Here we have a page from each book.
Max had been asleep for hours when a frantic tapping on his window jolted him awake. Groggy, he stumbled over and slid the window open, already knowing who it was. Only one person ever showed up at such odd hours—Reid. As the window creaked up, Reid was already halfway inside, babbling incoherently, words spilling out too fast for Max to catch.
“Slow down,” Max mumbled, rubbing his eyes.
“I’ve got it, Max! They’re coming—you’ve got to hide me,” Reid said, his voice tinged with desperation.
“Got what?” Max asked, still half-asleep.
“No time to explain! We need to go, now!” Reid yelled, panic in his eyes.
A loud thud echoed from upstairs. “Great, you woke up my roommate,” Max groaned. “He’s insane.”
Reid let out a dry laugh. “You think he’s crazy? Stick around a few more seconds, and you’ll see real crazy.”
As soon as he said it, multiple beams of light cut across Max’s backyard, all converging on the window. Then came the unmistakable sound of heavy footsteps approaching—fast.
“What the hell is happening?” Max asked, turning to Reid.
“No time!” Reid shouted, grabbing Max by the shirt. They crashed through the door just as the window shattered and gas canisters were lobbed inside. Max barely glimpsed figures in the chaos as Reid yanked him up the stairs.
Reid kicked open Max’s roommate’s door. The guy barely had time to stand up before Reid pointed at him. “You’ve got two choices: run with us or face what’s coming. Your call.”
Without waiting for a reply, Reid rushed toward the back of the room. “Max, is it still here? Is it still here?”
“Yeah, yeah, it’s over there,” Max said, pointing to a worn panel in the wall.
Reid tore it away and grinned. “Perfect. Let’s go!”
Max’s roommate, now fully on board, followed close behind as they slipped into the hidden passage. Max quickly sealed the entrance the best he could. Years ago, he had installed a handle on the inside, a way to escape and be alone, but he had nearly forgotten about the maze since taking on a roommate.
They navigated through the dark, twisting passages until they reached a small door.
“This is it, right?” Reid asked, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
“Yeah, it should open,” Max replied.
Reid gave it a hard pull, and the door creaked open. The three of them crawled through, only to find themselves in a strange, unexpected place—a museum-like room filled with old, dusty artifacts.
Max stared, bewildered. He knew nothing about what lay before him, but Reid’s eyes lit up. This was his world.
Reid spun toward Max, eyes wide with urgency. “Max, is there another way out? We need to move. Now.”
A succession of sleepless nights had left Paul’s eyes bleary and fatigued, but an irresistible sense of proximity to something profound fueled his determination. His relentless research had led him on a whirlwind tour through realms both fantastical and uncharted, unearthing texts so extraordinary that they defied his prior knowledge. Paul wearied yet undeterred, rubbed his eyes and released a world-weary sigh before immersing himself once more in his pursuit of knowledge. Yet, as his eyes scanned the mystic verses, the very words seemed to ripple and vanish, plunging him into an abyss of darkness.
Within that inky void, a formidable trap materialized before him, while an awe-inspiring entity strode forth, apparently heedless of the peril that lay in its path. In an instant, the trap sprang to life, ensnaring the colossal being, and torrents of its ethereal blood flowed forth like galaxies spilling from cosmic wounds. A deafening roar reverberated with such seismic intensity that it threatened to rupture the very fabric of Paul’s perception.
With a jolt, Paul’s eyes snapped open, and he realized that sleep had claimed him, however fleetingly. As he sat in the afterglow of his surreal dream, he pondered its cryptic meaning. It seemed to echo the tantalizing secrets he tirelessly sought in his readings, further stoking his insatiable thirst for enlightenment.
Paul hailed from a lineage of antiquarians, a family history that traced its origins to a bygone era of swashbuckling ancestors who pillaged not for gold but for ancient texts harboring a unique form of treasure. Their extensive libraries, continually expanding, housed a wealth of knowledge waiting to be unlocked. However, it was the enigmatic revelations of his friend, Jeremy, an archaeologist whose recent discoveries had piqued Paul’s curiosity, that had ignited his relentless quest. Jeremy’s tales of intriguing findings from archaeological digs had become the catalyst propelling Paul into the world of manuscripts and ancient relics.
I have finally been given the task of completing our history. I was first given this task during the final war, however since I was in charge while the king had recently gone through the emerald door, there was no time for such things. Now all these have come to pass and peace once again is upon us, now I know you find my words off, for as all you know, we have had peace since the last kings were defeated. All things will be clear. we are now in peace and as far as can be seen, there will never be war again. So in comfort and peace of body and mind, I write the history of all things that have come to pass to bring about this great age and to write how it was our king’s relentless vision that has made these things possible. In essence, it is the story of our king. Let us begin, our king was born in slavery on the Western continent. There are 2 continents the East and West, and each one is broken up into provinces 35 in the East and .42 in the West. Each continent has a great king that rules the whole continent, and he has leaders and armies that rule each province in his name.
When our king was 4 years of age they put him to work with the rest of the slaves in the fields. He learned fast and worked hard. He loved the sting and burn he got from working hard. As he got older he started to notice that armies would train just close enough for him to watch. So he would watch them and learn all he could. At age 10 is when he started to sneak out of the compound to go train in the jungle. He did this for years working in the field sneaking out at night to train, sleeping a little than doing it again. After years of this, his body could heal in 2 hours as if he slept the whole night.
