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Zaria: Metamorphosis
Ratings:
252 pages5 hours
Summary
Destined hero, Elara Porter, returns for another action-packed, thrilling adventure. After falling through the portal, Elara finds herself in an alternate dimension where a group of warriors known as the Fates train for a war against an unknown threat. Trying to find allies in this new world turns out to be difficult for Elara, but while searching for a way to return home to her friends, she discovers there is a darkness approaching on the horizon and it is up to her to stop it from destroying a world she has tried to run from. In this world, Elara finds they are training to protect the people, but what are they protecting them from? Get ready for the next exciting chapter to the five part series, Zaria: Metamorphosis.
Publisher: AuthorHouseReleased: Jul 14, 2011ISBN: 9781463417680Format: book
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Zaria - Kristin Grice
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Contents
PREFACE
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER ONE:
TRAINING AS A FATE
CHAPTER TWO: MASTER ARCADEN
CHAPTER THREE:
DARIUS THE GREAT
CHAPTER FOUR: THE FATES
CHAPTER FIVE: MIDNIGHT SESSION
CHAPTER SIX: AFTERSHOCK
CHAPTER SEVEN:
THE LEGEND OF ELARA
CHAPTER EIGHT:
CURIOUS CLUE #1
CHAPTER NINE:
A PORTAL TO THE MIND
CHAPTER TEN: DETAINMENT
CHAPTER ELEVEN:
CURIOUS CLUE #2
CHAPTER TWELVE:
TROUBLE WITH DARIUS
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: ANNOUNCEMENT
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: RESEARCH
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: A LONG NIGHT
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: COMBAT 101
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN:
VILLAGE SHOPPING
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN:
GABBA YABBA
CHAPTER NINETEEN:
THE HADORIANS
CHAPTER TWENTY: HOUSE ARREST
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: AUTUMNAL EQUINOX
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: ARCADEN’S ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE:
PORTAL OPENING
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR:
THE MEDALLIONS
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE:
AN HONEST CHOICE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX: SLOTH
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN: ENVY
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT: LUST
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE:
BLACK SHADOW
CHAPTER THIRTY:
NUKA, LUKA, LIT-TLE,
AND PUR-TIE
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE: GLUTTONY
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO: WARNING
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE: ANGER
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR: PRIDE
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE:
THE HADORIANS VERSUS FATES
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX: THE RETURN
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN: GREED
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT:
LAST TRIAL IN THE CELTIC CIRCLE
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE:
EXIT STRATEGY
CHAPTER FORTY: JOHN’S JOURNAL
PREFACE
Zaria: Metamorphosis is a fictional work that I spent a little over four months working on. The idea came to me when I worked on the original novel, which took me a year and a half to finish. The original, Zaria: The Legend of Elara, was an escape for me, as a young writer, to turn to something that I could find release in. Unfortunately, it took me longer to write it than I thought and that was a struggle for me. I didn’t grow up around specific religions or was taught to go to church every Sunday, but I was raised around good morals and I knew right from wrong. At age seventeen, I took in the Lord and I started to find answers on what my purpose was and it inspired me to write about Elara Porter. The most important lesson I learned in life was about God and I read Revelations in the Bible and found that people didn’t truly know enough about the kind of events that would happen in the far future.
The first novel was inspired by the beginning of my new life as a new person, so I brought Elara in the story as a character who was similar to me. Not only was Elara similar to me, but there were other characters I originally created that were inspired by people in my life who meant a great deal to me. After the first novel, I began to deal with some inner struggles on where I was going with my life and what I was meant to do. I was a firm believer in destiny and that we were all put on this Earth for specific reason, so Elara was that person. She was the one who had to fulfill a great destiny because I wasn’t ready to find mine. Then, I found that my life wasn’t about where I wasn’t, it was about where I was going to be. I had the legend and I had the conflict, but I decided to create the series over just the one novel.
Metamorphosis came in right behind the first installment of the series as a journey to the point where Elara would end up. In this second one, Elara faces her demons and at the time I wrote it, I was facing some demons of my own. Each challenge that Elara faces manifested from my real life. This novel is part two of five and that means, Elara and I, as a writer, have a long way to go before we find ourselves as people. So, emotionally and mentally, this story not only acts as an inspiration for people who can relate to the characters, but it also acts as a long, winding journey until we reach the very end.
