Worlds Without End: The Prophecy (Book 3) Read online

  Worlds Without End

  The Prophecy

  Book 3

  Shaun F. Messick

  Copyright © 2015 Shaun F. Messick

  Cover Design by Shaun F. Messick

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This novel is a work of fiction. Any references to real events, businesses, organizations, and political figures are intended to give the story a sense of reality and authenticity. Any resemblance to actual private persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Scripture references taken from the Authorized King James Version of The Holy Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price.

  This book may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

  http://www.EmpyreanBooks.com

  ISBN-13: 978-0-9885610-3-8 (Kindle Edition)

  Printed in the United States of America

  Contents

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Note to Reader

  Acknowledgments

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER 1: INSURGENCE

  CHAPTER 2: THE BIRTH

  CHAPTER 3: EVIL RISING

  CHAPTER 4: DISCOVERY

  CHAPTER 5: RENDEZVOUS

  CHAPTER 6: SURVEILLANCE

  CHAPTER 7: VENGEANCE

  CHAPTER 8: TRANSFORMATION

  CHAPTER 9: THE RETURN

  CHAPTER 10: INVASION

  CHAPTER 11: A FALLING OUT

  CHAPTER 12: BETRAYAL

  CHAPTER 13: THE CHAMBER

  CHAPTER 14: DESPERATION

  CHAPTER 15: GOD’S TOUCH

  CHAPTER 16: ESCAPE

  CHAPTER 17: PYRAMID OF THE SUN

  CHAPTER 18: DESTINATION ORION

  CHAPTER 19: EARTHQUAKE

  CHAPTER 20: AFTERMATH

  EPILOGUE

  Worlds Without End: Redemption (Book 4)

  About the Author

  Books by Shaun F. Messick

  Pronunciation Guide

  DEDICATION

  This book is dedicated to my lovely family. To my wife, Tanya, you have always believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. And to my four beautiful children, Kylee, Bryant, Alexis, and Parker: You are the reason I write. Thank you.

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for reading Worlds Without End: The Prophecy, Book 3 of the Worlds Without End series. Many readers have emailed me and have written wonderful reviews on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com praising the first two books in the series. Yet, as with any book, it has also received its fair share of criticism. And it is this criticism that I wish to address.

  Most of the criticism that The Mission and Aftermath has received has been due to the fact that the reader did not know the plot was embedded with religious doctrine used as a foundation for the storyline. I am an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and with conviction do not deny that fact. The basis for the Worlds Without End series is derived from the following doctrinal beliefs of the LDS Church:

  - God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings that makeup the Godhead. (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 130:22-23)

  - The Father and Jesus Christ are resurrected beings with bodies of flesh and bone. (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 130:22-23)

  - The Holy Ghost is a spirit, so that he may dwell in the hearts of men. (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 130:22-23) (The Holy Ghost will have the privilege of receiving a body one day, but that is yet to be revealed.)

  - Lucifer and one-third of the host of Heaven were cast out for rebellion against the Father and His Son. They were banished to Earth until the end of days, at which time, their final judgment will occur. In addition, Lucifer and his followers were prohibited from having bodies as a consequence for their rebellion. (Revelation 12:1-9; Doctrine and Covenants, Section 29:36-39)

  - Jehovah, under the direction of God the Father, has created worlds without number for God’s children to reside upon. (Moses 1:33)

  - John, an original apostle of Jesus Christ, was permitted to live until the Second Coming of Christ. (John 21:23)

  - God resides on a planet near a star named Kolob. (Abraham, Chapter 3). It has not been revealed where Kolob is, but many scholars have speculated the possibility of it being in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy because this, according to scientists, is where new stars are born.

  - Earth will become a Celestial planet at the end of its mortal sojourn where God and his Son will reside along with the righteous and just that have followed God’s commandments. (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 130)

  In no way does this story reflect the views of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is simply a fictitious tale derived from scripture. In other words, it is an alternate reality, if you will, of the possibilities out there in the vastness of the universe. The story is meant for entertainment and recreational purposes only.

  If you are looking for a science fiction novel without references to God, then this story may not be for you. However, if you are intrigued with science fiction with strong religious undertones – such as I am – then you will be fascinated with the Worlds Without End premise. This novel, along with the rest of the books in the series, combines science fiction, religion, and the supernatural. Many people believe that these three categories contrast too much to be incorporated into a story. I disagree, however. I believe that all three go hand in hand. All the questions that mankind has been faced with regarding our existence and where we are going can be traced back to these three classifications.

  In summary, I hope you enjoy reading the Worlds Without End series. Just keep an open mind and be amazed at the wondrous creations of our Father in Heaven.

  Sincerely,

  Shaun F. Messick

  Acknowledgments

  I wish to express a heart-felt thank you to the fans of the Worlds Without End series. You are the reason this series is beginning to get noticed. The Mission, the first book in the series, has had over 50,000 downloads for the Kindle by itself. Again, thank you and please continue to spread the word about the series.