One day they brought in a new village they had just captured. Amongst them was a young man around the age of our king. The two of them quickly became close friends, more than brothers. This young man is, in fact, myself, the one writing these words. Now they had grown in trust, so the king decided to tell and show him his training spot and training strategies that he had been perfecting over the years. He also told him of an elite army that trains somewhere in secret, which he had not found yet, but assured him that one day he would. As the years went by the boys became young men and sharpened each other into perfect weapons. No one knew they worked hard, were quiet, and caused no trouble. Then one night while out in the jungle they came across the elite army training site. So night after night they would come and watch, then practice what they had seen. Then they start changing and creating their techniques, creating a style of their own. Now never once did they do anything other than sneak out, that could have gotten them in trouble, so they thought they had been going unnoticed, or so it had seemed. However one night while our king was alone on a small beach surrounded by jungle, he was training, when an elite soldier tried to attack him. Now as things are, our king had already trained himself far beyond the elite soldiers of this army and killed him flawlessly. He tied rocks to the soldier’s body and rolled it into the water. As the body rolled into the water, a huge rip in the sky appeared and a wild-eyed warrior was glaring back at him from within it. As he looked at this warrior and whatever he could get a glimpse of in this tear was truly unreal. This warrior was surrounded by mounds of dead inhuman bodies. He was standing in one of those piles of bodies with one beast in his hand and sword overhead ready to strike, but the body was already slumped dead, So
now he glared at our king through this rip in time.
Control was only part of the reason he was watching. The other reason was the young lady standing in the corner. Stan had thought he was the only one they were going to let oversee this. He was there to make sure that everyone followed protocol and that no mistakes were made in handling the objects.
He wondered what the woman was doing there. Was she there to replace him? Finally, he decided that he would go find out what was happening.
“Hi, my name is Stan,” he said as he approached the woman.
“Hello, my name is Tiamat,” she replied.
“You mean like the goddess?” he joked.
“Yes, however, I am no goddess,” she replied.
“No, of course not,” he stammered. He had to figure out how he was going to phrase what he had to say next in a tactful way when she answered him before he could ask.
“I am here to find out what these artifacts are. They were on my property, and I am an archaeologist. These objects seem to be from way back,” she said.
“So it’s kind of a double interest,” he said, smiling.
“Okay, I thought you were here to take my job,” he laughed.
“No, not at all,” she replied.
“When I heard you were overseeing the tests, I was very anxious to meet you. You have written some amazing papers that I have read. You are the head of your field and an innovator in that field. To say I wanted to meet you is an understatement. I needed to meet you, especially after we discovered these artifacts because I was thinking they might tie in with your third paper on time before history and the gods. In your paper, you described objects that were used by said gods for various powers, communications, and transport. Well, I am thinking that these objects are indeed those of which you spoke. Your part here is more than just overseeing the tests. You are here for insight, which I requested of you myself.” He looked at her and said, “Well, thank you very much. I had no idea I was so sought after. I mean, I wrote that paper about things that appear to be alluded to but have never been seen or written about directly. Just hints of them scattered throughout time.”
He had been walking for hours now and didn’t know where he was. The last thing he remembered was getting ready for bed, then waking up out here in the desert. He didn’t seem to be injured, but he was very thirsty, it was starting to get hot, and he couldn’t even see anything that resembled a road. Alex reached into his pocket; for some reason, he had pants on, but there was nothing in them. Coming over a large dune, he could see a truck in the distance. He started to run toward the truck, and as he got closer, he recognized it; it was his. How did his truck get out here? He was relieved; he got in, and the keys were in the ignition; he turned the key, and it started; he was overjoyed. However, he still saw no road. Alex looked through his whole truck for any clues as to how he got out there and why he was so far away from his truck; it had to have been miles. There was nothing in his truck that could help him figure out what was going on. Alex got out of the truck and left it running just to look around and see if he could see something. A massive unknown aircraft hovered above him and teleported him onto their ship. He was conscious the whole time. When he got on the aircraft, he felt nauseated for a short time but regained himself quickly. Two large human-like beings were approaching him; they were enormous and resembled men but were much larger. They did not come at him aggressively, so he acted accordingly. In a calm, strong voice, the one with the long white beard asked if he would please follow them, so he did. They had walked down many corridors. He said nothing and simply followed them until they came to massive gold doors. Each grabbed a handle and opened the doors, but he couldn’t see inside because the light was too bright. From within the light, he heard a voice say, “Come in; welcome here.” The two huge men motioned for him to go in, and he reluctantly walked in. To his surprise, a normal-sized man was sitting in a massive chair. The ones that had brought him in also walked in and closed the doors. As he walked toward the normal-sized man, he heard some strange mechanical sounds behind him. He quickly turned around to see two normal men climb out of the giants that brought him here; they had just been suits. And they all looked human. Now his mind went wild. Who the hell are these guys? He turned back around to the man in the chair, who asked him to come closer. So he kept walking. When he got to the man, he noticed that this guy looked tough but seemed friendly, without fear. There is no need to act tough if one is, and this guy seemed to be the real deal. “Welcome, my name is Sire 1, and the others here are Sires 11 and 13.” “Names of a personal life mean nothing to us.” “And your name is Alexander Cane?” he asked. Alex agreed with a nod. “I suppose you are wondering why you are here and why you found yourself in the desert this morning.” “Well, I would like to explain a few things to you.” “Many years ago, we came across a psychological file on a very young child. This file intrigued us because the content was very interesting, to say the least. Especially for what we do, Alex, we deal with the most extreme threats to humanity. So, well, we watched this child until he became a man, and we continued to watch him. You are this man, Alex. We believe you have what it takes to be one of us; we are the most elite of the elite, and we would like to train you; however, no one can know about this. Once training is done, and if you pass, you will disappear. So take this time to tie up things in your life,” Sire 1 said.
