The rest of the group also turned towards the waterfall and were probably thinking the same.

I think so, Linux concurred. Anyone has anything to confess?

Linux removed his sunglasses and glanced at each one in turn.

Not me, I’m an angel, Felicity said. Literally. She pointed at her halo, displaying a victorious smile.

I have nothing, Bo said satisfactorily, resting his hands on his fat stomach.

I have done many things that perhaps would be considered a sin, but nothing I intend to apologise for, Tailja confirmed and crossed her arms.

I have incurred so many sins in my past I wouldn’t even know where to start, Patrick followed.

I have only acted honourably, Master Linux, Isedor answered, and as the commander of the Oracle’s guard Nick could believe it.

Nick ogled them sternly, not believing for a second that they were all innocent though.

Then it’s up to you, Pixi Prince, Linux concluded.

Nick grunted. He had killed many people in the arena, but it had all been in self-defence and not really anything he felt remorse over. Although, there was one event he could at lease attempt to apologise for.

Okay, hmm, he murmured and looked up onto the sky, as if the judge would be there listening. I apologise for killing Isedor’s guard, which resulted in Lucy’s entrapment to herd souls.

I thought that was in self-defence, Your Majesty, Isedor said accusingly.

It was, but I still regret that it happened, especially since I learned that it was due to a misunderstanding.

Isedor didn’t push the matter and accepted his apology. Everyone looked up to the sky now and waited for something to happen.

Nothing is happening, Your Majesty. Did you do it right? Did you really mean it? Isedor questioned.

Yes, I meant it, Nick answered stubbornly and looked at the engraving again. There must be something more to it. It says, ‘drown’.

Tailja touched over the engraving. Do you think it means literally?

Nick lifted the flaps of his jacket to protect his cheeks from the biting wind, and looked at the freezing-cold water frothing as it hit the hole in the ice. Nick realised that the freezing air was still hotter than the water in the hole as it caused vapour to rise in the air nearby.

I’m not dipping myself into that.

If you aren’t prepared to endure pain, I think this quest has all been for nothing, Linux voiced. This is just the first stage of seven. I doubt the challenges will get any easier. We might as well go home now.

You do it! Nick provoked.

Nick stepped aside and flashed Linux a challenging look.

Linux’s smile was back up as he spread his arms. I have no remorse.

Linux sounded genuine and Nick believed that he would be willing to make sacrifices. He just chose not to contribute when it would add a layer of icy curst to his arse. Nick knew overcoming the sins weren’t going to be easy. He was determined to complete the quest as he had three things depending on it; his deal with Leo, the possibility of getting Lucy back and the chance that Susy would be freed and be able to bring back glory to the worlds.

He clenched his fists and sighed, gathering his courage. He knew it was going to be an ordeal. He slowly walked over to the hole and started to strip down to his underwear. Linux teased by making a wolf-whistle at Nick’s muscular body.

Really? Nick grunted.

Nick hung the ice-picks around his neck and approached the waterfall hesitantly. The water splashed wildly, roaring through an incredibly steep descent. The height of the downfall was worrying beyond remark, but what really troubled him was the temperature. He stretched his hand out and as soon as his fingers crossed the path of the cascade he winced. It was freezing beyond his imagination and this discovery served only to tense his nerves further.

Don’t jump into it. Sit down on the ice edge and lower yourself slowly into the hole, Bo advised.

So that you can enjoy watching me suffer?

No, seriously. If you jump in you might end up under a lid of ice and get disorientated, not finding your way back up out of the hole. You will drown…or freeze.

Well, I’m sure that’s what the poem wants, Nick muttered, but acknowledged that Bo was right and bent his knees to sit down.

Just placing his thighs on the edge, shoving his legs down the icy water hole, put him in agony as the water was reaching up to his knees. The water smacked onto his lap as he sat, numbing his flesh. He breathed heavily through clenched jaws. Whilst balancing on his hands, he lowered himself into the water. The moment his stomach went under the surface goose bumps ran down his arms. Suddenly, the gushing water clawed at his body and before he could change his mind and haul himself back to the frozen ground, the implacable current dragged him under the surface.

Nick saw fragments of his friends panicking through the decimetre thick ice. They ran along the stream, watching him at the mercy of the underwater current. Nick pierced the sheet of ice with all his might, the ice-pick planted deep between ice. He couldn’t let the current drag him under any further. Tightly gripping the handle of the ice-pick with one hand, he let go with the other to punch vigorously at the ice.

