Prologue [A clearing, two miles from the still smoldering ruins of the Amazon village]

Gabrielle, Bard Queen of the Amazons writes....

The situation seems so hopeless and overwhelming. We've buried our fallen sisters and secured our position. Yet, we still have so much to do. David has just rejoined Angela, Francesca, and Livia in the future and is preparing for the inevitable assault to come.

Xena tells me that we'll overcome these hurdles, but for once, I have my doubts....

Chapter 1 [Dahak's realm]

Deep within the fiery bowels of the unholy realm, Dahak brooded over the recent defeats. Most recently, he still felt angry over the mixed results in Amazon lands. While it was true that Velasca had leveled the village and wiped out many Amazons, in addition to pushing Dubois and Eve further toward their inner darkness, hope still remained bright among his adversaries. Now it was Lousain's turn to strike...and he hoped for greater success from this last offensive.

A scream of pain echoed off of the walls toward him, causing him to momentarily forget about his problems. The guards who had allowed Hope to escape were being disciplined. After a few hundred lashes from the fiery whip, they wouldn't be so apt to fall short again. Still, the dark lord grew restless. He didn't want his enemies to recover and plan a counter strike. Hopefully, the wizard would be ready soon.

As if on cue, a bright flash appeared in the corner, signaling the other's arrival. Once the flare had faded, the ebon-haired and bearded wizard strode up to the front of the room and sat in the seat just off to Dahak's right.

"So, is it done?" the demon lord inquired impatiently.

Lousain held up his hands, allowing the sleeves of his robe to bunch up at his elbows. Circling his wrists, two golden bracelets reflected the blood-red light of the signal fires. After a minute, they glowed with a faint blue light of their own. "It is," he agreed. "My forces are ready and await my signal, Dahak."

"Very good," Dahak agreed, allowing his fangs to show through as he grinned. "My forces are ready as well." Standing up, he moved into the center of the room, considering their options. "How many trolls do you have?"

"Close to half a million," the wizard indicated, flexing his hand. The surrogate limb still ached after years of use. Fifteen years before, his attempt to conquer the Inner Realms and Outer Earth had proven costly as his trolls were butchered, his sanctuary defiled, and at the end, his hand as well to the cursed Farali's axe. Over the years, he had sworn to avenge that indignity.

"Are fifteen years a long enough time?"

"Most definitely," the wizard concurred. "And if I had my way, I would not wait another minute longer!"

"Then don't," Dahak replied. "I've prepared a portal for you. Signal the advance. It's time to move out on our enemies."

The lord of the Dark Lands nodded. "It shall be done..." Waving a hand, he induced the flame to burn higher and brighter. "Hear me, my followers! After the years of waiting, it's time once again! Destroy the forces of light! Take what's ours!"

The flames parted a bit, allowing them a view of the assembled horde on the other side. As far as the eye could see, cadres of trolls clamored, waving their battleaxes and swords in the air, and expressing their eagerness for the conflict.

"Loritor!" Lousain called.

At the head of the group, the lieutenant bowed his head slightly. "Yes, Milord?"

"Take your forces to Nurrengaard and storm the accursed citadel!" the leader commanded.

"It shall be done," the troll agreed.

"Melitor," the wizard called.

From the left, the slightly older beast ambled forth. Despite the scar in his left shoulder, he was still the best fighting monster in the dark legions. "Milord?"

"I've got a treat for you," Lousain declared.

"Dubois?" the demon hissed expectantly, rubbing the old wound.

"Indeed, take 2000 of your best warriors to Outer Earth and deal with him and his ilk! I trust I don't have to give you any additional motivation."

The troll leader snarled angrily, remembering his encounters first with Dubois and then, with the latter's daughter. "Consider it done, Lord."

The wizard nodded and opened a portal beside the latter leader's group. "Then, go!"

The trolls marched into the portal, vanishing from view.

Following them, Loritor turned the remaining forces to the west and began the march toward Nurrengaard. The struggle was renewed and this time, there would be a different result....

Chapter 2 [Althanor]

Cybelle paced the shores of the lake with concern. Granted, it was great to see Dave up and about after his wound had nearly killed him, but she knew that he wouldn't take the time to heal properly. Not with the current situation in any event. "At least Angie'll keep an eye on him," she told herself as she headed for the House of Healing.

Once inside, she inspected the rows of pallets on which the wounded Amazons lay impatiently, resting and allowing the herbs to do their work. Velasca's attack had left them badly injured, but the women hoped to be back on their feet soon.

"Goddess knows they'll be needed soon enough," the high priestess muttered.

Genaria hurried over and acknowledged, "Mother."

The recently proclaimed head priestess squirmed uncomfortably. While she knew that the title and rank went with the position, she wasn't comfortable with them as of yet...at least not the responsibility which went with them. "How are the Amazons?"

"They're recovering," the younger priestess informed her. "Hopefully, by tomorrow, a few of them will be completely healed."

The elder woman nodded. "And Hope?"

"She's resting in her hut under guard as per your request."

Cybelle sighed. "Good. Keep an eye on her. Despite the conflict with her father, she needs to be watched carefully."

The other bowed slightly at the waist and departed to check on the aforementioned guest.

Noticing that Varia was circulating among the recovering patients, Cybelle approached the former queen. "How's your arm?"

The former queen flexed her elbow. "Thanks to your healing herbs, I'm much better, thanks."

"It's good that you heal quickly, Varia. We'll need your leadership skills very soon," the priestess indicated.

"My sisters and I await Queen Gabrielle's order, Priestess," the Amazon noted. "After that, we'll fight to the last of our number."

"I fear that time may not be long in coming," Cybelle stated, a tremor of anxiousness creeping up her spine. "My brother has told me of his experience with these forces we shall face. They have never penetrated the Great Veil as of yet, but with the power of Dahak, who knows?"

"Your brother? You mean our queen's friend? David Dubois?"

"Indeed," Cybelle responded. "He's my elder brother and survivor of two encounters with the demons of darkness."

"Was that where the shoulder wound came from?" Varia wondered.

"Yes," the priestess agreed. "From one of the darkest of dark forces-the Phantom Priests. If Lousain stands against us, they'll be called into the fray as well."

"So, it is against these forces which we stand?" Varia posed, her eyebrow twitching, betraying her anxiousness to get on with it.

"It is. I just wish that this would have happened before the last High Priestess passed on to the Other Side."

The Amazon reassured her. "Sometimes, the situations pick us and not the other way around. It is meant for you to lead the Priestesses and for us to stand together, Cybelle. It was also meant that your brother should take the battle to the dark ones."

"I know," Cybelle concurred, staring into the mist. "Sometimes, I wonder what the Mother has in mind for us all."

