Conquest of Gods

By A.T. Haessly

The Apocalypse has been a war from the dawn of time, and the first horsemans story is shared. Young Abdias finds himself in the middle of this epic battle between the forces of creation and destruction as the first horseman of the end times.

Attending a local festival, the youth falls for a lovely, mysterious woman. They enjoyed the stereotypical festival of flowing wine and fornication; however, the party is ruined by the horrifying force of a shadowy figure that topples the marble gods and burns all but two in attendance.

With his love stolen by the shadowy figure, he thought his life seemingly meaningless, and his mind in shambles, he stumbles into the path of a wandering stranger. This man shares with him secrets of our world and those that rule it. He tells Abdias of his divine mission to restore balanceto ride against the rebel gods and their leader in the shadows.

He must become Conquest.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 26, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504932851

A.T. Haessly

I am from the state of Wisconsin, USA. I have studied writing throughout my years of schooling and, in all those years, have assisted in the production of these stories. Writing was simply a hobby but quickly became something more. Friends and family have helped me get this far, and without them, I would not have succeeded. I’ve combined my ever-growing style of writing with my vivid imagination to fabricate these novels. My works possess spiritual and moral ideals. I write for both entertainment and consideration. I intend them to be read with an open mind. I believe that opening our minds to these topics will better us; it will better humanity.

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© 2015 Anthony Haessly. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 08/25/2015

ISBN: 978-1-5049-3284-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-3283-7 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-3285-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015913508

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Epilogue

Acknowledgements

Gratitude for reading this with an open mind.

I thank all who read this, and I truly hope you enjoy it.

An extra thanks goes to family and friends who have read this and keep me in their lives.

I am the one and only true God, and superior to all your manmade gods.

Chapter 1

M y story begins at a summer festival. The year is 271 A.D; a system based upon the death of a man upon a tree. Our city in the grand nation had held this festival every year since long before my time. We celebrated our nation’s strength to withstand claims of heresy and upheaval by such men as those we placed upon crosses, fed to the animals, or placed at arms against one another. The grand hall built in the center of town was a testament to our power; to the gods above and the men who came home soaked in the blood of our enemies, innocent or otherwise; victorious! We were strong—and we kne w it.

I sat with the few friends I had in life at a table that was far from the front door—keeping distance from the populace of my city. The wine flowed from containers with laughs and conversation ensuing. My friends all tipped from the alcohol; back and forth, yet never spilling a drop of the life giving liquid. Granted the life of an orphan these poor excuses for productive members of society were the closest thing I had.

The hall was extravagant. Red cloth draped from the ceiling and hung above our heads. We praised our nation’s survival and the gods that procured it. The statues before us reminded us of the gods that held our nation above all others. The statue of the old Greek god Zeus, or Jupiter to my people, stood erect at the head of the hall. His mighty hands held lightning that cursed the skies and scorched the lands. He was truly the mightiest god; I always did think highly of him—envied him.

Men and women all cheered his name. The statues of other gods lined the walls. Our band gawked at each one with intoxicated lust. The life of a god! That life must have been an exciting one. How we joked and pondered the life of an immortal—the creators of existence and indulgers of sumptuousness. Such a luxurious life was that of a god.

Wine flowed pass my young lips hurriedly; drowning any shred of sobriety. The fire flickered and lit the hall as though it were day. The party continued with songs and drunken games. The gods all stared down and cheered along with us. The party was wonderful, and if my eyes didn’t mistake me, the woman down the hall’s length was staring at me with a smile that would have shamed the most beauteous of nymphs.

Blonde hair draped over my eyes. I wasn’t exactly the most beautiful man, but damn it all, I wasn’t bad looking. There was a boyish charm to me; that’s probably what she was smiling at. My teeth were well kempt. Even the ritual of scrubbing with oil every three days became routine. Not unlike a king, the splendors of a conqueror amongst the damned orphans were mine to enjoy.

I twisted to stumble and fall to one knee from the bench that held me steady. My friends all laughed at my expense while I pushed myself up to the table again. Attempts to keep my eyes on the beauty across the hall were my only anchor in the spinning hall. Wine passed my lips once more while the words choked out in a slur, I’ll be over with nymph thar—. Only with liquor could a poor man such as myself gain the confidence to approach such finery.

