Chapter 1
The Summoning
The rumbling of Preacher's Bike cut through the stillness of the desert heat as he rode down the winding roads of Route 66, the historic highway stretching endlessly before him. The sun hung high, casting long shadows that danced on the asphalt like wraiths from the past. Preacher had longed for this trip, a journey back to the innocence of youth, reminiscent of the happy days he spent with his parents when they moved to Southern California. He was only five then, his small hands gripping the leather seat as they trundled down the sunbaked roads, laughter echoing amidst the hum of the tires.
Now, many decades later, nostalgia mixed bitterly with the ache of loss. Memories of his father rushed back as he navigated the twists and turns, memories of a man who wore pride like a uniform, who fought bravely in Vietnam only to be taken away too soon during the Tet Offensive. After his father's death, his mother's world had fallen apart, fracturing into shards of abusive relationships that left Preacher scarred. The chaotic whirlwind of her life drew him into the explosive world of a local biker gang, where he learned to survive on the fringes of society.
Preacher, a name earned through respect and fear, had worked his way up the ranks. He became a skilled smuggler, running drugs and arms with a loyalty that was ultimately discarded by those he called brothers. In the end, they hung him out to dry, and the betrayal felt sharper than any knife.
The prison cell was cramped and cold, a stark contrast to the sun-drenched nostalgia of his childhood. Isolated in solitary confinement after a brutal fight, he stumbled upon a worn and tattered Bible. It was old, its pages stained and frayed, but within its verses, he found echoes of a love long forgotten. As he read, a flame ignited within him, awakening a sense of purpose that had been dormant for too long.
In the still darkness of his solitary confinement, a vision poured over him like molten gold. God, in the quiet cadence of the universe, spoke to him. "You have a special assignment, Preacher," the voice resonated. "Your past has shaped you, but it is not your prison. Prepare yourself; the skills you've honed will serve a greater good. You will fight, and your battles will be for redemption, not ruination."
Emboldened by the revelations of that divine intervention, he set his sights on a new road. When the gates of the prison finally creaked open, Preacher emerged, not just a man marked by a troubled past but a warrior of a new kind.
He took to the wide roads again, this time with purpose. The open sky felt like limitless potential as the wind tousled his hair and the desert air filled his lungs. The Bible, now his most cherished possession, became his guide. He committed to helping those who had lost their way, just as he once had.
Preacher had always been a contradiction. A man who had danced with shadows and emerged scarred yet unbroken. His name didn't come from a pulpit or a divine calling, but from a dimly lit cell where he had witnessed a cinematic hero fight against tyranny, a hero cloaked in leather and righteousness. The preacher from the movie fought for those who couldn't, and that's what sparked hope in Preacher's heart—a flicker of light in a life previously consumed by darkness.
After serving time for his mistakes, Preacher's first act of freedom was to reclaim the bike he had lovingly modified and stored away before being arrested—his pride and joy. The engine roared to life, seamlessly blending with the pulse of his heart as he set off on what he hoped would be a transformative road trip along the remnants of Route 66. In his mind, the weathered route was a pathway not only to his past but to a hopeful future.
As the miles unfurled before him and the wind whipped through his long, braided hair, Preacher felt the burdens of his past lift—at least temporarily. He felt the adrenaline of rebellion against fate and fate's persistent chains, racing along the asphalt ribbon that whispered secrets of yesteryears. He didn't know where he was headed or what awaited him, only that this journey was necessary.
At 40 years old, and over 6'2" with his raven-black hair braided into a ponytail, Preacher cut an imposing figure astride his beloved bike. But beneath his rugged exterior was a heart of gold that had unfolded within the confines of a prison cell, where he had once been incarcerated for his involvement in the world of drugs and gun running.
As he cruised down the open road, the rumble of his Bike a familiar cadence, Preacher reflected on the journey that had brought him to this point. The miles he had traveled, both physically and spiritually, had shaped him into the man he was today –
a biker, a preacher, bringing the Word of Salvation to his biker brothers and sisters.
As the cool night air caressed his face, Preacher couldn't help but feel a sense of peace and purpose. This journey down Route 66 was more than just a nostalgic trip – it was a personal pilgrimage, a chance to reconnect with the roots that had nurtured his transformation and to reaffirm his commitment to the path he had chosen.
