Morality Cycle

By Dino Peyton

On a planet in another dimension where life spawned from elemental spirits. I welcome you into a world where magic and sentient technology coexist and urge you to read along and follow the lives of four individuals who battle royal oppression, try to find a healthy family work life balance while trying to reduce the crime rate and achieve their

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amazon Publishing Agency
• Release date: Jul 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088214787

Book preview

Morality Cycle

By

Dino Peyton

Copyright © 2023 by – Dino Peyton – All Rights Reserved.

It is not legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited.

Table of Contents

Dedication ​ ​i

Acknowledgement ​ii

About the Author ​iii

Dedication

I would like to dedicate this book to everyone who believed in me, even when I didn’t. I would also like to dedicate this book to all of the people who feel as if they don’t matter or feel invisible in this crazy world of ours. Everything you need to achieve your dreams in life is already within you.

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank my mother, Donna Allen for taking me to the library, and my father Dino Peyton Sr, for letting me fully immerse myself in my imagination when I was a child. Because of them, I’m able to bring my fantasies to life.

About the Author

Since childhood, I've always had an active imagination that would allow me to fantasize about being every type of supernatural creature you can think of. Once I received my first fiction novel and comic book, I found myself re- writing the story for myself, as I played pretend with my siblings and friends. Growing up in the 90's-early 2000's helped by seeing music videos and different types of movies from horror to fantasy and my love of Japanese animation.

While in my early 20s, I discovered my passion for writing but never put any effort into my love for writing and turning it into a career. My writing is a range of dark fantasy, romance, thriller, action and family drama. With this being the first book that I've written, I hope my readers will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed allowing myself to create the fantasy world in which they're about to fall into. Now that I'm in my thirties I've decided to stop saying that I want to be a writer and actually allow myself to be one.

I live in Columbus, Ohio with my family and when I'm not writing I love hanging out with my friends, going to the movies, watching some of my favorite shows and gaining inspiration from my surroundings for my next story.

Are You just going to keep ignoring my communications, Green eyes? Prince Kurt asked. While stepping through a portal into my office, I continued grading my students' vocal incantation assignments. Even though he was an arrogant, egotistical, and literal spoiled prince at times, my on-and-off-again secret lover made small gestures of emotional normalcy that were very cute. But blowing me off right after we made plans deflated my adoration balloon. Kurt knew how much last night meant to me, and he still blew him off. I brought you something. He snapped his fingers and produced a five-foot translucent sack with a shiny emblem of a bat carrying a lightning bolt in its claws on the front. I could see what was inside, and it made me get up out of my chair and float towards my VERY expensive gift. Th-this is a Moonbush. My voice came out as a stutter, and he smiled with that. I remember when we first started dating, you used to hate all of my lavish gifts. But I figured this would be the best one to show you how much I truly care about you.He said, floating close enough to rub his lower back. I remembered a dream I had a month ago of smelling this scent he was inhaling. The savory aroma of the spicy leaves mixed with the berries' fresh, delicious scent almost made me want to pluck one off of the bushes. No Dennis!!! I said to myself. I appreciate the gift Kurt, but what happened to you yesterday? If you weren’t going to make it, you should have sent me a message. I waited two hours thinking you would have at least reached out.  Maneuvering out of his reach by landing on the ground. I understand our stations in life, but this sporadic communication is getting old, I added. It was my father's birthday yesterday, and he had the entire day free, so he decided to throw a small get-together for just his immediate family members. From the very beginning, they’ve had to sneak around out of fear of the Sky-lord ever finding out about them. I would be incarcerated, and there wouldn’t be anyone to look after my brothers. Right, I forgot that there is one other person on this planet as bad with time as you are. Kurt placed two fingers on his temples and then nodded. I’m on my way. Thanks, Victor. he said, removing his finger and walking over to him, and placing a kiss on his cheek. Let’s finish this very important conversation later at our secret spot. I have an emergency at the palace. Something about a Semi-sentient who mauled a guard. Let’s make it thirty minutes after eight. he added. Kurt kissed his forehead and waved goodbye as he propelled himself backwards through the same portal. He didn’t even say yes. Kurt just assumed he wanted to go along with his plan like always. A part of me knows I should have broken things off with the crown prince years ago. But it was just something mesmerizing about Kurt that made his fur tingle. I hated the long flight through the maple forest, it was spider breeding season, and there would be webs everywhere. Not to mention horny males and hungry females. DING! Sir, I have an urgent message from Madam Tela’s Familiar. She says your brother Gilbert has missed three classes and a major pop quiz that’s 54 percent of his grade. Tre said. Lazily waking up from his nap and stretching. How would you like me to respond, sir? He asked. I looked at the date, and it suddenly hit him as to what was bothering his brother. It was the anniversary of their parent’s death. He managed to stamp down his own feelings about the mysterious situation, but he could kick himself for not considering his younger brother’s feelings. Gilbert was young when they passed, but he still remembered enough to miss them. Send her a box of chocolate peanut butter swirl candy bars and some mint root tea for giving me a courtesy call. And then locate my brother." He commanded. Dennis waved his left hand over his desk, and the paper’s floated to a drawer that opened as he pointed at it.

