Aegis: Eternity's Eye

By Lucian Nife

About the Book

Strange and wicked happenings are about as increasing reports of people "vanishing" sweep a world that has become comfortable.

Arias, a product of that comfort, finds himself in the middle of these strange occurrences. When his sister becomes the latest victim of these disappearances, he ends up allying with a shadowy organization that promises to bring everyone back home. 

Celeste sits at the high table of an organization that follows the whims of eleven elusive deities. It is from their whisper that she receives specific orders on how to govern her people. When the vanishings reach her doorstep, she is given the impossible task of both finding and retrieving everyone that has been taken.

 

About the Author

Lucian Nife is looking to shake up the world of fantasy fiction and how it is presented with love, life, and color. He's studied business, law, theology, and poetry. Readers can expect all of those aspects within the Aegis universe that he has crafted. The first step in this literary journey is Aegis: Eternity's Eye. It is both the introduction and guide for the entire series. Follow Lucian's socials to see recent updates, the beautiful illustrations of his story's characters and world, or simply say hello.

"I don't want people to be intimidated by the epic nature of fantasy fiction, so I'll drop them into the story and let the narrative do its own work. By the time the pages come to an end, they'll have gotten the gist of what's going on and where things are headed in a rewarding way." 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Company
• Release date: Jul 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9798888125625

Book preview

Mother’s Favorite Flower

(Arias - 2 - Eternity’s Eye)

The Grave-Garden is the ancestral resting place of Coru’s citizens.

Hamlets and towns outside the city also have their own version of this intimate and solemn place. And though they differ in size, they are the same.

The city’s funeral parlor handles the arrangements of one’s passing. The director and lesser-morticians make it their mission to fulfill the final wishes of the client or family.

Wild magic is the natural energy of this world. There are some people who have an affinity for it and those who do not. In no duchy or neutral territory is this a means for social status.

The members of the parlor all wield a special magic that they use to bind people’s remains with the flora of their choice. Some people wish to have their ashes intertwined with certain trees while others want to be buried six-feet beneath a bed of specific blooms. Those of the older generation request for their remains to be made into seeds that hang around the necks of their living kin.

Families leave totems, charms, and objects of importance before the resting places of their loved ones. I passed plushies, portraits, and even pet collars.

Three months later, this is the first time I have come to visit papá. That’s mostly because I can’t seem to handle the anguish of his absence. Sometimes I still hear his low-spoken voice or smell the tonka bean scented cologne that he’d wear.

Before his passing, I never imagined that Laelia and I would ever have to set foot in this place. It’s for the deceased and papá was supposed to live forever. He was supposed to watch us grow up and pursue higher learning. Now, we have been separated from his fatherly embrace and cringe antics.

I found my sister standing before the only boulder in the entire Grave-Garden. It is cobalt-blue and topped with moss. Etched into it are inscrutable runes and numbers. He was always adamant about having his remains being woven into rock. Such a thing is unorthodox and caused quite a stir from both the duke of Coru and the funeral parlor’s director. However, they had no choice but to honor his wishes.

My little sister’s back is to me, hugging herself as if chilled.

Silently approaching, I took in the varying fragrances of scattered incense and candles that have been left out by families. It puts the mind at ease, allowing those gone to rest.

Laelia is wearing a custom-fitted tabard top that is mostly sea-blue and partially white. Its hems are made out of an elastic, though durable material that has been dyed bronze. Like most clothing here, it is sleeveless and shows off her arms and shoulders.

On each hand are rings that vary in size. On either arm are matching bracelets. Each of these items have depictions of celestial objects. She’s also sporting a singular, winged ear-climber that papá ordered custom - just for her.

Her footed tights are baby-blue, complimenting her top well. And, her two-inch heels are bronze-colored just like the elastic material on the hem of her clothing.

Laelia is meticulous about every facet of her person. There is no one like her, not even the people in this silly magazine. When papá was alive, he’d buy her anything. She’d receive custom-tailored clothing and accessories that nobody else could claim to have. He didn’t mind, but I found it tiresome. And yet, when she puts everything on…I can’t help but smile at how happy it makes her.

The innocent glee as she beholds herself in the mirror with the hope that soon, all of Ardfædlyn will witness her - it makes me remember how lucky I am to have a sibling like her.

Standing beside her with my hands folded at my waist, I spoke.

Qué tal?

Laelia subtly jumped at my words and presence. Genuinely, she appears surprised that I am here which makes me feel even worse.

The funny thing is that my sister doesn’t really look like me or papá. She’s brown like him, but she has the face of another - our missing parent who we’ve never met nor seen a photo or drawing of.

While my hair is hickory-colored and far denser, the majority of hers is a lighter tone and thin while maintaining a wavy bounce. It’s long, falling just past her shoulders. Though, from mamãe, she’s inherited something truly special; natural, thick strands of emerald-hued hair and near iridescent eyes.

Were you sent to bring me back to the villa?

I would have come for you regardless.

You didn’t last time, or the time before, Laelia grumbled.

Conscious of last night’s interaction, I began contemplating the right things to say.

Born eleven months before her, I am sixteen while she is fifteen. We’re complete opposites and it makes me feel that we’re sometimes centuries apart. Though, while I have difficulty expressing it, I often want nothing more than to always be by her side.

She’s my best friend and only sister. Last night I let her down. Turning to face her completely, I presented the magazine issue to her.

Laelia’s eyes momentarily widened as she assessed the item in my hands. She cupped her palms together, waiting for me to place it down into them. I did as she wanted, handing her the sacred object of vanity.

