Rise & Fall

By Solomon Woytowich

As Zeph falls and becomes the villain, both Desiree and Sensei rise to fight him. After a battle ensues Zeph is shown the errors of his ways and returns to Appagon with them, if only to stay with Sensei until he is ready to return home. He soon discovers that he has lost all of his abilities. Under the watchful care of Sensei and Desiree Zeph slowly starts to recover.

Iggy, along with Victor, Marcus and the survivors from Domina, slowly make their way back home to Daunt. No one on board knows the fate of their home yet. Upon returning home they are reunited with Zeph and Desiree. Zeph must now face everyone and reveal what he became and the he lost his abilities. In a turn of fate Iggy shows Zeph where is abilities were and restores them to Zeph. The Water Scroll finds a new owner as Victor becomes the new Water Chosen One.

After a mage under Mizimmah's control visits Daunt the town must band together to fight off a fiend invasion. In the heat of the battle Pierce is kidnapped by Mizimmah's forces. Zeph then realizes that war is coming. Under his direction, Desiree and Xa'an head for the Shadow Realm in an attempt to discover the extent of Mizimmah's forces. Along the way Desiree becomes plagued with a mysterious vision of the coming war.

Through the memories contained within the Water Scroll, Victor learns that his father is still alive and travels to Thai in search of answers. Construction has begun on a revolutionary new ship, an airship. Victor and Domm cross paths once more. Domm's encounter with Iggy changed the core of his being. He now helps to lead the survivors of Thai.

After a new ability unlocks for Zeph he discovers that his father's compass may hold even greater secrets than first thought. As Zeph is thrown forward in time he meets a man named Aidon. After receiving a glimpse of the distance future Zeph knows what he must do.

Desiree and Xa'an discover the massive army Mizimmah is building in the heart of the Shadow Realm. They journey across the Realm to the capital city of Tamay in the hopes that there is some that will stand against Mizimmah. In their travels the discover a secret that was hidden for over four thousand years, and the reason Mizimmah seeks to wage war against Tamay.

After a massive rain of fire across the whole world the truth of what has been set in motion is revealed to Zeph. He and Iggy head for the Wind Realm in search of the Wind Chosen one. Meanwhile, Desiree and Xa'an train up the soldiers of Tamay to face Mizimmah's army as it marches towards the city. The Wind Realm unites as one to make a final stand against the coming cataclysm. No one knows if they will be able to prevent it in time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Solomon Woytowich
• Release date: Nov 19, 2014
• ISBN: 9780986620980

Solomon Woytowich

I've always been a dreamer, even from a young age. The world around me has never been simple or easy. I learned that if I could find the good in the world I would have to create a place where I could show others what was possible. This is why I started writing. For more about my years growing up and my experiences with writing visit: www.solomonwoytowich.com

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RISE & FALL

BOOK III

TEARS OF OMEGA SERIES

By

Solomon Woytowich

* * * * *

This book is a work of fiction.

All characters and events portrayed in this book are either products

of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

RISE & FALL

Copyright © 2014 Solomon Woytowich

All right reserved. No part of this book may be used

or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the written permission

of the Author.

ISBN: 978-0-9866209-8-0

Smashwords Edition: November 2014

For more information on this book and the series, please visit:

www.tearsofomega.com

Join on Facebook™. Twitter™ @tearsofomega

* * * * *

This book is Dedicated to my father

Theodore Woytowich

He always showed me that I can rise above any mistakes I make.

More than that though,

he has always set the standard for me in being a

wise and honorable man.

* * * * *

RISE & FALL

PROLOGUE

From the pages of Desiree’s Journal…

Zeph told me I should start writing a journal, he said it would help me adjust. I honestly don’t know what to say, so I guess I’ll start at the beginning. We made it back to Daunt. I was really glad to be away from the Shadow Realm, that was until I saw Gus. I know I took everything from him, I don’t know what to do now. He won’t even look at me. All I ever see is pain or hate in his eyes. Zeph tries to encourage me, but I feel so alone.

Zeph saw a vision of what’s to come. We all think it has to do with another Tear breaking. He also saw his father. I don’t know much but from what Zeph told me his father disappeared nine years ago, but Zeph never gave up hope. All we know for sure is that sometime a tidal wave is going to come to Daunt. Gus came up with a plan to make a barrier to cover the whole town, powered by Light, Fire, and Water elementals.

The Nephesh was rebuilt by Victor and Gus into a mechanical vessel instead of a sailing ship. More than that, they made the ship able to travel underwater as well. Not long after that we divided into two groups. Zeph said he had to go off on his own, to discover what really happened with his father. He headed east across the sea towards the Fire Realm for the city of Thai. The rest of us headed south towards the Shadow Realm.

Right after we left Daunt we stopped at Tarn. I hadn’t stepped inside the Order for over a thousand years. Inside we found a mage named Xa’an inside. He was barely alive, but he knew who I was right away. I thought he would hate me like everyone else, but he forgave me just like Zeph had.

As our journey continued I started spending more time with Iggy. He was kind and I felt like I could be myself around him. We talked a lot on the voyage. I showed him how to carve wooden statues. As our journey continued on Iggy started to get glimpses into where Zeph was. It was only flashes at first, but we knew that Zeph had made it to the Fire Realm.

