Promises & Prophecies

by Lee Watts

  WAR

  OF THE

  REALMS

  Part 3

  PROMISES & PROPHECIES

  Lee Watts, Th.D.

  Copyright © 2019 Lee Watts

  All rights reserved.

  DEDICATION

  For Chrissy.

  “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”

  – Proverbs 31:28

  PROLOGUE

  "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." – II Corinthians 4:18

  War rages throughout the galaxy! Massive armadas and vast armies clash on and above tens of thousands of worlds. What began as a single battle in an ancient temple becomes a torrent of resistance against the Ramillie and their hidden allies, the Dridmor. A coalition of free worlds, led by King Alexander Lyons of the United Realm of Theera-Enty, stands as the galaxy's only hope against a new age under the iron fist of Ramillie domination.

  Facing immortal warriors of darkness, threats from interstellar powers and treachery within his own circle, Alexander must risk the unthinkable to save the Realm, those he loves, and humanity as a whole. As the age spirals to its conclusion, it is all determined by what comes of a pirate's quest, sacred promises, and ancient prophecies.

  CHAPTER 1

  "…for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."

  – Genesis 3:19

  The sun was low on the horizon as a lone figure strode silently down the high, open-air walkway connecting two soaring towers. A cold, firm breeze whipped his cloak as the sky turned shades of purple, and the distant roar of ships echoed softly off of the skyscrapers. Ten-meter-high statues of Ramillie gods lined the wide lane leading to a gargantuan figure of their chief deity, Dylimek. Its immensity dwarfing the other idols, the enthroned pantheon head was carved from a single immense boulder of gleaming black onyx. Moving in and out of the long shadows cast by the flanking effigies, the traveler drank in the smell of the smoke wafting from the huge bowls of flame on each side of the immutable image of Dylimek.

  Large, tall doors, positioned between the god's feet, opened as the walker approached. Entering the opulent chamber with its high-polished marble floor and columns etched with ancient script, his eyes affixed onto the beings at the far end of the elongated throne room. Seated was the Dridmor overlord Koraden with his lieutenant Imenand standing by his side. Seated next to Koraden was Potentate Kahira, leader of the Ramillie Hegemony. Recognizing the newcomer, the guards allowed the visitor entry without challenge.

  Reaching the other end of the room, he dropped to one knee at the base of the steps that led up to his masters. Bowing, he waited silently to be addressed.

  "Report," he was at last ordered, with no direction to rise.

  "The search continues, My Lords."

  There was a pause and a huff of annoyance.

  "We grow impatient with your continued failure, Saqir," sneered Kahira.

  "It won't be long, My Lords. The entire might of the fleet is scouring the galaxy for the portal. If it still exists, we will-"

  "IT DOES EXIST," insisted Koraden. "It's made of materials not of this universe. It cannot be destroyed."

  "By your word, My Lord," Saqir Nexos replied.

  Entering the room from a side entrance was Jambrek, the high priest of the Ramillie. He took up position standing next to the potentate. The priest's dark, sunken eyes seemed to peer into Saqir's mind. Saqir hoped it was only a feeling.

  "And what other news do you bring?" Kahira asked in irritation.

  "…Treachery," Saqir finally replied. Reaching into the folds of his cloak, he withdrew a palm-sized, trapezoidal device. Setting the holographic projector down, he stepped back and activated it via a small remote. A miniature image of the throne room floated above the projector, with a similar scene playing out. In the recording, Saqir was walking in and knelt at the bottom of the steps where atop the platform sat Kahira alone.

  "Rise and speak," began the recorded Kahira.

  "The evacuation of Theera-Enty is complete, Potentate. As you predicted, the Remnant bypassed their central systems and went straight to liberate their homeworlds. As instructed, I ensured a sizeable amount of personnel and equipment were left behind to make it appear convincing."

  "Excellent, and what of Salazar Yorin?"

  "I dispatched Dakshi to eliminate him as you directed, Potentate."

  "Good, I want confirmation as soon as he is dead. We cannot let the prophecy come to pass."