  I also wish to express my gratitude to my editor, Beth, from BZ Hercules Editing and Consulting. Once again, she did an excellent job editing and proofing this book.

  Last but not least, I would like to thank my family for being patient with me throughout the writing of this book. You have always been my rock and encouraged me to continue writing when I became discouraged.

  PROLOGUE

  There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

  ~ Genesis 6:4, The Holy Bible: King James Version

  Earth Time: 6,000 years ago, The Planet Gnolom . . .

  Coen sat on his shimmering black mare, overlooking the valley below. The large horse whinnied and reared back, sensing something was wrong. Coen quickly grabbed the reins with one hand and reached down with the other to stroke her mane. “Easy, girl. It’s just a storm blowing in.”

  The mare growled in a low tone, perceiving that there was something else amiss. Coen knew she was right, however. Danger was coming, and he knew what it was. He looked out over the valley as the clouds above began to darken, developing into ominous forms. Some of the shapes began to resemble
the very monsters that the humans on Gnolom had been fighting for over 200 cycles.

  A stab of fear suddenly shot through his body and pierced his soul as a flash of lightning arced down into the valley below, striking the ground at the foot of Mount Resumpsi. Coen began to count under his breath and steadied himself upon his mare. The clap of thunder startled the horse. She reared up and whinnied again. Coen’s muscular arms flexed as he held himself in place. After her hooves landed back onto the lush, soft earth of the subtropical jungle floor, he stroked her mane again. “Shh . . . Lightning and thunder; that is all. The enemy is not here. . . At least, not yet.”

  Nonetheless, his mare had every reason to be concerned. The sound of the thunder sounded just like the ear-splitting growls of the monsters that were on the verge of wiping out the last remaining humans on this planet. His horse had heard it thousands of times as she carried Coen into battle after battle against the raging beasts. Battles that were all lost. Consequently, she was on edge.

  “Shh …,” he whispered again. “It is okay.”

  The horse calmed down and whimpered as she jerked her head to the right, communicating to her master that she wanted to return to the safety of the village.

  The village. Coen’s thoughts immediately turned to his home below within the valley. He squinted his blue eyes as large raindrops began to pelt his battle-scarred face. The wind whipped through his own black mane as he leaned a little further upon his horse to tell if he could see his beautiful bride. He knew it was foolish. He was up too high to get a good look. Suddenly, another bolt of lightning flashed through the sky, striking the same place just at the base of the legendary mount. This time, he didn’t count. Instead, he leaned over and began to whisper words of comfort into his mare’s ear before the thunder rang across the valley, over his village, and up to where they were located, seven kilometers away.

  The mare stood her ground as the thunder exploded through the air. Coen let a small smile form along his lips. He and his mare, Jokina, had a bond that even he couldn’t explain. Sometimes, his wife, Sierrone, would joke with him, saying that he loved the mare more than her. He would laugh and tell her that wasn’t possible. Sierrone was the love of his life. His relationship with Jokina was just different, something he couldn’t put into words.

  As he stared down into his village, he thought back to the day he had rescued Jokina. That was fifteen cycles ago when he was just thirteen cycles old. He had been on a scouting survey with his father when they encountered a wild herd of horses that were massacred. Some of the corpses were half-eaten. Others were left to rot in the hot jungle sun. The lone survivor of the herd was Jokina. She was just a foal, not even a cycle old. She had been severely injured and was near death.

  Coen and his father brought her back to the very village nestled in the thick jungle brush below. He could see the stable where he had nursed Jokina back to health. Once she was healthy, he trained the mare to the point where she had become the envy of the tribe. Even at the present moment, she was the tribe’s fastest and strongest horse. She had saved his life in countless battles against the giants that were now devastating his planet.

  The giants. He had become very familiar with the danger that threatened to wipe out every human being on Gnolom. After his father had been killed in combat, Coen ascended to chief, but he would never forget the haunting words his father had told him as a tingling sensation rippled down his spine. “These monsters,” his father had said, “are a race of evil beings. Their goal is to cause the extinction of humans upon our home world. They crave blood more than anything else. There is no negotiating or reasoning with them. . . And I am afraid, son, that they may very well wipe us off the face of our home planet.”

  Coen was still young when his father had spoken these words. But because he was so young, he did not comprehend them until he had come face to face with one of the hideous creatures himself. His stomach began to churn as he thought back to that first experience. He took in a deep breath, inhaling the hot, wet air in order to avoid vomiting from the stench of the giant’s breath that had been forever imprinted on his mind.

  After a few more deep breaths, he continued to think about what his father had told him about the giants. His father explained that he didn’t know where the giants had come from. They had been around since before his own great-grandfather was born. Some of the priests in his tribe speculated that the giants had been on Gnolom for over 200 cycles. Of course, there were legends as to their origin. Some legends said that the giants were placed there by a race of beings from the stars, to wipe out all of humanity so that these beings could claim Gnolom as their home. Other legends said that the giants were the result of breeding between the star people and the humans. And yet others speculated that these people from the stars experimented on humans, which resulted in the creation of these abominations.

