Gales of the Heart

By Evelyn M. Harrow

"Gales of the Heart" is a gripping fantasy novel set in Celestia, a mystical city that floats in the sky and relies on Weather Harmonizers to maintain balance in their weather-dependent society. The story follows Aria and Zephyr, two skilled Harmonizers, as they confront Tempest Shadowcrest, a former Harmonizer turned rogue who seeks to control Celestia's weather to wield power over the city. As Tempest unleashes destructive storms to assert his dominance, Aria and Zephyr must navigate their complex relationship, unite the divided factions of their city, and harness their unique weather-manipulating abilities to thwart his plans. The novel explores themes of unity, power, and the deep bonds of community against a backdrop of thrilling magical battles and intricate political intrigue.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arcane Atlas Books
• Release date: Apr 16, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224359349

Book preview

Gales of the Heart

A Tale of Love, Loyalty, and the Fate of a Floating City"

Evelyn M. Harrow

Copyright © 2024 by Evelyn M. Harrow

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews.

Contents

1.The Gathering Storm

2.Whispers of the Past

3.The Fractured Sky

4.Shadows and Secrets

5.The Gathering of the Gales

6.The Eye of the Storm

7.The Tempest's Fury

8.The Calm Before the Storm

9.The Gales of Destiny

10.The Skies of Harmony

Chapter one

The Gathering Storm

Aria Skyweather jolted awake, her heart pounding in her chest as the remnants of a terrifying nightmare clung to her mind like a shroud. She sat up, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as she tried to shake off the lingering sense of dread that had followed her from the depths of her dreams.

Outside her window, the first light of dawn was just beginning to paint the sky in shades of pink and gold, but something felt off. Aria frowned, her brow furrowing as she tried to pinpoint the source of her unease. And then she saw it - the clouds on the horizon, tinged an ominous shade of purple, swirling with an intensity that she had never seen before.

Aria’s breath caught in her throat as she remembered the nightmare that had torn her from sleep. In her dream, she had seen Celestia, the floating island city she called home, engulfed in a storm of unimaginable fury. The sky had been the same eerie shade of purple, and the wind had howled like a wounded beast, tearing at the very foundations of the city.

With a shaking hand, Aria reached for the pendant that hung around her neck - a small, intricately carved stone that had been passed down through generations of Weather Harmonizers. It was warm to the touch, pulsing with an energy that Aria had never felt before.

Something’s coming, she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her own heart.

As if in response to her words, a sudden gust of wind rattled the shutters of her window, carrying with it the scent of rain and a faint, almost imperceptible hum that seemed to vibrate through the very air itself.

Aria closed her eyes, reaching out with her senses to try to understand the strange energy that was filling the room. She was a Weather Harmonizer, one of the gifted individuals tasked with maintaining the delicate balance of Celestia’s weather. It was her duty to ensure that the city remained safe and prosperous, protected from the capricious whims of the elements.

But this was unlike anything she had ever encountered before. The energy was dark and twisted, shot through with threads of malice and fury that made Aria’s skin crawl.

A knock at the door startled her from her thoughts, and Aria’s eyes flew open. Come in, she called, her voice sounding strangled and strange to her own ears.

The door opened, revealing the familiar figure of Zephyr Stormwind, Aria’s childhood friend and fellow Weather Harmonizer. Zephyr’s blond hair was tousled from sleep, and his green eyes were filled with concern as he took in the sight of Aria’s pale, frightened face.

Aria, what’s wrong? he asked, crossing the room to sit beside her on the bed. You look like you’ve seen a ghost.

Aria shook her head, trying to find the words to explain the sense of dread that had settled over her like a physical weight. I had a nightmare, she said at last, her voice barely above a whisper. A storm was coming, Zephyr. A storm unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. It was tearing Celestia apart, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

Zephyr’s eyes widened, and he reached out to take Aria’s hand in his own. It was just a dream, Aria, he said softly, his voice filled with a reassurance that Aria desperately wanted to believe. We’ve faced storms before, and we’ve always come out on top. This will be no different.

But even as he spoke the words, Aria could see the flicker of doubt in Zephyr’s eyes. They both knew that there was something different about this storm, something that went beyond the realm of the natural world.

Do you remember the last time I had a nightmare like this? Aria asked, her voice trembling slightly. It was right before the Great Flood, when half the city was nearly washed away. Everyone thought I was just being paranoid, but my instincts were right then, and they’re right now. Something’s coming, Zephyr. Something big.

Zephyr was silent for a moment, his gaze distant as he remembered the terrible days of the Great Flood. Aria had been the only one to sense the coming danger then, and her warnings had gone unheeded until it was almost too late. In the end, it had been Aria’s quick thinking and Zephyr’s strength that had saved countless lives, but the scars of that disaster still lingered in the memories of all who had survived it.

Okay, Zephyr said at last, his voice filled with a determination that sent a flicker of hope through Aria’s heart. If you say there’s a storm coming, then I believe you. But we can’t face this alone, Aria. We need to warn the Council, gather our forces, and prepare for the worst.

Aria nodded, grateful for Zephyr’s unwavering support. He had always been there for her, through thick and thin, and she knew that she could count on him to stand by her side no matter what challenges lay ahead.

Together, they rose from the bed and began to dress, their movements quick and purposeful. There was no time to waste - if Aria’s instincts were right, then every moment counted.

As they made their way through the winding streets of Celestia, Aria couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of the city she called home. The floating islands that made up the city were suspended in the air by the power of the Weather Harmonizers, each one a testament to the incredible feats that could be achieved through the mastery of weather manipulation.

But even as she admired the sweeping arches and graceful spires of the city’s architecture, Aria couldn’t shake the sense of unease that had settled over her like a shroud. The streets were strangely quiet, the usual bustle of morning activity conspicuously absent. It was as if the city itself could sense the coming storm, holding its breath in anticipation of the chaos to come.

As they approached the central square, Aria’s heart sank at the sight of the gathering crowds. Word of her nightmare had already begun to spread, and the citizens of Celestia were looking to her and Zephyr for guidance and reassurance.

Aria took a deep breath, steeling herself for the task ahead. She knew that she would need to be strong, to project an air of calm and confidence even as her own heart raced with fear and uncertainty.

But before she could speak, a sudden gust of wind tore through the square, so powerful that it nearly knocked Aria off her feet. She stumbled, her hand instinctively reaching for Zephyr’s arm to steady herself.

And then she saw it - a figure cloaked in shadow, standing at the edge of the square. The figure’s face was obscured by a hood, but Aria could feel the weight of their gaze upon her, heavy and malevolent.

Who are you? Aria called out, her voice ringing with a courage she didn’t quite feel. What do you want?

The figure remained silent, but Aria could sense the dark energy that radiated from them in waves. It was the same energy she had felt in her nightmare, the same twisted malice that had set her teeth on edge and made her blood run cold.

Beside her, Zephyr tensed, his hand reaching for the weapon at his belt. But before he could draw it, the figure spoke, their voice a rasping whisper that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.

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