2289 A.D. - Arcane Darkness: A Paranormal Fantasy Adventure Saga (The Ashlyn Chronicles - Book 3)

by Renee van Dyke

  Ashlyn now had the reason behind Enlil’s egotistical, irrational, and psychopathic behavior. In his struggle against the darkness he had found an unexpected ally—insanity. It had provided him an avenue of escape, forcing the darkness to abandon him. In doing so, they left him devoid of human love and compassion. He was hollow—with only the memory of their evil touch resonating within the shell of the man he had once been.

  It was why the darkness had sought out Ja’kal. It was a second chance for them to claim him—a time when he was untainted and unable to resist.

  Ash trembled, the guilt she felt consuming her. “The darkness had been trapped, and I released them. It’s my fault that they’re inside my son. I delivered him into their hands.” Ash wiped away tears as she heard an exhaled breath behind her. Uprighting her chair, she spun around. Her face went pale. “How long have you been standing there?”

  “Long enough to know that we’re in a shit load of trouble. You should have told me, Ash.” Steven, walked up and took his seat beside her.

  “I’m sorry. I was told not to,” she answered.

  “By who?”

  Ash let out a deep breath. “By you.”

  Steven let go a hearty sigh. “Why doesn’t that surprise me. Regardless—I want to hear everything.

  “And, Keeper, I’m in agreement with Ashlyn. You must never hide or lie to us again, regardless of the reason. We can’t build a new civilization upon a foundation of lies.”

  Without breaking her eye contact with Steven, Ash said, “Keeper, is there any danger to the timeline by divulging everything to him?”

  “I am not sure that we have a choice. I agree with your assertion, Lady Ashlyn, and Lord Steven. If we are to do things differently this time—we must openly discuss each situation. I again apologize for my error in judgement.”

  Steven took in a large breath and exhaled slowly. “So, Enlil was our son?”

  Ash nodded.

  Taking a moment to himself, Steven reflected upon all the implications. “And that’s why you chose the name, Ja’kal. You wanted to change it—erasing all the baggage associated with Enlil’s name.”

  Again, Ash nodded.

  After a brief pause, “So, if Enlil and thereby Enki his brother, were my sons—that means that I will someday become Lord Anu—god, emperor, master and tyrant of the Anunnaki empire.”

  Ash gave a narrow, insincere grin. “Not exactly the reaction I was expecting.”

  “Just making lemonade from lemons,” said Steven. “I don’t mean to make light of it, Ash. From what I heard, it sounds like you went through hell. But a few days ago, when we learned that our paths were going to separate—we weren’t even sure if you and I had a future. I’m just happy, because whatever’s ahead of us, at least we’ll face it together.”

  Ash smiled. His optimism was infectious.

  “Lord Steven, may I initiate the link—so that I can download all the information to you.”

  “Yes, Keeper. Thank you.”

  “I’ll be in our quarters. We can talk when you’re ready,” said Ash rising from her chair.

  Steven nodded. As she walked by him, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him—giving her a kiss. “Wait for me in the shower,” he sent into her mind. “I won’t be long.”

  Ash raised her brow. “Now who’s lying,” she teased as her hand went down to his crotch and stroked him.

  Chapter 2

  Steven

  Awakening from the meld, Steven was astonished by all that Ashlyn had endured. He’d seen every thought and felt each emotion as if they were his own. She’d overcome such tremendous odds, and yet, she had never wavered in her conviction of what must be done. With every day that passed, his admiration for her grew.

  Steven now had the reason for his confusion when Ash had returned from the nexus. At the time, he’d not comprehended the meaning hidden within the deep kiss she’d given him or the intent behind her words. “It’s for not giving up on me, for waiting. It’s for loving me so much.” She was thanking him for his countless manipulations of the timeline to get her back.

  In some strange way, Steven felt indebted to his alter ego, to Anu—for his sacrifice had spared Steven from untold hardships and misery. It was a testament to the strength of the love between them.

  “Thank you for the information, Keeper. And based on your analysis of the data and the numbers of the Draconian forces you faced, what is your recommendation for our course of action?” asked Steven.

