Rebirth of the Heroes Read online

  Contents

  Rebith of the Heroes

  Copyright

  Author's Notes

  Acknowledgments

  Author Bio

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Interlude I

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Interlude II

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Interlude III

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Interlude IV

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Interlude V

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-One

  Interlude VI

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Interlude VII

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  Chapter Fifty

  Chapter Fifty-One

  Chapter Fifty-Two

  Chapter Fifty-Three

  Chapter Fifty-Four

  Chapter Fifty-Five

  Chapter Fifty-Six

  Chapter Fifty-Seven

  Chapter Fifty-Eight

  Rebith of the Heroes

  Chronicles of the Seventh Realm

  by N A K Baldron

  Rebith of the Heroes by NAK Baldron

  Published by Aconite Cafe

  P.O. Box 63

  Marble Falls, TX 78654

  www.AconiteCafe.com

  www.NAKBaldron.com

  © 2021 NAK Baldron

  All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permissions contact:

  [email protected]

  Cover by Aconite Cafe

  Artwork by Ricky Gunawan

  AUTHOR'S NOTES

  March 5th, 2021

  Firstly, thank you to all of my fans who've stuck with me through thick and thin. Rebirth of the Heroes is a reworking of Sorcerer's Trial, Alchemy Justice, and Apprentices' Library, along with a new story as interludes.

  This novel took longer than planned, but the new interlude was well worth the extra time. Hopefully, you enjoy Adaku and Abaze's story and gain a new perspective on who they are. I know I did.

  Last month was a mad dash as I found myself pulled in six directions at once. This month is already shaping up to be just as crazy, though nothing compared to being without power for a week. We're planning a mini-vacation for next week, and it couldn't come sooner. Reminding myself to take breaks is hard, but vital to prevent burnout in the future. Better to take a few days now, than lose a month to depression later.

  Chronicles of the Seventh Realm will continue with Darkens the Stars of Providence, which will be released later this month. After which, my focus will be on Blood Feud and building the Magi Codex series. (You can get a free short story prequel on website nakbaldron.com) For now the plan is to write the first three novels before releasing, and based on current progress I expect the series to release in June, though that's by no means a promise. As part of my new business outlook, I'm no longer setting hard release dates without the novel in hand.

  I can't thank you enough for your support during my transitional period. Being able to focus on a new series has been invaluable to my mental health. I trust you will enjoy the new series, and I'm striving to make it a cut above anything I've published previously. Not to degrade my previous novels, but thus far Blood Feud has received my best feedback.

  The distraction of the new series has given me the much needed space to solve the issues I saw within the final Chronicles of the Seventh Realm novel. While the wait is less than ideal, it will result in the best novel possible.

  Sabetha and I have also been hard at work on the next cozy mystery novel Purrfect Roast. We're also putting together short stories within the series for an anthology idea, which I hope to officially announce later this month.

  Thank you for your support while I restructure my series into proper novel form.

  Acknowledgments

  A special thanks to my Patreons: Zach S!

  Thank you for picking this novel above all the others on your shelf.

  Sabetha, your never-ending support has proven vital to my process, and I'm not sure if I can ever repay you enough.

  Ricky, thank you for the excellent artwork.

  Crystal, thank you for the excellent edits and the expediency in their delivery.

  Nicholi (N A K Baldron), is an author and adventurer, best known for his international bestselling series Chronicles of the Seventh Realm, where Science, Magic, and Two Worlds Collide.

  He lives in a tiny house in a small town near Austin, Texas with his life partner Sabetha, and their daughter whom they homeschool together.

  When he's not crafting new worlds with the magic of words, he can be found backpacking on the many trails near his home. Nature offer's Nicholi the room for his mind to wander, and sleeping under the stars helps him identify with many of the characters he enjoys writing about. He hopes his love for nature permeates his fiction.

  At the bright age of twelve Nicholi discovered Eragon by Christopher Paolini. Realizing the author wasn't much older than himself, he decided to give novel writing a shot. Obviously, plagiarism is wrong, so Nicholi wrote his "completely original" story about a farm boy who could speak to wolves. That novel will never see publication, but Nicholi looks to it as a reminder of where he came from, and as inspiration of how one author can change a young man's life.

  It would take another fifteen years of honing his craft before Nicholi published his first novel, and he wouldn't change a single year of the journey.

  Nicholi and Sabetha also write a dragon cozy mystery series together under the penname Verena DeLuca. She is also a major contributor to Aconite Cafe, Nicholi's Publishing Company, and runs the reader discord server.

  Learn more at nakbaldron.com and see a full list of books by N A K Baldron.

