Eve looked up, staring at the rainbow spirals surrounding David. Eve felt her energy being pulled from her. Some people fell to one knee, trying to keep themselves standing. Gabriel grasped his chest, trying to fight for the air escaping his own body. The Legion themselves were full of chaos, unsure how to respond with their power being drained from them as they stood. David yelled out again, his vision fading into a deep haze. Not able to take it anymore, he dropped to his knees. Passing out, Gabriel drew his sword, holding it at the ready, charging into the open burning forest. The Legion watched on. Gabe ran to his brother, grabbing his arm. Attempting to lift him. Virgil appeared at his side, grabbing his other arm. They drug their knight back to the line.

  The masked man walked out in front of the Legion. Looking on at their fallen leader, their spirits full of rage. “Avenge our king!” The masked man scram out raising his sword to the sky. The Legion took no time to cheer, only to charge into the lines of the coalition.

  “Richard!” Kevin yelled out.

  “On it!” He replied, bringing his shield back up in front of them. Absorbing the blows from the different attacks of elements. Gabriel and Virgil kept pulling David’s body. His armor helped with his dead weight. Leaving his swords behind in lack of time and desperation. Once passed the forcefield, Gabriel handed David’s body off to Ethan and Virgil.

  “Allison, go with them. Heal David’s injuries.” He said, redrawing his sword. Instantly with a radiating light blue color. She took no time to say anything back to him. Helping Virgil and Ethan by lifting his legs. Gabriel returned to the front, “Eve!” He yelled out.

  “What?” She asked. Her grip was tight on her sword.

  “I’m going to need you to give everything you can on this.” He said, “Once this shield drops, I need everyone to hit them with whatever long-ranged ability you have!” Calling out, Gabriel went to the front with Richard and Kevin. “My blue people, we will hold the front!” Richard could take only so much more, his arms and muscles sweating from holding them against the blasts. Eve looked on as the fire and electricity dissipated in the thin air around the shield. It was almost beautiful, violently beautiful. Gabriel pulled out a small horn no bigger than his forearm. Covered and decorated in leather.

  Chris was the strongest of the elemental users, lightning flowing from his hands as they were connected. Plasma falling to the ground. His eyes glowing a sharp beaming yellow. “Now!” Richard called, dropping to his knees. Gabriel blew into his horn; an echo shook the trees and mountains surrounding. The halls of the Commune bellowed with a heavy breath as well. An exchange of the elements and energy crossed between the two forces. Chris released his burst of electricity into the front of the charging horde. Their swords were drawn, their eyes turning from anger to fear in an instant. Seeing the bolts send their hearts to an immediate stop.

  However, unable to stop them all. They continued to charge into the Watchers. Eve’s sword glowing a royal blue. The two lines converged. Like waves in the ocean in the middle of a storm. Gabriel struck down the grunts, quickly realizing that the Legion was nothing more than just numbers compared to their power. Their coordination was undisciplined, like fighting zombies. Careful not to get too cocky and overwhelm himself. Eve stayed strictly defensive. This was her first fight, never having killed someone before. Trying to remember her training with David and Gabriel. Gabriel’s toughness and David’s insight had kept her alive this long. Despite their meritorious effort, the Watchers were naturally being pushed back. Jasmine had been continuously teleporting around, the battlefield keeping the enemy from going any flanks. Chris had pulled back completely, focusing his breathing to build another energy reserve for a large attack. Carlos stuck close with Kevin, both hacking and slashing at their enemies. Carlos’ fighting ability vastly improved, as if he were a completely different person on the battlefield. Each decision was quick and fluid.

  “Let us in!” Allison screamed up as they laid the unconscious David on the floor. The Gates slowly opened. Ethan tired of the stumbling in carrying him picked him up entirely.

  “You are not dying today!” He yelled out charging into the courtyard. The sounds of the battle waging in the distance. Ethan laid David on the grass next to the center tree. Pulling off his armor, his breathing was fading by the minute. Full of gurgling in his throat. Allison stood unsure where to start first.

