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          Luke took the corporeal form he used when he sired Orophir; he usually did when he addressed his child.  He had to admit Orophir was a handsome creature; and he admitted it was vanity on his part to think that.  Orophir was still young for a Nephelem, and petty as most of them seemed to be, but he had potential and he had already proved useful in introducing forbidden knowledge to The Master throughout the various realities.

          Luke’s plan was well under way and Orophir would play a significant role in the next part.

          Are you prepared?

          Yes father.  I made the objects as you instructed.  I have passed the ones on to The Master you specified and I wield the last one myself to face those in The Order.

          Be sure to use it to full effect.  If you do none of them can stand against you.  Without it you will be overmatched.  But you must be careful and not kill the Dreamer; he must call for help.  Once the Dragon is in play our success is all but guaranteed.

          Surely they cannot be that powerful?  They are half-breeds!

          Do not be an arrogant fool.  Do as I have instructed or we will not succeed.  And remember, they must not discover your identity.  I am taking a great risk involving you but I admit this opportunity is too great to pass up.  If we are successful thousands of realities will unravel, and in the chaos that ensues I will easily assert my dominion.  Michael and the others will be so busy with the fallout they will not have time to focus on me until it is too late.

          And your promise to me?  I will sit at your side?

          Yes.  You will be second only to me.  I will merge all your various incarnations into one being and no one will be able to oppose you.  Do as I have instructed and all this will come to pass.

          I will await your call.

          Orophir felt his father’s presence vanish.  His hand went to the Amulet around his neck; he could hear the Music in it and felt how powerful it was.  The Runes his father taught him were devastatingly powerful and when he had fully mastered them he might even be his father’s equal.    Even with that thought Orophir had no grand scheme of overthrowing his father or being his rival.  He was ambitious as far as wanting a place among his peers but the thought never crossed his mind about replacing his father.

          Every time he met with Luke he was always left with a cold empty feeling inside.  The one thing he truly needed and desired he would never get but he would eternally long for; the love and acceptance of a father towards his son.

The Order - Chapter 19

          They were just trying to survive at this point.  All of them were near the breaking point; hunted and driven into hiding by an Enemy they knew next to nothing about.  The doctor had been taken from them years before he told them anything about their antagonist or what they were involved in.  They had all made it to the United States and to the new Lab and everything seemed to go according to plan for a few years.

          Then one day some men showed up with no warning.  Ken and the others had thought the Lab was a safe haven for them but they were wrong.  He wasn’t sure if the doctor was even still alive; he was taken and they hadn’t seen or heard from him since.

          That day and its events were etched in his mind and heart forever.  That was the day he saw Brad shot down in front of him; the day he felt like half his heart was ripped out of his chest.  Lane was killed in the same fight; he sacrificed himself while helping the rest of them to escape. 

Their Seal Training kept them alive and they managed to escape and go into hiding, but now every day was a struggle just to stay alive.  The Enemy, whoever or whatever they were, was relentless and always managed to find their location no matter how careful they were.   It never seemed to take the Enemy long to discover their new locations so Ken kept them all moving and they never stayed in one spot for more than a few days at most.  They could never let their guard down and they were all exhausted mentally and physically.

          The things they had to do to survive… Ken never thought himself capable of some of the things he had done; none of them did.  And in quiet moments at night, in his deepest thoughts, he wondered if it was worth it.  It would be easier to stop fighting and just give up.  But something inside of him wouldn’t let that happen; some nagging Conviction he couldn’t fathom and didn’t understand.  He had no idea where it came from but when his thoughts turned dark like on this night that strange feeling would wash over him and wouldn’t let him give up.  He had come to hate it but it was too strong for him to ignore no matter how hard he tried.

          Ken wouldn’t let himself be taken by the Enemy, whoever they were, but he was resolved that eventually he would find a way to kill himself in hopes of being reunited with Brad in Heaven.  Once he figured out how to keep the guys safe with a semblance of a normal life again he would go be with best friend and lover, but until that time his resolve had to stay strong no matter what the cost to himself.

          He was especially worried about Bryan, who was sinking further and further into a dark place.  Ken wasn’t in much better shape but he was forcing himself, sometimes minute by minute, to shove the darkness away, or at least hold it at bay, so he could function for the sake of everyone else.  He had to, to keep them all alive.  They looked to him as their leader and he couldn’t let them down.

          Fuck B I miss you so much.  I always thought we’d be together.  I still love you, you know, more than I ever thought I could love anyone.  One day we’ll be together again, but for now I still need to keep these yahoo’s alive.  I can’t give up yet man, I hope you understand that.  I feel like every day without you I die a little more inside.  It hurts B; bad.  Fuck I wish you were here.

          Lost in his private thoughts, Ken heard some light snoring; it was probably Loy or Bill.  Kevin was on watch and Ken saw and heard him periodically as he made his way around the house they were in.    He heard Bryan sniff, trying to cover what he was feeling, but with Ken’s exceptional hearing it was clear.  It was a familiar sound that he made all too often when he tried to sleep and memories of Lane haunted him.

          Ken moved over to where Bryan lay on the floor.  It was too warm for blankets at this time of year and he was sweating slightly.  There was no electricity in the house and even if there was they wouldn’t have run the air conditioner to avoid suspicion.  In the dim moonlight Bryan’s skin look silvery from the light sheen of sweat coating his body and the tears running down his cheeks were bright in in the moonlight. 

          Ken reached out and put his hand on the big ball of Bryan’s shoulder and gave him a firm squeeze of comfort.  He was at a loss for words and didn’t know what to say anymore.  He felt the same way as Bryan… the hole inside him when Brad died was a void that left him adrift and Bryan felt the same way without Lane.  Bryan was so stoic and independent Ken never knew what he was really thinking or feeling behind that handsome stony visage he wore these days.  Ken was beginning to see cracks in Bryan’s behavior and he was worried for his Brother and for what it might mean to the rest of the men if Bryan lost it.

          Bryan’s voice was so soft Ken barely heard him even with his heightened hearing.

          “Fuck I miss him Ken.  I can hear the little shit singing in my head.”

          “I know Bry.  I can still feel Brad beside me sometimes when I lay down.”

          “Fucker had these songs he’d sing to me sometimes.  He called them his ‘Bryan List.’  Sometimes it was cheesy shit but they were songs that always meant something to him about me or us.  Why’d the fucker have to go and get himself killed?”

          “Try not to think too much about it Bry.  I know its hard man.  It’s hard for me too.  I know you don’t wanna forget shit like that but right now it’s gonna get you killed.  You and I both need to suck it up until we figure out how to survive and start fightin’ back.  I need you with us.  All the guys do.”

          Bryan sniffed and wiped his face with the back of his brawny forearm.  He took a deep breath to try and center himself.  His breath caught on the first try, but after a few more deep breaths he seemed calmer.

          Ken patted Bryan’s hard chest a few times, “Atta boy.  Now get some rest.  We need to stay sharp.”

          Bryan rolled his big frame over and tucked one big arm under his head.  He closed his eyes but in his mind, no matter how hard he tried, he could still hear Lane’s voice singing to him.

          Ken finally managed to doze off and had only been asleep for a few minutes when he felt Kevin’s hand on his arm; he was instantly awake and alert.  It was the light touch they used to wake one another; as soon as he felt that three fingered touch he knew not to make any noise.

          Kevin held a finger up to his lips indicating silence and he made the signal for danger and then continued around, waking everyone up.  They all were instantly on alert and started getting what weapons they had ready.

          They left the Lab in such a hurry and hadn’t been able to return; they literally left with the clothes on their backs.  They had tried to return to their houses only to find them under surveillance, so rather than risk a confrontation with an Enemy they knew nothing about they went into hiding.

          Darren had managed to tap into a few of the bank accounts the doc had set up, and that worked for a while until the accounts were eventually blocked.  He managed to pull out some money and start his own stealth accounts and was keeping them afloat as far as money for food and clothing and some firearms, mainly handguns, but they didn’t have any of the gear they really needed to survive.

          Kevin took Ken to a window in the front part of the house and indicated one enemy target to the left.  Ken looked and there was a black Escalade parked half a block down the street from the house.  The house they were hiding in was under construction but nearly finished; with the housing market in Atlanta still in a severely depressed state the builder was letting it sit unfinished and it made a good rabbit hole for them to hide in for a day or two.

          They all gathered their meager belongings and were ready to exit out the back when another three cars quietly pulled up in front of the house; their headlights were off to avoid detection. 

          The last few encounters with their unknown Enemy had gone badly.  New agents showed up that were abnormally strong and fast.  They didn’t have the physical density of Ken or the other ‘Body’s’ but they were far too strong for Bill, Loy, or Darren to take on.   The last time there had also been another man… he was very well dressed and they had no idea how he did it but he started fucking with their minds. 

          None of them were prepared for anything like that, but once again their training saved them.  Darren, Bill, and Loy all focused on that man with everything they had trying to induce fear.  It didn’t exactly work but it did stop his attack long enough for them to escape with no one getting seriously hurt.

          Ken took a look through the small slit in the blinds and his blood went cold.  He saw at least ten of the big muscled guys and three of the ‘suits’.  They weren’t prepared for that.  It took everything Bill, Darren, and Loy had just to stale-mate one of those guys in a suit the first time and there were at least three on their way in.

          He gave the hand signals to Kevin to pass on to everyone else what he saw.   

          They were going to have to attempt an all-out attack and try to kill the well-dressed men first and then high tail it out of there.

          He was just about the give the order to fire when suddenly he couldn’t move; none of them could, and they all heard a voice in their mind:

          This is it.  We finally have you cornered and you can’t escape.   We will get great pleasure out of hearing your screams as you watch your team mates die painfully in front of you.  The Order will finally be obliterated from this world and The Master will reign undisputed.  Mankind will be ours at last!

          Ken had no idea what the guy was talking about.  What was The Order and who was The Master?

          The voice laughed at his confusion.  Oh I see!  Typical for the doctor to leave you in the dark.  Not even knowing who you are or what you were supposed to be… It would have been nicer if you knew more so the significance of your deaths would be apparent to you, but your annihilation will be no less sweet.  We will finally be rid of your stench and rule as we are destined too.

          Ken was helpless.  He was sweating heavily trying to force his muscles to move under his control but he was like a statue.  He felt a cold wave of fear deep in his gut… he didn’t want any of his Team so suffer.  They didn’t deserve that.  He loved all of them like brothers and would gladly die for them. 

          He felt like he had failed them.

          The voice in his mind told him:  You did.  You failed them utterly.  Now you get to watch them die in front of you one by one.  I’m saving you for last.

          Take me you bastard and let them go!  They don’t deserve that!

          That’s where you’re wrong.  You all deserve to die.  You can thank your precious doctor for that.  You are all abominations.  I will get great pleasure in letting him know you are all dead.

          You have him!?  He’s alive!?  You fuckers!

          The only reply Ken heard was laughter in his head and a cold feeling of dread as he and all his brothers were about to die.

          Ken was frozen and couldn’t move so when he heard Bryan say quietly, “Fuck me!  What the hell?”  He saw a light out of the corner of his peripheral vision and knew something was happening but he had no idea what.  He assumed it was the Enemy and things were about to end.  Ken’s eyes watered up in anger and frustration for being caught in a trap, and fear for what was about to befall his teammates.

          Bryan was on the floor, crouched in a corner and ready for whatever came their way.  He heard most of the conversation between Ken and whoever was talking to him in his Mind.  The fact that it was all in their heads was frightening enough.  He felt the malice and evil of the man controlling his body, and try as he might he couldn’t move a muscle.

          Just like Ken, Bryan was steeling himself for the end, hoping it would be quick.

          I love you Little Buddy.  Guess I’ll be seeing you soon fucker.

          Just then two balls of Light appeared in the air, hovering and gently bobbing.  They were breathtakingly beautiful; emitting a golden Light that radiated a warmth like nothing he had ever felt; not a warmth of the body but of the Soul.  After the emptiness in his heart since Lane died it was painfully sweet and his breath caught and his eyes teared up.

Rapidly the orbs coalesced into the shape of two men and Bryan’s heart leapt inside his chest when he recognized one of them as Lane.  The other one was Brad.

          They were dressed in full Kevlar assault gear.  It looked like a much more advanced version of the suits the doctor designed for them.

          “Fuck me! What the hell?”

          Brad and Lane assessed the situation in a fraction of a second.  They felt the presence of the Enemy and knew that all the guys were being controlled.  Unable to mask their Aura’s they both knew the well-dressed men outside would sense them immediately.

          Brad:  Looks like we got here just in time.

          Lane: Fuck I hate cutting it this close.  They’re already freaked out by the mental shit going on.  Seeing you and me is gonna really blow their minds.

          Brad: OK we need to take out all the Agents here.  They can’t report back to anyone that we’re here.  I’ll block the suits.  We’re both still charged up enough to handle the Protectors.  I’m going to keep a lock on the guys until the fight is over.  I don’t know how they’ll react to us and I don’t want any of them getting hurt.

          Lane:  Alright Brad.  We need some fighting music.  Airwolf or S.W.A.T?

          Brad: I’ll take Robert Urich over Jan Michael Vincent any day.  And Steve Forrest too!  WOOF!

          Lane: You slut.  Does Ken know about that little fantasy?

          Brad:   He thinks the same thing so don’t even try and go there.

          Lane:  OK time to rock and roll.  You set?

          Brad: Let’s go.

          The theme from S.W.A.T. started playing in the air around them.  None of the guys had a clue where the cheesy 70’s theme show was being broadcast from but the sound filled the room.

          Brad reached out and roughly grabbed the Minds of the three well-dressed men.

          OK you fuckers!  Time to show you who you’re really dealing with.  We don’t take kindly to you trying to kill us.

          Brad felt the fear and confusion of all three ‘suits’ as he easily shattered their shields and took over their minds.  At the same time he kept a lock on Ken and the others.  The ‘suits’ were astounded at how powerful he was.

          Lane:  You’re such a showoff.  You didn’t leave anything for me.

          Brad:  OK how about we show them together.  Let’s Light ‘em up!

          Lane took ahold of Brad’s hand and they merged completely.  Their breath caught slightly at the sudden emotional intimacy.  It was just as powerful between them as Brothers as it was between their Soul mates; different but just as powerful.  The purity of their Souls shone through and Brad amped up their Aura’s and literally burned the suits up.  Their bodies turned to ash inside their tailored suits as the Darkness inside of them was obliterated by their Light.

          The Protectors didn’t know what to make of what they were witnessing.   From everything they had been told their targets were on their last leg and unable to fight back and they were unprepared for what they just witnessed.  Fear of failure kept the leader of the group from calling their mission and retreating.  He pointed to two of his men, “You two leave now.  Make sure He knows what just happened and send backup.  The rest of you with me.”

          He planned to surround the house and pin Ken and the other’s down until backup arrived.

          Lane waited until the two Protectors that were ordered to go for backup were in their car before he knocked them out cold with a solid mental thunk.  He put a compulsion on them not to wake up until he or Brad wanted to talk to them. 

          Brad and Lane could have just locked their minds down but didn’t.  They wanted Ken and the others to see them fight to prove to them that the Enemy could be beaten.

          The plan to surround the house and wait for backup was replaced by the compulsion to charge the house.  Lane grinned and in his Mind shouted:  Come on you fuckers! 

          Lane and Brad both were charged up from making love to Bryan and Ken before they performed the ritual that let them shunt sideways to this alternate reality.  After their collective Dream they all got together and with the doctor’s input formulated a plan.  Lane and Brad were the only two who could safely go because their two counterparts in this reality were dead; or mostly dead as they hoped to find.  The doctor was fairly certain that all of them shouldn’t go; the strain on the alternate reality might be too extreme.  Once Brad and Lane found their counterparts and restored them he was fairly certain they could stay for a short while without causing any severe ripples.  He was afraid if all of them went the ripples would be more like a tidal wave and disrupt the fabric of that reality and they might all be lost. 

          In their own reality, when Lane died in Taliesin’s Construct Uriel was unable to convey his Soul to Heaven because it wasn’t intact.  They were banking on the same situation here and that the Souls of the Brad and Lane of this reality were in a type of limbo.  The plan was to recover their bodies and revive them and then Awaken all of them.  If they could do that the doctor was sure events would cascade and flow back into what they should have been all along; a few minor changes notwithstanding.

          There was something significant about this particular reality in the Multi-Verse.  Something here was badly out of Balance and needed to be put back on track.  They didn’t know how or why it was so significant but it was; and after the Dream they all shared they knew it to be so.  This event was somehow a keystone in their overall fight against the Enemy and defeating the Master.

          The fight lasted less than two minutes.  Lane and Brad, still physically energized from their Partners back home were more than equals of the Protectors.  That coupled with their combat training allowed them to wipe the floor with their attackers while hardly breaking a sweat.

          The last beat of the music hit at the same time as the thump of the last Protector’s body fell on the floor at Brad’s feet.  Brad and Lane were under orders to take absolutely no chances and kill when necessary.  The fate of this reality depended on the success of their mission and they couldn’t afford to be gentle.  They didn’t like it but they promised Ken; he and Bryan were unhappy enough that they couldn’t accompany their partners and they wanted to ensure their safety and success as much as possible.

          Just to be sure Brad and Lane both scanned the Protectors and none of them were coerced into servitude.  The two in the car weren’t either, so they felt no remorse in killing any of them.

          Brad took a deep breath:  OK now for the hard part.

          Lane:  Fuck Brad look at them.  They’re barely holding it together.

          The two men were filled with Compassion for the ragtag men they saw before them.  The faces they knew so well and yet just saw for the first time.  They couldn’t imagine how hard it was to survive on their own, hunted by a supernatural Enemy without any of the abilities they had become used too. 

          Ken and the others could move again.  Brad and Lane could both feel that Ken and Bryan were on the edge of breaking down at their appearance and were hanging on by a thread.

          Ken was staring at him intently and said, “B?  Is it really you? …  How?” Ken’s voice cracked as his throat tightened and hot tears filled his eyes.  His chest felt like it was about to burst.

          Bryan rushed over to Lane and was about to sweep him up into a tight bear hug but he stopped as soon as he got a good look and Lane’s face and eyes.  The eyes were the same but Lane’s face was older; all of the men from Brad and Lane’s reality had aged slightly during the last Process that activated their Nephelem Heritage; the age difference wasn’t much but there was a definite difference and Bryan could see it.

          Bryan’s big body was shaking like a leaf and he fell to his knees on the floor in defeat, “Fucker.  You ain’t him.”  The sadness in his voice crushed Lane’s heart.

          Lane crouched down in front of Bryan and his voice was filled with Compassion.  He reached out to grip Bryan’s heavy shoulder and he said loud enough for everyone to hear, “I am Lane you big goof.  I’m just not your Lane.  I’m here to get him back for you.”

          Ken looked questioningly at Brad, who nodded and said, “I’m sorry Ken but I’m not your Brad either.  I know how much pain you guys are in.  I’m not sure if you realize why it’s been so hard for you and Bryan but we can explain everything.”

          Ken shut down inside and Brad could feel it.  He compartmentalized all the turmoil that was inside of him; he had no choice if he wanted to survive.  His heart was beating so strongly in his chest Brad could the see veins pumping in his neck.  He was trying to pull himself together and be the leader and keep everyone safe.   In the last few minutes the world he thought he lost was back and then ripped away again and his heart was reeling.  The emotional rollercoaster he was on was too much for him to take.

          Brad and Lane looked around the room at their Brothers and were shocked and stunned at the looks on their faces and the state of their minds.  They were on their last leg.  The smiles and happiness they were used to seeing were gone; replaced by exhaustion and fear.

          Brad said loudly and clearly, “Loy, Rick… there are two unconscious Protectors in one of the Escalades outside.  You need to bring them in here without being seen and we’ll need to get rid of the other vehicles.  I know we need to talk; I understand how confusing all this must seem to you.  We’re here to help you and try to set things right, but we need to get to a safe spot first after we clean up this mess.”

          Loy and Rick looked to Ken and got no response. 

          Rick asked, “Ken?” and got no answer.  He said more sharply, “Ken!”

Ken slowly turned to face him with a blank look on his face.  “Are those your orders?”

          Ken absentmindedly nodded affirmative.  A concerned look passed between  Rick and Loy but they left the room to take care of their task.

          Ken took a deep breath and forced himself to put all his emotions aside and said, “Pat, Dar, Bill, and Kev… you guys get rid of the other vehicles.  Everybody meet at the back entrance to Little Mulberry Park in the second picnic area on the long hiking trail in three hours.”

          While the men left to perform their tasks, Brad and Lane stayed with Ken and Bryan.  The two big men were both silent; neither one trusting themselves to say anything, and Brad and Lane were both having a difficult time seeing the counterparts of their partners in such an emotionally distressed state.

          Ken was shaking badly and kept avoiding Brad’s gaze.

          After a long uncomfortable silence Brad finally said, “Ken… I know how hard this is for you.”

          Ken shot back, “You have no fuckin’ idea!”

          Actually I do, and it’s killing me seeing you like this.

          Ken’s eyes went wide when he realized Brad’s voice was in his head.  What the fuck!?

          I promise Ken we’ll explain everything.  There’s nothing I want more for you than to have what I have with my own Ken at home.  I’m here to make sure that happens.  I know this is painful but I have a lot of questions for you.  It would be easier if I could read your mind, but I won’t do that without your permission.  You’ll feel me there and I don’t want to cause you any more discomfort.

          Is this how you took care of those suits so easily?  How the fuck can you be in my head?  How can you do this?

          It is.  Those guys kicked our asses the first few times we met them but now they’re a piece of cake for the most part.  I don’t know how events went so horribly wrong here, but we’re here to fix things.  You’ll be amazed at what you all will be able to do if we manage to set things back on course here.

          Fuck me.  I want to grab ahold of you so bad I can hardly stand it.  I’ve missed you… him… so much... I feel like a part of me is missing.

          That’s part of the problem Ken… I’m guessing the doctor disappeared before he told you anything about what he really did to you back when you joined the Program.  I don’t know exactly how different things are here…. That’s another reason I want to merge with you so I can find out.  I imagine Lane and Bryan are having almost this same conversation in their heads too.

