The Crow and Gull

Michael is the gatekeeper for all that's good. Nathan is the ostiary of evil. Did they choose these roles? No! Will they fight to tip the balance of the world in their favor? Certainly! But who will prevail in the end?

Being immortal sounds awesome. That is, until you become one. Living an everlasting life, watching everyone you love die time and time again, and seeing no end to your days is the ultimate curse.

For Michael and Nathan, their execration cuts even deeper. Resurrected as gods, they are burdened as the gatekeepers of good and evil. Pitted against each other, they struggle through time and history, persuading kings, queens, and warriors to fight for their cause, hoping to tilt the scale of history in their favor. But in the end, neither prevails in the seesaw of good versus evil, until…

Nemesis is the story of Michael and Nathan. It follows their trials and tribulations throughout history, witnessing their journey as they navigate famous historic events, plagues, victories, and battles. It explores the consequences of seeing the world through parallels of ‘good versus evil' and being subjected to paths in life that may not be of one's choosing.

Will Michael and Nathan be able to break free from the shackles placed on them by their gods? Or will their demise be of their own making? Will it be heaven or hell on earth?

Nemesis is perfect for readers who enjoy a well written dark fantasy intertwined with thought-provoking historical fiction.

Amazon

Excerpt from Nemesis © Copyright 2024 J.A. Muller

Prologue

Since the dawn of time, man has looked for something more powerful than he. Man has sought out and believed in deities and gods. Throughout history, there have been men born, once in a century, who have been blessed with great power, seemingly above and beyond the laws of man and nature—those men are often labeled as gods.

There is a sense of awe and envy surrounding these godly men. They are marveled at by the masses who either want to be them or wish to have or share their powers. Those beneath the men in power tend to strive to be more than they are, hoping to be someone other than a slave to society.

These gods that walk amongst us are also known as kings. Those with crueler dispositions tend to feast in grand castles and look down upon the peasants that work for them. All the people under their rule can do is starve, working their way into their graves with nothing to be remembered by except for their suffering.

Men enlisted into the army are simply soldiers who serve as a prompt example of mere peasants forced to do their god’s bidding by spilling blood in the soil. While the power to decide who lives and who dies rests with the gods, unfortunately, there have been too many battles where men die, not knowing why as their life begins to sliver away slowly.

There have been countless battlefields throughout history that have been scattered with the dead. Above the fields of fallen soldiers, seagulls and crows are seen. Many believe the gulls and crows are nothing more than the escorts of the dead to their afterlife—for the dead never leave us unless they know exactly where to go.

Seagulls are heaven’s escorts gently guiding souls to their eternal resting place, whereas crows are hell’s captors and steal souls, usually against their will, and banish them to hell forever.

Archaeologists have found ancient texts near the cities of Rome and Jerusalem, which were a form of a diary of two men who, according to ancient texts, fought many godlike battles and were known to be great leaders of their time. Below are the passages about who these men were and what their thoughts were as they walked through time. The men fought an everlasting battle among themselves as well as one another.

Michael

Those who have no voice have no life. Those who have no life can never impose their meaning on this world. There are powers out there that gods can hone. All have them, though none of them are the same, nor do they bear any likeness. We are all born poor. Some have rich parents, while others may not be so blessed. But we are all alike—we breathe the same air and bleed the same blood. For every desert, there is a stream, and for every act of kindness, there will be evil right around the corner.

My life may not be worth living, as I have the weight of the world on my shoulders. On my shoulders lay the burden of the salvation of a dark, desolate world. I have watched my friends all live and die, knowing I would never be so blessed to shut my eyes forever—I must never die. The world is as horrible as it is forgiving.

Featured on Joelbooks