Rise Of The Nephilim

Āmand swooped down from the top of the cavern, gliding along the perimeter of his city. He coasted above Lake Babylonia—a small spring-fed lake that seemed to be outgrowing its banks because of the increasing tremors caused by the many nearby fault lines. He verified that all entries from numerous tunnels, themselves forged by nature’s hands, were well guarded by the Epochs.

He feared an attack by the Arcadians. Arcadium, Under-Lord of Arcadia and second in line after Āmand, thought him weak and was desperate to claim Āmand’s power for himself. Āmand had doubled the guard in preparation for the celebration that would take place later that evening, though it had been several months since the Arcadians had last attacked the city.

Āmand wanted nothing to ruin that evening. More importantly, he wanted to be sure that his Nephilim would be protected, although, in the back of his mind, his concern was more focused on Sarai’s safety.

Although he dared not admit it, she was the daughter he cared most about. It was unnatural, since the Fallen were incapable of any measure of love, not even for their offspring. And he hated humanity with every fiber of his being; he thought them foul and weak, not worthy of his compassion, much less his love. His only goal was to mate with the women he’d chosen to produce the offspring with which he’d build his army of Nephilim, bringing them closer to the fulfillment of the decree of the Fallen.

Āmand landed, his wings fluttering as he stood near the main gate, an iron fortress at the tunnel that served as a direct route between Arcadia and the Dark City of Babylonia.

He approached the first in command, General Tas. The general was taller than six-feet, large, and was covered in black armor, including her face. Two dark eyes peered through slits in the plate.

She stood guard there alongside a small battalion of other Epoch warriors.

General Tas sharply lifted her head, her eyes to the ground, body rigid, and slammed her arm, hand in a fist, across her breast.

“General, I trust you have all in order.”

Nodding sharply, she answered, “Yes, Your Dominance. All entries to the city are secure.”

“I hope that this is true for your own sake—your life will be forfeit if it is not.”

“This I have accepted, Your Dominance.”

“Good.”

Āmand looked around and ascended back to the farthest region of the cavern, where he continued to make further inspections.