  "With respect… why not, Potentate? Don't we want to convert Salazar to our ways so the new age will be for the glory of our gods?"

  "You are too naïve, Saqir," the holographic Kahira sneered. "Do you really think the Dridmor are going to simply wipe out the rest of the galaxy and then spare the Ramillie? They are a far greater threat to us than the Realm Coalition or any other powers in the universe. Saqir, if our people are to survive then it is vital we keep one step ahead of the Dridmor."

  "But they are our lords… the ancient gods incarnate."

  "Gods?…. Puh. They are beings, nothing more. Yes, they are different from us, with abilities beyond what our science can currently explain, but in the end, we'll learn they are no more gods than you or I."

  "But - this is blasphemy-"

  "Hold your tongue, Saqir," Kahira demanded. "I am Potentate, and it is I who lead the Hegemony. If these Dridmor were really gods then why would they need our ships and technology to escape The Cloud? We were deceived, but it is not us who will play the fools at the end of this game but them."

  "How?"

  "We will use their powers to help us subjugate the remaining worlds of this galaxy. As for the rest, we'll propagate the fear of Dridmor to strike terror into the primitive nations. It will make them flock to us, begging for protection. Then, when these beings can serve us no more, we eliminate them. We know it can be done by simply piercing their hearts or separating their heads. Gods… what gods? Gods that can be killed are no gods at all. I have already laid plans for their extermination. All I need to do is issue the command."

  Pulling a slender, mechanical item from his pocket, the holographic Kahira held up the tiny transmitter with the encoded assassination orders of all known Dridmor.

  "But what of the portal?" Saqir voiced with concern. "Now there are only a few of them, but once the portal is opened, they-"

  "Then we see to it that it never is opened. Understand?"

  "Yes, Potentate."

  "Now, about the offensive in the Golan Cluster, I want reports on-"

  Saqir deactivated the holographic projector causing the image to fade into nothingness.

  Kahira rose in a mix of shock and anger then turned his gaze to bore into Saqir.

  "I'm sorry, Potentate," Saqir apologized looking downward, "but my first loyalty is to the gods."

  Kahira's eyes nervously darted to Koraden and Imenand.

  "Lies," he protested. "It wasn't like that. I would never-"

  Before he could continue, the long-harried Imenand forced his hand into Kahira's cloak, pulling out a small transmitter.

  The Ramillie's eyes widened in terrified amazement of the device plucked from his own clothes.

  "NO, it's not what you think, My Lords," Kahira pleaded. "I didn't… I would never… You promised to make me a god. I would never betray you!"

  Imenand strode angrily to the computer terminal and connected the transmitter to it. Accessing the single file on the device, the screen verified the instruction to all Hegemony units. It ordered them to eliminate their Dridmor overseers without delay or question, priority one. Imenand turned and nodded to Koraden
who rose in anger. As his fury built, the Dridmor overlord's eyes began to change.

  "NO! NO, MY LORD. I AM LOYAL! I BEG OF YOU!"

  Koraden unsheathed his fangblade, which flamed to life at his touch. Striding toward the terrified mortal, the Dridmor's eyes became black as deepest space.

  "PLEASE!"

  YOU WANTED TO BE A GOD," Koraden shouted. "YOU ARE NOT WORTHY TO WALK AMONG THE CHILDREN OF FIRE!"

  With a shout of rage, Koraden thrust the burning, curved blades into the potentate's chest. The mortal's screams were quickly drowned out by blood filling his throat; in a moment, he went limp. Koraden withdrew his weapon and releasing his hold of the man allowing Kahira's lifeless body to crumple to the floor.

  Koraden bared his teeth as he spitefully stared at the dead man at his feet. Sheathing the weapon, the Dridmor returned to the throne and spoke to the snow-skinned priest.

  "Dispose of that."

