Rise of Serpents Read online

  Primeval Origins® 3

  Rise of Serpents

  All Rights Reserved.

  Copyright © 2019 B. A. Vonsik

  v4.0

  Cover Illustration by Marcel Mercado

  Design and art direction by Asha Hossain Design, LLC

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.

  This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  Celestial Fury Publishing

  Primeval Origins® News, Encyclopedia, and Lexicon at: www.primevalorigins.com

  PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

  Table of Contents

  Prologue: Privileges and Affluence

  Chapter 1: Enduring

  Chapter 2: Friends and Foes

  Chapter 3: Deal

  Chapter 4: Pit of Decisions

  Chapter 5: Mortals and More

  Chapter 6: Bindings

  Chapter 7: Temple of Sully

  Chapter 8: Journey’s Beginning

  Chapter 9: Questions . . . Answers . . . Questions

  Chapter 10: Loathed Reflections

  Chapter 11: Vassal

  Chapter 12: Makara

  Chapter 13: Shunir’ra

  Chapter 14: Sacrifice

  Chapter 15: Ancient Revelations

  Chapter 16: Powers

  Chapter 17: Lasting the Shunned

  Chapter 18: Scheming

  Chapter 19: Serpent’s Awakening

  Chapter 20: Tightening Coils

  Chapter 21: Thorns and Strife

  Chapter 22: Mighty Guardians

  Chapter 23: Insight

  Chapter 24: Woes and Revelations

  Chapter 25: Him

  Chapter 26: Nothing as Planned

  Chapter 27: Discipline

  Chapter 28: Temples and Spears

  Chapter 29: Revealing

  Chapter 30: The Heat

  Chapter 31: Against the Chorus

  Chapter 32: Anza and Wonders

  Chapter 33: The Wrong Side

  Chapter 34: Blood Bridge

  Chapter 35: Consumed

  Chapter 36: Powers Elevated

  Chapter 37: Path’s Veil

  Epilogue: Coils Old and New

  Primeval Origins®

  By B. A. Vonsik

  Paths of Anguish

  Light of Honor

  Rise of Serpents

  Visit www.primevalorigins.com to gain access to the Primeval Origins Encyclopedia and Lexicon.

  Awards and Praise for Primeval Origins®

  Awards

  Paths of Anguish

  AWARD WINNING, Young Adult Book of the Year, 2014/2015 Reader Views Literary Choice Awards, Winner.

  AWARD WINNING, Fantasy Book of the Year, Readers Favorite 2016 Book Awards, Finalist.

  AWARD WINNING, Fantasy Book of the Year, 2016 International Book Awards, Finalist.

  AWARD WINNING, Epic Fantasy Book of the Year, 2017 Independent Press Awards, Distinguished Favorite.

  AWARD WINNING, Fantasy Book of the Year, 2017 New York City Big Book Award, Winner.

  AWARD WINNING, Science Fantasy, National Association of Book Entrepreneurs (NABE) Winter 2018 Pinnacle Book Achievement Award, Winner.

  Light of Honor

  AWARD WINNING, Fantasy Book of the Year, 2016 Reader Views Literary Awards, Winner.

  AWARD WINNING, Fantasy, 2016 International Book Awards, Finalist.

  AWARD WINNING, Fiction/Fantasy, 2016 CIPA EVVY Award, Finalist.

  AWARD WINNING, Fiction/Fantasy Book of the Year, 2016 CIPA EVVY Award, Merit.

  AWARD WINNING, E-Book Fiction, 2016 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Finalist.

  AWARD WINNING, Science Fiction, 2016 Best Book Award, Finalist.

  AWARD WINNING, Epic Fantasy Book of the Year, 2017 Independent Press Awards, Winner

  AWARD WINNING, Fantasy Best Book, NABE Summer 2018 Pinnacle Book Achievement Awards, Winner.

