The Return

How long? Priest spoke into the darkness. He was not sure whether anyone could hear his words. For that matter, was he praying or asking a question he mused to himself. In any event, no answer was returned.

Darkness still surrounded him and his body ached. They appeared again as they always did. Their long spiked claws gripped and pierced his broken body.

Priest tried to look up to the heavens but could not muster enough strength. I am prepared to meet my maker he thought, perhaps today will be the day.

As the invader had done time and time again, they took Priest to an alter and beat him repeatedly. His beatings were a warning of what would happen if they were disobedient.

Priest mustered up the strength to look to the heavens and utter “Father forgive them, for they do know what they do.” His head slumped back down as tears ran down his face.

How long has his friend been gone? SolarFlare flew away and the light pierces the darkness. After that, heroes rose again, but were quickly dispatched by the invaders. Even now the light slowly fades, was his friend sacrifice in vain?

They dragged Priest bloody body back to the holding area. There he tried to think of the good times that he and SolarFlare had. His mind began to roam and even in pain, a smile crept over his face.

Priest was unsure how much time passed but like clockwork he was being dragged out again. As they prepared to beat him a thunder sound could be heard in the distance. A flash of light as if a star was falling towards them was getting closer and closer.

Priest captors seemed startled by the occurrence and not sure what to do. A bright beam of light hit Priest. He felt the hot flash which quickly turned into a soothing sensation. His wounds were healing, his strength was returning. He was becoming whole again.

No longer bound by the captors he pierced into the light trying to see what was it.

“God?” he asked.

“Not quite” returned a familiar voice.

“SolarFlare?”

“It is me, and though I would love to catch up we have some work to do”

Priest looked into the invaders eyes and for the first time saw fear. The two of them fought waves and waves of the invaders until they were exhausted. They were surrounded and outnumbered.

Priest looked at his friend “Fly away and save yourself”

“I cannot I no longer have the strength”

“So this will be our last stand?”

“If it is then I am glad I will be fighting alongside you”

“Remember that time you got hit by that beam in the building and it sent you flailing through another building.” Priest chuckled.

“Of all the memories that is the one you bring up”

“This ends now” the invader interrupted you both shall die.

SolarFlare looked at his friend, “I am sorry I won’t be able to continue with you for a while.”

“What?” Priest said perplexed.

“I don’t know what I am, or where I am”

“I am not one for riddles, what are you talking about”

“I have given up my power for another? And it will take some time for me to return”

“Another? Who?”

“Look to the-” SolarFlare rattled off and then disappeared.

“Kill him!” Order the invader commander.

Priest took a defensive stance and was prepared fight back until his dying breath when he toppled over from what felt like an earthquake.

Looking up and trying to get the dust out of his eyes, he saw a tattered cap.

“You might want to cover your ears” spoke the tall figure.

Priest put his hands to his ears as he saw the figure clap his hands, which cause a shock wave to ripple through the invaders ranks.

Finally clearing the dust from his eyes he saw the symbol, a big “S”.