Through the Event Horizon

By Robert Montgomery

Legends are not born; they are forged in the fires of determination and strength. Stricken by the binds of mortality, Ron embarks on his last great expedition. A university professor is drawn to unearth the mysteries of what lies beneath to uncover the ill-fated destiny of the planet. Gelomdor, the creature sent to consume and devour all living things has been awoken. Plagues swept across the lands, and legions of the undead are at the wake as the World Eater begins to rise from the ashes. Extracted by members of whats left of the US Military, they embark to find a means to end the reign of tyranny of the Demon Dragon. By the bending of Space Time, the doorway to Angora opens, and the changing of the written pages of fate begins.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 12, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543436433

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 by Robert Montgomery.

Library of Congress Control Number:         Pending

ISBN:                    Hardcover                      978-1-5434-3644-0

                             Softcover                        978-1-5434-3642-6

                             eBook                             978-1-5434-3643-3

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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.

Rev. date: 07/12/2017

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

760137

Contents

PreFace

Chapter 1    What Lies Beneath

Chapter 2    Selardalr

Chapter 3    The Hunted

Chapter 4    Legend

Chapter 5    Journey Through The Event Horizon

Chapter 6    Deildara - The Lake of Fire

Chapter 7    The Karna

Chapter 8    War Counsel

Chpater 9    West Marches

Chapter 10  Bildsfel

Chapter 11  Mooruvellir

Chapter 12  Moldred

Chpater 13  Melanore Trench

Chapter 14  Ragnar

Chapter 15  Unconscious Minds

Chapter 16  Siege of Norland

Chapter 17  The Mountain Pass

Chapter 18  The Battle of the Bulge

Chapter 19  Draco Rift

Chapter 20  The Awakening

PreFace

A sh covered fields lay in waste as the winds surrounding the winter’s moon could suck the life out of the toughest of men. The barren wasteland was the sight of a battle that had raged in fury and covered the lands with brilliant rays of fire and ice. The fierceness of the fire rendered the largest of the Oak Trees into cinder an ash as these were no flames conjured by normal means. They were summoned by the will of the power in men and beasts. These lands were said to be the home of magnificent and mystical creatures that possessed powers and deadly intent that could not be seen by the mere mortal eyes. Some beings do not merely exist in the world of men but in a rift of multiple times, and planes that make their existence questionable. Who can say with great certainty when the rift shifts as it wills then vanishes in a haze of fog onto the land what creatures may reside inside.

At the doorsteps of Lavinosh the battle for all living things raged. With the combined forces of good, evil, fire, and ice holding the legion of dead at bay. This battle would decide the fate of all life on both sides of good and evil.

A being of great evil was summoned from the heavens an fell to the ground like a flaming earthquake. Gelomdor the reclaimer, is what they called him, sent to consume and destroy all life on this planet. It took the form of a black monstrous Dragon, with skin as black as coal but shiny and reflective through the cold days light. The beast was the size of the castle wall and its claws and teeth were like blood-covered spears. The creature’s wrath became much worse as the victims left in one piece did not remain dead. Soon after days of death took them they would return a mindless beast in servitude of their new master.

Although the dead lay burning at the gates of Lavinosh the power of Gelomdor was unmatched. The gate fell in an inferno of burning splinters mixed with molten metal. It was in this final hour that all life rested in the balance that a unlikely challenger rose to face this being at the gates. He could wield and channel the powers of fire and lighting. With the four elders and wielders of their own right stood facing monstrosity. Gerstein raised his right hand and revealed a sword shining with golden light as bright as the noonday sun. Each elder relinquished their power and his vessel that began glowing as the power filled within his body. His body radiated with energy until one sonic boom, all light diminished.

Darkness filled the kingdom.

What Lies Beneath

CHAPTER 1

T he summer months in Nevada can make the most seasoned archeologist rethink their profession. Nowhere in the job description does it say a college professor should have to endure such conditions Ron thought.

The Colorado River with all of its power lay off in the distance as a tease of a cool refreshing life bringer. The mighty river had cut into the canyon from which the excavation site lay deep inside. The site still lay miles down into the depths of this magnificent canyon.

As the group dove into the depths the air became more inviting as the hot dry air began to be replaced with a lite humid feel. The cooler air gave Ron some relief as it would be less likely for his crew to suffer from a heatstroke. An injury in a place so far from civilization would mean the likelihood of survival would be greatly decreased. The sound of the river rushing through the canyon in the distance gave an almost pleasant sound with its lite rumble through the rocks and crashing on the side of the riverbanks.

