Valour of the Spirit People

By Adam David Papa-Adams

Valour of the Spirit People, is not your ordinary angels verses demons novel, it is an epic adventure set in the lands of North America close to the first millennium. A masterful magical story that brings the characters to life. There are times when a story makes you believe that the implausible might just be possible. It is a captivating thrill ride into the unknown filled with mythic creatures that come alive on the page

The battle for the Multiverse has raged beyond ages uncounted. Gabriel and Michael have followed the one known as the Dragon to Turtle Island. There they make a horrifying discovery that could end the Equilibrium, tear the fabric of space time asunder and finally end the conflict once and for all; problem being it means they would have lost the war.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Adam David Papa-Adams
• Release date: Apr 12, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301776900

Adam David Papa-Adams

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Valour of the Spirit People

By

Adam David Papa-Adams

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2012 Adam David Papa-Adams all rights reserved

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Acknowledgements

I would like to thank for the Copy Editing Liz Williams an accomplished writer and author of many fantasy novels. In particular I am grateful to all those people that encouraged me to continue the work: my good friend Dan Thairs who made sure I finished the book, my cousin Adam Alexander Papa-Adams who listens to my world views and just smiles back at me, to Stacey Papa-Adams for introducing me to Smashwords and to all those very special people that made this novel possible.

For Thomas Papa-Adams my Godson

Who loves this type of thing.

Table of Contents.

The Book of Sorrows

Prologue The Battle of Helleos Prime.

Chapter I – Michael.

Chapter II - The Shadow People of Turtle Island.

Chapter III – Olaf the Viking.

Chapter IV - Chey’ Tanka the Longfoot.

Chapter V – Anaki.

Chapter VI – Enter the Djinn.

Chapter VII – Malachi.

Chapter VIII – The Mustering of the Longfoot.

Chapter IX – Flight.

Chapter X – Battle of the Green Wood.

Chapter XI – The Hidatsa.

Chapter XII – Fenrir.

Chapter XIII – The Higher Wold.

Chapter XIV – The Great Council of Nations.

Chapter XV – Shadows of the Night.

Chapter XVI – Red Snake.

Chapter XVII – Valley of the Dead.

Chapter XVIII – The Might of Black Buffalo.

Epilogue – Sentinel.

The Book of Sorrows

In the beginning there was the Way, and the Way was the indissoluble Chakra present in all things - also it was called Great Spirit. There was also the Void - an unbounded emptiness of space, tranquillity and silence. The Way was an indivisible power, an omnipresent ubiquitous consciousness that held all wisdom, and which bestowed upon the universe The Great Equilibrium; thus was born a perfect symmetry and harmony. And with The Way came life, from which originated stars, worlds, universes. And also The Way brought forth beings of natural light and energy - the Angelos, and soon after came the Djinn, who were made in their image, and who could take upon them any form, appearing mortal, if that was their desire. In time they learned much of the Firmament that only they had knowledge of. The Angelos were wise then, and begot truly from the ways of Chakra spiritual devices of such wonder that some of them became proud; being able to traverse the cosmos with ease. For they knew the passage of time affected them not.

And the Angelos grew to be mighty craftsmen and at their height were able to create The Sacred Seals and The Blessed Codexes so that the Great Equilibrium could be maintained eternally. To each Seal and Codex was given a guardian, known as a Watcher, and the line of Watchers was immortal. And as time passed the Lord of the Watchers cried out to learn the ways of making the Blessed Codexes, and the Angelos taking pity on him, showed him the way of how all things came into being: and his understanding of the Art grew until it surpassed even the Angelos: he shaped in all its beauty a Greater Codex that knew creation. The Angelos saw what he had done, and became afraid; for such a thing was never meant to be, and realising the power of the Watchers they were all of them touched by the Higher Codex of Death, and made to have mortal lives, and the Greater Codex in all its glory was taken so that it might be undone.

But one Angelos, who went by the name of Azazel spoke out, saying why should they be so troubled by the Watchers, who were like them in so many ways? And it was the Equilibrium that was called to account. For what right did any have to bind others and keep them from their craft? And so it became that only by their descent, the line of Watchers would live on, until such time that a thousand generations of the August people should pass; and after that they would return to the Angelos and once more gain immortality. It was not seen the danger that had begun there, this was the beginning of the Schism.

From the power of The Way came many sons of light, the trees, the flowers, and all that gave World’s life, breath and meaning. And then came many beasts of the deep oceans and seas, and finally came the creatures of thought, of which humanity was one. The Way was pleased with the children of Terra Azure, and saw that such beings needed instruction, and so sent to them The Essence of Enlightenment to be their teacher.

