Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Awakening

Gabriel sat in the grass, fingers in the soil. Watching the blue skies as puffy white clouds passed overhead. Biting the inside of his cheeks, thinking about past events. The Order has tried for peace for ages with the Brotherhood, with no luck. Perhaps, Aiden’s ideas would work. This place could be a solitude where everyone could live in peace without worry of hiding their true selves from the public. Never had really understood why he had to live in fear of those inferior to himself. He sighed aloud. Not to mention the Order. Obeying every command from masters who didn’t put themselves on the battlefield. Sending Guardians and Knights to their deaths. For what?

He lifted his hand, the grass where his palms rested left burnt. Not noticing it, waiting for Aiden to return from his quarterly patrol of the day. This was taking longer than he had anticipated, Gabriel wondered what made this patrol longer than the others. Should he go see if he needs help? Aiden didn’t fire a flare into the air. Maybe Gabriel should stay put. He walked around in circles, kicking the small rocks he would find laying alone.

“Did your friends leave you too Mr. Rock?” Gabriel asked it before kicking it near a tree. “You suck anyways, can’t even do anything right. You’re just a rock.” He got angry with himself; David will never agree to help the Brotherhood. Or would he? Thinking his brother would be more than happy to live a normal life with a wife and kids. Eve, Gabriel got mad. How did his brother fall in love with the very woman that murdered his mother? “They should’ve sent me to assassinate her,” Gabriel whispered to himself. His voice was raspy from the bottled-up emotions. David is weak, he thought to himself. Can’t even make the hard choices to save the world from near extinction. If she snapped again, David would probably just excuse her again. Weak. The Watchers deserve a leader that isn’t afraid to make the hard choices.

A ruffle in the bushes, Aiden came out smile wide on his face. “What has you brooding?”

Gabriel jumped, being startled from his deep thoughts. He returned a smile, “Thinking about what you said earlier. I’m going to need time to do so, but I can help you.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that,” Aiden smiled ever wider, “What are you thinking of doing?”

“There's a commander of the Brotherhood that the Order has captive. David and I have tried everything to recruit her to help secure a peace. If I tell her the idea, I think she would be more than happy to help.”

“That’s a good plan,” Aiden encouraged him. “The more you can keep it a secret, you’ll be able to get more Brotherhood groups to join you. Do you think David would be happy to help you?”

“No,” Gabriel looked away, “David’s weak, he’s afraid to make the hard choices. He follows the council’s will too much.”

“David sounds a lot like my brother. Far too narrow-minded to allow our people to ascend to a greater living,” Aiden said. “What of Eve with your brother?”

Gabriel stopped, looking back at his teacher, “How do you know about Evelyn?” He asked.

“You told me about her,” Aiden appeared confused. Trying to save himself.

“No, I didn’t,” Gabriel looked down at the chest plate of Aiden, noticing a single strand of hair. “We have done a good job at keeping her quiet from the world. She still officially doesn’t exist.” Gabriel lowered his hand down to his hip.

“I’m still a part of the Order, Gabriel. I was there during her first trial of Guardianship.”

Gabriel looked at the strand of hair again, long, and brown. A small hint of green. The same green color that Allison had dyed. “Fair enough, Eve did a number on those kids. Beating all of them pretty quickly don’t you think?”

“I was surprised by her ability to win in a fight against all of them,” Aiden chuckled, “You helped train her well.”

The trees began to shake with the wind, a leaf falling gracefully to the floor. “I never trained her, not much anyway. That was David who trained her,” Gabriel lowered his hand slightly closer to his sword.

“Well, perhaps you made a great example for her to follow. And what you have trained her on more than likely helped in the battle,” Aiden turned around, “I’m going to take a quick bath, make sure you continue with your lessons.” Aiden made it to the steps.

“The funny thing about it is,” Gabriel said. “Eve didn’t beat all the other combatants.” Gabriel gripped onto the hilt, “She surrendered after defeating the biggest threat.”

“My memory must be hazy,” Aiden said.

“Where is Allison?”

“I told you, they left.”

“I’m going to ask you the truth one last time, old man.” Gabriel pulled the hilt slightly, reading his draw of the blade.

Aiden sighed, knowing he had been found out. Not attempting to continue the deception, “In the dungeon. I caught them outside the forest the other night.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Gabriel asked. The trees around them began to shake violently.

“I said there will be consequences, did I not, boy?”

