Chapter 1
(Chapter song ‘Harkonnen Arena’ by Hans Zimmer)
Chapter 1
CORA – 1814
The earth.
An innocent ball of molten rock, hardened land, and vast oceans. Hurling thousands of kilometers through space in a galaxy that no one truly knows anything about.
The world, as time went on, was easily explained through science, logic, and math. The people of earth were satisfied with a sense of normalcy.
But it didn’t last long.
Many scholars commonly held the simplistic vision of this planet for many years, but it wasn’t the logical world that eventually upset the balance.
It was a treasure seeker.
Everything we understood was changed the day this young treasure seeker read a book. He absorbed the passages and verses and put them to the maps. He compared lines and words as clues to something he thought the world would need to further make society great.
He knew not what he had done.
In the blistering, steamy heat of the Amazonian jungle, he sliced his way through thick vines and foliage. The guides barked and directed as the scrolls he studied for years sat in his sack. Words he hoped would make him as important as the king the stories were about.
The excitement rose when the elusive destination was reached. The treasure seeker; proud that he had cracked the code written so many eons ago, stood at the mouth of his self-proclaimed greatness. He was the one who was going to bring the earth’s secrets to light.
A cave: Not touched by the outside world except once... According to scripture. Opened only to hide the one thing that separated men... from death. But it was much more than that.
The Chalice of Youth.
The man entered the cave and lit a torch. As the foreign men talked and warned him of curses and markings, he shushed them and continued on.
The light from the fire led him to the darkest recesses of the tunnels. When he thought there was nowhere to go, he found a stone. As if on instinct—or perhaps something else—instead of turning back, he swept away the cobwebs and muck off the face and marveled at what he saw.
A single Hebrew word.
Nazareth.
He knew this was it.
As the guides coiled back in fear, the man slammed is crowbar into the stone and broke the seal. As a strange air rose through the caverns, the men shook. But the explorer smiled with glee as he shone his light into the void behind the stone.
There it was. Sitting as if it had just been put there.
A simple... wooden... cup.
He could not take his eyes off the relic as he rescued it from its prison. The prayers heard through the tunnels did nothing to sway the man to put it back.
The curse was calling, and it was too strong.
’Everyone will benefit from this find. Me... even more so...’ The man said as he turned to his guides.
But instead of smiles, he was met with the barrel of a pistol.
‘We have someone more interested.’ The guide’s dark eyes flicked from the chalice to the man’s shocked gaze.
The shot was never heard.
The man’s body laid on the ground. His life essence coating the rock and dirt as the guides left cackling. His life ended with the sight of the light dimming forever. His dying thought was of the man the cup came from and how this could be his end. How could the cup betray him when he was going to tell the world it’s story? What went wrong?
What went wrong was the man didn’t understand that the line between blessings and curses was as thin as an unspoken word.
For this cup held and malice and contempt of the lips that took from it last. It wasn’t meant to be blessed; it was meant to cleanse. It was meant to hold the curses of the one ascending. It was meant to be left alone.
And now... the curse has claimed its first victim.
But it didn’t stop there.
That simple cup was now unleashed on the world, and it took many more victims.
Wars and brutality rose.
Those who wished to keep its power for themselves became tyrants. Those who wished to make their places rich with gold fought for it and spilled more blood than the cup could hold.
It was during one of these wars that a man—who was as simple as the true owner of the relic—came across a merchant with a cart full of wares.
He had been buying and selling trinkets and bobs for years across Europe and told the man about a highway robbery he had stumbled upon. Unfortunately, all men were dead, and he relieved them of their items.
The man who was dressed in a simple shirt and trousers, perused the cart. When his eyes laid on the wooden cup, he knew what he must do.
He asked the man how much for the cup and when the man said it wasn’t for sale, he wasted no time. He drew his sword and ran the merchant through.
After stealing the horse attached to the cart, he wrapped the cup in cloth and put it in his satchel. He rode hard and fast, not even daring to stop for a drink.
The Arabian desert opened like a sandy ocean of brutal heat. Still, he pressed on until the horse died of hunger and thirst. He crossed the waving dunes until he came to the spot directed in his blood.
The great King Darius stood in the desert and removed the cup. He squinted in the blazing sun and looked out as a city materialized before him.
The Kingdom of Gods.
He fought the pull and allure of the cups curse as he walked through the city’s empty streets. The yellow sandstone buildings barely showed their age, but he is not the first King to walk here.
The flags of the gods, statues and markings depicted on the walls, have been seen by many before him. And many more will follow for its his blood that is important to the world.
It is his blood that keeps the curses at bay.
