Chapter Forty-Two

Sengul

Daniel didn’t sleep most of the night he just stayed awake tending his fire and staring into the flames wishing he could see Calla in them.  He never should have come here, none of them should have.  Several times he got up and took a stroll around he looked out of the stained glass windows having to standing on stacked pews to do so. The animals didn’t go away but they didn’t venture on the church’s land either.  They prowled around just before the border keeping their eyes and ears tuned to those inside. When the sun began to turn the southerly sky a deep blue tinged with gold they started back toward the forest without looking back.

They’d made it through their first night here.  Daniel looked at the sleeping men in his company all of them were stitched and bandaged, well everyone but him for some unknown reason.  Daniel had his share of cuts and scrapes but Ares, Jack and Nick were each missing huge chunks of flesh and muscle. Nick was going to need a splint at least, he probably should have a proper crutches or a wheelchair but those might not be found unless they could get back to the small medical facility. Daniel had no idea how his Son was going to make it up the mountain. Maybe they should split up? Maybe two of them should stay here and gather provisions, get those crutches and some medical supplies, while two of them went up to seek out Adoy. Daniel didn’t even know if the little fellow was still alive but up there on his mountain where everyone had forgotten he existed there was a good chance Adoy escaped the massacre and perhaps even watched it unfold from the safety of his mountaintop cave.  If that was right then that was where they all wanted to be until a rescue ship arrived to take them home.  He was sure that this was just what Adoy and his little cave needed; four men squeezing in taking up space for the next several weeks. Daniel snickered to himself at the thought. Poor little guy, just the sight of Ares was apt to scared him half to death.

“Dad?”

The voice took Daniel out of his daze. “Hey, how are you feeling?” Daniel whispered not wanting to wake the others and knowing how voices carried in an empty space like this.

“Hurts,” Nick complained and moved his injured leg.

“Don’t stretch it,” Daniel advised, “just keep it supported and bent a little.” He took a seat next to Nick. “Listen to me, I’m going to go up the mountain and check on my little friend. Jack’s gonna bitch when he wakes up but that’s why I’m going before he does. I know I’m not in charge here, I know you and Jack outrank me, ok? I’m still your Father. While I’m gone I want you guys to stock up on supplies. I might not be back tonight, if I’m not back by tomorrow afternoon,” he stopped for a second and then pushed on, “just assume the worst and don’t come looking for me.”

“You bet your ass I outrank you,” Nick said bitterly as he fought to sit up.

“Unfortunately for you and Jack…I’m still a civilian.” Daniel returned.

Nick saw the determined look in his Father’s eyes and leaned in closer. “Are you out of your mind?”

“When was he sane?” Ares asked from his place on the floor.

“Nobody asked you,” Daniel lobbed, “besides it’s a good plan.”

Ares propped his wounded body up on one elbow. “So it is and I’ll go with you. Those two can get the supplies.”

Jack rolled over with a heavy groan. “I’m still in charge here,” he grumbled and struggled to sit up. “No one goes anywhere or does anything without my say-so.”

Ares laughed right out loud, he laughed so hard the vibrations shook the stained glass windows in their frames sending out a strange high pitched hum.  “Maybe 30 years ago, O’Neill, but now you’re just a relic like me.”

“Yeah, well, from one old war relic to another; shut up, will ya?” Jack cracked.  It was true he and Sam should have given this up decades ago but neither of them could do it. The Stargate was in the blood now and nothing would ever get it out.  This team was unlike any other he’d ever been a part of before chain of command was right out the window here.  “Look, it’s a good plan, Danny…” Jack got to his knees in an attempt to stand.

“Sit down, O’Neill!” Ares ordered gruffly. “You’re ripping open your stitches.”  The white bandages on Jack’s flanks were suddenly seeping with crimson blood. “You’re not going anywhere and neither is he.” Ares hitched a thumb toward Nick.  “Perhaps a little later in the day if you can manage it, the two of you can use each other for support and go on a little raid for those supplies.”

Pain killers, Jack thought immediately. Those would be good.  Their scant medical supplies didn’t include a high amount of pain killers or antibiotics, surely both of those things would be gone by morning (provided they lived that long).  While he didn’t like taking orders from good ole Ares, for now Jack would just consider it a very good suggestion and go along.  He didn’t feel like climbing any mountains today anyway. “This friend of yours, you’re sure he’s there?”

