Empire of Blood

  Empire of Blood

  Empire of Blood

  Book 2 in the Armageddon Trilogy

  By

  C.D. Muller

  Text © 2019 by C.D. Muller

  Illustrations by C.D. Muller © 2019

  Empire of Blood and all related characters and elements and publishing rights © C.D. Muller.

  Edited by Tina Cloud

  All rights reserved. Independently published.

  To Victor, Tina, Audi, and Ben, who loved the stories.

  To Mrs. Sebert and Mrs. Stafford, for teaching me to never give up.

  To my husband, who believed in me and gave me hope again.

  Previously, in The Necromancer’s Dragon...

  The One Hundred Years’ War nearly destroyed the Empire of Armageddon. A powerful, undead necromancer known as the Lich was after an ancient weapon called Ragnarok that was created by the Divine Beast of life and creation. Wielding the sword would grant the Lich the power to destroy the world and to create a new one. Only one person knew of the sword’s whereabouts and it was none other than Varathka Gundisalvus, a writer and the strategic General who led Armageddon to victory in the war. However, his life was in danger for knowing and was eventually murdered in the small settlement of Helshire Village.

  About two hundred years after his death, the Lich kidnapped a young girl with a strange marking — a full moon with a crescent drawn inside the circle — on her left hand named Selena Liongod; she was held prisoner, along with a dragon egg. The dragon, shortly after hatching, and Selena were rescued by two dragon riders named Gromm and Beck — military soldiers from the Imperial Air Force of Dragon Riders — sent by the Council, a group of powerful elders in charge of governing the Empire under the Empress’ rule. On their way to the small settlement of Helshire Village, they run into peril as the Lich gave pursuit to get back what was stolen from him. However, a mysterious chain master saved them, who later revealed himself to be known only as Phantom Dust. Selena and the dragon were taken to the village to be looked after by Chaliss Branwen and her son, Rahim.

  Upon the rescue team’s arrival, Chaliss learned that the dragon was already attached to the young girl. Her concern was that the only way to become a dragon rider was to join the Force, and women were not allowed to become soldiers. The caretaker did her best to keep Selena’s and the dragon’s paring a secret and made Gromm and Beck to swear secrecy that they would not disclose any information about the dragon’s existence to the Council.

  Chaliss and Rahim learned that Selena had no memories of her past. All that was known about her was her name, that she recently turned sixteen, and she had a fear of thunder and lightning. Despite this, Selena and her dragon, whom she named Thor, made the most of their time together in the small and welcoming village. The two shared a telepathic bond and communicated directly through their thoughts and emotions.

  Selena had an interest in reading about dragons from Genesis Altessa and began learning about Ragnarok from Gundisalvus’ works. Selena and Thor weren’t safe for long. Their location was soon discovered by the Obsidian Order, cultists that worshiped and followed the Lich. Selena met new allies: one named Silver, a mysterious young man who dressed all in white, and a vampire named Kain Vanguard. Kain was one of the leaders of the Shadow Templars, a secret group of vampires that served the Empress. Selena learned that they worked for Phantom Dust, or, as Silver and Kain called him, D.

  Shortly after the incident, Selena was tormented by nightmares and visions about Gundisalvus and saw parts of his life, including how he was murdered. She eventually found his final resting place in a secret room within his old house, along with a phrase that hinted at Ragnarok’s location.

  Just as she and Thor thought everything was going to go back to normal, they discovered that Vidar Helios, the leader of the Council, feared they initiated war against the Lich by sending their riders to rescue Selena when they didn’t know who she was. Vidar, not knowing of Thor’s existence, eventually decided to relocate her.

  The evening before the Council came for her, Selena disguised herself as a boy and, with Rahim’s help, ran away with Thor to join the Imperial Air Force. However, Helshire Village was destroyed by the Obsidian Order shortly after Selena and her friends left. Thankfully, Chaliss survived and resettled to Nuvak, the capital in the Air Kingdom.