His eyes were fixed on the sky as he watched it fall. She stood back, sipping gin and crunching ice cubes. Pieces fell in odd colors from the sky, but no change of expression on her face seemed evident. “Man, how did it get this far?” It seemed like only a few weeks ago that things were normal, and now this. He was impressed with how she was taking it. Inside, he was losing it. “The sky’s falling; what do we do?” He got himself awake. “What the hell kind of dream was that? The sky was falling; who is this girl drinking gin?” Anyhow, he had to get up because he had a big presentation today on a new product he had been working on for a long time. It was the biggest product he had, and he wasn’t sure what to share with the council, but his friend insisted that he do so. He said, “This is the one people will remember you for,” so he talked him into it. His dreams since then had been terrible and always ended with crazy end-of-the-world scenarios. Finally, he got his stuff together and was out the door and on his way. The ride in was, eh, the same as usual—nothing eventful, except one thing—it was so fast he wasn’t sure he saw what he saw. At a traffic light, he was looking straight ahead when, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the girl from his dream in the passenger seat. He thought he was still shaking off the morning dregs. Other than that, the drive-in was nice. His stomach was turning, though he didn’t want to do this. He was this far, and the appointment had been made. What he was about to show these people was not big. It was about the size of a shoebox, but what it could do would blow their minds. He still wasn’t sure what it could do, but the deadline was here, so here he was. When he walked through the door, he could smell the bullshit right away. He noticed a huge decanter of whisky over in the corner with some glasses.
His friend saw him look over there and shook his head. “No, that’s not how it’s going to be.” But that wasn’t how Ramos felt about it. “They’ll need a drink for this,” he thought. So Ramos piped up, “Gentlemen, we’ll need a drink to help with this information. I’m sure you’ll agree that we’ve made the correct decision when I’m done.”
“Also, I’ve noticed that when you have a drink with someone, the guard lowers, and people let go of their inhibitions and get real. Because it’s about to get surreal, there needs to be a ground.”
Following a few drinks, one of the council members spoke up: “You’ve built up quite an air of mystery around this. We’re eager to see if it lives up to the hype.” It was time.
“Council, I come before you with a box, and this box can tear the veil, sirs. Not only a tear but a doorway. Now, I know it doesn’t sound as exciting as it is, but when I’ve shown you, you won’t believe your senses.”
“I’ll take one council member at a time, as each of you will have a unique journey. This will give everything validity. There are still a few things, but we’re tearing the veil between our 3D and 4D worlds.
He got up, opened the window, and lit his pipe. He loved the cherry-musk flavor of his pipe tobacco. He was in between meetings; his next one was in 20 minutes. So, he was getting a couple of draws from his pipe before they came. Plus, it helped him think. He had studied for so many years and gotten so many diplomas, certificates, and degrees, but he still didn’t feel any closer to the answer he had sought out all his life. It was the only reason he got so many different degrees, but so far, nothing. At the moment, he was working as a child psychologist but was more of a parapsychologist; however, this was not recognized by the institute he was working for at the moment. Most, if not all, of the children he is seeing right now are kids with normal disorders. He was glad to help them get through their struggles, but he was looking for a special kind of disorder that wasn’t a disorder at all. But it did worry parents. His parents panicked until he stopped telling them things. After that, they didn’t look so scared of him. He didn’t like it when they would give him that look. He always felt bad. There was a knock at the door, and Paige popped her head in and said, “Sir, your 3 o’clock is here.” “Thanks, Paige; give me five, then send them in.” “OK, sir.” She closed the door. Arthur snuffed out his pipe and put it away. He closed the window and sat at his desk, got his paper and pen out, and waited. The door knocked again, and Paige popped her head in again and asked, “Sir, are you ready?” “Yes, I am; let them in; thank you, Paige,” he said. Paige let them in and closed the door. Both the mother and the child looked very tense when they came in. “Sit, please,” Arthur offered. They both pulled up chairs and sat down. They had been to see him only one other time, and neither of them would talk, so it was a very awkward situation. He had a plan this time to try to get them to talk. “Hello, Mrs. Wisemen, how are you?” he held out his hand. She shook his hand. “I am good; thank you, Mr. Newinstalf,” she replied cheerfully. “Good day to you, Miss Agatha, and how are you?” he said to the little girl. He held out his hand, and she shook it and said, “Hi.”
