The Ballad of Persephone Read online

  The Anuk Chronicles

  by Abdur R Mohammed

  The Ballad of

  Persephone

  Other Works by Abdur R Mohammed

  The Anuk Chronicles Series

  Rise of Villains, Vol 1

  Rise of Prophecy, Vol. 2

  The Anuk Chronicles

  The Ballad of

  Persephone

  Copyright

  The Anuk Chronicles: The Ballad of Persephone © 2019

  by Abdur R. Mohammed. All Rights Reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

  Cover design by Abdur R. Mohammed. Images courtesy Pixabay

  Interior images courtesy Abdur R Mohammed & Pixabay

  Editor: Jeff DeMarco

  DeMarco Writing and Editing, LLC

  Lexington, MI

  (989-912-9011) https://demarcowriter.com

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Abdur R. Mohammed

  Visit my website at www.theanukchronicles.com

  First Printed in the United States of America

  First Printing: August 2019

  Paperback :ISBN 13: 978-1-7324-7536-6

  Digital Copy: ISBN 13: 978-1-7324-7537-3

  Dedication

  “To the One True Master of the Universe”

  To the Men and Women of the Armed Forces around the world who sacrifice more than their average citizen counterpart will ever know.

  To all who challenge the contemporary fallacies which plague the past, influence the present, and hamper the future.

  To family, a reality transcending blood, space, and time.

  Acknowledgements

  Erich Von Daniken www.daniken.com

  Author/Researcher/Lecturer. Chariots of the gods

  Andrew Collins www.andrewcollins.com

  Author/Researcher/Lecturer. Gods of Eden

  Jenna Moreci www.jennamoreci.com

  Author of The Saviors Champion & EVE the Awakening.

  Meg LaTorre https://iwriterly.com

  Author/YouTuber/Fmr. Literary Agent.

  Vivien Reis www.vivienreis.com

  Author of The Elysian Prophecy series.

  Jeff DeMarco https://demarcowriter.com

  Author of Once Upon a Wolfpack, Tread Fallen Nation, Into Armageddon, Born of Chaos.

  Stuart Arbury Ramo Law – Los Angeles ,CA

  Entertainment Exec. www.ramolawpc.com

  Preface

  “The Ballad of Persephone” is the heart of “The Anuk Chronicles.” This installment is a ‘Stand-alone’ story to Volume I & II, but it connects elements presented, and emboldens upcoming struggles.

  If you enjoy this novel, please leave a review on amazon, goodreads, and/or storefront where you received your copy; doing so will be a tremendous help.

  Please consider sharing this novel, i.e. spread the word, for it will help with our ultimate goal – securing interest to develop a script for the screen (Television or otherwise.)

  Thank you for choosing “The Ballad of Persephone” and “The Anuk Chronicles.” Visit our website at www.theanukchronicles.com for visuals, trailers, store links, and news of upcoming titles.

  Enjoy,

  Abdur R. Mohammed

  The World before the Great War

  Circa The Age of Libra (15,000 BCE)

  THE KINGDOM OF HYPERBORIA

  a.k.a. Earth

  ILLYRIA

  Western Europe, Northern Europe, Balkans, Russia, Central Asia, Southern Europe, Middle-East, Arabian region, pTah.

  ARYAVAN

  Central Asia, West, East, & South Asia, Australia. Ulimoroa (ancient name for Australia,) Pacific Islands.

  HYPERBORIA

  Capital city, Western Continent (Including Central and South.)

  FORBIDDEN SOUTHERN CONTINENT

  Forbidden frozen wasteland. No Information in database.

  Chapter 1: Time Lost, Time Regained.

  Wind and sand blow without mercy against six faltering tents, posted along the desert road from Persepolis. Tonight is dark and evil, filled with omniscient forces gathered around a besieged party of rebels trapped in an oasis of death. Monstrous vehicles pelt out light, piercing the blackness; the malevolent enemy is waiting, seething. The rebels hold vigil with their masters. Gathered together, it is clear that few remain.

  Shining through a dismal sky is the magnificent star, Vega. An old man braves the onset of a violent lightning storm to offer supplication on his knees. Outstretched palms reach for the glorious star in desperation. His eyes blaze with fire; his voice determined to be heard above howling phantoms.

  “Almighty Creator, your humble servant Peki pleads for thy mercy. Help us oh Lord in our hour of need. Protect us from those who will do us harm – hasn’t she suffered enough in her short years?”

  Lightning bolts split the sky in brilliant splendor. Thunderclaps resonate through the man’s wary chest. He wipes a flood of tears escaping down his brown cheeks. A bloodstained hand grips his shoulder. He peers at the soldier, an Anuk General beaten by the ravages of time, yet his visage remains large and intimidating. “General Markus, did you find water?” A sullen look instead of a parched voice answers the question.

  “Three days under siege. We won’t last much longer.”

