Astral Dawn: The End of Paradise

Astral Dawn

The End of Paradise

Author: Adam R. Brown

Editor: Adam R. Brown and Jeanetta Hill-Brown

Cover Artist: Tony Wilson

Copyright: 2012 Adam R. Brown. All Rights Reserved

Published at Smashwords by Adam Musings Publishing, LLC

This is a work of fiction. This novel features several elements from various mythologies for the sake of fiction. All other names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

With the exception of brief text quoted and properly cited, no part of this book may be copied or reproduced by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the express permission of the author in accordance with U.S. federal copyright law.

Table of Contents

Preface

Prologue

Chapter 1: Life in the Mundane

Chapter 2: A Dream Like No Other

Chapter 3: Dark Memory

Chapter 4: Welcome to Celestial City

Chapter 5: Goddess of the Moon

Chapter 6: The Fall of Virgo

Chapter 7: Visitation with the God of Dreams

Chapter 8: Hidden in Plain Sight

Chapter 9: Somebody’s Watching Me

Chapter 10: Stronger

Chapter 11: The Darkness Within Us All

Chapter 12: In Broad Daylight

Chapter 13: The Destined

Chapter 14: The New Arrival

Chapter 15: The Keepers

Chapter 16: Confrontation

Chapter 17: A Splash of Cold Water

Acknowledgments

About This Author

Bibliography

Preface

Utopia. Paradise. Many people have different understandings of these often-used words within human language. It has been thought of as a destination, a quality of living, and even a state of mind. On Earth, an ordinary young man will soon embark on a remarkable journey, one that will take him into this paradise through an extraordinary dream. In another place, a place humans call Hell, three allies plot the downfall of paradise. They would soon embark on their dark mission, unaware of events that may put their plans in jeopardy.

Prologue

In the realm beyond the physical world, known to the people of Earth as the astral plane, much had changed. There was a time when few ascended into a place many have called the eternal paradise. Then more came to be there. With the exception of one newcomer, none of the ascended humans, who referred to themselves as spirits, had an inkling of what they had begun. Among them was a saying about hindsight making all things clear. The others and I saw where they were headed from the outset, but I digress. Many things contributed to the turmoil that would be visited upon paradise. In fact, some would argue the seeds of paradise’s destruction were sown in Nazyra, or more specifically in an infernal place called Mammon City. It is said that all beings play their part in the shaping of the universe. This time was no different; for we all have our parts to play, even the wicked.

Paradise, eh?

Aye, Paradise.

I care not where it is, so long as we fight.

Patience, my friend, patience.

Much had changed in the hellish world of Mammon City. Standing within the area of a large throne room stood three powerful spirits. They included Captain Ciaran (keer-awn) Devlyn, a pirate prior to ascending into this realm. With Devlyn were Set, a prince from Earth’s ancient past, and Tyr (teer), a proud Norseman who was once a warrior spirit of light. The throne room was nothing like any throne room that was ever on Earth. As part of a world based on post-Industrial design, it sat atop a megalithic structure so tall it dwarfed the other skyscrapers, allowing one to easily see out to the edges of the vast city. This structure is noted for the fact it is constantly under the only section of clear blue sky with a sun that shines through, standing in contrast with the gray skies that loom over the rest of the city. Only those on the throne enjoyed beautiful weather, or at least the simulation of it. Two rows of crystal skulls hovered in mid-air four feet from the floor of the throne room, all leading up to the throne. The throne was on a raised marble platform. Many stairs led up to the throne composed of a perfect replica of African Blackwood and adorned with red silk upholstery and diamonds. Few knew this better than its current occupant, Set. His two allies stood before him. With Devlyn and Tyr, he had defeated the demon lord, Veyothiel. He was a being who could decimate entire cities with a mere gesture and yet these three had cast him out, a testament to how powerful they had become.

These three spirits with the darkest of hearts and intentions had indeed accomplished much. Devlyn had fulfilled his part of the bargain struck with Set in aiding him in his quest to become the new king. Set was now prepared to return the favor in aiding Devlyn in his own ongoing mission. In a sense, the platform proved to be symbolic of the many steps they took in spreading the Awakening and leading a successful revolt to gain control of the Nine Dark Worlds. And now, having claimed the seat of power of the last of these worlds, the triumphant dark spirits planned their next step.

And what makes you think we could accomplish this? Set asked.