  PROLOGUE

  Emerald Nation, Fencura

  A cool breeze danced through the tall grass of the great plains, encouraging the young children to play. The only game of note in their minds was tag. A game simple enough the three-year-olds could learn, while complex enough to keep the oldest engaged for hours. The source-light overhead baked the field like an oven bakes warm bread while the winds from the northern mountains sent a chill down the children's spines.

  Adaku and Abaze sat apart from the other children, upon a blood-red carpet with a geometric fractal pattern spreading from the core to the corners. A symbol of their wealth and power. In six mont
hs, they'd choose public names to mark their transition into adulthood. Carefree days spent frolicking in the fields wouldn't be tolerated. Their father had already scolded them for such adolescent behavior. But his love for their mother kept his anger in check. They were the heirs of a mighty kingdom, and expectations were set.

  "Abaze!" Mitaire called out for him to join their game.

  "Let's go play," he begged his sister.

  "Father said—" Adaku began.

  "He won't know. Besides mother said—"

  "Fine." Exasperation clear in her voice.

  Abaze popped up and held out a hand for his sister, and after a quick jerk of his shoulder, Adaku was on her feet. Without a second thought, he turned to run after Mitaire. He was still too young to understand the attraction they felt toward each other or the ramifications of their relationship as he ran through the waist-high grass. Though they were the same age, their mother had seen to it that Adaku matured. "You'll have to protect your brother from himself," their mother had warned.

  Mitaire was stunning in the bright glow of the source-light, as her rich chestnut skin shimmered. She'd pulled her oiled hair into a bun atop her head, bound together with a crimson ribbon, which brought out the amber in her eyes. Abaze had found his first love. Without the wisdom to understand it, he discounted his racing heart as a result of playing tag.

  Adaku walked with a grace befitting her position toward the other children—her hands held out to glide through the grass—and watched her brother make a fool of himself. The son of a prince shouldn't run about playing tag with children, but her brother was stubborn and uninhibited. It's what she admired about him. As the eldest, their father expected her to carry herself with grace and dignity befitting a noble's daughter. The fact they were only ten minutes apart in age, didn't sway his expectations.

  Mitaire hugged Abaze. "You're it!"

  With the speed of the wind she ran off.

  Abaze gave chase, but slow enough to keep her at arms reach. At any moment he could have caught any of the children if he wanted, but instead he preferred to chase Mitaire.

  Soon, the other children began a second game of tag, while Abaze and Mitaire chased each other. They drifted away from the crowd, toward the ancient oak their father called Maduenu, a secret name only the priests and nobles spoke of. Adaku continued to follow at her slow pace, allowing them space, but obeying father and keeping an eye on him. The sounds of the other children grew distant and the source-light began its descent. It was time to return home, but Abaze and Mitaire were enjoying themselves—perhaps too much. She shivered as a gust of air caught inside her dress. Once the source-light sat for the night, the fields would become too cold to play in. Often in the morning they'd find ice upon the grass.

  Their father galloped across the field and caught Abaze in the act before he could pull himself away from Mitaire.

  "Mitaire," Mobo, Prince of Zaria, commanded from atop his warhorse. "Return to your mother's house. Tell her what you've done. My vizier will speak to your father tomorrow."

  She stood there stunned, trying to brush away Abaze's kiss, which lingered on her lips. Abaze stood between her and his father's men. Mobo clapped his hands above his head—a signal for his guards to draw their yatagans, ceremonial swords sharp enough to cut off an insolent head.

  NO! Abaze screamed inside his mind, as he fought back tears.

  Adaku heard her brother's plea. Don't resist. She transmitted. Father means it.

  Sister? Abaze glanced away from Mitaire to his sister.

  Yes. Abaze, step aside!

  Abaze turned his back on his father. "You have to go."

  Tears poured down Mitaire's face. Her beautiful amber eyes appeared dulled, and she reached for his hand.

  She'll die! Adaku transmitted.

  Abaze pushed her hand away with enough conviction to show he meant it. Mitaire ran off toward the northeast gate of the city. Her wails of pain echoed across the grass plains.

  Tears began to build at the corners of his eyes, but Abaze summoned the courage to turn and face their father, and caught a boot heel to the head.

  "How dare you!" Mobo climbed down from his warhorse. The beast stood with the stirrup eye level to Mobo on the ground. "You are my son, not some street urchin free to fornicate with any common mare who will have you." He slapped his son across the face with the crop held in his left hand.

  "Father, please." Adaku dropped to her knees and used both hands to pull her skirt tight against her legs as she bowed.

  "You bear the guilt too." Their father didn't look at her. "Your mother will deal with you, just as Mitaire's mother will deal with her."

  "My Prince," their father's eastern adviser said. "You'll be late to your meeting with the priests."

  "We will speak at home!" Mobo grabbed hold of the leather strap attached to the saddle horn and used it to aid his jump. He slipped his right foot into the stirrup. Then, in a quick motion jumped again, swinging his right leg over the top of the warhorse and landing his left foot into the stirrup. Most princes kept a servant close at hand to help with such activities. Their father rejected the tradition—he felt relying on servants made a prince weak, which was why they didn't have their own servants.

