Chapter 12: Chapter 12: Connections

The sun began to set in the west, flashing of images filled Eve’s mind. The face of Gabriella smiling, an explosion, then ash. Liam and Kaitlyn smiling and embracing each other. David’s face screaming into a pillow his wrists bleeding. Almost like a movie reel, Eve could see all these images like trauma. Her heart beating rapidly. The spirits moved in chaos around herself, blood and fire surrounding the world. Eve couldn’t describe it. Why was she seeing all this? She couldn’t put her hand on it. All she wanted was to escape from it. Falling through the darkness, landing on her feet.

Eve stood in a temple; her hair now blonde. She looked around; she was alone. The temple was divided into hallways. Each hallway held a different color, the same as the spirits. The center hallway was sealed with stone. “Where am I?” She asked out loud. It was more real than any other dream she had before. Turning around David stood, dressed in green robes. Eve jumped in shock, “David, you scared me.”

“What are you doing here?” He asked angered. She never had seen him be so disdainful.

“I don’t know,” Eve said, “Where am I?”

“Somewhere I don’t want you,” David flicked her forehead.

Eve opened her eyes breathing heavily. She was still in David’s sleeping arms. Eve’s face became a hot red, forgetting everything in her dream. The surprise was more than she could bear. His forehead was resting against the top of her head. He held her so tight, never had she loved something so much before. At least something good had come out of their vision of the past. She could kiss him right now and he wouldn’t know the better. This was the deepest he had slept in a long time. Deciding not to, remembering the last time she had done without his permission.

Eve remembered one of the images of David’s wrists bleeding. Growing curious she tried to look behind herself to see any scars on his wrists. She couldn’t move her neck enough to see. Was the curiosity that strong that she would risk losing this position with him? Her mind panicked. Looking up at the roof from the corner of her eyes. An energetic nest was made floating near the top of the van. Her owl lying with David’s eagle. Overwhelmed with happiness, she felt obligated not to bother their sleep either.

Feeling his heartbeat against her chest, she found her answer. She was going to enjoy this as long as she could. Eve was a hopeless romantic, her teenage hormones took over her mind. No matter how much training she will go through, she will continue to be this way with him around. Nothing mattered in the world around her at that moment. If love was a dream Eve didn’t want to wake up. She prayed she never will. She closed her eyes, she began to pray to herself, “God, dude, person. If you’re up there if you’re listening. It’s me, Evelyn. I don’t know how to do this, but please. Let me keep this forever. I don’t want anything else.” She thought of what else to say, but nothing else came to mind except more begging, “Amen, I think.”

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Gabriel stood in the courtyard, looking up at the clouds. The way they shifted in the sky was incredible. This world lacked the same rules of the atmosphere as Earth. Behind him, Allison was helping Richard into the yard. His arm slung over her shoulder. Taking his attention from the environment, Gabriel turned his head slightly in their direction.

“You’re too little to be supporting me,” Richard said, “Let me just limp over there.”

“Nope, I need to do everything I possibly can to keep you from overexerting yourself,” Allison laughed. Setting him down on the bench. He grunted, “Better?”

“Much,” Richard replied stretching his arms out. Followed by a heavy grunt. Richard watched Gabriel from afar. “How are you guys doing?” Gabriel turned away, doing his best not to feel jealous. She had been spending more time with Richard than she has been trying to fix their relationship.

“I don’t think we’d properly get to talk until we get home,” Allison answered. “Any news with Jasmine?”

“Every time Chris jumps through the rift to call her. She only answers to let him know she’s alive. Then hangs up.”

“I wonder if she’s making better progress than we are,” Allison looked at Gabriel. Her heart aching, feeling as if this is what Eleazar had always meant that love in this life will never work.

Gabriel watched as Aiden appeared from the trees in the distance, his time for meditation was over. If he had hoped to learn the fire aspect, Gabriel would have to focus. Aiden carried a log over his shoulder. “How long have you been meditating?” He asked.

“For about an hour,” Gabriel replied, “I’m not sure how this is supposed to help.” Still feeling the same as he did when he had awoken. If not worse.

“How long does David meditate?” Aiden asked.

“Not sure what he has to do with this,” Gabriel growing more annoyed. Aiden looked down at him, Gabriel rolled his eyes. “From whenever he shuts his door from bed to when he opens it.”

“Meditation during sleep is dangerous, you don’t allow your mind or spirit to rest.”

“He stays better than me, so I guess it works,” Gabriel shrugged.

“Your brother was trained by the best swordsman in the Order, you will never beat him in hand-to-hand combat.”

