by SK Benton
"I like Adonai. It has such a nice ring to it. But I wish you would use the name I bestowed upon you, Chronos."
"It is indeed a fine moniker, but Draagh is monosyllabic, so it is much easier for most to pronounce."
"Ah yes, but Chronos is proper for the Lord of the Hub. Speaking of that, do you still feel it was necessary to reset the universe five times? If you had requested another chance to do things over I am afraid I would have had to deny you. I really couldn't stand to watch the same things happen again, over the course of billions of years."
Behind their disguises, Jah and his eldest son smiled and nodded, with the younger of the two already understanding it was indeed his last chance at setting things right.
"I was aware I would have no further opportunities, Father. As you know, Jennie immediately killed Max in Machu Picchu on the fist two tries. Then Max killed her on the third, during their little mock battle at Krynos' castle. I truly believed on the fourth that we were to succeed, but I failed to resurrect her when Samyaza set Krynos' blade to her throat. Fortunately, this time we got it right, and found that she was the key to Mankind's salvation all along."
"And you say they never once asked why they could go to a future Earth, yet were never taken to their own world of the future?"
"That is correct, Father. Neither Max nor Jennie even questioned that fact. If they only knew it was she who had asked me to create that alternate Earth timeline in the first place - to a future that has yet to happen."
"She is truly spectacular, even in her human form," said Jah. "Shall you reveal her true nature to her one day?"
"I have no plans. She requested I not do so."
"Gaia's daughter is a very particular woman."
"Indeed she is, Father. Indeed she is."
THE END
Glossary of Terms
3D Slip - method of instantaneous transportation within a world. Required coordinates are Latitude, Longitude and Elevation.
4D Slip - Like 3D Slip, but with addition of Space/Time calculations. Can be used to travel to other worlds, parallel dimensions. Extremely advanced and only accessible by Prīmulī, Archangels and, in rare cases, their offspring. Requires Kamiliak Equation for calculations and the Hub for transit.
Archangels - Prīmulī, born to interact with sapient beings and watch over them.
Notable archangels - Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Samyaza (Grigori), Gadreel (former Grigori), Anaita
Azul - Planet in Cetus constellation. New home of Mankind after emigrants traveled for 300 years in suspended animation. Pinnacle of human society built over a period of 400 years. Azul has magic particles, but non-inoculated enhanced species cannot access them due to vibrational frequency incompatibility. Humans with recessive lycan and vampire genes have some characteristics of their active brethren, such as enhanced strength in times of stress. Archangels regularly look over the enhanced and will interfere with medical testing to keep their genetics unknown to the population at large.
Boludo(a) - Stupid, dumbass, hard-headed, stubborn.
Cannibal - Infected normal (human) with desire to eat human brains. Nearly complete loss of sapience. Body is in constant state of cooking itself from over amped metabolism. Runs and attacks until it suffers complete burnout and system failure. No cure available, except by Prīmulī. Traits: Mindless, brain-eating marathon runners. Cannot reproduce. Infection only occurs when both blood and saliva enter into victim's body.
Cantus - Verbal or mental command used to manipulate magic particles. Can be simple, such as a levitation cantus, or extremely complex, such as a combination of individual healing and DNA altering cantuses, enabling regeneration of missing limbs, organs. Minor-mages must verbalize, while Prīmulī and Archangels (and their offspring) can use mental commands. Beings with no genetic predisposition to magic can use cantuses on a limited scale as long as they have a magically-enabled object, such as a wand or other special piece of equipment. Alternately: (verb) to cantus a spell.
Castilian - Spanish language. Used on Azul in conjunction with English and Swiss-German. English is predominant on Azul, but many idioms and slang terms on Azul are in the Castilian language.
Examples
Bacho(a) - Slang term used to describe a Caucasian - gender-specific
Boludo(a) - idiot, jerk
Chino(a) - Slang term used to describe anyone of Old-Earth Asiatic lineage - gender-specific
Cojones - Balls, testicular fortitude, bravery
Dego(a) - Slang used to describe one of Old-Earth South American lineage who has dark skin and eyes - gender-specific
Desa - short for desayuno - breakfast
Fritas - French-fried potatoes
Manada - herd, flock
Poto - Buttocks, derrière, a person's butt
Rey de Roma! - Speaking of the devil… (Idiomatic phrase)
Enhanced Species - Lycans, Vampires, Nekos, Minor-Mages. Deactivated on Earth in the 6th century CE.
