Solving for X

By Arlen Beech

In the past twelve hours Dianna Imperial has stolen the fabled bow of Eros, beaten a professional assassin at their own game and gone toe to toe with the Angel of Death. What she has planned for the rest of the day though, borders on celestial treason. Against the ruling of Metatron and countless other Ayncestrals she’ll descend into the deepest depths of the underworld to face the all-powerful Shadow Wraith and his armada of changelings for the soul of Josh Michaels, in a high stakes tournament where treachery is the ultimate weapon and willpower the only defense.
So, get ready to lay it all on the line, as bit by bit, Josh’s apocalyptic vision of the team’s final moments come to pass. Leading to crumbling alliances, the fate of the Watchers, the ascendancy of Hasden and a sacrifice so unspeakable, it will change the Prime’s forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arlen Beech
• Release date: Jul 12, 2020
• ISBN: 9781732795976

Arlen Beech

Arlen Beech was born in the Silicon Valley and raised on a healthy diet of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Comics. During his decades long career as a paramedic he has been in nearly every tight situation imaginable, including, delivering a baby in a dark alleyway, being shot at and nearly stabbed in the neck. Despite this, he never really knew fear until he witnessed the opioid pandemic unfolding. Having worked two years on a psychiatric ambulance that catered to teen runaways and high-risk suicide cases, Arlen could see trouble on the horizon. His response was, “The Prime Trilogy,” a series that follows the exploits of a fifteen-year old demi-god named Josh who starts self-medicating with painkillers after his reality warping power takes a dark turn. The narrative is shared by his love interest Dianna, who will do anything to get him through rehab, even if it means having to save the universe by herself.Set in an alternate universe, The Prime Trilogy is a gritty, albeit comedic coming of age tale that poses a serious question, “Could the greatest heroes from inspired texts and world mythology, even begin to fill the shoes of a modern teen?”

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

THE VELVETEEN BROOD

So, do we have a deal, Mr. Hasden? As a Daemon, Satan wondered if he would ever tire of those eight little words, Especially coming from a young woman as stunning as the one sitting across from him. Still, he had his reservations. Perhaps it was the locale. He didn’t know what it was about diners and their carbon copy, pre-fabbed nuance, but he detested them. He especially hated the knick-knacks of Americana that adorned the walls, the never-ending cacophony of utensils against cheaply made dishware, and the ever-present oversized rooster clock that hung just over the door. In fact, just to get away from all that, he’d picked the last possible booth in the back of this hell hole and it still wasn’t far enough in his opinion. Acting on his behalf, his Regent, Asmodeus threw his arm around Erynn and railroaded her with some spiel about what the Monarchy expected from its new recruits and what sort of performance-based incentives she could recieve. Just as he’d thought, she took the bait and that’s when he realized what had him so riled. In a lot of ways, this girl wasn’t that much different than the establishment they were in. Make no mistake, she was a credit to her Irish ancestry. In fact, he’d pit her against all the other card-carrying members of the Forty-Watt Club in attendance here. She was smart, beautiful and her skin was a picture of milky elegance. Even the ridges of her high cheek bones and slender nose with their light dusting of freckles seemed perfect. The problem was, apart from her dark, sable mane, there was really nothing that would indicate that she was directly descended from the elemental, Nyx. At least, that’s what he kept telling himself. In an attempt to look more like her family’s immortal matriarch, the girl had tattooed her eyeballs black. It was a relatively painless procedure that involved the injecting of dye into the sclera, but to him it was still a lie.

A lie that pained him because it had sprung from what he’d originally thought to be a firm truth. When he was a much younger geneticist, he felt that the best traits of the Ayncestrals would prevail if harnessed in human form; instead they actually watered down.