“Free them,” Gabriel commanded him.

“You don’t need them, Gabriel,” Aiden said, “They are holding you back from fulfilling your destiny.”

“I wasn’t asking,” Gabriel’s teeth didn’t lift from one another. His breathing was quick, raising his heart rate.

“Listen to reason,” Aiden pleaded with him.

“I don’t listen to liars,” Gabriel moved quickly, drawing his sword on the man. Driving his sword towards Aiden’s back. A flame weapon appeared, parrying Gabriel’s attack. Jumping back, Gabriel pushed a blast of force from his palm at Aiden, sending him smashing into the wall of the building.

“Alright, boy.” Aiden drew his sword from his hip. Both masters of katana stood before each other. “I’m going to teach you a lesson you will not forget.” Aiden removed his cloak, respecting Gabriel’s abilities. The two kept their eyes locked from a distance. Waiting for the perfect moment.

Gabriel smirked slightly, taunting the man. Having no respect for his adversaries. Snapping his eye back and forth from Aiden’s leg to his eyes. Aiden charged thinking Gabriel had hesitated for a moment. Gabriel brought up his guard, crossing blades with the brother of his former master. The two were equals with the blade, Aiden knew this. Only wanting to draw out the beast inside Gabriel.

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Jasmine walked up the mountain, following both Chris and Ethan. “Are you sure we’re not lost?” Jasmine asked. The band of investigators and Japanese Order warriors followed behind her. Coming up the tree where the rift was usually sitting.

“It should be right here,” Chris said. Reaching his hand to the tree, nothing. “This isn’t right.”

A strange voice appeared from above them, “Turn back now, let this not get messy.” Jasmine drew her sword; the others followed her lead. Gathering into a loose circular formation.

“Reveal yourself!” Ethan commanded.

“Shut up kid,” The voice appeared once more. Jasmine pinpointed where it was coming from. A tree sitting across from them. “We will kill all of you where you stand.

“I love it when you all say that,” Chris smiled. “Because it never happens.” Jasmine blinked to the top of the tree, rustling through the leaves. A walkie-talkie sat undisturbed, an arrow came flying through the bush, attempting to blink away. Jasmine teleported back onto the forest floor with the group. Letting out a swift grunt, ripping the arrow out of her thigh.

The group took up a tighter defense. A healer rushed over to heal Jasmine’s leg. All looking around them waiting for the ambush. “Come out already!” Chris yelled out, “Or are you going to continue being a bunch of cowards?” He yelled out, a battery pack in his back pocket ready to be used.

The trees above them began to shake violently, with no presence of wind. Then a sudden halt, “In the trees!” Ethan yelled out to the group.

“Aw man, I’ve always wanted to say that” Chris reached into his back pocket. Snatching the battery pack. His eyes glowing a bright yellow. Electricity flowing from his palms, and up to his arms.

Jasmine recovered, standing back to her defensive posture. Suddenly a horde of assassins fell from the treetops, charging headfirst with swords extended to fall like rain on the band of heroes. Chris released the energy built up. Shooting a storm of lightning, hitting multiple acolytes. The rest fell into the formation. Battle ensued.

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Gabriel jumped from the grass onto the deck, dodging Aiden’s fire attacks. “The more you keep throwing fire at me. You might burn your precious temple down!” Gabriel yelled aloud.

“The more you dodge, the more potential that your friends burn alive!” Aiden thrusted forward, dueling Gabriel relentlessly. Gabriel’s heart filled more with anger, redirecting his hatred into his strikes. Gabriel leaped off of the balcony, causing Aiden to pursue him. “You’re not going to even attempt to redirect the flames I throw at you?” Aiden laughed, conjuring a fireball in between his hands.

Gabriel was confused, why would Aiden be helping him to win? Instead, he took the advice. As soon as the fireball left Aiden’s hands. Gabriel reached out, taking control of the flame. Not focusing to allow the fire to explode in Aiden’s face. “Perhaps me not controlling it is enough to kill you.”

Aiden waved his hands, the flames leaving from his body to form into a spear. Grasping and throwing it at Gabriel. Too slow, the spear cut right through Gabriel’s foot, sticking him in place to the floor. “Dammit,” Gabriel grabbed onto the spear trying to release it from his foot. He couldn’t focus to control the flame. Too much spite had been formed to killing Aiden that he couldn’t think of anything else.

