Heaven's Knights

By William Rayborn

In Blakesburg, Mississippi, three brothers will find
themselves dragged into a nightmare, where they will find that The Devil is very real. After their parents' deaths, they will find
they are part of a prophecy and a cursed bloodline. It's 1999,
and the world domination of Satan begins with The City of
Blakesburg being overrun by zombies. The three brothers must
fight their way, even, going through Hell, itself, to stop The Devil. But first they must accept their destiny and become Heaven's Knights.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 11, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503546455

William Rayborn

William’s love for reading and writing began in South Mississippi before he was old enough to go to school. With a love for books of, both, novels and comics, action-adventure, comedy, fantasy, horror, westerns, and a big imagination, he began his first book in 1999, which is this one. Having no way at the time to have it published, he had to put his dream as a writer on hold. Several years later, he met and married his wife of ten years, now, who helped him continue to pursue that dream that has, now, become a reality. They now, reside in Southern Indiana.

Book preview

Chapter One

Blakesburg, MS. September 11, 1999. It was a Saturday night. Three houses down on the left of Pine Street, northwest. The front yard of Jonathan and Elizabeth Knight’s home was covered by trucks and cars. It was their middle son’s twentieth birthday, and there was a party going on during their absence. They had three sons: John Junior, Will, and Anthony. The three brothers had decided to have a party, while their parents were out of state, visiting relatives.

Once, there had been six members of The Knight Family. Brandy, the baby girl, and Anthony’s twin, went missing at the age of seven. Jonathon and Elizabeth, along with John Junior, Will, and Anthony, loved her, and their hearts were filled with grief. The police searched for her, for nearly half a year before, finally, presuming her dead. That was, almost, ten years ago. Though the police had given up, The Knights still continue to hope and pray for her safe return.

Who the fuck did this? Will yelled as he entered the living room from the kitchen. He was covered in shaving cream. He was six feet tall, like John Junior, with dark, brown hair and brown eyes. Everyone began laughing when they saw him. Shut up, Will said. Where the hell are my brothers at?

They’re hiding, Julia Woods, Anthony’s girlfriend, answered. She was nearly six feet tall with light brown hair and blue eyes.

Where’re they hiding? Will asked.

Can’t tell ya, Julia replied.

Will snapped back. And why not?

You’re kinda handsome with all that shaving cream all over you, Julia replied in a sexy, flirting voice.

Don’t try to change the subject. They did this, didn’t they? Will was growing angrier.

I don’t know, Julia lied.

You’re involved in this, too, huh? Will assumed. Where are John and Anthony?

Can’t tell you, Will.

Hey, Will, another woman said from a different area of the room. Will turned around to see Rose Smith. She was five-seven with dark, brown hair and brown eyes. Everyone thought she was beautiful. Hi, Rose, Will replied, while wiping shaving cream from his face with the back of his hand. He’d known Rose for over five years. They were good friends but had no serious relationship.

John and Anthony stood outside, looking through the window and laughing at Will. Anthony was a half foot shorter than John and Will. He had dark brown hair. Unlike Will, John and he had blue eyes. He’s pissed, John said. Very pissed, Anthony agreed.

Around 8:45 pm, at the Blakesburg Airport, a big, jumbo jet was preparing to come in for a landing. Ya know what I wish man? a teenager about sixteen years old with light blue eyes and a Mohawk asked. The tall stranger sitting beside the teenage boy had long blond hair, bright blue eyes, and a muscular figure. He appeared to be in his late twenties, early thirties. What’s that? he asked. The young man looked at the tall man and replied, I wish I was immortal. Don’t we all? the man said with a grin.

The Book was what they called it. It was very important to The Watchers, like a bible, perhaps. The Watchers were the guardians of The Book, and they have existed as long as The Book, which is over five hundred years old and has passed from generation to generation, from century to century. Now, only one Watcher remained, Shane Li. He was half Caucasian and half Chinese. He sat at his table looking at The Book. He was bald, had brown eyes, and stood about five-seven. His father had been a Watcher, but when his parents died a few months ago, he’d become the new guardian. He lived on Eathon Avenue on the east side of Blakesburg, about a mile from The Knights.