  "Let's go." Mobo spun his gelding back toward the city gate. "Kelechi will take an extra hour if we're late."

  Clumps of mud and grass were flung into the air as their father and his two advisors rode off toward the south gate of the city.

  "Are you okay?" Adaku reached out a hand to help her brother up, but he slapped it away.

  I wish another prince would challenge him.

  Don't think that. Adaku transmitted.

  What is this? Why can we hear each other?

  "I don't know, but Kelechi will," Adaku said. "We can ask tomorrow. We have to get home before Mother hears about this."

  CHAPTER ONE

  Sapphire Nation, Fencura

  Time became an illusion. Cold slowly crept into Ren's bones and a dull throbbing began in his lower back from constantly leaning on the stone floor. Food was sparse and his hunger grew into a fear that he may starve to death inside the cell. It was a mistake to think he could come to Shinzo and become a sorcerer. The cards Shaya gifted to him were indeed a life saver. She'd known the hollowing pain the jail brought on. Ren created rituals around playing solitaire to keep his mind intact and not fall victim to the echoing silence.

  Guard boots echoed off the stone stairs, growing louder as they descended toward him. He quickly hid the cards back in the shell box, before hiding the box itself.

  "Wake up!" The guard banged his club against the bars of the cell.

  "I'm awake," Ren said. "What day is it?"

  "Palms against the wall."

  Ren stood at the back of the cell, palms pressed flat against the rough stone wall. He clinched the box between his legs, doing his best to look natural.

  The sound of a metal tray sliding across the stone signaled the arrival of his rations.

  "When is the Amethyst Nation examination?" Ren kept his face toward the stone. It was only the two of them on this floor of the jail. There was no chance the guard wouldn't hear him.

  The guard chuckled to himself. Ren asked every guard the same question. They found his obsession with the examination amusing, and would respond in jest, hoping he would react.

  "Surly a sorcerer worthy of joining the Amethyst Nation could get himself out of a simple jail cell."

  "Please!" It was the first time Ren allowed himself to beg.

  "They're already at the palace preparing with the Emperor." The guard clicked his heels. "May his reign last a thousand years. The examinations will begin any day now. Damn land-lovers have taken over the city." The last sentence was meant more for himself than Ren.

  The guard began to walk away. Ren turned to find his food was twice as large as normal, with a full bowl of rice, instead of half. "Thank you!" Ren called after the guard.

  "Thank the priests." The guard called
over his shoulder. "Sueun's Blessing. They bring charity on accounting day, left by the good citizens of Shinzo."

  The sound of his metal boots shifted from a high-pitched clink to a dull clatter, before finally vanishing beyond Ren's keen hearing. Forced solitude in a stone dungeon made his ears sensitive to the sounds around him. The smell of salt lingered in the air while he ate—no doubt carried in on the leathers of the guard's uniform.

  After eating, Ren curled up on the stone floor with the meager blanket provided to him. More hole than wool, it was just enough material to create a pillow and leave a slip of cloth to cover his arms.

  When he fell asleep, Ren left the prison and traveled to distant lands. There he witnessed the faces of men, women, and children—all of whom suffered under the rule of a corrupt king. He brought war and famine upon the land, and the people suffered for it. Those who chose to follow him willingly received wealth and bountiful feasts, while children starved in their homes, but still his followers suffered. For with one word, his subjects were slaughtered for his personal amusement. It pleased him to see those who swore loyalty die for no reason. The chaos fueled his ambitions.

  A woman's voice continued to haunt Ren's dream, "Better to die than face dishonor . . ."

  CHAPTER TWO

  Sapphire Nation, Fencura

  Carved into the stone stairs of the grotto was a door, well-crafted and near invisible. And unless told where to push on the stone wall, no one could ever find it. Only fourteen people in the world knew the secret—the seven Thief Lords and their seven First Sworn.

  Shaya sat in the Thief Lord's council room, behind the secret door guarded by six of the First Sworn. A silent battle took place amongst the First Sworn to see who would win the honor of standing closest to the door, before they fanned out into a half-circle.

  Despite Clan Kaito's lowly status, Akio took the lead amongst his peers. While the others spread out enough to give each person room to swing their swords if the occasion called for it. There was nothing special about the inside of the council room, a perfect cube cut from the stone under the stairs. By eliminating all creature comforts the Thief Lords who oversaw the construction insured they and their descendants would use this room to settle only the direst of arguments or hide themselves in the case of an all-out siege by the Emperor. This room was the true purpose for the grotto's construction. Whereas the Thieves' Market was a clever misdirect—though be it a highly profitable one.