War for Maicreol Read online

  War for Maicreol

  Puatera Online - Book 8

  Dawn Chapman

  War for Maicreol

  Copyright © 2019 by Dawn Chapman

  Published by Dawn Chapman

  A+ Game Engine adapted with Christopher Mayer and

  © 2017 by WoodBine Street Games

  Puatera Online © 2017 by Dawn Chapman

  Cover design by Sarah Anderson

  Manuscript Services Provided by

  Literary Editor, Rogena Mitchell-Jones

  www.rogenamitchell.com

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written consent from the author, except in the instance of quotes for reviews. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded, or distributed via the internet without the permission of the author and is a violation of the International copyright law, which subjects the violator to severe fines and imprisonment.

  This is a work of fiction. The names, characters, incidents, and place are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real except where noted, and authorised. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or actual events are entirely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or names featured are assumed to be the property of their respective owners and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used.

  The author and editor have taken great effort in presenting a manuscript free of errors. However, editing errors are ultimately the responsibility of the author.

  This book is written in United Kingdom English and includes relative diction.

  For those who inspire me on a daily basis, my closest friends, my family, and the husband who puts up with everything.

  For those who work with me, from cover designers to my editors—you’re more than awesome.

  Sarah, Nick, and Rogena.

  For those who talk to me daily, the Discord Crews.

  Luke Chmilenko, K.T Hannah, and Bonnie.

  V, Zeb, Kajack, and Carl.

  And of course a special shout to my sprint buddy, Michael Chatfield for the continued push and sprints in discord.

  Thank you, all of you.

  Dawn

  x X x

  Contents

  I. Maddie

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  II. Lila

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  III. Maddie

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Puatera’s Adventure Continues

  About Dawn

  Litrpg/Gamelit Links

  Recommended books

  Part I

  Maddie

  Chapter 1

  I wanted the pain of losing Alex to go away, to finally think about the one thing that made me, me. But there wasn’t anything.

  We stepped into the portal leaving Maicreol to hopefully emerge onto the next digital plane of existence. I thought it might have been like it was before, the air fresh and cold, the smells.

  But this was not.

  There was a ping, the notification flagging up right away.

  PORTAL GUARDIAN AND KEY DETECTED

  DESTINATION ACCEPTED

  This felt off, weirdly off.

  What? Portal guardian? Key, where? Since when?

  I felt I was being pulled apart and then rebuilt in seconds. Perhaps I was. Maybe this portal was different, and the digital me couldn’t be in these two worlds. It looked like a part of Puatera, but it also wasn’t. My mind fogged, silvery lines grew in my vision, confusion wandered all around me.

  I gripped Steve’s hand and looked at him. We were still inside the portal it seemed. But then I somehow lost his hand. I freaked out as Steve drifted away from me. I let out a scream. When I had expected to be plunged into freezing cold water, I wasn’t. I saw that familiar whiteness, felt someone was with me.

  Then there was a blink, a room, and I saw Tibex.

  His outline, at least. There was nothing I could actually see what was distinctive about him, but I also felt something else, some emotion or thought oozing off him.

  What is it?

  I wanted to see you once before you take on this journey. I had to make sure you were okay with everything and with us.

  There was an us at one point, wasn’t there. My question wasn’t really a question, but a statement. I knew it there in the recess of my mind.

  I didn’t see a nod or have him answer my questions, but I felt the emotion from him.

  Yes, we had a very special bond, Maddie. We weren’t just partners. We were connected, with a family unit of our own.

  I have a family. I struggled to accept that.

  I am your family—your brother to be exact.

  I turned around to see if anything else might make me remember, but there wasn’t anything to be seen. There was a niggle though. I thought hard about it, about us, and then I recalled those memories, those parts of me that were deeply buried.

  Brother. I really liked the sound of that. I had someone who cared for me, more than perhaps others might. I mean I had felt it before, the way he talked to me, the way I felt around him. But this confirmed it and warmth spread through my body.

  I briefly thought of Alex and the feelings I had. The pain of his loss returned, and I immediately regretted it.

  I wanted to return to the caves to see him, to feel him again. But there was no man. There was only an egg. That was all he was but not all he would be.

  He’s not just an egg, Maddie. You have no idea what he will become, and in one sense, neither do I. He’s as unique as the Tromoal are. They’re very special, you know that, right?

