Dawn of Man (Thanos Book 1) Read online

  THANOS

  BY THOMAS A WATSON

  THANOS: DAWN OF MAN

  ©2015 Thomas A Watson

  All Rights Reserved

  Edited by Amanda Shore

  https://www.facebook.com/ByTheShoreEditing?fref=ts

  Cover Art by Laura Gordon

  www.thebookcovermachine.com

  This book is a work of fiction. People places, events, and situations are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or historical events, is purely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be reproduced stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

  https://twitter.com/1BluePlague

  https://www.facebook.com/BluePlagueSeries

  http://www.assassinknight.com

  Acknowledgement

  Hello, and thank you for buying Thanos. This is my first fantasy, and I must say I truly loved creating a world and writing an adventure. I wanted to write a story about all the legends and mythical creatures we have heard of since kids and incorporate how the legends arise.

  To my family, thank you for putting up with me as I sat down to write. To Tina, my lovely wife: I couldn’t do this without you. Thanos is the first fantasy you have ever read, and when you told me you couldn’t put it down, I was very happy and hope others enjoy this new world.

  To my friends, thank you for your support, and to my editor, Amanda Shore, thank you. I have to say sending the book back and forth was trying for both of us, but thank you because the rules of English irritate me to no end.

  To my beta readers, thank you for reading the raw manuscript with mistakes everywhere and giving feedback. When I received praise for the story and characters from you, I have to say I really wanted to dance.

  To the readers, thank you for taking this journey on this new world and for all your support.

  How far will Thanos go? It all depends on how the readers respond. So far, it looks like it will be three books. Now, if the last book is massive, over a hundred and fifty thousand words, it will be broken down. My intention is to have three stories spanning three books each, but only time will tell.

  Now enter into this new world: Thanos.

  MAP OF THANOS

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Prelude

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  About the Author

  Prelude

  Sitting on a large, marble throne, Dextury waited in a chamber on his wife and four offspring to join. The chamber rested on the highest peak on Thanos, Mt. Olton, and no living creature on Thanos had ever seen the summit. Many had tried but only reached less than halfway, and those that didn’t turn back died from the lack of air to breathe. This didn’t concern Dextury in the slightest because he was a God. He ruled over this realm with his mate and kids, whom he was waiting on. They ruled over several worlds in this realm for the All Father.

  Now, all eyes were turned to Thanos. The All Father had commanded for a new race to be brought forth and see how they fit in with the other creatures of creation. This new species was called man. They were to be given free will to see how they adapted to life.

  When Dextury first observed them, he couldn’t help but laugh because they didn’t have long life, weren’t very strong or smart, and no one really knew what they would do next. Some were benevolent while others were abominable. They reminded Dextury of his daughters Lynor and Amaris. Lynor was customarily kind but had a ruthless side while Amaris was typically hateful with a sometimes gentle manner. Many creatures fell into one of his daughters’ realms.

  Lynor’s twin brother, Octin, could only be described as righteous, and Amaris’ twin, Nylash, was malevolent. The brothers had followers and creatures devoted only to them but like everyone else really didn’t relish the idea of this new species on their world.

  When Thanos was created eons ago, Dextury had been given instructions to see what path the humans would choose. Humans could worship who they chose and couldn’t be punished for it. What upset the Gods the most was that humans didn’t even have to follow a God. Before humans came into being on Thanos, the Gods met to discuss what they would set up to see which path humans took. Millions of years later, it was time to meet and watch what path they would take.

  Dextury looked up to see his wife, Asta, enter the chamber and glide across it to take the throne beside him. “It is time,” he said, smiling at her.

  “Yes, and just like when we met the first time, I have no idea what path they will take,” Asta said, looking up at the door as the siblings entered. True to form, they entered together. A round, stone table materialized in the room in front of the mother and father. The sons sat opposite of each other as did the sisters.

  Nylash looked up at his mother and father. “Why did humans have to appear here first?” He asked in malice.

  Dextury smiled. “Son, I know you have asked the All Father, so don’t ask me,” he told Nylash.

  With a pompous wave of his hand, he said, “They could go to another realm or even the All Father’s.”

  Octin leaned forward over the table. “Brother, we have been commanded and must obey,” he said.

  “We are Gods, not servants,” Nylash spat. Leaning back in his chair, Octin’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, dear brother, do I sense anger?” Nylash asked, chuckling.

  “Nylash, enough,” Dextury commanded.

  “Father, I just wanted to know what the All Father had told you,” Nylash said, grinning.

  Dextury stood and glided over to the table. “Nylash, the All Father believes these humans could tip the balance of power between good and evil more than any creature that has ever been created.”

  “We just set up the world for their choices, Father, not guided any of them to the choices,” Nylash said, disgusted.

  Octin stood up. “As we were told,” he said, pointing at Nylash.

  Asta walked over and put her hand on Octin’s shoulder. “Son, please sit down, and don’t let Nylash provoke you so easily,” she told him, guiding him back to his chair. Asta turned and looked at Nylash. “Son, you have pushed the barriers of our instructions from the All Father. He really doesn’t like some of your choices,” she told him.