  “That is a difficult question, Lord Steven. The answer is not as simple as it might appear. We have already changed events in the old timeline. The ripples, we created, mean that almost nothing we do from this moment forward will happen as it did before. History has been and will continue to be rewritten. People like Tynabo, President Tomlinson, and even your parents will not be born. It will be as though they never existed. The entire history of many worlds has been changed.

  “And though those events have changed, it will not however affect yourself or those that accompany us. They will be safe.”

  “So, the ole theorem ‘if I stopped grandpa from meeting grandma—will I cease to exist?’ doesn’t apply?”

  “For those who have traveled back, it does not. That being said, we must still try to create as few ripples in the timeline as possible. Logic dictates that certain events will still be repeated.”

  “Like our first initial contact with the Draconians,” said Steven.

  “Yes. That is one of the examples where I see no influence that will affect its occurrence. That event, the day when our two cultures first made contact, precedes all that has happened thus far.”

  “Perhaps, we should just stay on Earth then, avoid contact with the Draconians all together?” suggested Steven.

  “The choice is ultimately yours, but that will also mean that the Anunnaki empire—and all of its thousands of worlds and trillions of people would never exist. The ripples created just become larger. And that does not preclude the fact that the Draconians may still someday come to Earth.

  “They are savage, brutal conquerors. I believe it would just be a matter of time. You would also be sacrificing a great tactical advantage.”

  Steven knew instantly to what the Keeper was alluding. “Because we know the day of first contact.”

  “Yes. We know precisely when and where they will be,” said the Keeper. “As a military commander, you could not hope for such an advantage, and yet, it is yours.

  “It is your best chance to build the peaceful society you wanted for the Anunnaki people. It will even allow you to someday better Earth’s history—repopulating the planet without the evil influence that Enlil brought to it for so many thousands of years.

  “So, to answer your question. I believe we should set course for Heaven, going back to when it all began, but this time, we will be prepared.”

  “I admire your confidence, Keeper, but even with our foreknowledge of the impending attack, why do you believe the outcome will be different this time?”

  “It will be different, Lord Steven—because of my ability to manipulate matter. I can replicate Destiny, doubling the size of our fleet every few months. By the time they arrive in thirteen years, we will outnumber them fifty to one, and our ships will be at the ready. I can also install planetary defenses. These are measures that we hadn’t known were necessary, and therefore, did not implement last time.”

  Steven thought for a moment, his focus keen. “Keeper, if the nexus truly is a place where the rules of time do not exist, isn’t it possible that what the nexus revealed to Ashlyn is still an upcoming event? That the Draconians boast of having defeated the Anunnaki is part of the new time line that we are only now creating?”

  “It is. Ashlyn and I had come to the same conclusion. The evidence supports it.”

  For the Keeper, even a momentary pause was a long one. And it was a long one before he spoke again. “It may even be a certainty. I believe it is why Siri told Ashlyn that there was no historica
l record of a person named Enlil ever having attacked Earth. It was not to the old timeline that Siri was referencing, but to the new one. It would also explain why Earth’s moon had not been destroyed.”

  “Thank you, Keeper. Things are never easy are they?” said Steven.

  “I hope that will change someday, Lord Steven. You and Lady Ashlyn have earned it.”

  Steven smiled. “Keeper, even though you erred in trying to hide information from us, Ashlyn was right—you’re our guardian angel.”

  “Lady Ashlyn was very angry.”

  “Yes. She was,” Steven agreed. “Loyalty, love, friendship—they are everything to us. If there is one thing to be learned from your eons of observing us, you should know that there is nothing that we value more.”

  “It was for precisely those reasons that I sought to spare the two of you. I saw no reason to inflict more pain.”

  “We know that, Keeper. But sometimes, even decisions made for the right motives, can have adverse consequences, especially when they are personal. And there is nothing more personal to us as humans than the lives of our children.”

  Steven stood up, steeling himself for his discussion with Ashlyn. The tasks ahead of them were daunting. Not only was there a war to be fought, but they would soon have to confront the darkness within their child—and find a way to purge it from him. If it could not be done, he knew that Ashlyn would never forgive herself. She would forever carry the guilt of having delivered their son into the hands of the darkness.

