《Dark Beginnings》


 Ch. 1 The Stranger

    The final rays of sunlight struck the small town of Athens, Oklahoma when a stranger sundered through. Athens was a small farming community in the heart of Oklahoma, quite, and boring as any small town. On this night things would change forever.


    I''ve got to hurry, she''ll be pissed if I''m to late home I thought as I ran through the streets to my beloved. Work had gotten out late because of a large order.


    All of a sudden I was startled by a man who looked as if he came from nowhere. "Who are you?" I asked.


    It was odd to see someone new in town, especially at night.


    The stranger stared at me for a moment with dark eyes and then said, "Your different then they are."Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    "Excuse me?" I asked.


    "Your aura is... Twisted and much stronger then these filthy humans." He sneered. "What are you?" He asked looking suspicious.


    "I don''t know what you mean, I''m just me. Look I need to get home before my fianc¨¦e Kills me. I don''t have time to deal with you, or your crazy ass thoughts on humanity." I told the stranger then went on my way home.


    I finally got home to Dani, and she was passed out on the couch. I woke her up, and took her to bed.


    I started towards my study thinking of the oddball I met in town. He said something about aura... I hadn''t dabbled in magic since I was a teenager. Even then it was more of an academic study. I''m a Christian, I can''t go back to that, I had urges but for God''s sake this is the Bible belt people would go ballistic if they heard anything about it.


    I decided to write a quick entry about the stranger in my journal, and go to bed. This will all just be a memory when I wake up...

 Ch. 2 The Grimour

    I woke up to an empty bed. Dani had left for work, and left me half a muffin and a cold pot of coffee.


    I went straight to my study to write the strange dream I had, in my journal. I dreamt of a cold room full of dusty scrolls, and large circle with a star in the middle. Next to the circle was a triangle with incense burning in it, filling the room with thick smoke, and a smell I couldn''t recall. A face was in the smoke of the triangle, but it didn''t look quite human.


    I got up from my desk after finishing my entry when I noticed something off, there was a book sitting on my shelf.. the book looked old, and had strange blocky writing on the front with a tree that had 10 fruits on it along with a star in a circle carved in its trunk.


    Out of curiosity I opened the tomb. There was a flash of light. I flew back into a bookshelf . Pushed by some unseen force.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    I heard a deep, gravel like voice as if it was in my mind. It said "What is the name of the one who has released me?".


    "Sol-Solomon." I stuttered.


    "Master Solomon, I am bound to you now that you have released me from my imprisonment. My name is Prometheus, the bringer of fire, and Lord of forethought. You have great things in your future."


    I sat there speechless for a moment. "What does this mean for me?" I asked shaken.


    "I will help train you to become a magician, and you will change the world forever, for better or worse."


    I shuddered "Give me some time to process this Prometheus." I told him "you can''t just chill out in the open like this how the hell am I going to hide you from everyone?".


    A ring suddenly formed on my hand, with a strange signet. "I will reside in this ring to call me simply say my name and I shall emerge master" said Prometheus.


    After he said this a bright light whooshed into the ring and it felt cold to the touch.


    I spent the rest of the day reading the book and writing down everything that happened in my journal. If I was crazy I wanted people to see how it happened....

 Ch. 3 First Spell

    t was about five when Dani finally got home. I decided to try and tell her what happened. "Dani, there''s something I need to tell you." I said nervously. I recounted the night before, and the strange thing that happened with the book. I looked up and waited for her to scream at me to get out of the house, or accuse me of being crazy, but it never came.


    Instead she looked at me with her big brown eyes, and said "I believe you babe. I know there are things we can''t explain out there. Just promise me you won''t dabble in anything to dangerous." "I promise." I told her solemnly.


    I safely stored the book in my study, but for some reason the ring refused to come off so I left it be. I had decided to try and think about this before I do anything.


    The day finally broke after a sleepless night worrying that thing would pop out of the ring. I thought about calling into work but decided against it since the factory was already considering laying some workers off.


    After my morning coffee, and a quick shower, I started towards another soulless day of work.


    When I got there everyone was quietly working instead of the normal horseplay, and general idiocy that plagued every day.


    I sat at my CNC drilling some part for a trolley when I was called to the bosses office. He looked at me and said "I''m sorry man but works been slow the past few months and we can''t afford to keep everyone." "You can''t lay me off Josh! I''ve been here twice as long as most people! I push out twice the product, and work anytime unlike those slackers!" I ranted.


    Josh looked at me apologeticlly and told me "You know it''s not my call Saul. Derick owns the company, if he wants his cousins working here half assed more then his best workers I can''t do jack shit. Look I''ll talk to Derick and see if we can cut you some severance pay or something."


