Shadow Lands Book Six the End of Everything

By J.R. Colson

Finally, the end of the war was near. Friends and family who were once thought lost have returned in the final hour to lend aid to those whose destiny is to be determined by the outcome of the war that has embroiled the Shadow Lands for years. Love blooms in the most unlikely of places even as the world around them threatens to collapse. Hope lies in the hands of Electra, a mortal girl, who feels as if she doesn’t really fit in. Her life changes when she is chosen to save Beor and lure him back to the sides of his family and friends. Electra has an important decision ahead of her. Should she do as Phoenix says or should she go after Zander, a man who she is drawn to and one that she has known in a previous life? Will her choice help save the Shadow Lands?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9781669869979

J.R. Colson

For as long as she can remember, J.R. Colson has loved to write. She has written numerous poems and even a few short stories during her college years. J.R. Colson is a self professed bibliophile who cannot pass up a good book and is addicted to the written word. She lives in a small farming community in Northwest Kansas with her family and close friends.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Nerida paused before the ornate doors to the palace. She had no idea what the doors had looked like before she’d arrived, but they were beautiful now. The doors were made of giant solid oak planks. Intricate swirls, letters, and shapes were carved into the door and inlaid with gold. Over the top of the door was silver lattice work that divided the door into little panels and each panel showed a different scene of strange lands and battles long lost to history.

I wonder who made these doors, Xantho commented as she stepped up beside Nerida.

Nerida looked over at her twin to see her with her hand raised running her fingers over the intricate designs. Avicia was peering closely at the stonework of the walls while Jamarie was busy gazing up at the battlements over the door. Nerida began to look for a way through the doors, but they appeared to be solid. She couldn’t see any hinges or a doorknob and there was no line or crack to discern where the doors opened or closed.

How do we get in?

Jamarie threw an annoyed glance at Nerida. How do you think Nerida? They are not just going to open the door. We have no idea if there is even a porter waiting to open the doors. Most likely we have to go around the walls until we find a portal.

You don’t have to be mean Jamarie. I can still beat your ass in a game of rumeric.

Jamarie stuck her tongue out at Nerida before she headed right along the walls. The others followed her. Avicia followed more reluctantly than the others. Avicia had a weakness for anything made of quality wood and that had sometimes caused problems for them when they were on assignment.

The four sisters wandered around the wall looking for a way in. They had to be careful of their footing because the ground around the base of the walls was very uneven and rocky. There were a few close calls when rocks tumbled down the slope and their feet tried to slide out from underneath them.

Jamarie was still in the lead with Xantho following when a hidden door swung open in front of them. Jamarie dropped down into a crouch while Xantho drew her sword and Nerida grabbed a throwing dagger. Avicia leveled a taut bowstring with a deadly arrow at the gaping doorway.

No movement greeted them and it was many minutes before Jamarie cautiously moved forward. She drew even with the door and kneeled just behind the door frame. Jamarie motioned to Nerida. Nerida stepped around Xantho and inched her way forward. A swirling gray orb passed hands as Nerida knelt beside Jamarie.

A sharp nod from Jamarie caused the others to shield their eyes and turn their heads. They all heard the orb go clattering down the passageway before there was the soundless boom and a flash of light causing heat and smoke to pour out of the doorway. A growl emanated from the passageway and the women had to throw themselves flat as a shape shot out of the portal.

They had to shield their eyes as wind and gravel whipped about them, pummeling their exposed skin. The wind blew and ripped at their clothing and tossed their long hair about them. The sisters were unable to move because of the wind that buffeted them. They huddled against the walls and waited for the wind to abate.

The whipping wind finally abated at the same time that the ground shook with a mighty boom. The sound of shifting and sliding rocks sounded as something shifted and moved on the hillside. Heavy breathing filled the air and the ground groaned as something heavy settled on it.

Who are you? a voice growled in their heads. You better give the right answer, or you lives will be forfeit for the unprovoked attack on the palace.

Nerida looked up and froze at the huge draconian face that was staring down at her. It was a dragon! Nerida wasn’t afraid of dragons, but this was the first time that she had seen one this close before. She pushed her back against the wall without conscious thought. Her mouth worked soundlessly unable to get a word out.

