Radiant: Book 1: Ascension Series

By Ela Lourenco

In the small rural town of Jya on the planet Xanos lives a young orphan girl called Sena. Little does she know that her once-tranquil world is about to be plunged into chaos. There is a darkness rising, threatening to decimate everything in its way.

Struck by deception and secret agendas, unsure of whom to trust, and hit by shattering revelations at every turn, Sena will have to adapt and fight if she is to ascend to what she must become in order to save all that she holds dear.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Oct 17, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524593360

Ela Lourenco

Ela Lourenco lives in sunny Scotland with her two daughters and husband. She has a passion for reading and all things supernatural, particularly where there is a whodunit involved! Ela can often be found in the kitchen baking yet another cake as she ponders her next story.

Book preview

Prologue

The Lost Prophecy

One shall be born from the sanctity of three

In whom all powers combined shall be

Part Sky, part earth, and something more

To bring a new future to the fore.

This messenger a prophet shall be

For the new world order this child is key

Nothing will endure nor unchanged remain

All shall be transformed, nevermore the same.

When the time is come and the stars align

The child, touched by all that is divine,

Will awaken finally, powerful as never before

To strip away the world right to its very core.

Chapter One

T he lush green grass shimmered in the bright purple light of the twin moons, its fluorescence undim med by the onset of darkness. Thick clusters of gargantuan trees rustled in the night’s damp earth scented breeze. The atmosphere was heavy and humid, tiny beads of moisture seeming to cling to the air itself as though suspended by some invisible f orce.

A lone cloaked figure stepped out of the gathering of trees towards a small clearing hidden deep within the forest, her steps hurried yet stealthy. She strode purposefully towards a large mound of bronze-toned rocks and paused casting a furtive glance around. Content that nothing stirred and that no one had followed her she raised a delicate hand and drew a series of glyphs into the night air. Her fingers moved in a graceful dance as light green sparks flowed out merging together into an intricate series of symbols. Once the glyphs had faded she stepped closer to the rocks and waited with impatience as the bronze mass grumbled softly and opened, revealing an entrance way into an underground cave.

Her cloak rippled behind her as she hurried through a labyrinthine tunnel system, steps sure as she retraced the path she had walked thousands of times before until she reached a large silver stone. Placing a hand on the centre of the seemingly impenetrable rock door she pushed hard, shards of light jetting out as her magicks unsealed the wards barring her entry. Once through, she flicked her hand and the door slammed shut with a silent groan.

A tall, handsome man rushed towards her and grabbed her. Finally! he whispered pushing back her hood.

A shiver of fear coursed through the woman’s entire body, as she looked up into those familiar amber eyes, memorising each detail of the face she knew almost better than her own.

Are you all right? the man asked. I hoped you would come, although it would have been better had you stayed away. It is almost time, you should not have risked coming tonight.

The woman pulled back slightly from his embrace and drew off her thick cloak revealing the bundle she had hidden inside.

The man paled, his usual copper tone skin now an eerie shade of white. Is that? But it cannot be! You weren’t due for—

Danyl, come meet your babe, she smiled in response.

But how? Danyl breathed, looking at the tiny baby in her arms with awe. It was not yet time.

I think this little one is as impatient as me, the woman laughed, passing the child to him.

Danyl held onto the baby with a protective grasp, a myriad of conflicting emotions flitting across his face as he touched a finger lightly to his child’s cheek. Unshed tears glistened in those amber eyes as he looked at his beloved. Thank you, I did not think I would get the chance to ever live this moment where we could all be together as a family.

A good-looking babe for sure, an older female voice came from behind them. But then how could it have been otherwise with the two of you as parents?

You came! The younger woman bowed her head respectfully. I did not expect to see you here tonight.

I probably should not have come, the older one agreed. But then neither should you, not with what is at stake.

The young woman winced slightly at the gentle reprimand. She was right, she had taken a huge risk, but she did not regret it. Something had told her that she had to come here even if it were the last time she ever did so.

He must go now child, the older woman said, her wise blue eyes filled with compassion.

What if I stayed? Danyl questioned, unable to take his eyes off of his firstborn child. Perhaps I could wait until the next one?

No, Danyl, think of the danger, not just to you but to your wife and child. Would you bring death to their door? She patted his arm, as he looked down shaking his head. You cannot survive here on Xanos much longer, she continued. Already, you have grown weaker. There is no way to know when you will next have a chance to return home. You must go through the portal back to your own realm before it collapses.

I wish we could go with you! the young woman whispered. How could she and her child survive without him?

You cannot, my beloved, Danyl stroked her hair gently, as they held their child, binding proof of their love, between them. This little one is just newly born. The journey between realms is dangerous enough for a fully grown man.

Hurry now! the older woman urged. Already I feel the stars realigning. You must go now if you mean to return home.

Danyl nodded, gave one last embrace to his wife and child before walking to where a large sphere of blue light glimmered. He stopped at the mouth of the portal and turned back to gaze at his family once more for what was likely to be the last time in his existence. He nodded at the older woman. Take care of them, and then disappeared into the lights just as they vanished out of sight.

I will, young Danyl, the woman muttered to herself, as she held a now sobbing mother and baby. Our very survival depends on it.

******

Come on, Sena! an eager voice cajoled. We’re going to miss the show!

