The Lost Gods of the Sea

By Henry Tale

‎The Lost Gods of the Sea: When gods vanish and kingdoms fall, only courage can guide the seas.
‎Keldryn never asked to be a savior, yet the Holy Rod, a weapon of blinding light, has chosen him. To some, he is a hero sent by the gods; to others, a dangerous enemy. At his side stands Calira, bound by love and sacrifice, as shadow-born creatures known as the Niqmaw rise from the dark to devour the living.
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‎But while monsters roam the night, kings hunger for power, traitors plot in silence, and every choice demands a price. As ancient prophecies awaken and forbidden rituals shake the land, Keldryn must face not only the enemies before him but the destiny he cannot escape.
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‎The Lost Gods of the Sea is an epic fantasy adventure filled with dark secrets, ancient prophecy, high-stakes battles, betrayal, romance, and redemption. From storm-torn kingdoms and haunted valleys to the endless seas that remember what men forget, this is a journey of love, sacrifice, and the courage to face the unknown.
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‎ Perfect for readers who love:
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‎1. Epic fantasy series like The Lord of the Rings and A Song of Ice and Fire
‎2. Dark fantasy adventures with gods, myths, and shadow-born creatures
‎3. Fantasy romance woven into tales of war, sacrifice, and destiny
‎4. Sea fantasy and stories of lost kingdoms, forbidden rituals, and ancient magic.
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‎Dive into a world where myth meets reality, courage challenges fate, and the sea itself holds the last truth of the gods.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Publishdrive
• Release date: Oct 19, 2025

Book preview

Preface

In the vast, unforgiving expanse of the Mershall Sea, where Oceans whisper secrets of forgotten gods, treacherous valleys guard hidden kingdoms, and the line between myth and mortality blurs, lies a tale of ambition, betrayal, and unbreakable legacy. This is the story of Keldryn Venloris, a humble fisherman's son whose thirst for discovery propels him into realms beyond imagination, where divine relics hold the power to save or doom entire civilizations.

From the shadowed valleys of the Elbonite Kingdom, ruled by warrior-kings and haunted by beasts of legend, to the distant shores of Marivenia, where modern dreams clash with ancestral curses, The Lost Gods of the Sea weaves a tapestry of epic adventure and profound human frailty. Here, heroes rise not from flawless triumph, but from the ashes of failure; families are forged and fractured across generations; and the sea itself becomes a character, indifferent, eternal, and ever-hungry for sacrifice.

Inspired by timeless myths of exploration and the human spirit's resilience, this manuscript invites you to embark on a journey through roaring seas, divine prophecies, and the unyielding bonds of love and duty. As Keldryn navigates storms both literal and metaphorical, confronting gods, traitors, and his own deepest regrets, readers will discover that true power lies not in conquest, but in the courage to endure, the wisdom to forgive, and the hope that even the lost may one day find their way home.

Prepare to set sail into a world where the gods of the sea watch silently, and every wave carries the echo of destiny.

CHAPTER 1

The Valleys of Death and Ice

    In a faraway land, there exists a mysterious and isolated island ruled by a king. Nestled at the heart of roaring seas, towering mountains, and deep valleys, this island is both remote and magnificent.      It is ruled by a noble king and completely surrounded by a vast and powerful ocean, which the natives call the Mershall Sea, formally known to them as the Great Mershall.

    Three unique seas, each with its own history and character, connect to the Mershall Sea through three distinct valleys.

    The Dead Sea, a dark and silent body of water, enters from the North Valley, ominously known as Dark Valley or the Death Valley, infamous for being the habitat of shadowy monsters. The Dark Valley rains endlessly because of the massive waterfall above it. The constant downpour makes it impossible for any fire to survive, leaving the valley infinitely dark and terrifying.

    At the top of the Dark Valley, a dense network of plants intertwines to form a thick bush that looms above it. Just a few steps beyond lies a cave, feared as the dwelling place of death, beasts, and the ancestors. From within this cave, the mighty waterfall pours through hidden openings, unleashing the endless rain that keeps the valley soaked, shrouded in perpetual darkness, and terrifyingly alive with mystery.

