Etherborn Chronicles: Prophecy and Awakening

By J.N. Love

Etherborn Chronicles: Prophecy and Awakening

PART I: Boy

In the sleepy town of Eldridge, two friends, Chris and Thomas, find themselves entangled in a web of ancient prophecies and mysterious forces. Chris, plagued by cryptic visions, and Thomas, discovering his latent magical abilities, are drawn into a conflict that spans across multiple realms. As they unravel the truth about the Etherborn—a race believed to be the bridge between realms—they come face-to-face with a myriad of challenges, from battling creatures of darkness to confronting their own inner demons.

PART II: The Rise of the Etherborn

The realms are in turmoil, and the duo's adventures intensify. With newfound knowledge and allies, Chris and Thomas strategize to prevent the convergence of the realms—a catastrophic event that would merge realities into chaotic oblivion. Encounters with powerful entities, hidden truths, and the weight of destiny push them to their limits. As they race against time, battling both external foes and internal conflicts, the duo learns the value of sacrifice, the importance of friendship, and the complexities of destiny.

Throughout their journey, the central theme remains: In the face of overwhelming odds, it is hope, resilience, and the bonds of friendship that light the way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.N. Love
• Release date: Oct 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215243619

J.N. Love

Navigating effortlessly between the realms of fantasy and the intricate labyrinths of thriller and mystery, "Josh" has held readers spellbound for more than a decade with his rich and immersive tales. Born amidst the rugged landscapes of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Josh's childhood amidst age-old legends and whispered tales of old kindled an early passion for stories that meld the magical with the mysterious.Josh's travels around the globe have added depth and nuance to his narratives, combining universal myths with his unique interpretive spins.His fantasy tales often draw inspiration from his African roots, blending age-old myths with fresh narrative innovations. In contrast, his thriller and mystery tales dive into the intricacies of human psyche, weaving plots that are both perplexing and enthralling.When not lost in his imaginative worlds, Josh retreats to his mountainside abode, indulging in his love for astronomy and spending evenings with his trusty dog, Atlas. Dive deeper into Josh's worlds.

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Etherborn Chronicles:

Prophecy and Awakening

J.N. Love

R.B. Publishers

Copyright © 2023 R.B. Publishers

All rights reserved

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

Etherborn Chronicles:

Prophecy and Awakening

PART I: BOY

Chapter 1:

Unseen Worlds

Rain cascaded in rivulets from the ornate, gothic spires of Leo Spellman Manor. Each droplet shimmered as it caught the feeble light of a dying day, illuminating the Manor's silent tales of forgotten love affairs, covert council meetings, and untold horrors of a bygone era. The vast, stone edifice was a sentinel, guarding the collective memory of its occupants against the ravages of time.

In a room on the third floor, a gentle glow emanated from an intricately carved lamp, casting dancing shadows on the walls. The room was spacious but cozy, filled with objects of curious nature—vials of glowing liquids, feathers from birds no man had ever seen, and numerous ancient tomes filled with cryptic runes.

Thomas Spellman, a lean boy of 12 with raven-black hair and piercing blue eyes, sat on the room’s bay window, gazing into the distance. His fingers absently twined and untwined, betraying an inner turbulence. To any outsider, it looked as if he was daydreaming, but he wasn’t. He was observing.

There, just beyond the rain, a spectrum of colors not visible to the ordinary human eye danced and swirled. They were auras, life energies of the beings around, living or otherwise.

A whisper, a soft caress of a voice, touched his mind. Why the turmoil, young Spellman? The voice belonged to Eleora, a guardian spirit assigned to him since birth. Unlike humans, she saw the raw, unfiltered Thomas—the soul trapped between two worlds.

I’m tired of feeling out of place, Eleora, he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. Every day, I see things others can’t, hear voices they don’t. Sometimes, I wish I was... normal.

Eleora floated into view, her form that of a shimmering woman in a dress made of the night sky. You have a gift, Thomas, she said gently. One that could change the fate of realms. You should embrace it.

A wry smile played on Thomas’ lips. Easy for you to say. You don’t have to face ‘Ghost Boy’ jibes every day.

At that moment, a knock echoed through the room, breaking the somber atmosphere. Chris Burger, all wild curls and infectious energy, burst in, his eyes wide with excitement. Tom! I’ve got the map to Old Man Jenkins’ barn! They say there’s treasure hidden there.

