Gabriel rushed down the alley. He could feel another wave of panic setting in and seeing Noah's frightened face only made things worse. Flashes of memory came and went. Some are easier to make out than others. All were a confusing mash of brightness. The alley walls seemed to close in on Gabriel, and his throat tightened. He ran the last few yards and ended up in the smaller courtyard. He doubled over trying to catch his breath.

Hands gently wrapped around his shoulders. "Remember what I taught you," a calm voice spoke. "Deep breath in through the nose and out through the mouth."

He did this three times before he felt the imaginary hand clenching over his throat finally release. His body eased and his breathing slowed. Gabriel stood and faced the aged elf. Elmar didn't say a word but guided Gabriel to sit. They sat until he was ready to speak first and Elmar would listen.

"Do you think that this attempt in saving those boys has anything to do with these memories surfacing?" Elmar was only thinking allowed. Gabriel lifted his head from resting on his arms.

"I've dealt with stressful situations before." Gabriel furrowed his brows. "These episodes haven't happened since I was young." Images of a beautiful woman's face flashed in his mind. She was saying something but Gabriel could never remember what it was.

Elmar nodded. "But you've never dealt with the king breathing down your neck like this. It's quite the situation you've found yourself in."

He sighed, "I know. Those boys though. They deserve to actually live a life that isn't constantly in the line of fire." Too many young souls were taken because of a selfish king. "I don't know why I'm doing this, but if I can get them at least to Asra then they could make it."

"So the cold-hearted assassin actually has a bit of love to share." Gabriel rolled his eyes causing Elmar to chuckle. "It's a good thing. Gabriel look at me." Those bright silver eyes looked up through the contrast of black hair. "Don't let that part of you disappear. Too many of us, myself included, have forgotten how to love. The wars we've seen have destroyed that part of us. Don't let this one destroy you."

Gabriel nodded.

Elmar smiled ruffling Gabriel's hair as if he was a five-year-old kid. "You'll make it. Those boys will make it because of you."

"Thanks."

"One more thing." Elmar's eyes softened. Gabriel could see the young elf that once stood to fight another in those brown eyes. "Before you leave there is something I want to give you since you're going to Asra."

"Gabriel?"

