Chronicles of the Enchanted Vanguard: Seraphina and the Divine Mandate

By Luminescence Goh

In a world plagued by environmental crises, a diverse team led by Seraphina embarked on a heroic quest for peace. Their journey spanned various terrains, from ruined cities to mystical forests and volcanic islands. Along the way, they grappled with personal conflicts, emphasizing friendship, valor, sacrifice, and hope as essential values.
As the battle between light and darkness escalated, internal struggles emerged. The team confronted the complexities of human nature while resisting the allure of evil. Through heart-pounding battles and unwavering determination, they defended justice and unity against the looming threats. Victory was not the end; more challenges lay ahead. Despite the relentless darkness, they persevered, forging a brighter future founded on peace and hope, transcending the forces of evil

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Singapore
• Release date: Oct 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9781543780802

Luminescence Goh

Mr. Luminescence was born in Singapore in 1974. As an Asian of Chinese descent, despite his family speaking only Minnan and Mandarin, he is proficient in speaking and writing three languages. Coming from a modest background, he completed his studies up to the third-year level and joined the Singapore Navy in 1993. In 1999, after his six-year contract with the Navy concluded, he assisted his father in the family furniture business for five years. During this time, Mr. Luminescence travelled around Asia. He got married in 2001, but his marriage ended and he divorced in 2011. Starting in 2011, he began writing Chinese novels, and in 2012, he published his first book. Mr. Luminescence has had an exciting and challenging journey in his life. He hopes to share some of his experiences to bring people laughter, insights, and inspiration. As the saying goes, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

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Copyright © 2023 by Luminescence Goh.

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Contents

Dedication

Foreword

Preface

Epigraph

Prologue

Chapter One: Serendipity

Chapter Two: Destiny

Chapter Three: Entering the Fray

Chapter Four: Confrontation

Chapter Five: Escape (Part I)

Chapter Six: Escape (Part II)

Chapter Seven: Divine Artefacts

Chapter Eight: Journey Part I

Chapter Nine: Journey Part II

Chapter Ten: Journey Part III

Chapter Eleven: Facing the Unknown

Chapter Twelve: Amidst Battle

Chapter Thirteen: Aftermath

Epilogue

Afterwords

Book Discussion or Questions

Character Introductions

Location Introductions

Chronology

Character Guide

Additional Information

Book Acknowledgements

About the author

Dedication

To My Dearest Family,

I extend my deepest gratitude to my beloved family. It is your unwavering support, understanding, and encouragement that have enabled me to pursue my dreams and embark boldly on this creative journey. Your love is my greatest strength, and I dedicate this book to all of you as an expression of my profound appreciation.

— Luminescence Goh

To All My Supportive Friends and Readers,

During every night of writing, it is your care and anticipation that have illuminated my path forward. Your affection and support are my most treasured possessions, and may this book bring you joy and inspiration.

— Luminescence Goh

To Those Who Believe in Hope and Goodness,

In this world brimming with challenges, it is your faith and kindness that serves as the wellspring of my creative inspiration. Let us strive together to uphold justice, peace, and hope, creating a brighter tomorrow.

— Luminescence Goh

Foreword

The inspiration behind writing this book originates from my contemplation and exploration of human nature, particularly in the context of global environmental issues. We live in a world filled with hope and challenges, where justice battles evil, light contends with darkness, and these forces constantly intertwine around us. Within this narrative, I endeavour to depict the intersection of individual and destiny, the power of friendship and unity, and the courage to resist malevolence through a fantasy-infused adventure.

Each individual harbours an internal struggle, confronting various choices and challenges. The adventures of Seraphina and her team aim to reflect our own growth and exploration. As they face dark forces, they also confront internal turmoil and dilemmas. This prompts us to ponder, what constitutes justice? What constitutes evil? Amid the intricate facets of human nature, can we hold onto our original intentions and pursue goodness?

Throughout this journey of adventure, my hope is that readers will grow alongside Seraphina and her team and engage in collective introspection. Each person’s heart holds a glimmer of light—whether faint or ablaze—that can illuminate the path ahead. No matter the depth of darkness, as long as we hold onto hope and bravely move forward, we can discover true strength.