Evolution - The change in heritable traits of biological populations over successive generations. Mankind did not evolve through evolution from Homo Habilis. Rather, he was the result of speciation, instigated by the Prīmulī. Homo Sapiens was the final attempt by the Prīmulī to create an evolution-capable, sentient species on Earth (all other previous attempts had failed), but was so close to their creators' genome that many of the Prīmulī rebelled and were cast from the Hub (See Grigori). Homo Sapiens is capable of evolving, where the Prīmulī are not. Once they reach biological singularity with the Prīmulī the two species will join and go on to the next phase in advancement. This singularity is called The Provectus.
Exodus - Secret fleet of spacecraft that left Earth for Azul in mid 22nd century, funded by a corporate consortium. Journey took almost 300 years to arrive at destination. Emigrants travelled in state of suspended animation.
Gauntlet - Magic-enabled object that is basically a spiked, metal glove through which cantuses can be channeled.
Grigori - Prīmulī who had rebelled against Jah when Homo Sapiens was created, approximately 0.3 millions years ago. They were cast from the Hub for all eternity, and were responsible for creating the Vrol in order to destroy Mankind.
The Hub - Place outside the realm of Time/Space where Prīmulī usually reside.
Hybrid - Born of lycan mother and an Archangel. Has most abilities of a Primulus plus all lycan abilities. Is immune to platinum metal-family intoxication. Only known hybrids - Max Gunnarsson, Jennifer Escalante de Gunnarsson (resurrected by the Primulus Draagh, which is equivalent)
Infoscreen - Semitransparent, tangible, holographic computer used by Prīmulī, Archangels and their offspring.
Jah - God, Adonai, Dios.
Kamiliak Equation - Mathematical calculations required for 4D slip. Created by the Primulus named Kamiliak when the universe expanded and travel outside the Hub was required.
Katana - a single-edged sword of Japanese origin, known for its extremely strong metal and sharp cutting surface.
Lycan - Homo Sapiens Canis.
Enhanced humans with recessive or active canine genes.
On a magic-enabled world they have enhanced healing, speed, strength and senses.
Traits: Moral, noble.
Susceptible to intoxication from any metal in the platinum family
Three transformation modes:
Day Mode (phase 1) - appearance is human, but they retain enhanced senses and strength is roughly 150% of normal human of equivalent size and build - platinum causes mild stinging sensation.
Battle Mode (phase 2) - appearance is slightly canid, with elongated teeth and limbs, slightly hairy, double lycan's normal strength - platinum causes 3rd degree burns on exposed area, extreme weakening, rhodium is deadly if introduced to the bloodstream.
Assassin Mode (phase 2.5) - near-werewolf, but retains sapience. All lycans fighting for Azul are given an inoculation, based on a protein inhibitor in Max Gunnarsson's blood, and are not only able to achieve phase 2.5 at will, but also have
a dramatically increased chance of maintaining sapience when in phase 3 on the full moon. This is found to be advantageous as Azul has two moons which reach full phase within a day of each other - in essence, a two-day full moon. Max can generate his wings while in this phase, but they more resemble the wings of a bat. Platinum poisoning the same as phase 2.
Death Mode (phase 3) - full werewolf. Most lose sapience in this mode. Look like giant wolves with semi-dexterous paws. 250% over battle form strength - platinum causes 3rd degree burns on exposed area plus causes unconsciousness if exposed to blood. Rhodium can be deadly if introduced to the bloodstream.
Lycans can reproduce. Can also turn normals by introducing lycan virus into subject's system via blood exchange or simple innoculation.
Notable Lycans: Krynos, Donus, Jennie Gunnarsson (hybrid), Luigi Bagatelle, Max Gunnarsson (hybrid), Alea, Liliana Gunnarsson (lycan/mezzo angel), Jorgen Bierle, Josh Mannheim, Becky Branson-Mannheim.
Mage - Broad term used to describe one who can naturally manipulate magic. Minor-mages can perform basic skills while the immortal Prīmulī can affect worlds.
Magic - Term used to describe organo-technical sub-atomic particles (also called magic particles) that naturally occur in all living things, or the manipulation of said particles (to perform magic). Under extreme magnification they appear to be mechanical spheres with numerous appendages. Operate on vibrational frequencies that enable attuned enhanced beings to avail themselves of extra-normal abilities such as strength, healing, vision, etc. Mages can manipulate these particles using cantuses.
Meter/Readout/HUD - an organic display in the peripheral vision (and also inner left arm) of lycans and vampires. Has three lines - red for health, green for strength and blue for stamina. Max Gunnarsson also has yellow line for magic timeout. Enables a being to monitor their system resources and adjust accordingly. Archangels have a much more advanced readout, and are able to visually analyze mitochondrial DNA and trace a subject's lineage, as well as visually identify subspecies (i.e. pick out a vampire in a crowd of normals).
Mezzo Angel - an angel genetically lower than a Primulus, but higher than a Lower Angel. A fully-matured Mezzo has wings, as well as a ghanlo, and is immortal.