          Brad glanced in the next room and saw that Bryan was holding Lane’s hand tightly in his own and he was crying.  Lane was too but he managed a small grin and a wink letting Brad know he was right.

          Fuck I don’t know what to make of this.

          Please trust me Ken.   Brad reached out and took Ken’s hand in his and felt the trembling.  His own body reacted and he felt a tightness in his chest; an ache for what the man in front of him was going through.  His Avatar was glowing underneath the Kevlar suit; his Compassion for Ken and the others was shining through; the Empathy he felt for them was almost overwhelming and he had to tone it down before it got out of control.

          B… fuck… Brad… I don’t know how you can be here.  I’m not sure that this isn’t some final trick of whoever those guys are that are after us are pulling to get rid of us once and for all.

          It’s not a trick Ken.  If you let me merge with you I’ll prove it.  I promise not to go deeper than you can handle right now.  We’ll just share memories… we won’t blend completely.  I don’t think I could take that either.

          Brad felt a warmth wash over his Soul and he looked back and saw Lane’s eyes were white.  He was already looking into Bryan’s memories.

          Ken’s eyes got wide again and he thought: What the hell is that? 

          That’s what you should be feeling with your Brad all the time Ken.  That’s part of what I want you to have once we get your Brad back.

          OK do it.

          Ken felt Brad’s presence wash into him.  It was a balm to his Soul and he felt the same warmth coming off Bryan and Lane but vastly stronger.  Suddenly being immersed in the presence of the man who had been absent in his life for years caused the damn inside him to break and he collapsed onto the floor, his body wracked with sobs.  He felt Brad’s impossibly strong arms around him, holding him tight from behind comforting him in all the ways he missed.  Memories started firing off and the feel of Brad’s hands and body against him was the last straw on his meager defenses.

          Brad held him; his arms wrapped tight around Ken’s big strong body.  Brad used his hands to gently brush the hair back off Ken’s forehead and he kissed the top of his head.  He rocked him softly, giving him time to get ahold of himself.

          Ken was overwhelmed.  He missed everything about Brad; his eyes, his smile, his touch, his friendship.  All the things that embodied his lover were not just back in front of him; everything about Brad was now in his Mind.  He was immersed in the aspects of everything he loved about the man who was his partner in a way he never could have imagined. 

          While Brad held the alternate version of his lover, he read Ken’s memories all the way back to the beginning of the Program.  There were a lot of minor inconsistencies and only a few extreme divergent paths.  The closer things were the easier he felt it would be to help set things right.

          Ken, for the first time since Brad died, let himself relax; he leaned his head back and rested it on Brad’s shoulder content to live the brief fantasy that he was with his lover once again.  He let himself be held and comforted, even knowing in the back of his mind that this wasn’t his Brad.    He grabbed ahold of the hands and arms wrapped around him and clung to them like a drowning man.  It was a good thing Brad was still physically charged up or Ken might have broken his hands.

          Even after Brad got what he needed he continued to hold Ken and support him.  He didn’t make any of his memories available to Ken of his own life in his reality; that would be too much too soon and he and Lane needed to be careful with how much information they shared.  It took all of the men years to come into their abilities and the last two years things had been highly accelerated.  He hoped that their maturation process was still ongoing even without the doctor’s influence.

          Brad and Lane were in agreement that they should hold off on trying to Awaken them until they had figured out how to bring their Lane and Brad back and the group was whole again.  Their Avatar’s were too tightly bound together and the partners dependent on one another to risk any type of imbalance.

          The last thing Brad did was put a compulsion in Ken’s mind to sleep peacefully until Brad woke him up.  He sent a quick thought to Lane to do the same with Bryan.  The two men were so exhausted they needed the rest and even though it was only for a few hours their bodies would soak it up.

          A few hours later they all regrouped at Mulberry Park.  The park was closed after sunset but they knew it wasn’t patrolled.  Ken and Bryan looked much fresher and more alert and it didn’t go unnoticed by the others.

          They all gathered around at one of the large covered gazebos with a big picnic table.  Ken, Bryan, Kevin, Rick, and Pat all had to sit on the ground; the picnic tables would break under their heavier weight.

          Ken started the conversation, “First off does anyone have anything unusual to report?  Any troubles?  No sign of being followed?”

          They all shook their heads in the negative.

          “OK guys.  It’s time for some answers.  I believe that these two are who they say they are.  I know that’s hard to swallow but I trust them.  Somethin’ happened after you left that made me believe.”

          He turned to Brad and Lane and asked, “Will you do that again with all of us together?  They need to feel it just as much as I did.”  Brad nodded.

          Don’t panic guys.  This is all going to be natural for you soon enough if we’re successful here.

          Brad and Lane felt the initial surprise as they realized they heard his voice in their Minds and felt his presence inside of them.  They felt Lane along with them and their eyes widened in surprise and wonder.

          Lane thought:  Yeah it’s pretty fucking awesome right?  It only gets better from here fella’s.  Hold onto your hats and don’t run screaming like little girls.

          That comment brought a smile to most of their faces.  Lane used to say that all the time to them on missions.  The impish grin on his face reinforced the memories of their lost brother and some of guy’s eyes were bright with unshed tears.  To not only see their lost Brother in front of them but to feel his presence in their heads was a feeling they weren’t prepared for.

          Brad:  The first thing we’re going to do is merge with you all.  This will be just on the surface… once you’re Awake you’ll completely blend with your partners and each other and it will be like nothing you’ve ever felt before.  It will enrich your lives like you can’t imagine.  It will also be the source of a lot of your strength.  You’ll need it all in the fight you’re in to protect and support one another.

          Brad looked over at Lane and nodded.  They clasped their hands together and their eyes turned white and they delved into one another completely; the sudden immersion into the feelings they experienced took their breath away.  In their Minds it felt like they were swimming in a warm golden liquid sea of Light.  The Love they felt was so strong it was almost painful; their capacity to Love as Unfallen Men coupled with the purity of Spirit of their Nephelem Heritage was a potent combination.

          Once they were together they rested for a few seconds and refreshed one another.  Then they gently brought their lost brothers into the link.  It was a shock on many levels for them; the Mental aspect of their nature was completely new to them at this point, but even more so feeling the presence of their two brothers who had been lost to them for years in such a meaningful and profound way brought tears to their eyes.

          Brad and Lane read their memories and found out what they needed to know.  They didn’t reciprocate yet other than letting the men feel the truth of who they were and the support they were here to give.

          It was also a shock to Lane and Brad… the realization of how far they had come since their own Awakening was more apparent than ever.  The Minds of their brothers here were just barely starting to open and they were still in that mode all humans are in where the lies, deceptions and petty jealousies abound.  If anything it made Brad love them all the more, seeing them this way.  They were all basically good men; much better than most but still human at this point with all that entailed.

          Brad: Guys I’m sorry this all is going to seem so rushed to you.  Our own Awakening in our reality was rough and not planned by the doctor in the way it happened.  Ken and I almost died.  At least we can spare you that part.  But once we figure this out we have to get you up and running as quickly as possible.  I have an idea on that but it will have to wait until we have your Brad and Lane back as well as the doctor and Albrecht.

          He felt their question at the mention of Albrecht’s name.  They had never heard of him and had no idea of who he was.

          Lane:  We’ll explain more later but he’s a friend.  He’s the doc’s partner and he’s extremely powerful and will be helpful in training you.

          The information was coming quickly and Brad and Lane felt their mixed emotions at the mention of the doctor and their confusion about them coming from an Alternate reality.

          Brad:  The doc could explain this much better than I can but the theory is that there are an infinite number of alternate realities… every choice or decision spins off another one.  There are ripples and the further away you get from the point of origin the more different things get.  We don’t know why but your reality is at the opposite end of a decision tree from ours and it’s somehow gotten off track.  If we have any chance of winning the fight against The Master and the Enemy we have to fix things here.

          Lane:  It’s confusing as shit guys so don’t worry about the details now.   You’ll know everything you need to know before we leave.

          Brad:  OK we need to find someplace safe to hole up for a while.

          Ken:  We have to stay on the move.  If we stay any place for more than a few days they seem to be able to find us.

          Brad:  Yeah they’re scrying you.  Lane and I are already blocking that.  I’ve felt their attempts a few times tonight.  We need to get the doctor back and I’m not sure what shape he’s going to be in.  Ken I read in your memory of earlier tonight and that Agent said the doctor was alive.  He might have been lying out of cruelty but if he wasn’t and the doctor is their prisoner there’s no telling what condition he’ll be in.

          Ken:  Do you have any suggestions on a place to hole up?

          Lane:  Well I say we hide in plain sight… the Lab is the last place they’ll look for us.  If the building is still intact it’ll have all the facilities we need in the short term.  We can resupply once we’re there and it’s safe.

          A few hours later they were all in the parking lot of the Lab.  The building looked completely abandoned… the business that used to be housed in the front side of the facility was closed up.

          Brad and Lane could feel an oppressive force against their shields as soon as they got there. 

          Lane:  Runes?

          Brad:  That’s my guess… and lots of them.  Man it would be nice to have enough juice between all of us to power up one or two of the Major Runes from the Book here. 

          Lane:  I doubt they’ll be ready for that kind of Power for a while even after their first Awakening.

          Brad:  In the meantime let’s burn these muther’s up and get inside.

          Brad looked at Ken and gave him the signal to stay put and out of sight.  Brad and Lane moved forward and stopped at the door.  They clasped their hands together and Ken felt that same feeling of warmth flow over him.  He let out a quiet, “Fuck me!” when he saw markings all over the building begin to appear as runes the Enemy placed all over the exterior of the building burned up.  Bryan, Kevin, Rick, and Patrick with their enhanced sight were all able to see it clearly in the dim moonlight.

          The door panel still had power and Lane’s security code seemed to work but the door wouldn’t open.  Fuck!  They put a Binding on the door.  If we break it they’ll know.

          OK then we go in the hard way.  It’s gonna suck with just you and me but we can power up and take our time.  Let’s get Darren, Loy, and Bill in first so they can recon the facility.

          Through the part of their Avatar’s that came from Loy they both reached out for any small animals that were living in the building.  Sure enough there were some rats in the kitchen area.  They looked through the eyes of the rodents and saw the place was truly abandoned and had been for what looked like years.  

          Ken and the others panicked for a second when they saw Lane and Brad literally vanish.

          Not even a second later Ken heard Brad’s voice in his Mind:  It’s alright Ken we’re inside.  There’s a Binding on the door and if we break it They will know, so we’re going to bring you all in through a different way.

          They looked around at the building they had called home.  It was completely trashed on the inside… they could still see blood stains on the floor.  Everything was covered in a thick coat of dust and cobwebs.  The cardboard container from Long John Silver’s was still on the doctor’s desk where he had been eating when everything went down.  They both felt a strong sense of violation at what had been done to the place they called home.

          They all heard Lane’s voice in their Minds:  OK fella’s we are gonna’ bring you through one at a time; Loy, Bill, and Darren first.  Ken with you and the rest we’ll have to go a little slower.  Your fat asses wear us out with your extra weight.

          Before any of them could even phrase a question Loy vanished.

          It’s OK we have him.  Bill and Darren vanished one right after the other.

          Bryan said, “Fuck me Ken.  What the hell?  Are we gonna’ be able ‘ta do shit like this?”

          “I don’t know Bry.  They’re being a little tight lipped as far as that goes.  After talkin’ with B… I mean Brad I understand their need to be careful.  There are differences here versus where they come from so they don’t wanna say too much and mislead us.  But I trust ‘em.  I don’t know what would’ve happened to us if they hadn’t shown up.  I think we’d all be dead now.”

          OK Ken you’re next and then we’ll have to wait a minute or two between the rest of you to catch our breath.

          No bring me in last.  I want to be sure everyone else is safe first.

          Lane’s eyes turned white and he looked upwards, sending his Soul out into Creation.  He Listened and let the Music fill him up.  He wove a fine net of Power for himself and for Brad so it wouldn’t dissipate too quickly and they wouldn’t be as exhausted by each teleport.  Both of them called on nearby animal Spirits for additional strength.  The same thought occurred to both of them; they wished their own Ken and Bryan were here to help draw Power from the Tree.

          Darren, Loy, and Bill were startled as they saw a bright flash in the darkness and to them Lane and Brad were now shining like a small sun and they had to shield their eyes.  They saw ghostly images of animals swimming through the air around them.  Much to his delight many of the Spirits came and moved through and around Loy.  A few of them actually nuzzled against him; he felt a slight warmth on his skin where they touched or moved through him but without his Avatar Awakened he didn’t feel them physically.

          Brad and Lane looked at one another and Brad commented:  Well that’s a good sign.

          Lane looked at the startled men and said:  It’s all good fella’s we’ll explain what you saw in a minute.  It’s great that you saw that… it means you’re further along than we thought.  He grinned as he continued: And Loy… you haven’t seen anything yet buddy.

          Lane and Brad merged and pulled Bryan to them.  It took a few minutes and Brad and Lane were out of breath and sweating heavily by the time everyone was inside. 

          Lane and Brad started stripping off their outer Kevlar jackets now that they were safe; besides they were now both hot and sweaty.  Their tattoos showed clearly on the large ball of their muscled shoulders and didn’t go unnoticed by any of the others.

          They rested and then set their own Runes all over the facility to ward against the Enemy as much as they could.    After that expenditure of Power they really did need to rest for a time.  They decided it was a good enough time to talk to all the guys and explain a little more.

          Ken called everyone into the conference room.  The power was still on in the building so the room was brightly lit.  Everything had been ransacked but Brad said they would resupply in the morning.   The room was dusty and unkempt; all the chairs had been turned over and a few of them were broken.  In the short time they had been there Loy and Bill had cleaned up the room as best they could and set the chairs upright.

          Even with the short nap earlier Ken and the others looked exhausted; their faces were haggard and worn.  But Brad was extremely proud of them all for surviving against the odds in this reality and he knew Lane felt the same way.  To be faced with a supernatural Enemy and not equipped to deal with it… it was amazing that they survived.

          Ken stood at the podium and even though he was tired he still looked and acted every inch the leader he was.  He looked at Brad and Lane and said, “OK, first off… thank you.  If you two hadn’t shown up when you did we’d all be toast.  It’s still hard to believe all this but we’ve known for a while that there was more goin’ on than we knew.  We just didn’t know what; and you bein’ here is proof of that.  I understand your reluctance to tell us everythin’ but tell us what you can.  We aren’t here to lie down and be led like sheep.  This is our fight and it looks like you’re here to get us back in the game.”

          Brad said, “The doctor…” he looked at Lane and nodded, “our doctor, put together something for you.  It’s kind of a crash course on the Multi-verse and how things work.  You didn’t have a chance to realize just how great a man he is.  He’s been fighting the Enemy longer than you can imagine.  The information he prepared isn’t about you or the changes we’re trying to help with, its general information that will help more pieces of this puzzle fit together for you.”

          Brad held out his palm and his handsome brow furrowed slightly as he concentrated.  A small softly glowing ball of light appeared and hovered over his palm.  His eyes turned white and the ball separated into eight separate spheres. 

          Don’t be afraid.  These are memories and information to help explain a few things.  It’s not like merging so you will only feel a slight warmth as it goes into you.  It’s a trick the doc and Albrecht showed us and it saves a lot of time.

          They all looked a little anxious when the balls floated over and hovered in front of their foreheads.  A few of the men nearly went cross-eyed as they tracked the spheres right up to the point where it entered their foreheads.  It only took a second and he could see their expressions change.  Nearly all of them let out a ‘fuck me’ or an ‘oh shit.’

          The look in their eyes changed.  For the first time since they lost their friends and have been hunted they had some positive Intel and allies they trusted.

          Ken took a deep breath and gripped the podium.  His eyes had a look of optimism that wasn’t present a minute ago.

          “OK ladies.  Let that soak in for a minute and then we’ll have a Q&A with B2 here.”

          Brad grinned at the new nickname Ken just labeled him with.

          When Ken looked searchingly at all the men facing him he didn’t see any questions on their faces.  He took another deep breath and said, “OK B2 and Lane2 what’s the next part of your plan?”

          “We need to get the doctor back.”

          Ken raised his eyebrows, “But we don’t even know where they’re keepin’ him.  If we did we’dve run a SpecOps mission a long time ago.”

          “I know.  Lane and I have an idea about how to find out where he’s being held, but we’re going to wait until later tomorrow to try our plan.  There’s something we need to talk to you about first and we’re going to get this place re-supplied so we can hole up here comfortably.”

          Ken moved to the side of the podium and motioned for Brad to take his spot. 

          Brad blushed a little and Lane smirked; he knew what Brad was going to talk about.

          Brad saw everyone looking at him expectantly so he jumped right in, “Normally this is something the doctor would discuss with you.  But my Ken and I discovered this on our own and it sort of got the ball rolling for us.”

          “So I know you’re aware of the energy boost that you three get,” He nodded to Loy, Bill, and Darren, “when you make love to your partners.  What we discovered is a technique that Rick, Kevin, and Pat can use that will make that effect far stronger and much longer lasting.  Lane and I want to have a private conversation with you two about it,” he indicated Bryan and Ken.

          “Basically it’s a merging of your nervous systems so you share the physical experiences and sensations with one another.  It’s not like the mental merging we’ve already done, it’s on a purely physical level.  It’s pretty over the top once you get the hang of it.  And I mean hold onto your hats… the sex between you will take on a whole new intensity.”

          Lane spoke up, “You might have noticed when we showed up Lane and I took on the Protectors and kicked their asses.  Once you get this trick down they’ll be much easier to deal with.  Hopefully once we get the doc back the suits won’t be as serious an issue either.  But in the short term, once you get the hand of this new trick, your basic abilities are going to start waking up.”

          Brad continued, “I know everybody’s beat.  Let’s all turn in and get a good night’s rest.  We warded the building so there should be no need to keep a watch tonight.  I know you all have more questions but I think we’ve covered enough for tonight.”

          Ken spoke up, “OK ladies; get some shut eye.  Dismissed.”

          Bryan and Ken both stayed at the conference table after everyone went to the various rooms they picked to sleep in.  Knowing the guys, Brad and Lane both expected to feel a strengthening of their Aura’s anytime.  They both grinned knowingly, remembering when they first learned that trick and how much their sex drives went into overdrive once they mastered the technique.

          Brad looked back to Ken and Bryan and he bowed his head and took a deep breath.  Both Bryan and Ken noticed that Brad’s tattoo started to glow softly as soon as he started to speak.  His eyes were filled with Compassion for both of them.

          “Look guys.  I really do know how hard it’s been for the two of you.  And now with Lane and me showing up it’s been even harder in a lot of ways.  We both had this talk with our Ken and Bryan back home, and the doctor.  The doc assured us that genetically you two are compatible with our versions.  But as couples we decided that sleeping with you wasn’t an option.  I hope you two are OK with that.  But that being said there’s something we’d like to ask of you and I don’t mean it to sound harsh.”

          Ken and Bryan actually looked relieved.  Bryan said, “Look fuckers.  We’re glad you’re here, but as soon as I looked into Lane’s eyes I knew he wasn’t mine.  If you can really get my Little Buddy back for me I’ll owe you more than I can possibly imagine.  But if you can, I’d have felt like I was cheating on him if I made out with you.  Not sure but I think Ken here feels the same way.”

          “Yeah I do Bry, thanks.  So what’s this favor you mentioned?”

          Lane spoke up, “Well we agreed that we wouldn’t make out with you but we still kinda’ need the strength boost while we’re here.  It’s just safer for us and you guys.  So we need you to jack off for us and put it in a cup.  Brad and Ken actually had to do that back in our reality at one point so we know it works.”

          Bryan grinned slightly for the first time since they saw him here and he said, “If jerkin’ a few loads is what it takes to get my man back I can more than deal with that.  You need me to do it now or in the morning?”

          Brad and Lane chuckled and said, “In the morning is great.  We’ll need the boost in order to resupply this place.  It’s gonna take quite a few hops for us to get all the food and gear we’ll need.”

          Sure enough Brad and Lane both felt strong Aura’s coming from the rooms the couples were sleeping in.  They knew that Ken and Bryan couldn’t feel it yet and felt deeply sorry for their sense of isolation; they felt it themselves being away from their lovers.

          The next morning Brad and Lane used a syringe to inject themselves with Ken and Bryan’s semen and felt the rush as strength fill them.  They were dubious at first since they knew everyone in this reality wasn’t Awake yet but the doctor was confident that the changes in themselves were what mattered for the effect to be so strong.  He was right as usual.

          When everyone was up and it was obvious from the grins on their faces that the three couples had made love nearly all night, Lane started playing Addicted to Love by Robert Palmer in the kitchen and everybody got a laugh out of it.   The guys were all surprised to see bags of Chicken Biscuits and Hash Rounds and gallons of sweet iced tea on the kitchen counter.  Lane and Brad had teleported out early in the morning and made a run to Chick-Fil-A to get the food.

          Lane and Brad left for a number of hours with strict instructions for one room in particular to be left clear and unoccupied at all times.  Their lives literally depended on no one or nothing being in that room so they could teleport there safely.

          Mid-morning Ken and the others heard Brad’s voice in their heads:  OK guys we’re going to start sending things through.  Everybody get to the back corner room so you can clear stuff out as soon as we send it through.

          Over the next half hour box after box of supplies appeared.  They had no idea where or how Brad and Lane had acquired the weapons and gear but they didn’t ask any questions.  They all had huge grins on their faces at the Kevlar suits and the weapons.  Bryan’s eyes lit up at all the groceries.  They sent through enough food to last for nearly a week if they were even halfway careful.

          Lane assured Bryan that food was not going to be a problem and to cook to his heart’s content.  They all needed to be in top shape for what was to come and even though the Mentalists still didn’t have their metabolisms accelerated yet the others did so they needed lots of food.

          Brad and Lane were exhausted by the time all the boxes were sent through and they gave themselves another shot each to replenish their strength.  Ken expressed his concern at how much they were tiring themselves out. “Guys you need to catch some shut eye.  Grab a few hours’ sleep at least before you do anything else.  You need to be sharp for the doc in case your plan works.”