“No,” Daniel said truthfully, “not sure of it but fairly certain.” He got up, broke a few small pieces of wood over his knee and tossed them into the fading fire.  Full dawn would be upon them soon and the day would begin to warm but until then it was still nippy in here best to keep it burning for now.

“You’re not exactly in any shape to go mountain climbing, Umpa.” Nick grumbled not liking the idea of leaving his Father and Grandfather alone out there in the wilderness. If the animals didn’t kill them they might just kill each other.

“Better than you at the moment.”

“Thanks.”

“Any time.”  Ares got up for the first time and felt the tightness in his flanks then the burning sensation of pain.  It wasn’t too bad but if he were home on Earth it would be better the gouges would be almost gone today.  He climbed up on one of the pews to look out through the stained glass window. “Besides it’s not much of a mountain.”

“No it isn’t.” Daniel agreed.  “More like a really big hill until you get to the top and then things get a little tricky.”

Ares looked back over his shoulder. Was the man questioning his abilities?  “Whatever it is I’m sure I can handle it. You won’t have to carry me.”

“Couldn’t if I tried.” Daniel cracked.

“I’m sure you wouldn’t even try.  You talk as though I’ve never been up there and yet you know I have.”

A small breakfast consisting mostly of canned goods found in the basement and heated over the open fire was consumed before the men started about their work for the day. Jack and Nick made a list of things to retrieve from the empty town while Ares and Daniel were off exploring.   “They’re all goin’ nuts by now, back home I mean.” Nick said and tossed his plate of warmed vegetables onto the floor. “Annie, Sam, Mom…they’re out of their minds by now.”

“I know.” Daniel agreed.  “They’re working on getting to us too they won’t panic for long.”

Like his Father, Nicholas didn’t leave things with his wife on good terms.  Now he was regretting his selfishness in coming here.  What did it matter if he never found out exactly what happened to him on this planet?  By the looks of things he certainly wouldn’t. What mattered was Annie and their family.  Back home she was scared and irate.  When he got home he was going to have to find a really fantastic way to make this up to her. “Annie talk to you?”

“Who?” They all asked in unison.

“You, Umpa.”

Ares didn’t understand. “Why would she do that?”

“Because I told her you’d make her immortal.”

“You did what?” Daniel asked in shock.  As far as he knew Annie never expressed an interest in such a thing.

Ares who a moment before simply lacked a bit of comprehension sat there completely dumbfounded.  “I would do…what?”

“Never mind,” Nick sighed and struggled to stand up on his good leg.

“Whoa, no wait, no ya don’t.” Jack said.  “Sit down.  This is your answer to your little problem, Colonel? You’re going to make your wife immortal?”

Daniel, at first was surprised to know that Jack was aware of Nick’s marital problems but SG teams were close and they talked to each other about all kinds of things especially when they were in stressful situations.  “It’s up to Annie…right Ares?”

Ares loved the girl, he always had, if she wanted to be immortal it was all right with him and he’d give her the Red Ambrosia gladly.  “Yes.” In the end Nick could be buying himself an eternity’s worth of alimony payments. This was a conversation that could wait until they returned to Earth and Nick straightened out his life.  “We should get going.”

“Yeah.” Daniel got up and packed two small bags that he found in the basement with bottles of water and easily carried and eaten food.  “Don’t expect us back until tomorrow morning.” He said to Nick as they stood by the door of the church and Ares moved the pews away from it.

The climb up the steep hill was more of a hike than mountain climbing until, as Daniel had said, they reached the top.  Along the way they didn’t encounter a single animal not a bird in the sky or even a skittering small forest creature out for a morning nibble on the multitude of grasses, flowers and other plant life.  The whole planet was eerily quiet.  While they were away from the others Ares thought he’d broach a sensitive subject. “You get that idea out of your head yet, Jackson?”

“Which one is that?”

“The one where the four of us jump into bed with my Daughter.” Ares said snidely and continued walking even when Daniel stopped. 

“You, of all of us, you, you’re going to stand in the way?”

“Daughters are not for fucking.”

“WHAT?” Daniel roared and looked around. Oh for a witness!  Surely Ares would never say anything like that again and only did so because there wasn’t anyone else to hear him!  “I don’t suppose I could get you to say that again in front of Jack or Nick, could I?”

Ares let out a snicker. “I know you think she and I have been up to nefarious deeds these past few years but we have not.” He said sincerely.  “In fact I have rather enjoyed having my Daughter so close to me in this way and being a part of this…family.”  As he neared the end of his statement Ares almost sounded like he was on the witness stand confessing to a crime.  “I wouldn’t jeopardize that.” Now the big man stopped walking and climbing to turn around.  “Not for anything.  If you won’t get this idea out of your head I have a compromise to offer you.”

