The sun had finished setting on the horizon. The sky a warm dark orange fading into the red moon. Gabriel had been walking down the trail. His hands cinched into a tight fist, fueled in anger. Lost and confused more than he had ever been since he could remember. His own brother outcasted him. His own love denied him to be on his own. He blamed himself, how could he have done that to Eve? She wasn’t even a part of his fight with David. Everything he had bottled up against her, rather than speaking of his issues. Gabe allowed them to explode. Did he need professional help? Or was he only taking a radical step in something that needs to happen for the greater good of the world?

  He could feel himself grow cold; the breeze of the mountain cooled his face. Where was he going, where did he even have to go? He thought to himself. The truth was that Gabriel had nowhere else to go. His only place was at his brother’s side. Should he go back? He wondered, before realizing that he couldn’t. His place was with banishment. How could his own brother do that to him? All these thoughts spun around in his mind, though no answers were in the mix. Refusing to admit he was wrong, but also neglected to accept his fate. Gabriel stopped, looking back at the way he had come. Missing home already, they wouldn’t let him back anyhow. He knew he had been miles away by now, he couldn’t catch a single thought floating in the air. He shriveled, rubbing his arms to help keep himself warm. Alone on Christmas, he had no one to blame but himself.

  “No, No, No.” He heard screaming in the distance. A scout from the Order attached to the commune, Harry. Gabriel recognized his voice. Gabe picked up his pace, running down the trail until he stopped on top of a rock. He could hear thoughts. Chaotic all around, nothing but hatred filled the thin air. He dropped down to his stomach carefully. In the prone, Gabriel crawled forward slowly, steady not to make a noise. Once his eyes were now over the crest of the boulder, all he could see was a black mass, the center-wide opened. Surrounding the kid. He had been stabbed in the legs, held down by spears stabbed through the pockets behind his kneecaps. Gabriel breathed deeply, focusing his mind on the kid. Hearing his thoughts. “Need to inform the Watchers. They’re here. They need to know. I failed.”

  “I am here,” Gabriel told him. A figure broke off from the mass, a single figure standing on his own. The kid eased his mind. Knowing that Gabe was reading his thoughts. “Who is it?” He asked.

  “Liam.” He said, “At least I think he is.” Gabriel reached for his hip to grab his sword. Snatching at the open-air, remembering that he didn’t have it any longer. He could have attacked Liam, killing him quietly. He walked up to the kid.

  “You know who I am?” Liam squatted down next to him. “I am the past, present, and future. I am the alpha and omega. All you have to do is swear fealty to me, and I will give you back your legs.” Liam said, eyes a piercing yellow and red. His face was covered in a hood. Pouring his power into the tongue of a snake.

  Harry looked up at Liam, his face covered in pain and anguish. “You’re a traitor.” He said, “I will die a guardian.”

  “You didn’t guard anything. They’re all going to die because you failed.” Liam mocked him as his Legion laughed. Drawing his sword as he stood. Two acolytes grabbed his arms, the other grabbed the long blonde-haired kid, pulling it forward.

  “You did not fail. I am sorry.” Gabriel said, looking down at him. “You saved us, Harry.”

  “Thank you.” Harry closed his eyes, accepting his fate. Taking a deep breath before his vision faded to light. Gabriel watched as the masked acolyte lifted his head for everyone to see. Throwing it into the forest. Gabriel watched, his hatred in his heart growing heavy. Now was no time for worry, he had to let David know immediately. Pulling out his phone, no signal.

  “Keep it quiet.” Liam said to his soldiers, “We draw near my old home. They must not know we are coming.” His own voice echoed with dark power as if being processed by a dark entity. “We will save the town for last; we cannot draw any attention to ourselves.” Gabriel stood up, putting everything he could into his legs Focusing his energy on his breathing. He needed to get there before they did. They were moving slowly, he had miles of uphill running. Forgetting about how cold it was. Forgetting about how hungry he had been. Forgetting about how tired he was. He was not going to fail them.

