The Proving Grounds of Armageddon Mark Childs (THE PROVING GROUNDS OF ARMAGEDDON) Copyright © 2010 by (TWIN FORKS PUBLISHING) All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the author. ISBN (XXXXXXXXXXXXX) 2 Also by Mark Childs The Devilution Series Devilution Rebelution Soulution Jaloopa – Home of the Poobah Baloo The Jaloopa Jalopy and the Funny Farm Forthcoming The Gate The Jaloopiter The Power of the Love of Power 3 DEDICATION As I near the halfway point of my life, I find myself reflecting on past events with greater frequency, especially those from the early years of my youth. Amongst my fondest memories are those of my grandmother, Pearl Furtah. She was, without a doubt, the best grandmother in the world, and for that reason, I dedicate this book to her. I doubt she would have approved of some of the content, but I’m certain she would have understood the message. 4 Humans are the only creatures on the face of the earth that allow emotions to override its sense of self- preservation. Deforestation is depleting our planets ability to protect itself, yet the process continues unabated. Smoking is a prescription for lung cancer yet millions continue to smoke. The governments of the world could stop the production of tobacco products but enormous tax revenues provide them with the justification they need to sit idly by. Obesity is no longer a problem, it is an epidemic, yet fast food chains continue to thrive. We, as a race, are accelerating toward the finish line of a race that began thousands of years ago. The results of that race are final and forever. 5 Book One Chapter I The Arrival Chapter II Trials and Tribulations Chapter III The Proving Grounds Chapter IV The Trial of the First Tower Chapter V Homecoming Chapter VI First Wish Chapter VII The Trial of the Second Tower Chapter VIII The Return Chapter IX The Trial of the Third Tower Chapter X Pestilence Chapter XI Black Mist Forest (4th Tower) Chapter XII A Cursed Blessing Chapter XIII The Spires of Blood (5th Tower) Chapter XIV The Path to Salvation Chapter XV Gideon’s Cavern (6th Tower) Chapter XVI The Winds of Change Chapter XVII Battlegrounds of Anadais (7th Tower) Chapter XVIII In God We Trust Chapter XIX The Land of the Ancients (8th Tower) Chapter XX Redemption Chapter XXI Coliseum (9th Tower) Chapter XXII The Final Trial (10th Tower) Chapter XXIII As Above, So Below 6 Chapter One The Arrival Earth, once a sphere of positive energy, had deteriorated into a cesspool of negativity, disrupting the sensitive harmony of the universe. This could not be allowed to continue. The Proving Grounds would correct the problem. The humans of the planet earth, considered to be among the bottom dwellers of the universe, would be forced to fight for their right to exist. Doomsday supporters will claim the Mayans have accurately predicted the end of the world in 2012. Others support the Nostradamus predictions of a third world war sometime early in the new millennium. The Book of Revelations tells yet another story. Psychics across the globe have forewarned us impending doom for years, yet no one foresaw what was to come. Hell did not rain down on earth. Crazed dictators did not invoke a nuclear war. Global warming did not flood the earth. No, Armageddon came in the form of a white-robed figure with a long flowing beard and piercing blue eyes. He held a gnarled black staff in his right hand as he walked down East 42 Street on that fateful day. A crystal the size and colour of an overripe tomato was fixed to the top of the staff, emitting a halo of hazy crimson. The robed figure‘s destination was the United Nations General Assembly building. What had begun as a dozen followers blossomed into several thousand. They stayed back at a distance of respect, but they followed the stranger‘s every move. No one spoke. They were in awe. 7 The Security Council of the United Nations was in session when the bearded figure arrived at the visitor‘s gate. He offered his name. It was Zemith. His appearance and demeanour brought a chuckle from the guard, a young man by the name of Scott Birchfield. ―I‘m sorry sir, but visitors are not allowed during an assembly of the Security Council.‖ ―But that is why I have come,‖ replied Zemith. ―They will wish to speak with me.