Legacy of the Monster

By David Neades

Karl Bear and Joseph Mendoza are two men who have never met. Both fighting their own demons, these men have no idea they’re battling for their souls. The gods have chosen them for a divine experiment. Both are the products of reincarnation, and their souls once belonged to two significant, historical figures. Born in the same time and place, what effect will they have on each other?

All humans have emotional baggage, but do souls? Do the circumstances of past lives haunt both men? Is evil passed on? Is good? After the men are brought together through a tragedy involving a woman named Emily, a divinely ordained collision may reveal the answers. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Apr 29, 2017
• ISBN: 9781532018251

David Neades

David Neades works in security and has a degree in criminal justice. His background includes community corrections and the drug treatment field. He was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, where he currently lives with his girlfriend, Joanna. Writing since he was a child, this is his first novel.

Book preview

Chapter 1

TWO OLD FRIENDS

"That man reeks of evil! He’s regarded as the epitome of evil. He’s a stain on humanity. He symbolizes everything intolerant, oppressive, repugnant, and arrogant about mankind!"

Are you done, Eldor? Showden asked with irritation in his voice.

That man is responsible for a significant portion of human death in a conflict that decimated and wasted fifty million lives! Eldor raised his voice as he spoke.

The two old, powerful friends argued in the misty air that fills the passages of time. In the vast amount of time spent judging the redemptive and deplorable qualities of men, they had finally reached an almost impenetrable impasse. Reconciliation between the two gods seemed impossible.

Everyone is allowed to fall from grace three times. The rest of their lives are to redeem them. They are part of the circle of life. But, as you know, they fall short of perfection, Showden said, repeating an argument he had made many times before.

Perfection? Ha! His last chance at redemption was a complete failure as well. His soul has been forever tainted. Charles S. Brody was a man who was born into a life of insignificance, but it was full of comfort and love. Although he never had to want for anything and never experienced the horrors of life, he inflicted deplorable human suffering five times—on his own wife and four offspring. A man who murders his own family? We’ve seen these things before, but not after being the ultimate symbol of human hate.

Showden sighed. We have had many years to decide this. His soul has been in limbo for five years. Charles Brody lived from 1945 until 1975. His next life should have begun in 1975. It is now 1980. Showden leaned forward and looked into Eldor’s eyes. Well, I have something that may persuade you: Payton William Smith. He was an accountant from the United States of America, more specifically, Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born in 1948. He had a wife and a seven-year-old boy. He lived an honest, respectful, and thoughtful life. He died in a tragic car accident yesterday at the age of thirty-two. You should know who he was from 1869 until 1948. He is regarded by many to be the ultimate symbol of peace. He was born in Western India. He attended school in England and eventually led his nation to independence from British control. He preached a philosophy of pacifism and nonviolence. In some respects, it was his undoing. There were some who considered him too accommodating and passive. One of these men assassinated him by shooting him in his chest at point-blank range. His death was a major loss to India and the world. His name was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.

Eldor nodded his head in agreement. Oh, yes, Gandhi. Payton William Smith was Gandhi. It was a back-to-back success story and a shining example of the good side of human nature.

Yes, and I remember that you did not want the soul of Charles Brody to return, based on his previous, infamous life. And now, after seeing what he did, it’s understandable you want to bend the rules that have been in place since the beginning of time and throw this soul into the depths of eternal darkness. I thought that—with the inherit goodness that must be present in Payton’s soul—we would reincarnate these souls into the same place and the same time.

And what is this compromise supposed to accomplish, Showden?

Maybe one’s goodness will rub off on the other, Showden said confidently.

Eldor let out a big, bellowing laugh with the capacity to be heard for miles. He then stopped and became very serious, looking back at Showden. Charles S. Brody snapped one day and slaughtered his wife and four children. His previous existence, the season of darkness, from 1889 until 1945, was enough to disgrace mankind forever. I say again: he was the epitome of evil. Born in Linz, Austria, he started as an insignificant child. He never attended college. He was rejected from the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. When he failed to become a painter, he was educated through intolerance, ideas of blood purity, and—let’s not forget—previous physical abuse from his father. He fought in the Great War and then pursued a career in politics. Through his oratorical skills, he took advantage of the social uncertainties and economic chaos of the time. At the cornerstone of his political ideology were notions of blood purity and the disenfranchisement and social isolation of the Jews. He led the world into World War II, and his death machine was responsible for the extermination of millions of Jews. He committed suicide on April 30, 1945, as the result of his crumbling empire. This was the life of Adolf Hitler. Eldor paused for a second and then added, I just had to emphasize this and plead my case one more time.

Showden responded with a smile.

Showden and Eldor stared at each other, each waiting for the other to speak. When the silence became excessive, Eldor said, So how does making these two souls exist in the same nation, state, or even city make this … this demon more human?

Eldor, you know of the many beneficial interactions that have occurred in various situations. Even the mere presence of these two in the same state can have a positive result. There is a lot of power emanating from them both. I know you feel it. Three times, Eldor, Showden put three fingers up from his giant hand. Three. These are the rules. If this soul is redeemed, a soul that was around for two hundred years before Hitler, then everyone benefits. If it fails, it’s gone forever. On this issue, I will not budge. You either reincarnate Charles with Payton or by himself.

Eldor sat angry for a second. Then he released his stubbornness and appeared to exhibit a feeling of relief. He lifted his hand for a handshake.

Showden put his hand forward, and they grasped each other in a firm and respectful handshake.

Eldor said, Well, my friend, we will see what happens.

A big smile spread across Showden’s face.

Chapter 2

KARL BEAR

Put that damn thing down, the irritated and apparently stressed woman said to her young child as she threw the package of cookies back onto the shelf and excessively yanked the child’s arm, his feet nearly leaving the ground. A few seconds later, she stopped, shook the child’s arm, said something into his ear, and gave him a swift, hard smack on his bottom in the middle of the store.

As