Awakened Within by Christopher Tyler

When Alex starts having strange dreams and uncovering hidden powers, he must learn who to trust-and who he really is-before a dark and sinister force takes over his world.

Power. Mystery. Choice.

Alex always knew he was different. But when strange abilities begin to stir inside him—violent, unpredictable, and growing stronger by the day—his life is thrown into chaos. With no guide, no answers, and a power he doesn’t understand, Alex is thrust into a hidden world where nothing is as it seems.

As he searches for control, allies emerge—others who understand the forces that shape him. But so does Veylan, a sinister figure with dark intentions and a chilling knowledge of what Alex truly is. Veylan seeks to unseal The Deep, an ancient power source tied to Alex’s very soul. And he’s willing to do anything to make Alex help him do it.
With the fate of the world teetering on a blade’s edge, Alex must face the ultimate choice: resist the pull of power—or be consumed by it.

In a world where nothing stays buried forever, how far would you go to control what awakens within?

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Excerpt from Awakened Within © Copyright 2025 Christopher Tyler

“Sooo…you want me to start now?”  “No time like the present,” she said, and walked to the center of the room.  “Don’t worry about messing up.  Just…feel it.”  He took a breath and joined her, heart thumping.  At first, he didn't know what to think about.  Thoughts of overdue schoolwork and how funny it would be to see a dog with purple fur wearing a clown hat raced through his mind.  He began to laugh to himself.  Lauren looked out of the corner of her eye and chuckled as well.  “What are you thinking about?”  “You don't want to know,” Alex stated.  “Well, whatever it is seems to be distracting you.  Don't let your mind wander.  Try focusing on just one thought.”  “Ok,” Alex said.

He thought back to that moment during band practice.  As he began to concentrate more, he visualized the moment he saw Andrew's foot begin to stick out to trip him.  The anger he’d felt, the heat in his chest, the tingling sensation all came back to him.  Suddenly, he felt this sensation again.  It came fast.  A crackle lit up his fingers—tiny sparks dancing between them, the air around him tingling.  A burst of air leapt from his hand to the floor with a sharp pop and dust blew from the floor.  He jumped back.  “Did you see that?”  Lauren raised an eyebrow, impressed.  “Nice.  That’s raw potential right there.  But it’s too wild.  Try to hold it.  Control it.”  Alex frowned, trying to replicate the feeling without losing control.  The tingling sensation came slower this time, but it danced in a more focused line between his palms.  He felt the energy pulse—alive, warm, dangerous.

Then it sputtered and vanished.  “I can’t keep it,” he muttered, frustrated.  “You will,” Lauren said.  “It’s like a muscle.  You have to build it up, find the rhythm.”  Alex looked at her.  “Show me yours.”  Lauren hesitated for only a second, then lifted her hand.  A soft glow shimmered above her palm, like sunlight trapped in a bubble.  It spun gently, floating upward before disappearing with a soft sigh of air.  “Light manipulation,” she said.  “Mostly heat and illusion.  I can bend it, change what people see, sometimes even make people feel things—like warmth or fear.”  “That’s amazing,” Alex whispered.

Lauren shrugged.  “It took years to control it.  I used to start fires by accident.  Burned a whole field once.”  Alex smiled.  “Okay, that makes me feel a little better.”  They spent the next hour practicing.  Lauren guided him through basic exercises—focus, release, visualization.  He failed more than he succeeded, but each time he managed even the tiniest improvement, her encouragement made it feel like a victory.  For the first time in what felt like forever, he didn’t feel like a freak.  He felt…possible.  Eventually, they collapsed onto the lumpy couch, breathless and sweating.  “I didn’t know it could feel like that,” Alex said, staring at the ceiling.  “Like what?”  “Like I’m not alone.”  Lauren didn’t answer for a moment.  When she did, her voice was quieter.  “You’re not.  Not anymore.”  There was a knock at the front door, sharp and urgent.  Lauren sat up, frowning.  “We’re not expecting anyone.”

Alex followed her into the hallway, nerves prickling.  The knock came again, this time louder and with a purpose.   Lauren peeked through the side window, then stiffened.  “It’s him,” she whispered.  “Andrew?”  Alex’s stomach dropped.  “What?  Why would he—how does he know where you…”  Before he could finish, the door slammed open.  Andrew stood there, flanked by two older-looking boys.  His smirk was all wrong—too calm, too sure, too full of malice.   “Nice place you got,” he said, stepping inside without asking.  Lauren moved in front of Alex.  “You’re not supposed to be here.”  Andrew tilted his head.  “I think you know why I’m here.  You’ve got something I want.”   Alex’s hands curled into fists.  The energy stirred again, deeper than before, louder.  Andrew noticed this and nodded, as if urging Alex on.  Lauren didn’t move.  “You don’t want to do this, Andrew.”

Andrew's eyes narrowed—and for a split second, they shimmered.  Gold; not human looking.  Alex stepped forward.  “What are you?”  Andrew grinned.  “Oh, Alex.  You’re not the only one unlocking secrets.”  Then everything exploded.