          They couldn’t argue and knew he was right so they both napped until early evening.

          Albrecht was in a foul mood.  The leash the last few leaders of The Order kept on him chaffed at him.  He wanted to be out and hunting the Enemy, but they kept him close and would not allow him revenge against those who took Aaron.

          To make matters worse, Taliesin was getting on his nerves more than ever.  Since the last Master of the Light Summoned him he had been petulant and rebellious.  But Albrecht was under strict orders to keep an eye on him; The Gift he carried could not fall into the hands of The Enemy.  He had been Dreaming much of late and that always put him in a bad mood.

          He was curious because Taliesin couldn’t tell him what the Dreams meant and for once he could tell the brat was telling the truth.  Taliesin felt frustrated; he prided himself on his cleverness and intelligence and the fact he wasn’t able to figure out a puzzle put him in an even worse mood.

          Albrecht’s Mental Defenses kicked in as soon as he felt a light and unfamiliar touch on his Mind.  There was no attack but he heard a voice.

          Albrecht?  Please I have to talk to you.  I’m a friend and of The Order but not from here.  I don’t trust your leaders with the knowledge of my presence here.  I know you can hear me.  My intent is to free the doctor and we need your help.

          Albrecht didn’t respond. 

          Albrecht please.  This isn’t a trick.  The doctor is crucial to save The Order.  He needs to finish his work on the Project.  I’m here to help him and restore the Balance.

          Every fiber of his being was tense and alert in case it was a trap, and yet he sensed no Evil in the presence of the Mind that was talking. 

          Keeping his defenses tight and strong Albrecht thought: Open yourself to me.

          Brad was ecstatic that Albrecht was alive and responded.  So much depended on his help.  He was the one person outside of the doctor he felt he could absolutely trust.

          I’ll be glad to but I have to warn you.  What you’ll see cannot be shared with anyone else in The Order except for the doctor.  It’s imperative and you have to promise me that first.  Once you read my mind you’ll see why it’s so important.

          Albrecht’s curiosity was running wild now at who this person was and what knowledge they could have that was so important.  But if the person’s goal really was to free Aaron then he felt he had no choice.  He was aware the Enemy knew he was vulnerable where Aaron was concerned so he was still cautious of a trap.

          You have my word stranger.

          Brad knew he was taking a huge chance.  Albrecht was a very powerful and dangerous man and by putting himself in a vulnerable state Albrecht could possibly kill him.  He hoped showing the trust of opening himself up was the right move.  His intuition told him it was.

          Lane was looking on anxiously.  Brad had given him a thumbs up when Albrecht responded.

          “Lane I’m going to open myself up to him to get his trust.  If he’s not the same man as the one we know back home you’re going to have to intervene and help me take him out if he tries anything.  I’ve got defensive triggers set that should give you time to react.  Are you ready?”

          “He can’t be that different, but I’m ready.  I’ve got your back brotha; never fear.  I’m going to power up just in case.”

          Brad sent his thought to Albrecht: I’m ready.

          Brad felt the strong presence of Albrecht’s mind enter his own.  He was cautious and expecting a trap, but he quickly learned that Brad meant him no harm and truly was here to help.  Having spent thousands of years with his lover Aaron, Albrecht knew much of the Truth behind existence and the Multi-verse.  He saw all that Brad shared and realized the extreme importance of his presence here along with Lane and what it mean not only to the world but to this Reality.

          He rarely heard Albrecht swear but he had to laugh slightly at the mental Fuck me! that slipped out.

          So you’ll help?  Can you help?  I see you’re under strict supervision.

          I’ve always questioned the Wisdom of the current Elders.  To rescue Aaron and to restore Balance to my world I will go against their wishes. Their timidity and caution vexes me and I was already near the end of my patience before you arrived.

          Do you know where the doctor is being held?  We need to free him as soon as we can.

          I’m certain I know where he is being held but it’s nearly impregnable.  However with your Avatar’s and Blessings you have a good chance to bring him out.  I have no idea what condition he will be in though.  They are not kind to those of The Order as you can imagine.  He has most likely been tortured extensively and only kept alive for that torture to continue for their amusement.  I’m fearful of what state his mind will be in.

          Lane is our primary Healer Albrecht.  If we can get the doc out I believe we can help him recover fully.  At least I hope so or our being here is a moot point.

          I will join you within a day. 

          Thank you Albrecht.  With your help I feel our chances just went up considerably.

          Brad gave Lane another thumbs up and merged with him to share the entire conversation.

          Lane thought:  I hope to God the doc is alright.  There’s no telling what those bastards have done to him all this time.

          Me too Lane.  We might still have our work cut out for us getting him back in shape to help once we have him.  But first things first.  Let’s focus on getting him back and then worry about everything else.

          Since the Lab was still sealed with the Binding, they met Albrecht outside the building.

          Brad and Lane had a huge surprise the next afternoon when Albrecht showed up and he wasn’t alone.  Lane’s face was like a thundercloud when he saw Taliesin; his eyes flashed white and distant thunder rumbled across the sky as an echo of his feelings.

          “What the fuck is he doing here?!”

          Albrecht looked confused and apologized, “I’m sorry for having to bring him but I’m responsible for his safety.  As you seem to know something of him by your reaction you understand why I couldn’t leave him alone to work any mischief in my absence.”

          As soon as Taliesin saw Lane he went white as a sheet.  All the pieces of the puzzle he was unable to solve slipped into place.

          “You carry The Gift as well!  How is that possible?”

          “Yes I do you bastard!  And you almost killed me and my partner trying to get me to take it; in fact I did die!  I know you aren’t him but I know what you’re capable of!  I’m warning you now if you so much as twitch an eyebrow out of place or think about screwing things up for us here I will come down on you so hard and fast you won’t know what hit you.  And if you pull that whiny “I’m an Immortal shit” on me I’m here to tell you there are a lot worse things than dying!”

          Taliesin looked stunned for a moment and then the smirk returned to his face.

          “I’m not kidding you impetuous little bastard.”  Lane’s eyes flashed with the lightning in the sky and he reached out into the Heaven’s and heard the collision of a giant asteroid in another galaxy.  He took the deep base sound, one that he knew Bryan would love, and let it fill him and Brad up with Power.

          Taliesin looked shocked when his feet left the ground and he couldn’t speak.

          “I’m telling you this one more time.  Don’t even think about fucking things up here or you will have me to deal with.  And I’ve already dealt with you once so I can do it again.”

          As soon as Taliesin’s feet left the ground Albrecht started to move forward but Brad held up his hand and said in his mind privately:  It’s OK Albrecht.  Lane won’t hurt him.  We’ve dealt with him in our Reality and it wasn’t pretty.  We have to get his attention and this is the best way to set the ground rules.

          I can tell you have met him before.  He has that way of getting under anyone’s skin.  Frighten him into submission all you wish as long as you truly do him no harm.  I rather enjoy seeing the smirk wiped off his face. 

          Brad interjected, “OK now that’s settled let’s go inside.  Lane let him go.”

          Taliesin dropped like a rock the few feet that Lane had lifted him up and he leaned over clutching his hands to his throat and retching.

          With the extra power Lane had grabbed they both teleported all four of them into the Lab with minimal effort.

          Introductions were made.  Albrecht was warm and charming to all the men, very aware of the hardships they suffered through these last years.  He had petitioned many times to the Elders to come help them but was denied every time.

          There was much curiosity as to who Albrecht was and how he knew of them.  As close as all the men had been to the doctor in the Program they had never heard his name mentioned.  Albrecht told them of him and Aaron’s penance and their sentence to stay apart indefinitely, but he always kept an eye on the men from afar, especially as it allowed him to keep tabs on Aaron.

          At one point Ken said under his breath, “These Elders seem like real assholes.”

          Taliesin replied, “You have no idea.”

          Brad took the opportunity to explain about the battle they were involved in; The Order and the Enemy; The Light and the Dark.  He explained just as the doctor had explained to him and his Brothers that they would all have a chance to refuse moving forward; Free Will was extremely important where the Battle was concerned.

          Their reaction was the same as Brad remembered when the doctor had called them all together a few years ago and had this same conversation; amazement at learning you are a part of something so big and significant and secret.  He wished the doctor was giving it this time too; he didn’t feel adequate to doing justice to the enormity of the responsibility he was putting on their shoulders.

If possible, they were even more willing to accept the roles that Brad described to them than he and the others originally were.  They were tired of being hunted and not knowing why; and now that they knew why and had a grip on what was going on they wanted to start pushing back; hard.  They also had that same feeling that they were meant to be a part of the conflict; as strange as it all sounded once they settled down and thought it over it felt right.

          Ken and Bryan were chomping at the bit to move on to a strategy for rescuing the doctor.  Having him back was the first step in getting their best friends and lovers back into their lives.

          It was decided that Brad and Lane would make the rescue attempt by themselves; Albrecht’s knowledge of where the doctor was imprisoned was the main piece of information they needed.  He would stay with the Team to help them and to keep an eye on Taliesin.  If Brad and Lane failed and were killed or captured Albrecht could try again; he would be their last hope at that point.

          Two days later Lane and Brad were driving across country to Oklahoma.  The place where Albrecht was sure the doctor was being kept was in a small town called Ketchum, Oklahoma about an hour north east of Tulsa.

          The small mansion was actually on Grande Lake a few miles outside of Ketchum, and it was one of the mostly heavily guarded strongholds of the Enemy in the United States.  They had considered teleporting there by locking onto an innocent’s mind that lived in the area but without Ken or Bryan or one of the other Body’s to mask their Aura they didn’t want to take even the slightest chance of being detected.

          It was Lane’s turn to drive and they were eating up the miles on cruise control.  Brad looked over and thought:  So how are you holding up Lane?  You doing alright buddy?

          Yeah I’m OK.  I miss Bryan something fierce, but I’m dealing with it.  How about you?

          Fuck I miss Ken.  I miss him so bad I can hardly stand it.  It’s hard being around Ken here.  I find myself wanting to reach out and touch him all the time; merge with him completely.  I miss that more than anything.

          Yeah I know what you mean.  It’s the same here.  Being with Bry is… well you know. 

          As much as I want to I know it would be a disaster.  They aren’t Awake and it would be like merging with our guys a few years ago.  They aren’t the same guys we’re used to.  Oddly enough that doesn’t make it any easier.

          I know… the intimacy isn’t there and the unconditional acceptance.  They all still have the barriers up.  The temptation is so strong sometimes but I try to think about that and it helps me hold off for the real thing I have back home.

          Brad brought them deeper together for a few minutes, to share in the support they gave one another.  They missed the warmth and support of not just their partners but the entire Team.  Their team.

          As hard as it was for them, they realized how much harder things had been for their brothers here in this reality.  But it was still difficult not to feel isolated and alone even with everyone; no one here was theirs.

          They both wanted to get this mission completed and get back home.

          Lane and Brad stayed at a plush resort called Shangri-La on the lake.  They took on the appearance to two young college kids; their cover story was they were taking a semester off and staying at the Lake on their parents credit cards.

          As soon as they arrived in the area they felt the pressure against their shields, but they kept their shields strong and tight and were careful to use as little Power as possible. 

          Lane: Fuck it would be easier if Ken or Bry were here to mask our Aura’s. 

          Brad:  You got that right.  Just stay sharp and we’ll do as much as we can to avoid detection. 

          Before they left their room Brad held his hands out over his chest, forming a diamond pattern with his thumbs and forefingers.  A small ball of light appeared and hovered for a brief second before it shot off through the wall. 

          They had pre-arranged with Albrecht to make his presence felt in Atlanta to the Enemy on the night of the rescue.  If there was any kind of leak in the remaining members of The Order word might have gotten out of his absence along with Taliesin.  If he was seen in Atlanta there would be less reason for suspicion here of any type of rescue attempt. 

          They waited until 3:00am before they began their approach to the house.  They parked their rental car off road in some trees and changed into their Kevlar assault gear.  The HUDS worked between their suits so they could monitor one another but much of the display was blank without a connection back to the Lab.  Even if the lab here was fully functional it still wouldn’t have had the upgraded software their doc had developed.  Another one of the small differences they faced every day here.

          Hidden in the shadows at the perimeter of the property they assessed the security of the compound.  The place was well fortified; security camera’s had every square inch of the grounds covered.  Fortunately the security details used dogs, and they could both sense a cat inside the house. 

          Lane:  Nice stroke of luck with the animals.  There was no way the Enemy here could know of their presence yet and even if they did they wouldn’t know about their Avatar’s.

                  They could feel the cold Evil emanating from the premises.  They were sure the place was covered in Runes and many Dark rituals had been performed here over who knows how many years.  The place reeked of Darkness and it was oppressive to both of them just by being here.  They expected as much and steeled themselves for what they were here to accomplish.

          Their eyes turned white and under their Kevlar gear their tattoos began to glow.  Brad let his awareness fill one of the guard dogs on the grounds.  His Presence bounced back into his Mind immediately; something else was already inside that dog!  He wasn’t sure what it was but it was Evil and not of the Physical Realm.  It was intelligent and it silently howled in anger and started to run at full speed towards the fence they were hiding behind.

          Lane sensed Brad’s shock and plunged them both deeply together so Time was nearly standing still. 

          Brad: Fuck!  There’s something inside those dogs! 

          Lane:  Well we need to figure out a Plan B with them pronto.  Once we go back up we’re going to only have a few seconds before that thing is on us.

          Brad:  OK that was a surprise.  But there’s no way whatever it is can be stronger than one of us so I’m going to try and lock it down as soon as it gets on top of us.  If you can touch it and Read it we can figure out what it is and how to better deal with it.  Ready?

          Lane:  Ready!

          Lane took them both back up and even then Time seemed to almost stand still because of the adrenaline rush they were both feeling.

          The dog looked like a Rottweiler but its eyes were black and a malevolent presence was possessing it.  Brad waited until it was only a few feet from the fence and he grabbed its Mind and Body with all his formidable strength.  It was physically strong and nearly too strong for him to hold that way, but its Mind was his.  Its muscled body was trembling with the effort to move forward and break through the fence and kill him.

          Lane quickly put his hand out and touched the animal; the knowledge of what it was flooded into his mind.  It was a Lesser Spirit from beyond the Veil, in servitude to The Enemy.  It was evil to the core; feeding on fear, blood, and putrid ritualized meats to sustain its presence in the Physical Realm.

          Brad Read all of this through their Link.   He bound the Spirit and took them both across the Veil leaving his body for the barest fraction of a second.  Once he was on the other side he had no need to mask himself.  White tendrils of power shredded the Spirit just as he witnessed his cousins Istariel and the other Nephelem destroy Ulariel; its scream faded to nothing as he ended its Black existence.  It felt nice to cut lose with his strength even if it was only for a brief moment.

          He remembered his initial thought when he realized he could cross the Veil.  He had asked the doctor what good it was to be able to do that.  He had to laugh at that comment now; the doctor was always so patient with him and the others and never ridiculed them or made any of them feel stupid when they made statements like that.  The memory, in this moment, fortified his resolve to get the doctor back even more.

          He made the choice not to destroy any more of the Spirits; it was too risky all the way around.  It would take longer for the Enemy to notice only one of the creatures was missing rather than all of them. 

          Now that the dog was free of the Spirit, Brad looked through its eyes and it went wherever he commanded it to go.  He reconnoitered the grounds using the dog and had it come back to him. 

          While Brad was inside the mind of the dog, Lane was in the mind of Tristan; a big white Persian male cat in the Den.  Between both animals they were able to ascertain the entire security layout; location and angles of all the cameras inside and outside the house. 

          As soon as Tristan got close enough Lane felt the dark Aura of The Master.  

          Fuck Brad The Master is here.   

          Damn!  That’s all we need but OK.   We still got this.  We just need to be even more careful.

Lane diverted Tristan away from that part of the house.  He heard movement down the hallway and saw two Protectors patrolling the house.  Tristan followed them discretely on their rounds, completely under Lane’s control.  They made a quick check of the upstairs and the main floor and then they went back to a Rune covered door with a secure lock on it.

          As soon as Tristan approached that door, Lane was hit with an intense pain in his Mind and he felt as though his head was about to split open.  As soon as one of the Protectors opened the door he had Tristan dart through and run down the stairs.  The pain lessened as he got further from the door just before it was at the point of being unbearable. 

          He heard one of the men say, “Fucking cat!  Get outta here you little shit!  You know you aren’t allowed down here!” 

          Brad:  Lane stay with Tristan.  It’ll take two jumps but I can get us into the house.  Once you’re closer I can join with you and it should make it easier.  Hang on just another minute bud.

          Lane was sweating heavily from the effort and control he was using to maintain his presence in Tristan and fight off the effects of the Runes.  If he was present physically or if he could more fully immerse himself in Tristan he doubted the runes would affect him but he was leaving his touch as light as possible to lessen any chance of being detected by The Master or any other ‘suits’ in the house.

          Lane felt Brad’s strong arms wrap around him, pulling him close.  He didn’t feel any movement but he knew that they were now against the back wall of the house behind the shrubs.  He heard the slight jingle of dog tags as Brad petted the dog he used to see their jump spot.  He felt the transition as Brad snapped the bond between its Body and Spirit and heard the slight thump as it fell over lifeless.  He sensed the presence of its Spirit briefly before it faded away to be Reborn.

Brad hated to do it but he snapped the tether that bound the dogs Spirit to its body.  He knew that was a better fate than what awaited it if it was discovered to be free of the Entity.  He saw the dog’s spirit and felt its unconditional love towards him and he briefly smiled in this dark place.  He sent a silent command for it to go and be reborn and it vanished from the Physical Realm, safe now from any repercussion.

          Now against the back of the house just under a window, with the barest trickle of Power, Brad moved the curtains with his Mind and looked inside.  They were outside the kitchen and with their night vision HUD’s the light from the refrigerator door was illuminating the room enough to see clearly.  Lane felt them jump one more time and they were on the floor in the kitchen hidden from the doorway by a large cooking island.

          Brad:  OK we’re inside.

          Brad gently added his own presence along with Lane’s inside Tristan; enough to stay aware of his own body and keep alert in case anyone came in unexpectedly.

          They both tensed immediately when they heard Music in their Mind’s.  Taliesin!

           His touch was soft and subtle and they prayed it wasn’t strong enough to alert anyone sensing for Power.

          Taliesin!  What the fuck are you doing?  You’re going to get us killed!

          On the contrary, I think you need my help to succeed.  I’ve pieced together enough of this puzzle to know that you have to get Aaron out of there.  You have to get Lane Weaver back in this world so he can take this cursed ‘Gift’ from me as you did in your world.  I am not taking any chances to let you bungle this.  Besides, I’m more useful than you think.

          How can you possibly help us other than sending up a beacon to the Enemy that we’re invading one of their strongholds and rescuing their most important prisoner?

          I too was once held prisoner by the Enemy.  I managed to escape on my own.  I know how to get around the Binding they will most assuredly have on the door to the room that Aaron is in without setting it off.

          Brad sent a private thought to Lane:  Fuck!  That little shit!  Do you think he’s telling the truth?

          Lane: I hate to say it Brad but he probably is.  He can’t lie but he might not be telling us everything.  He wants the Gift out of him so bad he can taste it.  And he likes to brag.

          Brad: Fuck!  OK.

          Brad:  OK Taliesin share the knowledge you have with us.

          Taliesin:  No.  Bring me to you.  I know you can.  I could share the knowledge with you of how to do it but you don’t have the experience I do and this cannot fail.  I need to be the one to do it.  And you have to do it quickly before Albrecht realizes I’m gone.  If he Compels me to Return I won’t have the concentration to make it work, and if I ask him he will refuse me.

          Lane:  If we use enough Power to pull you to us from Atlanta they might sense it.  We can’t risk it.

          Taliesin:  Then it’s a good thing I’m not in Atlanta.  I read the mind of the girl who rented you your car.  You mentioned Oklahoma so I’m not that far away.  I admit it was difficult getting away from Albrecht but I haven’t had that much fun in years.  You two need me.

          Brad and Lane knew Taliesin orchestrated events so he felt like they would have no choice.  It was his modus operandi.  And if he could truly bypass a Major Binding and not alert the Enemy when they broke the seal on the door they could use his help.  He had them over a barrel.

          Lane:  When we get back to the Lab with the doc, if Albrecht doesn’t kick your ass I will…again.  I enjoyed it the first time and I’m all about sloppy second’s asshole.

          Brad and Lane synchronized their Avatars and Taliesin appeared between them.

          Brad:  OK Taliesin.  You follow us and do as we say.  One step out of line and you’re going back.

          Taliesin, the ever present smirk on his face, just nodded.

          Lane stayed in the mind of Tristan as he roamed the secure area downstairs.  There were a few doors covered in Runes but he immediately found the door the doctor must be behind; Tristan’s hackles rose in reflex to the Dark Power he felt coming from the door; a low gutteral growl came from deep in his throat.  The pause was all it took for one of the Protectors to scoop him up and carry him back up to the door upstairs.  He was tossed, none to gently, back into the Den.

          Lane and Brad withdrew their presence from the cat as soon as he was picked up.

Lane:  OK we know where we need to go.  He was sweating and had a blinding headache and was rubbing his temples trying to relieve the pain.  He felt Brad’s presence increase ever so slightly in his Mind and sensed a trickle of Power; his headache disappeared so he could focus completely on the mission without any strain.  He had his usual mischievous grin on his face and he silently mouthed, “I love you” to Brad and winked.  Brad rolled his eyes and shook his head.

          He grinned and gave Brad a thumbs up.  His grin turned to a scowl as soon as he made eye contact with Taliesin, who raised an eyebrow at their antics.  There was nothing Lane wanted more than to smack that smirk off his face but now wasn’t the time.  Taliesin was still a challenge for Lane as far as unconditional love.  As a human being Lane could love him, but as a person he detested the man.  He hoped that was good enough.

          Lane:  The Protectors should be making their rounds again shortly.  We’ll just have to sit tight for a bit until they show back up.

          Other than Tristan coming into the kitchen to watch them they didn’t hear a sound until the Protectors came back on their rounds.  Under his Kevlar suit, Brad’s Avatar pulsed slightly as he enforced his will on Tristan to go and stay in the Den and be quiet.