One of the lads chuckled, Conquer in the name of Rome, and sent all the others into a mirthful applaud. They all began to chant words of encouragement. In the name of Zeus! They cheered and smashed their cups together in salute of my journey. John, a new citizen that had accepted and invited me to join his comrades, leaned forward from his joke and slapped my back; sending my cup forward to spill the delicious drink. My earliest and truest friend, if that’s what I could truly label him, gazed at me with a ridiculous grin and chuckled out, Show the lads how to sheath your sword my boy. Do Rome proud!

Laughter could be heard behind me then. I started to walk, or at least try to, over to the woman I saw staring at me. Many fellow festival goers on my path repaid my clumsiness with shoves and profanities. The statues were my new crutches to help me accomplish such a task. It took what seemed forever, but I finally came to rest only a few feet away from the alluring woman—still using a marble god as a support system.

I leaned against a statue made of marble whose face was sculpted into the image of Aphrodite. The goddess was gorgeous even in lifeless rock. My eyes must have been glued to the statue for such a long time because the damsel of flesh poked me in the shoulder and yelled over the crowd, Sorry I do not compare with such an astonishing goddess. I had hoped you would look at me with that contentment.

Well, the words were still coming out slurry, but I believe it presented the right idea, Beautiful like her? I pointed up to the goddess, You have looks that could be likely that of… my words trailed off as I looked up again at the goddess. My eyes looked back at the woman whose looks were almost as glorious.

She brushed the hair over her bright, sapphire eyes and stared deep into mine. I’m glad you think so, her words were very well spoken for being at a festival at such a late hour. I squinted my eyes to judge the similarities between them. The statue that held me up was very gorgeous, but as I looked at this woman… her looks morphed. Maybe it was the wine, but something about her was changing.

Her face seemed to glow like that of Aphrodite herself. She smiled as she stared into my eyes. I felt warmth inside of me…her face just seemed to calm. You are… I couldn’t even find the words to describe her. I walked over to her simply because she was striking, and frankly… it was a party, but now I have to say that this woman had captured my lonesome heart. Her eyes filled me with the hope of love and a future—something I had never known. She was shockingly stunning, I couldn’t stand it!

Her lips moved forward, as she pulled me down to her level, to rest near my right ear, I’m glad you think so. She leaned back to move her lips to mine carefully. I could hear loud laughs and roars at the table I was previously sitting at; even louder than that of the other guests in the hall.

Kissing that woman was ecstasy. She was soft and tender. Her lips were moist and her hands held on to me with a gentle grasp. I felt like this was truly a reward from the gods. My hand left the statue and held on to my dream incarnate. After a long moment passed, she pulled away and smiled at me.

I was dumbfounded. Such an attractive colleen would never have gone for me—and I now understand my folly.

Downward my eyes fell to myself to see the rugged cloths I wore. They were clean, but a few pulled threads and tears ran their length. I was tall and slender, frayed hair came down to my eyes, but I didn’t consider myself something special. Nothing particularly above or below average described me. Soldiers or heroes like we heard in legend shamed me, but she somehow saw something. I considered it was the wine that amplified desire but dwindled perception.

To hell with it, I didn’t care. I moved my attention back to her eyes that sparkled like stars. Her long blonde hair was shining as it flowed over her shoulders; a reddish tint coming from each strand. Her plain attire was bright and form fitting. Her figure was absolutely god-like. I couldn’t believe such a body existed. I may have been staring at her breasts because she giggled and pulled my head up to meet her gaze, With such stares you’ll make me blush.

While looking around, I saw many people taking to Roman practice and fornicate on the tables and on the edges of the great hall. I saw wine flow over the tables from spilt cups while bodies mixed and mingled with one another. I swallowed hard and continued my search. The people still cheered and called out to their gods, but many mouths were too busy to praise their names.

She sniggered again at the sight of my reaction to the events around us. I was… inexperienced, and I didn’t quite understand the procedure for late night festivals, but she didn’t seem to mind. She pulled me to the edge of the hall behind one of the pillars and a long draping red tapestry.

Her eyes closed just before her lips pressed themselves once upon mine. I was content there; a memory I’d relive forever. We moved together in our moment of pure instinct. The red drapes covered our actions from the rest of the hall, but little mind was paid to wandering eyes. I was with the grandest of all females, and I didn’t care who knew it. It felt… right.