Some of the Angelos desired that they should also be illuminators, even so their lot was to guard the Equilibrium, and maintain the vision of the Cosmos. And before then in ages past the Angelos settled on the world of Haven, where they made their capital Edun - and that was the time of Harmony.

Sadly a seed had been sown in some of the Angelos, who deemed they should not be bound by The Way and follow The Equilibrium. And in their hearts a shadow grew - a darkness not yet seen or felt before in any Universe.

And so it came to pass in the age of harmony that some Angelos wished not for their powers to be so fettered, and they discovered a secret realm, wherein resided the Mages, who were a powerful and fearful race, and mightiest among them was Moloch; who Azazel sought out, turning him to his cause and in return he was offered the secrets of the Djinn; for these he desired greatly, and with such power The Equilibrium could be overcome. The Djinn in their virtue would not treat with them, and instead they went and told Gabriel and Michael, who were of the Angelos, what had taken place. And they in turn went to Azazel so that he might answer for his vile design: and there was War in Haven and the City of Edun was sundered by fire and flame.

Near all The Sacred Seals and Blessed Codexes were taken by The Watchers, so that they might be hidden and kept safe, and so they fled and were thought lost forever and there was great destruction and dread. The Wolds were mighty and fair at that time, still grave were Azazel’s actions, unleashing the Higher Codex of Pestilence on them, and they were defiled, all withering becoming savage fearful aspects to look upon, and their spirits were overturned.

In this great upheaval Azazel could not be so easily overcome, for so strong was his Chakra that none seemingly could withstand him. Still the Angelos would not be defeated and at the final Battle on the plains of Lycandi they smote the abomination - or so was thought. Yet it was not Azazel that fell that day, in his stead stood a Mage; who was made in appearance like unto his master.

The War for a time ended, and the silence that followed which should have been harmonious, had within it a strange disquiet, then after an age had past Azazel who was long thought vanquished returned as The Dragon. And he went at that cycle of the turning of the skies unto a race whose world Nibiru was dying. To maintain The Equilibrium the Angelos would not intercede to save them; as they had had their time. The Dragon seeing their despair, or so was said, told them of a place called Terra Azure that had the source of their salvation: a rock so pure that it would enable them to cover their planet in a protective cloak, so that the rays of the sun, which burnt their world, would be shunned. The inhabitants of that land called them the Ananaki which means, ‘those from whom the heavens came’, and the Ananaki took Men and made them captive to their will, so that they might delve in deep chasms for the source of their hope. But the Angelos heard the lamentation of humanity, and seeing the tribulation of those that were enslaved delivered to them in secret one of their own, who was to become a mighty Sage in the eyes of men; they named him after their once wondrous city, but to the people of that world, he became known over time as Adun or Adam. The Ananaki with their world saved were driven from that realm by the Angelos, and by men for the breaking of The Equilibrium. Even so there was a prophesy that they would long after return. Lamentably little did any grasp the truth of what the Dragon had done at that time, for he had wanted to take for himself that perfect feature dug from the bowels of Terra Azure, and none could foresee his purpose; and so while the Ananaki slept in their trust of him, he crept into their most secret vaults; for he was a craftsmen of mighty stature, whose desire it was, to emulate what the Lord of the Watchers had brought forth: and to create for himself a Greater Codex that had power and dominion over all the Sacred Seals and Blessed Codexes. But the Ananaki seeing his treachery drove him from their world, and made an alliance with the Angelos that has yet to be broken. And the Dragon fled into the realm of the Mages where none would dare follow him, for theirs is a Dark Universe.

And as eons passed and the Dragon remained unlearned of, and ‘The Schism’ unaltered, none knew whether he had crafted the Greater Codex, and as memory of those times failed; when all recall of those elder days faded, and fear of the past was no more. The Angelos forgot about the Sacred Seals and the Blessed Codexes that were not in their keeping; and thought of them no more, looking only to the Higher Codexes of which there were four.

Then as the millennium of the seven heavenly sisters arose; a menace was perceived. The Equilibrium was shaken as that which was not meant to be; chanced in the emptiness of space. Something that had no explanation or understanding cried out from the vastness to be heard; the age of sorrows had come, and what had never been known before, was conceived; a Universe had ceased to exist. And so it was that War had returned to the Angelos.

