Contents
Map of Penumbra
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
The Rise of the Elites Collection
Also by Mikel Wilson
Ascension of the Blood Throne
© 2021 Mikel Wilson
All rights reserved.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, 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.
Ascension of the Blood Throne
Published by Amazon Publishing Inc.
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
For permissions contact: [email protected]
www.facebook.com/authorMichaelWilson/
Cover by Kiff Shaik at Solidarity Graphics
Edited by Becky Swafford Baldridge
Formatted by Jennifer Laslie
I would like to dedicate this book to some of the most amazing people I have ever had the chance to call my family and friends.
To my wife, you have always been there with me since the beginning. You have given me the strength to follow my dreams and they have become a reality one piece at a time. I am forever grateful to have you in my life and honored that you chose to spend your life with me.
To my children. Thank you for being my reason to be a better man. Holding you guys in my arms has made me push even harder to be the father you deserve. I love all of you: Jh, Mackinzie, Ayden and Emily my little mini-me’s. Daddy will love you forever!
To my best friend, Rachael, thank you for being there. I can't believe I actually found my BFF soul mate. You helped me through some terrible times even though you were going through hell yourself. I am so happy we have been able to connect, and I will hold you in my heart forever.
To Dawn, thank you for being you, a wonderful Aunt to my kids and an amazing person to me. I am thankful our paths crossed all those years ago. And I am thankful to have met you.
To my friend, Susan, when I felt like giving up on writing, you pushed me to keep going. You promoted me, introduced me to people in the field, and took me under your wing. You always told me I was going to be the one that made it. I miss you so very much, and I promise to make you proud. Love you.
Lastly, to my editor, Becky. You went through hell, and even though you were in pain, you found time to help me and be there for me through your grief. I am unable to tell you the gratitude I have for you. I will forever be grateful to you. I love you!
Prologue
The sun set in the horizon as the sylo birds began their song. Everyone in Penumbra, a magical world parallel to the human realm, knew what that sad, melodic tune meant. It was time for the leaders of Penumbra, known as the Elites, to gather at the temple Foci, to mark the beginning of a new season and the long-anticipated shift in power. For in Penumbra only two seasons exist. The first season was the Rising, when the dark powers were quieted, and the light blossomed. The second season was the Falling, when the light powers settled and gave way to dark energy. Now was the time of the Rising.
Chosen by the High Spirit, the Elites were charged with keeping watch over the supernatural world and maintaining the balance between Light and Dark magic, both in their magical homeland and in the human realm. Each side was given its time to rule with the constraint that neither would shift the balance too far in their favor while at power. It’s a delicate balance that often found itself teetering, and if not for the meeting at Foci and the changing of seasons to keep matters in check, the opposing powers of Penumbra would have long ago gone to war and annihilated one another.
Inside the colosseum, structured from the Earth itself, the Elites took their place. Those who were led by dark took to one side while the light took to the other. The Elites, along with their council and guards, settled in as the ceremony began. Typically, they would elect a member of each side to recount the season, noting anything of key importance before proceeding with the shift of power. This time was different. The Dark had tilted the hands of balance further than they should have during their rule and the air was tense.
Just as the time came for the council to call their representatives, the hearts of every being in the room stopped. For the twelve deathly chimes rang for the first time in over two hundred years. One chime for each of the Original Elites. And as the first one split the air, the room grew cold, and silence descended on all those present. It was the moment every Elite dreaded. The chimes were the signal that an Elite’s rule would come to an end. Anxiously, they waited for the twelfth and final chime, and as the eerie proclamation finished its terrifying song, an altar appeared in the center of the room.
A hooded being emerged from the altar, cloaked in shadows. The Prophet. She was the High Spirit’s messenger and her arrival confirmed that one of the Elites was doomed.
“Six. Six to fall, six to rise, to right the wrong. Balance must be restored.”
Whispers of shock spread through Foci. Six Elites would fall. This was the final call when their lives would end, and their life energy would return to the High Spirit. Every pair of eyes widened and darted around wondering which of them it would be. Some fell to prayer, while others stood tall, accepting the fate that was to come.
Six chimes rang out and again they waited. The Prophet held her hand out