    The Ice Sea, cold and glistening like crystal, flows in through the West Valley, often referred to as Ice Valley or Snow Valley. The people admire it from afar, never daring to go closer.

    The Warm Sea, mysterious and deep, flows from the East Valley, a place feared by many and known as the Rock Valley. Its depths are rocky and steep like a mountain, with loose stones that crumble piece by piece so that climbing always risks a deadly rockfall.

    Together, these valleys form the spiritual and geographical lifeline of the kingdom, which lies in the midst of a mighty ocean. The Elbonite Kingdom, as it is known, is a land of extraordinary beauty, abundant wealth, and deep-rooted blessings. It is encircled by mountains that rise like ancient guardians, their peaks meeting the clouds as if to watch over the kingdom forever.

    The towering mountains surrounding the island seem to merge as one, forming an unbroken wall of stone and mist. Deep within these colossal ranges lies the Elbonite Kingdom, peacefully nestled in the heart of the Mershall Sea.

    If one observes closely, it becomes clear that the entire kingdom rests in a vast valley carved between mountain and sea. Hidden and protected, it thrives in seclusion.

    The sea and its land form an island in a mighty ocean that stretches far and wide.

    The only way in or out of the kingdom is through the three valleys; Death Valley, Snow Valley, and Hot Valley. Each is treacherous, marked by peril and mystery. Climbing over the mountains is impossible; their heights are dizzying, their surfaces slick and treacherous, and they are home to creatures hostile to man. Their paths are unforgiving.

    No one from the Elbonite Kingdom can safely leave, nor can any outsider enter without facing grave danger. Yet the land is rich beyond measure. Gold, diamonds, precious stones, and all sorts of treasures lie hidden beneath its soil, but the people of Elbonite place little value on these riches. Their true wealth is the land itself, untouched, wild, and breathtaking.

    Among the kingdom’s most awe-inspiring features was the Ice Sea, a striking yet deadly force of nature. To them, the Ice Valley led out to an infinite world of ice. At one point, the Mershall Sea narrowed into a steep, winding valley, a dark gorge through which its powerful waters surged outward. Though narrow, the valley allowed the Mershall Sea to extend far beyond the island’s borders, spreading the name of the Mershall Sea to distant lands, though often called by different names. Outside Elbonite, the Mershall Sea isn’t merely a sea, but a mighty ocean whose vastness no one truly knows, yet it has always been referred to as a sea.

    The Mershall Sea was renowned far and wide, not only because it surrounded the Elbonite Kingdom, but because it extended outward, branching into distant waters and joining with other seas across the world. Its reach made it legendary. Even those who had never seen it, nor ventured anywhere near it, spoke its name with reverence. Despite its fame, no one had ever ventured into the heart of the Mershall Sea without getting lost, unless guided by a professional navigator, who themselves would never risk going too far. The core of the ocean was a deadly mystery, a place where myths were born and brave souls were lost. Those who tried to navigate it alone were never seen again.

    Elbonite kingdom was a land of unimaginable fertility, blessed, wealthy, and beautiful beyond words. Its soil yielded abundantly, its rivers sparkled with life, and its hills held untold riches. But more than that, it was a land of history, legends, and the powerful legacy of its kings and sons, known as the Kingsons. To cross paths with a Kingson by accident was to awaken both awe and fear. Their stories were etched into the land’s memory, stories of valor, divine strength, and the terrible vengeance they could unleash upon anything that dared threaten their kingdom.

    They were attacked only by the beasts and monsters that emerged from the seas, the mountains, and the valleys. Still they remained strong, disciplined, and ever ready for battle. Their strength came not only from within, but also from their great protector, the Warlord, a revered figure who led and trained them in the art of war. He trained warriors across the sea, beside the mountains, and upon the land itself. The title of Warlord was not given by birthright but earned by might. It was bestowed upon the most powerful and skilled warrior in the kingdom, a figure whose strength shaped the very foundation of Elbonite’s defense.