Prologue

The Battle of Helleos Prime

Michael and Gabriel stood on the plain. Its once lush grasses were traumatised by a recent violent encounter and it was now more reminiscent of a congealed hardened barren flat. The army Michael now led was laying siege to the last bastion of the one they referred to, and feared as the Dragon. Above, the two moons over the world of Helleos Prime shone down like mournful tombs. Like so many other worlds before: this one was aflame. The war had reached its climax as the Legions of the Angelos marched slowly forward waiting for the final signal to strike. Beneath dull battle hardened winged helmets, long silver hair rested wearily on tired shoulders, and armour which had once appeared so proud looked less in its dignity than ever before. Wary eyes now surveyed the culmination of years of conflict. Shields of energy burdened sagging tired backs; swords hung at their sides. As no handheld photonic discharger could penetrate their shields they had been reduced to using more archaic bloody methods of battle, and their swords were a testimony to that fact. Both Michael and Gabriel stood over seven feet tall, their eyes firmly fixed on their target. They had chased the rebels across space and time and had fought for what must have been a thousand millennia. Entire worlds had been ravaged - some even destroyed - as the tide of war had first raged one way then the other; surely now there would be final reckoning. A third of the army had already been lost; an unimaginable number, and they did not know or wish to guess at the number that had bound themselves to the Dragon. The two stood, grim faced, waiting to give the order for the final offensive of the campaign. The assault troops formed up on either side of them. Gabriel gave a nod to his trusted lieutenant, Uziel, who spoke into the small communicator in his helmet. Suddenly photonic cannons blasted out, unleashing a devastating barrage, a raging inferno that crashed against the protective barrier that surrounded the city of Dredion, weakening it. As each photonic missile landed the defensive screen lit up and fiery bursts flashed violently in all directions. Both Gabriel and Michael were grim faced and pensive as they waited to see if the energetic barricade could be breached. Then, to the dismay of all, there was a mighty eruption, and a dazzling display of fractured light as the shield around the great city collapsed.

Like a mighty tide, and with a shattering roar, the army surged forwards across the plain. As the first soldiers raced into the city they were met not with on rushing defenders; it was silence that greeted them, as the only shouts and cries came from the pursuers. The inhabitants were simply gone, the city deserted. Had the Dragon once more unbelievably outwitted them?

Gabriel and Michael had entered that mighty citadel - which they had thought was the last refuge of their enemy - and immediately dispatched their scouts throughout that great fortress city. Houses of stone, metal and glass appeared unblemished, untouched by the war that had continued millennium after millennium beyond its energy wall. Bewildered, they filed past buildings empty of life; the culmination of a thousand years of trial had come to naught. Was that it? Thought Michael, had they been deceived once more; had the war really not ended? They waited patiently as runners brought news; the city had been emptied; finally there came word that they were to make for the great pillared hall at the heart of the city.

Michael, with Gabriel at his side marched past the deserted homes of their vanished rather than vanquished foe. Eventually they came to a thoroughfare which led right into the heart of the City. It was wide with imposing statues on either side, of heroes and kings of old. Michael stopped a moment in front of one of them.

Azazel, he scoffed, pointing at it.

I guess he got his throne, replied Gabriel.

Was it really worth it? asked Michael grimly shaking his head.

He was staring up at the statue as if talking to it; Azazel - the one known as the Dragon - was there perched on his high seat looking impassively back at them. Even now, it was as though he dismissively mocked their efforts. They walked on beneath the twin moons of Phobos and Tane, whose haloed spectral gaze shone down, sending them a haunting path to follow. At its end was a commanding domed building with large stone steps to the front. An ornately carved architrave rose up before them as they made their approach; they quickly climbed the wide princely stairway. As they entered that silent untouched hall, its vastness extended beyond sight; large unfurled banners hung from the ceiling to greet them; inset in some was a hydra that leered at the intruders. They strode purposefully forward. The knights milled around a shattered edifice; collapsed pillars the size of the tallest trees with trunks to match lay at their feet; a large beam, cracked at its centre, leant desperately against one of them. Everyone backed away as they approached. Michael’s jaw tightened at the realisation of what confronted them. It was the remnants of a colossal Portal to other worlds, other dimensions, even other times.

He is certainly a worthy adversary, said Gabriel as he removed his helmet, thousands of years of conflict and he slips through our fingers.

On the wall in Angelos’s script was an ominous message: ‘I shall vanquish all that has been.’

Gabriel gestured toward the message and wryly smiled, That’s promising.

We need a better plan, said Michael. Obviously a frontal assault is not going to win the day.

Really, after all this time you think we need a new strategy, asked Gabriel. We could always ask him to give up his foolishness, except we did, and if I recall he took the opportunity, while feigning remorse, to earn the trust of the Ananaki, whom he betrayed, and when they discovered his treachery and he was forced to flee their planet; what does Azazel do: he returns later to destroy them. So what is it you suggest we do now?

