Novels by Barny

—SUNSTONE PEAKS, AETHERIA— The forest path was well-worn but narrow, winding between ancient trees whose branches formed a dense canopy overhead. Shafts of sunlight pierced through gaps in the leaves, creating spotted patterns on the forest floor. The air was cool and fresh, carrying the sweet scent of pine and wildflowers. Dante moved with purpose, his pace brisk, and Madeleine had to push herself to keep up while remaining undetected. The underbrush provided enough cover, allowing her to duck behind trees whenever he paused or seemed about to turn. "This is ridiculous," she thought to herself as she crouched behind a particularly large tree trunk. "I should just confront him directly." But something held her back; a mixture of curiosity and an odd reluctance to face him again so soon. The memory of their last encounter was still raw, his words cutting deeper than she cared to admit. After nearly twenty minutes of this silent pursuit, they reached a small clearing. Madeleine cro

—DAWNSPIRE CASTLE, SUNSTONE PEAKS, AETHERIA— Madeleine woke up the next day, still churning with frustration from her encounter with Dante. She dressed quickly, pulling on a pair of worn leather boots and a simple tunic she'd borrowed from the castle's stores. "Eight days," she muttered to her reflection in the small mirror hanging on the stone wall. "Eight days and I'm still no closer to finding my place here." She ran a hand through her tangled hair, wincing as her fingers caught in the knots. For a moment, she allowed herself to remember Dante's expression when she'd confronted him; that brief flash of something behind his eyes before the walls had come up again. Something that had made her breath catch in her throat despite her anger. She shook her head sharply. "Focus, Madeleine," she chided herself. "You're here to learn, not to moon over some arrogant phoenix." ****** The training arena was already bustling despite the early hour. The clash of steel against steel echoed

—DAWNSPIRE CASTLE, SUNSTONE PEAKS, AETHERIA—Madeleine had wandered the stone hallways of Dawnspire Castle for the past week, largely invisible to its other inhabitants. The dragons moved through their daily routines with pinpoint efficiency, barely acknowledging her presence beyond the occasional curious glance.She hadn't managed to catch a glimpse of any of the dragons in their natural form, so she spent most of her time just observing them from shadowed archways and corridors, watching their interactions with one another and their training sessions with growing fascination.The central courtyard had become her favorite place. There, the dragons sparred with weapons that glinted dangerously in the sunlight, their swords clashing against shields, daggers flipping through nimble fingers, and bodies moving with fluid grace. She'd watched them all, but her eyes continually returned to one particular fighter.Dante.He moved with a different kind of grace, his movements somehow both flu

—UNKNOWN LOCATION IN AETHERIA—The Veridian awoke with a gasp, his head pounding as consciousness returned to him. Damp soil pressed against his cheek, and the scent of moss and decaying leaves filled his nostrils. He pushed himself up onto his elbows, blinking rapidly as he tried to make sense of his surroundings.He was in a clearing. Tall trees formed a perfect circle around him, their branches reaching toward a night sky dotted with stars. How had he gotten here? The last thing he remembered was—"You've finally awakened. Good."The voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once, echoing through the clearing yet somehow remaining quiet enough that it couldn't have been heard beyond the tree line.The Veridian scrambled to his feet, spinning in place. "Master? What do you need from me?""Nothing," the voice replied. "Your services are no longer required. The situation has evolved beyond what someone of your capabilities can handle."A chill ran down the Veridian's spine.

—DAWNSPIRE CASTLE, SUNSTONE PEAKS, AETHERIA—"Who the fuck are you?" A voice boomed, waking Madeleine from a dreamless sleep.She bolted upright, her heart hammering against her ribs as her vision cleared. A man stood at the foot of the bed, arms crossed over his chest. He was tall with golden-brown hair that fell past his shoulders, and eyes that seemed to shift between amber and gold as he glared at her."I—" Madeleine clutched the blankets closer, suddenly aware that she was in an unfamiliar bed wearing the same clothes from yesterday. The events of the night before came rushing back–Dante, the castle, phoenix."I asked you a question," the man said, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. "Who the fuck are you and why are you in this room? In that bed?"Finding her voice, Madeleine narrowed her eyes. "Who am I? Who are you? And what kind of sick person sneaks into a room that isn't theirs and starts yelling at sleeping strangers?"The man's eyes widened, indignation flashing acro

—DAWNSPIRE CASTLE, SUNSTONE PEAKS, AETHERIA—Madeleine's mind reeled with what Dante had said."Phoenix?" she whispered to herself. The word hung in the empty air, impossible and absurd. She let out a nervous laugh, running her hands through her hair. "Ridiculous."She paced across the stone floor, her footsteps echoing in the cavernous room. "He's toying with me," she muttered. "Phoenixes are myths. Children's tales. Magical birds that burst into flame and are reborn." She gestured wildly at the empty space where he had stood. "They don't exist, and they certainly should not look like..." Her hand waved dismissively. "whatever the hell he is."The air shimmered beside her, and Dante reappeared, dropping a familiar bags on the floor with a thud. Her belongings. He turned to leave, the air already beginning to ripple around him.Madeleine lunged forward, grabbing his arm before he could vanish again. His skin was unnaturally warm beneath her fingers."Be honest with me," she pleaded,