Rise of the Fallen (Second Death Book 3), page 18
Jack was gone. So were most of the Watchers. Frank was mostly alone in the world again. Delphine, Elias, and a handful of Watchers remained. The Fallen’s rise and invasion had taken the rest. They had died defending humanity as they were sworn to. Martyrs for the Creator and humankind. The world had been saved—again. And Frank hoped that this time, the leaders of the human race would not forget so quickly the threats that remained in the Universe. The Fallen had been, and always would be, waiting and watching for a chance to return, to change the balance of the Universe and destroy the Creator and His creations.
And they will fail so long as I live and breathe.
Frank’s thoughts drifted to his dream of solitude; of being by a lake, fishing, by himself. His hand moved unconsciously to the Stone just below his clavicle, and he rubbed its smooth surface, feeling its energy tingling beneath his fingertips.
Except for the responsibility I have now. Thanks for that, Jack.
Frank smiled grimly at the thought of the kid. He was gone now, ascended to the heavens like some character out of the Bible or something, and he supposed that was fitting. He hadn’t had much of a life on Earth. He was born for a purpose, Frank supposed—to fulfill the prophecy and protect humanity. He had been a weapon in the end, hadn’t he? A short life, born to destroy the rise of the Fallen. The Chosen One. And his legacy had been left behind, passed to Frank, and Frank had accepted it.
Jack had been the closest thing to family Frank had had over the last twenty years. Sure, he had his brothers and sisters in the Order, but Jack had been different. He hadn’t exactly been a son, but he’d been under Frank’s protection and guidance and it was the closest Frank would ever come to being a father, he supposed.
But Jack was gone now, and so was his brother. Frank’s mother—well, she remained in this coma, and there wasn’t anything he could do about that. He supposed he could run off and be a hermit and live off the land for the rest of his life—retirement had its appeal. But there was still an anger and a murderous rage that burned inside of him, and killing Nalsuu and defeating the Fallen hadn’t put that fire out, not fully.
Nalsuu had left behind a legacy, too—one he was sure would come back and threaten humanity again, and his duty to protect Earth still held strong in his heart.
Frank sighed and pulled a Marlboro from the box in his jacket. He lit the tip with a blue flame from his finger and drew deep. He gazed over at his mother and blew the smoke into the air above him, letting it swirl; and in that moment, he knew there was no retirement for him—not until they were all fucking dead. He’d have to carry on with his new responsibility and honor Jack and his sacrifice. It was the only option, and he knew it. The question was, would he sit back and wait for the Fallen to return? Or should I go and get them?
“Fuck it,” he murmured.
He stood to leave, at peace with his decision, and stopped. Beneath the sheets, his mother’s hand twitched, and her head moved slightly to the left.
A wistful smile curled up Frank’s cheek, and he sat back down and called for the nurse.
JESSIE
Realm of the Second Death
The red rays of the forever-setting sun touched her face. She sat against a blackened and jagged rock, her hand cradling her belly, her eyes smoldering with ire, and her lips twisted into a snarl.
I will avenge you, my King, she thought with a terrible rage, rubbing her palm over her smooth, hard belly. The bump had grown to the size of a basketball, and was still growing, stretching her insides. She felt something tear as His child—her child— moved around, making room…to grow.
“Ohhhh!” she groaned. The pain came sharp and quick, stabbing at her from the inside, making her sweat and bend awkwardly.
“That’s my good boy,” she said softly, sneering. “Your time will come soon, my Son. And we will avenge your Father…”
The monster within her kicked again, sending a stabbing pain through Jessie’s back. Her screams echoed over the Canyon of Dread—but when the pain passed, a sinister smile spread over her face.
“That’s my good boy,” she cooed.
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Brian Rella
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About the Author
Brian lives in New York with his wife, who is far too good for him, and his two vivacious young boys who challenge his light-saber skills daily. Most of his writing is done on the train to the cube farm where he works so he can buy stuff and support his family while he pursues writing fiction as a career. He published his first book in 2015 and hopes to write from his beachfront property overlooking the Mare Tranquillitatis one day.
Learn more about Brian Rella, his stories, and his journey…
www.brianrella.com
writer@brianrella.com
Copyright © 2017 by Brian Rella
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Brian Rella
Elder and King
New York
www.brianrella.com
Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.
Brian Rella, Rise of the Fallen (Second Death Book 3)
