Gates Of Babylon Novels & Stories

“The thing about Supernaturalism is that it deals with uncanny stuff like Portals.” My own brows fall, a frown shading my face. Sir Brak seems to realise now that I have heard neither of Portals nor how they concern an unconscious jump between the English and the Asian worlds. He smiles as he speaks, “Portals are like supernatural gateways. They travel a long distance within a short while.” I simply nod as we leave the building. We soon arrive at another that is quite far… and smaller too. Sir Brak is telling me how Master Xaulfur decided to live there since his bloodthirsty, possessed nature will not let him mingle with other humans.

The mark that had made every person in that room rearrange their posture without being asked. Our convoy slowed. I looked out the window as the gates began to open, slowly and without any apparent effort, the way things moved when the mechanism behind them was very large and very certain of itself. Beyond them a city unfolded. I forgot to breathe. It was not what the stories had built. The stories about the Northern Gates were the stories of something cold, ancient, feared, the kind of territory that existed in people's understanding as a warning rather than a place. What I was looking at was alive. Stone streets winding between buildings with silver rooftops that caught the afternoon light.

"The gates are closed. But the barrier is gone. The fear is cracking. Now we walk forward, toward the heart of the old world, and bring with us the truth that will make it new." High above, the iron gates slammed shut with a heavy, final boom. Lights flared along the battlements, sharp and cold — new defenses rising. But this time, they did not look like strength. They looked like desperation. And we began to walk up the slope.

Lorenzo picked up another photograph. His father stood beside Gabriel. Both men were younger. Underneath the photograph was a handwritten message. IF THEY FIND THE GIRLS, FIND GABRIEL. Aria stared. "Why?" Seraphina answered. "Because he knows where the first gate is." "The first gate?" "Dawn has seven gates." Aria frowned. "Seven?" "Each one leads to a different part of the system." "And how many have been opened?" Seraphina looked at her. "Three."

Ilyria, Miasma and Thassa paused at the iron and gold gates. The Gates of Perception they were called. Ilyria had never been this close to them. As a child she had been told they were enchanted. Any person wishing to see the Mogul had to pass the test of the Gates of Perception. Those who did not come with noble intentions would be incinerated as they passed through.

While feasting on the freshly gathered fruits, Lowan shared, "I’ve heard of this place before. It’s one of the seven wonders of the world, but no one have actually seen it. Most believe that this place is actually a myth." Lethe, being the tour guide she is, explained, "As mentioned, this is the hanging garden of Babylon. It was given that name because this garden is literally hanging over several dimensions meaning that this place is not easy to locate especially to mortals; however, the Babylonians were the first mortal civilisation to discover this rift." "I don’t get it. What do you mean it’s hanging over several dimensions?" Noah asked.

"I say that ALL THEATRES must be shut down! All idle time must be FORBIDDEN! Return to your houses of worship!” It reminded Caitlin of the people who preached from street corners in New York City. In some ways, nothing had changed. They came to another gateway, right in the middle of the street, with a sign that read “Temple Barre, City Gate.” Caitlin was amazed that cities actually had gates. The large, imposing gate was open, for people to pass right through, and Caitlin wondered if they closed it at night. On either side stood more guards.

"You are Patient Zero. You hold the uncorrupted Source in your blood. You have the power to break the Iron Lady’s leashes. You have the power to tear down the walls. The time for hiding is over, child. You must decide what kind of symbol you are going to be. Will you be the demon they fear, or the shield we need?" Before Baraka could formulate an answer, the heavy, rusted iron floodgate at the entrance of the Warren violently shuddered. The sound was deafening—a massive, concussive BOOM that shook dust from the ancient brick ceiling. The refugees screamed in panic, scattering away from the entrance. The floodgate buckled inward, a massive dent appearing in the center of the thick iron. "Musa

Evelyn noticed first. "What is it?" The Guardian slowly pointed toward a faded symbol. A mark nearly erased by time. Althea leaned closer. The symbol resembled a circle surrounded by seven smaller circles. Nothing remarkable. At least initially. The Guardian's face had gone pale. "The Seven Gates." Silence. Nobody moved. Then Evelyn whispered: "No." The Guardian nodded. "Yes." Varis frowned. "I don't understand." The Guardian looked up. His expression grim. "The First Path was never one doorway."

A narrow stone bridge, barely visible through the driving snow, curved farther up the mountain toward another hidden opening carved directly into the black rock. “The Heart Passage,” the guardian said. “Beyond it lies the second gate.” Ryan narrowed his eyes, trying to gauge the path ahead. “And after that? How many gates are there in total?” The guardian was silent for a moment, the wind whistling through its robes. “Three.” Caleb stared at the being, his jaw dropping slightly. “Of course there are three. Because one would have been too simple and two would have been lazy. Three gates of destiny. Fantastic.”