Through Deception: Izoah’s Legacy

By Elvis Ali Bautista

Through Deception focuses on two main characters that are battling against a war of their own. There’s Isaac—someone who leads a group of survivors who are either on the run from those called the Rebellion or fighting against them to save their own lives. Then there’s Izoah—a god whom we know very little of as we see throughout the story that we never see this god’s true intentions. Is he one of evil or one of good?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 22, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796023565

Book preview

Copyright © 2019 by Elvis Ali Bautista.

ISBN:           Softcover                   978-1-7960-2357-2

                     eBook                         978-1-7960-2356-5

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. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 10/16/2019

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

793845

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1     Asleep

Chapter 2     Setback

Chapter 3     Izoah

Chapter 4     Run

Chapter 5     Sanctuary Assembles

Chapter 6     Turmoil

Chapter 7     Numb

Chapter 8     The Captain

Chapter 9     Titans

Chapter 10   Revalon

Chapter 11   Tartarus

Chapter 12   Hyperion

Chapter 13   The Lost Page

Chapter 14   Hope

Chapter 15   The Fall

Chapter 16   Atlas

Chapter 17   Revenge

Chapter 18   Awake

- Thank You –

I created life not to bring hate or more power into this world… But to expand love and serenity - Unknown

Prologue

A small village that was once called Revalon had grown into a kingdom. In Revalon, people were born to fight, to have courage, and to live in harmony. The kingdom had a ruler named Ziolu—a man who was said to be as strong as a God. He was a well-built man with a crooked nose that has been broken far too often and a scar that runs down his face. He has been through war, but his blue eyes reveal his kind spirit. He had many enemies, but none were foolish enough to take him on due to his reputation. Ziolu had a wife named Myra—a beautiful glossy black long-haired woman who is equally experienced as Ziolu in war, telling from the scars on her back. Unlike her husband, her temper was like a short fuse that many people (including Ziolu) were afraid of.

The kingdom had prospered into a civilization with millions of people. It is said that this was only possible due to Ziolu having amazing intellect and patience with the way he ran his kingdom. But every leader does have their nightmare, and for Ziolu, it was an unforeseen tragedy.

One night, a shiny wisp awakes Ziolu from his sleep. It was a magnificent piece of light that left Ziolu in awe. The wisp had begun to move away from Ziolu, having him follow it, which kept him in a trance. He was unable to think, unable to speak, or move on his own. Finally, he broke free from his trance due to a swift explosion that had erupted in every direction. Agonizing screams had screeched left and right. Fire had blazed everywhere! Creatures had invaded the ground and the skies of Revalon. A flying creature had swiped down and beheaded a helpless child that was running toward Ziolu for safety. Blood, death, pain, and torture had consumed the kingdom.

Before Ziolu could even take a step forward, an ominous wind blew, and a man with a helmet of bright gold stood in front of him. His posture was slacked, which made him look like a zombie. His skin glowed, and his glowing deep scarlet eyes reflected the burning kingdom before him. When Ziolu locked eyes with him, his whole body shuddered, and a golden cloud of smoke surrounded him. Ziolu was cursed to have his soul trapped on the moon, his eyes forced to stare down at Revalon to see everything he fought for burn to the ground.

Myra was captured and tortured for months while Ziolu was forced to witness her suffering. Myra was pregnant this entire time with Ziolu’s child. Myra had prayed to the Gods with all her might to be able to cast away her baby safely. When her time came, she squeezed her baby through a crevice in her holding cell and continued to pray. A few days passed, and Myra was eventually killed.

Revalon had fallen, and a new civilization took over the world completely. They called themselves the Rebellion. They had a leader that did not release his identity to anyone, but this leader was no ordinary man—he had true unreal power. The Rebellion was not like Revalon. They were ruthless, and their soldiers were trained to have no mercy.

There were only a handful of survivors from Revalon that were able to escape and hide from the rebels. These survivors had stayed on the run ever since and continued Revalon’s legacy. After many years, eventually the name had died, along with the survivors, but the few people in the world that believed in Revalon’s legacy now called their home Sanctuary.

Chapter 1

Asleep

500 Years Later

Isaac … ISAAC PLEASE we need you … The voice was faint, but he could hear the concern in it. I need you! The voice slowly became clearer to him. Isaac was very groggy and struggled to wake up. ISAAC! a final scream had sprung him up as he took a deep breath. He shook his head in confusion as he got up from the ground. Next to him was a beautiful girl named Searra who was also his girlfriend. She had dark gray hair that curled at the tips, and she wore tight camouflage clothing with a skinny jacket and ripped jeans. Her face was filled with dirt, and she seemed out of breath. A gunshot whizzed by her, causing her to duck her head.

Sea? Isaac managed as he grabbed his head in pain.

Searra’s eyes widened in astonishment as she rushed over to him with a hug. Bullets continued to be exchanged, but they seemed unfazed by it as Searra kissed Isaac passionately. Searra’s jaw locked as she reloaded her pistol and shot over the rock they were hiding behind. She shot at a few soldiers that were gathered just north of them.

I got bad news—we’re surrounded … Searra sighed as she began to reload.

Isaac still shook his head in confusion, not knowing what it was that knocked him out. A loud shot was fired from behind them, which struck a rebel soldier down easily. Isaac and Searra sighed in relief, seeing their reinforcements behind them. It was two comrades: Rhett and Robert.

Okay, we gotta move! We have about a dozen rebels on our tail, and they got a vehicle with a turret approaching from the west! Robert reported.