“Good, now that formalities are out of the way, I wanted to tell you a story about something that happened to me when I was maybe 2 or 3 years old, Miss Agatha. Would you like to hear it?” he asked. She nodded her head yes. He cleared his throat and began.
“It was in the afternoon, and my mother was putting me down for a nap in my room. I lay there getting cozy and closed my eyes. But I kept opening them. Then, one day, I opened my eyes, and my bedroom window appeared to be filled with water. I put my head under my blanket and closed my eyes. That only lasted a few seconds, and I had to check if it was still like that. And it was. Then I looked at it longer, and it started to talk to me, but I couldn’t understand what it was saying. I was 3 years old or so. I dove my head under my blankets again, but this time I put my fingers in my ears and closed my eyes under the blanket. I was so scared and curious. Finally, it went away. After I had finally fallen asleep under my blanket, I felt safest under my blanket.”
When he finished, Agatha was looking at him wide-eyed.
“When Tim woke up, he felt as if he were in a coffin. It was completely dark, so he had no idea. He desperately tried to free himself and eventually managed to escape, emerging in a graveyard shrouded in dense fog. He couldn’t recall why he was buried there or even his death, as the last thing he could remember was discussing roots with an elderly woman who was believed to be a witch. An unusual heat coursed through him, and he noticed that he felt unusually strong during his ascent from the grave. He had a feeling that something wasn’t quite right. The rain started to fall, and every drop that touched him turned to steam. What was this? What had that witch done? He knew which cemetery he was in, so he knew how to get to his store. Tim went there and got in. Nothing seemed out of place. It looked like no one had touched anything yet. Tim went to check the security tapes. He watched the last tape and found her, then the tape went snowy. And then it stopped. He got what he needed. Tim didn’t want to scare anyone, since most of the town was probably at his funeral. He was going to go see his buddy, Jeff. Jeff would think it was cool. He was into that kind of stuff. Tim left his shop and went to Jeff’s place, but Jeff wasn’t home yet. He lived alone with his Argentinian dogo, George, who was a little overprotective. However, Tim knew George since he was a pup, so it shouldn’t be a problem to wait with him until Jeff got home from work. Jeff worked as the town architect and designed many of the business and residential buildings in town. He was good at it, but at home, Jeff was a flake, or so Tim used to think. Tim jumped over the fence, and George barked slightly, then stopped, tilted his head, and let out a small whimper. “Hey George, how are you doing?” George backed up. “What’s wrong, boy?” “What’s freaking you out?” George came closer and sniffed Tim up and down. He was eventually happy to see him but still seemed a little unsure. “Let’s go inside, George,” Tim said. He and George went in. Tim grabbed a beer from the fridge and sat on the couch while George sat down beside him. He turned on the TV and watched the music video station. Finally, he heard Jeff’s truck pull up, but George didn’t move. Keys jiggled, and the door opened. When Jeff saw Tim, he freaked out, “Hey man, you’re dead! What are you doing here? Are you a ghost here to haunt me?” “Come on, man, we were friends,” Jeff yelled.
“Hahaha,” Tim laughed so hard. Jeff just stood there with his mouth open, staring.
“No, no, no, I don’t know what’s going on either,” Tim said.
“I just woke up underground,” Tim said. “And check this out: it felt like I could breathe under the ground. And I am really strong, and I don’t get tired. I don’t seem to have broken down, and when I dug my way out, I felt nothing. I dug as hard as I could, and my nails didn’t even break. Something weird is going on, and I think it has to do with the witch that was at the shop,” Tim said.
Jeff closed his mouth and walked over to Tim, grabbed his arm, and shook it a bit.
“Man, it is you in the flesh. I went to your funeral,” Jeff said.
“So you think the witch did something to you?” Jeff asked.
“Ya, I do. I already checked my tapes from the shop, and I know what she looks like, but how do we find her?” Tim said.
He leaned back in his chair and lit his pipe, surveying his cluttered desk. It was covered in manuscripts, journals, and loose papers, all adorned with his erratic scribbles. He had been studying human nature for a long time now and had concluded that they were incredibly creative when it came to evil, whether they knew it or not. It was part of their very nature, and even the most malevolent gods could not compete. He knew that if these humans ever gained true power, it would spell the end for all realms and realities. Throughout time, he had read extensively on their literature, constantly astounded by the never-ending corruption that plagued their experience. Even the most evil of gods paled in comparison to the depths of human depravity.
Despite his vast knowledge of humanity, he still found them to be a curious lot. The project he was currently working on had been inspired by a book he had read, but he couldn’t resist the urge to improve upon it. After all, he was not human and had not created life in millennia. This project held his attention in a way that nothing else had in ages; he was excited to see how it would play out. He was unlike the others of his kind, who preferred to keep their distance from humanity. He dwelled among them, observing from a distance. Sometimes he would even help them advance, just to see how far they would take it. But inevitably, they would always corrupt it. He found this endlessly fascinating.
Despite the level of corruption involved in his current project, his curiosity pushed him forward. He sought out and obtained what he needed to complete it, driven by a desire to understand this strange and unpredictable species known as humans. He sat back and lit his pipe. His desk was full of manuscripts, journals, and loose papers with mad scribbling on them. He had been studying this for a long time. A long time ago, he realized humans were more creative when it came to creative evil, and they didn’t even know it. It’s in their nature. In this regard, even the darkest of gods have nothing on them. He was certain that if these men gained true power, it would mean the end of all realms and realities.