  AWARD WINNING, Fantasy Book of the Year, 2018 New York City Big Book Award, Winner

  AWARD WINNING, Epic Fantasy Book of the Year, 2018 New York City Big Book Award, Winner

  Praise

  “With the Primeval Origins Epic Saga, B.A. Vonsik has skillfully created an exciting and fantastic tale of mankind’s origins which pushes the edge of imagination and thrills with cliffhangers galore. Vividly detailed and engaging, Mr. Vonsik’s remarkable storytelling shines in this multiple award-winning series that is sure to entertain any reader. A brilliantly imagined and beautifully crafted narrative full of suspense and adventure.” -- Mitch Reinhardt, author of the award-winning, Amazon best seller Darkwolf Saga

  “Primeval Origins: Paths of Anguish” is an epic journey to the origin of mankind in our struggle against evil. It is a page turner sure to thrill young and older readers for sure! I definitely recommend it is an awesome read!” -- Arianna Violante for Reader Views

  “Between the artful handling of suspense and the skill in descriptive narrative, Primeval Origins: Paths of Anguish is loaded with action and is very hard to put down. This is the first in the series, and I can’t wait for the next volume!”-- Maria C. Cuadro, Bookideas.com, 5-STARS

  “From the opening scene to the very last pages it was impossible to put it down… The action scenes were simply incredible and made me turn pages faster… Just like with the best fantasy/epic novels, the reader gets completely immersed into a new universe, where the young heroes fight for their freedom.” -- Ellie Midwood, author of The Girl from Berlin; The Indigo Rebels; and The Darkest Hour

  “Are you looking for something to test the boundaries of your imagination, with the feel of a wonderful tapestry depicting a magical tale? Primeval Origins: Paths of Anguish will do that and more!” Tomb Tender Book Blog “Primeval Origins will get into your blood, and you will not want to put it down before reaching the final page ... [It] is, in a word, outstanding.” -- 5 STARS, Readers’ Favorite

  “Vonsik’s series opener offers an engaging plot to keep the fantasy fan reading.” -- KIRKUS Reviews

  “Author B. A. Vonsik has done an absolutely amazing job in creating characters that readers will connect with and relate to... Vonsik’s skill in world creation is simply second to none.” -- 5 STARS, Tracy Slowiak for Readers’ Favorite

  “Wow, this book should definitely be made into a movie!” -- Ellie Midwood, author of A Motherland’s Daughter, A Fatherland’s Son; Emilia: The darkest days in history of Nazi Germany through a woman’s eyes; and The Austrian: A War Criminal’s Story

  “An absorbing read throughout, “Primeval Origins: Light of Honor” is an original science fiction story that is highly recommended for high school and community library YA Fiction collections.” -- Midwest Book Review

  “All readers, regardless of them having read the first volume or not, will feel like they have been deposited onto a whirling tornado or the crest of a tsunami, and the best thing to do is ride it out to the very end. I find it to be a very exhilarating ride!” -- Maria C. Cuadro

  “An epic fantasy that will take you to the edge of time and keep you on the edge of your seat.” -- 5 STARS, Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite
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br />   “This series is destined to be recognized as a classic.” -- Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (Fantasy Book of the Year Award Review)

  “Story that’s always alive with possibilities, and it keeps readers guessing... an ambitious, often engaging adventure through time.” -- KIRKUS Reviews

  First Age

  Humanity . . . Material form of Creation’s intention, conceived the vessels conducting Lights’ essence; a reflection in fashioning of Creation’s splendor, a merger, a fusion of perceivable and consciousness; meant in experience the physical realm, free will determining the path of Lights found; material maturing Lights’ progressions, quality and convictions of life’s temperaments; Creation’s desire for Lights’ preparations, sees kindred essence joined through measureless ages.

  Serpents . . . Humble in their ancient genesis, gods and renown men of lost witness; called upon in prominent service, guarding . . . guiding mankind in Creation’s benevolence; corruption’s temptations irresistible, worship of man found most desirable; mortals learn of scornful regard, when awe and deceptions are seen through the shroud; tyrant governance by unkind hands, bring challenge and defiance in young man; Creation sadden in children’s choosings, makes clean the template of all living; desiring humanity another life, champions made out of turmoil and strife; essence physical sowed in the stars, meant as rebirth in the long afar.