Aiden patted himself off, “You’re still impatient!” He yelled out. “No wonder your brother will surpass you every step of the way. A shadow in his eyes.” Gabriel’s eyes were blue, but a red color began to bleed through.

“The difference between your brother and mine. David will help me every step of the way. While you left your brother behind,” Gabriel ripped his foot out of the spear. Blood spilled everywhere, despite the pain. Gabriel charged at Aiden, swinging his sword to meet parries and blocks. Committing to a backflip, Gabriel slashed down, managing to leave a deep cut on Aiden’s arm. The temple was almost in flames. “Where are my friends?” Gabriel’s eyes have given into a bright red hue. The crimson in his heart burned ever brighter.

Aiden smiled, “Still worried about your friends? Saving your friends will not help you save the world!” Aiden dashed forward engaging Gabriel further. Strikes from burning swords leaving blood and flame all over the courtyard.

Allison could feel the heat of the temple above burning, “What the hell is happening?” She started to panic.

Richard shook his chains violently, trying to break free. “This device in our backs is keeping me from breaking down this wall!” He gave up, body drenching in sweat. His heavy sighs, Allison felt it too. It was becoming more and more difficult to breathe. “If I don’t make it out of here, can you tell Janice-“

“I don’t want to hear it!” Allison yelled at him, “You tell her yourself!” Allison began to rotate her body, letting out a deafening scream. Popping her shoulders out of place to look at where the chains met the wall. Tears rolled down her face in agony. Putting her feet against the wall, pushing her body weight and strength in the opposite direction.

“Allison, what are you doing?”

She couldn’t hear him, Allison screamed with whatever breath remained in her lungs.

Richard could see the device on her back. He closed his eyes, still listening to her pain. Focusing his breath. The Scorpion appeared around himself; the device began to drill deep into his spinal column. Focusing his mind to ignore the pain of it all. The scorpion’s metasoma struck forward. Stabbing into her device and ripping it from her back. Allison’s strength returned to her, tearing the chains from the walls. Breaking them completely. Richard stopped using his ability, though the device had already dug in deep. Having ground up a portion of his spine.

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Allison popped her shoulders back into place, screaming in pain. Rushing over to Richard, breaking his chains from the walls. Catching him from slamming his face into the stone floor. She grabbed onto the device, tearing it from his back. A pool of blood ran out of the revealed hole on his flesh. Trying to breathe from the dense smoke that was beginning to build. Placing her hands on his back to attempt to rebuild the large nerve and the flesh around it. “I’m not leaving without you.”

“Here take this one!” Jasmine grabbed onto an assassin, blinking him to the air. Dropping him. Ethan took his claymore, raising it high for the body to fall right on top of the blade and sliding down to the hilt. Ethan pulled his sword out blood falling over the boy.

“Ew,” Ethan joked, swinging his massive sword at another combatant.

“Here I was thinking this vacation was boring!” Chris yelled running up a tree to attack archers who nested at the top.

Allison finished healing Richard, “Alright, get up.” She grabbed under his arm. Trying to pick him up but being too heavy for her. “Richard!” She yelled out.

Gabriel and Aiden continued their fight, fire and fury raging all over the temple. Kicking Aiden in the chest, sending him flying through a pilar. Aiden looked up, watching as the floors above himself collapse on top of himself. Aiden activated his wolf ability to escape quickly from his fiery demise. Gabriel could hear Allison’s screams from below the temple as the building was beginning to collapse at the center. “No,” He said. Charging up the largest force blast he could. Throwing it at the ground, creating a devastating crater.

Allison looked up, tears rolling down her face. Not ready to die but becoming hopeless to their freedom. Too much was happening, she couldn’t adapt. Her coughing became heavy, unable to breathe. Watching the roof above herself start to crumble and cave in. “I’m sorry, I failed you,” Allison muttered. Thinking of her late brother. Richard opened his eyes in his final moments. Life flashed before his eyes.

Jasmine, Chris, and Ethan finished dispatching the Wolves into the afterlife. “Status?” Sir Nicholas asked.

Jasmine looked at both Chris and Ethan, “Watchers are alive.”

One of the Japanese Samurai looked at him, “I have three in critical. Two dead. I need to send some of my men to escort them back to the road.”

“Take care of your men, Hoshiko,” Nicholas told him, “My men will assist as we search for this rift.” Hoshiko bowed to the knight. The group of Guardians joined with the Samurai, gathering the injured and calling for medical transportation.

