Danielle pushed her glasses further up her nose. She was pale in the light the torches along the walls of the hall provided. “Of course not, Alan. I would have told you something if I did. I swear. What’s bothering me right now is the fact Michael didn’t tell us. He has to know what you are.”
Alan nodded and motioned with his chin to Artemis who was taking Kyle by the hand and leading him further down the hall to show him something else new and exciting. “At the moment that doesn’t seem like the hardest thing to understand. I am pissed at Michael. I do want him to explain why he didn’t tell us, but what about her? Do you think we can believe and trust what she’s telling us?”
Danielle took a moment to think. “I’ve never heard of a Nephilim having the power to see the past and future but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. She could be telling the truth. I mean, look at this place. We’re in an underground temple.”
---
That night Artemis invited them to stay. Alan had lost track of time as thoughts of being responsible for saving or bringing an end to the world tugged at his mind. There was no doubt what he would do. He wouldn’t let anyone convince him to join the Darkness or herald the Apocalypse.
Those fighting for the Darkness could do anything they wanted, either physically or mentally but he wouldn’t give in. But would the other three Horsemen? What of they all sided with the Darkness? What would he do then?
Alan lay awake in his room. A large square shaped chamber with a bed pushed against the far wall. A dresser sat beside the bed and a large throw rug rounded out the room’s sparse decorations. A single torch flickered in the corner making the walls dance with shadows.
Alan knew it was his imagination but as he lie on his back with his arms over his head, the shadows were taking shape just like the drawings on the wall Artemis had shown them.
The shapes were the forms of Angels and Demons pulling him from each arm. In seconds, his shadow raised its head to scream in pain before it was ripped in two.
A knock on the door made Alan jolt. “Who—who is it?” he asked, heartbeat-gathering tempo.
“It’s me,” Artemis’ voice was unmistakable. How long had it been since Alan had interacted with a child? It had been so long he couldn’t remember. “Can I come in?”
“Sure,” Alan moved to a sitting position facing the door.
The large, wooden door braced with iron bands slowly opened and Artemis stepped inside. She was wearing the same clothes as when they met her. Apparently, Alan wasn’t the only one that came unprepared for this stay.
Even from the doorway, he could make out her smile. Despite the conversations about the end of the world, the girl was untouched by what the future could hold. Like a steady flame refusing to be dampened by the surrounding darkness. She walked across the floor her signature Cheshire smile intact until she reached Alan.
“Couldn’t sleep, huh?” he asked.
Artemis rubbed her eyes with a balled fist a quarter the size of Alan’s. “Oh, no, I could sleep fine. I just came to check to see how you were doing. I know it’s a lot to take in.”
Artemis’ small stature gave Alan pause as the words of a mature adult spilled out. “I—I’m doing okay,” he said.
“You’re a bad liar.”
Alan’s eyebrows rose before he laughed at the stern expression coming from Artemis.
“Don’t laugh. We can’t be lying to each other—not now, not ever. If we are going to survive what’s coming next, we have to be able to trust one another one hundred percent.”
“All right,” Alan said. “You got me. I’m not okay.”
Artemis nodded as if this was the response she was expecting.
“This is all so crazy. I do believe you and that makes it even worse. How weird does my life have to get before I start believing that I’m one of the Four Horsemen, with the choice to bring about the end of the world?”
Alan closed his mouth just as fast as he had opened it. He didn’t mean to throw his issues at Artemis, but once he got started it was like the words were in control.
Artemis didn’t seem bothered by his outburst. Instead of words, she took action. She placed herself on the bed, sitting next to him and placed one of her small hands on his own.
Alan flinched under her touch. He wasn’t sure what to expect. Her small hands were worn, even calloused. He could only imagine the harsh upbringing she had endured once her parents had died.
