The Lost Ark

(I am still living in Stony, and am still only 21, my hair is short, my teeth are straight, and my acne, CP, shunt, tube, and scars are all still long-gone!! In this story, set about a year after I had destroyed Marc and his friends, they return as mortal-clad demons in search of the Ark of the Covenant, in order to use its power to destroy mankind, and thus dominate the world)

Chapter 1 - A Friend's Advent

One warm summer evening, at sunset, while all alone at home, I was quietly sitting on the front step. I wore my black jeans and runners, and my plain dark blue t-shirt. I looked up at the blue sky, and choked back a sob. I knew that I was alone, and my family was gone!! I had still been living in this house for 9 years, and about a week ago, I had come home from a camping trip in Golden, B.C., to find the house empty of dad, Barb, and Brandon!!

I couldn't find any specific reason why they had left, and found the bags still packed away, nothing missing from the house, and no signs of any violence, which were all both disturbing and more than a little bit frightening. I sat quietly, just thinking about my family. I had mixed feelings of anger and fear inside, and my mind was racing, desperately looking for answers, but couldn't comprehend this enigma I had found myself in.

I then began to sing 'Taking my life away', as tears trickled down my face with only a hint of sadness evident, but otherwise, my expression betrayed almost no emotion due to the fact that I had lived this way for so long. My thoughts reached back to the day that my life had been destroyed, and the song reflected the loneliness and pain I felt now, alongside my desire for my thoughts of grief and misery to fade.

I knew that memories of my family and friends were what really mattered now, and all I could hope for was that those memories would ease my pain, so I wouldn't have to think about everything being torn away from me, as I knew. Even though I let my thoughts wander, trying not to think of the emotional pain, all the same I knew there was nothing left.

But even though Marc and his friends were gone forever, I couldn't ignore an ache inside as memories of what they had done to me stubbornly remained. And I also did not even feel my hand slowly reach into my pocket, on its own accord, and remove a Bowie knife!!! I was so absorbed in my thoughts that I didn't notice a large blue-and-silver dragon was flying down toward the road running by the house, and I didn't realize it was Logan Draconis himself!! He landed, then slowly walked toward me, then his eyes widened as he recognized the song I sang. I was lost in my thoughts, but Logan somehow used his power to tap into my mind, as he heard my thoughts. First they were confused, but as he listened, he heard my voice screaming from far away, desperately calling for help!! Then he noticed the knife in my hands, as his eyes widened, but he knew I had lost control of my actions, and had involuntarily drawn the knife, without even thinking or deciding to!! Logan knew that something as dangerous as this, and without conscious thought, could have a horrible consequence!!

He continued listening to my thoughts. 'What do I have left? My family and friends are gone, so what reason do I have to live another day? Marc destroyed everything I held dear, so why should I go on living? What is the point of living a miserable existence like this?' I then raised the knife, slowly, ready to drive it into my heart.

'Charlie, don't!! Please, I'm begging you!' I heard the voice whispering desperately in my mind, then suddenly looked up to see a huge blue-and-silver dragon with a shaggy silver-grey mane, but I recognized him.

I let the knife fall from my hands, the blade driving itself down into the soft earth, then I let go. Logan hugged me, as I wept broken-heartedly, my tears falling into his soft silver mane. “It doesn't have to be this way, Charlie!” Logan said gently. “There're not many people who would understand what you're going through, but I assure you that I do, more than you'll ever know!! I know all about the person you are, Charlie, and I will always admire that!! So why not let life give you another chance, and let me show you what it truly is?” I swallowed hard, and calmed myself down.

“I hope that I can find something to get me out of this, Logan. Anything!!“ I replied sadly.

But he gently lifted my chin, as he smiled warmly, softly wiping away my tears. “And that God will let me give you, once and for all!!”

He then looked up at me. “Close your eyes, Charlie, just for a moment.” I did so, as he gently reached down, lifted my right hand in his while opening my fingers, then he raised his left hand, and slowly traced a gentle finger across my palm, just like what Seth asked of Maggie in 'City of Angels', when he inquired to her about the sensations of human touch. “What do you see, Charlie, or what can you feel?” he asked. I lowered my head ever so slightly, then Logan felt the psychic static as I focused with my telepathy. I had a split-second vision of Doran Eirok's painting of 'The Final Eggshell', which to me, represented the journey through all the struggles in my life, striving to reach for something better, alongside flashes of memories, looking back upon my life, and heard faint echoes of Logan's voice repeating his words. The last vision I had before my memories faded away was of the battle that Tristan, his human alter ego, and I had fought against the woman in his nightmare, before I opened my eyes.

“I saw memories of everything you and I had helped each other accomplish, Logan, alongside memories of my past, and also glimpses of our future!!” he smiled, and nodded.

“A future that is ours to cherish, Charlie! It was Marc who held you in his grip of despair, pain and anger, instilling suicidal thoughts in your mind, but Jesus has let me offer you life!!” Suddenly I noticed his right hand was clenched in a fist. He smiled as he opened it, revealing Lucian's sterling silver medallion with the cat-eye gemstone on the silver chain, from the movie 'Underworld'!!

He smiled at my amazed look, as he put it around my neck, then hugged me again, as I smiled. I in turn gave him the Double Dragon pendant with the red ruby on the black cord, slipping it around his neck, before we walked out to the road, as he helped me climb on his back. We then looked back at my house, as I took in every detail. I knew that this would be the last time I would ever see my home, but it would stay in my memory for as long as I lived. “It is time, Charlie! I have many things to show you! And I've also come to tell you of a very important mission God Himself has for you!” Logan said warmly, turning to smile at me. I smiled in return, as he softly wiped away my tears again.

“I’m ready, Logan!” I replied, as he nodded. He then slowly spread his huge wings, and took off, soaring steadily skyward, turning to fly eastward into the night. Logan was briefly silhouetted against the darkness by the light of the stars, as I turned for one last glimpse at my house, and then we were gone, never again to return.

As I travelled away from Stony Mountain, and from my old home, I came to the realization that Logan was my long-lost friend, and that he had given me the four greatest gifts of helping to remember him, our fateful reunion, the realization that even if my family was gone, I would never be alone now that Logan had found me, and ultimately, the inspiring realization that my friend was the key to a whole new beginning for me!!

“Did He tell you what I am to do, Logan?” I asked, as my friend smiled, and nodded.

“God sent the angel Gabriel to me to inform me that I was to come to recruit you for a very special mission, Charlie!” Logan explained. “You may have read the stories about the Ark of the Covenant, and how it disappeared from historical records after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.”

I nodded. “Yes, I have read about it, Logan.” I replied, as he nodded.

“God Himself told me that He wants you and I to find the Ark before Marc and his army does!!”