Throughout time, he read much of their literature and gleaned many ideas from it. It was astounding to him that corruption in the human experience was constant. Even the evilest gods were more general in their expression of evil. The pride in them is so large, yet their frame is finite and small. He thought they were curious.
Todd and Joe had just smoked a joint and were headed inside. They plopped themselves on the couch and turned on the TV. “Let’s watch something funny,” Joe snickered. “Yeah, let’s look around,” Todd suggested. “Cool,” Joe agreed. They flipped through a few shows when the news, of all things, caught their attention. “Breaking News: No one died on Earth yesterday. This is the first day in history that we are aware of. This has never happened.” The newsman was ecstatic. Todd and Joe looked at each other. “What the hell is going on, man?” Joe asked. “Heck if I know,” Todd replied.
Todd’s dad came into the room: “Hey, Todd, that house is ready for you guys to work on; I need it done in 2 weeks,” he said. “Yeah, for sure, Dad. Hey, did you know no one died yesterday? The news guy just said it.” “Huh, that’s weird; that sounds like a good day,” Todd’s dad joked. “Ok, I’m off. I suggest you guys do the same,” he said before he left. “Well, what do you say we check out this place my dad just bought?” Todd asked. “Haha, it’s my job too, so yeah, let’s go,” Joe ribbed. Todd and Joe dragged themselves up off the couch and made it to Todd’s truck.
When they got to the house, they were greeted by a foul smell. “We should have brought something,” Joe suggested. “No, man, you know I like to be straight on jobs; otherwise, we forget stuff, so no,” Todd said adamantly. They opened the door, and the stench was so overwhelming that they could barely stand it. Both of them went back and got masks. When they returned, they searched the house for the source of the smell. After going through the house, they realized that it had to be coming from the only door they hadn’t opened yet. Both men felt a little nervous about opening the door. “What if there is a body behind the door, bro?” Joe asked. “Then we get someone else to take care of it, bro; it’s not our job, but I still hope not,” Todd explained. They opened the door, and a cloud of flies poured out. This was the room, but there was no one in it — just a large area covered in black mushrooms. Todd and Joe looked over the whole room before going back to the black mushrooms. “What exactly are these? Are these the things that stink?” Todd asked. “I don’t know, but I think I have heard of these before; I think they can get you wrecked, man,” Joe exclaimed with glee.
“Nah, Joe, I doubt it. They look too weird,” Todd said. Joe grabbed a mushroom head and ate it. Todd panicked, “Man, why are we going to the hospital now or what?” “No, just wait; let’s see what happens,” Joe suggested. They waited; nothing seemed to happen, so they waited some more. “Well, at least you are not sick so far,” Todd said. “Shhh, just wait. I think I can see something,” Joe said. “Yeah, man, it looks wild. I can see in this room and elsewhere that there are blood and bodies everywhere, just carnage. Wait, I think I can hear someone.” As she looked out over the battlefield, she couldn’t believe why she would have wanted to leave her once comfortable life for this. That wasn’t how it started after her first encounter with a Carnivore and seeing his mutilated body. She wanted to be more, so she could be of more use, or so she thought. She was a simple bookworm; now she was a monster.
In 24 hours, the planet will be struck by an asteroid so giant and coming so fast that the only thing that can be done is to evacuate the planet. By now, most had left the planet and were on their way to other planets. There were also massive ships moving entire units and companies.
They had been moving the labs, but for some reason, they were not taking the new experiments that they had been doing with less evolved beings. They were trying to accelerate their progress. Now they would have to start over. One of the scientists quickly scooped up six test tubes and put them among his personal belongings. He was not going to start over.
Finally, it looked like the last of the ships were loaded with whatever the ones in charge deemed important or not important. Once everyone was on and everything was loaded, the doors shut, and they left for a new world. Most knew where they were going, but it still would not be the same.
As the asteroid got closer to the planet, some of the ships stopped a good way off to watch the destruction of their beautiful home. However, things didn’t go as they normally should have; the asteroid hit the planet so hard and fast that it knocked it out of its orbit and out into space. The ones watching couldn’t believe their eyes. Their planet was gone. Not destroyed, but gone
It was Samuel’s first year of university; he was a little nervous but way more excited. He had already met some cool people. He was supposed to go to a small party later that night. There was no way he was going to miss it. It was his first party ever, and he had never done anything like that before. He only liked a few things: to learn, study, build, and experiment. So this would be something new.
As he was getting ready, his old buddy Nate came into the room. “Hey there, Sammy, are we up for a good time tonight or what?” Nate hollered.
“I sure hope so,” Samuel said.
“Aw, come on, spice it up a bit,” Nate said. “You’re acting as if you’ve been to a million of these,” Samuel joked.
“We both know I haven’t, and that’s why I’m so pumped up,” Nate said.
“Yeah, me too,” Samuel said with a laugh.
Once Samuel was ready, they left the dorm. Since the party was only a few blocks away, they decided to walk. “Some of these guys are a bit strange, though,” Nate said.