  On their way to Alfheim, Selena and her friends stayed at the Grand Exchange. There, Selena met a young boy named Myrrdin and they formed a new acquaintance as he told her more about the Elven city. Soon after this meeting, Selena and Thor flew together for the first time, but it was a disaster. They ran into Silver once again afterward, who offered to assist Selena on how to properly ride and handle a dragon.

  As they continued their travels, Silver worked with Selena to teach her about magic. Selena discovered that she was incredibly gifted and that she could learn through instinct. Silver pushed her abilities and challenged her to a deadly duel that tested Selena’s and Thor’s bond. They were soon ambushed by the Obsidian Order once more and Silver stayed behind to allow Selena, Rahim, and Thor escape.

  On their way to the gates, Selena saw an abandoned dwarven ruin that she was warned to stay away from. After reaching Alfheim, Selena and Thor meet with Vidar directly to report for duty. With not knowing that she was still disguised as a boy, Vidar and the rest of the Council advised that she and Thor would start basic training the following morning.

  Selena was soon introduced to the Oracle triplets, who served the Council, and her new instructor named Ashur Bel, a Captain in the Force. His personality was venomous. He warned Selena of the final challenge in joining the military: the initiation. Fearing that she might die, Selena was forced to drink demon’s blood. The Council believed it made those who survive stronger. Out of three initiates, Selena and one other, named Erik, survived and were forced by General Araneus of the military to be bunker buddies – they were assigned to look out for each other.

  Selena’s start in the Force took a turn when she discovered that Azrael, the one who was tracking her down and was one of the Order, was also another dragon rider in the ranks; his dragon was named Doragon. Knowing each other’s secrets, the two made an unspoken agreement to not report each other to the Council, or else they would have both been executed.

  It was basic training when Selena learned that Silver made it safely to Alfheim and was one of the Captains as well. Selena and Thor were required to go through separate training until after nine weeks. Selena and the rest of the new soldiers were under the mercy of Captain Bel, who treated everyone like they were unworthy to lick the heel of his boots.

  Not long after starting the military life, Selena was injured by a Marcupo, a large venomous snake held in captivity by the Force. Suspicion followed Captain Bel’s involvement for releasing the snake to attack her, but there was no proof. Shortly after her recovery, Selena discovered clues about the mark on her hand being the Altessa family crest and a random journal from Gundisalvus that was placed in the wrong section. Her symbol was drawn within the journal’s pages but with no explanation. Instead, she was only able to read vague notes about Revelation – a weapon that ate souls and belonged to the Divine Beast of Death – and Ragnarok.

  Afraid of being kicked out of the military and losing Thor, Selena was determined to do better. She soon ended up being one of the best soldiers ever trained through her hard work. With Captain Bel suspicious of her sudden improvements, he began to find out more information on her background.

  Meanwhile, the scholars in Alfheim were able to identify Thor’s breed. They discovered that he was a Divinity Dragon, a species that could master all elemental magic when other dragons could only use one. Shortly after, Captain Altessa promised to answer any questions that Selena had reg
arding her past. In fear of being watched, he gave her an old journal and explained that it would answer her questions.

  When she got the chance to read it, it listed formulas on magic mixing with human life. The next few pages spoke of foxes, demons, undead, and other creatures that could sense magical essences from leagues away. As she continued reading, Selena learned that Empress Aryl Aurora was with child at the time of the One Hundred Years’ War, and that the Emperor remained unknown. The child was stillborn and both the Empress and Emperor were stricken with grief. They tried everything to bring back their child but there were consequences. Her ladyship was taken ill after performing illegal magical arts and learned that she could no longer bear a child.