  David opened his eyes, rubbing his face. Sitting in the dining area, where everyone gathered for the Christmas celebration. All the families laughed, enjoying their time together. Kevin sat with his sister and mother laughing and eating. Virgil with his younger brother and his parents. Ethan with his brother and parents. Richard with his mother. Stephen with his three sisters and parents. Both Carlos and Jasmine were with their parents. Chris sat with a group of guardians enjoying their time as well, although on duty away from home. Allison not touching her food with her mother, Eve and David. James joined them, but none of them had been eating. David had tried but only spat it out into a napkin, folded on his plate.

  Eve looked at David from across the table, she chuckled. “What?” He asked.

  “You said Christmas was your favorite time of the year.” She said, “I told you why it sucked, you replied that you would make it my best Christmas.” David just smiled, finding the irony in the situation. He looked at his phone. Nothing.

  “Anything?” Allison asked him. As he pressed the call button. As it went straight to voice mail. David shook his head, his head in his hands.

  “Did your punishments for us, ever hurt you?” He asked James who was watching the other people having a good time.

  “All the time.” James said, “No good parent wants to see their kids not be happy. Not seeing you guys smile, is the worst kind of torture.”

  “Why did you do it if it was so bad?’

  “Because no parent wants to see their kid grow up to be a terrible person.” He said, placing his hand on his son’s. David looked down at his hand. “Go get him. Keep his sword. But never kick someone from their own home.” He said to him softly. David nodded.

  “Eve. Allison. Ms. Barber. I have to go.” David stood up. Eve stood up as well, taking Allison’s wrist to bring her along.

  “We’re going too,” Eve said confidently. Kissing James on the cheek before leaving. “Keep Ms. Barber company as I steal her daughter away, okay?”

  “Please don’t do that,” Allison told James waving at her mother. “I’ll be back. Eve, you don’t have to pull me.”

  “Doesn’t feel good, does it?” She said pulling Allison even more.

  David walked up behind Virgil, leaning forward to whisper into his ear. “I need you to fly, but considering the circumstances, I don’t have a problem taking the Silver Arrow.” He said backing away from him. Giving him space to say goodbye to his family for the moment. Knowing fully aware that Virgil wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to fly. He had been grounded from flying without having a mission to lower risk.

  Once inside the Elevator, David and the girls waited for Virgil to enter the elevator. Turning around starring at the doors shut. “Couldn’t live with the monster you created?” Virgil asked David.

  “He’s not a monster,” Allison said, still starring ahead.

  “He kills without punishment. He attacked Eve for Christ’s sake and he’s going to go without being punished?” He asked. “Sounds like close to one as I know.”

  “I am going to handle it my way,” David replied. “Just trust me.”

  “I don’t have a problem trusting you. It’s him I’m worried about.” Virgil said, “He’s turned into a spoiled and impatient brat.”

  “Enough,” Allison said to Virgil. Getting annoyed.

  “Just saying,” Virgil muttered. “Everyone handles their problems as adults here. With the exception of Gabe who handles his issues with fits of rage. And maybe Eve. No offense.”

  “None was taken,” Eve said sarcastically.

  “We’re getting Gabe and that’s the end of it. What I do, I will deal with the repercussions.” David told them.

  “Until someone else has to deal with it,” Virgil said, he turned around looking at Allison’s fuming red face. “Alright.” He turned back forward.

  The doors opened as the four of them stepped onto the roof, “Is the moon normally red?” Eve asked. As they walked forward.

  “Just a blood moon,” David said. “In demonology, it’s a sign of a major event or battle, a symbol of the apocalypse…” His words weren’t finished.

  “I have a bad feeling about this,” Virgil said, heading to the Silver Arrow’s cockpit quickly. Time was now of the essence.

  “What’s going on?” Eve asked watching as everyone picked up their pace. Setting up the Silver Arrow for flight. Everyone continued to ignore her, each following routine for their fight. David checked the rifles for ammo and supplies. Alison checks the medical supplies. Virgil started his preflight checks, spinning up the engines. “What’s going on?” Eve asked once more.

  “Blood moons are dangerous, meaning something major is happening somewhere in the world. And considering our situation, I’d say we are not in the best position.” Allison told her. Eve looked around, taking a deep breath. She shot up into the cockpit, focusing her eyes on the horizon.