"Complete! The gifts for Madam Tela will be delivered tomorrow at 10 am, and your brother’s energy location is in the northeast quadrant of the Ancestral Caverns. Tre added. Great job as always, T. Let’s go."

I willed him to change in size from hand-held to large enough to transport me and my brothers. We have another hour until Marshall’s classes are over. So to the mines, we go. Yes, sir!! Tre said, Teleporting them to the exact spot where Gilbert hung upside down from the stalactites, with his Familiar Mitch asleep as a game controller and a holographic gaming screen floating in front of his face. Oh, You managed to take time from your busy schedule, Master Incantator. Gilbert said. Turning to face away from the light of his ship. I could have slapped the taste out of his mouth for a comment like that, but the last thing this situation needed was anger and unnecessary violence. Tre opened his side door, and I hanged out as Tre lowered me towards Gilbert. I’m sorry I’ve been busy, Gilly. my voice echoed around us as it cut the silence. I let my parenting skip through the cracks, looking at his younger brother. Small tenderals of lightning formed at Gilbert’s eyes as he shut them and then growled. I’m not one of your students, Denny. Gilbert said. Opening his eyes and jumping away from the stalactite, and then flying off into another part of the mine. I let out a low growl and opened a portal where Gilbert was flying, causing him to end up back where he started with a blank expression that quickly turned into intrigue. Wait, how- wasn’t I just in there? He asked, wide-eyed. I thought our family gift was teleportation and spell. How did you do that? he added, flying in a circle at lightning speed. Oh, so you’re over your little tantrum, and now you’re ready to Talk. Dennis said, jumping off with one flap and flying into Tre, and taking a seat. Come on. There is something I need to show you. The second Gilbert sat in his seat and strapped himself in I felta sudden surge of emotions. If child and colony services deem me an unfit parent, I could lose you and Marshall. Our family is already on thin clouds with the Mystical tribunal for what they tried to blame mother and father for." I could feel my breath thicken in the space between us and surround Gilbert, who was rendered motionless. Awave of fear wafting off of him, brought me back to my senses. My reflection was unrecognizable as I took in the sight of my glowing bright eyes with red mana and my body had grown five feet with my aura being composed of large red lightning bolts that rippled around him. My gums were sore from the sensation of my fangs growing longer also. You're definitely going to have to show me how you did that as well. Gilbert said, still scared. To be truthfully honest, I didn’t know what that was either. I’m going to make a mental note to make an appointment with a healer sometime later this week. For the past month, I’ve experienced moments where a surge of mana would amplify my spells or cause a build-up of static energy. The entire ride to Marshall’s school, Gilbert tried to ask more questions about what transpired, but after I forbade him from telling anyone, my parenting mind quickly changed the subject to his missed classes and assignments. D, Marshall’s class ended early, and he is waiting for you at the entrance balcony. Tre said, interrupting their conversation. Perfect, connect to Vic and activate teleportation. I stopped outside of the school grounds as Tre picked up on Vic’s mana field. Sourcelings at his age have trouble locking on to a good destination for teleporting. A small tornado formed along with flashes of thunder. Marshall floated to his seat. I could feel waves of joy flow off of my brother as he finished forming. Sasha asked me to be her alchemy partner, and I got an Apex on my nature quiz, and the prize was a fog flower. I’m proud of you, little brother. I told you all the hard work would pay off in the end. he said, nudging Gilbert with his elbow, who rolled his eyes. We all got that same mark on our nature quiz, But, now each one of our father's sons are owners of a fog flower. Good job, Marshmallow. He added. So besides manipulation of a fog, what else can I do with it? Marshall asked. We’ll have to discuss that later. Look out the window. I pulled into the parking lot of their favorite fun center restaurant. Where they could spend the remainder of their afternoon. I rented out the entire area for the next three hours, so put that flower in Vic’s pocket, and let’s show these entry beasts what the Maelstrom boys can do." I stretched my arms out into wings and leaped off the ground with a gusty aura towards the forest entrance. I allowed my entire form to shift into my brown bat and climbed to the highest tree branch. My brother's wing flaps were growing louder as they both quickly caught up to him. Good, They are learning to use the gust generated by their wings to direct the entire flight path. They landed on the tree branch across from him and sent their thoughts at him. "What’s next, big wing? they said in unison. Huh? I almost let go of the branch bigger than a normal wingspan. As of late, his life was not balanced at all. The apparent one-sided relationship with Prince Kurt, along with the hours he’s been putting in as Master Incantator, was all about to change. Tre scan for our entry list items. I commanded, to my familiar. Scanning, Scanning, Found! Tre responded. There are six items on the list. Four strands of sky-horse tail hair, a gallon of fire-bee honey, four eggs of a spark-chicken, saliva of a river frog, Chrysalis of a storm butterfly. and the antlers of a forest deer. Tre said. He already had a plan formulated. Okay, I’ll take the antlers and the honey. Marshall, you get the saliva and the tail hair.Dennis said. Oh yeah, that leaves the eggs and the chrysalis for me. See ya! Gilbert dove towards the ground and headed towards the eggs first. Okay, baby bro. Remember you have your familiar and your fog flower to assist you." He nodded before flying off in the opposite direction, and a tear gathered in my eyes.