For the second one, Elara is facing inner demons that cause her to turn into a darker person, someone people won’t be able to recognize for a long time. Her loyal friends and family have been left behind in the real world dimension to try and find out where Elara has went, but they also face their inner demons. Wesley, Div, and Jace are responsible for more than just themselves and also continue to deal with the fact that Elara is possibly dead. As for Elara, she is dealing with the fact that these new people in her life won’t accept her and she has no idea what her purpose is with her new abilities and her new destiny. She doesn’t know who to trust and she doesn’t know why certain events are happening, but like me in my life, Elara and I are looking for answers. In this novel, Elara doesn’t find them all, but she does discover that there are things she is meant to do and people she can trust that will help her along the way.
First and foremost, I want to thank God, for blessing me and getting me so far in my life. My dreams have come true already with your blessings and help. Thank you. I owe my new publishing company, Author House, for giving me a great opportunity to inspire people and do what I love the most, which is writing. I want to thank my family. To my sister, for being an awesome teammate, and having the same creative passion as I do and pushing me to go after what I want. To my father, for supporting me and for listening when I needed someone to hear me. To my mother and Rob, you both have raised me well and I will always be thankful for what you have taught me. To my brother, for being a wonderful big brother and making the good times last. To my grandpa, for introducing me to God and giving me long, proud moments where your insight was vital. I love each and every one of my family members and I will always be thankful for your support and love.
I also want to thank my friends, because you are all some of the greatest fans I have ever had. Specifically, to my best friend, Bri, you have always been a supportive fan and a helpful one. To my photography genius and close friend, Diana, you are one of the most unique friends I have and your advice and wisdom, as strange as it sounds, is always inspirational. To my amazing illustrator and friend, Angie Lininger, for being such a fantastic artist and hanging in there with me through the process, I am in debt to you for being so patient with all of this. To my other friends, Colin, Reggie, Alysia, Abby, Lena, Sara, Taylor, and all my wonderful educators and mentors, Mr. Niekamp, Mr. Cheslock, Mrs. Johnson, and each and every one I have met, because truthfully, you are all the reason I am writing and doing what I love. Without your inspiration and without you in my life, I wouldn’t have been able to continue doing this. You are my ultimate fans and I will always remember you.
Thank you so much to those people who are my fans and who support me. This book would have been impossible without inspiration from you. Even though this is just the second novel, it’s been an incredible journey so far and I can’t wait to reveal the final 3 parts to the legend.
PROLOGUE
The rain fell heavily on my face as I opened my eyes to see where I was. I felt terrified and cold as I observed how dangerous my position was. A group of soldiers aimed their guns at me with determination. Slowly, I looked around at them with such weakness, my entire body felt like a large ton of bricks hung below my neck. Each soldier had a specific number on their arm, but I wasn’t sure why. It reminded me of the Farrows with their symbolic pentagrams, but I knew they weren’t part of that group. Something inside of me was eerie and dark, as if the men before me were rather foe than friend.
I was so weak; I couldn’t even open my mouth. Two of the soldiers walked up to me and approached with slight hesitation and precaution. One of them bent down and grabbed me with his hand by the back of my head.
Who are you?!
the soldier asked with anger.
My body hung over his arm and I coughed up blood. The soldier backed away as I passed out on the ground. As I drifted slowly into the abyss, I listened to the calming sounds of my heart beat. In a way, the rain was just as soothing, but it was the flash of lightning that terrified me. When another strike lit up the sky, I faded slowly to a quiet place where there was nothing but barren land. I looked around at the place before me, recognizing it as what used to be my home.
The only familiar scent was the smell of blood. It was oddly stimulating as I watched the dust whip into small twisters on the ground. No one was in sight and I was standing what felt like the center of the world, all alone and afraid. Slowly, I bent down and gathered some of the soil, but it felt rough and crumbled in the cracks of my fingers. A strong wind continued to blow as I turned around in a full rotation to see if there was any sign of life. All I kept hoping for was a light, but I wasn’t sure if I was dead or just dreaming.
