Electusa: Electusa, #1

By Catharina Hernbrandt

In a world ruled by people with powers, where those four kingdoms meet, there is a small kingdom that was never meant to exist– The unspoken kingdom. In that kingdom, humans live. One of those humans is named Evelyn Williams. 

 

Through her best friend– Brandon, she gets thrown into a life of danger. He has stolen the ring of Ventusa. The ring the empress of air owns. If they find Brandon, then he'll be executed. With the whole folk of Air looking for him, it will be soon. 

 

How can Evelyn save his life? Who can she trust? Can she really trust the ones she wants to trust? 

 

In the chaos she meets a soldier that is trying to find Brandon and she almost feels some sort of connection towards him… Everything about him was so… Different… She isn't supposed to feel the way she does, and she hates it. She feels entitled to be with her best friend, but she feels this pull… The soldier– Vincent isn't human. He is one of them– the people who want her best friend dead. She can't trust him. 

 

Will she follow her heart? What does her heart want? In this world of madness, much more will develop and come up from the dust

• Language: English
• Publisher: Catharina Hernbrandt
• Release date: Dec 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223329572

Book preview

Chapter 1

When I first heard the rumour, I couldn’t believe it, but here I am walking into a room and hearing it all over again. He broke the trust of the holy people. Now, he has been sentenced to death. Says an unknown man loudly. I gasp.

W-who is the man again? I ask. Since I didn’t hear the whole thing from the beginning. The man in front of me looks old– he must be in his seventies. He has wrinkles in his face and no hair– he is bald, but his eyebrows are grey. I doubt that I’ve ever seen a man as old or even older than him.

Brandon Chalybe. The man answers sharply.

It felt as if my breath got stuck in my throat. I feel dizzy, the room is swaying. It seems that I can’t get enough air right now, I’m hyperventilating. Devils. I need to calm down, but... Not him please not Brandon, not my best friend. Not my one person in this world, my safety net.

They are going to kill him– for what? How can I ever calm down? I’ve known Brandon since... I can’t remember when he and I became friends– we’ve always been friends. Always.

My best friend has been sentenced to death. Death. Not prison or any other punishment– death. Death is so extreme– so vile. How... How could he ever have been sentenced to that? Brandon is kind, he is sweet and he’s not a killer. How could he get sentenced to death? What could he have done? I know that he hasn’t killed anyone. Sometimes he has a temper, but he could never kill anyone, he would never.

Why? Why is he sentenced to death? I question. My sadness hastily turned into anger. 

He was found trying to steal from the Empress of Air.

From the folks of Air? I mumble. Why the devils would he steal from anyone there? Especially the devilish empress. Everyone in the kingdom I live in knows that she is a pure devil or as they say in her kingdom she’s a god. But, they mean it as anyone would mean god. I call her a devil and if that place is heaven then all I’ve learned must be wrong. Because it’s hell. But yeah heaven. I’ve always said the opposite from what others say because they are no gods, they are pure monsters, they are creatures from what you would call hell. But, they call that place some heaven because they call themselves gods. They’ve got some real arrogance, and they love themselves too much. Really too much. Out of all of them, the empress is the worst– she’s the leader. Just saying that she’s the leader and the worst explains itself. But, she’s the empress of the Folk of air. Not the whole Mundusa.

The kingdom of Mundusa is divided into four different minor kingdoms. Mundusa used to be one entire kingdom on its own, but it was difficult to obtain peace everywhere. Because when every corner of the kingdom is different and has consistently different needs that need to be tended, it costs too much and it is too difficult. Only a great king could manage that. But no great kings were there to save the people.  They say that the true kings were gods and now the emperors and empresses are half gods. But they love to claim that they are gods. I’ve always been hesitant about it all. Simply, if you ask me, it sounds too shady. Well, however, back to the kingdom chat. The kingdom was divided into four different minor kingdoms. They called them the folk of Air, the folk of Nature, the folk of Seas and the folk of Fire.

