Goddess Trials

By Erik Kristofer Lucero

Centuries ago the Master of Darkness, Morloke ruled all of the realms. The guardians of the realms, The Eternal Ones, fought to send him to a prison realm. Upon his release, Goddess Taloni confronts him and loses her powers. Now she must face the Goddess Trials to regain them. With Kristof's help she will travel the realms to solve puzzles, fight her fears, and learn what it means to be an Eternal One. If she fails, her realm will fall to the Master of Darkness once again. Through strength, courage, and love she must survive the Trials and restore her powers, or lose those she loves forever.(Warning: Contains adult themes and material)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Erik Kristofer Lucero
• Release date: Jan 23, 2024
• ISBN: 9781536803839

Erik Kristofer Lucero

Not so long, long ago in a not so far, far away kingdom Erik Lucero was born in California. Growing all over the gave him an imagination like no other. Like any typical boy he wanted to play baseball, until he realized athletics was not his strong suit. He turned his head toward creating stories in his mind. When he finally decided to start writing it was poetry with his own style. He collected his poems into one file before his next idea Heroes of the Prophecy came to him. Heroes spent 10 years on his mind before he put finger to keyboard to bring its world to life.Bouncing through different ideas he enjoys reading to help bring in new inspirations. Ki-ky the Cat was brought to life through the inspiration of his children. While finishing the first of Ki-ky's adventures he returned to school to an even different direction, Teaching. Using his love to storytelling and his child like nature he felt his future in spreading his love of words to children.His time now spent living in Florida with his family he continues to create and bring forth new worlds and characters. As his worlds continue to growyou the reader will have new places to visit. Now we return to you explore his site and learn about his works.

Book preview

One

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Her bare feet slipped over the grass as she wondered the meadow trying to feel the magick flowing from it. Her blue robes flapping while her wings flutter with the breeze. A ring of daisies circles her midnight black hair. Eyes like the clouds during a summer storm scanning the horizon as she felt a rumble.

She looked as the sky darkens in the distance while night began to fall. Though she knew the sun was going down, the darkness she felt was not caused by the night sky. Something in the air tingled along her skin. A feeling that someone or something was preforming dangerous and dark magick. She closed her eyes trying to sense the reason. To the west, there was a strange tug that confused her as to what it was. Pressing her hands together she concentrated quietly on that pull.

A scream shot out into the evening sky. Opening her eyes she realized it was herself that she heard. Trying to regain the vision she stared into the distance. Her hands shook as she shivered with fear. The land cried for her but she had to disconnect with it. Pulling shoes out of a pouch attach to her belt she slipped them on as she felt the pull lessen. Taking one last look westward she signed before she closed her eyes. What she felt and what she saw in her vision disturbed her. What it could mean scared her more.

As she unfurled her wings she began to flap them and rose into the air. Scanning the horizon she found the direction the source of the darkness was coming from.

I’ll go and check this out then report back to mother. Hopefully, this is just is nothing more than an uneasiness. Launching herself toward the dark feelings she flew as fast as she could.  She flew for several mile until she saw an unnatural smoke coming from an open field. A bonfire rose high into the sky giving her a warning. She back winged to slow her decent as she landed softly. Noticing several bushes nearby, she slowly moved behind them to watch.

The bonfire danced in the waning sunlight. The circle drawn in the sand around it freshly done. The cool air of the coming night settling over the land. A hooded figure stood on the north point at the edge of the circle facing into it. The book in is hand opened midway.

I, Kolmar, a follower of the dark ways. Have come to this place and time to call upon the Master of Darkness. Hear my words. The man began to walk counterclockwise on the outside of the circle. I open this circle to the realm of evil. I consecrate this land to give to the Master of Darkness.

As he finished walking the circle the fire blazed higher into the sky. With the elements of nature, I bring you back into the world. Come Master of Darkness. Show the world your true power. Bring the world under your control as it was centuries ago. Come to us Morloke, Master of Darkness. The fire danced higher into the sky as it blazed brightly then turned black as a loud laugh came from it.

