Dream No More: Rise of a Lion: Book I

Copyright © 2019 by Marrio C. Mathews.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2024904214

I dedicate this book to all of you, who believed in my ability to produce and prosper. To the people that constantly asked, "You finished that book yet?". To my friends, who grew up writing with me. To my family, who can never be replaced. To other producers, who helped mold and shape my thoughts. Lastly to my community, the Black Descendants of American Slaves, honoring the sacred lineage and history that flow through my veins. Everlast.

Contents

Prelude 

Chapter 1. The Strength to Overcome 

Chapter 2. Family Bonds 

Chapter 3. The Odds 

Chapter 4. Party of Three 

Chapter 5. Nature of the Mother 

I used to dream of this little lion that lived on a grain of dust. The grain floated in a basin of starlight; a special place in a grand cosmos. Hosted by its parent star, the grain remained bathed in light; which bestowed an irreplaceable ingredient for life. The grain was chaperoned by three moons. The moons stationed in a harmonious triangular formation, linked by reflected light.

The grain of dust where this little lion lived was aptly named Ni, a planet that thrived through cycles of life and death. It is here where this little lion rests amongst the chaos. And although I may know his future, it will be up to him to live, learn, survive, and prosper. It will be his life to experience—or so it would seem.

Prelude

(In a large home stationed in the middle of a forest, a young boy sleeps in his room as Ni’s parent star rises across the horizon, bringing in the light of day. He is occasionally disturbed by the clashing of steel and thumping of running steeds echoing through the forest. Suddenly, the home and forest shake with the sound of an explosion from a distant location. The young boy sits up in his bed, hugging his legs, staring toward his window. He then hears a woman’s voice outside of his room’s door.)

Voice: Lyone? You awake, Champ?

Lyone: Nanny Lorelei!

(The door opens and a tall, muscular, bronze skinned woman wearing a green-and-gold tunic, with a shaved head covered with tribal markings enters.)

Lorelei: Hey, kid. How are you feeling?

Lyone: What’s going on outside, Nanny?

(Lorelei notices his worried expression as the home and forest shake once again.)

Lorelei: There’s fighting going on.

Lyone: Who’s fighting?

Lorelei: The people that are supposed to be protecting this place. Now they’re at each other’s throats.

Lyone: Where is Mom, Dad, and Auntie?

Voice: Lorelei! We’re almost ready to move! Get Lyone ready!

(Lyone and Lorelei turn their attention to the room entrance, hearing a woman’s voice calling out to them. Then, they look at each other with a sense of urgency.)

Lorelei: Come on, Champ. Let’s get you ready to leave.

(Lyone climbs out of his bed, rubbing his eyes, looking towards his window.)

Lyone: But, where are we gonna go?

Lorelei: We’ll figure that out once we’re safe. Now, put some clothes on. I’ll help pack a bag for you.

Lyone: Ok.

(A few minutes later, Lyone and Lorelei make their way down the stairs to the basement. Once they reach the basement, they see a person jumping into a hole in the floor.)

Lorelei: Alright, down the hole.

(Lyone walks up to the open hatch and jumps down the hole, landing in an escape tunnel built under the home. The tunnel is lit by a bright light, shimmering from a single ember, resting on the fingertip of a dark-skinned man. He has a flowing black beard and wears a sleeveless black-and-gold tunic fit for an unarmed fighter. The man stands in the company of two women, one with a dark skin tone that matches the male among them, and another lighter shade of brown. The brown-skinned lady is fully covered by a dark-purple stealth tunic tailored for an assassin, partially concealing her face, and her long hair is braided into a rope that reaches her lower back. Standing between the other two with her back toward Lyone, the dark-skinned lady wearing a heavier, silver armor made for a knight that bears the crest of a winged lion, and a blue-hooded cape that covers her long hair. The trio discusses a plan of action in their native language as Lorelei jumps into the tunnel behind Lyone.)

Lady Assassin: Like I said, I’ve scouted out both of the main camps from a distance. I spotted both Ci-Ru-Da and Ia-On in their respective camps.

Male Fighter: Then we have to move now. This may be the only time we have to confront the two before the real fight begins.

(Lyone looks deeper into the tunnel to find a dark and damp cave entrance, illuminated by fungi emitting blue light. Suddenly, the cave shakes slightly from a faraway explosion, alarming Lyone. He runs over to the lady knight, tightly hugging her leg.)