The huge reptilian head pulled back. The dragon turned his head to the side so that he could peer at them with one giant purple eye. He stared at them for an indefinite amount of time before the head moved. The dragon shifted and blurred far too fast for them to see what was happening till it had already happened. By the time it took their eyes to readjust a man with brilliant purple hair and eyes stood before them.

Follow me, was all the man said as he led the way into the opening that he’d originally come out of.

*         *         *

Thrandr sensed the women following him as he led them through the maze of tunnels that now encompassed Phoenix’s Palace. These tunnels had always existed, but Phoenix had made them even more difficult to navigate. Benrir, Aelfdane’s wolf companion, had tracked several scents down to these tunnels. Thrandr believed that was how the enemy was getting into the Palace.

Thrandr divided his senses between the tunnel and the women who followed him. They stunk of magic and it just wasn’t any type of magic. It was the type of magic that clung to Ashkar and his siblings. Thrandr flared his nostrils at the stink of it. These women must be Ashkar’s sisters. He was sure of it.

Where are we going?

Thrandr turned his head and gazed at the woman with copper colored hair and red eyes. Nerida was her name and the other woman who looked like her must be Xantho. Thrandr gazed at the other two women and guessed that the white haired one was Avicia and the silver haired one was Jamarie. He could be wrong, but he believed that was who they were. He remembered that Branwyn had once asked Ashkar what his remaining sisters had looked like, and these sounded like his description of his sisters.

Thrandr turned his attention back to the one who had spoken. We are headed to the throne room Nerida. That is where you shall stand before Phoenix. Pray that she is in a good mood today, otherwise she just might kill you for trespassing.

How do you know her name? Asked the silver haired woman angrily.

I know all of your names, Thrandr said as he faced forward. I know quite a bit about you.

How? Demanded Jamarie. How do you know us?

Thrandr gave a shake of his head causing his long purple hair to rustle and glint in the torch light. Thrandr didn’t speak for the rest of the journey through the tunnels even when he was asked more questions. He pulled up short and studied the wall in front of him. The tunnels divided into two passageways; one leading right and the other left.

Thrandr blinked and his eyesight shifted. Words appeared on the wall and magic shifted and curled over the surface of several stones. Thrandr cocked his head slightly as his dragon vision sorted through the words and magic. One brick caught his attention and several words shifted to form a short sentence. Thrandr read the words before he reached up and raked his forefinger against the brick. The screech of his talon on bricks made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. He always hated it when his nails made that sound for it caused his ears to hurt.

Thrandr blinked and his vision went back to normal and a line of white appeared down the brick that he’d scratched. The brick glowed bright white before the brick split open. Light poured into the tunnel and Thrandr raised a hand to shield his eyes against the sudden brightness.

A sound of crashing boulders filled the tunnel as the floor began to shake. Thrandr softened his knees and felt his muscles flex as the floor shifted and moved beneath his feet. He heard several cries from Ashkar’s sisters as the tunnel shook. The shaking and rumbling gradually faded away as did the light.

Thrandr lowered his hand and looked at the new passageway in front of him. This tunnel was made of smoother stone than the one that they currently stood in. Thrandr stepped into the new tunnel and gazed curiously at the wall. The wall was covered with carvings of skulls, skeletons, and other dark things. Thrandr shook his head at the imagery that Phoenix had put on the wall to terrify any who dared wander down there. She sometimes had a morbid sense of humor and it showed at times like these.

The tunnel was silent except for the soft footfalls of those behind Thrandr. The rustling of clothing echoed through the tunnel and the occasional sound of metal clinging against metal. The tunnel slowly curved to the right in an upward angle.

A door suddenly greeted the group as they rounded the last turn of the tunnel. Thrandr reached forward and rapped loudly on the door. The women drew back and placed hands on their weapons as the door swung smoothly open and light spilled down into the tunnel once more. Thrandr threw an almost superior look over his shoulder at them before he left the tunnel.

The sisters’ looked at each other before Avicia pushed her way to the front and entered the room first. Xantho followed on Avicia’s heels while Jamarie and Nerida entered the room more cautiously. All of them aware of the possibility that this could be a trap.

*         *         *

Dracul looked up as a sharp rat-a-tat-tat came from the corner of Phoenix’s new rooms. Phoenix didn’t even turn from the seeing pool. All she did was snap her fingers and a section of the wall swung open and to reveal Thrandr and several women crowded behind him.

Dracul stepped forward and greeted Thrandr. So that’s where you’ve been hiding.