Unlike the Benders, who were largely a result of indiscriminate breeding, Erynn belonged to a different group that was, for lack of a better term, more structured. From the beginning of their time here on Earth, up until the twilight of the August Nobility, most Immortals were known to selectively couple. It was so prevalent that even after they’d departed for Division, their descendants followed the tradition of marrying within their own caste. These bloodlines were followed with intense interest even after they scattered across the globe, because they supposedly had the highest concentration of attributes. Today though, these offspring were known among his kind as the velveteen brood. A handful of cheap knock-offs that just weren’t as impressive as the originals. Quite plainly he’d laugh except for the fact that nobody had ever really figured out how the human DNA had outpaced its Ayncestral counterpart, despite years of careful planning.

Suddenly, the front door to the establishment swung open, letting in a cool gust of February wind, along with the Monarchy’s newest Operative, and the reason why he had been stalling. Her tardiness hadn’t surprised him though, given the fact that this one would more than likely be late to her own funeral. Like rain running down a windshield, she worked her way through the crowd of awestruck people who had previously been stuffing their faces. You’d think they’d never seen a woman in flip flops, leather pants and a halter top made out of an American flag before. As she saddled up to the table, Hasden grinned broadly. Have a seat, Muse.

I actually prefer Rose, Urania or even gypsy if that’s okay with you, She replied as she pleasantly swung in to take a seat directly next to him. How did last night’s tempting go? Pretty much the way you predicted, although I’d still say we came away ahead of the game.How so?Well both Eros and Angela sustained permanent injuries, but we finally got to knock Eli off the to-do list. Somewhat alarmed, she cocked her head back. What do you mean, ‘permanent’?Well, the tips of Eli’s enchanted blades were coated with Aethyr particles and while Angela seems to have healed, her shoulder still aches, and we don’t think Eros will ever regain his eyesight.

Tell me that’s not ironic? Deus chuckled under his breath.Hindsight being 20/20, Hasden nodded. In fact, Rose had been dead set against the masquerade. She insisted it was an accident waiting to happen. When Eros argued for the authorization and the back-up to pull it off, her final remark before leaving the group chat was, I’d warn you to be careful, but love is blind.Running a hand through her long red locks, Rose grimaced, So, two of our heaviest hitters are out on injury? No both are field ready and chomping at the bit.

How so? she asked, looking surprised.

Well, Eros may be blinded, but the rest of his senses have more than compensated and in Angela’s case I think it might be sheer tenacity.

You’re not getting cold feet, are you? Deus asked.

Of course not! I just need to know these things, if I’m going to divine our course from here on out.

Hasden nodded. She had already signed a contract and was bound to the Monarchy. At this point, she couldn’t back out. Now that the Prime’s were getting closer to their seventeenth year, meetings like this were about to become more commonplace. Before the final conflict everybody had to pick a side. No matter who was drafted over the next few months none of them could be as valuable as the Muse though. True, she was useless in a fight, but she had intel that was priceless. Over the past few weeks, they had collaborated to come up with a fool-proof plan that would bypass the Geminal Directive completely and give him absolute control over Division.

What’s it like glimpsing the future? Erynn asked, her face infused with fascination.

It’s not everything it’s cracked up to be, Rose replied. On one hand, I’ve actually met the Prime. I got to take a look at the promise he represented, but directly after that the cards told me that he would not prosper, and it eventually led me to turn away from him. The fates have spoken, and this world will be claimed by the Monarchy.

Nodding towards Erynn, Hasden mentally addressed everybody else at the table except for her. "And you’re positive about this one. I mean seriously look at what she did to her eyes. Tell me she doesn’t have problems making sound decisions."

Relax, Rose replied. Despite her looks she’s still double royal descending from both the mania and miserae bloodlines. It was part of the original vision that brought me to you. Come springtime on a hillside in Georgia she will end the female Watchers life and deliver Hobbes on a silver platter.