We moved together for what seemed hours until something broke the paradise. Her body was smooth, as though she were made of air. Fine, golden hair stretched out against the floor where she lay. I praised the gods for such a gift. I was the luckiest man in the empire that night. Had it lasted eternity I believe my Heaven would have been achieved, but in our moment the ground began to shake, though no one really reacted to it. Combined flesh proceeded, but I do remember a pit in my stomach. I continued to focus on the woman beneath me while the hall grew louder and filled with more wine.

We continued to move as one. Soft moans escaped her lovely lips as her body instinctively pulled me further. I felt like a king; the poor orphan granted a crown for an evening. Her face alone could steal her any kingdom, and even angels would willingly fall for the welcoming embrace betwixt her thighs. She grabbed at me with digging nails to abet untried impetus. She was (and remains) the only desired of body and soul, and I had only met her moments before our embrace. She was captivating; and so I was caught.

Our bodies were wrapped around each other for what remained of the gathering. Sweet whispers and lavish sensations became our world. Her lungs filled to capacity as she secured her limbs around me. I didn’t think natural prowess were mine, but seeing that exhausted smile swelled me with joy. After such a time, fatigue settled our sweet, heavenly passion.

I’m sorry; I get a little into this part of the story—moving on.

Time passed by and we grew tired. We lay together in a pile of our clothes and held each other close. I never was so happy in my life—even though it was a short life and I was inebriated, but that’s beside the point.

Will you remember me? her voice was soft as she looked into my eyes. I wanted to laugh at such a question but instead smiled at her in exhaustion and rolled to my side to look her in the eyes.

Her eyes closed with a sigh. Toward her lips I leaned for another kiss, I will remember you when distance separates us, her eyes opened to meet my gaze, and fight the Fates so that we may reunite. I smiled through sleepy eyes at the woman.

Good! She pulled me in close and gave me another kiss. Arms wrapped around her as I returned to my side. That was a gala to remember; one that would change my life.

That festival that had suffered a tiny disruption continued to cheer and party. That festival filled with the townspeople. That festival would go down in history that no one would ever know. That festival was ended in seconds.

The ground began to shake, but now more viciously than before. People screamed in horror as the trembling tipped Zeus so easily and quickly that it fell forward to crush the hall’s invited guests. I saw nothing, but heard the mighty crash of the marble god.

My beloved and I leaped up and around the pillar to peer around the drape that blocked our view to witness the giant marble statue that shattered and spread among the hall. I scanned over the screaming people to check for familiar faces, but I couldn’t see any of whom I was looking for.

I felt warmth touch my foot that stuck out from behind the drape. Looking down I saw the scarlet liquid gather around my foot. Panic struck me then. I shot back into the wall behind me and screamed at the blood that covered my toes. I looked over to the woman beside me and realized she was gone. I was alone and blood flowed toward me. The faces of the people were not of my friends, was I standing in all that was left of them?

I cried out for help. I cried out to the gods for help. I cried out like every other mortal soul did.

My body flung itself to the left and darted toward the table in front of me. I leaped up and stood atop the table to scan the crowd. I took a glance down at the marble grave to see a few limbs reaching out from beneath the heavy stones. No faces of friends among the crowd, no faces looking for me. They were gone, the population reduced by Zeus himself.

I fell to my knees and cried out in my nakedness. People around me cried and chanted to the gods who did not answer. I looked down at the blood that formed around the table I took refuge on. The liquid slowly moved across the floor to touch the walls. I prayed to the gods then. I prayed that the souls of my friends be kept safe. I prayed for help in my sea of blood.

I lifted my crying face to look for the face of the loveliest woman, but I couldn’t find her. I couldn’t find anyone to stay with. Not one person to find consolation in remained alive. I broke atop my table and loosed a dreadful wail.

People screamed and shouted for a few minutes, but nothing changed except the reach of the bloody pool. No one had opened the doors from the hall yet; we just stood in mourning. What was I to do?

I was alone.

I was young and alone. All of my recently attained friends were possibly dead, and she was nowhere to be found. I was alone in this disaster, alone in life—again.

Curse you, I stood slowly before everyone still alive in the hall. I stood naked before the masses to cry out, Damn you Zeus! I kicked a cup that was lying on its side near the edge of the table. The cup soared through the air, striking the hefty marble head of Zeus above the right eyebrow. The crowd grew silent.

I was the center of attention now. Things had changed so fast I didn’t know what to say. I was naked before the entire town and just had an outburst against the god of gods. I should have been ashamed, but something in me grew. I screamed out again, Damn you!

