*****
Kilton watched Steffor cover the distance between them in three massive lunges, bursts of blue Source exploding beneath his feet with each landing and launch. He continued to watch his friend after he passed, admiring how he caught up to the others in the same, swift fashion.
Compelled as he was to join them, he remained frozen in place.
It was not Steffor's unique display of power causing his dazed stasis. Nor was it the baffling sight of Calivera and Leanor as they trailed behind him with mimicked motions. No, it was an epiphany received before his inner eye locking him in place. For the vision revealed, with irrefutable clarity, a future he refused to accept.
The vision did not foreshadow any outcome related to the impending battle with their ancient enemy. Even now, helplessly locked atop the barren knoll, his body hummed with an intoxicating energy in anticipation of battle. Like all Guardians, Kilton did not fear such moments in life, he lived for them. Never was a Guardian more at peace and one with the Provider when forced to push his abilities to the limit. For his greatest fear up to that moment, if it should happen in this lifetime, was not the Deagron Maker. Up that moment, his biggest fear was not fully realizing his potential as a Guardian, failing to sacrifice himself for that which he loved unconditionally.
But the gnosis he had possessed since early childhood had never been wrong and following its sapient message, until now, was always certain to manifest love and growth. It was the compass used his entire life and lives prior, to move closer to the Provider; the tool he never doubted was leading him toward transcendence.
Now, as he processed the vivid images of his grim future, he could not help but connect it to the recent covenant made with Steffor. He replayed the words in a new light: "...your faith in the Provider will be challenged in ways beyond your conception. There will not be time to meditate for answers, nor will your devout belief be enough. You must learn to trust your heart....."
Kilton's True Self would rather cease to exist over fulfilling the future life the Provider had chosen for him. His stupor intensified as both heart and mind concluded the same: I have no choice.
Known Afterlife (The Provider Trilogy: Volume I) Page 37
