The Realmsic Conquest:
The Hero of Legend
Demethius Jackson
Blurb:
From its establishment the Realm has remained the only magical
kingdom in existence. As a result, it has never known peace. Although the
kingdom has never fallen, it must now defend against the Warlord Damian – a
brilliantly merciless conqueror who uses history as a weapon. Rallying those
resentful of the Realm’s magic, Damian has amassed a Legion of Warriors – the
largest military force ever assembled.
The Kingdom’s defeat is imminent!
Maebus, the Realm’s newest King, has only ruled for six days.
Yet he must now lead the magical Realmsic Kingdom through its most perilous
conflict ever.
Additional Background Info
The first Realmsic Conquest book was a fully-rhyming epic
adventure that was published in July of 2010.
The purpose of using rhyme was to create a rhythmic ambiance that truly
captured the mood and magic of the original story. Shortly after publishing, the rhyming epic
developed a following of thousands, and I began receiving emails asking about
the backgrounds of the characters and the storyline. This prompted me to write Hero of Legend,
which is a non-rhyming literary novel that delves deeper into the characters
and discloses the origin of the Realm – the only magical kingdom in existence.
Excerpt:
OUT THE CORNER OF HIS EYE, King Maebus thought he saw a flicker
of lightning. Thunder wasn’t uncommon this time of year. But weather had
nothing to do with this impending storm. He’d watched the dark clouds slowly
gather over a period of time. Where normally his life was filled with relative
repose, he now observed the rain pour from the sky like a flood of emotion.
Listening to the water droplets splat against his balcony, he
stood in silence while taking in the horizon of the only magical kingdom in
existence. The Realm. Such beauty on its surface; such terror in its heart.
Maebus sighed a great breath as he contemplated the duality of both.
Thoughts inundated his mind as rapidly as the falling rain. Yet,
within the present moment, the King felt relaxed. For what it was worth, still
moments in time were the closest he’d ever come to knowing peace. As elusive as
they were, he learned to cherish them. The Realmsic Kingdom, with its history
of continuous war, was filled with endless uncertainty. Stillness, he
discovered, was all anyone ever really possessed.
For thousands of years, the natural condition of the Realm had
been the unyielding state of war. According to those who knew history, it was
the discovery of magic that initially divided the Realmsic people. Those who
based their lives around the use of magic referred to themselves as Wizards.
Those who shunned energy manipulation preferred to be called Laymen, which to
them meant, Common Man.
Escalating tension between the two communities resulted in
brutal skirmishes. Both sides, having claimed their natural right to the Realm,
refused to leave it. Full-scale war ensued over the land, and also over the
Realmsic Crystal—the source of all magic. Years of mutual suffering eventually
led to a compromise. At the historic Conference of Amity, laws were established
for the protection of both communities. Going forward, magic would only be used
practically and would be governed in the form of a monarchy. The Realmsic
Kingdom, as it was later named, would be a nonbiased entity structured for the
benefit of all. Wizards would select a Layman King or Queen, who in return
would select a Grand Wizard-Realmsic Advisor. A council comprised of members
from both communities would guide them in creating laws for regulating the fair
use of magic.
Because of this arrangement, the Realm experienced a
techno-magical revolution, producing a surge of mechanical inventions that were
fueled by magic. Eventually, conflicts within the Realm diminished
significantly. However, insatiable greed and fear of magic continued to
flourish, and war never officially ended. Centuries passed, the Wizard-Laymen
conflict continued, and conquerors seeking the crystal were met and ultimately
defeated. But now, Maebus—the new Realmsic King, found himself facing the
volatile headwinds of the Realm’s greatest storm yet.
“Magic … both our blessing and our curse,” a voice said from
behind him, disrupting his thoughts. Maebus turned swiftly to discover a
dark-hooded man standing just a few feet away from him.
“Did I interrupt you, brother?” Kelm asked.
“Never. But I didn’t hear you come in.”
The man removed his hood, revealing a tempered smile. They
greeted each other with clasped hands. Grand Wizard Kelm was not only Advisor
to the kingdom; he was also Maebus’ life-long trusted friend.
Kelm walked past Maebus and leaned forward against the balcony.
He focused as far as his eyes could see through the rain.
“A storm is coming,” he said.
“Unfortunately, a storm is already here,” Maebus replied.
He joined Kelm and pointed in the direction of the distant
Western Nations.
“War is upon us.”
The Grand Wizard chuckled to himself.
“When is it not, Maebus? For two thousand years, our history has
been a string of conflicts and conquerors.”
“True. But not like this. Not like him.”
Kelm said nothing in response, for he knew Maebus was right. No
matter how much he tried to trivialize his own anxiety, his own fear, Kelm
repeatedly found himself face to face with the unequivocal truth. Their defeat
was inevitable. Never in history had the kingdom ever fallen. Yet, never had
there been an enemy such as Damian.
The Wizard’s eyes intensified as he concentrated upon the
well-worn features of his friend.
“Does he worry you?” Kelm asked.
Maebus shook his head no. “It’s not the man who worries me,” he
replied. “It’s the fervor in his voice. It’s the intensity of his influence.
Almost overnight, one man spawned a Legion of Warriors. With them, he now
unleashes indiscriminant, disciplined death. Where previous conquerors have
demonstrated haste, this man is poised; his tactics, erratic yet calculated,
intricate yet unsympathetic. Our Realmsic Army is sharpened by centuries of
physical combat. But it isn’t men they now fight against. It’s ideology.”
“Yes,” the Grand Wizard said, “but at the basis of all ideology,
there exists one fatal flaw. Man’s own desire to be more than he is. The
Warlord’s tactics are different, I agree. But his motives are the same as those
who came before him. Beyond his pretty words and promises is nothing more than
common greed.”
As Maebus contemplated this, he walked from the balcony back
into his chamber. He’d only recently become King. Therefore, it was no surprise
he still found the chamber of a King to be somewhat uncomfortable. Its royal
décor, passed down from generations, felt like it belonged to someone else. The
shaded skies outside did little to illuminate its interior. Aside from a single
candle flame flickering its resistance against a cold draft, the room was
blanketed in shadowy darkness.
Maebus sighed yet again. “To his people,” he said, “this man’s
greatness is impervious. It’s with that passion that they fight.”
Kelm stood centered within the balcony doorway, his form
silhouetted by the drab grayness behind him.
Maebus continued, “We would be wise to acknowledge the unity
they’ve created. Think of it, Kelm: thousands of individually focused minds,
all in one harmonious agreement to destroy us.”
Kelm laughed uneasily. “I would consider it a beautiful notion,
if it didn’t mean our own demise.”
The King chuckled also, followed by brief silence.
“Maebus …” Kelm’s eyes quickly filled with concern, “an attack
upon the kingdom is imminent. Swords and magic will not be enough to face it.
How are we to defend it when this man comes?”
Maebus thought a moment before he answered. “I have a plan, but
I need to speak with the council.”
Kelm pointed to the door.
“They’re already waiting.”
Authors Bio:
Demethius
Jackson is a fiction writer from Washington, DC. He is the author of The
Realmsic Conquest book series, which chronicles the struggles of the only
magical kingdom in existence.
Jackson
is an alumnus of American University’s School of Communications. Through his ten
year career, his written works have spanned numerous forms of media such as
music and television. He has also held positions at global media and cinema
companies.
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