Action pages

Action clips

The first cloaked figure stood at the entrance, and raised an arm and gloved hand to point to the villagers.

"You will not have my daughter!"

The second villager was determined, and Ryan knew that it was time for a showdown.

He held up the sword, pointing it to the first visible cloaked figure, whose face was still hidden under a hood.

"Nothing to see here. Leave, or else."

Wendy looked at Ryan, brow furrowed, but now starting to bend down and take the sceptre once again with both hands.

The other did not budge, and for a few seconds it seemed that he had not heard. He suddenly took hold of his own sword hidden within the cloak, as more cloaked figures began to step forward.

Ryan lowered his sword and ghasped. His heart began to pound in his chest.

Wendy stood next to him, looking back an forth, waiting as well, and noticed that Ryan's right hand began to twitch and tremble.

She placed her left hand on Ryan's shoulder.

"It's okay. You can do this. You are the dragonslayer."

Ryan took a deep breath to compose himself.

He raised his sword in the air and charged forward, shouting as if he were leading an army.

Wendy froze, her eyes lit up.

It was a glorious sight for a few seconds.

The first cloaked figure raised his sword as well.

Both figures came together, as Ryan missed his mark and the sword swung wide, but the sheild helped him, stopping a deadly blow, and crashing against the cloaked figure, as both toppled over to the ground.

Ryan quickly stood up stepped back, holding his sheild forward in a guarded position and squatting down.

Other men had drawn their swords, but did not attack yet, as their leader stood up to resume the battle, and as he stood, the hood fell off to reveal a bare skull with no skin.

"Skeletons!" said Wendy. "Shred them to pieces!"

"The sceptor!"

Ryan waited this time for the leader to attack, giving Wendy time to use her magic.

"Fire!"

Wendy held the sceptre forward, trying to cast something, but the red ruby would just gleam and look pretty.

The leader glared, a sudden spark of green eyes that was quite bizzare, and then attacked as Ryan took a step forward to cut the advance. As the enemy sword came down and banged on the helmet, Ryan swung forward and struck thru the waist, causing the skeleton figure to break into two pieces.

The leader collapsed to the ground, breaking into pieces, and other figures raised their swords and attacked.

"Ha!"

Ryan enjoyed his victory for a brief second, and then started to bounce on his feet, raising his shield, lowering his head, and ready to raise his sword.

Wendy kicked the ground and shouted to Ryan.

"It's not working!"

"Say something latin!"

Two giant clangs resounded and Ryan felt the sheild bounce a bit.

He struck his next opponent and moved back to see that other figures began to shoot arrows with conventional bows.

Wendy was hyperventilating. She grabbed the sceptre and shouted angrily.

"Fuego Dispersus!"

The ruby suddenly lit up and started to shine with such intensity that Wendy looked away.

"Get back!"

Ryan retreated, with other clangs resounded on his sheild and helmet, as arrows were diverted from it's target.

A giant ball of fire appeared in the air, just in front of the sceptre, and a second later shot forward as a cannon ball, catching the skeleton figures and burning them.

The flames dissapeared and the figures were incinerated to a heap of ashes.

Ryan bent down, lowering his sword and shield, catching his breath.

"Next time we should start with that."

*******************

Ryan cringed and held the trigger down as he faced enemy fighters.

The bat-like ships reminded him of a swarm of bees on a hot summer day, and a pesky kid who had just knocked down the hive with a large stick.

He was the pesky kid, of course.

As these blew up ahead Ryan continued advancing, this time trying to perform zigzags as he approached the spacestation.

"Blackhawk three is down!"

Ryan cursed under his breath.

The spacefighter kept a steady course towards the spacestation as another Blackhawk was reported down, and Ryan knew that this was not a game of space invaders.

"Blackhawk one is assisting."

The second spacefighter flew near to Ryan, who realized that the target was now less than 30 meters away.

Another screen popped up; a 3D image of the spacestation, with an arrow indicating the flight path to reach the point of impact.