Something eerie was in the air. I felt terrified and chills ran down my spine, causing me to shift in every direction until I spotted a white figure in the distance. At first, it appeared as a blurry vision and then I saw her beautiful, brown eyes. Her familiar presence struck me in a heartbeat as she reached down on the barren land and pressed her hand firmly to the Earth. A calm breeze washed over the entire area and the grounds lit up with green lands and colorful flowers. I stood for a moment and watched as she came towards me like she was floating.
Mom?
Her face lit up in the sun as it broke through the sky like it was trapped for centuries. I covered my face to block out the brightness when I saw her calm smile. If I was dead, I was glad to be where I was.
Mom?
Hello, sweetheart,
she said. There was a slight echo in the sky.
I thought I lost you for a moment,
I said, remembering when she jumped in front of the bolt to save me. I thought you died.
I am always going to be here for you,
she assured me. But I’m afraid your journey is not over. It’s not your time to go yet.
But I want to be with you,
I begged her.
She came over to me and gently touched my arm. My entire body filled up with warmth and I felt safe.
I will never leave you, Elara,
she said.
Her hand gracefully came to my cheek and she smiled at me once more, assuring me I was safe. She backed away and I felt empty and cold.
Mom?
I shivered with fear as the entire area became dark. Mom.
Her figure flickered like a flame until she disappeared from my sight. I looked up at the sky as the clouds start to roll in. The ground beneath my feet became barren again and my heart started to pound heavily. For one moment, I thought it was all over because Lionus was gone, but it wasn’t. I wasn’t sure if it would ever be.
The rain started to pour down on me and it felt slightly refreshing and powerful. Lightning lit up the sky above me and I stared up while extending my hands out to embrace the rain. When the second strike came, I saw a figure before me again, but it had red eyes and it was black. With each strike, it disappeared and came back from a different place. I turned around quickly and saw the figure again, breathing heavily and starting to panic.
I shifted in a circle with fear when a lightning strike lit up the sky with more power and I became blind. My heart sped up like I was running a marathon until my eyes reopened and I saw the lightning again, but it was against a new sky. There was a dark-skinned man carrying me as I glanced over, realizing I was still weak after the short run-in with the soldiers. The man’s arms were strong and hugging me close to his body, but I shifted, causing him to look down at me. Surprised, he leaned over me slightly to cover my face from the rain.
Are you okay?
he asked me.
Who are you?
I asked weakly.
My name is Darius,
he replied loudly over the down pour. You’re going to be okay. I promise.
I nodded slowly and relaxed my head against his chest. He followed the soldiers that approached me earlier, but I didn’t know where they were going. The dark man was a complete stranger to me, but he saved my life. Whatever reason I was still alive, I had to be thankful.
Just before I passed out in the man’s arms, I turned my head away from his chest to see the destination that he was taking me to. A tall castle stood on top of a hill with a fort around it, beneath large steel gates that gloriously sat on the highest mountain. It was the first time I saw Metamorc castle. My new home.
CHAPTER ONE:
TRAINING AS A FATE
Over a century ago, a well, known man named Loryas was given the ability to be part of something magnificent. It was meant to be a harmless journey to create alternate dimensions so people could find sanctuary when the battle against evil was upon the world. When the Council of Power assigned Loryas to open a new dimension, the power got the best of him. Instead of building a sanctuary, he built a dimension where the best men and women would train for battle. He believed that the world didn’t deserve sanctuary; they deserved to be protected. I guess in some ways, he thought he could save the world from being destroyed in Armageddon.
Unfortunately, when the councilmen found out about his betrayal, Loryas blocked off the dimension from the world. Without hesitation, Loryas began to build his army and his village. A village he called Metamorc. At first, it became a small place where innocent people could find shelter and live healthy, normal lives. When darkness was upon the village of Metamorc, Loryas took drastic action and recruited young men and women to train in a small facility at the top of Metamorc’s highest peak. They learned to harness their powers from the ancient forests and train with weapons and hand-to-hand combat. Loryas believed he was safe from the darkness until a powerful evil called the Black Shadows tried to destroy the village. His army wasn’t prepared for this unfamiliar darkness.