I aspire for this story to resonate deep within your heart, inspiring contemplation and emotion. Thank you for choosing to read Chronicles of the Enchanted Vanguard: Seraphina And the Divine Mandate. May this tale accompany you through a time of adventure and hope.

— Luminescence Goh

Preface

In a time when the world was shrouded in the grasp of dark forces, a diverse team of adventurers rose to the challenge. Seraphina and her team’s journey, born out of the proliferation of environmental issues, spanned across different races and backgrounds, blending wisdom and courage as they fought to uphold peace.

Amidst the ruins of cities and enigmatic forests, on volcanic islands erupting with fury and in the slumbering realm of faerie monsters, Seraphina and her team sought out mystical artefacts and unravelled enigmas. The ebb and flow of civilizations, and the reclamation of possession, all had an impact on the course of the world.

Yet, their inner selves grappled too. Friendship, valour, sacrifice, and hope intertwined, forming the pillars of their progression. As the clash between darkness and light intensified, internal conflicts also surfaced. Seraphina and her team had to confront the intricacies of human nature and resist the temptations of evil.

In heart-pounding battles, they collaborated seamlessly, their determination unwavering. However, victory was not the ultimate destination; future challenges loomed ahead. No matter how fierce the threat of darkness, they persevered, wielding the power of justice and unity to safeguard peace and hope, thereby forging a brighter tomorrow.

Epigraph

May this book become the lighthouse in your life, guiding you to find direction in times of confusion and enabling you to see light within darkness.

May every character within these stories leave a trace of courage, perseverance, and hope deep within your soul.

May these words, like music, play a harmonious melody in your heart; like brushes, outline endless worlds of imagination.

Throughout the journey of reading, may you find resonance, garner insights, and experience genuine happiness within the pages.

May you encounter yourself in this book, and may you rediscover the beauty and hope of this world within its pages.

May your life become richer and more vibrant because of this book, and may your soul be nourished and enlightened by its words.

May our encounter gain deeper meaning through this book.

— Luminescence Goh

Prologue

At the edge of the universe, where light and darkness intertwine, lies a realm of mystery. There, time and space weave together, giving rise to boundless possibilities. On the surface of this world, various races, life forms, and powers intersect, forming a vibrant cosmic tableau.

Yet beneath this beauty, an undeniable threat lurks. Dark forces are quietly rising, their shadows engulfing the entire cosmos. Triggered by the environmental issues of Earth, a chain reaction has led to a global crisis. At this moment, a valiant expedition steps onto the stage. Hailing from diverse backgrounds, they unite to defend peace.

Seraphina and her team’s journey will traverse the ruins of cities, venture into enigmatic forests, explore the depths of volcanic islands, and seek lost civilizations and mystical artefacts. They will face various orcs and ogres, dark angels, and powers intent on disrupting the cosmic balance. But they are not alone—sparks of friendship, beams of courage, and the flag of hope will burn steadfastly.

In this epic adventure, Seraphina and her team will confront not only external threats but also internal struggles and choices. They will learn to unite, to trust one another, and to stand by their convictions. Only in this way can they emerge victorious in the clash between darkness and light.

On the path unknown, Seraphina and her team will advance, challenge destiny, and strive for the universe’s peace. This is a tale of courage, friendship, and hope, a legend of resisting evil and pursuing truth. The prologue is merely the beginning of this grand narrative.

Chapter One:

Serendipity

What is that? A lady in a purple dress was asking.

In a grand hall, a rare four-legged skeleton stood tall, almost reaching the ceiling, resembling a massive animal’s framework. A lady in a purple robe stood before a sign that read South African Zebra, commonly known as the Quagga. The hall was filled with various exhibits, including lifelike glass models of jellyfish.

Suddenly, another woman entered the hall, followed by a group of tourists. She exclaimed, This is the only skeleton of a quagga, which died in 1883, hunted by farmers and fur collectors! This creature is now extinct. But wait, I have more surprises for you. Behold the ‘Ancient Narwhal Tusk’ collected by the Vikings!

