Phoenix Ryder

Prologue

Hydris Ryder. That was what his name had been, all those years ago. He had changed it, for disguise purposes, to John Ryder. He hadn't changed his son's name, Phoenix Ryder, and that ended up bringing his downfall.
Leaving his kingdom had been one of the hardest choices he had made. It had been too much for his wife, Sireen, who had stayed behind to try her chances against the dark forces that had been gathering. The last he had seen her she had been standing on a high balcony, her beautiful flame red hair streaming behind her like windswept fire, diamond tear drops falling to the ground far below as she called her final goodbyes.
Now he doubted he would ever see her again. All he had left of her was his son, whom they had both loved dearly. Still loved, he hoped. His son knew nothing of his past, he had been raised to believe his Mother had left for important work when he was young. Which was almost true, though it had been Hydris, or John, who had left.
Gently, lovingly, he tied a bow on the small brown package. Under the string he slipped a note to his son that would explain why he had left and what Phoenix must do. A tear like a crystal slid down his cheek, falling down and onto the wooden bench.
He knew he had to leave, he had no choice. But what would his son do? What would his son think? Still, as he grabbed the rucksack that carried everything he needed, he dragged each foot and looked around the room for things to distract him. It was useless. Nothing could change what he needed to do.
He would leave the country so he could find the second and only other portal. It didn't lead to his home land, no. He wanted nothing more than to return, but it was impossible, far too dangerous. So he would go a different kingdom, one where hopefully he would be welcomed. He couldn't remain on Earth, as he had come to know it as. He had been found.
As he unlocked the door he heard a loud creak behind him. Whipping around, he saw four large, inhuman shapes. Cursing his luck he threw open the door and blindly ran through the door. The last thing he saw before pain blossomed in the side of his head and all went black was the school in the distance, and this doubled his pain many times.