Hiding behind a bush she had to cover her mouth to keep from gasping too loud as she saw a creature floating above the dwindling fire. Once it floated down to the ground she got a better look at it. Red skin glistens in the light of the fire. Two spiral horns pultruded from its head just above its ears. Its hand ended in talons while its feet, though human like, were daemon. As it steps onto the grass a hooded figure brought up a robe for it. As it turned away from the fire she could see it more clearly.

It can’t be. She whispered. She knew this creature from the stories her mother used to tell her and her sisters.

My daughters, in all the realms you will wonder never forget what I am to tell you.  Centuries ago we, the Eternal Ones, fought a ‘Great War’ against a foul creature known as Morloke. When he grew to power he brought darkness across the land. For nearly three hundred years we battled him to diminish his power. Many lives were lost both human and Eternal Ones. The Great Forest King found a spell to destroy Morloke so we made our final attack. She sighed. It was that battle that your father was wounded. We pushed Morloke back to the Kaldrum Mountains. After gathering all our energies we preformed the spell only to banish him instead of destroying him. Now I tell you this to warn you. We must always watch for signs of his return and hope it never comes.

It will be a great day when I destroy the Eternal Ones and take control of the realms. I will watch them kneel at my feet before killing them all...He turned toward her. And I’ll start with this one. A flick of his hand brought her flying forward landing at his feet. Just as she started to get up he stepped on her holding her down onto her back. Well, well, well, we have a little Goddess here. He pressed down harder. Come to stop me. As you can see you are too late. The Eternal Ones made a mistake trying to imprison me.

You are right about that. We were trying to destroy you.

He tilted his head back and laughed. You think your pathetic powers can harm me. It would take more power than you possess to finish what they started. Hell, it would take more power than any of you possess to stop me. But I will spare your life if you choose to be my bride. Together we can rule the realms. Then he grinned.

She spits at him. I will never be your bride. I would rather die.

He laughed again That can be arranged. I’ll kill you and leave your corpse for all to see than the realms will know that I, Morloke, am back to reclaim what is rightfully mine. He pushed his foot into her throat causing her to struggle for breath. Grabbing his foot she poured her power into her hands forming heat. Growling he jumped back allowing her to get to her feet.

You may kill me, but you will never control the realms again. We will fight until the last.

I’m counting on it. She shot a lightning bolt at him. He stumbled back while she shot another bolt. He swatted it away as she shot another. With each lightning bolt she shot at him, he swatted it away with little effort. Then next one he hit back toward her slamming it into her chest causing her to flay back. He was on top of her before she could move.

A nice exercise but now I’m through with you. I will enjoy taking your life. He said with a grin while standing over her. He grabbed her wrists in one hand and placed the other on her chest. It began to tighten as she could tell he was drawing her magick from her. She tried to shift her magick away from him. His grin told her she was losing this battle of wills.

She tried to shift to the Eternal realm. The look in his eyes proved he could feel her trying to shift as her magick was draining into him faster. Nearly drained of magick she closed her eyes and forced the shift to the other realm. Their powers collided in a bright flash of light. As the light disappeared she was gone and he stood there laughing.

That’s the end of her. Now it is time to gather our forces. Call upon the chiefs and bring them to me.

Yes, Master, Kolmar said. He began walking away when he turned back. Master, the bog horrors have closed their territories to all. How shall I reach them? Morloke gripped his hand then there was a burning sensation. As Morloke released his hand a coiled serpent shaped scare appeared on top of it.

All who see your hand will know I have returned.

Two

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The cool breeze floated off of the lake. The sun high in the sky brightened the afternoon. He sat in his boat as it drifted over the water. A lazy day fishing was what he wanted.

He stretched across the boat as he set his fishing pole in place. As he laid back he watched something streak across the sky. Sitting up he watched it fall into the forest at the edge of the lake. Courteous as to what it was he grabbed the oars and started rowing the boat toward the shore.  He pulled the boat ashore then stated walking into the forest.

A few feet in he spotted her laying on the ground. Quickly he ran over to her kneeling to see if she was alive. Looking around he tried to find whatever it was that fell to earth. Turning back to the women as she stirred he bent over to pick her up. He walked back to the boat,  loaded her in , then rowed back to the other side of the lake.