In New Mexico, Preacher pulled up into a campground he had chosen to spend the night at. There was a mobile home that served as the campground office.
"Hey there," Preacher called out to the man lounging on the front porch. "I'd like to get a campsite for the night."
The old man looked over at him then stood up and walked over to the edge of the porch. He had a weathered look about him like he had spent too many days sitting out on that porch. His skin was deeply wrinkled and ruddy, but his deep set dark brown eyes were clear and sharp.
"Come on up here." the old man said as he turned to go into the mobile home. A minute later he came back out with a sign in ledger and handed it to Preacher. "Just sign your name there and you will be in, site 24." the old man said. Preacher signed his name in the book and reached into his pocket to retrieve some money to pay for his stay. The old man waved him off. "Just pay me in the morning, if you're still here." With that last comment, the old man gave Preacher a funny look that unsettled him.
"Of course I'll still be here. I'm not going to run out on you and not pay my bill." Preacher said.
The old man just laughed and said. "We'll see, we'll see." The old man continued to laugh at him as he returned to his bike.
"Wow, what a crazy old man." Preacher thought to himself as he rode off in search of the site the old man told him to set up in.
After a little bit, Preacher found the site he was to set up camp in. It was in the back of the campground well shaded by some trees from the late afternoon sun. Preacher pulled out his tent and set it up next to his bike, then got out his sleeping roll out and tossed it on the ground next to his tent.
Later that evening after Preacher had finished eating, he laid on the ground on top of his sleeping bag looking up at the stars. "So Many stars, so many worlds." Preacher thought to himself as he drifted off to sleep.
Later that night as he slept a faint blue light began to glow from underneath him and his campsite. The blue light began to intensify, becoming brighter and brighter, suddenly there was a brilliant flash and darkness returned to the night. But Preacher, his bike, and everything else was gone.
"Yep." the old man said to himself looking out his window at the sudden flash of light. "I didn't think you would be here in the morning nope not at all."
The old man laughed to himself loudly, his laughter echoing in the night.
In the royal conference room sat King Reginald Ravenclaw with his advisors. To his right was his Commander of the Knights Sir Nickoli. To his left sat his Royal Mage Elias Shadowcaster. Next to him sat the King's Prime Minister Miguel, along with other advisors seated around the table.
The mood in the room was somber, all the king's advisors around the table were silent. "My Liege," the king's Royal Mage Elias was the first to speak. "We have to do something." The king looked in the direction of Elias. "And what do you suggest we do?" The King asked. "No one's done a summoning in 2000 years. We don't even know if we can do it properly."
"Your Highness." This time it was the King's Commander Sir Nikolai of the Royal Knights speaking. "We have lost several major battles to these Demi-Humans. Our people are being annihilated. We have lost several major towns to the North just south of the Rigellian Mountains."
"Sire." This time it was the King's Prime Minister who spoke. "The Summoning may be the only way to save the Empire. If we don't do it we may very well lose this war. "
"But will this guarantee our victory?" the King asked.
"There are no guarantees your Highness, but without the summoning, we are almost assuredly guaranteed to lose," Elias said.
The King hung his head and thought for a moment. "You know we are about to pull someone out of their world and bring them here to our world and try to convince them to fight a war for us. That's not going to be very fair to them."
"We will try to bring someone here to this world that is from a world that is used to conflict and war. We may even get someone who is a veteran warrior." Elias said. "We will do everything we can, not to pull someone from a peaceful world that's not used to conflict."
"Very well," The King sighed. "Do what you must." With that, the King dismissed his Royal Advisors.
The King sat slumped in his chair, "God please send us someone to help end this war and save our Kingdom."
"Father!!" The King startled out of his sullen mood. As the Princess walked into the room. "Father, I just spoke to the Knights Commander. He just told me what you're planning to do, tell me we are not going to summon someone from a different world to come here to fight for us." The King looked at his daughter, a slight smile crossed his face. "We have no choice, we are losing this war, our people are being slaughtered."
"But Father, this summoning, it's been so long since anyone has done it. Are you sure it will work?" she questioned, her voice laden with concern. "What if we get some sort of monster or worse, a demon?"