Down beneath the trees an overgrowth the group did not have to be so concerned with the sun melting the skin from their brow. The path was narrow however and only left a two inch gap between the wagons wheel and a sheer drop into the canyon. A small shift in the earth or a misstep of one of the mules could be fatal. Miles lay between the depths of the abyss an their location in the decent.

The group was guided down what Ron believed as primitive means as donkeys and pack mules seemed the common norm for these parts.

The excavation site loomed in the distant horizon an at their rate of decent they should be there by nightfall. If they kept up this pace they should get a few hours of digging in before sun sank in to the horizon. Ron has the most state of the art excavation equipment that consisted of a shovel, mining pick, buckets and a assortment of brushes strapped to his mule. Much of the equipment from last groups visit would remain for them to use. With the budget, cuts if the University had its way they would have just walked the entire length of the trip. However, with all that aside this is where his heart truly lies, in the hunt an discovery of treasures drove his desire to seek out these exotic locations. Each time he found one of these remote locations his heart raced as each inch of soil removed could unearth a hidden treasure and this particular site pulled his desire even more.

The previous team had been digging in this area for two weeks the previous summer with no luck. Some indescribable force was pulling him to this location that radiated deep within his gut. Something lay beneath the earth and he was determined to uncover this mystery. The site seemed undisturbed with only a few branches and some water erosion from the heavy rains eroding small trenches in the soil. As they reached the site the might of the Colorado River was undeniable with raging water crashing.

Ron looked back at his team and said Ok team. This will be our home for the next three weeks.

The two Mexican guides began unpacking their mules with the crew’s bags and help settle the crew into the new campsite. Ron thought it would be at least polite to ask their names but then again he would probably never see them again after their journey. Ron was not a fan of being placed in uncomfortable situations. Having a set plan and routine was how he set up his life for the last thirty-one years of it. The guides would undoubtedly gone by first light and would not return until the end of their stay.

Their group consists of four members whom had been selected by the University to aid the professor in the excavation. Ron whom kicked off the expedition had just turned thirty one before embarking on what would likely be his last great adventure. Although he had a tall an athletic build with the classic dark blonde hair an deep blue eyes. His family was of the athletic nature an drove him towards athletically inclined sports however due to his clumsy nature academics took his attention. Him eventually finishing his masters and acquiring a professor’s position at the University of Kentucky gave him special benefits in travels to these remote locations.

His assistant on this adventure was a college student at the University. She was a twenty three year old with sandy blonde hair and full of life and herself. Ron constantly wondered why she played so much special attention to her appearance since they were just going to be playing in the dirt. Destiny was the young girls name and through all of her charismatic flaws, she was still strikingly cute.

The two other gentlemen two other men in the group were hired for the manual labor aspect and protection from whatever would be threats. Charles was the taller and more aggressive of the two men. Charles had dark hair an deep blue eyes that seemed to turn black in moments of frustration. The tribal tattoo on his left arm set the stage in appearance for his character.

The camp was set up just outside the excavation site with the professors tent the closest. He wanted to be the closest to the action if anything was unearthed. With the help he was given he also seen as himself doing the biggest brunt load of the work. At Ron’s request Destiny placed her tent alongside of his. Although he trusted the other two men’s moral character he did not want to take her safety to chance. She appreciated the attention received from showing off her tanned muscular legs.

After Ron had finished setting up his spot an settling in an uneasy feeling came over him. He rose to his feet looking onto the spot of earth to his front.

Do you feel it Ron asked.

The other looked back an forth at each other in confusion.

Feel what Sir Chris asked.

Right there Ron pointed to the far east side. There is something right there. I can’t explain it, but I can feel it radiating inside.

At that point Ron grabbed his shovel and proceeded around the site to his spot on the far side. There was no need for brushes at this point, just some hard manual labor to remove the soil as this area had almost gone untouched. He knew there was something here. There was something buried deep within and he was aiming to find it he thought.

Soon the use of a wheelbarrow came into play as one shovel full became two and then three. The others were tired from the journey but they felt inclined to help. Charles took use of the wheelbarrow moving the earth he displaced we each shovel load. Chris kept in rotation with Ron as they dug deeper and deeper into the earth.

The dig site was in an odd geographical position. The Colorado River surrounded the site on three sides creating a peninsula of sorts. With no good reasoning the water hit a ninety degree turn to avoid the land mass.