    "No tell Derick he can take his money and shove it. That prick can lose his company for all I care!"I scream at him. "By the way only my friends call me Saul. My name''s Solomon." And I left without another word.


    I couldn''t believe they would let me go. I knew Josh since kindergarten, he knew I needed that job. There were no other jobs in town other then seasonal farm hand work. The nearest city was a 45 minute drive not withstanding traffic.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    If I didn''t get a new job soon the phone would be shut off, and how would we afford Dani''s medicine? It cost two hundred dollars before we lost our insurance. Atleast we owned the house...


    I just walked around town aimlessly, to ashamed to tell Dani the news.


    I finally found my way to the driveway and saw her car was gone, probably with her friend Rebekah. Atleast I''d have some time before I had to tell her... I went to my study where I always go to mope when, for some reason I felt drawn to read through the book. I know I remember reading something about a spell for prosperity.


    After searching for about thirty minutes I finally found it. I tried reading it but it was almost like the letters kept moving. I couldn''t concentrate no matter how hard I tried! I just knew I needed to try, for her sake.


    Suddenly I heard a voice in my head. It was Prometheus. "Master if I may suggest something, let me out of the ring. I can help you with reading the incantation, even though it will do you no good."


    "What do you mean no good?" I said.


    "Magick is more then just reciting an old language over, and over. You humans are so gullible with your Hollywood religion and positive thinking." He laughed


    "To be made real one must use aura as an energy source to make it be. Let me into your body temporarily to help you this time." I was hesitant to let some... Demon into my body. What if he decided he wants to stay in me? What if he hurts me, or does something bad while inside of me? I didn''t have much of a choice at this point. "Fine, do as you will demon." I said perhaps a bit to loud.


    Suddenly he turned to what resembled a shadow and it went down my throat. I could feel him go inside of my very soul. It felt cold as ice but warm at the same time. All of a sudden it was as if I was watching from a TV as he worked.


    He pointed my finger and made a large circle with a star in the middle around us "this is the pentagram" he said. This is where we do all of our work from it help concentrate the energy for our spell.


    Then he turned to each direction asking for help from what he called elementals of fire, water, wind, and earth. "As a human you may only work with the spirit so you must ask elemental beings to help with the physical portion of things."


    Then he closed my eyes and I felt energy moving around me and inside me. It felt crushing almost. Then it left my body with a feeling of release when he opened my eyes I saw a ball of light in front of us. He said some words that I couldn''t understand that sounded rough and archaic. The ball turned green and shot off towards the roof of my study, passing through as if it wasn''t there.


    He breathed slowly and I felt myself connected to the earth somehow. It was the most peaceful feeling I had ever had. Feeling energy come into, and out of my body, replenishing what I lost. Smoke poured from my mouth and I gained control of my body. It felt heavy as if I had just ran a marathon.


    Prometheus instead of reforming went straight to the ring and I heard him say "Take time to think of this lesson. Drink water and stay home for the remainder of this day." Then he was gone.

 Ch. 4 Money

    I had studied the book all night and since I woke up. The more I looked at it the more I could understand it seemed. Even now I could only understand some of the titles and minor spells. Maybe it would let me read more the stronger I got...


    Prometheus still hasn''t made so much as a peep, which I''m grateful for. I still don''t trust that damned demon. I decided to put the book up for now. I still hadn''t told Dani about losing my job, and it was almost noon.


    I walked into the living room and heard Dani on the phone talking to one of her friends. They were talking about a shopping trip in the city today.


    "Yeah, I''ll ask him Becca. All right we''ll see you there in about an hour." After she hung up she said "hey, babe. We''re going to the city to shop at the mall."


    "Oh cool, well have fun babe."


    "No silly your coming too!" She laughed. "Why am I coming?" "So you can help carry the stuff duh. Besides Rebekah wanted you to try on some clothes so she can see what would look good on George."


    I couldn''t bare to tell her that I had lost my job. She looked so happy, and I couldn''t ruin that for her. Maybe the spell would work, and we would come into a new job or something.


    "Alright." I said."Let''s go, work gave me a few weeks of vacation, so we have all the time in the world."


    As we got ready, I watched dani get dressed. she was so graceful as she dressed in the morning light, her long blonde hair swaying as she dressed. She still had her perfect body from highschool, even though she wasn''t a cheerleader anymore. How the hell did I get so lucky?


    I quickly through on some of my good cloths, not the kind i wore to work, and sprayed myself with cologne. As i put the finishing touches, dani looked at me and smiled. I felt a pang of guilt for lying to her, but I was glad. I was happy, that she was happy.


