Light Magi (The Republic Chronicles) Epic Fantasy Adventure by Joanna White ➱ Book Tour with Giveaway
Light Magi
The Republic Chronicles Book 1
by Joanna White
Genre: Epic Fantasy Adventure
For years, Castre has governed itself apart from the Republic. But Vaxon’s War has left the land and its people weakened and in desperate need of aid. Now, many people feel it’s too late and don’t want the Republic involved. Kyren’s lost everything, but he’ll have to push aside his grief to be the king Castre needs him to be. Kyren’s forced to make a decision that will change his life forever, but he’s been shoved into a corner with no other way to keep his daughter safe.
Meanwhile, the Republic and the Magi are spread all across the galaxy, protecting people from men who crave power, just like Vaxon did. They’re on the brink of war and on top of that, one of the Magi Order’s own guilds has betrayed them. They’re now a Dark Guild, doing assassination contracts to kill innocent people. One of their targets is Ayka, one of the few Diplomats left in the Republic who still believes in the Father and who helps people more than she wants political power. Ayka’s life is now in the hands of the Magi, who place her in the protection of one of the most skilled Metal Mages in the galaxy. Falling for him and trying to get him out of his shell is difficult enough without adding in surviving the attempts on her life. Not to mention the people on Castre want the Republic to stay out of their affairs, but it’s Ayka’s job to represent them in the Republic Court.
While the best Guild in the entire Magi Order investigate an underground slave market, putting Zei Lin and his brother’s lives at risk, the Republic tries to avoid going to war with a race who wants nothing more than to see the Republic fall. A dark power is growing in the distant corners of the galaxy… with enough power to change the fate of the Republic and the Magi Order forever.
***Immerse yourself into this epic fantasy adventure, perfect for fans of Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and the Chronicles of Narnia.***
EXCERPT 1:
Outside, the Kalli Mothership shot crystals from the outside of its hull. The main shape of it, created from ryde metal, was covered in a thick armor of crystals that they fired at the Republic Battleship. Inside Eternal Serpents’ Republic Battleship, their Shield Wizard, a centaur woman named Yin-Mae and her apprentice, Shu-Nei, worked together to form shields on the outside of the ship. They were reinforced by Khane, who used his water to coat the side of the Battleship that faced the Mothership in ice. From there, he formed the ice into long spears that he fired back at the crystals to intercept them.
Smaller Kalli Fighters emerged from the opening inside the Mothership and headed straight for them.
To her right, embedded into the wall of her Spacefighter, was a prism that connected to the other four Republic Spacefighters out there with her.
“See them?” Chi asked.
“On it,” came Quiyara’s reply. Air whooshed away from the front of her fighter, from Quiyara’s magic, and slammed against one of the fighters. Each Kalli Fighter was also coated in a layer of smaller versions of the crystals on the Mothership. One of the fighters fired crystals toward Quiyara’s ship but another air blast shoved them away.
Chi zoomed her ship toward another fighter that charged straight for her. Crystals shot out from the front of it, so she held her left hand over the porthole on the left side of the console and fired out a massive beam of light. It slammed against the crystal coming for her and then expanded once the crystal shattered.
The Kalli fighter stopped mid-flight, which gave Chi the chance to shoot a sphere of light at it and blast the ship.
“Chi, behind you!” Zei shouted.
Chi ducked her ship down below the wreckage of the first and did a loop to bring herself behind the one Zei warned her about. His fighter flew passed it and there was a giant rune on the side of the Kalli fighter, which froze it in place. “Zei!” Chi shot the Kalli fighter with two more spheres of light that exploded on impact. “I had no idea you could use your runes to weaken ships.”
“I can do it with opponents in battle, but I don’t use the technique much. I only do it up here because—” Zei stopped and grunted.
Chi flew forward and fired a sphere at a Kalli fighter up ahead that tried to fly through the entrance to their Republic Battleship.
“—because the way the ships are made, it doesn’t leave room for Warrior Magic,” Zei finished. “You know, with the portholes and the fact that I can’t really shoot anything out of ‘em.”
He zipped past two more Kalli fighters and runed them just as Tao followed in his brother’s tracks and fired out metal spears from his ship that severed the Kalli Fighters in half.
