Pt Four-Six

6

The last of the liquid that had been sustaining Ray through the night went down easily. It had been sitting in the same location beside his keyboard for at least three hours and as he finished it off he wished he had just left it there. Nothing worse then cold coffee, Ray thought to himself as he tossed the paper cup in the waste basket across the room. He brought his eyes back to the computer screen and back to the work that he had been doing through the night. He was just about to crack the final layer of code that use to be the United States defense network system. If there was any chance to get anyone’s attention he had to get past this last wall of code and it was by far the hardest so far.

Ray’s fingers danced over the keyboard, putting several lines of code into the section of the mainframe that needed to be broken. Ray had worked for the Central Intelligence Agency before the disaster had hit the country. He wasn’t a field agent by any means, he was only a pencil pusher, he took care of paper work and other several different things. He occasionally was in charge of monitoring black ops missions and had on several occasions hacked into enemy strongholds so that men behind the enemy lines could have access to it. And now here he was trying to break into what he had been trying to protect all those years. Other countries were not even close to the technology that the united states had in the networking department. The only one that had been at the time was China and maybe even Japan. But America had paid good money to make sure that they had the smartest people in the world working on protecting their systems and it showed.

Layers upon layers of code were laid on top of one another. Just when you thought you were seeing the light and were about to break through another layer would pop up and you would have to find a way through it. Ray had lost count on how many layers he had been through but it was easily in the thousands and he was getting closer and closer to breaking that last little thin line. And he would be rewarded handsomely for his efforts. The leader had already promised him a spot on the staff when everything had settled and that was the only promise he had needed. As Ray was lost in his thoughts his fingers continued to move and at first he didn’t notice the little separate black screen that had popped up and several line of dialog were starting to stretch across it. He looked down and saw it finally and stopped typing realizing what was happening.

He had done it. Someone was talking to him right now over the network. Someone thousands of miles away on the other side of the ocean. Ray didn’t recognize the language right away, he thought it might be Russian, maybe some lower form of it. He picked up the little portable radio that connected him directly to the leader.

“Sir,” Ray spoke into the radio barely able to hold his excitement, “We have contact.”

********

His eyes opened at the sound of the radio. The words that were coming over it began to sink deep into his mind. The contact had been established and he could feel the sensation of the possibilities begin to pulse through his body. His room was completely dark except for two small candles that dimly lit the room. He sat in the middle of it on the floor, various different markings were underneath him. They were from all sorts of different aspects of faith, their was the crescent moon with a star, a pentagram, among many others. He could feel the energy pulsating from them and he could feel it all around him.

He rose from the floor, the dim candle light barely illuminating his naked body. He could see movement out of the corner of his eyes, several different dark shapes with glowing red eyes watched him from the shadows. They were here for him, they were at his disposal but he had no need from any of them right now. He grabbed a robe that was lying on his small single bed that barely got used and wrapped it around his nude frame. He had almost no need for a bed anymore, there was no need for sleep it was a waste of time he only slept when his body could no longer go without it and only then it was only for a couple of hours. There was work to be done and lots of it and pretty soon the real game would start.

He walked to the lone window in his room and opened the curtains and looked out into the early morning light. Something was coming this way, he could feel it and it felt very familiar. He wondered if his master knew anything about this or if he had chosen to keep it from him on purpose. But still, something inside him was stirring and he couldn’t help but be anxious. It was about to begin, he thought to himself just as the radio went off again Ray making sure he got the message. He picked up the radio pushed down the button and spoke into it.

“I’m on my way.”

********

The group separated from each other about three hours after Emily had arrived with the news that she had found a new place for them to call home. A place that they could stay at and probably not have to leave ever again. The people were excited at this prospect and as soon as it had been announced they began to pack their things and readied themselves to head out. The traveler made sure that everyone over the age of twelve received some sort of weapon to defend themselves and a quick tutorial on how to operate it. It wasn’t exactly the best instruction ever but it would have to do until they had more time to explain it in detail. Just as the main group was about to leave Emily came up to the traveler and embraced him in a hug they held each other for a good moment and Emily looked up at him with tears in his eyes.

“Be careful alright.” She said, “The wind moves with you but you are still human.”

“I will try my best to make it back to the group in one piece.” The traveler said with a smile on his face, “I will even bring Marcus along with me.”