  Jambrek smiled - eager to call upon the spirits in carrying out the instructions. Stepping to the corpse, he tilted his head upward and began reciting an ancient incantation. Saqir recognized the sounds as ancient Ramillie but didn't understand the words. Building in intensity as he spoke, Jambrek's already dark eyes lost their purple coloring as his pupils expanded to fill his entire eye sockets. Restraining the urge to flee, Saqir disciplined himself to hold his position. At last Jambrek finished, then looking down at the body hissed a single word in the contemporary tongue of his people.

  "Worms."

  Witnessing a few instances of Jambrek's powers, but considering them mere curiosities, Saqir gaped in disgusted awe as thousands of worms suddenly erupted from Kahira's skin, ravenously devouring the fallen potentate. Within seconds, the flesh was totally consumed.

  "Dust," the priest loudly whispered, which caused both the worms and bones to instantly collapse into a fine powder. Jambrek's eyes returned to their normal state, and he quietly resumed his position behind the seated Koraden.

  "You have done well," Koraden nodded to Saqir.

  "I am your humble servant, Overlord," Saqir replied while kneeling again and keeping his eyes downward.

  "As it should be," Koraden gloated with pleasure. "Now, we will bring this war and age to an end. Intensify the search for the portal. Pull ships from the battle lines if that's what it takes. When the portal is found you will have no need of warships; we will eliminate all your enemies for you. Oh, and bring me Salazar Yorin, I have an offer for him - one I'm sure he will eagerly accept."

  "It shall be done, Overlord."

  "Rise… Potentate Nexos. Serve us well, and you may be found worthy of being elevated and become a child of fire to walk amongst the gods."

  "My life is but to serve the gods," Saqir answered.

  "Go, carry out my commands. If you find the portal, you will be rewarded with power beyond measure and life without end."

  Saqir bowed deeply then turned to leave. He could not help but smile as he walked out. He was now the most powerful, wealthy man in the entire Hegemony; it was far different than the way he entered the room. Then he was penniless, having exhausted what was left of his fortune in employing a holograph expert to craft the scene of betrayal and then bribe the potentate's personal guards to plant the transmitter in Kahira's pocket. Now, it was Saqir who activated a transmitter in his own pocket, ensuring the assassination of all those involved in his scheme, so there were no traces to him.

  As for the demise of his predecessor, Saqir's preference for dispatching rivals was having a T'lec master surgeon transplant their brains into an animal to be kept as a pet. Saqir took extra pleasure in selling his "pets" to those he thought would work or abuse the animals to death. To his chagrin, he was unable to indulge himself in his favorite retribution this time.

  With his ascension to the highest position in the Hegemony complete, he turned his focus to pleasing the Dridmor. True immortality was within his grasp. More than that just living, he could become a child of fire himself. Saqir thought of what a fool Salazar was for wanting to use the transfer device to prolong this mortal life.

  True immortality comes from transcending this shell of clay and becoming a god – a child of fire, Saqir mused.

  Knowing he must move quickly to please the Dridmor, thus proving himself worthy of elevation to godhood, Saqir focused on what it would take to find the portal and bring Salazar to Koraden. He hoped Koraden wasn't going to kill Salazar because he so wanted a new pet. Saqir consoled himself by thinking, Even if I am denied that pet by the overlord killing the first son of Darius, there is always the second son.

  CHAPTER 2

  "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." - Proverbs 17:17

  "FALL BACK," the commander shouted.

  Routed soldiers retreated in disarray as Hateeg units advanced through the besieged capital city of the planet Entauri Major. Orange streaks of Hateeg laserfire blasted at the fleeing troops through the smoke-laden air.

  On the Realm battlecarrier Indomitable, Commodore Upton's gaze was fixed to the floating display above the holographic projection table of the command workstation.

  "Are the Hateeg onto us yet?" he asked without looking from the image.

  "Negative," came the answer. "They know we've entered the system, but they must think we're alone - otherwise they'd be scrambling a lot more ships."

  Upton agreed with the assessment.

  "Excellent. Signal the others to break on my mark."

  The communications officer relayed the message then let the Commodore know all was set.

  "Surprise," Upton whispered to the enemy commander. "MARK!"

  Veering from a close, single file formation designed to mask their approach, three other battlecarriers and twice as many corvettes suddenly veered off to the left, right, top and bottom of the Indomitable – all of them with weapons blazing.