Thomas sighed, attempting to anchor himself back to reality. Chris, always with his tall tales and wild quests, provided the tether Thomas so desperately needed to the physical world.

Not another one of your harebrained adventures, Thomas groaned, but his eyes sparkled with mischief.

Come on, Ghost Boy, Chris teased with a smirk, using the moniker the school bullies had coined but stripping it of its derogatory edge. Or are you too scared?

The two boys burst into laughter, momentarily filling the room with their youthful exuberance.

Fine, Thomas conceded, swinging his legs off the window sill. But if we get caught, it’s on you.

Chris pulled him into a tight hug. That’s the spirit! No pun intended.

Eleora watched as the two boys scampered out of the room, their laughter echoing in the hallways. A pensive expression crossed her ethereal face. She knew the path ahead for Thomas would be filled with challenges and dark moments. But for now, she was content in the knowledge that he had Chris. Their bond was the beacon that would guide Thomas through his darkest nights.

Outside, as the sun dipped beneath the horizon and darkness draped the Leo Spellman Manor, unseen worlds continued to merge and converse. In this intricate dance of the realms, young Thomas Spellman was destined to play a pivotal role, one that would either bridge the worlds or tear them asunder.

Chapter 2:

The Hospital Days

The scent of antiseptics, a suffocating mix of sterility and sickness, pervaded the air of St. Augustine's Hospital. The rhythmic sound of beeping machines and hushed conversations between doctors and nurses created an ever-present undercurrent of anxiety. The weight of suffering pressed heavily on all who entered, from patients and families to the very staff that worked tirelessly to alleviate the pain.

Thomas Spellman was no stranger to these hollow, linoleum-tiled corridors. But every visit was a visceral reminder of the cruel unpredictability of life. His mother, once a vibrant and lively woman, now lay frail and bedridden, trapped within the confines of room 217. To Thomas, her pale face, overshadowed by the tubing and machinery that surrounded her, was the very manifestation of vulnerability.

On one particularly cold and overcast afternoon, Aunt Sarah, a tall and imperious figure with iron-grey hair, drove Thomas to the hospital. The car ride was silent except for the soft patter of raindrops against the windows.

Arriving at the ward, Aunt Sarah took a deep breath. Remember, Thomas, she whispered, as if sharing a secret, this place, while filled with pain, is also brimming with hope. You must find strength in that.

Thomas nodded, taking her words to heart. But what she didn’t know, what no one knew, was that his experiences in this hospital were unlike anyone else's.

As they approached his mother’s room, Thomas couldn't help but notice the shadowy figures that lurked in the less-traveled corners of the hospital. They weren’t the product of some dim lighting or trick of the eye. They were the 'Vano', enigmatic entities only he could perceive. Sometimes they seemed benign, mere observers in this world of grief. But other times, their intentions seemed far more ominous.

While Aunt Sarah went ahead to speak with the doctors, Thomas seated himself in a dimly lit waiting area. A lone Vano, cloaked in shadow, stood a few feet away, staring intently at him. Unlike the others, this one seemed curious, rather than menacing.

Summoning his courage, Thomas whispered, Who are you?

The Vano hesitated, then replied, its voice echoing as though coming from a deep cavern, We are the watchers of the in-between. We have always been here, seen by few, known by fewer.

Why do you linger in a place like this? Thomas inquired, his fascination overcoming his initial fear.

We are drawn to the thin places, the Vano murmured, where the line between life and death is gossamer. We watch, we wait, and sometimes, we guide.

Thomas thought of his mother, lying so still in her bed, the line between the living and the departed seemingly growing thinner with each passing day. Do you... do you know if she will be alright?

The Vano's dark form seemed to ripple, a sign of discomfort or perhaps contemplation. Her path is not yet clear to us. But we see your pain, young Spellman. You bear a connection to both our world and yours. That is a rare gift.

It was true. Thomas had always felt an inexplicable pull to the unseen realms. Perhaps that’s why he could communicate with these ethereal beings.

Hours passed, filled with intermittent consultations, heart-wrenching sobs from grieving families, and the Vano’s ceaseless watch. Thomas, at one point, found himself in a secluded garden, designed to provide solace to weary souls. He was joined by Chris Burger, who, despite the weight of the situation, still managed to inject humor into even the grimmest of scenarios.

Hey, Ghost Boy, Chris greeted, a hint of mischief evident in his eyes. Think you can spook these hospital ghouls for me?

Thomas chuckled, grateful for the brief respite from the oppressive weight of the