The Lost World: Illusions Comes Softly
By Sonya Sparks
()
About this ebook
Melah awakens alone in a dimly lit room where everything beyond is total darkness. She is in a place called Arifia where the darkness begins. Melah is thrown into a strange world where good must overcome evil in order to survive. Her life becomes uncertain and full of confusion when she have no choice but be a part of stopping something dark and evil before it overtakes the lands.
Sonya Sparks
I am a lover of the simple things life has to offer: a smile, a laugh, a joke here and there, optimistic attitudes and good Conversation.
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The Lost World - Sonya Sparks
The Lost World: Illusions Comes Softly
By
Sonya Sparks
SMASHWORDS EDITION
PUBLISHED BY:
Sonya Sparks on Smashwords
The Lost World: Illusions Comes Softly
Copyright © 2012 by Sonya Sparks
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.
Thank you for supporting and respecting the hard work of this author.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.
For my youngest son Tyree D’Neko Glover thanks for all of your support and insight.
Prologue
Rukmon sat at the bar laughing lightheartedly as he bought a final round of drinks for his friends. He was still celebrating the birth of his twins. A boy and girl named Ryn and Rinna they were three days old. Rukmon had always been the happy sort but after his marriage and the birth of his children he was ecstatic and his life could not been any better.
Rukmon was muscular standing at six feet three inches tall and was incredibly handsome most would even call him beautiful. He was charming and everyone loved him because he always had a kind word and always carried a smile on his face. He also had a big beautiful heart that matched his appearance. I think I’m going to call it a night.
Rukmon smiled boyishly as he stood to go home.
Rukmon had barely made it through his front door when his wife Mara ran to him. We have to leave!
She said desperately. I’ve already packed a few things and sent them and the children ahead with Libby.
Rukmon smiled, his golden eyes were glossy from all of the beverages he had drunk, Slow down. Where are we going and what is the rush?
He tried to kiss her.
Mara maneuvered out of his reach and pulled him towards the door. I’ll explain on the way.
Suddenly Mara came to a halt.
Rukmon laughed as he playfully pulled her into his arms.
Ryker the ruler of Arifia and the father of the dark worlds was furious as he stood in the doorway yet he appeared to be only mildly annoyed. His good looks were undeniable and enhanced by the white shirt he wore which complemented his bronzed complexion. Ryker was also the most powerful and feared man throughout the lands. Did you think I would not find you? Your little spells and rituals do not last long against me.
He completely ignored Rukmon as he questioned Mara.
Rukmon moved protectively in front of Mara. What business do you have with my wife?
Ryker raised an eyebrow and laughed as he stepped into the room. Your wife? Is that what she told you?
He looked at Mara as he lightly glided his finger across her cheek, My beautiful wife,
Ryker shook his head sadly, did I not warn you what would happen if you left?
Ryker I’m sorr..
Ryker turned towards the doorway, Bring them
Night dusters and shadowers suddenly appeared holding Ryn and Rinna and with Libby in tow.
Rukmon was more than a little surprised. He had never believed any of the stories he had heard about the night dusters, day stalkers or undead shadowers which were demons and immortal humans from southern Dargon. He like a lot of others thought they were only a myth but now he see they are real. He could only wonder why anyone would ever agree to give up their souls to become one, to Rukmon’s way of thinking there was not enough riches, power or anything worth it.
Looking at the demons now made Rukmon glad he never made it to Dargon. He laughed because the only reason he never went there was because he met Mara and Libby on one of his travels. They had been leaving Dargon and somehow they convinced him to accompany them back to Monpoosa, which was his homeland. He never once questioned her because Monpoosa was one of the most beautiful places in the world. Shortly afterwards he and Mara fell in love and married. Married he thought with distaste, if he had known she already had a husband he would have never became involved with her and would have continued with his travels.
Ryker walked over to stand next to a terrified Libby I am very disappointed in you but since you are my mother I will be lenient with you and allow you to return to your home in Cossolonia.
He told his mother as he kissed her forehead, Take her home.
He told one of the night dusters.
Before the night dusters took Libby away, she quietly touched Ryker’s cheeks with her hands. She cried for the beautiful son he once was. To her he was no longer her child. He was now the mirror image of his father, an evil stranger she did not care to claim.
Rukmon frowned because he was under the assumption Libby was Mara’s mother. Mara had deceived him about everything. She was nothing to him except the mother of his children. Rukmon became furious. Take your wife and get out. Give me my children and you will never hear from us again.