At the border where the four minor kingdoms meet is another kingdom, the unspoken kingdom. The unspoken kingdom is a kingdom that was never meant to exist. Us humans were supposed to be slaves to the gods. What makes us all different is whether we have power or not, and what kind of power we have.

I’d like to say that it is unfair, but I guess that whoever made this universe had their favourites. Maybe they made a mistake with us humans or... The unspoken thing... They accidentally put too much power in some humans, and that granted them powers. Which would say that us humans weren’t the mistake, but that the so-called god people are.

Who is who? Who is the failure?

Everybody likes to say that humans are. We are seen as weaker, because we are– we are weaker, truly.

I like to think that we are weaker physically, but mentally we are strong as the real gods or whoever created the universe. I’m doubting that the word god fits it. Since what they call a god today is not the real god or gods. I doubt that they created this universe. Which is something that I never can say out loud, if I do then they’ll take only my tongue– if I’m lucky. I’d rather have my tongue than to speak what is probably the truth, even if it hurts.

About a hundred years ago there was a war which made all humans free. We can’t be forced to be a slave. However, the richer families in the whole of Mendusa still has human slaves. They say that the humans came to them of their own free will. But, I doubt it.

Who on earth would ever willingly become a slave that’ll be humiliated every day? The so-called gods are far from kind. They are monsters. We have never ever gained anything good from them and their existence. They’ve never done anything good for us humans. They have never even tried to... For humans, life was truly a living hell a hundred years ago.

So I am very lucky to be here alive right now and not a hundred years ago.

But, what could Brandon have stolen? It doesn’t make any sense at all. Does it ever make sense when it’s about those damn gods? No, it never does. They’re probably idiotically brainwashed, and it’ll all go over soon. Brandon won’t die, right? He didn’t steal anything too valuable. 

What did he steal? I ask. I’m terrified of the answer that I will receive. What could he have done? Brandon, devils. My best friend....

I can’t tell you that. The man answers.

Of course, he can’t. Why would he? It must be something classified as extremely, horribly wicked. But, devils, Brandon isn’t wicked. What is happening? I don’t understand this, at all.

Could he not be redeemed if he gave what he stole back to her? I ask.

I’m afraid, not. We haven’t captured him yet, and with the importance of the thing, he would never simply give it back. He simply said. They haven’t captured him yet. He said the word yet louder than the rest of the words. They are searching for him at this very moment. Devils.

But if I speak to him and find out where it is... Would that help him? I ask, I look up at the man. His grey cape falls further down on his face. 

It would, indeed. But he wouldn’t go unpunished by it. The man says sharply. He sounds angrier with every question I ask. I need to go and find Brandon. I’m afraid that if I ask him more questions, he’ll have me thrown in prison too.

Thank you, for your answers. I tell him and then walk away. Thanks for nothing. He didn’t really answer any of my questions, except confirming that it’s Brandon who they want to kill.

I walk to mine and Brandon’s spot, hoping that he’ll be there.

Our spot is a place out in the woods. There are only a few grey medium large stones there and a fence. The fence is what probably used to mark where the kingdom of fire and air met. The fence has almost been totally destroyed. I lean back on the fence, looking out in the woods to try to see if I see Brandon. I’m hoping that he’ll show up. Every fibre in my body begs for him to show up– to be alright. He’s the only one I have. Both my parents are probably dead. My dad is dead, but I’m not sure if my mum is dead.

I stare at the trees surrounding the area, just staring, not looking after him. All the trees are pretty much pine trees. They are in a shade of dark green-hunter green. I now look up at the sky that has dark grey clouds covering it, waiting for Brandon to make an appearance. The whole sky is in a shade of dark grey, I’ve never seen the sky so grey ever before. It will most likely rain soon. How convenient, I think. It’ll rain, I want to cry, but I’m holding it in. When it starts raining I will be crying, I will be drowning in sorrow. It’ll eat me up, and I’m aware of it, and I hate it. I hate everything right now. I hate that my best friend is going to die most of all.