    Traffic wasn''t to bad as we made our way to the city. under usual circumstances you couldn''t go a few miles without someone cutting you off. It must be because all the college kids were gone for fall break. we finally pulled up to the mall, next to Rebekah''s little prius. I always hated that she drove such a crappy, pretentious car.


    "Hey Becca, how was the drive?" Dani asked as we got out of the car. "It wasn''t to bad, I almost miss the college traffic." Becca laughed.


    As we walked inside the mall there was one of those stupid contests no one ever won. "It''s all a scam." I told them, pointing at the atrocity in the middle of the hall.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    It was some scam to get emails, and phone numbers for a car manufacturer. It was claiming a prize of no less then five-hundred thousand dollars to one lucky winner.


    "Oh that looks fun, let''s try it!" Becca said excited Dani quickly grabbed two forms for each of us while Becca filled hers out. I looked at the form skeptically. "Go ahead master." I heard Prometheus say in his gravelly voice in my head. "Great this guy is back." I thought to myself. "Why not, worst case scenario I get phone calls every morning for the rest of my life." I grumbled to Dani. She just looked up from her paper and smiled at me.


    We walked through the mall for about an hour before I had to play the part of human mannequin. Dani decided that Rebekah could handle things without her and went on shopping leaving me alone with the dreaded bubbly Prius driver.


    "So where to first?" I asked her. She thought for a second the told me "Athletic cloths. George has been gaining weight and I don''t like it. If only George was as fit as you" she gave me a wink and started walking. I frowned "was that her flirting with me?" I thought to myself.


    We made our way to a overpriced sporting equipment store, and she immediately went looking through the clothes. I checked the price tags of a few she handed me, and couldn''t believe someone would pay such a absurd price for clothes. She dragged me to the changing rooms and had me try on each outfit until I was finally on the last outfit.


    As I was undressing she slipped inside the booth. I covered my self quickly embarrassed expecting her to look away and apologize for barging in, but she just stared at me with hungry eyes. "What the hell" I asked her. "Quit being so proper for once sal. I jus wanted to check up on you" then she gave me a smile and came closer.


    "You know if you wanted we could have a little fun. Dani doesn''t have to know." "No Becca you know I love Dani. I would never do that to her." I threw my clothes on and walked out to find Dani.


    I finally found her shopping for perfume. I thought about telling her what happened, but the thought of her knowing what her best friend wanted was terrifying. She didn''t handle jealousy well at all. I told her o felt sick, and we decided to go ahead and leave. As I walked out the mall I saw a text from Becca.


    "If you play nice next time I''ll make it worth your while xoxo - B"


    I felt sick to my stomach, and deleted it before Dani could see.


    "Who messaged you?" Dani asked. "Just a email from some scammer" I assured her.


    A few days went by of me staying home and studying the book. Rebekah hadn''t messaged me anymore, so I hoped that was a time thing. Maybe I made myself clear enough, and she realized I wasn''t interested.


    Prometheus commented vague things about the book every now and then but none of it made since. I did however learn to make a ball of energy. But I had yet to master changing the shape or color of it. I liked to play with it. It felt both hot, and cold at the same time, not quite hard but not quite soft either.


    I decided to check the mail before Dani got home. She''s been excited that we might win the drawing from the mall and told me to look for a letter from them. I went to the mail box and saw a large manilla envelope with my name on it. I opened it to find a letter.


    "Congratulations


    You have won the drawing for $500,000 dollars


    You may opt to revive a first check of $100,000 and then monthly checks of $10,000 or a one time $300,000 check. Please let us know within thirty days of your choice.


    Sincerely, Your favorite auto manufacturer"


    Dumbfounded I walked back inside and set the letter on the counter. That''s when he appeared. The stranger from the night I found the book.

 Ch. 5 The Stranger Returns

    I couldn''t help but stare. He stood the more still then a human should. A feeling of dread spread throughout me.


    "Who are you exactly?" I asked him.


    "We are Gilgamesh. Tell us child do you like our gift?" "


    "What gif-"


    "The book child the book. The book of Solomon, for the child Solomon. Fitting isn''t it?"


    Gilgamesh''s face suddenly dimmed and looked kinder somehow.


    "I apologize, immortality does not fit man well. My lord Asmodeus sent us to explain his gift and meanings." He explained.


    "Lord Asmodeus has seen the hands of two demons in the underworld moving to usurp Lucifer. If Lucifer falls them demons will be free of the Vail and destroy all in this world."


    "When we took notice of you we felt prudent to take advantage of a possible solution. King Solomon of old was a great magician who bound 72 demons to build the temple, and you have a similar aura. You could be a great magician, who could save the world if you so wish."