*****

[Faerie Lands]

On the other side of the mists, the Faerie Empress wondered about many of the same things. True, she was the source of light for all living things, but for how long could she hold out against the combined dark forces? "The last time Lousain struck against Nurrengaard, I was barely able to hold back the tide. Who knows what will happen this time?"

"We'll find out soon enough," a familiar voice replied.

In front of her, a familiar old man entered her realm. His snowy white hair and beard not to mention his gait identified him immediately. "Grimwilkin. How opportune."

"Indeed, Milady," he agreed, bowing ever so slightly. "We have a problem as I'm sure you know."

"Yes. Once again, Lousain has returned," she declared. "And Dahak is by his side."

"Even now, Meroli fortifies the gates of Nurrengaard against the coming storm. Although I suspect, the trolls will strike elsewhere first."

"Outer Earth," she realized, an eyebrow perking with interest. "They mean to take the fight to Dubois and his friends then?" Turning, she studied the elderly face in front of her. Grimwilkin wouldn't bring such dark tidings unless they were true. "How long until the trolls reach the Citadel?"

"About a week and a half at their current pace. Lousain could teleport them ahead as well," the wizard replied.

That was their quandary. Where should they place their forces? Earth or Nurrengaard?

"What is your advice, O' Wise One?" she requested earnestly.

"Let's see how this develops. I will say that Ferali the Gnome will not stand for his brother in arms being attacked and doing nothing about it," Grimwilkin told her. "Meroli has granted him leave to travel to Earth at the first sign of trouble."

"And you?" the Empress asked.

"I shall accompany him. As you know, when the darkness spreads across the land, it will trigger the blade fragment embedded in David's shoulder. We need to keep his transformation under control."

"Bring him and the others to Nurrengaard. There, I will meet with them. The other immortals...vampires as they are referred to on Outer Earth...they will be needed as well," she advised. "Nicolas de Brabant and Lucius of Pompeii are of strong character and veterans of vicious wars. Along with Xena and Gabrielle, they shall lead our last line of defense. Meantime, I shall send one of my attendants to fetch their clones. We'll need their help as well."

"It shall be done, Empress," he agreed. "With your leave, I depart." Receiving a nod, he disappeared into the mist.

Now that all of the pieces were just about in place, she glanced around at her paradise, hoping that all would remain as it is-not knowing if it would or not.

*****

[Heaven]

Far above the clouds, two archangels and a regular angel were concerned with this matter as well. Staring into their viewing portal, an unlikely trio watched as the events unfolded.

Michael grimly stared at the trolls' march. He had warned Dubois of the consequences. Once the other had defied him, he had set these forces in motion.

Raphael watched these events with anxiousness. He admired the mortals and didn't want anything to happen to them.

Lorenzo, for his part, couldn't contain his fear for his family. The concern was obvious to those around him. Knowing the outcome, he turned from the fountain and proclaimed, "This is madness!"

"I warned him, Lorenzo," Michael told the deceased grandfather.

"But...?" the other started to question but held back. No matter how he felt, he wouldn't question the Greater Good.

"But what?" Raphael asked. "It's all right."

"No, begging your pardon, Raphael, but it's not. Why should David have gone through more torment? He dispatched Dijon, did he not?"

"He did, but there was another purpose to be served," the blond archangel explained patiently. "We need David to return to the Pit."

"And he will do so?"

"It's unavoidable," Michael continued. "He will face Lousain again. I am allowing the gnome to accompany him."

Lorenzo shook his head, not comprehending the other's rationale. Finally, he walked off, leaving the two archangels behind.

Raphael started after him, but Michael said, "No, let him go. It will all work out somehow. Lorenzo needs to learn this for himself. Now, come. We must plan for our role in this affair."

With that, the two archangels departed from the area, already planning for the next phase of the events to come.

Chapter 3 [Tucson]

Nick lay awake in bed, listlessly tossing and turning. It had been a long week at work. Ramirez had been antsy. Tracy had been sick for three days with some weird flu. Finally, Schanke, fresh off of a fight with Myra, proved a bear to deal with during their shifts together.

Despite all of these issues, his concern for Dave really occupied his thoughts. After watching the professor beat LaCroix in the museum, he knew that the situation had taken a definitive turn. He just didn't know how widely things had gone awry.

After his friends' return, Angie had told him, Natalie, and Alyce about the battle between Dave and Velasca. Of particular note was the renewed pain from the blade fragment in the professor's shoulder. As the oncologist had explained, Dave had received the wound while fighting Lousain in the inky darkness of the Pit.

In the days since, the darkness bleeding off of his friend overwhelmed the immortal detective's senses, telling him that the Child was struggling to gain control. But, worst of all, Nick felt himself being pulled back in time...

****

He saw Dave as a young man, facing LaCroix for the first time. The latter had hypnotized Tony Samuelssohn and ordered him to dismiss the class. Even then, the History graduate burned with rage over the intruder's arrogance. He also recognized his former master's disdain, underestimating the conflict brewing within the mortal.

"I shall deal with you when the time is right," the Elder stated.

"And what, pray tell, is the name of my creditor?" the young man posed indignantly.

"You may call me LaCroix...LaCroix...LaCroix..." the immortal's voice echoed as the scene began to blur, a scarlet sheen bleeding across the image.

****

When the scene came back into focus, he saw Dave bolting up the front lawn of a handsome home now fully armed with the familiar bow and shafts. The student wore deep concern across his face, fearing for his mentor's life. Halfway there, an Oriental vampire intercepted him.

"Don't worry about man. He'll be dead soon enough as will you!"

Dave challenged him, but the words weren't clear. As the vampire backhanded the former, once again, the picture began to take on the reddish hue.

At that point, the Child glared at the attacker. "Ah'm free!" Using the shafts and his powers, he staked the Enforcer and disposed of two others before coming face to face with their leader, Bertrand du Dijon. After a short exchange of blows in which the Burgundian had set fire to the house, they parted, exchanging vows of revenge against each other.

Dragging his professor onto the lawn as well as the papers from the safe, Dave screamed his rage to the stormy skies, exchanging blasts with the storm's lightning reports. "DIJJJOOOONN!!!"
****

Next, Nick found himself in a dark place, lit only by the dim torches. In some ways, it reminded him of the Moorish prison where he had languished during the Crusades. All around him, several types of beings fought fiercely, the blood flowing freely, and the screams echoing about the room.

He found Dave slashing and bashing what must have been the trolls. Finally, the librarian reached the dais where Angie was strapped down. As before, he eliminated most of the dark robed creatures. However, one of them stabbed him with an ornate ebony blade in the shoulder before a tall man with dark hair and beard blasted him into a daze. After a few moments, the Child once again emerged...and dealt with his attackers before collapsing again.

****

Briefly, his mind flashed into a wondrously lush place with the smells of dew and flowers not to mention a gentle breeze wafting through his hair. About twenty feet in front of him, he saw Dave being examined by a gaunt man with a long flowing beard and an ornately dressed woman with a luminous glow.

