Seven: The Old Man

What does Abraham know?

Ethan coughed loudly, blowing a window through the smoke which allowed him to see Abraham a bit more clearly. Between the haze and the small fire, there was not much else to see. The man before him sat quietly, pushing the logs back and forth with a long stick that inevitably began to glow as it caught on fire as well. Ethan wasn’t sure how long he should wait until either leaving or saying something.

“Oh, damn. Sorry, I forgot you were here,” Abraham coughed out as he shook his head and tossed the stick into the fire.

“Yes, sorry, my name---” Ethan began.

“The ring brought you here… you don’t know why… yadda yadda yadda,” The man continued as he waved his hand.

“Right,” Ethan said, deciding to keep his answers short.

“So, the ring is part of a system of ancient protectors called Traversers. They may only be gifted after each previous owner's passing. That basically means you are stuck with it. Now, my guess is that yours is from Lady Tabitha, which explains why she isn’t here, obviously. Anyway, your job is to help all of us with whatever universal calamity is befalling our people. In this case, it would be the return of the Illgain. Basically, we need you to help us defeat him… and his army,” Abraham picked up another stick and began poking the fire, avoiding looking at Ethan, but seemed content with his explanation. It grew quiet for a moment.

“Bahahahaha!” Ethan erupted in laughter. It was a feat of his in the most awkward of situations. For whatever reason, it drove him into a heinous cackle. “I couldn’t possibly help you,” he said between laughing fits.

“Yeah, then someone else will get the ring. When you die, I mean,” Abraham said, causing Ethan’s sudden silence.

“I know nothing about war, armies, fighting. I shouldn’t even be here!” Ethan exclaimed in an abrasively angry tone.

“That doesn’t matter, kid. You have the ring, you are our protector. It is that simple. Well, honestly it isn’t that simple. Okay, maybe I didn’t explain everything. You see, that ring comes with some great and vibrant powers. You have yet to get your weapon, but I think a lot of this will become clearer once you have it.” Abraham said, suddenly standing up.

“Weapon? I don’t have anything, I just showed up here with this suit and a ring. Now you are telling me I am going to die!” Ethan yelled, looking up as the man loomed over him.

“Death is more so a choice at this point. Are you not getting what I am saying here? You have a gift that is going to help you.” Abraham said.

“Help me what?!” Ethan screamed.

“Help you help us!” Abraham thundered back, causing Ethan to sink back into his chair. 

“I am here to help you, but you only want immediate answers and throw a tantrum like a child when they don’t get to you fast enough. I am far too old, and far too bitter, to sit here and listen to you piss and moan over things you don’t yet understand,” Abraham turned, walking toward the doorway.

“You are right. I am sorry I yelled. I just did not ask for any of this. Up until today, I was just a piece of matter in a universe that couldn’t give a shit about me,” Ethan responded solemnly. 

“Indeed. The good news is, now you are just a piece of matter in a universe that gives a tiny shit about you,” Abraham said. He opened the door, causing a gush of thick smoke to pour out and into the orange evening sky. 

“What do we do now?” Ethan asked, standing up.

“Now, we go get your weapon,” Abraham stated as he pulled Ethan through the doorway and onto the road.