Starfall-The End Times

Chapter 1

Nathan awoke in a cold sweat. He kept on having nightmares about that terrible evening over a decade ago.

Get over it, that was ten years ago! Nathan mentally scolded himself. He had made his peace with his dark situation.

Nathan glanced up at the clock hanging on the wall adjacent to him. It was nearly three AM, meaning they would have to get ready for class in a few hours. He sat up in bed and slowly massaged his temple as he tried to shake off the morning haze. A shiver shot down Nathan's spine as a cold breeze fluttered through the open window.

"Nathan? You good?" Came a tired voice from the bed next to him.

"Yeah, just thinking. Go back to bed." Nathan responded, clearly still shake bed by the nightmare.

Gabe sat up, his eyes slowly came into focus. "I wish, but I gotta fix you now. Thinking isn't exactly your thing." He said pointedly.

"Well I'm good, Gabe. I really am." Nathan said absentmindedly.

"Don't make me get my sister involved in this." Gabe jokingly threatened.

Nathan's eyes widened for an instant, "Don't even joke about that, Gabe!"

They both shared a small chuckle for a moment, then settled back into the awkward silence.

"Seriously, I'm here if you want to talk about it." Gabe sincerely said. "Seeing you like this all the time sucks."

Nathan sighed before responding, "Thank you, but I really am O.K. I've come to terms with it. Now get some sleep, it's a busy day today."

"Yes sir, you grumpy old man." Gabe said, seemingly satisfied with Nathan's response.

As Gabe rolled over, Nathan eased to his feet as quietly as possible. He made his way towards the door, and then stepped out into the cool morning air. The birds had not started their song yet, no cars on the road, and no people were walking about. The tranquility was Nathan's favorite part of early morning runs.

Nathan set off at a brisk pace, faster than almost all people could keep for an extended period of time. His endurance was a gift, it was incredibly high for someone of his youth. He could outrun pretty much anyone with ease. Running calmed him down, let him gather his thoughts, and plan out his day. It was a much needed reprieve from his chaotic life.

Nathan ran for close to two and a half hours before arriving back at his dorm. He wiped the sweat off his brow as he entered. Gabe was awake and had already begun cooking some breakfast. He moved in a sort of sluggish manner, as if he just woke up. Gabe turned towards Nathan as he entered.

"I don't know how you can function that early in the morning." Gabe grumbled. "It's too early now, let alone three!"

"Well, studies have shown that the people that can't handle mornings," Nathan stared pointedly at Gabe, "tend to have lower brain function than those who can."

"You and I must be the exception." Gabe shot back.

"Ladies, ladies." Oriel said as she entered the room dramatically. "Calm down, you're both pretty. Now what's that delicious smell?"

She reached for the bacon that was being cooked despite Gabe's attempt to stop her. Nathan watched, smiling throughout this whole exchange.

She really is something. Nathan thought to himself as Oriel easily tossed Gabe aside. She held the bacon in the air triumphantly.

"Ah, the spoils of victory." Oriel said as she took one of the strips and tossed it to Nathan, who still had a wide grin on his face. "See you boys first period." She said as she backed out of the room, bacon in hand. Oriel winked at Nathan before shutting the door, which put some color to his cheeks.

Once she left, Gabe turned towards Nathan and said, "Come on man, you let my sister kick my butt and steal my bacon as you just watched. Oh and wipe that stupid grin off your face. She's my sister!" He grumbled.

"Sorry, it's too early in the morning for me." Nathan smiled.

~ ~ ~

The school day went by relatively fast with few interruptions. Nathan had gotten a B on his advanced mathematics, so he had to stay after school to retake it. Oriel and Gabe decided they would wait for him to finish. Once done with the retake, the trio were alone in the almost deserted school. As Nathan was wandering the halls with Gabe and Oriel, the lights briefly flickered. Both Gabe and Oriel shared a quick glance.

"Wait here." Gabe said, suddenly serious. "We'll be right back."

Nathan waited obediently as the two siblings ran down the hall. He waited for around fifteen minutes before his patience mixed with his curiosity got the better of him. He jogged after them.

Outside, the sky had darkened. A distant sound of thunder crackled in the distance. Nathan watched as Gabe and Oriel had a heated exchange with an unknown third person. As soon as they finished Gabe whirled towards the school entrance.

Gabe made eye contact with Nathan and shouted, "We've got to get out of here!"

Just as the words finished escaping Gabe's mouth, a deafening boom echoed all around them. Nathan saw Gabe pull a sword out of thin air and hold it comfortably in is left hand. Oriel and the stranger followed suit, standing back to back.

Nathan watched in horror as a distortion in the air appeared between him and the group. A small horned beast tumbled from the portal and ran with his hands up in surrender. Nathan moved closer so he could hear what it was saying.

"Please, oh mighty ones. Spare me." It begged them. "Gusxor is coming with a small army through that portal. It's the spearhead, the start of something terrible. Please, believe me."

"Tagas, go bring this information up." Gabe commanded the other person.

Tagas nodded and vanished into thin air, leaving his sword behind. Two more strangers appeared out of seemingly thin air. Gabe grabbed Tagas's sword and tossed it to Nathan.

"You're gonna need this if this imp is telling the truth!" Gabe shouted through the noise around them.

Nathan caught the sword easily and shouted back, "Gabe, what the hell is going on?"

Gabe turned towards him and shouted back, "Exactly that, Hell."