  This lead to Selena learning about a secret laboratory called the Well of Souls. The project was created by Silver, who was actually Genesis Altessa. Its main purpose was to bring the dead back to life. She then discovered that she was the stillborn child and that she was the project’s first and only success. How it worked required her to be born of a Divinity Dragon, which was Thor’s mother. Thor and Selena were half siblings. Although she was technically sixteen, she was conceived over two hundred years ago. The divine mother dragon kept her safely incubated within that time until it was safe for hatching. However, there were some errors that resulted from the project. Selena’s parents were elf, but she became human. The mark on her left hand was confirmed to be the family crest of the Altessa family. Despite the mistakes, the Well of Souls was a major success. She and Thor were bonded together through blood, friendship, and loyalty.

  Before the project was finished, Selena’s father went into hiding because both he and the Empress were involved in illegal magic by trying to resurrect their dead daughter. The Empress was spared by the Council, but Vidar held a death warrant for the Emperor and had him imprisoned at the Willow Creek Institution. Luckily, he escaped and had been safe in hiding since. He and the Empress have communicated only through exchanging letters since the incident. The Council was not aware of the Well, since it still tempered with illegal magic. Because of this, Selena grew up in secret. However, the royal family’s happiness did not last long. Near Selena’s sixteenth birthday, the Lich’s minions, the Obsidian Order, kidnapped her and Thor’s egg, and destroyed the laboratory.

  Disaster struck after learning this huge secret. Erik committed suicide immediately after Selena finished reading. She and the rest of the military soldiers and officers tried to save him but it was too late. As everyone grieved over their loss, it was soon announced by the General that Azrael was to be her new bunker buddy.

  Soon after the accident, Selena attempted to speak with the Oracles to try to get a lead on how to stop the Lich and if they had any information regarding Ragnarok’s location. However, they proved to be unhelpful, claiming that they were forbidden, but they kept mentioning going into the Hinterlands, the large forest outside the city.

  That same afternoon, Azrael confronted Selena by the docks once more and threatened her life by pushing her off the cliff. Silver, who oversaw the scene, saved her and was angry at Selena for facing Azrael alone. Selena felt conflicted on what she was supposed to do. She was told to face her battles alone, and Silver was mad because that was what she did. Selena was overwhelmed with sadness after learning the truth about who she was and felt that no one truly cared about her. After making her point, she ran away back to her bunker. Silver, after catching up to her, discovered she has a phobia of thunder and lightning. As he tried to help her cope through her fear, Silver promised to be there for her so she never had to feel alone again.

  Meanwhile, Azrael and Doragon dealt with Silver’s and Kain’s wrath for jeopardizing Selena’s life. As it turned out, Azrael was actually an ally in disguise, but he still hated Selena and Thor. Kain, despite Silver’s threats, warned Azrael that he would be killed if he stepped out of line again. Azrael reluctantly agreed and left with Doragon. Kain confronted Silver for how he acted, to which the Captain confessed that he liked Selena enormously, but agreed that it would be wrong to pursue her.

  Later that same evening, Selena saw a mysterious cloaked figure chasing after Azrael with summoned chains near the military barracks. The man remarked how weak Azrael was in his form and more threats were made to his life if he went against protocol again. After setting Azrael free, Selena pursued the mysterious man until the two met face-to-face in the Hinterlands. He gave her a gift: a metal bar mixed with dragon bone and steel. Selena learned that he was actually Phantom Dust all along, and her father. He explained that the reason why Selena’s identity was kept a secret was to protect her, and that he had been in hiding since the night he and her mother were caught using illegal magic to bring their daughter back. D also advised that Chaliss knew who Selena was and that she would be compensated well for taking care of Selena and Thor until the time was right for the royal family to be reunited once more.

  The following morning, Selena was greeted by orders from the Council, only to find out that the Lich was preparing an all out attack against Alfheim and his army was already on their way. With General Araneus’ support in the meeting, Selena and Thor were assigned to the leading formation, despite still being in basic training. With three days to prepare, Silver agreed to help Selena finally make her own sword to use in battle with the metal D gave her. Through a long process, Selena created a new sword and named it Dragonheart.