Look at what we’ve accomplished already, said Devlyn with a sense of pride he brandished like a medal. Ever since the Uprising, we’ve become stronger than we’ve ever been. And now we’ve forced the demons, our previous twisted landlords, into retreat. We’ve taken Mammon City and the rest of the Nine Dark Worlds for our own. I’ve even heard reports our forces are doing well in establishing the new order. What better time to do it?

Yes, it is a good time. The time is now for us to take our fight to other shores, Tyr proclaimed.

We’ve done well, yes. But I, for one, am content with what I have now, said Set, And what I have in my grasp is all I could have ever dreamed of. You could share in it, Devlyn. There will always be a place in my kingdom for you.

You’re most gracious, Set, but we needn’t rest on our laurels. Why not reach for something you’ve never dreamed of? To simply remain here would be to eventually grow stagnant and bored. We are eternal beings in need of constant gratification, my friend. Think of the gratification we could reap, as we take on the new challenge of spreading our empire over the world far beyond this one. And besides, mate, we do have a deal.

Set glared at Devlyn, moved to pause from the pirate’s statement. Our deal, Devlyn, was for me to help you spread the Awakening through the Creation Stones. That and the Uprising caused us to grow much stronger than we were at the start. You now have more than enough power to go find that woman yourself.

A moment of silence passed between them, each man staring the other down. When the moment passed, Set sighed in resignation.

Even so, I’d be lying if I said I thought you don’t present an appealing proposal. And I know you won’t let this go.

Ye know me all too well.

Set fell silent again for a moment and turned to Tyr. What say you, my friend?

I say we go and fight, Tyr replied. It is better to keep our swords sharp in war than to allow them to dull and rust in peace!

Devlyn laughed and said, One track mind this one has, but he does have a point.

Yes, and it would seem he is very ready to start this new venture of yours.

So what do you say then?

I say some people are going to find their everlasting peace a fleeting notion.

Excellent.

So we’re going to fight? Tyr heartily asked.

We are indeed, my friend, Devlyn replied, but first we shall learn about them, see what it is we’ll be up against.

And then we fight?

The dark prince and the pirate laughed in a demonic tone that only added to their sinister intent. Aye, my friend, Devlyn answered, aye.

Chapter 1: Life in the Mundane

The most important part of any experience is the journey that takes a person from one place to another. Those places can be physical, mental, or even spiritual. But some often feel as if they are not on any journey, stuck in a purgatory of non-progression. That described Caspian Knoll’s situation well. He was in desperate need of change, to move beyond the perpetual delay of his life. Unbeknownst to the young man; he was destined to experience such a change, something beyond his imagination or his wildest dreams.

I am an Aash Ra, a being from on high, as humans might say. It was my task to observe the people of Earth, and I performed it well for several millennia. However, my primary focus was one sentient in particular, the one named Caspian Knoll. If my fellow Aash Ra were aware of my fixation on him, they would not understand. And so it remained my secret. As for the process of monitoring, it was more than just watching someone from the outside; it involved interaction with that person’s world from within. As such, even while I could see Caspian from afar, across the expanse that separated our dimensions, I also saw what he saw, heard what he heard, and felt what he felt. I had gone through similar experiences before, but it was different for each individual. Caspian was the first Earth spirit I had established this special kind of connection with. Eager to learn more, I proceeded with care and caution.

It was late July in the middle of summer. Another day of work was over for Caspian. He had gathered his things, putting them into his pocket, before eventually walking out the door that would lead to the parking lot. On his way to his car, however, he saw a young woman walking into the parking lot from another door. The young man had seen this woman before. She didn’t work in his department, but he knew she worked in the same building. He took note of her clothing, a white blouse, a tight red skirt, and black, high-heel shoes. Of course, what Caspian liked most was the woman inside the clothing, an attractive woman with straight black hair and caramel skin. His thoughts inevitably reflected his growing desire.

Damn! She has got a phat (beautiful) ass. She’s pretty too.

The woman had walked half-way across the parking lot. She seemed to be heading toward him initially, but turned right to head down a row of cars not far from where he stood. She didn’t seem to notice him.

Caspian resumed walking to his own vehicle while continuing to watch her, bumping into something in the process. He grunted and looked down to see he’d walked into a car’s side mirror, shook his head at his own clumsiness, and looked back to the woman, as she continued on through the parking lot. The woman slowed her stride, indicating she was nearing her vehicle. In that moment, Caspian contemplated whether or not to approach her. But with that thought came a rush of anxiety that made him feel as if he were suddenly standing on a narrow mountain peak with no clear way down. He felt his heart begin to race, and the condition worsened the closer he came to taking a single step in her direction.