After we traveled south far enough we began to head east towards the Water Realm. Our path would take us to the World Vortex, a massive whirlpool in the middle of the Euphratic Ocean. I could tell that everyone onboard the ship was starting to get used to me, everyone except Gus.

One day while we were travelling we were attacked by a fearsome pirate named Domm. He tried to take our ship but Iggy stepped in. I don’t know what Iggy did to Domm but he showed him a glimpse of what was going to happened, what Zeph had seen in his vision. What was even more surprising was we all learned that Victor once served under Domm as a pirate himself. I guess I’m not the only one with a past.

Eventually we reached the Water Realm. Iggy seemed to be leading the way. Visions of Zeph continued to come to him. Part of me wished I could have seen them as well. I missed Zeph. We explored the city of Kyste and stumbled upon a secret. Far below the sea and far from the coast was an underwater city called Domina. They were harvesting the energy of the Water Tear to power the city and Kyste as well. In the middle of everything I was locked up in a holding cell. A lot of people tired to lock me up over the years, I think it was the first time I let them without resisting.

We did everything we could but we discovered that we arrived too late. There was nothing we could do to stop the Tear from breaking. It was the power of the Tear that was holding Domina together, with it gone the city began to collapse and flood. I wasn’t expecting to get out alive and part of me wanted that. That was until I was Gus come to my rescue.

I didn’t understand why he would be coming to save me. He hated me for killing his daughter. As the city began to collapse we became trapped in the holding area. The room was flooding and we were both ready to die together. I wasn’t expecting anything from Gus but instead he offered me his forgiveness for what I had done and asked for mine all the hate and anger he had for me.

In those last few minutes together I saw a way for us to escape. I tried to take both of us, but it wasn’t possible. Gus told me that I had to go alone. I didn’t want to, I begged him not to make me. In the end I left him down there to die alone….

The Water Tear broke as we were escaping on the Nephesh. The ship almost didn’t make it. While everything was happening something began to happen to Iggy. He began to see through Zeph’s eyes. Something horrible had happened. There was a massive surge of energy and somehow Zeph’s Omega symbols appeared on Iggy. He pled with me to find Zeph. He told me his brother was going to something horrible.

I used all my strength and teleported to the city of Feuerstadt in the Fire Realm. I found Zeph, but he was different. I found out that he found his father, just in time to watch him die. The Zeph I had first met, the one that saved me wasn’t there anymore. He had changed into something dark, someone dark. I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to help him, like he helped me. But he didn’t want my help. I tried to stop him. But I failed. I don’t even know how I came to be there but I found myself in the Appagon mountains outside the home of a man named Sensei. He saw what Zeph had become through my eyes. Together we headed back to Feuerstadt to try and stop Zeph….

The City of Feuerstadt…

Day 316

CHAPTER 1 – FROM THE ASHES

The room was nothing but an endless sea of darkness. In the distance only a series of lights were visible. They stood as pillars against the darkness; a ring of lights hanging over an unseen world far below. Out of the darkness several figures stepped into the lights. Of the fourteen pillars of light, five remained empty. Those standing in their place didn’t seem to give concern that some were not present.

So it is the nine of us that remain then? asked Mal’ak to the group. Each nodded their heads subtly.

They have persuaded Ammudesh to join with them, said Iyr as he lifted his head to address the group.

Since her presence is not here, I think we can assume that Niyr had joined with Ammudesh as well, said Mal’ak he looked over at the two empty pillars of light to his right. They were the place that Fire should be present in their group. His gaze drifted across to Ru’Ach. Beside her there was another empty pillar. She looked back at Mal’ak with great sorrow in her eyes.

I don’t know where Kashal has gone. After the Water Tear broke he vanished from me and I have found nothing of him since. Mal’ak’s expression showed his surprise that one of the Wind had left the group. Since the beginning both had always been loyal to Omega.

There were no sounds in the place they stood, only the echoes of their voices when they spoke. Other than the pillars of light coming from the unseen floor and the void above, there was nothing else tangible. Not even the sound of their breathing could be sensed. It was a place outside the realm of time and space, a place where all from past and present could be watched.

Each of the Uriel stood in silence in their place. They were aware of what was happening on the world. Mizimmah had started something that would be nearly impossible to stop. In the blink of an eye they could rise against him and inflict the punishment that he deserved. Unlike him though, they were obedient to Omega. No matter their thoughts on the matter, they would wait until directed from above.

The boy calls out to us.

It was Addiyr that had spoken up. All those in the circle looked over at him. If there was one amongst them that could be called their leader it was him. He watched over everything, and always waited until the appointed time to act. He was strong and obedient.

From the silence of the void where they stood they began to hear a voice calling out to them. It demanded their presence. No one in the circle moved or even made a gesture. The sound continued to echo throughout the darkness. There was pain in the voice. Beneath the anger there was desperation, and a longing for help.

From within the black that surrounded the nine, small flashes of light began to appear here and there like bolts of lightning. It was as though the veil separating them from the real world was being breached, if only in small instances.

Do we stand and let the boy continue to fall? asked Mal’ak as he looked over at Addiyr.

