The Indomitable Titans: Gods of Men: The Indomitable Titans, #1

By Evan Brock

The Indomitable Titans: Gods of Men Volume 1

The massacre of a family threatens to shatter peace and trigger a war between humans with powerful abilities, called Titans. Rouke and Jessie Araelus, the last surviving members of that family must band together with other young Titans to defeat The Grand Master and prevent him and his Apostles from attaining the pieces of the Jade Crystal.

The Grand Master's forces threaten to plunge the world into dangers it hasn't seen in over two thousand years. The Titans are the only hope to save this planet from those that would enslave humanity under their dark reign. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evan Brock
• Release date: Dec 27, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201369736

Book preview

Prologue

I’ve had to read about this so many times in my studies that I practically know it by heart. Humans taught the full truth, so I’m here to tell you what that full truth really is.

Our universe was created with a bang. That reaction birthed our world and many others. The bang was the result of the ultimate life energy, the Lemental, creating. It made the ground we walk on, the air we breathe, the water we drink. The Lemental surrounds us.

After our world was formed, the Lemental continued to animate life. Small organisms became animals, and animals became us. Life lived in true harmony with the Lemental.

There was an ancient tree, one here long before man had developed. The concentration of Lemental in this tree was so great that pure energy grew as orbs from its branches. The first people got curious and consumed those orbs. Their power was magnified instantly. They became faster, stronger, and were able to manipulate their own energy, or aura, and use it. The power flowed down through their descendants, creating Titans. The people that didn’t consume the orb, became you, humans.

The Titans were revered as gods, heroes, emperors and empresses by the humans in these ancient times. As the centuries marched on two separate philosophical beliefs began to emerge in the Titans. One, was that the Titans should coexist in a shared society with humans, that they are all joined together in the Lemental. The other, viewed their powers as proof that the Lemental favored them and made them superior for a reason. That reason was to dominate and rule the humans. Eventually, the two sides became irreconcilable, and war broke out.

The fighting destroyed civilizations and killed many through the centuries. It almost brought the entire world to an apocalyptic end. Finally, one side prevailed. The Titans that wanted to live in harmony had won. They took control of the power source that drove the other side throughout the war and split it into three pieces. Each piece was given to a legendary Riuken clan and their descendants to protect. Their identities were kept secret so no one would know which Houses possessed the pieces.

The uneasy peace between the Titans allowed the humans to build societies and flourish for over two millennia. The Titans faded into the background to live normal lives. Over time, the world forgot the existence of the Titans.

Now, in the twenty-first century peace continues but Titan leaders have continued to stay vigilante for threats. There are still Titans out there that seek to end the peace and re-establish their rule. My name is Rouke of House Araelus, and this is the world history of the Titans.

Chapter 1- The First Shot

Faint explosions can be heard emanating from the white-bricked estate in a middle America, suburban country-side. The muffled blasts go off inside accompanied by faint screaming. A loud eruption echoes through the walls of the estate and a dark blue light can be seen shining through the back-glass doors of the estate. The light hurls towards the doors and rips through the doors carrying a young man with it.

The young man, Clint Araelus, flies through the air and skids across the ground until his momentum brings him to a stop. The darkness brought about by the sky at dusk, clashes with the fires raging from inside the estate. The fire begins to tear the place apart and bodies of the Araelus family are strung out across the floors throughout. His family was made up of two septuagenarians, the patriarch and matriarch of the family, Clinton Sr and Iris, his parents. Clint’s wife, and daughter, his two younger sisters, and brother-in-law were also in the house. Dead. Clint’s two uncles, aunt, cousins, two nieces, nephew, and in-laws, most likely have the same fate.

Smoke begins to make its way out of the hole made by the blast. Through the smoke you can see two towering figures walking out: the one on the right, taller and wearing a long blue robe. Clint recognizes him as Sulem Al’Tarik, better known as the Grand Master. In his left hand, he holds onto a collar of one of Clint’s cousins, Jessika. She is still breathing and may be the only other alive Araelus family member there with Clint. Clint thanks the Lemental that his younger brother Rouke is thousands of miles away. His work of becoming a Meister and his studies on ancient energy of long ago keeping him away from this butchery.

