Storms of Heaven

By Gabriel Grantham

Storms of Heaven
Enter Solomon's World of madcap adventures and hilarity ensues. A paranormal fantasy that is out of this world. Storms of Heaven is an enchanting story of life at its wildest and most unusual. Deep into the netherworld to the portals of space. Join him on his incredible journey.

Excerpt:

The Smoke Samurai were most active at night. The sun would set in 3 hours. They would have just enough time to get in and get out before sundown, without any mishaps, It's almost like going up against Vampires. The Smoke Samurai blended with the shadows, and were just as silent and deadly as the dogs that guarded them during the day, yet even more so.

Neo said they took great delight in seeing the tortured expressions of their victims as they practiced disembowelment and other gruesome rituals in their leisure time between stealth missions of obscure nature. The demon that taught them their skills received power from their innate cruelty. Rising high in the ranks meant that the elite warriors were the cruelest and the most efficient at torturing and prolonging the kill of their hapless victims.

The BMW entered a dark tunnel that led further into the mountain. Pushing aside these gruesome thoughts, Solomon prepared himself for the upcoming dangers into the uncharted waters of The Shadow Blockade.

The dimly lit tunnel led them deeper into the mountain until a cold, wintry light drew them out into a snow-covered forested valley. The Blockade was hidden by trees a few miles into the valley. A frozen lake bordered it on one side. Mt Fuji rose up on the other. There was only one way into the Blockade and only one way out.

The Yakuza never ventured here. The locals knew enough to stay away. The woods surrounding the Blockade were known for their dark nature and the disappearances of many unwary adventurers into its dark depths. This valley was not a popular tourist destination. Locals always steered curious travelers to the other side of Mt Fuji, a less dangerous travel spot.

The local people called it, "The Valley of Yōkai. The Valley of Demons." A shiver ran up and down Solomon's spine when he thought of what Neo had told him about the valley.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gabriel Grantham
• Release date: Jul 11, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311243232

Gabriel Grantham

An intense young author that deals with situations of life and death on a daily basis. Gabriel Grantham was born in San Diego, California February 15, 1993. In Jezebel, he has written an apocalyptic biography with the namesake of one of the Bible's most distinctive Scarlet Women, Jezebel. Gabriel enthralls readers from the opening scene, and leaves them in breathless wonder after their journey through Hell. Writers of this distinction only appear once every decade. This is that Writer, Gabriel Grantham. Get ready for a roller coaster ride through the arid regions of Hell, back and beyond man's deepest imaginings.

Book preview

FOREWORD

Bushidō (武士道), literally Military Scholar Road

Samurai - Bushidō – The Way of the Warrior - Justice -‘Rectitude is one’s power to decide upon a course of conduct in accordance with reason, without wavering; to die when to die is right, to strike when to strike is right.’

A Rōnin (浪人) was a Samurai with no Shogun or master during the feudal period (1185–1868) of Japan.

Rōnin were known to operate, or serve as hired muscle for gangs that ran gambling rings, brothels, protection rackets, and other similar activities.

Lightning - A highly visible form of energy transfer.

DNA - Biological Information Storage.

SOLOMON

Solomon Ishimura was brilliant, as many brilliant people were; he was also a bit eccentric, he had a certain je ne sais quoi about him. His Mother believed he had inherited this quality from his Father. His Father knew he had inherited it from his Mother.

They both claimed responsibility for his brilliance. Solomon, wondered what they meant when they talked about brilliance. He was just an ordinary guy, he had always thought, until one mystical night when he was struck by lightning during a sudden thunderstorm while asleep in bed.

Solomon’s parents were of two different cultures. His Mother was a California girl who had grown up on the beaches of La Jolla, California. Beautiful, with golden skin and sun-kissed brown hair, she was a smart young woman of a scientific bent whom his Father, a Japanese Professor of History, relocating to California, had fallen immediately in love with.

Their romance had been whirlwind; Ares Ishimura was a tall, handsome, young man of 27 when he met Rachael Marilyn of La Jolla, California. She was a 26 year-old Chemistry Graduate of The University of San Diego California. He was a Professor of Japanese History that she had bumped into on his first day on campus. She had been enthralled with his ready politeness, and good looks. He was captivated by her golden beauty and sweet smile.

