Chapter 7: A Plan Comes Together
Lincoln continued following Soter through the unholy landscape of the devil's domain all the while remaining as silent as he could to avoid his demonic father and his minions. Eventually he couldn't help himself but ask Soter:
"Soter? Why are you rescuing me?"
"I'm rescuing you because you are the saviour prophesied to protect the white city from Lineos' onslaught."
Lincoln stared at him in shock at such a revelation. He was the chosen one destined to stop an invasion? This was all so terrifying to him!
"It's because of my nephilim powers right?"
"Yes, you were granted these powers when you were first born. I would explain more but I believe it would be best if I allow your mother to explain it to you."
"My mother?"
"Yes, her name is Adina, she was killed by dark forces but her sacrifice to save you earned her entry into the heavens above. I know she will be very happy to see you again."
Lincoln thought a minute about his birth mother. He had grown up never knowing about his past and had accepted Rita as his true mother. She had given him love, nurtured him, doted on him and always gave her advice and help when he and his sisters needed it. What he wouldn't give to be back in her loving arms once more. Or just have the chance to speak with her and tell her that he's okay and trying everything humanely possible to get home to her.
"I don't remember too much about her."
"I'm not surprised, she gave her life while protecting you from the unholy ones. You were less than a year old at the time." Soter explained.
"She…died, just to save me?"
"Since you were her only child you were very precious to her. That's why she had to let you go so you would be safe."
They eventually came across a long bridge going over a river. But this was no ordinary river, it was the river styxx. Lincoln looked down to a horrifying sight of several lost souls floating down the river to their horrible fate of being tortured by demons for their sinning. Lincoln gulped in fear before he felt Soter put his hand upon his shoulder.
"Just keep calm son, I can get us safely across the river styxx and the portal out of hell awaits us on the other side. However you must do exactly as I say."
"Okay I promise, what do I have to do?"
"In order to escape from hell, you must follow me across the bridge and through the portal, but… if I gaze back even for an instance your soul will be reclaimed by Lineos."
Just hearing his name made Lincoln shudder in fear.
"So you must remain silent while following me, I need to trust in you to follow after me without any reassurance. Then, and only then we shall be free."
"But what's Lineos gonna do if he finds out I've escaped? He might throw me into a pit of razor sharp spikes!" Lincoln said fearfully.
"Do not worry, as far as he's concerned you're still chained up in his dungeon. He won't be checking on you for a while since he has his hands full torturing lost souls. Besides he's left a guard in charge of watching the door of your cell." Soter explained.
"Then how haven't they noticed I'm not inside?" He questioned.
"I snuck you out from a hole in the wall and placed a decoy in your stead while you were asleep. We've got plenty of time to make our escape. Now the question is: Can I trust you?" He said sternly.
Lincoln thought for a moment about the severity of the situation and knew the risk he was about to take. "Yes you can. I promise Soter that I will follow behind you every step of the way just to understand where I came from and who I'm meant to be."
"Then come Lincoln, your destiny awaits."
With that Soter took his first step onto the bridge and Lincoln quietly followed along. He had no idea who or what was waiting for him on the other side, but if he truly was a nephilim he had to find a way to use his powers for good. Then, and only then he could be free…
(A bit of a wait I'll admit but I've got 4 cannons loaded and I'm in the process of firing them all at once! Stay tuned readers the best is yet to come…)