Mortal Gods

By Kyle Payne

About the Book
Noah Harris has a superpower. The problem is that he has no clue what it is and it is starting to get seriously frustrating. As the only un-awakened member of his class it seems like a big cause for his bullying. Oh, sure he can walk on water, surf the sky, and make a vortex, but unless your eyes change color it does not really matter. Noah’s dad isn’t much help either which is totally annoying because he could be if he wanted to. Christian has had his awakening when he was about Noah’s age, but he has always refused to speak about them. Though they love each other very much, the strain is starting to show. Things come to a head when they are attacked in the streets and Noah cannot help his dad defend himself. So they embark on a journey across the United States to find out what his powers are. With his father not trusting the authorities they have to learn to defend themselves. Can Noah be the fighter his father is? They will have to find out together. In a super society where everyone has a power called a Sphere of Influence. Noah might have gotten more than he bargained for.

About the Author
When one lives in a place as dull and drab as Nebraska, they must learn to entertain themselves. Not wanting to spend his days breaking the law and drinking away his sorrows, Kyle Payne instead decided to fill his day with books, film, and video games. Fantasy was a much needed outlet for when one lives in the middle of nowhere. Growing up on Harry Potter, and the Lord of the Rings left him with a lifelong love of literature. He went to college at the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Understanding the human mind helped him to develop his characters. He cares for people who have mental disabilities. Now happily living in the city, he enjoys going to the gym, walking in the park, and watching plays. He has a fondness for cats and dogs and hopes to continue to work as a writer. Single, he lives alone in his apartment in downtown Omaha. He occasionally likes to hang out with friends and watch movies at home. One day he hopes to be as big a writer as Stephen King or George R. R. Martin though in the short term he hopes to make enough money to become a write full time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: RoseDog Books
• Release date: May 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9798888129166

Book preview

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Chapter 1

Congratulations and Warnings

Sunshine bathed a warm spring day enhancing the celebrations of the important events that were occurring in an ornate stone courtyard with cherry trees blossoming their elegant white and pink flowers that reveled in the damp air as it dropped dew onto their petals. The trees overlooked a large stage with a podium that was facing a large crowd of people sitting in folding chairs. In the front of the rows of chairs several people sat in black caps and gowns. The graduates had a look on their faces that cocktailed expressions of anticipation and relief.

At the end of the first row behind the graduates was a small boy named Noah, who sat quietly waiting for something to happen because it was boring sitting in that chair.  Noah wanted nothing more than to get out of the chair and play, but today was an important day. Noah was a little young to understand why. He was tired of waiting for the ceremony to start and found himself much more interested in a nesting robin on the roof of the courtyard. He didn’t even know what a Ph.D. was, but his dad seemed happy to get one.

His dad had been working for this for a long time, since before Noah was born. A very old man with no hair and a fat belly covered with a graduation gown walked onto the stage and started talking. He had a decidedly dry and droning voice that created dangerous amounts of drowsiness if heard for even the briefest periods of time by anyone. At this point it became very uncomfortable for Noah to keep sitting still on such a nice day. He kept fidgeting in his seat looking around everywhere.

The man started calling people’s names putting the word doctor in front of their names. Dr. Susan Barker… Dr. Robert Cutler… the man kept saying as the rows of people in caps and gowns started lining themselves single file beside the stage as names were called one by one. As Noah kept looking around the courtyard, he noticed something very peculiar about a man standing in the shadow of the trees. He was strange because he was staring straight at Noah instead of watching the graduates, and there was something familiar about him like they had met a long time ago.

Dr. Christian Harris, said the old man and there was a big applause and whoops from the crowd. Noah’s head snapped to the stage at the sound of his father’s name, and he started to clap out of beat with the rest of the crowd. When the applauding stopped, Noah looked back at where the strange man was, but now he was gone. This made Noah perplexed, not because a man had vanished into thin air. He was used to that sort of thing, but the way he looked at him made Noah a little uncomfortable. It was like looking at a predator.

Soon the last names were called which ended the ceremony. The chairs were moved around the courtyard and tables were brought in for a party to celebrate graduation. Chris walked over to Noah, who was standing over by the tree where the strange man had been looking at him. Chris looked happy to be holding a big, framed paper in his hands.