He enters a great hall of the Temple in the middle of the city. He transcribes the code on a door full of symbols. The doors opens and he begins his trek down into the core of the earth.
The cup fights and pulls, but his will is stronger. It’s always stronger. It has to be. This place and the horrors within it require his soul and he is willing. For if the contents of this room were to become exposed, earth as we know it, would cease to exist.
The only thing standing between the curses and total annihilation, is the heart of this young bear.
The Bear King who took a vow through blood and soul to protect the world and secrets. Secrets that remain active today.
The vault opens and the king unwraps his prisoner.
He walks up the aisle of the room filled with items that would love to do nothing but kill you to be free.
He hears the whispers. He feels the attempt to ruin the dynasty of the Bear King. His internal struggle is seen on his face as he passes the items on the floor.
From the rope of the first betrayer. Used to hang himself after his trickery. It has no problems strangling those the curse wishes.
The Astarte amulet. Unleashed to spread beauty and charm only to suck the life out of its victim and wait for another.
A long iron spear donned with religious symbols. Used to deal the final blow that relieved the world of a King on a cross. But the hatred used to wield it bred a curse that has caused death and destruction in its wake. Empires fell when its presence was unleased.
A glove made of lion’s claws. It is said to be that of the god Nemean. This glove caused several mass murders as it fills the wearer with blind rage.
A single arrow seems harmless. But this arrow brought down the single most feared empire and didn’t stop there. Instead of heels, it killed minds. Drove men mad with power and corruption. Eventually, the world saw death again.
He stops and places the chalice on a stool. The weight lifted but it still called out. It tried, but there is one that’s stronger.
He looks down the aisle and fixates on a door. Tucked away in a room, sealed off from the rest, it waits. No one knows who made it, but it rose from the core of the earth. A single piece of stone etched with the darkest magic and ability to kill it all. He grits as it calls to him. It taunts him. He knows it can weaken him if he stays much longer.
With the chalice secure, he promptly leaves the vault. He secures the temple and wills the city to hide itself. The walls and buildings melt into the horizon; only to be woken when the next deadly curse is found.
The world can be explained by science and math.
It’s secrets, however, are another story.
10 YEARS LATER
"GLEWISCH RAA PAREH KEN”
“DON’T WASTE, HEYAN! RIP THROAT!”
“KILL HIM QUICK!”
“EAU RA TEMAM KEN!”
Deep in the recesses—beyond the eyes of law and order—rocky manmade tunnels fill with rage as voices urge for the destruction of unwilling opponents.
The smell of bile and blood hang in the air as the tunnels open to massive, cavernous halls. Torches light the ominous display of vileness hidden beneath the crust. Above them, the desert lays waste to those who dare to cross it and come looking for this unspoken place.
Entry is by special invitation and only given if the participant is worthy... and keeps his mouth shut.
It’s death if one utters a word of what is shown here and what comes after.
The sounds of beasts behind bars is almost too much to bear as their cries are stopped by the high stone ceiling.
No one can hear them scream.
And no one... is coming to save them.
He has one rule. Fight... or die.
The smoke of herbs and laughter of men almost drowns out the growls and hits of the animals fighting on command. They were brothers once, but not anymore. Survival of this dangerous game is the only thing on their minds. And there can be only one winner.
The men cheer and pumps fist as the wolves’ teeth bite and venom flies. They slam each against the iron bars embedded in the rock, and their fur covered skin burns. The animals scream in both anger and fear.
The dark prince sits on high. He smiles as he looks on from silken pillows. He watches as they claw and slash and the flesh tears and severs. Shielded from the sprays of blood, he laughs when a beast is hit and lands on the bars. It cries out as its chest singes and turns the air sour.
His eyes peruse his collected bounty of gold bullion, chains, and rare gems. Payments for the gruesome display he has provided as entertainment.
He shouts the odds to those who look to profit from the blood spilled in the center of the room. Men gather like hungry vultures to a carcass.
“1000 to 1!!”
“How many beasts?!”
“These rubies! Double or nothing!”
He eyes the bets and considers each one. After all, he is here to make profit as well. He must make sure all bets are sound.
’The payment is 300 minimum.′ He spits to his onlookers, who have not placed bets.
He has no patience for observers. Observers pose a risk he cannot afford. The minute their fingers touch a single gold coin; their loyalty is his. Observers still have a chance, and he doesn’t like that.
He casually looks to his armed companions as some of these observers challenge the rules of the game. Should he lose patience, these observers will be no more.
’300?! These are half dead already! 100!′ The man snubs his nose as he squats in front of the prince.
The prince eyes his purse and sees that it’s heavy. This man clearly believes he’s in a common market to take such attitude.