She told the librarian. "The darkness has taken root in you, tapping into the hurt and anger there."

"Can you help me?" he wondered.

"Sadly, I cannot. Once you have faced the hurdles in front of you, then you and the Child must resolve your issues. Before that, you must face LaCroix and Dijon again," she told him as the image blurred again....

****

Now, he was back in the Raven's familiar surroundings. In front of him, Xena and LaCroix stood primed to do battle, but once again, he heard his friend's insulting remark, "Do you really think he would tell, LaCroix? For once, come down off of that high horse of yours...of yours...of yours."

****

Finally, he found himself back in his bed, his face perspiring with tiny splotches. The string of experiences he had just experienced told him two things. First, he realized that the bond between him and his friend had strengthened. Then, his friend's anger and spite toward the Elder had increased over the years. Sooner or later, one and only one would walk away from a final encounter between them.

"Nick?" Alyce asked, the concern very evident in her voice.

He glanced at the door to see her standing there. Her robe was askew and the slight breeze ruffling through her ebony hair. "I'm okay, Alyce."

She shook her head, frowning knowingly. "I don't think so." Crossing the area rapidly, she continued to press, "Please, Nick. Don't shut me out."

He sighed deeply. As much as he wanted to protect her, he realized that she would never accept being treated that way. "I'm concerned," he revealed, pulling on a robe over his silk pajamas.

"About what?" she inquired. "Granted, there's a lot going on, but we've dealt with it. Haven't we?"

"LaCroix's still pretty upset," he pointed out.

"Well, that can't be helped, Nick," she replied, fighting the tremor of fear inside of her.

"We shouldn't be looking for more trouble," he countered, staring out the window toward the mountains to the west. "Still, we have bigger problems than that."

"Such as?"

"What if whatever attacked the Amazons comes here? As Angie told us, the trolls have invaded here before," he worried.

She nodded. "Right. Well, I think we should prepare ourselves. However, worrying overly much about the issue isn't going to help us right now."

He turned to her, embracing her tightly against him. While the Vampire craved blood, he wanted her companionship...her touch...to feel her warmth. Here at least, he felt safe and wanted.

****

Across town, Natalie looked out of her apartment window toward the east. The night looked so serene and peaceful. Yet, based on what Angie had just told them, she knew the peace couldn't last. Behind the pleasant vistas lurked something darker. While she couldn't see it, she felt something ominous.

At her feet, Sidney brushed against her, purring with concern.

"You feel it too, huh?" she wondered, stroking his back. "I know I shouldn't be so concerned, but..."

"...but things involving Dave tend to turn out for the worse," Steve finished the statement as he entered the room.

"You would know," she noted humorously.

"Yeah, I would," he agreed, rubbing her shoulders. "And I thought I was the tense one." For two minutes, his hands kneaded her tight muscles, loosening the tension.

"Mmm...that's better," she murmured appreciatively, closing her eyes and allowing a smile to crease her lips. "You should've been a masseuse."

"I'll give it some thought," he supposed humorously. Certainly, it was better to be that way than to fret over the next oncoming crisis...

****

LaCroix removed his headset and shut down the radio console. Once again, the Nightcrawler ruled the airwaves. Just about any topic he threw to his audience as a discussion point received enthusiastic responses. Their appreciation was gratifying to say the least. Making sure that the studio was locked; he took to the air, flying rapidly to the El Gato Negro.

Upon reaching the club, he entered through the front door, muscling past the vermin who waited for entrance as well. Descending the stairs, he sat at the bar, observing the other customers dancing, drinking, and conversing. The room was full...yet the Elder felt alone. His children weren't there. How he longed for Nicholas and Alyce to be at his side. A quick brush with their minds revealed many things. As always, the familiar noxiousness of his son's guilt overwhelmed everything else. However, there was something else more striking. Suddenly, images flooded the Roman's brain...memories of his first encounter with Dubois in the classroom nearly two decades earlier. How was Nicholas seeing these things? Then, he realized the answer. Somehow, the two men had forged a bond and shared feelings between each other.

"I should have disposed of the mortal when I had the chance," he hissed. Seeing Janette approach from behind the bar, he greeted his former daughter, "Greetings, Janette."

"Bon Soir, LaCroix," she replied hospitably. "Might I offer you a drink?"

"Oui," he replied, albeit a bit testily. "Blood wine and not that swill I've seen you give to Nicholas."

She frowned, allowing her anger to color her cheeks. "Of course not! I cannot abide it either, but his preferences are his own. But if my stock isn't good enough for you..."

"No," he assured her. "Your wine is certainly that. I just...have a great deal on my mind tonight."

"Indeed," she concurred. "I could tell from across the room...even through...shall we say...a second hand link?" Seeing his surprise, she continued, placing the drink in front of him, "My link to Nicolas allows me to feel you as well."

"Then you know the source of my discomfort," he snarled, taking a ferocious gulp from the goblet.

From their long association, the vampiress could guess. "Dubois. Ah yes, how are you doing with that defeat by the way."

"Not tonight, Janette," he advised firmly.

"But there is the matter of the link between him and Nicolas, no? That is something you created, LaCroix," she pressed.

"And you have?" he asked indignantly.

She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples as if fighting a migraine. "Oui. I have seen his rage with my eyes, but yet, I have felt the unending rage sweep over me like a tidal wave through Nicolas." She hesitated for a second, allowing the words to hang in midair. Then, she continued, "Rage directed at you."

"How unique," he groused, taking a sip from the glass. The irony of the situation wasn't lost on him. Just as he had brought Nick across and had killed Divia, so had he provoked the final stages of Dubois' transformation. In a way, his miscalculations mirrored those of Julius Caesar. Although Xena had been a force in her own right before their meeting, Caesar's cruelty had turned her toward good and initiated her quest for redemption. It was a quest that had crossed their paths in both his mortal and immortal incarnations on several different occasions.

"And now, what will you do?" she posed, taking a saucy sip from her own cup. "Hmmm?"

Fighting back a bit of irritation, he inquired, "Meaning?"

"Meaning, how will you win Nicolas back to us if you cannot deal with Dubois and Xena? The path goes through them."

"Perhaps, he replied, feeling the germ of an idea forming in his mind. Perhaps, there was a way, but it would take some further planning on his part. Finishing the glass, he continued to plot, allowing the seed to take firmer root in his mind.

Chapter 4 [A few hours earlier]

The university campus lay quiet after the evening's classes let out. For the moment, the brisk pace of learning had ceased, allowing the university time to recharge itself for the following day's activities.

In his office, Dave studied a chronicle pertaining to the latter Crusades, attempting to lose himself within the Latin text. Knowing that Nick might have been involved in the events described in front of him, the professor wondered how the Cathars had felt as waves of Christian knights crashed over them, destroying everything they knew. Then, more in relation to his current reading, he mused at how the Christians in turn felt as they were swept from Outremer by the advancing Mamluks.