After years of battling the Shadows, Loryas and his village was saved by an unknown hero. Someone who knew the powers that could place the Shadows back into the prisons they were found. Loryas was in debt to this hero, so he built the castle above the village for all the people to see. It stood proudly as a sign of protection and strength. As the castle was in its final construction, Loryas’s wife gave birth to a son. Arcaden. On the day of Arcaden’s birth, Loryas had his warriors build tall, steel gates on the highest peak they could find to block out an evil that no one was aware of.
Rumors spread around the village about the hidden secrets behind the doors, but the only one informed of these dangers was the memorable hero and Loryas. After many quiet years, Loryas helped his wife with Arcaden’s childhood, teaching him to start an army and prepare for war. Since then, an army called the Fates was created.
For the last four months, the portal had been closed and I had no way of getting out of Metamorc. I didn’t expect to return, so my life changed drastically since I came to the dimension. It was the middle of September and I was in the courtyard of the magnificent castle, breathing in and out, slowly, with my hands in a prayer position. Time has passed slowly in Metamorc and I begun to train as one of them. As a Fate.
The Fates lived in the Metamorc castle above the village where we learned to protect the people from any outside danger. And from the gates
. I heard the legends of what was behind the steel doors, but none of them seemed true. We trained every day because that was how it worked. As a Fate, the skills we used were meant for combat and war. Unfortunately, each of the Fates had only one memory from their past life. It was a dark memory. The Fates used those memories to fight with anger and vengeance. Sadly, I was the only Fate who got to keep all of my memories. I found that odd.
There was one weapon that made it through the portal with me and I slowly pulled it out, admiring the handy work of Wesley. My blazder lit up a bright blue as I calmly took a breath, anticipating an attack.
Suddenly, one soldier came at me from the right and swung his sword. I blocked the hit with my blazder quickly and faced him. Another soldier came at me from the left and I blocked his hit. More soldiers continued to attack me in every direction, but I wouldn’t go down.
Since the fight seemed to go on for so long, I began using my hand-to-hand combat skills to attack. With perfect movement, I continued to steal each of their swords and knock them down. Pretty soon, twenty unconscious soldiers were on the ground before me.
I put my blazder away and looked furiously at all the men I injured. The castle made us remember the battles we were in because it made it harder to forgive ourselves. We would be able to kill without a sign of mercy. To look at all the lives lost and not be angry at yourself was a waste. Our anger was our motivation.
Quickly, I stood up in a tight and formal soldier position and closed my eyes. My entire memory clicked through like a replay and I observed all the moves I made in the recent fight. After I was done, I opened my eyes and looked around at all the men again and sighed heavily. Regardless of what the Fates taught me, I was still feeling guilty about whom I was.
Being at Metamorc castle changed me. I was no longer known as Elara Porter. I was Fate 295. There were three things I hated the most about Metamorc. One, the Fates were established by numbers. Two, they got to decide who was good and who was evil. And three, they were designed and trained to kill. It was like I was already in hell.
CHAPTER TWO: MASTER ARCADEN
I started back towards the grand hall through the glorious, main courtyard. It was like a perfectly manicured lawn with lots of shrubs and odd, Celtic statues. As I admired the dim sun shadows on the stone walls, I passed through the arched tunnel onto the main entry way to the big doors. My training ended and I had to check in with one of the mentors. A familiar voice caught me just before I entered and I looked behind to see it was my master, Arcaden.
Arcaden?
I called. Is that you?
Good morning, Elara,
he greeted. Arcaden approached me just outside the main doors with his long, black cloak flowing behind him. When he walked, it almost looked like he was floating. He was a beautiful man with green eyes and short, brown hair. I saw you train this morning. It was brilliant. Almost like art.
Other than Darius, Arcaden was the only one in the castle that called me by my real name. He seemed to treat me as a human being, unlike most of the Fates in the castle.
Then again…you always manage to do well on your combat training,
Arcaden stated. I was very pleased with this particular one.
Master Arcaden, I’m a little bit thrown,
I said. I thought you couldn’t come outside. At least, with the way your health has been.
Arcaden was ill and had been for months before I arrived. No one knew what disease it was, but I felt powerless to it. A man such as Arcaden didn’t deserve to die so soon.
Please, don’t worry about me,
he said. I’m fine. Would you please join me for a stroll in the gardens?