Her father, his brow furrowed with age and worry, stood tall and resolute despite his own fear bubbling beneath the surface. "It will be fine. Elias tells me that they have researched the summoning spell extensively. He's certain they will be able to summon the right person to help us."
Seraphina scowled; arms crossed tightly against her chest. "I don't trust that man. He is too ambitious and devious."
"See here, daughter," the king replied firmly. "Elias has served me well all these years. I trust him. So, unless you can show me something that convinces me he is working to undermine this kingdom, don't make accusations or slander him."
The princess stared at her father, her lips pressed into a thin line of frustration. In her heart, she believed she sensed a growing darkness at the edges of her father's judgment, a whisper of treachery hidden in Elias's shrewd gaze. But the king had made his decision, and Seraphina felt a familiar sadness wash over her.
With a swift turn, she headed for the ornate door, her heart heavy. "I hope you're right," she called back, looking over her shoulder. With that, she stepped out, leaving her father alone, grappling with his own doubts. The King continued looking at the door. "So do I daughter, so do I."
As soon as the Royal Mage Elias left the King's conference room he headed for his laboratory in the castle tower. As he started up the winding staircase, he heard footsteps coming down the hallway. "Sir Nikolai, why wasn't I called to the meeting with the King?" Elias heard the Princess ask Sir Nikolai who had come out of the conference room almost right behind him. Elias stopped to listen to the conversation between the two. "Princess," Sir Nikolai replied. "The Royal Mage was asked to find you but he said that he couldn't find you anywhere. He thought maybe you were indisposed."
"Did he now?" The sarcasm in the Princess's voice was heavy. "And what was decided at this meeting I wasn't able to attend?"
The Knights Commander looked down at the floor for a moment then said "We decided to go ahead with the summoning spell."
"Seriously!" The Princess said aghast. "I'm on my way to see my father now, we'll see about that." With that, the Princess stormed off to the conference room to meet with her father.
Elias smiled to himself. "The Princess has no business meddling in state affairs. She may be the Kingdom's Shield Maiden but that's only an honorary title because she's the King's daughter." He thought to himself as he continued up the stairs to his lab. After entering the lab he closed and locked the door.
Elias made his way to the center of the room and uncovered a stand with a white orb on it. Placing his hand on the orb he began the incantation. "Oh Lord of Darkness hear my call." the orb began to shine brightly and then an image appeared above the orb. "Report," said the image. "We are doing the summoning tonight my Lord," Elias said. "You will be able to bring your army through. Once we have taken the capital city the rest of the kingdom will fall in a matter of months. Then we can wipe out the Demi-Humans at your leisure."
"We're not going to wipe everyone out," The image replied. "We're still going to need slaves. You better not fail me again like you did the last time Morgal."
"Yes, my Lord."
"We've waited 2000 years since your last debacle, GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME!!"
"Yes, my Lord, I will get it done." The image above the orb disappeared
A shudder ran through Elias as he remembered what happened 2000 years ago. The humans then tried to summon a hero to save them from the ongoing war with the Demi-Humans and they succeeded. They got a hero, Elias had tried to thwart their effort and tried to change the spell and get them to summon the Demon Lord's Army, but he failed. He had to go into hiding afterwards when it was discovered that he had tried to sabotage the summoning.
Elias stayed in hiding far from Humans and Demi-Humans for over 500 years only to come out and see nothing changed. The Hero did end the war but not the way they thought he would. Instead, the Hero got them to sit down to peace talk and cease hostilities. For 500 years the land lived in peace. Elias started working behind the scenes to restart the war. Eventually he made it to the Kingdom Capital City and offered his services to the King of the Assalyerian Empire as a mage. Since then, he has done everything to keep this war going. Whittling down the world's population to make conquering this world easier for the Demon King.
His home world had been devastated by wars, and infighting between the various demon tribes until a Demon Lord finally united all the tribes, but it was too late for their planet. Their planet had been nearly destroyed. All the animals of that planet went extinct eons ago and their ability to grow food had been greatly reduced to underground farming. If this summoning doesn't work this time his entire home world may just go extinct.