In my Jaguar form, I slowed my stride as I approached my mother's grave statue and placed a bouquet of her favorite flowers at its feet. Sorry I haven’t come to visit you in a while, Mom. It was supposed to be a sculpture of my mother and NOT her burial headstone. The sound of my father's laughter filled my ears as the memory came to the forefront of my mind. By the spirits, this is pure perfection, son. Your mother would be proud of how your chiseling skills have progressed. My father clapped me on the back and pulled me into a side hug. That was the last time my father visited my studio. As if on cue, my fur bristled, and I could sense my father drawing near. A mound of grass and mud stopped at my side. Hello, son. My father said, taking his other form. Good afternoon, Father. I shifted my upper half and embraced him. My father reached into the ground and pulled out silver thorn vines that he wrapped around the neck of the statue. May the spiritual parents forever guide our beasts. Seeing the statue propelled me backwards to the day my mother died. For weeks the outer regions of our estate were crawling with photographers trying to get good angles of my isolated misery or his grief-stricken face as the headlines referred to it. Heir to the claw-mountain empire in shambles after mother’s mysterious death. Son, you’re getting lost in your thoughts again. I was asking if you’ve made up your mind about the banquet dinner later, I’ve already asked the kids, and they decided to attend. I almost forgot about that overly populated function thrown every twenty years to celebrate the spring equinox. I received the invitations but left them unread. A hang session with Ms. Prideful, year four hundred and thirty-four thousand and fifty-six. Yeah, no thanks! He thought to himself. But there was no way he was going to just leave the two most precious beings in existence to him around that crowd. Well, since the girls are going, I’ll attend as well. Besides his father and his familiar Davon, Kayla, and Khleo is where his heart truly resided. I split from their mother right before they were born, and ever since, it’s only been about girls and nothing else. I’ll have Mina whip up a suit, and then Tyler will get you the best shoes. Unless you want to show it in halves like now. My father said in a good mood today. He let out a laugh and clapped him on the back. This celebration is going to be lit as the cubs saw nowadays. he added, with a bright smile and his fangs showing. Should the source master of our pride say things like that? Naw, it’s cool. Your stepmother tells me I’m still young at heart. he said. Okay, what the fuck? First, she changed his attire, and now she is telling him how to speak. What’s next, a night full of club hopping? I’d better get going. I have a couple of investment proposals to look over and then a board meeting with your uncles." He said, pulling him into a hug and then backing away to turn into a jaguar and run towards the exit. This semi-new relationship was both weird and refreshing. On one hand, I’m happy to see my father in a relationship that’s good for him, but on the other,