chapter 1 excerpt

this is the first 5 pages of the first chapter

On the third night of the Taoli Festival,was the day of his birth, and resurrection. High in the sky the levian moon was within its third trimester, his  mother, Venisha (Veen-ya-Shai) sat sadly, a stillborn child in her hands. “There is one way, to keep the child” the doula whispered, with a caring tone in her voice “Though... you will die in the process.” With great sorrow in her eyes, his mother nodded “Whatever it is, do it, please.” The doula nodded before placing him upon the ground, from her satchel she pulled sage, and ceramic bottle of an unknown mixture. “Here is what you shall do” the doula stated as she lit the sage, inhaling the aroma of the plant bundle before taking the liquid and pouring it in a reflective dish. “This is a very medieval practice, but it has never failed… well at least that’s what I’m told.” “You haven’t performed this before?!” Venisha exclaimed in shock. “aye ‘tis true i have not… None have been bold enough to save their child, however Ven you are a brave woman, who deserves to have her legacy continued.”

Sephonia cried aloud as she realized that her final moment was nigh. “Celest, please when my child is revived, bless him with a beautiful name… and promise with your life that you will protect him.” Celeste nodded “I swear upon my soul to the gods above that I will protect his baby.” Finally my mother nodded before commencing the ritual, dropping her blood within the reflective dish. Heat rose from the effervescing liquid, as my mother chanted upon the dish. “Ryuudant, D�-Σzar Shriederan Lezanrea”(using the name of the Ryuudant family, I call upon the taker of souls) sickly yellow steam began to rise from the mixture, as it began to take effect. Two blood covered hands rose from the reflective dish, grabbing the throat of Venisha, tearing the essence of her soul from her body guttural screams left her body, her final breaths leaving a cold feeling within the air around them. At this moment Celest pulled a blade of obsidian from her hip and slashed across the hands, causing the creature to rear away, leaving behind the essence of Venisha. “Dithagra, Taoli cuera limna drago” (The soul brings life to the young deceased)  Celeste stated as she took the baby washing him in the reflective dish, the soul entering the baby.

In the beginning there was only silence, causing celeste to drop to her knees in sheer sorrow, believing she had failed. As she cried, another voice joined her though something was off. As the baby cried, arcs of electricity shot from him like a Tesla coil. Celeste lifted the baby a smile growing on her face, upon that day she named him kadambari (one who dances with lightning).  The baby cooed at this new name bestowed upon him, his emerald eyes glowing with a blinding light, making Celeste squint. With the baby in her arms, Celeste quickly delivered the baby, and bad tidings to Alexio.

"What sort of spell is this sound my child? Why does electricity create an aura around him?" He asked finally tired from mourning. "I am unsure, no hex of mine could Hasbro done such a thing. It may be possible your son is a" she paused for a moment trying to word this carefully. " I believe he is a šürpitro ( one with unique powers.) Like mend..."

"Never speak that name in my house! "

"Forgive me sir. I did not mean to upset you"

" This child get rid of him at one, I cannot handle another demon under my family crest." Alexio stated with disgust.

"No! It was Venisha's final wish for me to protect this baby with my life. I swore my soul that I would, so damn it you man up and take care of your son."

Alexio swung his the back of his palm at celeste's  jaw, causing her to hit the ground. "Don't you dare speak to me in such a way, you are below me!" Celeste only smiled  wickedly as she spit some blood from her mouth on to the ground in front of Alexio. Quickly drawing her sacrificial blade she held it at the throat of Alexio, bloodlust in her eyes. “You just don’t get it do you, this is your child, your baby and you’re just trying to throw it out like it’s a piece of spoiled meat!” As she continued malice filled her voice, her mouth nearly foaming with anger. “Now, here is what the hell you’re going to do, take the baby and take care of it.” Celeste’s once silver eyes turned into a soulless onyx color as she spoke, her hair beginning to smoke as she gripped down on to the blade, breaking the skin on Alexio’s throat causing him to bleed.

“I’ll be watching you, and if you ever disobey me, I won’t hesitate to tear you limb from limb, and feed you to the hellhounds.” She stated with an eerie calmness as she took the blade from his throat and replaced it in its hilt. Alexio only stood in shock, hand compressing his fresh wound as Celeste walked out the door, acting as if nothing had just happened. Instantly his eyes fell upon his baby,  arcs of electricity glowing orange as the baby slept, encircling him almost like a shield. Alexio had no choice but to keep this baby, unless he wanted the queen of insanity to come back and do him in. Shaking his head he picked up his boy a small note falling from the side of his crib.

“Vanisha Asked me to name the baby before I gave him to you, I have had him blessed with the name Kadambari, meaning lightning dancer, stay strong for I feel this child may be special in more ways than you think.” - Celeste

“Kadambari” Alexio muttered softly letting the name roll on his tongue before he walked outside, baby in hand. Alexio dropped down on to his knees, subtle tears streaming down his cheeks as he bellowed his prayers to the silent gods above. “Help me oh lords Feratol (Dual personality god/goddess of parenthood and fertility), I pray that you grant me the strength to keep this child in goodwill.” The people around him stared in confusion as they saw their neighbor screaming to the sky like a maniac, holding a glowing baby.

“Sir Ryuudant?” A familiar voice said from a relatively close distance “sir are you okay?”

Alexio looked towards the person only to realize it was his neighbor Madeline, the young housewife who befriended his wife many years ago. It was impossible for him to speak, he could only stare at her with an open mouth, no words able to escape.

“Sir?” She became worried as he stared at him, quickly she rushed to his side to help him up. Taking the baby in her hands he led him into the house, leading him to a chair. “What happened? Has someone died?” Alexio could only nod and point towards the room in which his wife’s body lay. Madeline followed his pointing to the room until she gazed upon the lifeless body of Venisha. “H..how, how could this happen.” She shrieked, her hazel eyes locking on to the sickly gray body that lie before her. She rushed from the room, unable to handle the many different senses in the house. The heavy weight of death, pushing down her body trying to crush it. The air smelled of sorrow, and all she could feel was the endless silence which plagued her soul, taking over her body, filling her with the overwhelming sense of pain for a lost friend.

“She, sacrificed her life to save our child. The one you hold in your hands now, has my wife’s soul entrapped within him. “ He stated finally able to speak, though his words were said as if all meaning to his life had vanished in an instant. “I cannot do this alone” He sobbed, all the emotions he felt earlier beginning to return one by one. Each gasp of air he took feeling like napalm in his lungs. “Madeline, please, I need your help, as well as your husbands. I can’t raise this child alone. And you two are my most trusted friends… please, help me.” He begged, knowing this may be the only answer to his problem.

Reluctantly Madeline nodded in agreement “I will help you, and I can persuade Lucian to help me.” She said with a false sense of confidence, to raise the widowed father's mood.

Reviews

[Clive Johnson]

You have a good start here! You did great with the details and I like how you added in the different language and its translation. I don't have any suggestions for you right now, so keep up the good work! I look forward to seeing how you develop your story further :)

[Fallen king]

Please review everyone. Thank you.