Up ahead of Chi, Zochran’s ship emerged from the shadows. Tendrils pooled from his ship and attached to a Kalli Fighter and hurled the entire ship at a crystal heading for the Republic Battleship from the Mothership.
Four Kalli Fighters surrounded Chi’s ship. The miniature starmap on her left showed her the ships behind her and she sighed, since the others were all occupied—Tao and Zei were being chased by two fighters, while Zochran had disappeared again. Quiyara was out of Chi’s line of sight, going after a different Kalli Fighter who was trying to attack the Battleship from below.
Chi fired a sphere of light out to try to blind them, but it seemed the Kalli had learned her trick by now. Her ship blared with alarms as something embedded into the outside of her fighter’s hull. According to the starmap, behind her, both Kalli Fighters expelled two massive crystal cables from their ship to hers and yanked her ship backward in two different directions—left and right. At the same time, the two Kalli Fighters did the same from the front, pulling her ship left and right from the front as well.
They were trying to tear her ship apart.
The metal groaned beneath the pressure and a crack formed on the ceiling above Chi’s head.
Chi closed her eyes and formed a Light Blade outside her ship. Releasing her ship’s yoke—since, at the moment, it was irrelevant in any case— Chi brought her hands from right to left in a slashing motion. The movement brought her Light Blade across the two crystal cables in front.
Her ship jerked backward, which caused her to jolt and slam her head on the viewscreen in front of her. The metal at the back of her ship groaned and another crack formed, this one at the back.
Just as Chi maneuvered her hands to try to cut the last two crystal cables with her Light Blade, Zei darted by both of the Kalli Fighters behind her. The cables shattered beneath his runes, while Tao shot both of them with a metal spear.
“We’ve got your back, Chi,” Zei said.
“Always,” Chi responded with a smile.
EXCERPT 2:
WHY ANYONE WOULD want to live on an asteroid, Kaian had no idea. The Grova Asteroid was large enough to be the size of a moon, and it was inhabitable. The thing had split from the Ova Asteroid belt that caught the outer edge of the Irasalla Solar System years ago. A group of people had crash-landed on it long ago—of course, that was way before Kaian’s time. Now, their descendants had chosen not to leave, despite that the Republic and Magi both had offered to save them. The final ruling from the Republic Court had been that as the asteroid traveled through space, the responsibility to protect it fell upon the Magi Guild who protected whatever Solar System it passed through. Over the last four years, it had been slowly making its way through the Ovaei Solar System, which made it Ancient Ascension’s responsibility to protect.
In this case, Kaian and the other Magi in his Guild were protecting the Grovian locals from a band of, well… altered Grovians.
“And you’re sure they used to be Grovians?” Kaian slashed his katana across the chest of one Alter-Grovian before he shot a look at his fellow Magi and current leader, a man by the name of Syrad. He was an Expert Fire Mage Magi, who specifically wielded black fire, but because their Guild Master, an archaeologist and historian named Dubar, was often away on excavations and living in the past, Syrad often took care of Guild matters.
Now, Syrad shot a wave of fire across three Alter-Grovians and the wave of black fire looked identical to his shoulder-length black hair.
Kaian’s, on the other hand, was sleeker, but it was longer, reaching his hips. Though he kept it tied back, the heat from Ovaei’s white dwarf sun billions of miles away made the Grova Asteroid steaming hot, so his hair clung to his skin, just like the sweat beneath his blue griffin pelt armor. It was much hotter than other armors, but it was lighter and made it easier for him to maneuver while still protecting him from most blows.
In response to his earlier question about the Alter-Grovians, Syrad formed a circle of black fire around them. “Yes. I spoke with the Grovian Governor, Irathchus. He said that an explosion of gas went off deep inside the asteroid on the western sector of the city, and then, hundreds of Grovians changed into… these things.”
“Right.” Kaian flapped his wings and flew up and over Syrad’s ring of fire. Four years ago, when he had become an Expert Metal Mage Magi, in their Guild, since he was the first Metal Mage to reach that level, it meant he was given the promotion and honor of becoming a Faction leader. Their Guild was the only Magi Guild to divide into Factions based upon elements. Any Magi who became the first to reach Expert level in their particular element—and who proved themselves—would be promoted to become that Element’s Faction leader. Syrad was the Lord of the Fire Faction. The man’s two best friends, Cothran and Roymond, were Lords of the Air and Water Factions. Back at the Grovian Governor’s mansion, the Mountain Elf named Ghi, Lady of the Healing Faction, healed injured from all the Alter-Grovian attacks.