The prince decides to play the man’s hand. If he is serious, he will open that purse. ’The winner hasn’t lost anything but blood. He’s worth 10 times that. You want profit off his skin... that’s the price.′ The prince utters stoically as the creatures deal desperate blows to each other.
Drinks are spilled, and women laugh as they hang off the men, who continue egging the beasts on.
‘I won’t pay what you want in gold, but I think I can still make the price.’ With the crook of a finger, a travel companion drops a bag at the man’s feet. The prince studies the large bag with great interest as he is also a collector of rare earth mysteries.
Curses are the least of his worries.
The man opens the flap and gingerly lifts out his treasure. He looks it over, and the prince laughs. As do his other companions beside him.
‘A dragon egg?’ He says smugly. ‘You might have had a better chance with a one-legged cow.’
’Not just any egg.′ He offers the gift to the prince.
The prince holds the egg in his hand, and his laughter fades. His eyes turn dark, and his companions grow quiet. As his fingers run across the black rough shell, his unique vision sees the hidden metallic colors in the black. Unseen by most—Including its own species.
He raises his eyes to the man. ‘Where did you get this?’
′It’s the last. From the mother herself. A hundred men almost lost their lives retrieving that from the nest.′
The prince studies the egg with an increasing certainty that this egg alone could solve all of his problems. He had been waiting for an opportunity and knowing what this item is, this needs to be kept as secret as possible.
‘How many have seen this?’
’No one except the ones in this room.
The dark prince slowly nods as his fingers trace the scales etched in the shell. He crooks his finger and his man leans down. He whispers something in his ear and the man nods, then stands straight.
‘With that beast, you could rule the Arabian desert and all of Persia.’
‘That is true, my friend.’ The prince holds up the egg to the light. The weight of it was more than 10000 caskets of gold coin.
’She is female. Segregated by the mother. The next queen. We’ve been calling her... Eva.′
The evil grin that grows as the prince eyes his treasure sent chills through the spectators of the barter.
‘Eva.’ He growls hungrily as he envisions his future. ‘This little one... changes everything.’
’So is it proper payment?’ The man grins and wrings his hands as he eyes the betting table.
’I will have to verify, of course.’ He stands and motions to his men. ‘Wait here.’
’Yes, Shazadeh.’ he bows as the prince walks out of the cavern with his entourage. He grins and celebrates with his companions and turn to the beasts.
‘BAH DOSTANEM DAR IN ASSAR KHUB!’
The shouts coming from the prince has people stop and stare as he walks out of the mouth of the only exit just a few steps into the cavern. Even the beasts stopped and snarled.
The bartering group raise their brows in horror as the dark prince raises his palm to the room. In it, an amulet.
‘The eye... of Ra?’
‘Thank you for the egg, my friend.’ A sinister smile crosses his lips, and he ticks his head. ‘Good night.’
‘NO! DON’T!’
With a single command, the prince unleashed the power from center of Ra’s eye. It hits the bars, and they break into pieces. Screams and hollers fill the room as the beasts realize the cage has been broken.
The prince watches as people clue in to the plan he enacted.
‘EVERYONE TO THE TUNNEL!’
But it was too late. The prince pointed his weapon to the roof of the tunnel and fires a single blast. The powerful magic shakes the cave and topples all manner of rock and earth. Sealing the mouth of the cave. Cries and pleas for mercy where quickly replaced with suffering screams mixed with horrific growls. The beasts began feasting on meals the prince left behind because they were not properly fed in weeks.
The prince reaches for his egg and takes it from his guard.
‘You could have grabbed the riches first.’ The guard whines as they lead the party out of the tunnels.
’I could have, but we cannot spare word getting out. This egg will buy me Avesta and whatever else I want.’ He smirks.
‘You think she’ll take it?’
They enter the desert, and the prince reaches into his pocket. He pulls out a small, palm-sized hourglass. ‘I know she will.’
He tips the glass over and as the sands fall, the desert sand in front of him bubbles, boils, and caves in like quicksand. A black car rises out of the sand as if rising out of the ocean. The desert flows off its glossy midnight black paint and replaces the displaced sand beneath it. Animals run for the cover of darkness that has fallen across the desert.
When the car was stabile on the ground, the guard walks to it and opens the passenger door. Another guard walks around and enters the driver’s seat. ’Come back here in three days’ time.’ The prince instructs as he climbs in and rolls down the window. ’If anyone is left alive, kill them. If my beasts are alive, put them in chains. If not...’ He turns to his men. ‘Go to Italy. Get me more.’
’Yes, Shazadeh.’
‘Drive.’