As the hours went on the grumbling from the hired hands became more prevalent. They had expected to make the journey, set up camp, and then rest the night away. Instead, they were busting their butts for this crazy man, hell bent on making a name for himself. However they bid to do the job at a higher than average pay and their incentive would rest on the recommendation of Ron.

The winds blew through the canyon and the hot air from the days sun was replaced with the cool air blowing from the rivers mist. The lanterns were lit and Destiny had started a small fire to provide light and warmth. The days would be hot and the quick decrees in temperature would make the night appear cold.

Fatigue began setting in on the arms and backs of the men as the evening air blew through providing some comfort to their otherwise inflamed muscles. Ron’s desire to find his prize burned through his stomach like hot coals. Something out of this world kept him going as the others soon began fading away.

Clink the pickaxe struck something.

It was something very hard and metallic sounding. Ron tossed out his pickaxe and grabbed his spade to remove more of the soil surrounding it. Charles joined in and the excitement grew as the disbelief set in that Ron’s hunch may have actually been correct. Destiny whom had shied away from the digging became curious with the sudden burst of emotion in the newly dug hole. On her way to the boys newly dug hole she seen the pickaxe laying just outside. The end had been completely broken and would be rendered almost useless now. When she peered into the hole she could begin seeing a sleek black crystal object begin to appear as they began brushing the soils away.

Ron’s heart was racing, he had found what he had known was here all along. The burning within his gut was still there and a small fire began churning within his chest. He slowly pulled off his leather glove and knelt down to take a closer look at his new prize. Some of the tops soil had been brushed away to reveal the crystal formation. With his naked hand he lay his hand onto the top of the black crystal. It was cold to the touch, almost freezing. The small flame that had begun in his chest started to grow. It was like the burning of a hot coal that ignited the many others within. It paralyzed his muscles and froze his hand to the black object. The fires consumed his insides and flowed through his extremities like water of an ocean. The others thought Ron was just standing there admiring his new prize, they did not realize he was stuck within a whirlwind of flames.

Ron, Ron. Are you ok Charles asked after a few minutes of watching his stand there motionless.

Destiny touched Ron’s shoulder and quickly pulled it away he is burning hot she said.

Chris and Charles began trying to pull him away from the object but it felt like his hand was magnetized to the black crystal.

RON

Ron felt the power like white hot liquid flowing through his veins. The feeling was both exciting and scary at the same time. Somewhere within he knew that if the power was not expelled from his body it would quickly burn him into cinders. The black crystal was cold and the vessel felt empty. With his mind he began pushing the heat into the one location it seemed that could hold such heat, the ice cold stone. The feeling of the heat passing through his body into the stone began and the wind begun bellowing outside. The more fire that left from within the stronger the gusts became. As the last of the heat left his body the ability to move began to slowly return to his body.

The vision of the flames had left his waking eyes an the sight of the other in his group surrounding him filled them.

"I’m guessing something on said.

Are you ok Charles asked.

Yeah, I think so he replied.

Steam had replaced the sweat on Ron’s back an was rising from his shirt in the evening air. Charles grabbed Ron underneath the arm and helped him to his feet.

You went from about to melt to now ice cold Charles commented.

The winds left as fast as they had arrived as they helped Ron slowly stagger into his tent. The burning sensation that was residing within his gut had been pushed out an was now gone. There was more to this thing than it being some inanimate object, Ron felt that something had changed. It felt like there was some kind of an awakening of a very old and dark soul. Something ancient and dark that had been around as long as time itself.

After a couple of hours Ron had begun to regain some of the wits about himself. He began trying to rationalize everything that happened and what this meant. Did this experience come from an out of world experience or was this a product of his advanced stage of cancer Ron wondered. Two months prior to booking the trip he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Leukemia would be the monster within his blood that took him out of this world. His blood type was so rare that a bone marrow transplant was an almost impossible feet. His fiancé was up in arms against this trip but he was compelled as this was the place he felt the most alive. With the projection of just a year from the doctors it felt as if this was what he needed to feel alive again. For liability reasons he never informed the University of his condition, as this would be grounds to disband the expedition however to the normal person he looked just as healthy as the others.

After regaining his composure he grabbed for his water bottle and on unstable feet began his journey back to the hole. The guys had continued to uncover the black mass while Ron was away. He had been gone for a couple of hours after his experience and those two were hard at work.

The newly unearth crystal structure looked like some kind of bone structure of a prehistoric era. During his master’s program he had taken four semesters full of paleontology courses. By the size of the newly uncovered leg and tail formation this creature would be almost the size of a full grown T-Rex. It looked as if the black crystal had melted the flesh off this thing and perfectly encased it. This thing had been laid to rest by a means he had never seen in anything before.