“Good,” she said laughing and then stopped suddenly getting serious. “Are you going to leave me without telling me your real name?”

Several different visions filled the travelers head. Visions of people, tragedy and loss and he began to shake his head.

“Someday,” he said, “But now is not the time.”

“I understand,” Emily said nodding, “Whenever you are ready you can tell all of us.”

They embraced one more time and then Emily rushed to the group that was leaving with Luke taking up the rear. He looked back and gave the traveler and Marcus a wave and the two men stood and watched until the group disappeared from their sight.

“So where are we headed?” Marcus asked putting a duffel back across his back and tossing a silencer attachment to the traveler that could be used on the MP5.

“We are going to head North,” the traveler said and then motioned to both his sides. “That is where I feel these two guides at my side are pulling me toward. So we go where they and the wind take us. It hasn’t failed us yet.”

“True.” Marcus said nodding in agreement and then looked back towards the group that just left. “Are we going to see them again?”

“God willing Marcus,” the traveler answered, “God willing.”

Pt Four-Five

5

Emily got back the next morning, short one person. She proceeded to tell the traveler the story of what happened when they had left the camp. They had walked for about five hours and it was of course extremely dark. Emily’s eyes were good in the dark and she didn’t have the need for any kind of light source for her to be able to see her surroundings. She couldn’t say the same for the two people in her group. She had told one of them to watch the back of the line while they were walking and he had concurred saying he would keep a close watch on the flank. After awhile, Emily put her hand back to signal the two to stop.

“I think there is something in front of us,” she whispered to the two, “Probably about twenty five feet or so. You two hold back and wait I will be right back.”

The two men protested heavily at first, not sure if they wanted Emily to go by herself just in case they were needed. She assured them that she would be perfectly fine going by herself and that she had been in this situation on more then one occasion. They finally agreed and she slowly made her way to the objects that she could barely make out in the dark. As she drew closer she could her the familiar moaning and groaning that was associated with zombies. There were three of them that she could make out and after watching and examining for a few moments making sure there weren’t any extras wandering around she decided to make her move.

She withdrew two curved knifes that she was practically fond of, she had found them almost a year ago in an abandoned warehouse a couple miles outside of Pittsburg. Calvin had been with her then. She quickly fought back the memories that tried to come back and flood her. It was no use thinking of him now, he was probably dead he had been taken by the men almost two days ago. And where he went no one ever came back from. Emily knew she would see him again someday, in another time after her time in the world was past, but that time was a long ways off.

Emily rushed the zombie that was most to the rear it’s back was turned to her so she easily walked up behind it, put both the knives together so that they resembled a pair of scissors and squeezed them together. The zombies head rolled forward as blood squirted into the night sky. Emily felt a few drops splash against her cheek but she paid it no mind. She was so use to it now it no longer bothered her like it use to. They were no longer human and she had no reason to feel sorry for any of them. They were now agents of the enemy and had to be eliminated. One of the zombies started to turn in her direction, she hit the ground and rolled to the opposite direction and came up thrusting both knives into the zombies back and then pulled them away from each other. Both halves of the zombies body fell away from each other, the top half was still moving the zombie was moaning and groaning louder then before and the third one noticed. Emily walked over and put one of her knives into the second zombies brain before she focused her attention on the third and final one.

The last zombie was almost on her it arms were outstretched, trying to grab Emily but she was faster then it was. With one knife she sliced at the zombies left arm at the elbow, blade met flesh as the arm fell to the ground, Emily could her the spraying of blood but the zombie came at her unfazed trying to grab her with it’s other arm. She rolled once again under its swipe and came up, thrusting a knife into the zombies belly. Before it could get a chance to sink its teeth into her, she brought it up all the way to the neck, sending all of it’s organs splashing to the ground. She brought the other knife around, colliding it with the zombies neck, sending its head flying into the night.

Emily crouched down, she viewed her surroundings trying to sense if any other ones were out there. She realized she was looking towards the two men that she had left waiting twenty five feet behind her. But now she could make out three shapes in the dark. She immediately ran towards them not yelling because she didn’t want to alert anymore zombies that might be close to them. She was not fast enough, just as she was about to reach them a yell of pain filled the night and then gunfire soon after. She approached the location, the zombie was dead on the ground the other man had shot it directly in the head. Not bad for a rookie, Emily thought. But their companion the second man was on the ground holding his neck, he was shaking uncontrollably, going into shock.