Jessika is hurt bad. Her dress is ripped and dirty from the attack. There is a man to Al’Tarik’s left who has a scar where his left eye used to be and is wearing mostly blue, did most of the damage to her. The scar is a dead giveaway that this man is Zion Du’Sabe, the current apprentice to the Grand Master. Clint begins to get back up to face Al’Tarik and Zion. He has been beaten down, bloodied, but is still standing ready to fight. Once on his feet, Clint spits out a wad of blood and gets into a fighting stance. Al’Tarik continues toward him.

Sulem Al’Tarik-

You are a very foolish man. You don’t have anywhere near the strength to continue to fight. Give me what I deserve, and you may spare the life of your kin. (He holds up Jessika.)

Clinton Araelus II.-

Our sacrifice here won’t be in vain! You will never get your hands on that Crystal shard! And you’ll pay for this...

Al’Tarik-

We will not be stopped. (He lifts up Jessika, powers up his left hand with a blue orb and blasts her in the chest. Jessika grimaces and is then thrown through the air into a nearby tree. The bark cracks as she smashes into it and breaks in half at the point of impact. Jessika is still alive but just hanging on.)

Clint-

Jessie...(Stumbles over to her and drops to his knees. He gently places his hand on the side of her face.) You did good, this won’t be the end of us. I promise. (He stands back up and turns to Al’Tarik and Zion.) I am Clinton Araelus II, son of Clinton Araelus I, and protector of this House! I will not kneel or submit to you, and I promise...hell will come for you Zollerans!

He launches himself at Al’Tarik full of intense rage from the pain of losing so much of his family and the freedom of knowing how low his odds are of surviving this. He pulls back his fist to drill Al’Tarik but Al’Tarik unleashes a force field blast that rips into Clint and throws him back into the air. He then falls crashing to the ground.

Al’Tarik-

All you are is an obstacle that was put in my way. The Zollerans will return to glory. (Walks closer to Clint as he weakly stumbles back to his feet.) If you’re so outraged by the death of your family then I will send you to see them!

Clint uses the last bit of energy in his body and takes a swing at Al’Tarik. He moves out of the way and delivers a punch right to Clint that brings him to his knees. He then grabs Clint by the collar of his shirt and lifts him back up. He places his hand up against his back and begins to charge the energy in his hand. The Grand Master then releases a blast that tears into the back of Clint and bursts through his chest. Time stops for Jessie as he sees what has befallen her cousin. Clint’s body tumbles to the ground like a rag doll.

Jessika Araelus-

Clint...(Her head drops to the ground as she passes out from the pain.)

Al’Tarik-

Zion?

Zion Du’Sabe-

Yes, Master?

Al’Tarik-

The girl too.

Zion-

As you wish.

Zion, following the order to kill Jessie, walks over to her. Once he gets to her unconscious body, he holds out his hand and begins powering up to fire at her. His energy hums as it forms into an orb. From out of the sky a swirling beam of light races down and strikes the ground in front of Zion. This is not of his doing. As Zion and Al’Tarik are stunned by the appearance of this beam of light, an energy blast flies out of the light a hits Zion, sending him backward. The light dissipates and standing there in the middle of where the light was, are three people, two men and a woman. One wearing black and white with a mask of the same color, named Zinagata. The other man with a rugged look, longer blonde hair coming down over his eyes, a red long sleeve shirt, and black pants, gloves, and boots, named William Ackermann. The woman is older than the two men, grizzled and experienced with brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. Her hazel eyes intensely focused. She has on a military green jacket and black pants and goes by the name, Veronica Dryzaittle.

Zinagata Zimeta-

Al’Tarik...

Al’Tarik-

More Riukens, looks like some of you are ready to fight!

Zion fires a blast at the three of them and all three of them dodge. Zinagata’s entire body engulfs itself in his purple energy and he begins to fly into the air and fires a blast right back at Zion. Zinagata is the youngest of the three that have stepped in to fight Al’Tarik and Zion. He is a Riuken, like the Araelus family that’s just been attacked. His father, the leader of the Riuken people, has been preparing him his entire life to fight against Zolleran aggression.