  Nylash laughed. “Oh, so am I in trouble? I’m a God. What can be done to me?” he asked.

  With a grave face, Dextury strode over to his son. “You can be banished, Nylash, God or not. You will be a God in a realm of nothing, forever.”

  Panic and fear washed over Nylash. “I have followed my instructions,” he said quickly.

  “Yes, that’s why you are still among us,” Dextury told him. “You have some of your followers over large tracks of humans.”

  “It was never said I couldn’t,” Nylash blurted quickly out.

  Asta walked over and laid her hand on Nylash’s shoulder. “You are trying to tilt the outcome with your followers and not yourself,” she told him. “We were to put the artifacts on the world and choose our representativ
es and prepare them but nothing else.”

  Starting to tremble, “Octin and Lynor have some of their followers over them,” Nylash said in a quivering voice.

  “By choice!” Lynor snapped. “You have your followers over the humans by force of arms. They punish with torment and death.”

  Amaris jumped up. “It was never said he couldn’t,” she shouted, defending her twin.

  Lynor looked at her sister, slightly shocked. They usually got along well together, very rarely taking sides with the brothers. “I’m sorry, Amaris, if I upset you when I forgot to mention your followers as well,” she said, making Amaris gasp.

  “Enough!” Dextury shouted, and a resounding thunderclap filled the room. Seeing he had their attention, Dextury glided back to his throne and said, “Sit down, everyone.” They all took their seats as Dextury looked around at each of them from his throne. “We knew this was coming, and I have watched all of you prepare, as has your mother. The All Father told me it was acceptable for Nylash to do as he did as long as he did no more,” Dextury said, making Nylash smile. “But don’t push it more, son,” he warned. Nylash’s smile vanished. “Mankind must have a free choice.”

  “Father, if the All Father thinks these humans can tip the balance so easily, why create them?” Octin asked.

  Taking a deep breath, “The All Father believes they will be the ones on other worlds that guide the path of all. Once the choice is made, then that is the path that will be taken for that world. No longer will the elves, dwarves, orcs, and goblins guide all worlds alone,” Dextury answered.

  Nylash laughed. “This world is mine then,” he said with confidence.

  Amaris looked at her brother. “Nylash, quit gloating. It’s not becoming,” she told him, grinning.

  Lynor shook her head. “Yes, just look what happened to your elves,” she said, making both Nylash and Amaris stare at her with hard eyes.

  Asta stood up. “This is enough, children,” she warned in a hard voice. “Have you finished your task?” she asked. They all nodded in reply. “So it starts,” she said, looking at Dextury.

  He nodded as well. “Now let us sit and watch how this unfolds,” he said as images of lives on Thanos filled the chamber.

  “Father, this could take hundreds of years,” Octin told his father.

  “Maybe longer, but with us here, we can’t interfere with the choices to be made,” Dextury answered.

  Amaris smiled at Octin as she said, “I’m sure yours and Lynor’s elves, fairies, and other creatures will be fine.”

  “They sure beat your creatures in battle at the beginning of this world, didn’t they?” Lynor asked with a smirk.

  Inclining her head, Amaris said, “Yes, they did, but even some of your fairies came over after the war,” she replied.

  Asta clapped her hands, sending a resounding boom! through the chamber. “Children,” she warned then looked at Dextury. “Have you set your candidates in motion?” she asked him.

  “Yes, as have you,” Dextury said, reaching over to hold her hand.

  Nylash jumped up out of his chair. “That has to be a violation of our instructions!” he shouted.

  Asta looked at him. “No, the All Father commanded it after your little interpretation of the instructions,” she told him. Nylash fell back into his chair.

  Dextury laughed. “Now, let’s see how this unfolds,” he said as they all watched the images floating around the room.

  Chapter 1

  With an armload of books, a servant scurried to the shelf and set them down, thankful he hadn’t dropped them. Looking out the windows, he saw the two suns getting close to the noon hour. With a sigh, he moved toward the door but stopped, still seeing one of the apprentice mages at the main table, reading. “My Lord, you can’t be in here; you must leave,” the servant said as he walked quickly to the table.

  The young apprentice looked up, startled. “Sorry, but my master told me I needed to study,” he answered as the servant came over.

  “My lord, the bhari will be making rounds before long to ensure the building is cleared for the infusion today. Those caught here face stiff sentences.”

  “The bhari?” The apprentice gasped at the name of the stealth warriors of Nazar.

  “Yes, my lord, you need to leave this building quickly,” the servant pleaded.

  Jumping to his feet, he said, “Thank you, kind sir.” He bolted for the door in a dead run. Letting out a sigh, the servant gathered the books and scrolls the young mage left on the table, put them back on the shelves, and tidied up the library just a little more. Glancing at the window again, seeing the suns, he dropped his rag and headed for the door.