  “Who let you up here?” Virgil complained, “You’re banned from touching buttons again.”

  “Shut up,” Eve said, seeing a mass of energy in the distance. Faint, but she would normally never see a large collection in one spot that far away. “David!” She screamed out.

  “What?” He called out from the back. Looked up at her as she turned around her eyes wide. David ran out to the roof, running to the wall. “Knight!” He screamed down to the courtyard.

  “My lord!?” He replied.

  “Have any of our scouts reported within the hour?” David asked.

  “No, they’re not supposed to check in for another ten minutes!” He answered.

  “Prepare for battle!” David screamed out. “Get the civilians evacuated to the cavern and to the Order!” David said, “We need reinforcements!” David cried out.

  “Yes, my Lord.” The knight sprinted off back inside to deliver the news and warning to prepare the guardians and Watchers for a siege.

  David ran inside the Silver Arrow. “Eve I need you to find Gabriel.” He said.

  “He’d be long gone by now,” Virgil said. “It’s been hours since he’s left.”

  “We don’t have cars. Gabe is also socially awkward and stubborn; he wouldn’t go to the town. He would be somewhere on this mountain.” David commanded. “Find him.”

  Kevin rose from his seat, realizing he was now in charge. Speaking with the three knights who had confronted him. Speaking quickly, the rest of the room fell silent. The urgency of them had never been seen before. “Where is David?” He asked.

  “Unsure, but he said he would return soon.” Sir Victor said, “We need to prepare soon.”

  Kevin turned around, looking at all the peering eyes. Some were full of concern, while others were full of fear knowing what was to come. “I know many of you don’t know much about the Order or our war. The Brotherhood is closing in on our home. All guardians and knights will prepare for the battle. Stephen, take everyone on the train to the Order.”

  “I will go with the boy, to gather reinforcements to bring here.” Sir Victor waved at Stephen who hopped from his seat.

  “Be fast Stephen,” Kevin told him.

  “Don’t have to tell me twice.” Stephen turned around. “I need nonmembers of the Order to get to the elevator, we will take groups of ten down and so forth until we have everyone on the train. Grab the day bags that David had you all pack months ago. Nothing else.” He said. The families looked around in confusion. Scared that they would lose their home, or what was to come.

  “Hurry up!” Kevin yelled out at them. “Watchers you have five minutes to be battle-ready in the courtyard.” They nodded, jumping from their seats.

  “We have to go, mom,” Carlos said to his mother as she gripped onto his arm. “Let go.” He said.

  “C’mon we need them to do their jobs.” His father said.

  “Okay.” Her eyes watering. “Stay close to your sister. I love you both.” She said, being pulled away by their father. Carlos frowned, what was that supposed to mean? He wasn’t a burden; he wouldn’t allow himself to be. Jasmine just smiled at him, chuckling. Running to the window, the doorway was crowded with the overflow of the families trying to leave. Carlos followed close behind her. Heading to their rooms by climbing the walls to their open rooms.

  James stayed sitting, watching the panic and commotion. “We should get going.” Ms. Barber told him. He sat quietly, thinking of his sons. He turned his face over to her nodding his head, taking his time to stand up and heading for the door. The two-headed slowly to the elevator that Stephen had been counting to let people in.

  “Once you’re down there don’t touch anything. Just wait for me to get there.” He repeated to everyone before he sent the elevator down to the cavern. Once they reached the front of the line, James separated from her, heading to the stairs.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “I forgot something.” James said, “I’ll be down soon.” He called to her, one foot in front of the other. Heading up the stairs to the roof.

  Gabriel panted up the trail, he could feel the blisters in his feet stabbing into the soles. Fighting the urge to quit, forcing himself to run even when he needed to walk. Stumbling up rock formations and the gravel slipping under his feet, Gabriel refused to stop. Crawling back to his feet to press on forward. Every moment he didn’t tell everyone, was a moment for the Legion to grow ever closer.