My body was shaking with anger. I was alone and the gods of stone remained silent to witness my perdition. I looked down into the eyes of the head that lay facing me; blood pooled beneath his eyes where a hand reached out for help that never came. The people all tensed and stared.

Why?! my drunken outburst was getting worse. I started to thrash and twist with hands clamped up to my temples. Writhing in place, desperate searching for escape gave the appearance of convulsions. The people’s faces blurred. I was losing my mind. The blood… it was everywhere! I couldn’t stand it!

The people continued to stare. My body flailed about upon the table sealed within a moat of blood. I wanted to escape, but I was surrounded. My eyes followed the circumference of the table to witness the crimson Ouroboros. The blood was filling the room with its rusty, metallic stench. Collapsed into the stance of an infant I stared into those marble eyes. Those damned frozen eyes.

Violent quakes caused the hall to tremble again. This time the hall rumbled and the walls fractured. People screamed as the building trembled. Rubble fell from above us. I didn’t move; my sight focused on those dead eyes before me.

I heard something then. I can’t reproduce that sound; I’d never be able to either. The room’s floor shuddered and through the middle of Zeus’ cracked body tore an eruption of fire. My eyes never left those damned blank ones. Fire engulfed his face like a lovers embrace, but never caught my full attention. I stared at him… begging in my mind for help.

Fire engulfed the hall. People were burned in the corners of my eyes. I heard screams fill the grand building. The ceiling began to crumble and collapse; crushing all below it. My eyes never moved, but could make the images out behind the head. People were ripped apart and blood was sent soaring from every blow. Never before had I seen such blood. Never had I hoped to see such blood.

Warm air became heavy around me. Fire still spewed from the middle of the room. People tried to exit through the front, but were blocked by the rubble and piled corpses. People shrieked only to be scorched and turned to ash. I lay in my nakedness and watched the living burn.

Stand! A voice bellowed authoritatively, echoing in the hall. I was instantly lifted to my feet, though my head drooped to stare into the crimson moat. I was not standing of my own will. Something beyond my youthful comprehension bound me. I tried to pick my head up, but the tears that fell from my eyes weighed me down. My vision blurred as my head gradually lifted. My eyes adjusted to the bright flame before me.

I finally found her.

Her beautiful figure stood in the flame with a darkened man. She was naked and shined within that light. The fire danced about her, but never once singed her supple flesh. The wine must have been affecting my eyes; there was no way that this was possible—at least that is what my ignorant mind believed. Her beautiful skin glistened in my vision as her head turned to stare into my eyes and mouthed, Love.

The shadowy man created a beastly guffaw, one that I could never mimic. His eyes were bright red; though that was the only feature I could distinguish since his form was that of flames and dense, black fog. They stood in the cluster of rubble where the fire had exploded from the floor; both cackled while staring at me. The shadowy figure laughed his words, That will do, and looked down at the woman I had been with only moments ago.

Her skin seemed luscious as I noticed her hands smooth over her stomach. It had expanded, as though she were with child! Her eyes narrowed and her right hand covered the top of her belly just under the breasts while the left seemingly held the mass up; as though she were carrying a product of grave importance.

I stared in disbelief. I couldn’t find the words or actions to react. That child couldn’t be mine, yet she hadn’t possessed that physique moments prior. How could this be? Open mouth, I stared forward at her figure, at her stomach. Her lips motioned out to the shadow beside her, He’ll be perfect Father, thank you. He’s so perfect.

Red eyes narrowed at me with a deep voice following it. He mumbled something until I heard the one word I could make out—kill.

He walked over the ruinous body of Zeus, taking time in each step; digging his feet into the marble which left marks in the hard stones. His eyes focused on me the whole time. What was going to happen to me? This festival had turned into the Fate’s worst damnation.

Time for you to come home with me, the figure reached for me. One finger stretched out. I couldn’t move, couldn’t react! I panicked. I screamed out for help, only to have my throat dry out. The fire was choking me; the figure was going to kill me… I begged with my eyes because that’s all I could do.

I felt a warm spike pierce my forehead, Time to die, hissed out the shadowy man, And from the ash. The fire rolled over his shoulder and jabbed at the air around me. Flames struck my face and eyes; my vision faded as the warm whips tore into the liquid. I was going to die. That was all I could comprehend within the madness.