Shane flipped through The Book’s pages until something caught his eye. On and old worn-out page was a picture of a pentagram with six hundred and sixty-six in its center. Beneath the picture was written: THIS IS THE MARK OF DOOMSDAY. Shane turned back the page and began to read: "I heard the screams of the people, but I couldn’t help them. The fight was not meant for me, for I am only a Watcher. I heard the laughs and howls of the Devil and his demons. They would take the world over, it seemed, until I had looked in the distance and saw from the hill, on which I stood, a man in the center of the village.

"The Devil and his demons looked at the stranger. He wore animal skin around his waist and muscular legs. In his left hand, he carried a shield. In his right hand, he held a broad sword and his face showed no expression, at all. On his shield, I noticed, was a cross. After a hundred years, another Knight had returned to send the demons and their Master back to Hell. Thank God, the Watchers had found The Knight. I watched as demon after demon was slaughtered. The Devil only stood and watched as The Knight mercilessly killed the demons.

"‘Stop!’ the Devil screamed. ‘You have my full attention, Knight of The Light.’ He snapped his fingers, and the rest of the demons vanished. The Knight looked at the Devil with cold, blue eyes. ‘Go back to Hell,’ he said. ‘You have lost.’ ‘Perhaps, Knight,’ the Devil said. ‘But Doomsday shall come three hundred and twenty-five years from now.’ The year is sixteen-seventy-five. The Knight took a cross and stabbed the Devil in the belly with it. He pulled his sword from the ground. He took it and cut off the Devil’s head.

A ray of light shot from heaven and consumed the Devil’s body. The Knight covered his eyes, and so did I, for the light was very bright. And as the Devil’s body vanished, I heard him scream, for there was, yet, still life in his head, ‘You and your bloodline shall be forever cursed! On the two thousandth year, your kin shall bring forth my Prince of Darkness!’ Dear, God, Shane said to himself. Can this be true? He continued to read on.

Will was, finally, clean of the shaving cream. Anthony was in his room with Julia, and John sat outside talking with Angie Brown. She was about five-seven with long, blond hair and blue eyes. She was beautiful. John had known her for about three months, but they had only been going out for about a month. Anthony and Julia had been together for about five months and really loved one another.

Rose sat in the living room. Everyone else was gone, besides Anthony, Julia, John, Angie, and Will. Hi, Will said, while entering the room. Rose turned and stood. I wanted to tell you, ‘Happy Birthday,’ before I left, she said. Thanks, Will told her. He hugged her then walked her out to her car. She told him bye, gave him a kiss on the cheek, and left. Will turned and headed back toward the house. He saw John and Angie on the front, porch swing. Why don’t you and Rose go out? John asked. We’re just friends, Will said, Nothing more. Friends can go out, John said. You should. That’s okay, Will replied. We’ll just hang out with one another. Besides, she doesn’t want a relationship. How do you know? John asked. Will went inside and closed the door.

The jumbo jet hit the run-way, but the pilot couldn’t get it to stop. We gotta problem, he told his co-pilot. Tell everyone to stay calm. The co-pilot picked up the mic. He told everyone onboard to stay seated, remain calm, and prepare for impact.

The people began to panic, everyone, except, the man with the long, blond hair, sitting beside the teenage boy. He just smiled. The plane began to lift back up into the air. This is so easy, he said. Why aren’t you scared? the boy asked. The man replied, Because, I am immortal. Then the plane started to descend, again, headed back toward the ground in a nose-dive position. The plane crashed, followed by a huge, and very loud, explosion.

Shane Li was only thirty-two years old but well trained in many fighting skills, such as Martial Arts, Tai Kwan Do, and Karate. He still sat at his table reading The Book. It has been prophesized, that in the year two thousand, a woman bearing ‘The Mark of Doomsday’ will have a child. With the birth of this child, Hell shall, once again, release its demons, whom will protect The Prince of Darkness. So, whoever holds this Book must find The Knights and prepare them for the dangers that are about to come. For it’s prophesized, that there shall be Four Knights in the year two thousand, and one will be evil. Shane looked up and took a deep breath then finished the paragraph before closing The Book. I have less than a year to find The Knights, because, this is nineteen-ninety-nine, he said to himself. Shane stretched then stood up and walked toward the bathroom when suddenly, he got chills up and down his spine. The feeling came on quickly, but faded slowly. His father had warned him of such a feeling. It meant danger was very close.

Back at the airport, fire trucks and ambulances headed toward the fire. People gathered around weeping and crying. This had been the first plane crash in Blakesburg. People watched from the watchtower, some wondering if anyone might have survived, the others knowing no one could have, possibly, survived. But then, they heard a female’s voice screaming, Look!