  Jokina stomped her hooves again onto the jungle floor, which had now become a soup of mud from the torrential downpour that had begun a few seconds earlier. She jerked her head to the right again. Coen reached down with both of his arms and caressed the sides of her neck, a gesture that always made her relax. “It is okay, Jokina. We cannot go yet. We must wait for the signal from Rurik.”

  The mare stopped fidgeting and settled down a bit.

  Coen smiled and looked up again over his village and toward the famed mount where his friend was camped. Rurik Ozur, Coen’s best friend since childhood, was on Mount Resumpsi. Coen had sent him on a mission to scout the mount and to find any reason why the giants were so interested in it. He had an idea as to why the beasts wanted it so badly, but those stories were only legends.

  Of course, every human being on Gnolom, at least what was left of them, was told by the priests that the gods had placed the mount over a mysterious garden. The Garden of Taosheoa, as their ancient records called it, was the mythical paradise where the gods placed Gnolom’s first man and woman. It was even rumored that the garden contained a tree that sprouted fruit that would turn a mere mortal into a person with supernatural powers, making him near immortal.

  But to Coen, these were just stories told by the priests so that his people would be scared into submission. Personally, Coen didn’t even know if he even believed in the gods anymore. He used to believe. But how could he now? If the gods were what the priests portrayed them to be, then why would they allow these evil monsters to exterminate every individual on Gnolom?

  Jokina whinnied once again and jerked her head up, trying to get Coen’s attention. Snapping out of his daydream, Coen looked up. There it was. Through the thick clouds and the pouring rain, he could see the enormous fire that Rurik had created, which indicated he had found something.

  “There it is, girl,” Coen said as he jerked the reins to the right, turning Jokina around. He kicked the heels of his boots into her flanks, and she darted off down the muddy trail of the mountain. Rain and mud splattered both of them as they raced into the valley.

  By the time they reached the village, they were covered from head to toe in mud. But Coen didn’t care. He was excited to see his wife and curious to know what Rurik had discovered. Jokina slowed her sprint to a trot when they were within twenty meters of the walled village, and Coen could see his guards standing in the two towers on each side of the thirty-meter timber gate. Each timber within the wall was carved to a sharp point and craftily woven together. The strength and height of the wall, along with a moat of oil around its base that could be ignited with a single flaming arrow, had been enough to keep the giants out for as long as he could remember. But only one or two of the inept creatures, which averaged about five meters in height, would try to overtake the village. Despite its defenses, Coen still worried what would happen to his village if more than two giants attacked.

  The village was the only home that Coen knew. He was born here, and he wasn’t about to let his home, which housed perhaps the only remaining humans left on Gnolom, become another emblem of carnage for the giants.

  He whist
led, imitating a bird, to signal that he was returning. His guards gave the order to lower the gate over the moat. The gate lowered and landed with a thud. He guided Jokina over the bridge and held his breath, trying to block the stench from the oil only a few meters below. Once inside, the guards rolled the gate back up, and Coen jumped down from Jokina.

  One of Coen’s aides rushed to grab the reins of the mare. Jokina reared back. She didn’t like anyone near her besides her master. “It is okay, girl,” Coen said as he stroked a muddy hand across her mud-caked neck. “Auteria is just going to get you cleaned up.”

  The mare growled her displeasure but conceded in following the guard to the stable as he jerked on her reins. Coen chuckled. He always found it quite humorous how she acted around other people.

  As soon as he turned around, a dark-haired woman dressed in a long brown dress covered with a blue apron jumped into his arms and landed a passionate kiss onto his lips. He kissed her back. After a few seconds, he lowered the woman to the ground and stared into her crystal blue eyes. She was now covered in mud as well. “Hi, Sierrone.”

  “Coen, it has been days. I was beginning to get worried,” Sierrone said with a hint of anger in her voice.

  “I am sorry, my love. I had to be sure that the giants were not near the village.”

  His wife looked at him questioningly. “But you suspect that they are?”

  Coen looked down and kicked at the mud. With a sigh, he looked back up into his wife’s eyes. He tried to hide the trepidation in his voice as he spoke. “Yes. Most giants we have come in contact with have the mental capacities of flies. But I have heard stories. There are some with intelligence that would rival the gods, particularly their leader – King Middoni. He will never stop until he sees the extinction of our race.”

  Sierrone gasped but quickly hid her fear. “Come; let us get out of this rain. Dinner is waiting inside.” She hooked her arm around her husband’s arm and leaned her head onto his shoulder. The couple walked toward the tallest structure in the village, a two-story log building that served as a residence for Coen and his wife, as well as the central meeting place for the villagers.