The Dragon King
Page 17
Antiochus and Mei Li no longer belonged in either world. They were now strangers in a strange cosmos. They were fellow citizens of a new and higher empire, whose rule fit neither East nor West, but was sovereign over all: the empire of heaven. Their true emperor was Shang Di. They could only explore the new horizon of hope that lay before them.
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Some are reborn to new life. Others, to return to their original calling.
To this end, three monkish figures walked their horses on the cold, flat Tibetan plateau, a thousand miles west of the empire of Ch’in.
Gaspar asked above the wind, “How much farther to Babylon?”
Melchior smirked to himself. “It is just over the next hill. We can stop when we get there.”
Gaspar complained, “I am hungry.”
Melchior said, “Perhaps we should ask Shang Di for some more manna?”
Balthazar shook his head with a smile. They were returning to their native land because their duty was not yet fully discharged. They had watched over the relics as they had been taught. The golden cup and the wooden staff were in a sack tied to the supplies on the back of their donkey.
But that was only one component of their order’s calling. The other was to look for a sign in the stars that would herald the arrival of a very special emperor. Not an earthly ruler like the one they had just escaped, a tyrant deluded in his search for immortality and divinity. This coming emperor would be a son of Shang Di, a true god-man who would one day unite all under heaven.
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If you liked this book, then please help me out by writing an honest review of it wherever you purchased it. It’s usually pretty easy. That is one of the best ways to say thank you to me as an author. It really does help my exposure and status as an author. Thanks! — Brian Godawa
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More Books by Brian Godawa
See www.Godawa.com for more information on other books by Brian Godawa. Check out his other series below:
Chronicles of the Nephilim
Chronicles of the Nephilim is a saga that charts the rise and fall of the Nephilim giants of Genesis 6 and their place in the evil plans of the fallen angelic Sons of God called, “The Watchers.” The story starts in the days of Enoch and continues on through the Bible until the arrival of the Messiah: Jesus. The prequel to Chronicles of the Apocalypse. ChroniclesOfTheNephilim.com
Chronicles of the Apocalypse
Chronicles of the Apocalypse is an origin story of the most controversial book of the Bible: Revelation. An historical conspiracy thriller trilogy in first century Rome set against the backdrop of explosive spiritual warfare of Satan and his demonic Watchers. ChroniclesOfTheApocalypse.com
CHAPTER 37: ABOUT THE STORYTELLERS
Brian Godawa is the screenwriter for the award-winning feature film, To End All Wars, starring Kiefer Sutherland. It was awarded the Commander in Chief Medal of Service, Honor and Pride by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, won the first Heartland Film Festival by storm, and showcased the Cannes Film Festival Cinema for Peace.
He also co-wrote Alleged, starring Brian Dennehy as Clarence Darrow and Fred Thompson as William Jennings Bryan. He previously adapted to film the best-selling supernatural thriller novel The Visitation by author Frank Peretti for Ralph Winter (X-Men, Wolverine), and wrote and directed Wall of Separation, a PBS documentary, and Lines That Divide, a documentary on stem cell research.
His popular book, Hollywood Worldviews: Watching Films with Wisdom and Discernment (InterVarsity Press) is used as a textbook in schools around the country. His novel series, the saga Chronicles of the Nephilim is in the Top Ten of Biblical Fiction on Amazon and is an imaginative retelling of the primeval history of Genesis, the secret plan of the fallen Watchers, and the War of the Seed of the Serpent with the Seed of Eve. The sequel series, Chronicles of the Apocalypse tells the story of the Apostle John’s book of Revelation, and Chronicles of the Watchers recounts true history through the Watcher paradigm. www.godawa.com
Charlie Wen has been heading design for video games, animation and film for almost 20 years. In 2001, he founded and Directed Visual Development at Sony Computer Entertainment on the game series God of War, and created one of the most iconic characters in video game history, Kratos. After a few years designing for films such as Gatchaman, Thundercats, SuckerPunch, Captain Nemo, and Akira, Charlie Co-founded and was Head/Co-Head of Visual development at Marvel Studios from its infancy to Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Ant Man. He was entrusted to lead and co-lead the design and visual story moments for the main characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, while leading the team that defined the visual style across the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including Thor, Captain America: the First Avenger, Ironman 3, Avengers, Thor: the Dark World, The Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Antman.
Charlie had since been leading one of Riot Games future projects, and is currently in the process independently developing other stories and worlds for young adults.
CHAPTER 38: GREAT OFFERS BY BRIAN GODAWA
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