New Messiah – Dystopian Sci Fi Novel

Artwork: David Collins, DCcovercreations

New Messiah is a dystopian urban fantasy set in a world fighting over shrinking natural resources. Messiah Axel Cain comes from Isoland – a vast expanse of darkness, desert, storms and suffering. Isoland was created for research by biotech industries and is ruled by oligarch Maxim Vorn. Axel falls for Heidi Vorn, Maxim’s daughter, and is imprisoned and tortured in order to break him, but Axel escapes and goes in search of Heidi.

His magical gifts soon amass a following around the world. Sinister forces want to silence the new Messiah. Heidi is determined to save him, whatever the cost.

The breath-taking climax is set in the burning Amazon, where Axel must choose between saving the planet or the woman he loves.

Isoland

Isoland is a vast, circular expanse of darkness, desert, storms and suffering, centred on viral research for the weapons and biotech industries. Separated from the rest of the world (the ‘Outside’) by an insurmountable wall, the test subjects are convicts from the outside world, or captured from the simple tribes of outcasts scattered among the enclosed mountains. Unlike the Outside, the tribes have learned how to live harmoniously with their harsh world.

Homested, the biotech farm at the centre of Isoland is ruled by the Vorn Dynasty. Heidi Vorn, fifteen-year-old daughter of oligarch Maxim Vorn, learns of a boy who is uniting the Isoland tribes with golden words and magical deeds.

The Messiah

Axel Cain possesses strange qualities, including an apparent resistance to the plagues used to control outcast populations. Heidi Vorn is sent with Maxim’s troops to capture the boy for research. Tragedy follows as he is taken and imprisoned, leaving Heidi deeply troubled.

Axel grows into a powerful and resourceful young man, forced to survive in the brutal conditions of Homested. Heidi remains fascinated by him, but Axel blames her for his suffering and the deaths of his adoptive parents.

Maxim is both curious and fearful of Axel, and develops a strange relationship with him as teams of scientists try to discover his secrets. Amica Bright, leader of the scientists also falls for Axel, but her love is cruel and his rejection of her turns love to hatred. In return, Axel tries to teach Maxim the truth of life, but his words and actions are wasted.

The Outside

In the Outside, the fight for remaining resources and viable habitats has led to viral war, and incurable sicknesses cause many deaths. Maxim is given orders to create a new weapon and turns to Axel Cain, but his growing powers already divine what is intended, and he mysteriously escapes from Isoland, heading for England. The threat of Axel falling into enemy hands is too great a risk, and death squads are sent in pursuit, led by Amica.  Heidi tries to persuade her father that she can find Axel and bring him back. When he refuses, she too leaves Isoland and follows him to London.

Axel finds a world being destroyed by greed and it is not long before he has a following. When Heidi arrives at the airport, everyone is talking about the mysterious stranger and the magic of his words. She sees an advertisement for a television interview and manages to get invited, watching from the audience. He is asked if he is Christ reborn. Axel knows nothing of such things, but he does know that the interviewer’s daughter lies in a coma, and tells her the child will recover. Soon after, the child awakens. At the end of the interview, an attempt is made on his life as a bomb explodes and kills many. Heidi escapes with Axel and persuades him to hide with her.

During that time, Heidi realises that she loves him, and begs him to stay with her. Axel cannot remain in hiding and leaves Heidi. He is able to cure children where others have failed, and his teachings are being listened to around the world. Soon, vast numbers of people are demanding change and sharing all that they have. Axel is a threat to the world order. More governments want to understand the source of his power, and Heidi cannot find a way to see him.

Finale

In the finale to this dystopian sci fi novel, Axel Cain travels to the Amazon. He is determined to save the last few indigenous peoples, and persuade world leaders how much they need to change. Heidi’s father makes contact with her, asking her to help save him. She joins with Maxim’s squad and travels with them, but learns Amica’s true intent. She plans to execute Axel as he gives a world address, broadcasting from within the burning forest. Heidi has one chance to save the man she loves, if only she can persuade him to abandon his cause.