On Earth's Altar
- Reads 90,534
- Votes 7,524
- Parts 54
The discovery of a prehistoric body sets in motion a cataclysmic chain of events long foretold by ancient prophecy . . . .
Still grieving his mother's death, Seattle bachelor Peter Barshman receives a cryptic message from his estranged father. As he ponders its meaning, he is approached by Nechama Davila, a young Israeli archaeologist who believes Peter and his father harbor information about a stolen artifact of immense importance. But she's not the only one zeroing in on Peter. When assassins strike, the two of them are thrust into a deadly game of cat and mouse where the only hope for survival is finding the artifact before the killers find them.
Tinkering away in his basement laboratory, former CDC virologist R. K. Brisling receives an urgent phone call. The vice president of the United States is dead, and Congress wants to know why. Dragged out of semi-retirement to investigate, Brisling returns to the CDC in Atlanta, where he confronts his tragic past and a looming viral outbreak beyond his wildest fears. When Brisling traces the outbreak to its unlikely source, he uncovers an astonishing link between the virus, the artifact and the ancient prophecy--a link that could shape the future of human civilization.
_____________________________
Here's what others are saying about ON EARTH'S ALTAR:
"... This is definitely one of the best books I've ever read on WP!" -- @linahanson, Wattpad Ambassador
"Intelligent, mysterious, beautifully written ..." -- @Megerah111
"Very Dan Brown like ... I've read all of his novels. For storytelling, attention to research, and writing style, I'd put [G. F. Berntsen's] writing on par with his." -- @elmerseward
All Rights Reserved
#574
medical
Join the largest storytelling communityGet personalized story recommendations, save your favourites to your library, and comment and vote to grow your community.
You may also like
THE ELDRITCH OCCURRENCE ON WESTWOOD ISLE
SHORT STORY (Synopsis) - In 1702 before Alaska was even discovered, Captain William Westwood, an English explorer, his crew and their wenches got lost at sea. When the tide receded their ship became aground forcing them to travel by foot. Taking what they could from their vessel, they journeyed into the unknown, logging in scripture every step of the way. Months later, they would find a place called heaven's gate. Just outside the mouth of the cave, the prehistoric symbol is chiselled into the rock face. The cave itself was filled with precious metals. For this prehistoric marking, the circle represented the endless land and the cross inside represented the crossroads between happiness and sorrow in one's own universe. A reminder to never stray away from ancient ideologies. Beyond, a beautiful place was ready to be discovered. A small body of water acted as a moat around the isle. The Captain knew this was a perfect place to start his colony. In the end, the settlers were authors of their own fate." Everyone has a story, some are more interesting than others. Occasionally there's one that is so unique it can't be real. Well, this wasn't just a story for Francis Cowen, in the end this would be all that he would remember. After Papa Ben's deathbed confession, as surreal as it may have sounded. A story that included a pair of mythological creatures told in folklore, a civilized colony trading with uncivilized native clans and what were the words the old man spoke; and an eldritch occurrence had taken place. Surely this last tale of his couldn't be real. However, the artifacts contained inside that locked box was convincing enough for the boy. Knowing what had taken place on that isle and only eighteen years old at the time he was told the tale, Francis would dedicated his life preparing for an expedition to bring his grandfather's ashes back to his rightful home.Complete
Becoming Her Dark Side
They lied to me. My own family. My so-called friends. All of them hiding the truth, that we're tied to the criminal underworld, a forte where my family, the Storms, are the undisputed kings. Then everything falls apart. My dad gets framed. My cousin ends up dead. And the boy I've had a childhood crush on-Nathaniel-turns out to be the one who could destroy me. At least Luke, the one person I shouldn't want, fights to keep me from breaking... but even he has secrets. But it's gets even worse, because now an organization is rising from the shadows, an organization that opposes everything my family stands for. And in a family of warmongers and sociopaths, I stood out as a glaring weakness. The most normal, the most vulnerable, and the most efficient way to end a dynasty that has ruled for centuries. Because what is a throne without an heir, and a crown without its king. So here I am, stuck in a game of blood and betrayal where the only way to survive is to stop being the fragile girl they thought I was. If I have to burn bridges, spill blood, and embrace the monster inside me, then so be it. Because this time, I'm not running from my darkness. I'm becoming it.
