TALISMAN OF EL     BLACKOUT     GROUND ZERO

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Ground Zero
Arcadia, Book 3
Author: Al Stone
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Centrinian
Publication Date: 12 August 2020 (first published 17 February 2016)
ISBN: 978-0995494176
Pages: 656

Book Description:
IT HAPPENS EVERY 26,000 YEARS.

Only a few ever survive.

This time …

No one will.

That is unless Charlie Blake can locate all four diamonds to restore the Talisman of El and receive his calling from the remaining three elements before the Annus Magnus strikes. With both Arcadia and the mortal world in a state of unrest, his life quickly spirals out of control as it seems everyone has put a bounty on his head. Maybe even his closest allies.

Not knowing who to trust, Charlie starts to dig up the past. When new revelations arise, he begins to question whether the Legion of Light really is what it claims to be and whether he’s been fighting for the wrong side all along. The line between good and evil is no longer as clear-cut as it used to be, especially when it appears Charlie’s destiny could very well be to destroy everything he loves.

Hero or villain? Charlie isn’t so sure anymore.

“A great ending to this series of good versus evil. Overall I found Ground Zero enjoyable and feel those who love fantasy will enjoy it as well.” – Sheri, Amazon Reviewer

George brought his hand up to his face and touched his nose. ‘You’re bleeding.’

Panicked, Charlie touched his upper lip and felt the warm liquid. He pulled his hand back and saw blood on his fingers.

‘Should I get someone –?’ George began.

‘No, it’s fine,’ Charlie cut in. ‘It’s nothing. It happens sometimes when I pass out. I’m good.’ He grabbed the hem of his vest and brought it up to his nose, holding it there. ‘No need to bother anyone. They’re used to it.’ He stared at George, waiting for him to leave the room. ‘Seriously, I’m fine.’

George didn’t budge.

Charlie was about to politely ask him to leave when he spotted someone walking past his room that made his blood run cold. Without a second thought, he dashed out of the room, halting in the passage a few seconds later, staring after the barefoot man in the bright blue shorts, who was heading away from him. Although the man had his back to him, Charlie would recognise him anywhere.

‘Dad?’ he muttered under his breath, his heart skipping a beat.

Joseph Blake shot a fleeting glance behind him, waving Charlie forward as he made his way along the corridor. In a dazed state, Charlie followed his dad. Before he knew it, he was standing in a different passage, staring at his dad, who was standing in front of a closed door.

Joseph looked at him. There was something in the way his dad was staring at him that made him nervous. He knew the look all too well. It took Charlie a few seconds to realise he was standing in water. He glanced down at his feet, spinning in a circle as he observed the running water that extended along the entire length of the passage. When he turned back around, his dad was gone.

He hurried along the passage, splashing through the ankle-deep water, and stopped at the door his dad had been standing in front of only moments ago. Water was pouring out from under the door. He grabbed hold of the handle and pushed the door open.

A wave of cool, fresh air hit him.

Charlie sucked in a shocked breath at the sight before him. He was staring at an endless body of water, the blinding sun high in the clear blue sky.

Feeling pressure around his legs, he looked down and saw that the water was now up to his knees. He looked left and right and saw a deserted shoreline behind him.

Charlie looked back at the ocean. While the watchtower held many rooms, he couldn’t recall ever stumbling upon a gateway that led to a beach. ‘This can’t be good,’ he muttered.

‘Be not afraid, my child,’ said a familiar voice behind him. The moment he felt a hand on his shoulder, arms wrapping around his torso, every muscle in his body tautened.

Taken from Chapter 1