Ryan checked the bottom of his control panel.

A red button with the title 'Death Bomb' over it made him smile.

"In range, finally."

The spacefighter rocked a bit.

"Shield level at 45%."

"Okay, I get it!"

The Blackhawk leader turned and follow the guiding arrow on the screen.

"Captain, I'm not gonna make it. You're on your own."

Ryan shuddered, suddenly feeling a heavy burden on his shoulders.

The other spacefighter turned back and faced a group of enemy fighters before being blown to bits.

"Crap."

Ryan guessed that he was alone when the heavy banging all over the space fighter grew faster.

"Shield level at 25%, 20, 15, 10%."

The mechanical voice remained moderate even though the situation was awful, annoying Ryan and driving him up the spacestation wall.

Realizing that he was probably not going to make it, Ryan took mental notes of how he got this far, this time around.

"Shield is depleted. Warning. Imminent danger."

"Gee, ya think?"

A large blast of light and a sense of intense heat made him jump and cover his eyes. That's right. He reacted the same way for the eleventh time, or was it twelve? He wasn't sure.

2 Inside Personal favorite clips

"Your time has come, young sacrifice."

Ryan turned and saw a group of men in cloaks and hoods, similar to the ones he had faced in his first trial for the keycode.

But these were not skeletons. They were ordinary men.

"Sacrifice?"

"Of course, for the dark lord. You have surrendered to him and his men. You have abandoned your own cause, as well as your companions, to embrace the power of the dark side."

Ryan stepped back.

"Okay, this has to be my worst nigthmare, with a twist."

The leader of the cloaked men stepped forward and raised an arm and hand to show Ryan the table.

"Feel free to lie down. This will be over in a moment."

Ryan flinched a bit.

"I would have expected some show of force, but inviting me to my death is a new low."

A giant roar caused everyone to turn to look towards the entrance.

The head of a dragon was staring back at everyone, and the cloaked figures picked up their robes up to their knees to run away as fast as they could.

The dragon stopped roaring and started to laugh.

Ryan stepped out as the dragon moved away to sit down.

**********

As Viper crossed the entrance, Ryan could see that the base was fully automated, and a giant metalic tower set in the middle was the primary power source.

A few mobile robots appeared, similar to giant salt shakers on wheels, with a cannon stick placed above.

Their were only a handful, each of different colors, and even if they were not very menacing, Ryan kept close attention as he approached them.

He raised an eyebrow as the protectors of the tower made threats instead of shooting.

"Exterminate, exterminate!"

"This is new," said Ryan, but did not hesitate to activate a final weapon that shot out and dropped a giant electrified net that caused the bots to shake, rattle and shut down.

A few inside joke clips

A couple of cloaked figures were waiting, and Ryan quickly threw a couple of stars with both hands, striking both men.

Ryan stood up.

"Woah."

Another ninja appeared from behind, but Ryan took him out with a sidekick straight to the face.

As the other fell, Ryan stepped back a bit surprised.

"I know Kung Fu."

************

The bizzare surrounding came alive as mutant animal transformations began to appear, similar to sharks, rhinos, tigers and bears.

"Oh my," said Ryan.

**************

Ryan pressed a button to open a lower panel for the copilot. It was full of buttons and switches, and the monitor suddenly displayed two screens, to reveal a front and backside camera view for the Viper.

"This car has more gadgets than The Inspector."

Ryan laughed. "Close enough."

The one liner clip

Ryan checked his control panel and took a deep breath.

"Okay, Viper, it's time for one more ride."

Romantic comedy/Inspirational pages

Matters of the heart clips

It was love at first name.

Ryan entered the small coffee shop and moved briskly to the counter to order a coffee to go. The space inside was rather small, yet there were at least three tables and a couple of chairs for each as if to invite a few people to stick around and have a moment to chill out.

The counter was quite long, as two people on the other side were doing there best to provide a quick and speedy service.

Ryan focused on reaching the counter, which at the moment was not going to be easy.

