by Tony Johnson
“Victory will come for darkness or light
Through one of two siblings, born the same night
To the same father these twins are born,
Sons of evil, to which their father is sworn.
After the death of one of the twin brothers,
The second will sacrifice his life to save many others.
In his death, the kingdom will start anew
At the cost of him buried under the city he overthrew.”
Steve lost his smile, and his face twitched as he finished the final sentence of the prophecy. With his hands shaking and his stomach flipping upside down, Steve attempted to maintain his composure and avoid an anxiety attack by resting against the barrier wall of the roof to take deep breaths and collect his bearings. It felt like someone had taken a dagger and plunged it deep into his heart.
It is about me after all, he confirmed. It speaks of Silas, our father, and me. We are the only ones that can fulfill these specific conditions. With Silas dead, it moves to my part of the prophecy. ‘The second will sacrifice his life to save many others. In his death, the kingdom will start anew.’ We will be successful, Steve interpreted, but at the cost of my life.
Above him, colorful explosions burst in the sky. Hearing cheers on the streets far below the three-story building he stood on, Steve peered over the ledge. Beneath him were crowds of celebrating people. He watched as husbands kissed wives, parents lifted children on their shoulders, and family and friends reconnected, seeing each other for the first time following the battle.
Grizz put Ty in a headlock and wrestled him. The two shared a celebratory bottle of whiskey, taking sips and passing it back and forth. Kari and Shana had a group of children clustered around them and used their elements of water and wind to show them neat tricks. Another group of kids played with Copper, trying to touch him and dart away before he could nudge them with his wet nose. Steve couldn't help by smile at the infectious joy.
It was at that moment he became content with his unavoidable fate. We will win this war, and everything's going to be okay, he smiled even brighter, imagining the even greater celebration that would ensue following the restoration of the kingdom. This kind of peace is worth dying for.
The Story of Evil will continue in...
THE
STORY OF EVIL
Volume IV: The Cursed King
On their journey to Casanovia, Ty, Shana, and Kari each gained the ability to control an element. Through the accompanying visions, Ty learned that Malorek was the murderer of his parents and Shana discovered she was the Hooded Phantom's daughter. It was Kari’s vision, however, that revealed the most startling information about Steve, who learned not only was he the son of the Hooded Phantom, he was also the firstborn grandson of King Zoran, and the rightful heir to the throne of the kingdom.
In the Battle for Casanovia, Steve successfully led the city against his twin brother, Silas Zoran, and Silas’s portion of Malorek’s army. Now, the heroes plan to divide as they travel throughout the kingdom in hopes of uniting the Primary Cities to aid in the battle to reclaim Celestial.
Tony Johnson
Thank you for reading The Story of Evil - Volume III: Three Visions. If you liked this novel, please consider rating and reviewing on www.amazon.com. I love hearing readers’ predictions for what they think is to come and/or theories on the novel’s mysteries. Most of all, I appreciate getting feedback, whether positive or negative, because it helps me grow as a writer. Thank you for your support!
Acknowledgements
Thank you to my editor, Kasey Connors-Beron, through www.upwork.com.
Thank you to my cover artist, BRoseDesignz, through crowdspring.com.
More than anyone, thank you to God. Thank you for sending your son to die for me and take the penalty of my sins. Thank you for allowing me to realize that you are the true purpose and meaning of life. Help me to honor you by trying my best to obey your commands and make the right choices. This world is growing darker every day. Help me to shine with your light, that through me, people may see the beacon of hope they have in your son, Jesus Christ (John 8:12).
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? – 1 Corinthians 6:9
For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
– Romans 3:23
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. – John 3:16
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
– 1 John 1:9
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born again.” – John 3:3
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead, you will be born again. – Romans 10:9