After she gave him directions, he boldly invited her to lunch with him. The rest was history.

When Solomon had been born they had been mesmerized by his quick mind and cuteness. Solomon had inherited his Mother’s dark blue eyes and his Father’s jet-black hair. He had grown tall, handsome, and brilliant and . . . eccentric.

Solomon had shown his budding genius early in life and had started writing books from the age of four. By the time he was 22, he had wrote a book that he called the Book of Merlin. It was the size of a hand-held. The most remarkable thing about the Book of Merlin was that it was a magic book that wrote whatever the reader was thinking. The secret to how he had created this was held only by Solomon.

Solomon’s world was full of eccentric people like himself. He went to book conventions and met authors that he often shared ideas and theories with. It was at one such convention that he had met the brilliant and lovely Sapphire Waters.

Sapphire Waters was a beautiful young woman of 20, with glossy dark brown hair that hung to the small of her back. She had a creamy complexion with a natural blush in her high cheekbones. Her quick wit was endearing, while hinting at her intellectual capacities. She was slim and curvy with enchanting dark brown eyes. Her friends were amazed that she valued her keen mind over her graceful beauty.

She hit it off with Solomon immediately, sharing theories and postulations on the future of their writing world. Impressed by Solomon’s book, the Book of Merlin, she told him he would be a great fit in a new company she had just begun working for, Michaelion.

TOKYO

The white limousine flew through traffic after it left one of Tokyo’s private airports. The Michaelion agent, Eisen Kaz, smiled at Solomon Ishimura as he looked around the luxuriously-appointed limousine.

Solomon looked out the window at the beautiful skyline of Tokyo. He thought back over the last 48 hours, when his world had drastically changed. The new job with Michaelion was a dream come true. The amount of money he was making had his head spinning.

Here he was in Tokyo, in a limousine. A wire transfer of $168,000 dollars had been made to his new Swiss Bank Account. A World Elite MasterCard and $10,000 dollars in cash in a fine leather wallet had been handed to him when he stepped off the private jet.

Across from him sat the beautiful Sapphire Waters in a silver tweed business suit.

The Book of Merlin had been taken by another Michaelion agent as soon as the plane had landed.

Solomon savored this new world. He felt the power of his new beginning.

As if reading his mind, Eisen Kaz, started regaling Solomon with the details of the Hotel that he would be staying in for the duration of his sojourn in Japan. He would be staying at the company’s privately owned Hotel, The Shichi Fukujin—The Seven Lucky Gods, where luxury accommodations awaited him. The Hotel had all the amenities, including a 5 Star Restaurant, pool, tennis court and a mini-mall. The hotel suite came equipped with fine clothing tailored to his measurements, and all that a traveling man would need on an extended deluxe vacation.

Sapphire sat with her lovely long legs crossed, pouring over some figures on her laptop. She lifted her head quickly and gave Solomon a fleeting smile and returned to her computing.

He blushed, and loosened his suddenly tighter-than-normal collar, and looked out the window, hoping she couldn’t read his mind. He was imagining being all alone with her in a new country. Things couldn’t be better.

The cityscape flew by as the limousine cruised at a steady 60 mph on the highway. Solomon reached over to the stereo, which had been playing some quiet classical music. He looked through the playlists, and then selected Bad Meets Evil’s Fast Lane featuring Eminem and Royce Da 5’9. As the music came on, Solomon turned it up and sat back, feeling the beat thrum throughout his body, the surround sound was awesome.

Catch me in my Mercedes bumpin’ Ice Ice Baby, Screamin’ Shady ‘til I die.—Life’s crazy, so I’ll live it to the fullest . . . .

Mr. Asagi told him the Book of Merlin would be locked in a safe in his room at the Hotel. On Monday, they would take the Book of Merlin to the company for further development. He had a weekend to relax and enjoy Tokyo before business on Monday.

"I’m living life in the Fast Lane, moving at the speed of life and I can’t slow down . . . ."

The limousine purred along the highway, slowing down to take an off-ramp into the City of Tokyo. They headed west into the wealthy business district.

I don’t really know where I’m headed, just enjoying the ride . . . .—I’m living life in the fast lane.

On the plane ride over the Pacific Ocean, Solomon had dreamt of Kami Arthur. He was meditating on a cloud; seated in the Lotus position. Kami Arthur said, Solomon, I see your life has changed dramatically.