As foreign as the emotion was, Hasden embraced the happiness that he had felt after hearing the comment. The Gypsy had a sterling track record and was never wrong. As soon as this came to pass, he’d rip up his previous agreement with Samayel and draft up a more appealing one, which gave her an even bigger promotion than he’d originally planned. It was genius really, but Rose had come up with a better alternative to killing that colossal pain in the ass, Hobbes. Instead, they were going to thieve his power and use it to rebuild Samayel. After that, it would be her job as their new teleporter to slip them past the Crystal City’s defenses and unleash Angela on the unwitting residents.

"So, what do you actually do," he asked the teen.

Well, I can project an overwhelming sense of despair and panic on anyone and I don’t necessarily have to be in front of them either. I can go off something as small as a photo.

Are you kidding me? Deus asked. You’re expecting us to make you an Operative because you can make people cry at the drop of a hat.

No! I’m expecting you to make me an immortal, because I can cripple anybody with anxiety and everything that comes with it.

A little more interested now that the girl was showing her true lineage, Hasden leaned across the table. Like what?

Numbness, tingling an inability to act. Once I get my hooks in somebody they’re done.

Big deal! My power can do that. I’m going to need something bigger than that or the deal is off the table.

Obviously upset, Erynn’s skin began to take on a slight bluish tone. Look, I know taking me on is a risk, but I can manage something no other member of your team can do. I can destroy somebody without even touching them.

And I’m happy for you, an angry voice barked from the next table over. But I’m trying to read the morning paper here so can you guys take your little Dungeon’s and Dragon’s group and move it somewhere else. At least four hundred pounds, the unamused truck driver cast a glare at Hasden and then nodded to the door as if he expected them to leave.

Undaunted Deus narrowed his eyes down to slits. Mind your own business, Buckshot.

Accepting the challenge, the man pushed out his chair and wiped his face on a crumb laden napkin. As he stood, and his weight redistributed, the waistband on his blue mechanic’s jumpsuit cinched in to show he was every bit as tall as he was bulbous. Still, Hasden doubted the elastic could hold under the man’s beer belly; even the full-length zipper looked taxed beyond belief. You got a problem? the man asked. Hasden looked at Erynn. Take care of the walking heart attack and the job is yours. Her previous worry all but erased she let slip with a sadistic smile much more in line with her family’s reputation, and with a quick snap of her fingers the man stopped inches from the table. Can’t breathe, he panted, as his already labored breathing becoming an impossible cycle of one-up-man-ship. He staggered back as if he meant to run and that’s when his girth became a liability. He shrieked and swung around, plowing right back into the table he’d just come from. In a last-ditch effort, he clawed at the table cloth as he fell to the floor dragging the condiments and his pancakes down on top of him. It seemed like every eye in the room was riveted on his group so Hasden decided it was time to intervene. Flooding the room with his will, he narrowed his focus and let it fly. Congratulations everybody, this was all part of a brand-new reality show. Please exit the diner and proceed to the corner where our production assistant will have you sign a release. Slowly at first, the frightened stares melted away. Then, one by one, the occupants began to leave their tables. That’s right, Deus added with glee.

You’re all going to be on T.V., isn’t that exciting? With his Regent’s will backing his primary command, the crowd began to pick up the pace, most of them not even bothering to pay for their meals.

What the heck is going on here? the confused tow truck driver asked as he came to, blinking his eyes repeatedly.

You passed out, Deus replied, with a snicker. Everybody was worried about the baby so they’re getting ready to drive you to the hospital.

What baby?

Deus pointed at the man’s massive gut. Why, yours of course. How far along are you?

Whatever resistance the man held within his eyes it was all too brief. Inevitably he folded under Deus’s overbearing will and soon his stare became as vacant as everybody else’s. Rising from the ground, he cradled his stomach lovingly and headed for the exit.

The whole ordeal had taken a little less than a minute and as it drew to a close he smiled. Not even the kitchen staff had escaped their influence. Erynn rose up on her haunches in the padded booth so she could get a look through the window at the large exodus walking down the block and when she turned back her eyes were wide as if she were a kitten pleading for milk. Listen, I understand I’m nowhere near as versatile as you guys, but please give me a chance.