Hey, how are you doing? Chris said.

Can we go home now? This is boring, Noah said desperately.

In an hour or two. I want to talk with my friends for a while and you could talk, too, you know.

An hour! That’s so long and all you guys ever want to talk about is work.

It’s sixty minutes or longer. Now just go sit down and have some cake; it’s red velvet.

Noah’s mouth watered at this news. Well, all right, said Noah, who walked over to the table with all the cakes. There was a lot more than red velvet. There was lemon, marble, and chocolate. There was a polar bear decoration in a graduation cap ice skating on the frosting while the rest said congratulations in changing colors. Noah took a piece of the lemon cake and sat down at the nearest table. Chris was talking with his friends and laughing. He seemed so happy to Noah, who was so busy looking at his dad that he didn’t notice someone standing behind him.

Hello, he said behind Noah which made him jump and turn to see the strange man who was watching him before suddenly standing beside him.

Hello, Noah said a little nervously.

May I sit here? said the strange man.

Uh, okay, said Noah. The strange man sat in front of Noah with his back to the rest of the crowd. The man was wearing a black suit and tie which made him look clean cut and respectful.

How are you enjoying the party?

I think it’s really boring.

Why? Is it because no one here is your age?

Yeah, and all the adults do is stand around and talk.

Well, if you’re bored, why don’t you just use your powers to entertain yourself? said the strange man. As he spoke, he pulled a coin from the air which he then twirled around in his fingers. He flipped the coin and when it reached the top of its arc, the strange man’s eyes changed color and the coin remained in the air spinning eternally. Noah looked at the coin longingly. Seeing effects like this always made him jealous.

I haven’t got ’em yet, said Noah.

Really? You look old enough to get them. How old are you? said the strange man.

Noah counted how old he was on his fingers. Uh, I’ll be five next week.

I bet you can’t wait to get them.

Yeah, they look really cool!

Well, hopefully your dad will let you get them as soon as he can.

My dad says that I might have to wait a while to get them.

The coin hit the table with a surprisingly loud thump. Why would he say that? said the strange man. Noah thought that he heard a note of irritation in the stranger’s voice.

He says that I’m not ready for them yet, that I might have a hard time controlling them, said Noah, wondering if what his dad had said was true or not.

Oh! I think that you – the strange man started.

Hey, Noah, we’re still going be here a while. Chris had noticed Noah sitting alone at the table with the stranger and had walked over to make sure everything was all right. He looked at Noah, then to the strange man and said, Who are you talking – He stopped midsentence realizing the situation and his usually warm smile melted away into a blank mask betraying no emotion.

You’re here, said Chris gravely, his face still expressionless.

That is a warm greeting, Chris. You should write holiday cards, said the strange man, rolling his eyes. Chris sat down at the table next to Noah, never taking his eyes off the strange man. When he did, Noah finally realized why the man seemed so familiar. The strange man looked a lot like his dad only older, but still very handsome. Noah hadn’t noticed at first because the strange man had short brown hair and eyes, while his dad had long, dirty-blond hair.

I do my best to keep a certain level of charm in conversation. It makes people want to talk to me, said Chris solemnly. What do you want, Alexander?

I want to offer my congratulations. A doctorate in cardiology is quite the achievement.

Right.

 Though I was hoping that you might be able to achieve more with me, said Alexander. Chris scowled and Noah was confused.

That is not what you used to say about my prospects, Chris said. Something in his tone told Noah that Chris knew exactly where this conversation was going and was not at all pleased with it.

What do you guys mean? asked Noah.

It doesn’t matter, Noah. He’s just a crazy old man, said Chris.

You know all about madness don’t you, Chris? said Alexander. Noah found himself disliking the man more and more.

I know it all too well, said Chris looking Alexander over. Now if that’s all, you can-

Get to the point then, have you considered my proposal? said Alexander.

If I had, do you think I would have wasted all this time studying in med school? No, I am not interested, Chris said. He did not speak angrily, but there was a finality in his tone that said he would never budge on this issue.

You could do so much good, and you reject your gifts, Alexander said calmly.

I will be doing good on my own terms, and you have no right to tell me otherwise. Afterall, you are the one who told me to reject my gifts in the first place, Chris said passionately.

