Abel's Tale

IV. The Apprentice's Misfortune

The heat of flame was all he felt as the world slowly came back into view. A silhouette emerged from the smoke filled air. As it got closer, the figure became more recognizable. He saw red hair draped over a familiar, beautiful face, covered in soot and dirt, wearing that roguish attire he'd grown to love. She drew near and kneeled beside him, holding his hand.

"By the Gods." Elise said as if she were in another world.

"Hold me." Abel said.

The tower crumbled and fell into the violent sea. Ash rained over the Earth and she was like a beacon of light in this terrible place. She ran her other hand through his messy hair and cradled the back of his head so he could look at her more clearly.

"We need to leave." She said and helped him to his feet, keeping his arm over her shoulders, and together the two dragged themselves away from the fire, onto the path leading through the forest.

Once they were a safe distance away Abel stopped.

"What are you doing?" Elise asked.

Abel felt his satchel, and felt the device still inside before pulling it out. "It showed me them before, it should again."

"What do you expect to see?"

Abel saw him clear as day, that unmistakable face. He reached out with everything he had, searching for anything to grasp onto. He saw the throne room, and the scarred Lord who sat upon it. He saw the four remaining knights lined along the red carpet. He felt the cold air on his skin.

Malachi entered the room, the wound across his face still fresh, and his knights kneeled. Isaiah followed closely behind him, his wrists and ankles chained together. They stopped just shy of Thanatos and his throne.

"Welcome," Thanatos said. "What a shame your prodigy couldn't join us today."

"He lives, and that's all that matters."

Thanatos stood off his throne and walked towards Isaiah. "Do you feel it? His rage? His passion?"

Isaiah closed his eyes for a moment and shuttered. "I do. You have no idea what you've unleashed."

He gently grazed his rotting finger along Isaiah's bearded face. "You were foolish to rebel against me all those years ago. The might of my reign will not be so easily quelled."

"If you're going to kill me, do it." Isaiah said as Thanatos returned to his throne and smiled at him. He raised a finger and Isaiah was dragged through the air, inches away from the wicked throne.

"You will suffer first, you will beg for death. And when you do, eventually, die, I will bring you back. Over and over again until there is nothing left." Thanatos said with the coldest, cruelest voice Abel had ever heard. Malachi shifted uncomfortably.

"I don't fear you, not anymore. I've served my purpose. The flames of rebellion burn in their hearts."

"As it burned in yours. Yet here I still am, for I am without the end of days. You failed," Thanatos gestured for one of the knights to come. "And now you will face judgment for your sins."

The knight to approach kicked the back of Isaiah's knee, forcing him to collapse to the ground, and another ran up and grabbed his shoulders, propping him up to face the wicked man. An evil grin formed on his face. He reached his hand for his shoulder across, and brought the back of it hard across Isaiah's face.

Isaiah spit blood onto the stone ground. "Is that all you got?"

"Your bravery is in vain. Take him away, this is no place for him to die." He turned his attention to Isaiah. "You aren't worthy of an execution here."

The two knights dragged him out of the throne room by the arms, the other two knights rose from their knees and followed them out. Malachi approached the throne and kneeled before his master. Thanatos eyed him, waiting till the distant footsteps were no longer heard. Malachi rubbed the scar across his face.

"How's your wound?" Thanatos asked.

"It'll heal."

"The mighty Malachi, Heir to the Throne, my most trusted servant. When I found you, I saw what all masters live to see. I was the one to guide your power, to make you what you are today. Was I not?" He asked. "Tell me, why did you fail?"

"I have no excuse," His voice was small. "I am at your mercy."

"You had every chance to kill him and chose not to. You captured his teacher but left him behind. You dare apologize? Do you have any idea what you've done?" The anger in his voice rose with every passing word. Malachi flinched and Thanatos laughed. "Because of your failure we are in danger. He will not rest until he's found us."

"He's just beginning to test his powers, he's weak." Malachi said.

"He will grow quickly, as you did," He reached his decrepit hand out towards Malachi and he was thrown high into the air, and he stayed there, screaming in agony. "You will not be saved, your life belongs to me!"

Lightning arced along his arm, sparks dropping to the ground, before streams of it erupted from his fingertips. Malachi's entire body was attacked, and his screams of agony were sickening. Thanatos flicked his wrist, sending Malachi flying across the room, slamming him against one of the columns, the final streams of lightning invading him, coursing through him as he fell. The blood from his broken nose sprayed across the stone floor. He looked around the room, still lying down. He looked directly at Abel and then past him. He looked back. His gaze held on him. He saw him.

"What is it, child?"

"It's nothing." He shot back up, Thanatos' voice breaking him from his trance.

Malachi was looked upon with scrutiny. Something shifted in Thanatos. Dismissal, perhaps? "You will find Abel, as he will no doubt try to find you,"

Malachi glanced once more at Abel's presence.

"Bring. Him. To. Me!"

"It will be done, my master." His voice was fearful.

The vision ended, and Abel gasped for air. Elise held him. "What did you see?"

"Darkness."

He recounted the events he saw as they continued to move through the forest. All the while Elise gave him her full attention. All the color in her skin drained, and her eyes grew wide. He never let go of the pyramid shaped device, letting himself grow used to the power he felt. He hoped to one day master it.

The raining ash had begun to blanket the Earth, and the moon shined brightly upon her. The two stopped under a tree and held each other, a momentary pause from the adventure they were about to set themselves on.

"What are we going to do?"

"What we must."

He began to gently weep into her arms under the pale moonlight. As did she.