Do we know where they’ve escaped to Uziel? asked Michael.

It’s coming through now, replied Uziel who stood by the side of the broken portal.

From its fragments they had pieced together enough of the gateway to get a lock on the last course set into it. Uziel held his scanner up to the portal, and the instrument began to pulse rhythmically. He was a tall figure whose long dark hair hung loosely, reaching below his shoulders; his pale blue eyes fixed on the readings being gathered in the half light. His burnished armour remained untarnished by previous struggles.

It’s the third planet in a solar system, in a galaxy at the edge of the universe, said Uziel. It’s a blue planet. We know it as Terra Azure.

Earth, to the locals. It’s where Abraham’s children reside, replied Michael. If the Dragon is there, that’s not good news, I’m afraid. He’s seeking something, it is not out of chance that his affairs turn there; I wonder if it is specific to the Sacred Seals or Blessed Codexes that are not in our possession.

If it is; then our war goes back to Earth, said Gabriel stoically.

I’ll go first, I’ll need to go alone, and in secret, said Michael nodding quietly to himself. I will need to be unrecognisable, which means rebirth.

Rebirth that’s a bit desperate, don’t you think, replied Uziel, he began to fidget quietly. Even if your Chakra survives the transition, you might end up like our great adversary.

He’ll survive; the thing is, where will you go? asked Gabriel dubiously. Are you sure this is the right thing to do, being reborn means forgetting the past; and we can’t afford to lose you.

It’s not just the right thing to do; it’s the only thing to do, we're out of options, said Michael. As for where, since we’ve got a trace signal of his Chakra, I’ll simply follow it.

And what if we’re chasing the wind again, replied Gabriel.

Only one way to find that out, said Michael, besides we have no choice - we need to go after him and we cannot allow them the time to recover, they must realise that defeat is close at hand.

They’ll never believe that, Gabriel shook his head as though he were feeling some discomfort.

There’s something else, said Uziel, the disquiet in his voice drawing Gabriel and Michael toward him.

What’s that? asked Gabriel holding back his breath.

The Dragon, replied Uziel. What if he’s after the Greater Codex.

Michael tiredly rubbed his forehead.

The Greater Codex, replied Gabriel, it’s been a long time since anyone has mentioned such a thing or even thought of it. Why speak of it now?

His message to vanquish all, and as far as we are aware he did attempt to create one before, replied Uziel. If I recall he needed a particular element on that planet to do so.

Only the first Watcher had the powers to fashion such a thing, said Michael. I do not believe Azazel ever had the craft to design it; if he had, he would have used it, and we would have known about that. Is there anything else?

Uziel sighed, Yes, according to our readings he’s escaped with his entire army and people intact.

Now that is bad, said Gabriel, Nevertheless with the city the way it is I guess that was to be expected - there’s not much we can do now except follow him. There is just one thing; the Dragon does not just randomly do things. This has all the aspects of a trap about it.

You could be right; it would not be the first time he’s outmanoeuvred us, replied Michael. He does after all have some very powerful allies. The problem is we have no time to second guess him - I see no alternative than an extreme one, and if there truly be design to his flight other than fear of capture, then we need to know it.

And yet what you intend is wrought with difficulties; even should you get the right era, and right earth, replied Gabriel. It’s a big planet.

Hopefully the coordinates that were last inputted into the portal are still valid, said Michael.

Okay then, replied Gabriel. If you’re are set on this course of action, when the times right, I’ll come to you, until then you’ll still have to rely on your wits to survive.

Well - late twentieth century earth it is then. Uziel, is everything prepared? asked Michael.

Uziel had adjusted the energy frequency for the makeshift portal, and stood dubiously by its side. As it became active a reflective silver stream of light shimmered and came alive.

I don’t know how long it will last, said Uziel, if you’re going to go, you had better do it now while it’s stable.

Michael took one last look at Gabriel and entered. As he passed between the two pillars there was a surge of energy and he was gone; within seconds the glowing energy field buckled and disappeared.

What happened? asked Gabriel, taking a step closer in concern.

It’s alright, his Chakra has transferred across to the other side without incident, replied Uziel.

At least we know what age he has gone to and since we have contacts on Terra Azure, said Gabriel. I’ll tell them to keep a lookout for him, come, there’s nothing more for us to do here. Signal the army to withdraw - the sooner we leave this place the better.