  Peki accepts a helping hand off tired knees. They don dark scarves over blistered faces to stave off the sting of whipping sand, then trudge towards the largest tent at the camp’s center, despair fermenting in empty stomachs. Peki pulls the warrior close. “Why haven’t they finished us off? How many are left?”

  Markus shrugs. “Scouts estimate 100. Curses on House Moira of ENlil. We will hold the line as long as we can, but…we are only 20.”

  “Thank you, General.” Peki pulls the tent flaps in a slow, controlled manner, careful not to startle three women lamenting prayers near a 25-year-old girl in a bloody gown. Vacant blue eyes stare up at him. Flickers of light from a fire urn’s calm embers distract his gaze. Eyes fall on a motionless bundle wrapped tight in cotton, absent any discernible features under its shroud. A wave of sadness washes over his body, the grip of despair choking every fiber of his being. His lungs empty with a silent, agonizing shriek.

  The chanting ends abruptly as the girl rolls on bruised knees to crawl towards the crumpled man. Her long dirty-blonde hair drags as her head drops low, dusting the ground with each push forward. Peki straightens up to receive the broken creature he cared for all her life – loved her as his child. She climbs on him, holding on with a weak grip.

  “Your Grace, you must rest. Regain your strength for I fear you are the only one who can protect us.”

  A long arm reaches for Peki’s face. “My beloved will come. Oh Peki, my race is a violent one. Look at what we have done to the world. It is my fault.”

  “Nonsense. You speak of things you know nothing about.”

  “But I do. If I were born into the common human stock, none of it would have happened. You would be safe, and baby Kor…Koray would be safe.” Heartbreak pours out in her trembling voice and shaking body. She closes her eyes at Peki’s embrace. “I am the ‘Destroyer-of-Worlds,’ so proclaimed by my ancestors, Lord ENlil and ENki.”

  “There’ll be no talk of that as long as I’m alive.”

  “What happens when you have passed? I’ll go on for a thousand year
s without guidance. Not even my faithful advisor Samiri, can offer your wisdom.”

  “If he were here, what would he advise?”

  She thinks for a moment. Her pale cheeks redden, pores on cold skin swell with heat radiating throughout her body. Bloodshot eyes darken as they travel to the innocent bundle near the fire. “He would say, ‘Kill them all.’”

  The silent women bow their heads with eyes shut tight, waiting on divine light to descend from heaven. But there will be no such thing. Instead, the girl’s blood surges with her inherent nature. The power coursing through her veins runs more potent than any Anuk with claims of a direct line to the Forefathers from the Stars. Between the delicate drum of a heartbeat, she disappears, leaving the tent’s flap rustling with howling wind. All eyes fall on the vacant spot near the urn.

  Soldiers holding vigil are startled by a wraith darting towards the oasis’ dry edge. A lightning flash illuminates the Anuk descending on the besiegers’ encampment.

  Enemy spot-lamps fall on the tall girl with a swaddled clump of dead flesh that was once baby Koray held high for all to see. A line of sentries train rifles on the haggard intruder. Some tremble, others strengthen their resolve.

  “This is your legacy!” Her hateful gaze travels slowly from left to right. The enemy gathers quickly to bear witness to the proclamation. Markus and his soldiers struggle to reach a bluff to lend aid to their Queen.

  “Forget this night for it deceives you about tomorrow. Forget the dead for they will turn away from your embrace. Remember my dead!” Her eyes glaze over with tears threatening to weaken her resolve. She tightens her grip on Koray to remind herself, this ends now! “Surrender your souls to what you will remember.” She kisses her bundle on its way to the sand. “Tonight, I will taste blood like your pagan ancestors did…all of you, descendants of man. Why? Because the blood of the ancients burn in me; the light of Orion shines in me. The mysteries of Lyra are mine to herald, for I am Persephone – bringer of your doom!”

  Fear covers the sentries’ faces. She disappears between desperate blinks. Howls of death compete with thunder from above. Gun-fire erupts. Blasts of light crisscross in wild desperation to catch the attacker. Bodies fall with hot blood pouring on the sand. Internal organs spew out with crimson splatter as they are ripped out in a fury.

  The wave of death encircles the oasis seven times in quick succession, eradicating every soul it encounters. Markus urges his soldiers to fire with extreme prejudice on anyone left.

  Dust clouds in Persephone’s wake dissipate at the end of the assault. Her blank stare cries out for relief. The living sees the Queen tumble to the bloody ground.

  Markus darts off to her, pushing his mind past the gut-wrenching fear creeping up his spine. He drops hard, panicked at the weakened body before him. He stares into her fading eyes. “Majesty,” he sobs, “you can’t leave us.”

  “My protector – I remember…the girl of 12, saved by strong arms, these arms. I couldn’t protect her…forgive me. Tell my husband, kill them all.”

  “You can’t die. They can’t win.”

  “They will never win, for the awakening will come. Markus, grieve not for in my life I’ve known true love, friendship, loyalty. Remember me, Markus. Remember Koray.”

