Destroyer of Worlds

By Zach Beard

For over 17 years, John has learned to live off the grid and survive on the rough-and-tumble streets, with only a mysterious voice inside his head to guide him. When the source of this voice is revealed, John's entire life will be upended.

John is a nobody, a hustler… and completely unaware that he's been reincarnated as a powerful immortal known as The Destroyer of Worlds. After John channels a complex set of drawings and determines that he has no idea what the schematics are for - or where they came from, he sends them to an engineering firm that identifies John's sketches as plans for a new and powerful "superweapon" capable of unlimited destruction. As word of the potential weapon of mass destruction starts trickling down to interested parties, clandestine governmental agencies start colluding to destroy the device, while others seek to steal its revolutionary technology.

John's influence rapidly evolves, as he uncovers ancient secrets and encounters a diverse group of Immortal Incarnates – some of whom want to help him… and others who will stop at nothing to see him brought to justice for the worlds that he destroyed in his previous life.

Tensions soon escalate and an all-out war erupts between opposing forces among the Incarnates, causing a planetary end-of-the-world extinction-level threat to rise. It wasn't until then that John truly began to understand the depth of his supernatural powers… and why he will be forever known as The Destroyer of Worlds.

 

"Destroyer of Worlds takes you on an incredible ride into a world where ancient secrets and cosmic forces collide. […] With non-stop action and a fast-paced plot, this sci-fi adventure keeps you hooked from start to finish. It's like a wild rollercoaster ride, blending action, fantasy, and supernatural elements in the coolest way." – Amazon Review

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zach Beard
• Release date: May 18, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224612680

Book preview

Chapter 1

Ten days before I was born, several unexpected and violent X-Class solar flares erupted from the sun, knocking out power distribution stations, satellites, and electrical grids to multiple cities along the eastern Mediterranean and Atlantic seaboard.

Six days before I was born, televised reports from around the world showed masses of whales, dolphins, sharks, and all manner of marine creatures beaching themselves upon the shores of several countries, freely surrendering to asphyxiation and death.

Four days before I was born, eight powerful earthquakes registering at 7.0 and 8.0 on the Richter scale simultaneously rocked numerous cities from North America to the Horn of Africa. Hundreds of thousands of people were hospitalized, and many more were found dead in the rubble and smoke that ensued.

Two days before I was born, seven of the world’s largest volcanoes shrugged off their long-held dormancy and exploded, releasing billowing clouds of lava and tephra into the surrounding atmosphere. Poisonous gases, mudflows, and black ash spewed from the towering infernos, killing hundreds of people, and burning thousands of acres of land.

A few hours after I was born, I heard her voice for the first time. Lying alone in my crib, an enchanting feminine voice whispered softly to me, saying, Hello John, it is good to finally meet you...

*****

17 years later...

Hotel Elliott

Chicago, Illinois

"Wake up, John… they’ve found you!"

I instantly woke up and looked around, my senses kicking into overdrive, frantic to decipher what exactly was going on.

The hour was late, the hotel room was dark, and my eyes struggled to adjust to the dim street lighting coming through the closed curtains. I rubbed my eyes to remove the buildup of sleep, then darted my vision back and forth across the room.

Who’s here? I whispered.

"The people you stole the money from."

I shot up from the bed. They’re here!?

Yes, they are entering the hotel lobby and coming up the stairs.

H-how did they find me? I asked while fumbling into my jeans.

They tortured Cory and forced him to reveal where you are.

I glanced at the second bed where Cory should have been sleeping, but it was empty.

Oh frack... is... is Cory okay?

No, he did not survive their brutality.

I rushed to place my shoes on, heart sprinting in my chest, when I realized what she had just said.

"Cory, he’s dead!? Oh god… oh god! What the frack happened!?

Remain calm and follow my instructions.

But Cory’s dead…!

And you will be too if you do not listen. Now go quickly down the left hallway stairwell, take the side exit into the back parking lot, and run.

I complied, grabbing the rucksack full of money and dashing out the door to the left stairwell, then jumped down multiple flights of steps until I reached the bottom. Finally, I burst through the side entrance and into the dark night air.

Where to now!?

"Take that alley."

I understood and ran down an adjacent alleyway littered with trash, discarded boxes, and rancid dumpsters. The road ended and opened onto Michigan Boulevard.

Which way?

Go right for three blocks.

I turned and ran as fast as I could down the silent, empty streets, past closed shops, and darkened restaurants. The late-night silence was deafening. All I could hear was the sound of a barking dog echoing somewhere in the distance and my feet smacking against the pavement. I ran for all I was worth down three full blocks, then stopped at an intersection, breathing heavily through my mouth and nose.

What… what now?

See that car parked across the street? The owner is out of town and will not notice it is gone until he returns.

You mean that black Escalade? I said, panting like a dog while pointing at the vehicle.

Yes. Take it.

Struggling to steady my breathing, I walked slowly to the car, looking in both directions for passersby before attempting to open the door.

It’s locked, I said while pulling the handle. I then heard a soft mechanical click, and it opened. I jumped in, tossed my rucksack into the passenger’s seat, and quickly closed the door behind me as I started rummaging through the glove box and then the armrest tray, but to no avail.

Frack, no key!

Do not worry.

Suddenly, the engine turned over and the car came alive, displaying a full tank of gas. I put my foot on the brake, turned on the lights, and shifted the car into drive.

Thanks...

Hurry John, they are now searching the streets for you.

I slammed down against the accelerator and lunged the Escalade onto the road. The sound of tires burning rubber against the cold asphalt cut into the quiet hours of the night.

Take the interstate south to Tallahassee, Florida. They will not follow there. However, you must never return here.