  Just ahead he could see lights breaking through the large pines just ahead, “What now?” He asked himself, still moving. Hearing the heavy hum of engines. The Silver Arrow, the sound of Virgil’s engines were impossible to second guess. The spotlights broke past the dense forest, Gabriel focused his breathing. Radiating his light blue energy along the side of the mountain. “There!” Eve screamed out as the Silver Arrow passed over Gabriel. She pointed to the concentrated mass of Gabriel’s spirit on the ground. Her headset was tight on her head to speak to Virgil.

  “Virg, Bank right and swing back around just over the rock formation,” David said into his headset.

  “I can’t land there,” Virgil said as he did just that. “There’s an opening just back about five hundred meters.

  “We don’t have five hundred meters. Hover over him, I’ll grab him.” David went into one of the compartments, swinging it open. Throwing onto the harness. “Allison and Eve, release the rope lock.” Allison nodded as she went over to the console. David threw his arms through the back of the harness. Buckling the front clips.

  Gabriel looked up at the Silver Arrow, “I hope they’re not expecting me to jump that high.” Gabriel said it was easier jumping out of it than it was to jump into it. Then seeing David jump out of the back ramp of the osprey. Lowering down steadily to the ground. “Did you miss me?” Gabriel asked once he had touched down. “Don’t answer that, we have the Legion just over the horizon.” David just stared at him, clenching his fist before punching Gabriel in the face heavily. “What the hell?” Gabriel said his nose bleeding, David said nothing to him throwing him a harness.

  “Hurry up,” David told him helping him put it on.

  “Weird way of saying you missed me,” Gabriel said sarcastically as David raised his fist at him once more. Gabriel raised his hands to his face in mercy.

  David spoke into his headset, “Pull us up.” Gabriel quickly attached his carabiner to David’s. The rope pulled both of the brothers to the back of the Silver Arrow. Once back up, David grabbed onto the bars overhead, pulling himself into the back. Gripping tightly onto the bar, David hit the quick release dropping his brother to the ground.

  Gabriel fell to his knees and forearms catching his head from hitting the steel floor. “We’re on,” David said dropping to his feet carefully onto the floor. Virgil replied with a thumbs up to the door of the cockpit, turning off the spotlights, flying back to the commune.

  Gabriel picked himself up from the ground, a pair of shoes in front of his eyes. As he stood up gradually, drew his eyes up to Allison’s face who was read. “Did you miss me?” He asked her.

  Allison swung her fist at him, hooking his cheek. Gabriel had expected the punch. Though taking it anyways. “You’re an idiot.” She said to him. Gabriel was still hurt, not physically but emotionally.

  “I’m sorry, I swear I had the best interest. I just wasn’t thinking right.” Gabriel said. He stood tall, “I seriously don’t know what came over me.”

  “Lucky for you, you’re my idiot.” Allison said, “we’ll talk about it later. Right now, I need to heal you. Make sure you’re ready for this.” She shoved him back to a chair, his feet were stained from bleeding. Allison took no time getting to work. Gabriel just smiled, not knowing what else to say. He let her down, and it would be long before she earned her trust again. All of theirs.

  Turning his head, Gabriel looked at Eve. “Do you want to punch me too?” He asked her.

  “I think I’ve done worse to someone who pulled my hair.”

  “Who would that be?” Gabriel asked.

  “My mother.” Eve walked away from him, joining David and Virgil inside the cockpit. Gabriel looked back down at Allison, shaking his head. What was he going to do? He wondered. Now wasn’t the time for that. Gabriel had to focus on the battle that was to come.

  The Silver Arrow came to a landing on the roof. David stepped out of the cockpit, walking over to the ramp, preparing to depart as soon as there was a foot off the ground. Two people were on the roof waiting for him. Eve stood behind him.

  “I think I’m okay now,” Gabriel said, reaching down to Allison. He lifted one finger under her chin raising it to his. However, the sentiment wasn’t returned, turning her head to the side. Gabriel stopped before he had the chance to kiss her. He shook his head. Standing up, he headed to the ramp. Trying to remain calm, he could use all this resentment against the enemy during his battle.

  David stepped out, walking up to the two figures. It was his father and Kevin. “Dad, why aren’t you at the cavern yet?” He asked.

