 |
| The Fire and The Fear: Part 2 |
A pendant. A choice. A turning point.
As Obadiah and Luk-el search for the vessel bound to the pendant, a deeper truth begins to unfold — the seal was not broken, it was released. While Laric wrestles with what he saw in the fire, Alexander walks the streets, haunted by power he doesn’t understand. The game has begun, and the pawn is already in motion. Scroll down to unravel Part 2 of The Fire and the Fear »
Back at the Arklow, Obadiah stood in the dimly lit chamber, his gaze locked on the empty pedestal where the raven pendant had once rested.
The air around him felt heavier now, as though the room itself understood what had been unsealed.
Beneath his coat, his clipped wings stirred, faintly reacting to a ripple in the spiritual current.
Though grounded, the memory of their full glory still echoed within him — and tonight, that memory burned.
Though grounded, the memory of their full glory still echoed within him — and tonight, that memory burned.
He remembered the heat of the Judean sun. The bloodshed. The decision.
He and King Manasseh had stood at the altar of Rav’ach, surrounded by weeping priests and ash-soaked earth, and made a pact: The pendant would be broken in two. The pieces separated. Its voice silenced. Forever.
And now...
Luk-el strolled through the stone wall, his arrival as quiet as breath. His presence immediately tensed the room — not from fear, but from the way creation itself still acknowledged what he was.
"Obadiah," he said, sensing the dread. "What’s happened?”
Obadiah didn’t turn. He didn’t have to. “The vault has been breached. The raven pendant is gone.”
Luk-el’s wings flexed, restrained but bristling. “That’s not possible. You sealed it yourself.”
“Less than two hours,” Obadiah muttered. “I found the case twisted open. No force on this plane could’ve done that alone.” he said, voice low. “But the seal didn’t break from without. It was released from within.”
Luk-el stepped forward, eyes narrowing. “Antioch?”
Obadiah gave the faintest nod. “Or his Reapers. The scent of brimstone was faint, but it was there. He’s closer than I thought.”
Luk-el’s jaw tightened. “This town isn’t safe while that artifact breathes. You know what it can do.”
“I know,” Obadiah said. “It was made to seduce through pain. To turn the wounded into weapons.”
His hand hovered just above the pedestal, where the faintest shimmer of broken wards lingered.
“I made a choice,” he said. “In Judah. With Manasseh. We agreed — the pendant could not be destroyed, only divided. I kept one half sealed in this vault… and gave the other to the king to hide in his lineage.”
“And now Antioch has pieced them together.” Luk-el finished. “He must have a vessel. Why else take it?”
Obadiah finally turned to him, his expression dark. “We must find out who it is. This town is not safe as long as that pendant is out there.
“Antioch has wasted no time in waging war against mankind.”
“He is just getting started,” Obadiah quipped.
A moment later, the door flew open, and Laric appeared with Allen in tow. He was excited but stopped dead in his track when he saw his history teacher Mr. Elliott.
“Mr. Elliott? What are you doing here?”
“Just visiting Arklow, I heard a lot about it and decided to stop in.” Luk-el said with ease.
“We were at the fire. It was chaos. The roof collapsed. Didn't you hear about it?” Laric asked, glancing at Obadiah. “It’s all over the news.”
Obadiah’s voice was calm, but his posture had stiffened. “No. There was a theft here,” he said. “Sheriff Spriggs just left.”
Laric’s mouth gaped. “What was taken?”
“The Ravi pendant.”
Laric frowned. “How did they get past the security system?”
“Not sure but I will find out.” Obadiah said with ease.
Obadiah watched the boys, his expression inscrutable, while Luk-el maintained a calm demeanor, his true nature hidden beneath the guise of a mere history teacher.
Laric hesitated. “Uncle. I saw something I can’t explained.”
He finally turned, studying his nephew’s face.
“At the Community Center. I saw Colin Smothers. In the smoke. Right before the roof fell in.”