Thrandr snorted and clapped Dracul on the back. I can think of more enjoyable places to hide. I dislike tunnels. There’s not enough room for me change shape comfortably.

Not even into that wee little dragon form of yours.

No, Thrandr growled at Dracul half-heartedly.

Dracul laughed and switched his attention to those who had followed Thrandr out of the tunnels. His laughter died in his throat as he fixed eyes on the women who stood shoulder to shoulder with hands on their weapons.

Dracul was speechless as he gaped at the women who faced him. He couldn’t believe his eyes. He had the urge to reach up and rub his eyes, but he knew that what he was seeing wasn’t his imagination. All four of his missing sisters were standing in front of him as if no time had passed.

A ripple in the air signified Faerydae’s arrival. She appeared next to him with concern etched on her face. Her worried gaze flickered to Phoenix before it settled on him. Faerydae’s eyes flickered over her brother’s face before she frowned in confusion.

What’s the matter Dracul? I haven’t seen that look on your face since Aelfdane stripped naked and danced in front of a group of visiting dignitaries. Aelfdane’s naked behind is not in here so it can’t be that causing you to look so shocked.

Dracul closed his mouth and shook his head. He reached up and placed a pale hand against his sister’s cheek and turned her head towards the tunnel entrance. He felt Faerydae go ramrod stiff before she fell against him in shock. Dracul steadied his sister. She looked back at him with eyes glazed in shock before she turned to stare at their sisters again.

*         *         *

Phoenix watched the scene unfolding with amusement. Thrandr had removed himself and now crouched atop the wardrobe in his pygmy form. Phoenix couldn’t decide which was funnier; the way that Dracul and Faerydae were staring at their sisters or the way that their sisters were staring at them. Both groups seemed surprised and shocked to see each other.

You joined the Dark Sisters!

Phoenix winced at Faerydae’s shrill voice. Thrandr growled as the noise hurt his ears and Dracul flinched away from Faerydae. Faerydae stood glaring at her sisters. Phoenix learned quickly that Faerydae had a temper that could rival hers, but where Phoenix kept her anger under wraps, Faerydae let her anger show on a regular basis usually at her brothers’ expense.

What in the fiery depths of the dark underground were you thinking? Faerydae yelled as she threw her hands in the air. The Dark Sisters! How could you join them? Out of all of the groups that you could join, they are positively the worst! Don’t you agree Dracul?

Dracul brought his hands up in a ‘I don’t want to be in the middle of this’ motion. I am not sticking my nose into this fight. I remember what happened last time I stuck my nose in a fight between the five of you.

Faerydae spun back towards her sisters and asked in a hurt voice. Why? Why did you join them?

Phoenix watched as Avicia stepped slightly forward to speak. We did what we thought best Faerydae. Things had been feeling, Avicia paused and made circles in the air with her hands as she searched for the right word. Odd. The air felt different, charged almost. We had already planned on joining the Dark Sisters before the kingdom fell.

Jamarie stepped up beside her sister and spoke in a solemn voice as she looked at Faerydae with pleading eyes. We wanted to come back after we heard of what happened, but we were in the middle of our initiation and we couldn’t leave. If we did then our lives would have been forfeited. You know that. Would you have had us throw our lives away?

Xantho and I went searching about a hundred years after the collapse, Nerida said from beside her identical twin. We spent months searching for any hint of you and our brothers, but we found nothing.

Faerydae looked as if she was going to say something in anger so Phoenix stepped forward and interrupted. You should not be so hard on them Faerydae.

Faerydae sent a ferocious scowl Phoenix’s way, but Phoenix chose to ignore it. You didn’t even know that your brothers were alive till not very long ago. Your sisters spent time searching for you. You need to think of that and now they are here with you. That is something to be grateful for. Be glad that you still have your sisters with you. Mine is gone and the brothers that I never knew I had, are nothing more than spirits like my mother.

Faerydae sighed in agitation. Before she could open her mouth Dracul cut her off. We are sorry for your lose Phoenix.

Phoenix didn’t respond to his words. Her thoughts had turned to Morgana and then to Amandine and Araylia. The sisters that she had thought were dead. Phoenix barely registered Dracul’s voice. Instead Morgana’s voice seemed to echo through her mind.

I sent these Dark Sisters to you my dear sister. Use them well. They can help defeat Lamia. They have the power to save Beor and our sisters.

