The Unlikely Defenders

The last thing Kire expected was to be running for his life. But after his bullies chase him into a hidden cave in the forest, he stumbles upon a mysterious ancient ruin with a sinister magical secret at its core. A parallel universe is desperately calling for help—and five unlikely students are destined to become its saviors. Five magical items, each with unique powers, beckon them. Kire quickly finds himself roped into a ragtag team with his two worst bullies, a shy bookworm, and a cheerleader with a long-buried secret.

Charlie Rose knows that their victory over their magical attackers is only the start. With the magical world slipping into chaos and despair, she and her newfound friends struggle to piece together the history behind this parallel universe. After they stumble upon a mysterious crumbling castle, the team reluctantly vote to explore it in search of answers. There are few signs of life remaining after the monsters’ onslaught – but the team begins to find clues as to what happened... and they quickly realize how much danger they’re in.

For Amberly and the rest of the Unlikely Defenders, an immense feeling of dread hangs over their heads. Even as they try to settle back into their everyday lives at school, they can’t forget the supernatural threats that are lurking in the magical realm. Amberly has a secret... and a personal life that she’s determined to keep hidden from the entire school. But she can’t hide forever, and as her seemingly perfect life begins to tear at the seams, she’ll be forced to confront a painful reality that could cause her relationships to crumble and put her friends in danger.

Reeling from a devastating battle that nearly cost Kire his life, the Unlikely Defenders are left shell-shocked after someone is sacrificed to save them. With cracks appearing in their friendship, their magic is weaker than ever, and their next fight could lead them all to ruin. Trace is furious that Amberly tried to play hero and throw away her own life. Grappling with their shaky relationship and unable to confront his inner pain, fighting was the only way he could channel his anger for good, but as his flaming sword grows dim, now even that is failing him.