Aegis: The Frozen Throne: The Aegis Series (An Action/Adventure Contemporary Fantasy Saga)

By Nathan Roten

How do you win against someone who has nothing left to lose?

The battle for the Outposts is over, but a new battle for ultimate power is just beginning. Fate has a way of weaving treacherous webs even within Graham's own family. Skyle, his newly-discovered brother, is a shattered soul whose mind and body have been tortured and twisted by Victus experimentations. In a race against time, Graham and his team must venture deep into the heart of danger, seeking to unearth the secrets hidden within Skyle's tortured past.

Graham must navigate a world where loyalty and betrayal are two sides of the same icy coin. Failure would be catastrophic. If Graham fails to persuade Skyle to divulge his secrets, he risks falling into the clutches of Victus. And in their hands, his prophesied power could become a weapon of unparalleled destruction, a force to annihilate Aegis and pave the way for Victus's rule over humanity.

But the true battleground lies in the icy depths of an underground facility beneath the frozen tundra of Greenland, where Graham will face the ultimate test of his power. Here, the fate of the world will be decided. Will he find the strength to face his own flesh and blood, unravel Bale's sinister plan, and save humanity from the brink of oblivion? Or will he, too, be consumed by the shadows that threaten to engulf humanity? The answers await in this gripping tale of prophecy, family, and the relentless battle between good and evil.

"The Frozen Throne" takes readers on an unforgettable adventure that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. It's a captivating tale that combines the best of fantasy and magic realism, where the boundaries between good and evil blur and bonds of brotherhood are tested while delivering a powerful coming-of-age story where a young boy's extraordinary abilities may be humanity's last hope.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nathan Roten
• Release date: Nov 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9780990637868

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Published by: 12stone Press

Edited by: Jonathan Wright

Cover Design by: 12stone Press

Interior Layout by: 12stone Press

ISBN-13: 978-0-9906378-6-8

Find out more at www.AegisSeries.com

Keep in touch with Nathan at:

www.NathanRoten.com

Cast Of Characters

AEGIS

Alex - Immortal leader of the Aegis Group, who also serves as Graham’s mentor.

Cavaness Foster - A mostly callous and abrupt man who has a reputation in the town for having special powers. Cavaness holds command under Alex as a highly-developed Pusher.

Chase Campbell - A sarcastic twenty-one-year-old who has taken Graham under his wing. Chase was also a former resident of Greenwood and the one to extend the invitation to the others to be a part of Aegis, persuading them by revealing his power as a Surge, one who can move and think at incredibly high speeds.

Brian Murphy - An equally as sarcastic member of Aegis and Former, a gifting that allows him to form objects out of energy and use them in a variety of ways.

Eric Branson - Formal military Green Beret. Eric has the power of a Spark, one who can create and use electricity for his own purposes.

Olivia Winstone - Strict Matron of the Greenwood Orphanage, who was revealed to be a valuable member of the Aegis team, using her Former powers and surveillance skills to track down Graham’s brother, Skyle.

Jael Farro - A strong leader and Lumos expert from the Raven Outpost who joined the Aegis team when her facility was destroyed.

Adrian Garcia - The Regional Director of the Albatross outpost and trusted leader of Aegis. He is gifted as an Aquatic.

Marcio Torres - The Regional Manager serving under Adrian, who nearly died, but was rescued in The Rift. He continues to serve alongside Adrian in their new facility in Colombia with the same Aquatic gifting.

Lucas Pia - Served alongside Corbin at the EagleEye outpost and is a skilled Snype marksman.

Graham Dawson - A fifteen-year-old orphan from Greenwood Orphanage who once struggled to keep a mysterious power hidden, has now been shown to have a remarkable and unique power called The Aegis.

Damien Ortega - Eccentric best friend to Graham and Aquatic- one who has the power to summon and command water.

Kel Stewart - A strong-willed orphan from a different Orphanage- Oak Ridge, because of a tragic car accident. Kel discovered she has the gifting of a Pusher, the ability to push energy into solid surfaces.

Ailey Bennett - The youngest of the group of children that has been through Catalyst Grove and basically a sister to Kel. Shy and caring, Ailey’s is a Bridge that can connect other people’s giftings together through physical touch.

VICTUS

Bale - The leader of Victus and immortal enemy of Aegis and Alexander.

Silas Serene - Right-hand man to Bale and powerful Former, who leads his armies into battle.