Allowing his mind to snap back to the present, he wondered if that was what awaited them. For the past week, the metallic fragment in his shoulder had burned, sending telltale signs of pain throughout his body. From these harbingers, he gathered that it wouldn't be long until Lousain made his move.

Then, he felt a familiar emptiness...so much like LaCroix...yet not. "Divia, show yourself," he directed to the shadows.

The vampiress semerged from the darkened hallway. "Impressive. So, it's true. You can sense our kind."

"It's the stench," he baited, flipping another page and giving her a sideways glance. "Office hours are over. What is it?"

"You, actually," she noted. "I wanted to observe someone like myself...someone whose essence is bound to darkness. Someone whose hatred for the father figure shapes what he is."

He sniggered, "There's a lot more to me than that, Toots."

"Is there?" she doubted, walking into the room and staring at him. "On the contrary, we're both angry children: lost, yet determined to gain vengeance."

He laughed. "Oh, I get it. This is about LaCroix, isn't it? Well, I hate to burst your bubble, Sweets, but I enjoy his misery as an ongoing project too much to end it now." Seeing her face flush with anger, he continued, "You could learn a bit about subtlety, you know?"

"And you have?" she debated.

"I'm the rational side, Honeybunch," he pushed sarcastically. "Apparently, my darker half takes care of the destructive stuff."

"But its so liberating," she argued.

He counted to ten, fighting the surge of anger rising within him. "Look, if you're trying to subvert me for Dahak, you're doing a lousy job of it."

"He doesn't know I'm here," she revealed.

"Oh right," she scoffed.

"Really," she fumed. This mortal was really starting to get on her nerves at this point.

He frowned as he put the book back on the shelf. This conversation was getting really tedious, especially under his current circumstances. "Look, I've gotta split." Giving her a mental shove out the door, he secured the door and turning his back on her, walked out the door and toward the east.

"Don't you turn your back on me!" she roared angrily. By now, she was fully vamped out.

"Watch me," he called over his shoulder.

"If I can't have your assistance one way, I'll have it another," she hissed, zipping at him.

But as quick as she was, he was faster. He fired a warning pulse, deliberately missing her by about a foot. "Ah...I'm not going...ta..warn ya...you again."

She kept advancing despite his warning. "You will help me!"

"Suit yaself," he muttered, feeling the Child operating cooperatively. With a single burst, he knocked her unconscious. However, in the process, he received a jolt of pain as a reward. Rubbing the tender spot again, he groused, "Someone really needs to work on her attitude." As the pain increased, he rushed to get to his car, hoping to get home before it overwhelmed him, but forgetting about her in the process.

****

Across town, Livia sat at the Duboises' dining room table grading papers. With each essay, she grew increasingly angry.

"How can she tolerate this?" she ranted.

"It's called living a modern life," Angie stated from the door of her study. "Could you keep it down please? The girls are sleeping."

The conqueror scowled defiantly, but due to the link between her hostess and her mother, she knew better than to start something.

"History's fun, isn't it?" the doctor inquired, trying to start a conversation. "Dave thinks so."

"Not when these fools don't know what really happened," Livia replied tersely. "I can't believe that oration I had to give today...defending Eli. Simpering fool."

"Eve doesn't think so," Angie commented, trying to remain calm. At times like these, dealing with her husband's moods had its advantages.

"She's a weakling."

"Not as much as you think," Angie responded, folding her arms across her chest. "You might learn something from her and vice-versa."

"I'm sure your husband has such dialogues?" she posed amusedly.

"He does," the hostess countered. "And both sides benefit."

"That we do," Dave agreed, entering the apartment. "Angie's right, you should try it sometime. Nice self control today by the way."

She nodded appreciatively. "So how do you...?"

"Keep my composure? Sometimes, it's really hard, but I need a job so that we can eat."
"Good point," she conceded, sipping on the coffee concoction in front of her,

"Speaking of the wise wonders, you have Freshman 101 in the morning," he chuckled, sipping on a cup of tea.

"AGAIN?" she exclaimed. "Those children know nothing!"

He giggled at the remark.

"Dave, cut it out," Angie directed, elbowing him.

"She's right, Princess. They think the piece of paper is everything. Such are the wonders of our modern educational system. Fortunately, there are some of us who don't believe in giving free rides. Count Francesca, me...and Eve in that camp," he argued.

"Oh right," their guest scoffed.

"No, she doesn't. Give her some credit, will you?" he argued, feeling as if he was having another debate with the Child.

"I suppose," she agreed, dropping it. "Was your...er...oration stimulating?"

Angie studied him. For some reason, he was worked up over something. "Well?"

"The class went fine, but I had a visitor afterwards," he noted, taking another sip of his tea.

"Visitor?" his wife pushed. "Who?"

"Her niece," he replied, motioning toward Livia.

"Divia?" the conqueror wondered. "How?"

"It seems that Dahak's security's getting really lax," he started, and then he rubbed his shoulder as another wave of pain cut through him. "Anyhow, get this. She asked me to help her and she promised to help me."

"And what did she ask of you?" Livia pushed.

"Oh just my help in eliminating your stepbrother," he revealed. "Tempting, but I don't think so."

"As if you wouldn't want to get rid of him," their guest doubted.

"He's a royal pain all right," Angie replied. "Still, I hope you weren't too tempted, Dave."

"I want him dead, but it's not worth my soul in the bargain," he concurred.

"So, where's Divia?" the oncologist wondered.

He winced. "Crap! I knew there was something I forgot! I blasted her and walked away."

Angie shook her head and paced the room. "You walked away and left her there? Dave, come on!" she lectured.

"The way this thing's killing me..." he started, allowing his mind to scan the vicinity. "Shit!"

"Not there, huh? Way to go, Hotshot," his wife baited.

"There are two places where she could go," he noted, heading to the phone and dialing Nick's number. After ten rings and no message or machine, he sighed, guessing at the cause. "Let's go." Rising slowly from the chair, he thought for a minute. "What about the kids?"

Seeing the light from the apartment across the way, she said, "Seems that Francesca's still up. Let's see if she can watch them for a few minutes."

Livia looked at her hosts in confusion. "How are we going to get across town now?"

"We're going in the Horseless Carriage again," he quipped, leading them out the door.

A few minutes later, they were streaking west. Livia stared out the window, marveling at the dizzying speed and hoping that she could intercede before her niece was permanently hurt or worse.

Chapter 5

Nick and Alyce had curled up together in his bed. Although neither was really relaxed, the two immortals had managed to doze off.