“What time of day was it when ya'll found this rift?” Nicholas asked.

“The sun just set,” Chris said. “Which is probably the key.”

“It’s a good thing we showed up during the day. We have time to strategize.” Jasmine sat down. “Can you two draw a map of what the place looks like?”

“I can do my best,” Ethan said.

Gabriel searched in the flames for Aiden. Until concluding that he had fled, Gabriel went over to where he last heard Allison’s thoughts. His heart began to race, thinking he may have overdone it. Praying he didn’t crush them beneath the earth. His heart raced, panicking. Moving as much stone as he could. Dropping to his knees and coughed. Blood spat onto the floor, his body was strained. The pain in his foot came to realization with the adrenaline running off. Why had he been in such a hurry? He needed to be more patient, or he would risk running out of energy and dying.

“C’mon, please be okay,” Gabriel pleaded to God.

Aiden was sitting behind a tree, lifting his chainmail under his shirt. Multiple cuts and stab wounds. This kid was going to tear him apart. Aiden thought to himself, would he have to use his spirit state in hopes of pushing Gabriel to his very limit? How was he going to do so without killing the boy?

Gabriel removed a stone, seeing a green energy field. Gabriel smiled, brushing the rock and dirt away to get their attention. “Are you two okay down there?” He begged.

Richard looked up, seeing the light from the sky shine through the small hole past Gabriel’s face. “I’m going, to be honest with you Gabe, Allison got hit in the head by a rock pretty bad. I can’t walk. You’re going to have to clear all the rubble and get us out yourself.”

Gabriel swallowed his spit, “I’m sorry.”

“Just hurry,” Richard begged, “I don’t know how much oxygen we have left.”

“I’ll see what I can-“ Gabriel’s hair was grabbed by Aiden, throwing him back to a tree. Gabriel recovered quickly, drawing his sword once more to battle him. “Don’t you lay another finger on them,” Gabriel’s eyes narrowed.

Aiden looked down into the hole. Sending a spew of fire like a flamethrower into the hole. Richard tapped deeper into his energy to keep the fire from injuring either of them. “No!” Gabriel sprinted at Aiden swinging his sword fiercely. His eyes glowing a crimson red once more. He was giving himself into the darkness for power.

“Cut off everyone from your past,” Aiden commanded of him. “Love will only hold you back! They all betray you in the end anyway!” Gabriel could tell he was speaking about Master Eleazar, part of him wanting to know more. Though, his current priority was saving his friend and love.

Jasmine, Chris, and Ethan jumped through the rift. Taking into view a flaming battleground where the temple once sat. Sir Nicholas joined soon after with his guardians. Watching Gabriel and Aiden dueling at an extreme pace. “What the hell is going on?” Ethan asked.

“Brotherhood! To me!” Aiden screamed as a company of members and Wolves stepped out of the woods.

Gabriel leaped away from the engagement, “Jasmine, you need to blink behind Richard’s shield and get them out of there now!” He chased back after Aiden, not wanting to give him time to rest. Jasmine did exactly that, pulling Allison and Richard from their burning grave. Bringing them near the rift, “They need medical!” She screamed at one of the guardians. He nodded, lifting up Richard and another taking Allison away.

“No! No! No!” Aiden yelled. He kicked Gabriel in the jaw, Jasmine blinked up to the fight. Trying to assist Gabriel as they had at the battle of the Sanctuary. “Let go of the past!” He heeded for Gabriel to listen.

“Chris, why aren’t the brotherhood attacking us?” Ethan asked.

“I think they’re waiting for us,” Chris grabbed another battery pack. “I’m ready when they are.” Electricity flowing once more around his arms.

“Hold still,” Sir Nicholas commanded, “We are far too outnumbered for a direct fight with the Brotherhood.”

Gabriel attacked left, Jasmine went for the legs, slashing at Aiden’s ankles. Connecting her blade and blinking to the other side. Gabriel smiled, Jasmine being there was a big help to him. He understood why his brother always told him he didn’t need to be an alone fighter.

“Argh!” Aiden yelled. He leaped back on top of a burning pit knowing neither of them would be dumb enough to fight on top of a fire. At the cost of Aiden burning. “Fine! I tried to help you, Gabriel!” The fire around Aiden began to blaze. Blue and red energy flowed around him like a tornado.