Kyla Dora - Brian Murphy’s cousin who is one of Bale’s lieutenants and is also a Former.

Corbin Blanche - A New Orleans native, originally an Aegis member, who turned against Aegis and joined Victus in The Rift.

Sonia Rocamora - Corbin’s long-time partner who joined him in turning against Aegis.

1

The Color of Morning

A white, thin, older man stands in the kitchen staring at the dimpled kettle on the stove.

A watched kettle never boils, dear, said an elderly lady rocking on the back porch.

So I’ve been told before, the man replied, smiling.

He turned around to grab a slice of toast that had just popped out of the top of the toaster resting on the large kitchen island countertop. He whistled an old tune while scrapping butter and marmalade across the nearly burnt surface. The morning sun was beginning to rise over the bay, and its rays filled the large picture windows on the opposite end of the room. As he was screwing the lid back on the marmalade jar, the kettle behind him began whistling.

Didn’t I tell you? said the lady outside.

Yes, Gladys. Your wisdom knows no limits, my dear.

And neither does your sarcasm, my love, she said with a playful smile. Come on outside, Roy, or you’ll miss the best colors. It only lasts a few minutes, you know.

Coming, dear.

Roy held a steaming cup of tea in one hand and a small plate of toast circled by a few rose petals in the other. He set them down on the small table beside her rocking chair and kissed her on the top of her head. He then sat down in the rocking chair on the other side of the tea and toast.

Where’s yours?

Oh, I’m fine. Last night’s dinner is still sitting heavy. Roy went back inside and returned a few moments later with a cup of coffee. He sat down, put the cup on the table, and folded his hands over his belly, letting out a sigh of complete contentment while he rocked.

It’s amazing how beautiful it is. The Ancient’s handiwork, it is. Not even Bob Ross could paint something like that, huh, dear? I wish Monnie, Patti, and the boys would have stayed another day or two. It was good having the whole family under the same roof again.

It sure was, replied Gladys. It must have been five years since all four were here. They haven’t seemed to miss a beat. The girls even pulled some ragged old stuffed animals from the attic. Can you believe those things are still holding together? I think they’re as old as you are, and that’s saying something.

Now who’s got the sarcasm?

Gladys giggled at herself and nearly spilled her tea.

My goodness―did you see the look Chuck gave Monnie while we were washing dishes? It reminds me of when he was only a few years old and was so disappointed that the neighbors didn’t take her in when he tried to give her away. Do you remember that?

Roy chuckled. Wow, now that was a scene! That little boy simply did not want a sister, did he? No, I think he wanted a refund or something. I don’t think she has ever let him live that down.

Nor should she. Just given away like an old shirt. I wonder what our neighbor thought of us.

Roger loved us. Roy reached for Gladys’ hand. What’s not to love, right?

Gladys squeezed Roy’s hand, smiled, and turned back to the sunrise.

The sun was now a full orange orb, suspended just above the horizon, casting a purple hue over the surrounding coastline and climbing mountain range. The two sat silently for the next few minutes enjoying the sunrise together.

Gladys had retired from teaching school over ten years ago. Ever since Roy retired from the university, this was their morning routine. For over six years they had been starting their days with the sunrise and each other: rain or shine.

Do you remember when that row of warehouses was a grocery store and butcher shop? said Roy, breaking the silence.

Yes, I sure do. You and the kids always wanted those big, fat hotdogs Ken always sold. I declare—your hotdog obsession is what kept that man in business.

Well, hotdogs were the cheaper option. I really wanted the ribeye, but teachers’ salaries weren’t exactly raking it in for us.

No, those were hard times, especially when the kids were young. Between food and the kids’ sports, we didn’t have much for anything else, did we?

No, but then again, money isn’t the only valuable thing in this world. I’m so thankful that your dad kept that old boat. It was just strong enough to pull a skier on the back. So many memories were made out there in that bay. You grew up there, our kids grew up there, and if I remember right, we had our first date there. That was the day your world turned for the better, didn’t it, dear?

Oh, hush, said Gladys, taking a bite of toast.

Roy chuckled again and took the last sip of his coffee. He looked over at her teacup.

Need a refill?

Gladys glanced at the bottom of her cup. Oh, yes, please. Thank you, honey.

Roy braced on the arm of the chair and stood to his feet. He grunted as he turned to go inside.

Everything okay?

Roy held his side. Yes, just that nagging pain in my hip. Nothing to be concerned with. You know how it comes and goes.