He could not look at Mara because what she had done was unforgivable.
No
Mara pleaded, Rukmon I am sorry for misleading you. We were trying to be free of all of the deception and violence the darkness instilled. Even his mother is afraid of him. We thought he would never find us here. And I never expected to fall in love with you.
Ryker looked at Rukmon thoughtfully. I realized Mara and my mother used you as a means to escape from me and I also realize you were an innocent bystander but I cannot allow you to go unpunished. You defiled my wife. I have to show others what happens when they go against me.
He looked at Mara, I gave you the world yet you turned to him.
Mara held her head high, I never wanted to be a part of your dark world.
Ryker ignored her. He walked over to the twins. Such beautiful babies yet they are evidence of your betrayal.
He held the children up to inspect them. He smiled, They will do nicely. I will raise them as my own, the first lineage of prince and princesses of Diabolse.
He smiled as he spoke to his followers. Take them to Dargon.
Rukmon attacked Ryker but before Rukmon could strike Ryker grabbed him by his neck, lifted him easily off the floor and squeezed. Do not tempt me.
He spoke calmly.
Rukmon was surprised at Ryker’s inhuman strength. He had heard the rumors of Ryker being something more than human but never believed them.
Ryker no! Please I will do whatever you say.
For the first time Ryker allowed his true feelings to show as he let Rukmon go. Hold him
He told his followers. Ryker looked at Mara her beauty once made him smile now it only angered him. The pain he felt over her betrayal caused him to speak cruelly. Since you and your people detest the darkness so much every child born in Cossolonia from this day forward shall have a trait of darkness. Call it a gift if you will I do not care. Twins will be no more and if ever a set is born I curse them all to carry even darker traits.
Ryker’s anger intensified, I curse you. Your beauty will be no more. You are cursed to live forever and no one will be able to destroy you. You are now Mara the Siren Mistress your songs will come as soft and soothing as an evening breeze tempting, teasing then sending all who fall prey to their downfall. Your body will be nothing but mere molecules unable to be touched or loved by any man. I will however grant you the ability to create the perfect illusion for each of your victims just to give you something to do with all of the time you will have to roam the lands. You are now a permanent part of the darkness you so abhor.
He kissed her harshly then instantly she changed, she was no longer human. Her once shiny thick hair was now fiery red and untamed. She was now pale and colorless her creamy skin was forever gone. She was beautiful no longer, now her appearance was evil and intimidating. Her clear eyes with specks of pale greens and grays had been spectacular but now they were black and soulless. Mara’s form was completely cold and heartless.
Mara screamed.
Ryker turned to face a very angry confused Rukmon. You are cursed to be Rukmon the entrapped Guardian of Arifia. Arifia will now be a dark place meant only for demons, a place where they will be nurtured. These are the demons that will one day become the night dusters, day stalkers and undead shadowers that will take over souls and walk among the living in Diablose. There will be only one way in and one way out, through a gate that only you can open. You will remain in human form but with a few minor adjustments. Your good looks will be stripped from you. Women will find you revolting. You will however be cunning, strong and unmatched by any other. You will live forever unless of course you come across someone who can outsmart you.
Ryker was thoughtful for a moment, "I will allow your curse capable of being broken. I will place a tiny crack where the worlds meet. Over time this crack will grow larger until one day the world will collide and merge. Darkness will govern. At that time you will be set free and your curse will automatically be broken if a beautiful pure woman can get past your exterior and fall in love with you. Until then you are Rukmon the entrapped Guardian of Arifia." With a wave of his hand Ryker caused Rukmon to change.
Rukmon looked down at his hands and feet and gasped. He turned towards the mirror instantly he turned away. He saw Mara floating in the corner of his eye. His hatred for her was felt throughout the room.
Satisfied Ryker sent Rukmon to Arifia then went home.
Part 1
Chapter 1
Melah groggily opened her eyes as she struggled to sit up. She felt like she had just awakened from a drug-induced sleep. Frowning and confused it took her a few minutes to get her bearings together. When she stood her eyes darted about curiously wondering how she got there. She shook off the last remnants of wooziness from her head.
She stared at the crystalline lake before her. It was mesmerizing simply magnificent with his rich golden waters. She noticed if she stared long enough into the lake the water looked as if thousands of tiny jewels were floating. This cannot be real
she said to herself in awed wonder as she scooped up a handful of the icy water observing it closely as the clear golden liquid flowed freely through her fingers, this has to be some sort of strange hallucination.
