Peter Koevari - Prophecies Awakening

Dark clouds gathered in the purple sky blanketing Greenhaven, and the sun began to disappear into the horizon as the red moon rose higher in the distance. The people of the city fled for shelter as heavy rain plummeted from above and lightning crashed violently onto the lands. Scattered trees surrounding the restored fort were set alight by the lightning strikes, and the forest was wildly shaken by the winds.

A knight smashed his fist into the wall as he leaned his face up against it, dust exploding from the wall’s surface. He slid his helm onto the rough skin on his weary head so that only the fury in his eyes were visible beneath the armour and drew a deep dusty breath into his lungs.

He marched out to the city’s defensive wall to look over the lands and called out in a gruff voice, “Mount up! The time we were waiting for has come."

The city’s knights had already suited up in full armour and proudly wore Greenhaven’s new colours: green, red and blue interwoven patches, representing human, elf and dragon united. They waited behind the lowered main gate for orders, ready for battle.

Andrielle approached the knight, already in her own suit of armour and holding her helm close to her side. She bore a nasty battle scar down the side of her face and a few grey hairs shone through. She stood straight, in a display of strength, to prove that her age was not going to stop her from engaging in battle.

“How dare any of you stand in my way? Bow to me as your new god!” boomed a dark voice from the distant forest, sending birds scattering from Greenhaven’s surrounding lands.

Queen Andrielle grimaced and growled, “Raise the bridge and ready the archers!”

“Of course, my Queen,” answered the knight. He turned to approach the many groups of archers and ordered them to ready themselves. Thousands of men and elves ran to the walls of the great city and got into their firing positions.

He moved toward Greenhaven's gate and shouted, “Raise the bridge!”

The mechanical, rhythmic melody of metal chains escaped the city as the bridge was raised. A heavy shudder ran through the city to accompany the finality of the gate being lowered.

“And what of the dragons?” asked the knight.

Andrielle raised her face to the skies and breathed, “They are already here."

Lightning struck the walls of Greenhaven and a few elven archers were set on fire. They screamed as they rolled on the ground.

“Use the water, quickly!” ordered Helenia from the eastern wall.

Andrielle leaned down from the catapult and shouted, “Catapult crew?”

“Ready!” came the response.

Karven and Finn landed atop two of Greenhaven’s tallest turrets with a loud tremor, while the other dragons circled above the clouds. The dragons’ eyes narrowed as they stared straight ahead at the monumental figure of Shindar marching into the open from the trail leading through the forest.

Shindar grimaced through the black mouthpiece of his helm and spat on the ground in their direction before turning back and raising a fist high. The sound of horns filled the air, and battle drums beat in unison. The city rumbled with the sounds of the Forces of Darkness approaching through the forest path.

“Steady! Not yet!” ordered Andrielle, her hand raised up, signalling for the archers and catapults to hold their fire.

“Karven! You cowardly reptile, it appears that we meet once again,” boomed Shindar’s voice over the lands. “I promise you, this time you will not catch me unawares. You might have destroyed my greatest creation, but do not mistake your little victory for what it is not. Kassina’s death brought me back into this world, and set the wheels of the prophecy in motion. This world will still be mine!”

“Hold!” cried Andrielle again.

The vast Dark Army entered their view as if a new horizon was created.

“By the gods!” exclaimed Andrielle under her breath, as the front ranks of armoured skeleton warriors filled the surrounding land as far as the eye could see.

Shindar stopped and shook his fist. The army ceased their advance and remained still as they awaited Shindar’s orders.

“This is your last chance. Lower your gate, bow at my feet and swear allegiance to me. Then you all shall live!” yelled Shindar. He drew his black sword and held it ready at his side. “Or prepare to die!”

A few quiet moments passed as the gods above observed the events below with great anticipation. Only the sound of rain and the rumbles of the thunderstorm were heard.

“We will send you back to the darkness from which you came!” responded Andrielle. “All forces — fire!”

Karven and Finn breathed out a steady stream of fire that created a tunnel of flames. Thousands of arrows and catapult missiles were launched into the air and caught fire as they passed through the dragons’ combined breath. The weapons flew through the rain-speckled air, lighting up the darkened skies.

Shindar stood his ground and withdrew an intimidating shield from his back, which bore metallic fangs in a skull on its surface. His voice bellowed, “Shields!”, as he knelt and dug the bottom of his shield into the ground. His front lines followed suit and a red glow emanated from the Dark Lord’s fist, before he twisted to his side and howled with the release of his power. The red orb of light erupted in a short distance on front of him before bursting into a glowing net that covered his entire front lines. Catapult missiles were caught in the net and fell uselessly to the ground, whilst many of the arrows rained down on their shields, very few managed to dispatch a small number of his warriors.

Rising to his feet, Shindar pointed toward Greenhaven and yelled, “Prepare to die!”

Vartan stirred and cried out, “Shindar!”, startling a sleeping Finn and Trisa before his body calmed again. Finn breathed loudly and frowned as he realised that his brother was not awake.

“What do you think they are? Nightmares? I haven’t seen his body react like that before,” asked Trisa.

Finn shook his head and sighed, “A reaction like that is usually from a vision.”

To Be Continued

Peter Koevari

Legends of Marithia: Book 1 — Prophecies Awakening: Uncut and Exte nded Second Edition

Peter Koevari is a writer that holds fantasy dearly close to his heart. From an early age, he was immersed in all media of fantasy that he could get his hands on. Memories of movies such as The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Star Wars, Conan, The Last Starfighter, The Princess Bride, and many more are cherished memories of fantasy nostalgia.

Peter’s hunger for storytelling was growing from a young age. Feeding off movies, video games, and books, the hunger had never been quenched. There was a yearning for something, as if he was enchanted by a spell and did not know how to release it.

The worlds held inside his imagination had to be shared with readers of the world.

It took over 10 long years to unlock the doors to worlds such as Marithia, and to pen them into books to share with anyone willing to travel to his worlds, but once he found the key and began to write… everything made sense.

Peter’s writing will surprise you, may shock you and take your emotions by its talons, but will transport your mind into a world of fantasy like you have never read before. www.peterkoevari.com