Truths and Illusions

By Dr I Saini

Ryuke opened a door that was closed by the Gods eons ago, and now the nightmares were here to destroy our world. In the war between the two Truths, The Light and The Darkness, cities were destroyed and the kingdoms were at the verge of destruction. And then a new army of nightmares arrived with a celestial being to destroy everything. With

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ukiyoto Publishing
• Release date: Dec 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9789360497408

Book preview

Truths and Illusions

Time is all that matters

Dr I Saini

Ukiyoto Publishing

All global publishing rights are held by

Ukiyoto Publishing

Published in 2022

Content Copyright © Dr I Saini

ISBN

All rights reserved.

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

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated, without the publisher’s prior consent, in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published.

Dedication

To all the books that have kept me alive and surviving, inspiring me, making my world beautiful and carving me into a person I'm today.

Contents

Prologue

Princess Of Albion

The Famous Hunters

Vindora

Ryuke

Kingdom Taeren

Kidnapping

The Safe Zone

The Light in the Darkness

The Dark Zone

Kingdom Taeren

The Nightmare

The Globe of Light

The Amethyst

The Cursed Day

The Power Of Psezir

Goraw City

The Day Of The Coronation

The Circle of Voxe

Sun And The Water

Kingdom Taeren

Heir Of Ivanovs

Infinity

One Year Ago – part 1

One Year Ago – part 2

The Two Truths

Martha

Ryuke

Liadain

Ivanovs & The Circle of Voxe

Infinity

The Third Truth

The Day of the Darkness

The Daughter Of The Darkness

The Descendant Of Dhara

The Scion of Thelus & Voxhagha

Liadain & The Truths

Celebrations

About the Author

Prologue

One year ago

T

he thunderstorm came all of a sudden, out of nowhere. So strong it was, as if the higher power was angry itself.

Too loud it thundered and the dark clouds and rain made it impossible to see anything even on the night of full moon.

It thundered again, muffling the shouting of two men running to save their lives.

Both were running blindly, as the fog was too thick to see, even few paces in front of them, only trusting their instincts to run towards one single direction.

Both of them were breathless from running, wet from head to toes, their clothes socked with water, sticking to their torsos.

One of them lost his balance and fell when his foot landed on muddy ground. Trying to save himself from falling, he lost his grip on his sword, that fell somewhere in the bushes.

The other man running few paces in front, stopped and turned to help the one fallen on the ground.

Hurry up, he said, we don’t have time, helping the fallen man to stand.

The man stood and started looking for his sword in hurry. His sword was too precious to him and also the only weapon that could defend them.

He put his hands in the bushes trying to locate his sword.

And then the creature roared. The earth shook. It was a roar that muffled even the sound of thunderstorm.

Both the men turned towards that sound, their eyes wide in fear.

Hurry up, it’s coming, the one who was standing run towards the other to help him find the sword.

They both tried blindly to find it.

And then the creature came, emerging from the bushes with a roar that could have heard hundreds of miles away, a nightmare it was.

Both the men turned towards it, their whole body shaking in horror. Their time was up.

The creature stopped, all they could see were it’s red eyes, which were fixed on them, as if contemplating whom to kill first.

Find your sword and run, I’ll try to distract it, one of them said standing, realizing the fact that there was no way they both could survive this situation together.

No, the other man screamed, trying to stop his friend from sacrificing his life for him.

His hand felt something then, his sword, it was his sword.

He raised his sword and turned towards the creature. With a war cry, he pushed his friend out of the way and attacked.

The creature lurched at him then, making a chilling, unearthly sound.

But before the man and the creature could collide, a bright light shone between them.

Both collided with the invisible wall of light and went flying in the opposite direction.

The creature screamed as if in pain.

The man collided with a tree and dropped to the ground. He was sure that his ribs were broken.

He groaned and looked towards the light. He saw something there, something or someone.

A silhouette of a man wearing a saffron attire. And then his eyes became heavy and he lost his consciousness.

Princess Of Albion

N

oreen exited her room, which was on the third floor of the Inn. She took her stuff with her, which included just one bag and her sword.

She had decided to start the journey to the Vindora village today. A wise decision as she and her companions wasted enough time trying to gain some new information but ended up with the same story again and again.

Noreen entered the Inn's dining room and noticed all three of her companions sitting together on a table at the back of the room.

She walked towards them and took her seat, placing her luggage on the floor.

Her companions nodded to her one by one and she nodded to them back.

You’re late, Princess. Did you sleep well? Harsha asked.

I apologize for being late and Yes, I slept well, Noreen replied smiling at her, her fingers playing with the pendant of the necklace she was wearing.