  “I stayed to help,” James answered. “Son.” Once seeing Gabriel now returned, embracing him with arms wide open. Gabriel hugged him back.

  “I’m sorry dad.” Gabriel said, “I didn’t mean to scare you.” Gabriel released him. “But David’s right, you shouldn’t be here.”

  “I know. I just needed to see you.” James said.

  “Kevin, they’re coming up route six, though route five and seven are not out of the question. The Watcher’s will take the vanguard. Alpha team will stay on commune defense. Bravo and Charlie team’s will cover the flanking routes just in case.” David told him. “I need to get my tuxedo on.” He said. Kevin just nodded and smiled.

  “Who’s going to help you with that?” He asked.

  “Dad?” David asked him. “I could use your help.”

  “What makes you think I know how to do that?” James asked him.

  “I’m sure you can figure it out, like getting past a locked door without damaging it.” David eyed him down, “I need as many of the guardians in the fight. Not squiring for me.”

  James nodded at his son, “Okay.” He told him.

  “Eve, Allison, and Virgil.” Kevin said, “I need you guys in the courtyard, like two days ago fast.” They nodded, running to the stairs to their rooms. Virgil ran into the Silver Arrow grabbing his gear, which he had always kept inside. “Anything else?” Kevin asked David.

  “Nothing else,” David told him as Kevin headed over the edge of the roof. Climbing down to the courtyard where the rest of the Watchers stood waiting. Dressed in their tunics, along with their respective colored cloaks. A single pauldron sitting on their other shoulders. Waiting for Kevin to return with the defensive plan.

  “David. I need my sword.” Gabriel told his brother as he walked off.

  “It’s in the cavern.” David said, “Let’s go.” He told his father and brother on their way to the elevator.

  Kevin walked up to the Watchers who were standing in the courtyard. Looking at him, “Where’s David?” Carlos asked.

  “He’ll join us on the vanguard, he had to get ready,” Kevin replied, pulling out a holographic map of the area. “We’ll be online on route six, at the front, I need Chris, Richard, and I.” They nodded. “I suggest you two start breathing.”

  “And you want the rest of us at the first pushback on top of the hill?” Jasmine asked.

  “Exactly.” Kevin continued with his brief, “Gabriel didn’t get an exact number of how many are coming. So be ready for the worst. Until then it’s going to be a lot of fighting and falling back. Our last fallback point in the cavern, once there. I assume we make a final stand.” He said looking at each of their eyes. Some are full of concern.

  “Stop looking so grim,” David said walking up to the large group of Watchers. Guardians and Knights all gather around. The rest of the Watchers follow closely behind David. They were all there, together.

  “Shouldn’t you be getting ready?” Kevin asked.

  “No matter how fast I got ready meant nothing compared to how much you needed me here now,” David said, standing in the center of the group. “I know many of you guys are scared.” David raised his voice so all that could hear. “Never have these walls fallen for the hundreds of years this commune has stood. No matter how many have died defending these halls, the Watchers, and the Order. Forget the Order right now. The council isn’t here. All I see are Watchers, The round table, and the Guardians. Warriors, defenders, makers of peace.” David drew his sword, “I am honored to serve alongside such brave men and women. Most of us aren’t even old enough to vote. No matter how young or old you are here, the night shines upon us. You inspire me!” David yelled out; everyone drew their swords. Raised to the night sky, the blood moon just cresting over the tree line. “God as my witness, we will restore hope today!”

  The rest of the men and women cheered out with him. Eve cheered as well. “Let’s go!” Sir Victor called out to everyone. Guardians followed their knights to their positions on the battlefield. Watchers stood by.

  “I need a witness,” David said to the Watchers. Gabriel turned around to his brother.

  “I’m here,” Eve said, looking at them both.

  “Get on your knees.” David reached into the waistband pulling out Gabe’s katana hilt. “Gabriel, son of Locklear, first of his name. Do you swear to abide by the code of the Order of Solomon, and the orders of the council, and the knights above you, and most importantly, to preserve the peace and security of the realm of man?”

  “Yes, I do.” Gabriel thought to himself, a pit in his throat.