Jasmine looked at Gabriel smiling, “Want to try our little maneuver again?”

“I’m not trying to break my legs again,” Gabriel said.

“I’ll catch you this time,” Jasmine reassured him. Gabriel nodded.

Jasmine grabbed Gabriel, blinking him into the sky. Gabriel prepared his fall, aligning to Aiden’s shoulder. Bringing his sword down, flying quickly down to his adversary. Aiden reached his spirit state, being one with the wolf. Ready for what was coming, Jasmine blinked back to Aiden to distract him. Slashing him multiple times around his body. The next thing Aiden knew, Gabriel’s sword pierced through his shoulder and through his heart. Aiden in a flash, grabbed Gabriel throwing him towards a burning wall. Jasmine blinked once more, catching him.

Aiden grabbed the sword, pulling it out of his shoulder. His wounds healed instantly. The attack failed. Aiden’s hands burned, not able to wield Gabriel’s sword. Ignoring the pain, coating the blade into a flame. He looked near the rift, taking in view of Allison being healed.

Chris fired a bolt of lightning at Aiden, he repelled the attack. Locking Chris in a chain, the explosive center was drawing back to Chris. Ethan grabbed onto Chris’ shoulder. Allowing Chris to harness Ethan’s energy as well. Pushing the explosion back at Aiden causing it to explode in the old man’s face. “Thanks,” Chris panted. “I’m running out of juice.”

“You are all a nuisance!” Aiden took Gabriel’s sword. “Just like my brother did to me! Gabriel, you will see what true power means!” Aiden threw the sword, it flew at a supersonic speed at Allison’s unconscious body.

“Stop!” Gabriel screamed but it was too late. Jasmine who was standing with Gabriel now was punctured by the sword. She had reacted to her first instinct, blinking in front of Allison. The sword hit Jasmine’s body with such incredible force, the sword went in between her ribs. Sticking her to the stone wall.

“Gah!” Was all that came from her mouth, with a fountain of blood. She looked down at the sword, grabbing onto the hilt attempting to pull it out. But the blade had driven too deep into the stone. She released the hilt. Chris and Ethan turned around immediately, trying to help her. Gabriel’s sword held too much energy for either of them. Only burning their hands. “It’s okay,” Jasmine said.

“No, no, no!” Chris screamed, “Not you! Not like this!”

Jasmine grabbed onto his wrist, “I can see him again.” She pushed Chris away with whatever remained of her strength. “I’m not teleporting out of this one guy. I envy Carlos, at least his was quick.” Jasmine chuckled, “Don’t get to the beach too quick.” Chris and Ethan were speechless, tears rolling down their face.

“Say hi to the little dude for me,” Chris said.

Ethan grabbed onto Jasmine’s hand, “I’ve always loved-“ She began to cough heavily with blood. “You both.” Her body slowly released, falling into a dead hang. Jasmine closed her eyes, accepting her death. Her pain fleeted as her heart stopped.

Aiden smiled, watching Gabriel petrified. “You see! Friends are only going to bring the pain! It’s only good to let go of it all! You will only get them killed!”

Gabriel’s breathing became heavy. His skin burning, the fire from the battlefield surrounding him in a vortex of beauty and awe. Terror filled the minds of all watching. Gabriel fell to his knees, screaming in agony. His lizard appears on the top of his head. Gabriel screamed ever louder, a deep roar shaking the Earth and mountains. The sky shattered into the red with black clouds. His skin was on fire. Gabriel stood back up.

“Yes! Give into the power!” Aiden was proud, all it took was to kill one of his pitiful friends for Gabriel to reach his potential.

Gabriel hunched his back over, his body convulsing. He turned around, the whites of his eyes had turned red, and the iris’ turning black. The vortex of fire surrounding his body, dumped inside of his mouth. His conscious had fleeted, giving into the beast inside of himself. The one he never knew existed. The lizard jumped off of Gabriel’s hair and to the ground. Once it hit the floor, where everyone had thought his arms would spout from, were wings of shadow and flame. “I’m going to tear you limb from limb.” Gabriel’s voice was malfested in pain and anger.

Aiden looked at the boy, “Show me what you're made of kid.”

“What is the Brotherhood doing?” Chris asked, wiping the tears from his eyes.

“They’re bowing,” Ethan said, “It is said that the Brotherhood has awaited of the dragon’s arrival.” Every member of the Brotherhood had their swords out and placed before themselves, blade stuck into the dirt.

