“Riders, approach and receive your instruments of Power.” The same voice they had all heard boomed once more. Simultaneously, all four of them found that they could move again, and perhaps talk, though this seemed far too solemn a ceremony to do so. None of them knew where to approach until the white horse by Jaxton butted him in the back with his head. Jaxton stumbled towards the water.

He threw a look of irritation back at the horse and approached the pool of water. He stared at it for a few moments with a calculating look in his eyes before kneeling next to the water and suddenly plunging his hand into it. When he pulled his hand out, he was holding a large magnificent bow lacquered black and gilded gold and the strap of a quiver filled with arrows. He looked at the items in surprise. They were definitely not what he’d been expecting.

Luella, not one to be outdone, strided confidently towards the water and plunged both hands into the water. When she grasped a hold of an object, she seemed to have some trouble pulling it out. She had to brace both feet against the edge of the rock to pull out the heavy two-handed longsword. Whereas Jaxton had looked unsure of his “instrument of Power,” Luella seemed to admire hers. She turned it this way and that in the torchlight.

Christine took several cautious steps toward the water and carefully knealt down next to the water. What she pulled out was a braided whip made of strange black material. She blinked and looked at it, not sure what to make of it, or how to use a whip in the first place.

Donovan, who’d been watching the others, approached last. He had been hoping that perhaps he could move through the water without a ripple like the horse did, but his hopes were dashed. He shrugged with his hand half in the water. It didn’t really matter. When he felt something hard, he grasped it and pulled. At first it just looked like a shiny pole but at the end was a wicked curved blade. It was a scythe, how fitting.

The horses had followed their Riders towards the water and now mingled together as the children did as well. The horses greeted each other like friends who had been gone for so long. They nickered softly and and stood next to each other. The children were much less sure of what they were doing. Jaxton was still staring at the bow and arrows in his hand. He looked up. “Couldn’t I at least have gotten something more up to date? Like a gun or something?”

No. The reply was simple and they were all able to hear it within their heads. The white horse was staring at Jaxton and he stared back.

“Of course you’re a talking horse! I don’t suppose you have a name for yourself too?” Jaxton asked with exasperation. It was clear he simply thought this was all a dream. The others were less sure.

I am named Alaricus you insolent child. Your ancestor Niccolo would be disappointed. He was an archer of the greatest renown and yet you seek to throw away that weapon which would give you much power.The Andalusian snorted and stomped his foot, the most emotion he had shown so far.

The black Connemara leaned her head against his neck. Peace, brother. The Andalusian, Arlan quieted but did not take his eyes off of Jaxton, who was in a much more humbled attitude. He slung the quiver across his back, where it settled perfectly with the feather tips sticking out over his right shoulder.

He looked up at the others. “Alright I guess we’d better introduce ourselves and find out what the heck’s going on.” Christine shifted uncomfortably. She was shy and didn’t want to introduce herself. “I’m Jaxton.”

“My name is Donovan.” The small boy in black spoke up. He hadn’t moved from the pale Akhal Teke horse’s side. The Akhal Teke lowered his head to touch Donovan’s forehead with the tip of his nose.

Hello Rider-Donovan. I am your steed, Thantos. There was something deeply saddening about the horse’s voice in their heads. Donovan reached up and patted the side of Thantos’ head.

Christine quietly mumbled something that the others couldn’t quite make out.

“What?” Jaxton asked, a little annoyed. He never had much patience for mumblers.

Christine’s face grew red and she raised her voice. “My name is Christine.”

And I am Tamarin. The black Connemara said. Her voice was warm and inviting, despite her hallowed appearance.

“I’m Luella.” She stood with her arms crossed and glaring at Donovan. “Why are you here?”

Donovan shrugged. “Why are any of us here?”

To fulfill your duties! The red Arabian horse, yet to introduce himself, tossed his head impatiently. You humans stand around giving sad excuses for introductions and you’ve yet to even get started on the real business of this meeting.

Aloysius. Thantos, the pale horse, simply looked at the red horse and the Arabian looked away. Strangely, it seemed that Thantos was more of the leader than Alaricus. Thantos looked back at the children, who were observing the exchange and waiting to find out an answer to the question on all their minds.

I fear you will have to put your new weapons to use very soon. Thantos looked at them with sad eyes.

“What? I don’t even know how to use a whip!” Christine protested. It was wrapped in a coil around her hand.

“What about me? What good am I gonna do with bow and arrows against...whatever we’re going against?!” Jaxton agreed with her.

Quiet! Alaricus stomped his hoof and glared at them with his grey eyes. You asked for an explanation and now you are receiving one. Do not interrupt!

Thantos nodded his head in appreciation to Alaricus. Do not worry about learning to use your tools. You will find you already have some affinity for them, passed down to you by the original Riders. We will help you as needed. The Apocalypse is upon us and the Riders are needed.

Luella’s jaw dropped open but she quickly snapped it closed. “The Apocalypse??” She asked incredulously.

Christine looked worried. “What about our families? What will happen to them?”

The blood of the Riders runs through their veins. Because of the pact they made with God, your families will be safe. The original Riders who made the pact with God were only human and were mortal. Their duty has been passed down through their progeny until the time came when the Riders were needed. Each of you must accept your role. Conqueror. He looked straight at Jaxton, who didn’t show any reaction. War. He turned his head to look at Luella, with a surprised expression on her face. She was still having trouble coming to terms with the whole Apocalypse thing, though the mention of war seemed to please her a little. Famine. This time he looked at Christine, who appeared unsure of herself. And Death. Thantos’ eyes landed on Donovan, who looked extremely pleased with his task and gave the scythe a twirl. Each of you must decide whether to accept your role or not.

Donovan immediately nodded. “I accept.”

Alaricus tossed his head. Not you. There is an order to these things, a ceremony as ancient as this world. He looked at Jaxton. The first Rider must be the first to make a decision.

Jaxton stood with his arms crossed, silently brooding. After a moment, he nodded. “I accept. I was born to do this after all, right?” He said with a confident smirk.

Alaricus stepped towards the water’s edge. Then drink to your immortality and accept your role, Rider. Jaxton looked surprised and peered down into the water. It’s reflective surface revealed nothing. He kneeled down by the water and cupped his hands, bringing it up to his face. He closed his eyes as he drank, and water escaped the sides of his mouth and dribbled down his cheeks. When Jaxton opened his eyes, they seemed to be filled with new life. His royal blue eyes almost seemed to glow in the dark.

Aloysius eyed Luella. And you?

She appeared to be almost offended by the notion that he would even suggest that she wouldn’t accept. “Of course!” She strided towards the pool of water and drank deeply. When she had her fill, she wiped her mouth and grinned.

The black Connemara had spoken very little compared to her brothers. And what is your choice, Christine?

Christine bit her lip uncomfortably. “Well...do I have to? What happens if I don’t accept?”

The next in line takes your place. And if they do not accept, then the next after them will. Christine thought of her little brother Max and baby Lily. She couldn’t let them do something like this, it had to be her. She straightened up and walked with sure steps to the water. She cupped her hands and drank the water, wiping her hands dry on her pants after she stood up.

Donovan, of course, also accepted. He walked up to the water and drank before Thantos spoke, and barely after Christine. Once he had finished, the scene before them wavered. Suddenly, each of the children found themselves waking in the same places they had fallen asleep at before the vision.