“So, I learn how to use fire and then I just set my own brother ablaze. Sounds fair.” Gabriel chuckled in annoyance.

“Not exactly,” Aiden pulled out a dagger. A dark flame flowed from his hands to the blade. The dagger began to warm. Sending a crack into the steel. Gabriel watched, “If you’re here to learn how to defeat your brother in a duel, then it’s best you leave.” Aiden put the dagger back into its sheath.

“I don’t want to beat David,” Gabriel sighed, “I want to be able dependable enough where everyone doesn’t feel like we need him all the time.”

“So, the truth comes out,” Aiden said, “hold out your hands.” Gabriel nodded and did as he instructed. “Instead of trying to create fire, we must learn how to control it.”

“That way I don’t burn down a forest.”

“Exactly,” Aiden pulled out a small candle. Placing it in his open palms, lighting the wick with a small flame. “Put it out.” Gabriel looked up at him and back down to the small dancing flame. Pushing his lips together forming a small opening in the middle. “You blow it out, I will punch you in the mouth.”

Gabriel slowly closed his mouth completely. “I’m not really sure how to do it if you don’t tell me.”

“Focus on the flame,” Aiden started to explain the method. “Castaway all thought, become the flame. The flame is burning slowly, so keep your mind slow. When a fire is raging, then your mind must rage with it to become one with it. Once you have mastered this element, you will be able to control the wildest of fires without a change of attitude.”

“Guess I’ll become a great asset to California then,” Gabriel laughed. He looked up at Aiden, who was not amused. “Sorry, no more jokes.” Gabriel closed his eyes. Focusing on the small dancing orange candlelight. Inhaling, filling his lungs with oxygen. Exhaling. Thinking of the serenity of the nights at the sanctuary in the winter. Aiden watched him closely. The small flame stopped dancing, standing as if time had stopped. Thoughts of when the days were quiet. No war, before the Watchers were activated. Before Eve. His focus began to stray. Eve, things were better without her. It was her fault, Kaitlyn dying, Liam leaving, Carlos dying, his brother dealing with trauma. The fire exploded into a spew of flames. Like an oil rig caught on fire.

Aiden quickly put out the fire. “What happened?”

“I don’t know,” Gabriel said in a panic. Waving his hands off from the heat. “I lost my focus.”

“I can tell,” Aiden said. He took off his backpack. Opening it and pulling out a box, setting it down on the floor. “As much as I would enjoy watching you explode all day, I am busy. There’s a fire extinguisher near the wall over there. Keep at it, I’ll come to check on you in a few hours.”

“You’re doubting me,” Gabriel said, “I don’t think that’s good positive reinforcement.”

“It took me two days to get this exercise down,” Aiden said, “I have faith you will get this done by tomorrow morning.” Gabriel sighed. How long was this going to take? David and Eve would have a baby by the time he had mastered flame. Picking up the next candle to start over again.

Allison watched him from afar, where she intended to stay until he finished. Watching Aiden walk away, his face shadowed her with content. Something wasn’t right about him, she needed to know what it was.

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David opened his heavy eyelids, looking around the van. Licking his lips followed by slight smacking. Taking in a deep breath, the smell of a mix of dirt and lavender tickled the hairs in his nose. David realized his arms were pulled tightly around Eve. Why was she so close against him? How did they get into this position? The last he had remembered was falling into anger and punching a tree down.

Releasing his arms from her grip, Eve felt the shift. Causing her to awake as well. Eve opened her eyes feeling like she had done something wrong already. She sat up, covering her clothed body with her arms. David looked at her and then at the roof.

“Sorry for what?” David asked.

“I just don’t feel,” Eve started, “I don’t know, attractive, I guess. I don’t know why I keep making you feel uncomfortable.”

David laid there for a second. This time he wasn’t uncomfortable, in all honesty, he was getting used to this. Starting to enjoy having someone else to be able to share a connection with. A connection that wasn’t just on the battlefield. “Do you remember when you asked me if you could fly the Silver Arrow because Virgil wouldn’t let you?”

“I don’t see what this has to do with this?”

“You saying that you’re not attractive takes the cake on the dumbest thing that you have ever said.” David sat up. Eve didn’t know if that was a compliment or not, making her more confused than insecure. She unwrapped her body. “We should probably go back into the village, so we can eat and shower.”

“Am I attractive or not?” Eve asked.

“Why are you searching for my validation? You already have my attention.” David slid his shoes on his feet. Eve thought about it, what he was saying made sense. All her life she had been craving for other people’s approval. Even if it had meant searching for it in the wrong places. People who would try to take advantage of her.