“What are we going to do,” The marksman said.

Emily crouched down to the man on the ground and put a hand to his neck. Blood was coming out of the wound almost non-stop, every so often their was a spray against her hand which meant the worst.

“It looks like they hit the artery,” Emily said looking down at the man. “You are going home today brother.”

She removed the mans hand from the wound and took both of his hands into hers. She closed her eyes and began to pray, leading her brother home with a peaceful end. After several moments the man was completely motionless, Emily reached over and closed his eyes and kissed his forehead as a tear streamed down her cheek. See you around, she thought to herself.

Those moments from the night before were playing back in her head as she rejoined the group the following morning. It had to be no earlier then five or so but there was already activity all around her. He didn’t die for nothing, Emily thought, at least we got somewhere to go out of all this. She came to the tree that the traveler had spoken such brave words the day before and as she saw him she could tell that there had been a change in the man, even just overnight. He smiled as he saw her and she smiled back feeling safe and secure in this new era of their life.

“Welcome back,” The traveler said, looking over the two returning people, “Weren’t there three of you?”

“We lost one.” Emily said a somber look on her face.

“Well,” the traveler said with a look of sadness on his face, “Lets hope his loss was for nothing. At least he is in a better place now.”

“Yes he is,” Emily said nodding, “And his loss was for nothing. I found somewhere that’s perfect for us.”

She continued to describe what they had found in the early hours of the morning. A series of caves about six hours away, with almost nothing in sight of it as far as she could tell. She didn’t go in too deep of course, not without backup in case they got loss but she felt really good about it and felt it was where they needed to go.

“Alright,” the traveler began, “Luke, I want you to start rounding everybody up. Tell them to gather as much as possible make sure you take everything that you found with you. Leave me an MP5 and some shotgun ammo the rest goes with you. Emily I want you to show everyone where this place is, take them straight there with no detours.”

“Where are you going?” Emily asked.

The traveler thought over his next words very carefully. He knew that she wasn’t going to like them regardless of what he said. The traveler wanted to make sure she was safe and the only way that he could make sure that happened was to be far away from where he was going.

“Marcus and I have somewhere else to go. We have to go alone though, no one is to follow us. You are in charge Emily, keep them safe until we get back.”

“Are you kidding me?” Emily asked.

The traveler stood there, the expression on his face as serious as it had ever been. He shook his head instead of speaking knowing that nothing he said would change the way she felt.

“After everything that has happened now I get to baby sit?” Emily asked once again, “Do you think I can’t handle it? You know I can handle it you have seen me against them they don’t stand a chance.”

“You are the only one I trust to lead them to where they need to go. Marcus is a soldier, Luke is too young, you were the closest to Eli, you are the one that makes the most sense.”

Emily was to going to once again object but she was suddenly empty and the realization came upon her that the traveler was right. She was the only one that made sense, she knew all these people she had spent the last two and a half years or so with them, so it did make the most sense for her to lead them where they needed to go.

“Very well,” She agreed. “Don’t you two do anything stupid, especially you Marcus.”

“Me?” Marcus asked with an innocent smirk on his face. “I wouldn’t think of it.”

The four new friends began to laugh at the joke enjoying this moment together. They all knew that after they split up there was a good chance that none of them would see each other again alive.

Pt Four-Four

4

Luke returned about five hours later to the crowd still deep in worship. The traveler had found a spot under a tree and it looked like he was deep in prayer his eyes were closed and it almost seemed as if he were sleeping. Luke knew better then that, he motioned for the two men to drop what they collected and to join the others, they did so with no arguments.

They had really hit the jackpot on their excursion. They had found an abandoned army depot and boy was it a big payoff. They had found several hundred MRE’s, it would be enough to feed them for months, there had also been an armory. Luke had to keep himself from drooling as he had opened the door. M-16’s, 9mm, .45 and .357 sidearms, Heckler & Koch MP5’s, Riot shotguns and the mother of them all a M32 MGL (Multiple Grenade Launcher). Luke had only seen grenade launchers in the video games he had used to play before the zombie invasion and it was actually lighter then he expected.

He had already tested it out on the way back to the group. Him and his two helpers had barely left the complex when they could see a group of zombies up ahead of them. Luke had motioned the two to stop and he removed the grenade launcher from one of the military duffel bags they had placed it in.