Okay, Hasden replied with a nod. But if I ever see you beg like that again we’re going to have a problem. You’re descended from nobility and I expect you to act like it. We rarely ask and we sure as hell never beg.

Quickly regaining her composure, she folded her hands and straightened up.

First things first, though, he said reaching across the table to graze his index finger across her forehead. His energy overrode her own bio-matrix sending her healing factor into overdrive. Bit by bit, the inky tattoos faded until her sclera were as brilliantly white as the day she was born. I can’t have you looking out of place, at least not yet anyway. So, here’s the deal. Your future in this organization, your immortality and a completely new body will be contingent on how much havoc you can raise in the next few months.

Body? the girl asked apparently overwhelmed.

Yes, my people can reconfigure your DNA to express the traits that were somehow recessed. That means natural black eyes, purple lips and skin as blue as any of your ancestors should you want it.

I wholeheartedly accept, the girl stammered, as she followed Deus’s lead and they both slid out of the booth.

Hasden glanced towards the kitchen. In that case, there’s a limo parked out back, waiting for the two of you. As she trotted towards the door, his regent scowled. Aren’t you coming? I thought we were all going to the retreat together.

We’ll catch up, I need to brief Rose on a little something and Erynn’s not cleared for this type of info yet. Instead, I want you to catch her up to speed and that includes telling her what happened to Bai and Mephistopheles.

Even though he bowed before leaving the room, his second in command didn’t appear to be too thrilled. As perceptive as ever, Rose switched to the other side of the booth so she was directly across from him and took out a thin packet of Tarot cards. Although they were relatively new, they’d obviously been hand-painted and only the Trump cards were present. I take it you’d like to talk about last night’s tempting? she said, as she began to shuffle them, one over the other.

Definitely, it’s time to take stock.

Like a veteran gambler, she flicked her wrist and the Sun card spiraled to the table top, face-up. You and yours are rising to a zenith in the sky and steadily building power. Nothing will disrupt this.

And the Host, if they follow through, what’s in store for them?

In response, the Death card was turned over. If they proceed with their plan, they will meet with the grimmest of fates.

Normally, this type of news would please him to no end, but it wasn’t in line with the vision Rose had experienced. Something tells me I phrased the question wrong. Will the Host follow through with their surprise mission?

Her eyes lighting up, Rose shook her head and flipped over the next card. It was the Lovers and in it two figures embraced happily under the auspicious wings of a glowing angel. He was no expert at reading the cards, but this obviously referred to Josh and Dianna. What was infinitely better was the fact that the card was reversed in opposition to the other two. Since it was upside down it stood for all the reverse qualities and that didn’t bode well for the Primes.

I take it that this angel standing over them will actually not be a gentle force of light.

Correct, Rose replied. It will be dark and overbearing."

The final card to be turned over was what most people referred to as the Tower. In it, a huge stone structure was seized by calamity and all who resided within had fled. Even the people standing atop it had flung themselves off rather than face what was in store for them.

Placing his hands in a steeple in front of his chin he chuckled with glee. Apparently, the little self-righteous pebble riding in his shoe from last night was about to learn a major lesson about rushing in unprepared.

CHAPTER TWO

THE SISTERS IMPERIAL

Are you sure about this plan? Dianna asked, as her eyes darted about the empty hospital bathroom. It had been nearly an hour since her tempting and they were running out of time.

In response Cammy opened her backpack and removed the contents, a slew of cayenne pepper packets from a local pizzeria and a squeeze bottle of strawberry jam. The only thing I’m sure of, is that, this is the best I could do with the time you gave me.

