Beyond Demons: Beyond Demons, #1

By Andres De Jesus

Within the Realm of the Mortakins, dark powers known as the Phelidians arise, their intentions veiled in shadow. The Lordikans, masters of their inherent light and energy, clash with the Phelidians in a fierce struggle for control. As the conflict escalates, the Lordikans begin harnessing the forces of the Mortakins, who have the power to aid whomever they choose.
In "Beyond Demons," acclaimed author Andres De Jesus invites readers on an extraordinary journey into a world teeming with imagination and meticulously woven narratives.
Prepare to have your preconceived notions of darkness and evil challenged as you venture through a rich tapestry of Lordikans, Mortakins, and Phelidians. As the story unfolds, it serves as a poignant reminder that goodness can triumph over even the darkest of forces—a testament to the enduring power of hope and the magic of storytelling.
With each turn of the page, De Jesus mesmerizes readers with his captivating prose and transports them into a world where the boundaries of imagination are shattered. The tale's conflicts and triumphs will keep you enthralled, leaving you yearning for more and eager to explore the depths of this mesmerizing realm.
And once you have immersed yourself in the enchanting world of "Beyond Demons," the longing for further exploration will be satisfied with "Beyond Demons: A Prequel." This prequel delves into the causes, effects, and background of the story, shedding light on the intricate tapestry of this fantastical realm. It serves as the perfect appetizer while you eagerly await the release of Book 2: "The Son of the Triangle."
Step into a world where light battles darkness, where hope defies despair, and where the triumph of good ultimately prevails. Discover the magic that lies within the pages of "Beyond Demons" and embark on an adventure that will linger in your heart long after you've turned the final page. Prepare to be captivated, enthralled, and transported to a realm like no other. Are you ready to join the epic battle?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Andres De Jesus
• Release date: Aug 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215262863

Book preview

Copyright © 2023 by Andres De Jesus

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods.

Currently Available on Amazon.

First Printing, 2023

ISBN 9798851916472

Beyond Demons

By

Andres De Jesus

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Introduction

Descriptions

SECTION I

PART I – THE ONSET

Prologue

TWO CENTURIES LATER

PART II - LEYLA

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

PART III - LOUCH

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Short Interlude - Karma

PART IV - SAMANTHA

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Short Interlude - Jadiel

PART V - REVELATIONS

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Short Interlude – Karma

Conclusion

The End

Acknowledgements

First, I would like to thank God for being my strength, my inspiration and my courage while writing this book. Without God, I would not have been able to complete this project;

Second, my spouse, Merileydi. Without your support and inspiration, completing this book would’ve been so much more difficult;

Third, my biggest fans, my children, Nacir, Liannie and Arianna. Thank you for continually believing in your Dad;

To my parents, (my father Andres and my mother Sonia) thank you for who I am. Without you, I would not have been;

To Farney, who is like a real mother to me, sometimes more than you need to be... your strength and determination in pushing through and conquering the big ‘C’ inspired me so much, especially while writing this book. You are one heck of a lady!

To my siblings (my brothers, Arnaldo and Damian, and my sisters, Liza and Diana). You have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and your inspiration means a lot;

To the mother of my children: thank you for the part that you’ve played in the lives of our children.

And last but not least, to Antoinette LeRoux, for editing my book and helping me across the finish line.

Andres De Jesus

Foreword

Antoinette LeRoux

When Andres De Jesus approached me to edit his book, I was slightly apprehensive, considering the title of the book and the dark nature of many of the characters in the story. However, the deeper I ventured into the World of Lordikans, Mortakins, and Phelidians, the more spellbound I became with the massive imagination of this brand new fantasy author.

Andres has crafted a world that will transport you to realms beyond your wildest dreams. In Beyond Demons, the mysterious and alluring inhabitants of this newly created fantasy world will captivate your imagination. But don't be deceived by the title; this is not a dark book, nor is it a tale of pure evil.

Rather, Beyond Demons is an epic tale in which the forces of good and evil collide. As you delve into the mysteries, tragedies, and adventures of the people within, you will witness the struggle between light and darkness, and the triumph of good over evil. It is a testament to the power of hope, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit.

Prepare yourself for a journey of discovery and transformation. Open these pages and immerse yourself in the enchanting realm created by the new kid on the block, Andres De Jesus. The World of Lordikans, Mortakins, and Phelidians awaits, and within its depths lies a story that will leave you inspired and eager for more.

Introduction

Once upon a time there were two Realms working close together for balance and harmony in the Universe. The one Realm was of Light, and the other of Darkness... and although Light and Darkness seem to most as being ‘opposites,’ these two concepts can never be opposites, since they do not repel each other. At best, Darkness recedes when Light enters the scene...

The realm where Light was the dominant factor, hosted the Kingdom of Light, and the Kingdom of Light was home to the Lordikans. These beings were beautiful, light-filled human-like beings. Their preferred color was white, since white consists of all colors of the rainbow.