Lyone: Mom, what’s going on?

(The trio becomes concerned, noticing the panic on Lyone’s face. The lady knight kneels to eye level with Lyone, wearing a confident smile.)

Lady Knight: Hey, Lyone, look at me. Everything is going to be fine. Auntie Rose, your father, and I will handle this. No need to be afraid, ok? We’ll protect you. Got it?

(Lyone nods his head in agreement and gives her a hug. Lorelei takes notice to a building anger within the male fighter, causing the light from the ember at the tip of his finger to gradually intensify.)

Lorelei: Kai, save that anger for the battlefield. No need to blood flow here.

Kai: Don’t worry. I have control.

(The ember returns to a small, manageable flame as the lady knight releases Lyone, wiping tears away from his eyes. Then, she stands firmly, turning her attention to the rest of the party.)

Lady Knight: Rose, do you have a travel path ready?

Rose: Yeah, the cave up ahead is cleared, and I’ve already identified a vantage point over the battlefield.

Kai: Come on Raine, let’s get this over with.

Raine: Ok.

(Raine turns toward Lyone and Lorelei with an alluring smile.)

Raine: Lyone, listen to me carefully. Mommy, Daddy and Auntie Rose are going to put an end to this. We need you to be strong and protect Nanny Lorelei. Can you do that for me, sweetheart?

(Lyone takes a moment to build his confidence, nodding his head once again.)

Lyone: Ok, Mom.

Lorelei: That’s the spirit, Champ. I’m gonna need those muscles of yours!

(Kai and Rose walk over to Lyone, kneeling to eye level, both with determination in their spirits.)

Kai: Don’t worry, son. We’ll be back before you know it. Besides, I still gotta lot to teach you so you can beat your Auntie Rose.

Lyone: You think I can?

Rose: From the look in your eyes, I’d say you’re already there, Lyone.

(Lyone smiles, giving both Rose and Kai a hug. Suddenly, another explosion shakes the surrounding cavern.)

Lorelei: That felt closer than the last one!

(Kai and Rose releases Lyone from their embrace, rises to their feet, and turns to Raine. The trio reflects each other’s resolve, prepared to travel through the cavern towards their objective.)

Kai: Alright, let’s go.

Rose: Lyone, Lorelei, it’s up to you two.

Lorelei and Lyone: Right!

(While Lyone watches them closely, the bodies of his parents and aunt becomes engulfed by resonating auras. Then, the three sprints through the cavern in an extraordinary display of speed.)

Lyone: Holy heck, they’re fast.

Lorelei: Hey, who taught you to say that?

Lyone: Oops! I heard dad say it. Sorry.

(Lorelei shakes her head in disapproval as Lyone covers his mouth, laughing with embarrassment.)

Lorelei: I should’ve known. Alright, Lyone, time to go. No sense in staying here to be buried in this cave!

Lyone: Ok!

(Lorelei steps in front of Lyone, kneeling with her back turned toward him. Then, he climbs onto her back with his arms around her neck, holding on tightly.)

Lorelei: Hold on tight, Champ. Here we go!

(Lyone notices Lorelei’s body, resonating with a strong aura. Suddenly, she dashes forward through the cave, disappearing in a burst of speed.

Meanwhile, Kai, Raine, and Rose stands at the top of a hill, located at the edge of a forest, observing over a large meadow plain. The party stands by, witnessing the beautiful green meadow transformed into a war-torn battlefield.)

Rose: The two armies are engaged in the central part of the Helde Meadow. To the northwest of the Helde Meadow is the North Ryone main camp where Ci-Ru-Da awaits. To the south is the South Ryone main camp where Ia-On resides.

Raine: Kai and I will take Ia-On. Ci-Ru-Da is all yours, Rose. It’s probably best this way considering we all have a history.

Rose: Agreed. I’ll make this quick.

Kai: The sooner, the better. Let’s get going.

(Their bodies become engulfed in auras once again, taking off towards their targets; the battle between South and North Ryone rages on.

At the South Ryone camp, soldiers prepare themselves, checking equipment and practicing drills. A male knight wearing armor made of gemstones stand at a strategy table under a large open tent, positioned in front of the entrance to a closed space connected to the tent. Joined by two strategists, they discuss incoming reports from the battlefield.)

South Ryone Strategist #1: Darn it, are you crazy? If we give up ground now, we can lose a supply line!