He awoke with a jolt on the plane flying through some clouds. He realized he was flying high above the Island of Japan.

Kami Arthur had entered Solomon’s life the night he was struck by lightning. He had been asleep in his bed, dreaming of a red dragon when a sudden thunderstorm hit the coast of La Jolla. Solomon lived on the coast of La Jolla with his parents. His bedroom was on the 3rd floor of their lovely California redwood home. Outside his window was an old oak tree. When lightning struck the tall oak tree, a branch crashed through his open window and struck Solomon on his right shoulder.

Solomon lived through this highly visible form of energy transfer, with only a small mark on his right shoulder to show where he had been struck by lightning.

Since that night, Solomon had dreams of Kami Arthur. Kami Arthur explained to Solomon that he had been chosen by the Midnight Dragon, and granted Mystical Dragon Powers of the Midnight Dragon.

Solomon was a young novice on the road to self-discovery. His Dragon Powers had yet to unfold inside of him. Kami Arthur told him that every day he would grow in strength and power, and his destiny would be revealed through the Midnight Dragon. When he questioned Kami Arthur about the Midnight Dragon, he was told that his Father came from an ancient line of Samurai Warriors and that the Dragons were a secret part of his heritage.

Sapphire Waters sat beside him, looking out the plane's window. Sunlight filtered through the rounded window, illuminating her beautiful face with golden light. Solomon took a deep breath, and realized the sweet scent of her perfume had become his favorite scent.

ARRIVAL

Konnichiwa, Solomon-san, murmured the Concierge of The Shichi Fukujin with a bow. Solomon stared in awe, and then remembering his manners bowed. Konnichiwa.

Red plush carpeting, several intricate water fountains, darkly paned glass window walls, quiet elevators and the scent of fresh picked flowers greeted him as he was ushered into Hotel Shichi Fukujin, which lived up to its name.

When they reached the Penthouse Suite, Solomon watched Sapphire disappear into a private set of rooms on the left, while he was led to the right side of the Penthouse. Stepping into the bedroom, he took in the vista before him. A large round bed on a dais, canopied and opulent, beckoned him. It had a black silk comforter with red dragons embroidered on the edges. A fireplace roared in the cavernous room. The windowed wall facing him had a panoramic view of Tokyo and the ocean. He was on the 88th floor of the Hotel Shichi Fukujin. Solomon felt as if he were on top of the World.

A huge yawn overtook him. It was only 2 PM; perhaps a shower in the sumptuous bathroom would refresh him. When he looked in the closets, he was pleasantly surprised to find sets of designer suits in dark elegant colors and several sets of dress shoes tailored just for him. The drawers were full of silk underclothing, and dress socks. Expensive shirts and ties hung in an ebony armoire. Solomon, who usually dressed in surfer shorts and Ts, pictured himself in a tie, and discovered to his surprise that he liked the image. It fit the new Solomon—Solomon Ryū Chishio—Solomon Dragon Blood.

After a relaxing shower that left him refreshed, he chose a dark blue suit and matching silk tie, a white silk shirt and a pair of dark blue Italian leather shoes that fit perfectly. He had explored the room thoroughly. In a box on the cherry wood dresser, he had discovered a Swiss watch made of gold. When Solomon slipped the watch on his wrist, he felt as if a ritual had been completed. There was a click in his head, and he heaved a deep sigh. When he looked in the mirror, a stranger stared back at him, a handsome young man with jet black hair and deep blue eyes, dressed in a suit that accented his broad shoulders and lean waist. He looked like a professional.

He heard a light tap on his door. Before he could open it—In stepped a very beautiful woman. It took a few seconds to realize she was Sapphire. She looked stunning, taking his breath away. She smiled shyly at his open admiration, blushing slightly. Dressed in a lovely Midnight silk gown, her every curve enticingly revealed, yet modestly covered in swaths of silk. She had washed her hair with a temporary jet-black dye. Raven tresses flowed down her back and over one shoulder.

She appeared to be admiring him, just as much as he was admiring her. Staring at each other with mouths open, they both started laughing at the same time. The ice was broken. Solomon offered her his arm. They left the suite and took the elevator to the Hotel’s luxurious Dragon Bar.

