Exclusive First Look of The Warbringers

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Nina

Where are your heroes when you need them? Nina thought bitterly. Her former heroes dressed in capes and masks, defeating pirates and terrorists. Defending them from invasions. Everyday life was tough enough. The superheroes were there to solve everything else, battles much bigger than their own.

She felt hopeful when they were here. Confident in both the world and her future. She had wrapped that hope around herself, like it was the only thing protecting her from the bitter cold. But she should’ve known better. Hope. What good did it do to hold on to something that she knew wouldn’t last? Good things always come to an end.

The World Assembly decided that it no longer required the heroes’ assistance. What gave these people the right to choose which side they should aid or fight against? Who was right or wrong in war? Do not meddle in other countries’ affairs, they ordered them.

So, her heroes simply disappeared. No iron figure would fly down from the sky to protect her tonight.

No more Warbringers. Just her wit and her gun.

***

The soot was everywhere. In her hair, smudged on her cheeks, and stained all over her favorite pants. Nina ducked into an alley and gently scrubbed her face with a clean rag. The stench of burnt wood sank into her skin. The ash spotted her nose like random freckles. That was the last time she would ever escape through a chimney. She tucked her bag of stolen goodies beneath her jacket and wrapped her head and lower portion of her face with a sheer headscarf, concealing her face tattoo.

“Look, over there! The parade is starting!” a boy shouted, clapping his hands. A line of extravagant floats rolled down the gravel street. Gaya’s national colors—red, white, and yellow—adorned three floats, and other floats featured bejeweled animal figures. Fireworks exploded overhead, showering the sky in burnt gold and emerald.

Nina casually strolled through the crowd and snagged a lamb kabob and pita bread from one of the food vendors.

The intense, rhythmic beats from the drums and trumpets pulsed in her ears. Nina paused as a group of fire dancers zigzagged through the cluster of floats. Five of them spun torches in perfect synchronicity. The heat of it made her skin tingle. The crowd wildly cheered as the dancers tossed the flaming sticks. Nina observed the children, who danced in circles and sucked on mango lollipops. A smile crept onto her face. For a moment, it was as if her chaotic past never existed.

Gong! Gong! The clock tower to the east chimed at the stroke of ten. Nina grimaced and took in the joyous spectacle. If only she could linger for a while longer. She could immerse herself in Gaya’s culture and devour the tasty cuisine, but she reminded herself that nothing good ever lasts.

Nina pushed through the sea of bodies and exited Shams Square. She jumped from rock to rock that lined the path to Rev Beach, leaving no trace of her existence in the sand. The docks were deserted. Almost pitch black. The only lights provided were small gas lanterns lit every ten yards. She hugged her satchel to her chest and kept an eye out for potential thieves. A milky fog hung in the air, so thick it was almost impenetrable to the naked eye. Gripping her gun tightly, Nina quickened her stride. Her boots clacked loudly in the deafening silence. Somewhere across the sea, a ship’s foghorn startled her.

Get a hold of yourself. You’re almost free. The sound of her presence echoed across the beach’s silent dock, and in return came the lap of waves. She broke into a heavy sweat, the unrelenting humidity smothering her. A gust of wind left remnants of the nation’s sand on her shoulders. The farther she walked, the farther the music and laughter became.

Step, step, step.

Nina’s heart jumped as hasty footsteps approached from behind. From her peripheral vision, a black shadow stretched from the lamp’s orange glow. Nina slowed her stride to a casual pace. She stilled and swallowed the lump in her throat. The footsteps stopped in sync with hers.

She casually peered over her shoulder and saw no one. Her gaze darted through the piercing black. She detected no person following. Impossible. Nina moved on, keeping her ears sharp, and heard footsteps following once more. Again, she paused, and so did her stalker.

When Nina turned to confront him, a faint silhouette cut through the black. Her stalker suddenly emerged from the shadows. Like a phantom taking form out of nothing. Correction, stalkers. Her heart dropped. There was not only one, but five circling her from all sides. Nina froze, too petrified to move.  

How did she not hear the others following? Three men and a woman all wore long tunics and headscarves to protect themselves from the harsh desert weather. However, only one man stood out from the others. He was their leader, no question about that. He wore protective armor and a helmet with an opaque visor. The hood from his tunic hung loosely around his concealed face. 

“You know who I am?” their leader asked. A vocoder integrated into the leader’s helmet altered his voice. The cold and mechanical tone made her shudder. She analyzed him from head to toe. Nothing seemed familiar about him. If anything, his chilling voice should’ve triggered a memory. She’d never forget something unique like that. 

“I don’t believe we’ve met. Do you know who I am?” Nina asked, hiding her fear. She hovered her hand over her gun. A tiny smirk slipped from one of his companions. She looked to her right and caught a woman smiling at her like a predator ready to pounce. Their leader redirected her attention back to him.

“Of course, we know who you are, Miss Hart. We know everything: your birthplace, residency, criminal records…your family.” Nina’s heart skipped a beat. She gripped her gun handle.

“My family is dead,” she lied. Her stalkers inched just a fraction closer, the circle tightening around her like a noose.

“Is that so? Maybe I should revisit West Isle then. Last time I saw them, they were alive and well. But life is such a delicate state, don’t you think?” Nina drew her gun and aimed it at his head.

“If you touch them, I swear—”

“You’ll what? Kill me?” he asked. “My people could still hurt them even after you pull the trigger.” He slowly approached her, as did the rest of his followers. Nina spun in a circle and threatened them with her gun.

“Don’t come any closer,” she warned and cocked her gun. The circle stilled. “I-I don’t want to hurt anyone. No more,” Nina begged. She kept her face hard and unwavering, but inside her emotions bubbled in turmoil. Tears slightly stung her eyes. She worked too hard to leave her horrid, old life behind. She wanted those criminal records to burn. Her slate wiped clean.

“No one has to die, Miss Hart,” he assured. “Of course, that depends entirely on you.” Nina faltered backwards but kept her gun pointed at him. “We have a job for you. It requires your set of skills.” Nina’s heart raced a million beats per second.

“I don’t do that kind of work anymore,” she claimed. He and the others stood completely still in silence. She cocked her gun and stuttered. “Did you hear me? I said I’m done. Free. Ask the Red Widow yourself and find someone else to do your bidding.” In response, a low chuckle traveled through his vocoder.

“I wasn’t asking.” All around her, dark blue psionic energy formed in everyone’s hands. One by one, the energy peaked through the fog like torches.

They’re dark alvars. Superhumans with the ability to control psionic energy. Then it all clicked. Her eyes widened once she realized who she stood in the presence of. This was no ordinary man, but the Raven. The one dark alvar all men feared. Nina hesitantly stepped back, realizing that her measly handgun would do her no good.

 “You know who I am,” he repeated, as the realization sank in. He raised his gloved hand, and within seconds, a sharp pain shot through her chest. Like a river of fire cutting through her veins. Nina screamed as a wave of energy twisted around her, curling around every inch of her body and levitating her inches from the ground. She screamed and screamed, but the laughter and music of the festivities drowned her cries. The tears she held back sprang forth.

Where were her heroes now.

If you enjoyed your first look of The Warbringers, the ebook will be available on Amazon June 30th, 2026. The link is in my bio of my Instagram, or you can click the Shop Books button on the homepage of my site. A paperback version is currently in the works, so stay tuned. Thank you for your support!