South Ryone Strategist #2: We will have a re-established supply line by the time our forces reach the appropriate retreat positions. Right now, we’re moving too far into enemy territory without adequate scouting. Surely you wouldn’t want our men falling into a trap without reinforcements watching their backs, right, Syian?

(Syian sighs out of frustration, conceding to the points made by her male counterpart.)

Syian: You’re right, Kev. We don’t need our countrymen dying that way.

Ruby Knight: Then is it settled? We’ll retreat to regain our second wind and scout out the way forward to avoid ambushes?

Syian: Yeah. Then we’ll crush the lot of them once we’re fully prepared.

Kev: Commander Iekiyi, give us the order and we’ll see to that it goes as planned.

Iekiyi: Go.

Syian and Kev: Commander!

(Iekiyi folds his arms with his eyes closed. Both Syian and Kev bow with respect, walking away with a group of high-ranking South Ryone soldiers.)

Iekiyi: You two do not have to sneak around. I know you’re both there.

Kev: Huh?

(Kev and Syian turns back toward Iekiyi, wearing confused expressions, noticing Iekiyi with his arms still folded as he stands firmly in place.)

Syian: Are you ok, Command—

(Suddenly, Kai and Raine appears before Iekiyi, shocking Kev, Syian, and all the warriors in the area.)

Kev: What the heck?

Kai: Iekiyi, stand aside.

(Kev quickly draws his weapon, a pole arm fitted with a curved blade. Syian erects horns of energy on top of her head with an electric current sparking between them. The surrounding warriors follows suit, drawing their weapons. Raine turns towards the crowd of warriors surrounding them, standing back-to-back with Kai as he continues to address Iekiyi.)

Iekiyi: You know I can’t do that, Kai.

Kai: Worth a try. I think there’s been enough bloodshed here already. Didn’t want to have to contribute.

Iekiyi: Yes, it’s an unfortunate turn of events. However, it cannot be avoided. Even on such a beautiful day.

(Kai and Raine continue the standoff with Iekiyi and the rest of the South Ryone forces. The clouds above the meadow slowly move away from Ni’s parent star, shining light onto Iekiyi’s armor, creating a rainbow of reflecting light.)

Kai: Iekiyi, we came here for one reason only. And considering the circumstances, we don’t intend to turn back. So, either you get out of our way, or we’ll make you.

(Iekiyi becomes visibly nervous as Kai balls his fist, generating an aura of pure fire element around it. Iekiyi slowly unfolds his arms, placing them to his sides, concentrating energy into the palms of his hands.)

Unknown Voice: Stand down, Iekiyi. Even you could not stop them if you tried.

(Surprised, Iekiyi stops and looks over his shoulder at the closed part of the tent behind him. A pale-skinned woman wearing a mask which covers the right half of her face emerges from the tent, causing Iekiyi to stand aside. Kai and Raine remains standing as the surrounding South Ryonian warriors bow in respect to the half-masked woman.)

Half-Masked Woman: No sense in getting the best fighters in the army killed here.

Raine: Ia-On.

(Meanwhile, Rose stands alone in the North Ryone stronghold, surrounded by a force of elite warriors with their weapons drawn. A heavyset woman sits on a throne, relaxed and smiling at Rose’s predicament.)

Rose: You must have known I would be coming here, Ci-Ru-Da. But, is all of this resistance necessary?

(Suddenly, a young lady steps before Rose, prepared to fight. She is wearing full body armor and a decorative cape, wielding a shield and short sword.)

Young Lady: Lady Rose, you will not go any farther. As the newly elected commander of North Ryone—

Rose: You can’t be serious, Gieya.

(Interrupted by Rose’s contemptuous words, Gieya stands strong in her battle stance. Rose turns her attention back to Ci-Ru-Da with a frustrated sigh.)

Rose: Ci-Ru-Da, call off your guard dogs so we can get this over with.

Ci-Ru-Da: To be fair, Rose, I tried to tell them that none of them stood a chance if you or any of the others came here to confront me. But, you know, guard dogs will be guard dogs.

(Three older soldiers in the group become visibly irritated at Ci-Ru-Da’s words.)

Veteran Soldier #1: Your highness, how can you take this so lightly? It’s obvious she’s here to stop you!

Veteran Soldier #2: Agreed! She could probably kill you! How about some credit for putting our lives on the line?

