The Dreamer And The Deceiver (Book 1) (12 page)

A Note to the Reader

I want
to take the time to thank you reading my story. I’m an independent author so having my work read by even one person is a step forward in chasing my dream. That being said, if you enjoyed this story, please take the time to spread the word on social media or to your friends. It would mean the world to me if you were to write a review for the book from whatever outlet you purchased it from. Hopefully your words can inspire others to take a chance on my work and cause them to experience the same emotions you felt while reading.

Thanks again!

About The Last Light

At its purest, The Last Light (as a series) is a story about an idealist who is robbed of a life he once thought possible by members of society who have deceived the majority into thinking less of a certain people group by fables, lies, and speculation. Emil wants to bring reform to this way of thinking through peaceful measures but only after his era of suffering in silence comes to a close. Often times in our lives, the greatest evils go unnoticed because we fail to speak up or act on what we believe in. In book 1, Emil’s story is so only because he was forced to act and thus break from the passive lifestyle he came to adopt. As you know, with the way things have been going, Emil now no longer idly waits but instead seeks to counteract against an evil that has long since been in the making.

This story came to me, believe it or not, as a childhood dream. It was an idea that I came up with but later abandoned only to pick it up again later in life. Thank you for taking the time to read my work. Hopefully it is as enjoyable for you to read as it is for me to write.
 

About the Author

Alex Villavasso was born and raised in Louisiana where he first found his love for fiction, reading through the summer months. When he is not working on getting his thoughts out his head, Alex can be found doing things that everyone tends to do, like sleeping, catching up with friends, and spending ungodly amounts of time on Netflix.

Contact
Alex @[email protected]

Cover done by Scarlett
Rugers

Illustration done by M
ichelle Lockamy

The Last Light Book 2:
All Things Eternal

Not long after swearing a vow for revenge against his brother, Emil finds himself aligned with others who also wish to see the king's rule put to an end. Omari, an Abnormal skilled in teleportation, his sister Skye, another Abnormal blessed with the ability of restoration and perception, and Marona, the quirky inventor who first saved his life in the forest near Nerai. Together, they join forces in an attempt to undermine the king's hold on the people of Everrmore, Omari and Skye's home.
 

The mission was simple. Rescue the falsely accused man who the Vanguard set to be publicly executed and rally the people against the king. But with the appearance of another Abnormal--
a rouge separate from Legion, the city of Everrmore quickly plunges into chaos unlike ever before.

~

“Emil, you’re always out here, I swear. It’s like there’s no point in you even having your own room in the house!” He watched the quiet reflection of the stars that shimmered up above and then he turned his gaze. Her warm smile shined brighter than the sun to him, bringing warmth even in the cold of the night.

“Yeah, you know how I am. I’m used to the outdoors. It’s nice out here. It’s quiet.” Emil flashed a gentle smile at Serenity before returning his gaze to the stars up above. Drawn to the same sight, Serenity tilted her head towards the atmosphere and watched the twilight glimmer from above.

“Wow… It really is nice, Emil…room for one more?”

“Sure, make yourself at home.” Emil scooted his body over to the side, allowing Serenity to lie beside him on the same bed of flowers where he was accustomed to spending his down time. Serenity laughed as the yellow petals tickled her nose with the passing breeze before she parted her bright red hair that blew onto her face. For some time the two of them watched the sky above and reflected in silence, until Serenity softly spoke to Emil.

“Hey, give me your hand.” Across the bed of flowers, her hand extended towards Emil’s, open and willing to receive his bare palm on top of hers. “Don’t be shy…come on. Perfect.” Her hand grasped his as she moved in closer to him, laying her head on top of his chest. “I never got to tell you before, but thank you for what you did back there with Hugo. Thank you for saving us, Emil. And…thank you for looking for us. I knew you wouldn’t quit, no matter what.”

“I—”

“You’ve always loved me, right? You always loved all of us. That’s why you risked everything, huh? I appreciate everything you’ve done for us…done for me, but you have to let me go, Emil. I’m dead.”

“Serenity, what are you talking about? You’re right here! We’re in the garden. I can touch you. I can feel you. You’re right here!”

“You and I both know it’s not true. I died, Nerai is gone. You’ve got to let go. I know it hurts…but you have to let go. I know you remember. The fire, Silvia, your brother. This isn’t real, Emil. Look, it’s all fading away.”

Serenity pointed up to the heavens, sectioning out a vortex that stirred amidst the cosmos. The hand that she had extended up to the sky slowly began to corrode, turning black before breaking off and transcending into the night sky.

“Forget about me, Emil. How can you be great when all of your energy is wasted crying over me?” The words that came from his reflection of her were pure, earnest—a true notion from his own soul, struggling to move on.

Emil pulled her hand from out the sky as he clutched her body close to his. “I can’t! Serenity, I can’t! Not just yet!”

“If you love me, you’d let me go.”

The vortex that swirled overhead grew more violent as Emil refused to let go of Serenity. The ground around him began to tremble as the terrain and its surrounding began to decompose into dark matter, further fueling the storm. Flashes of lighting blazed across the sky and the winds grew more turbulent. The dark void grew closer. A stream of yellow petals swept past his face and twisted as they clung to the sky, caught in the eye of the swirling vortex. Between his arms, he felt her when she began to slowly corrode away. Her soft skin grew hard, her warm body grew cold. He watched her as she silently awaited her fate. With the last of her strength, Serenity placed the palm of her hand on Emil’s face and wiped the tears from his eyes with her thumb.

“Don’t cry. Don’t be afraid. Be strong. I love you.” As she spoke her final words, Emil watched the light within her fade from her eyes, accompanying her soul as it drifted away into the darkness.

The Last Light Book 2:
All Things Eternal

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