Noah had a hard time following what was happening and couldn’t get a word in because they were talking so fast. He did feel a lot of pride seeing his dad stand up for himself and Noah smiled at him to show his support.

I can understand that, but you could be so much more, Alexander said.

Many things could be. You could be in a rubber room or alcoholics anonymous, said Chris. For the first time Alexander seemed wounded when Chris said that, his eyes becoming sad and he seemed to hunch forward slightly.

That isn’t me anymore.

I’m certain.

It’s the truth, Alexander said defensively.

Really? Then, you won’t mind if I have a drink, said Chris. Chris put his arms in front of the table and clapped his hands together vertically, then slowly opened them. In his hands slowly appeared a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. Now, I was saving this for this evening with the guys, he said, pouring a small amount of whiskey into each glass. But we can celebrate now. He took the glass in front of him, raised it in cheers, and said, To new beginnings. He swallowed the whole glass’s contents in a single gulp. Alexander ignored his glass and just sat back in his chair scowling at Chris. There was a moment of silence as Chris laid his glass on the table and took a deep breath. Mom told me you had changed, he said taking the glass in front of Alexander and downing it too. Didn’t believe it until now. I guess miracles do happen. Chris took the bottle and glasses and waved his hands together and they returned to his liquor cabinet at home.

I see you have been learning some of my abilities, said Alexander still, scowling.

Well, I don’t believe power is inherently evil; it’s how it’s used, said Chris.

In speaking of power, your kid told me that you’re considering postponing giving him his sphere of influence, said Alexander.

 What do you care – Noah began but was cut off by Chris.

My kid is all right for who he is, he said angrily like he was upset that Noah was referred to as that kid.

And you believe that you have his best interests at heart? said Alexander.

Yes, yes, I think that I do have his best interests in mind, more so than you, said Chris.

 Well, that is fine if you think that he can’t handle these powers, said Alexander.

They can be a little hard to manage, especially for someone so young, said Chris.

Do you think that you are unprepared for these powers? said Alexander to Noah, who was taken aback by suddenly being addressed by this total stranger. He did want superpowers, but he didn’t know why this man was pushing so hard for him to get them.

Well, uh, I’m not sure, but how will I know if I don’t try, Noah said.

That is well said, said Alexander, but Chris ignored him.

Noah, you will get your powers. I promise. I just want to make sure that you are ready for them; they can hurt as much they help, said Chris. You remember when we saw that woman trying to make herself weightless and winding up blasting herself into a dumpster?

Oh, yeah. She screamed so loud the lid closed when she landed, and when she came out, she was covered in melted yogurt and pizza sauce. It was funny, said Noah.

Yeah, you see sometimes adults don’t even have a handle at it, said Chris.

I can control it! I won’t be like that!

Noah, you have to be able to walk before you can run.

What does that mean?

It means be patient.

It would appear you have changed, too, Chris. This is certainly better behavior than I would expect from you after all those years of debauchery and hedonism. You could be a little more forceful, though, said Alexander slyly.

Oh, is that what you think? I don’t care, said Chris, glaring at Alexander. Alexander seemed to grow angry. He clenched his fist, but then relaxed and chuckled a little.

Hmm, tell me, Chris, are you afraid to get Noah his powers because you’re afraid that he might become more like you? Alexander asked.

SHUT UP! shouted Chris, standing up and slamming his hands on the table. The courtyard fell silent and people turned their heads to see what was happening. Chris’s friends looked to see if he was all right. He raised his hand to them as a sign to stay where they were. Noah was completely amazed; his dad rarely shouted.

I am sure everything will turn out fine, but I think that it is best that you keep to our agreement and leave now! Chris said through clenched teeth.

You think that you can keep me away, Christian? said Alexander.

Alexander, I will say this – stay away from us. Go out and live your life. Put this insanity behind us. If you do not, it can only lead to suffering for all. If you do not, well, I can inflict so much more than physical pain, said Chris, eyes blazing.

Huh…What a shame. I thought that we might be able to see eye to eye after all that’s happened to you, Alexander said, his disappointment and sadness evident in his furrowed brow.

You’re the worst thing that has ever happened to me. Why would I want any part of your schemes? The world isn’t as dark and cold as you think. You will leave us be, Chris said, calmly folding his fingers together on the table.