          When the Protectors came back they let them finish their rounds of the upstairs and ground level.  Brad was pretty sure that the Protectors would have some form of shield if they were guards for the Master so he didn’t want to be heavy handed and alert someone by being a bull in a china shop.  He opted for something simpler; an external construct to make it appear as though they were invisible.  It would only effect their physical sight so it shouldn’t cause any Defensive triggers placed on their Minds to activate.

          Brad:  When I give the signal let’s follow the Protectors through the door.  Be absolutely quiet… they can hear us even if they won’t be able to see us.

          Taliesin:  That’s a useful trick.

          Lane:  Just be quiet.  If they hear us we’ll have to take them out with no noise and with only physical force.  Don’t use any Power.  Got it?

          Taliesin returned Lane’s stony stare with his usual smirk.

          In a few seconds Brad gave the signal and they all moved stealthily towards the Protectors as they were opening the door.  Brad was holding the construct as delicately as he could and Lane was ready to react in case they heard anything or saw through the ruse.

          Brad and Lane were immune to the Runes that were being used on the door, however Taliesin didn’t have the benefit of their Nephelem Heritage.  His natural Aura wasn’t nearly as strong as theirs and to him it was as if there was an invisible barrier he couldn’t cross.  Not only that but he was in extreme discomfort, even with his phenomenal control over his body and a high resistance to pain.  Lane was closer and had to react quickly; as silently as possible he pressed himself up against Taliesin and enveloped him inside his own Shield. 

          Expanding his Shield enough to cover Taliesin also brought it into contact with two of the Runes, which immediately started to smoke from the strength of his Aura.  He moved them both forward quickly before the Rune combusted.

          One of the Protectors stopped and turned back to the door and said, “Hey do you smell something burning?”

          Brad dissipated the smoke with his Mind, hoping it would be enough to keep them from being discovered and hoped that no one else sensed it.

          Both Protectors stopped and moved back to the door, causing Brad, Lane, and Taliesin to crouch and press themselves against the wall on either side of the hallway, hoping that the Protectors wouldn’t brush up against them.  They were all holding their breath and ready to react if they were discovered.

          Both Protectors sniffed and the second one said, “Naw… I don’t smell anything.  Maybe it’s Fred’s cigars.  He knows he’s not supposed to smoke in here; he’s gonna get busted if he keeps it up.  I sure wouldn’t want to be in his shoes if He finds out.”

          Brad rolled his eyes in relief.  He was thankful that the Protectors only had enhanced speed and strength and not their senses, otherwise he was sure they would have been discovered.

          The Protectors moved down the hallway, allowing all of them to breathe a sigh of relief.  Brad signaled for them to move down the hallway and further away from the door.

          They made their way down and around the corner to the hallway where the doctor was being held.  After another few minutes they heard the Protectors move back upstairs.  If they held to the previous schedule Brad, Lane, and Taliesin would have approximately twenty minutes before the Protectors would come back down.

          Brad:  How much time will it take Taliesin?

          Taliesin:  It depends on the strength of the Binding.  It might take some time.

          Lane:  Well you have twenty minutes so get crackin’.

          Brad:  Lane let’s disable the security cameras down here while he gets started.  If we have to stay down here a while it’ll be less risky than trying to keep up this construct.

          Taliesin moved over to the door.  He could feel the Binding already… it was very powerful.  Memories of his life with Aaron came to mind as he was preparing himself to make his attempt.

          In many ways you were a father to me Aaron.  I know you are disappointed with what I am now, but you did teach me much and I’ve always had a great respect for you.  You and I are not so different in our pursuits…. our thirst for knowledge and answers.  I did love you once you know.  If I hadn’t shut myself off I still might, but I am angry at you and Albrecht and the rest of those fools in The Order.  You knew what this Gift would do to me… you knew the cost I would have to pay and you knew that no Mortal could cope with the longevity.  Was I nothing more than a vessel to hold the Gift for you until Lane Weaver came along?  Was I truly nothing more than that to you?

          The Gift gave Taliesin many of the same powers and abilities as a human who was Awake.  It wasn’t Powerful in the sense of sheer strength but it was Powerful in its subtlety and effectiveness.  Knowledge is Power and with the Gift Taliesin had gathered much knowledge over the centuries of his life.  His mastery over constructs and how to get into people’s heads was phenomenal.   As Aaron taught him, it wasn’t the strength of a single weave but the layering and manner in which you threaded multiple weaves together.  Like strands of silk if enough small threads were woven together they became a rope that was nearly unbreakable.

          He moved over to the door and shifted his Sight.  The Binding was clearly visible and densely knotted.  Whoever placed it was truly Powerful and Evil…. He had never seen threads so Black before.  He was sure he was looking at the Master’s handiwork.

Taliesin concentrated and tendrils of Power that were so subtle they were nearly invisible started to flow from his fingertips.  Like smoke they drifted over the edges of the Binding until they found the tiniest of cracks to take hold.  Just as grass could grow through rock and crack concrete, the flows of Energy Taliesin built were a layer underneath in the impossibly thin space between the Binding and the door.  As the barrier grew he changed the energy flows to match the frequency of the doors surface; he was creating a buffer between the two, in essence a new surface the Binding would be attached too, that would allow them to open the door without breaking the Binding.  To the Binding it was as though it was on the original surface, but it was a slow process and the strain was going to take its toll.  As much as it galled him he was going to have to ask for help.

While Taliesin began his task Brad and Lane took care of the security cameras.  They used the part of their Avatars that came from Darren to create a static image on the lens of the cameras. 

After only a few minutes Taliesin was struggling to continue.  Lane rolled his eyes and he Listened… the soft night sounds outside the house would provide him with the delicate Power he needed to feed Taliesin and minimize the risk of detection.

Lane’s hands began to glow and wispy tendrils of energy drifted over and began to replenish Taliesin.  He visibly saw the relief in Taliesin’s body as the strain lessened.  He didn’t get a thank you and he didn’t expect one.

Brad and Lane were both impressed with the skill Taliesin was exhibiting… they both learned by watching him.  That trick would prove invaluable in the future.  As impressive as it was however, it was taking too long and the Protectors would be back soon.

Brad:  Taliesin, the guards will be back any minute.

Taliesin’s mental voice was sharp and displayed the strain he was under:  This isn’t something I can stop in the middle of.  You’ll have to deal with them.

Brad felt Lane’s temper flare at Taliesin’s attitude and tone.

Lane to Brad:  OK Brad.  We’re almost sure that there are mental triggers protecting the goons Minds.  I know we can overpower whatever is there but not without a chance of alerting whoever placed the trigger.

Brad:  Let’s take ‘em out by hand.  I’ll keep up the illusion to cover us and we’ll take them by surprise.  There might even be a trigger if they die so go deep as soon as you can and catch it if there is one.  I hate doing it this way… I really didn’t want to leave any evidence anyone was here other than the doc just being gone.

Lane:  I’m with you but we can’t take the risk.

Like a well-oiled machine, the two former Navy Seals waited to ambush the patrolling Enemy agents.  As soon as the Protectors turned the corner and moved past Lane and Brad, their necks were silently snapped clean and their big bodies caught to prevent any noise.  They both had triggers set to go off if they died but whoever set them wasn’t as powerful or as skilled as Lane or Brad and the triggers were dissipated before they could go off.

Lane had to immediately begin replenishing Taliesin again; he nearly collapsed during the interval where Lane dealt with the guard.  His thin body was taught as a wire and he was drenched in sweat.  No matter what they thought about him as a person, as an Agent of The Order he was very skilled:  they expected no less since most of his training came from the doctor and Albrecht.

Lane and Brad were both beginning to get nervous with how long it was taking, and just before Brad was about to say something they heard Taliesin’s voice in their minds:  I’m done.  I will have to hold the Binding while you enter the room.  Be quick; the effort is still significant and I can’t hold it indefinitely.

From his posture it looked as though Taliesin was holding something heavy in the air.  In their Mind’s Eye they could see him holding the Binding up… delicate weaves of Power like silky tendrils were coming off his fingertips and supporting the matrix of energy that the Binding consisted off.  Taliesin was breathing heavy and trying not to show how much of a strain he was under.

Lane and Brad rushed to the door but it was physically locked.  Brad touched the door and Read the lock; with a gentle nudge from his Mind the door unlocked and swung inwards.  They were both shocked at what they saw.

His immense form crouched down almost like a spider to fit in the room was Istariel, cradling the emaciated and broken form of the doctor in his lap.  Istariel immediately realized they could see him and they felt him gathering Power. 

Istariel it’s OK!  We’re here to rescue him!

Brad Wilson, Lane Weaver? How can you be here?  I saw you die!

We’re friends Istariel and here to set things right.  Please don’t alert the Enemy!  We can explain everything if you’ll let us.  But we need to get out of here quickly.  I know it’s hard to understand but we’re actually friends where we come from.  Please trust us.

You are not from here; I see that.  It should be impossible for you to be here and yet here you are.  And I sense you are fully Awake; again a Paradox.  With the deaths of your counterparts here I was unable to complete my task of putting all of you on the path of Awakening. I had lost hope with your death but if you are here to fulfill a Purpose I feel a spark of renewed hope.

Istariel’s big form tensed and his cowled head moved as if he was looking through the walls.    The Innocent is Awake.  He often comes to sit with Aaron Thomas; in his own way he wishes to comfort him.  I cannot assist you with him.  If you get the doctor to safety I will come to you.

With that Istariel’s giant form vanished, leaving the doctors body lying on the filthy cot.  He barely looked alive; he was so thin and his arms and legs were twisted and ill formed.  They could see how weak his energy centers were; how close to death he was.  His breathing was shallow and raspy.  They must have been feeding him the barest minimum of food and water to keep him alive.

Fuck Lane look at him!  He’s barely alive!

Lane was so angry he couldn’t respond.  His hatred of the Enemy was a fire in his Mind.

Lane and Brad both had tears in their eyes and their guts wrenched at the sight of their beloved doctor.  He looked so incredibly frail.  He was unconscious and so far gone they couldn’t even sense his Mind. 

As Brad moved back out into the hallway, gently cradling the doctor’s body in his arms, he stopped and stared.  At the end of the hallway was a young boy standing in flannel SpongeBob Squarepants pajamas.  He obviously had Down Syndrome.  He was clutching an old worn sock monkey in one hand and his face had that beatific joyful smile that only innocent children can have.  What was shocking was the Aura of Power coming off the boy… he was immensely Powerful.  Brad had to shift his sight back to the Physical Realm so he could see… the boys Aura was too bright to look at directly.

They heard a voice from around the corner, “Troy get back to bed this instant!”

The smile faded as he heard the voice, but Troy looked directly at the doctor and his face lit up again.  He lifted his hand as if reaching out to touch the doctor.

Brad heard the door to the room shut and the click of the lock.  Out of the corner of his eye he saw Taliesin slowly move over in front of the door.

Taliesin:  Get us out of here now or we’re all dead.  If that boy’s Keeper discovers us we won’t have a chance!

Brad and Lane both felt Taliesin’s fear of the boy; he obviously knew something about him and if he was that scared they knew it was serious.

Just as they picked up on Taliesin’s thought a man in a silk bathrobe moved into sight.  He made straight for Troy and at first didn’t see them.  Brad and Lane both clamped down as hard and tight on the man’s Mind as they could and for a brief second they held him; but he had the Power of the Innocent under his control.  As soon as they clamped down on his Mind they felt his connection to the boy.  It wasn’t a type of link they were familiar with but it was very strong and they knew by themselves they couldn’t fight him.

That brief time was all Taliesin needed; still holding the Binding in front of him he literally threw it at the man.  The Keeper was immobile just long enough for the Binding to reach him and as it came into contact with him it exploded in a powerful burst of Dark Energy.  He wasn’t prepared and screamed out in agony as the dark energy surged around him; Troy screamed too, not in pain but terrified and not understanding what was happening.

Taliesin rushed forward and put his hands on either side of Troy’s head; his eyes turned white and Troy’s face went slack.

Lane: What the hell did you do to him?  He’s just a boy!

Taliesin: I’m buying us more time!  Get us out of here now!

They felt the Dark Power of the Master stirring upstairs.  The explosion of the Binding alerted everyone in the house that could sense Power plus the fact that it was triggered to alert whoever set it.  They felt Aura’s all over the house as ‘suits’ woke up and started sensing to find out what was going on.

Brad took himself, Lane, and Taliesin all so deep that Time stood still.

Brad and Lane’s eyes turned white; Lane reached up into the Heavens and Listened.  He pulled Power into himself and Brad with what he heard.  They could already feel the resistance against them as the Master focused his attention on what was going on downstairs.

With a burst of Power from both of them they broke through the barrier before it fully formed and they all vanished.

The explosion of his Binding woke The Master from his sleep.  He shot up in bed and he immediately focused on the basement.  In his Mind he saw and felt two bright Light’s there.  Impossible!  None of them were Awake!  He was promised as long as he had the doctor that would never happen.  The assurance of his victory over The Order would never be in jeopardy as long as he held Aaron Thomas captive.

When it was reported to him that the other abominations found a way to block their scrying he had become suspicious, but that in itself was not critical.  He had expected it long before now.

The rage he felt coursing through his veins almost overwhelmed his ability to think coherently.  He mustn’t lose control and he breathed deeply to regain his composure.  That was when he heard the voice in his Mind; the voice he hadn’t heard in ages.  The Presence of that Voice was terrifying and he trembled as it nearly crushed him.

  Summon all your Servants from every corner of Creation in which I have granted you Dominion.  Find the abominations and destroy them utterly. 

As Powerful as the Master was in his own right he knew he was insignificant against that Dark Presence.

He bowed his head and thought: Yes My Lord.

They appeared in the Lab at their safe spot.  Albrecht was at the door waiting and his eyes went wide when he saw Aaron cradled in Brad’s arms.  Multiple emotions ran through his mind, relief at first but anger and fear when he saw the doctor’s condition.  He rushed forward and took Aaron’s body from Brad and pulled him gently against his chest.  None of them had ever seen Albrecht cry before but he had tears running down his cheeks.

He silently took his lovers body into one of the other rooms that had a bed.  By now Ken and the other’s heard the commotion and came rushing in to see what happened.

The elation on their faces dimmed as they saw the doctor’s condition.  They were many ‘oh shit’s’ and ‘fuck me’s’ under their breath as they hung their heads in concern.  Tears ran silently down most of their cheeks.

Brad looked at them and saw the fear on their faces.  They could never have imagined seeing the doctor in this condition before and they were scared for him.

“Guys he’s going to be alright.  Trust me.”

Lane glared at Taliesin as he moved out of the room to follow Albrecht.

I did not hurt the boy Lane.  I merely put him in a Construct to confuse him.  As dim witted as he is the Construct won’t last long…. It was made from his memories which are blurry at best. 

You’re still a fuckwad Taliesin.  But you did do a good job.  Taliesin could hear the reluctance in his voice as he thought:  Thanks for your help.

They made their way into the room where the doctor lay motionless, his chest barely rising and falling.  Bill started hooking him up to the vital monitors but Lane held out his hand and said, “No need Bill.”

Ken asked, “Are you sure you two are up for this so soon?  You look a little wiped.”

Lane said, “There’s no way in hell we’re going to sit here with the doc in this condition and not do anything about it right away.  It’ll be easier if you help us… I think it would be a good thing anyways.”

Ken’s voice was thick with emotion and he had to clear his throat before he asked, “How can we help?”

Brad spoke up, “Even though you aren’t Awake yet you’re still powerful… it’s just that power is untapped inside of you.  We can borrow some of that to help us Heal the doc.  You’ll be dog tired after because you aren’t used to that kind of power expenditure but you’ll recover quickly enough.”

“Just tell us what we need to do.”

Brad brought all of them into the link he and Lane shared.  His voice filled their minds:  OK guys.  I need you to be calm and don’t fight what you’re about to feel.  I’m going to draw on your energy centers.

Lane:  You fat asses will feel it come from their bodies; you’ll feel like you just had a hell of a workout.  You other yahoo’s will feel like you just went through the mental ringer.  You’ll be bleary eyed and probably want to go straight to bed.  If you have a bad headache let us know and we can take care of that.

Everybody get in a circle around his bed and hold hands. 

Lane and Brad could feel their nervousness through the link but they were all focused and determined to do whatever they could to help the doctor.  He was the closest thing they had to a father and they loved him dearly.  It was ripping at their hearts to see him in this condition; on top of all their other emotions there was a deep undercurrent of anger at the Enemy who did this to him.

Brad was glad Albrecht didn’t try to join in the link.  He was a smart man and he must have picked up on the fact that the Team dealt with energy levels far above what he was used too.  He stayed in the doorway, his face a stony mask as he observed what was going on.

Lane opened their Minds first.  A brilliant ribbon of azure blue Power came out of their foreheads and circled through all of them.  They had never experienced anything like it before and it was breathtaking.   The Power flowing through them gave them a glimpse of what was to come.

Next he opened their Bodies.   Blood red Power came out of their cores; a hot wind started blowing around them as the Power flowed and circulated amongst them.  They felt the rush of physical strength and desire. 

Brad was helping to control the flows as Lane opened them and he was careful not to let their Minds merge too deeply yet.  He restricted that aspect of the flow knowing they weren’t quite ready for it.  They still felt all the emotion running between them and he felt the support they had for one another;  it was just as tight as it ever had been with his own Brothers; they were completely the same in that aspect.

Lastly Lane opened their Hearts; the gateway to their Souls.  A ribbon of warm yellow light came out of their chests and flowed between them.  They could see the pairings of their shared Souls this way; the compassion and sympathy that the others had for Ken and Bryan was deep and profound; they could now see the half of their Brad and Lane’s Soul’s that Ken and Bryan shared and they realized what it meant to have their partners gone from their lives; the emptiness they felt was like an open book when seen in this manner. 

The flows of Power all blended together into a bright white ribbon and the wind was now strong and hot; it blew the hair back off their handsome faces.  Despite the seriousness of the situation, they all had smiles on their faces from what they felt; it felt right like nothing had in a long long time.

OK guys, I wanted you all to see and feel all this.  You’ll get used to it soon enough, and believe me its way better when you’re fully Awake.

Lane opened up the doctor’s energy flows and looked deeply.  The damage to his body was significant; years of torture and malnutrition had wreaked havoc on his body.  The flows were weak, feeble, and sporadic.  The cruelty of his condition was no surprise but it was still painful to see; the doctor was such a great man and it tore at their hearts to see him like this.

Lane took a deep breath to center himself; he set aside the hurt, pain, and anger he felt.  He needed his full undistracted attention on what he was doing; he couldn’t afford to miss anything.  He felt Brad’s soothing and calming presence backing him up. 

You got this Lane.  I’m with you all the way.  I’ll tap into the guys here and feed you what you need.

As the rest of the men watched they were amazed at what they were witnessing and experiencing; Loy, Bill, and Darren felt it even deeper.  What was happening was already a part of them even though they didn’t have access to it yet.  They saw the energy flows and along with Lane saw what needed to be done.  The information flow for them was like trying to drink from a fire hydrant.  Brad could sense their desire to help but they didn’t have the means or the knowledge yet.  But they did provide the Power and Brad made sure they knew how important that was for Lane to be successful.

The doctor didn’t operate on the energy levels that they did as Nephelem so the energy required to heal him wasn’t as significant but the amount of damage made up for that.  He had minute fractures through his entire skeletal system as if he had been thrown against the wall repeatedly.  He had severe bone calcification where his wrists and ankles had been broken and not set properly.  His legs and spine were twisted so he couldn’t lay down straight.

The muscle atrophy was significant and the deterioration of all his organs from lack of water and malnutrition was severe. 

Lane took all this in and Brad looked with him.  He needed the healing to be slow and deliberate so as not to overwhelm or shock the doctor’s system.  On top of all the physical damage, his Soul was weak because he had been so close to death for so long.  The doctor had taught him how to weave a fine net of energy to replenish a person’s Soul in that condition when Rick almost died so he knew how to do it.

Lane sniffed and wiped his the tears out of his eyes and thought: OK ladies here we go. 

Lane’s eyes turned white and he raised his head to the Heavens.  He sent his Soul out and Brad went with him; Listening to the Music of Creation and letting it fill him up.  He fed the energy back into all of them to hold as a battery.  Then, almost like conducting an orchestra, he began to manipulate the flows of energy in the doctor.

There was no thunder in the skies above the city but there was a great display of heat lightning as his efforts were expressed in correcting the wrong done to his beloved mentor.  The lightning flashes matched the white flaring and intensity of Lane’s eyes as he worked.

The physical damage didn’t take long to correct… but Lane was puzzled about the state of the doctor’s Mind.  The flows, once he strengthened them, were stable but something major was missing.  The doctor’s intellectual capacity was huge but empty; somehow it was missing.

Just as when Brad was trying to repair Ken’s mind all that time ago when it was shredded by the creature that almost killed them both, Lane had to do the best he could.  He had to move on and finish what he could.  He started to weave the Soul net, which was the most difficult part; it was the biggest drain and took the longest.

By the time he was finished all of the men, Brad included, were about to pass out.  They were sweating heavily and their chests were heaving.

Finally the net was finished and he pushed it down into the doctor’s body; his body soaked it up like a water starved plant. 

Lane let out a sigh of relief and said out loud, “OK guys I’ve done all I can.  We’ll need to see how he is when he wakes up.  I have no idea what was done to his Mind.  Something is missing but I don’t know if he did it to himself or if it was done to him.”

Just looking at his body was a huge relief to all of them.  He once again looked like the man they were used to seeing.  His body had filled back out and his limbs were straight and clean.  Lane had effectively given him a haircut and a shave so he looked like his old self.

Albrecht squeezed Lane’s shoulder in gratitude as he moved forward and took one of the doctor’s hands into his own.  He pulled up a chair and sat down to wait, holding onto his lover.

Everyone else went to their rooms and fell asleep immediately, their Minds and Bodies drained.

The next morning there was no change.  Albrecht looked tired and was still sitting in the chair by Aaron’s beside.  Lane and Brad both once again looked at the doctors energy centers and they looked whole and healthy except for the missing gap in his Mind.