The Lordikans were always dressed in white, even when engaging in battle. Their eyes were of the most beautiful colors, and had gold or silver flecks in them. Lordikans were nothing but good, and were of noble stature, having long shiny hair that reminded of human hair. It was always of a color that formed a striking contrast with the snow white feathers that covered their wings, which, from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other, spanned fifteen feet. Their height could vary between seven feet and nine feet, but most Lordikans stood around seven feet tall.

The realm where Darkness was the dominant factor, hosted the Kingdom of Darkness, and the Kingdom of Darkness was home to the Phelidians. These beings had a certain inherent pride to them and were always neatly dressed in their dominant color, which was black, since black, which harbor no color at all, has a tendency to absorb all colors, but display none. The Phelidians always dressed in black, and proudly displayed their black attire, especially when engaging in battle. Their eyes were the color of bony or obsidian, and had crimson flecks in them. Phelidians were mostly neutral in disposition, meaning they could be good or evil... but when they were evil, they took it to the extreme. There was nothing noble about Phelidians. Their skin was leathery and the older they became, the more scales they grew on their skin. Their hair was always neatly trimmed, but that was because short hair was practical. Their wings spanned approximately ten feet from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other. Their height could vary between five feet and seven feet, but most Phelidians stood around six five inches feet tall. One would think that the Lordikans would have the advantage in their taller stature, but the ferocity of the Phelidians made up for the smaller size.

In the beginning, this world consisted of only one dimension, prospering and growing as the highlight of the universe. Then, a war erupted from within, splitting this world into two separate dimensions. One was dominated by the Lordikans, who sought to share the prosperity with another created dimension. The other was controlled by the Phelidians, who saw no need to share their hard-earned prosperity and opposed the idea of a new section in this world.

As a result, the world was divided into three dimensions with the introduction of the Mortakins. The Lordikans vowed to defend the Mortakins, while the Phelidians sought their destruction, blaming them entirely.

Countless wars and immense destruction followed in this world's history.

Eventually, the Mortakins began choosing their own sides, and the Lordikans found less reason to fight as more Mortakins rejected their efforts.

To maintain balance, the powers that be locked everything down and created a key to control the portals between dimensions, preventing the war from spiraling out of control. This key was forged from three extraordinary pieces, including this very castle situated at the heart of it all.

Essentially being the strongest, the Lordikans won the war, and took control of the universe. What they did not expect, though, was that the beautiful daughter of the Lordikan king was secretly in love with the Phelidian king, and swore that she would marry him, no matter what her father had to say. But once again, the Lordikan king took a stand. He chose a planet called Earth, and banned his daughter to the planet to live there forever, until she’d come to her senses. Humans were the species who lived on the planet, and the king made sure that his daughter was well protected. One of the steps that he took to protect her, was to move the planet to a different universe, thereby creating a third realm in this saga.

To find out what had happened since, and about the eventual outcome, proceed to read the rest of the history...

Descriptions

Mortakin: This being is what a human becomes when we die. While a human lives, he/she is either influenced by a Lordikan or a Phelidian. When the person dies, he/she resembles who he/she was influenced by. If Phelidian, the Lordikans try their best to change the Mortakin’s destiny, for there is only a certain amount of time in which it can be done. And the catch was that it could only be done with the Mortakin’s express permission.

Angel: This is what humans call Lordikans.

Demon: This is what a Phelidian becomes when they turn to evil.

Cerberus: A monstrous three-headed dog with a serpent's tail and a mane of snakes. It is often depicted as a fierce and fearsome guardian of the underworld, specifically the entrance to the realm of Hades, the Greek god of the dead. Certain evil Phelidians used these creatures in combat against Lordikans.

Portal: The word ‘portal’ can mean any of many things. For the purpose of this book, a ‘portal’ is a gateway created in mid-air by a Lordikan and which leads to another dimension.

This World: Referring to a universe containing two realms... The Realm of the Lordikans and the Realm of the Phelidians. Things were always peaceful, until the Lordikans decided to add a third realm, the Realm of the Mortakins. Lots of things transpired around the Realm of the Mortakins, almost always turning into war between the Phelidians (who used their dark powers) and the Lordikans (who used their naturally inherent Light and Energy (they also harnessed the forces of the Mortakins, until the Mortakins decided to aid whomever they wanted to, after which the Lordikans permanently sealed the three main portals and afforded one key to each of the gatekeepers.

SECTION I

PART I – THE ONSET

Prologue

The night enveloped the scene in its exquisite beauty, accompanied by a gentle breeze that meandered through the trees, causing the leaves to sway in a rhythmic dance. Moonlight bathed the serene dirt road that snaked through the dark, dense forest, casting a tranquil ambiance.