Aiden smiled at the boy, ready for whatever Gabriel was going to throw at him. Gabriel’s lizard expanded into a large Wyvern. Gabriel stepped inside of the spirit animal. Becoming one with the dragon. An avatar of imaginable power. Gabriel watched the man on his hill of pride. Gabriel kept his eyes opened, without blinking or reacting. The dragon the size of a semi-truck, roared ever louder. Aiden’s eyes widened, not expecting to battle a literal dragon. The avatar’s wings opened, Gabriel flew forward. Aiden dodged left but too slow.

The dragon bit down on his shoulder, swinging his body into the sky. Gabriel flew to catch the man, Aiden swung the sword at the dragon. Causing no damage. “You and I can be the kings of the heavens and hells with your power!”

Gabriel breathed a magnificent flame from his throat. Aiden tried to control the fire but was overwhelmed by its power. This flame was different from a simple fire. Catching himself on fire as he fell back to the ground.

Chris wanted to get in on the action, wanting to avenge his friend’s death. Ethan grabbed his arm, “We don’t know if Gabriel knows who he is right now. We need to stay away from this.”

Gabriel grabbed onto Aiden before he could recover from the top of the tower of the temple. Smashing him through the roof, plowing him down into the tower’s foundation. His talons tore deep into Aiden's arms into the stone beneath him. The dragon’s eyes stared deeply into Aiden’s eyes. “I created you!” Aiden cried, “Without me, you will never succeed! They will never accept you for who you are!” Aiden grasped at any straw to save him from his doom.

Gabriel looked down at him from inside the avatar of energy, “Aiden Eleazar, I sentence you to die.” Aiden looked into the mouth of the dragon. Watching a creeping light appear from the throat of the dragon. He panicked, trying to break free from Gabriel’s grasp. Nothing. “This flame will be quick; the flames of hell are eternal.” A lake of fire poured from the dragon’s mouth. Scorching the man into screams of pain, until the fires burned enough of his nerves till he couldn’t feel any longer. Disintegrating Aiden into ash.

The band of heroes watched as Gabriel’s dragon walked over to the Brotherhood in the tree line that bowed to him. One stood up, “We have awaited your arrival! Our brother! Our leader! Our king!” He cried with praise, “We will follow you without question!”

“Which one of you are Wolves?” Gabriel asked, his growl would terrify any of the hearts of men.

“We are my lord!” The Wolves dressed in silver and red.

“Kneel,” Gabriel told them. They did what he commanded, “Are you all assassins? The ones responsible for sex trafficking?”

“We are my Lord!” Their leader screamed with pride.

“Brothers. Execute them,” Gabriel commanded as they jumped with their swords. Executing the Wolves instantly, some attempted to attack back at the brothers. Some accepted their fates, not wishing to have to die by the dragon. “No more will the Brotherhood antagonize the innocent, partake in any immoral actions for personal gain. Now go, spread, and speak the word of my arrival. Do not mention my name.” They all bowed to Gabriel, acknowledging his demands.

The dragon stood in grace, pride overcoming Gabriel’s heart. Now more powerful than any other spirit on the planet. The avatar receded back into Gabriel’s heart. His eyes returned to normal. Walking over to his friends. “Gabe…” Ethan said.

“Speak to no one about this until I learn to control it,” Gabriel requested.

“You have my trust,” Sir Nicholas told him. “A thank you for making my life easier.” He nodded at Aiden’s ashes in the tower. “Just promise me you won’t lose control,” Gabriel nodded back to him.

Gabriel looked down at his unconscious friends and then at Jasmine’s lifeless body. “Prepare to catch her,” Gabriel grabbed his sword. Pulling it from her stomach. Chris and Ethan caught her, lowering her slowly to the ground. “We will bury her next to Carlos,” Gabriel lowered his hand to her head. “May you rest in peace, eternally.” Gabriel knelt to one knee, saying a prayer out loud. “Lord, guide her and forgive her for her trespasses, please let her live free in your grace alongside her brother. Amen.”

“Amen,” Chris and Ethan said in unison. Gabriel had a single tear rolling down his face, “Let’s get her out of here.” Gabriel was unsure what to say. The group of Order members took the wounded and dead back through the rift. Gabriel stopped at the entrance, looking back at the now burnt down temple. Knowing he would return one day. To build a world without pain.