“It’s okay to be afraid,” Artemis said. Her eyes were directed forward staring at nothing. “You’re just beginning to understand what this all is. There’s still much I want to tell you; details about others who were given this choice in the past, the names of the evil you will face and five other Ancient Wonders still holding their secrets.”
Artemis turned to look at him. There was something in her eyes, some deep-seated faith that kept her grounded and calm. “There’s a plan for us all, Alan. If you were not capable of bearing this burden, He would not have placed it on you. Being afraid and confused is human. Trusting something enough to rise above your fears is what heroes are made of.”
Alan nodded embarrassed. Here he was, a man in his early twenties receiving advice and being comforted by a child. Despite this, he was happy she had come. He was beginning to feel better and in Artemis he knew he had found someone he could trust.
“They’ll come for me, wont they?”
“Yes,” Artemis said releasing the hold on his hand. “They’re already here.”
Chapter 4
“Do you think we should wake the others?” Alan asked as he followed his guide back through the twisting maze of the Temple.
“No,” she said. “This is how it has to be. This is your choice. The first of many times you will have to decide which side of history you will fight for. As long as you do not stray from the Temple steps, you’ll be protected.”
Alan didn’t give a response. The two made it all the way back to the stairs that ascended to the entrance of the Temple.
“How did he find us so fast?”
Artemis shrugged as she started up the stairs. “Both sides in this war will waste no time in securing their soldiers. Once your powers manifested, it began. Remember, stay inside the Temple: I can’t protect you out there.”
Alan lost himself in the darkness as they made the long ascent to the surface. His mind was galloping forward with the unfolding events. Someone already found him; someone who would attempt to entice him to join his or her side in the Apocalypse. He had to go out and meet them. This was his choice. No matter how much he’d rather stay in the Temple and hide; he knew he had to confront his fate instead of cowering away in fear.
The two passed the rest of their time in silence. Artemis was in the lead, her light footfall barely making a noise in the dark. Alan followed close behind with heavier steps in the same cadence as her own.
Much too quickly they made their way up the Temple stairs. Alan had long since lost track of the time but as they travelled to the entrance and the moon’s light still cascaded down the opening. He guessed it was somewhere very late in the night or very early in the morning. The sun would rise soon. Exhaustion was beginning to settle in. He could feel it grow with every step he took.
Following Artemis’ advice the two stopped at the last step of the stairs.
Alan shivered despite the lack of chill in the air. His lips were dry as he scanned the scene around him. From his vantage point he could see the remains of the once great Temple of Artemis. Everything was how he had seen it before. Nothing was out of place; broken stone pillars, the time worn-stone floor, even the silence was just how he had left it.
Hope that Artemis was wrong—that somehow she had been mistaken and no one had come to the Temple—began to grow. Maybe he could push off this meeting. Or better yet, maybe Artemis was wrong altogether. Maybe she had been mistaken.
Yes that had to be it. He wasn’t a Rider of the Apocalypse. Alan’s hopeful thoughts ran with this idea. How could he be one of t
he Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse? He had never even ridden a horse in his life.
Alan began to calm as he reasoned with himself the many reasons this was impossible. As he turned to his left to address his small friend, Alan caught motion out of the corner of his eye. Somewhere deep in the Temple remains shadows were stirring.
Instantly his temperature dropped. His knees began to shake as a tall figure emerged from the shadows. The being was much larger than he should have been, at least twelve feet tall. The shadow drew closer.
Alan stood his ground; it took everything he had not to take a step back or shrink in the presence of something so large.
It wasn’t just the feeling that whatever was coming his way was gigantic, the fear was deeper than that. The feeling of dread that seeped into the very core of his soul was something Alan had never experienced.
Artemis slipped her hand into Alan’s. Before Alan could register what the little girl was doing, she broke the growing silence. “Ewwww… You’re hands are so sweaty.”
Alan looked down at his companion, still dressed in her baggy cargo pants and pink shirt. Ignoring her words, Alan gave a tight apologetic smile. He refused to look at his escort too long. The shadow was approaching.
