Novels by Mganus Abi

The man in the long dark coat stepped out of the white light, his wide-brimmed hat casting a deep shadow over his face.He did not rush. He walked slowly across the stone floor, his heavy boots making a sharp sound that echoed off the high walls. On his right hand, the silver ring with the council crest caught the light, gleaming like a small blade in the dark room.My heart skipped a beat, but I did not step back. I pulled Elena behind me with one hand while my other hand flared up with black shadows and freezing frost.Who are you? I demanded, keeping my voice hard and low.The man stopped ten feet away. He slowly raised his hand and pushed back the brim of his hat, revealing a face lined with old scars and cold, dead eyes that looked at us like we were insects on a desk.You can call me Director Vance, the man said. His voice was smooth, quiet, and carried a weight that made the air feel thin. Though your fake uncle Marcus called me boss.The name hit me like a physical blow. The d

The ground split open with a deafening roar, and a giant shadow dragon pulled itself out from the deep earth.Its dark scales looked like thick sheets of iron, and smoke poured from its open mouth, filling the underground chamber with a heavy, choking heat. The creature spread its massive wings, brushing against the stone walls and sending heavy chunks of rock raining down around us.I stood frozen for a single second, my boots glued to the dusty floor. The monster was bigger than any building I had ever seen, and the pure power radiating from its body made the air feel heavy like lead.Arthur, move! Evelyn shouted, grabbing my arm and pulling me hard out of the way just as a massive tail swept across the space where we stood.The tail slammed into the stone wall with a brutal crash, turning the rock into fine powder. Evelyn stumbled and caught herself against a fallen pillar, wincing as she pressed a hand against her injured shoulder. Her face was pale, but her blue eyes stayed sharp

The massive creature landed on the stone floor with a heavy crash that knocked the breath straight out of my lungs.It stood taller than three grown men, with skin the color of old ash and a body shaped like a giant wolf made entirely of smoke and bone. Dozens of glowing red eyes covered its head, shifting and blinking in every direction at once. It did not have a mouth, but a deep, heavy roar came from inside its chest, shaking the heavy iron chains that held us to the floor.That is a core beast, Evelyn said, her voice tight and strained as she pulled against the magic-sealed steel bars wrapped around her arms. "The council uses them to guard the deep vaults. If it attacks while we are locked in these chains, we are dead.I am not planning on staying in these chains, I said.I looked up at the platform where Elena stood. She held her hands out toward the creature, guiding its movements with the violet light shining in her eyes. She did not look at me like a brother anymore. She look

A hundred glowing red eyes stared at us from the dark tunnel, and the low, wet growl grew loud enough to rattle the stones in the floor.Do not look back, Evelyn said. Her voice did not shake. She raised her right hand, letting bright yellow electricity spark across her skin to cast a sharp glare over the dark train tracks. We fight our way through the tunnel, or we die right here.I am not running, I said, stepping past her.I raised both hands. Dark shadow energy swirled around my fingers, mixing with a thick layer of freezing frost. The air in the underground passage dropped instantly, turning our breath into white clouds.Before the shadow beasts could leap from the ceiling, I slammed my palms down onto the concrete tracks. A sharp wall of jagged ice shot forward, blocking the narrow tunnel from wall to wall. The creatures slammed into the frozen barrier with heavy thuds, clawing at the ice and screeching in rage.That will not hold them for long, Evelyn said, already running towa

The crimson light from the dome flooded the safe house, turning my uncle's face into a mask of cruel satisfaction.The final phase has started, Marcus said, his voice dripping with arrogance as he looked up from the floor. You can beat me up all you want, Arthur, but you cannot stop what is coming. The central tower is already open, and your sister is finishing the work your father started.I kept my hand pressed against his collar, the dark shadows coiling tighter around my fingers. For a second, I wanted to let the cold rage take over and end everything right there. But the red light outside grew brighter, casting long, bloody reflections across the walls, reminding me that thousands of people were trapped under the shield with us.Evelyn did not hesitate. She reached down, grabbed Marcus by the arm, and pulled him hard to his feet. Without a single word, she drove the heavy butt of her electric pistol squarely into the side of his head. Marcus went limp instantly, dropping to the f

The barrel of the heavy energy rifle pointed straight at my chest, and the cold blue light from the weapon filled the dark room.Uncle Marcus stood in the shattered doorway of the safe house, his gray suit unwrinkled and his expression completely calm. He looked at me not like a nephew, but like a broken machine that needed to be thrown away. Behind him, two armed council guards stepped into the room, their weapons raised and ready to fire at the slightest movement.You always were too curious for your own good, Arthur, Marcus said, stepping further into the cramped space. His eyes flicked to the computer screen behind us where the secret files were still open, and you brought a little friend with you. How sweet.Evelyn did not flinch. While Marcus was looking at me, she dropped low behind the desk. Her hand flashed across the surface, grabbing a heavy metal power cell from an open tool kit. Without a sound, she threw the cell hard toward the far corner of the room.The metal crashed