“You sure you know how to use that thing?” One of the men had asked.

“How hard can it be?” Luke answered.

He aimed it at an arc trying to eye the distance, he had never been good at geometry, and his first shot was a testament to that. The grenade was high over the group exploding about five feet behind them, Luke quickly compensated lowering it a little and pulled the trigger again. This time it landed right in between the group, body parts flew into the night sky. Luke had been satisfied, his childhood dream fulfilled and the three of them had continued back to the camp and now here they were.

Luke was just starting to wonder how much longer they would be at it when the crowd grew quiet all of a sudden and Luke realized that the traveler was standing up with his arms raised getting ready to speak once again.

“Alright everyone,” He began, “I really feel like we got some breakthrough tonight. I feel like something has changed around us I know we can’t see it but take my word for it. We are not alone here. God has sent us help in our hour of need, now please return to your tents and sleep. I pray peace over all of you and that worry, doubt and fear would have no place in your sleep. Good night everyone hopefully tomorrow you will be able to go somewhere we can stay and not have to worry about moving ever again.”

The crowd clapped their hands one final time in agreement with the travelers words. Most of the crowd turned and returned to their tents but a few people walked up and hugged the traveler before they headed to sleep. He had been sent to them and they all felt peace about leading them to a new place. After the crowd had dispersed Luke walked up to the traveler and noticed Marcus coming out of the shadows behind the tree that he had been sitting under.

“How’s it going my friends?” The traveler asked the two men.

“Perimeter is secure,” Marcus said, “Nothing within sight at least. They could be out there waiting for us to fall asleep.”

“No,” the traveler said shaking his head, “They aren’t out there. They are blinded to our location right now. There is a canopy over us we are under his favor and we must not lose sight of that. Once we start taking credit is when he lowers the covering.”

Both the men nodded in agreement. It was amazing how much this man had changed in the short time that they had known them. There was definitely something special about him. His wisdom had increased immensely in the trip here. God has chosen him for something big and they both were looking forward to seeing what it would be.

“What did you bring me Luke?” the traveler asked the boy.

“Take your pick boss.” Luke motioned to the pile of duffel bags lying on the ground. “We found a numerous supply of MRE’s of course we couldn’t fit them all in the bags but the place is easy enough to get too and we can always get more. Those are in this bag right here.”

Luke then walked over to another bag that was laying on the ground bent over, opened it and poured the contents on the ground. Various different clips and boxes of ammo fell onto the ground. He then walked over to another bag opened it and dumped the contents of it on the ground. Several different types of guns were showing in the torchlight.

“What’s in that bag?” the traveler asked pointing to the last bag left unopened.

“Oh that is something for me,” Luke said with a smile opening the bag showing off the toy that he had found, “already tested it out on the way back.”

“Very nice Luke. Was there more left?”

“There was a numerous supply.”

“Good. First thing in the morning I want you to go get more. We need enough for everyone and then some. Take the same two guys with you since they already know where everything is and what has to be done.”

“No problem boss. You want me to take watch so you guys can get some sleep?”

Marcus and the traveler both denied the boys courtesy and Luke was soon sound asleep against the tree that the traveler had been sitting under. Marcus and the traveler stood in the middle of the camp both looking up at the night sky enjoying the quiet.

“So what is the plan?” Marcus asked finally breaking the silence.

Marcus had instantly become the travelers right hand man. They didn’t have to speak the words they both knew that was the way it was going to be. They both already trusted each other more then best friends trusted each other with their lives. It was as if the bond had instantly been put on them and now there was no way to separate the two of them.

“When Emily gets back her and Luke will lead the group to whatever place she found. In prayer, I really felt like I was being told that the canopy would follow them to wherever they were going and that is what I want.”

“What about us?”

“We are going to find whoever is responsible for this mess and we are going to end him. We need to find out at least what it is they are planning on doing next.”

Marcus smiled, the agape fish standing out boldly on his forehead. He had been waiting for this for a very long time. On many different occasions he had pleaded to Eli to let him track down the man responsible and put a bullet in his head. Eli had denied his request and he had listened. Now, he would get his chance, and he began to think of all the things that he would do when he found him.

Pt Four-Three

3

“So what are you telling me Ray?”