Rather than have everyone sit around worrying, Ken called everyone into the gym.  They had spent some of the time cleaning the place up and it was ready to be used again.  They had all done the best they could to keep in shape but being on the run for as long as they were had taken its toll on them.  Bill, Loy, and Darren were the most affected.

They all went through a rigorous morning of training with Brad and Lane showing Ken and the others some of the advanced fighting techniques that Albrecht had shown them.  They were all sitting around taking a short break, shirtless and covered in sweat when Bill let out a ‘Fuck me!”

They were all stunned at the nearly twenty foot tall robed figure that was standing in the center of the gym floor.

Greetings again Brad Wilson, Lane Weaver. 

Brad turned to the guys and quickly said, “He’s a friend guys.  No need to panic.”  Everyone but Brad and Lane stood with their jaws hanging open in awe of the being they saw for the first time.

It’s good to see you again Istariel.

The doctor is safe?

Yes.  We’ve healed him as best we can but there is something wrong with his Mind that we haven’t figured out yet.

The doctor, as you know, is a formidable man.  He managed to achieve a feat which we thought impossible to protect himself and to keep his vast knowledge from the Enemy.  He cast his Intellect out of himself and into another human.  You must find whoever carries it so it can return home.  The Master has put out a call to all his Dark Servants.  They are gathering even as we speak.  The doctor’s rescue has caused a reaction I hope you are prepared to withstand Brad Wilson.  All the Power of the Dark will descend upon these men in a matter of days to try and obliterate The Order once and for all.  We will aid you in their Protection but their fate is not certain.  They must Awaken and get back on the Path.

That’s why we’re here Istariel.  Lane and I will do our part and if there’s anything we can do to help you as well let us know.

Brad and Lane both had the same thought… already the corrections were beginning to happen.  They still to this day didn’t know exactly what happened at their own Awakening other than that was the first time they saw Istariel and his cousins.  It was likely they would see a similar occurrence of whatever happened to them.

Fuck Brad, how are we going to find who’s holding the doctor’s noodles?

Let’s talk to Albrecht first and see if he might have any thoughts.

“Nothing Aaron does surprised me anymore.  No one has ever achieved something like that… as far as I know the Mind and the Intellect are one and the same, so how he did that I have no idea.  It had to have been someone close by when he was captured.  I asked Bryan to try and recover the security footage from the day the Lab was broken into but it was all destroyed.  That might have given us a clue.”

Lane’s eyes turned white and he exclaimed, “Oh shit!  Bry!  Ken!  Guys get in here!”

Brad could hear the excitement in Lane’s voice and let him run with whatever idea just popped into his head. 

Ken and the others all rushed in when Lane yelled for them.  Brad immediately brought them all into a link and thought:  Guys don’t panic but go with whatever Lane says.  His Avatar has kicked in and we need to let him run with whatever’s happening.

He felt their acknowledgement and support; their military training kicked in and they were immediately focused and sharp and ready to do what was needed.  He also felt a sadness from Bryan and he realized in his haste to call everyone in Lane called him Bry; he didn’t mean it to hurt but it did.  His own Avatar flared to life and he sent a private message to Bryan:  I’m sorry Bryan I know it hurts.  We’ll have your Lane back soon I promise.  One way or another. 

Bryan’s eyes were bright and he looked at Brad and nodded.  Brad wished he had Ken’s Conviction to drive home the truth of his words into Bryan’s heart but for now his words and his own Compassion were all he had to offer; it was enough.

Lane: Everybody think and remember… I know it’s a bad memory but you need to be as precise as possible.  Remember the day The Enemy broke into the lab.  The day you lost your Brad and Lane and the doctor was taken.  Bill, Loy, and Darren, focus on the images and hold them tight from each vantage point where you were at the time.

Brad, coordinate their memories and synchronize our Avatars.  It was a powerful emotional day… this place remembers what happened.  Help me Read what happened and let’s reconstruct it in a construct.  Taliesin can help … use his experience at building constructs from their subconscious.  With all of you focused and remembering, plus the imprint that day left on this place, we can go back and see what the doctor did. 

Brad’s powerful mind collected them all and he began to coordinate the memories of each man as they remembered that painful time.  Almost immediately in their minds they saw an image of that day…

The day started like any other… there were no clients at the security firm that morning so most of the guys were at the Lab for their morning workouts.  Everybody was cutting up and joking while the doctor was busy doing whatever it was he normally did on his computer.

Bill and Kevin came in with lunch for everyone.  Mostly take out from PF Chang’s and a bag from Long John Silvers for the doctor.  They all smiled; every one of them knew his order by heart.  A number four platter, add a chicken plank, no slaw, extra fries, sweet iced tea and lots of ketchup.  He made his usual fanfare of undying gratitude to whoever brought him his greasy fish and chicken.

He had just finished opening all his packets of ketchup when out of nowhere a man appeared inside the door.  He was a big powerful man wearing a black suit.  His body was thick and powerful underneath his clothes; he was inhumanly handsome.  He had jet black hair and ice blue eyes, with a full goatee.  Before anyone could react he put his hand on the security console just inside the door and the light switched from red to green.  The door flew open and men started pouring in with guns.

The doctor stood up, almost calmly and looked straight at the man in the black suit.  Both of their eyes turned white and the doctor raised an arm almost as if he was warding off a blow.  He looked startled.  He was shocked when Brad jumped in front of him and took the bullet meant for him in his back.  Brad fell forward and the doctor caught him with a horrified look on his face.  His expression quickly turned to anger, which none of them had ever seen.  His eyes turned white and the man in the black suit screamed in agony and disappeared.

Ken was in shock at Brad’s death and started killing any of the men within arm’s reach.  He shattered bones like toothpicks with his blows and he was a whirlwind of death to the Enemy.  Lane was the first to start return fire, having grabbed an automatic rifle from the weapons locker.  He tossed a few rifles to Loy, Darren, and Bill.  He was trying to open up a path for them to escape. If they managed to get into the hallway they could seal the door and it would hold long enough for them to get out through the front of the building. 

 The doctor was cut off from the others and was still holding onto Brad’s body and he shouted over the noise of gunfire, “Flee!  Get to safety! I will be fine!”

Bodies were scattered everywhere.  They had put up a good fight but they were overwhelmed both in numbers and in firepower.

As they all followed the doctor’s orders and fled Lane brought up the rear and just as he was turning to follow a bullet caught him in his lower spine and he fell.  The door was already closing and Bryan tried to hold it open and grab his lover, but it was too late.  His hand was almost crushed as the door closed, blocking him from Lane’s body.

The images got fuzzier at this point with everyone gone, but the impressions that Brad and Lane were picking up through their Avatars were still strong.

The doctor was surrounded, and the man in the black suit was back.

“Well well… the mighty Dr. Aaron Thomas has finally fallen.”  He motioned for some of the men to take him.  “We will get him back to the Master and everything he knows will be ours.  I am fully prepared for this moment doctor, I’ve been planning this for years.  If you kill yourself we will still get what we want.  You know we can.”

The doctor didn’t say a word, his face was still as stone.  He glanced at his desk where his food was now thoroughly crushed and ruined. He casually reached out and picked up an opened packet of ketchup off the tabletop and looked at it.   His eyes flashed white; then he collapsed and the images stopped.

          The pain of reliving the memory was raw in all of them, especially Ken and Bryan.  They were both shaking and their eyes were bright with unshed tears.  Their breathing was harsh and raspy and their bodies were taught with fresh grief.  They didn’t have the perfect memories that their partners did but the Love they felt was beyond human even though they still didn’t fully know or understand why.

          Lane had a strong feeling about the man in the black suit.  His looks were beyond human, which begged the question of who or what he was.  He might have been a rogue Nephelem, or perhaps even a Fallen Angel.  Lane’s Avatar was telling him that man was somehow at the heart of what happened here; that was a key difference between their two realities.

          Loy said out loud, “I hope that was worth it guys.  That wasn’t something I wanted to see again.”

          Darren added, “What was up…there at the end?  That didn’t make any sense.”

          Lane said, “I’m not sure yet.  The doc must have used that packet as some kind of focus.  We still aren’t sure how he separated his Mind and Intellect, so we’re in uncharted territory.  What do you think Brad?”

          Brad was silent for a few seconds and then replied, “I think we need to go to Long John Silver’s.”

Brad felt confident that they were making headway.  The Mentalists were on their way; after he and Lane had talked to them about the Physical Bond with their partners, their Minds had started to unlock.  They were all rudimentary telepaths now.  He was thankful that Albrecht was there to help with that; to explain things and begin exercises to help strengthen and expand their growing abilities.

They had the doctor back and he was physically fine but they still had to unlock the mystery of what he did to himself.  And then they had to somehow get the Brad and Lane of this Reality back and restored.  He and Lane had some ideas on that but they agreed not to do anything premature; one step at a time.

It had been almost three years since the Lab had been broken into and the doctor did whatever he had done to himself.  Three years of their Brothers here having to hide and keep running to stay alive. 

Long John Silver’s was only a few miles from the Lab.  Brad smiled to himself and wondered if that fact had influenced the doctor’s decision on where the Lab was located.  He seemed to be addicted to their food.  One day he would have to ask the doctor how he managed to eat all that grease, fat, and carbs and still manage to look healthy.  You always have tricks up your sleeve doc.  I guess I will too after I’ve lived a few thousand years.

Even without the enhanced senses of their partners as soon as they walked in the door they smelled the fish and grease.  They glanced over the clientele; most of the people in here were overweight and unhealthy.  Lane looked at their Aura’s and could see the clogged arteries and plaque buildup in their veins.

Brad we don’t really know what we’re looking for here.  Do you have any ideas?

Whatever happened was almost three years ago.  I want to scan the employee’s first and see if any of them have been here that long and if they have, see if they remember anything strange.

That’s going to be a bit ugly.  Do you want me to help? 

No I’ll do it.  But I’ll probably need your help after I’m done if you don’t mind.

What kind of a question is that? 

Brad smiled at his friend and winked.  Lane had his usual mischievous grin on his face.  It struck Brad in that moment that Taliesin probably used to have that same grin and over the years as the Gift corrupted him it turned into that cynical smirk he always seemed to have on his face now.  He prayed that would never happen to Lane and his thought must have leaked through because Lane thought:  You don’t have to worry about that Brad.  Not only was Taliesin alone all that time and I have Bry, but my brain is wired to handle the Immortality and his wasn’t.  I’m surprised he lasted as long as he did.  The pity I have for him is one of the reasons I usually only threaten to kick his ass and not really do it.  I don’t think he had a chance… and I think the doctor knew it. 

One day we’ll ask him. Brad sighed took a deep breath and thought:  OK let’s get this started.

Brad let his shields down and immediately he started hearing the thoughts of everyone in the restaurant.  It was ugly and painful; it had been a while since he had done this.  It made him miss his Ken’s comforting solid presence so much his heart ached.

It reminded him of the time at the Mall of Georgia when he heard Drew scream and his shields dropped and the ugliness of everyone in the Mall flooded his Mind.  Ken had to come to his rescue back then; it was before Brad had a grip on his own abilities and his Ego was standing in the way of his full potential.

Brad delved into the memories of the Manager and the servers, going back to just before the date of the break in.  His heart bled for the people here and how lost they were; stumbling around in the dark with their Minds closed off.  The lies and self-deceptions were there, the petty jealousies that caused those lies and self-protection mechanisms.  There was some good but it was buried deep.  After just a few seconds his eyes were filled with tears as his Avatar flared to life and the Compassion he felt for them nearly overwhelmed him.  He wanted so badly to open their Minds and Hearts and comfort them; let them know they really weren’t alone and let them feel the unconditional Love that he felt for them; the love that all human beings longed for and didn’t even know it most of the time.  But he steeled himself and focused on his mission.   He felt Lane’s hand grip his shoulder in comfort; Lane knew what he was feeling. 

Lane intervened and hid the light from Brad’s Avatar as it was visible even under his clothes.  He didn’t try to interfere or directly help with what Brad was doing, but he did amp his own Aura up slightly; enough that everyone in the restaurant suddenly felt uplifted and positive even if only for a few minutes. 

Brad muttered, “Thanks,” as he sniffed and wiped at his eyes.

A man making his way to the trash bin to clear his food tray looked at Brad and was about to ask if he was alright when Lane looked at him and said, “Allergies.  He’s fine.”

The man responded, “OK just checking.”  He smiled and nodded as he walked out the door, not sure why he felt so uplifted.  Lane would like to think that the man would have asked about Brad regardless of what Lane had just done.

Luckily the Manger had worked here for a few years and clearly had memories of the doctor in her Mind.  There were two servers who also remembered him.  They had fond memories of the man who always ordered the same thing and was so polite to them.  The doctor showed them courtesy and made them feel good when he came in.  The manager always wondered where he came from because of his distinct way of talking; he talked so proper and never used contractions.  She also wondered if something might have happened to him because he stopped coming in one day.  She assumed maybe he moved away.

Brad was almost sure he found the event he was looking for.  A young Hispanic server named Javier passed out in the kitchen on the day the doctor was taken.  His mother came to pick him up and he never showed up for work again.

Brad was still lost in the thoughts of all the other patrons of the restaurant.  The pain he felt underneath the surface of their thoughts was intense.  Most of them had a semblance of happiness in their lives but it was more a self-deception to get by.  It would be so easy to reach out and let them know they weren’t alone and to feel a connection with another human being like they had never dreamed possible.

Lane was following his thought processes through the lite Link they maintained.  Brad we aren’t here for that.  I know it hurts but we need to stay focused on the mission.  We don’t know the ramifications of interfering here.

It’s not that I forget how they are, even how we used to be, but when it’s so fresh and present it hurts.  I care for them so deeply… I almost feel like I know how a parent feels watching a child stumble around and get hurt when you know you could prevent it.

Your Primary Avatar is Compassion Brad; of course you feel it more strongly.  I feel it too and it’s painful as hell so I know it’s worse for you.  We have our own world to save.  Once we get this one back on track it will be their Brad and Lane’s job to fix this along with the rest of their Team. We need to lay low and stay on track.

Brad gave a heavy sigh and closed his eyes.  Yeah you’re right.  Let’s finish up here.  And you know you sounded just like Ken when you said that.

Lame smirked and thought: I’ll take that as a compliment!

Brad approached the counter and asked to speak with the manager.  He pulled out his wallet and made her see an identification badge from the Department of Immigration Services. 

“Ma’am, my colleague and I have some questions about a young man who worked here a few years ago.  His name was Javier Costoros.  Is he still employed here?”

She looked a bit frazzled, more from the stunning looks and smiles of the two incredible handsome men than their badges.  They both gave her their most disarming smiles.

“Oh my… no.  Javier hasn’t worked here in quite a while.”

“Would you happen to have his employee information available?”

“I’m sure he’s probably still in the computer.”

“Why don’t you check please?  And print out whatever information you have for us.”  Brad sent a compulsion along with his words, knowing she wasn’t supposed to give out personal information on anyone without authorization from her home office.

She returned a minute later with a printed copy of his employee application and employment file.

“Thank you Mary.  You’ve been a great help.”

Mary’s heart fluttered at the smile he gave her.  Lane couldn’t help it and enhanced Brad’s smile to the point where his teeth practically gleamed.  He looked like he stepped straight out of a Mentos commercial.  It was too late for him to do anything about it when he realized what Lane had done.

You are so going to pay for that.  One day when you least expect it Lane, payback will be a bitch.

Lane could only laugh and clap him on the back as they walked out the door.  As always Lane had a way of lightening a serious mood; it was one of the many things about his friend that he loved.

With all their expertise with TGH Securities over the years, and their Military special operations training, it didn’t take them long to track down Javier.  It turned out he was born in the United States but his parents were here illegally.

With the facts they were able to pull together about him, through basic questions, and of course a little mind reading, they pieced together a surprising but not necessarily unexpected story of the last few years.

He was now a straight ‘A’ student at Georgia State University in downtown Atlanta, enrolled in multiple degree programs.  He was still an undergraduate but taking many graduate level courses.

Instead of trying to hack into the Student Information Systems through the Library, they decided to take a chance and went straight to the Science Annex where the Molecular Genetics and Cellular Biology courses were taught.  After a few hours they spotted Javier.

What they didn’t count on was him spotting them.  They were careful but they had assumed he wouldn’t be suspicious or be on the lookout for anyone tailing him.  As soon as they started making their way towards him he casually but obviously broke away from the group of friends he was talking too and headed down the hall at a fast pace.  He ducked into a classroom and they lost sight of him.

They both immediately reached for his Mind and were shocked when their initial probe slid off a Shield that they completely didn’t expect him to have.

Lane: Fuck!  Didn’t see that coming.

Brad: Well he can’t outrun us both.  Let’s go!

They followed him quickly, emitting a Compulsion in the general area not to pay any attention to them.  They didn’t want anyone remembering their presence here.  It was almost like they were invisible and no one paid the slightest attention to them other than getting out of their way.

Some of the classrooms were interconnected with Lab’s and Javier knew the layout of the building like the back of his hand.  He had the upper hand for a few seconds until Lane reached out and pulled the same information from a Teacher’s Assistant that was in a Lab they moved through.

He shared the information with Brad and they split up.  There were only a few routes Javier could take to make it out of the building from the direction he was headed.  The building was mazelike and once they knew the layout they herded him to a corner room.  Javier was starting to panic as he realized what they were doing.

They caught sight of him a few times and he looked panicked now and was starting to sweat from running.

Lane closed the gap and was in the same room with him just long enough to reach out with his Mind and lock the door shut.  Javier slammed into the door expecting it to open.  He spun around wide eyes and he looked terrified.

I got him Brad.  Room 514B at the end of the hall.

Lane held out his hand in a placating gesture, “Javier it’s OK.  We just need to talk to you.  We aren’t here to hurt you.”

Brad came into the room in time to hear him ask, “Who are you?  What do you want?”

Lane, “We’re friends Javier.  Calm down.  Let’s sit down and talk OK?”

Javier, “A..are you f..from Them?”

Both Lane and Brad realized immediately why he was so terrified.  Their stances softened and Lane’s voice was quieter, “No we’re not The Enemy Javier.  I’m not even sure how you know who they are, but we’re the good guys.  We’re friends of Dr. Thomas.”

Javier, “How do I know you’re telling the truth?”

Brad, “Well for starters we’re talking to you rather than just killing you.  And The Enemy can’t do this…”

Brad fired up his Aura and Javier immediately felt the warm sensation of emotional peace and tranquility wash over him.  His breath caught at the beauty of what he felt; it was sudden and unexpected.

The relief was visible on Javier’s face as he said, “Thank God you aren’t with Them.  I was so scared. Who are you?”

“I’m Brad Wilson and this is Lane Weaver.”

“But you can’t be them.  You’re dead.  He told me you were.”

“You can talk to the doctor?”

“Sort of.  He’s a voice inside my head…. I know it’s not really him, but I know most of what he does.  It’s almost like he talks to me.”

Lane said, “Damn.  Sounds like Jor-El from Man of Steel.  Way to go doc!”

Javier actually laughed a little and said, “Yeah something like that… I mean I don’t see him but I understand what I need to know when I need it.”

Brad shook his head saying, “That’s incredible.  He never ceases to amaze me.”

Javier, “So you guys are supposed to be dead.  How come you aren’t? He saw you die.”

Lane, “Well if you know everything he does this will make sense.  We aren’t the ones that died.  We’re here from an Alternate Reality to set things right.”

Javier, “Fuck me!  Holy shit this is like an episode of Stargate!”

Brad laughed a little, “Yeah it’s not too far off.  Javier we really need your help.”

Javier, “Are you here to take him out of my head?”

Lane, “Yeah that’s why we are here.  We rescued his body and we need the piece inside of you to make him whole.  I don’t know what that’s going to mean for you Javier.  We won’t hurt you but I’m not sure how it will affect you.”

Javier, “He wasn’t sure if anyone would ever come for me.  It’s been so cool knowing all this stuff.  I have to be super careful all the time though, but at the same time it’s like living a lie.  I see it as a Gift but not one I’m supposed to keep.  I just got to hang onto it for a while and reap the rewards.”

It was obvious to both Brad and Lane that it was more than just the doctor’s Intellect at work in Javier.  Part of the doctor’s character also made an imprint on Javier. 

Lane, “Do you know how to remove it?”

Javier, “Yeah I do.  It’s actually really simple, but it’s also nothing anyone would really figure out on their own.  In a way it’s going to be a huge relief… I mean I didn’t ask for this even though I’m glad it happened.  I could have died… he put in… safeguards.  If I was ever taken I know how to kill myself with a thought.  He told me I’d have to if I was ever captured by The Enemy.”

Brad’s tattoo began to glow under his shirt, “Javier, I think I know why the doctor picked you.  You’re a very brave young man and you have a good head on your shoulders.  I know the doctor will be proud of you when he’s fully recovered.  I’m sure he’ll want to keep in touch.”

Javier, “So when do you want to do this?  I’m done with classes for today.  I’m not sure if I’ll be able to even come back tomorrow.  I might be back at working fast food… even he isn’t sure what’s going to happen to me.”

Lane, “No matter what Javier, I promise you we’ll make sure you’re OK.  One way or another we’ll make sure of that.”

Javier looked relieved and said, “Thanks.”

Brad:  Albrecht… we found the boy the doc is hiding in.  We’ll give you a heads up right before we transfer his Intellect back into his body.  It should only be a few minutes from now.  Be ready.

Brad could hear and feel the anxiety in Albrecht as he replied:  I’m with him and ready.  Thank God you found him.

Lane asked, “Javier, do we need to be some place special to do this?”

Javier replied, “Yeah we need to go back to Long John Silver’s in Lawrenceville.”

Brad chuckled, “That doesn’t surprise me one bit.”

Since Brad had already been in Mary’s mind, he was easily able to find her again.  He sent a compulsion for her to go into the women’s bathroom and lock the door.

Lane got that mischievous grin on his face and said, “OK Javier hold onto your hat.  The doc didn’t know we could do this so this will be a surprise.”

The two big men got on either side of Javier with a hand on his shoulder.  Brad used Mary’s eyes to get the visual reference and they appeared in the Women’s bathroom in Long John Silver’s.