This too shall pass.

Well, I wish it would pass on by and not look back.

As he stepped over the threshold into the house, an ear-splitting explosion erupted in the distance so strong that it knocked him over onto his stomach. Gladys sheltered her eyes from the intense light, trying to cup her ear with her shoulder to block the sound.

Roy scurried to his feet, cutting his hand on the shattered mugs. However, he didn’t seem to notice as he ran like an Olympic athlete to his wife. He blocked out the light with his body and checked her over.

You okay, babe? You okay? he asked, voice quivering.

Y-yes, I believe so. She looked down at her shaking hands and noticed a small streak of blood on her leg. But you aren’t. You’re bleeding!

Roy noticed the cut on his hand and dismissed it completely.

It’s nothing. Just a small cut. What on earth happened?

Roy turned around and stared at something that didn’t seem real. Smoke plumed to the right side of the bay. An entire section of the mountain range had been blown off. Fire and earth filled the sky above the new crater that was now sunken where an area of the mountain used to be. They both remained there in another round of silence, looking at a new set of colors that filled the sky. Instead of majestic beauty, however, they were witnessing horrific destruction, the polar opposite of the view they had loved so much. Sirens began howling in the distance.

Gladys looked up at Roy in complete disbelief. Roy, what is happening?

2

Number Sixteen

Three hours before . . .

Are you kidding me? An oil rig this time? said Damien. When are they going to stop this garbage?

When they win―so that means pretty much never, said Kel. Now be quiet and focus.

Hey, this is game time. No talking. Only listening to my orders―got it? said Murphy.

The stealthy black speedboat was only about five minutes from the dock. Brian held his arm up, activating the bendable screen wrapped around a wire frame attached to his forearm. It was a new piece of tech Branson had created. All the others did the same on theirs. The schematics of the oil rig graced their screens with green lines leading the way from each of the two exterior doors to the engine control room at the center of the structure.

Best way in is on the main deck. Intelligence says this rig was shut down a month ago due to a malfunction with the mud pump. The company knew it was potentially faulty, so they wanted to save face by keeping it quiet when the pump blew. The staff was given paid leave and asked to disembark, so anyone we see on that rig is Victus. Don’t let their clothing suggest otherwise.

Everyone nodded.

There won’t be many. Just a handful to ensure we don’t interfere, so let’s ease in and out as quickly as possible. Complete stealth is best, but incapacitate if necessary. Understood?

Yes, but what about our approach? asked Graham. Won’t they see us coming?

No. Alex has equipped the boat with the same type of veil as the Outposts. We’ll slow down in a minute so our wake won’t give us away. Remember―Branson’s intel suggests a detonation at sunrise. That’s 6:00 a.m. That’s only three hours from now. We have to work fast. Chase and I’ve got the transit mirrors in the bags for a quick escape if needed, but we have to disarm the explosive first. We can’t let this thing blow.

Copy that, said the assembled team. Graham, Kel, Damien, Ailey, Jael, and Chase all scattered around the boat for one final check of their gear. Graham looked at his team, worried and proud at the same time. They had come such a long way in just six short months since the fall of the Outposts. They had gelled increasingly as a team with each mission, and he still couldn’t believe they trusted him with their lives. Over and over again, for over fifteen missions, Chase had worked with him to lead a team into dangerous situations, but they had come out on the other side unbruised and victorious. This was mission number sixteen. It was unthinkable that less than a year ago they were all just lonely orphans with nothing better to do than play kickball.

The boat slowed significantly, and they could all see the white rig standing boldly and prominently against the contrast of the night sky.

You know your team’s entry points, said Murphy, recapping. Jael will help us reach the lower deck without being seen. Follow your prescribed routes. Stay active on the COMs. Don’t put yourself at unnecessary risk.

As the boat reached the side of the structure, Jael stretched out her hands toward the floodlights that provided light for the lower deck. Each one was quickly snuffed out, covering the team in total darkness. Chase moved in blurs to secure the boat to the side of the rig while everyone else climbed the ladder to the metal platform above. They poured out onto the deck and clustered into two teams. Murphy took Graham, Ailey, and Damien, while Chase led Jael and Kel.

The layout was simple on the lower level since the complex machinery was on the main deck above. There were only a series of meeting rooms in the middle. The living quarters and the mess hall were to the right and the control room to the left, nestled between two engine rooms.