Darkness washed over me. The entire world spun around me. The shadow leaned in close to look me straight in the eyes, Conquer mortality. With that, a light flashed around us. The bright hall became blinding. The beauty behind the shadow, the woman that carried my seed, was nothing but white light. Forsaken to the eternal light, I fell from consciousness.

Chapter 2

I awoke to the carnage. Blood covered the hall; along with displeasing marks from the scorching fire. Each and every person had fallen to the otherworldly assault. All who called out to me with words that broke me. Even the few people that I had come to convince myself an artificial family—all I had—were dead.

Wake up, my eyes were adjusting to the light of the morning. Bright light shined through the open cracks in the barricade of corpses and boulders in the doorway. I tried to focus on where the voice came from, but I couldn’t see anything.

I said wake up! A shake rumbled through the floor and vibrated the table I laid on; a table scorched by the consuming fire of the previous night. I scanned the room, but that blinding light still burned my retinas. My body ached, but at least I could see. From my knees I reclaimed myself. Examining my hands and other extremities; all that fire and I could still move—still see.

Both palms lifted to face me; so I could make one final check for wounds that didn’t exist. What rested beyond my hands was a sight I wished I had been blind for. The newly focused world beyond my body brought about the nightmare of the night before.

Blood stained the ground below me. I swallowed hard at the sight of the crimson liquid. Something in me told me to move. Primal necessity drove my search for escape.

My knees buckled repeatedly as I tried to walk. The table was stiff under me; hard, cold stone tables that my nation feasted upon. The tables that now stood on blood were once the tables that fed armies and men of honor. It had become nothing more than useless stone.

The voice I heard telling me to wake up echoed in me with no source in sight. I looked over the hall; so many dead. The hole in the center of the hall still was surrounded with the jagged spikes that erupted from the ground the night before. This festival took a bad turn when Tartarus opened upon Earth.

I examined the crater from a distance; it was filled now and seared from the center outward. The man came from that hole. That shadowy man that walked to me had come from that inferno. He had touched me… I moved my hand to rub against the spot his finger had poked.

It all felt normal. No tears or tenderness. My legs were shaky. I didn’t wish to remain trapped by the dead; I had to leave. I examined my naked body with blurry vision… I was unsoiled and unstained.

My hands smoothed over my skin where I swear I felt the flames burn my flesh. I must have had some blood on me somewhere. The room was covered in it, yet I had not one drop on me! Even my feet that were touched by the warmth of the life liquid were clean; all of my body was free of the staining red and blackened burns.

The dirt and debris that were thrown up into the air had done nothing to my fragile body. Not one bruise or mark that I could see or feel. My legs steadied, and I rose to face the light coming from the sky above the broken hall of mankind’s gods.

Tears welled up in my eyes. The light was strong, and I was alone—returned to my customary solitude. I don’t remember why I stood and readied myself to move, but that voice echoed in me, Move.

Without hesitation or thought, I moved to the end of the burned table. One foot after the other. My body moved slowly. I noticed my legs moving with careful movements that I never seemed to be able to do consciously. My body was skinny and tall, but I had never previously been coordinated.

One foot stepped down onto the bench to descend to the floor. My right foot followed and placed itself into the pool of dried blood beneath me. I hated blood. Just the thought of the pooling crimson touching me forced my skin to crawl. Panic swelled within me, but when my foot came to the floor I remained calm. My heart pumped quickly and I began breathing faster, but I was relatively calm.

My body moved toward the blocked door for a reason I couldn’t explain. The ocean of bodies I had to cross was mind numbing. I walked over the body of one of the young men my age; never truly a friend or foe. His face was pale but covered with blood. His eyes were blank, but still seemed to scream in pain from the large boulder that covered his body. My form continued moving, and I quickly denied those dead eyes that held no memories.

An arm was lying in the middle of my path. The bones near the missing elbow were protruding and stained with blood that had been drained away. The fingers were stained as well, but they still gripped at the air for some sort of relief; those hands that reached out for help but would never grasp it. I began to cry and breathe heavier, but my body walked forward.

I came to rest before the blocked gate to the village where anyone who did not attend the party was sure to be alive; though the party was a village festival for everyone to join together. I hoped someone lived. I prayed to Olympus that I was not alone. I prayed to gods that I had proclaimed hatred for the previous night; I prayed to them before a wall of stones and forsaken flesh to keep me from maddening isolation.

With closed eyes I bowed my head to whisper, Help.

Upon my request I heard a crackling boom above me. The light in the sky dissipated as a