Through the Wormhole
|SERIALIZED STORY Β· ACTS I AND II Β· WATTPAD CREATORS PROGRAM| |22X FEATURED| Daniel Matton wasn't ready for an adventure, not until 3025 sent him into space on a journey to prehistoric times. The prehistoric animals test his patience, but Dan must endure all the pain and suffering to return home safely. *** Seventeen-year-old Daniel Matton, still grieving after his mother's death five years ago, is given the adventure of a lifetime when he's selected as the Star of 3025's PPMC Project for a journey through a black hole, wormhole, and white hole to prehistoric times. Now, does Dan want to be the Star? Heck no, but he has loved paleontology ever since a bittersweet memory with his mom twelve years earlier. Programmed to resemble Dan's mother's personality, PPMC vows to keep him safe on his journey, but it's difficult when the stubborn teen constantly gets in trouble, not just with himself but also with prehistoric anomalies: volcanic eruptions, eight-foot-long millipedes, terrifying saber-toothed cats, and, above all, disaster. Now nearly trapped in time, Dan and PPMC must work together to escape the geologic time scale before Dan's love for paleontology and the mighty Quetzalcoatlus prevent him from learning how to truly trust PPMC and "let go" of the burden that's weighed him down for five years. A teen, a starship, and Becca... Have you ever wanted to see where life first began? *** *Moral: "Accept where you belong."* Main Achievements: π Ambys 2024 Grand Winner! π 100K reads on another writing site! π @Fantasy Ambassador Pick! π₯ 16X 1st Place Winner!Complete
LET ME HATE YOU
A marriage neither wanted. A hatred neither understands. Two strangers tied by a past that stains everything between them. He never wanted a wife. Especially not her. Cold, distant, and poisoned by assumptions, Amaan enters the forced marriage with one intention- to keep his distance and keep his resentment alive. Asmaira enters with something far heavier- guilt. Not to protect him. Not to save him. But because she knows the truth of what happened... and she cannot bear to confess it. They have never met. But the moment they do, the air turns sharp- full of tension, unspoken accusations, and the kind of hate that feels too much like longing. He despises her for a sin she never committed. She punishes herself for a sin she never confessed. And marriage turns into a battleground where silence is a weapon... and closeness is a threat. In this house, love is impossible. Trust is deadly. But hatred? Hatred is the only thing keeping them alive.
Virulent
[ONC 2023 SECOND PLACE WINNER | AMBASSADORS PICK 2023] An unwilling but gifted geneticist must find a way to safeguard humanity against the deadly pathogen she's forced to design or die trying. *** The planet's population is pushing past 11 billion and counting. With resources spread thin, widespread famine, and health systems crippled everywhere, the governments of the world are running out of ideas. Then a scientist proposes a controversial solution and the classified Project Rescue is born. But when the lead scientist on the project and his entire team mysteriously die, his young microbiology prodigy is brought into the secret government agency to take over where he left off. Ezra Mayur always hoped that her brilliance in pathogen studies would land her a secure job one day. This seems like a dream come true. Full food rations and safety for her struggling family, and a job in the field she is the most interested in. But the project is not quite what Ezra expected and her moral compass is tested when she has to choose between protecting her family or the world. *** PROMPTS that will make an appearance: 12. An evil sorcerer offers you an immense amount of power--but it comes with a price. (Modified: an evil corp offers you an opportunity of a lifetime, but it comes with a price.) 5. Flip the coin and make a life choice with it. Two choices, one coin, and no turning back. Do you dare? FEATURED ON: @ScienceFiction 'Pandemic' list (Oct 2025) @ScienceFiction 'Viruses & Zombies' list (Sept 2024) @dystopianapocalypse 'Pandemic&Outbreak' list. (May '23) @fright 'AAPI: Celebration' list. (April '23) [NOTE: Trigger warning may apply. Violence and gore. This work is solely the property of Eva Acharya writing as E. A. Martin, and thus, no translation, copying, or distribution in part or whole of this story is permitted.]Complete
Wolf Bite || BL