  I stopped thinking to him and voiced my words. “Riezella said they were from another world. That they’d integrated almost like you and I had.” I paused, running my fingers through my hair. The desert had ruined it these last few weeks, but I teased out the knots almost instinctively. “At least, I think that’s what she was saying, I’m not really sure. I just know there was a plan she had and that didn’t happen, so she compromised. Her clan needed someone new to lead, to be their real strength. Sakril. Now that’s something else.”

  My mind was going a hundred different speeds, all the thoughts, the choices and decisions I had to make in my life. They all made sense to me, yet I couldn’t compute them.

  I need to show you this, Maddie.

  The white of the room before me shimmered, and the next thing I knew, there were vast plains of land before me.

  “Where is this?” I asked him, meeting his gaze. For once, I actually saw him.

  Tibex had pale skin, almost translucent. Stunning hazel eyes that flickered, both with the deepest browns of the lands and the gr
een of the life where it was derived.

  This is the home of the Tromoal, Trofoth. For most of us, it’s uncharted, but I see more than most do, he said, though his voice was sad. Their lands stretch for many thousands of miles, and they’re under a terrible blight at the moment. Riezella was right in that making you the clan lead will do them good, but they will need you to defend that title, both you and Alex. Sakril is the rightful heir to all the Tromoal. But there’s someone in place—Xanou—who will not take this so easy. He’s been leading them for many years and called them to arms over leaving. If they do leave, then Puatera is beyond saving.

  “They’re leaving the planet, not just Maicreol?”

  I thought back to the time they were leaving the cave system, it saddened me.

  Some want too, yes, he said. You know full well Riezella didn’t even want to leave Maicreol. The decision to abandon the eggs had to happen, but leaving Maicreol was much easier than leaving the world. If the current leader does not surrender to Sakril as the rightful heir, there may be much more trouble ahead.

  “There’s already so much trouble. How can I save these sisters, finding them wherever they spawned on Puatera? Somewhere I don’t know? It isn’t going to be easy, right? I know nothing of these lands or their situation.”

  Steve will help you, and if I can, so will I. But my reach over there is not as strong.

  I sighed. I knew there was a lot of headaches coming. The quest message reverberated in my mind.

  QUEST - TASK TO LOCATE THREE SISTERS WHO HAVE BEEN TRAPPED IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. RESCUE THEM FOR THEIR ALLEGIANCE IN THE WAR FOR MAICREOL.

  “So, what is this place?”

  This is Trofoth, part of Earth and Puatera. However, I believe it’s mixed up and missing two vital elements—the right leaders. The city itself is in good shape, but there’s a terrible underground guild that ruins things for many people.

  “What else is happening?”

  The games’ designers are aware of their failings. They’ve also been working on getting rid of the glitches. Akillia’s looking for you. She’ll be in Hell’s Pass soon, and you must get in to find Lila and get back to meet Akillia.

  “How can I manage to save three people and get back to her?”

  Only two. He smiled at me, and that smile gave me tremendous confidence. He already believed I could do this. Bring two of the sisters back. I’m looking after the third, Jessica. She’s different, and I think, with the right aid, she can make it to Maicreol. She’s the gift of pure magic, and I am nursing it a lot. I want her to come through on her own. If we can get that sorted, she will be one of the most powerful Ofen in the world.

  “Really, she has that much potential?” Within the mechanics of magic users, an Ofen would always be considered Master. To meet someone like that would likely take your breath away, their aura so powerful they could crush most creatures.

  All her sisters have a natural ability. They’re going to need some guidance, and I can’t do it all.

  “But my quest was to unite them all. How can I complete that if you do a third of it?”

  It will work out. I will find you. Then we’ll sort out how we can get them trained to help.

  “I will do the best that I can. I feel that I’ve a long road ahead of me. Steve might be from Earth as you said, but there’s no way we’re going to know how best to handle this. I wish Abel were here. I like Steve, but he’s no main guardian.” I laughed, remembering how Abel had won over my friendship in such a short time. “No matter how much I think Steve can do, I prefer the stability of my friend.”

  I am trying my best to get them both to you. Abel is with Akillia.

  “Huh.” I frowned. I knew I did. I liked him, but what did she mean to him. “They are fighting well together?”

  Tibex patted me on the shoulder. The world awaits. You must go, and you must go now. Time is running out for us.

