Shadows of the Moon

by Robert R. Chandler

The year is 2199. In its death throes, Earth has become mostly uninhabitable. Scars spanning the red-orange sky commemorate mankind’s tragic history of self-destruction. Nearly two hundred years earlier, the worldwide earthquakes known as The Great Destruction marked the beginning of the end for the planet. There were no safe havens. Tsunamis further assaulted what was torn asunder by the quakes. Scattered vestiges of humanity dutifully clung to life. For a time, extinction was delayed. Ever resilient, the dregs of humanity did their best to rebuild. For a time, those who survived fought valiantly to shape The New Earth under enlightened leadership. But, then came The Darkness, during which time the fragile planet was beset by another rash of natural disasters. It became obvious that Earth’s days were numbered. The Final Wars began. The desperate battle over drinkable water led to genocide. Billions perished. If the nuclear blasts failed to erase them, the resulting toxic environment brought slow, agonizing death. Starvation claimed too many to count. By 2030, Asia was virtually devoid of life. The European continent lay at the bottom of the poisoned sea. At the dawn of 2199, only isolated pockets of life remain. This is the story of the last dregs of humanity, reduced to primitive lives, amidst a decaying world. A teenage boy inexplicably appears, in the shadow of one of the last remaining bastions of civilization, not far from the New West Coast of the United States of America. Sage is rescued, and taken in by a clan of resilient forest dwellers, mostly women - referred to, by some, as 'the witches of the woods'. Sage, who has lost much of his memory, is vaguely aware that he is on a critical mission - to deliver something of vital importance, to The Essence, on the coast. With the help of his new clan mates, he pieces together his destiny, and follows through on pursuing his mission. Conspiring against him are the forces of darkness, known to some as "The Dreamkillers", who reside in the last civilized settlement, not far from the clan's forest dwelling. This is a future fable. It is a simple story about faith, and about taking action, to support one's principles. Sage is a "non-Messiah", but far from flawless, and undoubtedly mortal. He is motivated by his inner voice, as well as the visions and premonitions that constantly inform him. Aided by the forest clan known as the Butterfly Naiads, Sage must come to grips with his purpose, and confront those who would do anything to deter him from completing his mission. There are powerful forces guiding both sides, and the pawns in this life-and-death game are forced to trust their faith. Is it possible to stave off the extinction of the human race? It may be too late. The forces of good and evil have monumental stakes in the outcome, and each side has its emissaries. With time winding down for all of humanity, the point of no return approaches. Sage and his allies prove resourceful, but their counterparts are ruthless and well-prepared for confrontation. This is a story of death, sacrifice, and destruction. It is also a story about faith, conviction, and the limitless power of Nature. This is the first future fable.

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 25, 2018