The Death of Olympus

By TK Wade

In the future, the population of the earth is reduced to a mere five hundred million. A small group of transhumans called the Immortals rule the entire world from their great city Olympus. Enter Kaitlyn Little, a young mortal woman who enjoys writing stories. The only problem is that mortals are not allowed to create fiction; however, John Smith, an eminent Immortal, becomes interested in her gift. In this dramatic new vision by T.K. Wade, find out how this simple girl challenges all that the Immortals have come to cherish.

• Language: English
• Publisher: TK Wade
• Release date: Oct 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311365880

TK Wade

T.K. Wade is a writer based in coastal North Carolina. His favorite author is L. Frank Baum who has inspired a great deal of his work. Although he specializes in children's literature, he enjoys writing in nearly every genre under the sun. He spends most of his time writing in a room filled with plush animals. Also, you can read his blog at http://tkwadeauthor.blogspot.com/Please enjoy!

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THE DEATH OF OLYMPUS

by

T.K. Wade

SMASHWORDS EDITION

*****

PUBLISHED BY:

T.K. Wade on Smashwords

Cover Art Illustrated by:

Chris Buffaloe

The Death of Olympus

Copyright © 2015 by T.K. Wade

Thank you for purchasing this eBook. This book may not be reproduced, copied, or distributed.

Your support and respect for the property of this author is appreciated.

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

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THE DEATH OF OLYMPUS

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Chapter 1

A New World

Earth. One planet in all the universe, and yet, it seems it holds within it more significance than the boundless stars of the cosmos. Humans. Sentient life. We were once the masters of this planet with dominion over every aspect of the sphere, but all that has changed. The world you know has not existed for a millennia, and now, all that ever was ceases to be. All that is left–desolation.

The United Kingdom, Russia, the entirety of the eastern world is lifeless! Only ruins of a once thriving people reside there, but human life has abandoned it. The same happened of the west. Gone are the inhabitants of South America. Absent are the people of Canada. But what of the United States? You will be surprised to hear that there are yet humans living within this realm but not in the way you remember it.

There was a war. Not many recall how the battle started, but one thing was certain: the purpose of it was to kill as many people as possible. At first, it seemed as if opposing sides of various factions were fighting for their own ideals or for simple dominion over those that they contested. In truth, power and greed were great influences over the battles, but there was a darker force promoting the actions of these countries.

From a time long before the Great War began, there was a group of men whom had gathered together for one sole agenda. They called themselves the Old Ones. These men answered to a force much more powerful than they but with the promise of eternal life if they would only do as they were asked. You see, the reason they could not take the power that they sought so greatly was that the world’s population was too great.

The Old Ones bided their time with each generation carefully influencing powers across the earth. They slipped into our minds like snakes and convinced us what we should believe. They stole away into the recesses of our reality and molded it like so much clay, and just when they had us in their grip, they crushed us! And in doing so, the earth’s population dropped from seven billion to a minuscule five hundred million.

The humans did not realize what had happened until it was too late. When the time had been just perfect, the Old Ones unleashed their great weapons upon the people whom they had once called allies and murdered them in cold blood. Those who were allowed to survive were taken to the remnant of what was once the United States and made into slaves. It was the end of one age and the beginning of a new one.

The humans learned much about The Old Ones within their time of servitude. These men were different. If one hapless slave were to rise up and attack his captor, the wound would not bleed for long. The Old One would glow with a heavenly light and look upon the traitor with power flowing through his veins. Immortality: the one great impossible challenge, and they had achieved it. These men were gods, and so, they were dubbed the Immortals. Anyone who opposed them was dealt with severely.

But why would gods live among the peasants of the earth? They would require a great city–the largest ever conceived of–to be built in their honor. And so it was done that a great city was constructed in the center of the land of the slaves. Its foundation was strong and impenetrable. It raised the city high above the peasantry who built it. Never in history had such a structure been erected, but the powers of the Immortals were beyond understanding. Even the slaves could not learn its secrets even as they were allowed to utilize it.

The city was dubbed Olympus by the gods who live there. The slaves were allowed to live in the ring that surrounded Olympus. This ring was henceforth known as Outland, and it was often a miserable place–even for its size. The Immortals had absolute control and allowed not even one of the slaves revolt. The new age had begun.

For one thousand years, this was the way of things on Earth. The slaves of humanity served the Immortal’s every whim hoping to find one vestige of hope for their sad lives. Their duty was simple: live for the sole purpose of making the gods happy in their great city. Over time, the Immortals provided their servants with various types of entertainment in answer to this loyalty and hard work. Many were quite thankful for these rewards, and it only drove them to serve even harder.

Soon, much of the unrest faded away. The slaves became almost happy with their lot. It was almost as if the world stopped turning altogether. These are the way of things now. Bless those who are ignorant of the distant past, for they care nothing for the misery they are in. But then again, what comes of a world where no one cares at all?

Perhaps, there is still hope, for there is one particular slave who still cares about something. Her name is Kaitlyn Little. This is her story.

