From Ashes to Flames

Dr. Ahmed Al Sinani

Description

Our adventure takes us across the various spooky, adventurous and beguiling worlds that are traversed by Ranthor and his friends in their search for the elusive Nebula Jewels. Ranthor is often perplexed by the choices that he has to make during his adventures. Across his journey he comes across many friends, foes, and a host of miscellaneous and mischievous other characters. It is through this cathartic adventure of self-discovery that he masters his feelings and the ghosts of his past.

Sujets

• Science-fiction
• Science fiction

Informations

• Publié par: Austin Macauley
• Date de parution: 31 mai 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 1
• EAN13: 9789948825562
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

F rom A shes to F lames
Dr. Ahmed Al Sinani
Austin Macauley Publishers
2022-05-31
From Ashes to Flames About the Author Dedication Copyright Information © Acknowledgement Chapter 1: A Strange Encounter Chapter 2: The Light from Within Chapter 3: The Unwelcomed Visitor Chapter 4: Orion’s Hollow Chapter 5: A Warrior’s Tomb Chapter 6: The Devil’s Advocate Chapter 7: The Journey to the Inner Depths Chapter 8: Ghosts of the Past Chapter 9: A Welcome Respite Chapter 10: An Unexpected Reunion Chapter 11: A Tale of Treachery Chapter 12: The Deserted Mines Chapter 13: The Mystic Realm Chapter 14: Absolution Chapter 15: The Mystery of Xenora Chapter 16: The Tournament of Power Chapter 17: A Light Borne from Darkness Chapter 18: The Inner Sanctum
About the Author
Dr. Ahmed Al Sinani is a medical doctor with an avid interest in science fiction that started from a young age of 7. He has shown his passion with his book, From Ashes to Flames , and his ultimate dream is to transform this into a mega franchise of bestseller science fiction series.
Dedication
Dedicated to my mother and father who have been instrumental in inspiring this book, and my mentors, teachers, advisors and loving family members for their continuous support and advice that brought this book to life.
Copyright Information ©
Dr. Ahmed Al Sinani 2022
The right of Dr. Ahmed Al Sinani to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with Federal Law No. (7) of UAE, Year 2002, Concerning Copyrights and Neighboring Rights.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.
Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to legal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
The age group that matches the content of the books has been classified according to the age classification system issued by the National Media Council.
ISBN – 9789948825579 – (Paperback)
ISBN – 9789948825562 – (E-Book)
Application Number: MC-10-01-9313640
Age Classification: 13+
First Published 2022
AUSTIN MACAULEY PUBLISHERS FZE
Sharjah Publishing City
P.O Box [519201]
Sharjah, UAE
www.austinmacauley.ae
[phone]
Acknowledgement
Thanks to Rama Al Saman, the book’s illustrator.
Chapter 1 A Strange Encounter
The space port of Nebula 1 is bustling with buyers; a sight that is common to this area of the planet. Especially since today is market day. The streets are filled with every humanoid species imaginable, both outsiders and locals making purchases. You can hear them haggling with the vendors as they strain to find a price that they both agree on. However, the markets of Nebula are distinguished by their aromas. Spices from all over the universe can be found here that suit the purposes of every traveler.
However, for Ranthor, this is not the case. He seeks something else that is far more valuable. The jewels of Nebula are the object of his desire. The jewels are said to be worth billions of kruats. For this young bounty hunter, it would ensure a very luxurious life. It would put him in a position of power in his home planet Creed, far away in the Beta 3 galaxy. It would certainly restore his position in his father’s court.
He was once part of the royal family in his home planet, but his arrogance has led him to lose the battle of Tartuga. He led his troops into a trap. Even as his advisors tried to warn him, he did not take their heed and decided to plunge straight into battle. He entered through the tunnels and found that his enemies predicted his every move. They intercepted him and killed all of his troops. He was the only one to survive. Ranthor returned to his father’s court bloodied, misshapen, and disgraced. The attack had terribly scarred his face, he had to cover most of it. His father welcomed him home with a cold stare, disgraced by his son’s failure. He decided
to exile his only son into the far reaches of the universe. He was an outcast in the eyes of his people for as long as he can remember.
The once pampered prince was condemned to live the life of a pauper, living off whatever his bounty hunter’s job can afford him. His anger at his father’s decision had not yet subsided. Even though the years passed by since his exile, the wounds and scars of his soul still bleed raw. His bitterness fresh and strengthened as the days pass by, with every passing moment. The memory of his humiliation, always reminding him of his own failure. It still haunts in his dreams.
