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| Obadiah: Created By Bing AI |
Obadiah heard one of the Reapers yell, "There they are!" He quickly snatched up the child and hurried towards their destination. As he ran past a towering Oak tree, he saw the face of the Archangel Michael etched into the bark, a symbol of protection. Obadiah ducked behind the tree with the child in his arms, gazing down at its peaceful face. The baby's bright eyes met his, oblivious to the turmoil its arrival had caused.
"I'll guide them in the opposite direction," Michael's voice resonated from within the tree.
Soon after, the noise of hurried feet and a bawling infant could be heard heading in the opposite direction.
Obadiah carefully peeped from around the tree. The plan worked. The Reapers were searching away from him.
"Go now," Michael instructed.
Obadiah sprinted towards the Jump site with all his might. Suddenly, a searing sensation shot through his back. An angel arrow had pierced him. Being half-human, he knew he only had ten minutes to seek medical treatment before bleeding out.
Fighting through the agony, Obadiah fell to his knees but clutched onto the infant in his arms. He was determined to protect the baby even if it meant sacrificing his own life.
Antioch loomed over Obadiah, a fierce look in his eyes. "I've got you now," he growled, reaching for the child in Obadiah's arms. "Give me the infant!"
Obadiah shifted his position to get a better view, only to realize that he was completely surrounded by Reapers. Their glowing red eyes and ashen forms didn't scare him; after all, they had been engaged in battle for centuries. He was aware of his ability to disintegrate them with a single thought, but his injuries made that option less feasible. Instead, he would have to use his cunning to outsmart them if he wanted to survive this encounter.
The Reapers inched forward, their menacing presence looming over him. He shifted his gaze towards the blindingly white door - the only escape route. "You'll have to pry this child from my dying grasp," Obadiah declared defiantly.
Antioch replied, "That's fine. I'll give you five minutes, if even that." With determination in his eyes, he declared, "I will take the child from you. But I must commend your honor in sacrificing yourself. After a thousand years, I have finally emerged victorious over you. And when you fall, I will ensure that the rest of the chosen ones meet the same fate.”
Obadiah struggled to catch his breath. "Your plan won't succeed. It's far from over." He held onto the baby even tighter.
“But it is,” Antioch said confidently. “I have the names. Death will come for them, starting with you and the child.”
Obadiah took a deep breath before asking, “How did you come by the names of the Chosen Ones?”
"Don’t tell him, nothing," Bolofar, the second in command retorted. "Let him die like the dog that he is. Let me finish him off."
Antioch knelt down next to Obadiah, his voice filled with pride as he spoke. “You see, we Reapers have evolved. We are not the mindless beings you perceive us to be,” he boasted, gesturing towards his ash form that briefly took on a human appearance before returning to its natural state. “Before I end your life, I want you to understand that I will eliminate anyone who stands in my path, starting with the abomination you hold in your arms.”
With what little energy he had left, Obadiah covered the child protectively with one of his wings.
"Finish him off and take the child," Antioch commanded.
The Reapers approached with menacing intent. Obadiah quickly shuffled backwards, pressing his back against the rough bark of a nearby tree. Bolofar sneered and lifted his sword, ready to strike him down. "I have been waiting for this moment.”
Bolofar barely finished speaking when a pair of gigantic, glowing hands emerged from the tree and snatched Obadiah. In an instant, both he and the child disappeared without a trace.
Antioch's voice echoed through the empty forest as he bellowed, "Obadiah! I will find you!"
"How many days was I out of it?" Obadiah asked weakly.
"You were unconscious for three nights," Moses replied. "We took turns watching over you."
"I am grateful," Obadiah said, attempting to sit up but falling back onto the straw mat, his body still weak.
"The Lord sent angels to heal your wounds," Joshua added. "You must rest."
Obadiah's mind was flooded with memories from the past seventy-two hours: the tragic deaths of his beloved brother-in-law and sister, and the near fatal attack on his young nephew by the Reapers. With each memory, his determination grew stronger. He demanded to know, "Where is my sister's child?”
Moses frowned, his thick, white eyebrows arched. "You were near death. Miriam looked after him until the angels came for him.
Moses and the others were aware of the Jumpers and their divine purpose. They had provided refuge when needed most.
Obadiah recalled the moment Bolofar raised his sword to strike, only to be thwarted by God's hands rescuing him and his nephew. The child should be here with him. Safe from Antioch and the Reapers in this sanctuary of time.
Obadiah struggled to rise. "I need to see the child with my own eyes. His parents were killed by Reapers—my sister was his mother. Before she died, she entrusted him to my care. I gave her my word I would protect him, even with my life."
"You speak rightly," Moses affirmed.
"You have seen him?"
Moses nodded in agreement. "Miriam watched over him until the angels arrived and took him away."
Obadiah gestured to Joshua. "Help me up. I must speak with Michael."
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