    "This is madness!" I said in disbelief. "If the devil has problems in hell can he not fix his own problems? He''s Satan after all!"


    "Things are not so simple. Abaddon and Mammon control a little over half of the forces. Even with Lucifer''s great power, it would not be easily won."


    "I fear my sanity will not last much longer, so I must go. You have Asmodeus''s blessings now learn and we will contact you shortly."


    He disappeared. It was as if he never existed.


    "What the..." I trailed off.


    "I''ll have to remember to ask Prometheus what''s going on." I thought to myself.


    I didn''t have much time to think before Dani showed up. Trailing behind her was none other then Becca.


    "Hey sweetie!" Hey Dani I said as she came in the door.


    "What are you guys doing here so early?" I asked, trying to keep my composure.


    "It''s not even five hun. Are you feeling okay?"Dani asked.


    "Yeah I''m fine sweetie. Just tired I guess."


    "Well, a little bird named Rebekah told me a story about you earlier."


    "I can''t imagine what it would be..." I panicked a little. What could she have said? did she lie? Was she trying to break Dani and I apart? How could I let that happen?


    "Don''t be so modest!" Becca exclaimed. "You told me at the mall you would help me move furniture. It''s been so hard having George work overtime so much this quarter. Thanks again saul."If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    With her back to Dani she gave me a threatening look.


    I thought about it for a second. If I did it she was sure to bother me, but if I didn''t what if she tells Dani about the mall incedent. True I didn''t do anything, but I didnt tell Dani either.


    "Sure when did you need me over again?"


    "I''ll see you in an hour" she smiled and waved before she left.


    As she left I remembered the money.


    "Dani there''s mail on the table. I think we got some consolation prize from the contest."


    The look of excitement on her face was priceless as she ran. The only look that was more priceless was when she saw the letter.


    Dani''s face looked pale, her eyes watering with joy.


    As she rush to embrace me I hugged her back. The familiarity of holding her was nice. After all this time with this crazy magic stuff, I felt normal and at peace for once.


    After minutes of not speaking, we finally let go.


    "I''m going to call some family" she told me smiling.


    "Okay." I told her.


    As she left for our bedroom, I decided to go to my study and write. Besides, I had some questions for Prometheus.


    "Prometheus. I need to speak with you."


    As I said the words his shape manifested it''s self. "What would master like to discuss?" His gravelly voice said.


    "Why do you always speak into my mind with telepathy? Can''t you speak normally?"


    "I can master but I prefer not to. I hate the sound of my own voice. Now I''m sure there is something you have to say more interesting then my voice?"


    I felt a moment of pity. I never thought of demons like Prometheus having feelings. Especially not self-hatred.


    "Who is Gilgamesh?" I asked. Them started explaining the story of what happened.


    "Gilgamos as my people called him. He was a king long before Greece existed. Back then magic flowed much stronger in your kind. Even then Gilgamos hungered for power. He used his magic to kill a demon, and stole their power, and immortality."


    "They call him the mad king for a reason. Man was not meant for immortality. No self respecting demon would dare work with him, unless they were extremely desperate. I would suggest taking time to think on it. Satan dying would be bad for everyone."


    After speaking Prometheus went back to his ring.


    After mulling it over, I decided to get ready to go to Becca''s.


    As I stood in the shadow of Becca''s house a felt a sense of awe. I always forgot how rich she was.


    She opened the double doors as I approached. "Hello, sweetie." She smiled. "I''m glad you decided to play nice finally."


    "What are you playing at." I asked plainly.


    Becca just smiled and motioned for me to follow her. As we walked through the halls of her house we came to a bedroom.


    "Becca I''m not playing with you what is your game?" I yelled at her. I was seething with anger by now. Then I smelt the stench of sex


    "Heres the deal. You have sex with me and, I don''t tell your wife that you tried to rape me while you helped me move furniture."


    I gasped. "You would lie to your best friend and, ruin my life just to have sex with me?."


    I started to feel something inside myself. I couldn''t explain it. Even though she was blackmailing me. Even though I hated her right now. I was lusting for Becca.


    "Yes. After all, a girl wants what she wan- "


    She got cut off as I threw her on the bed. I got on top of her hardly able to control myself. She just laid there and smiled. As I was about to take of my shirt.


    BOOM.


    Something broke the window and smashed me I''m the ribs. I swung my fist with all my might. Some small red creature flew off me. I moved inhumanly fast. As it ran towards me I kicked hard. It flew across the room again. It was as if time slowed to a crawl for me. "PROMETHEUS!". I Screamed.