  “Allison!” Virgil yelled at her. “What do we do!?” Virgil began to panic, squatting down helping Ethan pull off the armor. Pulling off his trauma pouch from his chest rig. Packing David’s bright red stomach with gauze. He looked up again. “Allison!” He yelled out. She didn’t understand why, every time she had an emergency, she was on top of it. But this time, Allison was frozen in her shoes. Shaking it off, she dropped her backpack pulling out medical equipment and materials. Beginning to work on him. Looking David up and down, he was in worse shape than he had ever seen someone before.

  “Gabe, we need to pull back to the gate!” Kevin said, slashing at the head of one of the acolytes. He must have forgotten rule number one of combat. “Gabriel!” He called out; Gabriel had finished removing the arm from a body.

  “Yeah, okay!” Gabriel said, grabbing the horn from his chest rig pouch. Blowing into it once. A large hum fell onto the battlefield. The Order began displacing backward. The Watchers stayed in the fight as the rest of the coalition retreated back to the gate.

  Sir Victor covered the retreat of his company, making their way back to the gate. Sir Victor stood his ground, the masked man swung at him an imaginable force. Never having fought someone of such strength before. Blocking till he fell to one knee. “I know you!” He screamed before the masked man brought down his sword once more shattered through Victor’s sword and into his face. Shards of his sword stabbed into him as well. The masked man is silent looking on at his body. And passing it without another thought.

  Once there rest of the Guardians and Knights had reached the gate, the Watcher’s began to pull back. Gabriel and Kevin were the last to leave, all sprinting to catch up to the frontline. Fighting to keep themselves from becoming victims to an envelopment. Eve looked behind herself, panting. Hands-on her knees. No matter what training she had done, couldn’t prepare for the horrors of the fight. “Are you going to kill anyone yet?” Jasmine asked her, herself covered in blood and sweat.

  “I remember what David said about that, I don’t think I can even if I tried,” Eve said.

  “I don’t know if you noticed, but David just straight killed Liam.” Carlos snarked back.

  “Don’t you start either? You’re just as useless as she is!” Jasmine was growing agitated, pushing her body beyond her limits already. None of them had been part of a large-scale battle before, and they had no one to lead them properly through one. Carlos kept his mouth shut, though his eyes grew puffy. “There you go crying again. I swear that’s all you people know how to do.”

  “What the hell, this isn’t time to argue. I don’t know if you’ve noticed but there is a war going on right now!” Gabriel yelled at them. “Eve kill people, Carlos stop crying, and Jasmine, show some damned compassion!” Gabriel was annoyed, there was a reason he was the quiet fighter while David was the leader. Eve just squinted at him, frowning.

  “They’re coming!” One of the guardians yelled out. Chris standing on top of the brick pillars on the fence around the commune, mustering his energy again. He never had done this more than once, not sure if he could keep it up. His pauldron only held so much reserved for himself. Chris fired his tapestry again into the oncoming horde. Giving more time for the coalition to make a wedged formation around the gate. Eve steadied her breathing, taking on the charging enemy. Now neck and neck, the coalition fought ever harder. Things seemed stagnant, no matter how many they defeated, the Legion seemed endless. Where was Stephen with their reinforcements? Gabriel thought to himself. Beginning to doubt that the council had even sent any for them.

  The masked man approached the gate slowly, Jasmine was the first to take an eye of him. Taking no time she teleported at her, multiple times bouncing around him. They clashed their swords repeatedly, Jasmine kept attacking trying to find an opening in his defense. Sliding on her knees from behind, Jasmine slashed behind the leg. Cutting into the masked man’s armor, leaving a small cut on his calve. Before Jasmine could teleport be reached out grabbing her by her ponytail. Slamming her face into the dirt. Groaning in pain, her forehead scraped. Carlos looked ahead, a pit in his heart watching his sister being beaten. He didn’t think twice, abandoning the line.

  Carlos roared charging through the group of acolytes, quickly killing each member. Swinging his katana infused in bright blue light. An image of a Lion’s head made of his energy loomed trailing behind him. His feet stomped into the ground, shaking the Earth as he stepped. His energy was radiant, burning his muscles with a burning heat. Jasmine attempted to strike at the masked man again, though being met with a swift kick to the ground. The masked man neglected to hesitate, gripping tightly on his broadsword. Striking down with the black flames of corruption, stopping just before reaching Jasmine’s face. She looked up, her face bruised and tears running down her face. She met eyes with Carlos. He had saved her from the strike. “Stop crying.” Carlos told her, “Stop being a burden.” He said once more as he lifted with all his strength parrying the masked man.