A tall figure emerged from the flames. It was the tall, blond, haired man. He walked out of the fire, seemingly, untouched by the flames. How? people began asking, Who is he? Is he burned? Check him out for Christ’s sake, yelled a policeman. Is he alright?

EMT’s ran to aid the man. He, quickly, raised his hand for them to stop. I’m fine, he said. I don’t need any attention. You need to be examined sir, one of the EMT’s said. I told you, I was fine, the man repeated, only with a bit of sarcasm this time. Fine, the EMT snapped. We’ll leave you on your way. Oh yeah, what’s your name? The man looked at her and simply said, It’s none of your concern. The man turned and began walking toward the station.

The next morning, an old white van entered an old and, once abandoned, warehouse. The place stood alone at the end of Forrest Street, northeast of the city, about two miles past Blakesburg Junior High. The school was on the right of the street. After the school was about two miles of forest until the warehouse.

A huge room had been built in one corner of the first floor. It was the office of the leader. A huge Latino man, about twenty-five years old got out of the van. He had long black hair and wore a blue jean vest with a skull on the back of it. He knocked on the door. An older man about fifty years old opened the door. What is it, Donavon? he asked. The plane crashed, last night, sir, Donavon answered. John was coming home today, the older man said. He’ll be here. There is no plane crash going keep my boy from making it home. Donavon turned to leave. Wait, the older man said. What is it, boss? Donavon asked. Where’s your gang?

You mean, the Skulls?

Yes. How many gangs do you have?

Sorry, boss. They’re at the alley, over on Bern Street, where we hang out.

Go tell my daughter to come here, and then go find my boy.

Yes, Mr. Sanders.

Donald Sanders watched Donavon head toward the back of the warehouse, where his daughter’s room was. A good and faithful servant, he thought to himself.

Wake up, bitches! Will screamed. You, all, ain’t sleepin,’ all fuckin’ day! He went back and forth down the hall banging on John and Anthony’s bedroom doors. I said, WAKE UP! he yelled.

Go back to bed, Will! John yelled,

Yeah, followed a female’s voice from Anthony’s room. Anthony, Will began, did Julia stay the night?

What’s it to you? Anthony asked.

Nothing, I guess, Will replied, sounding as if he was defeated in waking everyone up.

No, she’s not here, Anthony said. You were just hearing things.

Shane Li sat at the table, eating cereal and, again, reading The Book.

I have another prophecy, but this comes before the last, Shane read. Before the birth of The Prince of Darkness, the mother will be protected by the Devil and humans. Also, a city will fall captive to a plague caused by the Devil, in the form of a human. The Devil will begin his rule over the city even before his son’s birth. But how can the Devil become human? He shall be born of a woman, still having his mind as he grows but the voice of a babe, then a child, then a young man, then a man. He will begin to ready himself for his reign at age fifteen. His birth is unknown, the day is unknown, but what is known will be the year, the year being one thousand nine hundred and ninety-four when his host is ready.

Shane stopped reading. He thought for a moment then whispered to himself, If this is all true, The Devil walks among us, now. He’d be twenty years old, but I don’t, quite understand the meaning. If the birthday is unknown, why couldn’t they figure out, at least, the year of the birth? He finished his cereal and went to his bedroom and grabbed a book bag. He placed The Book in the bag then walked over to his recliner and picked up the calculator on the lamp stand. He pressed nineteen-ninety-nine minus twenty equals and took a deep breath. The answer was nineteen seventy-nine. He put the calculator back down then ran out the front door. CiCi! he yelled, and from around the corner of the house came a gray and white wolf. She ran straight up to Shane. Shane kneeled and gave her a hug. CiCi returned her love with a couple of slobbery licks to the face. Get in the car, ole girl, Shane said. He stood and locked the door to the house before joining CiCi in his red Corvette.