An unusually cold air began blowing through the campsite. Ron was thinking this air was unusually cold and dry like walking into a deepfreeze. They retreated to their tents and campfire. Dawn would come early an with it a lot more work Ron thought. They needed their strength and catching a death of cold on the first night would not be a good start to their week. The guides placed their tents by close to the path leading out with the mules along their side. They may have sensed something was askew and wanted a quick getaway Ron thought.

As the hours grew late they had bedded down an settled in for the night. The winds began to blow and howl within the night once again. A storm has quickly rolled in that produced large bolts of lightning and thunder loud enough to shake the grounds slightly. After the strikes of lightning the rain soon followed, slowly at first but quickly picked up its momentum. The storm lasted for hours with each tent rocking through the night from the gusts of wind. These units were not built to endure this type of wind and hail.

The winds began to lighten and a steady rain took its place. The wind an rain were not hard enough to collapse the tents however the fires soon extinguished. A slight warm feeling gathered in Ron’s chest and would remain there after his traumatic event. He could feel the presence of something outside but not of something that sought harm to them. It was the presence of an old soul lurking within the shadows of the night. Ron peered through opening of his tent and nothing could be seen but the darkness of the night and the wind blowing waves of rain. When Ron retreated back to the confines of his tent three gusts of wind came through an then stopped. The rain tapered off into an eventually turned into a lite drizzle. The feeling was gone and the being had left, Ron wondered if it was just here to see what had been uncovered in the depths of the canyon.

The morning sun cut through the fog from the nights storms. Ron was the first to emerge from his slumber to assess the damages. The tents and campsite remained undamaged with the exception of a few branches. The guides were gone, they must have packed up and left in the early morning Ron thought. A storm of this magnitude was uncommon in this region. The others began slowly from their tents and looked slightly more rested that Ron felt.

The only thing that changed was on the excavation site. The rain had eroded and three feet of top soil had been removed by the rains.

Ron said with a chill in his voice either this is one hell of a coincidence, or something is guiding us.

The realization of the truth in his words created chilled expressions on the faces his team.

The newly eroded area was an extension to the hole they had dug previously in the area the black bones were found. The removal of the soil would cut their time in half. They began removing the wet soil from the area an as they suspected there was more and more of the crystalized black bones present. Ron could feel the heat resonating from the bones and was careful not to touch anything with his bare hands or flesh. The others did not seem to notice the heat or was it just his mind playing games. The thought of the fire that raged inside consumed his mind an he wondered if the same effect would happen if he touched it once more.

They continued to unearth the prehistoric creature and although it had many feature that resembled a T-Rex there was one thing that was dramatically different.

What bones are those that protrude out of its back Professor Destiny asked.

Those, those are the bones of large wings. It appears that our friend could either fly or his ancestors could Ron replied although he could not rationalize how something this big could get off the ground.

The bones for the wings were broken in many places. Whatever had killed this thing must have blown its wings off he thought.

Over the course of the next two days slow but steady progress was made at uncovering the creature. This thing could easily be thirty feet tall he thought.

Why did the pickaxe break and not even leave a mark Destiny asked and what is this black stuff the bones are encased in?

The same thought had crossed Ron’s mind as well. What kind of thing needed something so hard to bring it down and be encased inside he asked himself. This was no ordinary find but a tomb for a beast.

Days had come and gone an friendship were made within the group. Destiny was wittier than Ron had previously given her credit for. He had previously assumed she was more worried about her appearance than an the expedition was a way for her to sneak in extra credits. He found her to be quite entertaining with jokes to lighten the mood and her ability to fish came in handy at dinner time.

The packages of military rations were good up until the twentieth time. She somehow managed to pack her fishing pole neatly into her pack. She would leave out just before dawn for a two mile hike and fishing expedition every morning. The Professor thought this was the sign of a true country girl and his perception of the work ethic she possessed changed a great deal.

As it turns out Chris was a part time truck driver whom was married with three young kids. Ron assumed the job was more of a way for him to keep his sanity than take care of his need for money. He was a man of forty that was average height an a slight potbelly.

Charles kept to himself most of the time. The grimace on his face was undeniable as the digging continued with each new days dawn. He was the largest in the standing at six foot five and weighing close to three hundred pounds of mostly muscle. His tattooed flesh dark features gave him the look of a large Viking warrior Ron thought. This is not a man anyone would want to run into inside of a darks alley.

The first week had come and gone and now was nearing the end of the second. They had finally begun