The Ever War: Chapter 1.4

His mother had refused to say anything more after that, and they went about their evening as usual. Almost as usual. Josh had tried to get a few more answers from his mother, but she refused to answer and completely ignored any questions he asked. He went to bed that night with questions buzzing through his mind.

The next morning, he awoke to the sun shining in his face. It was Saturday. He glanced at his clock. His eyes shot open, and he leaped out of bed. Hes had to pick up Sarah in five minutes! He hurriedly showered, groomed, dressed and jumped down the stairs.

Marilyn poked her head out of her office as he dashed past. "Have fun!" she called after him.

Josh paused and turned back to her. "I will Mom. Bye!"

Sarah was waiting for him. She got in the car and kissed him on the cheek. "Good morning, Wanderer." She smiled.

"Wanderer?" Josh raised an eyebrow. When he actually looked at her, his breath caught, and he couldn't help but stare. She was so beautiful. He had always admired how she always managed to look good and be modest, and today was no exception. She had her hair tied back in a pony tail, a purple T-shirt with a light blue vest, and jeans that showed off her figure but weren't too tight.

"Yes Wanderer. That's what your Mark means." she answered. As Josh pulled out of her driveway, she answered his unspoken questions. "I don't really understand it, but somehow, I just know what your Mark means. What Wanderer means, I have no idea, but..."

"The Arbiter of Justice." Josh answered.

"What?" Sarah asked curiously.

"My mom used to tell me stories when I was little. I always thought they were just stories, but now I begin to see truth in them. One story in particular, tells about a traveling Wanderer, who had to go from place to place until his service was over." Josh answered. "I'm not sure if this is right or not, but I believe now that the Wanderer traveled the Ever Road."

Sarah frowned. "How is it that your mother would know that?"

"She has a Mark. She has the Shield." Her boyfriend answered.

"What?!" Sarah exclaimed.

"Yeah. Although, her Mark is really faded. She says that her time of service is almost over." He glanced over at his girlfriend. "And she says that your the Sage."

Sarah was silent for a moment. "Josh..." she began. "If, and I really do mean if, but...if something...you know..."

Josh cut her off. "If something happens, I am to take you and run." He stared at the road and soon he pulled into the parking lot of the mall. "Now, let's put that aside, for now. Let's just enjoy the day. Shall we?"

Sarah allowed herself to smile. "Yeah, let's. Huh, I need to quit being such a worrier."

They had a great day. They window shopped (Josh even ventured into a few stores with her); they talked. And they laughed and just enjoyed being in each other's company. As they were leaving one store in particular. A loud commotion broke out at the other end of the Mall. Josh instantly went stiff as he heard screams and shouting. A strange feeling formed in his gut, and his palm tingled. He looked down to see the sword glowing brightly. He felt an energy building when he heard a whispered, "RUN!" Without hesitation, he grabbed Sarah's hand and ran away from the screaming. A black shadow suddenly fell in front of them, and a strange being materialized. It was human in shade but was thoroughly covered head to toe in black robes. Where its face should've been, there was a skull like mask. A faint red glowed in the depths of the eye socket.

The tingle in Josh's palm intensified, and without really thinking he raised his palm. Light and fire erupted from his palm and the Sword vanished from his Mark, just as a real one formed out of the fire. It landed in his hand; his fingers instinctively closed around it. Flames briefly ran along it, before returning back to his hand.

He had held a sword before, but this was different. It was as if this blade was made for him. Again, he simply reacted without really understanding how he knew what to do. He brandished it and held it before him threateningly. "Move, or I will force you to!" He demanded of the creature. Sarah crouched behind him, her eyes fearful. The creature gave a hissing chuckle.

"A newborn Warrior standing up to a Waith? Don't be foolish, boy! Give me the Sage, and I shall be on my way!" the waith said. Its voice was harsh and whispery.

"I will never hand her over!" Josh shouted. "Now, move!"

The Waith gave another hissing chuckle and lunged. Moving faster than he ever had, Josh sidestepped, taking Sarah with him, and swiped straight through the creature. With an earsplitting shriek, the creature dissolved into nothing.

Not wasting a minute, Josh grabbed Sarah's hand and pulled her along. People shouted and pointed at Josh and his sword and ran screaming as more shadows appeared. The two ducked and dodged as more Waiths appeared. Somehow, they made it all the way to the car. They jumped in, and Josh tore out of the parking lot. A second later, he realized that the sword had disappeared. A quick glance at his palm showed that it had reappeared back in the Mark.

After several twists and turns, Josh realized where he was going. Home. As he turned the last corner, a cry tore itself from his throat. "NOOOO!!!!" His house, the home he had grown up in, was going up in flames. In the distance he could hear sirens and knew he didn't have much time. He didn't bother pulling into the driveway. A figure staggered out of the house, and Josh rushed forward to catch his mother. He gently laid her down and the cement, cradling her in his arms.

She gasped and choked, a gurgle escaping her throat as she coughed blood. Josh looked down and couldn't help grinding his teeth at the gash in her stomach. "Josh..." her whisper drew all his attention. "Josh. You...have to...get her....away from here. Her powers," a cough interrupted her, and more blood seeped from her mouth, "her powers are far greater than either of you realize." She coughed again. "I always knew....you both were...special. I am...sorry," another cough, "I am sorry that...I won't be able...to help you...now...take...care...of...her...Josh........"

And so, she drew her last breath, and as she breathed out, her eyes closed, and her body went limp in her son's arms. A soft hand on his shoulder caused him to look up. Sarah stood over him, tears coursing down her cheeks. "Josh, the sirens. We must go."

He nodded. He leaned over and kissed his mother's forehead. Gently, he laid her down and got to his feet. Then he turned, took Sarah's hand, and together they left their childhood behind and stepped into a world that would change everything they had ever known.