  “Keeper, tell all the future Lords of the Council to meet aboard Destiny in one hour. Have the ship commanders prepare their ship and crew to jump,” said Steven.

  “Yes, Lord Steven. Am I to assume from our discussion that our destination is going to be the time gate?”

  “It is. Like you suggested, you’re going to take us back to the beginning, when it all began.”

  ***

  Stepping into his stateroom, Steven saw that Ashlyn had turned off the lights and lit a few candles. The flickering light cast a soft romantic, golden glow upon the walls. Scattered across the floor were Ashlyn’s bracelets, laid out like breadcrumbs for him to follow. From the room beyond, he heard the sound of heavy rushing water.

  With more than his curiosity peaking, he yanked his polo shirt over his head and let it drop to the floor. Kicking off his shoes and stepping out of his khakis, he followed the trail of bracelets.

  Dismayed, he came to a stop at the door’s threshold—his mouth falling open. Somehow, Ash had managed to talk the Keeper into turning the shower area, and a good part of Destiny’s interior into an expansive replica of the oasis back on Hadaesia, complete with swaying palm trees. The waterfall flowed into a pond that reflected the sparkles of the starlit sky beyond the invisible shield, above.

  Ash was waist-deep, standing beneath a waterfall, the water pelting her collarbone and breasts. The ambient dancing light of tiki torches around the pond, casted shadows that swaddled each glistening curve of her body. The sensual pose of wobbling breasts as she raised her arms above her head to wash her hair, catching the wayward strands—took his breath away. Every nuanced move produced a sway and jiggle that stilled his breath—each wobble more mesmerizing than the one before.

  Turning her back to the falls, Ashlyn threw her head back, rinsing out the shampoo bubbles from her hair. Streams of white foam ran down her back, between her shoulder blades and over her bottom.

  Taking a step away from the falls, she swung her long mane forward over her right shoulder and wrung it out. Catching sight of Steven, her lips pursed into a tight-lipped smile. His heavy arousal told her all that she needed to know—he’d been watching her.

  Ashlyn leaned back against the slick boulders. Her hands slowly wandered down over her breasts, disappearing beneath the churning waves. Ash gasped, her eyes closed. Her lustful tease telling him exactly where her fingers were. When her other hand began manipulating her breasts around, squeezing them—he hungrily waded out into the pond, unable to resist the invitation.

  Standing before her, his powerful arms pulled her tight. The contrasting heat radiating from her body, contrasted by the cool water pelting his back was as sensual as it was invigorating.

  As his lips burrowed into her neck, and his hands wandered upwards to caress her slippery breasts—Ashlyn’s hands sought him out below the water. He exhaled, groaning as she squeezed him, her touch igniting the fugue. Within the mental link, their passion exploded—becoming powerful and animalistic.

  Leaning into her, Steven pressed her back against the smooth boulder and gave her a deep kiss.

  The heat of his body against hers and the strength of his strong hands squeezing her breasts, drove her into a passion-induced frenzy. Her breath was ragged, raw, forcing the escape of soft lustful screams.

  Desperate, Ash lifted her legs and wrapped them around his waist and hips. Feeling him throbbing against her, she gave a shrill sigh that told him to push his way inside.

  Steven put his hand behind her head, grabbing her hair in his fist. Bending her head back, he gently bit her ear as he gave her what she wanted.

  Locked within the fugue, the two of them confronted all the fear, anxiety, and tension they had felt in their time apart. Embracing the power driving their pent-up emotions, they expressed their love for one another with a fever pitched, manic desperation.

  They’d barely gotten started when…

  “Lord Steven, Lady Ashlyn,” said the Keeper’s voice over the ship’s intercom. “The Council members are waiting for you on the bridge.”

  “Damned,” said Steven, grimacing. “That was fast.”

  Ashlyn looked at him, raising an eyebrow.