Kaian whirled his katanas around and spun them in a circle. With each complete pass of the circle, metal spikes shot out from the blades of his katanas, striking a different Alter-Grovian on the ground below him.
Roymond flew up beside him, using his magic to form to air funnels beneath his feet. It was an odd sight to behold—a bulky human man with an eyepatch balancing on nothing but air. Kaian just waited for him to tumble to the ground, and with his bulky size, there was no way Kaian was going to try to catch him. “Oi! Syrad filled me in. Think we oughtta check the gas out? If we don’t get rid of it, the stuff could spread.”
Kaian closed his eyes, calling metal to his hands. It was a more powerful spell, so he concentrated and sent Mathanos from his reserves out through his hands. His katanas vanished, and in their place, metal beams formed and shot down to the ground. Blue Mathanos washed over the beams, extending and expanding them until it formed a cage over as many Alter-Grovians as he could reach. Sweat poured on his brow and his wings fluttered. Kaian fell a few feet, but his sister, Kaiye, caught him around the waist.
“It’s a good thing you’re skinny as a stick, Kaian,” Kaiye muttered.
His head spun and his vision wavered. “I’m fine, Kaiye.”
Roymond shot him a glare. “Oi, get ‘im back to collect Mathanos, ya crazy boggart! Ya just trapped hundreds of Grovian’s there! Are ya tryin’ to get yourself killed?”
EXCERPT 3:
The magical projection that towered in the center of the Grand Diatrium was of an Ice Elf named Cejia. She was one of the rarest Diplomats in the Republic Court. Not only was she one of the fifteen Diplomats who were both Emissary and Delegate—Emissary of Abraesa Prime in the Vadaar Solar System and First Delegate of the Ice Elves, to be precise—but she was also only one of five Diplomats who also was a Magi. Needless to say, it gave her a very prominent position within the Republic Court.
Which was the reason that the current issue Cejia spoke about surprised Ayka.
“In conclusion, these restrictions upon the Kalli on Callion 2, Diveen’s second moon, have caused harm to many Kalli. I have shown you the reports and evidence, as well as provided proof that the Kalli Colony on Callion 2 is not vicious, like their former brethren, the Kalli Raiders are. I make a motion in the Court to repeal these restrictions I have listed here. I urge you, fellow Diplomats, to search inside yourselves for what is best and let justice prevail.” When Cejia finished, the entire Court stayed silent.
Ayka smiled and brought her hands together in a clap. Slowly, other Diplomats joined her.
Another projection appeared directly in front of Cejia. It was Ambassador Zettiah, one of the Jonerra Delegates and the Leader of the Diplomatic Committee—a group of special Diplomats who met and heard cases from main diplomats like Ayka and decided who would get to speak out in Court. Beside her projection, members of the Diplomatic Committee appeared as projections beside her. “The Committee has voted to repeal your motion. Please stand aside.”
Anger churned inside Ayka’s stomach, but she sucked in a sharp breath to try to regain control of herself as Cejia’s projection disappeared.
“Our next speaker is Dihira, Leader of the Valcotta Intergalactic Bank,” Zettiah introduced. Her projection and that of the other Diplomatic Committee disappeared, and Dihira’s took their place.
Ayka found it difficult to tell the Valcotta apart, but Dihira had slightly larger lips than other Valcotta she had met. Currently, the snow-colored woman had her hair covered with a cloth that was as white as her skin and kept her arms folded in front of her.
“I have come to represent the Hira Branch of the Intergalactic Bank to discuss a loan to the Republic for the purpose of improvements to the city of Kypha. As I understand it, these improvements include better security around the Kypha Prison, developments in the lower-class area of the city, and to refurbish one of the old Temples to the Father, to turn it into a marketplace. Is this all?” Dihira asked.
