Novels by Mboutidem Bassey

The first scream came just before sunrise.Kael Ashworth opened his eyes.He was sitting on the Origin Throne beneath Ashenfall Castle, his breathing steady after another night of trying to unlock the power sealed inside his body. Twelve percent of his mana was now available, but every attempt to go further left him with a splitting headache and blood running from his nose.The scream came again.This time, it was followed by a burst of silver light that shot through the castle roof and pierced the dark clouds above Ashenfall.Kael rose from his throne.“System, identify the source.”Golden words appeared before his eyes.WARNING! AN UNKNOWN POWER IS AWAKENING WITHIN ASHENFALL.SOURCE: LYRA.SEALED CLASS: S-RANK MOON PRIESTESS.SEAL STATUS: COLLAPSING.Kael's expression changed.“Lyra?”He rushed out of the chamber.By the time he reached the courtyard, Sir Borne and Joren were already running toward a small hut near the eastern wall. Villagers had gathered around it, pointing at the

Ashenfall was growing fast. In seven days the population went from twenty three to two hundred people. New huts were built inside the castle walls. The farm that Kael made with water creation and minor growth was now green and full of wheat that grew faster than normal wheat. Children ran around with full stomach for first time in their life.But Kael knew green farm was not enough. They needed meat. They needed leather for clothes. They needed stronger fighters. And for that they needed to go to the dark forest.The dark forest was at the edge of Ashenfall. It was a big forest where no one from Ashenfall village entered for many years because inside there were magic beasts. Rank d wolves, rank c bears, and deeper inside rank b monsters that even a rank knights feared.Borne said my sovereign the dark forest is dangerous. Even with our twelve stone guardians we should not go too deep.Kael said we must go. My third servant slot is still empty. The system said second servant slot unloc

Sir Leon and his fifty knights walked back to the capital with no shoes. Their feet were bleeding. They had no armor. They had no swords. They had no horses. They walked for three days and three nights under sun and rain. People on the road saw them and laughed. They said look royal knights walking like beggars. Who did this to them.When they reached the capital gate the guards did not even recognize them. Leon had to shout I am Sir Leon captain of Prince Darius guard.The guards let them in with shame. They went straight to Darius palace.Darius was in his room breaking things when he saw them. He had heard rumors already that his knights were defeated but he did not believe it until he saw Leon with no shoes and burned mages behind him.He shouted Leon what happened. Where are my horses. Where are my swords.Leon knelt with head down. He could not look at Darius. He said my prince we lost. The disgraced prince Kael is not f rank. He has strange power. He stopped our fireballs in ai

In the royal capital of the empire the palace was full of music and light. Prince Darius was celebrating his birthday. He was twenty years old and he was the favorite prince. His class was s rank golden knight. Everyone loved him. He was tall and handsome and he wore golden armor that shined.Many nobles were in the hall. They were drinking and laughing and praising Darius. They said you will be the next emperor Prince Darius.Darius smiled and raised his glass. He said thank you all. My father the emperor will choose me soon.But inside his heart he was thinking about Ashenfall. He had sent three shadow blades three nights ago to kill his younger brother Kael. They should have returned yesterday with the head. But they did not return. No message came.He felt small worry but he pushed it away. He said to himself Kael is f rank trash. Three shadow blades can kill an a rank. He is dead. Maybe they are just delayed on the road.Then the big doors of the hall opened loud. A messenger ran

The blue light was coming from a crack in the middle of the castle yard. The crack was small at first like a finger width but as Kael put his hand close it became bigger. The blue light was wrapping around his fingers like it knew him. It was warm and cold at the same time.Borne pulled his sword out fast and stood in front of Kael. He said my sovereign be careful. This could be a trap. The first emperor was known for traps.Joren also stood close with his new strength. His hands were making fists. He said I will go first my sovereign.Kael shook his head. He said no. It is calling me. It knows my blood.He put his whole palm on the crack. As soon as he did the whole castle yard shook. Dust fell from the broken walls. The crack opened wider with a loud sound like stone breaking. The blue light became very bright and shot up to the sky. From far away in the village the people could see the blue light and they were scared.The ground under Kael feet moved. The stones shifted and formed

The morning in Ashenfall was always grey. The sky was grey. The ground was grey. The small huts were grey. Even the people faces were grey because they had not eaten well for many months.Kael woke up early. He did not sleep in the small broken hut again. He slept in the old ruined castle on the hill. After he killed the three assassins last night, Sir Borne had carried their bodies outside and cleaned the hut. But Kael said he did not want to stay there again. He wanted to see the castle that Darius talked about.Sir Borne followed him like a shadow. The old knight did not sleep all night. He stood at the door of the castle ruin with his sword in his hand guarding Kael. His eyes were gold and he was not tired at all. Since Kael brought him back he had new strength. He was stronger than when he was young.Kael stood at the broken wall of the castle and looked down at the village below. He could see about twenty huts made of mud and dry wood. Smoke was coming out small from some huts.