Sena sighed as she put down the book she had been reading. It wasn’t that she wasn’t excited about the performers who recently arrived in their settlement, Jya. She was actually really looking forward to seeing their acrobatics and trying to figure out which magick they were using to achieve their moves, but she was at the best part of the book she had borrowed.

You can read it later! her best friend, Phia, continued, pulling her up to her feet. If we don’t go now, we’ll be stuck at the very back!

Sena smiled. Phia’s exuberance was practically infectious. They had been best friends since before they could talk, more like sisters, in fact, despite the fact that they were as different as night and day. Sena was the calm, studious one who liked to think things through first; whereas Phia was, well, she was like a whirlwind and hurricane all rolled into one with her larger than life personality and constant excitement over everything. Okay, okay, I’m coming. Just let me put these books back.

I’ll help! Phia practically bounced up and down, as she unceremoniously dumped a small pile of book into the bag hanging on the wall and dragged them towards the mistall. Hurry up, Sena!! she complained.

Sena followed her to the mouth of the mistall and carefully deposited the books inside the whirling particles of magick before climbing in herself. The particles sparked against her skin, as they transported her down from the tree house, tickling her skin with their bubble-like feel before leaving her at the door of her house. I’ll just be a minute, she called out to her friend as she went inside.

I see Phia found you, a sweet voice chuckled.

Sena grinned up at her mother. She always does, she laughed as she carefully put the books back on the shelves in the main living room. Even when I spell the mistall and put it into privacy mode.

Magic is all about intent, sweetheart, her mother reminded her. If you truly wanted to keep Phia out, it would work. Besides, I know you wanted to go to the show anyway.

Sena smiled at her mother. It didn’t matter at all to her that they weren’t related by blood. Allaya had adopted her when her parents died during the terrible Phylgia outbreak fifteen years ago. Sena had been mere days old, and by some sheer miracle, had managed to avoid infection. She felt sorry for her birth parents, but had no memory of them, only of the beautiful and gentle Allaya with her kind silver grey eyes and sun-touched auburn hair.

Allaya was also the healer in their settlement. In fact, she had been one of the most renowned healers in all of Sylios, the capital city of all Xanos, before leaving the big city behind to help battle the terrible Phylgia contagion, which had struck Jya all those years ago.

Xanos to Sena, her mother teased her out of her reverie. Phia will have a fit if you don’t join her already!

Sena put the last book on the shelf. Are you coming to watch too?

Allaya nodded. I will if I find the time. I have some herbs to find, we are low on some of them and I would like to restock the medicine room before the season changes.

Okay, Sena nodded. But don’t miss the show. I can go herb hunting tomorrow for you.

Allaya smiled. Okay, sweetheart, thank you. I will see you there later then.

Sena listened absentmindedly as Phia chatted, while they walked to the settlement’s main square. They had stopped along the way to meet with their four closest friends, Mysia, Samia, Lyria, and Larii.

I can’t believe the Unforeseen have finally stopped off in Jya! Mysia squealed excitedly. I have been dying to see them for ages!

Until last week, you were only into Kaleidoscope, Lyria teased her.

They are a great band, and their music is out of this world, Mysia agreed. But I think they are old news, their music is so, well, normal. The Unforeseen, now that’s an original band right there. Music, magical acrobatics, mystery, she trailed off with a sigh of contentment. And the lead singer. She sighed dramatically. He is so handsome, so mysterious. No one knows his true identity. He’s just perfect.

Oh, gods above, she has it bad, Samia rolled her eyes.

I wonder how long this phase is going to last? Larii wondered aloud.

I heard that! Mysia mock scowled at her friends. But I refuse to let you burst my bubble of excitement. I am just going to revel in the fact that one of the biggest acts has decided to stop off in our sleepy little town.

Come on! Phia interrupted the good-natured chatter, practically dragging them towards the make shift amphitheatre that had been conjured for the concert. She nudged her way past the other girls who were excitedly milling around the stage area.

Phia’s on a mission! Lyria laughed as she let herself be pulled in her friend’s wake.

We are getting front row seats, Phia glared determinedly at a couple of boys who had made the grave mistake of standing in the narrow corridor blocking her way. Move, she waved a hand dismissively.

Sena bit her lip, so she wouldn’t laugh as the two teens swept aside to let Phia past.

Only Phia can put the fear of the gods into Eerin and Ty, Larii whispered. They’re usually the ones making all the trouble.

Let’s hear it for hurricane Phia, Samia giggled. No one is safe from her wrath!

Phia rolled her eyes and turned to Sena. See how they defame my character? This is what I have to put up with when you’re stuck reading all those books! She came to a stop and pointed at seats in the second row right at the centre.

But there are free seats in the front row? Mysia said confused.

Phia snorted. Front row? Do you want to look desperate? Only wannabes sit at the very front.

They all jumped in their seats, as the town square suddenly went pitch black even the twin moons obscured from view.

I can’t see anything! Samia squealed just before a myriad of multi-coloured beams of light erupted from the stage.

The audience erupted out of silence, filling the air with loud cheers and whistles, as the band appeared with a bang and a flash of lights, levitating high above the stage. The lead singer, known only as K, hovered towards the front of the stage, blue sparks of magick trailing behind him, as he executed a perfect triple flip rounded off by a pose and wink, which sent the teenage girls in the audience into a frenzy. The cheers roared across the amphitheatre when K started singing. Sena had to admit that although she wasn’t really a fan of their music, he really did have an amazing voice. Although what interested her the most were the acrobatics and