  Carlos was now toed to toe with the masked man, exchanging blocks and attacks. “You unlocked your spirit. As have I.” The man said, planting his sword into the ground. As a raven made of black energy appeared around him, its wings spreading outwards displaying its dominance. “How brave is the line to the god of death.” He said, blowing back Carlos to the fence, Jasmine rolled backward, jumping back to her feet. Both taking their twin katanas fighting him, Carlos’ energy was powerful. Though the power of the raven was proving to be formidable. Jasmine stood no chance in the battle, only seeking openings. Which she did, slashing at spaces between the armor as Carlos interlocked blades with him.

  Growing ever more frustrated, the masked man kicked Jasmine in the chest. Carlos took the risk, striking him in the face knocking off the mask, splitting it in two. Lifting his face to Carlos, his eyes widened. Unbelieving who it was.

  Eve and Gabriel continued to fight side by side. He smiled at her briefly, the way she fought and how close by she coordinated with him. Reminded him of his brother. They both really were alike in some ways. Both stubborn, and loyal. Committed to the battle, the gate opened behind them. “Go.” He told her. She pushed him back, as she pushed the acolyte at his chest. Seeing his spirit eave his body, attempting to grab his body back. Eve swung her sword infused with her energy, slashing the spirit in half. Some of it fell into her sword, traveling down the center and inside her body. Eve felt her energy being replenished. Gabriel looked at her.

  “Thanks.” He said patting her on the shoulder. Eve had no idea what she had just done, there was no time to figure it out as she began stepping backward through the gate with Kevin and Gabriel at her sides.

  Falling back, bringing the enemy into the chokepoint. Alpha company began relieving some of the heroes on the battlefield, fresh and ready to fight to buy them time to regain some energy. “Where is Sir Victor?” Madam Janice asked Kevin, he shook his head. They had already a dozen guardians and a knight. The moon’s blood was deep as was the soil on this day. Never had they bore witness to so much loss of life. Madam Janice focused her hatred on the enemy. Joining the fight at the gate.

  Eve ran over to David as Allison was struggling to heal him. “What can I do to help?” Eve asked, looking at his paling body. “He’s not bleeding what’s wrong with him?” She asked.

  “He’s dying Eve.” Allison said, “I don’t know why, but his body is shutting down.” Eve’s eyes began to well, her tears rolling down her face swiftly. Dropping onto David’s face. She tried to push some of her energy inside of him as she did earlier. Though it wasn’t working, his body rejected her energy. They were running out of options. Allison had run out of tears, having cried over Gabriel earlier. And now David.

  There was a halt in the Legion’s attack. Sir Janice walked over to Gabriel who stood in shock. “The masked one is wishing to speak to the leadership. Maybe to negotiate.” She said to him.

  Kevin looked at Gabriel, grabbing his arm. “There’s nothing we can do that Allison and Eve can’t,” Kevin said, “I need you to come with me. You’re my teammate right now.” Gabriel swallowed his anger and sorrow. Turning around following Madam Janice to the front. Eve did her best to help Allison heal him.

  “Come on David, I need you to wake up.” She said, “Stop playing these games.” Eve pleaded with him. She thought she was going to lose him once before. Eve could not lose him again. “Who’s going to wake me up when I sleep in on accident? Who’s going to tell me I need to control myself? Who in the hell is going to make me happy? Damn it!” Her tears rolled down her face. Pouring more of her energy into him. Her sweat rolled down her face even more.

  The frontline was now reorganized, all the guardians and knights now interjoined as Gabriel, Kevin, Sir Janice, and Sir Alex stood at the front. Gabriel looked around, “Where’s Carlos and Jasmine?” He asked, feeling as if he was the only one noticing their absence. They watched on as three hooded figures walked out. The grass died as their feet stepped onto it. Feeling as if they were standing before death itself. Whispers of demons lingered behind them; these must have been the dark ones of the Brotherhood. Their leaders, Gabriel thought to himself. The masked man walked out before them, Carlos and Jasmine were brought forth before them all. When did they get captured? They had wondered. Both of them were bruised and welts covering their face. Carlos raised his face, his hands tied behind his back.