Caspian sulked and shook his head. What the hell do I say to her? Uh, hey, baby. I couldn’t stop starin’ at your fine-ass self from across the way. Your feet must be tired, girl, ‘cause you been runnin’ through my mind all day long! Yeah, that would go over great. I don’t think getting looked at like I’ve got a chimpanzee coming out of my ass is a good sign. And I’ve been there way too many times before.

The woman got into her car, and Caspian knew he’d let yet another possible opportunity pass him by. He sighed and lowered his head, soon watching the woman pull off and drive away.

Well…she probably already had a man anyway.

Caspian walked to his car and got in and buckled the seat belt. He shook his head once more and turned down his mirrored visor. Looking at his reflection, he admonished himself.

You’re gonna die alone with one of the strongest right hands in the history of mankind.

He flipped the visor back up, started the car, and was soon exiting the lot. Ordinarily, Caspian would have gone straight home, but on this particular day he decided to alter his usual routine. He instead, out of a sudden, strange desire, chose to go out of his way to a boutique shop. Against his better judgment, he purchased a charm the proprietor told him was meant for good fortune. A simple piece of stone shaped like an ankh with a diagonal scratch on the front, it did not seem particularly remarkable. Neither the proprietor nor Caspian realized the charm was far more than what it seemed, as Caspian would soon discover.

As Caspian continued driving home with both his driver and passenger side windows rolled down, hoping to catch a breeze, he thought to himself, Well, Happy Friday. At least as happy as any Friday could be, I guess. I doubt this thing I’m wearing around my neck will change anything, but hey, maybe I’ll trip over the money I need to get my AC fixed.

The DJ and traffic announcer on the radio shouted, It’s Friiii-dayyy!

Yep, that confirms it. No need to worry about the drooling, boring work of data entry until Monday. As it had been every Friday, Caspian eagerly awaited the approach of another weekend.

God damn I’m tired. I think the only thing I’m gonna do this weekend is sleep! Then Monday we start the fun all over again. Oh boy.

Caspian went back to pondering the rest he would get during the next two days, as he drew near to his home. Up ahead, the townhouse, where he still lived with his parents, came into view. He’d say he considered himself lucky to be living in that situation, given that he was still unable to make his own way financially. After all, he could be homeless. But Caspian wanted more for himself, better for himself. Apart from the applications he regularly sent out to prospective employers, there was not much Caspian could do but hope.

And then came the moment when he discovered his father had beaten him home upon seeing his car. Caspian sighed, as he fell into a sour mood. He parked and got out of his car, noticing a woman sitting in a car behind his with the engine running. She was looking down, seemingly doing something with her radio. Caspian shrugged it off and went toward the stairs that led up to his family’s town home. But just before he could take the first step, a man walked up to him, seemingly out of nowhere.

Caspian stopped in his tracks, turned to the strange man and asked, May I help you?

The man simply smiled and said, "No, but I can hurt you."

Excuse me?

Just then, as the man started to move toward him, a strong, cold breeze blew from behind Caspian, seemingly right through him. For a moment, he saw a flash of an image in his mind, a beautiful woman with twin daggers floating in the sky with a full moon nearly filling the entire background. Caspian felt exceptionally good even as the unusual wind pushed the man back and to the ground. He stood back with widened eyes at the scene that played out in front of him.

What…the hell just happened?

Bewildered by something so unusual, Caspian slowly crept toward the man, and saw that he was unconscious.

Huh. He remained there, dumbfounded, uncertain of what just happened.

Caspian was about to kneel down to check the man’s vitals when someone touched his left shoulder from behind him. Startled again, Caspian spun back to see an attractive woman with long brown hair and black eyes. He thought her a tanned Caucasian woman, at first, but then realized she was likely Arab or Persian.

Caspian quickly scanned her shapely form, as she said, Hello. I see you’ve met my crazy brother.

Your brother? Caspian glanced back at the still unconscious man.

Yep, that’s him. He wanders sometimes and bothers people. Please accept my apologies for any trouble he might have caused you.

The young man understandably needed a moment to process. Uhh…it’s cool, he said, looking back to him and then to her. He was still in a marginal state of disbelief. Do you…need any help with him?

No, no, I have some friends on their way right now. We’ll be fine.

Okay. Caspian backed away and headed up the stairs leading to his home. Good luck with your brother.

