Gab, Bendle, and Petra were brothers. Their father had been missing over five years. Their mother refused to say what happened to him. But they’d discovered his most treasured book. And unbeknownst to them, sewn within the binding of that book were three ancient and powerful artifacts; relics of the divine touch on this world. These artifacts were their right and duty to bear by blood. What started as a simple journey to finally find their father would become an epic quest that would test their integrity, endurance, compassion, and bond as brothers…

(Excerpt from full story)

…“Yes sir. We live here,” said Gab. “How can we help you?”
“Well boys, I’m looking for some rings,” the man said as he removed his left hand from his pocket. On his finger rested a gold ring containing a single dark brown jewel. The brothers’ attempt to hide their reaction only drew more attention. “And I gather from your faces that you’ve seen something like this before.”
“Our father had a ring like that,” Gab lied. “But we haven’t seen him in years. He left us a long time ago. Have you seen our father?”
“That is interesting my dear boys, because you see…” at this the man reached under his saddle blanket and produced a long thin sword and brandished it at the boys, keeping them at a distance. “That isn’t what your mother said.”
“Our Mom!” gasped Bendle, his left hand now removed from his pocket in a tight fist, exposing his ring.
“Bendle, no!” said Gab as he reached out with both hands to grab his brother.
The man’s eyes grew wide as he beheld the rings on their hands, similar, and yet distinct from his own. By now Petra, who was still in his dog form, had seen the man holding the sword and was barking and running toward them.
“Lies will get you in trouble…or worse…” the man said as he reached his free hand inside his coat.
Gab was suddenly struck sideways. From the ground he looked up to see Bendle had transformed into the iron soldier again. They were so close that the sudden growth had knocked him over. Bendle scooped the man up and held him high, pinning his left arm down. Gab saw a small object fall from the man’s left hand. It looked like a syringe.
The man groaned under what must have felt like the biggest bear crushing you inside a metal barrel. “Your bones feel like a pile of twigs just begging to be snapped. Tell me where my Mom is!” Bendle yelled. The man gave a wicked smile, and then suddenly Bendle felt an immense tremor beneath his feet. The surprise of the abrupt quake caused him to lose his grip on the man as he struggled to maintain his balance. He quickly righted himself and lunged to attack. Bendle’s armored hands were inches from his foe when a massive pillar of dirt and rock struck him in the face. Then another pillar sprouted and struck the charging dog brother, Petra, toppling him backward.
The force of the hit had sent Bendle back a few feet and laid him flat. He sat up, shook his head, then stood. “Thank heaven I brought my armor today. Otherwise your little dirt punch might have hurt a little,” he said to the man. “Gab! You need to take Petra and run!”
“You can’t be serious,” Gab said, eyeing his brother’s limp dog form. “You saw what he can do. He’ll destroy you!”
“If that guy took Mom, I’m not running from him. And I’m not letting him get away. Now go!”
Gab scooped up Petra and began to run, glancing back at the battle. He wanted to understand the power of the man’s ring.
Bendle charged, but just as before, a massive pillar of stone and earth burst from the ground like a geyser and pummeled him straight in the chest. The armor held its integrity as he flew backward and struck the ground. Gab heard him grunt as the force hit, which must have been incredible to topple a 9-foot metal warrior like that. Bendle stood again. If only I’d figured out my ring’s abilities, Gab thought frantically to himself. Then I could help!
“That’s an impressive ring power, boy. But it won’t be enough. It doesn’t please me to hurt you. Hand over your rings and I’ll let you all live. It’s not my preference to kill children, but I’ll have the rings one way or another.”
“You think you’re hurting me?” Bendle scoffed. “My brothers have hit me with mud balls bigger than that.”
“Don’t test me boy!” the man said, irritated. “Don’t mistake foolishness for courage. It isn’t worth it. Don’t throw your lives away needlessly.” Bendle charged again. But just as the biggest column of earth they’d seen yet began to spurt, he dodged to the left. The rock and soil mixture blurred past him, narrowly missing. Bendle moved so quick, the man had only a split second to react. A thick wall of earth sprung up between the man and Bendle’s speeding fist. The iron punch crushed through the wall and slowed, but the force of Bendle’s blow still carried it through. The man had just enough time to dive out of the way so that Bendle only caught him on the right arm. The power of the hit sent the man spinning midair before he landed hard. He was slow to stand. His right arm hung limp at his side.
It has to be broken, or at least out of its socket. Thought Gab, exhilarated. He actually did it!
“I’m impressed boy,” the man said. “But I’m dangerous when I’m impressed. No more playing.” The man stretched out his one good arm toward the ground beneath Bendle. In an instant the earth opened up like a giant mouth and Bendle was gone from sight.

To be continued…