  The light in Persephone’s eyes goes out. Her body drops limp. Markus cries out to the sky with piercing rage. His waling brings all from the oasis into a circle. They fall on knees and bow their heads. Peki clutches the wrapped child and drops on his Queens cold lap.

  Thunder rumbles down on the grief-stricken. Clouds let loose their stores in a torrential downpour – giving credit to the lie of Persephone’s godhood. Bloodstained sand is washed clean as a testament to the eventual renewal of things. In this tragedy, both Markus and Peki fear, no such miracle will bless the departed.

  PART I

  Before the Fall

  “Forget what you know. Cast aside the burden of deceit for it shall drag you into oblivion.” - Unnamed Watcher (circa 2,019-age of Libra)

  All accounts contained herein have been processed through stringent quality control mechanics at the Library of Thoth.

  A significant number of events are re-purposed into a palatable offering by scaling back the horrors of the period. Relevant ‘time-jumps’ take place to ensure a proper presentation of the facts, rather than stifle the seeker with unimportant happenings. Ambiguous interpretations have been composed into a logical adaptation of all personas involved in the rendition.

  From “Library of Thoth User Manual” by the Grand Librarian

  The materials presented are a recount of an ancestor whose existence was eradicated with malice from history, in an attempt to subjugate a global population consumed by a lie. Fate returned her to the halls of legend, spun her into myth, and in your time, downgraded her life into a story.

  A brief picture shall be painted from the knowledge we possess, as provided by sacred texts decoded at the Library of Thoth. A rigorous treatment of genetic memory, soul-exposure, and factual accounting derived from credible sources have been employed. Understand this – what you call magic, we refer to as Anunnaki (Anuk) science. What has been lost to you was prevalent in my age.

  Queen Persephone’s plight transcends the barriers of space and time. Her descendants acting by proxy changed the very road humanity has traveled on since its reemergence. To understand why you departed from the ancient ways, you must first understand our beloved matriarch.

  Reveal all of it or none of it.

  - Liviana Badur

  Chapter 2: The Creator

  Almost one Sar has passed since the progenitors from the stars retreated to their hidden land of Lumeria. The world progressed as expected, but not without tumultuous pitfalls. The Anuk was never a race to bask in extravagant wonders or be driven by a need for technological advances. Over time their descendants reconciled warring hearts and settled for the social and technical infrastructure left by the Forefathers. Anything beyond the existing bordered on heresy.

  Aversion to progress would not last. A renaissance exploded onto the world, enticing the creation of marvelous monuments and science, with a tentative balance between the physical and spiritual being struck.

  Throughout city-realms exist high structures constructed from melted stone – an engineering fingerprint of the old ones. A unique feature of all civic buildings is their size. Sprawling promenades open up to megalithic buildings placed with precision to keep a visitor in awe. Streets are wide. Electric lights burn bright on towering poles, and in many towns, mobile units soar high enough to tell lies on the moon.

  A technology of convenience brought from the realm of ANu, the father of Lord ENlil and ENki, was technology the ancients called ‘Travel-by-Light.’ Within moments one could leave temperate lands of Hyperboria to arrive at warmer climates in the middle of the Western continent. Portals dotted the Earth in countless numbers, with locations being common knowledge in the early days. War, disease, and social upheavals of the past brought a severe decline in portal demand. Usage today is limited to the order of Watchers and those pledged to the Keeper-of-Secrets.

  To compensate, shuttles, heavy transports, and smaller passenger crafts populate the controlled skies. Menacing military ships of various designs keep a watchful eye on the affairs of each principality.

  War is a tragedy of the past. The stain of conflict, however, still echoes in the mind of all humanity. While standing armies are not encouraged amongst the ruling Houses, having them is not forbidden. It is common for visiting Royalty and aristocracies to enjoy an armed escort during a journey to foreign lands. For the King of Hyperboria, the ultimate ruler of the realms, the local military of any territory is his escort.

  King Shuru is the current ruling monarch. He considers himself a modest Anuk, devoid of frivolous inclinations of amassing wealth; a condition plaguing the kin of his House.

  The structure of rule is an easy one – the King of Hyperboria is always a direct descendant of ENlil, ruling all ban
ners of the Great and Lower Houses, which in turn rule over the realms of both Anuk and man.

  The Great Houses are made up of the King’s direct kin, all of whom can trace their bloodline to the seven Forefathers. Lower Houses comprise of cousins and their own bloodline, with a blended heritage of Royal and common Anuk. Primaries rule over their banners bearing allegiance to either ENlil or ENki. The Primary of ENlil controls its banners, so too does ENki’s Primary. The King controls all. In the absence of a King, the Primary of ENki acts as Regent.

  There are three realms with civilized life: Hyperboria the capital, the Principalities of Hyperboria called Illyria, and the lands of the east called Aryavan. In this age, the return of the Forefathers is believed to be a legend bordering myth. By all accounts, it has been 33,000 years since their departure from humanity. Many contend they left with their great ship in the forgotten past.