Footsteps chimed an audible sense of disparity, in the cold empty streets, as the stranger walked with haste. Trickling water dispensed into the drains, after a lengthy journey from rooftops, and descending gutters of multi-story buildings lining the street. Gentle rain permeated the soil where trees, spaced at least ten meters apart, grew from small man-made cement gaps in the footpath. It was curious how a tree could even feed off the partial confinement of its home in such an agonizing space. Certainly exemplifies the level of resilience required to survive at such odds. Ah, but it is human needs that perpetuate the desire for nature's beauty in the streets of a major metropolitan city. It provides reassurance and a subtle sense that nature is still alive, contrasting its green foliage against the bleak and dank streets. He stomped into a puddle which ascended upon his leg midway to the calf, as he pressed on, cursing.

A thousand years ago, there was a king whose kingdom spanned half a continent during a time of knights and valor. He ruled justly and fairly, and thus his kingdom prospered. The king had 10 begotten sons; Joshua, the 10th son, skinny and white, with blonde hair and blue eyes whose selflessness knew no bounds; Alexander the 9th son, a boy with great hope within him, as skinny as his brother but with deep tanned skin, with brown hair and eyes as green as the leaves of the trees; the 8th son, Kanin, whose hair was blood red, and with deep brown eyes: he had more muscle than his younger brothers, and within him he had a strong sense of justice and honor; Michael, the 7th son, whose hair and eyes were dark as night, and body was lean and wiry with the muscle of training and work, covered in scars from his exploits where he always sought out glory and fame; Vile,the 6th son, his hair white as the snow, with eyes the colour of clouds heavy with rain and his skin dark, upon whom fear held no power upon his heart nor mind; Talon, the 5th son, hair brown as the earth and eyes black as the night above it with white skin the color of the stars that hung there, whose skills in hunting were unlike any other; Joseph, the 4th son, with long dark hair that brushed his shoulders, with a handsome stare from underneath dark brows that nobody could resist, with a cleverness to him in his own right; Nicholas, the 3rd son, with a completely bald head, and hawkish eyes the color of a small yellow suns, he was the strongest out of all his brothers, he had a strong desire to protect his people; and finally, Elijah and Arthur, the twins, both loyal men with skills at the blade unmatched by any but each other.

-Prologue-

In a time long before the earth took shape or form, divine gods of an unknown world descended from the heavens onto a desolate rock. Having drifted for eons, they grew weary and took a quick interest in the inhospitable wasteland. Finding it to their favor, they created life as forward-thinking and intelligent as they were. For a time, all was peaceful; the gods relished their children, and their children worshiped them unconditionally. As seasons passed, the divines taught them their ways of magic, metal bending, forms of art, and other higher sciences. Thus, their children's power grew as it did their buildings, machines, cities, and weapons of great height and strength. However, one such creation became beyond that of any other. He rivaled even his creators, and Bahadur was his name. Endowed with the greatest of gifts he was to be the shining example of perfection, the brightest star in a sky of the stars a creation that personified the divine’s brilliance. For a time, he was that which they intended, leading the people of the world with his magnificent feats of power the god’s creations reached ever higher heights. Until he himself was worshipped as a deity, held at pinnacle of civilizations, which the gods marveled in admiration at their creation and what they were capable to do in the beginning. The god’s admiration would not last long, however. Marveled as they were, they quickly grew concerned that they had taught their children too much, and so decided to hold a council. The verdict was unanimous---they would leave the earth and rule afar, in their kingdom.

When Joanna McCoy was rolled into the lab on the flat bed, she was as dead as a nail.

It will be dark now, as night falls, Varisha said quickly and the sky will turn red.

I wake up in a garden of time

After a long 12 hour shift day at the hospital, Rebecca returned home to an empty apartment. Lights we're off due to the hurricane alert that has been over the city of Cleveland for three days. For three days she was without power, which is okay with she had tons of candles her mother sent her every year for her birthday, she was dying of light. She walked into her apartment, which welcomed her was broken windows, glass and water everywhere in her apartment. Her cat Milo was crying at her closed bedroom door.

The slave auction was a chaotic event as thousands of people came to sell and purchase animals, livestock, and people. People were bustling about--and bids on the living goods were shouted out into the forum. Many people gathered, not only to buy slaves and livestock, but they also came to watch as people from various parts of the world; kidnapped from their homes and taken to a foreign land--they spoke in various languages--some understanding others were yelling to the others. While others like the women and children stood silently, watching the Roman crowd with large fearful eyes. Some were even crying.

Prologue

OF THE ASTRIARCS

The fires raged in the forge. They echoed the power that lived within Valen. With every flicker of the flame, the magic within him raged. It poured out like a torrent of mighty water in a rushing river. Raising his hands, what was once unmarked skin became pocked with scars. They hurt.