ARCHEUS | HOUSE OF DRAGONS SERIES BOOK 1

Prologue

Cabili is one of the super continents that boast an incredible amount of magic in the continent of Junas, because of that face it is the only continent that still has unknown races and species. What is known is the small island inside the continent named after a mortal who obtained enough magic they became a demigod Muhbuh. Worthey of this name Muhbuh is saturated with so much magic that it has become one of the wonders of the world. It is said that twenty five percent of the magic in Cabili comes from this island and because of this interesting anomaly a province was born. And in that province a town called Noitaiva exists.

Noitaiva a town praised for its beauty and tranquillity, called by many as the city of saints. Wizards come from all around the world to flourish, a town where the source of all the islands magic resides. But as with any other, this town has its own secrets and unknown to the residents a secret that will disrupt all they know will be uncovered.

Dark clouds hovered above the city of saints covering the moonlight from reaching the surface as rain lashed the city streets and towers. Nights like this one would scare the common traveller as the city would take on a different face, a face that is unsightly, unrecognizable, as if the gods themselves wanted to be rid of the beauty the city had. But all would return to normal in the morning.

Lightning flashed revealing the horrid images under the clouds. The floating buildings that left people in awe of their beauty were now horrid statues of demonic gods. The floating lights that lit even the skies of Noitaiva were now grey images of lost ghouls that were looking for a sad soul to consume, the wailing wind did not help either. The beautiful gardens and streets were now covered in fog as if the underworld itself had reached out to claim the land. Yes the storms that hit the town although rare, they were a creation of a god that had a lot of spite for the town.

Deep the eastern outskirts of the town, a cloaked woman is being chased by a group of goons' whose eyes thirst for something different. She takes a sharp left turn in an attempt of escaping but the abandoned buildings are a maze and unfortunately for her she had reached a dead end. She realized that she could not turn back so instead she looked for a door, one was to her left but it was too late. Her hesitation caused one of the faster runners to reach her and before she could even finish looking behind her a large scaly hand grasped her head and her skull met with the ground. Soon the four looked down at the body beneath their feet, one carried the woman on his shoulder and they all entered the door where the body was sent skidding a few meters from the group.

"Block the door, the rubble's helped block the other one." a bulky figure stepped forward instructing the rest as he approached the woman who was regaining consciousness.

"Don wo'ey," a shorter figure said as it moved inside.

"She won't escape, hehe" the third, a feminine voice followed as the four were now all standing in a crescent in front of the woman who was on her knees now.

They let her stand in front of them, reeling of fear she rushed towards the second exit but it was as the burley figure had said, it was blocked by rubble. She had no way out. A cynical laughter burst from the burley figure as the hood was removed.

"He he he what's a pre'ey little thing like you doing here" his eyes filled with lust as his hand reached to the woman's chin

"O-orc.." the woman cried as she tripped.

"Hehe he, no. Half orc." He grinned reaching for her shirt as his crusty hands ripped it open, "Ha ha ha ha ha! now now the fun is just starting" he continued with a laugh, companions laughed along. A whistle came from behind and when they all looked back, a silhouette was blocking the door behind them.

"And who the hell are you?" the human female asked, rolling her eyes. The short elf standing next to her looked shook by this sudden appearance, the figure did not respond.

"Pshh don worry boss, I'll take care of 'im" the third a half elf standing next to the human confidently said, as he approached the silhouette with a bone club in hand.

He violently swung the club aiming to crackle a skull when he was an arm's length from the figure but soon realized that the figure was no longer there, next to him was a figure fully donned in what looked like silver armour. Upon realizing this the half elf's eyes widened but the leather armor he was wearing suddenly burst from the spine up and he was suddenly crashing against the opposite wall. In shock he tried to utter a few words but his world faded to black. The group who were looking at their compatriot suddenly saw him unconscious next to the door behind them, confused they moved not a single inch, till the half orc began shouting.

"Well what are you waiting for?! Attack!!" he ordered as he himself reached for the female and used her as a shield. The words of the orc seemed to have pulled the two back to their senses as they looked at the half orc and then back to the figure eyes focused. Bloodlust coming from the two filled the room as the human drew daggers from her hip, the unknown figure revealed their right hand and the elf's arms began to glow. A roar came from the elf as the human began running but a blinding light interrupted.

The half orc hid his eyes behind the woman he was holding but it was too late for his companions. The figure quickly closed the gap and grabbed the humans' hands forcing her to let go of the daggers before following with a head-butt that sent her flying towards her elf compatriot. The collision sent the two crashing against the ground and before either of them could recover the figures hands clutched their heads and their skulls bashed to the ground knocking them out. When the light stopped flashing of the three whom were ready to fight only one was left standing, much to the half orcs dismay, the one standing was this mysterious man. The half orc twisted his mouth in anger as he tightened his squeeze around the woman's neck.