Murphy’s team would go down the hallway past the living quarters checking for Vics, while Chase’s team would need only to navigate past the first engine room, meeting in the middle. Murphy motioned for Graham to open the door to the hallway, which led past the mess hall and living quarters. Graham peeked through the round window for any sign of a patrol. Seeing no one, he grabbed the knob and pulled the door open. Murphy knelt and threw a fistful of tiny orbs on the ground, scattering them in all directions like startled fish, some down the hallway and others underneath every available doorway.

Murphy then squatted beside the door, out of sight, while the three kids gathered around him. Ailey placed her hands on each of his shoulders, catalyst bands fully radiant. Graham and Damien placed a hand on Ailey’s shoulders, connecting their vision to Murphy’s orbs. Everyone’s eyes had changed to a deep amber color as they focused on what the orbs were showing them. The mess hall was empty. Most of the bedrooms were vacant, but toward the end of the hall they could see four rooms with four people in them. Three were in the living quarters and one in what appeared to be a tiny bathroom. Their forms were visible in an array of colors depicting their body heat. These were not standard personnel because no one was sleeping, and each was positioned at the door, ready and waiting. The meeting rooms were all clear. Murphy tried sending a few orbs into the engine room, but the door was completely sealed. They would have to improvise when they got there. Satisfied, Murphy dissolved the spheres. They all stood to their feet and ran silently into the hallway.

Chase led his team past the first engine bay, squat-walking under the circular window of the engine room door on their way to the control room. If they could make it there, they could access the video feeds of the entire facility and know where every Vic was stationed. Jael grabbed the handle of the control room door but couldn’t make it budge. It was locked. Chase knelt beside her, pulled up a schematic of the rig’s interior doors on his screen, and held it up for the other two to see. Kel glanced at it, noting the wheel’s position in the center, which operated the two vertical levers that bolted the door at the top and bottom of the framing.

You’ve got this, Kel, said Chase. The wheel turns counter-clockwise from the inside to unlock. Just take a second to dial in your trajectory.

Kel nodded, studying the blueprint for another few seconds.

Okay, I think I have it.

Kel stood at the left-hand side of the door, placing her hand midway up where the wheel should be on the other side.

"This will make some noise. Where’s Murphy’s team?

Murphy turned to the kids. We have a clear path forward through the office space. I see no heat signatures, and we’ll completely bypass the four hostiles. Ailey, do you sense anything else? Any dark Victus vibes like you did at Raven?

Ailey rubbed the scar on her neck and shook her head.

Good.

Murphy took the lead and navigated past cubicles and glass meeting rooms. The next left took them toward the second engine room. He whispered in his throat mike.

Rounding the corner toward engine bay two. We have hostiles in the living quarters, but we were able to get by them undetected. Over.

Chase replied on the other end. Copy that, but you must circle back to those hostiles. We need to open the door to the control room and it ain’t gonna be as stealthy as you. Can you hold them off?

We can handle ‘em. Give us a few minutes to get in place. Tell Kel she can begin on my mark.

Copy that, Eagle One.

Really? Right now? Come on, Chase.

Just get into position, Eagle One.

Murphy rolled his eyes at the grin he knew was on Chase’s face. He signaled for the others to follow him to where the Vics were patiently waiting so he could give them further instructions.

All right, guys. It’s like we thought. They’ll have to unlock that door, which will likely make some noise. We need to take care of these guys when they hear the racket. When that happens, we need to make sure they all come out at the same time. I’ve got an idea.

Okay, we’ll follow your lead, said Graham.

Murphy nodded and spoke into the COM unit. "Chase, you’ve got a green light to pop that lock.

3

Red Dawn

Kel closed her eyes in concentration, trying to see the wheel’s location and the levers in her mind. She took a deep breath, clenched her teeth, and pushed a small burst of energy into the door. It rippled through to the metal frame and hit the wheel at an upward angle, turning it slightly. The sound of the abrupt turn was audible but not loud enough to draw attention. Kel exhaled and relaxed her shoulders a bit.

Nice hit, girl! whispered Jael.

Don’t thank me yet, replied Kel.

She took another deep breath and pushed another bit of energy into the door, this time at a slightly lower angle. The wheel turned more but with a significantly louder metal grinding noise. Kel winced, but Chase encouraged her to keep going. Another push of energy flowed, followed by another screech of metal.

Keep it up. If they hear us, they hear us. Try a few rapid-fire bursts and get this thing open, said Chase.