  Of Godlings and Man

  Rebirth . . . Time, times, and times again pre-man evolves as ages befall, his material form molded in guidance by Creation’s will; coiling serpents within man’s Tree, ever shaping the mortal being; serpents reincarnate set forth man’s shape anew, their hands guided by Creation true; bound in service by their godly makers, mankind learns to struggle from their repressive overseers; mankind gains worldly knowledge, from Serpents now fallen . . . Creation’s lost servants . . . Watchers; humanity rewarded kingship lowered, make anew a civilization tainted; serpents whispering in humanity’s darkness, lead weak-willed man astray as tyrants; humanity’s masses rejecting oppressor’s advances, see authority’s hands speaking and appearing in illusionary manners; the unworthy . . . undesirables muted in mass, suffer an entangled world embracing chamas; humanity fallen his culture in madness, led by the children of the Fallen desiring Kedushah.

  Serpents Reincarnate . . . Once sentinels serving in Creation’s favor, guarding . . . guiding mankind in humbled reverence; hubris embraced for the worship of humanity, believing divinity their manifest destiny; usurping and tainting the Tree of Life in man, corrupting many Lights while spreading wickedness throughout the lands; now fallen from grace and defiant of stooped knee, self-proclaimed adversaries of Creation with sinful needs; humanity as servants . . . slaves to their masters, Creation all-seeing sends forth the savior in counter; Watchers above humanity fearing salvation, imperil the world with opposition and annihilation; the Christ the redeemer . . . the Way to Yeshua, brings forth his horsemen to wage war and conquer.

  The Harbinger of Judgments

  Prologue

  Privileges and Affluence

  Fading pastels illuminated Nassau’s horizon to the southwest as the vanishing sky gave way to the deepening blue of the coming cool night. A light wind fluttered the flags of the docked ships and wind sock of the vertical lift pad. The beauty of the dusk sky over the Atlantic Ocean gave Nikki a sense of comfort as she stood dockside of their yacht, a seventy-five-foot vessel, the Sukkal, watching the rest of the crew go in advance of them through the transparent carbon walls of the passenger module in the quadlifter heli-drone programmed to transport them to the Risen Cove Hotel located somewhere on the northwest side of the New Risen Atlantis Resort. The whirl of electromagnetic rotors grew louder as the quadlifter ascended as Nikki watched the green and red navigation lights either side of the white beacons rise into the air amidst the blast of air washing over Nikki and those who remained with her. As the quadlifter whirled off, Nikki felt the calming light wind return to the yellow, white, and green lit vertical lift and landing pad.

  “I feel ridiculous in this outfit,” Nikki complained again while giving her attire another look-over. The green fantasy elf costume dress, sandals, head circlet, and sheer gown revealed too much of her.

  “You look stunning,” Dr. Shawn Steven Anders commented in an admiring tone as he struggled trying not to stare at her too long. Nikki thought Anders looked too much in character dressed as an old movie archeologist with a brown, wide-brimmed hat and whip at his side that went about the old world trying to keep powerful ancient relics and artifacts from evildoers’ hands.

  Nikki felt her cheeks uncomfortably warm at his remark. Wanting to get a safe opinion, she turned to Aren and asked in Antaalin, “Zu malga?”

  The tall Evendiir, dressed in his ancient outfit of blues, gray, and black pants, boots, tunic, and cape, ran his radiant green eyes over her body and costume as if examining a curious object before commenting. “My consideration. Your appearance is made to attract those with sweetness desires upon you.”

  Nikki felt her jaw drop at Aren’s reply. She wanted his honest opinion that the outfit was revealing yet flattering but didn’t think he would choose words confirming what she worryingly felt. What she sensed of Aren confirmed his disinterest in her. . . in that way. Nikki shot a look at Dr. Dunkle, who was dressed in his own costume of blue pants and tunic, high leather boots, a red cape, and gold amulet with a green gem at its center hung about his neck. Now, seeing them together, Dunkle and Aren looked much too similar. Dunkle waved his hands, not wanting to comment. She then looked to Mr. Miller, the young, short-haired blond Wind Runner officer now dressed in black leather boots, pants, and jacket over a heavy black jersey bearing an angry white skull. He’s so not his proper mannered self, Nikki thought. Miller tried looking everywhere except at Nikki and her partially revealing costume. Finally, Nikki turned to Rogaan, also dressed in his ancient outfit of blue, red, and black meshed metal looking the part of a very successful uniquely clad gladiator or praetorian. She stood hoping he would say something to make her feel more comfortable about the way she dressed.