Ray continued to type on the computer trying hard to not look at the man directly in the eyes. He had been working on this particular project for some time now and had got distracted from it when the people from the other side had come in and grabbed his attention. This software in the building had barely been touched in three years and this guy expected everything to happen overnight.

“What I am trying to say sir,” Ray started, “Is that these networks and servers have not been used for a long time. Everyone has pretty much wrote them off as useless, not to mention there are countless firewalls that I have to get past before I even think about getting anyone’s attention. I have a good chunk of them taken down but there are still quite a few left and they are quite complex.”

“So you are telling me that this is too much work for you? Do I need to find someone else who will be more capable in this job?”

“No that’s not what I am saying at all sir. I am more then capable to take them down. In fact I am probably the only one left alive in the states that could do this job it’s a good thing you found me otherwise this plan would never have gotten done.”

“That’s what I like to hear. I expect you to make contact by this time tomorrow evening if not things are going to get unpleasant for you.”

“Sir, I need more time than that I have already been up for almost 24 hours I---”

“I don’t care,” the man interrupted Ray with no hesitation. “Sleep is overrated I want it done, yesterday.”

Ray gave a reluctant agreement and put his attention back to the screen as the leader of the new America walked out the door. He had so much work left to do. He picked up the little miniature radio that all the key members of the complex had and requested that coffee be sent up to him on a regular interval. If he was going to change the world he needed to make sure that he wouldn’t fall asleep at the screen. Their was no room for error in these servers he was messing around with. One wrong push of a button or one wrong command then it might be the beginning of World War 3. All of America’s nuclear weapons were still in their respective areas and all it would take to launch them off was one misplaced letter. Ray didn’t care about the people that would die at the result of the launch he only cared about what the leader would do to him. As his first coffee of the evening got to him and he continued to hack into old government database’s he could only hope that he would be done before tomorrow otherwise he would be the newest meal for the zombies that prowled outside.

********

“So what exactly are you planning on doing?” Emily asked the traveler as they drew closer to the group of the other survivors.

“I haven’t quite figured that out yet,” the traveler admitted, “But I have faith that everything will turn out for the better. Maybe not right away, but we are working towards the bigger picture here. The other side is working on something big. Really big and whatever it is it will affect more then just us.”

“How are they going to do something that is going to affect everyone on a worldwide basis?” Marcus asked joining the conversation, “We aren’t exactly on great foreign relations with everyone else. We are kind of cut off.”

“Who knows the exact details,” the traveler responded, “Just know that they are moving to the next stage and we have to know what to do next.”

The traveler stopped speaking as the group came into sight and as they entered the meeting spot a crowd started to gather around the four people bombarding them with questions. “Where is Eli?” One asked, “Where are we going to next?” Another asked. The traveler leaned over and whispered something into Emily’s ear and she lifted both her hands and spoke with a loud voice.

“There will be plenty of time for questions and we will try to answer them to the best of our ability. Let me start by saying,” She stopped a second to try to choke down the emotion that were starting to come back up, and then finally. “Eli has fallen. He has moved on to a better place.”

The crowd immediately grew restless there were many, “What are we going to do?” and “we are all going to die.” Emily tried to get everyone’s attention again but the crowd continued to talk amongst themselves but grew quiet as gunfire filled the air. Luke had raised his rifle in the air and had pulled the trigger to get them to shut up, it worked, they instantly became silent.

“Okay,” Emily continued, “Before he passed, Eli talked with the traveler that came to us led by the wind. The two of them talked for quite some time and I believe that traveler is meant to lead us in these dark times. I know it seems rash. And we all don’t know this man very well, but God brought him to us for a reason and I can’t think of a better place for him then here with us. He is a smart fighter, and the spirit goes with him. He is going to talk to you now, please give him the same respect you would give Eli.”

The crowd was not moving an inch, they were all extremely quiet, they had been hanging on her every word. Tears were coming down several of their faces and as the traveler began to speak a gentle breeze began to blow through the group almost like a confirmation to what Emily had just spoke. The traveler had never been good with words but as he was about to speak he felt something inside of him stir as words began to come out.

“I know it seems like all is lost right now, these times we live in are already dark enough as it is without more tragedy, but everything happens for a reason. I have been walking for three years trying to find the next piece of the puzzle that I call life, but I found nothing. But the wind continued to blow and I continued to follow because the one who saved my life has promised me a purpose for all this. He has assured me that even though times are dark that they would lead to light. It’s always darkest before the dawn and he will not forsake us or leave us.