As time passed, accompanied by a melodious tune, a female voice announced, Thank you for visiting the museum. The museum will be closing in fifteen minutes. Open from 1 PM to 5 PM on Tuesday to Friday, except for Saturdays. On Saturdays, the opening hours are from 11 AM to 5 PM. Wishing you a wonderful day and looking forward to seeing you again. Thank you, everyone.

As the sun slowly descended, the museum’s doors closed, and the lights gradually dimmed. A security guard, holding a key-chain with iron keys, tapped the floor, producing crisp sounds. He walked through the hall in heavy boots, each step resembling a unique note. Just at that moment, the guard noticed a twisted horn hanging on a display case. He saw a shadow swaying, resembling a monkey with pointed ears. The shadow was fixated on a display box and effortlessly hopped onto a black stool. It reached into the damaged case, picking up a twisted white horn. The display case seemed to melt, surrounded by fine white smoke.

The guard quickly pulled out a black baton and pursued the shadow. He swung forcefully, but the agile figure always managed to dodge from the platform, avoiding the guard’s strikes. Nonetheless, he didn’t give up, chasing the mysterious shadow relentlessly. Eventually, the small figure leapt into a corner, seemingly thinking it had no way to escape.

The guard chuckled triumphantly, saying, Little one, you can’t escape my grasp! You won’t get away now, little one!

The black shadow turned around, staring at the guard, clutching the twisted horn tightly. It exhaled white steam from its mouth, showering the guard’s uniform, neck, and chin. The fibres of the uniform began emitting tiny smoke, followed by disintegration. The guard felt panic, screaming for help. His neck and chin turned red instantly as if they were burning with white smoke. He stepped back a few paces, steadying himself on the floor before falling silent. Then, another guard arrived at the scene but immediately vomited upon seeing the situation. Soon, police officers, medical personnel, and a female journalist arrived. As law enforcement and the media entered the building, the news reporter picked up her camera, standing before the hall.

Facing the camera, she said, I’m Susan, reporting for ABC News. I’m currently at the museum where a gruesome murder has taken place. Late at night, a person was killed in the museum, yet no suspects have been found....

As the news reporter suddenly announced a major story, a group of people watched on the TV screen in front of the hall. An elderly man placed a small radio to his ear, while a video played on his silver phone displaying the latest updates. At that moment, a blind man, wrinkled-faced with white pupils, was eavesdropping on the news from people’s phones around him. Suddenly, he raised his face, exhaled deeply, shook his head disapprovingly, and walked away.

"’Hidden within is the light of its own day, patience endures as the third and fourth await; when the dragon and tiger contend, fate is set, like a sudden turn of spring wind causing gradual surprise; it can be shifted, it can be concluded; only regretting the accumulation of fate’s barriers, hence comes gain and loss.’ The blind man spoke and then turned away."

His cane tapped against the cement ground, and the blind man gradually exited the Aegean Bridge area. At this moment, the bridge had few vehicles, warm seawater surged, and the interwoven light on the sea’s surface seemed to paint a beautiful scene. As nightfall approached, the changing shades of blue in the sky added colour to the artwork. A gentle breeze brushed against the receding tide, and trees seemed to embrace the sea breeze’s caress. The warm glow of the setting sun touched the weathered wooden houses as if caressing a forgotten village. In the distance, a plump rooster let out a crow that echoed across the entire island. Coral reefs scattered across the ocean, displaying a rainbow of colours like treasures of the sea. Children played on the beach, their laughter echoing, innocent happiness like a forgotten symphony.

At the edge of the island, there was a wooden pier surrounded by dozens of 25-passenger wooden boats. Their stern was equipped with rubber tires, elevated above sea level. Passengers disembarked one by one, their footsteps resonating on the pier like symphonic notes.

Among a group of friends, a broad-faced and round-faced young man wore a white shirt and blue beach shorts, with a white cap on his head. Alongside Alan, Xylon, and Abner, he headed from the harbour to the village, carrying backpacks and enthusiastically embarking on their island adventure.