Ten yards from their view point at the entrance to the Temple, the shadow stopped. A beam of the moon’s light caught the figure in its silver glow, revealing not a monster, but an Angel.
The man stood tall with greyish, white wings displayed out behind him, pointing skyward. He was slender but not without muscle tone, with dark curly hair that ended halfway down his forehead. A handsome face reminding Alan of the most recent actor to play the role of Sherlock Holmes contrasted the intensity of the figure.
The two parties stood staring at each other before their guest broke the silence. “Alan Price. And this must be the incarnation of the Prophet, Artemis, this one thousand year cycle. It is a pleasure to meet you both. My name is Gabriel.”
Alan wasn’t sure what to do. He wasn’t even sure what he had expected, some kind of monster or villainous individual demanding his fealty? Maybe, but not this. Not this handsome Angel approaching him by way of a polite introduction.
Alan relaxed ever so slightly. Words were still escaping him at the moment. Was he supposed to say something? Is this were he refused to join?
Gabriel sensed Alan’s hesitant stance and lowered his wings. The pair of silver limbs sunk slowly and folded into his back. Gabriel took another step forward and opened his arms in sign of innocence. “I’m unarmed and alone. There is no reason to fear me. All I want to do is talk.”
“Be careful,” Artemis said.
Alan found himself wishing she was still holding his hand. It was silly, but having her physical display of support had made him feel safe. Now it was up to him. “Then talk,” Alan’s response came out loud and clear. He was proud of himself for that. It was nothing like the way he felt inside.
Gabriel smiled, an expression that only lifted half the man’s lips. “By now you know you are one of the Four. No doubt our friend Artemis here has informed you the cycle that emerges every one thousand years is upon us again. Soon you, as well as three others, will have the opportunity to bring about a new era or to waste this opportunity and stand by the sidelines as this chance passes. We have a real opportunity to make history, Alan Price. I hope you have the vision to see that.”
Alan shook his head. “I’m not going to join you and bring about the end of the world.”
Gabriel nodded slowly as if he was anticipating this response. “I can understand why you would think that. But my goal is not to bring about the destruction of the earth; I’m trying to save it, Alan. The accord between the Horsemen wouldn’t mean an end to what we know. It would be a beginning to something far greater. It would herald a new era.”
“No, you can say whatever you want but I won’t join you. You can twist the truth and make it sound like whatever you wish. There’s no way you can convince me starting the Apocalypse would be a good thing.”
Alan thought he caught a flash of anger at his outburst cross Gabriel’s eyes. It was too dark to say for certain.
“Do you want to talk about twisting the truth, Alan? Then we should talk about your mentor, Michael. How he has kept the truth from you this entire time. How he has abandoned you in your hour of need to see to the well being of his lover, Ardat. I, for one, cannot believe he left you. I would never do that to one who has showed me his loyalty and proven his worth in battle. Is that the truth you want to talk about? Did I twist that as well?”
Alan didn’t have a response. Everything Gabriel was saying held truth. Alan wasn’t naïve to think he should trust him; still Michael had hidden the actuality of the situation. For what reason, Alan didn’t know. These thoughts brought a hint of anger to his heart.
“Ahhhh…” Gabriel said as he took a step closer. “There it is, War. You are angry at being misled. And you have every right to be. Anyone would be worried if they had been lied to.”
“Stop,” Alan felt the nervous rush of energy that anger brought him. “I know what you’re trying to do.”
“And what’s that? Tell you truth? I’m opening your eyes, Alan, that is all.”
Gabriel took another step forward closing the distance between them now to nothing more than a few feet
“That’s far enough.” It was the first time Artemis had directly addressed Gabriel. Her voice hinted no fear. Alan looked down to see her skewering Gabriel with an expression that spoke of righteous indignation.
Gabriel gave a mock bow to the Prophet. “Of course. But you know as well as I do, the Four must make their decision of their own free will.”