  Fighter pilots Dakota Farabaugh and Ian Hammond worked in tandem as they sprayed surprised Hateeg defenders with deadly blue bolts of energy from their starfighters.

  "YEE-HHAW! At's what I'm talk'n about," Dakota shouted victoriously as another Hateeg fighter exploded under the brunt of his cannon.

  "Do you always have to talk smack?" Ian asked. "These guys aren't on our frequency you know."

  "Aw come on, Ironman," Dakota pleaded cheerfully, "Loosen up. Talk'n smack is half the fun." Destroying another of the enemy ships, he shouted, "Who's your daddy?"

  "Fireball, Ironman, cut the chatter," came the voice of their squadron commander, Miranda Iglesias. "We have a job to do."

  "I couldn't agree more," Ian replied.

  "Roger that," Dakota acknowledged with disappointment.

  ***

  Swiftly striding through the halls of the Theeran royal palace, Yilib Wasi fumed with building irritation as he progressed. Recognizing the clearly angered, elaborately-robed man, the royal guards allowed him to enter the military command center without question.

  As the door parted, Yilib's narrowed eyes scanned the two-leveled room with its many giant grid maps of the war-torn galaxy. Uniformed personnel went about their work as Ylib crossed to the HPT where stood Admiral Balin with other top commanders.

  "On the newscast," Yilib began, not bothering to veil his great annoyance, "I heard the Realm is invading the Entauri Major system. Why was I not informed?"

  "Protocol," Balin answered with the gruffness "To be informed of an operation you need two things, clearance and a need to know. You didn't need to know."

  "This… this is outrageous! You have no right to launch such an operation without royal authority."

  "He had it," came the voice of Alexander as he entered the room accompanied by Caedmon. The two men joined those encircling the HPT.

  "But, Sire," Yilib began with a bow, struggling to bridle his frustration. "You did not consult with me before this operation."

  "No need," Alexander answered flatly. "I've no doubt this is the right thing to do; it's not up for debate. The Entaurans hosted that conferen
ce for us so we could build a coalition against the Ramillie. They were willing to aid us in our fight, so we are responding in kind. Their planets were started by Enty colonist anyway, so it's doubly right we help them."

  Careful not take a hostile or disrespectful tone with the sovereign, Yilib nonetheless stressed his descent as stridently as he thought he could.

  "Sire, we all sympathize for the plight of the Entauri, but they cannot expect the Realm's gratitude to extend to going to war with the Hateeg."

  "They were willing to go to war with the Ramillie for us," Alexander retorted.

  "Yes, Sire, but that was having them as part of a greater alliance. The Realm will fight the Hateeg alone." Yilib's eyes glanced to Caedmon as he continued accusatorily. "With our forces already fully engaged against the Hegemony, you have been ill-advised to open a second front with the Hateeg Confederacy. The Entauri Cluster is only four worlds as it is. It's not like they would have been much help against the Ramillie anyway."

  "And your point is what?" Alexander shot back. "We only help those who can help us?"

  Stunned by the King's assertiveness, Yilib didn't reply. This was a new side to Alexander.

  "We will liberate the Entauri by driving the Hateeg from their capital system because it's the right thing to do."

  Unaccustomed to Alexander's complete self-confidence, Yilib hesitated. He wasn't sure if it was Caedmon's influence or something else but since Alexander's… resurrection, the young king was more strong-willed, assured, and hadn't once asked for Yilib's advice.

  "As you direct, Sire," Yilib conceded. "Of course, this will give an excuse for the Confederacy to invade Realm space."

  "If we didn't give them an excuse, they would come up with their own," Alexander said. "I prefer to set the terms myself."

  Balin smiled in agreement.

  "His Majesty is correct," the admiral began, "However, Sire, I am concerned how thin we will have to spread our forces to secure the Entauri worlds and liberated Realm space. It wouldn't take much for a Ramillie fleet to penetrate our lines in the sub-quadrants between the Doneac and Celtis Po systems."