“I know you all loved Eli very much. I knew the man for two hours and loved him as much as I would my own brother. The loss of him has hit me harder then I thought it would, I feel your pain but we cannot falter. That is what the enemy wants, they think that now, since you are leaderless that you will panic and be easy to conquer. I say that this will only make us stronger.”

He paused looking over the crowd. Every eye was on him, everyone’s focus was on him. They were waiting to hear what else he had to say. He continued,

“You have been running for so long, I say no more. I am going to send Emily out to find somewhere, somewhere we can stay and protect. I need two people to go with her because I need Marcus and Luke here to do some other things. I know you aren’t fighters but its easy to become one, can anyone here help me? Two people is all I need.”

Two hand’s immediately shot up, the traveler looked at Emily and said, “Take them with you, find someplace where they can call home. Make sure its not too open and that its easy to defend.”

Emily look up at this man that she barely knew and felt peace. He knew what he was doing and she couldn’t argue with him.

“No problem boss,” She said with a smile on her face, “Come on you two,” she motioned to the two men, “Try to keep up.”

The three of them rushed off and disappeared to find someplace safe and the traveler once again focused his attention back on the crowd.

“We are going to stay here until they get back. I want you all to pray, we are going to do it together the men, women and children and then when we have reached our breaking point we are going to keep praying until we have heard his voice. We need to make this next movement on his terms not ours. It’s getting dark so lets get some light in here and then focus on prayer. Then we will be make our next move.”

The crowd began to shout, clapping their hands, some of them were singing the breeze began to blow a little hard and soon it was a regular wind blowing through the group. The people continued to lift up their voices and clap and sing. The traveler turned to Marcus and Luke.

“Luke,” He said.

“Yes sir,” the boy said with no hesitation.

“I want you to scout out there. Try to find as many supplies as you can. Ammo, weapons, I want it all. Also food, as much as you can carry. I want you to come right back here, take two people with you.”

The boy nodded in agreement and pulled two people out of the worshipping crowd and then they were gone.

“What about me boss?” Marcus asked.

“You are now officially in charge of security,” the traveler began, “It’s your job to protect these people and as soon as we find somewhere secure I want every person here to know how to use a gun, that’s your job.”

“Understood. I will check the perimeter.”

Then Marcus was off and the traveler was left with the crowd. This was the first part of his calling and as he joined in with the crowd singing and praying he felt contented for the first time in three years.

********

The two angels stood at their spots, the same spots they had been standing at for the past three years and couldn’t help but be proud as the group continued to sing and pray. If only they could see the effects of it in the air around them.

“It’s amazing isn’t it Ezra?” the angel on the left of the traveler said.

“That it is Zephna,” Ezra answered, “That it is.”

They looked up as the air above them began to shimmer and circle, and something that resembled a portal opened u and more of their brethren began to come out of if. Angels, one after another began to come from the portal and surrounded the whole area that the group had occupied.

“They will be protected.” Zephna said, “God answers prayer.”

“Yes he does.” Ezra said with a smile. “Yes he does.”

Pt Four-Two

2

Legion watched as the man sat in the middle of the dark room. His legs were crossed and his eyes were closed. There was a pentagram drawn on the floor, and he was sitting directly in the center of it. His lips were moving and something was laying on the floor in front of him split down the middle. It was a small animal of some kind, it was no longer recognizable. The ritual was always amazing to watch Legion never got tired of seeing it. This was how the monsters outside were controlled, the were bound and tied by the dark arts that were created by the dark one. The man in the middle of the room had stopped muttering his words sensing that the one he served had entered the room.

“They will not get away this time master. The zombies will wipe them all out.”

No they won’t, Legion hissed, they always get away. They are like sheep and with sheep you must take out the shepherd. That is why we sent a little surprise to the camp along with your little friends.

The man turned around and looked his master in the eyes. Hate and anger filled every corner of them. They had done a good job with this one. There was not one shed of love towards the good of the world in him. He was completely devoted to the darkness, one hundred percent. It was almost time. Legion had not decided whether to tell the man or not about their little visitor it might distract him from his job and that could not happen he must be focused on the coming days there was no room for heir. Lucifer did not take failure well.