William fires back at Zion and Al’Tarik while running towards a tree to his left. Al’Tarik responds by blasting power orbs back at William, who dodges the blasts and begins racing serpentine pattern towards the Grand Master. William is determined as a fighter, which is balanced out by him being a loving father to his daughter and wife. Veronica, using the distraction of the beam volleys, materializes right in front of Al’Tarik and attacks him with a double axe-handle strike. Al’Tarik blocks it but the force of the blow sends him backwards with his heels dragging across the ground. William runs up from behind Veronica to Al’Tarik and gives him a swift spin kick to the chest, but he dashes backward out of the way.

Veronica charges at him with a right hand but Al’Tarik dodges, strikes Veronica in the back of the head then kicks her in the back. Veronica shakes off the cobwebs from the attack and prepares to get back into the fight. Afterall, she was the oldest of the group. A tough but kind-hearted woman that was strong enough to raise two Riuken sons as a single mother. William then tackles Al’Tarik to the ground to contain him. The Riukens know how strong Al’Tarik is. He possesses immense power, more than any of them in a one-to-one fight. They try to contain him more than they try to overpower him. Zinagata continues to fly in the air as Zion fires three blasts at him, they miss and Zinagata returns fire at Zion who must back flip out the way of one blast and then another. After the second shot Zinagata swoops down quickly and knocks Zion from out of the air.

Back on the ground, William goes to punch Al’Tarik, he blocks his punch and kicks him up into the air. Al’Tarik then fires a blast at William while he’s still in mid-air. William cradles Al’Tarik’s beam in his hands, flips over and throws it back at Al’Tarik. He moves out of the way as the blast crashes into the ground. Veronica gets involved in the fight again and is able to land a kick into Al’Tarik’s chest, sending him back.

Zinagata stays in the air and rains beams down on Zion. Zion dematerializes into different spots to avoid the blasts. Zinagata fires another beam down on him; Zion holds up his hands and catches the beam. He uses all his power to hold it away from his body and then throws it away into the air. He then dematerializes and appears behind Zinagata. He grabs a hold of him. He begins forming energy in his hand to use as a weapon but Zinagata struggles to get his right hand free and fires a beam backwards and knocks Zion onto his back. Zinagata begins charging up and fires out a beam at Zion. Zion looks up to see the blast coming and fires off one of equal size at it. The two beams collide in midair. Both Zion and Zinagata hold steady and continue to try to overpower the other with their attack.

Al’Tarik lunges at William and Veronica and attacks them with a flurry of punches and kicks.  It is all they can do to fend off his strikes and go on the offense, since Al’Tarik possesses immense power. The Grand Master lands a punch to William, knocking him back. He then turns his full attention to Veronica, blocks her punch, knocking her arm back and delivers a beam shot right into her stomach. She is forced back, and Al’Tarik fires another blast that forces Veronica to dive out the way. William gets up and punches Al’Tarik across the face, he goes for another but Al’Tarik dematerializes out of the way. In the blink of an eye, he appears behind him and hits him in the back of the head, grabs him from behind, throws him in the air and fires a beam right into him. Al’Tarik turns around just in time to deflect a beam blast that was fired at him by Veronica.

Al’Tarik-

Do you not understand how completely out of your depth I am?

Veronica Dryzaittle-

We’re still standing aren’t we?

William gets back up to his feet behind Al’Tarik.

William Ackermann-

We’re not intimidated by you Zolleran Grand Master, Sulem Al’Tarik.

Al’Tarik-

Your Elder must have sent you. No matter...

A loud boom can be overheard where Zion and Zinagata were fighting. The three of them look over and see a bright flash. Zion flies out of it, with smoke coming off his body and lands next to Al’Tarik, exhausted. Zinagata then drops down from the air right in front of Veronica and William, also with smoke coming from his body, breathing heavily.

Al’Tarik-

(Assesses the situation with his plans in mind) This fight serves no purpose. Zion fall back.