Thank you. Have a pleasant day.

He glanced back at her in mid-stride. You too. Take care.

Caspian turned to look ahead, as he thought through the odd situation he’d just endured.

What the fuck? How often does her brother go off his meds? Talk about a freaky Friday. A sudden cold draft met Caspian, as he finally made it to the front door.

Either we’re having another freak weather day or somebody’s air conditioning the whole neighborhood.

Caspian shook his head, pushing the thoughts from his mind, as he used his keys to open the door, and walked in, determined to say as little as possible.

Well good evening, said his mother, as he entered.

Hey.

So how was work?

It was ah-ight.

Good.

Caspian loved his mother dearly, but there were times he wondered why she had to be so cheerful. However, he was often that way, himself, at his job. Despite his silent attempts to occasionally deny it, he was very much his mother’s son. His father, on the other hand, was a different story. He loved his father, as he loved his mother and younger sister, but most times he found that hard to admit even to himself.

Hey boy, said his father from the couch. The sound of his voice hit Caspian like nails on a chalkboard.

Hey, Caspian forced out.

You again. Didn’t I see you yesterday?

He didn’t see much of his father between the times they went to and returned from work. Caspian knew he should not have been so content with that, but given their history, he genuinely felt more at peace when his father was not around.

Hey, Caspian, said his sister, Michelle, as she went past him up the stairs.

Hey, Michelle. What’s going on?

Not much.

His sister was one of the other two people he cared about the most. When they were young children, they would sometimes play nice with each other, but other times they would fight. At some point, however, they grew out of their immature emotions and the perceptions that came with them. Caspian did not have many friends, but the best of them was his younger sister. He knew he could often go to her to talk about whatever might have been troubling him. There was another person he felt that close to, a person he hadn’t seen in a couple months.

Hey, grandson, said a familiar voice.

Caspian quickly turned back to the doorway of the kitchen, seeing his grandfather, Andrew, tottering along with his distinctive cane by his side. His grandfather was a World War II veteran who had been among the few African-American soldiers with the ability to read or write well. During the war, he had been a U.S. marine. Caspian remembered the stories of how his grandfather had helped his fellow soldiers write letters to their families. His grandfather also spoke of how he experienced prejudice and yet fought by the side of his fellow marines, earning their respect. Caspian often fantasized about the war campaigns his grandfather took part in during the war so often spoke of in American media, though he also realized his grandfather did not seem to think of those days as grand or glorious. I was just there to do a job. We all were, his grandfather would tell him.

His grandfather would not speak much about the fighting beyond that. Whatever reservations his grandfather might have had, Caspian knew he played an important part in many battles, for he had earned the Congressional Medal of Honor, an award presented to him, along with a few other surviving African-American soldiers seventeen years earlier. He was only five years old at the time, and had difficulty understanding why his grandfather would be honored so many years after the famous conflict had ended. Nevertheless, he was happy for his grandfather. Moreover, the entire family was very proud of him. To most people, his grandfather seemed like nothing more than just another old man, but to Caspian, he was a true American hero.

Hey, grandpa, Caspian said in a cheerful tone.

Caspian walked over to his grandfather and gave him a hug.

I didn’t know you’d be over today.

Yeah, I’m just here until tomorrow. Heard your mother was cookin’ liver tonight, and couldn’t pass up the invite.

Cool! Yeah, ma’s liver is pretty good. I gotta figure out how she does it one of these days.

Andrew chuckled at his remark. You’ve got a ways to go before you get that good, boy.

Caspian laughed with him and replied, Yeah, you’re probably right. Caspian said nothing for a moment, smiling at his beloved elder. It’s great to see you, grandpa.

You too, boy.

Caspian nodded and walked to the stairs and up to his room. He changed his clothes, and sat down to watch a little television. It was not long before he smelled the food that had brought his grandfather to his home.

Eventually, dinnertime came. As discussed earlier, liver was on the menu that night, along with white rice. The combination was both a favorite of Caspian and Andrew. He knew some people who didn’t like liver, his sister included. But to him, liver and white rice with gravy flowing over them both was what he called the Food of the Gods, and he knew his grandfather shared in those feelings. His mother was a good cook. He often thought the home cooking would be one of the things he’d miss when he finally moved out. All five family members sat at the table, preparing for the start of the meal.

All right, let’s start the blessin’, said his father, and the family placed their hands together in prayer.

It did not take long for Caspian to start in on his meal.

So how was work? his father asked.