Rhett had stayed back, firing his sniper from a distance. He was well hidden, wearing an outfit designed to blend in with the rocks around him. All right, so what’s the plan here? Robert and Searra both looked at Isaac for an answer, but Isaac had a blank look on his face.

Something felt wrong for Isaac. His body didn’t feel right. His heart was racing at an abnormally fast rate, and there was this unreal pressure in his stomach. Isaac felt like something was inside of him, something ready to explode at any second.

Isaac! Searra slapped Isaac in the face, causing him to flinch.

Ugh! Come on—let’s cut through these trees! Robert led the way as gunshots continued to be fired at them.

A vehicle had approached the warzone with soldiers being unloaded, and a man hopped on the trunk, cranking a turret. Rhett patiently waited for the man to position himself on the turret and then took his shot. With one quick snipe, the man was dead in an instant.

As the team continued to run through a forest of trees, Rhett had caught up eventually. They all continued to run for miles as Robert started to lead everyone back to their outpost.

Isaac, what the hell was that back there? Robert shouted.

I don’t know, Robby, but can we maybe talk about this once we’re somewhere safe?

Everyone came to a stop as Robert shook his head in anger. We are never safe, Isaac! And things like freezing up in a firefight is unacceptable! Robert shouted.

Rhett sighed and sat his sniper on the floor. Can we just go back home? Rhett complained.

Listen, Isaac, I love you, brother, but what is going on with you? Robert asked.

Back there something hit me. I don’t know—

Isaac held his stomach in pain as he began to gag. Isaac threw up a large chunk of vomit with blood also coming out. Isaac felt the pressure inside of him moving and swirling, which made him sick to his stomach. He continued to vomit as he dropped to his knees in pain.

Did ya eat my special curry this mornin’? I told ya’ll ya can’t handle it! Rhett exclaimed.

You okay, babe? Searra approached Isaac.

Don’t shoot, a man says behind everyone.

The bushes rustled as a man peeked through them. The man had hazel eyes, and the sun made his eyes glisten green. He wore rugged robes and held an assault rifle slung across his back. Searra quickly loaded her pistol and shot directly at the man’s face in an instant.

Whoa! The man dove behind a tree as Searra shot rapidly and ran out of bullets.

Is that … Sean? Robert asked.

Someone give me ammo please, Searra scoffed in annoyance.

You know, when someone says to not shoot them, try not to shoot! Are you crazy? Sean said behind the tree.

Sean used to be a part of Sanctuary with everyone there. Sean one day had betrayed them and joined the Rebellion and was never found since.

I wanna shoot ya so bad, son. But I’ll give this one to Sea, Rhett snarled in disgust.

"Someone … give me bullets!" Searra’s rage scares everyone.

No. Everyone just stop. Please. Isaac composed himself, trying not to vomit.

Why, Sean? You know we’re going to kill you. Why are you here? Isaac asked.

Actually that’s why I am here. My boss, a.k.a. the leader of the Rebellion, has an interesting identity if you ask me. Isaac, you’re not gonna believe this, but the leader of the rebels is your long-lost father. Sean shifted his eyes between Isaac and Searra to see if she might shoot him.

His … father? I thought he died or something when we were younger, Rhett questioned.

Well, he did. Or well, that’s what our elderly say. Robert shook his head in confusion.

Isaac scoffed and looked away. He began to think long and hard as he tried to piece together the fact that his father may be alive. Searra approached Isaac slowly to comfort him.

You think he’s serious? Searra asked.

I don’t think so … Isaac chuckled. Wow. You guys must be really desperate if you’re trying to pull off this charade, Isaac said as he sarcastically clapped his hands.

Isaac—

Sea, you can shoot ’em. Isaac waved his hand and handed Searra a clip of bullets so she may reload.

Wai—What? Listen to me! Sheesh! Sean stepped back in fear.

Searra happily reloaded her pistol as she hummed and didn’t break eye contact with Sean. You know, you’re like a demon or monster, right? Sean growled at Searra.

Searra loaded her pistol and raised it at Sean’s forehead.

Okay, okay … OKAY WAIT! He’s—HE ISN’T HUMAN! Sean cried. Please! I am telling the truth here! Sean continued to beg. The leader. He—I mean, I hope he isn’t your father, Isaac. Because the man is ruthless I tell you Sean began. They have these … facilities. There are thousands of ’em, and each facility is like a Rebellion base camp! They are growing at an immense pace, guys

Tell us something we don’t know. What do you mean that he isn’t human though? Isaac questioned.

Isaac, there’s so much you don’t know. That is why I am partly scared for you, but this was my mission. He wants to speak to you and you alone.

Searra pulled her trigger, but her gun jammed, then she tried to pull the trigger again. Sean looked at Searra in defeat.

You still would have shot me? Sean said in disbelief.

Searra shrugged as she tried to fix her pistol. Isaac stared at Sean and smirked. He snapped his finger and perked up.

Sean, we no longer have time to listen to your lies. But if the leader himself may be waiting for me, then this is our chance to hit hard.

Wait. What’s going on now? Sean questioned.

Robby, head back to our outpost and bring a couple of reinforcements. But I also need you to move the children to a secure location. If the rebels are this close to us, it’s only a matter of time before they find the rest of us, Isaac began to command. Sea, we’re taking him. Here. Isaac tossed handcuffs over to her.

Searra gladly put them on Sean. He grimaced from the pain when she clicked the cuffs on.

Rhett, you know what to do. Isaac nodded at him.

Rhett flipped his hoodie on and vanished