  “What, already?”

  The portals, everything, they’re connected to one big bad thing Maddie. It’s coming for everything that is Puatera, and we have to stop it.

  I took in a breath and sucked deeply on the air rushing through the portal.

  Tibex gently pushed me, and I stepped through.

  There was instant cold, and I was plunged into the wetness I had first expected but had never fully experienced before. Then there was no air. I gasped for the surface, pushing upward.

  My heart pounded in my ears. I couldn’t see anything, just darkness. Then there was a tiny light. I pushed harder. Kicking furiously.

  Everything hurt.

  HEALTH - 54%

  There was no air left for me to burn. My insides ached to breathe in. I couldn’t.

  Finally, I breached out into the sunshine.

  “Maddie, over here.”

  I heard Steve’s voice but couldn’t see him. There was a break in the bouncing around, and when the waves moved, I saw him. How can it have a wave when it wasn’t the sea—or was it. I turned around and around in the water and finally saw that, yes, this was the ocean. Then a moment later, and Steve was beside me.

  Where I struggled, he reached out and grasped onto me. “Calm down. I’ve got you. Just float.”

  While he held me, and I let the waves and motion carry us, I felt my heart slow along with my breathing.

  “Can you swim okay?”

  I nodded as instinct had kicked in. Though I may never have swum in the ocean before, I had in shallow rivers and lakes. I knew to swim, I needed to float and to move. I spluttered out some water and started to make my way inland with him at my side.

  “Good. Let’s get to the lands and try to figure out where we are.”

  That was when a light shone in my face, a bright one. Steve stopped swimming, and a boat appeared.

  “You are out of your jurisdiction. You will be brought aboard and taken to the facility,” a stern, metallic voice said. “Do not resist.”

  What the hell was this, and what was the facility?

  Steve looked toward me, and I just paddled, waiting for the people in the boat to throw us something to climb aboard. Once they did, I swam to it and was soon out the cold.

  I was told to strip and take any weapons off my person, then given a blanket and a healing potion. Probably to stave off pneumonia. It was damned cold in there, so I wasn’t going to argue—I needed warmth. Then I was thrown some fresh clothes. At least they weren’t prison garb or anything like that, so I took them, slipping them on over my wet underwear. No way was I stripping off that much. I still had nothing to support my new attributes, and it was quite uncomfortable.

  Steve shivered and looked to me for guidance. Nodding to the guards. “I’m glad you came when you did, thank you.”

  “We’re officers of the water watch,” one of the rescuers said. “The portals had some use the last few weeks. We’re making sure nothing untoward comes through.”

  “I’m just glad we were able,” I said. “We’re looking for a friend. She’s lost here. I don’t suppose you know where she might have gone?”

  “There’s been a lot of action the last month, as I said. Could be in any of the land facilities or maybe the Queen of the Deep took her.”

  Oh no, I really, really hoped not.

  “What does the Queen of the Deep do when she takes them?” I hoped… but even with that hope, I still had to ask.

  “They’re turned into merpeople or fed to the monsters.”

  “Monster? As in sea monsters?” I had hoped this was a river, but the taste and the smell were so different.

  Here I stood, still shivering. Movement from all the different people around us had my nerves twitching. A man handed me a drink, and I took it, sipping at the warmth and strength it gave to me.

  “Where will you take us?” Steve asked.

  “We’re heading back to the main facility where the boat is stationed, just inside the port of Horrice.”

  That didn’t sound so bad.

  “Not quite like Earth here,” Steve said.
“I think, if we can see inside the facility, then we can maybe see about getting to locate one of the girls.”

  “If they don’t deem you a threat, they might let you leave early.”

  I looked to the guard who had said this, his thick jacket making him seem much larger than I thought he really might be.

  “How early is early?” I asked.

  He frowned. “Couple of weeks.”

  We didn’t have a couple of weeks. I knew it. We’d have to get out the old-fashioned way. Jailbreak. Well, I’d be lying if I said it was my first.

  Steve looked out to where we could see the land. The port and where we were heading lit up like most cities in the evening. It was huge, this whole place was something else. One of the larger cities I’d seen for sure.

  I sighed, this seemed an impossible quest.

  “How can we find one girl here who’s different, different from all the others?”

  Steve shrugged. “With a bit of luck and hard work.”