Two people stood before him in line, and Ryan looked at his wristwatch as if to recalculate.

"Large Mint Coffee for Wendy."

Ryan glanced to one side as a young woman walked up to the counter to pick up her order.

He suddenly felt his heart began to race, and his palms were now sweaty.

The young lady was dressed in some kind of uniform, and her blue suit and skirt made her look quite sophisticated.

Her footfalls resonated as the high heels made a tap tap on the tiled floor, and her pacing was carefree and casual.

The young woman glanced to the line of people and noticed Ryan staring back, her emerald eyes immediately captivating his attention, as if she had looked into Ryan's soul.

She shot him a smile as she returned to her seat and made Ryan look to the floor a bit awkardly.

His gray uniform was not very appealing, he thought. The tag on his chest and short sleaves were probably not helpful, either.

"The line, sir."

Ryan glanced back, and then forward to see that the person up front had moved forward.

"Sorry," he said and moved ahead.

A few minutes later he was placing his order and moving over to the other side to wait for his coffee.

He glanced back casually to see the young lady looking at her phone, probably checking social media, or something like that.

"Large Capuccino for Ryan?"

The young girl behind the counter offered a thoughtful look, and Ryan nodded to ease her doubt.

He took the drink and glanced to his wristwatch.

"Damn."

With a bit of a concerned look, Ryan began to walk towards the exit, but froze and decided to approach the mysterious young lady, who looked up and dazzled him with those green eyes.

"Listen, I don't mean to be too forward. I'm Ryan. I'm a bit late for work, but I would really like to speak with you, if I can ask for your number..."

He trailed off, feeling silly.

"Sorry, I guess I'm out of line."

The young lady suddenly laughed.

Was it possible that the geeky awkward approach turned her on? he asked himself.

"Wendy Lagos, and I would like to have that chance as well."

She stretched out her hand and Ryan took it gently.

"Ryan Buenavista."

Wendy raised an eyebrow as he continued.

"I live here, but my grandparents are from Spain."

"Really? Mine are from Spain, too."

Both smiled, and Ryan took out his phone as Wendy gave her phone number.

He apologized for leaving so abruptly, but felt a sudden connection, and knew that it was the start of a wonderful relation.

The relationship began to grow, to flourish, and suddenly stalled after three years of "getting to know you."

Even though, the couple kept on going, and when Ryan needed a close friend, Wendy was there to comfort him.

*************

"Ladies and Gentlemen. Proceed to the Start line."

The spacecrafts began to move ahead at slow impulse. Ryan saw that their spaceship was last in the group, so he was able to control the throttle and keep safe distance from the spaceship in front, keeping the level a bit above the lower mark.

"This is slow, right?"

Ryan nodded. "Maybe 10% of regular speed. The race only allows full impulse and weapons use against any object that is not part of the race, or contestants, for that matter."

A side screen opened up in front of Wendy, who realized that she was co-pilot, and tactical, once again.

"Hope to see you all at checkpoint One!"

A male contestant spoke over the coms, very enthusiastic and cheerful.

Ryan felt a chill when a female voice spoke up next.

"Bryan Ryan, what a lovely surprise. I thought you'd still be sleeping after our magical encounter."

Ryan switched the coms off as Wendy gave him the deadly stare.

"Yeah, met Jade, but she was trouble."

The six spacecrafts hovered to a single line, careful not to cross bright floating markers.

What's in a name? clips

Ryan suddenly looked like he had a moment of inspiration.

He pickud up the square tech he was carrying with him and turned it on.

Wendy smiled as the blue holographic face appeared above the box.

"Mr. Buenavista, do you have a question?"

"What are you?" asked Wendy.

The face turned and looked at the young lady.

Ryan looked surprised as the other answered: "I am a hologram that provides general information, as well as basic operations for your survival."

Ryan raised an eyebrow, but Wendy was pleased.

Unimpressed, yet accepting the current situation, Ryan made his next call.

"So, general information, basic operations, in 3D? I'll call you Gifbot."

