Dean - Fate

Fate

By: Michael Dean

Fate

Copyright 2015 by Michael Dean. All rights reserved.

First Print Edition: July 2015

Limitless Publishing, LLC

Kailua, HI 96734

www.limitlesspublishing.com

Formatting: Limitless Publishing

ISBN-13: 978-1-68058-200-0

ISBN-10: 1-68058-200-3

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to locales, events, business establishments, or actual personsliving or deadis entirely coincidental.

~Dedication~

To anyone who has read this saga up to this point, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1

DISARRAY

The world is slowly coming unraveled, descending deeper into a season in the abyss, and Ive been all over it as of late. Not strictly searching for War, but stopping the madness that has crept up like cancer clusters all over the planet. Humanity is losing its way at a faster rate than before. Those that have risen from the underworld, following the commands of Christian and War, are influencing the minds of mankind in a much bolder fashion.

Before, beings like myself would creep and crawl around the world and through the minds of humans so as to avoid the ever watchful eyes of the heavens, but now its as if the line has been crossed and Hell no longer fears the wrath of Heaven for pushing things too far.

I cant help but wonder where Argento and Elysia are and the hordes of angels that claim to care for and watch over the mortal race. Ive been all over the earth and have not seen nor heard anything more out of them; not a single trace of any angel. Its as if the heavens are turning a blind eye to whats going on. I cant help but think back to my conversation with Christian in Middleton. What he said about Argento. Maybe they have no interest in aiding me, only playing a charade to ultimately achieve a far greater purpose than what myself, Shade, my family and friends are fighting for. Its possible that we are just pawns, readily disposed of when the scales of balance between good and evil begin to swing one way or the other.

I dont know who to trust anymore. Well, I will never trust Christian or anything that has to do with the underworld, but it doesnt mean that there isnt an air of truth to some of the things he enlightened me about.

I just returned from Shanghai where people were rioting and looting all over the city. There have been many evils being committed in so many ways by people that I cant possibly stop all the hate alone. Ive only been able to slow the bleeding. Hell is gaining a firm foothold over the mortals, one location at a time.

Prior to that I took it upon myself to assist, on the down-lo of course, cities like Moscow, Sydney, Montreal, and of course several major and minor cities within the United States. I feel like this worldwide unruliness is a purposeful ruse put in place just for me, keeping me busy, but I cant be sure of that.

What makes me think this way is because everywhere I went while in between helping the humans Ive been one step behind confronting War. Instead what meets me is an influx of either vampires or demons, or both, fighting me at every turn. I feel as if Im chasing War, like hes buying time for something.

War is known in Hell as the hunter, never the hunted, which makes his or her behavior, given what form War has taken, equally strange. Maybe its simply because hes use to being confined in Hell for the most part and hes just trying to play a little while hes out. I dont know. Its weird nonetheless.

Despite those recent insights scattered throughout my mind and the events unfolding around me, the thought of my engagement to Shade is still at the forefront. Due to my recent distractions the details and coordination of our wedding has been placed squarely on Shades and our parents shoulders.

Now that I have returned home, yet again, from another outbreak, I figured it was time to see how far along they were in the planning of this event.

The first stop I had to make besides checking in at my spot, which has been my usual habit as of late when returning back to Mountainside, was to check in with my family. When I got home, Scruffy opened the door to greet me as I walked up.

Whats up, Batman? Chasing all over Gotham fighting crime again? He grinned and waved me inside the house.

Batman? Batmans got nothing on me, I kidded.

Yeah, well, I never thought Id see a day when a demon was trying to stop evil instead of creating itmuch less being a friend and a brother to me. Youre a weird dude, bro. He chuckled and patted me on the back.

Leoyou back home? Amanda, my mother of course, walked out of the kitchen wiping her hands with a tissue like she was cooking something. You want something to eat?

Ahhh, he doesnt need anything of substance. Just serve up some dirt. He cant tell the difference. Scruffy answered for me with a half-cocked smile and a nod.

Shut-up, dummy, our mother smiled and shook her head, cmon on in here and get yourself something. I was just about to put up the leftovers.

Soundsgreat.

After gathering a plate of food that looked fantastic but I knew would taste horrible because of me being what I am, I sat down to relax for the first time in quite a while.

As I ate, I briefly informed them on what I was up too while I was out and about. Amanda cleaned up and Scruffy sat down at the table next to me. Benjamin walked in and greeted me, grabbing a spot at the table to talk. When Amanda was done she joined us all. I was the lone eater.

Does Shade and the rest of the Lewis clan know that youre back? Benjamin asked.

Nopenot yet. Ill swing by and see them a little later if thats okay. I just need to settle my thoughts for a few and spend some time here with you all. I continued to scarf down the soot and ash tasting delicacies that were lasagna and garlic bread.

Well, youll be happy to know that Shade has put together a wedding date for the two of you. Amanda chimed in.

I stopped chewing and raised my head to her.

Looks like the two of you will be tying the knot this spring.

Oh yeah? I raised my eyebrows, realizing that it was only a few months away being that we were going into winter again.

Oooohhhh yeaaahhhhh, Scruffy bounced his brows up and down in a seductive manner, looks like you and Shade will finally be able to get your boogey on my manif youre up to the challenge? Can a demon even get it on?

Amanda picked up a dishcloth lying on the table and tossed it at her son. Mark Spearsthat is just crass.

I smiled and Scruffy snickered as he grabbed the cloth, tossing it back across the table to our mom. I glanced over to our father and he had a sheepish grin on his face as well.

Anywaybefore your disgusting brother, then she too looked over at Benjamin, and classless father

Heeeyyy. He interrupted with a laugh.

interrupted me. As I was saying, the date has been set for late springlikely in June.

Where?

Well, Shade struggled in deciding between two locations. She originally wanted to do it in the Gardens of Zeusunder the arch by the fountain. The flowers will be in bloom at that time and we thought the setting would be beautiful. But then she mentioned a location that seemed to be dear to her, a spot that the two of you frequent I guess, buy the Gold Rock River? Thats where she has decided the wedding should be held. Does that sound okay to you, Leo?