Slowly waking up she opened her eyes and carefully looked around. She was in a small bed covered in a thick blanket. Her blue robes were hanging up by the door. It was then she realized she was naked under the covers. She began to panic when there was a knock at the door.

I'm coming in. The door slowly opened. Carrying a tray of food. You're awake. I brought something to eat. You've been asleep for hours. He noticed her looking at her robes. Oh! Pulling them off the hook, he handed it to her before turning around. Your under clothes are hanging up to dry. I cleaned them and your robes for you. He heard her get back on the bed. He turned back around and watched her smile. Placing the tray on the bed, This should help you get your strength back.

Thank you. She smiled. Can you tell me where I am? She asked before eating. How long have I been asleep?

My cabin. About five miles from the town of Veal. You have been out for about three days. Can I ask you something? She nodded as she took a bit of toast. What happened to you in the forest?

What do you mean?

Where I found you. I saw something fall from the sky and when I reached the forest I found you unconscious on the ground.

I don't know.

May I ask you your name?

I am... I... I don't remember. She started to tear up. He sat down and held her.

That's ok. You rest for another day and then we'll go to town. The healer should be able to help. Maybe she has something to help your memory.

Thank you.

No problem. Now you get some more rest. He left the room. She sat and finished the food before lying back down. It was not long before she was fast asleep.

The next morning she woke to a knock on the door.

You awake? Good. Kristof slowly entered the room. She was about to ask him who he was when the memory of the day before hit her. He set a tray of food next to her. As soon as you're ready we'll leave for town. The healer should be available today.

Thank you. I remember who I am. You can call me Taloni. She said with a smile.

He smiled. That is great. We can still go so she can look at your body. He grabbed a stack of clothes from the dresser and handed them to her. Here they are ready.

Thank you. He left the room allowing her to get dressed. Getting out of bed she disrobed. Noticing a mirror in the corner she walked over to it. Taking a look at her body she noticed a few bruises up and down her legs and arms.

She turned her back to the mirror and covered her mouth to stop herself from screaming. Her beautiful wings where gone. She tried to reach around and feel her back. Her wings where gone. How could that happen? How could she lose her wings?

She tried to shift into her Eternal form and was unable to. She tried to shift to the Eternal Realm but again failed. She was on the edge of tears but stopped herself. She needed to move quickly. She needed to see the healer then get to her mother’s temple. It would be the only way to communicate with her to find out what is wrong with her.

She quickly got dressed then put her robes back on. Opening the bedroom door quietly she looked around. The cabin was a good size with a small amount of furniture. There was movement in the kitchen. Walking into it, she smiled when she saw him.

He turned around when he heard her enter. He was wearing a green short sleeve tunic with black trousers. His green eyes brighten her with a smile while his brown hair looked dissolved. Looking at his muscular arms she could imagine that the rest of him was just as muscular. She had a dreamy look in her eyes when she realized he was talking to her.

I don't know where you were but if you're ready we can head to town. She only nodded. Let me grab my satchel. You can head outside, I already hooked up the cart to get to town. She nodded then headed outside.

The ride to town was quiet so it gave her time to think. Would she tell him who she really was or just leave after the healer looked at her?

So you remember who you are. Do you want to skip the healer and I can take you home?

Well with these bruises I want the healer to look at this body to be sure it's ok. She then realized what she said. She hoped he didn't hear what she said. She looked at him and couldn't read his face.

You mean your body.

Yes, that's what I meant. She was happy he accepted that answer.

The town was big. She had never truly cared for the people as much as her sisters so she never payed much attention unless she was in the mood for sex with the males. That was something her sisters and her argued about. They always told her she needs to care for their hearts, not just their bodies, but she only cared about her own satisfaction. Besides, it’s not like she wanted children with them.

Lost in thought she did realize when Kristof drove the wagon up to a building. She looked at it and noticed a sign over the door. Her heart jumped as she stared at the Goddess symbol. A full moon with two crescent moons on each side facing out. The healer looked to the Goddess’s for guidance.

He walked with her into the building. As the door opened there