From the floor below, the sun-haired Giant named Zedyr walked up to stand directly in front of Dihira’s magical projection. All Giants stood on the floor below, with their own individually designed handheld prisms to keep their podiums from taking up room on the main floor. Their teams stayed down below with them, but beneath the balcony where the rest of the Diplomats stood, to be out of sight and off the main floor. But because Giants were so tall, they didn’t need magical projections. In Zedyr’s case, he stood at fifteen feet tall, and if Ayka remembered Giant-lore correctly, it meant he was still growing, even though he was in his twenties. For a Giant, she found him quite handsome—slim, despite his height—and narrow-faced with a pleasant, kind smile. “I am Ambassador Zedyr, Sixth Emissary of Tythan in the Ephhai Solar System. The other eight Emissaries from the Ephhai Solar System have voted me to be their Speaker on this matter.”
Zettiah’s voice echoed throughout the Grand Diatrium, though Ayka couldn’t see her. “Proceed, Ambassador Zedyr.”
Zedyr turned toward Dihira to speak directly to her, his voice enhanced from the prism in his left hand. “Thank you. The Kypha Prison does need better security—fresh ryde bars on the cells, as well as magical runes for alarm systems, and better pay for the guards. However, additional renovations are needed at the prison, to improve the conditions that the prisoners live in.”
Dihira blinked at him, gesturing to someone beside her that the projection didn’t show. “Proceed, while my secretary writes.”
Zedyr slid his finger in the air and energy appeared there with a list of the improvements needed at the prison. “Repairs needed in the Washing House, new beds in each of the cells, the west wing needs expanding for more cells, and funds for higher quality food. Are these acceptable?”
“Yes,” Dihira answered without hesitation. “So long as the Jahl added to the loan are not substantial.”
Zedyr slid his hand on the list in the air in front of him and new words appeared in the bright violet energy—numbers. “We have already calculated the additional Jahl needed for these additions. I will send them to you.” His prism glowed and it hummed loud enough to make Ayka’s ears ring as he completed the transfer.
“Do you have anything further to add?” Dihira asked.
Zedyr gestured to her. “I sent you a list of the specific renovations necessary, as part of this loan agreement, this morning.”
Dihira nodded. “We had a chance to look over it, and the loan is acceptable. The Republic has finished paying off its last major loan—for the additions to the Republic Spaceship Fleet—so, the loan has been approved.”
Zedyr’s eyes slid around the entire Court and finally landed on the section at the north side of the balconies and dividers. “Diplomatic Committee,” he started, and then paused.
During his pause, Zettiah and the other Committee members brought their projections out to stand directly in front of their sections on the north side of the balconies—in front of Zedyr.
Zedyr continued. “I make a motion to approve the loan for the renovations of Kypha.”
Holding her breath, Ayka slammed her hand on the tiny scarlet gemstone resting just beside her prism. Her magical projection appeared in between Zedyr and Dihira. “With the Committee’s permission, I would like to submit a petition to one of the renovations.”
Zettiah lifted an eyebrow at her and cast her gaze to the other Committee Diplomats. Their lips on all their projections moved, but no sound came out, which told Ayka that they had temporarily removed the audio from their prisms. When it returned, Zettiah brought her projection’s gaze to stare firmly at Ayka’s. “The Committee will hear your petition’s request. Proceed, Ambassador Ayka.”
All her nerves fled the instant she focused through her projections eyes to cast her gaze across the other Diplomats and their teams standing at the balconies in between all the dividers. “I am Ambassador Ayka, Sole Emissary of Sa’kuTan in the Eious Solar System.” She slid her hands on her prism, bringing up the list of the names on the petition. Each name appeared as violet energy in the air directly in front of her magical projection. “I have here, a petition of three-hundred and seven names, including myself, as well as seventy-seven Magi from the Guild Eternal Serpents. They, as most of you are aware, work closely with us since their Guild Hall is here on Tythan. The petition is in protest against the refurbishing of the Temple of the Father on Jonerra Road to turn it into a marketplace. Kypha already has three marketplaces, including the one at the Square. It has no need of a fourth. But it only has two Temples to the Father, and the one on Jonerra Street is used by many prominent citizens in Kypha. It has stood for over four-hundred years. I had the Magi Guild Eternal Guardians send me an orb of history about this particular Temple. It was built four-hundred-and-fifty-two years ago, before the Blackout happened. This Temple has withstood the test of time, and is not only a place of worship for many Believers on Tythan, but is also a major historic site that should not be destroyed.”
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