Archive of Our Own ^beta

700 billion years.

That's how long Abaddon has spent trudging through time to save his family.

Why?

Why do all this?

You could have had everything, your powers, your glory, but each time you discard it again just to go back.

For Abaddon, a decade feels like a second. A mere moment. A blip.

So why does time seem to slow down every time Nathan pulls him out of that hole he dug himself?

For the first time in billions of years, once again, it feels as if he is able to breathe. Relish the moments he has with these mortals. Maybe that's why he keeps trying to save them.

Okay. 50 times the charm, right?

"He is the lock, we are the key!" the cultists chant. Todd lets out a pained yell as he is stabbed. The Freelings all gasp in horror as hell begins to reign down on the earth.

During Abaddon's last run, he had managed to steal as much salt as possible from various stores in the town. With the salt and some other supplies, he intended to create a magical force field from all danger & demons, with Esther's help. Unfortunately, Esther died before she can help make it.

This time, he'd warned Esther beforehand. Probably a mistake, because she was not a fan of the idea of the apocalypse. Begged him to not go through with it at all. Made another quilt. Showed up late to the ceremony. Additionally, he spent a month stealing things from the hotel & other stores to place in a cave. It is difficult to determine what is a need for mortals, but he figured that beds and sustenance (primarily fruit loops) was a priority. This cave will be their safe haven.

He also cryptically told Ben to have clothes on under the robe, as it will save him in the future.

He urged his family to follow him immediately. Luckily the cave he chose wasn't too far out. He loomed above them the whole way there, destroying meteors, attempting to distract monsters away from them, and predicting which ground would cave in (based off his knowledge of his past 50 trips, he managed to memorize that) to help avoid falling.

They were so close. Just a little further. You can still save them and keep your powers.

For the first time in billions of years, he felt… warm. Bright. Hopeful. He can finally save them.

...

Like the last 50 times, this feeling was crushed.

By a meteor.

A meteor that sat in what should have been the cave.

No.

Not again.

He heard the ground rumble like a stomach. Watched it open up like a mouth and swallow up any hope he would ever have. And where the monster that was hell was now full, Abaddon felt empty. A pit in his stomach that wanted to just pull him into the lava with them.

51st times the charm.