Glory- Book One: Samson

In a world where faith itself fuels power, every living thing carries Faith Essence—the spiritual energy behind Awakenings, techniques, blessings and miracles. Most warriors spend years cultivating that power. Samson was never meant to be most warriors. Before his birth, the heavens declared that he would become the one to break Israel’s chains. Born under a Nazarite covenant and watched over by forces far beyond the mortal realm, Samson carries a rare gift that allows him to call directly upon Heaven through his words. Strength. Speed. Heal. When Samson speaks with faith, Heaven answers. But power is never free. At only seven years old, Samson exhausts his Faith Essence protecting his family from a Rank One beast and, with nothing left inside him, asks for something impossible. More. The lion dies. Samson survives. And the quiet life his parents fought to protect begins to unravel. Rumours spread from the small village of Zorah. A child has slain a beast no ordinary human should have survived. The Twelve Mighty Judges of Israel—warriors who have spent years searching for the prophesied Child of Calamity—finally turn their attention toward him. For generations, one prophecy has haunted Israel: When the destruction of Israel becomes imminent and inevitable, the Lord shall send forth a child born from calamity. This Child of Calamity shall mark either the revival—or the annihilation of Israel. Samson does not yet know the prophecy. He does not know that Israel’s greatest warriors are watching him. He does not know that war with the Philistines is approaching. And he certainly does not understand why Heaven seems willing to answer him in ways it answers almost no one else. For now, Samson is simply a boy who loves his family, speaks to God as though speaking to a father, and believes strength should be used to protect others. But reputation has already begun to spread his name. One day, that name will shake nations. One day, Samson of Zorah will stand among the Twelve Judges of Israel. And when the world finally witnesses the full extent of the blessing carried upon his tongue, men will have to decide whether the child sent to break Israel’s chains was truly their salvation— or the calamity the prophecy warned them about.