Life of Fiction — Jaime Buckley’s Wanted Hero Universe

Life of Fiction — Jaime Buckley’s Wanted Hero Universe

🌱 THE UNDERLINGS

13. Echoes of the Past

“The sea remembers, little ones. Trust in what the island has forgotten. There is still time.”

Jaime Buckley 💎's avatar
Jaime Buckley 💎
Nov 26, 2024
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Ro and Ru are caught between a growing Darkness and the Island itself, trying to stop it.
When the Island asks for help, they panic.
What can children do to save the Wild Lands?
…especially when they're only four inches tall?

The Underlings is a new fantasy adventure for children and their parents.

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Underlings

Well, here we are…on this cursed island again. 

How does it feel, dear reader? 

Unsettling? Scary? 

Well, good. 

I’d be concerned if you felt at ease in a place that quite literally wants to tear itself apart. 

But here we are, with Ro and Ru, huddled under the shelter of a jagged rock. Our poor little heroes had never experienced such things in their young lives. They were used to furring animals and finding fun things to eat in the forest.

Now the wind howled overhead like some great beast wanting to EAT them! 

To make matters worse, the island wasn’t just angry—it was on the edge of something far worse. 

Something terrible!

And our dear Underlings? 

They’re right in the middle of it.

The Den Father had caught them sneaking about. Taking the maps and artifacts from them, he'd left the children to the rage of the storm. Kari tried to argue, but it was no good. 

Ro and Ru crouched under the rock’s jagged overhang, as the wind roared, tearing at their clothes and whipping through their hair. The sea below, roaring back, crashed violently against the jagged cliffs. 

Each wave exploded in mist, making the rock slick beneath their feet. 

But that wasn't even the worst part!

I'm serious!

…the very ground trembled beneath them as if the island itself were holding its breath.

'Listen to the intelligences around you, little ones,' the voice of the I AM echoed. 'The answers lie in what you cannot see.' 

The words, calm and steady as ever, gave the children courage. 

“Nope, that's not confusing in the slightest,” Ru complained. She cast a glance at Ro, who sat quietly beside her, his gaze locked on the horizon. In typical Ro fashion, he seemed to be listening to the I AM with his usual serious expression.

There was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.

“I think the island’s getting worse,” Ro said, his voice tense. He looked across the distant cliffs, half expecting them to crumble under the force of the winds. He looked to his little sister, and gave her a weak smile. “It’s angry,” he said.

Angry? 

Goodness no, Ro. This island isn’t just angry—it’s positively livid. 

Now, IF you were wondering, 'livid' is just a fancy word for really, really angry. 

But don’t worry, Ro will catch on soon enough. 

They always do. 

After all, what’s an adventure without a bit of danger? Right?

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Life of Fiction — Jaime Buckley’s Wanted Hero Universe
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13. Echoes of the Past
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