  “I’m sorry,” Carlos said, ashamed of feeling as if he were a burden once more. Letting them down was his worst fear, and he did.

  The masked man was no longer wearing a mask, Gabriel looked on at the figure, trying to catch a glimpse of the face behind it. “Which one is David?” The Dark one in the center spoke. “Has he been killed?” He asked. They all remained silent. “Your silence only reassures me of my suspicion. Good.” The voice echoed.

  “Surrender your arms and join us. You are outnumbered and outmatched.” A female’s voice broke out from who they thought was the masked man. The voice was familiar to Gabriel. He pushed her hood back, revealing a blonde and corrupted face. “You’ve grown Gabriel.” She said smiling at him.

  “Keira, but how?” He asked, concerned, and confused. She was Master Eleazar’s apprentice who had left the Order. He could’ve sworn he had news that she had died years ago. The last he had seen her; he was nothing more than a child. Twelve at most.

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  “You would be surprised at how powerful the corruption makes you. Surviving is all I’ve done since then I’ve left.”

  “You killed Master Eleazar,” Gabriel said, gritting his teeth in anger. “How could you have betrayed him?” He yelled out at her.

  “Oh please.” She said, “He betrayed me first. You don’t know how pleasant it is to see his precious prophecy child lying dead over there.” Keira smiled darkly, “Now surrender your arms, or I kill every single last one of you. Your only hope you had; is now dead.” She drew her sword raising it to Carlos’ neck. He took a deep breath ready to die. Gabriel looked around, staring at his friends and the rest of the warriors standing. Tired and bloodied. Reading their minds, none of them had any thought of giving up. Neither did he. Gabriel closed his eyes, unsure of what to do. How could they possibly win? He could hear thoughts, more and more. A flood of voices began hitting his mind. Battle plans and preparing for fighting. The elevator dinged in the silence. As it opened, Stephen came charging out with a dozen knights, swords drawn at their sides. All outfitted in their armor. Behind Stephen was Master Hawkins, and the leader of the round table himself, Sir Raphael. The hum of multiple ospreys in the distance flew over the commune. Dropping five ospreys full of guardians over onto the rooftops, sliding down the walls joining the front line.

  The cheers of hope and inspiration caused enough of a distraction, Carlos dropped his knife from his waistband, cutting his bondages. Grabbing his sister, throwing her forward for Gabriel to grab her, he took his knife. Burying it into Keira’s heart. “Don’t you ever touch my sister again!” He cried out to her; all she could see was the lion in his eyes. She smiled, grabbing him by the throat lifting him to the air. Carlos didn’t understand, how did she still have the strength to move. He had stabbed her in the heart. Keira pulled the knife out.

  “Valiant effort.” She said, one last time. Before turning his knife around in her hand. Carlos grabbed her wrists, shaking and flailing his hands against her to release him. Before he met the cold steel against his neck, his chest became soaked in a river of his own blood. His vision hazed to darkness. A small light in the distance. Carlos’ body fell to dead weight as Keira dropped his body to the floor.

  Jasmine stood in absolute horror; it all had happened so fast. Before anyone could react. Gabriel drew his sword, doing the last thing he could think of, avenging his friend. Chris bellowed in a cry of anger. Sending an intense jolt of energy from his palms. Obliterating a column of the Legion. Dozens fading into ash. Ashes drifting in the wind. Chris fell to his knees. Drawing his sword to join Gabriel, Ethan watched on. Hatred poured into his veins, charging into the fray.

  Keira moved onto the defensive, pulling out her sword. Carlos’ knife in the other, following their leaders, the order charged into the Brotherhood. Fighting valiantly and courageous against their immense enemy. Gabriel struck at Keira’s center mass; Chris attacked high. Ethan soon joined attacking low. As if she were fighting against crashing waves against another. Acolytes attempting to interdict on the duel were quickly dispatched by Jasmine. Teleporting from one position to another, a slaughter ensued. Avenging her only brother, lying cold in the soft frosted grass.

  “You will die here,” Gabriel told her. She had no time to speak, focusing everything on her defense. Unable to find a break in the relentless assault on herself. First, Gabriel would strike with an overwhelming blow. Knocking her off of her balance. Chris would commit to an aerial attack, following with Ethan’s swings at her feet. If she didn’t do something soon, she would meet her untimely death.

