Quest for Copia by E.P. Bellows

Quest for CopiaJohn William DrakeBook TwoE.P. Bellows
Genre: Children’s FantasyPublisher: Azra’s Pith booksDate of Publication: 11/1/24ISBN: 979-8865821205ASIN: B0CLJ2BQDPNumber of pages: 197Word Count: 38,000
Tagline: Join John William Drake and his friends on their Quest for the Lost City of Copia… but beware, something evil lurks in the shadows.
Book Description:
John William Drake believed there was something special about the medallion Celeste found. It chimed and sparkled in the sunlight. He was right; the medallion was from Copia, a lost city masked in time. Legendary tales were repeated of a golden city inhabited by Empyrean Wizards until it was plagued by dark sorcery when a meager fledgling magician by the name of Imperious the Great wandered in.
Some did not believe the city ever existed; others who knew better wanted it to stay lost. How did it all start? How would it end? The answer simmered for hundreds of years waiting for the right moment to escape.
John and Celeste were more than ready for another adventure. The journey to Copia was also a search for his missing father. They were unaware of just how dangerous their quest was until it was too late. The medallion’s power could bring the lost city to life again, unlocking the dark past dormant within its walls. The young explorers were in the middle of a battle of ancient sorcery that could end with an evil capable of destroying the realm and they held the key.
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ExcerptUnearthed:

~The Copian Mediallion isdiscovered after being buried for years by layers of the realm.

Come on, wings! Don't fail me!" Gusts of wind blew thelittle bird in all directions. Her vivid red feathers stole the sun’s beamsfrom the sky.

This was not an ordinary bird. This was a young Empyreanwizard named Celeste. Empyrean wizards lived in an extraordinary place wherefantastic creatures and magic were a part of every day. All Empyrean Wizardshave a bird form appropriately coordinated with their personality. Thisparticular Empyrean was fearless and kind. She also had a knack for finding

"Made it!" Her small but determined wings descendedinto the trees below. There was a peculiar tree she heard whispers about, andshe was on her way to see it for herself. The tree was believed to be apassageway to the other side. Of course, she had no idea what the other sidewas, which only drove her curiosity. She perched on a boulder next to a singledead tree that boasted the broadest tree trunk in all of Copious Forest. Thetree was surrounded by a blanket of thriving greenery. Celeste cautiouslyglanced around and gave her feathers a ruffle. A young girl emerged through thefeathers with wild hair the same shade of vibrant red.

“Incredible!” she gasped and scuttled over to the tree. Shepoked her fingers out of the sleeve of her cloak and ran them along the rigidbark on the trunk. The bark chimed a soft melody as her fingers went along.

“So it is real.” Her eyes beamed. She stepped back and pulleda scroll out of her cloak. As she unraveled the scroll, the verses of anancient spell were revealed. “The Tunnel of Light Enchantment ...

Cuniculum lucis incantationis tempus sit, electiingrediantur. Cum tempus est, electi per cuniculum lucis relinquere possunt.

 When it is time, the chosen may enter. When it is time,the chosen may leave through the tunnel of light." She gazed at the deadtree, waiting for even a small flicker of magic. The trunk looked like it hadnot been seen or touched in years. “Hmm ..." Celeste raised her brow.

A prickly chill traveled down her spine. She squeezed herarms across her chest to soothe her goosebumps.  "Hello? Is-is someonethere?" Celeste frantically glanced around.

An angry groan rumbled through trees.

“I'm not afraid of you!" she declared. “Come out andshow yourself!”

Twigs and bits of forest flew past her curls. She scrambledbehind the boulder. Sharp whispers buzzed through the gaps in the trees.

“The moan went from a groan to a vicious roar. A wind funnelshaped like a pair of long, wretched claws appeared.

“Oh, no—it’s the Rive.” Her body tensed.

The dark spell was strong enough to twirl her straight intothe air with one dizzying burst. It plowed through trees and shot rocks in alldirections. Celeste's cloak whipped around in a frenzy. She crouched behind theboulder and gripped her hands around the base. Then her body lifted off theground. Inch by inch, her fingers slipped from the boulder. "Oh no!"Her head throbbed from intense pressure as the wind consumed her.

"Where is it? I must find it," the Rive whisperedsharply, bringing a sting to Celeste's ears.

"Where is what? What are you talking about?" sheshrieked.

"Where is it? I must find it!" the Rive's whisperwas now at a rattling shrill.

Celeste closed her eyes and fisted her trembling hands. Shefelt herself drifting into a dizzying slumber. “I have to channel the élan.Come on, Celeste ... concentrate. I can do this!"

She took a deep breath. "Azra lucem tuam ostende. Azratua industria illuminet …

Azra lucem tuam ostende. Azra tua industria illuminet."

A warm, vibrant energy burst through her cloak. The darkspell released its grip. It hissed and hurled rocks at Celeste. She stood herground and

Celeste collapsed to the ground, breathless. “I just didthat.” She examined the palm of her hand in astonishment.

She scooped up the shimmering clump and scraped the forest coating offit until all that remained was a medallion with strange markings and featheredwings carved in the center. It chimed and sparkled in her hands. Celestestuffed it in her cloak and cautiously looked around. An excited giggle slippedout just before she morphed back into a little red bird and flew above the trees.

About the Author:
A little about me…
Let's see... When I was eight, I had a pet turkey. I used to take it with me on my short-lived paper route. Needless to say, I was terrible at delivering the paper. No one wanted a "Dollar Saver" with turkey poop splattered across the best coupons on the front page.
Books... "Treasure Island" is a fantastic pirate tale. I love just about anything by Roald Dahl. Who could ever leave out Tolkien? I would also like to thank C.S. Lewis for sending me on an unrelenting childhood quest for portals to amazing worlds.
I write fantasy stories for children. Yep - proud fantasy geek here. It's pretty darn awesome to escape to another realm with sorcerers and wizards for a chunk of the day. The underlying theme in my stories is empowerment and living purposefully. We all have that spark inside just waiting to shine ;)
When football is on I turn into a cookie-eating pottymouth. I have a theory that avocados are the Jedi of all foods. I also believe the aroma of garlic and butter sizzling in a pan is pure magic.
Last random nugget… few things make me smile more than chocolate, cheese, and a nice splash of vino... AND, if the Chargers would make it to the Super Bowl again - just once 
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