CHAPTER 2

The Blood of the Arwins

    In the Elbonite Kingdom, every adult male was considered a soldier, trained and prepared to defend the land. Among them, only the most capable could be chosen as Warlord, the highest honor in their warrior tradition. This title, however, had long remained within a single bloodline, the noble and legendary Arwin Family.

    For generations, the Arwins carried the power and responsibility of the Warlord. They were fierce, brave, and unwavering in their loyalty. Because of them, the kingdom had never fallen to enemy forces. Time and time again, the Arwins had laid down their lives for the sake of the kingdom and its people. They were the sword and shield of Elbonite.

The Arwin family bore a heavy burden, not of strength, but of survival. Though they were unmatched in battle, they were cursed with an unusual misfortune: they struggled to grow in number. For reasons unknown, it was widely believed throughout the kingdom that no Arwin could ever father more than one child. As a result, their lineage was passed directly, from father to son or daughter, and then from that child to the only heir. But throughout history, they had only ever borne sons.

    Ennthar Arwin, a bold and determined man, once attempted to break this generational limitation. He married four wives in the hope of multiplying his bloodline. But despite his efforts, only his first wife bore him a living child, and it was a male child, others gave birth to babies that died within days of being born. That child was named Kaelor Arwin, full name Kaelor Rav Arwin.

    Tragically, Ennthar Arwin died young, unlike the long-lived warriors of his lineage. His death came just two days before he was to marry a fifth wife. He was killed mysteriously, struck on the head by the fallen branch of a tree. The incident left the kingdom in mourning, but none grieved more deeply than Kaelor and his mother.

    Kaelor could still vividly remember the moment, just weeks before the tragedy, when his father had called him into his private chamber. There, in silence and secrecy, Ennthar Arwin opened a heavy wooden box and revealed an object unlike any Kaelor had ever seen, a translucent diamond rod, glowing faintly and full of light.

    Kaelor, his father had said, this rod you see before you is no ordinary thing. It is an ancient relic, passed down from one generation to the next, from father to son across time. It came to me from my father, and he received it from his father before him. Now, it will pass from me to you.

    Ennthar Arwin’s eyes had darkened with meaning as he continued:

This rod is sacred. It has been protected for centuries, kept in secrecy, never given to anyone outside our bloodline. It is said to hold a mysterious power, one that will one day serve a purpose greater than us. My father, Travenor Arwin, once told me that this rod will save our kingdom from doom...

    There were many things about the Arwin family that remained a mystery to the people of Elbonite. Perhaps the most astonishing was their strange connection to water, especially the sea. The Arwins seemed to share a bond with the waters that surrounded the kingdom, as if the sea itself knew them.

    The Arwin family were rainmakers, and it was a gift passed down through generations. Most especially, whenever they were in deep sorrow, the atmosphere would shift, the skies would darken, the air would grow thick, and soon, rain would begin to fall. Not lightly, but heavily, as though the heavens themselves were weeping with them.

    It was this unexplainable connection between their emotions and nature that made the people believe the Arwins were mysterious, blessed, and cursed. They were, in every sense, mysterious.

      Not long after the tragic death of Ennthar Arwin, his son Kaelor proved himself in the Warlord Combat, a sacred trial of strength, skill, and leadership. He emerged victorious, earning the highest honor in the land. Kaelor Arwin was named the new Warlord of Elbonite.

    Shortly after his ascension, Kaelor took a bride, Tellina, the graceful and intelligent daughter of Chalmars Kodric, a respected elder in the kingdom. The couple lived in peace and harmony for three years, strengthening their bond and building their future. At the dawn of the fourth year, Tellina conceived.

CHAPTER 3

The Divine Choosing

    Nine months after Tellina’s pregnancy began, a great sorrow fell upon the land, King Zerathor Frostvern of the Elbonite Kingdom passed away. He had ruled with wisdom and kindness, and though he died peacefully in old age, his loss was deeply felt by the people, because he had departed without an heir.

    In