In a sea of fire, souls soar wildly in chaotic disorder. In the center of a plateau of fire, two gods sit playing chess for the souls within. This game had been going on for a very long time, but it appeared the end might be near. Destinic the wise believed that his wisdom would be superior to Goolauge’s, but it looked like things would not go his way. He couldn’t have that. He stood for the truth, but there was a time to cheat, and this would be that time. “Goolauge,” he said. This got Goolauge to focus his attention on him. Destinic looked deep into his eyes. Goolauge’s eyes were terrible. Destinic could hardly hold his gaze. “Yes, Destinic,” he replied. Destinic yelled, “Tolik undol cansip natru a sep ti!” as he forced a prism into Goolauge’s mind, trapping it within. “Deluk uncowa suel netr bin,” said Destinic. “Now, my old friend, you will no longer remember who you are.” “And as for this board of yours.” He stood up and hit the board. The chessboard broke in two, and Goolauge’s pieces vanished. Destinic gathered all the souls and buried the chessboard deep within the earth. He cast Goolauge into the sea. It is said that Goolauge survived the sea and lives as a normal man, not remembering that he is a terrible god. He is the winner of souls, however, for his power and glory. His chessboard will call to him if they make it whole. And if he should find it, he will collect souls once more, even though he will not know about it. They say also that if you ever play him and are about to lose and know it is him, tell him his name, and he will remember who he is and won’t make the next move, letting you go free. “Grandpa, is that story true?” Dean asked. “Well, my father told me, and his father told him, and as far as I know, they believed it,” his grandpa said.
“What about you, though?” Dean asked.
“I am not sure; it could be, but those things are beyond me, young man.”
“I am not too sure,” he said.
“Well, Grandpa, I am going to find out if it’s real; one day you will see,” Dean said.
His grandpa let out a loud, robust laugh. “Oh, son, if you find that out, you come and get me. I want to see it as well.”
“I will, Grandpa, I will.”
They both sat back in their chairs, took a sip of their iced tea, and basked in the sunshine.
Dean had been going to underground auctions for years. That’s where he discovered the good stuff. Dean ran a small downtown shop where he sold and bought antiques that were more akin to ancient artifacts.
Solitude had taken him over. He had been alone for so long. It was for the best. He knew it, but once in a while, it would feel nice to hold a conversation; even small talk would be fine at this point. He got up from his throne and went over to the wall of books. They were more like manuscripts and ancient writings on papyri. As he scoured over them all, he drifted back in memory of the parts he played in each. Some were good, some not so good, but all had happened, and that was that.
Suddenly, something grabbed his spirit, and it became troubled. A shadow grew in the corner, and a voice rang in the air: “You can hide no longer.” He turned toward the shadow that was increasing in size. He gave a crooked smile. “So it would seem.” A distorted face came from within the shadow. “I found you, being of dust,” it said. He smiled. “That’s too bad for you then,” he said. Then he turned and grabbed a torch and struck it on the rocks in his fireplace. When it lit up, it was as bright as the sun. He pointed it at the shadow, and it dissipated. That thing was right; they knew where he was now. He was only a shade. The others must know by now. He had not wanted this; it just kind of happened.
He had to return to his body. He had hidden it years ago and came here, to a temple built on the astral plane. He had not known that it could be done, but apparently, they had made it to prepare for him. He now hides there. But it looks like they’ve found him. He had to return. Return to what he was thinking. His armies had all perished throughout the last three battles. By the last battle, it was he and ten men; they had no chance. But somehow, when the smoke cleared, he was the only one standing. From both sides, everyone was dead. This was one reason he had to hide. Myriads of creatures were hunting him. The one and only monk left gave him blessed weapons and wards so he could go unnoticed. But it didn’t seem to have worked very well. He grabbed his spear, sword, and shield and went to sit on his throne. As he sat there, he scoured the earth for his body. He found it and went back into it. When he opened his eyes, he was surprised to find himself in an ice cave. He couldn’t move any of his limbs. He went inside himself and created heat. Within minutes, he was limbering up his body. Calmly, he scoured his ice chamber, looking for a viable way out, but there weren’t any. He would dig his way out. He jabbed at the ice with his spear and moved the piles of ice on his shield. Eventually, he started digging with his shield. At a point, he was going ballistic, digging like a machine, heading toward the surface. When he got to the top, he broke through with ease. But he was tired and needed to catch his breath. There wasn’t much oxygen under the ice. He sat on the ice and looked around. All he could see were miles of ice and snow. Once he felt rejuvenated, he got up and walked north. The wind had picked up, and snow and ice pellets hit him hard, but he continued forward. As the miles went on, he wondered how long this storm could continue. It had already bloodied him from the ice piercing his skin. As he was crossing a lake of ice, he could hear a low crack coming from underneath him.
He stood there, bewildered and dazed, grappling with the sheer horror of the scene that lay before him. His eyes, still moist with tears, tried to make sense of the crimson chaos that surrounded him. Blood was splattered everywhere like an artist’s twisted masterpiece, and the lifeless body of Jack lay motionless at his feet.
