Awaken: Book 1 in the Lords of Power Series

By Victor Gonzalez III

Earth's Salvation lies within one ordinary man The relationship between humans and their Mother Earth has evolved to a new level of understanding of her gifts and is now threatened by dimensional travelers. (The Akrats.) Jealous of mankind, they swore the death of all dimensions of Earth. In mankind’s fear they have gone against everything they believe in and have developed a weapon, the Arma project. In protecting themselves man has forsaken their oath and tampered with Earths natural growth. The project was hidden in a distant dimension of Earth, until they are ready to implement their purpose. For John Dayton, only one person can see the true man inside. In spite of ther separate social status and John’s inner struggles of not belonging, Crissy Carmell shows compassion and understanding. But will she have the strength for both of them when John is faced with the truths and lies of his origin. John has awakened to a war hundreds of years on the edge of breaking.  

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hillcrest Media Group
• Release date: Nov 24, 2015
• ISBN: 9781634135382

Book preview

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

To dream of the impossible is more gratifying than the possible, for the impossible holds the possibilities. The voyage of the mind has taken me close to the edge of darkness where light has no claim. Everything is possible with family and friends, so dreams can become a reality. This story could never have become a reality without guidance and support from my family and friends.

Dr. Marta Sotomayor: Without you seeing something in me, I would have been blind to my capabilities. You are my first star of the evening. The door you have opened can never be closed. I will miss you dearly.

To my Anna: From the long nights to the early mornings, your patience endured. Whatever path I took, you followed, not a word of frustration or bellow of discontent. It is a woman that makes the man. It is a woman’s strength that is the spine of a man. I could not ask for a better friend in a wife.

Mom (Mamie Rogers): I know it was hard to make sense of my learning disabilities. You showed me that dyslexia was my strength, and not a burden. Luckily, perseverance was one of the things I inherited from you, enabling me to conquer the obstructions life unfolded for me and the mountains I made for myself. Thank you for always believing in me. I love you, Mom.

My three girls, Victoria, Nadia, and Kira: The laughter and joy you’ve placed in my heart has given me a reason to wake up every morning with a smile. I have never gone through a day without each of you in my thoughts. You are all so gifted in different ways. Victoria, at your birth the sun ripped through the dark clouds and gave me the first day of unconditional love. Your smile is a beacon of the heart God gave you. Nadia, you have this kindness, patience, and ability to be the light at the end of a dark tunnel. Kira, you have persistence, a fearless heart, and the wiliness to go beyond your boundaries. You are my co-writer in life. I will always be proud of the three of you.

James Acosta, David Acosta, Erica Baltazar, and Paul Alcorta: I know I drove you guys crazy that year making you listen to every idea I had. You’re my team captains. You guys are the best. I appreciate your friendship.

Lolly Rodriguez, Raquel Gonzalez-Madrigal, Aldrick Gonzalez, Patsy Perez, Kris Cisneros, Betty Smithwick, and Connie Salgado: Thank you for your support, and for taking the time to read the first script of Lords of Power.

There are many friends and family that encouraged me. I would like to give my thanks to all of you.

Biography

Victor Rogers Gonzalez, III, was born on December 20, 1966 in the sparkling city of Corpus Christi, Texas overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. He joined a family of three brothers around fourteen years older than him, but shortly after his birth Victor’s mother and father divorced. Victor and his mother moved to a family ranch with their grandmother and two cousins. His life was filled with adventure from that point on. He graduated from Moody High School in Corpus Christi.

Making a living from playing guitar was short-lived. Victor enrolled in cosmetology classes, which gave him eight years of making friends and forming everlasting relationships. During those years as a cosmetologist, Victor was blessed with his firstborn, Victoria Lynn Gonzalez.

In the quest of enriching his life he attended Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, and he spent the next seventeen years seeing the best in mankind’s generosity and witnessing the worst in mankind’s nature. He did not recognize the hidden world that awaits all of us. Under the tragedy that life unfolds for many people, he was able to give some peace to so many stricken families.

Meeting his wife, Anna Castilla, and her son, Paul Alcorta, was a gift from above, which was followed by the birth of Victor’s daughters, Nadia Bree Gonzalez and Kira Rogers Gonzalez. The adventure goes on.

Prologue

My name is John Dayton, and I stand in the midst of a war-tortured planet that pleaded in blood for its inhabitants to listen. Akratiose, the home world of the Akrats, only endures suffering to give forgiveness to a culture gone astray. No god or even messiah holds absolution for the wrong the Akrats have done. Mother Akratiose was the giver of life and the absolute of death.

I have gone through many circumstances of being tested, even challenged, before I truly knew who I was. My body was scarred, bled, bruised, and worn down to the bone from the blood I have set in amber that this land will carry for eternity, a landmark for never forgetting my shame and triumphs. In war, I have found that the survivors are the cursed and the dead are the blessed.

I was told I was a savior, but that I do not believe. Now that everything is clear, I can see; I can’t see tomorrow, but my yesterdays are transparent to the lives that have come and departed. In one of Earth’s beliefs, it was said that all that was lost will return in peace. That had always comforted me—to know that my emptiness and the emptiness of others will have reconciliation.

My beginning started with the Great Destruction of Earth, even though that was not when I was born to my flesh. Man had traded one enemy for another till there was no one to kill except ourselves by their own initiative of creation.