From outside of the window, Divia scowled to herself. Nicholas had apparently come to grips with his immortality. Worse still, it seemed that the woman with him was another of Lucius' children. "They're too happy." After allowing her anger to seethe for another moment, she crashed through the window. Before the two sleeping vampires could fully react, she was on them, flinging them to opposite ends of the room.

"Oh, how this will hurt Lucius!" she crowed gleefully as she walked over to the curator. Seizing her victim by the throat, the ancient attacker raised Alyce into the air. "Another of Lucius' converts! Another victim!" Her nails raked her victim's face over and over again, drawing blood.

Nick, having regained his senses, bulled into Divia, separating her from Alyce. After LaCroix had brought her across, he wouldn't let it happen again. Turning to his companion, he instructed. "Alyce, go!"

"But, Nick, I can't leave you alone with her!" she protested.

"I SAID GO!" he insisted, deflecting a blow from the blonde attacker. Feeling the familiar vibrations from outside, he continued, "The elevator! Turn it on!"

She nodded, not wanting to leave, but sensing the cavalry outside. Streaking away, she determined to activate the system and get back there as soon as possible.

Meanwhile Divia had landed a vicious left cross, sending her grandchild/brother across the room. "This really isn't personal, Nicholas. I do like you, but business is business!" she declared, raking his face repeatedly. "You're so pathetic." Flinging him down to the floor, she broke off a shard of oak from the dresser and approached him. Towering over him, she held the stake high in the air.

Then, through the glass, she heard a taunting voice, "Couldn't stay 'way, could ya?"

She knew the voice was Dubois' yet the tone was the Child's. Glancing in that direction, she saw him hovering somehow in midair, levitating more than three stories off of the ground.

"Ah said back away!" the Dark One hissed, blasting her away from Nick.

The attacker reconsidered her options. Dubois had released his darkness again, taking this fight to a whole new level. Based on their last encounters, she didn't recall him being able to levitate. "Come on if you dare!" she challenged.

"Keep yer toga on, Bitch!" he growled, fighting off another wave of pain. Being that close to her, the shard burned even more. "Ready for your next whuppin'?"

Snarling wordlessly, she flung herself into him, sending them through the bedroom door and down the stairs into the loft's main living area, landing with a sick thud.

He kicked her back across the room. "Is tha' your best? Ah sure as Hell hope not!"

She reevaluated the situation. Besides the levitating ability, he was much stronger than she remembered. Looking where his top had torn open during the impact, she saw the glowing scar. "Lousain's damn magic!" she hissed. Forcing herself to stand, she charged him again.

He laughed heartily, backhanding her hard and sending her across the room. "Come n' git it!" he pushed.

Not willing to take a hint, she readied herself again and charged...only to be stopped by a whirring blur streaking between them. "Stay out of this, Xena!" she hissed.

"I don't think so," the warrior disagreed, catching her weapon and drawing her sword. Somehow, they needed to stop this fight lest Nick's loft be destroyed like Wabash's downtown.

"No!" Livia protested, flipping across the area and landing between the combatants. "I won't let you die, Divia!"

"Auntie Livia, how sweet....I do appreciate it. Really. But he has to die!" the immortal teenager dismissed.

The conqueror stepped between them again. "This stops now."

"Outta mah way!" the Child roared.

"Cool it!" Xena asserted, restraining him.

Reflecting the increased strength, he flexed, knocking the warrior across the room. "Ah...said...no," he snarled. Firing a pulse, he knocked Divia unconscious. "Git outta mah way 'less ya wanna be next."

The Warrior Princess and Nick exchanged glances. This was the moment they had feared would come...the point where the Child was totally out of control.

The former Crusader glanced about, looking for something to deal with the situation. Then, his eyes fell on the counter where a piece of sack cloth lay in plain view. Zipping faster than the eye could follow, he picked up the item. Feeling the piece burning his hands, he rushed over to his friend's side and shoved the cloth onto the wound.

If they were waiting for a reaction, it didn't take long. The wound began to smoke and bubble. For his part, the Child howled, "Arrrggghh!"

The two counteracting forces of light and dark repelled each other with such force that an explosion knocked the group off of their feet. A blinding light filled the room for a moment and then faded.

Xena stood first and looked around. Seeing the cloth, she picked it up and looked it over. It seemed as if it were from a robe or something. "What is this?"

"It...was a piece of the priest's vestments at Jaffa when we fought our battle there in 1291. He was extremely pious," Nick declared, getting up and helping Alyce to her feet.

The warrior nodded and continued to look about her. Then, she heard a familiar voice call out, "Mother?"

Turning, she saw her daughter rise, but the expression told her that it was Eve. "Eve!" she exclaimed, hugging her tightly.

"Wow..." Dave sighed, rubbing his head. "The last thing I remember is standing outside of the apartment. Then, there was this brilliant light."

"The light of faith," Eve informed him. "I saw it too." Seeing Divia's unconscious form, she wondered, "What do we do with her?"

"Hopefully, Cybelle can figure something out," Xena replied. "Are you all right, Nicholas?"

"No permanent damage," he reassured them.

"I'm okay..." Alyce insisted, heading for the fridge. "I just need blood."

"Thanks, everyone," the detective expressed.

"No problem," Dave indicated, walking over to the window and scanning the horizon. Despite the miracle they had just experienced, the pain in his arm was already regaining its potency. Somehow, the sun hadn't yet risen and already the trouble had begun.

Chapter 6
[The Pit, Dark Lands]

Lousain sat on his throne, overlooking the sacrificial chamber. Despite the effort put into cleaning the area, he could still feel the shame of the loss to Nurrengaard so long ago. He had been so close at that point, yet so far. The battle had hung in the balance...yet he had underestimated the darkness with Dubois.

"I won't make the same mistake again," he hissed, banging his fist into the armrest. In temper, a burst scored the far wall, leaving a mark on the spot.

Loritor bowed fearfully before him. "Milord, we are in position."

The wizard glared at the underling, but restrained himself from incinerating it. "Very well. Move out."

The troll nodded and backed away quickly.

"Are you ready?" Dahak inquired, as the telltale flame appeared in the central brazier.

"We are. I'll be on Earth," the wizard responded, standing up. "If you'll excuse me...." Raising his hands, he disappeared.

Minutes later, the flame burned itself out as the demon lord turned his attention back to the affair at hand.

****

[The Citadel of the Four Winds, Nurrengaard]

All that day, an ill wind had blown from the east, buffeting the fair city with its wrath. High above the cobbled streets, Merlori, the elf lord of the citadel, surveyed the eastern horizon as he witnessed the scarlet red haze hanging low on the horizon. Despite the omens, he hoped that the forces of darkness wouldn't advance beyond the Dark Lands again to threaten his realm anew.

"May the forces of light protect us," he wished, staring into the sky.

"We can all hope for such things," Grimwilkin replied earnestly.

The leader turned to see the aged sorcerer standing side by side with the battle ready gnome. "So, you two are ready, are you?"