Notable Mezzo Angels: Guriel, Lili Gunnarsson (hybrid)
New Exodus - Len Johnson's planned escape to Earth, scheduled to happen shortly before the Vrol invasion of Azul in the 29th century.
Normal - Homo Sapiens Sapiens . A human with no enhanced abilities. Comprise of roughly 98% of the global population. Their blood is the food source for vampires. Their brains are the food source for cannibals. Usually desire to live under the protection of lycans. Some may learn limited magical skills via magic-enabled objects.
Notable normals: Adam (fake mage), Dons, Sarah Corning
Old-Earth - Planet in the Sol System - World of Mankind's origination. Planet nearly dies from Vrol attack when virulent amoeba infests air and global water supply in late 23rd century. Magic was active from time of first sapient hominids to roughly the year 600 CE. Magic re-enabled by Prīmulī after planet healed from Vrol invasion.
Prīmulī - (sing. Primulus) Immortal beings, the seraphim - created in the beginning of time by Jah (colloquially known to humans as God).
Notable Prīmulī: Draagh, Marnn, Kamiliak
Note: Archangels are Prīmulī, with archangel being a job description/rank, not race.
Rhönen Dominion - A lycan in south-central Germany, named for the nearby Rhön Mountains.
Side Space - extra dimensional space that exists outside the realm of normal space
Socrates - Sentient mage intelligence access portal. Appears as a floating mask. Appears on demand to Prīmulī, Archangels and their offspring. Assists in Kamiliak Coordinate calculations. Originally was an acronym - Sentient Organic Computerized Request and Tracking Equation System.
SSCC - side space carrier currents - Currents that exist and flow within side space. Proper machinery allows a connection to a specific current and thus drags anything attached at incredible speeds many thousands of time the speed of light.
SSCC Hook Drive - Machinery developed to enable FTL in side space
Stinging Paste - Japanese wasabi (green horseradish)
Taxiarch - The highest ranking, most powerful archangel. Mankind calls him Michael or Mija-El - Son of Draagh, biological father of Max Gunnarsson.
Vampire - Homo Sapiens Mortuus.
Enhanced humans with perverted recessive or active genes.
On magic-enabled world they subsist on normal (human) blood. Health particles barely keep them alive - in constant state of fending off decomposition. Emit strong rotting smell. Extremely strong, but overexertion causes rapid decomposition. The vampire genome has DNA from an alien carrion eating species.
Traits: Amoral, sociopathic, power-hungry, devious
Susceptible to intoxication from any metal in the platinum family. Platinum contact with skin causes intense burning. Contact with blood causes vampire to self-immolate and turn into a pile of ashes.
Vampires can reproduce. Can also turn normals by introducing vampire virus into subject's system via blood exchange. Frequently turn humans to replenish their numbers due to short lifespan.
Notable Vampires: Vladros, Ladros, Ryder Johnson, Len Johnson, Joshua Vann
Vrol - Alien race. Insect-like. Hive mind. Varying castes or species. All technology was organic, including spacecraft. Mother ship called Brood Carrier (Vrol language name not known). No FTL. Ground troops resembled bipedal praying mantises, having clawed appendages and compound eyes. Flyers resembled giant demonic bats with four limbs and compound eyes. Vrol did not like open water and certain frequencies caused them pain. Vrol invaded Old-Earth in late 23rd century, and Azul in the late 29th, in order to eradicate the human race. It is assumed the species is currently extinct.
Books by SK Benton
THE CHRONICLES OF MAX GUNNARSSON:
The Vrol Trilogy -
Lives of Future-Past
Lives of Lost Angels
Lives of the Provectus
Coming soon:
Metatron's Cube
Also coming soon:
THE LILI G ADVENTURES:
Lili G and the Secret Vampires (Y, YA)
About The Author
Steven Kenneth (SK) Benton was born in Portland, Oregon. He grew up an avid reader, becoming attracted to science fiction fare at a young age.
He is professionally proficient in at least six different musical instruments, and works as the CIO of a telecommunications radio frequency analysis company, having previously been a computer programmer, artist and teacher.
Aside from English, he speaks, reads and writes fluent Spanish, and has traveled to every continent on the globe, except for Antarctica and Africa. However, they are on his bucket list.
He is an expert-level alpine (downhill) skier, and lists his favorite skiing location as Zermatt, Switzerland. He also rides downhill and cross-country mountain bikes in the hills behind his Southern California home.
Benton has been married to his wife, Marielena, for nearly thirty years, and has two adult daughters, both of whom attended university on soccer scholarships and further acquired MBAs.
He frequently uses the names of friends and family in his books. In fact, Jennie Escalante has his wife's maiden name, and Liliana's personality is a composite of his two daughters when they were young.
