Homecoming

By Steven Lake

Having won the Race of Offworld, Simon and his team now find themselves home again on Earth, just as though nothing had ever happened to them. But, that doesn't mean that their adventures are over just yet, as their time on Offworld now deeply overshadows and colors their new, and massively changed lives back on Earth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steven Lake
• Release date: Jan 24, 2024
• ISBN: 9798215142080

Steven Lake

Steven Lake is a prolific author of many, many books, stories, articles, and other literature spanning a period of over twenty years. He began his long writing career in 1992 while serving in the US Army and has worked continuously to improve his craft to the great art it is today.

Book preview

Homecoming

Book 1 of the After Offworld Series

By Steven Lake

Copyright 2023 by Steven Lake

Smashwords Edition

Prologue

A vicious, ruthless, bloody battle raged both on, and above the top of Black Mountain, not far from the silver metal post that marked the finish line of the race, and the end of a journey that’d spanned six thousand miles of the wilds and wilderness of Offworld. Dragons, men, angels, demons, wolves and many others all fought together, or against one another, to either protect, or destroy, a tiny team of racers who were fighting, with all their strength, to win the race of Offworld, and save everyone who was both enslaved, and trapped there. Fire, brimstone, lightning, weapons fire, and more raged all around this courageous team as they struggled to cross the short remaining distance to the finish line, and ultimate victory. And, as if to defy all logic, the battle grew even more vicious, and intense, the further they went. Simon, the last one of his team still either alive, or able to move, crawled heroically towards the silvery metal post ahead of him, that marked the finish line of the race, arm over arm, as best he could despite his rapidly diminishing strength. His vision was beginning to dim as well, and grow blurry as the world around him started to spin.

Lord...help...me, he prayed with tears in his eyes.

Just then five flashes of light appeared in front of him, replaced seconds later by four men and a woman. Simon paused and looked on at this in confusion. He then shook his head as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing. Not far away, next to the silver post, among the five who had just arrived on the mountaintop, stood Maul Ratinar. Simon watched as Maul quietly studied the battle playing out in front of him, and was appalled at the incredible violence and bloodshed that it was producing. From what Maul could see, most of Section 9 was dead; their avatar bodies having been slaughtered by both demons, and those members of Section 17 who were loyal to the Brotherhood. A number of dragons also lay scattered about the mountaintop in various states of health ranging from severely injured, to fully deceased. Even several of the Chief Director's own men, those who were loyal to him, lay dead or dying on the ground around him, while the remnant of his men fought bravely, and desperately, to give Simon every opportunity they could to win the race.

As Maul studied the brutal carnage before him, he looked down in dismay at Simon as he continued to crawl forward towards the post with incredible determination, despite his strength being nearly at its limit. Looking past him, Maul could see Simon's other teammates all now laying either dead, or unable to move on the cold, black, obsidian stone of the mountaintop, having given their lives, or the entirety of their strength, to protect Simon. Even Angus, the leader of his wolves, lay gravely wounded not far away. However, he was thankfully not in any danger of dying, despite his injuries. Maul smiled proudly at this, knowing that Angus had selflessly, and sacrificially, given himself to protect someone who was not of the White Mountains. His eyes then narrowed as he turned his attention back to the task at hand.

I think there's been quite enough bloodshed for one day, he replied in displeasure.

He then looked to his right at Susan, who had come with him and the others, and nodded.

Shall we end this, madam? he asked.

Susan, who herself was aghast at what she saw, nodded in return.

Yes, indeed we should, she replied.

She then reached out and touched the metal post in front of her. The moment she did, it immediately lit up with runes, lights, lines, and a multitude of strange letters as it chimed, and began to announce the completion of the race.

Welcome to Checkpoint Finish! Congratulations, you have won the race! it shouted above the din of battle.