The gun in his hand felt heavy, and he could feel the heat emanating from it. Had he pulled the trigger? Had he ended Jack’s life with his own two hands? But there were no visible signs of a gunshot on Jack’s body, at least not any that he could discern. As he looked down at his own body, he realized he too was bleeding profusely from his right side. What had happened here? And where were the others? He tried to recall who he had come with. Jane, Bob, and Katy, that’s right. But where were they now? The place was unfamiliar to him, and he couldn’t remember how he had ended up there. Perhaps it was Jack’s uncle’s or aunt’s retreat, but he couldn’t be certain. The questions swirled in his mind, and he knew that he had to find answers. But first, he had to confront the possibility that he may have killed his friend in cold blood.
Red’s hand trembled as he placed the gun on the blood-soaked floor, his mind reeling from the surreal horror that had unfolded before him. Pain seared through his body, and he winced as he attempted to rise from the pool of blood that had engulfed him.
The nagging suspicion that he had been shot gnawed at him relentlessly. Fearful of what he might find, he hesitated to inspect the wound, but he knew he had to. With a shaky hand, he lifted his shirt and peered down at his torso. Sure enough, there was a bloody hole in his flesh.
But the more pressing question was, had he done this to himself, or had he been in a scuffle with someone? And if so, why was Jack dead? Red’s anguished cry echoed through the empty house, but there was no response.
Desperate to escape the gruesome scene, Red dragged himself through the house, propelled by a primal instinct to survive. Outside, he scanned the area for a vehicle he could commandeer and use to get to the hospital. But as he pondered his next move, a deep sense of dread crept over him.
“Flavors of the World: A Global Culinary Journey”
Chapter 1 just the welcome chapter.
Welcome to the Global Culinary Journey
Food is a universal language that transcends borders and connects people across cultures. It is an expression of identity, history, and tradition. In “Flavors of the World: A Global Culinary Journey,” we invite you to embark on a mouth watering adventure, exploring the diverse cuisines that span the globe. Through this book, you will discover the rich tapestry of flavors, ingredients, and techniques that make each culinary tradition unique.
The Power of Food: Beyond Sustenance
Food is not merely a means of sustenance; it holds a profound power to evoke emotions, create connections, and forge lasting memories. It serves as a common thread that weaves through the fabric of human existence, bringing people together and bridging cultural divides. In this section, we will delve into the emotional, social, and cultural significance of food, exploring its ability to transcend its basic function and become a source of comfort, celebration, nostalgia, and connection.
Food as a Source of Comfort:
Food has a unique ability to comfort us in times of sadness, stress, or hardship. We turn to our favorite dishes for solace and find solace in their familiar flavors. Whether it’s a bowl of warm soup on a cold day, a plate of homemade cookies from our childhood, or a family recipe that has been passed down through generations, food has the power to soothe our souls and provide a sense of emotional well-being.
Food as a Catalyst for Celebration:
Food plays a central role in our celebrations and special occasions. From holiday feasts to birthday parties and weddings, food is often the centerpiece of these joyous gatherings. It brings people together, creating a sense of community and shared experience. The act of preparing and sharing a meal can be a form of celebration in itself, fostering connection and creating lasting memories.
Food as a Conduit for Nostalgia:
Certain foods have the remarkable ability to transport us back in time, evoking memories of our past. The aroma of a dish, the taste of a particular ingredient, or the sight of a beloved recipe can instantly bring forth a flood of nostalgic emotions. These culinary connections to our personal histories provide a sense of belonging and rootedness, reminding us of our heritage and the experiences that have shaped us.
The Social Bonds of Food:
Food has a remarkable power to bring people together and strengthen relationships. Sharing a meal with loved ones or gathering around a table with friends fosters a sense of connection and intimacy. It creates an environment where conversations flow, laughter is shared, and stories are told. The act of preparing and enjoying a meal together promotes bonding and deepens our social connections.
Food as a Symbol of Cultural Identity:
Food is deeply intertwined with cultural identity and heritage. Each culture has its own unique culinary traditions, recipes, and flavors that are passed down from generation to generation. Traditional dishes and cooking techniques become symbols of cultural pride and serve as a way to preserve and celebrate one’s heritage. Exploring the culinary traditions of different cultures allows us to appreciate and respect the diversity that exists in the world.
The Universal Language of Food:
One of the remarkable aspects of food is its ability to transcend language and cultural barriers. Food serves as a universal language that can be understood and appreciated by people from all walks of life. No matter where we come from, we can connect with others through the shared experience of enjoying a delicious meal. Exploring different cuisines allows us to expand our horizons, develop empathy, and gain a deeper understanding of different cultures.
A Taste for Adventure: Why Explore Global Cuisines
In a world with an ever-expanding globalized society, embracing diverse cuisines has become increasingly important. By venturing beyond our culinary comfort zones, we open ourselves to new flavors, ingredients, and techniques that enrich our culinary repertoire and broaden our understanding of the world. In this section, we will explore the reasons why embarking on a global culinary journey is a delightful and rewarding experience, igniting a sense of adventure and curiosity in our taste buds.
The Joy of Discovering New Flavors and Expanding Culinary Horizons:
One of the most exciting aspects of exploring global cuisines is the opportunity to discover new flavors that awaken our taste buds. Trying unfamiliar dishes and ingredients allows us to step out of our culinary routines and experience the thrill of something different. Each cuisine offers a unique palette of flavors, from the aromatic spices of Indian cuisine to the umami-rich dishes of Japanese cuisine. By embracing these new flavors, we can expand our culinary horizons and develop a greater appreciation for the diversity of tastes that the world has to offer.