Dianna nodded, in retrospect, ten minutes to get over here and half an hour to break into the fourth floor ICU had been pushing it but it seemed reasonable at the time. It was a miracle they’d even gotten this far. Visiting hours weren’t in effect yet but Cammy had planned around that. She showed up wearing her Icarian scrubs over her street clothes. This way, at least one of them looked like they belonged there. With Cammy acting as lookout they had snuck all the way to the ward where Josh was being kept but there was one little speedbump.

On both doors of the locked ward were signs that read, RESTRICTED ACCESS, HOSPITAL STAFF ONLY. Because of this they’d found the nearest bathroom and regrouped.

Swiftly, her sister ripped open the cayenne packets and dumped the contents into the sink. Next, she popped the top off the jelly and gave a healthy squeeze. Okay, Dianna. Since this needs to look official and you didn’t dress the part, I’m taking you in as my patient.

Upon hearing this, the butterflies that had been isolated to her stomach began to fill her chest as well. And this is going to help how, she asked, as Cammy began to mix the ingredients with her fingertip.

Well, since you asked. This is the closest I can get to dried blood. So, get ready.

Dianna winced as the cold red paste touched the right side of her scalp and then leaned forward as her sister ran it through the length of her hair. It smelled weird, but the results were convincing enough. While she admired her newly acquired head wound, her sister rinsed her hands and the rest of the evidence down the drain.

Where do we go from here?

Cammy held a finger to her lips and crept to the door. She unlocked it and tip toed outside, only to reappear seconds later, carrying a crumpled, white hospital blanket.

Oh Cams, please tell me you didn’t pull that off somebody.

That’s sweet, you think you’re that lucky, but beggars can’t be choosers. Put it on.

Shaking her head, Dianna wrapped it around her shoulders and then pulled it up over her hairline so that only her eyes were poking out.

Your Chariot awaits, Cammy whispered as she opened the door and motioned for her to follow. Outside waiting in the deserted hall was a blue wheelchair. This is so crazy it might actually work, Dianna thought as she took a seat. Together they made their way back towards the double doors.

Through her small peek hole Dianna watched her sister stroll up like she owned the place and ring the buzzer on the wall.

Can I help you, a gruff female voice crackled from the speaker pad.

Ahh yes, I’m from downstairs and I’m bringing up a patient from a vehicle crash.

Seconds passed where nothing happened, and Dianna wondered if their fledgling plan wasn’t already dead in the water, but her sister refused to back down. Instead she glared at the security camera fastened above the doors and tapped an imaginary watch that should have been on her wrist. Her confidence was rewarded when a loud clicking noise heralded the opening of the doors.

Don’t say anything, just follow my lead, Cammy whispered.

With a nod Dianna lowered her head. Even though she had plenty of medical experience from her time as an aid, this place was next level. Whereas she was used to the single file treatment rooms of the Icarian, this ICU had rooms with see-through glass walls that faced the square Nurses station in the center of the room. Some of the more stable patients could draw the curtain for privacy, but those on life support were readily visible.

As they approached the station and the wheelchair slowed to a halt, Dianna took a deep breath and prepared for the worst.

Where did you say this patient was coming from?

The Emergency room, Cammy sighed, She was flown in earlier from a rollover.

What kind of vehicle?

Silence filled the room and Dianna’s heart began to race even faster. The heat from being wrapped so tightly in the blanket was becoming unbearable and with each passing second it became more and more apparent that Cammy had grabbed it from the dirty linen basket.

Uhm..a tractor.

That was it, they were as good as caught now. Her nausea grew as the rank smell of unfamiliar body odor played at the tips of her nostrils.

A tractor, are you kidding?

Suddenly the blanket was jerked away and bright light assaulted Dianna’s senses.

You’re the expert you tell me. Cammy barked. I just do transport.

At the desk in front of her was an older woman in scrubs. She didn’t look in the least bit enthused. You can’t just barge in here and dump a patient on us. I need to see your ID.