To everyone's complete surprise, and amazement, save perhaps for Maul, the battle suddenly came to an immediate, and abrupt halt. Within moments, the entire mountain, and all of the land around it, became pin drop quiet. Where once a violent, chaotic battle for the future of Offworld had raged, there was now only the gentle whistling of wind across the barren mountaintop. All eyes soon turned in curiosity and wonder, as well as vitriol and hatred, towards the metal post that marked the finish line, and the end of the race. They all then spotted Susan, who had her hand on the marker itself. As they tried to make sense of this, the midnight colored clouds above them began to slowly dissipate and fade away to reveal the sheer depth of the carnage and death that'd occurred that day.

Mangled, broken bodies lay everywhere around them as blood mingled with water and stone amidst a field of the dead, the wounded, and those who were still somehow alive. Simon, upon realizing that the race was now over, even if it hadn't been by his hand, let out one final, painful exhalation, closed his eyes, and died. Upon seeing this, and realizing what'd just happened, Susan immediately raced towards him. However, she made it no more than three or four hurried steps before collapsing to the ground in a crumpled, motionless heap. Two of her three other companions soon collapsed to the ground as well, leaving only Maul and Dexter still standing. Upon seeing this, Dexter bent down, grabbed Arthur's body, and shook it desperately.

Arthur? Arthur! Are you alright, buddy? Speak to me! he shouted.

He can't hear you anymore, said Maul.

What do you mean? What just happened!? Are they dead!? he cried.

"Your friends are not dead as you suspect, but rather very much alive and well, and have returned home to both where, and when, they first came to this world."

Dexter looked at Maul in confusion.

What are you talking about!? He hasn't left! He's laying right here! he shouted.

Maul cocked an eyebrow at this.

That is not your friend. That is merely the avatar body he was given when he first arrived on this planet. The real him has returned to Earth where he came from.

Dexter looked at Maul in complete confusion.

You've...lost me there, he replied in perplexity.

Maul smiled.

I admit that it's all a bit confusing, if you're not privy to the truth. So, if you would like, I can explain it to you as I return you to your home. However, for the moment, such explanations will have to wait, as there is other business that I must attend to first, he replied.

He then looked off towards the other side of the mountain, and soon laid eyes on a most peculiar sight. Where once there had been mortal combat between angels and demons, men and dragons, wolves, and more, there was now little more than a heated standoff between the two diametrically opposed forces. The two sides stared at each other bitterly in anger and contempt, neither moving, nor saying a word. Maul watched this from a distance as the Chief Director, Maul's former student, and secret partner in his effort to free Offworld, eventually stepped forward and approached Adramelech. The senior demon, however, did not move, but merely glared at the director. It was clear to Maul that Adramelech was not in the slightest bit happy about the current situation. The senior demon hissed and glared angrily at the Chief Director who, despite the waves of contempt and vitriol that were being poured out at him, neither flinched, nor wavered.

You traitor, hissed Adramelech.

The Chief Director, however, did not react, but merely stared mutely at the chief demon.

One cannot be a traitor, if they were never loyal to you to begin with, he replied flatly.

Adramelech again hissed spitefully at the director, and then took a step towards him as though to slap him across the face, or worse yet, remove his head from his body. However, upon seeing this, Caleb, with drawn, flaming sword, stepped between them.

Do not approach him even one step further, he growled at the senior demon.

Adramelech growled angrily in return, but felt it wise not to cross the angel general, lest he risk further embarrassment. He eventually took a step back and resumed his place. Seeing this, Caleb stepped aside to allow the director to continue his conversation. Despite this, Caleb stayed on his guard so long as the demons remained nearby. Seeing that things had returned to normal, the director cleared his throat as he prepared to, once again, speak with Adramelech.

As you have so clearly heard, the race has now been won, which means that all of the requirements, for the completion of our contract, have now been fulfilled. As such, our relationship is officially over, and thus I would request, per the contract, that you depart from this planet immediately, and go your way, as we have no further need of you, nor you of us, he said with flat, yet terse antipathy.

Adramelech narrowed his eyes as he glared at the director. As much as he hated to admit it, the contract did indeed require such things of him, and his demons. He growled angrily at this, realizing that he'd been outsmarted, and defeated, not just by God, but also by a man he'd once thought to be his slave, and loyal servant.