Zion-

But Master...

Al’Tarik-

We’re leaving now.

Zion-

As you wish.

Al’Tarik removes a glass orb from inside his cloak and throws it to the ground in front of him. It explodes into an energy orb and engulfs the Grand Master and his apprentice before phasing into a smaller size and disappearing completely. This orb has transported them way from the fight, to somewhere completely unknown to Zinagata, Veronica, and William.

After they’re certain their enemies have gone, the three of them run over to the only survivor, Jessie Araelus. Jessie is now near the body of Clint. During the fight, she used her last bit of energy to crawl over to him before losing consciousness.

Zinagata-

It doesn’t look like the Jade Crystal shard is here, I didn’t see Al’Tarik leave with anything.

Veronica-

It might not have been here at all.

William-

(Looking at Clint) He fought bravely. He must have been in such immense pain, seeing so much of his family slaughtered. I couldn’t imagine...

Veronica-

Do you think there are any survivors in there? (Motions to the estate)

Zinagata-

William and I will look and collect the bodies. Get her out of here, she needs help.

Veronica-

Alright. (Kneels down next to Jessie) I got you honey.

Zinagata and William begin walking to the estate. They smell fire, smoke, and the terrible stench of burning flesh. Once they get up to the smashed open window, they begin to truly see the carnage inside. Zinagata takes off his mask, revealing a curly beard outlining the jaw around his black skin. The scene of death violates all five senses for both William and Zinagata.

Zinagata-

God dammit. Let’s go.

They reluctantly go inside the Araelus’ former home praying they find survivors.

Over on the other side of the world sits a monastery in the middle of the Tibetan mountains. This particular monastery is called the Citadel and is a home to Riuken scholars called Meisters. The mountains dwarf the highest trees in the forest and provide a contrast to the lush greenery with the snow-covered mountains in the background. The Citadel is a large, dark building that wraps around one of these mountains with a tall tower extending from the center. This Citadel is home to about five hundred Riuken Meisters or Meisters in training.

In the Citadel is a large library filled with books about the history of Titans, Riukens, Zollerans, the Lemental, and several other pieces of literature that explain the history of the planet and humanity. Sitting in that library in an old wooden chair at one of the library’s long tables is Rouke Araelus. He has a boyish face, making him look younger than he is. His brown hair is messy, floating down his forehead. It matches the color and texture of the hair of his family members in the United States. Him and his older brother, Clint, look very much alike. He wears the standard black robes of a young Meister and reads a book titled The Uses of Glass Kyanite.

As he reads to familiarize himself with this rock-like material that can be found under the earth, he notices the old Head Meister make his way into the library. Head Meister Bazel slowly shuffles in the direction of Rouke, using his walking cane to get across the room. Behind him stands another older man, who stoically waits for the Head Meister to reach Rouke. The hair on his head is white and pulled into a bun, matching the color of his beard. He is a Black man that has seen so much of the world, and the wrinkles on his face let it show. He is the Riuken Elder, Akame Zimeta, the appointed spiritual leader of the Riukens and the wisest among them. Bazel has made it over to Rouke who looks up from his book. The sorrow across his face is palpable as he tells him the news of his family.

Head Meister Bazel-

I’m so sorry Rouke, but I have some terribly sad news...come with me.

The Head Meister, Rouke, and the Elder leave the library and walk into one of the smaller rooms in that area of the Citadel. They enter into one of these chambers, filled with ancient scrolls, half burnt out candles and various old paintings on the walls. Both Bazel and The Elder tell Rouke that his family was killed by Grand Master Sulem Al’Tarik and his apprentice. They inform him that the only living relative he has left is Jessie. The news hits him hard. He trembles after they finish, and his breathing uncontrollably increases. He fights back his tears and takes a few minutes to respond.

Rouke Araelus-

I...I’m not even sure if I can process this. They didn’t...they didn’t deserve that end...

The Elder Akame Zimeta-

There are no words we can say that can fully alleviate your pain. What we told you is unimaginable. But your cousin Jessika, is still alive. Her injuries are serious, but she will recover.  If you come with me, I can take you to see her.