At first, I couldn't believe my ears. Then I looked up at Logan after several minutes of silence.

“God wants you and I to try and find the Ark, Logan?!” I asked in disbelief. “But how on earth could we find, let alone see the Ark itself?! I thought it had been lost for thousands of years, for there is no recorded account of the Ark ever having been found again after the siege! And God Himself said that only those who are sanctified in His name may stand in its presence!”

But Logan smiled. “God knows your heart, Charlie, and He knows that you love Him with all your heart, mind, and spirit!! What you say of the Ark is true, but I know God will guide and protect us both from any harm!”

Logan let me ponder all he had explained to me, as we continued on our journey.

He arrived in Michigan about five weeks later, and took me to his home. By now it was night, so we both went to his room, and went to bed. We both woke to a bright sunny morning, as I got up to have a warm shower. Logan later introduced me to his parents, whom I came to like very much in a short time, and they came to like me a lot as well. Logan and I became not only the best of friends in a very short time, but also true brothers! Logan later learned about my interests, surprised to find mine were almost just like his! He also found I had the uncanny ability of precognitive dreaming, which was what I had used when he had asked me about my visions. I explained to Logan how my dreams had connected me to him, and that I thought about him whenever I was lonely, or experiencing emotions like anger, sorrow, or fear. He replied that he had never known that I'd known about him, but he understood that, because of my loneliness and anger over losing my family, he had seemed at the time to be a source of inspiration. This he said he was very glad to have been for me. He later learned of my inner dragon, finding he had several abilities such as vector telekinesis, psychic static telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, rapid cellular regeneration, advanced pyrokinesis that let him create and control high-temperature blue fire, and premonition.

These abilities I could use both consciously and unconsciously, depending on my preference. Logan found that I also had the uncanny ability of precognitive artistry. We went to his room, as I noticed a large square canvas exactly like the one Peter painted on positioned by Logan's window, as I turned to him, and he smiled.

“I like to paint, Charlie, and that is what a few of my pictures are, as you can see!” Logan explained while gesturing to the framed artwork on his walls, as I smiled.

“I must say you are a talented artist, Logan!” I replied, as he smiled.

“Are you an artist too, Charlie?” I smiled, and nodded.

“I like to create art as a hobby, and sometimes just out of boredom!” He smiled, and helped me gather some art supplies. “But there is something I want you to know, Logan!” I said, turning to look at him. “Have you ever heard of precognition?” he looked confused.

“Isn't that the ability to see the future, Charlie?”

I nodded. “I found that I have that power, alongside all my others! I can paint the future!” Logan looked up at me in astonishment. “Just watch this!” I replied, grinning slightly. I then got up, and stood before the canvas. I looked at it intently for a second, before reaching out my right hand toward it, suddenly seeing red and gray flashes of an image appear on the canvas, from a distance, fading in and out like coloured smoke and shadow across the surface, exactly how Peter perceived the image he was about to paint on the canvas in Caitlin's flat, as in the Heroes episode ‘Fight or Flight’, but the flashes were vivid enough to form an image of a vast island mountain!

Although, at the present moment, I was the only one who could perceive the image due to my precognition, whereas Logan saw only a blank white canvas!! Then he saw me furrow my brow as I turned my head slightly, concentrating.

Suddenly he heard the faint psychic static as I telepathically tried to focus on the image that I was intent on painting. “Charlie...?” Logan started, but then I suddenly blinked hard, as he gasped. My eyes were now suddenly opaque white, glowing eerily, just like Peter's eyes when he manifested this ability, as in the Heroes episode 'Fight or Flight'!! I then held out my right hand, as he saw the palette fly up off the table into my left hand, and the brush into my right!! I then walked toward the easel, and raised my wet brush, as Logan suddenly saw faint flashes of colour appear on the canvas once more for a split-second, before fading! I then began to paint. Logan tried distracting me slightly, but I couldn't hear his voice. He could only stare in disbelief as I continued painting, locked in the precognitive trance; my eyes an eerie, dead white haze!! About twenty minutes later, I stepped back from the new painting, squeezing my eyes shut, then opening them again a second later, but they were now normal!! Logan walked up to take a good look at the canvas, and gasped! I had painted what Logan thought was Al-Deir, in Petra, but this was a different place.

“Al-Deir? Is that where the Ark is, Charlie?”

I shook my head. “It only looks like Al-Deir, Logan!” I replied. “But it is actually another location called 'Al-Jabal Deir', or 'The Mountain Monastery!” I explained, looking at the painting thoughtfully. Logan looked up at me.

“That is the true location of the Ark of the Covenant?!” Logan asked, now staring at me in disbelief!!

I smiled, nodding. “I would prefer it to be left at that, Logan, for even I do not know how this ability of mine came to be!' I replied, as he nodded. 'If I have one wish, it is to live a simple life.”

He smiled, and nodded knowingly. “But if this is the future you saw, Charlie, you do not have to take up the search on your own!” I smiled, before both Logan and I went to his parents, and told them of our mission. They were both glad that we were making this choice, for they both knew that it would change both of us profoundly. Logan's mom advised him to be careful, and his father advised him to be strong, and that we would both make it through. His parents then warmly bade me good luck and farewell, telling me that as long as I trusted in both Jesus, and in my friendship with Logan, that I would succeed.

Logan knew that this would likely be my one and only meeting with them, and Logan also knew this would be the last time he would see his parents for a while, but they assured us that they would return. And he knew that their love for him, and his memories, would always be a source of strength if he felt alone or saddened. After we bade our final farewells, Logan then went out onto the deck of his house, allowing me to climb onto his back.

He then took off, heading west. Our non-stop journey across western Canada took us, surprisingly, only a few days, and the authorities let us continue on our way after Logan and I explained our mission to them.

Chapter 2- The Finding of the Ark

We soon reached the west coast, stopping to rest awhile, before heading out from there. Soon, thick mists began drifting in from the ocean, but it didn't stop Logan and I from continuing on our journey. Soon, after almost four days of travel, Logan and I could make out another island in the distance. The mists soon faded away as we arrived, but the frequency of it's occurrence over the island, earned it the adequate name, 'Isle of the Mists.'

We explored the island, finding we were alone here. My friend then transformed himself into his human form; the change being too smooth and swift for me to give any explanation as to how it transpired!! Soon, Logan and I discovered a large mountain in the centre of the island, with a large cave, not far from the beach.

Entering the cave, we explored, finding we were alone here. By now, the sun was starting to set, so my friend and I decided to turn in.

While asleep, I had a premonition of another isle, Ge-Hinnom, or 'The Valley of Fire'. The next morning, after waking up and going for a morning swim, my friend and I caught some fish to cook and eat for breakfast, then we explored. The island mountain had a large cave going straight into its heart, and my friend, being a dragon, relied on his pyrokinesis in order to generate light to see.