"We are," Ferali confirmed, gripping his axe tightly. "With your indulgence, I will leave with Grimwilkin."

"Go. I wouldn't bar you from serving at your brother-in-arm's side in his hour of need. I pray he remembers the need of his lord," the citadel commander relented.

"He will," the wizard agreed. "Have not the needs of our realms always coincided? As before, we shall secure the outer realm first and then return here. So hath the Empress predicted. So shall it be. It is David's destiny to venture into the Pit again." Seeing the doubt in Merlori's face, he reminded the other. "He bears a fragment from the ceremonial dagger of Paldaar inside of him, exacerbating the anger within him. Last evening, he was nearly lost to us. Thankfully, the vampire knight and Xena kept him safe."

"I see," the leader realized. "Well, go forth and fight well. Streaker awaits his rider. Meantime, we will be ready at your signal."

"Thank you. Until the battle, then," the wizard concluded.

Ferali bowed at the waist as well.

With that, the wizard raised his staff to the sky. "Then, let us and our steeds be gone!" In a flash of light, the two travelers vanished from view, leaving the leader alone with his concerns and forebodings for the future.

*****

[Tucson]

After the tumultuous events of the previous evening, the day passed without a noticeable incident at the university. Students came and went. The faculty continued their research.

Just after sunset, Dave stared out his office window at the sky. While there was the usual panorama of colors painted across the sky, a scarlet smudge floated close to the mountaintops. "It's starting," he noted.

"Right on, Bro'," Cybelle concurred as she emerged from the mist. "The evil is on the move."

"Tell me something I don't know," he groused, rubbing the shoulder again. "My shoulder's burning."

"Already?"

"Yeah. That relic should've helped me for a few days at least, but it only reversed things for a while. Within an hour, the damned thing was burning again. By the way, how's Divia?" he replied.

"She's still in stasis." she shrugged. "She'll sleep until I wake her. Hope is still under guard in the Amazon village." Allowing her eyes to glance out the window, she commented, "The sky turns dark. Are you ready?"

"As I'll ever be," he told her, pointing to his bow and shafts. "Eve, Francesca, and I have late classes tonight. Angie's going to be waiting in here. She's got some research to do, and I want her close by in case anything happens."

"Well, Deirdre has taken her sisters to safety," the head priestess noted. "They'll be out of immediate harm's way."

"And how about you?" he wondered.

"I'll be here as well. This is where the demon troops will strike first. Meantime, the Empress has taken charge in the hidden realm. Be prepared for anything," she pointed out.

"When am I not?" he asked, inspecting his weapons. "Well, if you want to wait here, Angie will be by in a few minutes."

Just then, a knocking came from the door. "Dave?" Steve inquired.

"It's open," the professor pointed out.

Walking into the area, the FBI agent took in the two siblings. Obviously, from the stern expression on his face, something had happened.

"Okay, Steve, spill it," Dave urged.

"Nat's waiting at a crime scene over at Himmel right now," Steve recounted. "Nick, Tracy, and Schanke will be there shortly. It looks like a ritual murder."

"Ritual murder?" the priestess probed. "Dave, I need to get over there. Tell Angie I'll be back in a bit." With that, she opened a portal and left the area.

Steve shook his head in wonder. "I'll say one thing about her, Dave. She sure does know how to get around. Speaking of going places, don't you have a class to teach?"

The medievalist stared at his watch. "Yeah, in five minutes. Wanna come and watch?"

"With the others over at the scene, I'd be in the way. Sure, I'll stick close to you," he replied with an air of sarcasm, knowing that if the shit was going to hit the fan, his friend would have the bullseye on his back yet again.

"Be careful, Petersen. I'm giving a quiz to those kids tonight. Keep going and you'll be taking it with them."

"No way. Agent's prerogative," he joked.

"Which prerogative is that? I don't recognize any such thing," the instructor replied curtly, leading them down the hall.

****

A couple of blocks away, Natalie stood up from where she had stooped over the corpse. The victim, a college sophomore of about twenty years of age, had been bound to a stone bench and stabbed multiple times in the chest. Judging from the expression on his face, he had died in terror and agony.

"Some people," she muttered, recalling the last time something like this happened. Just before Divia and Hope appeared outside of Angie's hometown, a string of ritualized murders just like this one had occurred. "I hope we nail the creeps."

"You and me both," Schanke agreed, walking up to her side. Looking over the situation, he winced. "Yeesh! Who or what would do this?" Figuring that his partner would know about this stuff, he asked, "What do ya think, Nick?"

The vampire detective scanned the area with his enhanced senses. Faint traces of blood were all around the bench. In the air, there was a faint odor...almost like a burnt candle. "It's a sacrifice all right. It's fits with what we know."

"And that is?" Tracy wondered.

Seeing the grim expression on Nick's face, Natalie wondered, "What is it, Nick? What happened?"

"Divia attacked again last night. She beat on Alyce and me. Then, Dave showed up and handled her. Something was going on with him. He was nastier, more brutal than usual."

His partners exchanged concerned looks. How could Dave's Child be any more brutal?

"Does this have anything to do with that old injury?" Natalie wondered.

"Everything. Apparently, the metal piece in his arm is acting like a magnet, drawing the energy from whatever is coming. What was the TOD? About 11PM last night?"

"More or less," the coroner concurred. "Was that...?"

"Exactly," he replied. "Angie said that as soon as they arrived, Dave bolted out of the car and changed. He floated up to my window."

"Floated? Yeah right, Nick," Schanke scoffed.

"He did," the other insisted.

"Listen to him," Cybelle's voice urged.

Looking about, they saw the priestess emerge from the mists.

"Umm, this is a crime scene, Cybelle," Tracy pointed out.

"So, are you as expert on the occult as I am?" Cybelle wondered in response.

"Good point," Tracy concurred.

"Are you all right, Nicholas?" Cybelle asked.

"I'm fine. It's your brother that concerns me," Nick stated.

"Yes. Apparently, the treatment didn't work as well as we had hoped. The fight with Velasca affected him greatly, and Divia's appearance more so. That was a very noble thing you did, Nicholas, with the cloth. You stopped a bigger confrontation," the priestess explained.

"I did what I had to do," he replied with a shrug, examining the body anew. There were wooden splinters in the wound as well. Producing a baggie, he took a set of tweezers and secured the fragments for evidence. "We already have a suspect in custody."

"Already?" Natalie asked. "But we just called this one in!"

"Uniforms picked up some robed people making a ruckus on the university campus," Tracy reported. "One of them did have a bloody stake and some smoldering candles."

Cybelle frowned. "You'll find out little from them directly, I'm afraid."

"And you know what we're dealing with?" Schanke inquired half-seriously.