  “It’s my fault,” said Steven. “I requested they beam over in an hour. I just wasn’t expecting to come back to the cabin and find Shangri-La.”

  “Keeper, tell them we’ll be there soon as we’re done with breakfast,” said Ashlyn.

  Lifting Ashlyn by her bottom, Steven set her down atop a rock, “Tell them thirty minutes,” said Steven as he knelt between her spread legs. “I’m just about to start eating.”

  “Make it forty-five minutes, Keeper—I have to eat yet too, and I’m really hungry,” said Ashlyn, her tongue sliding across her lips erotically.

  “Lucky me,” said Steven.

  Ashlyn put her hands atop his head. As his wagging tongue found her, “Lucky—me. You—get to—eat first.” Her sighs, and ragged breath punctuating the gaps between the words.

  Chapter 3

  Beginnings

  “I’ll be ready in a sec,” said Ash. Grabbing a brush, she tipped her head to the side and ran it through her hair. “Finally, the girls have it easy. No more having to pick out what we’re going to wear or color matching.” Putting the brush down, Ash fastened her hair into a ponytail—clipped the choker and pendant about her neck, and donned a string of bracelets about each wrist. Giving a salute, she said, “Reporting for duty, Admiral.”

  Steven looked at Ashlyn standing there naked. “I’d return the salute, but then—”

  “At ease soldier. Don’t forget, I outrank you,” said Ash.

  Steven raised an eyebrow. “You do—do you?”

  “Yup, everyone knows I have you wrapped around my little finger.” She walked up to him and pushed herself into him, forcing him back against the wall. As her fingers ran down his length, “See, you’re already saluting me.” Ash spun around, wiggling her bottom against him. “Come on, we gotta go, big boy.” Ash stepped away and headed out.

  Turning around to look at him, her eyes dropping below his waist, “What are the two of you waiting for? We can’t keep them waiting all day.”

  “Damn. That’s not fair, Ash. Not one damned bit.”

  Ash curtsied.

  “My god, you are sexy.” Her curtsey made everything wobble. Shaking his head at her nakedness, “I guess the crew has to get used to it someday. Who would have guessed you were going to set the fashion trend for an entire civilization?”r />
  “Muhahaha,” said Ashlyn with a playful smile. “It’s all part of our evil plot to drive men mad.”

  “And we’re the happy little lemmings that will follow you off the cliff,” assented Steven.

  “Is your aversion to clothes really that strong?” asked Steven.

  “It is.” Ash leaned against the doorjamb, taking a moment to address the issue. “It just doesn’t feel right to cover what we were born with. I mean, when you think about it—other creatures don’t do it. I can see clothes serving a functional purpose in certain situations. It can be nice to have a pocket, or have armor for protection—but other than that, the only reason for clothes is because of inherent insecurities, the fear of being shamed. Even biblically, Adam and Eve only wore clothes after they got in trouble. To me, seeing others wearing clothes is unnatural.”

  Steven swished his head. “Makes sense. Still, I miss seeing you in a dress sometimes, like the one you wore at the Eiffel tower. I’ll never forget that day, and it’s largely because of the dress.”

  “I can understand that,” said Ash. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Anyway, like I said, I guess the crew has to get used to it someday,” said Steven.

  Seeing he was ready, Ash smiled. “Let’s go.”

  Minutes later, Steven and Ashlyn stepped onto the bridge. “Sorry to keep all of you waiting—” said Steven, “—while we finished breakfast.”

  Few of them heard the words. Moore’s eyes were wide, shocked at seeing Ashlyn unclothed. His eyes darted to Steven, and then to Novacek, Stratton, Tomlinson, and Brooks, who were also staring at her, wide-eyed.

  Solon, Atrahasis, and Gorok were all bowing—none of them seeming to notice her lack of attire.

  “Lady Ninmah, Lord Steven,” said Atrahasis in greeting.

  Ashlyn turned to Atrahasis who stood closest to her. “My apologies—but I am not Lady Ninmah. She did however, give me the authority to take her form and speak for the Council on her behalf. My name is Ashlyn, and the universe is about to change in a big way. Steven and I would like you to be part of it.”