  Master Hawkins and two knights confronted the Dark Ones, standing before them. “Do you know how many of my students you have corrupted? How many nights I’ve stayed up praying for the lives you have ruined?” He asked. They stayed silent. “I will bring an end to your reign of terror. The flames of the light will see your shadow of the world be gone.” Master Hawkins ignited his yellow blade, shining ever brighter. A weapon of legendary status. They had recognized it immediately. Hawkins raised his hand casting a fireball from the center, striking one in the arm. They drew their black swords, engaging the Master and his knights.

  Keira attacked back, landing a swift kick to Ethan, knocking him back. “That’s enough!” She screamed, releasing a repulse knocking the three back ending their assault. Chris flew back, hitting his head against the thick brick pillar. Ethan rolled backward, trying to regain his footing. Gabriel stumbled to his knee, taking a low-ready sprint. Charging at her without thought, listening to her thoughts. Lightning, he jumped to the side before she sent a jolt his way. Charging forward again, repeatedly dodging her jolts of lightning. Gabriel anticipated her attack too early, feeling the jolt against his foot.

  Gabriel screamed in pain, “How satisfying that I will bring an end to two Locklear’s today.” She conjured another electric bolt. Gabriel fought every fiber in his body to move, though his legs felt as if they were paralyzed. Grabbing onto the dirt to move, crawling though not fast enough. “This is why you will always be seen as weaker compared to your brother.”

  Gabe couldn’t move, gritting his teeth. Yelling from behind his teeth. Looking up into the darkness in her hands. Though before she had the chance to strike, Jasmine flew in, sword tipped at her chest. Keira dodged the strike, parrying, and spinning around Jasmine slashing at her back. Jasmine leaped away as her blood trailed behind herself. Gabriel felt horrible, all of them were incapacitated looking at his brother’s lifeless body. Begging for help, no, now was not the time to beg. “Jas!” He screamed into her thoughts, “Lighting strike!” Jasmine turned around, grabbing her sword from the ground.

  “No one will be able to catch you.” She said.

  “Do it.” He said one final time, grabbing his sword from the ground as Jasmine ran after him, feet stomping against the dirt. Gripping his cloak before teleporting away. Both blinked out of their position. Jasmine returned from the emptiness, attacking Keira with a ferocity of attacks.

  “No matter how far you take him. He will die here.” She said to her as they interlocked blades. Jasmine held her ground, not paying attention to her other hand as she felt the cold piercing steel in her stomach. Jasmine grabbed onto her wrist, holding her still. Swinging her leg around the back of hers. Keeping her locked in one spot. “What do you hope to accomplish here now?” Keira got into her face. Jasmine smiled.

  “You can’t move from this position.” Jasmine said, “rot in hell.” She said one last time, looking up at the moon sitting almost center with the sky. Keira frowned, looking up into the moon as well. As a black silhouette descended from overhead. Soon blacking out the red moon’s light. Keira began to panic; Jasmine had already had her completely locked in her stance. Gabriel was coming down with swiftness.

  “No- “Keira said, as Gabriel drove his sword down between her collarbone and trapezius muscle. Driving his katana down to the hilt, tearing through her heart and out the back of her thigh. Gabriel’s eyes red, as his blade, folded her body to the ground until she was stuck as if she were a hellish decoration. Gabriel’s legs collided with the soft grass, breaking his knees and femur. Falling to his back in immediate pain, never experiencing something as excruciating as he was at that moment. Jasmine had backed away as Keira had been killed. She spat blood, pouring down to her chest.

  Jasmine drew her sword once more, swinging in one final strike removing her head from her shoulders. She felt she had more to say to her, but nothing she could say to her would’ve let her know that would fill the void inside Jasmine’s heart. Keira had taken the only thing that had mattered to her. Now she was dead, and Jasmine was left with nothing. No lust for vengeance, nothing that could ever bring her hope to bring Carlos back to her.

  Dashing over to Gabriel, “Hold on.” She said, looking around. The Order was being pushed back, had dragging David’s body back to the entrance of the building. How could they still be losing? Master Hawkins holding his chest from the blood. Healing himself as he fought. Jasmine grabbed Gabriel teleporting him over to Allison. Making an effort to move the rest of the wounded, even Ethan and Chris.