"This is the work of Dahak's followers. The technique, however, belongs to the wizard, Lousain. Angie was once secured like this and nearly suffered his fate. Only the Child saved them all," Cybelle indicated. "I could go with you to question them or to watch."

Seeing the others' concern, Nick proposed, "Is there a way you could stay invisible to the camera and to everyone except for let's say me?"

"It can be arranged," the priestess agreed. "I can tell you when they're lying or which questions to ask."

"Done," the former Crusader agreed. "Let's go."

"I'll be in the lab a little later if you want to stop by," Natalie pointed out as they left.

The others climbed into the Caddy and left for the Precinct.

Chapter 7

The scene inside of the bullpen was tense when Nick and the others arrived there. For convenience sake, Cybelle had vanished from view, but followed them on her side of the mists. As they made their way to their desks, Ramirez intercepted the trio.

"Did you find anything at the scene?" he asked nervously.

"Some splinters in the victim. The area had dried blood all around as well. Natalie and Forensics are wrapping things up there," Nick reported, holding up the evidence from the scene.

"Well, the suspects are waiting for you in Room 1," the captain noted. "Buena suerte con estos."

Tracy winced. "I'm really getting sick of all of this weird stuff."

"All in a day's work, Trace," Nick assured her. "C'mon." Glancing about, his enhanced senses picked up on Cybelle's concealed presence just behind them.

****

Sitting around the table, the four suspects groused about their current situation. Instead of preparing to meet their Dark Lord, they would more than likely be sitting in jail under the watch of these supposedly official morons.

"Hey, before the questions start, can we get some coffee?" one, a skinny man with blond hair and a beard, sassed.

The guard shot him a dirty look. Nick and Schanke could be brutal with their interrogations. For once, this was going to be fun.

Upon seeing the trio enter, the suspects composed themselves for whatever the fools were going to push on them. Soon enough, the situation would change.

"So, when do we get our lawyer?" another of the group, a lanky redheaded woman demanded.

"We can get you one. Of course, that means we would have to book you," Schanke advised her.

The blond studied Nick for a minute. "Cool, Man. You should let us off."

"And why would I do that?" Nick wondered, puzzled by the other man's remark.

"I can sense this darkness about you," the prisoner reported.

Glancing at Cybelle who was hidden in the corner, he saw her shake her head. Then, he pushed on, "You think so?"

"I know it."

Nick turned to the guard and suggested, "Can we have a moment alone?" Seeing the guard hesitate, he locked eyes with his associate, allowing the hypnotic energies to flow forth. "Listen to me, you really do need a cup of coffee. Go ahead. We'll be fine."

"R...Right," the other man agreed and absently left the room, closing the door behind him.

Now that they were alone, the former Crusader turned back to the matter at hand. "Now, what do you know?"

The others smiled confidently. "We know about you, Detective. Our lord has a message for you. Join him."

Tracy and Schanke exchanged nervous glances. With all of the weirdness going on, they didn't need Nick ducking out on them at that point. Worse, the former still remembered how weird Nick acted after that night at the exorcist's chamber.

"I don't think so," Nick declined, shaking his head. "How about you offer me some information instead?"

"Your loss," the blond told him. "Have you looked out the window lately? There's an intense storm coming and you'll want to be with us rather than against us."

"I'll take my chances," Nick replied evenly, not allowing his frustration to show. "If you know about me then you know that I've taken some heavy blows in my time. I stand by my friends no matter what."

"Such as the old lady in the corner there?"

He glimpsed toward Cybelle, but faked, "Who?"

The third prisoner spoke up. "Don't treat us as if we're stupid. We were picked for our abilities. Dahak gave us the ability to peer through illusion."

Schanke chuckled, "That's it!" Rapping on the door, he got the guard's attention. "Get these three booked and to lockup."

As they were being hauled away, the blond inquired, "What about your wife and daughter, Detective? What if they don't survive?"

After the group had left, Tracy asked, "How did they...?"

"Apparently, Dahak's raising the stakes," Nick replied. Extending his senses, he felt something wrong... "Come on!" With his partners following as best they could, he bolted out of the bullpen and down the stairs. Staring up into the sky, he could see the bloody sheen now extending itself across the city. "Damn!"

"What is it, Nick?" she pushed.

"It's starting," the vampire told them. "What do you think, Cybelle?"

"I'd agree," the head priestess stated as she approached them. For the sake of appearances, she disguised herself as a normal person. Scanning the area, she sighed. "There's something in the desert west of the city."

"Something?" Schanke inquired. "As in what? Damn it, Nick, Tracy asked you a question. What the heck's goin' on?"

"Have you heard of the Apocalypse? This may be it," the priestess noted. "I have two stops to make and then, I shall meet you at the university. Good luck!" With that, she faded into the mists.

"What the...?" Schanke wondered in disbelief.

"It's starting...." he reiterated, allowing his mind to flash back.....

****

[1291 Acre, Outremer]

Nick sighed to himself. After almost two hundred years of holding out against the Saracens, the Crusader states had fallen before the Mamluk war machine one by one. With each loss, the Christians had been pushed backward and their territorial holdings were reduced. The troops had hoped for some break...some relief, but none came. Finally, they retreated within the walls of this citadel, hoping for a few days to rest and recuperate.

For two days, the scouts saw nothing coming from the desert. Then, at sunset of the latter day, something caused them to come riding back into the city hard and fast. "Close the gates! For the love of God, close the gates! The Saracens are coming!"

Within minutes, church bells rang frantically within the city, stirring all to arms.

For his part, Nicolas de Brabant dressed and stepped outside. His senses were attuned to the charged atmosphere surrounding the community. Given the amount of panic, nobody noticed as he ducked into an alley and zipped into the air toward the wall. Landing there, he saw a cloud of dust stirring a couple of miles away, signifying the Mamluks' approach.

It seemed the final advance had begun....

****

[Present Day]

"Hey, Nick!" Schanke called, shaking his shoulder. "Don't go strange on us right now, okay?"

"I was just remembering another time and invasion like this one," Nick indicated. "Look, get back inside and keep an ear on the police band. We're going to have problems soon enough."

"And what are you going to do?" Tracy asked skeptically.

"Scout a bit," he told them, taking off into the night sky.

For their part, the two mortal detectives were left speechless, still trying to make sense out of what they had heard.

****

Nick sped across the city as rapidly as he dared. Within minutes, he was flying over the barren desert west of town. So far, he could feel the invading presence, but could see nothing. Then, about five minutes out, he spied them-a small army of creatures corresponding to the description of trolls which Dave and Angie had given him. And they were moving quickly toward the suburbs

"Roughly 2000," he estimated. "Damn!" Turning, he made his way to the east, hoping to pass this information on. Ten minutes later, he had landed outside of the El Gato Negro and ran inside.

"Nicolas, what is it?" Janette wondered, placing a glass in front of him.

