The Book of Abbadon

LIGHT (Part 1)

" Papa... Can I ask you something? "

Rosie says as she's lying snuggled up to you as you both look up at the stars in the beautiful night sky. You run your fingers gently through her hair as she lays on your chest talking to you. You're both laying in the grass in Ariel's old garden, and it's been several days since you've gotten Rosie back.

" Of course. What's on your mind? "

You feel uncertainty and nervousness in Rosie's voice as she speaks to you.

" When you were gone, Tom told me that you went away so you could get stronger... and everyone else said that you were a murderer... "

You remain silent as you contemplate a way to tell your daughter the truth. After a short moment of silent thought, you respond to Rosie.

" Tom was right... but everything that I did, I did for you. After we lost Mama, I couldn't bear the thought of losing you too... I was too weak to stop Anito and it cost us your mother's life, so I traveled long and far to fight the strongest opponents and get stronger. Stronger, so you wouldn't suffer the same fate as your mother if someone were to wish you harm. "

" But they said that you killed gods, Papa. Did you really kill them? "

Rosie looks up at you with nervous eyes. You rub her back gently, then sigh as you tell her the truth.

" Yes, Rosie... I killed them all. I had to kill them to take their powers. Plus, gods are usually very arrogant beings, and they're not all good. If Papa didn't kill them, then I would've been running the risk of them causing problems for me later down the road if I decided to revisit their universe. "

Rosie's eyes light up in wonder upon hearing what you said. She quickly sits up and fixes her hair before she looks back at you and asks you a question with a tone of bewilderment.

" So you have the powers of hundreds of gods!? "

You nod your head subtly, then Rosie continues talking to you.

" You must be really strong then, Papa! With powers like that, you could probably beat The One and stop The Great Purge! "

You chuckle slightly under your breath before responding to Rosie.

" I don't know, Rosie. The gods that I fought are like ants compared to him. Plus if Papa did manage to kill him, I'm afraid that the Omniverse would cease to exist and everyone alive, dead, and yet to be born would cease to exist as well. "

Upon hearing your response, Rosie looks down with a look of defeat stained on her face. After a brief moment of silence, you can tell that she's got something emotional on her mind, so you ask her about it.

" What's the matter, Rosie? Are you alright? "

Rosie's eyes begin to water as she looks back at you again. She speaks to you like she's on the verge of crying.

" Yeah, I'm okay Papa... When you were gone I missed you so much. I miss Mama too... It was really hard when you left after we lost Mama. "

You hold your arms out to Rosie and she lays back down on you as she silently cries. You hold your daughter warmly as you think about everything that's happened. As Rosie cries in your embrace, you speak to her in an assured manner.

" I'm here now, Rosie... and you don't ever have to worry about me leaving ever again... "

Rosie looks up at you once more. Tears run down her face as she responds.

" You promise? "

" I promise, Rosie... I promise that no matter what, I'll always be here for you and do whatever it takes to save you. "