Vladimir Victorious

By JQ Sirls

Dive into the whimsical world of Vladimir Victorious, a novel by JQ Sirls that weaves the wonder of Peter Pan and the charm of Willy Wonka with the magical adventure reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland.

Lucy Brown's wor

• Language: English
• Publisher: World of Fantoria Books
• Release date: Nov 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9780991297795

JQ Sirls

JQ Sirls is a creator of enchanting stories that bridge whimsical worlds. He is both the author and illustrator of beloved picture books such as 'The Book of Imaginary Friends' and 'The Moon Is Following Me.' These books hint at the magical realm of Fantoria, a world he has been crafting since the age of seven. Currently residing in Kansas City, he skillfully balances between reality and imagination, drawing inspiration from both realms.In his latest work, "Vladimir Victorious," Sirls invites readers to see the world through a child's eyes. This story serves as a reminder that every tale holds its own unique key, one that has the power to change everything.

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Copyright

Vladimir Victorious

Copyright © 2023 by JQ Sirls

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except in the case of a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023918250

ISBN: 978-0-9912977-9-5

Published by World of Fantoria Books

7500 w 151st, #23594

Overland Park Kansas 66283

Cover art copyright © 2023 by JQ Sirls

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Table of Contents

The Legacy of Two Realms

The Usurper’s Rise

Lucy’s New Home

The Awakening of Washington Manor

Secrets of Fantoria

Lucy Learns The Truth

The Lost King

From Barstole to Obsidian

A Heartless Fortress

The Illusion of Power

Trials of the Labyrinth

Betrayal in the Crystal Caverns

Through the Treasure Hills

Challenges and Sacrifice

A Heart Restored and A Battle Imminent

The Battle for Fantoria's Heart

Fading Connections

The Restoration

The Future Unfolds

Dedication

To my son, DaVinci, the beacon of imagination that illuminates every corner of my world.

—

And to the 7-year-old me, who first wandered the enchanting lands of Fantoria, dreaming up adventures with imaginary friends. This story began with you.

Prologue

The Legacy of Two Realms

In a shadowed, dungeon-like chamber, an old mage stands amidst ethereal lights that dance over shimmering archaic stones. Slowly, he turns the pages of an ancient tome, its whispered secrets audible only to him. Radiating wisdom and mystery, his silver beard gently brushes the floor. One eye mirrors the blue of a cloudless sky, while the other swirls with deep violet. Every so often, sparks dance from his fingertips, their mystery as profound as the mage himself.

Draped in robes adorned with ever-shifting constellations, he leans on a crooked staff topped with a softly glowing crystal. Floating orbs and vials filled with vibrant, swirling colors orbit around him. Suddenly, with a swiftness unexpected from someone of his age, he lifts his gaze from the tome, locking eyes with — me?! — oh, YOU. Ah, yes, you, the reader of this adventurous tale.

Phew. Okay. Where were we?

Ah… With a knowing smile, the mage beckons you into his world of tales, inviting you to delve deeper into the story that unfolds. The room is filled with the scent of ancient parchment and wood smoke.

Shhh. Quiet your voice and mind; he's about to speak.

"Greetings, dear seeker of tales! Prepare your heart for a journey into Fantoria, a realm where every desire and dream comes to life, sheltering all imaginary friends. Yet, amidst its wonders, it bears scars from a great war whose echoes still linger.

While Fantoria thrived as the birthplace of imagination and imaginary friends, Heartless, a figure shrouded in mystery, played a devious role, twisting intentions and weaving deception to further his desires.

In such tumultuous times, a beacon of hope emerged: Prince Vladimir. Born of Fantorian royalty and human passion, he bridged two worlds. As King Vladimir Victorious in Fantoria, he shone as a guiding star, but among humans, he adopted a disguise: James Washington of the esteemed Washington Manor.

Through Fantoria Industries, James Washington brought stories that reignited the spirit of creativity among humans. Among his treasures, a key - a legacy of his parents - held the power to intertwine or isolate the worlds.

But shadows from past wars tend to linger. Heartless, with intentions more mysterious than ever, returned, bringing winds of change. As Fantoria stands on the brink once again, a beacon of hope emerges in the form of a child named Lucy, who unknowingly holds the key to its destiny."

The mage pauses. His eyes meet yours intently, ensuring you grasp the depth of his revelation. Particularly noticeable is his swirling deep violet eye, which narrows just a fraction. Every story holds its secrets, he murmurs, "and Fantoria is no exception."

As he spoke, the room began to tremble, with floating orbs and vials swirling chaotically around him. Prepare yourself and seek the truth, dear reader!

With a final, enigmatic smile, he vanished.

Well, you heard him. Prepa— Wait.  Sorry, I meant read.