‖ ―With all due respect, I have orders to admit no one,‖ said Birchfield firmly, removing his pistol from its holster with one hand, pushing his radio with the other. Zemith was unfazed. With a polite smile and a slight nod, Zemith disappeared. As he vanished, the zombie-like crowd snapped out of their trance. Many had no idea how they had arrived at their current location. Most could not remember the last several hours of their lives. The crowd was comprised of varying ages, ethnic backgrounds and stature in society. They did however share one commonality; they were filled with joy. Little did they know, their joy would be short-lived. Zemith was fully aware of the workings of the Security Council. Members of the Security Council were seldom far from the United Nations building. One of the many purposes of the Council was to act quickly in a crisis, something the United Nations Assembly was unable to do. Zemith materialized from thin air in front of an alarmed Security Council. The room was spacious, designed to house a crowd upwards of two hundred or more people. A beautiful tapestry depicting characters from various ages of history filled the north wall. The fifteen members of the Security Council were gathered at a large boardroom table in the middle of the room. Zemith approached them from the south. 8 A raised platform that formed a nearly complete semi- circle separated the Security Council from Assembly members. Members of the Assembly were permitted to participate in Security Council discussions but they held no sway. There were currently only eight assembly seats occupied. No matter. Zemith‘s words would be to the Security Council. Any response from the Assembly meant little to Zemith. Zalmay Khali, serving his fourth monthly term as president of the Security Council jumped to his feet, demanded an answer for the intrusion. ―Security,‖ shouted Zalmay. ―How did you get in here,‖ he demanded. ―An insignificant question as I am here. Perhaps you should ask me why I am here,‖ suggested Zemith. ―Security will be asking the questions,‖ countered Zalmay growing braver knowing his security team would be arriving any second. ―Perhaps,‖ shrugged Zemith, ―But I would think not.‖ The stranger had an eerie calm about him, and an air of absolute confidence. Zalmay decided to humour the stranger until his men arrived. ―Alright then, why are you here?‖ ―To deliver a message,‖ answered Zemith. ―Deliver a message to whom,‖ asked Zalmay. ―To us?‖ ―To mankind,‖ replied Zemith. Zalmay was beginning to perspire. Something was wrong with security. They should have entered the room within ten seconds of any breach. There were cameras everywhere, some hidden, some obvious. Motion detectors were installed at every entrance, activated once the council was in session. 9 ―You realize you will be arrested for this stunt,‖ said Zalmay. ―This is not a stunt. I am here to give the world what the United Nations fails to give; peace.‖ Before Zalmay could respond, security charged into the room, weapons locked on the stranger. ―Take him,‖ Zalmay ordered. As they advanced, Zemith waved his staff in their direction. ―Sleep,‖ he whispered, dropping them to the ground in an instant. ―Do not test me again,‖ said Zemith nonchalantly. With a nod of his head, a monitor in the corner came to life, displaying the top of the Empire State Building. ―Please note, if you will, the top of the building,‖ said Zemith as the monitor zoomed in on the antenna spire. With a wave of his hand, Zalmay vanished, reappearing midway up the spire, his jacket flapping dangerously in the wind. The members of the Security Council jumped to their feet, mouths agape. Zhang Yesui, the representative from China moved cautiously toward Zemith. ―Please, there is no need to harm Zalmay. Tell me what is that you wish and we will comply if we can.‖ ―I will return in three hours. Zalmay has failed miserably with his attempt at diplomacy. He is to remain where I have placed him. Arrange it so there is worldwide coverage for an announcement from your president. Do not waste my time with your emergency alert system. That relic should have been abandoned years ago. The network called CNN has the ability to do what I ask. This is within the scope of your power. When I return, if all has been arranged, I will release him,‖ said Zemith calmly, pointing toward the monitor. 10 ―Failure to comply will not bode well with my people.‖ With a smile and a wink, Zemith vanished. Carla Rozzala was enjoying her third day as technical supervisor when the memo was brought to her by her assistant, John Bilmont. The memo was red, indicating priority one. She instructed John to fill her in as they walked toward production. The memo was from the United Nations requesting an urgent world -wide feed. The time frame given was less than three hours. It was within her power to do so but she needed to know why first. Ashley Shrewsbury had been loading her groceries into the trunk of her cherry-red Mustang convertible when she vanished, leaving a half-filled cart and a small crowd of terrified onlookers.