It was fine, Caspian answered in an uninspired tone.

Doesn’t sound like it was fine to me.

It was fine, dad. I’m just tired.

He hadn’t said much to his father, but even that often proved to be a difficult task. Looking at the man who had raised him so strictly; he had become timid and fearful of confrontations. Several thoughts ran through his mind.

You’d think the last fifteen years or so never happened, but they did. I must seem like quite the anomaly to some. I wonder about that, myself. I mean getting beaten up by someone who’s supposed to love and protect you has gotta mess with your head, right? Today, I keep getting held back by the damn anxiety, and it’s all because of him. I’d kill him, but it’s against the law. And besides, there’s no sense in going to jail over him. I don’t know whether that makes me generous or just pitiful. God, I need to get the fuck outta here.

And as he looked at his father, a powerful emotion rose within him. An all too familiar emotion that made him feel hot inside, a rage he so often held in check. There were many times Caspian feared his father, but what Caspian feared even more in his adult years was the possibility of losing control and hurting innocent people. Dark thoughts began running through his mind once more, but looking at his grandfather made him push those thoughts aside in favor of enjoying a fine meal with family.

Caspian’s parents started talking, but it was as if the sound of their voices had been muted. He was much too deep in his own mind to pay attention. Michelle was also chatting with their grandfather about her day. Caspian at least partially listened, as he thought of how he would look forward to relaxing the next day. It went on that way until he was finished eating, and placed his plate in the sink. Caspian bid his parents and grandfather goodnight and went upstairs. He said the same to his sister in her room on his way to his own.

Later, Caspian sat in his room watching television. It was midnight. He enjoyed being up that late, as he did not have to consider getting ample rest for the following work day. He might have stayed up all night were it not for the battle he fought with fatigue. The young man held on for about an hour, but a few micro naps later, Caspian admitted defeat and turned off the television. He peered through his open bedroom window. A pleasant wave of cool air caressed his face, as he looked to the sky, noticing the most brilliant thing on that warm, cloudless night.

Full moon tonight. It’s bright too.

After standing there for another minute, Caspian finally went to bed, forgetting to take off the small amulet he’d purchased. Caspian soon drifted to sleep, hoping he’d dream of anything less mundane than what he experienced on a daily basis. …He had no idea.

Chapter 2: A Dream Like No Other

Dreams; most humans think of them as strange experiences that often symbolize deep-seated desires or fears. Caspian was never certain of what his dreams meant, although he did notice his dream seemed remarkably stable and clear, as if he’d awakened in a strange place. In past dreams, he saw only vague, passing images of people, places, or things. This time, however, he could clearly see he was on a long, wide path made of glass stretched out before him. Faint sectioned lines running along the middle of the path made Caspian think of a street. The very idea of such a thing struck him as odd.

A glass street? Okay. Better than glass in the street, I guess.

On either side of the glass street was a thick, white fog. He looked down to his feet, realizing he was completely naked, but focused more on the presence of even more of the white fog directly under the street. Caspian looked back up to see a clear, blue sky with the sun in the distance. As he lingered on the sight, he felt a gentle breeze go by.

Unreal. Am I really dreaming? It’s like someone dragged me out of bed while I slept and brought me here. But where is here? What is this place? If this is a dream, it seems awfully clear.

Caspian looked behind him only to see the street stretched on for several more feet in the other direction. Because of the white fog, he could not see how far it went. For a moment, Caspian remained where he was, uncertain of which direction to travel, as he looked down either end of the street.

Huh, well I guess I might as well see where this street goes, he thought, walking ahead.

The young man continued looking around at the fog and occasionally up at the sky, as he walked down the long path made out of glass. Caspian did not know where he was going, of course. Curiosity was the only motivating force that pushed him to walk further. More of the fog cleared, as he walked through it, only to see even more of the path. Caspian walked for what seemed like several minutes before seeing a break in the fog under the road. He quickened his pace to get to that area. What he saw next surprised him.

Three commonly spoken words rose from Caspian’s mind. What-the-hell?

Caspian saw even more sky under the glass road. He knelt down to get a closer look to see what appeared to be the ground very far below. The sight of the ground from the window of a passenger plane is what came to his mind.

Still taking in the bright clarity of what he saw, Caspian sprung to his feet. He started doing careful, deliberate breathing as a result of the anxiety that exploded in his gut. The act of breathing felt strange to him, but he quickly disregarded it in light of the recent revelation that had him attempting to rationalize it.

Okay, okay,