Turning to me, Logan grinned mischievously. “Do you want to learn a cool magic trick, Charlie?” he asked, as I smiled.

“What trick, Logan?” I asked, confused. Smiling, my friend raised his hands. “Follow my lead.” He then began to rub his hands together, gently at first, then harder, as I did the same, soon feeling heat begin building up. At first I thought it was just friction, but then I gasped as I saw smoke begin rising from between my friend's hands as he continued rapidly rubbing them together!!

Slowly spreading them apart, I gasped, staring in amazement as I noticed Logan's palms were glowing orange!!! Suddenly feeling the intense heat myself, I slowly opened my own hands to see my palms were also glowing!!

Logan then reached out his right hand, gently snapping his fingers a few times over my glowing palms, as I stared in amazement at small sparks suddenly flashing, before a small flame erupted from my palms!!!

Stunned, I watched the dancing flame in my hand, amazed to find that even though the flame emitted heat like a normal fire, I couldn't feel the heat against my palms themselves!! I then clenched my fists, as the flame was extinguished, before glancing up at Logan in sheer disbelief, making him grin and chuckle. “Dragon's breath?!” I asked, stunned.

“If you remember seeing the movie 'Inkheart', Charlie, then you know about Dustfinger!”

Laughing, Logan and I re-ignited our fires again, before heading into the cave. It was completely silent except for our footsteps, and the occasional distant drip of water. Soon, Logan and I came upon a massive underground cavern, with a smooth sandy floor, and snakes slithering across the cavern!!

Ignoring them, Logan and I explored. There seemed to be nothing here, until a faint shape in the shadows caught my eye. I slowly walked over to the shape, soon making out a massive stone sarcophagus!!!

I rubbed my hands over the smooth stone, before we exchanged glances; a knowing look in each other's eyes!!

I walked over to one end, as my friend went to the other. Reaching down, we gripped the edges of the massive stone cover, and pulled, grunting and straining. At first the cover seemed immovable, but then it began to give as we heard a loud, low grinding sound!!

Utilizing our combined strength, my friend and I slowly lifted the huge cover off the sarcophagus, before tossing it aside, as it smashed, breaking into several large pieces, and looking in, we both smiled upon seeing the Ark of the Covenant for the first time, silently both thanking God for His guidance in our quest, and for us to experience a profound moment such as this!

Glancing around, I noticed a small alcove in the wall opposite the sarcophagus, holding 2 long wooden staves. Smiling, we each went to take one, coming back and helping each other slide the staves through the rings on either side of the Ark.

Looking up at one another, Logan nodded, as I returned the gesture, then we slowly lifted the Ark of God from its resting place, after almost a thousand years!!

The Ark was overlaid in pure gold, with the telltale twenty blue panels in the sides and ends, which was pure sapphire, and the eight red accents on the corners, made of pure ruby!! It was just like in the Bible stories I'd read, when the Ark had been made by the craftsmen Bezaleel and Aholiab, as told in Exodus 35-40, which was much more realistic-looking than the solid gold seen in 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'!

Carefully setting the Ark down, Logan and I looked up at one another.

“We have to get the Ark off this island, Logan!” I said, as he nodded. then we suddenly heard footsteps, although before either of us could react, we were struck hard on the backs of our heads, knocking us both out cold!!!

...

Gradually regaining consciousness, we found ourselves lying on the beach, but the Ark was gone now!! Getting up, Logan and I scanned the horizon, failing to find any evidence of a ship or plane.

Undeterred by what had happened, we then prepared to leave.

But as we walked toward the shore, Logan stopped me. “How do we know where to go, Charlie? We won't catch those fools now!” he asked, confused. I smiled, and told him all about my dream, after which he agreed to start the journey.

“Just have faith, my friend!” I said with a smile. “God always prevails!!” Logan smiled, before he turned himself back into a dragon, as I climbed on his back. Slowly spreading his huge wings, he took off.

As we flew away over the ocean, I found myself pondering the adventure that lay before us. 'If this is God's mission for us, then I know to trust in His guidance. I KNOW we will prevail over Marc!!' I thought to myself. Soon, about two hours later, and about eight miles out from the west coast, and five miles from the other island, Logan and I could make out the isle of Ge-Hinnom.

Chapter 3- The Island

Landing on the beach, I dismounted Logan, before he let himself transform back into his human form once again; a handsome young man dressed in black jeans, steel-toed boots, a white t-shirt, and a black leather jacket. He had short brown hair, a clean-shaven, weathered complexion, and kind blue eyes. He looked almost like me, but distinctly older.

Running up the beach, Logan and I proceeded to climb the cliffs. We easily overpowered the few guards Marc had posted there in case we'd arrived, but we'd expected that, and were not caught unaware. We then climbed into another cavern; this one going fairly deep into the mountain. It was locked with heavy steel chains and a padlock, but Logan used his enhanced strength to easily break the lock by bending the outer edge until the pressure broke the inner mechanism, making the lock literally fall apart!!

Grinning at my amazed look, Logan pulled it off the door, throwing it aside, before we entered a gigantic docking facility that also appeared to double as a warehouse. The entryway opened right out to the ocean, with two large steel decks on either side.

The warehouse was absolutely huge, with hundreds, if not thousands of wooden crates of all different sizes! Breaking the seal of one crate, I lifted the lid to find a huge cache of jewels, including diamond, emerald, sapphire, and ruby!!! Another crate I broke open held a large object wrapped in a white sheet. Unfolding it, I gasped upon recognizing the Rosetta Stone!! Calling Logan over, he climbed up beside me, staring in astonishment at my discovery, as well as the gemstones. We exchanged glances. “Why would Marc go to the trouble of stealing famous artifacts?!” My friend asked in confusion. I looked up at him.

“Apparently Marc wants the world's wealth as well as ultimate power, Logan!” I replied. “After all, he IS the son of Satan, and the Bible does tell of Satan's tendency to make men believe in worldly wealth.”

My friend nodded, now understanding. Suddenly we both heard the loud blare of a submarine's klaxon. “Get down!!” I whispered urgently. We both dropped, flattening ourselves against two large sacks of jewels in between the crates. As we waited, not daring to move, I could feel my heart pounding like a jackhammer.

We waited several seconds longer, but it was soon apparent that we had not been seen. Slowly rising, my friend and I explored some more, soon discovering a secret cache of weapons that Marc had given the guards, before finding several metal cases holding AK-47 assault rifles, Gatling guns, and even bazookas and an RPG!!!