If we are told to intervene, then we will, was all he said in turn.

Suddenly a loud bang filled the void where they stood. Below their very feet the surface lit up as a massive glowing red seal spread across the invisible surface. The light from it shone up through the surface as thin intense rays of red light. Everything shook and the sound of the impact echoed out across the void. This was something they had never encountered before, not by someone that hadn’t Ascended. Those standing in the circle looked around with concern that they had never shown before when they gathered there.

In the center of the circle a figure unexpectedly appeared in a pillar of light that quickly faded away. It was a young girl. Each of the Uriel knew her well. They had followed her progress for her entire life. She was strong and faithful to Omega. Even though she was an Ascended, her presence in the circle was cause for confusion.

What is it that brings you to this place, my child, asked Addiyr.

The time has come, she said with a heavy heart and sadness in her voice as she looked down at the marking on the floor. Omega will not allow this to continue. He will inflict the marks on him until he relents.

The Uriel all knew the meaning of her words. Zeph had extended his reach too much. He had walked too far away from the path he was supposed to take. If he were to return to his calling he would have to first be disciplined.

As the massive glowing seal on the floor began to fade away, the girl in the middle of the circle left as well. The Uriel looked down to the world below, past the veil that separated the void from reality. As they watched the scene below their hearts were heavy.

* * * * *

Muffled sounds filled Desiree’s ears as she began to stir on the ground. Slowly she ran her hand along the rough surface. Her fingers felt every piece of debris, every shard of broken glass, every crumbled bit of what had once been buildings. The ground beneath her vibrated slightly as she stirred. The ringing in her ears would not cease. She opened her eyes and found that everything around her was a blur. A flash of bright light caused her to shut her eyes once again. Even though she couldn’t focus on it she knew exactly what had caused it.

Pressing her palm against the sidewalk Desiree tried to prop herself up. As she slowly opened her eyes once again she was able to make out a shinny cylinder object within her reach. A muffled sound filled her ears, causing her to turn her head and look in the corresponding direction. As she tried to focus, the image of two figured farther down the street filled her view. Flashes of bright light were erupting from between them.

Stretching her arm out, Desiree grabbed hold of the scroll on the ground next to her. As she did the energy began to seep into her skin. Looking down at her hand, her vision quickly became clear. The moment captivated her as she watched the veins on her arm glow from the energy being drawn into her skin from the scroll. It was hard to tell at times if she was the one pulling the energy in or if it was the scroll itself that was pushing the energy into her.

Pulling the energy deep within herself, she quickly found the strength to stand to her feet. The sight before her almost made her wish that she had fallen into some sick dream. Buildings were broken and crumbled to the ground all the way down the street. The street itself bore the marks of battle as well. Smoke and small fires burned all throughout the scene in front of her. Could this really be happening?

The sting of many small cuts quickly subsided as the healing energy of the scroll bound them. Her gaze was locked on the pair of figures farther down the street. Desiree had been in many battles over her vast lifetime. What she was witnessing now was far beyond anything that her eyes had seen before. Flashes of energy lit up the street. The sound of energy ripping through both the air and the street filled her ears. She now knew that for all the abilities and power she had within her, it was but the surface of what was possible.

Looking down at her clothes she saw that they were quite tattered and torn from the experience. Before awaking on the ground the last thing she remembered was standing a handful of steps away from Zeph and Sensei. Her eyes widened as she remembered the moment they had collided. The burst of energy had been so strong it had thrown her across the street and into the side of a building.

Even though she had no idea what she could do to help Sensei she still took off down the street towards of the sound of battle. Her greatest fear was that in order to stop Zeph they would have to take his life. Based on what she had experienced so far, she wondered if that was even possible.

Sensei spun around rapidly and flung his staff out. White light coiled its way down the length of it in an instant and burst from the end as a beam of pure energy. Zeph leaped into the air as it impacted the ground where he had stood. Stones and pieces of the street flew up into the air all around him; he gripped them with his mind and flung them at Sensei. Taking a knee he threw his hand out and created a barrier to block Zeph’s onslaught.

The fight was unlike anything Sensei had experienced before. He was a very powerful elemental, having had hundreds of years to hone his skills. His age was a mystery to Zeph and the others, but he had a great deal of years on them with the exception of Desiree. Unlike the fight that he and Zeph had over half a year earlier up in the mountains, the playing field was much more even now.

As Sensei looked over at Zeph he could still see the rage in his eyes. When they had first locked eyes after his appearance in the city, Sensei had been taken aback by the change in color. It was a clear sign that the power within Zeph was changing and warping the very fabric of his being. Sensei knew that it would not be a simple task to sway Zeph as it had been before. This time the young man had tapped into the abilities that were dormant deep inside him. Even if he didn’t know how to properly wield them, he was still quite powerful and much more dangerous because of it.

The most intriguing ability that Zeph was displaying was his ability to create objects out of nothing but his own energy. It was something that Sensei hadn’t seen before. Every time Zeph would manifest an object it seemed to drain a great deal of his energy. It was something that Sensei had started to try and play upon.