  Gabriel laid with his eyes staring at the moon. How were they still losing? He wondered to himself, no matter what heroic effort was made. Was nothing compared to the numbers of the Legion? Eve was pounding against David’s chest; she was pleading with him. Begging that he would come back to her. Allison had given up, not much energy left in her. “Ally,” Gabriel said, reaching over to her. Fighting the pain in his legs.

  “Gabe!” She screamed, rushing over to her lover. Squatting near him, “What’s hurt?” She pleaded, attempting to heal him quickly. Her eyes now had run out of her tears if she could cry. She would be.

  “Everything.” He said, “David?” He asked softly. Allison shook her head not knowing what to say to him.

  “I am so sorry, baby.” She muttered, her lips shaking. Gabriel looked on at his brother, his face turned pale. Gabriel’s eyes filled with desperation for his brother. He reached out for him, grabbing onto the ends of the brick floor, pulling himself closer. “You shouldn’t move.” She said. Gabriel slapped her hand away from that she had tried to hold him down.

  Eve had her hands against his chest shaking it as the small stringed doll rolled from his shirt pocket. She grabbed it, “Please.” She continued to beg, though it had become to feel hopeless. “You’re not allowed to leave!” She screamed her hair a mess. Blood on her hands, and dirt upon her brow. Her voice eased, “Who’s going to help me? If you’re gone, who’s going to be there to teach me to be a better person? You make me want to be a better person, David. Dammit, please don’t go.” Gabriel crawled closer to him, still a bit away. He denied any help from Allison to get to him. “You know, there was a time where I didn’t care what happened to me? I had tried so hard to stay strong to want to stay on this Earth. But from the minute I saw that damned smile of yours, I was so afraid because I didn’t want to stay. I was afraid of being torn apart again and let down. That’s why I was so horrible to you. I hated the idea of being happy and not being that way again. You have a heart of gold. I was so afraid of myself, and you taught me that who I was, was beautiful. I don’t even know what I’m saying anymore! Please, God, I’ve never talked to you before. Just bring him back!” She slammed the bottom of her fists against his chest followed by her head resting against his. Never had poured her heart to anyone before. And now it was too late.

  Gabriel grabbed onto David’s leg, pulling himself forward. Lifting himself to his brother’s face. Shifting around in his pouch in his back, pulling out the trumpet. “God, I am begging you. Please bring him back just this last time.” He said.

  David was floating in space, rotating vertically. A place familiar to him, as if it were his own home. A white star behind himself and the black mass once more in front of himself. Both drifted around himself, both the warmth of the star glimmered in his deep brown eyes. In perfect balance in between the black sun before himself. His legs shifted back, as the star and black sun collided with him. Suddenly he was in a white and black room. Standing before a figure he could not comprehend with his feeble mind. He wasn’t horrified, nor was he sorrowful. He was enlightened, the feeling uplifting to his heart. No, his soul. The figure stepped towards him.

  “Who are you?” David asked. It spoke in a language he didn’t understand. A face of confusion was drawn upon himself.

  “Perhaps I can speak in a language you understand.” He said, staring at him. “And a figure you will understand as well.” Taking the form of a young bearded middle eastern man. His hair was black but golden in his eyes. Neat and proper he stood before David.

  David closed his eyes, opening them again. “Are you God?” He asked.

  “You can say that.” He smiled at him. “Do you know where you are?” The man asked him.

  “Heaven?” David asked, looking around. “I’m going, to be honest, this is not what I expected.” David looked around, though he felt his soul glued to him. Snapping his head back to him.

  “I am afraid so.” He said, “Or what you would call it.”

  “Did I fulfill my purpose?” David asked, “I didn’t expect for it to end the way it did.”

  “David, you were blessed from birth. Have you fulfilled the purpose you were given at this time? Though unfortunately there was more expected of you.” He continued, walking away. David followed by his side. “Sometimes people die before they were able to accomplish their destiny or all their destinies.”

  “What was more expected of me?” David asked as they walked onto a beach.