"My name is now stored. I am Gifbot. Shall I proceed to call you Mr. Buenavista?"

Ryan smiled and looked at Wendy, who only shook her head.

"You may call me Master Ryan."

"Name stored. How may I assist you, Master Ryan?"

Wendy shook her head and giggled a bit.

************

The announcer mentioned three more couples, and Ryan and Wendy stared to see that each couple were less human in appearance, as well as having more complicated names.

The final couple was the moment Ryan was waiting for, but just as the announcer mentioned about a final couple for the race, a young boy painted black and white stood behind Ryan.

"You didn't give me your names."

Ryan shuddered, but Wendy gave her's quickly.

The boy looked at Ryan, who was caught off guard.

"Bryan, i mean Ryan!"

The boy ran off to the announcer as the other tried to build up excitement, and buy some time.

"From Eeeeerrrrth....."

The awkward silence lasted 3 seconds as the boy spoke to the announcer, who took the microphone and shouted: "Wendy and Bryan Ryan!"

A mix of cheers, clapping, jiberish and laughter made Wendy hold back the urge to greet the crowd, but Ryan was waving away with both hands, looking to every direction.

The Dark lord clip

He woke up suddenly, trying to remember where he was.

The small room with a big bed and a woman sleeping next to him gave it away.

It was still dark, and the digital clock read 2:45.

"Damn it."

He sat up a bit and realized that he was still dressed.

"Very damned, indeed."

The voice was a bit low, with a harsh tone.

Ryan sat up quickly and turned to look at the couch, now occupied by a figure in a dark cloak and hood.

Great, the evil wizard, thought Ryan.

"Who are you?"

The cloaked figure remained hidden under the hood. Not even his hands were visible, as the robe seemed to plop over these.

"Welcome, young Buenavista from other Earth. I am presently the lord of the dark."

"The dark lord? Really?"

The other didn't move.

"I became, you may say, a thing out of a failed expirement where two men lost their lives, or so you were told."

Ryan began to look sideways, a bit concerned, but Wendy remained sound asleep.

How could she?

"Did Marcus send you?"

The other moved slightly, as if he had twitched, but Ryan wasn't sure.

"He told me about an experiment, and his son and grandson. So, I guess you know something he hasn't told me?"

The dark lord huffed, or breathed out aloud.

"The old man, you're grandfather of this Earth, could not bare the fact that he was partially responsable for the accident, and cannot acccept that his son did not perish completely, but transformed into something much greater."

Ryan squinched his eyes.

"Are you implying that you were in the accident? Or became some super being?"

"Your grandfather is my father."

Ryan looked puzzled.

"What now?"

The dark lord moved uneasily, probably annoyed.

"I am your father!"

Ryan huffed now.

"Yeah, right."

The dark lord sat back.

"I am also you of this Earth."

"Ooohhkaay."

"You cannot face me, if you dare face your family. You must dissist."

Ryan looked to his side and shook his head emphatically.

How the hell can she still be asleep?

Even though his heart was beating into his chest, he felt the need to keep his alleged poker face.

"Yeah, no. I don't think so."

The dark lord gurggled, and Ryan guessed that he was laughing.

"This would have been an interesting turn of events if it were true. Very well. You must prepare to face your doom."

"Okay, I can't take it. Can you please not sound like an evil overlord, or dark lord, for that matter?"

Ryan stood up now, and the dark lord did the same, even though he seem to hover in upright position with the ends of the cloak sliding on the floor.

"Dark matter is what I am. There is no way to defeat me. I will destroy you."

"Steal, kill and destroy. I read about you, then, in the Bible," answered Ryan. "I guess the devil does come in different shapes after all. This one? not very original."

"Enough, you fool. I have warned you!"

The figure suddenly dissapeared; a wraith that paid a visit, and then left.

Wendy sat up quickly.

"Really? Now you wake up?"

"What happened?" she asked. "A nightmare?"

Ryan sat back on the bed.