Preacher startled awake, he felt as if he were falling through a tunnel. He looked ahead of him and saw a shimmering blue light. As the light got closer it became a dazzling brilliant white light. With a flash Preacher fell into a room surrounded by hooded cloaked figures.
"Wh? What?" Preacher barely got the words out of his mouth when something struck him on the back of the head.
Elias, the Royal Mage, worked on the summoning spell with five other mages. While chanting the incantation Elias drew the summoning circle with magic. Every time he tried to open the portal to the demon realm, he felt his efforts being thwarted by an outside influence, but he had no idea where it was coming from.
Instead, the summoning spell locked on to a planet in the Virgo Cluster, a galaxy called the Milky Way, to a planet called Terra in the Sol system.
Suddenly a bright flash appeared, and a man lay on the floor before the mages. He had been struck in the back of the head by some type of metal machine and was bleeding severely.
"Quickly get him to the Royal Infirmary." Elias shouted at the mages.
Three of the mages picked up Preacher's body and carried him off immediately.
"Shit," Elias thought, "I have no idea if he is from my world or not." Elias remembered when he came here he had assumed human form just before entering this world so he didn't know if this person was a demon from his world, another world, or human,
Elias moved swiftly to his chamber and uncovered the Orb and contacted the Dark Lord. "My Lord, did anyone from there come through? "No, no one, don't tell me you failed again." The Dark Lord replied. I warned you what would happen if you failed me again."
Ghaaaag… Elias tried to scream but only managed to express a choking sound from his throat as the Dark Lord had extended his hand, making like he was choking him in person. "My Lord My Lord I don't know what happened Elias choked out the words. There was another influencer, But I have no Idea who but they were interfering in the summoning ritual. I have no idea who or what we got. The Dark Lord stopped choking Elias for a moment. Elias slumped to his knees. You said an outside influence altered the spell. I want you to find out who it was and where that interference came from and find out where that person is from that got summoned there.
Preacher opened his eyes, it was dark, something was covering his face. He reached up to take it off but noticed his hands and legs were shackled. Preacher began shaking his head violently to get the cloth off his face. Finally, the cloth flew off and he could see. His vision at first was blurry before coming into focus. He was in a stone room laying on a cot of some kind. The material was rough like the cloth that had been covering his face.
Preacher looked around, there was a large wooden door with ornate hardware. Just then a young girl, she couldn't be more than 17, Preacher thought as she came in the room. She entered the room carrying a pitcher, an old style wash basin and a cloth. "Oh, I see you're awake." She said, "You've been unconscious for a week. You were pretty banged up when they brought you in here, the royal healers had to work on you for days. They healed your head injury, but you had a number of older injuries and health problems too." As the girl spoke, she filled the basin with water and dipped a cloth she was carrying in it. Preacher studied her closely. The girl looked human but not quite human. She was young, very beautiful and well-endowed. She had long red hair that went down her back but there was something else that seemed to blend in with her hair, it was a tail she had a tail attached to her backside. As she turned around Preacher saw two tufts of hair standing up on her head then one of them suddenly moved independently. "Ears?" "She had Animal ears on top of her head?" "Did I just fall into a nightmare like that old TV movie? An Island of something or other where some deranged doctor did horrendous experiments on people trying to blend humans and animals together?" He thought to himself.
The girl walked over to him. Preacher stiffened up, not sure what she was planning to do. "Relax" she said soothingly, "I've been caring for you this entire time. There's nothing I haven't already seen."
"Wait." Preacher said where am I and," Looking at the girl. "What are you"
The girl just looked at him, "Have you never seen a beastman before?" She asked.
Preacher shook his head "No, no, I've never seen the likes of you before."
I'm a beastman, of the Fox beastman tribe," she said, "of the Demi-Human race. I've been in service here at the infirmary since I was a little child." As she spoke to him he noticed she was wearing an iron collar around her neck. "Wait, was that a slave collar?" He had seen something similar in history books in school back in his home world. Slave collars were used on other human beings because one group thought they were inferior to other races. "Is this young girl a slave?"
As for where you are, you are in the Kingdom of the Assalyerian Empire," she explained to him. "I know you were summoned here from another world."