Rouke-

Why were they killed?

The Elder-

They were killed by the Zolleran Grand Master, Sulem Al-Tarik. We believe they were looking for a Jade Crystal shard. Are you familiar with that?

Rouke-

Yes, we studied a little about it here in the past. The Jade Crystal was the center of power used by the Zollerans over 2000 years ago during the Auric War.

The Elder-

Right. After the end of the war, the Crystal was then broken into three pieces and given to the three legendary Riuken families to protect. The names of those families were kept secret to keep the identity of these houses secret. The Araelus’ were one of those families. Were you ever told this from your parents?

Rouke-

No, I had no idea.

The Elder-

Many houses only tell those in their families when it’s absolutely necessary. So, I’m not surprised you didn’t know. Your older brother Clint was the current guardian of the Araelus’ shard piece.

Rouke-

So he was after our shard, Al’Tarik?

The Elder-

Yes. He didn’t find it. But we didn’t recover it either. I know we’ve hit you with terrible news and it isn’t fair, but we need your help. Your brother had the shard hidden somewhere and we’re hoping you can help us find it.

Rouke-

I don’t know where it could be. I mean I just heard we had it a minute ago.

The Elder-

But your connection, the energy you share with your family, living or dead, can help us.

Rouke-

I don’t think I’m the right person to help, but if it means stopping them from putting together that weapon...I’ll do it. No other family should ever go through what mine has.

The Elder-

Thank you. (places his hand on Rouke’s shoulder) You have shown great strength and wisdom. We must leave soon.

Rouke-

Can you give me a minute to myself, then I’ll be ready to go.

The Elder-

Absolutely. I'll be here when you’re ready.

Rouke solemnly makes his way out of the room. He walks a little down the hallway and around the corner to a window. Rouke stares out the window at the tree line just below the mountains. Rouke now allows himself to mourn. Tears stream down his face as he drops his head and begins to quietly sob.

Back in the United States, at a campaign field office outside Philadelphia, several campaign staffers begin to close down the office to end their workday. They turn off their laptops and desk lights and walk out of the office. The energy from the day can still be felt throughout this office as staffers continue to work to elect a young woman, fresh out of college, to the House of Representatives. That young woman campaigning against the incumbent Representative still sits at her laptop with the desk light on, finishing up some notes taken from canvassing. She pulls her hair back into a ponytail after a long work day and continues typing away, still wearing her dress and suit jacket from the beginning of the day. She sips down her fourth coffee as she struggles to keep awake. The bags under her eyes have filled in as the days campaigning grow. She places her cup of coffee back down near the name tag on her desk that reads Katie Rooney for District 12.

As she continues to type, her cell phone rings. It’s a call from a number she immediately recognizes; the hospice where her sick Grandfather is staying. At 89 years of age, he had been struggling with his ailments ,and workers at the facility had informed her they did not believe he had many days left. He is now bed-ridden and Katie has tried to visit him whenever she can.

She picks up the phone and answers, fearing the worst. She then hears the worst and closes her eyes in acceptance that this day has finally arrived. Over the phone, they tell her that he is no longer breathing well on the machines and per his wishes, wants to be taken off them. They told her he will probably pass within a few hours. Katie immediately closes down her laptop, grabs her keys and rushes over to the hospice, only a few miles away from where she works.

She frantically runs inside and reaches her Grandfather’s main caretaker. The caretaker attempts to comfort her, placing his arm on her shoulder and assures her he is in little pain. Katie’s Grandfather is the only family she has left. Her parents were tragically killed in a car crash before her first birthday, leaving her grandfather and grandmother to raise her. Her grandmother passed away several years ago and her grandfather had been in declining health for over five years. She knew this day would come but it still hurts her.

Katie solemnly walks into the room and over to her Grandfather. Instead of laying in his bed, he is sitting in his favorite rocking chair looking out his room window. The chair is a piece of furniture Katie has seen many times and that he has had for decades. Once she gets over to him, she kneels next to him as he turns to look at her.