“What sort of surprise master?” The man asked with a small grin on his face, the mark on his head barely visible in the candlelight. Legion would have to get rid of that mark, soon this man would be in front of the world and he could not have one of their hands that they were going to play stamped on his forehead. Legion reached over and touched him, the man screamed in pain as the touch burned the flesh. Legion removed their hand and the mark was gone nothing showing.

You won’t be needing that anymore. This was only a test run and now we have to go on to bigger and better things. Its time to move from the pond to the lake. We sent one of the others to take care of the old man, the one they call Eli. He is their leader and when he falls they will scatter and will be vulnerable.

“All the preparations are in the final stage. By this time next month the agent will be exposed in the promised land. And the so-called chosen people will be infected. The world will see this and fear that America’s disease has spread across the ocean. Then….” He stopped and looked Legion directly in the eye.

“You still haven’t told me what’s next.”

All in due time, Legion began, soon everything will be revealed.

“As you wish master,” the man said standing to his feet. “I will have someone else start another ritual so that we can prepare the herds for tracking down the survivors. They will be destroyed and their will be nothing left of their existence. They will call out to their god and he will remain silent and we will become victorious.”

As Legion turned to leave the room and wait for word from the creature he send he could only hope that it was going to be that easy.

********

Eli felt the presence enter the tent as soon as the traveler had left. It had waited for the opportune time when the travelers protector’s had left with him. This thing was coming here for a reason and Eli only feared for the worst. Don’t worry, A familiar voice filled his head small and quiet, I am here with you. Today, you will be with me. Eli felt a peace and boldness come over him suddenly in mere moments. He looked forward.

“Why don’t you come out of the shadows?” He began. “I know you are there.”

Eli saw movement in front of him. It was as if the atmosphere was shimmering and a brief spot of black was in front of him but was quickly gone again. Eli began to pray softly closing his eyes and feeling the familiar feeling that enveloped him when the helper was near. A unearthly yell filled the tent and the smell of sulfur filled his nostrils.

Your god is dead old man, a voice filled Eli’s head, We killed him long ago, he has given up on you.

That’s a lie, another voice said, I am very much alive.

The sound of hissing could be heard and Eli felt something crash into his and he was being lifted up, intense pressure was being applied to his ribs. He cried out in pain as he felt one of his ribs snap and a sharp pain filled his body. The pressure didn’t stop and suddenly the enemy in front of him was visible and it was an ugly sight. It was completely black with several, small and sharp spikes protruding from its body. The smell of sulfur seeped from it and Eli almost vomited because of how overbearing it was. The beast continued to apply pressure to the old mans body and his old fragile bones began to pop and crack.

Where is your help now? The evil voice filled his head as the creature opened its mouth in an evil smile revealing rows of razor sharp teeth. A peace filled Eli’s body and the pain that he was feeling was melting away. He smiled at the demon with blood coming from the corners of his mouth.

“The battle has already been won,” Eli began with a little chuckle, “You will strike me down and someone stronger is going to take my place. Enjoy your time while it lasts demon, because you are soon going to be in a place of torment for all eternity the serpents head will be crushed by the Son.”

The demon screamed and put its hands around the man’s neck. Air was soon cut off to Eli’s lungs and his world began to go black. As the world around him faded he began to think of the visitor that had come to him today for advice. He knew that the traveler would soon find his true purpose. Come home Eli, a voice spoke to him gently as he breathed his last breath and blackness gave way to white.

********

As the four people entered the tent nothing could prepare them for what they walked into. Eli was suspended in the air held up by some invisible captor he was hunched over, looking completely lifeless blood was dripping from his mouth. The traveler knew that they were too late and that the old man had moved on to a better place. That did not still soothe his feelings and the other three were clearly distraught. Emily was screaming and running towards the old man, merely inches away from him she was struck by the invisible assailant and fell back to the ground. Eli dropped to the ground the invisible enemy switching focus to these new targets.

The traveler saw the atmosphere in front of him begin to shimmer and a dim dark shape began to become clearer. He felt some familiar movement at his sides as he looked he could see the two beings that had rescued him earlier in the day as clear as day their swords were drawn, the bright orange glow surrounding the blade.

“You know the enemy,” One of the angels spoke down at the traveler, “Now you must rebuke it and we will react to your words.”