"Janette, we need to get everyone...ready...to fight," he gasped, gulping the concoction and feeling some of his strength return.

"Fight? Fight what?" his daughter inquired.

Tracy stood up from where she'd been sitting with Vachon. Approaching him, she asked, "Did you find something, Nick?"

"Que es?" Vachon wondered.

"There's an army of trolls heading this way," Nick revealed. "When I left the precinct, I flew a scouting mission to see what was going on."

"Trolls? You mean like in the nursery rhymes?" his partner scoffed. "C'mon, Nick!"

"They match the descriptions which Dave and Angie gave me!" the Brabantine protested, gulping down a second glass of cow bloodwine.

Janette exhaled deeply. "We need to speak to LaCroix about this. If we are to coordinate anything, Nicolas, he'll have to lead it as the Community Elder."

"Right," he sighed reluctantly, not really wanting to talk to his former master. "Arrange it, Janette. I'll be at the U of A."

"My pleasure, mon Cher," she concurred, picking up the phone as he left and wondering what was going to happen next.

Chapter 8

Even as Nick and the others were trying to prepare themselves for the coming assault, Angie sat in her husband's office with the door locked. While she would have preferred to do her work at the UMC, she understood why Dave wanted her close by. For the past two hours, she had poured over her notes, inputting the information into her laptop, and double-checking the citations.

"I hope it's a false alarm," she said wistfully, stretching her arms to the roof. Then, her senses picked up on something amiss within the room.

"I doubt it," a familiar voice disagreed. "But then, you probably already know that, don't ya?"

She urged, "Ares, come out."

The war god appeared in a flash of light. "Not bad, Angela. Not bad. In fact, only one other person has ever been able to pull that trick on me."

"And what trick is that?" she wondered, trying to look secure. "I'm a telepath just like my husband. I could sense your aura."

"Are you sure that's all there is to it?" he pushed. "I think there's something else."

"Really? Like what?" she retorted coyly.

"When I was healing Xena in the Amazon village, I felt a connection between you two. Now, how could that be?" he continued, staring her in the eye.

"I had just given a piece of myself to heal her before you stepped in, Ares," she commented. "Think of it as a transfusion if you'd like."

He chuckled. "True, but there is a lot more than that going on. I have to admit that I was curious at how Xena managed to pop up so fast when Callisto attacked the House of Healing. Some coincidence, ain't it?" Leaning up against a bookcase, he inquired, "How does she get to your husband's side so fast, huh?"

"She's in tune with my thoughts, Ares," she sighed impatiently. This conversation was getting too close for comfort.

"But this ain't her time," he pushed.

She gave him an intense stare. "There's something you don't understand. As long as any friend of mine is around me, it is her time and place. I don't care if she's ancient, medieval, prehistoric, or whatever! Now, if you don't stop hassling me, I'll sic my hubby on you. He's itching for a fight right now."

Just then, a knock came from the door.

"Yes?" she wondered.

"Angie, it's Eve. What's going on in there?" Eve asked, entering the room. Upon seeing the war god, she scowled. "What are you doing here?"

"Nice to see ya too, Eve. Or is it Livia? I've lost track," he gibed.

"You know who I am, you bastard!" she vented. "Stop bothering my friend needlessly."

"Who's bothering her? I was just looking for your mother is all. I figured that I was in town and we could catch up on old times," he stated. Seeing the two women staring defiantly at him, he continued, "There is a big mess heading this way even as we speak. Your vampire friend has already discovered that. Get ready. Xena will need to be there...one way or the other." With that, he vanished into the shadows.

"What was that all about?" the former Messenger wondered.

"Oh, he dropped in uninvited. What else is new?" Angie retorted, trying to sound nonchalant. "What do you suppose he was getting at?"

"There is great evil in the air, Angie," Eve noted. "I released my class early tonight for that reason."

"I was wondering how you got here when you did," the oncologist mentioned, packing up her reading material. "Yes, I sense it too. I gather that Cybelle is checking it out." Glancing out the window, she saw the bloody red mist against the ebony backdrop. "He's right. The sky is just like the Dark Realm. Lousain has to be close by." She shuddered, recalling the last trip through there. "I can still feel the trolls' clammy touch even now."

Sensing her friend's discomfort, Eve rubbed Angie's shoulder, reassuring her, "It'll be all right, Angie. Be strong."

"Don't worry about that," the doctor stated. "I'll be ready." Looking at the clock on the desk, she presumed, "It's 8:45. Dave should be getting out of class any minute." Then, they heard a crash outside of the window. "What in...?"

Just then, a frantic young woman ran into the building, looking around for assistance. "Help! Monsters!"

Eve looked out the window. On the lawn outside, fifteen trolls were chasing students, tearing up the benches, and causing mayhem. "By Eli! Angie, look!"

Her associate studied the scene as well. "Oh great. Well, it seems that we're about to get involved." Grasping the sword, she initiated the transformation.

Once the change had finished, the warrior looked at her daughter. "Stay put," she directed, running out the door, down the hall, and outside.

****

Dave glanced about at the class with satisfaction. The students took in most of what he had said over the past hour and asked good questions. There were few glazed over expressions.

However, about 8:35, the pain he had been feeling spiked dramatically. Not wanting to cry out in front of the students, he gripped the podium tightly and bowed his head.

"Dr. D?" Brigid Shannon asked. "What's going on?"

Steve watched the events with concern as well. Rising from his chair, he rushed over to his friend's side. "Hey, what is it?"

"Lou---sain," he muttered tersely, shaking all the more. "He's close...here." Collecting himself, he managed to stand straight. "Every...one, Ah...I...need ya to pay attention. I...I'm dismissing class early tonight. Go...home and lock yer...your...doors. Be safe. Class is dismissed."

Despite his dismissal, the students sat frozen in place. Despite the fact that their professor was different, they knew that he wouldn't let them go early unless something was dreadfully wrong.

"You heard him," Steve reinforced, looking around.

Just then, a young girl ran into the room hysterically. "Help me! Monsters!"

"Ma'am, I'm a FBI agent. What's going on?" Steve pursued.

"Th...There are several creatures...outside. They're heading this way," she reported fearfully, shaking like a leaf.

At that point, Dave heard a crash coming from outside followed by a familiar battle cry. "Agent Petersen, can you get...'em outta here?"

"Right," he agreed, motioning for the others to line up.

At that moment, Toni Quintana ran into the room. "Guys, there's something weird going on outside!"

Dave and Steve exchanged looks at one another. It figured that the former couldn't even get through one normal lecture without something bizarre happening.

"Toni, call in the cavalry! You know who I mean!" the medievalist bellowed, while the pain increased.

"I'm on my way!" she yelled frantically over her shoulder as she hurried for the stairs. Whatever was happening, Mutant X was needed badly.

After she had left, the agent declared, "Well, what're you waiting for? Go, get 'em!"