Charging energy across the length of his staff, Sensei threw his arms out and sent a wave of energy through the air at Zeph. It was bright and blocked Sensei from Zeph’s view for a split second. Suddenly Sensei burst through the wave just before it collided with Zeph. Gripping hold of his clothing, Sensei swung him around and let the wave of energy collide with Zeph’s back. The pain shot up through Zeph as the energy dispersed across his body. It crackled as it washed over his arms and legs.

Before Zeph could react he felt the hard impacts of Sensei’s fist against his jaw. Having dropped his metal staff during the shuffle, Zeph threw several quick punches which Sensei easily blocked. When it came to hand-to-hand combat, Zeph was clearly at a disadvantage.

The light shot down Zeph’s veins and up through the center of his palms. In an instant it formed into a small blade in each of Zeph’s hands. Despite the look of confidence appear on Zeph’s face, Sensei also saw the mental drain on him from the creation of the weapons. Zeph lunged at Sensei with both weapons in unison. The old man was quick, but Zeph managed to get several small wounds on him.

Zeph threw one of the small blades at Sensei. As it left Zeph’s hand the metal burst apart, turning the blade into a handful of razor sharp projectiles. Throwing his arm up, Sensei quickly protected his face. Even though he was able to reflect most of the pieces with his abilities several pieces imbedded into his forearm. One piece managed to streak past and sliced through the side of his face. Blood dripped down over his short beard and onto the shoulder of his white robes. Sensei took hold of the protruding bits of metal in his arm and quickly pulled them out one after another, flinging them to the ground.

During the whole fight so far, Sensei had simply been trying to incapacitate Zeph without causing him great bodily harm. As much as it pained him to do it, he saw an opportunity to take Zeph down a bit. Throwing his hand out, Sensei produced an intense beam of light at Zeph’s face. Zeph closed his eyes and staggered back in pain from the intensity. As he stood there trying to see Sensei took hold of Zeph’s wrist and turned it inwards on the young man, pushed it up towards his shoulder. With the blade still held firmly in Zeph’s grip, it pushed into his shoulder with great ease. Zeph cried out in pain as he felt his own dagger penetrating deep into his flesh.

Sensei took a step back and waited. Zeph quickly blinked several more times and finally regained his sight again. He looked down at the blade in his shoulder. Rather than pulling it out slowly, he reached up and quickly pulled it from the wound. He winced in pain and as he gripped the bloody dagger. In his other hand he manifested another dagger and looked over at Sensei.

Thrusting his arm out Zeph gripped Sensei with his mind. Discomfort turned into pain within seconds. Sensei grimaced and began to stagger down to the ground. Even though he gave no audible cry, the look on his face was evident of what he was going through. Desiree stood there in shock. She knew exactly what Zeph was doing, but she didn’t think it was possible.

The pain coursing through Sensei’s body brought out the truth of name Pain that Zeph was inflicting upon the old master.

Zeph stop, what are you doing? Desiree blurted out.

Don’t make me hurt you too, Des, Zeph replied without moving his gaze from Sensei.

As Desiree watched Sensei kneeling on the ground in pain, she knew she had to do something. In the blink of an eye she gravitated towards Zeph with her hands balled into fists ready to take the fight to him. Suddenly she found Zeph’s hand wrapped tightly around her throat. His gaze pierced deep into her. It felt cold and dark to her. She could feel his mind pushing into hers, invading her very thoughts.

The distraction was exactly what Sensei needed. He wasted no time and quickly picked up his staff and lunged at Zeph. An all too familiar sensation shot through Zeph as he felt the end of Sensei’s staff crack one of his ribs. In a quick motion Zeph flung Desiree into the air and hit Sensei with a wall of telekinetic energy. The blast sent Sensei back a ways, but he was still able to hold his ground and stay on his feet.

The sky above them had become dark with heavy clouds. All traces of sunlight had been blocked by the dense blanket of clouds above them. As Desiree fell to the ground a few paces away from Zeph she fell something wet fall on her cheek. If it had been warm her first thought would have been that it was some of her blood. The coldness of the drop brought a different thought to mind. As she brought herself up onto her hands and knees she felt more drops fall onto her back. Suddenly the sky opened up and the rain began to pour down heavily.

Zeph and Sensei stood a few paces apart; each was keeping a careful eye on the other. The rain quickly soaked through their clothing. Evidence of the battle was becoming more evident as the rain ran over all wounds they had, causing the blood to run more. Streaks of red made their way down over the white shirt beneath Zeph’s black coat. Sensei’s robes also showed signs of the battle. The clean white color had become a mixture of grey and red.

Pain was radiating up from the cracked ribs on Zeph’s side. Memories flashed back in Zeph’s mind of the time when Sensei had shattered several of his ribs. Zeph began to draw on the pain, letting it fuel his emotions and give strength to his body. The darkness in his eyes grew even darker as he did.

Zeph, if you will stop and come with me I will join you on your quest to bring the Uriel to justice, said Sensei as they both held firm to their weapons in the stillness of the moment.

Every breath Zeph drew in filled him with pain. It was as though the very air itself was the fuel for his heartache. Part of him deep inside was screaming within, trying to regain control of the monster he had become. A trickle of blood ran down the side of his neck from a small wound on his head. Bits of red were splattered in the stands of his white hair. The long black jacket he was wearing was torn and burnt in many places. His heart was beating so fast and hard he was sure that it was visible to the naked eye.

