2.8 This messenger's lie

Atlas was in front of the castle, facing his father. Elijah put a hand on his shoulder and stressed:

"Please be careful, son."

Atlas said reassuringly:

"I will, I promise. I'll see you very soon."

Atlas felt a look and turned around, meeting Daniel's eyes. He looked sad and hurt. Atlas quickly turned his head, unable to look at him any longer.

Atlas has been avoiding the twins, ever since that talk with Silas. He knows they are hurt and upset, but there is nothing he can do.

In a few days, the mission will be done, and he'll move on to a new door. He took a breath and shook his head to stop thinking about that. Elijah who had seen everything frowned.  He also noticed Atlas giving the twins the cold shoulder.

He just didn't think that they would all be this miserable. The entire castle could feel the shift. Even if before they thought they were odd, at least they were happy. But now it's like there's a gloom cloud over the castle.

Silas looked at his sons and threatened:

"You better come back safe and sound, or I'll kill you."

They both smiled and Damien said:

"We will, father."

Silas added:

"Atlas too."

They both nodded, feeling a lump in their throats. Of course, they would never let anything happy to him, even if he changed his mind about them.

They talked and decided that once the ultimate battle is over, they'll talk to him. For now, they'll just focus on the battle ahead.

Leah said goodbye to her father and got into the carriage. Atlas mounted his horse and so did the twins. The three of them led, followed by a massive army. Atlas will make certain that every one of them goes back home.

The original needed the church of darkness army to get to the center, but Atlas doesn't. With Aurora, he'll make sure that nothing can get through to him. They'll burn as soon as they touch him, because of the intensity of his holy fire

If he had arrived in this world before, he wouldn't have used the church of darkness, but he didn't. He's honestly annoyed, he can't wait to go back to Stellargate and rest for a few years.

After riding all day, the army set camp at the entry of the forest. Atlas was in his tent cultivating when the twins entered.

He looked at them inquisitively when he heard sounds. Damien said:

"The generals have a plan."

"I'll be right there."

Atlas stood up and left for the tent they were in. When he entered, he saw they were all standing around a table with a map on it. Atlas stood next to the general.

He pointed at the map, explaining:

"The scouts came back and the onis army is just beyond the mountains here. They've been moving closer than we anticipated. We need to move tomorrow at dawn, or they'll ambush us. The army or the church of light will move from that side and the other from that position. Like that will engulf them and keep them contained. We need to make sure they don't enter the forest. It's too close to civilians."

Everyone listened attentively and once they all agreed, they left. Atlas looked at the map in a daze. He thought he had a few days ahead, but he doesn't. As soon as everyone falls asleep, he'll have to leave.

He must eradicate the army before dawn. It should only take him a few minutes. With Aurora, he'll boost his power of light to the max. Atlas will go tonight, so he can be done with this mission already.

Daniel and Damien stared at Atlas, who seemed lost in thought. Daniel put a hand on his shoulder and Atlas woke up.

"Are you okay?"

Daniel looked at Atlas with a hint of worry. He smiled.

"I'm okay."

Atlas contoured him to leave the tent, but Damien held his wrist. Atlas turned around, meeting his eyes. He could tell what he wanted o talk about, but he can't do it.

He smiled and talked before he did:

"Can we speak after the battle?"

He would rather not lie, it's already hard enough to give up on this world when his husbands are there.

That's why he decided to go tonight instead of later. The faster he sacrifices himself, the sooner he'll be done with this world, and he'll be able to move on.

Damien nodded, and Atlas looked at Daniel. Daniel said:

"Ok, we'll talk once the battle is over."

Atlas smiled and left. They both looked at his retreating back feeling a little relieved. Before he didn't want to talk or even look at them, but now he said that he'll speak.

Daniel was still looking at the entry of the tent and asked,

"Do you think he'll ever make his own choice?"

Damien looked at him and said:

"I don't know. He said he's willing to talk and that's enough."

They could tell that Atlas has been keeping his distance because of his father. They know how he feels about them, everyone can tell. Atlas is the type to wear his feeling on his face.

They also felt Elijah's worry and distance toward them. Still, they'll never stop convincing him to be together. After Damien became the high priest, he felt a change in his personality.

To see face-to-face people's darkness isn't a gift, it's a curse. He used to have the same personality as Daniel. He was open-minded and full of life, until he became tougher and closed off.

But then Atlas came, and he realized he lost faith and that not everyone is evil. Atlas made him realize that he's been missing out on being happy and having his twin by his side.

It was extremely hard on him when Daniel kept his distance from him, but he said nothing because he understood. If he felt the change in himself, of course, his twin brother did too.

Atlas came, and he had his brother back, and they both fell in love. He hasn't been this happy for a long time, which only makes it more difficult to lose it.

Daniel knows his brother is in as much pain as him, but he's keeping it together for him. He's more sensitive than his brother, and he has that luxury since he's not a high priest.

This is why they gave Atlas time. He must be under so much stress, and they want to avoid making things more difficult for him. They'll wait as long as it takes.