Do you know the man? I hear a deep voice ask me from behind. I squeal, I turn around and come face to face with a boy from the folks of... Something. He truly is breathtaking. But that is just the charm of their powers. They are also rich and can take care of themselves and health and appearance. But, where is he from? What folk?

You’re trying to figure me out, aren’t you? The boy asks. I analyse his face, he has blonde golden hair. Not red, not like the folks of fire. But he has magic, he isn’t a human. When you are close to a magical person– you feel it. You can feel it in your bones. It is like they have control over you, you can feel a tickling feeling in your bones. You feel compelled as a human to obey them. Some humans fall for their manipulation aura, but those humans are not well. Sick people have the tendency of falling for their tricks easier. His hair has a golden tone to it, like the shadowing of a flame. But it is lighter and his eyes are grey and has a small hint of yellow. Grey eyes mean that they are from the folk of Air. The hair can sometimes fool one if the child is a hybrid, but they say there are no hybrids. If a hybrid is ever born, then they must be killed, it’s common knowledge. Parents teach their children the common knowledges. Every child that is a human hears the same story. Because a hybrid would possess too much power. There is a curse put on all magical people so that if they were to have a hybrid, the child would look like a hybrid, but they wouldn’t be a hybrid. He doesn’t look like a hybrid. He looks more human, but he isn’t a human.

Who is that boy? Boy... He’s no boy though he’s a man, he is maybe a year older than me. Well, he might be, or he might be many years older and doing some odd ritual for it. Maybe he bathes in human blood, I’ve heard that some of the so-called gods do that. Though it’s merely just rumours, it wouldn’t surprise me if it was the truth.

What are you? I ask him.

Who and what I am isn’t your business. Miss...? His words are demanding. He wants me to tell him who I am and what I know about Brandon.

Chelsea. I lied. I can’t tell if he understood it was a lie or not.

Hmm. He huffed. He then scanned my face. I choose not to believe that your parents named you that... I’ll just call you Miss for now, I guess... He said.

Sir, you’re offending me strongly. I wince. If you could get a prize for being a great actress, then give me a prize. I’m one heaven of an actress– shower me in prices and gold, please. Then I can also leave this place and maybe travel from Mundusa and try to find another kingdom long away from Mundusa.

He looks like he is fighting a laugh from what I just uttered, but he remains serious in his expression. Really? He asks.

Really. I answered the young man.

Very well, I’m sorry, Miss. He replies.

There’s something about him. I want to get to know him, discover everything– every little detail– about him. I want to know his name– I need to know it. Maybe it’s because he’s a so-called god, but I’m feeling compelled to get to know him right now. I enjoy his company, and I don’t even know him at all. He just has a safe aura.

I’ve told you my name, so now you must tell me yours. I declare.

I see a smirk forming on his face. Of course, you’re clever. My name is Vincent.

What do you want with the  man you were asking about, Vincent? I ask, tasting his name in my mouth.

He smiles, but only shortly. I like the way my name sounds, coming from your mouth... I’m afraid that the man is wanted for murder. He stole something from my empress.

I’m very aware of that now.  So, you’re a folk of air? What did he steal? I ask, hoping for a real answer this time.

He stole the Ventusa ring. He says slowly. Like he is figuring out why I need to know this and why I want to know it. But he is also trying to figure out why he just told me that. I know now that there is no saving Brandon. But I’ll at least try my best.

Chapter 2

The Ventusa ring is the ring of wind. It has a lot of power in it. But what for Brandon would need it, I have simply not even a clue.

The ring has many stories tied with it. Many child stories have the ring as a sort of hero, the ring saving the day. Without it everybody dies and la la la. All are just lies. That’s what I’ve always thought. How could they put magic into a ring, and how could the ring be used to kill many people? But also how could it, no matter whoever is wearing it, grant the person powers? But, if Brandon stole it then... Devils. The ring does exist. If it does exist, then there is no saving him because that ring is holy.

