As an Oracle, Abner could see events that had transpired in the past as well as events that could occur in the potential future. His iguana was his Spirit Animal, and she served as his Totem. Without her, he never would have come to understand his unique abilities.

There were many things Abner had envisioned about Earth, but there was one thing in particular that shied him away from ever wanting to go there: disease. Prior to Timur’s reign, King Alexios I Komnenos ruled in the great City of Atlantis at a time when Earth carried a deadly plague called the Black Death. Each Seraph had ruled in Atlantis for an average term of 500 years. Prior to King Komnenos’ reign in Atlantis, he ruled on Earth as Emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 1081 to 1118 AD. It was by his hand that the Crusades took place in Jerusalem. Upon conferring his Empire to his son, he falsified his death and returned to Atlantis. It was almost 200 years later that he decided to visit Earth at a time when England was suffering from one of the most devastating pandemics in human history. Incidentally, he returned to Atlantis carrying the disease with him.

That day marked a rapid decline in their population. Within two short years, nearly half of the three billion inhabitants of the two massive continents had died. Once the disease had run its course, the nation became prone to other illnesses.

When Abner learned from Timur that Earth’s average lifespan was a mere 67 years of age, he was terrified. He vowed to himself that he would never travel there for fear of contracting one of Earth’s multitude of infections. It was for this reason that Abner was enraged to learn that in his most recent visit, Timur had brought with him an alien.

“She cannot stay hither!” he seethed. “Dost thou not understand the infections she could bring upon us?”

“Don’t be so paranoid, you old fool.” Timur said. “After all my many travels between both worlds, you would think that I would’ve infected the lot of you by now.”

“Yes, but thou art anointed as a holy messenger! This vile woman, however, is not. Alas, ‘tis pertinent that thou dost send her back!”

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“I will not.” He sighed heavily. “Her mere presence will lure Allan into my trap so that I may steal his Amulet.”

“What need hast thou of this woman?” he demanded. “Why hast thou not used the seer stones I provided unto thee?”

“Those worthless rocks?” Timur huffed. “How am I supposed to hocus pocus an answer from a couple of shiny rocks?”

“Bring them hither, and I shall teach thee.”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible.”

Abner’s face went ashen. “Where hast thou safeguarded these sacred relics?”

“They’re probably in the belly of a street sweeper truck by now.”

“Belly?” Abner’s face twisted in confusion. “Thou hast fed them unto a beast?!”

“No.” Timur said. “Suffice it to say, they’re no longer in my possession.”

“What?!”

Timur rounded on him, his lips curled into a snarl. “I tried to use them, but they were flawed. So I disposed of them.”

“Thou didst not!”

Timur gazed at him defiantly. Abner stared back at him in shock as his lower lip quivered. Never before had a Seraph been so ignorant and foolish, nor had one caused such mayhem and discord among the people. The Seraphim of old were commissioned to lead the people and bring inspiration unto them. Since Timur’s forced rule, the Great City had fallen into charred ruins. Any who opposed him were scattered and destroyed. Only the fearful who yielded their souls to be consumed by the Leviathan remained in submission unto him. It was at that moment that Abner made a silent resolve to turn the tide.

“Tell me,” Abner spoke in a soothing tone. “What dost thou intend to do with the woman?”

“She’s Allan’s lover,” he said with a wicked smile. “When he arrives to save his precious Lily, I’ll break his heart by forcing her to ‘confess’ her love for me. When his heart falters, I’ll obtain his Amulet and kill him.”

Abner was acutely aware of Timur’s commanding powers. These powers he had employed upon Abner before, and over the years he had learned that the best way to avoid Timur’s powers of persuasion was to agree with him immediately, even when his actions weren’t agreeable.

“I commend thee for thine flawless plan,” he lied.

Satisfied, Timur clapped his hand on his old friend’s back. “I knew you would see reason.”

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