Ci-Ru-Da: More like throwing them away.

Veteran Soldier #3: Pal, Sarah and everyone here will do whatever it takes to see that our kingdom gets vengeance for what South Ryone did! Even if it means fighting legendary warriors like Royakose!

(Rose becomes infuriated, hearing herself addressed by that name. An chilling sangria colored aura slowly arises around her body as a response.)

Rose: Enough.

(Her aura fully emerges, causing the surrounding soldiers to fall to their hands and knees, weakened under a massive amount of pressure.)

Ci-Ru-Da: Thanks for making her angry, Fredson. Good job! Negotiating with her is going to be sooo much easier now!

Fredson: S-sorry, Your Highness!

(Rose steps over her opposition, confronting Ci-Ru-Da. Unnerved by Rose’s determined demeanor, Ci-Ru-Da remains seated with a smile.)

Rose: Ci-Ru-Da, just what the heck are you and Ia-On thinking? What has happened to the North and South Ryonian Treaty? Why are there soldiers in the Meriden Forest killing each other right outside of our home?

(Ci-Ru-Da’s smile instantly shifts into a stern glare upon hearing this revelation, causing her to slowly rise from her throne and onto her feet.)

Ci-Ru-Da: Rose, I never authorized combat in the Meriden Forest. It is a sacred place to both Ryonian Kingdoms. Those must be rogue fighters-

Rose: Don’t lie to me! We managed to examine a few of the corpses that are now littering the forest. They’re both South Ryone and North Ryone nobles fighting in there, breaking the treaties! And you mean to tell me that you know nothing of it?

Ci-Ru-Da: Yup, that’s what I’m trying to say. During this whole mess, both Ia-On and ‘mwah’ sought to negotiate and, hopefully, avoid war. As you can see, that didn’t turn out too well. Both kingdoms ended up kingless. And now, the rivalry and bloodlust between our kingdoms pushed us into the ole’ song and dance.

(At the South Ryone camp, Raine and Kai both tightens the palms of their hands into a fist with agitation, listening to Ia-On’s same explanation of events.)

Raine: Why didn’t you come to us beforehand? It’s obvious that this was some sort of plan to start the warring once again! We could have helped you!

Ia-On: This is a matter that only concerns our kingdoms. And our kingdoms are our problem.

Kai: That has now spilled over into your sacred lands and into our backyard! Call off this battle, Ia-On. This has gone on long enough!

Ia-On: If what you both say is true about the Meriden Forest, then it is quite clear that nobles are involved in breaking treaties; among other questionable acts. There will be an investigation and consequences in the near future-

Kai: An ‘investigation’ is the last thing we want to hear! Our son is in the middle of this crap! Call it off now Ia-On.

Ia-On: Even if I wanted to, I could not. The people in both North and South Ryone has already suffered casualties. War has come, and blood will be spilled on this day. Unless you’re willing to dispose of entire kingdoms, it will continue.

Kai: Ia-On, I’m only going to say this once. You don’t want to make us angrier than we already are.

(Ia-On and the other South Ryone warriors become intimidated as both Kai and Raine’s auras slowly become visible, engulfing their bodies. Meanwhile, Lorelei and Lyone exits the cave, taking cover behind a nearby rock formation. Groups of North and South Ryone Noble Warriors can be heard fighting each other in the distance within the Meriden Forest.)

Lorelei: Looks like we’re going to have to go through the fighting to get to safety. Which is probably not a good idea at all. There’s some serious energy being thrown around out there.

(An explosion goes off in the distance, causing Lyone to hug Lorelei in fear. Lorelei looks down at Lyone and becomes determined to find a solution.)

Lorelei: Well, we can’t fly out of here without being mistaken for an enemy. There’s only one other way I can think of to solve this problem.

(Lorelei kneels to eye level with Lyone with a determined expression, accompanied by a smile.)

Lorelei: Hey, Champ, wanna see something cool?

(Lyone smiles back, nodding with curiosity.)

Lorelei: Alright then, stay here.

(Lyone watches as Lorelei rises to her feet, walking further into the forest as Lyone remains in cover. Suddenly, a powerful aura engulfs Lorelei’s body, and she punches her left hand into the ground. Lorelei pulls a large hammer made of stone out of the ground, emitting energy that connects to her aura.)

Lorelei: Enough of this!

(Lyone quickly ducks as Lorelei uses the hammer