A single tear makes its way down her cheek as she takes the ancient wooden box from her brother. She hides the vision and the knowledge it holds in her heart to prevent anyone from seeing it, accepting her destiny.
Alex notices the tear on her face. “Are you okay? Why are you crying?”
She looks at her younger brother who is quickly becoming the man that their father was. “No, not upset. Just proud of the man you are becoming. You don’t remember our family, do you?”
“No, I really don’t, other than pieces of memories that feel like somebody else’s.”
“Let me share some of mine with you. I want you to see our parents and family as they were, happy, before all these trials and tribulations began.”
She reaches out her empty hand and takes Alex’s young hand in hers. His thumb rubs the scars she has earned from years of fighting and she smiles, sharing with him a picnic by a river.
Laughter fills the air and the sound of happy voices full of love. She shows him the love shared between two parents who adored him. He feels the arms of his mother as she sings him to sleep. Feels the rush of excitement as he is tossed into the air and caught by a loving father.
Alex smiles. He hears the voice of his brother showing him his favorite bow and whispering secrets of how best to use it. Finally she shares with him the last image of her father running into the arms of his family, promising that one day they would all be together again.
Alex holds the images close to his heart and stares into the eyes of his sister. “How did you survive it, Elina? Watching them die?” he asks with pain echoing through his soul.
“I didn’t. The little girl was no more, she died that day Alex. But, I was sheltered in God our father’s embrace. He shared in every tear, every moment of anger I felt, he felt. He taught me to not let it consume me.” Elina turns towards the center of the village.
“He gave me guardians who showed me that every moment is a gift. They taught me how to trust in my God and lean not on my own understanding. I don’t think as humans we can comprehend what he has planned. We can only hope to make him proud.”
Nameed eyes shine with pride and he looks at Malach sharing in the moment with him.
Elina walks toward the center of the old village. She stops at a large ring of rocks for the village’s communal fire. Everyone follows closely, feeling a change in the air.
“Once the Ketuwah represented life to those living in the thriving community.” She sends a spark and a fire erupts in the center.
Alex walks over and adds a piece of wood, followed by Jake, Loe, and Makaio. Each of them, adding their own fuel to the bright fire. The flames grow higher and they each take a place around the circle.
Nameed adds his spark to the growing wall of flame, followed by Gabriel, Uriel, and Malach. All are silent as Elina begins to speak.
“The evil that walks this world thinks victory is within their grasp. But they are mistaken. Our Maker leaves nothing to chance. Every loss, and every victory is orchestrated by our God.”
As Elina speaks the red flame grows higher and hotter. She holds up the true pen given to her by Alex and removes the end.
She shakes out a tiny scroll and tosses it into the hot fire. A blue flame shoots to the heavens with a blinding flash, before shrinking back and returning to its normal color. Elina replaces the seal on the pen and hands it to Alex.
“I am the Keeper of the Light and I am ready to complete the Covenant. Once another swore a covenant in blood to create a place for us in heaven. His sacrifice allowed us to be forgiven of our sins. I understand now and my will is gone. That was the fourth part of the book.”
She glances at Malach, “We will face this evil today, but no matter the outcome we must not forget that our Faith is greater than any weapon given to us.”
She looks at Alex, “Prayer is a power, and only those who are close to him can wield it.”
They drop to their knees and all who surround the ring, join her in her prayer.
“Father, God, guide our steps today, we know we cannot defeat this evil without you. We submit to your will, we ask you to direct us in this battle, defend us when we can’t. We pray that you defeat this enemy...” the fire grows taller, flickering and flares white hot, forming a column of energy consuming everything in the ring of rock. Those closest are forced to jump back or be fed to the wall of raw energy.
All back away except for Elina, her hair billowing back, she lifts her face to the intense heat and her tattoos illuminate below her skin. Peace fills her soul and she does not look back as she steps into the now open portal.
Powerful arms embrace her and the Mocker laughs,
“You pray to a God who no longer hears you, KEEPER!” The Mocker has been waiting for just this moment. His demons come drawn to the freedom. They pour from the ragged gash of a doorway between realms, leaping at the angels and humans alike, hungry for blood and souls.
Chapter 32
The powerful arms drag Elina from the doorway and the Mocker hears her whisper, “Amen.” The massive arms clamped tightly around her tighten with fury and pain as she finishes her prayer.
Surrounded by monsters she ignores the howls and screams around her and he feels the searing power in her build