Pulling his forearms in, Zeph dissolved the blades in his hands back into energy and balled his hands into fists. Spikes of red energy cracked out from between his fingers. Throwing his arms out red bolts of energy shot out from his palms. The street tore apart violently as the energy cut through it on its way toward Sensei. As the old master watched the energy race towards him in a fraction of a second, he saw a calming expression wash over Zeph if only for a moment. It was as if Zeph was pushing the hate out of his body through his energy discharges. The red bolts of energy impacted a bright wall of light in front of Sensei. It had become a very draining task to try and block Zeph’s attacks, one that was quite evident on Sensei’s face.

Even as the cold rain poured down on them both, it didn’t seem to quench the rage that was below Zeph’s skin. For Sensei on the other hand it was refreshing and he drew strength from it. The street had become a battlefield. Water was running down the sides of the street at a fast rate. The city was in panic and the authorities had completely backed off. They could still be seen several blocks down the street. After seeing Zeph kill several of them in the blink of an eye it was decided that they would leave it to the old man that had appeared to try and deal with the situation.

What do you say, old man? Think you’re winning this?

The voice caused everyone to look around with confusion, even Zeph. Almost simultaneously they all spotted the tall dark figure sitting on a pile of rubble. His attire was a gentleman’s suit with a variety of black and red mixed throughout. His thinning black hair was slicked back. The rain poured down over him and added to the sinister quality about his appearance.

The fury could be seen filling Zeph as his gaze fell upon Mizimmah. His veins once again began to glow a faint red all over his body. They webbed out across the surface of his skin, as though the anger itself was a disease upon his very flesh. The markings on his forehead and hands also began to glow the same deep red.

Zeph stop! This is exactly what he wants. He wants you to give in, to let your hate destroy you, said Sensei in a loud voice.

Zeph took a step in Mizimmah’s direction. Mizimmah in turn quickly raised his hand in the air towards Zeph. From the expression on his face it was quite clear that Zeph was trying to move but was unable to. Slowly Mizimmah walked over to Zeph. He had his head turned slightly to the side and a crocked little grin was on his face.

Don’t you see, boy. You’re my puppet now, he said with an evil grin as he stood in front of Zeph. I thrive on what you’re filling your body with. The more you hate me, the more I control you.

You’ll pay for everything you’ve done, Zeph said through clinched teeth.

You think you can stop what I’ve started? Think you can just pick up the world and put it on your shoulders, don’t you? Well I’ve got news for you, little man. This world is gonna fall to ash, but not by me, just by you.

In the blink of an eye Mizimmah disappeared from in front of Zeph, leaving him in control of his body once again. From the look on his face, the words Mizimmah had spoken to him were rattling around within his mind. Sensei and Desiree stood a few paces away from him. They could still see the energy coursing through his veins. They both prayed that the fight was over, but somehow they both knew deep inside that it wasn’t.

The rain continued to pour down on them. Flashes of lightning could be seen across the horizon. The rumble soon echoed over the city. Within Zeph the anger was subsiding. As Desiree looked over at him she was filled with fear. Even though his visible anger was fading, the darkness within his eyes remained. She wondered if her face had shared a similar expression for the centuries before she met Zeph.

The damage was already done. As Sensei reached out with his mind he felt the cold darkness that had filled Zeph. It was a like a poison. A horrible chain reaction had occurred, starting with the death of Zeph’s father. In turn, Zeph had allowed his grief and despair to fill him and quickly turn to anger. With his body consumed by his hate he slowly began to turn from the good person he had always been, to someone consumed solely by the world. The dark person he was becoming was the path of Sha’Kath. Those that followed the teachings would most likely idolize Zeph if they were watching him at that very moment. There was much power in the darkness of the world.

Clinching his hands into fists, Zeph began to channel the glowing red energy from all over his body into them. Both Sensei and Desiree stood their ground, not knowing which of them he would strike. Suddenly Zeph threw his hands down towards the ground around him. The energy shot from his hands like bolts of red lightning. It began to tear through the street around him as the strands began to circle Zeph. Within seconds strands of energy were spinning around him rapidly, ripping through the street as they did.

Chunks of stone and rubble from the street began to get caught up with the strands that spun around Zeph. Soon the appearance of a glowing red vortex was all around Zeph. Sensei looked over at Desiree with questioning eyes. Despite everything she had seen in her lifetime, this was something completely new to her.

Throwing his arms towards the sky, the ground around Zeph erupted with red energy and shot up to the clouds like a beam of light. In the clouds above the city a massive glowing red elemental seal appeared. In that moment Desiree realized what Zeph was trying to do as she looked at the glyph pattern in the sky. As the markings in the clouds faded away she began to look around for a sign that someone had appeared there with them.

What have you done? asked Sensei as he looked around with confusion.

He tried to forcibly bring one of the Uriel here, replied Desiree. The very thought of it seemed to dumfound Sensei. How could a person simply call one of the Uriel as though they were nothing more than a common pet?

Show yourself you coward! shouted Zeph. The rain had caused his hair to hang down and cling to his face. Lightning struck one of the towers farther into the city. The bolt lit up the sky behind Zeph and the thunder followed not more than a second later.