You read him (sigh).

Storytelling... such a nuanced craft.

…

I had ONE job!

Chapter 1

The Usurper’s Rise

Dark clouds gathered over Washington Manor, casting chilling shadows on its once-grand facade. Inside, James Washington tossed and turned, his silver and raven-black curls splayed on his pillow, contrasting his sun-kissed skin. Even in his sleep, he bore an undeniable air of royal authority. As the esteemed ruler of Fantoria, he had braved many adventures. In the human world, his genius and inventions ignited countless imaginations. Yet, tonight, visions of Fantoria’s troubled past haunted him, and he remained unaware of the sinister plot brewing just beyond his doorstep.

From the shadows, Heartless emerged, leading a battalion of rogue Fantorian guards. Though once revered as a guardian of dreams, he was now consumed by ambitions cast in shadow. His movements showed the grace of a Fantorian general, while his icy demeanor portrayed the unpredictability of a vengeful sorcerer. A flash of lightning revealed a massive scar across his chest - the symbol of the heart he had sacrificed for power and emotional control.

Trailing behind him, his guards mirrored his every step. Once cherished imaginary friends, these guards were now unrecognizable. Heartless's malignant influence twisted their essence, subjecting their wills to his command. Their playful nature had been replaced with an eerie, puppet-like obedience. Spreading out around the manor silently, they awaited Heartless's signal.

Heartless stood silently. He closed his eyes and slowly inhaled, holding his breath as he recalled a time when things were simpler - a time when he stood by Vladimir's side. But those days felt distant now. A choice had been made, a path taken. He exhaled and, without uttering a single word, nodded to the guards.

Quickly, the guards moved towards the night staff, releasing dark tendrils. As these coils tightened, the staff's awareness faded, taking away their magic and putting them into an unnatural sleep. Through this dark dance, the defenses of Washington Manor were easily taken down.

As Heartless approached James's chamber, he transformed into a dark mist, resembling every child's worst nightmare. Hushed secrets and muted rustlings accompanied the dark cloud as he searched for any small entrance, slipping through cracks and keyholes, before reassembling into Heartless's menacing form inside.

His presence thickened the air in the room, making each breath feel like a struggle. It was as if the walls themselves recoiled from his presence. While outside, the storm raged, inside a forbidding silence prevailed, punctuated only by Heartless's sly, sinister chuckle.

There, at the foot of James's bed, he loomed—a shadow cast by no light. As Heartless's eyes fixed on the sleeping James, he could see the ruler's brow furrowed in distress. Sensing that James might awaken, Heartless reached out his hand towards him. From his palm, a shadowy tendril extended, brushing James's forehead. This delicate touch reinforced the bonds of sleep, ensuring that James remained trapped in his dreams and unable to wake up.

"Oh, Vladimir, or is it James now? Heartless murmured with cold amusement. Your human guise suits you well."

The room's atmosphere grew heavy with suppressed emotions. "I watched you grow, mentored you. And yet, here you are, trying to keep alive a connection that causes only pain. How many more imaginary friends must suffer the pangs of abandonment, of a fleeting human bond?" His voice, though calm, carried an undertone of anger and desperation.

Memories of betrayal and neglect flared briefly in Heartless's intensifying gaze. "I, too, once stood by a human's side, believing in the bond between Fantoria and this world. That faith was rewarded with betrayal. I cannot—will not—let that happen to others."

A dark mist began swirling around Heartless as he continued, "Even if it means tearing down everything you've built!"

Heartless's eyes turned black, and his jaws stretched impossibly wide as tendrils of shadow erupted from his mouth and the pulsating scar on his chest, spiraling around James, squeezing and constricting him.

Amidst this display of dark power, a younger figure was aggressively yanked from James, tumbling onto the floor. This figure, resembling James as he might have looked on the cusp of manhood, looked around in bewilderment. Dressed in an dreamy attire reminiscent of both fantasy and Victorian sophistication, his eyes constantly changed color. Patterns flowed on his skin like water, and his coiled hair, untouched by age, was decorated with curious relics. But before he could fully grasp the situation, Where am I— Heartless snapped his fingers, making him disappear.

With a sudden jolt, James awoke, his heart pounding in his chest. In the fleeting brilliance of a lightning flash, James's anguished eyes locked onto Heartless's cold, malevolent smirk. Before the darkness consumed him, before he became Heartless, he was a brother. That bond, now irreparably shattered.

James collapsed in pain, as if invisible chains were tearing at his soul. His face aged quickly, his once-clear eyes becoming cloudy with distress. As his body and mind worsened, James struggled to understand what was happening. All the while, Heartless reveled in his newfound dominance.

As Heartless's dark influence took hold of many in the manor, some of James's royal staff resisted. Disguised as