Luke and Marcus had their guns out and Emily had returned to her feet with two knives removed ready to kill anything that she could see. The traveler knew that physical weapons were not the weapons that they needed. Even though this creature had manifested itself in the natural world, it was not a natural enemy and had to be fought in the spiritual realm.

“Put your weapons down,” the traveler motioned his friends, “They will do no good against this foe. We have to come against it by the power that has been given to us.”

You have no power over me, the creatures voice pounded into their heads, who are you?

“I am no one,” the traveler began walking towards the creature, “But he who strengthens me is everything in the world. And he died long ago to settle the score. You have already been defeated by the blood of the Lamb.” The traveler pointed a finger at the creature, the angels at his side began to move towards him. “By the authority given to me by Christ Jesus I command you to leave this place and return to the abyss that you came from.”

The demon screamed immediately at the mention of the name of its worst enemy. The two angels at the travelers side pointed their swords at the demon as it reared back onto its hind legs and hurled itself forward towards the traveler. The angel on the left side of the traveler reached out with its free hand and grasped the demon in mid-air around the throat as it was merely a few inches away from the travelers face. He could smell the sulfur coming from the creatures mouth but he didn’t waver and continued to stare at the beast with determination in his eyes. The second angel took his sword and cut the air and the traveler once again saw the atmosphere around the sword cut rip and reveal a blackness. This time the traveler thought he could see an orange glow almost like that of a campfire.

Please no, the demon screamed as the angel reached back to hurl him into the ripped atmosphere around them, anything but that please not there no.

There were no recognitions to his call. The angel brought his arm back and then forward again releasing the demon which flew into the hole. A loud hissing noise filled the travelers ears as the creature was sucked in and the hole closed behind him.

“What just happened?” Luke asked as he looked at the traveler not having a clue to what was going on.

“It happened again didn’t it?” Emily asked him.

The two angels were still clearly visible to the traveler. He looked up at them as they looked down and smiled, returning to his side.

“Prayer is the key, remember that.” The angel on his left said.

“Call upon the name of the Lord and you shall be saved.” The angel on the right said immediately after and then the two of them were no longer visible even though the traveler knew that they were still there by his side.

“Eli,” the traveler suddenly snapped out of his trance and remembered the old man and rushed to his side kneeling down to check for consciousness. He put a hand to the man’s neck to feel a pulse and was disappointed to not find one. He immediately began CPR, closing the mans nostrils, breathed into his mouth twice and then placed his hands on his chest and began to pump. He counted until he got to thirty and then repeated the process. After several tries and no response from the old man the traveler stopped and looked to the three people around him. Each one of them had tears streaming down their cheeks. Emily had the most by far with Luke being a close second.

“He’s gone,” Marcus said in between sniffles, “What are we going to do now?”

“I’ll tell you what we are going to do,” Emily said angrily, “We are going to find the man responsible for this and we are going to make him pay.”

“No.” The traveler stated.

“No?” Emily asked, “No? Who asked you traveler? You aren’t even a part of our group if anyone has a right to decide our next course of action its me.”

The traveler stood up to his feet, determination in his face. His purpose was becoming more and more clear by the moment. He had been brought to these people on this day for a reason. And he was going to make sure that the right steps were going to be taken and that no one was going to do anything foolish.

“I was brought here for a reason.” The traveler said. “You found me for a reason. We were brought together by the breeze and you brought me to Eli. He told me that I had a special purpose, he didn’t get into specifics but I really feel like we should tread lightly here.”

“What should we do?” Luke asked.

“I think we should regroup with the others because right now they are out there with no protection. We will talk over our next move and more importantly we will pray about what to do next. We don’t need to rush into the lions den, there will be plenty of time to be a martyr later, no need to quicken it. Is that okay with you Emily?”

Emily knew that he was right. She had been led to him at what seemed to be their most time of need. She knew that he was the right person to take Eli’s place even though the words would never leave her mouth. Trust him, a voice inside told her, my hand is on him. Emily was amazed at the words. She knew they weren’t her words in her head which meant that is was His. It was the first time she had heard an audible voice from the creator so she knew she had to listen.

“Alright traveler,” Emily began, “We do it your way. But don’t expect me to just be satisfied with being on the defensive and just sitting and twiddling my thumbs.”

“Oh trust me,” the traveler said as the group left the tent and headed in the direction of the rest of their group. “That is the last thing we will be doing.”