“It would be nice to hear a compliment every once in and awhile I guess,” Eve demanded. David blew air out of his nose, smiling. Feeling awkward. “Do you even know how to talk to girls? Or were you one of those guys who was too busy studying the blade?”

David squinted looking away slightly, “Perhaps.”

“Here let me help you out,” Eve grabbed David’s face forcing him to look at her. “What on my face do you like?”

David thought about it, more than he really had to. “Your- “He stopped. He started at her hair, a deep blue. Long and parted into a bang over her forehead. He liked the way it looked, but it smelled bad at moment, so he didn’t want to lie to her. Looking at her forehead, a single pimple sat above her eyebrow. He thought it was best not to comment on it. Her eyebrows were thick and regular-sized. David didn’t feel a need to compliment them. Her nose came down almost perfectly straight as if sculpted carefully. Her cheeks sunk in, with the bones sitting high under her eyelids. Her eyes captivated him as if drawn into a trance, a deep blue sea that he had fallen in without a life jacket. Where David was content with drowning in.

“Well?” Eve asked.

“Your eyes,” David forced himself to speak. Otherwise, she wouldn’t let him go.

“What about them?” Eve asked.

“They remind me of the ocean. Not like terrifying, just serene,” David swallowed. “They’re really cool.”

Eve smiled, her face becoming a warm pink. “I’ll take it.” Eve looked at him, “I like your eyes too.” She touched his face, rubbing her thumb across his cheek. “They’re so caring, but they’ve seen so much pain. It makes me sad, why do you carry so much weight in your eyes?”

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David reached up and grabbed her hand with his. “I don’t know,” His face fell from a smile to a resting frown. “When I look into yours, I see a reflection of mine. You bear the same eyes. Just more innocent.”

“Maybe this life isn’t for us,” Eve muttered. She had felt happier with him, being alone with him at first terrified her. What became was the opposite. Both were at peace with one another, growing comfortable. She noticed without the demand of the Order being around them, they were both happier.

“Maybe not,” David replied, “But it was the life chosen for us. There are people counting on us to make the hard choices.”

“I’m glad you said that” Eve smiled, “You’re still the same David I met all those years ago. Like a hero in some fantasy novel.”

“When have I ever been someone else?” David asked.

Eve looked down at the floor, “A few weeks ago, you almost killed me.” David looked away from her, confused. “I tried to wake you up and you swung your sword at me. You killed a warehouse full of people. Granted they deserved it but that wasn’t who you are. You cut off hands, not heads. You bashed a man’s head into jelly. I watched you do that, all of it. That wasn’t you. But you sitting here right now. This is you. Every time you’re at work, that isn’t you.”

David’s eyes were lost in the ground, hearing, and listening to what she had to say. Maybe she was right, David hadn’t felt as angry as he did a week ago. He was growing in peace as she was growing more comfortable with him. He felt it the same as she did. Her stomach growled. “I think we should get you some food.”

Eve felt as if he disregarded what she had said to him. Though at the same time she understood that he may have felt uneasy. She would hope that something would come from this conversation later. She reached down, putting on her shoes. David slid open the door, his green eagle pounced to his feet. A worm hanging from its beak. “Thanks, but no thanks dude,” David said. The eagle replied with a swift swallow of the worm. David reached down, picking up his eagle and setting him on his shoulder.

“Can you see other people’s spirit animals?” Eve asked David.

“No, but I assume you can see mine,” David answered.

“He’s cute,” Eve smiled. “I’m ready to go.”

“Lead the way,” David said. She jumped out of the van as David closed the door behind her. She walked ahead of him; the cold morning chill tickled her arms. Wrapping herself in a hug as she walked through the path of David’s destruction. The scent of food tickled her nose in the distance. Vegetables with a hint of egg. Eve’s stomach craved for more. David took her hand and brought lead her towards the center.

Dozens of people sat around a table. Eating a wide range of breakfast foods. Speaking on events to prepare each other for the day. Eve and David walked up, “Any room for two more?” David asked as they all stopped speaking. Looking up at the two. They began laughing.

“Of course!” A husky older man yelled. “Make some room you lazy bums! Our guests are starving!” He began to laugh.

“Thank you,” Eve nodded, sitting down in the seat closest to him. David took his seat down next to her.

“I can sense a free spirit in you child,” A woman said sitting across from her.

“Me?” Eve asked

“Both of you,” She continued. David nearly choked on the wooden cup of water. “Even you knight. Your heart craves freedom, but your mind is addicted to servitude.”