  “We will discuss that at a later time.” He answered. The waves rolled over the soft sand as they walked across. Walking along the beach, “Though now, I want you to understand that this is paradise.” He pointed to the horizon. David looked on, following his finger to two figures. Both Liam and Kaitlyn were standing near a rock formation, staring back at him. “Here you will never have to feel sorrow. Nor pain from the Earth’s battles any longer.” David’s eyes welled pink, feeling happiness in seeing Liam’s and Kaitlyn’s golden smiles. Unscathed from previous battles. They were perfect, or as close as they could get to him. Along with Carlos looking on at him, sitting on one of the rocks. Why was he there? What had happened?

  “What of everyone back there?” David asked, looking back to the room from which they had come. David looked back at the two, seeing his mother and Master Eleazar. His heart grew heavy in his chest, his throat swelling. “Mom?”

  “Need not worry about what is going on Earth.” He said. “It is time for you to rest. You have given your all. For eighteen years you have struggled with more pain than anyone I had seen for an awfully long time.”

  An incredible horn sounded, echoing the skies and the ground. The seas growing rough. “What was that?” David asked looking around, being drawn from the sanctuaries of the land.

  “That is a sound I have not heard in a millennium.” He said. The horn sounded once more. “They are calling for you.”

  “What do I do?” David asked looking up at the man. He stared back, “That’s Gabriel’s horn.” David had remembered that Gabriel had found that in a river that past summer. The horn sounded again.

  “It seems your brother has sounded the call.” He said, he walked over to David. Figures filled the skies, flying at lightning speeds breaking the clouds sitting above. The horn sounded again. David stood around, looking at his mother. “I will give you this choice, you can stay here. Or you may return. However, I must warn you. Once you return, you will experience more pain than you could ever hope to bear on Earth. More challenges await you, more hardships.” The horn echoed the world again, the mountains began to crumble to the sea.

  David looked at his mother once again. Wishing to feel the warmth that he had missed for so long. Her eyes were full of love for him. Having wished to speak to his friends again, to apologize to them both. Having regretted letting them all down. Wanting to embrace the love of a mother he had craved since he was a boy when he lost her. No longer wanting to feel the pain that he carried with him on Earth. The horn sounded again. The sky cracked as if it were a castle of glass. His eyes began to shake, his lips trembling. He had no idea what to do.

  The battle waged, both sides tired, having suffered heavy losses in the conflict. The Order was barely holding on, though the Legion still had a hundred men. Compared to their opponents who were now less than twenty. Hope was now fleeting, making their final stand outside the entrance. The hearts and spirits were weeping. Praying for even the slightest ounce of landing an attack.

  Suddenly he felt his mother’s hand grace his shoulder with the warmth only she could bring. Like he had felt in the cave. “David.” She said, his face rolling with tears. Though he couldn’t bring himself to touch her. It wasn’t allowed until he made his choice. “It is okay. I may be here, but I will always be with you. They need you more than you can possibly understand. Though if you chose to stay, that’s okay too.” Her angelic voice filled his mind. David fought every fiber in his muscle and body, shaking as he looked up at his mother and his friends one more time. Feeling the water rise to his knees.

  “Okay.” David said, “I will go back.”

  “I am sorry for everything that you will fight for the rest of your life my son.” The man said one last time as the final horn echoed. Shattering the world around him. Everything to increase. Earthquakes are strong enough to crack the earth to the core. The waves smashing against the rocks as a hammer against steel. The blue sky broke into fractures revealing the stars and planets. The angels flying in the skies formed into a mass formation. Leading like a stampede directing into David, passing into him. His muscles burned as his skin broke up, his eyes filling with light. Pushing him back from once he came, flying at extraordinary speeds. The angels continued to smash into him, filling his spirit with immense power and hope. Falling through space as the galaxies turned to stars, turning to planets. Going through the fire moon, turning it to bright light and back into the Earth. His spirit landed back on top of his body.

  Gabriel removed his lips from his seventh blow into his horn. He set it down to the ground, giving up on his effort in hopes of waking David up. The rocks around began to lift from the floor, the moon blazing from red light to one of pure white. The battle stopped as they all turned to look at the radiance. Eve felt David’s skin get hot, burning her hands. She broke into a full scream, never feeling such pain before. She could feel her soul burning as if she had been set on fire herself. Stephen grabbed the back of her collar, forcing her back.

  David opened his eyes, this time not green. A heavy white light poured from his eyes like the sun. He was now one with the spirit, achieving a perfect balance of both light and darkness.