Logan and I exchanged glances, and smiled. “This is almost too easy!!” I said with a laugh, as my friend grinned. I chose and prepared the RPG, while Logan took an M-16 assault rifle. I knew that the fate of all humanity now rested on the shoulders of my friend and I, but it was a burden we both gladly bore, knowing that God would see us through until the end, when He would restore eternal peace to all the world, forever wiping out Marc, his friends, and all their followers, through the Ark.

Suddenly glancing up, I stopped, staring in utter disbelief. I tapped Logan's shoulder, as he turned, and stared up in astonishment.

There, suspended by two very thick, strong ropes that were attached to the pulleys of a massive steel ceiling conveyor system, was a large wooden crate we both knew held the Ark of the Covenant!!

Then, as it slid past, I gasped, instantly feeling anger build inside as I noticed Satan's mark, 666, imprinted onto the side of the crate!

'So these monsters want to desecrate God's most sacred treasure with the mark of the Beast?!'

Glancing at one another, we exchanged nods. Looking up at the crate, I slowly lifted my right hand from my side, turning it forward, before curling my fingers into claws.

Suddenly thin white wisps of smoke rose from the side of the crate, as Satan's symbol began to burn and blacken, exactly how the Nazi's symbol did from the Ark's crate in the movie!!

Soon, in a matter of seconds, the entire side of the wooden crate was burnt away, leaving only a large black smudge; God having used His power through me to destroy the sign of darkest evil!!

“May Marc be cursed for that!” I growled under my breath.

Quietly, we swiftly climbed up the crates until we'd reached a small vent I'd noticed sometime earlier as we'd searched for weapons.

Opening it, Logan and I climbed through, being sure to close it again. Going up through a short tunnel, we soon slid open a secret panel and emerged out onto cliffs above a narrow trail leading to the quarry in the centre of the island.

We both grinned as we watched Marc, his friends, and all their followers walk silently toward the quarry, taking no notice of either of us; two of the soldiers carrying the Ark by the staves, with a large blue veil draped over it.

I noticed a few of the soldiers whispering to one another, undoubtedly confused about the burnt crate, and grinned, lifting my armed RPG to my right shoulder, as Logan prepared his assault rifle.

“MARC!” I shouted, as he and several of his men spun to see Logan and I atop the cliffs, aiming our weapons.

“Charlie...!” Marc growled angrily, as he stepped forward, raising his voice to a yell. “CHARLIE!!”

“Either you scumbags surrender the Ark to Logan and I, or we'll incinerate all of you!”

Marc grinned coldly, and laughed. “I never thought you could be so persistent, Charlie, wanting what was never yours!”

“And it was NEVER meant to be found by scum like you, Marc!” I replied coldly. “I know you'll never reason with either Logan or I, but did you honestly believe God would allow you to wield His most powerful possession for whatever malevolent purpose you seek to fulfill?”

Marc laughed again. “I think you're blind to what we want, Charlie!” he replied. “My father wants to unite the world in peace, and what better way to do it than with the Ark of the Covenant?”

A cold, menacing look crossed my face, as Logan glared at Marc.

“You are utterly and unimaginably INSANE, Marc, do you know that?” I roared. “I KNOW your father Satan would have humanity live the biggest lie of all, were he to 'unite' everyone, so to speak. But I truly know that it is false, and in reality, they'd all be condemned to eternal perdition! Disbelieve me if you will, but you'll pay the price, eventually!”

He laughed. “So you think that God will kill not just me, but my friends, and all our followers? You really believe that, Charlie?”

I spat at him. “I KNOW it, Marc! And did you also realize that the Israelites relied on the Ark as a symbol of God's presence to them?”

This question caught Marc completely by surprise, as he looked up at me in confusion. “What do you mean, Charlie?”

I smiled slightly, now knowing that God was allowing me to show Marc the truth. “The Israelites and Philistines both relied on the Ark of the Covenant as a symbol of God's presence, but this was a very big mistake. Their reliance on the Ark as a material sign of His presence was a violation of the second commandment, 'You cannot create any physical semblance of God.' But you, being an utter fool, want to believe the Ark is just that, and such an association is an act of idolatry, which, as you might try to so blindly refute, is the biggest sin that man can commit against God!' My expression turned stone-cold. 'May He curse you for this blasphemy, Marc, and send every one of you into the depths of Gehenna forever!!”

His face turned red with rage. “KILL THEM!!” he screamed maniacally. “KILL THEM BOTH, NOW!” Several of the soldiers raised their guns, but then, suddenly, there was a loud low screeching sound, as a brilliant white lightning bolt suddenly shot from the Ark, burning a hole through the veil, and slamming into one of the soldiers standing just a meter to Marc's left, sending the soldier flying across the canyon to slam into the stone cliff, and fall dead to the ground, having been badly burnt!!

Marc screamed, leaping back from the Ark in terror! “What is this thing?!” he cried, now staring, petrified, at the Ark, exposed through the burnt veil!!

“Like I said, Marc, you are a fool!” I laughed, as Logan and I raised our weapons to target some of his men. But we failed to hear approaching footsteps, until we both were struck hard on the backs of our heads, knocking us out cold!!

...

Chapter 4- The Revelation

Slowly, Logan and I began regaining consciousness, finding ourselves bound, back-to-back, against the wooden post of a large lit lamp. Looking up, I noticed we were now on a cliff ledge overlooking the heart of the quarry, slightly above it, but still within the quarry itself.

Examining the ropes, I noticed that Logan and I had been bound at both our chests and waists, so even though our arms and hands were free, the ropes were tied far too well for us to even hope to release ourselves from them!

All of Marc's men, alongside many thousands of other people; most of which we didn't recognize, were standing in arrayed lines across the quarry, waiting.

However, Logan and I did recognize some of them as members of the terrorist groups al-Quaeda, Hamas, the Taliban, Isil, al-Shabab, Boko Haram, Hezbollah, Isis, and also the group known as 'Islamic State'. There were also members of the Neo-Nazis, the Ku Klux Klan, and also every Afghan insurgent on earth, as well as every insane, evil, and corrupted person.

Both my friend and I knew that not just Marc and his friends, but also every last one of these people, would face the wrath of God Himself tonight!

We both knew that God would definitely deal with the terrorists of each and every militant organization on earth, including each of their leaders. I myself was very glad to realize that these monsters would burn for all the innocent lives they had taken over countless years, both in the past, and now.

'Those cursed radicals thought they were "appeasing God" with all their brutality, but I know that radicalism is an unforgivable sin in ANY religion!! Those monsters deserve death for what they did!'

Suddenly I noticed Marc was now clothed in the garments of a bishop, even with a miter, and a solid gold sceptre bearing a ram's head, similar to the one Belloq had wielded!

