Rise of the Alphae: From Death unto Life (Wastelands Saga Book 1)

by James Huff

  He took my hand and my grandfather’s and walked between us, guiding us to a large stone altar in the center of the oasis. It was surrounded on the four corners by four different types of trees: pine, oak, elder, and willow. He commissioned for Grandfather to stand and wait next to the altar and took me a few feet away to speak with me. “John you must listen to all that I have to say for it is paramount to your salvation. From this day thenceforth you must forsake all that you have learned from your grandfather about those mysterious lands and tales of wonder and magic. And you must learn the truth. What he was describing with his feeble human mind is but a glimpse of the paradise that awaits you upon your death. You could see the oblivion of the destruction around him in those desolate ruins because your grandfather dwells there in bliss and harmony. But it is a perfect world and one in which only a god can fashion; one in which no mortal man may dare to envision, and hence it is a blasphemy to my name as the Alphae, the one supreme god and ruler of all the cosmos. I may smite thee if I wish but I shall show you mercy on this day. There is one more thing you must do in order for you to prove your loyalty and find your place in the hall of the valorous to dwell for eternity. You may be a king in your own paradise, with a consort beyond human beauty and all the power, wealth, and wonder that a god can provide. But you must do this one thing.”

  It was then that the Alphae raised his scepter high into the air and twirled it, fashioning a large double-bladed axe seemingly out of thin air. He handed me the ax and I tried to grasp it, but almost dropped it as the weight was much to bear. “You must go before the altar and take your grandfather’s head. You must do this to prove your loyalty to me as your god and king. Do this and I shall never punish you again; you shall live in peace even in this life and ascend into glory upon your death to dwell there in peace for all eternity.” I dropped the axe and immediately ran up to Grandfather, sobbing. He grabbed me in a tight embrace as I could hear the Alphae picking up the axe and walking towards us while we stood behind the stone.

  “John,” Grandfather began, his eyes sparkling with fresh tears, “the Alphae is right. He can give you so much more than you can fathom. I was wrong to doubt him in life and I know now beyond any shadow of a doubt that he is our one true god and king. You must do this. You must take my head. For we will be brought together once more in paradise. And that joy will be without end.” It was then that Grandfather ceremoniously knelt before the altar and bent his neck down with his forehead resting on the stone. I looked to the Alphae, more torn with sorrow than anger or hate. “Please, have mercy my god and king. I beg you! You cannot make me do this. Please…”

  It was then that the Alphae gently laid the axe down next to his feet and came up to me and held me in an embrace. As he pulled away his entire demeanor changed. There was no cruelty in his eyes, only love, understanding, and compassion. “Congratulations John. You have passed the test. For I am not a god who would demand such a useless sacrifice. However, the deed must still be done, but not by a mortal hand. For only a god has the authority to end a life, and as we both know this sacrifice has already been done. However, it is still important that you see this, and recognize the power in my hands.” Immediately the Alphae took up the axe and before I could even ponder what was happening the blade fell upon my grandfather’s neck, which was severed instantaneously and lopped upon the rock.

  But then the incredible happened. The Alphae knelt down at Grandfather’s body and touched his scepter to the nape of his neck. A stream of golden white light came from the tip of his scepter and I could see the soul of my grandfather coming out of his body. He was as a being of light, dressed in glistening white and silver robes, his blue eyes dazzling like the moonlit sea and a golden aura surrounding his new body. His old form decayed upon the rock and turned to ash. It was then that the Alphae rose up into the sky, at first slowly levitating above the stone altar. Grandfather, in his resurrected form, took hold of the tip of his scepter as they began to rise toward the sun together. I too, for fear of being trapped in that place alone, took hold of Grandfather’s ankle.

  We rose high into the sky, picking up more speed as we ascended. Before I knew it we had exited the Earth’s atmosphere and flew together with tremendous speed through the starry abode. We passed through nebula at the speed of light and I could feel the strange sensation of the limitless cosmos before us. But my grip upon Grandfather’s ankle was slipping and soon I could hold on no more. I began tumbling through the heavens and knew not where I would go. Then the starry abode disappeared before me and I found myself once again falling in the abysmal blackness. I dreaded to fall once more onto that cold stone floor, dwelling in lonely isolation for all eternity.

  But I was met by the cool sensation of water upon my body as I fell into the depths of the sea. I seemed to sink and had no hope left to try to swim to the surface. But there was something there, the sun’s rays were dancing upon the surface of the water and I felt this strange female voice compelling me to rise. It was the most beautiful voice I had ever heard, but it seemed so alien and nonhuman to me. As soon as my head rose above the water I took a deep breath and saw an island off in the distance. I began to swim toward it and found myself moving at an alarming rate. Before I knew it I was upon the beach and once more I was welcomed by the elders of Vaena, all wearing the same dazzling raiment as Grandfather. He was standing in the midst of them, the familiar robust smile upon his face. I ran as fast as I could through the surf, almost tripping in the rushing waters but I cared not. I approached Grandfather and the others but before I could embrace him in a hug one of the elders stopped me with a simple gesture of his hand. I found myself instantly falling to my knees.

  They all were standing in a row above me and said nothing to me but all began chanting in a strange melodic voice, all in unison. “Remember your promise John. Remember your promise to our god and yours…” After that I recalled nothing other than falling into some kind of deep, dreamless sleep. I slipped away into oblivion with nothing to hold onto and no idea what would come of me…