Hello, father, the young and beautiful Brandy Sanders said as she entered Donald’s room. She had brown eyes and short blond hair. She was nearing eighteen and stood about five-four. How’s my lovely daughter? Donald asked. I’m quite fine, Brandy answered, smiling. Donavon told me you wanted to see me. Yes, the girl’s father replied. Have a seat; I’ve something to tell you. Brandy sat on the bed, beside her father. It’s about your brother, Donald began. He can seem disturbed at times, Dad, Brandy interrupted, but he means well. He scares me, Donald continued. I’ve sent Donavon to find him. The plane he was on crashed, last night. Oh dear, Brandy whispered. Why did you send Donavon to find him? Surely, he’s dead. No one has ever survived a plane crash, have they? I have a feeling he’s alive and well, Donald said, a bit of fear, Brandy noticed, in his voice. Ever since he turned fifteen he’s told me that he was The Devil. I was thirteen that year, Brandy said. Yes, her father agreed with trembling lips. You may go, now. He gave his daughter a hug and kisses and watched her leave the room.

The tall man entered the clothing store on East Main Street. He looked at the beautiful cashier and smiled. She smiled back. He walked toward the back to the MEN’s department. He picked out several suits and other clothes than left. The cashier said nothing, and remained still as if she never seen what he did.

As the tall man walked down the street, a white van stopped beside him. Donavon sat in the driver’s seat. Hey, John! he yelled to the tall man. The tall man stopped. Where the hell have you been? he asked Donavon. I’ve been lookin’ for ya for the past two and half hours, Donavon replied. Christ, where have ya been? Clothes shopping, John Sanders replied as he got in the van and threw the suits and clothes in the back. And don’t say ‘Christ’ around me, anymore, understood? Sure, Donavon answered.

Jonathon and Elizabeth Knight had been visiting Elizabeth’s parents in Alabama. They, both, had brown hair, but Jonathon had blue eyes, and Elizabeth’s eyes were brown. They were in their Chevrolet Corsica, heading home, when suddenly, a green Porsche side-swiped them on the highway. Jonathon lost control of the Corsica. Jonathon noticed there was a bridge just ahead, when the Porsche hit them again. Elizabeth began to panic as the Corsica went off the edge of the highway and rammed the side of the bridge.

John and Donavon arrived at the warehouse, where Donald was awaiting their arrival. Welcome back, son, he said to John. John got out of the van and hugged his father. How are you? he asked him. I’m fine, Donald answered. I heard about the plane crash. How’d you survive? I’ll tell you later, John said. He looked at Donavon and said, Grab my clothes. Donavon did as he was told, while John and Donald started walking toward John’s room.

Shane stopped at a phone booth and began flipping through the phone book. He finally stopped at the J-K’s and began going down the names until he got to Knight. Jonathon and Elizabeth, he whispered. It would have to be their children. He wrote down the number and address then left.

John, Will, and Anthony were headed to the Blakesburg Ball Park on Hideaway Street, southwest of Blakesburg. Julia told Anthony she’d come watch when she finished doing a little shopping. When they arrived at the baseball field, they all got out of Will’s black Chevrolet Z-71. Will looked at John and Anthony and said, Man I love that truck. They looked at the crowd of people. Rose sat on the first bleacher at the front. She waved at Will, and Will waved back. You, two, really, should get together, John blurted. No, Will said. We’re just friends.

As the three brothers walked onto the field, the crowd on the HOME side went wild. The people of Blakesburg stood and cheered for them. Go, you guys! a woman screamed. John, Will, and Anthony began jogging, arms in the air, to the dugout.

Hello, ladies and gentlemen, Kevin Smith’s voice announced through the intercom from the commentators’ booth. You have just witnessed the three best ball players… and clowns… in Blakesburg. Today, the Blakesburg Tigers will play against the Forest Bears.

John and Anthony looked at one another. I’m not a clown, John said. Me, neither, Anthony replied. They looked around the dugout. Where’s Will? John asked. Anthony shrugged his shoulders. He’s on the field for the coin toss, Coach Henderson said. The coach had black hair and wore dark shades, standing about six-two.

Will told his team, We’re outfield, first, as he entered the dugout. This is the final game of the year, Kevin said. This one is for the championship trophy. May Blakesburg have mercy on Forest. One of the players said, enthusiastically, Let the game begin! That bastard says that shit all the damn time, Coach Burns of the Bears team said. Joey, you’re up first.

John, Will, and Anthony played deep field. Well, actually, they played almost the whole field. John was at the far right, Will played second base, and Anthony played center field. Let’s get this game over, quick as possible, Anthony said. We got a football game to go to, next. Don’t worry, Will said. This game won’t take long.

Shane Li arrived at the Knights’ house but was disappointed to find no one home. Where could they be? he wondered. He got back in his corvette and left.

Hello, John, Brandy Sanders told her brother. John smiled