Devils, I don’t know what to do.  Can I even save him? I want to, but is it possible?

Brandon loves his life, he deserves to live. I hate this life, everything in this life is so unfair. If I have to risk my life to save him, then that is what I’ll do. But, I’ll try my best not to die so that we both can live.

Brandon is my family, I can’t let him die. We’ve always had each other.

I take a deep breath.

The image of Vincent remains stuck in my head. I don’t know why, though. I want nothing to do with Vincent, he has magic. I’m pretty sure he calls himself a god. All the so-called gods has nothing but a big ego.

But he looks like a god, unlike all the others. All of them are beautiful, but Vincent is something else. He is god-like. There was something about Vincent, he was... He was quite... Magnificent? In a way. I hate it because I devour it. I want him to devour me. The thoughts in my head, I hate them. The sense of that I’d let him be the ruin of me is creeping up my spine.

Maybe he’s just strong, and I feel this way because of his power. I should never trust my feelings when it evolves a person with magic. 

I push all the thoughts out of my head. I scream, Brandon! in my head. Desperate, to get the images and thoughts of Vincent out of my head. It almost works, he’s there still, but I can focus on other stuff now. I wonder if the image will burn into my mind and stay imprinted there forever.

Devils, I hope not.

Where the hell could Brandon be?

I can’t stay out all day and search for him. Hell’s sake, he’s such an idiot.

I’ll have to go home and catch my thoughts and try to think of a way to find him.

∞

I open the door to my house and go inside. I take a step onto the brown carpet, it gets darker because of the dirt from my shoes. Leaning on the wall, I take off my shoes. My shoes, that I was wearing, were a pair of black ankle boots. I make a note to myself in my head that I’ll have to wash the carpet later.

I look in the mirror, my light brown hair is wavy and looking like a mess. My eyes are pink, pink like cotton candy. I’ve always been insecure about them, since no human has pink eyes. But, no one with power has pink eyes either. I guess that makes me quite special. Special... I chuckle. When I was younger, I dreamt that I’d be some sort of long-lost princess. That I’d be saved from Mundusa by a prince. Foolish. It was foolish of me, this is real life and I need to accept it. There’s no escaping it.

I yawn, I guess I got tired from searching after Brandon. I open the door to my room and there I see him, sitting on the edge of my bed. Brandon is here.

He stands up, Where have you been? he asks, worried and even a bit angry. Why? Why would he be even the slightest bit angry at me? I should be the one to be angry, he is the foolish one.

Are you really asking me that? I was out all day searching for you! A soldier came here and told me that you were wanted for theft. I had to find you, instead I found someone else who told me what you stole. I look him in the eyes, Why the devils would you steal the Ventusa ring?  I snap.

His expression becomes shocked. He clearly thought that no one would tell me what he stole. Why did they tell you? No one in their right mind would tell you, who told you? He shouts.

No one in their right mind would tell me, he said. By that he meant that no one would tell me because they think that humans want power. The Ventusa ring is powerful, the person wearing it would be immortal and protected by the power of Air, they say in some stories. If they told people, they are afraid that it would start a revolution. They know that humans are clever, we don’t have magic, but we have a mind.

I simply asked. I say quietly.

Who? Who did you ask? He repeats.

A man who was searching for you. I confess, though it doesn’t feel like a confession.

He just told you? Just like that? He huffs, Are you lying to me? he questions.

Why... Why would I lie to you? You know that I’m telling the truth– why would I be lying? I ask him. It doesn’t make any sense for him to accuse me of lying, what is up with him?

No one just simply tells you that information, Eve. You know it and I know, especially if you are human– which we both are! He says loudly and dramatically. 

Well, he told me. I don’t know why, but he did, and I’m not lying to you. You are my best friend, I wouldn’t lie to you, and you should know that... But clearly you don’t. I say, my anger starts to build up. I can’t believe he would start an argument with me right now after what he did. He stole the Vetusa ring, for devils sake. Not me, he stole it.

I don’t know if I believe you. He simply answers.