Both Judas and Moloch walked toward the Ark, lifting and pulling the veil away, then lifting the Ark by the staves, and carrying it up the steps to where Marc was standing patiently, setting it down carefully before him.

All the light reflected off the blue sapphire, red ruby, and gold of the Ark, making it seem to glow!! Logan and I were both mesmerized by the sheer beauty of the Ark, but knew why it was here, and also of what was to come.

Neither my friend nor I were surprised to notice Marc was no longer afraid, but this we figured was due to Satan.

Then I heard Marc start speaking in what I recognized as Latin, as he held his left hand out over the Ark, making my blood boil with rage!

'So these fools actually believe they'll honour God with this ceremony?!' I thought angrily.

But then I heard a still small voice in my mind, that I knew was God Himself!

'You are right to realize that Marc, and these people, are not honouring Me, Charlie,' He said quietly to me. 'but I do know that you, like Job, are a man of humility, as is your friend. My wrath will fall only on these people, especially Marc and his friends. The only thing you and Logan will feel is My unfailing love for both of you! I am also pleased that My wisdom to you, allowed you to show Marc the truth. And I adamantly promise that Marc's tyranny STOPS here, once and for all! Every one of these people will bear My judgment, Charlie. That I promise you, but both you and Logan will receive something very special, very soon!'

Suddenly I became aware that Marc had finished what he was saying, before stepping back, and allowing Judas and Moloch to step between the staves of the Ark, and lift the lid off, setting it down beside the Ark.

Marc's hopeful expression dropped as he looked into the Ark, before Judas reached down, lifting out a handful of pure, fine white sand!

Curtis suddenly started laughing, as Marc held his hand out to catch some sand falling from Judas's hand; his angry expression turning to one of utter disgust!

I couldn't help but laugh to myself at this. 'Marc actually expected gold nuggets or gems? He is DEFINITELY a fool!!'

Chapter 5- The Ultimate Power

Then suddenly, there arose a loud, low screeching, as several of the people glanced back to see livid bolts of electricity suddenly flash, coursing over the big generator. As they continued, all the lights flickered, before the two big flashbulbs behind Judas and Moloch exploded; smoke and shards of glass flying everywhere, as they yelled in shock!

Then a huge bolt of electricity suddenly leapt from the last light outwards, flying across the quarry to ricochet off the walls, even hitting some of the other lamps and making their bulbs explode! As the bolt shot out the last light, it then blasted back across the canyon, surging up the wires of the main generator, and making the bulb flash brilliantly, before slowly fading completely, leaving the quarry mostly dark, aside from the glow of the stars and full moon, which still allowed sufficient light to see!!

However, back when no one had noticed, the bulbs of the light my friend and I were tied to, as well as the two lamps facing in toward the Ark, had simply shut off; the switching of our light having prevented either my friend or I from electrocution!!

An eerie silence now hung over the canyon; no one moved or spoke, until a low, pulsing hum filled the air, seeming to come from the Ark itself!!

Marc looked down into the darkness of the Ark, suddenly seeing a pale white glow slowly start to appear from deep within it, as the low rumble of thunder reached him!

Then, without warning, thick white mists began to flow from the Ark, billowing down across the ground, as pale white wisps of cloud began streaming up into the air.

Reaching down, I quickly unfastened my medallion, before wrapping the chain tightly around my hand, holding the medallion in my palm, and clenching my hand into a fist.

I then turned my head slightly. 'Logan, don't look at it, whatever you do! Do not look at it, no matter what happens! Shut your eyes now!'

We both did, thus escaping the oncoming wrath of God Himself.

Suddenly a brilliant bolt of lightning blasted up out of the Ark, coalescing and forming what they all recognized as ball lightning!!

Then thin streams of brightly-glowing light began shooting out of it, arcing down toward them and sweeping around all of them, as they stared in wonder!! Even some of the lightning bolts flew down to dance in the air between and around them, looking almost like St. Elmo's Fire!!

“This is extraordinary!” Marc cried in reverent wonder, as his friends smiled. But what happened next turned that joy into sheer, abstract terror! Marc noticed a glow, and glancing down, watched in horror as a small orb of fire slowly rose out of the Ark to engulf him; his arms and hands starting to shake as the raw, unprecedented power of God Himself engulfed Marc!!

Then, before anyone could react, two massive jets of fire shot out from Marc's burning form, as Judas and Moloch both began screaming in terror!!

The fire, combined with the lightning, blasted through several of the people, seemingly connecting them like a chain!! Then it branched outward, randomly striking more people, either frying them alive, or simply electrocuting them!! Others were also burnt alive by the fire from Marc, and even though some of them were standing fairly far from the Ark, the heat of the fire was enough to either burn them alive, or melt their skin like butter; their eyes rolling up into their heads as blood, muscle, and veins tore and fell free in burnt, raw chunks, and melted skin poured down like water from their charred corpses; one person after another collapsing dead to the ground.

By now, the canyon was filled with thousands of brilliantly-glowing figures, most of the people having been struck by the jets of fire and lightning from the Ark! Some of them, having been close enough to the fire that consumed Marc, were simply incinerated into ashes!!!

With one final agonized shriek, Marc then exploded; a massive wall of fire erupting from where he had been standing, rapidly flashing outward to engulf every single one of the burnt corpses of Marc's clan!!

Logan and I both couldn't help but scream in fear as we felt the intense heat from the fire of the Ark, but nevertheless, God had no intention of harming either one of us.

The fire swept around us in a wide band, before arcing around and surging back toward the Ark, effortlessly pulling all the bodies of the people within it, as well as the ashes of some of the burnt-up ones, alongside the lid of the Ark, but not damaging it the slightest bit!! The flames then spun, and blasted into the night sky, forming a massive whirling vortex that was visible for many miles; the lid of the Ark spinning like a top as it was thrown into the sky!!!

As the pillar of fire ascended, there was a sudden blinding white flash at its apex, as a rapidly-growing black cloud suddenly billowed outward from it; bolts of lightning flashing in and around the cloud!!

That cloud was actually a dimensional gateway into Gehenna itself, where every one of the people, Marc and his friends included, were sent through, for all eternity!!

Soon, the lightning gradually dissipated, as the black cloud rapidly shrank, vanishing in another blinding flash, before the fiery pillar spun down on itself, rapidly sucking back down toward the Ark, as the golden lid, or 'mercy seat', as it is known in the Bible, floated atop the pillar!!

Soon, with a resounding THUD, the lid slammed back down onto the Ark, bouncing ever so slightly, but just enough for one final brilliant white light to shine from beneath it for a split-second, before winking out!!

Then, there was one final loud, low rumble of distant thunder, before all was still!!

...