The young man shouted excitedly, We’re finally at ‘Pulau Ubin Island’! We can relax now, no need to worry about exams anymore! The other three laughed upon hearing this, evidently sharing the same sentiment. As time passed, the sun gradually rose, and they arrived at a stretch of rocky beach. Alan, Xylon, and Abner all felt it was an ideal spot. They placed their backpacks down, taking out a fishing tackle box filled with fishing line, bait, hooks, floats, sinkers, line clippers, and a bucket, as well as an extendable fishing rod. However, the scorching sun made their skin feel searing, and sweat dripped like drops of water.

The young man sat uneasily, muttering to himself, Everyone agreed to come to the island to find the snake monster, but now they... Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he quickly said, I need to use the restroom! With that, he hurriedly left.

Alan suddenly felt his throat dry. He looked up and shouted loudly, Finnegan!... However, the figure of Finnegan was nowhere to be seen. Alan stopped in his tracks, his lips pressed tightly, eyebrows furrowed, and let out a loud sigh of frustration.

At the same time, Finnegan was strolling along the road, enjoying the breeze brought by the rubber plantations and coconut groves. He kept saying excitedly, Slipping away with a clichéd excuse, that’s really clever. After walking for a while, he arrived at a granite rock and felt his legs growing a bit tired. He saw a fan-shaped tree ahead and decided to rest under it. But as the young man was about to sit on the straw under the umbrella tree, a sudden gleam caught his eye, a faint light in the distance, dazzling yet sparking his curiosity. So, he stood up, walking towards the direction of the light. He shielded his eyes with his hand, moving forward, and gradually started ignoring his surroundings. Without realising it, Finnegan suddenly stepped into a hole, his heavy body pulled by gravity, quickly plummeting down.

Ah! Finnegan exclaimed. In that instant of mid-air, he desperately waved his arms, trying to grab onto something, but he found himself facing upward while dropping into the pit. Suddenly, his backpack behind him hit something, and his body bounced back. It turned out he had fallen into a dense thicket of shrubs. The young man stretched out his arms, tightly embracing a shrub, then extended his left hand, securely holding onto a small branch at the cliff’s edge, using his feet to find a foothold to stand up. Once he was steady, he leaned against the muddy rock wall and carefully moved along the cliff’s crevice, feeling his way forward.

Finnegan turned his head and suddenly felt a sharp pain in his hand. He glanced at his right arm, then raised his head, noticing a hole above. Sunlight shone into the hole, and involuntarily, the boy’s gaze focused inside the opening. As his eyes gazed around, he walked towards the corner with light, shining the light on his right arm and noticing a slight wound, blood seeping from it.

Looking at the opening of the hole, about three times his height, he was frightened and in a state of panic, repeatedly muttering, I’m going to die!

Then, with a puzzled expression, he added, How can I get out of here?

He shouted at the top of his lungs, Help! After a moment, the sun gradually dimmed, and the hole became darker. He paused to catch his breath.

Then, the young man took a deep breath, pondering, I remember last year during camping, the coach taught me to stay calm in the face of difficulties.

He took a few more deep breaths and thoughtfully said, I’ll stay calm.

Finnegan took another deep breath, his hands behind his back, and pulled out a chrome-plated flashlight the size of a candle. He gently used the flashlight to shine around and saw a faint light appear in the distance, like a stone illuminated from the ground. He walked towards the faint light and found a spiral-shaped grey-white wooden stick, palm-sized, at the sloped corner of the mud-rock wall on the left side. He picked it up and examined it closely. It felt as hard as a stone but as light as a cell phone. As the young man looked up, he realised there was another hole above. Then, he illuminated the stick in his hand with the flashlight, continuing to inspect it. The light reflected off the stick, creating flickers around the tunnel, emitting a rainbow-coloured glow. Just as he was about to figure it out, a gust of wind swept in.

The young man shone the flashlight ahead and discovered a small path leading forward, leading to a cave taller than a person. Without much consideration for how dangerous the cave might be, he walked towards the area where the strong wind was blowing, still holding the crystal rod in his left hand. After walking for about ten steps, he noticed passages on both sides of the ground. The underground tunnels were divided into four parts, with flowing water beneath, streaming into the cave. Finnegan didn’t think much and followed the light in front of him. Ahead, he saw a beam of light, illuminating a patch of grass. The grass was about waist-high, rhizome-like, with loose grass structures. Around them grew clusters of plants with persistent curled leaves, making the grass look green and healthy.