  Stepping out into the corridor, the servant closed the door to the library softly. Looking down the long, marble passageway, he heard the large bell toning noon in the center of the conservatory of magic. With his pulse becoming rapid, the servant moved down the passage to leave the main building. Keeping his head down but his eyes looking forward, the servant tried to keep his breathing under control, knowing being caught in the citadel during an infusion was a death sentence for a servant. After six years of service for the conservatory, he knew better than to take so long to clean and tidy up the library. The entire staff knew to be out of the main citadel before the noon bell on a sacramental day.

  Rounding a corner, he froze, seeing a man wearing a green, silk robe sitting on a stone bench in front of the main chamber doors. In an instant, the servant took in the man’s features. Even with the robe, the servant could tell he was tall, mature, and very muscular for someone his age. The man’s long, gray hair with a few streaks of black fell over his shoulders, and age creased his face. The sho-ka, the servant thought, facing the man. The sho-ka never looked at him, but the servant knew the sho-ka was aware of his presence. The man may look like he couldn’t move fast, but the servant knew better. Slowly, the sho-ka turned his head, looking at the servant with indifference.

  The servant fell to his knees, whimpering, “I’m sorry, my lord. It took longer to tidy my area than I realized.”

  “I don’t care, but you better leave before the magi council assembles,” the sho-ka told the kneeling servant.

  Not believing what he heard, the servant looked up into the sho-ka’s dark blue eyes. “Yes, my lord, thank you,” the servant mumbled, standing up.

  The sho-ka looked back toward the door. “You better hurry; the council is moving into the chamber,” he said. “I would run if I was you. Just my opinion,” he added with no emotion on his face. The servant broke into a dead run.

  Turning his head, the sho-ka smiled upon seeing the servant reach the main door and exit the citadel. “At least that one won’t die because of me today,” he said, turning back to face the main chamber doors. Just for a second, his left hand caressed his staff propped up by his leg. Not a true wizard staff, it was only five feet tall, straight, and smooth with no adornment. It looked just like a walking stick any person would use, which was what the sho-ka wanted people to think.

  Indifferent to his surroundings, the sho-ka just stared at the door, waiting, not showing any sign of impatience. With the exception of his shallow, movement of breathing, the sho-ka could’ve been mistaken for a wax figure the mages sometime made at the conservatory. Studying the two huge, metal doors in front of him, he knew the council was playing games to see if he was nervous.

  Truth be told, he was petrified but would be damned if he was going to show it. The magi council was like any bureaucrat board: They wanted to feel important with the task they held. If the mages could inconvenience someone, so much the better.

  When the door opened an hour after the servant ran out, the sho-ka didn’t move as a mage stepped out. Looking at the mage without staring at him, the sho-ka saw a pendant on his gray robe. It had two brown, shiny stones set in it, signifying the mage as a deputy or second-rank mage. “Sorry to keep you waiting. You may come in now,” the man told him with a commanding tone.

  Slowly, the sho-ka lo
oked the man in the eyes. “No, you’re not sorry, deputy mage. The council wants to play kid games while the rest of us are made to save the world.”

  The deputy mage’s cheeks fared red. “How dare you speak of the council in such a manner? Sho-ka or not, do so again, and I will take steps to teach you properly.”

  The sho-ka stood up without pushing off with his hands and strode over to the mage. “Use that tone with me again, and I’ll take your head to the council,” he warned the mage. Alarmed, the mage backed away, bringing a defensive spell to his mind as he reached in his robe. “Your shield won’t work; I’m too close to you,” the sho-ka said.

  Trembling, the deputy mage looked down and noticed the staff. “You are allowed to only bring your amulet,” he told the sho-ka.

  Moving around the deputy, the sho-ka said, “I go nowhere unarmed, fool.” The deputy mage reached back into his robe and pulled out a pinch of powder. Pointing at the staff in the sho-ka’s hand, he whispered the words and dropped the powder in a puff of smoke. Not feeling or seeing a magic aura on the staff, the deputy sighed and followed the sho-ka in the chamber.

  Strolling into the chamber, the sho-ka observed a huge circle engraved in the floor with twelve lines leading to a small, inner circle like the spokes of a wheel. Well, some of the stories are true, he thought, moving to the small inner circle.

  The sho-ka stopped in the small circle and looked up to see the twelve council mages sitting behind a long table, facing him. They were all wearing the gray robes of Nazar Conservatory Magi Council. As the deputy passed him, the sho-ka mumbled, “Idiot.” The deputy cut his eyes at him, wanting to pounce, but kept walking. The deputy stopped at the far end of table with another deputy mage on the other end.

  A gray-headed man sitting in the center of the group stood. “Ahnon, you should show a little more respect to a second-level wizard,” he cautioned. Ahnon noticed the pendant on his chest, seeing a silver star signifying his status as Grand Mage of Nazar.

  “Grand Mage, I’m not in the mood for games, and your little prodigy is of little concern to me,” Ahnon told him. The old mage studied Ahnon as Ahnon glanced over the other members of the council, seeing all had pendants with one stone; they were prime mages or first rank.