Slowly, I opened my eyes, blinking, before looking down. Raising my right hand, I slowly opened it to reveal my silver medallion, which gleamed in the light, as the gemstone in the centre shone!! I then lifted my other hand to find a piece of the rope that had bound my friend and I, now burnt completely!!

I then turned to my friend. “Logan!” I said softly. He slowly turned toward me while opening his eyes again. Looking up at me, I saw tears form in his eyes, before we hugged each other tight.

Looking over, my friend and I saw the Ark of the Covenant, still standing silently where it had been placed, and since everyone was gone forever, we were now all alone on the island, but nonetheless knew that God Himself was still here with us. I put my medallion back around my neck, before we walked slowly toward the Ark. Kneeling side-by-side before it, we bowed our heads, praying sincere thanks to God for not only sparing us, but also forever ridding the world of unspeakable evil!!

As my friend and I prayed, we both felt, and knew, that God was here with us, offering us His comfort. Then, as we stood up, I stopped, certain I'd heard something. “What is it, Charlie?” Logan asked. I stood still.

“Listen!” I whispered. We both did, and managed to detect a faint, barely-audible humming sound from the Ark. Turning back, I looked down, closing my eyes.

'What are you trying to tell me?' I asked God. He did not answer, instead opening my mind to a stunning revelation!!

I turned to Logan. “There was something within the Ark, Logan; something that Marc and his friends were unable to find!”

He looked confused. “What do you mean, Charlie?”

I smiled. “A treasure within a treasure, Logan!” I replied. “God regarded this as one symbol to remind His people that He would always be with them.”

I led my confused friend back to the Ark, where we opened it for the third time, staring in at the pure white sand. I then reached in, and placed my hands flat atop its cool, silky-soft surface.

I then intoned something in Latin, that Logan understood immediately. “Ad oculos enim videre eum, et videat. Cor eius velle.”

Suddenly I thrust my hands up off the sand, spreading my fingers wide. As Logan watched, awe-struck, the smooth white sand began to flow and shift, rippling like water in a still pond disturbed by a stone!!

Then, in a brilliant white flash, something blasted up out of the sand, as I reached high to grab it in both hands, just as it hurled itself skyward, out of the Ark!!

Logan had to shield his eyes from the near-blinding white light that shone like the sun, from between my hands!!

When it finally faded to a dim-enough light to not be blinded by, I slowly brought it down before me, as Logan looked up at me, puzzled.

Smiling knowingly, I slowly opened my hands to reveal the Arkenstone from 'The Hobbit' film trilogy; the diamond-like jewel glowing with its own inner light; a myriad of brilliant colours radiating from the jewel's heart; an absolute wonder to behold!!

I smiled at Logan's wondrous expression, before looking down at the Arkenstone.

“As it was the heart of the Mountain, so the Arkenstone shall be once again made known to all mankind as the Jewel of Angels!!”

We both knew that God wanted us to leave the Ark, knowing that He would soon bring it to a new resting place. I then watched my friend transform back into his true dragon form, before he climbed easily up the cliffs as I held onto his tail, then we stood side-by-side on the cliff, overlooking the majestic vista of the ocean sparkling like diamonds under the stars and full moon!!

After a final fond embrace, Logan helped me carefully wrap the Arkenstone in a soft brown cloth, before placing in in a shoulder pack he gave to me, to keep it safe. After Logan used his power, with my help, to telekinetically close the Ark, he then let me climb onto his back, before he slowly spread his huge wings, and took off from the cliff, soaring gracefully out over the moonlit ocean, away from the island of Ge-Hinnom, never again to return.

Chapter 6- New Horizons

As we flew over the ocean, toward the horizon, I looked eastward, smiling at the very faint glow of the oncoming sunrise, before focusing on the horizon ahead. “I have a wonderful surprise for you, Charlie!” Logan said warmly, as I smiled. “I think you'll be very happy with it!!” After about three hours, during which we'd flown almost twenty miles, I saw a massive mountain in the distance, looming high over the ocean. Logan flew steadily onward, then down through a winding valley toward the other side of the mountain, before heading upward from there. “An incredible surprise awaits you at the top, Charlie!” I grinned.

“I’m  ready to try anything new, Logan!” I replied.

After about an hour's travel, an incredible new sight greeted my eyes as I looked upon the country of Isikveren, a lush, bowl-shaped valley about twenty miles in diameter, which now glowed brilliantly in the growing light of the rising sun!! It was exactly to me what it had been to Logan, and I knew the adventure was just beginning!! Logan landed just inside the rim of the mountain country, as I dismounted him, then we began to walk side-by-side across the land. Other dragons, both of Eastern and medieval forms, regarded me curiously as Logan smiled.

According to the dragon's history, the Ancient One was believed to be the eldest dragon in existence, and He had seen everything since the beginning of time, with a precognitive power that far surpassed any other ever known, and the other dragons said that He had come to build a new world where dragons could live and thrive in peace, and they had, for almost three thousand years!! The Ancient One also possessed a natural healing power that was far stronger than any other healing ability ever known to exist in the mortal realm!! I wondered much about him, and imagined a great and vast voice and presence. We soon arrived at the cave in the very centre of the country, as Logan and I walked inside. However, these assumptions were unfounded, as I discovered the Ancient One to be a very kind and gentle elder. His overall form was of an eastern dragon, with gleaming silver scales; some faded to white with his age and time, but the change in his scales gave him a very noble appearance. He had kind blue eyes and a long beard as white as snow! “Ah, I see you have a new friend with you, Logan!”

He smiled. “Yes, indeed! This is Charlie Lucas!” I kneeled before the Ancient One.

“It is a profound honour to meet you!” I said reverently, as he smiled kindly, then I rose. He then gently shook my hand.

“And I am honoured to meet you, Charlie!” he replied, smiling warmly. I sat opposite him on the cave floor, as Logan turned to leave. “I understand you have been going through troublesome times, Charlie!” I nodded.

“That I have!” I replied. “Ten years of unending torment was more than I could ever hope to bear, and the burden of dealing with the loss of my family and all my friends only added to that, making it something that I felt was making my life unworthy.” I explained with a saddened look.

The Ancient One nodded knowingly. “That I can understand all too well, Charlie, because I had seen all that Marc was doing to you! I also saw you manifest your power of precognition when you painted the future of discovering the Ark's location, but Logan never knew of that power, so I can understand why he was worried.” I nodded, not at all surprised.

“Logan aided me in the final conquest, but there is nothing left for me! Because of Marc, and now because of his cult, the only life I had is gone forever!! Even though I know they were defeated once and for all, they have both stolen everything from me, and now I am lost!” I  then put my head down in my hands, desperately fighting back my tears. The Ancient One rested a kind, gentle hand on my shoulder. He then gently lifted my chin, softly wiping away my tears, as he smiled kindly.