A million years ago, in the final times of the AD era, the beginning of the Space Age time line was the birth of the humans’ scientific advancements that catapulted the Great Destruction, pushing life on Earth to the edge of extinction. The human race had taken thousands of years to restructure a utopia of Earth’s true form. The relationship between humans and their Mother Earth had evolved to a new level of understanding of her gifts so willingly given. Channeling powers from all Earth creations, humans had opened the door to unlimited power.

The relationship was then threatened by dimensional travelers called the Akrats, jealous of man’s connection with their home world. The Akrats swore the death of all humans in every dimension of Earth’s existence.

In mankind’s fear for their lives, they chose to dishonor their belief in their harmonious way of life. They made plans to create a weapon called the Arma Project. In protecting themselves, man had forsaken their oath to Mother Earth, tampering with her natural force of creation.

Earth’s people selected one leader from each city of Earth; these leaders made up the Ninth Council. The Ninth Council would represent a vote on the Arma Project’s completion or demise.

The Ninth Council had been in judicial inquiries for over a year, in the case of the Arma Project. Now, the long-awaited dispute was at hand.

The Ninth Council is now in session. Last arguments will be given to Sandum and Doju. The Ninth Council recognizes Sandum.

"Thank you, Ninth Council. This past year we have gone through the pros, the cons, the wrongs, and the rights of Mother Earth—one year wasted, or one year of strengthening our people. I can say one word, my Ninth Council members: Fear. Is fear your god, or is fear your enemy? With my fist I will smite my enemies— with the power Mother Earth has given me and my bloodline. We as a human race did not fear the Akrats, who came in the shadows of peace, and as a human race, we must not fear the same visitors who turned their intentions to an implicit vendetta: Earth’s destruction in all dimensions! The Akrats have made great scientific advancements, such as dimensional travel, though in their jealousy they have eaten their common sense and a peaceful outcome.

To wield the power, your heart must be at one with the spirit of Tierra—our Mother’s true name. The future is changing, not because of us, but because of Mother Earth changing what we are inside. The facts are in front of you. The Arma Project needs to start. From what the scientists have told us, it may take hundreds of years to complete; don’t waste time. The seal of war will break when we least expect it—and then what will you do, when the crystal-blue waters of the Aaron Oceans turn red with the blood of our legacy, wiping away our seed from all dominions? If you vote yes, Mother Earth will take care of those who have protected her.

Sandum bowed his head, never losing eye contact with the Ninth Council members. By their facial expressions, their intentions seemed indecisive.

Thank you for your time, Ninth Council members, said Sandum.

The Ninth Council recognizes Doju.

Thank you, Sandum, your words are monumental. The air that expels the words of honor from Sandum’s life force speaks the truth. But there is so much more to the truth then what honor holds. The Akrats have given us scientific breakthroughs, and like our forefathers, we have tampered with Earth’s natural plans. In the process, our forefathers opened the door for the Great Destruction. They almost wiped the human race into nonexistence in this dimension. The Arma Project is an unnatural creation. You may think the Arma Project is our salvation, but doom will pour from the cup of life. And if you think hiding the project in another dimension will clear your conscience, you’re wrong. Placing your fears in someone else’s homeland spreads your infection to the innocent. Fear—yes, fear— will make you divide our people today, if yes is your vote. All of us will be dead when the Arma Project is complete. Our life forces will have set their courses to a new dimension of life, to start a new path of awareness. But will the new generation of that coming time have the courage to make right the wrong you’ve made for Mother Earth out of fear?

Doju shook his fist in the air, directing his passion to the council.

My Ninth Council members, please vote no, or our race will bear your sins. I’m certain the wrong decision will make us face a grander occurrence than the Great Destruction. Mother Earth will perish in the consequences of your fear. I solicit a vote of no. Don’t be like Earth’s past leaders and choose your own selfish needs. A million years will be a drop in the ocean of time for Mother Earth to recover from your idiocy. She may become a dead planet, like Akratiose, and reject life as a whole. We will all pay for it in the end. Thank you.

The Ninth Council spent one week deliberating the ethical and moral standings of the Akrats’ intentions and the humans’ future on Mother Earth.

The Ninth Council recognizes Pentu, head speaker of the Ninth Council.

"Our blue crystal atmosphere is a jewel among millions of planets; it is my home as well as all of yours. Mother Earth has given me peace; even in my old age of ninety, I have newborn children. I pledged to Mother Earth that I would do anything to save her. Our race has very few options and has been drawn into the dark side once again. The very existence of the Akrats is a wrinkle in our time.

Everything the Akrats have given us was a curse to our continued existence: dimensional mapping, weapons research, and synthetic life in the form of human replications. The Akrats don’t have to invade—if they just wait, we will destroy ourselves once again in our infectious need for more.

During Pentu’s opening speech, he held a small folded paper that he occasionally gazed at with an unwelcoming stare. Pentu slowly gazed back and forth at the council as he stepped closer to the council’s long table. He drew his eyes down to the envelope, pausing for a second before revealing its contents. Pentu cringed as he lifted his head, rolling the crumbled paper off his palm, for all to see his disappointment.

I’m sad to say that the majority of you voted yes to complete the Arma Project. Democracy has served us in the past, but to save humanity from the Akrats, democracy has been manipulated to suffocate what made this world great. We must become as foul as the Akrats. Then what do we fight for when the core of righteousness is dismissed?

Pentu opened his hand to show the emptiness the council had bestowed upon Earth’s future. All the council members gazed down in shame.

"All of you think the Arma Project will kill like a trained dog at the end of your commanding leash.