<big><center>[[PROLOGUE: THE PROPHET'S MESSAGE|0]]</center></big>
Matthew pulled a knife from his pocket and rammed into Abel, the old man's bones [[snapping|25]] audibly from the force. The knife was thrusted into Abel's chest, over, and over, and over, while Sophia screamed and Eden layed backed up against the wall. \n\nThe other member of the builders ran and grabbed Matthew, pulling him away from Abel. Matthew dropped the knife, and didn't resist.
Matthew's breathing was heavy as he dropped to the floor. "I'm sorry..." he muttered. "I didn't want to..." his voice faltered.\n\nThe elevator shuddered, and the group felt it begin going [[downwards|26]] once more.
Abel's body lay crumpled on the floor, blood slowly seeping from his wounds.\n\nHe opened his eyes, and [[weakly began to speak.|27]]
[["The Creator," he said as blood dripped from his mouth, "has abandoned us."|28]]
"What the hell does that mean?" Matthew said, his voice shaking in fear and anger.\n\nAbel responded calmly. "It means exactly what I said. We are going to die."\n\n"Calm down, Matthew." Sophia said quietly. Eden could tell that she was afraid.\n\nMatthew turned to her furiously. "What is he talking about?"\n\n[["I don't know."|21]] she said, looking towards the floor.
Matthew reached into his pockets, his eyes [[focused intently|22]] on Abel.
Eden saw what was happening.\n\nDid she try and [[grab him|23]], or [[stay away|24]]?
Eden lunged forward, grabbing Matthew and trying to restrain him as he ran towards Abel.\n\nHe threw her to the side, and her body [[slammed|24]] painfully against the cold wall of the elevator.
The room went quiet, the only sound remaining being the quiet sobbing of Sophia and the thumping of the [[descending|29]] elevator.
They felt words of love and compassion, and they held complete respect for this ethereal being that communicated through the lowliest of beings, a young human. The Creator was proud of the people, and they were so happy that they [[belonged|2]] to it.
They say that in the beginning the Creator spoke to the humans through the child [[Abel|1]].
Years passed and technology advanced further than anything the people could have hoped for. Eventually their small villages grew into a strong metropolis, and they called it [[Centrine City.|4]]
They loved, and were loved back. The land thrived, and their crops grew strong and healthy. [[The Creator|3]] provided all that the people needed, and when they asked it for help it never turned its back. It continued to communicate with the humans through the boy Abel, and they spoke to it in return.\n
But it did [[not|6]] last.
For a while, [[everything was perfect.|5]]
Overnight the crops and cattle in the farms that supplied the city with food got sick. Storms ravaged their land and floods destroyed much of what they had worked so hard to achieve. The Creator was going to start anew. Wipe this planet from corrupt humans. The tempest did not cease, and during the year of destruction [[a shelter was devised|8]] by a team of the smartest and most skilled engineers and scientists. It was a second city, a massive, twisting and turning urban labyrinth to live in, but it was untouchable, resting miles underneath the surface of their planet. The humans could survive in it, and be safe from the wrath of their angry lord.\n
Inevitably their vices grew too strong. their growth only made crime and evils develop inside them further. The Creator had warned the people to be careful, but the arrogant humans did not listen. Many were confused and angry, afraid of the dark side of them that was capable of these sins against humanity and against the Creator.\n\n“Why did you make us like this?” they demanded. “If you love us, why are we allowed to do this to ourselves?” And they would not stop. They had not listened to their Creator, who only wanted the best for them. They were, in the end, nothing but [[ungrateful sinners|7]], and were severely punished for it.
While this happened, an important girl shuffled through the crowds, determined and persistent to get in. She stopped when she felt her hand grabbed by someone and looked over, startled. Her eyes settled on the wrinkled hand of [[an old man|10]], and she slowly peered up at his face and almost jumped.
Eden
The construction of the second city was finished just in time. The humans knew that their days were running out on the surface. Aside from deadly disasters and destruction, food was scarce, and the only renewable sources were being used for stockpiling and farming in the underground city. The day of relocation came like a savior from above, ironic as it was. The citizens were hurried into a vault that led to a system of multiple elevators, leading their people deep down under into the [[sprawling and terrifying new world|9]]. Getting in was complete chaos, people were pushing and shoving trying to get through the crowds and get in the elevators first. \n
He led her into the vault, a large and empty room, with steel supports that curved inwards holding up the arched ceiling. It was almost pretty, as much as an underground hole can be. Abel was accompanied by two officers, who led him through a series of rooms all almost identical to the last. Finally they stopped, and Abel and the girl were hurried into one of the many elevator doors that lined the walls. The elevator must have been reserved for people crucial to the new city, she reasoned, because she was placed in with the three leaders of the team responsible for the construction of the city, and the now aged and [[silent|12]] Abel.
The prophet Abel had his bony hand wrapped tightly around her wrist. She had heard stories, but never met him before. He was much older now, and the years had not been kind. His face was wrinkled and drooped, and his eyes were dark and cold. He silently looked her in the eyes, then pulled on her arm. She nodded, almost fixated, and followed him. He led her to the front of the crowd, where police were relentlessly pushing people back with [[riot shields|11]] until it was their turn to enter the lifts. As soon as the officers saw Abel, he was allowed through and two of them followed behind them. No one asked any questions about the girl with him.
The descent was cold and uncomfortably silent for the girl, until one of the three project leaders spoke. Her voice was soft and kind, but almost patronizing. \n\n[["What's your name?"|14]] she asked.\n\nThe girl stood idly for a moment, before realizing that the woman was talking to her.\n\n"I'm Sophia," the woman offered. She gestured to the other two builders. "Their names are Matthew and Adam."
The officers stepped back and saluted towards the group as the elevator doors [[sealed|13]] behind them.
To the surprise of the others in the elevator, Abel responded.\n\n[["Eden."|16]]
The girl stayed [[silent|15]], acting as if she had not heard her.\n
Minutes, maybe hours passed in the shaky and slowly descending hours. No one was speaking to each other. Everyone seemed exhausted, as if they just needed to rest after enduring the hell on the surface above.\n\nThe elevator stopped moving with a [[lurching|18]] thud.
Eden glanced at him to the mention of her name, and the small room went silent [[once more|17]].
[["It is because we are going to die."|20]]
"Are we here?" Eden asked quietly.\n\n"No, we can't be. The elevator still has a long way to go." responded Adam.\n\n"Why did we stop then?" Sophia responded.\n\n[[Abel spoke.|19]]
Margo Tenbrook