I stare at him for a long time before I say anything. Did he really just utter those words? What in the devils is going on? You are not sure if you can believe me? You stole the ring of Ventusa, Brandon! Are you for real? Devils. What on earth is up with you? I questioned him.

You weren’t supposed to know that I stole it. He says quietly.

Why?! I shout at him.

He turns around to face the wall. Because! He shouts, he knows that I want more of an answer, so he starts to talk finally. He said: I like you, Eve. You know I do. We don’t love each other in a romantic  way, but I would rather be with you for the rest of my life. I believe that we could fall in love with each other, if we gave it a chance. You and I we’ve always messed around and talked shit about everyone with power. Therefore, I thought that it would be nice to propose to you with the ring.

Why didn’t you do that now, then? If you have the ring, and I’m here– you could've proposed before I started questioning you. I said.

I started wondering if he really had the ring. Did he try to get it and fail, but just because he tried– they want to have him killed?

No, I tell myself. He would have strongly denied having the ring if that was the case. He never denied it, so he has it. But if he wanted to propose with it, then why didn’t he?

Did he... What if he put it on himself when he stole it– to keep it safe until he could give it to me. Then, when he did that he loved the power, he thought the ring was a fake myth, but it was real. Wasn’t it? Devils. I have him all figured out.

What if he becomes obsessed with the power, what if he’ll steal every jewellery every minor kingdom has? He’ll become mad, won’t he? I could stop it now, I could turn him in. But he is my best friend and I could never turn him in, I know it. I don’t have a heart of stone.

Did you put the ring on your finger? I asked him, since he never answered my questions.

No, I kept it in my pocket. He answers.

The ring’s power... Did you feel it through your pocket? Did you feel attached to the ring? I ask calmly, I don’t want to push it. I know not much about the ring, I have heard stories when I was younger about people going mad from the power of the ring. There are so many children's stories and most of them contain the ring of Ventusa in it.

No, I would’ve had to put the ring on me to feel the power. It has the same feeling as when you are near someone with magic, but the feeling in your bones is stronger. 

That makes sense. I say.

Yeah. Is all he replies.

So? I ask.

So– what? He replies.

Where is the ring– you know I won’t tell a soul where it is if you tell me. I say.

They could force the information out of you, it’s better if you don’t know. He says with a troubled look. I get it now, why he stole the ring, Brandon and I made a promise. If both of us were single and never found someone, we’d marry each other. We would learn to love each other. We already care for one another deeply. He got the ring for me, he is going to propose.

You were going to give the ring to me when you proposed– what changed? I ask.

I thought it all was a damn myth. But it isn’t. He says.

You went through all  that trouble for a myth? I mumble. It is extremely difficult to steal anything from someone with power, and he stole the artefact that should be impossible to steal.

I thought that even if it was real, it wouldn’t be so strong. I can’t give it to you, I don’t know what it would do to you. He says, he turns around, and his eyes meet mine.

Why didn't you give the ring back then? They will kill you for this– you are a wanted man now, Brandon.

I left the ring where I knew it wouldn’t be found. We need to change the world, the world we live in isn’t fair.

Chapter 3

I stare at him blankly. You... I start but then stop. Who would wear the ring then? I continued.

He stares at me for a few seconds before he answers. You. You would, when the time is right. I don’t know how the ring’s power would affect you. Therefore, when you use it, I would want to be near you so that I can rip the ring off your finger if needed. If you were to wear it, then you would only wear it for a short time because we don’t know how it’ll affect you. He says.

Why me? Now that you know that it has powers for real and the powers are strong– why me? I ask him.

Because, you are the strongest person I know. You are stronger than me, mentally. I know that you are  the only one who could use the power for good and not be selfish. You could control the power. He says.

∞

Brandon left an hour ago because he started getting worried that someone would notice that he was here. Because, people know that he and I are best friends. This is where people would search for him.

I take a deep breath. I don’t know how I can help him.

Suddenly, I hear someone knocking on my door. I’m not sure