Cammy grasped the laminated card at the end of her necklace but didn’t flip it around and Dianna knew why. It was nothing more than a frequent roasters card from a nearby coffee house and didn’t even have a picture. Deciding to take the reign’s Dianna leaned forward and began to drool on the floor. I seriously need a basin, she groaned. Which really wasn’t too far from the truth. Between the gag-stench from the blanket and the burning sensation from the cayenne pepper it was highly possible. Blindly she waved her hand out for anything, any type of receptacle

Roll her into room twelve and hurry. You’ll find the basins next to the bed.

She gave a sigh of relief as the wheelchair rolled forward and took her from the near disastrous situation. They weren’t out of the woods quite yet though. Looking back on the night so far, she’d taken on two half-crazed immortals, a legion of mind controlled zombies and slugged it out with an Angel of Death. What lay ahead though, was far worse. Josh had been ambushed by an aspect of his own psyche, an entity so powerful he’d entered this reality without opposition. If they couldn’t sneak into Josh’s mind-scape and get him back the Host would enter the fray and at that point it would be all out war.

They had to time this just right, once they were in the room they only needed a few moments. According to Nina the rules of time really didn’t apply on the other plane, so once she was in they were golden. As they approached they slowed even more until the assigned Nurse left the room. Once she was out of sight Cammy poured on the speed and they didn’t let up until they were behind the locked door.

***

In all her young life, Dianna had never seen a sight quite as tragic as the one in the hospital bed in front of her. Her soulmate lay unresponsive, in a medically induced coma after multiple gunshots had pierced his ribcage. How horrible, she thought, as she traced the multitude of I.V. lines and the tube to the respirator that breathed for him. She wouldn’t wish this on her worst enemy. He was basically trapped within his own body.

Are you sure you want to do this, Cammy whispered as she peeked behind the drawn curtain, at the staff milling about outside the room.

‘Do we really have a choice?" she replied, her fists clenching anxiously.

Well, it looks like shift change so right now is as good as it’s going to get.

Taking a deep breath, Dianna mentally reached into the door and telekinetically bent every one of the pins in the locking mechanism, rendering the handle useless. As she did, her sister swallowed hard and shot her a glance that implied there was no backing out now. They weren’t just about to take on an infinitely powerful being without an escape plan, they were also defying the Archangel’s Michael and Metatron. If either of them came up short and had to be rescued the repercussions would be severe.

Sitting gently on the edge of the bed by Josh’s side, Dianna gestured to the padded chair next to the mechanical respirator. Any words of advice before we get started?

Raising an eyebrow Cammy shrugged. Sorry, I kind of left my `so you’re about to descend into the underworld’ speech at home. I’ll make it up when it’s time for the sex talk, I promise

I’ll hold you to that if we make it through this alive.

Wait a second, actually there is something, Cammy said, folding her arms and nervously tapping her finger on her chest. Every now and then when I was living on the reservation I would babysit this six-year-old boy. He was super shy because he had a wandering eye and the other kids would tease him. Anyway, I wanted to help, but western medicine is still frowned upon out there.

So, let me guess, you hijacked him.

In a manner of speaking yeah. I told his parents I was taking him school shopping, which I did, but on the way back we also stopped at an Ophthalmology clinic. After that, I took all the advice and literature back to the community Shaman. It was the only way the tribe would accept the treatment. All he had to do was wear an eye patch and read a book with his weaker eye while circling the vowels. Before long, his lazy eye wasn’t even noticeable.

And that’s going to help me defeat this crazy powerful shadow thing, how?

Well, when we were at the appointment, I learned something I didn’t even know was possible. The Dr. sat the boy behind what looked like a set of steel binoculars and started to test his vision with a set of slides. He gave it a flick and asked what color dot was visible and the boy answered blue. He repeated this, four times and the answer was the same every time until he asked the boy if he saw the red dot too. I’m not even kidding you, less than a half second later the kid begins to see the red dot.

That’s odd, just like that.

Yeah, Cammy replied, a look of hope on