Javier, “Holy shit!  Fuck’in beam me up Scotty!  That rocks!  I hope you can get me back though, my car is parked in the parking deck downtown.”

Lane smiled, “No worries there Javi.  I told you we’d take care of you.  Full service and no need to tip the valet.”

Javier, “Hey is Mary OK?  She looks funny.”

Brad, “Yeah sorry I used her as a focal point to get us here.  I can’t have her remember what just happened.  She’s fine I just sort of put her brain in neutral for a minute.”

Brad sent Mary back out to work with the memory of using the bathroom.  The three of them exited right behind her using the same Compulsion for anyone who saw them to ignore their presence.

Brad, “OK Javier, what next?”

Javier, “I need to order some food.  You guys want anything?”

Both Brad and Lane were sure they knew what Javier was going to order.  As a toast to the doctor and what Javier was about to do both of them said they would have the same thing.

Lane pulled out his wallet and said, “I’ll buy today.”

Mary was thrilled to see Javier and made a fuss over how good he looked and how grown up.  She gave him his old employee discount as a favor.

Javier ordered a Number 4 Platter, an extra chicken plank, extra fries and no slaw, sweet iced tea with extra ice.  He filled half a dozen of the small paper ketchup holders and got one pack of vinegar.  They all got their trays and went and sat down in a booth in the corner.

Brad lifted his tea in a toast and said, “Bon a petit!”

Having hyper metabolisms meant they were almost always hungry and Brad and Lane scarfed down their food in no time.  Javier stared wide eyed at how quickly their food disappeared. 

Lane kept the small talk going until Javier was finished with his food.  The suspense was building in Brad and Lane.  Their Intuitions were kicking in that something significant was about to happen.

Brad asked, “OK now what?”

Javier took a deep breath and they could see how nervous he was.  He was steeling himself for whatever was about to happen.  “You promise me if anything happens to me you will take care of my parent’s right?  I know we didn’t talk about that but I need to know.”

Brad reached over and put his hand on Javier’s shoulder and gave him a reassuring squeeze.  “We promise Javi.  Nothing is going to a happen to you buddy.  But we’ll make sure your family is fine and you too.”

Javier sat up straight and he took a deep breath and said, “So long and thanks for all the fish!”  His eyes turned white briefly and he slumped over in the booth.

Lane was sitting beside Javier and propped him up and cupped Javier’s chin in his hand.  He shifted his Sight and looked at Javier’s energy centers.  His nervous system just had a shock and he was a little drained but fine.  Lane could see a residual imprint in Javier’s Mind… the strength of his Mental Energy flow was much stronger than a normal human’s.  Lane sent a small weave of white energy into Javier to restore him and he immediately started coming too.

Brad:  Albrecht!  Is the doctor awake?

Albrecht:  He is!  And he’s starving!  He wants you to bring him some food!

Both men felt overjoyed at the news. The relief flooding into both of them was palpable and another notch in their mission here was now completed.

Brad and Lane appeared in the Lab with Javier between them and a to-go order from Long John Silver’s for the doc.

They took off immediately for the room the doctor was in.  Even though they knew he was awake when they saw him sitting up and conscious they felt a rush of emotions fly through them.  His eyes were closed but he had both his hands clasped tightly around Albrecht’s forearm.  They were glowing softly, indicating the depth of their connection, and Brad and Lane could tangibly feel the bond the two men shared.  It dawned on Brad that none of them still really knew if the doctor and Albrecht were completely human; and if they were how did they Awaken and become so powerful and attain immortality all those years ago.

Sensing their presence, the doctor opened his eyes looked at them standing in the doorway to his room and his eyes misted over.  His face was flush with emotion that he rarely expressed outwardly, but he smiled as he said, “Let me look at you.”

They moved closer and he took each of their hands into his own and squeezed them hard.  “The fact that you are here is beyond all hope to me.  I thought I saw my dreams die the day your counterparts here were killed.  How you came to be here is a mystery… one that I fully wish to understand.”

Lane smiled and said, “It’s great to see you doc. When you’re rested we’ll tell you everything you need to know.”

The doctor looked past their big bodies blocking his view to Javier, who was standing awkwardly at the door not knowing what to do with himself.

“My boy, come in.  I must thank you as well.  You did not ask for what happened to you, and I apologize profusely for my actions.  If circumstances had not warranted I never would have presumed to use you in such a manner without permission.  I think all of us might end up owing you our lives.”

Javier smiled wanly and mumbled, “It was nothing.  It’s not like I didn’t get anything out of it either.”

“Once I am rested I will talk with you at length Javier.  I have a proposition for you that you will want to consider.  For now though, we need to get you home safely.  The Enemy has no knowledge of you or your assistance, so you should be completely safe.  I will be in touch soon if all goes well here.”

As Brad and Lane were about to send Javier back, Lane stopped and went still as stone.  His eyes turned white and his voice took on an otherworldly quality.  The deep baritone voice of the Master came out of his mouth.

Come my servants!  With all my Authority I Summon you!  Gather and be ready!  As soon as those of the Order start the ritual to Awaken their new warriors we will be aware of them and strike them down!  We will obliterate The Order once and for all and rule this plane unopposed!

All of the men heard Lane’s voice in their Minds as well as their ears and the cold chill of the Master’s voice that went with it.  They rushed into the room to see what was going on.

Albrecht, who had been silent at Aaron’s bedside until now said, “Well we knew this was coming.  Are we ready to face the storm we just unleashed?”

Later that evening Lane and Brad were in the kitchen area with Ken, Bryan, and the others.

Ken was asking, “So what’s next?  We have the doc back and other than needin’ some rest he seems in great shape.  Even a few days ago I couldn’t have imagined that.  You said after we got the doc back we’d get our B and Lane back.  What’s the plan?”

They knew Ken wasn’t pushing, but he and Bryan were anxious to have their partners back in their lives.  The tension in them was visible in their energy flows.

“Lane and I need to make another call.”

“To who?”

“I’m not sure we should say.  I’m really sorry but this is one of those things that could cause quite a ripple if it doesn’t go right.  And I’m not sure it’s entirely safe for you guys until the next step in your Awakening is complete.”

Bryan spoke up, and in his deep gravelly voice said, “I don’t give a fuck who you call.  You’ve already pulled one rabbit out of a hat with the doc.  I trust you.”

Lane grinned and said, “Thanks.”

Brad said, “Come on Lane, there’s no time like the present.  Guy’s I’m not sure what you will feel or hear in next little while, but don’t come into the gym OK?  Just wait for us to come out.”

Brad and Lane went into the gym.  The overhead lights were off except for the spotlight over the sparring ring.

Lane:  So who do you want to call first?

Brad: Raphael and Gabriel since they are closest to us. And we have to call Uriel, but I’m worried about getting Michael involved.  You know how he was before he had his run in with Ken.

Lane:  I had the same thought.  OK let’s do this.

Brad: I don’t want to do anything to antagonize them up front.  Let’s keep our shields completely down.  They’ll have to Read us completely to understand why we’re here and I want them to trust us.

They looked up to the Heavens and their eyes turned white and their Avatar’s flared brightly.  When they spoke, their voices echoed across the Physical and Spiritual Realms.

“Raphael! Gabriel!  Uriel!”

It immediately became deathly silent and the darkness in the gym deepened and transformed into a vision of the Heavens.  Millions of stars stretched across their sight, and brightly colored gas clouds and nebula.  The beauty, as always, was astounding, and they could feel the duality as the gym shifted slightly too briefly exist in both Realms.

Three balls of light appeared and grew into the forms of the Arch-Angels they were familiar with from their own Reality.

The three beings looked the same as they were used to; Raphael in jeans and t-shirt with a brown leather jacket, Gabriel with his dark red hair tied in a ponytail and wearing a nice tailored grey pinstriped three piece suit; and huge Uriel wearing his cloth tunic with animal furs as wrappings on his forearms and lower legs.  They were all uncannily handsome and charismatic.

No words were initially spoken but Brad and Lane felt the immensity of the Presence of the three beings and the Powerful minds that scanned them. 

As his presence pulled back from Brad’s mind Raphael said quietly, “I see.”

Brad asked, knowing that Raphael Read he and Lane, “Can you help us?  Do you know what happened to the bodies?  We need to find them and restore them.  I know you weren’t allowed to interfere to save them and technically can’t in this matter.  We just need to find them so we can set things right.”

Raphael asked, “Where is the divergence? Do you know yet why things are so drastically different here?”

Lane said, “There was a man when the Lab was raided by the Enemy.  We’ve never seen him before, but he was in charge.  He was immune to the Runes and protections on the building.  So far he’s the only difference we’ve noticed but my instincts tells me he’s key.”

Gabriel said, “The fact that he is unknown to us is significant in itself.  Someone has gone to great lengths to hide him from us.  That alone was worth responding to your call.  However, I would have come anyways for the chance to restore my grandson.”

Raphael responded, “I as well. However I don’t know what became of the bodies of the Brad Wilson and Lane Weaver of this Plane. Do either of you?” he asked as he looked at his two Brothers.

Uriel spoke for the first time saying, “I was forbidden to take them Home with only half their Souls, just as you knew.  I was given instruction to take their bodies and put them in a safe place.  They rest in Thomin’s Vault.”

Brad and Lane both noticed how grim Raphael and Gabriel looked when they heard Uriel say that.

Brad tentatively asked, “What’s Thomin’s Vault?”

Raphael responded, “Thomin is one of our Brothers.  His Province is to collect and protect objects of Power and information that must be kept outside the hands of mankind or from the Dark.  Thomin is a bit… eccentric for one of our kind.”

Lane looked at Brad and asked, “I wonder if that’s the place the doc mentioned to us.  Where the Book was stolen from?”

Gabriel asked, “What Book?”

Brad answered, “In our Reality, not too long ago, one of my brothers was given the Book of Loagaeth.  Since then we’ve used the knowledge to fortify our holdings against the Enemy, but we still don’t know who gave us the Book.  The doc is worried that if the Book was taken, other objects might have been taken as well.  Our Team back home might already be looking into it.  The doc was very concerned about the ramifications if other items are missing and back into circulation.”

Gabriel said, “The Book of Loagaeth?  That is precisely the type of knowledge that should not be in the hands of mortals!”

Brad raised his voice a little, “Well we aren’t exactly mortal anymore.  And there’s been interference from at least one of your rogue Brothers that is tipping the Balance even further.  Whoever left us the Book is helping us stay in the fight.  Our Purpose is to fight The Enemy on Earth, not Arch-Angels.  Things just keep on getting more and more complicated.”

While he was talking, Brad’s Avatar flared and it was visible underneath his clothing.  Raphael’s face softened and he said, “We mean you no affront Brad.  If you have the knowledge of the Book of Loagaeth, whoever put it in your possession thinks you have the wisdom to use it.  We must trust that whoever that was is correct.”

Brad sent a private thought to Raphael: Actually you helped us with some input on how to use the Runes most effectively.  But that’s a secret and will never go further, either in this Reality or our own.

Raphael replied:  I might have to have a discussion with myself about that.  It seems there is more going on here than we are aware of.  It’s disturbing to say the least.

Lane said, “So the question of the day… how do we get to Thomin’s Vault?”

Uriel replied, “I will take you.”

They appeared in a cave on the shore of what appeared to be an underground lake.  It was quickly apparent it wasn’t a lake… the smell of salt water was strong.   There were two large doors carved in stone that were covered in intricate carvings and relief.  Two torches burned on either side of the doors illuminating the area they were in.

The quiet there was almost deafening.  It was a sacred place and they felt like they were disturbing it just by being present.

You are.  Leave now.  You should not be here.

The voice was in their Mind’s and it was strong and powerful.

Uriel responded:  Brother!  They are here by my will. 

You are here for the bodies then.  You know the rules Uriel.

Open the doors and let us pass Thomin.  These men bear the Mark.

The Paradox you bring here is dangerous Uriel.  They should not be here…  I can feel the strain just by their very presence!

Then let us retrieve what we come for and be on our way.  I know the rules.  Let us in.  We have discovered much and our need is great.

The needs of your cause are not the same as mine.  I care little for your War.

Brad and Lane had been listening to the discussion, not sure if they should say anything or not.  Thomin’s indifference, just like Michael’s was infuriating.

Brad felt his temper rising: Show yourself Thomin!  I want to talk to you!

Uriel’s head snapped around and he looked angry.  He muttered, “Do not antagonize him!”

Thomin appeared in front of them.  He was stately and almost elegant looking, far thinner than any of the angels they had seen so far.  He also looked older… he had grey in his temples.  His skin had a sheen to it that looked odd.  He had the same eyes as all his Brother’s though… they were Deep.

Brad moved forward, and his body was tense in his anger.  “What purpose does it serve to keep the bodies here?  They aren’t ‘objects of Power’, which as I understand, is your Province and mission to protect.  What can you possibly gain by keeping them here other than to stroke your overblown ego and make you feel self-important?”

Uriel put his hand out on Brad’s shoulder and gripped it firmly, as if to try and hold him back.  “Brad Wilson, please do not….”

“I’m sorry Uriel, but we went through this same attitude with Michael in our own world!  This asinine behavior is the reason the Enemy abounds here.  You all are supposed to be on the right side of the Balance, not tip the scales in the other direction by being assholes.

“In case you hadn’t noticed things here are looking grim Thomin.  Millions of human lives and Souls are at risk, while you stand here and bicker with us over whether or not we can retrieve two of our friends.  We appreciate that you kept them safe, but this reality needs them if it is going to have a chance. And if this reality is destroyed you and all your precious ‘objects of power’ go with it.”

Brad felt something stirring inside him as he was talking.  His Avatar seemed warm and vibrant and his tattoo was tingling.

“Insolent half-breed!”  Thomin’s face was dark with anger.  He pointed towards the water and shouted “Be gone!”

Brad and Lane had never experienced anything like what they were feeling.  They had their shields up and felt something brush off them.  Thomin looked shocked and he turned to Uriel, “How dare you!”

Uriel was looking at Brad and Lane intently and he said, “I did nothing Thomin. I told you they bear the Mark.  They have the right to retrieve the bodies.”

Thomin was practically shaking in anger, “Show me!”

Brad and Lane looked at Uriel with raised eyebrows and he glanced at their shoulders and gave a slight nod, “Show him your Avatar’s.”

They both lifted the sleeves on their shirts up and exposed their tattoos.    The vibrant and intricate designs were glowing brightly and spitting off arcs of color and the runes were clearly visible.

“I should never have allowed you to leave them here Uriel.  The Paradox is too dangerous.  They are the only ones who can pass, but they cannot be here, so the bodies should stay under my Protection forever.”

Uriel started to sound irritated, “But they are here.  You see they are Random and Unfettered.  That changes everything.  Now quit being stubborn and let us pass.”

Thomin still looked furious but the doors to the vault began to swing open.  “Touch nothing!  And you two… do not touch your counterparts!”  With that Thomin vanished.

Lane smirked and looked at Brad and said, “What is it with you and Ken going head to head with these guys?”

Brad smiled and shrugged his shoulders, “Like Ken said, it seemed like the right thing to do.  I was prepared to get my ass kicked, but it worked out.”

Uriel gestured to the open doors, “Quickly, before he changes his mind. Follow me.”

They entered the vault and followed Uriel.  It wasn’t as large as they thought it would be but it was full of objects on pedestals.  They recognized the Book of Loagaeth. 

They both stopped dead in their tracks when they saw the bodies laid out on two large stone slabs.  The lighting in the Vault was dim and the entire area had a light blue Aura about it.  The bodies had a nimbus around them as well.

Uriel glanced back and motioned for them to approach.  “I know it must be disconcerting to see this.  They are in a state of suspension, neither alive nor dead.  Their wounds were lethal, as you know.  When I release the stasis, you will need to Heal them quickly.  Let me know when you are ready.”

OK Lane you do the honors.  I’ll be with you and back you up. 

Brad moved up behind his friend and put his hands on Lane’s shoulders.  He squeezed them slightly to show his support and to let Lane feel his presence both physically and mentally.  Lane took a deep breath and opened their energy centers and merged them completely together.  As always their breath caught in their chests and their eyes watered from the emotional intimacy.  They took solace in one another for a few seconds.  It was such a comfort to both of them to be like this as close friends; able to show themselves and not be ashamed or judged but loved and accepted for who they truly are.  Brad leaned forward and brought his arms down across Lane’s chest and squeezed him tightly back against his body in a quick bear hug and then put his hands back on his shoulders.

Lane nodded to Uriel, “OK I’m ready.”

Uriel moved his hand over Brad’s prone body and as soon as his hand touched the nimbus it vanished.

Lane was ready and he opened up all three energy centers on Brad’s body.  A few thoughts went through his mind as he viewed the damage to Brad’s body through his energy flows.  The first was how easy the damage was to heal; it was lethal to a human, which at this stage the Brad of this Reality still was, but for any of them now, fully Awake, it was almost trivial.  They had come so far in the last few years, but it was also apparent in looking back at his own journey with Bryan, Brad, Ken, and the others how precarious their journey had always been. 

The history of all the men together from their early lives, as children who had all grown up alone in one form or another, to the decisions and experiences that lead them to join the Navy and become Seals, to interviewing with the doctor; it had all been a delicate intertwined series of decisions and coincidences.  If everything hadn’t happened precisely as it had there was no telling how different things would be for all of them. The only difference in this reality is that someone interfered and tipped the Balance. 

The man in the black suit he saw in the memories of Ken and the others here was key.  They didn’t know his name or who he was yet, but Lane had his suspicions.  Brad had the same thoughts and it was apparent through their linked Minds.  But as they had been taught, without proper Warding, they couldn’t say his name or even think it.

In no time Lane found the bullets, still lodged in Brad’s body and removed them; they appeared in his hand.  He then continued to knit the damage back together until Brad’s wounds were completely healed and he was breathing normally but unconscious.  Lane set a compulsion for him to stay asleep until they wanted him to wake up.

Lane nodded for Uriel to continue and in another minute the Lane of this world was fully healed and sleeping as well.

Brad: Well that was easy.   I wasn’t sure what to expect but that was much easier than I imagined it would be.

Lane: Yeah I know what you mean.  But I have a feeling the shit is really about to hit the fan.  Whoever is meddling here is going to be pissed we’re here and getting things back on track.  We need to move fast now.

Brad:  It’s going to be tough to watch when we get them back. 

Lane: Yeah it is.  I don’t think I’ll be able to.  We can make ourselves scarce for a bit. 

Brad: Let’s push on and get this over with.  We can’t leave until things here are right, and the sooner we do that the sooner we get back to our own guys.  Even though I love everybody here it’s just not the same.  They aren’t ours.

Uriel’s deep gravelly voice, so like Bryan’s, cut through their thoughts:  I know this is difficult for you.  I would not say this to Michael, but I am glad you are outside of our Rules.  You are needed here and I thank you for doing what you are doing.

Brad:  Uriel can you ward us for a moment?  I need to mention something to you and it needs to stay private for now… and there’s another reason but I can’t tell you openly.

We are warded here in the Vault.  No one can scry here or hear our thoughts.  Thomin has no interest and is not listening.

Brad went on to tell Uriel about meeting Luke at the Tree and the warnings of Gabriel, Raphael, and the others.  They had no proof but they were sure he was responsible for what happened in this reality.  Luke would never show himself openly, so they knew the man in the memories they saw wasn’t him, but there was a strong chance that man was connected to Luke.  He shared his concerns about Michael and showed Uriel his own memory of Michael’s and Ken’s confrontation at the Lab.

I can force Michael to commune with himself in your Reality.  We can do that at great need.  I must go now.  Can you return yourselves?

Sure.  Thank you for your help Uriel.  You’re grandson is about to be one happy camper.

The corners of Uriel’s mouth lifted in a rare grin; even though he and Bryan didn’t physically look much alike their mannerisms were identical.  Lane smiled even as he felt a twinge of sorrow deep down from missing his lover so completely.

I will see you again soon.  Be safe until then.  With that he vanished with a sound of fluttering wings.

They appeared in the gym, Brad carrying Lane’s body and Lane carrying Brad’s. The compulsion to stay asleep would last for another few hours.  There were a few reasons… first off neither Brad nor Lane could take seeing the reunion between their counterparts and their lovers.  As much as they missed their own men, it was just something they didn’t want to put themselves through.  They also thought it would be a good idea for the first thing they saw when they woke up not to be a version of themselves from an alternate reality.

They called the doctor into the gym first and filled him in on what had transpired and he asked Ken and Bryan to perform a few tasks that would keep them busy and allow the doctor to get Brad and Lane discreetly into a bed so the doctor could check them over first. 

Brad said, “You really don’t need to doc.  Our ability to heal is pretty comprehensive.  Once the guys here get their Avatars you can watch them in action and see for yourself. And speaking of their Avatars, we need to get them through the final Process as quickly as possible.  And we need to be prepared for a full on onslaught by The Enemy when we do it.  I don’t think it’s going to be easy.”

“You are correct my boy.  I must have a frank discussion with you on that matter.  If you are willing, having you here and fully Awake might alter the procedure somewhat.”

“OK doc.  Let’s get these guys into bed and reunited with their partners first.  The Enemy won’t make a move until we start the ritual.  They have their forces gathered but they don’t know where to try and hit us until we start.  We have some time.  And I don’t think we’ll be alone.  We have allies, whether you’re aware of them or not.”

The doctor raised a questioning eyebrow and looked thoughtful but didn’t say anything. 

The next few hours were painful and edgy for both Brad and Lane.  They heard the commotion out in the lab when the guys realized that the friends they had thought were lost forever were back and alive and well.

Brad and Lane stayed in the gym and decided to put themselves through a grueling workout to try to distract themselves.  They kept their shields tight so they wouldn’t feel any overflow of the emotions that were running rampant just a short distance away.

They had gone through their mental disciplines and were sparring in the ring when the door opened and Rick, Loy, Kevin, Bill, Darren, and Pat all came in.

They came over to the edge of the ring and Loy said, “Guys can you come down for a minute?  We’d like to talk to you.”