“I’m not in the mood for prophecy woman,” David waved a carrot at her. Everyone around the table began to laugh as he smiled.

“Joke all you want but you should follow your heart,” She suggested to him.

“The reason the Earth is at war is that men have followed their hearts for their own selfish desires,” David took a bite.

“Fine, be difficult.”

“I intend to,” David smiled, glancing at Eve. She faked a smile in return to hide her emotions. She thought David deserved to live free, he seemed at home with these people. Somewhere he wasn’t bounded by old oaths created by old sad men.

“What about you girl?” The woman asked Eve.

Eve looked up with her mouth filled with food, grease leaking from her lips. Wiping her mouth with her sleeve, swallowing what remained. “What about me?”

“Do you desire freedom?” She asked.

“I desire freedom as much as anyone else. I think many of us spirit users would be better off being independent. Some of us are young and seen more pain than grown men in war.” Eve said.

“I agree wholeheartedly,” A younger teen said. His shoulders were broad, couldn’t be more than one or two years younger than Eve. “I am better off when I found the tribe.” David laughed under his own breath. “Do you have something to say, knight?”

“A few things,” David set down his food on the table, “Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the tribe. And in a perfect world, this socialist commune would be amazing. This isn’t a perfect world. What’s your name?”

“Cade, Cade Johnson.” The teenager said, his eyes were drawn towards Eve. As if it were love at first sight.

“Cade, you’re a trained warrior for the tribe. Yes?” David asked as the teen nodded, “How many battles have you been in?”

Cade looked to the left and back to David, “None.”

“So, you’re not a proven warrior. Don’t feel ashamed, most of the Tribe under the age of thirty have never seen combat. Do you know why that is?” David asked, “It’s because men and women of the Order train night and day, preparing for the horrors they may face. Keeping the Legion licking their wounds, and the Brotherhood from trying to maintain dominance over society. Don’t get me started on the Sins.”

“How many battles have you been in?” Cade asked David.

“I’ve stopped counting, there’s no glory in battle. Only pain. That’s the sacrifice the guardians and knights of the Order make to keep the world safe. I envy your freedom, but I understand that it’s the security the Order does in the shadows to keep you, safe kid,” David looked at everyone as they turned to a deafening silence.

“How many Sins have you killed?” The woman asked.

David stopped, looking at the floor, “Four.” Eve turned and looked at him.

“Four?” Eve asked. “I thought they were almost impossible to kill.”

“Not impossible, if you know what you’re doing,” David said softly, “But every battle isn’t just physical and mental, it’s something deeper.”

“Aye, I’ve killed one before my friend,” The large man said, “It revealed something within me, and I have never been more scared. Killed twelve of my friends.”

“That is why the Order exists Cade, there are not many without the training and discipline that can fight a sin and survive. How did you survive sir, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“I survived before your father and mother arrived with the other Watchers,” he said.

Cade looked at David annoyed, “That still doesn’t excuse the Order on how they oppress others for only wanting to be free.”

“Who wants to be free that we subjugate?”

“The brotherhood,” Cade said.

Eve chimed in, “I’ve seen how the Brotherhood works firsthand. They don’t want freedom; the brothers and sisters of that group only want to become dominant over humanity.” Eve continued as she began to find herself agreeing with David as he spoke, “The men and women of the Order have fought for centuries to protect the world. Though I may not agree with every action. It is for the best of both spirits and humanity.”

“You’ve been drinking the Kool-Aid sister,” Cade laughed continuing to eat his meal.

“Who is your father?” David asked.

“My father? He passed away, fighting in the Order’s war against the Legion.” Cade said.

“I am sorry for your loss. He didn’t die in vain.”

“He sacrificed a life with his son to die in a war. Because one faction says the other is bad for practicing different things. Touch grass.” Cade refused to speak more. David shook his head, he was angry. And David didn’t blame him. He couldn’t.

Eve looked up at the woman, “Do you guys travel?” she asked.

“Of course, we never stay in one place longer than a month,” She smiled, “We prefer to live off of the land. All of us are experts at something different. Some specialize as warriors, farmers, hunters, and anything that needs a job has a tribesman to work it.”

“Do you accept anyone?” Eve asked.

“Absolutely, at any time too. You just need to be able to find us,” the woman smiled at Eve.

Eve elbowed David, whispering to him, “What if-“

“No,” David said quickly.

“At least, consider it?” She asked him.

“I am not abandoning my oaths to live in the forest with a bunch of hippies,” David said. Eve looked up at him with a straight face, “What did I say?”

