Elysium: Dark Secrets | Genre:Fantasy/Sci-Fi/ActionAdventure

Title: Elysium - Dark Secrets
Author : Rahul Chandel
Genre : Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Action-Adventure
Release Date: Expected early 2009

Synopsis: An ex-soldier enters the mystical world of Elysium for the sake of his friends who are the only family he's got. But as he walks further, he discovers that in this mythical land of magic and beauty, lie many unknown perils and he must challenge the evil demonologist if he is to rescue his friends. He stumbles across a fallen angel and figures out that she's the only hope of his success against the demonologist. Can he win her trust? Who is she and what secrets lie in her past? Can he withstand an army of demons? What is the Dark Ritual the demonologist is about to perform? What is this strange world of Elysium? These are only a few of the questions that go round and round in Fiter's mind as he strolls across the Elysian lands. As his journey progresses Fiter discovers his true identity and that the quest he is in is only a part of a much larger conspiracy and the fate of Elysium rests on his shoulders.







Joseph Fiter left the city of Elma and drove through the lonely Highway -13 that connected a small, isolated coastal town of Mausules to the capital. After a continuous drive for about two and a half hours, Fiter reached the town. It was all dark and still raining. The streets were deserted, and the dim street bulbs that lit up the road were just asking for an excuse to go out. Fiter slowed the speed of his car to have a look around.

“Quiet little town. Guess everybody’s asleep,” he spoke to himself.

Just then, a loud thunder suppressed the gentle sound of falling rain.

“Great, now from where I am going to find a boat in the middle of this rain?” Fiter spoke to himself.

Fiter drove along the road and searched for any store that might still be open. After a few minutes of search he finally spotted a small hotel.

“At last! Maybe I can get some directions from there,” said Fiter.

He stopped the car in front of the hotel and got out to enter the building. There was no one at the reception. He rang the bell on the desk a couple of times. Nobody came.

“Hello! Is anybody there!” Fiter rang the bell again.

The door behind the desk finally got open and a half bald, middle aged, obese person came to the desk, yawning. Without even looking at Fiter, he brought out a register from the drawer of the desk, and a pen. As he opened the register, Fiter interrupted –

“Sorry, but I don’t need a room.”

The fat man put on his thick glasses and looked at Fiter as if he had trouble seeing.

“Don’t need a room? Then what do you want?” asked the inn keeper.

“I need to get to Windew Island. Can you tell me from where I could find a boat or any other means to get there?” asked Fiter.

“A boat to Windew Island! In the middle of this rain and storm? Are you drunk mister?”

“No! I am not drunk. I have some urgent work there and I need to get to the island right now.”

“The dock is closed. I don’t think any boat is going to Windew tonight in this bad weather. I advise you to wait till morning,” replied the fat man.

“I understand that it is risky to go out to the sea in this weather. But it’s a matter of great urgency, I must find a boat.”

“If it’s that important, you can try going to the docks, if you’re lucky you might find someone there. If you don’t, you can try visiting the houses of the fishermen who live near the coast. Maybe if you tell them your reason, they might take you to the island.”

“I’ll go to the docks. I presume it is somewhere ahead from here.”

“Yes, go straight ahead and you’ll get there.”

“Thank you and sorry that I woke you up.”

“No problem stranger….”

Fiter got out of the hotel.

“….that’s what we’re here for.” A strange unlikely smile ran through the fat man’s face as he looked at Fiter, entering his car, through the glass door.

In a few moments, Fiter reached the docks. A few boats were anchored there. Fiter moved to a transport office nearby.

“Closed!” said Fiter as he read the sign hung on the door.

Fiter was just wondering what to do next, when a feeble voice called him from behind.

“Is there a problem mister?”

Fiter turned back immediately to see a thin young man in black raincoat with a fisherman’s hat on his head.

“Who are you?” asked Fiter.

“The name is Ivan, I am a fisherman. You looking for something?” he replied.