Brad game Lane a ‘what’s up’ look and Lane shrugged his shoulders slightly.  They were both just wearing workout shorts and shoes and were soaked in sweat from the intensity of their workout. Their muscles were pumped and swollen and veins were showing across their upper chests and arms.  They looked physically stunning to the guys as they came up to the ring.

They both hopped down and Lane asked, “What’s up fella’s?”

As soon as Brad and Lane saw the faces of the men they knew something had changed and they had a good idea what happened.

Loy’s eyes started to tear up when he spoke, “We want to thank you for bringing our Brad and Lane back to us.  You know how much they mean to us, and we never thought we’d see them again.  I know we don’t really keep score on things like this but we owe you big time.

“While you were gone we… uh.. well maybe we jumped the gun, but I merged completely with Ricky and I convinced the other guys here to do the same with their partners.”

Brad’s eyebrows raised in surprise and Lane let out a quiet, “Oh shit!”

Loy continued, “It was rocky and intense… you know… but now we’re better than ever, and we have an even better idea now of what you guys are going through without your own partners with you.  If you’ll let us we want to merge with you.  You can block off anything you think we don’t need to see but it’s something we want to do for you and we all think you need.  What do you say?”

Brad and Lane were a little shocked and incredibly touched.  Brad’s throat tightened up and for a moment he had trouble responding.  Lane rolled his eyes and with his normal mischievous grin said, “You’re such a pussy Brad.”

They all laughed at that, Brad included.  He still couldn’t talk but he nodded his head yes.

Thank you guys.  I want to… Lane do you?

Hell yeah… I’ve missed our own version of these yahoo’s like you wouldn’t believe. 

Loy: Why don’t you start… we’re getting the hang of it but since you have things we might not need to see it’s probably best that way.  We’re an open book for you right now… we want to give you whatever you need.

Brad’s eyes turned white and a second later Lane’s did too.  He brought the two of them together first.  This time he didn’t bother toning down their auras and he let them shine brightly.  He wanted to give that back to his brothers and show then what they had to look forward too.

Brad smoothly brought them all together, unlike the train wreck that he and Ken shared the first time they merged.  It was beautiful and powerful and emotionally intimate.  Brad took them all deep and they immersed themselves in one another completely.  The warmth and support that he and Lane had missed was back… it was subtly different but just as powerful.  They literally basked in the presence of their friends as tears streamed down their cheeks.

The others were astonished at how powerful Brad and Lane were, and they felt reassured that they too would be the same soon enough and with enough training and practice.  The personalities and quirks they had missed felt like home to them… the jokes they shared and the brotherly hugs and the shit they hung on one another as only best friends can.

They took their time and were gentle and went through the process as though it was the first time, which in a way it was.  As deep as Brad took them not much time passed in the gym, but they all felt like hours had passed.  None of them were really ready to break what they were sharing, but Brad eventually separated them all back into couples and then let them go back into themselves.

They all stood around stunned for a few seconds, getting used to being back in their bodies, and missing the exquisite intimacy that was so painfully beautiful and profound.  Then almost as one, their six brothers moved forward and physically embraced Brad and Lane.  All of them still had tears in their eyes as they wrapped their arms around them and held them tight.

Brad and Lane felt completely refreshed and rejuvenated.

Thank you guys.  You know how much we needed that and how much it meant.  I can’t wait for you to do that with all ten of you.  The others have some catching up to do.  In our world, Lane and I were the first two to develop and here it’s going to be the opposite.   I know you’ll break them in gently.

Kevin:  Hell no, I’ll finally be able to spank Ken’s ass at something.

They all burst out laughing and broke their embrace.

Rick:  I’m starving, how about we go get some grub?

Lane, with a grin on his face thought:  Yeah we can all hear that cavern you call a stomach.

Rick grabbed him in a headlock and walked him out into the kitchen… just like old times.

They felt the intensity of the auras coming from the rooms that Ken, Brad, Bryan, and Lane were housed in.  It was no secret what was going on and everyone had smiles on their faces.  Not just because their brothers were getting laid, but because they were alive to get laid and back with the men they belonged with.  The mood was light and jovial in the kitchen as they decided what to eat for dinner.  Bryan was busy so their fallback cooks were Pat and Rick. 

While they were gathered in the kitchen the doctor came and asked Brad and Lane if they could join him in his office for a few minutes.

When they entered Albrecht was there as well and the door was shut.

The doctor was silent for a minute gathering his thoughts.  He finally spoke, “We are so grateful you are here.  Your presence is a miracle of sorts.  I was afraid that all my plans had come to ruin that day… and yet you are here and we are once again on the path.  There is a serious issue that I discovered tonight… the harnesses I created for the next phase of the Program are gone.  The chest they were contained in was taken along with much of my other equipment.”

Brad said, “Sir… can you tell me the purpose of the harnesses?  Were they simply a device to regulate the energy flows?”

“Yes that was their main purpose… to open the individual energy centers and then regulate the flows during the Awakening.”

“Sir I can do that.  We don’t need the harnesses.  We all learned how to regulate our own flows and each other’s in our early training.  In fact I can manage all ten of them at the same time if necessary.  It might not be a bad idea given what we know is coming down on us as soon as we start.  Lane can help with the defenses while I manage the energy flows.”

“You are sure you can do this?  You know how long it will take.”

“Yes sir… I’m not saying it will be a walk in the park but I’m confident I can do it.”

Albrecht grinned and said, “I told you Aaron.  Brad allowed me to Read him when he first contacted me to gain my trust.  They are everything you thought they would be and more.”

Brad had thought about this for a good while since their arrival here and while they had the private time with the doctor and Albrecht he decided to broach the subject, “Doc… Lane and I merged with everyone in the kitchen a few minutes ago.  We held back a lot of information on purpose and they know it.  In our world you’ve taken a big back seat position in the last few years to allow us to grow on our own.  Lane and I agree that is the best way to proceed so we haven’t told them anything specific about the abilities they will gain or the troubles they will face.  I imagine you have a good idea of what the issues will be but I’d like to share what we’ve gone through with you and Albrecht.  I don’t think that will cause too much of a ripple if we do that.  They’re good men and they will need you more than ever in the upcoming fight.  I know you have the wisdom to know how to best use the knowledge.”

Brad got a grin on his handsome face as he continued, “You have to promise me not to get too excited at some of what I’m about to share with you though.  You’re going to be busy as hell once you find out a few things.  It would be easiest to merge… would you do the honors?”

The doctor brought the four of them into a link… and again it was like a balm to Brad and Lane.  The doctor and Albrecht’s minds were so soothing and peaceful to be with.  Very powerful in their own right and far more experienced.

Brad shared the Avatars of each man and the subsequent Awakenings and how they all would progress.  He shared what a difficult time he had coming to grips with his telepathy and how the other’s did as well… and how far they had come in their quest to find unconditional love for normal humans.  The doctor did get excited when he learned about the new equipment he would be able to engineer with Darren and Pat’s help.  Albrecht rolled his eyes at that and smiled.

The doctor was just as apprehensive about the ancestry of all the men and their Arch-Angel ancestors.  He was infuriated at their unknowing interference in his research but saw the results standing before him so he could had to accept it as a good thing.  Lastly, they shared with him the contents of the Book of Loagaeth.  Of everything they shared that stunned him the most.

They won’t be ready for the kind of power it will take to generate those Runes for a while but as soon as they are you will need to fortify the lab against the Light and the Dark.  That man who broke into the Lab that day … I have a feeling he will be here tomorrow.  We need to once again make this a safe haven for the Team.

Lane:  We still don’t fully know what happened the day of our first Awakening doc.  We did see Nephelem in the gym at the end of the procedure before we passed out.  The leader of the four that help us is named Istariel.  We’re pretty sure he’ll be here tomorrow to help, but beyond that we aren’t sure what’s going to happen.  We’ll have to improvise as best we can and figure out a way to make it through the procedure.

 Aaron:  I do not like leaving so much up to chance.

Brad: We learned a while back doc that sometimes that’s all we can do.  There are forces at play driving this confrontation.  The idea of Balance is out the window as far as The Enemy is concerned, but there is still opposition, and we have allies.

Aaron: I will have everything ready in the morning.  I will need to speak to all of them first and give them a chance to return to a normal existence.

Lane: Fat chance they’ll do that doc.  I know you have to ask them but I know what they’re going to say. 

Brad and Lane weren’t looking forward to the meeting for a few reasons.   The greeting between them and their counterparts was slightly awkward.  What do you say to yourself? And they were warned not to touch their opposite either so they couldn’t even shake hands; they weren’t sure why but they didn’t want to find out.   Their gratitude was expressed though and it was clear what the revival meant to them; to all of them.

The closeness between Brad and Ken was so apparent you could almost see it just being around them.  The same with Lane and Bryan.  They stayed glued at the hip as soon as they came out of their room, and the looks on their faces said everything.  Ken and Bryan were like new men.  The almost zombie like quality that they had adopted to survive was gone and the smiles on their faces made them look like their old selves.

The doctor called them all together and gave nearly the same speech he gave in Brad and Lane’s reality a few years ago.  He told them about The Order and The Enemy and why he recruited them.  They had heard all the basics from Brad already but they listened intently and the doctor was much more forthcoming than Brad had been about some details of the Conflict.  As Lane predicted none of them backed out; in fact they were eager to continue and take the fight to The Enemy.

An hour later they were all in the gym.  While they were waiting for the doc to come in Lane pulled his counterpart aside.

“When all of this first started in our world our Brad and Ken almost died.  Part of our Awakening was a Song that came to me in a Vision.  I’m not sure how applicable it is here but I think you should sing it.  It certainly can’t hurt.”

“I don’t have anything here to play it on. The guitar I kept here in my room was taken.”

“Well hold onto your hat because you’ll  be able to do this too not so long from now.”  Lane made a flourishing gesture and a beautiful guitar coalesced out of thin air.  It was the one with all the pearl inlay that matched the design of his Avatar.

“No one else but me can play this.  Which means you can too I hope.”  Lane held it out for his counterpart to take.  “Here give it a try.”

The other Lane took it and put the strap over his shoulder and strummed a cord.  The sound was rich and pure and perfect.  The grin on his face was a mile wide and Lane couldn’t help but smile at himself.  He knew that feeling.

He held his hands up to his chest in the diamond pattern and a small sphere came out and floated over to the other Lane.  It went into his body and he blinked slightly. 

“That’s the Song.  You all had to cross your own River to get to where you are, so I think the metaphor is still applicable.”

They moved over to where the rest of the guys were standing and they had questioning looks on their faces at what was going on.

He strummed the opening chords to the Song and immediately all their eyes flashed white.  They all felt something unlock deep inside them; a door opened that could never be closed again.

Nature nurture heaven and Home

Sum of all and by them driven

To conquer every mountain shown

But I’ve never crossed the River…

With the opening chorus they all were pulled outside themselves and went with Lane; their Souls were flying with him as the words and meaning filled them up.

By the time he finished the Song they felt completely energized.  Their eyes were wide and they felt the momentum of whatever was building around them.

As instructed they removed all their clothing and the doctor had them get into the sparring ring and to sit down as couples with their backs to one another.

As they sat down Istariel and his cousins appeared around the ring.  They kept themselves veiled and no one but Brad and Lane could see them at this point but Brad told the doctor, “The Nephelem are here doc.  Things are about to get exciting.”

Albrecht and Taliesin were present as well; Taliesin wasn’t happy about being indoctrinated into the defense of the Team, but he also knew he had to do everything he could to save Lane Weaver so he could accept the Gift and take it from him.  His attitude all morning was worse than usual and he was waspish and snapping at everyone.

Istariels’s voice filled Brad’s Mind:  Are you ready Brad Wilson?

I think so.

We stand with you.  These men must survive.  The outcome is still uncertain.  The Enemy is strong and they will bring all their power to bear. 

Lane will be able to help you as well as Taliesin.  The only part I’m worried about is that man that originally showed up here at the gym.  He seems to be the key to the strong divergence and why everything here has gone cockeyed.   But we survived in our world with just your help, and from what the doc told me Taliesin’s as well.  This time Lane will be here so let’s hope we’ll be enough. I won’t be able to help much if any.

I am glad I met you Brad Wilson.  We all had doubts about your path… or the path of the Brad Wilson and the others of this world. 

Believe it or not Istariel we are pretty good friends in my world.  I hope that happens for you here with these men.  You’ll need each other in the days ahead.

Brad glanced over and saw the doctor was handing out the small sippy cups to all the men.  He remembered the one he drank distinctly… it tasted like a strawberry milkshake.  Everything was now only a few minutes from starting.

It’s time Istariel.  I’ll be opening their energy flows momentarily.

Be sure that everyone here stays within the confines of the ring.

Istariel and his three cousins moved over so each of them stood on a side of the sparring ring.  Their long arms reached out so their fingers were touching.  Istariel raised his face to the heavens and in a mental voice that reverberated through the Spiritual Realm he thought loudly and clearly: We stand outside Time, in a place not of Earth; joined together as One.  By all thy Holy Angels; by the powers of Light we call Thee to guard and defend these men from all perils O Most High. Four Corners I call thee to me!

And so the ritual began.  The darkness in the ceiling became the blackness of space and the stars in the Heavens were visible.   The four Arch-Angels appeared as they were Summoned and once they were all present they stretched their ghostly wings over the ring and the dome of protection was sealed.

Lane was watching all this intently while Brad stayed focused on the men.  At the doctors instruction Brad opened their Minds first.  A brilliant blue ribbon of energy came out of their foreheads and intertwined with their partners, forming a loop.  He guided the flows in and around each couple, careful to keep them separate.  The Serum the doctor had given them unlocked the last of their genetic potential and the energy flows started gaining in strength as their body chemistry was changing.  Brad could see changes in their flows as their Nephelem Heritage was becoming active; it was a truly spectacular thing to see and experience.  He was witnessing the birth of a new race of beings and the profundity wasn’t lost on him.

Brad felt the intense danger hit him like a punch in his stomach.  He knew everyone else must have felt it as well.

Ken shouted, “Doc!  Something’s up!”

“Yes Kenneth I feel it as well.  Do not concern yourself with it; it is expected.   You must stay still and let us handle whatever might happen.  It is imperative you not try to interfere!  Promise me!  All of you!”

The doctor rarely raised his voice so they knew he was serious and they all reluctantly acquiesced.

Lane heard Taliesin gasp and he looked up to see a Dark cloud in the Heavens rapidly approaching.  It was the Dark… all its Servants… and his spine went cold at the sight.  The smoky cloud writhed and seethed, guided by the Will of the Master.  The cloud grew bigger as it got closer, blotting out the stars in its immensity.

The dome, nearly invisible before, flared bright white as the first blow struck.  The impact shook the building nearly knocking the doctor off his feet.  Brad held firm and he opened the next energy center on the men; this time a warm golden yellow light burst forth from their chests as their Hearts and Souls were opened.  The ribbons of energies circled back between the partners creating a circuit and as the ribbons pulsed and passed through each man they emerged stronger than before.  Again Brad could see the strengthening of the flows.   One couple at a time, Brad brought the flows together into a bright white ribbon.  He was aware of the pressures the men were feeling in their Minds and Body’s; he remembered the feelings well from his own experience. 

Relentlessly the Dark cloud sent smoky tentacles striking out against the dome, trying to break through and devour the minds and souls of the men beneath.  As powerful as the Protectors were, the Dark had sent all its Servants and Power against them, desperate to destroy the last hope of the Order.

Just as in Brad’s own reality, Taliesin intervened on their behalf and it seemed as though the Dark would be resisted.  So far Lane had held back, not knowing why but trusting his gut instinct to do so.

With one last push, the angelic protectors shattered the Dark cloud, dissipating it.  It would reform soon enough, but for today the Enemy had exhausted itself and was held at bay.

          The ghostly beings lowered their wings and the darkness in the gym returned to normal.

          Their voices weary, the Nephelem all breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

          We prevailed.

The doctor couldn’t see the ghostly beings still present or the Nephelem, but he could feel their presence and knew that they had helped.  He glanced up and said, “Thank you for your Protection.  The world could not stand to lose them.”  In a quiet voice he added, “Or me.”

Albrecht, weary as well from his efforts in defending the dome, put his hand on his lovers shoulder in support and confirmation of their success.

All was quiet in the gym as the doctor moved over to start checking on his young charges.  Brad was on his knees exhausted.  His intuition suddenly screamed at him that something was wrong just as he was hit by a blast of Mental energy that knocked him out cold.  His shields saved him but were shattered by the attack.

Lane spun around when he felt what happened and saw Brad’s body slumping unconscious onto the mat.  His own shields flared and he surrounded Brad as well, breaking the surprise attack against his friend.

He heard a deep voice over by the door to the gym laughing quietly, “You are fast Lane Weaver, I’ll give you that.  I had hoped to kill him quickly.  I’ve heard you are powerful, but he seemed easy enough to deal with.”

Lane saw the man from everyone’s memories, the one who lead the attack on the Lab that killed the Brad and Lane of this reality.

Lane face was stony but he was furious inside.  He said in an even tone, “I wouldn’t have expected much less from a chicken shit coward Servant of the Enemy.  He was exhausted and you caught him by surprise.  Now you have to deal with me.”

“You have no idea how I’ve longed to pit myself against one of you.  All I hear is how strong you are… the hope of The Order.  I think you all have everyone fooled.  After I kill you I will kill everyone else here.”

“You aren’t killing anyone.  I’m not sure who you are but I intend to find out.   And once we find out who you’re working with we’ll bring him down too.”

Not knowing who the man was or how powerful he was Lane stayed on the defensive at first.  He felt an immensely strong Aura pushing against his shields.

The first blow was nearly devastating and Lane’s Mind exploded in pain when it hit.  He reached out to Listen and was shocked at the silence he was met with.  It dawned on him immediately that this man, whoever he was, had the Amulet that Trenton Ashmore had wielded in his own reality.

Fuck!  He knew he didn’t stand a chance by himself against that.  He would have to delay as long as he could to give the doctor time go get everyone else out safely.

“Doc!  Get everybody out now!  I’ll hold him as long as I can!  Move!”

The doctor could hear the desperation in Lane’s voice and he didn’t know what else to do but obey.  He had to get his charges to safety, but ever resourceful he could help Lane in his own way.  He held his hands down in the shape of a diamond at his chest and a small ball of light appeared.  It shot across the room and into Lane.

Lane felt the knowledge the doctor sent to him immediately and it most definitely saved his life.  The doctor was thousands of years old and had all that time to sharpen and hone his mental abilities.  Lane and the others were much naturally stronger but they lacked the experience of the doctor.  That was what he shared with Lane.

He suddenly knew how to maximize his efforts with minimal expenditure of Power.  He was able to deflect the blows aimed at him so they glanced off his shields; it was all basic physics and Lane was astounded that he and Brad had never applied this knowledge to their own abilities before. 

Lane got that mischievous grin on his face and yelled, “I love you doc! Now get out of here!”

Even with his new knowledge Lane was overmatched but he was able to play the mouse and deflect and dodge the vast majority of the attacks against him.  He could tell he was pissing the man off and it made him smile grimly to himself.  He wasn’t planning on sacrificing himself and planned to escape but not until the doctor had everyone out of the building and to someplace safe.

Orophir was getting frustrated.  His father had assured him that these men were no match for him while he wielded the Charm of Music, and yet this man was somehow managing to hold his own.  He realized that the rumors he heard about them were most likely true and he hated them for it.  He should be that Powerful!  Maybe then his father would finally give him the love and respect that he so desperately wanted.

Lane continued to avoid or deflect Orophir’s attacks.  With the Charm absorbing ambient Music Lane didn’t have the power to go on the offense.  Reaching further out to Listen would take too much time so he just kept on doing what he was doing to give the doctor as much time as possible.  Even on the defensive Lane was tiring; the Amulet gave Orophir so much raw power even the deflections hurt and were draining him.

The doctor and Albrecht had everyone out but Brad when one attack hit Lane full force and his shields shattered.  He was nearly knocked unconscious and his Mind was on fire.  He got tunnel vision and was about to pass out.

I have you now.  The Order will fall by my hand and I will take my rightful place above The Master as I was promised!

Lane knew he and Brad were in big trouble.  Out of the blue Lane’s body tensed and his Avatar flared to life, spitting bright colored arcs of energy.  Images started flooding his Mind and he delved into himself as deeply as he could to slow down his perception of time.  

They all had come to the conclusion a long time ago that their partners were always key to saving them in dire circumstances.  Bryan and figured it out and shared that revelation with everyone back when Bill was trapped in his own mind and Kevin was the only one who could destroy the Evil that could set him free.  The thoughts clicked into place as he slowed the images down and realized what information his Avatar, magnified by the Gift he carried, chose in that moment to show him.  Bryan was the key here if he was going to get out of this alive.  A great mystery of the Tree and of the Dragon were revealed to Lane and it held the answer to his salvation.

He wasn’t sure if his thought would work but it was a last ditch effort or they were both toast.  He lifted up his hands up to his chest forming a diamond with his fingers.  A small ball of light appeared and bobbed gently in front of him.

Orophir saw it and said, “You won’t be sending any messages or calling for help.”  He held out his hand and the orb started to float over towards him. 

Lane smiled and said, “Try and stop me you fucker.”  His Avatar pulsed brightly and the orb vanished.  It didn’t fly off like they normally would it just vanished.

“What did you do!?”

Ken and Bryan were in the gym sparring.  They had been spending a lot of time together while Brad and Lane were away.  Usually they spent the night on the couch at the other’s house, or sometimes they would each sleep over at another couples house.  All of the Team knew how hard it was being away from their partners and went out of their way to spend time with them and keep them company.

They were both in their boxing shorts with pads and gloves on.  They had been going at each other for nearly an hour and were covered in sweat.   Bryan was a bit winded trying to keep up with Ken but it was the best way to push himself. 

“Hey Bry, I was thinkin’, what do you say about you and me goin’ on a short camping trip at the Tree while the guys are away?  It would get us out of everyone’s hair here for a bit and it’s one of the few places we can really relax.”

“Yeah that sounds pretty good to me boss.  We might have to take in some meat with us… without one of the sissy fucker’s Avatar’s to get an animal for us we’ll be stuck with what I can grow.  Or we can just go vegetarian for a bit.”