Monday, August 1 Dear Isaac, if you're reading this, that means you've turned eighteen. Congratulations, I'm so proud of you. I hope you had a great day! But unfortunately, that also means I'm not there to celebrate with you, I'm so sorry about that. I never thought I'd have to write this journal, but here I am. You're probably very confused, and I don't blame you, but your father wouldn't be able to properly explain to you everything about yourself, And if I don't make it, which I fear I don't, and I probably didn't or you wouldn't be reading this, there's got to be some way for you to find out, So, let's begin ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- His friend forces him on a hunting trip, where instead of a monster he finds quite the opposite... or so he thinks. Soon things start to get confusing. What happens when a dark past gets revealed? And old acquaintances show up? What exactly happened to his mother? Strange people, strange events, and most prominently, strange feelings... Can he resist them and stay safe? Or will he fall for them and get pulled into all kinds of danger..? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [[Word Count: 115.000]]] [All original (besides some inspired scenes) please don't copy. Thank you :)] β οΈ!!WARNING: INCLUDES ADULT THEMES AND/OR SEXUAL CONTENT. !! β οΈ THESE CHAPTERS HAVE A/C (Adult Content) AFTER THE TITLE AND A WARNING AT THE STARTComplete
Bumping Into Mr. Billionaire β
"He is a mystery. A mystery every guy wants to become And a mystery every girl wants to claim" _ How Bumping into Mr. Billionaire, changed her life. And bumping into little Miss Nobody, changed his life. What happens when a billionaire ends up choosing an ordinary girl? *** Manik Malhotra , the richest and the most arrogant business tycoon in the world , facilitated as the businessperson of the year for seven consecutive years , first when he was just 21 years old. And has been featuring on the cover of Forbes ever since. Has his business spread all over the world. Has looks to die for. The dream man of every girl. Girls could die for just to look at him once. Every girl wants him. Has everything , but nothing. Does not believe in love. Doesn't even look at women. Has a dull ,boring life. Lives in Manhattan. Orphan. Kind of. Age: 27 Nandini Murthy, A middle-class girl who has no-body. A lost soul who has no reason to live , but then, no reason to die either. Pretends to be happy even though she's not. Does not believe in love. Has just one true friend. Nandini hasn't smiled for real even for once after her mom passed away. Orphan. Doesn't even look at men. Lives in New York city. Age: 25 Two broken , lost souls who don't believe in love. But love does believe in them. Find out how love finds its way to them. But the question is , will it last? Or will it.. How did "Bumping Into Mr. Billionaire" change her life?. Read the story to know. It definitely won't disappoint you. I promise. Find out what destiny has in store for them , and what I have in store for you. Nobody has any rights to do anything with my story without my permission. Plagiarism is a crime. Cover by: @thegirlinpinksocksComplete
Jubilee Year: A Novel (Erelong Trilogy Book I) - An Extended Sample
Astronomers meeting with bad accidents all around the globe had a secret they wanted you to know... Teams of hired assassins are on the loose, governments go into lockdown, and along with a global economic collapse a third world war is about to erupt. On top of the manmade disasters, there are terrifying changes in the climate and the weather, and some of it may not be natural. The warning signs from Earth and outer space are everywhere, but because many people are distracted and disrupted they fail to notice. Into this bad dream steps Storm, an 18-year-old bored farmhand living in a small Australian town beside a really big telescope. Storm has a gift that he considers his curse. He's able to memorize anything and everything. When Penny introduces her boyfriend to her father, the director of Australia's most famous observatory, Michael Boulos sees the opportunity to smuggle his startling data to a colleague in the capital. Storm is intercepted, and in an office, deep below Parliament House, he meets Martyn Boas, a giant with a terrifying revelation. _______ - Praise for this novel - * Plenty of gritty action throughout, with some engaging and well-rounded characters... - Andy Lloyd, author of Ezekiel One * A character driven story that is a roller coaster from beginning to end - Brian's Book Blog * Even being over 400 pages I read it in one day - Ronovan Writes, Lit World Interviews *Of all that I have read over the past 2 years, this futuristic novel is far and away the most compelling and profound of any! - 2018 Amazon Reviewer _______ This is an extended sample of my novel. You can read the whole epic right now. It is available on Google Play, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Apple, and Amazon. Here's a link to the reviews on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013ANZ508/ Copyright Β© 2015 by Gerard O'Neill. All rights reserved.Complete