With that the two departed. The high chamber echoed sullenly to the sound of their feet as they left. Above their heads the sigil of the enemy contemptuously stared down at them. The Dragon, their ancient adversary, stoically watched them from on high; it was as if he scorned their efforts to subdue him. Gabriel kept to his own counsel and imperceptibly shuddered, and only he knew whether it was from a blast of cold air, or from the noxious stain of being in such a place.

Chapter I

Michael

A gentle breeze rustled the drapes as the morning dew settled on a half opened sash window. A man rested on an old worn armchair and stared out at the sun rise as he had done every morning. His weathered jeans and discoloured top showed he was not a man of good fortune. A large toe had fought itself free from the confines of one of his socks. The frayed and torn faded paisley carpet at his feet gave some comfort to cold bleached wooden floorboards. A cockroach appeared from the shadows scuttled along furtively and disappeared down a small crack in the floor.

The man sat there not noticing the interloper. The sun rose above the tower blocks of the London skyline sending light through the open window and intruding on his quiet discourse with the shadows which were his constant companions. Without altering his expression a small tear descended down his creased and roughened cheek. In his hand was clutched a single piece of paper with one sentence scribbled on it. The scrawl was barely readable; in fact it looked like ancient Cuneiform.

Suddenly a man appeared at the window, staring down at the stoic figure in the chair, who merely stared blankly back at him. He moved a little closer to the man, and away from the window. He wore a long tunic and loose fitting trousers, tucked into boots. He was strangely unperturbed by the cold. Around his waist was a belt and from it hung a small dormant device - the multi-phase compensator, and there also was the matter transfer stabiliser. On the other side of his belt was a photonic discharger.

‘Mortal man,’ said the figure sadly. ‘They call me Gabriel. Your work here is done.’

The man did not move. Gabriel leant close to the man’s ear.

‘I know the life you’ve led, whispered Gabriel. The struggle to seek out the truth and the realisation that you were different from other people, must have been difficult. Not being able to understand until your final hours how uncommon you were. As a child you lived a solitary restless life without knowing why; and as an adult you would travel from place to place, country to country, following where your Chakra sent you, until you reached England; discovering in the British Museum, in the Archives, the Sacred Seal; if I had not sent word to a guardian to guide you, perhaps you would not have found it. You have led a lonely life, wandering all these years, looking for such a message. Let us hope your sacrifice was worth it. That which was must be again."

Gabriel adjusted the stabiliser attached to his belt then reached out and touched the man on the forehead. There was a bright flash as though a star blazed briefly in the room. The man no longer seated on the chair stood at Gabriel’s side. His clothes had transformed no longer frayed instead clean, his aged face was once more youthful. The man’s eyes were distant at first, then recognition showed itself, as he realised where he was, and who he was.

Gabriel, said the Man. Is that you?

Welcome back Michael, replied Gabriel. It’s been a while.

How goes the War? asked Michael slowly.

Gabriel sighed, without wishing to, his face showed signs of the news he was about to give.

That bad? said Michael, recalling the struggles of the previous age.

We lost Uziel, begun Gabriel. The Dragon had unleashed The Codex for Pestilence in the Middle age of man, around 1345 of their common era. He went to investigate, and never returned. And after he had failed to report back his findings at the designated time, we sought him out. What we found was disturbing, you see there was nothing left of him, not even a memory. We continued the search for as long as we could, until we were forced to abandon it.

I see, said Michael, and I can see that is not the worse news you have for me.

It is that Abrahams Children, replied Gabriel, are once more under siege.

Michael stared into the distance. The sun was now high in the sky and reflected off the office block’s tinted ménage windows.

Hasn’t it always been so, said Michael, as if to himself. Azazel is cunning, trying to lure us out and force our hand.

So, said Gabriel knowing the expected answer, we’re not going to intervene?

We can’t yet. Not the way we would like to. It would risk too much, replied Michael.

And your mission here? asked Gabriel.

The Dragon was here alright; replied Michael. His legions wandered throughout this world but you were aware of that, especially with the disappearance of Uziel and the division of this world. Bit of a giveaway wouldn’t you say, he certainly doesn’t believe in being inconspicuous. He paused a moment seeming to contemplate the fate that might await them. So the war among the Angelos has now truly tragically moved to Earth, which means the battle for humanity’s soul has begun. If the message I found is right, then at least we now know where to start looking for some answers.

He turned and made for the door.

What are you doing? asked Gabriel pulling the multiphase compensator from his belt and adjusting it for the time, place and dimension they were to travel to. "You are not in mortal form anymore; Angelos don’t need to use doors; you have been