Oh, this should be good.  “Yeah? What?”

The subject was altogether unpleasant and Ares nearly found it absolutely revolting but he went on.  “I will…donate, isn’t that what you call it, donate?  A sample for your use but I will not get into bed with her.”

On some level that was a damn good offer and it just might work but Daniel knew better it wasn’t the genetic material, not just the spunk Ares was offering to bottle for him, that would bring her back to them.  “Sorry, it won’t work. You’re gonna have to bite the bullet on this one.” Daniel couldn’t believe he’d just said that! To Ares! Of all people!

“Nicholas won’t do it either.” Ares warned.

“Yes he will,” Daniel countered…if she lets him, he will.  “He’s just itching for his chance to…to…”

“To what? Spit it out, man!”

“To make it up to her! Just like you and David.” Daniel said through gritted teeth. “You both got that chance. She gave it to you.”

That was true. Both he and David had been given the chance to prove to Calla that they were more than animals; they were men. Living, breathing, feeling men capable of love and passion.  “She’ll never give it to him.”

On that one Ares was right, it seemed Calla was completely unwilling to let Nick redeem himself.  “Why?”

“Because she doesn’t want to be me.” Ares said flatly and resumed walking up the steep hill.

Ares words struck Daniel as hard as any bullet or blast from a zat gun had.  The old bastard was right, that was the real kicker, he was right.  “So you’re just going to let her die?” Daniel called after him not realizing he was angry until he started to speak and even then he didn’t do a good job at it.  “Oh, wait, that’s right, you’ve got Athena waiting in the wings, right? So who cares if Calla….” That was as far as he got before he found his ass meeting the hard rocky ground below. He looked up to see Ares looming over him.

“Daughters…are….not…for…fucking.” Ares said slowly. “That includes Athena.”

“What’s the matter? Athena’s not good enough for you? Haven’t you just been waiting to get your hands…your dick!...in her?”

Perhaps once upon a time that had been the plan but plans change and even Gods grow old.  “Athena is young, she has her whole life ahead of her and if you must know Jackson…since it’s just us here…I never loved Athena the way I love Calla and I never will.  She is a wonderful girl and I am proud that she is my Daughter but she will never capture my heart in the same way. So no I am not waiting for Athena to come around.”

“So she’s not good enough for you, is that it?”

Ares shook his head and let out a disgusted growl.  “She is young, far too young, she is high strung…”

“Yeah just like her old man.” Daniel bitched and keeping his eyes leveled on Ares got back to his feet.  He shouldn’t be arguing, if Ares didn’t want to sleep with Athena then Daniel should greet that as good news.  “Athena’s too high strung and Calla’s too old now, is that it?”

“Too old?” Ares mused and smiled darkly.  “For me? Perhaps you should look in a mirror the next time you pass one, Jackson, it’s not me who isn’t holding up his end in the marital bed. It would seem that you and your Son are suffering from the same problem.”

The rest of the climb was made in an uneasy silence while below Jack and Nick hobbled around the town collecting food, wood, medical supplies and whatever fresh clothing they could find. When they were done with that task, which was well past mid-day, they began the job of fortifying the church.

Reaching the summit Ares looked around.  It had been a long time since he stood here but he remembered it well along with every curve of Guinevere’s face. The memory brought a sharp unexpected pain to his old heart. This was where he lost her, the place where he made his fatal mistake and it cost him one of the greatest loves of his life and his Son. If he could only do it again just have one more chance he’d do it right and he’d never let her go.

“This way.” Daniel said easily having stood back and taken in the expression on the old warrior’s face and longing look in his onyx eyes.

“I told you there’s nothing in that cave.” Ares sighed.

“I told you there is.”  Daniel walked away and climbed up on the rocks where he planted a spike into the stone and secured a length of rope.  “Come on, old man, let’s go.”

Ares sauntered over to where Daniel was waiting and he looked down to see the small plateau below them and the entrance to the other side of the cave.

“Told you.” Daniel chimed and went down the rope. He stood on the plateau waiting for Ares to shimmy down and hoping that small patch of rock would hold them both instead of crumbling away.  When Ares settled his feet on the small patch of land Daniel walked toward the mouth of the cave. “Hello? Adoy?  It’s Daniel Jackson, are you home?” He called out.

“Ready the tea is, expecting you I have been.”  The little bald creature said as he toddled his way toward the opening.  “Company you have brought me.”