"Wait, what?" Preacher was in shock "Another world? What No way. Kingdom of what? Where the hell am I? Another world, that only happens in science fiction and fantasy movies and novels." Preacher did remember reading a backwards story book in the prison library about reincarnation in another world but that didn't jive with what he knew about God
"Can you tell me why I'm chained to this bed and why am I Naked?"
"Oh, sorry sir, uuh what's your name sir?" she asked. "Preacher people call me Preacher." He told her.
"Well, you were brought in as a result of an accident during the summoning ritual. It seems you were hit in the back of the head by some sort of large machine. That was the reason you were brought to the infirmary. The healers here had to get the bleeding stopped and heal the part of your brain that was injured when the machine fell on you. However, in healing your injury they discovered a number of other problems and older injuries that they felt would be prudent to heal you of." The girl turned aside and blushed when she stared into Preacher's eyes.
"They decided it would be easier getting to the areas they needed to heal by undressing you."
"Ok," Preacher replied, "but that still doesn't explain why I'm chained to this bed."
"I'm sorry sir, I don't know why they chained you. It was the Royal Mage's order that you be chained to the bed. Now that I'm done bathing you sir, I'll get the Royal Mage to come see you now that you are awake."
With that the Fox girl swiftly picked up the items she brought in with her and left.
While the fox girl was gone Preacher began tugging and pulling at the chains but to no avail. The chains were strong and well fastened to the bed preventing him from breaking free. "In any other situation," Preacher thought to himself, "this might actually be fun, but right now, not so much."
Preacher could hear the approaching footsteps coming down the hall. He decided to play dead as it were and just be cooperative and try to get them to release him.
The door swung open, and a hooded figure walked into the room with two knights and the demi-human fox girl, one knight had a key in his hand and the other knight had what looked like an iron collar.
The hooded figure pointed to Preacher and ordered the two knights to unlock his shackles and bring him forward.
"That's it... come closer," he thought, waiting for the opportune moment. And it was finally upon him, like a hawk spotting its prey. As the knights hoisted him upright, their stiff movements betraying an underlying confidence that was about to be shattered, Preacher struck. He delivered a swift snap kick to the knee joint of the knight on his right, and it snapped with an audible crack.
The knight cried out, crumpling to the ground, and in a seamless motion reminiscent of a predator, Preacher spun to face the second knight. Before the man could react, Preacher seized him by the back of his helm and slammed his face into the stone wall. The sickening crunch of bone filled the air as the knight fell lifelessly to the floor, a casualty of Preacher's resolve.
Adrenaline surged through Preacher's veins, fueling his resolve as he pivoted toward the Hooded Figure who, now momentarily stunned, staggered backward and raised his staff. The Mage's face twisted into an expression of disbelief as he began to speak an incantation. But Preacher did not allow him the luxury of time. With the speed of a striking serpent, Preacher leapt forward, kicking the staff out of the Mage's trembling grasp, sending it clattering across the stone floor.
With both hands grasping the front of the Mage's cloak, Preacher seized the power of the moment. He lifted the sorcerer off the ground, feeling the weightlessness of his opponent, and spun him through the air, showcasing the contrast of strength and helplessness. The Mage struck the stone wall with a thud, collapsing into a heap, the air escaping his lungs in a pitiful gasp. Preacher then leaped over to the mage and picked him up again and spun him around this time facing the knights who had filed into the room after they heard the commotion.
"Tell your men to stand down or I'll crush your throat", With that Preacher gave a little squeeze to the mage's throat. The Mage waved off the men and signaled for them to drop their weapons. The knights at first didn't know what to do but with more enthusiastic signaling by Elias the knights did what the mage wanted them to do. They set their weapons on the floor then backed out of the room.
"Now Preacher said you're going to tell me just exactly what the hell is going on here." the Mage nodded his head. Preacher then launched the man through the air at the opposite wall. As the man went flying Preacher reached down and picked up his staff. "I'll be keeping this too, It looks like it could be used as a weapon."
"Now talk!!" Preacher said. What the hell is going on here?"
Where am I? Why were you trying to put that Iron collar on me? Who is that beast girl and why does she have two sets of ears and a tail?