A DREAM

Dinner was exotic and delicious, the view incredible from the 44th terrace floor. Solomon felt as if he had been transported into a dream world, where he wished never to wake up.

He awoke with a slight hangover and a huge ache in the back of his head. What the—He looked around groggily. What happened? Where was he? Last night came back in a rush.

He remembered dinner and dancing, walking back to the suite with Sapphire. Stars shone through the windows. Low candle lighting made everything seem dreamy. The evening had been sublime.

All night long, he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. She was beguiling. She had blushed frequently when she caught him staring. He couldn’t help himself. He found her exquisite.

Words had tripped off his tongue blithely. He had wooed her with an unexpected zest he never knew he had in him. Being with a beautiful woman such as Sapphire had him saying things he had never thought to say to a girl before. Things like, The play of the candlelight in your eyes has me swimming in dark pools under moonlight. Where had that come from?

He had been heady with desire for her. He couldn’t wait to get her back to their rooms; the fine champagne had been as intoxicating as her company, the ambiance electrifying.

They had entered the Penthouse Suite, and separated for a moment to go and refresh. And then everything went black.

Solomon sat up on the bed. His head felt as if someone had hit him with a sledgehammer. He gingerly reached back, and felt a large lump on the back of his head. Pain radiated out in waves.

He suddenly realized they had not been alone last night. In rising alarm, he staggered to the door and opened it.

The Suite on the other side of the door looked as if a storm had raged through it. Everything was turned over or smashed. "Sapphire! He called loudly, ignoring the pain exploding in his head. The suite was devoid of life except for him.

Realization struck; the Book of Merlin! Solomon went to the secret cupboard where the safe had been embedded and quickly opened it. The safe was empty. The Book of Merlin was gone, along with Sapphire.

The thought of her gone pained him more than the ache in back of his head, and more than the thought of having to face Michaelion without the Book of Merlin.

He went to the closet, and noticed something he hadn’t seen before, there was a vent—inconspicuously open above the shelf in the closet. Looking through the closet, he found some casual wear clothing.

He picked out a pair of dark blue jeans, black suede boots, and a black cotton turtleneck from the clothing selections. Everything fit as if tailored for him. He dressed quickly. And then drank a liter of orange juice to alleviate his dehydrated state. Crossing over to the suite’s window wall, he looked out on the city of Tokyo and thought about what he would do next. Find Sapphire and the Book of Merlin.

A knock came at the door. A female Japanese voice called out, Hosskeeping!

Hosskeeping? Thought Solomon. Housekeeping! He looked around the room in panic. The Suite looked like he had gone Rock Star. He had no idea how to explain what had happened.

Another quick knock came at the door. He knew the Maid would soon use the cardkey to enter the suite. Solomon quietly closed the door to his bedroom and turned the lock. He tiptoed to the closet, grabbed his notebook in its carrying case, and slung it over his shoulder. He looked up at the small opening of the inconspicuous vent he had seen earlier.

Taking a deep breath, he pulled up a chair and climbed up onto the shelf. Just as he reached the opening, he heard the outside suite door open, and the exclamation that he had dreaded hearing. NANI?!

He hurriedly tossed the case through the opening and heard a hollow sound. He slithered through the tunnel that was actually wider than the opening.

The vent branched off into different directions. He chose the brightest direction, and came up against a grill that he had to pry off. He twisted a couple of screws that were easily turned from the inside. Solomon dropped down onto a terrace that led to the back of the Hotel, where he made his way down a zigzag fire escape.

Out of breath, Solomon reached the last set of steps and wondered where he was going to go, and what was he going to do when he got there. I’ll know when I get there, he thought.

He set off down the street from the Hotel, putting as much distance between the Hotel and himself as fast as he could. He searched for an Internet Café, and shortly found one that had free Wi-Fi.

After ordering a coffee, Solomon pulled out his notebook, a rugged Dell Latitude E6430; and thought about the events of last night. Had he glimpsed out of the corner of his eye, a Shadow outside on the balcony? Had he caught the quiet hiss of the sliding glass door opening from the balcony off his bedroom?

Solomon sat in the café and communed with his Kami.

Sapphire is missing. They’ve kidnapped her. I’m on the run now. Michaelion is surely