Allen glanced at Laric, as if surprised he said it aloud.
Obadiah stepped closer. “Are you sure?”
“I thought maybe I imagined it. But... he wasn’t running. He was just standing there. Like he was one with the fire, enjoying his work.
Luk-el’s expression tightened. “The vessel,” he muttered.
___
Meanwhile, Colin continued to wander the streets, one hand pressed against his chest where the pendant's heat seeped through his shirt. The rush that had carried him from the Community Center was terrifying yet exhilarating. Each time he blinked, he saw the raven silhouetted against leaping flames, its obsidian eyes reflecting destruction. Antioch's promises clung to him like smoke—power, vengeance, destiny.
He paused at an intersection, catching distant sounds of celebration. The contrast made his pulse quicken, and beneath his fingertips, the pendant pulsed in perfect synchrony, as if feeding on his anticipation of what came next.
A smile crept across his face. He couldn't tell if it stemmed from elation or dread. The metal against his skin seemed almost alive, its warmth carrying wordless knowledge into his blood.
___
Laric tracked Mr. Elliott and Allen until they vanished around the corner. The history teacher's movements nagged at him—too measured, too controlled. The thought slipped away as the door clicked shut.
"I saw him at the Community Center," Laric said, his breath rushing out. "Standing there while everything burned."
He paced, agitation buzzing off him. “We have to do something.”
Obadiah circled the desk and sat on the edge, steady as stone. “Seeing him there doesn’t prove he started it.”
"Everyone else was panicking." Laric met his uncle's gaze. "But Colin watched it like he was admiring his handiwork. Come on, Uncle. You know what this means.”
“I know what it could mean.”
Laric leaned forward. "I want to be part of this."
Obadiah rose from his desk, each movement measured. "That's not happening."
Laric stiffened. “Why not?”
"This discussion is over, Laric."
The muscles in Laric's jaw tightened. "You're still punishing me for what happened to mom."
Obadiah’s eyes didn’t flinch. “Yes, your mother has everything to do with this.”
Silence.
A moment later, Luk-el appeared in the doorway, a calm shadow dressed in the form of Mr. Elliott. “I’m ready for that tour when you are,” he said, playing his part with mortal ease.
Obadiah gave him a short nod. “I’ll be right with you, Mr. Elliott.”
Laric gave Luk-el a glance, then looked back to his uncle. “We’re really just... doing nothing?” he said in a low voice.
“I'm watching,” Obadiah said. “And listening. Which is harder than it sounds.”
His fists clenched at his sides. “Fine."
He stalked out, shoulders tense, brushing past Luk-el without a word.
Only when the door shut behind him did Luk-el speak again.
“You know where we have to go.” Luk-el said.
Obadiah nodded. “The last bloodline,” He murmured. “Manasseh’s line. That’s where the other half was hidden. If there's a counterforce to the pendant’s corruption, it's there.”
Luk-el straightened, ready to do battle. “I’m ready when you are.”
TO BE CONTINUED…
🔄 Previous Episode: The Fire and the Fear – Part 1
🔜 Next Episode: Episode 20 – The Quiet Before the Call
A powerful pendant. A fractured guardian. And a silence that stretches too long. As Heaven takes notice, a messenger descends…
A powerful pendant. A fractured guardian. And a silence that stretches too long. As Heaven takes notice, a messenger descends…
Follow the series for updates, relic lore, and the full eBook launch.
Discover More:
Note: The story above is a work of fiction created for inspirational purposes. Any resemblance to actual individuals or events is purely coincidental.
Enjoy more heartfelt stories from the Obadiah: Clipped Wing series—each one crafted to uplift, inspire, and reflect God's presence in everyday life. Read more stories »
☕ If you’ve enjoyed our stories, you can treat us to a cup of coffee through PayPal or visit the Faithfully Encourage Shop for notebooks, mugs, and candles inspired by everyday faith.
No comments:
Post a Comment