  Hours before the upcoming battle, Selena met with Maria, another friend she was introduced to after arriving to Alfheim, and discovered that Maria was the last living descendant of Varathka Gundisalvus. Maria knew that Selena was interested in reading his works and brought some of his hidden texts that revealed Ragnarok’s location. Selena and Thor devised a plan to try to get the sword before the Lich destroyed Alfheim.

  During the battle, Selena, Thor, and Rahim head toward the Hinterlands and to the abandoned dwarven ruin was outside of Alfheim. After finding and entering the ruin, Selena’s group discovered that it was filled with machinery and technology that the rest of the Empire had never seen before. Selena speculated that it was long forgotten by the dwarves years ago. They stumbled upon an ancient river monster, a machine golem, and a giant griffin-like creature with eyes all over its body that they fight and defeat. During their battles, Thor learned how to breathe fire and to summon light, and Selena learned how to use earth magic.

  They stumbled upon a titanic-sized chamber that held Ragnarok behind a massive device operated through magic and crystals. It read starlight to predict the future. They were able to start up the machine, but it projected words in the Elf language, which was forgotten long ago. Just as Selena finally acquired Ragnarok, they ran into Myrrdin once more, only to figure out that he was actually the Lich in disguise the whole time.

  The Lich taunted them and explained that he was the reason behind most of Selena’s misfortunes, including all her nightmares and visions. He tempted her with power equal to that of a god if she gave him Ragnarok. Selena held her ground and refused. Their one-on-one combat was interrupted by Silver and Kain, who followed Selena and worked together to help stop the Lich. The necromancer mocked Silver and forced him to confess his true nature; that he was a sixteen-thousand-year-old shape-shifter – a demi-god.

  With Silver’s and Kain’s help, they fought and defeated the Lich, but Ragnarok was destroyed, along with the starlight reading device. Angry that his plans went astray, the Lich nearly killed Selena by impaling her with his sword in the stomach. Kain quickly delivered his final blow, but the Lich vanished after declaring that he would withdraw his army from Alfheim and that he would return.

  When Kain and Silver worked together to heal her wounds, Selena’s new power was awakened and she transformed into a powerful, but uncontrollable spectral dragon. Silver exclaimed that this was a hidden ability due to her having the blood and soul of a dragon. After a moment in the dragon state, Selena reverted back to normal and became unconscious.

  When she woke up, she found herself in th
e Nexus, or the spirit realm. She met with the Fire Lion, the Divine Beast of all life and creation. He explained to her his true name was Xyaxon and that the starlight device spoke of the Day of Eternal Darkness. It would be this day that the sun would turn black caused by distortions in time and space that couldn’t be prevented. The strength of all demons and the undead would be increased dramatically while the Divines would weaken. Xyaxon warned her that she and Thor would need to stop the Lich before that dreadful day came, or else he would destroy their world.

  Selena was given a test to face what she feared most. Xyaxon gave her shadow life and Selena was immediately entered into combat. Throughout the fight, Selena realized that her shadow was only copying what she is doing. Xyaxon challenged her by commanding Selena to tell her shadow that she was worthless. Selena refused and realized that she needed to be more confident in herself.

  With Xyaxon pleased, he continued to explain that Selena might have a chance at defeating the Lich with her newly found dragon state powers. In her awakened form, she was at her most powerful, but she needed to learn to control it. Otherwise, she would be consumed and destroyed. Before sending her back, Xyaxon gave her a little bit of hope and encouragement.

  Despite the grave news, Selena and Thor agreed that they had to do whatever it took to save the world.

  *****

  Chapter 1

  Selena Liongod and Rahim Branwen were intensely locked in a life or death struggle. She feared that Rahim would make his move that may end it all.

  He squinted at the sun and closed his eyes. “This will be your end.”

  A sneer played upon Selena’s lips as she did her best to anticipate what her opponent will do next. “We will see about that.”

  Rahim took a deep breath and opened his eyes again. He raised his hand and, with great care, picked up one of his pieces on the chess board that sat neatly on the ground in between them.