Jaxton awoke in his bed to find himself wearing white and gold armor that seemed to come right out of medieval times complete with a helmet on his bedside table. The bow and arrows were also there, waiting for him. He shoved his head into the helmet and snatched up his weapon before going outside to where he heard a horse neighing. Outside his home, Alaricus stood in gleaming white and gold armor as well. The excitement of both the horse and Rider were tangible. “We ride!” The yelled out together, in mind and voice before Jaxton pulled himself up into Alaricus’ saddle.

They thundered down Jaxton’s street, into the main part of Fayton. They passed several vehicles crashed or veered off the side of the rode with the drivers missing. Alaricus seemed to notice Jaxton’s confusion. They were Raptured. Those worthy of it are sent to heaven when the Apocalypse arrives, while those left behind… Jaxton noticed that some unfortunate few who’d been left behind in the cars had been in them when they crashed. They are for us to deal with.

Alaricus stopped in front of one such person, still living and moaning on the ground. Jaxton slid the bow off his back and pulled an arrow to the string. “Should’ve worn a seatbelt.” He said before releasing the arrow and ending the person’s misery. It was almost easy to do.

It got harder when they saw a girl wandering along the street. There were tears streaming down her face and she kept calling out names. “Ash? Mom? Dad?” A flicker of hope entered her eyes when she saw Jaxton, along with some confusion. He made for quite the striking and uncommon character in his armor and riding a horse down the once busy streets of Fayton. “Hello?” Her voice wavered. “I don’t know where everyone went. Can you help me?”

His answer was cut off by Alaricus’ voice in his head. Her too.

“What?? But she’s just a girl-”

Everyone left behind is here for a reason. Just because you can’t figure out what it is at first glance doesn’t mean it’s not there.

Jaxton fit an arrow to the bow string. “Are you sure?”

Yes. And you will need to be too. This is not the last innocent-looking sinner we’ll meet and you will need to kill all of them. The girl had stopped in the middle of the road, looking curiously at Jaxton.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them, he brought the bow up, aimed, and shot the girl in the throat. Her eyes were wide with surprise and her mouth made a perfect “O” of surprise before filling with blood. Good job. Alaricus’ voice sounded in his head as he started forward once more. Alaricus stepped over the girl’s dead body.

Jaxton was quiet for a while, and Alaricus didn’t interrupt the silence. He noticed that Alaricus seemed to be moving in a definite direction. Finally, Jaxton spoke up. “So what do we do now?”

We are heading to meet with the others. Physically. Before, we were on a plane of existence that your mind could not comprehend. The Riders are not the only thing to be unleashed upon the earth during the Apocalypse and it will be easier to defend each other once we are together. His voice resounded through Jaxton’s head as Alaricus picked his way through the chaos of the town.