Wish That You Were Here (ENOCH X READER)
"ππ π’ππ ππππ ππππ ππππ πππππππ π’ππ ππ πππππππ? ππππ’ πππ’ π’πππ ππππ π’ππππ πππ πππ ππππππ πππππππ πππ ππππππ πππ.... πππππ ππππ ππ ππππ ππππ π ππππ. π±ππ ππππ πππ’....πππππ’πππππ πππππππ" (Y/n) and Jake Portman are sixteen year old twins living in sunny Florida. Since they were young, their Grandfather would tell them story's from his childhood of growing up in a home for peculiar children. As (y/n) and Jake grew older it became apparent that their Grandfathers tales of childhood weren't true. And that he made them up as a way of telling bedtime stories. One fateful day a tragedy stroke as their Grandfather had died by mysterious causes. His last wish was for the pair to visit his childhood home in Wales. Accompanied by their father, the two set off to the small island of Cairnholm to figure out why their Grandfather wished them to visit so much. To their surprise lots of secrets were revealed...loops hidden in time, man eating monsters, children with unique abilities and much more awaited them. With a certain peculiar boy who might just open his heart to (y/n) Portman...could they possibly figure out this mystery in time? Or will they have to escape to survive. ----------------------- I DO NOT OWN MISS PEREGRINES HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN, ANY OF THE CHARACTERS OR THE CANNON STORYLINE. I AM NOT EARNING ANYTHING FROM THIS FAN FICTION!! ITS JUST OUT OF PURE LOVE FOR THE MOVIE!! This is an 'ENOCH X FEM READER'!!! This fan fiction takes place in "Miss Peregrines Home For Peculiar Children" THE MOVIE!!! STARTED 8/8/2024 FINISHED 5/1/2025Complete
When Earth Weeps | The World Enslaved By Virus || (COMPLETED) ||
Months ago, during a study tour to the Government Microbiology Department, a student accidentally broke a petridish with the engineered microorganism. Instead of reporting it, they hid it - the organism mutated into a deadly airborne virus. When the deadly virus engulfs the planet, three young scientists become humanity's last hope. In a frozen, abandoned world, they must race against time - and each other - to find the cure hidden deep within the ruins of what we once called home. But the earth does not forgive so easily. And sometimes, what we save is not what we expect. In this chilling tale of survival, sacrifice, and secrets, the question remains: When the Earth weeps, who will listen? Now, Aarya and her team must: β’Develop a cure - find the missing link to stop the virus. β’Explore the depths and uncover the incident . β’Survive raids, betrayals, and human violence as civilization collapses. [UNEDITED VERSION] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: This is an original work of fiction. No part of this story may be copied, reproduced, translated, or distributed in any form without my written consent. Thank you for respecting my work!Complete
SHORT STORY (Synopsis) - In 1702 before Alaska was even discovered, Captain William Westwood, an English explorer, his crew and their wenches got lost at sea. When the tide receded their ship became aground forcing them to travel by foot. Taking what they could from their vessel, they journeyed into the unknown, logging in scripture every step of the way. Months later, they would find a place called heaven's gate. Just outside the mouth of the cave, the prehistoric symbol is chiselled into the rock face. The cave itself was filled with precious metals. For this prehistoric marking, the circle represented the endless land and the cross inside represented the crossroads between happiness and sorrow in one's own universe. A reminder to never stray away from ancient ideologies. Beyond, a beautiful place was ready to be discovered. A small body of water acted as a moat around the isle. The Captain knew this was a perfect place to start his colony. In the end, the settlers were authors of their own fate." Everyone has a story, some are more interesting than others. Occasionally there's one that is so unique it can't be real. Well, this wasn't just a story for Francis Cowen, in the end this would be all that he would remember. After Papa Ben's deathbed confession, as surreal as it may have sounded. A story that included a pair of mythological creatures told in folklore, a civilized colony trading with uncivilized native clans and what were the words the old man spoke; and an eldritch occurrence had taken place. Surely this last tale of his couldn't be real. However, the artifacts contained inside that locked box was convincing enough for the boy. Knowing what had taken place on that isle and only eighteen years old at the time he was told the tale, Francis would dedicated his life preparing for an expedition to bring his grandfather's ashes back to his rightful home.
More detailsContent Guidelines