Katie Rooney-

Pop-pop...don’t you think you should be lying down in bed?

Grandfather Rooney-

(Through labored breathing.) No, no no. I’ve had this chair for 40 years. When I go, I want to be sitting in this chair.

Katie-

I have so many memories of this chair. Why did you ask them to take you off the machines?

Grandfather-

Because it's time. I can feel it, it’s something you know. I don’t want you to be sad for me, I’ve lived a long, happy life.

Katie-

But I...I don’t want to be alone Pop-pop.

Grandfather-

You’ll never be alone. Your Grandmother’s and my love will always be with you, wherever you go. (he reaches up and places his slightly shaking hand on the side of her face) You have grown up into a beautiful, smart, amazing young woman and you’ll do great things. I know it. Both of your parents would be so proud of you.

A tear slowly drops from Katie’s left eye as she continues to share this moment with her Grandfather.

Katie-

Love you Pop-pop.

Grandfather-

I love you too Katie. There is...something I need to tell you. I had hoped this burden would never fall to you.

Katie-

Burden?

Grandfather-

I know how this is going to sound but please listen. I have some very special friends from before you were born, that I’m holding an item for. This item is very powerful. I was watching it for safekeeping. The people who would come for it, have no idea who I am and wouldn’t think to come after somebody like me. This item is so important. If it fell into the wrong hands it would be planet threatening.

Katie-

Pop-pop, you’re not making any sense. Why, why would you have something like this? Planet threatening...

Grandfather-

Katie, please just listen. I hoped they would take it back from me before I had to pass it down to you but unfortunately that isn’t the case. Your Dad knew.

Katie-

This is crazy. I can’t...I...who are these people?

Her grandfather begins to cough after spending so much energy telling her about his secret. He attempts to regain his breath by taking in air slowly.

Katie-

Pop-pop you should be resting right now not telling me some story about—

Grandfather-

In the box ...look in the box(coughs).

He points down on his left side where there is a shoe box next to his rocking chair. Katie bends down to pick it up and open it. Inside is a stack of old pictures she flips through.

Katie-

What am I looking for?

Grandfather-

A black and white (cough)...picture (cough) of our old house (cough).

Katie flips through a few more pictures until she finds an old black and white photo of a three floor walkup made of stone. The date on the front of the picture shows 1960. She flips it over to the back of the photo and sees three numbers 24-50-16. Katie recognizes this as a combination to a safe.

Katie-

This is the house I grew up in as a kid, right? The one you had built in Chicago?

Katie looks up and can see her grandfather’s head tilted to the side. His eyes are closed, and he looks very peaceful. The wheezing and coughing she heard only a few seconds ago is now silent.

Katie-

Pop-pop? Pop-pop...(She tries to gently nudge him but his lifeless body does not move.)

Katie then realizes that her Grandfather is gone. She rests her head onto one of his knees and lets herself cry. She spends a few minutes holding onto him before the hospice workers must come in and take his body away.

Outside the room, she wipes the tears away from her eyes and sits down on a bench. She thinks about the last moments she had with her grandfather and rushes through her mind to see if she was able to say everything to him she wanted to before he passed. She is still holding that black and white picture in her hand. She looks back down on it and remembers how her grandfather’s face looked when he told her about the item he was holding onto for his special friends. He was deadly serious and was also so mentally sharp, it had to be true. Katie takes a deep breath and stands up. She grabs her jacket from the bench, takes the car keys from her pocket and rushes out of the hospice center and to her car, knowing full well what her next move is and where she needs to go.

Rouke Araelus makes the trip to the US with the Elder. The Elder takes him to his compound outside a large city in the middle of the country, Chicago. The Araelus family was living in a nearby suburb close to forty-five minutes away. Rouke knows he is back at home but it feels different. Before, he felt the connection between his aura and his parents, his brother Clint, and the rest of his family. Now, he can’t sense much of anything except a faint connection to his cousin Jessie. The Elder plans to take him straight to the hospital where Jessie is, first.

They pull up to the front doors and are let out by their driver.  The Elder leads him inside through the front doors and into the