    Prometheus shot from the ring like a bullet. He made a orb of black energy. It flew into the small creature, and it was gone.


    Prometheus looked weak. "Master are you alright?" He asked.


    "I''m fine. What was that?"


    "An imp. They are lesser demons. Had I my full powers he would have been destroyed rather then sent back home. We must get you home, and place a protection spell around you. It seems your magic is starting to draw spirits quicker then I thought."


    As Prometheus went back into the ring, I looked at Becca. She looked scared, and confused.


    "This is over." She just stared at me, and I left.

 Ch. 6 Attacked

    As I ran through the streets the sun started to set. Clouds closed in at a supernatural speed,covering the sky.


    I ran as fast as I could, my side burning. Shadows seemed to follow me as I ran.


    I could finally see my home on the horizon. Suddenly I was hit from behind. I whirled around and saw a huge, black hound


    I charged at me with eyes that looked like red coals. Fire streamed behind it.


    My body took control as if it knew what to do. I jumped to the side. As it missed me by inches a ball of energy formed in my hands like Prometheus''s. As the ball struck the hound crashed to the ground turning to shadows.


    I finally made it to the house. I ran to my study and grabbed king Solomon''s book.


    Prometheus appeared out of the ring.


    "Master, quickly let me in. Allow me to take control."


    "No. Tell me how and let me do it." I was tired of being pushed around. I could feel the power in my veins and I wanted to use it.


    Prometheus sighed in frustration and explained.


    Feeling confident in myself I did as he had told me. I summoned the power I felt in my veins. I pushed it out around the house forming a pentagram within my mind''s eye . I saw the barrier erect itself almost as if I was under a dome of light.


    Everything went fuzzy then there was darkness.


    I woke up in my study with a pounding headache, And a splitting pain in my head. I got up and as a pulled my hand away I saw blood. I must have hit my head when I fell.


    I heard a knocking on the door.


    "Sweetie, are you alright" came Dani''s sweet voice.


    "Yeah I''m fine," I told her. I wasn''t fine. I don''t know why I said that. My head hurt and, I was probably bleeding to death.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    "Okay, I thought I heard something fall. Come to bed soon okay?"


    "I will."


    After Dani left Prometheus summoned a ball of white light and healed my wound.


    "I still can''t believe how powerful magic is," I thought to myself.


    Prometheus just shook his head.


    "You humans and your damned pride. Your lucky your spell stuck before you passed out or you would be dead. There are probably twenty black dogs out there circling the perimeter, searching for an opening. Someone wants you dead."


    "I thought you said it was the magic drawing them?" I asked in bewilderment.


    "Your magic probably brought the imp, but those black dogs are hunters. A very powerful demon had to have put a hit on you."


    "We have to train you to fight and soon. You stand no chance right now, even with my help."


    "Are you that weak Prometheus?" I asked.


    "I was once considered a god among demons,only inferior to Lucifer himself. I only lost my power, and my legion of followers after my enslavement by King Solomon."


    " So how do I become stronger? How does one fight things like this?"


    So Prometheus explained about the about the astral plane. He told me how to project myself there. He told me how many of the great weapons in history were simply artifacts from the plane, and how it was all around us. The astral plane is simply another world that vibrates at a different speed than my world. It''s also where every creature of spirit lives...


    I went to bed resolved to enter the astral plane tomorrow.


    ***


    I waited until Dani went to work before I began. Prometheus assured me that the black dogs would only be seen by, and would only attack me.


    After I cleaned up the blood from my study I sat in a recliner.


    I let myself relax. Closing my eyes and imagining myself climbing a ladder down an endless dark hole.


    Once I felt a shift in consciousness, I stepped off into a movie theater. It was small and dark,with few chairs.


    I sat in a chair up front and looked at the screen. Numbers counted down from ten getting more vivid each time. Once it reached zero the screen showed an unimaginable huge tree.


    I got up and walked through the screen. Everything was extremely clear. While colors assaulted my eyes with brightness, my nose was filled with earthy smells.


    Prometheus had told me this was the World Tree. It''s the thing that binds all worlds. To travel the astral plane I would have to enter the tree.


    Even though Prometheus had described this place, I felt I already knew it.


    I walked towards the roots and searched for an opening.


    After an hour of searching, I finally found a cave between the roots. As I walked through the cave the walls seemed to glow. I looked closer and saw ruins.


    "Who else would come here?" I wondered.


    As I neared the end things became more refined. Instead of dirty cave walls, they were cobblestone. Finally, I entered a brightly lit room.


    In the middle was a pentagram surrounded by strange symbols. The walls were ornately decorated with the rare metals and gemstones. Something about this place felt like... Home