The Ever War: Chapter 1.8

The temple was a large domed structure with a tower rising from it (au/note: for a more detailed description, read Temple of Light). The two entered a courtyard and took in the sights. They turned back around, only to find a strange city sprawling out before them. Everywhere they looked, the city spread out around them.

They turned back to the temple. A fountain flowed merrily in the courtyard, beautiful plants growing about it. Cautiously, they stepped forward. Sarah grabbed Josh's hand, and he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

As they approached the only visible entrance to the temple, Sarah examined the statues on either side of the doorway. They were large, as high as the arch of the massive door, and armored, with two great wings spreading from behind them. Sarah stared up at them in awe. "I wonder who they were? Are they angels?"

"They are warriors of the Vi'gero." a voice called from the doorway. A robed man stood there, arms to his sides. He stepped out to them and inspected Josh. "You have grown into a fine man, my son."

"Father." Josh said. James Evans looked as though he were in his thirties. His blond hair was cut short, and his face carried a few scars. He looked no older than when Josh had last seen him.

"The Vi'gero? Who were they?" Sarah asked.

James' face took on a downward turn, and a sad look came into his eyes. "They were a peaceful, yet powerful race of winged beings. They are the creators of the Ever Road, but for what purpose has never been discovered. Even in my two centuries of guarding their temple, I haven't managed to figure out what even happened to them."

Josh froze. "Two...centuries?"

James looked at his son. "I have much to explain, and I fear that I have a very short time to do so. Now that there is a new Wanderer, things will begin anew."

"Anew? What do you mean? And where are we even?" Sarah asked as they moved into the temple. For a moment, Josh and Sarah were awed by the appearance of the main chamber. Carvings covered every inch of the walls, and in the center of the room, resting in a large indention with seating all around the sides of it, was a large statue of what looked like a four winged angel. Her head was tilted skyward, her hands folded before her.

James cleared his throat, regaining their attention. "That statue is of Axelle, the Goddess of the Vi'gero. According to their archives, Axelle blessed the Vi'gero with great power and knowledge and gave them the task of guiding the other races into the ways of civilization. They visited all the worlds and helped put an end to wars, and they even started a few to rid the lands of evil. But then something happened and the archives go silent. They just stop."

Josh frowned. "But why? And where are we even? Is this the home of the Vi'gero?"

James looked at his son again. "Yes, this is Hayat, the home of the Vi'gero. Why do the archives end? I do not know, Josh. It wasn't even an abrupt end, but there is no mention why. And yes, I am over two centuries old. Your mother was almost as old as I am."

"But...how? And why didn't you ever tell me?" Josh asked. Sarah watched, not knowing what to do or say at this family confrontation.

James' eyes had that sad look again. "To keep you safe. You are the Wanderer, Josh. All the Marked are special and precious, but the Wanderer is different from the others. It is the Sentinel's job to ensure that the next Wanderer is well trained and educated in the ways of the Vi'gero, and the very Ever Road itself. It is your mission to first find the others who are Marked, then you must set of on your true goal."

"The others? The old ones are all dead." Josh concluded.

"Yes." James suddenly looked old. "I am now the last of my generation of the Children of Light. Now, come. You two are hungry." He began walking off. Josh and Sarah followed him. As they walked to an entryway, the smell of stew simmering filled the air. They entered into a dining area. Josh and Sarah took a seat at a table as James poured stew into three bowls, then he placed them on the table, giving Josh and Sarah each one, along with two loaves of bread. Next, he took a pitcher and poured drink into cups. Setting one before each of the newborn Children of Light, he sat down and began eating. The two needed no encouragement.

They sat in silence as they ate. Before long several others entered. Josh and Sarah stared in wonder as several entered who were clearly nonhuman. Three looked like human-like cats, who stood upright and had hands instead of front paws. There were a couple who looked like upright dogs. One looked like a bird; but there were several that weren't human-like at all. One in particular had six legs and four arms. She had an elongated body that was as red as a tomato.

They all paused and looked at the two, then began chatting excitedly. They gave respectful bows to the two shocked newborns. They turned to James to find him smiling and chuckling. He wiped his mouth. "Weren't expecting them, were you?" he laughed. "They're all either priests or guards that serve under me. The city may appear empty, but it is much less empty than you think. Why do you think all the buildings are in such good condition?"

Josh shook his head and chuckled. "After fighting that Dark Dragon, I'm not really that surprised by all the different races."

The room went silent. James held his son in new respect, but before he could speak, a Katar (one of the cats) leaned across the table. "You fought a Dark Dragon?!" she purred. The others gathered around.

Josh smiled. "Yeah, it attacked us as we were on our way here. One minute, we were driving along, and the next, the car went rolling over and over. I climbed out and pulled Sarah out, just as the thing came back around..." He went into the telling with gusto. He made hand gestures, and every now and then Sarah would jump in with the observations she had made as she had watched and worried. The priests and guards listened, enraptured by the tale. "Then the wings and sword returned to my palm. I picked up Sarah and left before the authorities arrived." He finished.

"Are you aware that you happen to be the youngest Wanderer to face a Dark Dragon without even a scratch?!" One of the Jilds (the dog anthros) exclaimed. He ducked his head at the praise.

"I wouldn't say without a scratch. It got a couple hits on me." Josh mumbled. Praises went around as they all ate. James cleared his throat, and they all fell silent for the Sentinel. "As your father, Josh, I am so proud to hear of your first achievement. But you had best be on your guard. The enemy will be much harder and fiercer than they ever have before. I feel it in my bones; your generation will be the one that will finally see the end of this dreadful war."

"War? What war?" Sarah asked.

James took a drink before answering. "The War of the Ever Road."