At the sight of the little creature Ares took a step back and the heel of his foot slipped off the edge of the plateau but he caught himself before he could go tumbling over the side of the mountain.

“This is….”

“Ares.” Adoy said and held out his tiny hand while he leaned heavily upon his wooden cane. “Father of Artuir Sera and Lover of Guinevere.”

Ares didn’t know what he’d been expecting but Adoy wasn’t it and it took him a moment before he crouched down low enough to take the small creatures hand, afraid of breaking it he didn’t grasp it very hard nor shake it long.  Adoy invited them in but Ares couldn’t fit in the cave and instead he sat in the opening.

Over cups of sweet hot tea Adoy told the story of Wolfgar’s repeated visits to the planet and how he used the wild animals to wipe out the population below.  “Nothing there was that I could do.” Adoy assured them.

No doubt.  What could a little guy like Adoy do against such monstrous beasts and the boy with no soul?

“How did you know my name?” Ares asked after he’d listened to the story and wasn’t altogether convinced of its validity.

The little creature smiled widely and then wider still until he started to laugh wildly.

“What’s so funny?” The God of War demanded.

Adoy tried to contain himself before he hoped off the chair. “Crawl in here if you can.” He said to Ares. “See you will.”

Ares wasn’t one for crawling around on the dirt if he wasn’t locked in the heat of battle or passion but there was no mistaking the dare in the weird creature’s overly large twinkling eyes.  He looked up and again judged the height of the cave even Jackson had to squat to fit into it but once in there was enough room to move around provided they both stayed on their butts and scooched around like crabs missing some of their legs.  Fine he would crawl in the dirt like an animal. Moving very much like a wolf he made his way around on all fours careful of the rather rustic furniture and meager belongings of Adoy Retsam. Curiosity got the best of him and Daniel followed though he didn’t have to crawl to do it he was bent rather uncomfortably low at the waist.  All the way to the back of the small cave in the room that served as Adoy’s bedroom and on the wall farthest from the bed was the spot where Adoy drew their attention by pointing at it with his cane and then turning on the lantern.

On the wall, scratched deeply into the ancient rock was a very finely detailed intricate portrait of Ares.  Forever etched in the stone he stared into the room with his jaw set tight but the corners of his lips turned upward as though he were about to smile. An unseen wind blew his hair back away from his face.  “Looked at that for many years have I.” Adoy said cheerily and then laughed again.

Ares took the lantern and held it up to the rock as he ran his free hand along it. “Guinevere did this?” She always did love to draw and to paint. She loved sitting out on her balcony in Camelot looking out at the kingdom and spending hour upon hour painting the images she saw.

“She did. Talked about you constantly she did as well.” Adoy said in a more thoughtful voice as the laughter died away from his lips. “Loved you she did. In all the time she was here another there was not.” The big man on the floor closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh making the air around them thick with unease.  No one had to saw that the news both pleased and distressed Ares for he had loved her as well and if she was going to make a life here then he wanted her to be happy and to find love.  She’d been faithful to him and her love for him Ares could not say the same.  “Carved that she did while she lay in the bed full with Artuir Sera. Born in the bed he was the first hands to hold him mine were.”  Adoy pointed to the bed across the way the one which had once laid against the opposite wall. “Moved it did I. Handsome you are but not what I would like to wake to.”  He laughed again and the sound was genuine it lightened the mood in the room.  “How I know who you are this is.”  Adoy turned to Daniel now that his little tale was told. “Your wife? Better she is?”

It took Daniel a moment to stop looking at the portrait because it looked so much like something Calla would have painted; a loving wonderful and handsome image of her Father. Like that painting this carving reflected the love of the artist for her subject. “No, he stammered, “she had what we call a stroke and she’s worse now.”  That brought his mind back to the real reason he came all the way up here. Daniel reached into his breast pocket and took out a silk handkerchief which he unwrapped to show Adoy the small vial he’d found on D’Sila.  “Do you know what this is?  Is it the Elixir of Life?” He’d spent most of the night looking at it while the others slept. It was the same color and when he sniffed it there was almost the same scent. At first he thought of how they would get the Elixir when Kanan had used it but then Wolfgar came and answered that question, didn’t he?  Some how Wolfgar and his friends had come here and they’d made a pact with the Sengul people. What did the Senguls want more than anything---ok, what did Vedic D’Sila want more than anything?  To raise Arthur from his long sleep and someone promised to make them the Elixir and they did.  Then they’d had a falling out of some sort, during the night Daniel wondered what that had been and thought is was probably the fact that Calla didn’t die.  So Wolfgar came back here and destroyed everything and everyone because they didn’t hold up their end of the bargain.