"You can say that again," he answered. "Just got a visit from the dark matter lord."

************

A bit of inspiration clips

"Iced tea?"

Wendy stared at the man, a bit younger yet more built in size and weight, and a shorter beard and moustache than his present companion.

She smiled and nodded, sitting at a metalic table with a round glass top.

There were only three chairs, so Ryan stood behind Wendy and placed his hands on her shoulders.

"I guess this is where I ask how do find the missing keycode I am looking for."

The two elder men looked at him at the same time, but Sam gave the answer.

"A person who won't read has no advantage over one who can't read."

Ryan's brow furrowed.

"Huh?"

"There is no friend as loyal as a book."

Wendy smiled at Ernest, batting her eyelashes.

Ryan looked at Wendy, who answered.

"I think we have to check out their library to find the answer."

Ryan shook his head.

"I was terrible at Clue. So glad you joined me."

Ryan stepped back and beckoned Wendy to follow, who stood up reluctantly.

"Well, thanks Sam, and Ernest. I am grateful for the invite."

Wendy blushed and offered a bow of the head to both men, who only waved good-bye to continue their time of leisure.

Sam raised his glass of tea and answered.

"Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life."

It took a brief moment to find a large room with two sets of couches and a large wooden bookshelf made of oak against a side wall.

The other side was a giant glass window with a set of blue curtains tied to each end.

Wendy was looking outside, admiring a water fountain made of stone, as water flowed outwords from the mouthes of fishes, looking in four directions.

Ryan stood in front of the bookshelf and touched his chin. Every book on the lower shelf was of equal size and color, as if they were a series.

The middle shelf had a variety of sizes, but the books seemed to be leather bond and equal in appearance.

A larger book caught Ryan's eye, black and thicker than the others.

He picked it up and frowned.

It read Holy Bible in gold letters.

"Catching up on some deep and meaningful reading?"

Wendy smiled as Ryan placed the Bible back into the shelf.

"I guess I have a lot more reading to do from that one."

His eyes widened as he reached to the top shelf and picked out a silver and blue bound book with red letters.

"Fantasy quest?"

Wendy looked confused.

"Didn't think you would find that here, but then again two writers from different decades sitting together for tea isn't normal, either."

Ryan opened the book, which was almost as thick as the Bible, and looked at the first page.

*************

The couple stood and followed Marcus, and Wendy surprised Ryan by changing the subject, her voice a bit more calm.

"You did surprise me with your act of valor with the Lipulus," said Wendy. "I do believe that granny's Bible has been a positive influence on you."

Ryan walked slowly behind Wendy as she shared her thoughts.

"The good race? That's in there, too. It says: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness. Like the trophy, but I still think you haven't taken the step of faith."

Ryan looked serious and a bit confused, and as Marcus opened the door, Wendy turned and faced Ryan.

"I know that you are better than what you think. Show me that you can do this as well."

A gust of wind reminded them that they should hurry to get into LocDis.

The cloudless blue sky was extended all around, and Wendy smiled as she felt the breeze on her face, tossing her hair as well.

Ryan looked up to the sun, almost up to the highest point above.

The couple stepped into the telephone booth, and after locking the door, Marcus stepped in last.

**********

"Trials are part of life, but do not surrender. As the Holy Scriptures would say, "Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good."

Ryan forced a smile.

"The Bible, of course. Granny always looking after my soul. But this time, it's my mind which is at risk, and I'm about to lose it. I have to pass this barrier, but I keep on hitting a brick wall, figuratively speaking."

*************

"It's funny, but at the moment I seem to be doing another lord's bidding, a dark lord. Even if I succeed, it's to help the enemy. Therefore, a lost cause."

"A lost cause? Ar you easily deterred? The disciples of old served under the rule of a dark lord as well, an emporer called Nero, who sacrificed men for pleasure.

The letters to these good men urged them to carry on: Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

Note: Complete novel available on official page.

First edition is available on digital stores. It is a complete work but a second version will come out soon and is found at personal website.