“But Logan has let you find us, Charlie!” he replied. “Come, and live as one of us! I promise that you will find it an extraordinary gift; a better life than you could ever imagine, and that you were meant to have!! I know that you are very wise, Charlie, and you have known of us for quite some time! I also knew that both your heart, and your unfailing faith and trust in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, would guide you through something as dark as your fight against so profound an evil as Marc's, and now that the last great battle of your life has ended, and you know that you have won, you will surely find a peaceful life here in Isikveren, forever!” He then reached down to gently rub my silver pendant in his fingers, rubbing his thumb over the gemstone.

“I have something I want You to see.” I told him, as the Ancient One smiled. With that, I unslung my pack from my shoulder, set it down, and opened it to reveal the Arkenstone, as the Ancient One smiled knowingly.

Then he looked up at me, and smiled. “The Arkenstone, also known as the Arkenstone of Angels, is a gem that I created to be housed inside the Ark, Charlie.” The Ancient One explained, as I nodded.

“Only those with pure hearts and strong faith, would know the Arkenstone was locked inside the Ark itself, and only those with pure intentions would be able to retrieve it. As such, you, Charlie Lucas, are the very first, and only, person to find the Arkenstone. And as a reward for returning to Me the Ark, I hereby name you as the Arkenstone's owner! From Me, to you, I give you, Charlie, the Arkenstone of Angels!! I also have something very special for you, that I can bestow upon you through the Arkenstone, and I feel that it is only fair to truly give you a new beginning, but only if you are willing!” I was silent for a moment, then looked up at the Ancient One.

“I am!” I replied sincerely, as he smiled. He then got up, taking the Arkenstone from me. Holding it in both hands, the Ancient One raised it before Him, and began to speak softly in Latin, although I did not understand it this time, but felt no need to, since I knew that the Ancient One was about to bestow upon me a wonderful blessing!

Suddenly, as He finished speaking, the Arkenstone began glowing, dimly at first, then brighter, like a star!!

“This is very special, Charlie,” the Ancient One said with a smile. “and I know that it is the key to give you the new beginning you have always wanted, and this will set you free!!” I smiled, and nodded again.

Suddenly, without warning, the light that had consumed the Arkenstone swiftly spread up my arm, then suddenly flashed all across my body as I lifted my arms; the light now almost exactly like the powerful mystic sand that fuelled the dagger in 'Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time'!! Looking down, I watched the light consume my human body! I closed my eyes as the light suddenly flashed in a brilliant white glow, and I floated slowly off the ground, as the Ancient One smiled. I spread my arms wide open, opening my eyes, watching in wonder as I watched thick claws slowly slide from my fingertips, as brilliant reddish-brown metallic scales slowly began emerging from my skin, creeping down my arms!! I then felt my hair painlessly fall out, before two large white dragon horns slowly pushed up out of my head, then two smaller ones behind those, and an even smaller set behind them, exactly like Drake's horns, but strangely, the pain wasn't that bad!!

I then closed my eyes as my back muscles flexed, and my t-shirt seemingly dissolved into light, fading away, then the skin just below my shoulder blades split open with slivers of light, as two thin, fiery dragon wings slipped out, as I felt them strengthening and growing with the formation of new muscle, nerve, and bone, before spreading to their full span of almost 10 meters (30 feet)!! I slowly began controlling them, slowly folding them around so I could feel the new wing-bones, the joint-claws, and the webbing, which felt slightly leathery, yet was soft and plaint!! Then I felt a strange heat slowly creep over my face, as the light flowed up over me to continue my transformation, as small scales formed, my teeth changing into draconic fangs, then I felt my nose and upper jaw partly fuse, before my face began to stretch outward into a muzzle!! I felt my skin seemingly flow off my body as brilliant gold light, to be replaced by diamond-hard dragon scales, and my muscles changing as my feet and legs slowly transformed, my spine lengthening into a huge three-meter tail with a giant spade tip!! My toenails split with brilliant white slivers of light, to allow razor-sharp obsidian claws to emerge, before I squeezed my eyes shut, opening them a second later, only now they were much larger and glowing fiery amber, and my vision was now much sharper, and was now exactly like Eragon's colourful, vibrant thermal vision!! I then arched my back as I felt my innards melting and reforming, yet there was no pain at all, nor did I panic!! I felt my teeth growing into sharp dragon fangs, and my tongue narrowing and forking!!

Then I slowly turned around in midair, spreading my arms wide open, as my wings unfolded to their full 36-foot span!! Somehow, I was still alive despite the fact that earlier, my human heart had slowed down, and finally stopped altogether!

Suddenly the light flowed across my body toward my chest, and began to rapidly suck into my breast scales; the loud, unmistakable rhythm of Draco's heartbeat starting to echo around us, as my new dragon heart began beating deep in my breast!! The light slowly dimmed, and faded away, as I gracefully floated back down to the ground, coming to rest softly on my side, my wings partially unfurled!! The Ancient One slowly rested a hand on my wings, before I suddenly felt a strong, comforting warmth flow through me, and the rhythmic beating of my new dragon's heart reached my ears!!

I slowly began moving again, opening my fiery amber eyes, and looking up at the Ancient One as he knelt beside me, then he helped me up, and smiled. Looking down at myself, I noticed I had become Drake from 'Dragonheart: A New Beginning'!!

I looked down at my breast, smiling as the last of the Arkenstone's power flowed back into the golden scales, which slowly dimmed and returned to normal once more!! I reached up to place a scaly dragon hand over my breast, feeling the strong, rhythmic beat of my dragon's heart, now infused with the power of the Arkenstone of Angels, beneath my fingertips, and smiled again. “Logan and his friends can teach you basic hunting methods, Charlie, and most important, they and the others can help you learn to live forever as one of us! I do realize, however, that Eustace was only turned into a dragon due to his selfishness and greed. However, your change is triggered by the knowledge that not ALL dragons are bad. As a dragon, Charlie, I know that you are strong, kind, and gentle, with a noble heart and adamantly strong, true and wise ideals, just like Draco!!” I smiled, and nodded.

I looked around, suddenly confused. “What happened to the Arkenstone?”

The Ancient One smiled. “The Jewel of Angels is now yours, Drake!!” he replied, smiling at my astounded look. I looked down, before reaching down, and slowly lifting one of my breast scales, suddenly seeing a brilliant white glow shine forth!!

I looked up at him, stunned beyond description. “My heart is now bound by the Arkenstone, the Jewel of Angels?!”