Is this what you’ve been reduced to? said a soft voice from behind Zeph. He spun around quickly, his arm outstretch ready to strike down whoever had appeared. As the energy flowed down the veins of his arm towards his palm Zeph caught a glimpse of the person that stood before him. Instantly the energy dissipated before it even reach his fingertips. Zeph let his arms fall to his side and he staggered back a step. A memory flashed in his mind of the last time he had raised his hand in the same manner to the person that stood before him.

A young girl stood there in front of Zeph, no older than sixteen. Her long black hair had begun to cling to her clothing from the falling rain. The paleness of her skin brought out the softness of her features. Within her eyes there was a peace like something from a dream. There was no grand aura around her; no glowing light above her head.

You can’t be… said Zeph as he took another step back.

What have you done here? Breeze asked with great sorrow in her eyes.

Suddenly a bolt of lightning shot down from the sky. It struck Zeph in the back, lighting up the street by its brilliance. Zeph cried out in pain as he fell to his knees. As both Desiree and Sensei lowered their hands from their eyes they saw the back of Zeph’s coat. There was a large section that had been completely burnt away, revealing a large burn running down Zeph’s back.

He asked you a question, said Breeze as she pointed towards the sky.

As Zeph looked up to the clouds he realized that it was nothing Breeze had done that struck him down, but someone far greater.

Omega can show Himself to me, and then I’ll answer Him. The arrogance dripped from Zeph’s lips as he spoke. The eyes widened on both Sensei and Desiree as they heard Zeph speak. They took several steps back for fear of what might happen.

In the blink of an eye another bolt of lightning arced down from the sky above. It tore through what remained of Zeph’s coat and ripped through his skin. Even with the heavy falling rain the smell of burnt flesh could be sensed. The sound of Zeph’s cries of pain disappeared with the fleeting thunder.

I….I…, Zeph stammered. The words were there but he could not bring himself to speak them. Suddenly another bolt shot down from the clouds and struck him once again. The flesh could take no more and the muscles on his back took the strike directly. This time Zeph’s cry came out as a painful scream as he fell down onto his hands. The rain washed over the raw tissue of his back, giving him nothing but a quick moment of relief from the pain. Blood ran freely from the burns and ripped flesh that covered his back. A small pool of rainwater had formed around him where he knelt in the street, it began to turn red as the blood ran down from his back.

Breeze knelt down on the broken street in front of Zeph. Slowly Zeph lifted his head to meet her gaze. His lips were trembling and his body was shaking as he looked at her. He knew what he had done, it was becoming so incredibly clear as the pain radiated through every part of his being.

I killed innocent people, Zeph finally managed to get out.

Desiree watched as Zeph and Breeze knelt on the ground in the pouring rain. Both she and Sensei had stepped closer and were now standing only a pace away. For a moment Desiree saw the mix of emotions calm on Zeph’s face. One expression remained though, it was sorrow. Reaching out with her thoughts she gently touched inside his mind. His thoughts had turned to Gus. She could feel the sorrow wanting to break free. Beneath the hate and grief there was a sea of sorrow, for his father, for Gus, and for the innocent lives he had taken.

A thin ray of light made its way through the clouds overhead. It shone down on the four of them in the street. The light seemed to almost pass through Breeze in many places as her form began to glow in the sunlight. As Zeph raised his head and looked to the sky a memory shot into his mind. He remembered the day he had parted the clouds over Araphel in the Shadow Realm. Had he fallen so far that Omega had needed to strike him down from the sky as well?

I can’t do it, Zeph said slowly. I can’t save anyone, I can’t save the world.

No one asked you to, Zeph said Breeze softly.

Yes they did, he said back. That’s my whole purpose, right? To save the world, to make it better.

No it’s not. It was Desiree that had spoken up. It’s our place, the Seven.

It looked as though a moment of clarity had struck deep within Zeph’s mind. It seemed to be painful as both Sensei and Desiree looked over at him. As Desiree looked into Zeph’s mind again she saw that a crack had formed in the wall that held back his sorrow.

You might have been given the vision from Omega, but saving the world is not your responsibility, Desiree continued. Omega will save the world; you will only be his tool in that task.

Zeph’s hands began to shake a little. They weren’t sure if it was from his wounds or from the realization of everything sinking in. Slowly he reaching into his clothing and pulled out a scroll. As he looked down at it they saw everything in his mind begin to fall to pieces. The wall of anger and grief could no longer hold up the ocean of sorrow.

I knew…, said Zeph as his lips trembled. I knew from the moment I had the vision that I wouldn’t be able to save my father, he said as the tears built up in his eyes and quickly fell to the ground. But I won’t let myself believe it.

It was then that Sensei and Desiree saw that the markings on the end of the scroll were Water. Desiree instantly knew of what Zeph spoke of. It was hard to imagine what it must have been like for Zeph, all those months of planning and travel for a cause he knew he couldn’t complete.

Lowering his head Zeph began to sob. Sensei and Desiree slowly walked over to him and gently placed a hand on his shoulders. The energy within him was still quite evident. For the moment though, they could feel the hate and anger subsiding and leaving him. Breeze took Zeph’s hands in hers.