Finnegan thought to himself, Is this the exit?

The young man continued forward, his footsteps feeling smooth as if walking on a paved path. He confidently assumed that the path in the cave must lead to the exit. He quickened his pace until he reached the end of the cave. Looking down, his heart skipped a beat – he was standing at the edge of a cliff where a vast lake below him. The mountain wall stood on the lakeshore, resembling a lake’s edge. It looked like a massive stone wall, equivalent to two Olympic-sized swimming pools. Finnegan frowned and then turned back to the original way he just come from. As he returned to where he had fallen at that place, he looked up at the sky through the Cave hole above him.

He muttered to himself incessantly, Oh my! If I can escape from here, I’ll...

While the young man was praying, the stone in his hand spontaneously started glowing. At that moment, Finnegan was thinking about the tree where he had rested earlier and regretting the curiosity that led him to follow the bright light. Suddenly, the muddy pits and walls around his initial standing spot transformed into open grassland, and standing before him was the umbrella-shaped tree where he had rested. Finnegan looked left and right, his gaze flickering. When he raised his left hand to point at the tree, he noticed that the glowing crystal rod was gradually dimming. He looked at it in surprise and exclaimed, Oh my, could this crystal rod be some kind of teleporter?

Finnegan continued, That’s right, you’re my lifesaver! He immediately kissed the crystal.

He put the flashlight back in his pocket, scratched his head with his right hand, and looked at the stick, saying, What was I saying earlier... I’m escaping... what was it? He paused for a moment, his eyes suddenly brightened, and he continued, Alright! I just need to focus on the tree in front of me. He immediately acted on his words. Finnegan stared at the tree for a while, repeating his previous actions, then stood completely still, and the wind around him also stopped. The young man pursed his lips and calmly said, Perhaps I need to concentrate. He squinted his eyes, focused on the tree, and contemplated. The next moment, he suddenly appeared in front of the tree, his head bumped against the trunk, and he fell to the ground.

Ouch! he exclaimed loudly. Finnegan stood up happily, rubbed his forehead, and muttered, The method of focusing attention really works, it’s so magical, so interesting! Ouch! Ouch! He shook his head, put the crystal back into his backpack, and slowly walked back to meet his friends. Finnegan returned to the stony beach, and Ah Han saw him covered in mud and asked loudly, What happened to you? Xylon asked with concern, Where did you go? We were about to call the police to look for you.

Alan looked at Finnegan’s bleeding right arm, rolled his eyes, and said, You should have just bought some drinks and you’d have been fine! Then he continued to shout, Who brought the first aid kit?

Finnegan answered with a slightly embarrassed tone, I have a first aid kit in my backpack. I went to a nearby restroom to clean up. He had gone to the restroom alone to clean his wound. After a while, he returned. By that time, all four of them found fishing uninteresting, so they decided to head back home. Finnegan also felt disinterested, so he packed his things and went to the pier with the other three, taking the boat back to the other side. Once they reached the other side, the four of them took a bus and went their separate ways.

Back at home, Finnegan eagerly took a shower and placed his backpack by the bedside. After a while, he emerged from the shower, changed into clean clothes, and headed downstairs. The ground floor had a row of shops, including a bakery. He was walking in the direction of that bakery. As he got closer to the bakery, he could smell the rich aroma of peanut butter bread. There were still five shops to go before reaching the bakery. Finnegan arrived at the bakery and saw two women standing at the counter. One was a black-haired woman wearing a yellow floral dress with tied batwing sleeves, and the other was a little girl in a black apron, drinking from a bottle of water in the kitchen corner behind the glass window. The girl had a round face, a high nose, and a black hat atop her blonde ponytail.

The counter attendant noticed Finnegan and asked with a smile, Same as usual? Two toasts with peanut butter? The young man nodded, made a gesture, and hurriedly said, Yes! Absolutely! He smiled at the counter attendant and glanced at the girl in the kitchen.

Finnegan continued, Your handmade bread and cakes are incredibly delicious. The whole area is filled with their aroma.

The young woman smiled sweetly and replied, You’ve been our loyal customer for years! Thank you for visiting us every day. The counter attendant pointed slightly nervously at the wound on the young man’s arm.