  “As forgiving as he is just. Do not forget your oath, ever again.” David said to him. Knowing in his heart that Gabriel was truly regretful of his actions. He couldn’t trust that Gabriel wouldn’t try to rebel again. David wasn’t opposed to his rebellion against the council, only caring of his brother's distrust in him. “Rise, Guardian Gabriel, as all ranks and titles restored to you. Welcome home.” He said to bring his sword down on his shoulder slashing at it. Returning it to him. Gabriel stood up, hugging his brother. David embraced him back. “No, defend it.” He said softly. Gabriel released him, nodding at his older brother. His knight. “Lead team two.”

  “Are you sure?” He asked. Gabe looked at Jasmine who was supposed to be the leader, though David knew she had preferred not to have the leadership position.

  “I would rather fight, you’re better off giving the orders.” She said smiling.

  Allison walked up to Gabe, draping his blue cloak over his shoulder as Eve strapped the single pauldron over it. “Do not lose this again, until you’ve become a knight.” She said, inches from his face. “Or I will not give it back.” She finished tying it off, clipping it. “I will only carry one.” Gabriel looked at her, promising himself, that he would never let her or his brother down again. Not any of them. They depend on him more than he understood, maybe not receiving as much recognition as David. He was still important. This was his home, and they were his family.

  “I will join you on the battlefield.” David told him, “Hold the line.” He commanded them, “Master Eleazar kept the flags waving on this place for years, and his father before him. I will not let it fall in the first year under our protection.” They smiled at him.

  “Don’t worry David. We’ll be finished by midnight.” Carlos laughed.

  “Probably no help to you,” Jasmine told him as they began walking away.

  “You’re my best friend, and I hate to see you embarrass yourself,” Chris told him as they departed for their formation. Carlos shook his head; he would prove to them just how powerful that he had become.

  “David,” Eve said to him as he was walking away. “What do I do?” She asked. Unsure, this being her first real fight against an enemy. She was terrified, no matter what words of encouragement were given. She did not know what to expect. Fearful of the consequences if she had let anyone down.

  David stopped in his tracks, his father waiting for him at the elevator. “Trust in the spirits around you. Focus and you will know what to do.” David told her before walking away, she watched as he stepped into the elevator with his father. He turned around starring at her. The doors slid shut as his green eyes locked with hers. She understood, having no time to be afraid too many were counting on her. She ran to catch up with the rest of them leaving outside the gate. The company of guardians and knights who stayed behind for the defense began barricading the gates.

  “It’s hard not to love, isn’t it?” James asked his son as they reached the cavern. David stayed silent unsure what to say to his notion. “You don’t have to keep it secret; I know you do. The way you look at her, the way you carry yourself around her.”

  “I think the hardest part is knowing I’m not supposed to.” David said, “It makes me want too even more.”

  “That’s the thing about sacrifice. Giving up your own happiness for the greater good.” James continued as they walked into the armory.

  “Is that what happened with you?” David asked. Looking at him.

  “The opposite actually,” James said to him, as David got undressed. Throwing his civilian attire into the corner. Putting on his cotton shirt and his jeans, James grabbed the silver chainmail off the hook, lowering it over his son’s head onto his torso. David looked up at his father confused. “I denied my oath to the templars so that I could be with your mother.”

  David was confused, not sure what to think. “What?” He asked, David, stood still as his Father dressed him in his armor. Tightening his knee pads and shin guards. “You were the one who taught me that I had to do what was right.” He had more questions than answers. Though always questioning that his father was once a member of the Order as well. He never had proof until the door was unlocked.

  “I did.” James said, “I loved your mother so much, that I couldn’t bring myself to lie without her. And luckily what I did was right.”

  “Not for the world,” David said, not sure what to think.

  “Right for myself at first yes.” James said, “It wasn’t until I knew that I made the right choice. We,” He corrected himself, “We knew we made the right choice until we had you.” James finished with his legs, attaching the armor on his arms.

  “Whys that?” David asked. Looked at him as he worked.