I’m so very sorry about your father, she said gently. I know how much you loved him, and he to you in return. Know that he was a very obedient man, and served Omega to the fullest. There was genuine compassion in her voice. I’m sorry that grief has turned you into something you never wanted to become.

I can’t go back, said Zeph. I can’t go home again.

Your family loves you, Zeph. They will always take you home, said Desiree as she knelt down with him as well. The words she had spoken cause tears to spring up from within her as well. It was in that moment that she knew there were people out there in the world that really did care for her and love her as well.

Not after what I’ve done, Zeph replied as he looked over at her.

I have done far more than what you have done here today. If you could forgive me, then there is no doubt that your family will forgive you as well. From his eyes she saw tears of blood begin to run from them. The beautiful deep blue of his eyes began to return as the blood ran from them.

It’s time for you to leave this place Zeph, said Breeze as she stood. Know that what has happened here today will carry strong consequences that cannot be changed.

Zeph tried to stand up but the horribly mangled tissue of his back would not allow him to rise under his own strength. Quickly Desiree and Sensei gripped his arms and helped him to his feet. Sensei placed his hand over the tissue on Zeph’s back and began to concentrate. He quickly found resistance to his healing abilities. Suddenly he stopped and looked over at Breeze with questioning eyes.

Those wounds are a mark from Omega. They will only heal with time, and nothing else, she said to the old Master. A reminder of what he has done, and time for the mind to heal along with the body.

Sensei slowly nodded his head. He understood completely. As he looked over Zeph’s back it was unclear how long it would take the wounds to heal, but he was sure it would be weeks at the earliest. For many if they had the wounds on Zeph’s back without healing right away they would never be able to walk again without help. As Sensei looked over the torn flesh he wondered how the process would be for Zeph.

The trio looked over at Breeze. Sunlight radiated through her body and caused it to glow. It was a truly beautiful sight. They all felt as though they were in the presence of someone very special. Love could be felt from her and it washed over all three of them. There was a smile once again on her face. It was clear that it pained her to see Zeph in the state he was in, but for the time being he was headed back down the path he was meant to take.

Don’t let your heart lose hope once again, Zeph, she said softly. There are many gifts all around you each and every day. Even taking your first breath every morning is a gift like no other. Omega gave this world many gifts, and we see them in our own abilities. But there are three gifts that can only be seen when a person chooses to show them.

As Zeph looked over into her eyes he already knew of one that she would say. His father had told it to him many times, as well as Praotes and many others. No matter how things might seem, you must always have Hope. It was a lesson that he had quickly forgotten.

Love, Forgiveness, and Hope are the three gifts this world needs more than anything, said Breeze. With them there is nothing that can’t be done.

Where will you go now? asked Zeph not wanted her to go but knowing that she would.

Wherever the wind takes me, she said with a smile. It had been a saying of hers when they were growing up. She had always said that someday she would be a powerful Wind Elemental that could fly across the world. Zeph smiled and tried to hold back the tears as the memories of their years together filled his mind.

Breeze turned and looked as though she was going to leave. As she did she paused. It seemed as though a thought had crossed he mind at the last second. Looking over at Zeph they locked eyes.

You spent your effort calling out to those that simply watch over the world. And even though their power is strong and they heard your cries, they waited and watched from above. Perhaps you should spend more time calling out to the One that holds the world in His hands.

With that statement she disappeared from the broken street. The opening in the clouds closed over and the rain washed over them once again. It was cold but did very little to numb the pain coursing through Zeph’s body. He could only imagine what his back looked like. With an arm around both Sensei and Desiree he let his head hang down as he held onto them.

Are you ready to go home? asked Desiree softly in his ear.

No, I’m not, he replied slowly and shook his head. Once my wounds have healed I will return home to Daunt. Until then I will remain with Sensei in the mountains.

Sensei caught a look on Desiree’s face of hurt and relief at the same time. It was obvious that she wanted to return home to Daunt with him, but it was also comforting to know that he would not be far away. The old Master reached out with his mind and told her that everything would be ok, that all they needed was a little time. It was the first time he had used his thoughts to reach out to her.

Strands of energy wrapped all around the three of them as they huddled in the street. In the blink of an eye they were gone. As the scene in the streets of Feuerstadt cleared, the authorities moved in. They found no trace of the young man that had desolated their city. A manhunt began and the city was put on high alert. Never in their history had then been such a devastating attack as what they had just experienced. Perhaps in time the incident would be forgotten. For now though, the city would grieve for what they had lost that day.

Up in the Appagon Mountains the trio appeared outside Sensei’s house. Their clothing was still dripping wet from standing in the rain. Abruptly appearing in a frozen climate was a chilling experience. They quickly entered Sensei’s house. Going over to the large wood fireplace, Sensei threw some wood in and started a fire. Within minutes it grew and began to fill the room with warmth. Desiree had gone into one of the others rooms and returned wearing one of Sensei’s white robes. Other than the fact that it was a little large on her, the contrast between her brilliant red hair and the white of the robe completely changed her features. Looking at her now she seemed so much more full of life.