Melah looked up at the sky and smiled. It was a clear golden day. Everything around her seemed pure and untouched as she carefully surveyed her surroundings.
Melah was rinsing her hands and face off when her heart began pounding. Something felt completely wrong. This place frightened her. She closed her eyes tightly and took a few calming breaths to keep from freaking out and to hopefully make everything go away. Slowly she opened her eyes and gave a small laugh. She was still in the same place surrounded by absolute beauty. It was surreal, the flowers, plants and trees, everything was simply breathtaking. Everything smelled intoxicating the place was quite enchanting. It was seemingly untouched by human discoveries. She looked down at herself, her clothes were dirty and torn. She laughed half way expecting them to be extraordinary.
This is not real,
she repeated again as she sat down in the thick grass. He will never find me here, she felt confused as she thought with a frown, who will never find me? She had no idea who the he was. Who exactly am I? She thought suddenly. All I seem to know is that my name is Melah. Melah’s frown deepened because somehow she knew she had been running from something or someone but she could not think or focus clearly.
Something put Melah on the alert. She scanned the area and saw nothing but she did take note of the sudden change in the atmosphere. She hugged herself trying to figure out how she got there when a beautiful woman sitting atop a stunning white beast with silver horns appeared from out of the thick woods.
The four-legged beast was superb. Its horns shined like silver metal. Its pale gray eyes sparkled with flecks of gold and silver. Its silky white fur appeared almost silver in color. With each graceful movement, the beast’s corded muscles seemed to flex.
The woman seemed almost unreal. She had perfect features; her eyes especially stood out they were clear the only color was the few specks of pale greens and grays. Her brownish blonde hair was thick and shiny with long loose curls. No strand was out of place. The woman was dressed entirely in white like some sort of warrior princess. Even the thigh high boots she wore were white. The scent of Jasmine surrounded her heavily. Melah did not know what to think because there had been no noise, no rustling of bushes no nothing.
Are you alone?
The woman smiled warmly then inspected the area briefly.
Melah could not speak. She nodded her head. She was terrified yet strangely intrigued.
The woman reached out her hand, Come quickly.
What is this place?
Melah managed to ask. She was completely confused with everything.
This is Seaven’s Lake and no one is permitted here. Now come quickly we have to go.
Melah was dazed as she stared at the beautiful creature. The woman had to repeat herself again before Melah climbed upon the beast. Their trek through the woods was slow but Melah did not mind, she admired nature’s beauty as they rode silently. The woods were deep shades of greens and rich browns. When they left the woods behind their paced quickened and Melah was even more impressed.
The town they entered was quiet as the people moved about in a leisurely fashion. Everyone were dressed in vibrant colors no matter how simple their attire. Even the buildings, no matter how big or small was richly colored. After a few minutes Melah frowned, oddly no one spoke or looked their way, not even the vendors. It was strange that not a single vendor tried to sell any goods from their stalls.
In no time at all, they came upon a set of imposing gates that automatically opened to them. They followed the cobblestones, which led to a massive white fortress surrounded by many brightly dressed guards in colors of reds, blues and yellows. Each guard carried a weapon. Their uniform color seemed to be based upon rank. They were all dressed exactly alike except for the varying colors. Melah frowned when she noticed the strange symbol on each uniform. The symbol seemed almost sinister. Melah felt a little uneasy at the subtle change in the atmosphere. It was barely detectable but it pulsated steadily with restrained energy.
It was an extremely beautiful day and everything was strangely too perfect. Something felt off. Suddenly a pain shot through Melah’s head then everything erupted violently as all of the beauty washed away. The beast Melah sat upon was now hideous with open sores on its scaly back; Melah immediately fell off backing away quickly. The once beautiful woman with flowing tresses was now pale and evil looking with fiery red hair and black soulless eyes. She looked completely cold and heartless. The white fortress was now gloomy blending in perfectly with the stormy dark skies that were threatening a turbulent downpour. Melah quickly turned to run but was greeted with a puff of thick yellowish smoke in the face.
Melah lay on a cot half-asleep as her unconscious mind listened intently. The faint sound of muffled voices was soothing to her. She strained to make out the words but could not as they were beginning to fade away. She tried to call back the voices but something powerful and dark invaded her mind stopping her, blocking her from any type