The Ever War: Chapter 2.6.2

"Josh, you take the first shift." He said. He settled down by the fire and was asleep in seconds. Sarah stared at him curiously. She looked up at Josh. "He doesn't seem like a threat."

Josh frowned, letting Solaris dissolve back into his hand. "He doesn't feel like them." He said simply.

Sarah raised an eyebrow. "You mean the Waiths?" Josh nodded. "Yeah. His presence feels different, but he's not human and not like us. I don't know what he is."

Sarah yawned and stretched. "Well, I'm going back to sleep. Wake me in four hours." She lay back down. Josh turned back to the cave entrance. Every now and then, strange howl sounds would sound in the distance. Sometime after midnight, the stranger stirred at the sound of a low howl, this one much closer to them. He stared into the darkness, his eyes going almost black. "Stay here." He vanished into the brush. Seconds later, the sound of a scuffle could be heard, a yelp of pain, followed by silence. The stranger emerged with a blood covered knife, which he cleaned at the entrance under the moonlight.

He glanced at Josh. "It really is different this time." Josh frowned. "What is?" The stranger smiled, sheathed the knife, then took a swig from his flask. "The war, boy, the war. It's all different this time around. The Sage traveling with you, in love with you. Always the Wanderer was alone. Perhaps that was our mistake?" He broke off into thought. Josh frowned. "Who are you?"

The stranger laughed quietly. "Never you mind that." He grew serious and reached into his cloak. "Listen very carefully, Josh." He pulled out a map and unfolded it. A trail was already marked out. "Follow this map. Never stray from the path set out. Once you've reached your destination, you will find who you're looking for." Josh frowned. "Just who am I looking for?" The stranger laughed again. "Oh, just someone you will definitely have need of." With that, he slipped back into the shadows and was gone. Josh frowned and stared after him, still wondering just who he was. A name seemed to float on the wind. "Malachi."