Sensei had also shed some of his wet clothes and replaced them with dry ones. As the heat from the fire filled the room they both looked over at Zeph. He had taken off what was left of his shirt and coat. He sat quietly on a large round log by the fire. Unlike the white trees of the forest that slowly turned translucent once cut, the log he sat upon was not. Just like the walls of the house, the log was from trees not from the snowy part of the mountains.

Scars from the battle were all over his body. Wet and dried blood was on his skin as well as dirt and mud. Desiree walked over with a robe for Zeph but he lifted his hand that he didn’t want it. For the time being the heat from the fire would serve him well. Desiree asked if she could wash his wounds. After a moment Zeph slowly nodded. A moment later she knelt by his side with a wash cloth and a bowl of warm water. Sensei brought a pot of tea over to the table and let it steep.

Desiree submerged the clothing in the shallow bowl and then slowly rang it out. She watched as Zeph’s eyes remained focused on the fire. It was quite clear that he had many thoughts running through his mind. Reaching up she slowly began wiping the cloth over his arm. The blood and dirt came off quickly and easily. There were barely signs on the rest of his body that he had been injured. It wasn’t until Desiree sat behind him and looked over his back that she began to see the full extent of what had transpired.

The wounds were deep and many went far into the muscle tissue. It looked as though he had been dragged down a road of jagged rocks. As Desiree brought the soft cloth to Zeph’s skin he began to flinch. Placing the bowl at the small of his back she squeezed the cloth just below his neck. The warm water gently flowed down over the wounds and into the bowl once again, filling it with pale red water. She repeated the process again and again until she started to see Zeph relax.

Sensei sat there quietly and watched her take care of Zeph. It was a display of genuine love, even if she didn’t know it yet. A thought drifted out from her mind enough that Sensei picked up on it. It was a question that she seemed to be continually asking herself.

That’s a hard question, but it does have a simple answer, said Sensei softly as he broke the silence. Desiree glanced over at the old Master. She missed having someone to mentor her like she had back in the days when Orestes had watched over her.

What is it then? she asked back in a voice only slightly louder than a whisper.

Zeph continued to stare into the fire but also listened to their voices. He had sensed the question just as Sensei had, and was glad that something had been said.

You want to know what kind of a God would do this to Zeph, said Sensei as he gestured to Zeph’s back. Desiree didn’t need to nod for her response to be clear. Sometimes a father must discipline his child. It doesn’t mean that he does not love them. In fact, it is a sign that he loves them very much. I know that Omega does not wish to have pain and suffering on this world. If Zeph is meant to be an instrument of hope, then He had no choice but to bring Zeph from the path of destruction he had begun to walk down.

But why like this? asked Desiree as she reached out to touch the wounds but stopped herself at the last moment. It was raw and dreadful, like when an animal was skinned before a meal.

You were standing there just as I was, Desiree. Zeph would not yield until the third strike was cast down on him.

There was a solid foundation of truth in his words. It was resonating within Desiree in a way that she had never experienced before. She began to see that Zeph, and even herself as the Shadow Chosen One, was held to a higher standard than the rest. This also meant that discipline was more severe.

Why didn’t He do this to me during all the years I laid waste on the world?

I think if you take some time to read this book, Sensei said as he handed her the Book of Ta’Hor from the table, you will see that Omega does not wish to punish his children. Instead he waits patiently with love for them to come to Him. Wasn’t it, in fact, love that caused Breeze to sacrifice herself and forgiveness that Zeph poured out that spared you from what might have been?

The room fell into silence once again. A crackling sound could be heard from the fire. Sensei spoke with great wisdom. He saw Desiree in a way that few could. It was the same way that Zeph had looked at her as well.

In the stillness of the room it was Zeph that spoke up and began to speak softly. His words were a passage from the Book of Ta’Hor that their conversation had brought to the surface of his mind.

Omega is compassionate and merciful, slow to anger and abundant in love. He will not accuse nor keep his anger forever. He does not treat us as our acts deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. Rather, he casts our transgressions from Him as far as the east is from the west where they will be remembered no more.

Sensei’s gaze shifted from Desiree to Zeph as he listened to the young man speak. The old Master had never fathered a child, yet somehow in that moment he looked on Zeph with the kind of proudness in his heart that only a father could show. He saw how Zeph was indeed learning and growing to become a better man from the experience.

Rising from his seat, Sensei walked over to the adjacent room. He returned a few moments later with strips of long white cloth in his hands. For the moment he placed them on the table next to the tea. A shelf on the wall contained a wide variety of small glass jar. Inside there were different teas, herbs, and spices. After looked them over and selecting several of them Sensei placed the small jars on the table.

Will you bring me the bowl of water you were using? he asked Desiree. She picked it up and brought it over to him. The content of the bowl was nothing more than bloody warm water. He opened the small glass jars and added bits of their contents to the water. It looked like a very disgusting process.

What are you doing? asked Desiree as she watched him mix everything together.

There are times when we rely on our own abilities too much. Sometimes we forget or do not ever bother to look around at the world to see that there are other ways we can do things, he explained. Walking over to the wood stove he placed the bowl on top and let it begin to boil. Zeph continued to stare into the fire. It was something he had always loved to do. The shifting patterns of