Iris stood transfixed watching everything unfold, both in terror and awe. Preacher had effortlessly subdued Elias, dispatched two knights, killing one of them. His movements were swift and fluid, like a predator taking out its prey.
"Just calm down sir. My name is Elias. I am the Royal Mage of the Assalyerian Empire."
"Mage?" What do you mean, Mage? What is that, what kind of name is that?
"Mage," Elias began to explain. "Is my title, I am the head magician of this country and answer only to the king."
"Ok but that still doesn't explain what that has to do with me or what I'm doing here or why you tried to put a collar on me." Preacher retorted.
"I'll get to that." Elias continued. "You were brought here by a summoning spell."
"A spell? You mean like sorcery?" Preacher asked.
"Yes, that's right."
"I see and just where am I."
"You are in the Assalyerian Empire." Elias said.
. "You are not on your home world. Tell me what your world is called?"
Preacher looked at him suspiciously. "Seriously You want me to believe I'm not on Earth but on another world entirely. Elias got what he wanted. He got the name of the world Preacher was from. Now he had to research it if he was able to.
Yes, you're in another world, like I said you were brought here through Summoning magic."
"So you're saying through the use of magic you just pulled me out of my world into your world….. for what? Just for laughs? Why was I chained to the bed?
"Well, we didn't know who we brought through the summoning portal, you don't exactly look like the typical hero we were expecting. First of all, you're way older than we expected, and our healing mages had to do some extra work on you. In addition to the injuries you received coming through the portal, you had multiple older injuries that the healers wanted to heal you from. They also reordered your nerve and synaptic pathways in your body and brain." Elias said
"Ok, so who hit me and how did I end up here in your infirmary." Preacher asked his next question.
"When you landed in the Cathedral a rather unusual machine fell on top of you."
"What kind of machine?" Preacher asked.
"Well it's about as long as a man is tall. It has two wheels made of some sort of soft black material; it has some sort of saddle big enough for two people to sit on."
"My Bike. You mean to tell me my bike is here?" Preacher asked, astonished". Preacher was elated. Finally, something that made sense. His bike was here. That was something he could get his head around.
. "The King wanted to see you as soon as you woke up. I'm supposed to take you over there right now." Elias said. "But first you may want to put on some clothes.
Preacher looked down at his naked body. "Yeah, you're right about that."
"I'll Have your clothes brought to you good sir." This time it was the Fox girl that spoke up. "I know where they are and I had them cleaned for you." Elias shot her an evil glance which she recoiled at the sight of. Preacher noticed her reaction but didn't say anything. Preacher could see something was going on but didn't interfere. "I don't have enough information yet to know exactly what's going on". Preacher thought to himself.
"Yes, you do that dear" Elias said to the fox girl. But the tone was anything but kind. The fox girl ran out of the room while Preacher and Elias waited for her to return.
When the girl returned, she handed Preacher his clothes and stepped away so he could get dressed. As he dressed, she watched intently, she watched his movements and the form of his body. She was glad she convinced the healing mages to put in the extra effort to heal his old wounds and enhance his body from muscular to his skeletal structure. His Bones and Muscles had been enhanced beyond human norms; it would now be almost impossible to break any of his bones and his reflexes would be lightning quick and his strength was now immeasurable. She also used the only magic she could and implanted a suggestion in Preacher's mind to take her as his servant; she promised to serve him faithfully for the rest of her life. She would even take her place in his bed if he so desired it.
After Preacher finished dressing, he and Elias walked out into the main hall. Elias held up his hands in front of him as they walked out. "Listen up you knights, I the Royal Mage Elias Shadowcaster do here by vouch for this man. He is no threat to the Empire." With that the Knights backed off and Elias and Preacher walked down to the carriage waiting for them outside.
As soon as Preacher and Elias got into the carriage it took them straight to the castle.
During the ride through the town, Preacher saw many Demi-Humans working and wearing iron collars, being beaten with whips and cudgels, their owners barking orders at them. "So, slavery is a thing here, but it looks like only the demi-humans are slaves. "I wonder what they do with human criminals, are they made slaves too or are they treated better than the demi-human slaves? It may also depend on the type of crime too." Preacher thought to himself.