Gabriel turned and saw Theo and Noah standing with worried expressions plastered across their faces.

~~~*~~~

A room had been set aside from the three thanks to Elmar. It was three stories up overlooking the main courtyard. Each would have their own bed for the first on this journey. Though Gabriel was grateful for his friend's kind gesture, he would miss the stars as he fell asleep.

Theo practically ran in jumping on the large couch that took up half of the main room. He was biting at the bits to share his important news as he called it.

"Later alright." Gabriel looked over with heavy eyes. He gave a weak smile heading for the bed. All he could think of now was sleep.

Noah just watched as Gabriel trudged off to his room. He decided to give Gabriel the remedies later. Theo sat with a frown but tried to hide it the best he could. Noah headed over and plopped on the couch with a big sigh.

He turned his head as it rested on the couch to Theo. "What were you wanting to tell us?"

"Well, I wanted to wait til both of you were here."

"Yeah, probably be waiting a while then." Noah pointed out. "Why don't you just tell me now."

Theo peered towards the hall Gabriel had disappeared into with a look of regret. He finally sighed and nodded. "Alright." He shuffled around on the couch trying to find the most comfortable position. "You were wrong," Theo said with the brightest smile.

"Excuse me?"

"Yep." He nodded. "Elmar told me that Gods do exist."

A snort escaped Noah before he could stop it. Out of everything Noah had seen just today, Gods were still a ridiculous fairytale to him. He rolled his eyes at the idea. "I think your little elf friend was taking advantage of your cluelessness."

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"He did not." Theo frowned. "Just because you're so pigheaded doesn't mean we all are."

"Oh come on." Noah expressed. "You really think there are higher beings out there? If there were then why are we here on the run? You'd think that these all-powerful beings would give a shit and do something about our suffering." Each word tasted bitter spewing from his lips. Hatred bubbled up. The hatred towards the world unseen by humans.

"We didn't suffer too much," Theo argued back. He thought back to all the good memories. The laughter and storytelling. The smile grew on their mom's face when their dad would swing her around and sing loudly. Those times their friends would travel the city from the rooftops of the buildings or those late-night runs to steal food from the vendors. "I think we lived a decent life even if..."

"Theo our parents are dead and we're on the run," Noah interjected lowly. "How can you say our life was okay? We were struggling while your head was in some other world thinking that these all-powerful beings were watching over us."He jabbed a finger in Theo's direction. "You were never there seeing how tired Dad was trying to make ends meet while the King only took more from us."

"Then you've clearly forgotten all the good memories."

Noah stood and threw his hands in the air. "I'm done!"

"Why? Because for once you aren't right." Theo yelled back. Noah flipped him off as he walked out of the room. "Asshole!"

"Dick!"

As Theo slumped back into the couch cushions, Gabriel appeared through the doorway with a partially sleepy and annoyed look on his face. "Why exactly are we yelling in here?"

Theo's head snapped to Gabriel leaning against the doorframe and rubbing his eyes. Guilt washed over him and the anger subsided. "Sorry, Gabriel." He glanced down and saw the bag Noah had left. "Oh, Noah got that for you. I don't know what it is but he said he thought it might help you."

Gabriel glanced down. "Alright, but that still doesn't answer my question."

"Elmar told me that Gods do exist and Noah still doesn't believe me." Theo finally confessed. He was quite huffy about it causing Gabriel to shake his head.

So glad I never had a brother. He thought to himself pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Noah!" Gabriel yelled. Loud footsteps echoed on the hard floor back into the living room.

"What?"

"Sit your ass down before I kick it." Gabriel was way too tired for any of this right now. He gave a sharp glare to Noah who sat down a bit hesitantly. Gabriel sighed and walked over to a not-so-comfortable chare across from them. "When I say this, I don't want feedback from either one of you." He glared at each boy who nodded in agreement. "Neither one of you is wrong. There are such things as Gods." He saw the triumphant smile playing on Theo's lips. "But It's not what you think before you start celebrating. Some call them the Ancient Gods. I think they're just elements to life." Theo's smile was wiped clean off and with it the feeling of winning for once against his brother. Gabriel saw Noah sit a bit taller in his chair and a smirk playing on the corner of his mouth. It took all of his willpower not to smack it off.

Theo swallowed nervously before he spoke. "Then who are they?"

"Death, Life, Love, and Time. Constructs that people have altered into these deities." Gabriel explained. He had seen small gatherings in some of the smaller villages in the north. It was the only hope these people had. He himself never believed in these Gods, but if it brought comfort to the others then he wouldn't upset that.

"Well, those people are stupid then," Noah added. He was so close to Gabriel smacking his smart ass. Theo looked as if someone ate the last bread slice. "No really. Are you so pathetic that you must make up imaginary beings?"

Gabriel leaned over smacking Noah as hard as he could. Noah yelped and rubbed the now sore spot on the back of his head while Gabriel glared daggers at him. "People need something to believe in. Especially now," he mumbled the last part.

"I still think it's childish to think there's a higher power out there watching over us," Noah said as he stood. He looked over at Theo. "At some point, you've got to grow up and realize there's no one coming to protect you." Then he left the room.

Theo was quiet for a time. Gabriel sat with him until he was ready to speak. The destruction of childhood innocence was always a cruel part of life. What struck Gabriel though was the fact Theo had held onto that innocence for as long as he did.

"Is it a bad thing that I still believe in them?"

Gabriel's eyes softened as he looked over. Theo sat with his shoulders fallen forward and a defeated look in his eyes. "No. Just ignore Noah when he starts being a jackass."

"But he's always a jackass."

This made Gabriel chuckle and nod his head in agreement. "Yeah, I believe it."

~~~*~~~

Several days had come and gone in the elvish town. Theo and Noah were back to being annoying siblings according to Gabriel if anyone asked. Neither he nor Noah brought up the situation in the courtyard but the bag was gone from the living room when Noah eventually came out of hiding. He figured it had worked since Gabriel hadn't acted weird again.

Gabriel didn't have the heart to tell him that he threw away the worthless medicine.

Elmar met for a few hours every day with Theo and answered any questions he had. Truth be told, he was grateful for the company. So many in town thought that living with the elders alone was a respectful honor. That they deserved peace after what they endured centuries ago. However, that was far from what they wanted. Theo was the breath of fresh air for Elmar.

The few days of rest had turned into a little over a week and Gabriel finally decided it was time to depart. Their horses were saddled up and packed with the items they would need for the long journey ahead. Theo said his final goodbyes to Elmar and headed on with his brother. Noah was rather happy to get going.

"Gabriel," Elmar called out. Gabriel turned and waited. "This is for you." It was a small piece of paper with something he had written on it. "When you arrive in Asra, go find Ciro."

Gabriel looked down at the small folded paper. "What for?"

Elmar winked and patted Gabriel's hand closed over the paper. "Just an old friend I owe a favor to and one who you may find helpful." Gabriel stood there confused as Elmar walked off. He wasn't one for cryptid messages. He shook it off and headed to his horse where the others were waiting.

Ahead of them was nothing but vast wilderness. Gabriel took a deep breath and headed off. Behind them, the town vanish as they passed the barrier again, and in front of them the unknown.