The Earth shook with an unexpected and unexplainable tremor. Many souls throughout the mortal realm panicked. Earthquakes were not common in this era and this one was planet wide! But as soon as he felt it, Elijah knew what it meant. He didn't know it was caused by the Heaven's Head Priestess, but he was expecting some sort event to happen that would let him know Zemyna's plan was in motion. She had warned him before.
"My love listen to me carefully. There will be a sign from the heavens that will be powerful enough to reach the Earth. I don't know what form it will take. But when it happens, you'll recognize it. That sign will be your signal to prepare." Zemyna began telling Elijah these things as they walked in one of Paradise's many gardens. "Your greatest advantage is that you will be underestimated at every turn. That will give you an opportunity to turn the tables on who or whatever they throw at you."
Elijah listened before responding. He took in each word Zemyna said. He noticed how there wasn't a hint of fear or doubt in her words. This brought a smile to his lips. Such emotions would not suit his beloved after all. He had never met anyone as fierce as Zemyna. And he absolutely loved that about his goddess. Her determination strengthened his own resolve and courage. Then he answered her by saying, "I will not betray your faith in me, dearest Zemyna. I will be ready. My ancestors lived their lives and passed on their experiences to prepare me for this moment. I feel their blood singing in me. I feel like there's nothing I can't do. Especially since I'm fighting to be with you."
Zemyna stopped walking and leaned in to kiss him. Elijah returned her advance by pulling her close and kissing her passionately.
After a moment of bliss they separated and Zemyna asked Elijah, "Did you feel that?"
"I only felt you, my dear."
She smiled and said, "We were being watched by someone. Given how well they hid their presence, it could have only been my brother Mordecai. If I had not been expecting him, I wouldnt have noticed he was here. Hmmm...the time will be upon us soon. I must go and get things ready on my side."
"I see. May this be the last time we part from each other." Elijah said while bring his hand to Zemyna's cheek.
"From your mouth to the Creator's ears." Zemyna said as they kissed once more before she flew away.
Elijah felt his heart ache a little after recalling the last time he had held Zemyna in his arms. But he chose to turn that pain into power so that he could seize the life he wanted to have with Zemyna with his own hands.
Elijah came from a long line of spirit-warriors called the begotten of Anak. Whenever an age needed a hero, it was a son or daughter of Anak's bloodline who fulfilled that role. And Elijah was considered a prodigy of his clan. Many generations brought forth those whose talents and unique gifts cast a long shadow over others, but Elijah's gift could almost make a god jealous! He had the power to master any weapon or tool literally overnight! He discovered this gift one night as a young boy of only seven years. He was so tired from training that day, that he slept with his sword still in his grasp. And while he slept, images of sword masters performing their most powerful techniques entered his dreams. It was as if the spirit of the sword, resonated with his spirit and re-awakened all the sword skills his ancestors had learned during their lives. And since Elijah is a son if Anak, that was a vast amount of knowledge!
The next day, after his meditation and prayers, Elijah headed back to the training hall. As he began practicing the forms and techniques that came to him in his dreams, the others stopped what they were doing and watched him in amazement.
Soon, Elijah's unexplainable prowess caught the ear of the clan elder, Gideon. Gideon arrived at the training hall shortly after hearing the news so that he could witness Elijah's skills for himself. And what he saw sent chills from his brain down to the base of his spine! Gideon could hardly believe his eyes. What manner of gift could cause a boy of 7 years to be capable of what he was looking at?! Even more shocking was the fact the clan elder did not recognize many of the techniques Elijah was practicing.
Gideon immediately decided to take Elijah under his wing. But despite this apparent favoritism, no one complained. Everyone in the Anak clan knew that the Creator would only bestow a gift of such great strength on someone because that strength would be needed. No one had the foresight to be able to know what lay ahead for Elijah, but they could tell his path was going to be unimaginably difficult. So they did not waste energy on envy. They sparred with him, taught him, and guided him as best they could. After all, the Creator may have put them there to help Elijah become who he needs to be.
In the present moment, Elijah felt that his moment of destiny was at hand. So he began to train more vigorously than ever before. He practiced with as many weapons he could get his hands on. They were now part of his essence and he truly wielded them as extensions of his own body. He meditated, fasted, prayed, and practiced until his next sign came. Zemyna had told him that if he wanted immortality, to live forever with her, he would have to earn it. And she believed he could do it. He would not fail her. He would not fail himself. And he would not fail all those who paved the way for him to have this chance.
What kind of challenged awaited him? What manner of beings stand between him and the life he wanted? Elijah couldn't imagine. All he knew is that he would face it with all he had.