  “I would do you,” Rogaan stated using contemporary words while wearing a roguish smile as his radiant blue eyes kindly cast upon her.

  Nikki felt her face and body explode in heat. Never did she expect him to say that. Her sense of him confirmed he was attracted to her, which sent her heat higher, if that were possible. Nikki started to feel light-headed. She breathlessly spoke to herself, “Oh, I’m going to die.”

  “Roga!” Aren chastised. “Of the House An. Is that a manner to talk to a lady?”

  “You know I am not wanting of that title,” Rogaan shot Aren a friendly glare.

  “I am to know,” Aren replied of his demonstration that words evoke emotions and that Rogaan’s words did so in Nikki.

  “She . . . to ask for honest, sweet words . . .” Rogaan sounded like a teenager trying to explain to friends why he did something everyone thought inappropriate.

  Staring at the unclear and swaying ground, Nikki felt kind hands on her arm. She looked up; her vision started to clear. She found concerned brown eyes that carried both a hint of jealousy and inferiority. Anders continued staring at her as Nikki regained her breath and balance.

  “I’m okay. Thanks.” Embarrassed at being swept up as she did, Nikki tried to sound as if nothing significant happened. Anders stood back allowing Nikki to regain her composure which she felt relieved for him giving her space. Nikki found Anders attractive and not such a bad guy to be with, but . . .

  “Everyone . . .” Dr. Dunkle broke into the moment. “We truly must be going. We have a time to keep.”

  “A ‘time’ requiring these . . . interesting costumes?” Anders asked.

  “To blend in, Mr. Anders,” Dr. Dunkle replied. “We’re going to . . . or better said, through one of the largest cosplay events attended by the wealthy and politically powerful where every one of us will look to fit in. Even our new friends will blend in with their functional outfi
ts from the past.”

  “Oh . . .” Nikki realized. The costumes made sense to her, now, but she still would have rather had the field clothes she had on the dig and playing her own part as movie archeologist.

  “To what end are we joining this . . . cosplay gathering, Doctor?” Aren asked.

  “To pull off a slight-of-hand exchange.” Dr. Dunkle sounded all proud of himself.

  The doctor then waved them all to follow him to a nearby robotic skiff where they would be ferried across the harbor. Walking remained uncomfortable for Nikki as she felt her legs still not completely recovered from their horrible twisting and brokenness in the battle weeks ago on the Wind Runner. Their healing was a wonder of Aren and Rogaan using the powers of Agni and Dr. Dunkle’s modern technology. Her pain now was discomforting, though she chose to persevere without complaining. At least they gave me elven boots and not the high-heeled kind. Nikki admitted she hated heels as they were uncomfortable and designed to make her look more sexual.

  As the skiff departed the dock, being back on the water rocking and bobbing, Nikki suffered unwelcomed images flashing in her mind of the events of the past few weeks of the Wind Runner doing battle with that United Nations frigate, and of suffering wounds she barely survived. Grimacing as she relived her pains, she worked her leg that was all but lost before Aren’s healing, bending it at the knee to relieve the pain Dr. Dunkle told her was only in her head, now. He said it was part of her post-traumatic stress disorder, her PTSD. A condition common in those exposed to traumatic, life-threatening situations who then struggle to make sense of it all, to feel safe again. Nikki wanted to feel safe again, but something gnawed at her, telling her it wouldn’t be. Grimacing more as gunfire filled her mind remembering that day as rattling bursts and visions struck her of that sinister . . . malicious Tyr super soldier with his dark, gauntleted hand around her throat. And its synthesized voice pounding in her head, “How dare you defy the Tyr. Your punishment, death.” All sense of comforts about the world Nikki felt disappear in that moment. Sweat now dripped from her forehead as she tried to slow her breathing . . . just as Dr. Dunkle instructed her to do when she felt the panic welling up. What else did Dunkle tell me . . . think on something. Focus on my surroundings . . . be in the now.