Not wanting to take the chance that the vial would slip through his old trembling fingers Adoy toddled over to the bed to sit down before holding out his hands and taking it.  Like Daniel he turned the fine crystal vial around in his hands and held it to what light there was in this room. He pulled out the stopped and smelled it before taking the tiniest drop and placing it on his tongue.  “Ready it is not but the Elixir it is.”  He capped the vial and handed it back to Daniel.

“How long until it is?” Ares asked.

Adoy shook his head indicating he wasn’t sure. “Sweet it will be like fine honey.”

Daniel took great care in wrapping it back up in the soft cushion of kerchief before tucking it back into his pocket.  “Is there a way off this planet?”

“The explosion I saw.” Adoy said thoughtfully and then shook his bald head once more as he stroked his chin.  “No ship. No Stargate.” He looked over at Ares.  “What will you do?”

“Me?” Ares asked.

“Your Father opened the pathway to the stars, did he not?” Adoy asked in return.

“My Father did yes he did.” Ares agreed. “I am not my Father. I cannot open the pathway.”

“Excuse me, yeah, ah, hello.” Daniel interjected as their eyes turned toward him. “What pathway?” This was an answer he had been looking for for some time.

“Do you know Ley Lines are, Jackson?”

“Of course I know what they are.” Daniel said in a miffed tone. “Markings and pathways…” he stopped as he watched Ares roll his eyes. “Fine, we’ll go the other way. Mystic pathways within the Earth that contain powerful energy unharnessed by man.”

“Very good,” Ares said in a condescending tone.  “Where these lines converge there exists a more powerful energy than your brain can imagine. The Bermuda Triangle is such a place and so is a small town in Siberia called Pokrovskoye or more particularly a small patch of land on the outskirts of the town.  Zeus had the ability to harness the energy of the lines that run there and use it to open portals between worlds.” He turned back to Adoy. “I do not possess the secret of this ability.”

“So this is how Wolfgar’s getting around? And you knew?” Daniel asked incredulously. “You really like to keep things to yourself, don’cha?”

“I didn’t know he was visiting other worlds until we got stuck here and even then just how he was doing it was still…unclear…in my mind.”

“Liar,” Daniel said flatly. “You’ve got to stop posturing with me.”

Before Ares could respond Adoy spoke again. “This you cannot do? You are sure?”

“Positive.” Ares said. “Even if I could I couldn’t do it here with the injection and the Xerinium I can’t even feel my powers let alone use them.” He complained. “Face it, we’re stuck here until rescue arrives.”  That meant they’re almost completely dependent upon Samantha to save them. She was a fine woman, a good leader and a fierce warrior, eventually she would find them.  Whether or not they’d still be alive at that point was another matter.

“The animals haven’t ventured up here, have they?” Daniel asked Adoy.

“They have not.”

“Mind a little company for an undetermined length of time?”

“Are you crazy?” Ares asked. “We’ll never all fit in here.”

“We will if you move those boulders and use them to block the other end of the cave.” Daniel suggested. “It gets higher down that end, you won’t be so uncomfortable.” Once moved the cave would be twice the size and make sort of an ‘L’. He looked back at Adoy. “We promise to be good houseguests. What do you say?”

“I say we stay in the church.”

“It’s safer up here.” Daniel countered.  “We’ll bring our own supplies.” He said to Adoy hoping it was a bit of incentive.

“Until your friends arrive, stay here you will. Company I like.” Adoy agreed and hoped off the bed. “Move my wall if you must.” He sighed.

“Thank you, Adoy, we are very grateful.” Daniel said with a smile. “You work on that, I think I can get down and back up again with them before nightfall.”

“You’re going to need help with Nicholas. He can hardly walk let alone make the hike up here with any speed.” Ares got to his knees. “I don’t understand you, Jackson. Clearly we are all better off in the church so why don’t we just bring your little friend here back down the mountain with us?”

That was an option Daniel hadn’t considered but now as Adoy looked up at him with his wise old oversized eyes it seemed like a good idea. “What do you think? At least you’ll have some company and when our friends come for us you’re welcome to leave here. We’ll take you to Earth and if you don’t want to stay we’ll find some place you like.”