Finnegan whispered, I got a little injured on Ubin Island’ yesterday, but I’m fine now.

The cashier lady spoke, Fortunately, the injury wasn’t serious. Be careful next time.

Finnegan nodded, I will next time. Thank you for your concern. At the same time, he handed over the money, and the cashier lady took it and gave him the packed bread.

As he thanked them, he waved goodbye to the two women, and the counter lady waved back. Unfortunately, the other young woman had already turned around to put on her mask and didn’t notice Finnegan’s waving gesture. Walking past other shops, he lowered his head, looking somewhat dejected, and silently returned home.

The next day, Finnegan wore a blue tracksuit, carried his backpack, and took a bus to his destination. An hour later, he arrived at the beach and saw two tall poles with a white banner hanging between them, reading Beach Cleanup Day. A group of people with hats or caps were gathered there, and three tall men and three women in sportswear were waving to the crowd. One of them shouted, We’re glad to see everyone volunteering for the West Coast beach cleanup.

Finnegan went to a folding table where neat transparent garbage bags were stacked, and he began helping distribute the bags to the people. A tall man in a blue shirt and black shorts said to Finnegan, I thought you wouldn’t show up. He continued, Although this group is small, every volunteer who came today is enthusiastic about this event, and they all arrived early in the morning! Finnegan just nodded silently.

Seeing that Finnegan wasn’t speaking, the tall man asked, What’s wrong? You don’t seem happy.

Finnegan answered, No, Jack! It’s just that I wanted to get to know the female baker from the bakery. Even though you’ve been encouraging me to seize an opportunity to ask her, I haven’t had a chance these past two years. He sighed and tightened his lips.

As they spoke while distributing garbage bags to the people in front, a sweet voice said, Aren’t you the person who always comes to our shop to buy bread? Finnegan turned to look and saw the young female baker from the shop, wearing a yellow tracksuit and with a blonde ponytail.

The girl continued with a smile, You also care about nature, that’s nice. She added, See you later. She waved a few times and then turned around with the garbage bag and left.

The boy was very shocked and momentarily speechless, but he waved his hand in response to her. Jack, standing next to him, said, Fate brought you here, huh! He continued, Brother, go ask for her name later, now’s your only chance. The boy nodded while foolishly watching her step by step leaving the counter.

The next person in front of Finnegan was reaching for a garbage bag and then loudly said, Would you mind passing me a garbage bag? He turned his head to apologise to the person and then handed him the garbage bag.

After everyone got their bags, they began picking up cigarette butts, small plastic trash, plastic bottles, metal empty cans, unwanted fishing nets, and other litter along the beach. Finnegan was alone on the beach pulling out a torn fishing net, looking around. The girl suddenly appeared in front of him and asked, Hey, need some help?

Finnegan opened his mouth in surprise, momentarily speechless, but quickly regained his composure and answered, Yes... yes! Thank you. She smiled and reached out her hands, and together they pulled out the whole fishing net.

Then, Finnegan took a deep breath and faced the young girl, saying, Um... I don’t know your name. I... I think calling you by your name would be better. His heart raced, and he smiled simultaneously.

The girl smiled and said, Seraphina!

The boy took off his right glove, then nervously extended his right hand to shake hers, taking a deep breath before saying, I’m Finnegan. They shook hands, saying at the same time, Let’s go clean up the garbage on the right side. The boy felt relieved and then they both laughed for a while before continuing ahead.

During the beach cleaning, Finnegan and Seraphin picked up toy cars, a glass bottle of almost-flat soda water, and someone’s house key. So, they put these items in the garbage bag. On that day, everyone gathered all the collected trash and dumped it into the garbage bin of a garbage truck along with the bags. After completing the cleaning, the crowd went to nearby restrooms to wash and disinfect their hands. After disinfecting their hands, everyone held up snacks and drinks and toasted, while one tall person ran back to the crowd from a tripod camera to take a group photo.

After taking the photo, people went in different directions. At this point, Jack came over to talk to Finnegan, and they introduced each other to Seraphina. Then, Jack slid his eyes to the left and gave Finnegan a meaningful