  “When the seeress from the Caucasus tribe had visited us. Telling us to name you David. And then to name your brother Gabriel.” James continued, “For you will be the one who leads the world into a new age. She told us.”

  “Why did you never tell me this before?” David asked him. As he began working on the other arm. “I have so many questions.”

  James sighed, rubbing his face. His voice hoarse “It was easier to keep it hidden, than for you to ask me why I couldn’t save your mother.” James said. “I had to make a choice, endanger you and your brother or run to give you both the chance.”

  David closed his eyes tightly, “What should I do?” He asked his father. “How do I choose between love and my oath?” He asked him.

  “That’s tough.” James said, “It was easier for me. You have a lot more responsibility than I did.” He finished with the armor on David’s arms. “I would say screw the Templars, old and tired men who never felt the touch of a woman. Then again I know it’s more complicated than that.” James grabbed the last piece of armor, the chest piece. “What it is important to remember my son, never forget who you are, and what you have to do. “ Pressing the chest plate against his chest, brand new. Looking as if it had never seen hands before. His armor's small lines had a shade of green pass through it. David could feel his energy reserves build quickly into the armor. Storing within the fibers of the metal itself. Master Eleazar was right about a knight's armor, it never made you stronger. It just opened up the ability to fight longer. James finished locking the pieces together.

  “Thank you, father,” David said looking at himself in the armor.

  “You fit it well.” James said, “Now go, I know you have any questions. I always told you, never to keep a girl waiting for your date.” He told him. “I will answer them later.” David nodded at him. David grabbed his visored bascinet helmet, along with his guardian cloak. Snapping it under his pauldron. Tucking Liam’s and Kaitlyn’s folded cloths into his chest piece. Attaching his holster to his waist, where both of his swords sat. One over the other, he took one last look at his father.

  “Don’t wait for us to return,” David said.

  “I would wait an eternity,” James said once more as he smiled at his son. David left the room heading for the elevator. James sat down, pulling out his wife’s folded blue cloak. Taking in a deep breath, crying. The crystal around his neck glowing green.

  David rode back up with his helmet wrapped under his arm. The time has come, reaching inside his pouch pulling out the small vials, one with water of purity and the other with corruption. He shook his head, he shouldn’t. Not now. He walked out of the elevator into the courtyard. This was the quietest the halls had ever been. Feeling as if hell itself was looming on his world. Today would decide the future of the Order and the world. He and his friends. David’s one and only family, the one he’s ever known. Would be the deciding factor of who would stand victorious. And his oldest friend, his comrade. Was now his ultimate enemy. He had to muster up whatever bravery in his heart to bring an end to it all.

  David looked at the guardians and knights, from the alpha company. Standing as sentinels over his home. Protecting its gate, some standing post on the roof ahead. Each was ready to die for the world they had sworn to protect. He could not fail them. He could not let them down. David passed through the gate on the side of the commune. Once through, pulling down the tree next to him that blocked its path. He continued down into the forest to join his brothers and sisters.

  “Eve you’re with the first squad,” Kevin told her as she joined Chris, Richard, and him. “You’ll be taking Gabriel’s spot.” She smiled, running up with them. At the slope of the hill that crested over the mountain. She could see the large mass of energy approaching just a football field ahead of herself.

  “They’re coming.” She said, a chill up her spine.

  “Richard, prepare a shield,” Kevin told him.

  “I’m already on it.” Richard took a deep breath. Closing his eyes, putting all of his energy into a barrier around the Watcher’s formation.

  “They know we’re here,” David spoke out as he joined with the first squad. “We’re out of time to prepare.” David looked out, as the hooded figures stopped. The Legion of acolytes looking on at them.

  Kevin looked back at David, “I don’t know if we have the people for this.” He said, “We can’t hold all of them.” He said. “Not to be negative.”

  “Stephen needs more time,” David muttered. “We’re going to give it to him. Hopefully, he uses it wisely.” David stood at the front of the formation, moving past Richard’s shield. Looking at the army, a size he had never bore witness to before. The coalition was outnumbered ten to one. David took a deep breath, hearing the forest weep from the dark energy being poured into it. “Uriel!” He screamed out into the darkness.