Nephilim,
Nephil – The Nephilim (plural): a race of
cursed human/demon hybrid beings, descended from an ancient group of fallen
angels. Nephil (singular): one of the Nephilim.
The
Watchers – A group of 200 angels who lived on
Earth circa 3000 BCE. The Watchers were cursed by Heaven after they took human
women as wives. This forbidden union produced the cursed race known as the
Nephilim.
The curse
of the Nephilim was delivered by
the archangel Raphael. It removed their souls and limited their maximum
lifespan to 120 years, with no hope of an afterlife. The curse also causes Nephil
clans to war amongst themselves. If they ever got together, the fragments of
Heavenly magic—divided amongst the Nephil clans—might be reunited. And that
might not be such a good thing.
Oblivion – The state of hopeless and eternal non-being awaiting
the Nephilim after death. To be avoided and delayed at all costs.
The
Ordeal – a physical and mental transformation
process by which a dormant Nephil becomes adept. During the Ordeal, a Nephil
gains full magical powers, including the ability to shapeshift into demon form.
A failed Ordeal results in death or insanity.
Adept – An adult Nephil, who has completed the Ordeal
and gained full magical powers.
Dormant – A young Nephil who hasn't yet gained full magical
powers via the Ordeal.
Guide – The adept who assists a transitioning dormant
through the Ordeal. Without a guide, a transitioning Nephil has very little
chance of surviving the Ordeal with his/her life and sanity intact.
Enthrallment
– Enslavement. A Nephil adept is most
easily enthralled by his/her guide upon exiting the Ordeal. A defeat in battle
may also allow the victorious adept to enthrall the defeated one, but this is
much less certain. Enthrallment can only be broken by the death of master or
thrall.
Near-death
experience (NDE) – An NDE,
experienced by a Nephil dormant, triggers the Ordeal. If a post-puberty dormant
doesn't experience a NDE and subsequent Ordeal, his/her cells mutate, causing
cancer and an early death.
Ancestral
Memories – Memories of Nephil adepts who are now
in Oblivion, all that remain of a Nephil after death. Ancestral memories become
accessible to direct descendants during and after the Ordeal.
Labels: angels, arthurian legend, demons, druids, fantasy fiction, joy nash, king arthur, Merlin, Nephilim, paranormal romance, romance novels
Flash by Nash features flash fiction of 500-1200 words. New stories appear on the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Tuesday each month and every one is totally free. 
