Awakening (Telindell Book 1) by Darren Lee Read Free Book Online Page A

marching behind him.  Each sage carried a long black staff in their left hand.  Eva glared directly at Dreathous.
    Dreathous stopped.  He rose his hand commanding the sages to stop as well.  Dreathous looked at the villagers massed before him, “So, I see you have all lined up for your slaughter. How kind of you…”  Dreathous words turned into a maniacal laughter.
    Eva smirked slightly at his laughter. “I assure you, no one will line up for you.”
    Dreathous stepped toward the old woman. “Is that so, old woman?  I fail to see how any of you will stop it.  I will eat of your flesh and drink of your blood before the hour’s end.  There will be no mercy.”  Dreathous looked from left to right, peering at the villagers with Eva at their front and center. “You will not even have the mercy of death.  We shall consume you alive!  You will suffer to your dying breath, all of you filth!  You, old woman, will be saved for last, so you can watch them all die, slowly and in agony.”  Dreathous began to laugh once more.
    Alrad emerged from the group of villagers and ran towards Dreathous, dropping to his knees before the tyrant. “My Lord, I beg of you,” pleaded Alrad, “please spare me and my son, and I shall deliver whatever it is you seek.”
    Dreathous chuckled. “Seems one of you is wise.” Dreathous looked down to the pleading Alrad. “I offer you ascendance for your cooperation in finding what I seek.”
    Alrad nodded quickly. “Yes, my lord, anything you ask,” said the cowering man.
    Eva’s nose flared and her lips began to quiver.  “Alrad, you disgusting filth…” she muttered before trailing off to silence.
    A gusting wind rose immediately.  Thick black clouds began to appear in the sky, effectively blocking the remaining sun light.  Green lightning began striking Eva’s staff repeatedly.  Her silver hair flying wildly in the gusts of wind.
    Dreathous looked upon the old woman.  “That power… you are--”
    Eva interrupted the tyrant’s words by pecked her staff on the ground.  Green lightning lit up the sky in a flash.  A bolt shot from the heavens for each of the villagers.  They died instantly as they were struck.  Their bodies fell on the ground, charred and seared black. 
    Eva spoke, her voice far deeper and more youthful, echoing through the skies accompanied by thunder.  “You dare trespass on this hallowed ground?  This is my dominion. You have no place here!  Turn back or face my wrath!”  Eva looked upon Dreathous as her eyes began emitting a glowing green light.  Circulating green energy could be seen traveling across her body and staff.
    Dreathous was silent for a moment, looking at the dead Alrad at his feet.  Dreathous kicked the corpse to the side and began laughing.  “Tell me bitch, how weak have you become in mortal form?”  Dreathous glared at Eva.  “Do you think this light show strikes fear in me?  You are a trivial opponent at best.”
    Dreathous reached for the hilt of the blade that was slung across his back with his right hand.
    Eva spoke, her voice once again echoing through the thunder of the heavens.  “You and ten pathetic sages will not stand against my might alone.”
    Dreathous drew his blade, gripping it with both hands.  He held it to the sky, red energy beginning to circulate across it, then across his body.  The glow from his eyes intensified as he let out a thunderous roar. “You greatly underestimate my power or foolishly overestimate yours!”
    Eva smirked and raised her staff, clutching it with both hands spread apart.  She slid her left foot back, hunching over slightly into a battle stance, holding her staff diagonally across her body. “We shall see.”
    Dreathous snorted and stepped back with his left foot.  He leaned forward, lowering his large blade to his left side.  The tip pierced the ground, and he tightened his grip.  Dreathous glanced back to the complement of sages standing at his rear.  “Stay