Very well, then. We shall depart this world, as stipulated in our contract, and never return here until a new treaty is forged between us. However, I do not believe that will ever happen, as we will never be tricked into such a foolish agreement with you again, he growled.

Moments later, Adramelech, and all of his demons, vanished in a flash of fire, and were gone. In their departing, they also took with them those of Section 17 who were loyal to them, as well as the summoning witches, and anyone else who had sworn loyalty to them. All that remained now were the dragons, the wolves, those of Section 17 who were loyal to the Chief Director, Caleb's legions of angels, the generationals, and the handful of those from Section 9 who still remained alive. Among those of Section 9, who had somehow miraculously survived, was Charles Lundy, the leader of the organization. The Chief Director studied Lundy carefully, and took note of his rather sordid condition, which had been the result of numerous severe beatings he'd taken during the fight. Earlier he'd been surprised when Section 9 had joined the fight, despite having been banished from the planet. Even so, he was grateful that they had returned.

Congratulations on your victory, said Lundy as he winced in pain.

We are most appreciative of your assistance in this fight, replied the director.

Lundy grinned at him.

And we're more than happy to have been of assistance. However, now that the race is over, and everyone that can be has been returned to Earth, our job here is done.

The director cocked his head in curiosity.

Did you only come here to save those who were brought to this world illegally, and against their will? he asked.

Lundy shrugged.

Unfortunately, yeah. Since those who were born here are unable to survive on Earth, there's nothing we can do for them. As such, we leave them in your care until we can find a way to bring them to Earth, should that ever be possible, he replied.

The director cracked a small, sly smile; something that was uncharacteristic of him.

Do not fret yourselves. We will take good care of them for you, he replied.

Lundy gave the director a shaky, weak, weary salute, and smiled.

Then Godspeed to you, sir! he said, the sounds of exhaustion strong in his voice. He then tapped his ear, and said, Cencom, this is Lundy. Our mission on the planet of Offworld is over. So bring us home.

Roger, Director Lundy. Initiating recall, came a voice in his ear.

A moment later, all of the remaining members of Section 9, who were still alive, collapsed to the ground dead as their souls were disconnected from their avatars, ending the last of their participation in the affairs of Offworld. The director then turned and looked around at the now silent battlefield, and the myriads of dead and wounded that lay scattered across its midnight black surface. He then turned to his remaining agents, and pointed at the survivors.

Get busy healing everyone and anyone that you can. We must save as many lives as we are able to as time is not on our side, he replied.

Yes, sir! shouted the agents.

They then quickly spread out across the top of Black Mountain to look after the wounded and dying. As they did, dragons began flying in to assist them with that effort. Maul soon walked over to where Angus lay nearby, and smiled lovingly at his senior wolf. Angus, though in great pain, having suffered severe injuries in his attempt to help Simon, looked up at his master with joy and happiness. A small smile soon crept across his face.

We won, didn't we? he said, even though he knew the answer.

Maul bent down in front of him, and petted the wolf's thick, blood matted, silver gray fur.

We did indeed, my friend, and I am very proud of you for what you did, he replied.

Thank you...ugh, master, said Angus, flinching at the pain of his injuries.

Maul then heard a set of heavy, plodding footsteps approaching him. Curious to who it was, he looked up, and was surprised to see Garloond coming his way, as neither the dragons, nor his wolves, had any love for one another.

Is he well? asked Garloond, as he stopped next to Angus.

Maul raised his hand and summoned a holographic display above Angus. While the senior wolf's injuries were grave, they weren't life threatening. Maul was relieved at this.

He is well enough. Why do you ask? he said, dismissing the display.

If you will permit me, I wish...to assist you in his healing, said Garloond, as he grimaced from the pain of his own injuries.

Maul and Angus looked at Garloond curiously.

Why would you offer to do such a thing for us, given that you too require healing, and are not counted among our allies? asked Maul curiously.

Because, I wish to repay him for the incredible bravery, and sacrifice that he has displayed today. As fellow warriors of highest esteem, it is only fair that we mend the wounds that we each have suffered today in our joint battle against our now former overlords, replied Garloond.

Both Maul and Angus perked up in surprise.

"Then you would bury the hatchet that has