Harsha smiled back, Well, that’s good to hear. Anyways, I have already ordered your breakfast. It will save our time.

Oh thank you Harsha, Noreen's smile widened.

Harsha knew her better than anyone, even her own mother. She was her caretaker and her first teacher, who taught her how to use a sword.

Harsha taught her everything she had to learn as the Princess of Albion, the northern Kingdom of continent Whitberd.

In her late fifties, dark skin and few grey strands of hair, with lean built that made her look like a weak old lady but no, she was a warrior from whom everyone should be scared off.

Noreen’s other two companions were her martial art instructor and also an advisor in Albion’s court, Rugo and a guard, Jorden.

Both the men with muscular built and almost of similar heights. The only difference was of their age, where Rugo was in his mid forties and Jorden, half of his age.

Anyone could mistook them for siblings.

This was the team chosen by Princess Noreen herself, for this mission.

Noreen's breakfast arrived and she finished it as fast as she could. All she wanted to do was to start their journey as soon as possible.

After less than an hour, all four of them were on their horses. Their destination this time was Vindora village, the village situated at the edges of the great forest, now called as the forest of nightmares.

Their only hope was to find the answers to their questions which will decide their future actions.

The Famous Hunters

R

yuke was sitting alone on a table, annoyed at Zeff, who was once again bragging in front of the whole crowd present in the bar.

As always he was telling them the stories of his adventures in the forest of nightmares, where he met the monsters with eight legs or creatures with multiple heads and claiming that he killed them.

People believed him because he was the best archer in Vindora, a fact which was absolutely true.

Ryuke and Zeff, the two famous hunters of Vindora, because they were the only people who could hunt animals. The only two people because of whom meat was available in the village as no one else dared enter the forest of nightmares.

Zeff, the famous archer and Ryuke, the famous swordsman.

Ryuke didn’t like Zeff bragging all the time, as he didn’t like people’s attention. On the other hand, Zeff always enjoyed it.

After some time Zeff came back and sat on the chair opposite to Ryuke.

Annoyed again, are you? Zeff asked laughing.

Ryuke narrowed his eyes, You will get us in trouble one day, I’m sure about it.

Zeff picked up a glass of liquor from the table and laughed again, You are too boring, Ryuke. Telling people stories and hunting are the only ways we could make money, otherwise it will be too difficult to survive here. You already know that.

Ryuke sighed heavily, Fine, I just don’t want any trouble.

Ryuke gulped down his whole drink and stood up to leave.

I’ll be back by nightfall, he told Zeff and left the bar.

Ryuke went to the edges of the forest. Rarely anyone comes here these days. This had become his favorite spot for the past one year.

He sat down near a rock, facing the forest, longing for the world beyond.

Ryuke pulled out his sword, ‘Psezir’ from its scabbard. His sword was his most precious treasure.

His fingers touching the intricate design of the hilt, stopped in the middle, at an oval shaped carving. The carving which was empty now, a loss he could never forget.

He could always feel the power of his blade before, whenever he held it in his hands. But it had not happened since he lost that Amethyst, which was carved in his sword's hilt.

Ryuke closed his eyes and exhaled loudly. He had made mistakes and he had many regrets. All he wanted now was to be strong enough to face his inner demons.

Vindora

N

oreen and Harsha were standing near a very busy square, waiting for Rugo and Jorden. They had reached Vindora after two days ride.

Now Rugo and Jorden went to find an Inn for their stay.

Do you believe in all these stories Princess? Harsha asked whispering, as their identity was not supposed to be disclosed in this mission.

I don’t know Harsha. But I know one thing, that this mission will be accomplished, no matter what, Noreen replied keeping her voice low.

Harsha nodded her head.

Rugo arrived at the far end of the southern street and signaled to them.

Noreen and Harsha started walking towards him, holding the reins of their horses.

They joined Rugo at the end of the street and started walking towards south.

We found one of the most busy Inn here and were able to get rooms for us. Although, it took few coins to persuade the Innkeeper, Rugo remarked, his eyebrows raised, and we have new information too.

That excited Noreen, What is it? she asked.

Heard about a man who claims to have seen the nightmares of this forest in person. Jorden is trying to find that man.

I hope we will find some useful information this time, Noreen said sighing.

We will, princess.

………..

Someone knocked at Noreen’s door. She opened the door to find all her companions standing outside.

Noreen stepped aside to let them in and locked the door after they entered.

They all took their seats.

Did you find that man? Noreen asked Jorden.

Yes, princess. His name is Zeff. He and his friend are very famous hunters. I found him in a bar and stalked him when he left. He lives near the outskirts of the village towards east, Jorden answered.

Let’s meet him tonight then, Noreen decided.

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement.

The Sun was down when all four