He won’t get any air! he heard Bo’s muffled screams.

Linux and Tailja were both quick to shake off their backpacks and grab their axes. They started to hack away on the ice near Nick’s face at the same time as Nick punched from the underside. Isedor and Patrick weren’t far behind to join Tailja and Linux in slamming their axes over the ice too.

After a minute of intense beating, the ice cracked, and a large enough hole opened for the water to gush out. Tailja took a deep breath, stuck her head into the hole and pressed her mouth over Nick’s to transfer her air.

The pressure of the water riddled tears in the ice running across the entire plateau and eventually the ice burst open to flush Nick out. The force of the rupture swept him to slide over the slippery ice and fall over the edge, down to the level below.

Not long after, Nick saw all their heads peering over the edge. They had been lucky. Had it been anyone else falling over the step, death would have been imminent, but as a Pixi, Nick wouldn’t even suffer a fracture. In pain though and still lying on his back, he shouted out angrily: I apologise for killing Isedor’s guard!

All of a sudden, the ground started shaking, making everyone stand up straight and prepare for what was to come. They watched a large block of stone in the wall slide to one side to reveal a passage into the mountain. They couldn’t see any light shining out from it. There was only a dark hole into the rock.

You did it! Patrick shouted with joy. You opened a passage.

Still lying on the ground, Nick gave a thumbs up to the Medi Prince. He got up and heaved himself up the step to stand with the others. They walked towards the cave opening, but stopped to wait for Nick to get dressed. His sore skin had turned a purple tone, and it ached, as he angrily pulled his clothes on.

That’s it! I’ve done my part and have dealt with the Remorseless Waterfall.

CHAPTER 2

THE FIRE OF HOPELESSNESS

They walked into the cave and were faced with a long tunnel. They were all wary of things that might harm them, but were grateful to be sheltered from the blistering climate outside. With the help of Felicity’s halo and the gaps in the mountain where some light shone in, they were able to see that there were no other ways to go other than forward. They marched for two hours, watching their backs, without anything happening. There were neither forking routes to the sides, nor any changes to the size or elevation of the tunnel.

Thank you for giving me air back there, Tailja.

Tailja gave Nick a wry smile, suggesting she would expect him to save her life in return if necessary, and then glanced expectantly at Linux.

What? You aren’t going to have a go at us for kissing? she queried sarcastically.

No, everyone knows Nick is a Pixi and only has one soulmate. My joke would be wasted as it lacks any credibility. Besides, I don’t want to piss you off and risk having to kiss him myself next time.

Look, there is something there! Felicity called in glee.

Patrick stretched his neck out as she pointed. What is it?

In front of them there was a waist-high black iron structure, featuring a swirling gutter around it that emerged out from four closed square hulls. The structure wasn’t wide and at its top was a torch, lit with a large flame and from it there was an iron arm stretched out holding an unlit candle. The arm had a tray beside the candle displaying eleven matches.

One match for each of the individuals who started out on this quest, Isedor commented.

Seems as though fate knew we were coming, but not that we wouldn’t all reach this far. Nick walked up closer to see the engraving at the base of the torch. He cleared his hoarse throat and read:

Light the fire of hope within,

And rid your worries from sin.

Felicity stepped up closer and squinted to see the text. What do you think we need to do this time?

Isedor had ventured further down the corridor to inspect a shoulder-high wall that blocked them from continuing their walk.

More icy water, he murmured. We won’t be able to pass it by swimming through it. If the tunnel is long, we’ll freeze to death before arriving out on the other side.

Nick didn’t respond and looked back at the structure. It’s a red candle, he commented, which made the others look confused. Normally, red candles are used in harder spells. I’m sure we need to light it to reveal… he said and coughed, our safe passage, he added to clarify his comment and patted his jacket where it had frozen stiff at his neck from his wet hair dripping down onto it.

Linux walked up to the structure and picked up one of the matches.

Fine, that’s easy then. I hope a safe passage will reveal itself, he chanted and lit it with the help of the torch.

He attempted to light the wick of the candle for as long as he could hold on to the wooden stick even though it burned his hand, but had to let it go as it disintegrated. At that point, the wick still hadn’t caught fire.

I don’t think that counts, Patrick advised.

I realise that, Linux retorted. And now I’ve wasted a match.

The men were interrupted in their bickering as soon as they saw the first and top hatch opening up, letting water run along the gutter only to be stopped by the next floodgate.

Isedor walked over to dip his fingers into the water.

Yep, ice cold,