But the plan was to go to Louisiana…. I said while taking a sharp turn and careening down an empty boulevard.

They are now aware of your plans.

What about Cory… Why didn’t you save him? My face wrinkled, jaws tightening in denial.

I am not interested in Cory. I am only interested in you, John.

But he was my friend. My only friend.

Cory was dangerous. You are better off without him.

I exhaled through my nostrils and gritted my teeth, a wave of emotions clawing at my chest. Just tell me how… How did he die?

It involved a rope, a knife, and a bullet in his skull. You should just focus on driving.

I grimaced at the description, and my stomach began to feel like it was being tied up in double knots, but I said nothing more and focused on steering the car at high speeds toward the interstate, and remained silent for the next several hours, hoping to put this wretched city behind me for good.

As I drove down the silent, stretched-out highways, I thought about Cory. I had known him for an entire year now. He was a hothead, well-versed in the world of drugs, and a real mean SOB, yet I liked him. We had survived the streets together, but now he was gone.

She, however, had been with me for as long as I could remember, always as a voice in my head. When my mother died, and I was sent to a foster home, this voice stayed with me. Over the years, I’d drifted in and out of many of these temporary homes, then lived with groups of friends and acquaintances, constantly moving from one place to another.

But the voice was always there, helping, and telling me what to do and say to get out of problem situations. She was the one who raised and taught me how to survive. Although there were certainly times when I wished I could turn her off, I knew I wouldn’t survive long without her.

*****

Are you angry with me, John? she asked after a few hours had passed.

Well, this was your idea, remember, stealing money from the biggest dealer in the city. Now Cory is dead, and I’m running for my life toward freaking Florida. How do you think I feel?

You are alive and safe, with a bagful of money. That is the only important thing.

But what about Cory? Why did you let him die?

Cory was a deranged psychopath and a negative influence in your life. I never liked him.

But I did, and now he’s dead because of us! My voice cracked, but I didn’t care. I wanted her to share in my pain.

No, he is dead because he did not follow instructions. He was supposed to stay at the hotel with you until the morning, then take an early train out of town. You clearly told him this. If he had done so, he would still be alive. Those were his choices, not ours.

I still feel responsible and sick about it all. It’s like we just used him for the job. Needing some fresh air, I rolled down the windows.

No one forced him. Now all the money is yours and will finally enable you to get out of this business and lifestyle.

But at the cost of his life? Besides, I’m not sure if this money will even get me that far.

True, you will need more to be financially independent. And now is the time. I have devised a plan that will help you.

Great! Another plan! I shifted the car and pressed down harder on the accelerator.

This one will be simple.

And who will have to die this time?

No one. Trust me. Just follow my instructions.

What instructions? What exactly do you have in mind? She did not answer immediately, and I continued driving down the dark, winding road, losing myself to thoughts and anguished memories of the past days.

After a few moments of quiet had passed and once my emotions had started to ebb, she replied:

Now listen carefully, John. You will need to buy a shovel at the next shopping center you come across and then continue until you reach exit 345 Mooring Crossing. I will tell you the rest once we arrive.

A shovel? Wait, I’m not going to do anything dangerous, so don’t ask me!

This is not dangerous and will not take very long.

I smacked my lips, rolled my eyes, and continued driving for several hours. But soon I found a place to purchase a shovel, then drove on for a couple of miles more until I saw the exit sign for 345 Mooring Crossing.

All right, we’re here. What now?

Take a left after the exit and drive for the next ten miles until you see a large, abandoned farm shed. Pull up to the shed and park in the back. You will see two large rocks near the rear of the building. Take the shovel and start digging there.

What… why!? I shouted, not believing what I was hearing.

It’s important, John. You must do things quickly before anyone notices you.

What the Sam Hill am I digging for?

A buried duffle bag full of money. More than 300,000 dollars’ worth.

Fracking-a!

Yes. That plus what you have in your rucksack should hold you for a long time.

I frowned, not feeling comfortable about this plan, but followed her directions until I came upon the abandoned shed.

The place looked like it had been deserted for many years. There was nothing else around for miles, only endless acres of tall grassland. The building itself was rusted and dry-rotted.

An entire section of the roof had collapsed, and a portion of the side walls was missing. Only the crows and the rains seemed to frequent this place. I parked in the back of the shed, then noticed the two large rocks a few meters away, sitting among other forgotten rubble and trash.

Grabbing the shovel, I started digging. My mind was racing, and that knot in my stomach was becoming tighter by the second. I felt wrong attempting this, especially right after what had just happened a few hours ago; Cory’s face was still fresh in my thoughts. I tried to remember how it’d always looked, not how it must have appeared after the bullet entered his brain.

But the voice never lied to or misled me. She was more like an overbearing mother than anything. I had learned to trust her, for she was always right and always somehow knew what to do…

I soon heard the dull thud of my shovel hit something hard, bringing my mind to the present. I pushed the dirt away, and sure enough, it was a black duffle bag. I cleared more dirt and sand around it and found a zipper, then opened the bag and discovered it was insulated within a black garbage bag. I tore a hole in the bag which gave way to another clear plastic wrapping through which I saw dollar bills neatly stacked. There were thousands of bills inside the bag, more money than I had ever before seen in one place.

See, I told you.

Goodness… you were right. It’s a crap load of money. What’s all this even doing here?

Do not worry about that now. Just load everything into the car and leave this place immediately.

But where did all this come from? I said, lifting the duffle bag and carrying it toward the trunk. As I did, rain started to fall.

The money was hidden here by someone who is no longer in need of it.

What does that mean, no longer in need of it?

I mean, he is dead.

"I thought you said no one was going to