I gave him a subtle nod as he guided me through the tunnel again. We walked through the main courtyards and I observed the statues, the trees, and took in the quiet scenery. It was a beautiful sight for sure, but the insides were scary. They had the perfect secret. A magnificent fortress hid Metamorc from recognizing the true visage of the Fates. The only thing the Fates ever would be was monsters.
Arcaden and I approached the gardens in the back of the castle through another tunnel and I noticed some of the Fates had their books with them, studying like classmates normally would in the old days. The gardens were beautiful. Each fountain had a specific story, an interesting tale, and all of the flowers danced in the breeze. It smelled of wonderful rain and cherry blossoms.
As I admired the scenery, I noticed Arcaden’s nose lifted to the sky and took in the deep, fresh air.
It’s so wonderful,
he said. The nature’s beauty. It’s essence. This is always my favorite time of the year. Autumn. When the trees start to change color. It’s like life, really. When the leaves start to change, we, as people, start to change. Some people believe that the seasons can have an effect on the human behavior. Did you know that?
I’ve never heard of such a thing,
I admitted. It almost sounds ridiculous, actually. At least, to me.
Arcaden chuckled lightly as we approached a limestone bench. He sat down beside me and looked around the gardens once more.
The best part about autumn is the equinox,
Arcaden said. It’s coming up, you know?
Yeah, I do,
I replied.
They say it is the time when the sun crosses the plane of the Earth’s equator,
he explained. I’m not sure how that works for us here in Metamorc. But it’s interesting, because on that day…time is supposed to be almost equal in length for day and night.
I think it works the same way everywhere,
I mused.
Arcaden gave me a subtle nod. He observed my pensive expression.
Elara. I always believed that you manage yourself well here,
he stated. At least, since you have arrived. Today, you took out twenty of my best men.
You could’ve fooled me,
I joked.
He snuck a smile off his face and laughed.
I do admire your confidence,
he said. I’m glad that you are improving here. I know it’s been very difficult adjusting to this place. Have you been feeling any different since the day Darius rescued you?
If by different, you mean better, then yes,
I lied. I’m doing well. Why? Should I worry?
No. Of course not,
he replied with slight hesitation.
There’s something I don’t understand,
I told him. Why keep doing this? Why keep training kids to be Fates? Hasn’t Metamorc been safe?
Arcaden sighed heavily and stood up with a stern look on his face. I was skeptical as he urged me to follow him. We walked back towards the main courtyard until we reached the arched tunnel guiding us to the training yard. Both of us stood back and observed the kids in combat training. They followed the instructor down to the letter.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Arcaden’s fascination with the children. It made my stomach turn.
Beautiful, isn’t it?
he asked.
They’re just kids,
I replied.
He faced me with a frown. The greatest minds of our time are the youngest. At such a young age, they absorb more knowledge. They learn quickly. Elara, I can tell this makes you upset. The truth is, you must understand me. We can only mold from a new beginning. You know better than anyone that it’s not easy to pick up where you left off and try a new plan. Starting over is the only option we have.
Like the rest of the Fates here,
I stated bluntly. The way you erase all of their memories. Everyone except for me.
Arcaden looked at me curiously and he folded his arms.
I thought you wanted that,
Arcaden said. You act as though robbing the Fates of their past memories is a bad thing and yet you would rather have yours removed.
That’s not what I meant,
I corrected. I just need to know why you chose me to keep my memories. Why not someone else?
He nodded. You’re special, Elara. And I know you don’t like talking about your previous life before Metamorc, but you have no idea what I would be doing if I erased all of your memories.
I shook my head and we watched the kids for a few more minutes. Arcaden and I stood quietly until we both went towards the main gates of the fort where the Fates could go down to the village. With a frustrated frown, I stepped down a little more and wrapped my hands around the iron bars of the gates, sensing Arcaden’s worried eyes upon me.
What’s on your mind, Elara?
he asked.
I pressed my head onto the bars.
You would’ve done me a huge favor by erasing my memories,
I said. All of them.
I couldn’t,
he admitted.
Suddenly, I faced him and rested my back on the gates. He noticed my disappointment and then sighed heavily.
You say anger is our motivation, Arcaden,
I reminded him. But I have more than one memory to satisfy that emotion.
"You are the
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