“And so he shall, Gabriel. Although the knowledge this body possesses has not been called upon for a thousand years, I have not forgotten the rules.”
Gabriel let his eyes rest on Artemis a moment longer before shifting back to Alan. “Well, I think we are done here. I come to you now as a friend, Alan; one who wants you to know the whole truth. Think about what I said. The offer to join me will not always be open. If you stand to oppose me, you’ll give me no choice but to count you among my enemies. You were meant for this, Alan. You were created to embrace your fate as War and herald a new era.”
Gabriel hesitated for a moment cocking his head to the side as though hearing a far off sound only audible to his ears. “Well, I don’t want to extend my welcome. It seems you have other guests arriving.”
Wings protracted from his back in one quick motion and he was gone, disappearing into the sky just as the first golden rays of the dawn rose over the horizon.
Alan was exhausted. Whatever reserves of energy had been keeping him awake were now depleted. Joining Gabriel would never be an option for him. Joining Michael however, the alliance that once seemed like the obvious choice, now begged more answers.
“Let’s get you some rest, big guy,” Artemis said as she turned to walk back down the steps. “Michael is on his way and if he hears you are up, he’ll want to talk to you. I’ll let him know you’re sleeping.”
Alan followed Artemis down the steps, his mind spinning with the previous conversation. Above all he was glad Artemis was there for him. Someone who he genuinely felt had his best interests at heart.
---
That early morning as he slept, Alan’s dreams were again much like the pictures the shadows had played across his wall the night before. He was running down a narrow path. Nothing but darkness to his left that seemed to extend for eternity. To his right was a brilliant bright light coming from nowhere and everywhere at once.
Voices were calling to him from both sides. Tugging at his spirit, ripping him in half. The pain one could only feel in a dream started at the crown of his head and began to travel down his entire body, cutting him into two perfect halves.
In the moment, Alan knew he was dreaming but the pain felt so real. Thunder started to grow from somewhere in the distance. A slamming noise fell into cadence with the throbbing pai
n that was created in his dream.
Alan woke to the sound of someone knocking on his door. Sweat had gathered across his body reminding him of the nightmare that he had just endured. Alan took a few quick breaths to try and steady his panicked heart.
The knocks on the door came again. “Just a minute,” Alan said as he reached for his shirt. The material quickly fell in place as he rose from his bed and looked to see where he had kicked off his shoes. “Who is it?”
“Come on, Price,” Danielle said from the opposite side of the door. “Beauty sleep is over. It’s almost noon. And we have visitors: Michael and Angelica are here.”
Alan shook the cobwebs of sleep from his brain along with the fading memory of his dream. “Give me a second.”
Alan crossed the room in a few strides and opened the door.
Danielle looked startled. “Wow, rough night, huh?”
“Thanks for that.”
“Oh, you know I’m just kidding,” Danielle said as she threw a playful punch at Alan’s chest. Her fist met his muscular chest with a dull thud. Danielle withdrew her hand shaking it as she grimaced. “We really need to get you to lay off the steroids.”
Alan’s deadpan expression made Danielle rethink her morning tactics. “Oh come on, lighten up. I don’t really think you do steroids, it was a joke.”
Alan still didn’t say anything. It wasn’t that Danielle bothered him; the conversation he had last night with Gabriel was just too fresh in his mind to ignore.
Danielle must have mistaken his thoughtful silence for guilt. “Unless you do, do steroids. Wait. Do you?”
Alan shook his head sending his tangled blond locks swaying from side to side. “What? No. Why would you even think that? My mind is still a wreck from what happened last night.”
Danielle’s eyebrows rose in unison. “Oh, really? Do tell.”
---
Ten minutes later, after Danielle made Alan repeat every detail of the conversation he had the night before twice, and interrupted him every few minutes with questions, the two stood quiet.
Alan Price and the Temple of Artemis Page 6