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Chapter 2

The Fairy Tale

Once upon a time, said Kaitlyn Little as she wrote the words down, there was a book. This was more than a simple instruction manual–as we are so accustomed to seeing. This book was very special in that it contained within its pages magical spells which could do amazing things.

Kaitlyn raised her head and ceased writing for a moment. What type of spells does this book hold within–I wonder? she muttered to herself. After a moment of thought, she continued, "These spells had the power to transform anything or anyone into a number of interesting creatures. It just so happened that this particular book was owned by a prince."

The woman paused. This was the prince of America–back when such a land had princes. He was a child of a great king who–when he had passed on–bestowed his son with these great powers. But the king made sure that his son would be well aware that the book was dangerous and should show great responsibility when reading it.

Kaitlyn leaned back in her chair and said to herself, But this prince was a naughty prince. I wonder what he shall foolishly use the book for.

What are you doing? came the stern, male voice from across the drab apartment. It was Joseph Little, her father. Are you writing again? he asked.

Kaitlyn took up her papers defensively. Just a little. I needed to kill some time before work.

"We have television. I went through a lot of trouble to get you that set, and you barely even touch it."

It’s a nice set, dad, but I just haven’t gotten around to using it yet.

Joseph was not a small man. He was a hard worker, and a loyal servant to the Immortals of Olympus. Much of his muscle came from the work he did at the metal refinery. Kaitlyn–being that she was petite in form–was in stark contrast to her father. She did conveyor belt work at a food processing plant. It was much less laborious although greatly repetitive.

The father approached Kaitlyn with a fiery gaze. That television is a gift from our leaders. It’s one of the few good things we have earned for this miserable life and not something to be taken for granted.

I know, came the heartless reply. I planned to watch some of it when I finished. I just wanted to get to a good stopping point before I—.

Before you what?! he interrupted harshly. Leave for work? You won’t have time for it. Really, dear, I do not see what you expect to get out of all this creative nonsense.

What’s wrong with it? she asked defensively.

We do not write books, Kaitlyn. We read them. They teach us how to serve the Immortals best. Our televisions show us what they wish us to see. What do we need with creativity when our gods give us all that we require already?

But I… she choked on her own words for a moment. But I want to write.

Joseph held out his hand. Give me the papers.

The women was hurt. Please, dad! I’m not doing any harm!

Is that all you have, or is there more?

Dad, I’ll watch television before I go to work. Just leave me alone!

Joseph almost went further, but he saw the look in his daughter’s eyes. It drove into him some better sense. Priorities, Kaitlyn. We have it good in Outland. Don’t ruin it for us. Leave the stories to the gods.

Joseph left the room. To herself, Kaitlyn muttered, What stories? An instruction manual is not a story. With a key she kept around her neck, she opened a drawer near the bottom of the desk. It was full of paper that she had been writing on. The woman stashed her new story away and locked them all away tightly. She watched television as she had promised.

Work came and seemed to go on forever. There was nothing special about it. To Kaitlyn, there was nothing really special about anything in Outland. Did you see the last episode of Lifestyles in Olympus, a co-worker asked.

I think I missed that one, said Kaitlyn weakly.

It was amazing! This one god had a house that was made of solid gold! Can you imagine that–a house made of gold?

Kaitlyn thought about it. I can imagine a palace made of gold… where maybe a flying dragon would live.

A dragon? questioned the co-worker with bewilderment. What’s a dragon?

It’s like a big lizard that can breathe fire. They love gold–at least, I think they do.

But… that’s not real, came the expected reply. Kaitlyn sighed and just continued her work until it was time to go home.

Along the way, she ran into a young fellow known as Eddie Powers. Eddie never really got along with the Immortals and was always talking about revolution and such. She greeted him kindly and attempted to walk past him.

Wait! he called to her while he attempted to keep up. I heard you were still making up stories at work.

Yeah, she said a bit shyly.

Do you still write?

Yes… when I can.

That’s great! said Eddie. The Immortals hate when we do anything like that! I haven’t watched television in over a month, personally.

What do you do instead? she asked with some curiosity.

Anything I want! I don’t care what those high-and-mighties think! In fact, a bunch of friends of mine think we could take Olympus for ourselves if we all worked together for it.

What would you do with it? inquired the woman.

With what?

Olympus. You said that you planned to take it.

The question actually threw the guy off for a moment. "Well… anything we want, right? We can force the Immortals to live in Outland while we tell them what to do. I mean, seriously, wouldn’t you rather live up in Olympus rather than boring, old Outland? I bet you there would be all sorts of things to do up on that mountain of a city."

Could I still write my stories?

Eddie raised an eyebrow. Even after we win?

I thought you liked that I was writing.

Well, only because I know they wouldn’t like you doing it. It’s not like I want to read it or anything.

Kaitlyn sped up her footsteps. Goodbye, Eddie.

The boy threw up his hands. Was it something I said?!

Kaitlyn’s father was home and locked onto the television set as usual. Good day at work, dear?

She rushed past him eager to get away. It was fine. The Immortals will have plenty to eat.

Where you going so fast?

I’m really tired, and Eddie Powers was bugging me nearly the whole way home.

Now, you stay away from him! The guy is nothing but trouble!

I know, she said quickly.

There was