Adoy let out a sigh as he thought about it.  There was no sense in staying here any longer even though he hadn’t had the pleasure of the odd guest let a lone that of a true friend in a long time now that he was all alone on the planet he wouldn’t even have the people below to watch.  “My home this is.” Adoy said longingly.  “Go with you I will.”

“Then it’s settled.” Ares announced and read the question in Daniel’s eyes. “I’ll carry him.” Ares answered before Daniel could ask just how Adoy was supposed to make the trip down the steep hill on his old little legs.

Adoy took the time to gather up a sack full of his belongings including some of his favorite foods and books so worn they looked older than Ares.  The God of War used Adoy’s sheet to make a pack in which Adoy was sat and hauled down the hill on Ares’ strong back as though he were an infant.  They arrived back at the church just as twilight graced the night sky and the sounds of shuffling and snapping twigs could be heard off in a distance that was too close for comfort.

“Whoa! What the heck is that?” Jack shouted in surprise when Adoy was freed from his place on Ares’ back. “Is that a smurf?”

“No, he’s not a smurf.” Daniel admonished.  “This is Adoy Retsam, my friend from the top of the mountain. He’s going to go home with us.”

Jack squatted down on his haunches even though it hurt his flanks to do so.  He thought the Asgard were small! This guy couldn’t be more than ‘three apples high’ if he was that lucky. Those ears! Where did he get those ears? They stuck out on the side of his head a cross between an elephant and the elves back in Altair Ain.  “Jack,” he said still staring at the little guy and then holding out his hand. “I’m Jack.”

Adoy looked around at the giants towering over him and remembered one reason he didn’t venture down here any longer.  It was very difficult to be so small in a world of people so tall.  “To meet you it is pleasant.” Adoy said and shook Jack’s hand.

Nick and Jack spent the day gathering supplies while Ares and Daniel were on the mountain. The church was very well stocked with damn near anything and everything they could think of to get them through their extended stay in this inhospitable place. The windows had been boarded over just in case any of the animals got the idea of jumping through and the doors had all been reinforced heavily.

“A long stay you anticipate?” Adoy asked as warmed himself by the fire.

“Yeah, home sweet home.” Jack said unhappily as he looked around and wondered just how many nights they’d get through before the wild animals decided to storm the place. Sooner or later they’d get tired of stalking and slinking around outside and look for a way in.

“Come in here they will not.”  Adoy said to no one in particular and this was also part of the reason he agreed to make the journey down the mountain. It was safer than his little homey cave.

“How do you know that?” Daniel asked and took a seat next to him.

“So far they have not.” Adoy said and looked at Daniel sadly. “Every other building invaded they did but cross to the church property they do not.”

“The birds came in.” Jack said as the unpleasant memory of being pelted with stinky bird crap came to him.

Adoy nodded his head in agreement. “But did they attack?” He asked.  “No, they did not.” The little creature answered his own question. “Why? Because they are his eye; they watch you and he sees.”

That seemed impossible even for someone like Wolfgar.  How could he possibly see things so far away?  What kind of telekinetic ability did one have to have to see things that were galaxies away?  “If he sees then why doesn’t he just tell them to come in and get us?” Jack asked.

“A church this is.” Adoy protested.

Ares snickered from behind them. “If MacLeod were here he’d tell you the same; we’re on holy ground.  Don’t want to offend the Gods, do we?”

“The Anti-Christ? Going by the rules?  Seems a little incongruous, don’t you think?” Daniel asked.  “Someone who is against God doesn’t care about God’s rules, does he?”

“Anti-Christ?” Adoy asked with wonder and a bit of surprise. “Know what this means I do not.  God, I know.  The one you call Wolfgar is not against God but believes that God he is. Those under his control will not invade their master’s home.”

“He is not God.” Ares sneered.

No, Wolfgar wasn’t God or probably wasn’t anyway.  Daniel thought of all the Biblical clues which had been left for him. Had he misinterpreted them?  If Wolfgar did honestly believe he was God, the One True God, that made him all the more dangerous, didn’t it?

“We gotta get outta here.” Nick said from behind them.  “Who knows what he’s doing back on Earth…right now?”

“I know, Nick, but…”

“But what, Dad? For all we know Altair Ain is nothing but rubble already and everyone we love is dead. We’re fuckin’ stuck here!”

It was hopeless.  By the time a ship arrived, if one ever did, surely they would be too late and the home they knew would be gone.

End of Chapter Forty-Two of
Golden Years
by Moon Mistress
a/k/a Lisa Beth Darling
Go to
Chapter Forty-Three