Chris, I am tired, very tired of how the world is running and I fear that things are going to get worse. I refuse to wait for disaster to strike. I want to help those who can’t help themselves. You could be very useful to me on that front. Things need to change! Alexander said, quietly looking like he bore all the weariness of the world on his shoulders.

And I can understand that and I will do my best to help, but with medicine, said Chris.

Well, Chris, I am going to make changes whether you’re involved or not, but I have a feeling events might force you to take action as well, said Alexander.

I don’t think you will get far in winning me over. A lot of people want to change the world. But you’re right. I may have to take a more active role in the world, given our position, said Chris, sadly looking at Noah and then back to Alexander. Just know that I will always act in self-defense. Now go. Chris gestured toward the exit.

I can see I am not going to get any further here, but at least think about what I said, Chris. It was good to meet you, Noah, said Alexander, who shimmered and vanished. It reminded Noah of the flicker on a television screen when someone changed the channel. Chris sat back in his chair and put his hand over his eyes. Noah had so many questions he wanted to ask that he didn’t know where to start. Fortunately, Chris was always very patient when Noah had a lot of questions for him.

Who was that guy, Dad? asked Noah.

Oh, that was… Chris paused for a second as though he wanted to say something else, but then changed his mind and said, …my father. He’s a bad guy, Noah, so if you ever see him again, please let me know.

Okay. That was how he knew my name. What did he mean by rejecting your gifts?

Oh, he was referring to the fact that when I talk, people tend to listen to me, and that gives him the impression that I should have gone into politics instead of medicine, Chris said, putting his arms around his head.

Is that what he meant by you being more?

Exactly.

What did he mean when he said all that has happened to you?

He was talking about my wife. She died.

Oh, sorry, Noah said depressed.

It’s okay. I’ve learned to appreciate life because of that.

What did he mean by being tired?

He’s sad because there has been a lot of chaos in the world lately and people have been suffering and distrusting each other because of it. People have been hurting themselves and each other for their personal gain also, but you don’t have to worry about that because you’ll be starting school soon.

Well, should we be worried about him?

No. I can keep him away and if he wants my help with anything, he needs my consent which he won’t get, so it doesn’t matter.

Okay, but what did he mean by me being more like you? Isn’t that a good thing?

I have made some mistakes in my life, Noah; I want to do my best to make to make up for them. I also really want your story to read differently from mine.

"What kind of mistakes?

Stuff you really are to young hear. I’ll tell you when you’re older like when you’re twenty-two.

You’re kidding. That’s so long.

Well, it involves some women I’ve been involved with.

Like your girlfriends?

Yeah, that’s what happened. Don’t have my love life, okay?

Okay, so I will start school soon?

Yeah, after we move which will be in a few weeks. Then, you will start school in the fall. When we move, you will get to see more of your great-aunt and uncle and all my cousins, so that will be nice.

Well, all right, but I have one more question. Am I really going to get my powers soon? said Noah.

Oh, yes. I never go back on my word. Don’t worry about it, but you will still have to wait a while though. Besides, if you want to get these powers, you’re going to have to get a shot, Chris said cunningly.

Oh, okay, said Noah fearfully, suddenly feeling his desire for power greatly lessened.

Yeah, I didn’t think you would like that part. So, are you a little more interested in waiting for this? Chris said.

Yes, said Noah a little ashamed to admit it.

Good. Now talking to my father has me famished, and I need some cake or a strong drink, probably cake. Chris got up and had his cake and they kept enjoying the party. People were very courteous from then on and Chris regained his good mood. He was happy talking to his friends from college. A nice surprise was when Noah’s grandmother, Juno, showed up. It was a much warmer meeting than with his father though he was still noticeably cooler to her than with his friends. She seemed kind and compassionate, which made it strange that she was with Alexander.

That seemed to be the reason why Chris didn’t talk to her much today though they seemed to have been patching things up. She gave Noah a candy that released several flying multicolored butterflies when opened. A red one landed on Noah’s face and stopped flapping. Noah ate it and it tasted like strawberries, not like artificial candy, but actual strawberries.

After a while things became more calm and people started to leave to celebrate at home. They had been distracted with students and