Softly, she huffed.

Arias- she struggled to speak. "Where did you…how did you? This issue is around two-hundred or so muercents!"

Yeah, previews of some upcoming gala, Tetzi Lance’s advice on gaudy clothing that no one can afford anyway-

Laelia hungrily flipped through the pages, eyes practically bouncing from side-to-side. She murmured about stockings, lipstick, perfumes, and new accessories.

Papá would have never let me purchase that kind of nightwear-

I turned red, wondering what she was looking at. H-hey, don’t go trying to yank Mr. Slahiri’s coin purse for anything weird.

Laelia closed the magazine and carefully placed it inside of the handbag around her waist. This too was ordered (custom) by our generous papá.

Arias, did you steal that?

I- Frowning at her, I shook my head. No, someone gave it to me!

Unconvinced, she looked around as if expecting the authorities to sprint in and bushwhack us.

I couldn’t afford it. A kind individual was nice enough to get one for me. It’s a gift, I thought you’d be interested.

Laelia’s expression became morose. I didn’t ask you to go out of your way and get me anything. In fact, I requested that you stay away.

Just as the words came out, Laelia bit her lower lip as if instantly regretting it. They’ve already reached my ears and I feel terrible. But, how I feel is invalid. She wouldn’t be in this state if not for me.

I shook off the self-pity and eased closer to her. Sincere in nature, I placed my right hand onto her cheek. Instead of moving away, she allowed her head to ease into my palm.

I reacted to your longing for her differently when papá was alive. After the accident, I couldn’t bring myself to understand why after fifteen years, you still wait for someone you’ve never seen or met. And during this time, I still refuse to yearn for a missing parent who I have no feeling for.

An emerald butterfly with sapphire-blue speckled wings flapped over Laelia’s head and landed on papá’s grave.

However, my contempt for her absence has nothing to do with you. It doesn’t give me the right to demand that you stop wishing for her. You want answers from mamãe and I would be a failure of an older brother to stop you. No one has the right to take away someone’s hope, even if it’s distant and hard to see.

Becoming annoyingly emotional, Laelia pulled me into a tight hug. She rested her head on my chest, causing all of my worry to fade away. The curious butterfly, seemingly satisfied, flew off into further reaches of the Grave-Garden.

She is the Sapphire Star, you the Emerald Sun.

The voices swamped my thoughts, causing me to shudder.

The Messiah is the Moon, and she is coming.

My heart - it feels like I am falling and slowly burning. As my sister held me tighter, a single tear trailed down the length of my face and splashed down onto an emerald strand of her hair. Laelia disentangled from me and readjusted her outfit while patting my chest.

Sorry I soaked your shirt in eye juice.

I shrugged it off, granting her a slight smile.

We need to go home. Mr. Slahiri is meeting with the investigators today. He doesn’t want us out in the streets.

Laelia hesitated, staring at our old man’s grave. Slightly swaying, she looked at me with outright concern.

I need to show you something, she quietly stated. Please don’t be mad.

She reached into her handbag and revealed two separate research journals. One belongs to papá, the other to Mr. Slahiri.

The old man took us in after the accident and gave us one rule-

I know! Laelia alleged. After our argument last night, I broke into his study out of desperation for information on mãe. A-and…I think what I found was much worse. Please, read through them.

A transient gale slithered through the Grave-Garden, causing leaves and petals to swirl around the two of us. I noted the overall unease in my sister’s demeanor as she first handed me Mr. Slahiri’s private logbook.

The Abduction

(Arias - 3 - Eternity’s Eye)

After skimming through most of the two journals, Laelia and I rushed back to the villa and began packing our bags.

The entire rest of the day, we didn’t speak much. It was tough to do so after reading the deranged nonsense in those books. Papá’s personal notes are disturbing and critically questionable. He began with unlawful writings on deities and different planes of existence. Then he speaks about something that would have seen him banished if he had ever dared to preach on it openly.

Before the formation of the five duchies, Ardfædlyn was ruled over by a singular family in the form of an expansive Empire. They were tyrannical and heavily involved in ritualistic religion that the duchies now steer away from. It took Ardfædlyn uniting together to overthrow the Empress during that era. Even her name and image are now lost to time. In papá’s journal, he speculated on the eventual return of that family and a so-called New Empire.

I shook my head, letting my anger get the best of me as I recalled the final chapter of his notes. He had actual, written-out calculations and speculations on the hopes that-

Gazing into my washroom’s sink mirror, I splashed water on my face and shook the thoughts out of my head. I half hoped to see the girl of my dreams take shape in my reflection.

She did not.

I changed into a long sleeved, high-collar hoodie and baggy pants. Both items are black and definitely not the right gear for wandering around in Coru.

All of my life, papá presented himself as a goofy parent. When he wasn’t making a fool out of himself in public, he gave us all of the love a single dad could afford for his two children. What I read in his personal notes were far beyond the scope of his personality. And though I am upset - I still feel intense grief and shame for what happened three months ago.

Nothing in those notes diminish the fact that I am still dangerous.

Hey! My sister called from outside my washroom. The lift outside is coming up. I think he’s returning to the villa.

I dried my face and stepped out to meet her.

Laelia is still dressed the same from this morning. My input on her traveling to Warrenhall in that outfit was met with her degrading my entire wardrobe. Our bags are sitting on my bed, fully prepped and ready for the next caravan out of Coru. Papá’s research and some family photos are in my backpack.

You have the logbook ready? I