Kel nodded. Three or four rounds of machine gun-like pulses of energy turned the wheel enough to move the levers and unlock the door, but it came with a high price. Anyone stationed on the lower level would have heard that.

I’ll make the first sweep of the room. Jael, say the word, and we will close our eyes while you do your thing.

Footsteps could be heard behind the doors of the living quarters. Murphy signaled Ailey to sprint down the hallway to open the exit doors. Graham and Damien held an outstretched hand toward each of the four doors concealing the Vics and fired in unison. Their blasts blew the doors off their hinges, knocking the men back into the room, but that didn’t deter them for long. All four of the Vics ran into the hall, ready to retaliate. As soon as they were together, Murphy formed a cube of energy around them, trapping them inside. He was thrilled to see his plan work but was quickly puzzled at what, or rather who, he saw. Damien looked past the cube and into the bathroom, confirming a clear line of sight to the water lines for the sink, toilet, and shower. Graham fired bursts at all three, breaking all the water lines. Damien quickly commanded the water to hurl toward the captives.

Ailey returned to his side after running back to him through the office space.

Murphy, now! shouted Damien.

Murphy shook away his confusion and quickly caused one wall of the cube to dissolve, allowing the powerful flow of water to fill it. Ailey then ran behind the boys and braced her hands squarely in the middle of their backs. Graham pushed his energy levels higher, strengthening Damien’s water surge. The growing intensity caused the cube and the men inside to be propelled down the hall, through the open door, and onto the lower deck. Damien was close behind, sprinting beside the steady stream of water. When he saw that the energy cube was close to the edge, he stopped the water flow from the bathroom and refocused his power on the sea. With hands raised high, he commanded waves to stand and sweep Murphy’s energy cube off the deck, carrying the four Vics out to sea.

When the cube was well out of sight, Damien gave Murphy a thumbs-up, and he dissolved the cube. He then turned back to the flooded bathroom. He knelt beside the water lines, formed glowing orbs in his hands, cupped them over the broken pipes, and crimped them closed to stop the water flow. Then he stood to his feet and radioed Chase.

Hostiles neutralized, but we made a pretty good racket ourselves. You in yet?

Chase was busy searching a set of cubicles when Murphy’s call came over the radio, pulling a chair to the side as he replied.

Yes, we’re in, but no sign of an explosive device yet. It doesn’t look like they were going for the engines.

Can you get eyes on the monitors? Maybe you can find it on the video feeds.

Jael is working on getting the system fired up. Why don’t you get topside and have a look while we scour the feeds?

Copy that.

Jael continued to peck at a keyboard while Kel looked around the room. Some heavy plastic crates in the back corner piqued her interest. She popped the two clamps that secured the lid to the rest of the trunk and looked inside.

Ummm, Chase—you may want to see this, she said with a hint of panic.

Chase jogged over and pulled out a black flag about the length of a dinner table with the Aegis sun at the center and the words NEW WORLD ORDER written underneath in red spray paint. Chase threw it to the floor and pulled out an identical flag. Frustrated, he pulled the crate down to the floor, spilling another ten folded black flags. Kel picked up another flag to investigate.

They are setting us up, said Chase, seething.

Jael had found the links to the video feeds, but instead of seeing a dozen shots of the various rooms of the rig as she expected, only two images filled the screen in front of her. She looked up above her and saw one of the cameras pointing directly at Kel, who was holding up one of the flags. The other was of the main shaft of the drilling rig with a giant explosive strapped to it. The red dot on both screens confirmed that this was a live feed transmitting to who knows where.

No . . . no, no, no, no, no! Kel, put that thing down!

Chase turned around and saw what Jael was looking at.

On, man. We’ve got to go right now. Come on! Chase scooped up a flag, shoved it into his bag, and led the other two out of the control room and toward the stairwell to the upper level.

Murphy, we’ve been set up. Get to the base of the main drilling tower. The bomb is on the Drawworks.

The what?

The Drawworks. That large tower-like structure on the top deck.

What? Why there? That doesn’t make sense.

It does if their goal isn’t to compromise the oil lines. They want part of this rig to stay intact so the feds will find evidence that we did this.

Us . . . why? I don’t understand. You know what? Never mind. Just meet me topside at the draw-thing, and we’ll go from there.

Chase and the girls darted out of the room and up the stairs to the top deck. Murphy was already at the tall metal structure, analyzing a thick, black cube strapped to one of its legs. Kel joined Graham at one end