 |
| The Fire and The Fear: Part 2 |
A pendant. A choice. A turning point.
The air around him felt heavier now, as though the room itself understood what had been unsealed.
Beneath his coat, his clipped wings stirred, faintly reacting to a ripple in the spiritual current.
Though grounded, the memory of their full glory still echoed within him — and tonight, that memory burned.
He remembered the heat of the Judean sun. The bloodshed. The decision.
He and King Manasseh had stood at the altar of Rav’ach, surrounded by weeping priests and ash-soaked earth, and made a pact:
The pendant would be broken in two. The pieces separated. Its voice silenced. Forever.
And now...
Luk-el strolled through the stone wall, his arrival as quiet as breath. His presence immediately tensed the room — not from fear, but from the way creation itself still acknowledged what he was.
"Obadiah," he said, sensing the dread. "What’s happened?”
Obadiah didn’t turn. He didn’t have to. “The vault has been breached. The raven pendant is gone.”
Luk-el’s wings flexed, restrained but bristling. “That’s not possible. You sealed it yourself.”
“Less than two hours,” Obadiah muttered. “I found the case twisted open. No force on this plane could’ve done that alone.”“They were,” Obadiah said, voice low. “But the seal didn’t break from without. It was released from within.”
Luk-el stepped forward, eyes narrowing. “Antioch?”
Obadiah gave the faintest nod. “Or his Reapers. The scent of brimstone was faint, but it was there. He’s closer than I thought.”
Luk-el’s jaw tightened. “This town isn’t safe while that artifact breathes. You know what it can do.”
“I know,” Obadiah said. “It was made to seduce through pain. To turn the wounded into weapons.”
His hand hovered just above the pedestal, where the faintest shimmer of broken wards lingered.
“I made a choice,” he said. “In Judah. With Manasseh. We agreed — the pendant could not be destroyed, only divided. I kept one half sealed in this vault… and gave the other to the king to hide in his lineage.”
“And now Antioch has pieced them together.” Luk-el finished. “He must have a vessel. Why else take it?”
Obadiah finally turned to him, his expression dark. “We must find out who it is. This town is not safe as long as that pendant is out there.
“Antioch has wasted no time in waging war against mankind.”
“He is just getting started,” Obadiah quipped.
A moment later, the door flew open, and Laric appeared with Allen in tow. He was excited but stopped dead in his track when he saw his History teacher Mr. Elliott.
“Mr. Elliott? What are you doing here?”
“Just visiting Arklow, I heard a lot about it and decided to stop in.” Luk-el said with ease.
“We were at the fire. It was chaos. The roof collapsed. Didn't you hear about it?” Laric asked, glancing at Obadiah. “It’s all over the news.”
Obadiah’s voice was calm, but his posture had stiffened. “There was a theft here,” he said. “Sheriff Spriggs just left.”
Laric’s mouth gaped. “What was taken?”
“The Ravi pendant.”
“How did they get past the security system?” Laric asked.
“Not sure but I will find out.” Obadiah said with ease.
Obadiah watched the boys, his expression inscrutable, while Luk-el maintained a calm demeanor, his true nature hidden beneath the guise of a mere history teacher.
Laric hesitated. “Uncle. I saw something I can’t explained.”
He finally turned, studying his nephew’s face.
“At the Community Center. I saw Alexander. In the smoke. Right before the roof fell in.”
Allen glanced at Laric, as if surprised he said it aloud.
Obadiah stepped closer. “Are you sure?”
“I thought maybe I imagined it. But... he wasn’t running. He was just standing there. Like he was one with the fire, enjoying his work.
Luk-el’s expression tightened. “The vessel,” he muttered.
___
Meanwhile, Alexander continued to wander the streets, the pendant's glow hidden beneath his shirt. The initial exhilaration was fading, replaced by a gnawing unease. The flames at the Community Center had been terrifying, yet exhilarating. He couldn't shake the image of the raven, its eyes reflecting the inferno. Antioch's words echoed in his mind, a sinister whisper promising power and retribution
He stopped to hear the echoes of joyous crowds, it amplified the pounding of his heart. The pendant around his neck throbbed in rhythm, its heat pulsating through his chest, fueling a mixture of exhilaration at his new target.
He smiled—though whether from triumph or terror, he couldn't say. The pendant was still warm, whispering its secrets beneath his skin.
___
Laric watched Mr. Elliott and Allen disappear down the hall. Something about the way the history teacher moved — too calm — scratched at the back of his mind. But he shook it off.
When the door closed, he finally spoke. “He was there. At the fire. I saw him.”
He paced, jaw tight. “Didn’t feel right saying it while they were in the room.”
Obadiah strolled around the desk and sat on the edge. “Seeing him there doesn’t prove he started it.”
“He didn’t run. He didn’t scream. He just stood there.” Laric said.
A pause.
Laric stepped closer. “Come on, Uncle. You know what this means.”
“I know what it could mean.”
“So let me help.”
Obadiah stood, slow and deliberate. “No.”
Laric stiffened. “Why not?”
“I’m not having this conversation with you.”
Laric’s voice sharpened. “This is because of her, isn’t it?”
Obadiah’s eyes didn’t flinch. “You mean your mother?”
Silence.
A moment later, Luk-el appeared in the doorway, a calm shadow dressed in the form of Mr. Elliott. “I’m ready for that tour when you are,” he said, playing his part with mortal ease. “Let me know..”
Obadiah gave him a short nod. “I’ll be right with you, Mr. Elliott.”
Laric gave Luk-el a glance, then looked back to his uncle. “We’re really just... doing nothing?” he said in a low voice.
“We’re watching,” Obadiah said. “And listening. Which is harder than it sounds.”
His fists clenched at his sides. “Fine. I’m not going to sit and wait.”
He stalked out, shoulders tense, brushing past Luk-el without a word.
Only when the door shut behind him did Luk-el speak again.
“You know where we have to go.” Luk-el said.
Obadiah nodded. “The last bloodline,” He murmured. “Manasseh’s line. That’s where the other half was hidden. If there's a counterforce to the pendant’s corruption, it's there.”
Luk-el straightened, ready to do battle. “I’m ready when you are.”
TO BE CONTINUED…
🔗 Next Episode Coming Soon…
Follow the series for updates, relic lore, and the full eBook launch.
Discover More:
Enjoy more heartfelt stories from the Obadiah: Clipped Wing series—each one crafted to uplift, inspire, and reflect God's presence in everyday life. Read more stories »
☕ If you’ve enjoyed our stories, you can treat us to a cup of coffee through PayPal or visit the Faithfully Encourage Shop for notebooks, mugs, and candles inspired by everyday faith.
No comments:
Post a Comment