Fiter stared at the man for a couple of seconds and then said – “Uh, yes, actually, I am looking for a boat. I need to reach Windew Island.”

“Windew! Well that isn’t far from here! But in this weather?”

“Yes, can you take me there. I don’t have much time!”

“Is is so urgent?”

“Look, I don’t have the time for explanations, so please if you have a boat, take me there. I’ll pay you good.”

“Well business isn’t so good these days and risking the boat in this weather you know is quite…”

“Five hundred! How’s that?” interrupted Fiter.

“Well, I guess the day wasn’t so bad after all! Follow me, sir!” said the fisherman and started walking towards one of the boats. Fiter followed.

Both boarded an old, medium sized, petrol boat.

A strange sign was marked on the side of the boat.

“What were you doing here at the docks so late?” asked Fiter as he changed his sight from the sign to the fisherman who was starting the boat.

“I had just returned from Poiters, you know, the small Island to the west of Windew. My relatives live there. Got late. Why do you ask?”

“Never mind, just get me to Windew.”

The boat left the dock.

“Are you a soldier mister?” asked the fisherman.

“What makes you think like that?” replied Fiter.

“Oh, just by your dress and physique, I got the feeling. Anyways, it is in fashion these days, I see many youngsters wearing army cargoes and jackets. What an irony! Everyone likes to look like a soldier, but they never want to join the army!”

“Why’s that?”

“Fear mister, the fear of getting killed! After the World War, eighty percent of our country’s army was destroyed! More than fifty years have passed since then, it never seems to end. The new world politics is in turmoil once again. I see yet another war is about to break!”

“It appears you have quite some knowledge about world politics.”

“I am a regular reader of newspapers.”

“Well I guess the journey wouldn’t be so boring in your company,” said Fiter.

“I’ll try my best to keep you entertained, mister,” replied the fisherman with a smile.

'Dark Secrets' comes with a unique epilogue and scenic artwork specially designed for the book.

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All comments including critics are welcomed.
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Is that the front cover of the book that is being shown here?
Looks gorgeous, but wonder what's written under the title. The excerpt shown here shows an interactive, play-like narration, I wonder if it continues throughout the book. Excerpt seems to be brief though, would've liked if there was more. Excuse me for being pricky, but the synopsis seem to show that the book belongs to a common genre of fantasy books, although I can't say that for sure since I've not read this book. I do like your style of presentation though.

Dave

Hello Dave,
I'll answer to your query and comments one by one.

"Is that the front cover of the book that is being shown here?"
This is not exactly the front cover of the book, but the scaled image of one of the posters that I made for the novel. The front cover is not a lot different though.

"The excerpt shown here shows an interactive, play-like narration, I wonder if it continues throughout the book."
Yes, the narration will be in the same pattern.

"Excerpt seems to be brief though, would've liked if there was more."
This is just a teaser, to give you a little idea about how the novel is written. I agree, it's brief and not much is being told about the actual story here. But if you like the excerpt, you're in for a ride in the novel.

"Excuse me for being pricky, but the synopsis seem to show that the book belongs to a common genre of fantasy books, although I can't say that for sure since I've not read this book."
It's alright, I appreciate positive criticism . The synopsis may give an idea to some that the novel is a common fantasy story, but it's not. Anyways what matters is how the book is written or the story told. There may be dozens of books out there with title "How to bust stress"(as an example), but the one that sells is the one that is written in most elegant and useful manner. I don't say that my book is the best one out there, but I am mentioning this just to make a point. So, one should not judge everything on the basis of the synopsis or the excerpt.
(nice emoticon)

I agree and hope you didn't get me wrong. I posted here since I found your excerpt quite engaging, but wanted to know the author's point of view towards the book. Believe me, I've edited many books and I can tell by my experience that this title has something to offer as according to the genre and style. I shall give it a read when this gets released.

Dave

I read this before, Rahul. and don't know why I didn't post a reply. I probably got side tracked! I like your style, and you 'teased' just enough to create some interest!