Ranthor began his search in the markets of the space port questioning a couple of the civilians about the legend of the jewels and gathering any form of intel about them. From what the locals say, the jewels possess some hidden powers that they will bestow upon their bearers. It is said that they give their wearer the power to alter time, psychokinetic control over moving objects; the ability to move them with their minds. This would mean that whoever finds them can have control over the galaxy. I understand why father wants this object so badly , Ranthor thought to himself. This would definitely be his way back to his father’s court.
Legend has it that it is hidden in a cave on the darkest side of the planet. The locals warned him that the ones that ventured into this cave never came back, not in one piece anyway. Despite that, he was determined to find the place and was going to head to it at the break of dawn. Meanwhile he retreated to a local inn where he booked a room for the night. He ate a meal from the inn, some local mystery meat, and drank ale from a metallic flask. He had left to his room afterwards to sleep and prepare for the long journey that lay ahead.
Ranthor was surprised to find an intruder in his room. A reptilian alien, around 4 feet tall, was playing with his gun. He quickly snatched it from the little thief’s hand and held him by his neck. He started questioning him about his reasons for entering the room.
“Listen you little vermin. You have about five seconds to tell me why you’re here in my room, trying to steal my gun or I’ll blow your brains out with it,” Ranthor raged.
“I was m-merely admiring it young master,” stammered the reptilian humanoid.
“False! Get ready to taste hot plasma vermin scum,” replied Ranthor in fury.
“Okay, I was sent here to spy on you and follow you to the location of the jewels and find where they are. Please don’t kill me, I’ll help you. I can be your guide in these treacherous deserts,” offered the reptilian humanoid. “My name is Ooger,” he added.
Ranthor agreed after realizing that he neither had a map nor a guide to that dark region of the planet and Ooger could help him navigate his way through the area. He had to be careful of him though. He could not let his sense of wariness to slip or wander around aimlessly, he cannot trust this ‘guide’s’ motives yet. He is very wary of this shady little thief. He was able to sneak into his room unnoticed, who knows what he may do next.
He made Ooger pack his own tent so that they don’t have to share the same tent. Surprisingly, he came prepared. Apparently, he had it before when he was preparing his stake out to spy on Ranthor the other night. How resourceful , thought Ranthor. This creature could be of immense help in finding the elusive Nebula jewels.
They left the space port at 5:30 am, having packed all their gear, including ropes and rock-climbing equipment. The journey to the dark side of the planet was a very strenuous one, filled with a series of mountains that have to be traversed to get to the caves guarding the jewels.
Ranthor learned that he has to reach the city of Omnivora 1, which lies close to the mountains which they were bound to climb. He also learned from his guide Ooger that the citizens of this city are paranoid, and do not take kindly to outsiders questioning them. Luckily, the guide is familiar with the customs of this city, being a citizen himself. Ooger began briefing him with the customs and mannerisms of this unwelcoming city. He had also taken the liberty of purchasing an outfit for him, one worn by most people, so that he could be disguised as a local. They took the road east of the space port and headed for the city.
They arrived at Omnivora 1 at 8:00 am to find the city nearly deserted by its citizens. This is odd, the city being one of the most densely populated cities in Nebula 1 and the heart of its commerce, after the space port of course. Usually on a day like market day there would be a lot of space vendors and flying markets flying to and from the planet. They would adjust their ships to the planet’s gravity and set up their floating shops. You could smell their different herbs from the anywhere in the planet, their intoxicating aromas urging you to buy them. The sound of vendor clerks booming on their speakers and the larger-than-life holo-screen projectors starting at dawn was annoying, yet almost mesmerizing. The silence was all too suspicious for Ranthor’s liking. The eerie silence indicated an incoming ambush. Ranthor’s instincts were telling him to be cautious; he was a trained bounty hunter after all. They’re bound to be suspicious.
Unfortunately, the bounty hunter’s instincts did not betray him; there were indeed bandits waiting for them at the end of the road, blocking their entry to the city. A tall, dark, and strongly built alien with a serpentine face was riding a Banshee. He wore a malicious smile, indicating he was prepared for a fight. His ion beam sword at hand and holo-gun in its sheath,