Eve’s straight face widened into a smile. She began to laugh, “You think I would abandon the Order after everything we’ve been through?” David joined her in a laugh. “Maybe when I’m older, but I’m lean and ready for some fighting.”

“I’m glad you agree,” David said in relief.

“So, you would leave the Order when you got older?” Eve asked.

“Maybe. Ask me when I’ve seen too much war and ready to retire.” David said.

“Deal,” Eve smiled. She looked around, “Is there anywhere I can wash up?” She asked.

The older man spoke up, “There’s a river a quarter-mile from here.”

“Good enough for me,” Eve said, “David?”

“Yup?”

“I’m going to go wash up. I suggest you do as well. Stinky.” Eve laughed waving her hand over her nose. David smiled shaking his head.

Eve walked off to the van to gather her things. David took in a deep breath and released it. Kanen removed his hood at the head of the table. “You cannot keep her from her destiny forever, David.”

“I know,” David said, “I’m not keeping her from anything. She has the freedom to choose whatever she wants.” David kept watching her as she entered the tree line.

“She is still a child. It is obvious she loves you. Eve will choose you before what she is destined to be,” Kanen said, “Dare I ask you a favor? For humanity.”

“If you’re asking me to convince her to stay or abandon her here I can’t,” David sighed, “I made her a promise I won’t ever leave her to be alone.”

“Is your pride in keeping that promise more important than the future of the world?” Kanen asked David, “You said it yourself, the Order must sacrifice for the greater good.”

David looked at him, “It will be her choice. And hers alone.”

“She will not stay without you. Both of your destinies are equally important. To achieve those, you must stay with the Order. And she must be with the Tribe, without one destiny achieved. The other is useless. And the world is doomed.”

“I know,” David said, watching her return at the edge of the field. “We’ll figure it out.”

“If you don’t?”

“Then the world ends, and I can go to heaven. All my pain will disappear, and I can finally be happy.”

“You don’t care if the world ends do you?”

“If I’m honest, I don’t,” David admitted.

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Gabriel sat on the ground, a candle sitting on his open palms. Meditating for half an hour upon the burning wick. Allison continued to watch him. Three hours have passed of training. The candle jumped into an explosion. Gabriel quickly dropped the candle in anger. Allison walked over to him.

“What?” He asked.

“Show me your palms,” Allison commanded him.

“Why? I’m fine,” Gabriel said though Allison took his wrists regardless. Flipping his hands over, Gabriel’s open palms were covered in burns. He snatched his hands back from her grip.

“Maybe it’s time to give it a rest,” Allison told him. “Try it again tomorrow.”

“No, I have to keep trying this. I know I’m close, I just. I can’t concentrate.” Gabriel admitted, “I keep thinking and it throws me off.”

“Talk to me about it,” Allison told him.

“David and Eve are probably doing unspeakable things as we speak,” Gabriel said, “And that simultaneously grosses me out and terrifies me.”

“Are you serious?” Allison asked, “Is that what’s bothering you?” Allison placed her fists against her hips. Elbows stick outward to the side.

“No,” Gabriel admitted, “I’m worried about us.” He shook his head, pounding his palms against his forehead. “Like I’m scared to lose you.”

“You’re an idiot, you know that?” Allison asked.

“I don’t know if you know this or not, but verbal abuse is not going to help me.”

Allison squatted down near Gabriel, grabbing his face to kiss him. Gabriel’s mind felt at ease, all the distracting negative thoughts were suddenly suppressed. “You’re not going to lose me, you piss me off but I’m still your girl. Now focus, I’m not going anywhere until you get this.”

Gabriel smiled, lighting another candlewick. Held it between his open palms, focusing deeply on his thoughts. Blocking out any and all negative ideas and transmissions from others’ minds in the vicinity. Especially Chris. Gabriel channeled his spirit into the wick. His mind was calm. Serenity fell upon his shoulders. He could see the flame in his mind. Being connected within its core. Gabriel is now one with the flame. Speaking to it. He began to understand the burning. There was no putting out the flame, only moving it somewhere else.

Gabriel raised his hand slowly. Removing the flame from the candle, bringing it above his palm. Grabbing it slowly, putting out the fire in his very own hand. He now understood. The flame still burned inside of his palm. He could feel it. Traveling into his very own muscle, finding his blood. His soul felt its passion. Connecting with it. Fire, blood, and majesty. Gabriel saw his future in the flames, a prophecy. He collapsed to his knees. Dread and pride filled his heart and mind. Allison rushed over to him, “Are you okay?”