Abel's Tale

III. Fateful Reunions

It took them several days to make their return voyage to the farm he and Isaiah resided at. It was a peaceful place, a cozy place. The cottage Isaiah lived in had since been constructed into a small tower overlooking the sea, and beside it was the hut Abel and Elise called home, the one they built themselves all those years ago. He and Elise expanded the vibrant garden with all assortments of fruits and flowers, their favorite being the apple.

They walked through the dirt path winding towards the tower, eyeing the sparring circle to his right. It was a favorite of his, a place he grew fond of as the nightmares would come, and he'd be forced to relive that day over and over again. Every day he'd think of what he should've done differently, how he could've saved his family.

Inside the tower they climbed the spiraling steps upward to Isaiah's dwelling, a bedroom turned library, where he would often be seen overlooking the vast sea through the large circular window. When they arrived though, he was not there.

They continued up the steps to the very top of the tower, and there he was, resting on his staff, his long gray hair and vanilla robes blowing in the wind. The sun shined brightly on them today, though in the distance dark clouds were beginning to roll in as the high waves crashed against the cliffside.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Isaiah asked. "I trust your journey went well."

"They've found us." Abel didn't need to elaborate. Isaiah would know.

Isaiah turned to face him. "You're sure of this?"

Abel removed the device from his satchel and held it before Isaiah, he took it and held it close to his chest, closing his eyes. His body tensed and quickly relaxed as its power visibly surged up his arm and spread across the rest of his body. He opened his eyes once more.

"It showed them to me. Thanatos and his minions. They found us, and they're coming. They wanted you, too. Why?"

"I wasn't always this way," Isaiah said, speaking of his old and frail demeanor.

"He thought you were dead. Who is he?"

"An ancient evil, one I thought I vanquished for good."

"What are we going to do?" Abel asked.

"You're going to take this," Isaiah handed the device off to Abel. "Make sure no one else has it. In the wrong hands, their hands, it'd mean the end of stars and the end of days." Isaiah had never before been seen this serious, this intense.

"The end of stars? What evil did you have us dig up?" Elise asked.

"You said it contained knowledge, what kind?"

"You'll soon see. It must not fall into their hands. Do you understand?"

"I do." Abel stored it in his satchel.

"As do I." Elise said.

"Good. Prepare for the worst, they'll be here soon."

Abel rushed down the tower and to his hut beside it. Inside he looked toward the singular iron shoulder pad and leather gauntlets resting on his makeshift armor stand. He strapped them onto his body, found his sword, and emerged from the hut, joining Isaiah and Elise at the edge of the cliff. A ship was seen emerging through the fog.

"Thanatos, you said he was an ancient evil. He barely looked human."

Isaiah grimaced. "I know."

The ship sailed on toward them, fast and unrelenting. The two watched it turn direction to the east, heading toward the docks of the small port town he told Elise to wait for him at. Abel waited impatiently for their arrival. Long has he waited for a chance to finally make things right.