Phoenix shook her head and peered intently at Xantho, Nerida, Jamarie, and Avicia. Ideas began to circulate in her head and they all centered on these women. Phoenix felt her eyes change and her skin tingled as her tattoos became visible. A sharp gasp echoed faintly in her ears as an image swam before her mind’s eye.

*         *         *

Jamarie heard Nerida gasp as Phoenix’s eyes went black and tattoos appeared on her skin. Jamarie held her ground as a wave of power washed over her. The power was tinged with darkness and it came from Phoenix. Nerida placed her hand on her sword belt and watched Phoenix warily.

Her nerves were soothed slightly as she saw the way that Faerydae and Dracul reacted to Phoenix. Faerydae gazed at her in agitation which was normal for Faerydae. Since Faerydae was the oldest out of all of them she had always been in constant agitation with them. Jamarie guessed that was from the way their parents pitted their children against each other.

Dracul on the other hand gazed at Phoenix with a calm disposition, but Jamarie could see that he was coiled to spring into action. His expression said that this had happened before. As if he was aware of her thoughts, Dracul’s eyes flashed over to meet hers. He gave a calm nod before he walked over and poured himself a cup of ale. Jamarie completely relaxed and moved her hand away from her weapons. Dracul always did that when he was unconcerned about something. Now if he had pulled out his pipe then that was a cause to worry. He only smoked when he was worried about something.

Jamarie watched Phoenix. She seemed to be hearing and seeing something that only she could see and hear. Her eyes flickered back and forth and she moved her head as if she was trying to catch a faint sound. Tension crackled in the air as Phoenix stiffened. Her clothes became blacker than black while an inner light shown through her and transformed her into something that was dark, mean, and cruel.

Dracul threw his goblet aside and withdrew his sword. Faerydae spun and took up a position behind Dracul with her dagger poised for attack. Jamarie withdrew her sword and she heard her sisters prepare for battle behind her.

Nerida and Xantho spun towards the door as it burst open. Jericho, Aelfdane, Ashkar, and Darius burst through the door. Darius headed straight for Phoenix while Ashkar, Aelfdane and Jericho froze at the sight of their lost sisters. Ashkar, Aelfdane, and Jericho stared at their sisters before Jericho moved to stand in between his sisters and Phoenix. Ashkar and Aelfdane followed forming a wall of steel between Phoenix and their sisters.

*         *         *

Phoenix, Darius said as he sidled up next to Phoenix.

Phoenix’s eyes whipped about and focused on him as he spoke. Darius suppressed a shudder as he saw her eyes. They were the same soulless black eyes that had scared him when Phoenix and Morgana had called down the ice giants.

Phoenix, Darius said again. What are you doing? There’s no danger here.

Darius held his breath as he stared Phoenix straight in the eye. Darkness and evil clung to her, but this was different. Darkness always surrounded Phoenix and evil was always present in the back of her eyes, but this felt different. This evil and darkness was something different. Phoenix always fought against the darkness and evil in her soul, but this was even more malicious.

You’ve got to fight Phoenix. Whatever is happening to you, you must fight against it.

Reason returned briefly to Phoenix’s eyes as she looked pleadingly at Darius. I’m trying my love, but it’s….hard.

Darius reached up and grasped Phoenix by the shoulders and put his face close to hers. You have to fight. The Shadow Lands need you. I need you.

Phoenix closed her eyes and a look of pain flashed across her face. Without warning, she launched herself at Darius. Jamarie shouted and heard her shouts were echoed by her sisters. They started forward, but were stopped by their brothers.

Darius grunted as his back collided hard against the stone floor. Stars danced in front of his eyes as his head hit the floor, hard. Air was pushed from his lungs as Phoenix landed on his chest. He didn’t have a chance to defend himself before Phoenix’s teeth sank painfully into his throat. Darius froze as pain exploded in his neck and radiated throughout his body.

No! Stay back! I’m okay.

*         *         *

Ashkar stopped as he heard Darius’s voice echo in his head. Even though Darius’s face was filled with pain his voice was oddly calm. Darius stared up at him with serene eyes. Ashkar nodded and stepped back.

Shouldn’t we do something?

Ashkar looked at Xantho. No, we’d only make it worse. The only thing that we can do now is leave Darius and Phoenix in peace.

Xantho looked at him as if he was crazy. Then she motioned wildly to