He smiled, nodding, and giving me a gentle hug. “It is My gift to you, Drake!” He explained. “The Arkenstone was kept safe within the Ark of the Covenant, placed there by Moses upon my command, until I could find the one who would be worthy of receiving it!! And so I have chosen you, Drake Starfire, for your heart is fully pure, and only those who live by My Son's guidance may receive this gift! You, Drake, are the first, and the last as well. You are to be the sole keeper of the Arkenstone of Angels!!”

I smiled again, tears in my eyes, before holding out my hand.

“It has been a true honour to meet you!”
He smiled, and shook my hand.

“No, the honour is mine, Charlie!” Then we hugged each other.

He then told me to kneel, as I did so, before he placed his hands gently on my shoulders. “And now that you have become one of us, Charlie, I hereby bestow you with this gift, and also bestow upon you the true identity of Drake himself!!” he said warmly, referring to the Arkenstone, and also to whom I really was. I smiled, now understanding that the Ancient One had known all along about my true identity, and also that my human identity of Charlie Lucas had only been notable in my former human life.

I looked up at him as he smiled. “The Arkenstone is a source of unimaginable power, Drake, and it can help you to unlock your true potential!!” Smiling, I thanked him, then removed my pendant, which I gave to him, as he smiled, accepting it gratefully.

Suddenly noticing a wide alcove in the wall behind him, I looked closely. The Ancient One smiled, and stepped aside, as I saw the Ark!!!

He smiled at my expression of wonder. “Both you and Logan have guarded My treasure well, Drake. I thank you!” Smiling, I nodded, once more shaking his hand.

I then turned, and took off from the entrance. As I flew out of the cave with a triumphant roar, the other dragons cheered thunderously!! I soared high; the light of the Arkenstone making my scales shimmer in the light of the sunrise!! I looked down to see Logan flying up toward me, grinning, as I smiled!! Some of the other dragons flew up to join me, chatting with and congratulating me on my victory in the final fight.

Suddenly Logan stopped upon hearing voices calling his name, then he turned to see two young Eastern dragons flying toward him. I smiled at the look on his face, as he flew toward them. “Mom, Dad!!” He shouted. I and the other dragons all smiled as we witnessed the happy reunion of Logan and his parents. Logan was indeed surprised to learn that his parents had been living in Isikveren all this time, and had never told him, but he knew that the Ancient One had decided to reveal the truth to him at the right time.

The other dragons were glad to know that I had considered my meeting to have been a privileged one, and greeted me by my new name, as I smiled, knowing that the Ancient One had let them witness my complete transgression to an entirely new existence, and Logan and all the other dragons did their best to help me adapt to my new life. Later, I was resting on a hillside, watching the clouds drift through the sky, and also thinking about the Arkenstone, now forever bound within my dragon heart. I found it quite fascinating to realize that I was now the possessor of the most treasured relic of Erebor, the heart of the mountain, as I remembered from 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'. As I thought about this, I came to the odd conclusion that God Himself may have allowed the dragons to bestow upon me a relic of great power!!

This I now understood as the special gift God had said I would receive. But I was wise to know that, like Ben Parker told his nephew Peter, 'With great power, comes great responsibility'. I knew that my heart was still pure, even if I WAS a dragon now, but that would define the KIND of dragon I myself chose to be, and I was satisfied to know that I could compare myself to Bowen's friend Draco from 'Dragonheart'; a truly wise, strong, and noble dragon!!

I also found it fascinating to recount the extraordinary adventure my friend Logan and I had embarked on, leading us to discover and ensure the safety of one of the greatest treasures in the history of mankind!!

Later, I heard Logan call my name, and got up, turning to see him walking toward me alongside the Ancient One. “I have a wonderful surprise for you, Drake!!” The Ancient One said with a warm smile. “I recall how you told me that your family had gone Home to be with Jesus. But they have returned to be with you again! It was said in the Book of Revelation that God would, at the end of time, create a new Earth that would be just as wonderful as Heaven itself!” looked confused.

“They have returned?” I asked the Ancient One.

“Indeed  we have, Drake!” I spun to see three dragons, the largest one bearing remarkable resemblance to Draco from 'Dragonheart', the second, mid-sized dragon bearing striking resemblance to Eragon's dragon Saphira, and the third, and smallest dragon looked exactly like the one Eustace became in 'The Voyage of the Dawn Treader', although he was still slightly larger than me!!!

I thought I recognized them for a split-second, and as I scanned their minds with my telepathy, I came across all my forgotten memories of them, just like how Peter used his telepathy to scan his mother Angela's mind to remember her, while in the 'outbreak future', as in the Heroes episode 'Out of Time'!! Looking up, I could feel the diamond dragon tears falling from my eyes! “Dad?” I looked up at the largest brown dragon, then at the smaller brown one, and finally the blue dragoness. “Brandon? Barb?!” They all smiled at me, and nodded. I then looked down, reaching up to slowly lift one of my breast scales, as a brilliant golden-white glow shone out, cast by the Arkenstone now bound in my dragon heart, and its strong, steady beat filled the air (one beat, two rapid beats, then two more a bit slower, over and over in a rhythmic cycle)!! I looked up at dad, who smiled, and proceeded to show his own heart, his a brilliant fiery red, and his heartbeat was one, then three rapid beats, over and over, which was much stronger than my own!! I slowly pulled my scales down again. Dad smiled, and showed me a giant star ruby the size of an ostrich egg he held in his left hand!!

I looked up at them. “How...!?” I started.

“I have let them come here to live, Drake!” I turned to see the Ancient One. “I knew that you would always yearn to be with them again, and it was indeed right to give them the life that has always been theirs!”

I recollected this for a moment. “So, you're saying that Isikveren is really...?!” I started, not daring to believe, as He smiled.

“Yes, it is, my son!” He replied. “A very fitting name this is for our Home, for it truly is a place of Light, and I am He!” Logan, my dad, Brandon, Barb, and also all the other dragons kneeled before Him. “Welcome Home!” Jesus addressed my family and I warmly. “May you all know that here in Heaven, joy and love are boundless, and My love for all of you is our greatest treasure!!”

“AMEN!!” Everyone shouted joyfully, before we all began singing and dancing. And soon dad, Barb, Brandon, and I were reunited with the rest of our family, to live in peace forever, as was Logan with his parents. It was a true joy to finally be reunited with Grandpa, Auntie Janie, and all my other family members after so long a time.

Both Logan and the Ancient One, who was really our Lord, had helped me find the true destination of my life, which I would forever accept with open arms. I bade farewell to my former life, thanking the Lord for bringing me Home, and now, my entire family and I could live in peace and freedom, forever! I was happy, and lived with new friends, and with my family, in a new world, and for me, that was the greatest gift I had ever been given, and most importantly, I never, ever forgot Who had given it.

The End!