Peering between the trees, one could catch glimpses of stars dotting the night sky, peeping through the gaps. The wind rustled, dislodging a solitary leaf from its branch, guiding it serenely down to the road before an unexpected disruption altered its intended path.

An imposing stagecoach, traveling at great speed, disrupted the idyllic night as it approached the entrance to the slumbering woods. Pulled by two majestic black shire horses, one adorned with a white blaze marking on its face and hooves, accompanied by white hairy feathers that seemingly floated through the air, while the other boasted a strikingly glossy black coat and an even darker mane than the night itself. Their muscular legs commanded attention and respect as their hooves struck the ground with rapidity.

Perched atop the stagecoach to the right, overseeing the shire horses, was Hendricks, the reinsman, who was also known as a Jehu. Hendricks defied the typical appearance of a stagecoach reinsman, emanating an air of dissimilarity and unease, his focus fixated on the darkness that lay ahead. Clad in a meticulously pressed three-piece suit that clearly did not align with a driver's attire, his white button-down shirt remained untucked. His crooked fedora hat barely clung to his head, while his shoes radiated a shine akin to the stars above.

Hendricks's voice reverberated as he shouted commands to the horses, repeatedly tugging on the reins, urging them to accelerate their pace. Yaaahh! he bellowed. Mixed emotions played across his countenance—nervous glances intermingled with a thrill of speeding down the path, leaving everything and everyone behind. However, a deep sense of unease gnawed at him, as if a presence followed in their wake.

Are you comfortable in there? Hendricks yelled through the small window at the rear of the stagecoach.

A sarcastic voice from inside the stagecoach retorted, I could use some wine, brother.

Louis, a strikingly handsome and impeccably groomed businessman, occupied the interior. Dressed in a dark grey three-piece suit with red pinstripes, he exuded an air of pride and confidence. His matching fedora hat boasted a crimson feather, while his red button-down shirt was neatly tucked in, complementing his coordinated shoes.

Seated to Louis's left was Victoria, an enchanting maiden with emerald eyes and flowing black hair. Adorned in a resplendent, sparkling white gown that cascaded past her feet, she wore red ribbons around her waist, crimson bows adorning her hair, and a rare red diamond necklace and earrings to match.

Louis held Victoria firmly in his embrace, his nose near her hair, relishing in her scent. Her head rested against his chest as they hurtled down the dirt path, fleeing the town. However, as their speed intensified, Victoria's attention wavered from Louis's heartbeat, and anxiety began to creep in.

Is everything alright? she inquired, distancing herself from his chest.

Louis calmly raised his fedora hat, meeting Victoria's gaze in an attempt to provide reassurance. Of course, my dear, everything is fine, he responded.

Victoria gazed at Louis, a smile gracing her lips, while her right hand traced a scar on his hand that ran from his left eyebrow to his cheekbone.

Louis, attempting to console Victoria, leaned in for a kiss. Suddenly, the stagecoach's wheel ran over a large tree branch that obstructed the path, causing it to lose control and flinging Louis onto the floor. The impact knocked his fedora hat off his head. Hastily getting back on his feet, Louis brushed himself off with a mix of annoyance and anger etched on his face. He retrieved his fedora, inspected it for any damage, and placed it back on his head. He then hurriedly approached the window of the stagecoach and called up to Hendricks, who sat in the driver's seat.

What's happening, brother? Louis asked Hendricks with genuine concern in his voice.

I don't know, I'm uncertain, Hendricks responded, scanning the surroundings.

I believe we are being followed, he continued. I keep catching glimpses of movement around us, among the trees and in the darkness... ahead of us and above us. Hendricks glanced to the side and thought he saw shadows shifting between the trees.

Look between the trees! he shouted.

Louis grew increasingly worried by Hendricks' words and began to move around, peering out of the stagecoach windows. He directed his gaze toward the trees, straining his eyes to discern any unusual sights or sounds amidst the darkness. As tree after tree whizzed past, he heard no unusual noises or spotted anything out of the ordinary. Frustrated by his fruitless search, he concluded that Hendricks must be overly paranoid. Abandoning his investigation, Louis reentered the stagecoach and returned to his seat beside a nervous Victoria, who anxiously awaited an explanation.

Approaching Victoria, Louis sat down beside her, maintaining a calm demeanor as he sought to comfort his new wife. He enveloped her in his arms and tenderly lifted her right hand to his lips, planting a gentle kiss while offering a reassuring smile. Victoria reciprocated the smile, but before she could utter a word, a peculiar noise emanated from the roof of the stagecoach, as if something had landed directly above them. In a panic, she pushed Louis away, aware that he had also heard it.

What was that sound? she asked, her face filled with concern.

What sound? Louis feigned ignorance, attempting to brush off the unsettling occurrence.

Don't pretend, Louis, she replied, her tone tinged with frustration.

Noticing Victoria's distress and deep concern, Louis realized he needed to appease her, to assume control of the situation. He resolved to investigate once more. Making