The Excitement of Exploring Different Cooking Techniques and Styles:
Global cuisines are not only defined by their flavors but also by their cooking techniques and styles. Each culture has its own distinctive methods of preparation, whether it’s the art of stir-frying in Chinese cuisine, the slow simmering of stews in Moroccan cuisine, or the delicate knife skills in Japanese cuisine. By delving into these different techniques, we can enhance our culinary skills and experiment with new ways of cooking. It’s an exciting journey of discovery and creativity in the kitchen.
Enhancing Cultural Appreciation and Understanding:
Food is deeply rooted in culture, and by exploring global cuisines, we can gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of different cultures around the world. Through their traditional dishes and cooking practices, we can catch a glimpse of their history, values, and way of life. Embracing diverse cuisines allows us to break down cultural barriers and foster a sense of empathy and respect for other cultures. It’s a powerful way to celebrate our shared humanity and promote cultural exchange.
The Potential Health Benefits of Incorporating Varied Ingredients into Our Diets:
Global cuisines often emphasize the use of fresh, whole foods and a wide array of ingredients, including fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, and spices. By incorporating these varied ingredients into our diets, we can reap the health benefits they offer. Different cuisines may introduce us to superfoods like quinoa in South American cuisine, seaweed in Japanese cuisine, or turmeric in Indian cuisine, each with its unique nutritional properties. Exploring global cuisines can inspire us to diversify our meals and create a balanced, nutrient-rich diet.
“The Forgotten Pack”
He pressed himself against the rough brick wall outside the entrance of the club, opposite the imposing doorman bouncer. Wolf, just as colossal as the bouncer, stood at an impressive 6 foot 4 inches tall and weighed a solid 280 pounds, with muscles chiseled from stone and a merciless demeanor. However, they were both on the same team. Wolf worked as the inside bouncer, specifically for the private rooms, ensuring that things never got out of hand. He took out a cigarette, lit it up, and engaged in some idle chatter with the other bouncer before leaning against the wall, silently observing as the patrons streamed into the club. Wolf despised the crowd that frequented the establishment, but it afforded him a place to live, some cash, and kept him in excellent physical condition.
As the people continued to enter, Wolf’s mind raced. He had a knack for sensing troublemakers and could discern who would cause problems in the club. He crushed his cigarette underfoot, acknowledged the doorman with a nod, and followed a group of three individuals who had just entered. He reported to the floor bouncer, alerting him about whom to keep an eye on, before striding towards a large, red door at the back of the club. The door swung open, revealing a gargantuan man. Wolf acknowledged him with a nod before proceeding down a poorly lit corridor.
Suddenly, a buzzer went off, and a green light flickered on. Someone had rented one of the exclusive private rooms for the night. The clients who reserved these rooms were often obscenely wealthy, leading to some crazy situations. Wolf often had to let things slide, but when the safety of the girls was at stake, he wouldn’t hesitate to intervene. Depending on the issue, things could escalate rapidly, and Wolf’s reputation as “Wolf” was not unfounded.
He slipped into the room through a separate entrance, far removed from the girls and the clients. Initially, the girls were kept behind glass until the clients summoned them into the room. Upon entry, he surveyed the room, noting that no one was present. He positioned himself menacingly in the corner, his long black hair concealing his face like a hood. He wore a black canvas trench coat that trailed the floor, its leather lining gleaming under the dim lighting.
Soon, the clients arrived, as drunk as ever. Seven of them, two of whom did not appear to be present for pleasure. Their shock at seeing Wolf standing there was palpable. “Who are you?” one of them inquired, to which Wolf responded calmly, “Security.”
“We have our own security,” the man replied, gesturing to Hal and Jim. “They’ll take care of everything. You can go.”
A smirk played on Wolf’s lips. “Well, if I leave, the girls don’t come out. We have an arrangement.”
One of the other men whispered something in the first man’s ear. “Yeah, whatever. Stay. We don’t care,” he said dismissively.
Wolf nodded, his hand moving to a red button on the wall beside him. As he pressed it, the curtain separating the girls from the clients parted, revealing the women. The night progressed as expected, with the wealthy and corrupt reveling in their depravity. Wolf marveled at the depths some people could sink, but he paid them little heed, so long as they did not harm the ladies.
Eventually, one of the men grew increasingly rough with one of the girls and pulled out a weapon. Wolf sprang into action, disarming the brute with ease.
Wolf’s attention was drawn to the sudden commotion in the room, as both bodyguards made their move towards him. The one in front was sprinting faster and seemed like he would reach Wolf first. Wolf delivered a hard kick just above the pubic bone of the oncoming bodyguard, causing him to double over in agony. Before the guy could regain his balance, Wolf struck him with a powerful knee to the head, knocking him out cold.
As the second bodyguard rushed in from the back, Wolf pivoted on his left foot, bringing his right leg back and to the side, and delivering a devastating kick to the knee of the oncoming bodyguard. The force of the blow was enough to bring the guy down, and Wolf followed through with an elbow to the jaw, knocking him out cold as well. All the while, he had not let go of the man whose arm he was holding.
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