Ken laughed and said, “Fuck that!  I’m a meat eater.”

Bryan smirked and said under his breath, “Yeah that’s what Brad says.”

Their conversation was spaced out between heavy breathing and landing or blocking punches.  Their muscles were heavily pumped and the sound of the gloves hitting their solid bodies echoed in the empty gym.  Both men were blindingly fast and inhumanly strong; they were extremely agile and dexterous as well and it was a thing of beauty to watch them pit themselves against one another.

Of course Ken heard what Bryan said and he smiled as he landed a punch to Bryan’s stomach.  Bryan let out a small grunt at the impact and returned a flurry of punches all of which were blocked but put Ken on the defensive.

Ken raised his hand to signal for a break and said, “Speaking of food I’m starving.  You think there’s anything in the kitchen or do you want to run out and grab something?”

“We probably need to grab a shower and go out.  I need to make a grocery run and restock.  And if we’re gonna’ go campin’ I’ll need to get some things anyways.”

“Hey Bry if we can’t take anythin’ synthetic with us what do you think would happen to Velveeta?  I love that queso you make with salsa.”

Bryan rarely laughed out loud but Ken’s comment was so off the wall it struck him funny.

“Sometimes I wonder about you bossman.  Where the fuck did that come from?”

Ken smiled, showing his perfect white teeth and said, “Brad wonders that too.  Honestly I just like to say goofy shit sometimes to make him smile.”

“Yeah I get that.  Not to sound mushy but I love doing stuff like that for Lane too.”

Ken put an arm around Bryan’s huge solid shoulders in a brotherly fashion as they were walking towards the locker room to shower.  He gave Bryan a firm squeeze in comfort, knowing how much Bryan missed Lane.  If anyone got that right now it was Ken. 

Both men got a feeling in their gut at precisely the same instant.  A powerful sense that something was wrong filled both of them.  They both spun around, back to back in a defensive posture and scanned the room.  The Lab was secure now with the Runes from the Book of Loagaeth so they couldn’t imagine anything dangerous attacking them here.

A small ball of light appeared in the air, bobbing gently.  They both recognized it as a memory sphere.  It was only still for a moment before it flew over to Bryan and into his body.  Lane’s voice filled his Mind as soon as it soaked into his body.

Bryan!  I need you!  Brad’s unconscious and I’m getting my ass kicked by the guy who was responsible for killing the Brad and Lane here the first time.  We have them back and we just finished the Ritual to Awaken them.  I gave the doc here time to get everyone out safe but I can’t hold out much longer.  This guy has that Amulet that Trenton Ashmore had in Australia.  With that he’s too fucking powerful to take by myself.  Use the Tree to get here Bry – the Roots of the Tree connect and grow through all Creation; it touches all realities and you can get here through it.  Leroy can provide the Power and the Tree is the Path.  You just have to figure out how to get Leroy’s help without waking him up!   If this trick worked right you should get this an hour before I start fighting this guy.  Any longer than that and I couldn’t be sure of it getting to you at all. Please hurry and I love you Bry!

Bryan: Fuck!

Ken: Bry what is it?

Bryan was filled with a gamut of emotions.  Fear for Lane, anger at the Enemy, and anxiety on how to respond and save Lane fast enough.  Bryan and Ken were both the physical partners but their Minds were open; Bryan reached out and grabbed Ken by his bicep and with the physical contact he merged the two of them deeply together.

As Bryan’s solid soothing presence filled Ken he felt Bryan’s own reaction to Ken being inside of him.  They were Brothers and the bond they shared was beyond human.  Bryan breathed deeply and took comfort in Ken’s solid comforting presence and he shared Lane’s message.  Ken was the leader of the team and he knew he needed to keep Bryan calm and focused.

OK Bry we have to act fast. We need Loy’s help and probably the other brainiacs.

With the two of them together, drawing and supporting one another they had the range to call out to Loy.

Ken: Loy!  Get everyone to the gym!  911!

Ken was not surprised that in less than a few seconds the entire team minus Brad and Lane were standing beside them.  They had trained themselves to react fast when needed; to merge and fill one another up and link their Avatars.  They were becoming the weapons they needed to be to fight and defeat the Enemy.

Ken and Bryan felt themselves drawn into the Powerful link they all shared and the presence of their brothers filled their hearts and minds.  Loy took them all deep into a construct of the Lab to give them time to talk.

Bryan shared the message from Lane with all of them to bring them up to speed.  Anxiety was present in all of them and fear for Brad and Lane, but it was under control and they were all focused and confident and ready to do what needed to be done to save them.

Bryan:  OK guys first off you all get to the Tree.  Us five can get there on our own so we won’t tire you out more than usual; port to us once we’re there.  Loy, you need to keep Leroy calm and asleep after I see him.  You know what happens if he wakes up.

Loy: Fuck!  No pressure!

Ken:  You can do it Loy, especially with everybody backing you up.  Your Avatar is the only thing that has a chance of keeping him under control while Bryan is gone.  Bill send a message to the doc and Albrecht telling him what we’re doing.  He needs to be kept in the loop and know we’ll be gone.  I’m not sure how long it will be before Bry and I make it back.

Darren:  You know what the doc said about the strain on the reality with Brad and Lane there.  With both versions of them and both of you it’s going to be worse.  You need to finish up there quick and get your asses back here.

Bill:  If all four of you are there you’ll have less time than the doc originally accounted for. 

Since Michael had removed the dispensation on their ability to teleport into the Valley of the Tree they all could go directly there.  Ken and Bryan were still just wearing their workout shorts and shoes and were still drenched in sweat from their workout.  There was nothing to be done; they didn’t want to take a few minutes to change clothes when their partner’s lives were on the line.

Bryan moved behind Ken and wrapped his arms around him in a hug, crisscrossing his arms over Ken’s torso.  His eyes turned white and his tattoo and Ken’s flared emerald green, the green of the Tree, and they vanished. Linked with Ken and Bryan, Patrick, Rick, and Kevin clasped hands and vanished a split second behind them.

They appeared at the roots of the Tree by the cave entrance and in less than five seconds the others appeared beside them.  They all took off together into the cave down to the chamber where Leroy slept; the Dragon whose sole purpose was to destroy the world when it was his time to waken.

They passed through the chamber with the Water of Life and in another few minutes they were at the entrance to the huge cavern where Leroy’s head emerged.  The legend of the Midgard Serpent from Norse Mythology said he wrapped around the world.  Leroy’s body disappeared into the cavern and they had never seen anything besides his head.  As powerful and as large as he was there was no telling if that legend was true.

They were all silent as they moved into the chamber.  Bryan immediately moved over to Leroy and stretched out his arms, pressing his body against Leroy’s soft leathery hide.  To Bryan, Ken, and the other Body’s the old musky smell of his hide was extremely potent. 

Bryan was the only one who spoke and in his deep gravelly voice he said, “I’m here buddy.  I need your help.”

He ran his hands soothingly over Leroy’s hide and reached out with his Mind to touch the thoughts of the massive creature.  The giant eyelid close to Bryan opened up in a tiny slit, revealing the large golden eye underneath.  The eye moved back and forth as Leroy slept and dreamed.  Leroy always seemed to be aware of Bryan’s presence even in his slumber.

Ken:  OK is everybody ready? 

Loy:  OK Bry.  I’ll drop you and Ken out of the Link as soon as you start.  We’ll keep Leroy calm until you’re gone and then we’ll head out once we know he’s back to normal.

Bryan and Ken felt everyone with them; they all knew what was at stake if they failed.  Not only would they lose their own Brad and Lane but quite possibly their fight against The Enemy.  They still didn’t know why that particular reality was so important in their fight but if they failed there it meant failure here.

Bryan lowered his head and took a deep breath; as he inhaled he mentally took in the feeling of everyone with him as well as Leroy’s scent.  He let their presence and feelings of comfort and support calm him.  Mental things were Lane’s specialty not his, but he was the Protector of Leroy and the Tree; he was tied to them, and the others were tied through him.  It was another part of their birthright that the doctor didn’t expect or plan for; the Arch-Angels did though.  He was sure of that now; they had plans for Bryan and Ken and the others.

Bryan stretched his arms out pressing as much of his own skin against Leroy’s soft hide; he lay his face against him as well.  He felt the immense strength of the creature; through his enhanced senses and his Link to Leroy he felt the creature’s heartbeat; he felt the fires churning deep inside.  The Power and strength contained in Leroy was incredible.

Bryan could see how the world would see Leroy; a hideous monster, a creature of destruction.  Bryan saw through that and loved the creature for what he was; a perfect being who was misunderstood.  That was what made the bond he shared with the Dragon so strong; his unconditional love for a creature that no one had ever loved.  Bryan knew that no one in the world would ever feel that way towards Leroy and he felt that someone, at least one person had too.  Maybe it was the fact that Bryan had been abandoned when he was an infant but he felt a strong bond with the Dragon… being alone and misunderstood was how he came into the world and something he could relate too.

Bryan’s Avatar flared to life as he delved into Leroy’s slumbering consciousness.  He felt the tremendous rage just under the surface; looking into the Dream that Leroy was having was shocking.  He was devouring the Earth; but it was the Earth that Leroy knew from his birth.  Mankind didn’t exist yet; just birds and beasts and rock and lava.  He flew around the world burning it up with his fiery breath; melting everything with a hot purifying flame.  To him he was cleansing a broken creation; that was what he was created for.

Bryan reached out to Ken and pulled him into what he was seeing.  Both of them needed to tap into that fire and rage and fill themselves so they would have the power to do what needed to be done to find and save their partners.

Get ready Ken.  I’ve felt this before.  The first time it almost got me, and Lane and Brad aren’t here to help us fight it off.  It’ll want to consume you but you have to control it and not let it get out of hand.

I’m ready.

Bryan immersed both he and Ken into Leroy’s Dream and let the Fire fill them up.  The Power of the Dragon’s Fire took hold of them.

Loy and the other’s saw Ken and Bryan start to glow; they had a yellow-orange nimbus of power flickering over their bodies.  Their eyes, white before, became slitted and golden, like Leroy’s.  Their expressions hardened and their bodies became tense as every muscle and vein stood out; they were taught wires and barely able to control the rage that filled them.  Both of them were nearly consumed at the initial onslaught and hung on by a thread; holding onto thoughts of their partners as tightly as they could gave them the strength to hold on.  Ken was with him, a hand on his shoulder.  His own Avatar of Will and Strength was active and he was helping to shield both of them from the worst of it.

The Roots of the Tree of Life were all around them; Bryan’s Avatar flared Emerald Green once again showing through the red fire licking over his body.

He let the soothing Life Energy surround him and it lessened his rage somewhat but not the Power.  He held so much it was painful and his body was aching; he was being stretched to his limits. 

Ken was watching Bryan and Understood everything that had transpired so far; he knew the danger of holding the rage of the Dragon Fire inside of them too long.  He felt how powerful they were and he masked both of their Aura’s so Bryan wouldn’t have to worry with it.  It was a good tactical decision to come in essentially invisible as far as their Aura’s were concerned.

Bryan remembered what Lane said about the Roots of the Tree spanning all of Creation; even to the point of connecting all realities.  Bryan grabbed Ken by the ball of his big shoulder and they vanished. 

When Bryan’s Avatar was originally waking, right after he drank the Water of Life, his Mind had expanded until he felt all the life that existed in this reality nearly overwhelming him at the time, but since then all of the Team had grown and increased their capacity to complete the Purpose they were born to fill.  All the training and the experience they had gathered to this point allowed them to adapt and survive and do what needed to be done in the moment.

In a way traversing the roots of the Tree was like surfing; Bryan had always loved the water and enjoyed diving when he was in the Navy.  Now he rode the Energy flows of the Tree between worlds.  He knew that each reality had a version of himself and of Lane and of all his Brothers, but the one he was looking for held the other half of his own Soul.  He focused on finding that needle in an ocean of worlds that were all visible to him.  Ken sensed what he was doing and focused on finding the other half of his own Soul in his Brad.  His Avatar flared and the determination and confidence he felt filled Bryan.

Travelling in this way effectively put them outside of Time; the Tree and the Valley were on both sides of the Veil and they were moving between realities.  They weren’t sure if Time was even measurable where they were; they both had the thought that the doctor would probably know and would have to ask him.

It seemed like forever and Bryan’s anxiety was getting stronger that he wouldn’t make it to Lane on time.  Even if Time wasn’t passing they still perceived it to be so and he was anxious.

Stay focused Bry.  We’ll get there in time.

Bryan took a deep breath and quelled the anxiety rising in the put if his stomach.  He would be the rock that Lane needed.

Lane was nearly finished.  He was exhausted and every attack he deflected took a little more out of him.  His lungs were on fire from trying to soak in enough oxygen to keep him going; he was drenched in sweat and his entire body was trembling.

He needed Music but that damned Amulet was soaking it up faster than it could come into being, and he didn’t have the time to go far enough out past the Amulets range to get what he needed.

His Mind was on fire and he felt the blows as if they were physical.

Orophir knew he had won.  He did as his father instructed and he pushed Lane Weaver to his limits without killing him.  Whatever that sphere was that disappeared must have been an attempt to call for help and it must have failed.  His opponent was so weak that his orb merely faded out of existence.

Thoughts of his father and their interactions filled his mind.  He knew his father didn’t respect him; in fact he knew he was just another tool for his father to use, but evening knowing that, and it made it that much more painful, he wanted acceptance; he wanted to be loved as a son.

Perhaps he was too obedient?  Maybe his father was testing him to see if he had what it took to truly take a place by his side.  Perhaps he should destroy Lane Weaver and break The Order.

A new look of resolve came over his handsome features.  Yes!  He would kill his opponent and prove his worth.  Through the Charm he wore he began to pull all the power he could hold into himself and prepared to strike down his foe. 

Lane could feel it.  He used the last of his strength to bolster his shields; he knew they wouldn’t hold but maybe they would lessen the attack enough not to kill him outright.  Even those few seconds might be enough.  He trusted Bryan completely.

When he was in Taliesin’s Construct with Bryan he had sacrificed himself for Bryan’s sake.  He realized later what a mistake not trusting Bryan had been in that circumstance.  He would never make that mistake again… he knew somehow Bryan would save him.  He wouldn’t give up on himself or his partner.

Even as Orophir raised his fist to the heavens, black smoke dripping from his hand and crackling with dark energy, he felt a hand on his shoulder and it burned through his shields.

He turned in reflex, surprised and caught off guard and let out an agonizing cry of pain; he hadn’t detected any other Presence.

“That’s my boyfriend you fucker!”

As the words left Bryan’s mouth, his fist connected with Orophir’s jaw in a massive haymaker.  The force of the blow, not just Bryan’s physical strength but filled with the Power of Dragon Fire, sent Orophir flying across the gym and his body slammed into the steel reinforced wall.   The wall shattered and the beams bent into the shape of Orophir’s body from the force of his blow.

Lane’s eyes came back into focus with the reprieve against his shields.  The relief was staggering; mainly from feeling Bryan’s presence fill him up.  The feeling he had missed since coming to this reality was back and there was nothing else like it in the world; any world.  Power flooded into him as he delved into his lover and his own powers were replenished through Bryan and the Fire he carried inside of him.

Lane could see Ken in the boxing ring kneeling over Brad and he instinctively brought all of them together into the ever familiar link and breathed in the presence of his brothers who were once again whole just like he and Bryan were. He never wanted to be without that feeling ever again.

They could feel the mischievous grin on Lane’s face as he thought; Took you guys long enough!  That was too close for comfort.  Can just once we not cut things so close?

Ken:  Don’t look at me!  I just tagged along for the ride; you’re boyfriend there was the driver this time.

As soon as Ken’s hands touched Brad’s unconscious form his body and mind reacted.  Ken let power flow from him into his partner.  It was the barest trickle of what he was holding but it flooded into Brad and brought him back to consciousness.

Brad’s voice was private in Ken’s mind:  Damn it’s so good to see and feel you Ken.  I’ve missed you so much! 

With everything going on, the embrace they both longed for would have to wait.  They both gave each other the equivalent of a mental hug and that would have to do for the time being.

Brad and Lane could feel the power and the rage boiling just below the surface of both their partners.  They were so deeply merged Brad and Lane saw what had transpired with Ken and Bryan; how they were so powerful and how they got here.  They also realized that Ken and Bryan couldn’t hold that much power for much longer or it could overwhelm them.  It was the initial love of their partners and the concern for them that was holding back the damn ready to break lose in both of them.

Brad:  Ken, Bry, we have to get that Amulet away from him. 

Ken took a split second to lean down and kiss Brad on the lips.  Brad’s eyes washed over Ken’s nearly naked body, still pumped up and covered in sweat from working out just minutes before; the perfect physique that he was so familiar with.  The look that crossed his face was love at first and it quickly turned to lust; filled with the power of Dragon Fire Ken’s aura was magnified.  He even smelled musty like Leroy and it turned Brad on.

Ken saw his look and grinned as he winked and thought:  You got it B.  Come on Bry.

Orophir was briefly stunned by Bryan’s blow; he was amazed that anything could touch him with his own powers magnified by the Charm he wore.  Somehow they had discovered a way to augment themselves as well.  He saw no visible Charms so he deduced that whatever it was would be temporary, while his own talisman would sustain him indefinitely.  He was confident that he would still be the victor here, even with the two new additions to the foray.

Ken leapt from the boxing ring launching his body with his powerful legs and he did a full three sixty in the air as he landed a few feet from Orophir.  Orophir raised his hands and black power like ribbons of smoke reached out towards Ken.  Almost casually Ken swatted them away, his own fists dripping with Dragon Fire.

Orophir didn’t have the physical training that Ken or the others did.  He had a strong and powerful body and agility and reflexes far beyond that of a normal human, and he was currently augmented by the Amulet that he wore, but he didn’t have the fighting experience of a Navy Seal or of someone who had been trained by Albrecht; one of the best fighters ever to walk the face of the earth.

Physically he was no match for Ken or Bryan, and he quickly realized this; he could match their strength and speed with the Amulet but he did not have the fighting skills they boasted.  He doubled his attacks on Ken, causing him to go on the defensive.  Ribbons of black power wrapped themselves around Ken’s arms and legs, trying to pin him down.

Ken let himself be held for a few seconds while he assessed what he had seen and learned of Orophir so far.

Ken:  Bry we need to make this quick.  He’s strong and the power we have from Leroy will go quickly if we just fight him.  We need to press and overwhelm him fast.  He’s not a good fighter so take advantage of that.  B, Lane, hold back til I say so.

Lane to Brad:  Welcome back to the party goldie.  I have a plan; while we’re waiting for Ken and Bry help me out here.

Lane shared with Brad what he wanted to do and together they started weaving find threads of power.

Lane:  Even if this only holds him for a second it will be all the time we need.

Bryan and Ken always sparred together in the boxing ring and were used to each other’s fighting styles.  Albrecht had taught them many moves and techniques based around their superior strength, dexterity, and agility.  They worked as one, each movement geared to support what the other one was doing. Orophir felt like he was fighting one person with four arms and legs and he was getting frustrated.

He was rarely ever challenged and today not only did Lane hold him off but now these other two Nephelem, somehow enhanced, were testing his limits even with the Amulet.  He was feeling their blows through his shields; he didn’t know or understand the source of their enhanced powers but it was painful and it burned.

He pulled more and more power from the Amulet, bolstering himself to the point where he was barely visible in the dark cloud of power emanating off his body.  He felt the strain on his physical form but he pushed through it; there was no way he was going to fail his father and that fear drove him beyond his normal limits.

Ken managed to get behind him and leapt onto Orophir’s back, scissoring Orophir’s waist with his powerful legs, and pinning his arms.   Bryan was wrestling with ribbons of black smoke and it seemed a stalemate for the time being.

Ken:  B, Lane now!  Hit him with everything you have! When he retaliates pull everything I have left in me for our shields.  Bryan wait for your opening!

Brad and Lane had woven chains of white energy just as the doctor had shown them… tiny individual weaves like silk all strung together and then braided together.  Each of them took an arm, lassoing Orophir’s limbs with the chains and simultaneously attacking his Mind at the same time.

Orophir was caught off guard, their concerted efforts were overwhelming him. He was getting angry; if his father was watching this he would look the fool at how easily he was being beaten, when he was obviously more powerful.

He knew it was a small risk but the Amulet would recharge quickly.  He flooded all the existing power from the Amulet into him and he literally exploded in a ball of darkness.  The chains holding him shredded; Ken was thrown back against the wall with a loud thud.

Brad knew it was enough power to kill Ken and he didn’t hesitate; he pulled all the Dragon Fire left in Ken and used it to bolster the shield he had around them as Ken had instructed.

Ken had pressed Orophir to get the reaction he wanted, and Orophir’s inexperience played right into his plan.

With the last of the Dragon Fire from Ken, Brad and Lane had enough power to keep them all alive, but they were all stunned at the force of what hit them as their shields broke. 

Orophir looked at them, nearly unconscious, but he smiled.  His chest was heaving with the effort of what he had just done.  He already felt the Charm recharging itself. 

He was shocked when Bryan stood up.  His pupils were slitted and he moved like lightning over to where Orophir was standing.

Bryan’s hand reached out and he grabbed ahold of the amulet.  The muscles of his upper body tensed and his arm looked like a corded steel beam as it trembled with the effort he was putting into his grip.  The Dragon Fire, licking all over his body, coalesced and funneled down into his hand.

Bryan’s deep gravelly voice echoed with the Power still in him, “No way fucker.  Not again.”

Orophir’s face was a mask of shock.  A split second later he screamed in agony as the Charm melted in Bryan’s grasp and the molten liquid splashed against his chest burning through his clothes and into his flesh.

As Orophir dropped to his knees in pain and disbelief both of Bryan’s massive fists came down on the back of his neck knocking him unconscious.  The floor underneath him buckled with the strength of Bryan’s blow.

Bryan’s eyes returned to normal and the anger he felt inside of him was now normal and it’s source was his displeasure towards the man who had almost killed the love of his life.

Bryan glanced over and saw Ken helping Brad and Lane up.  As much as he wanted to go help Lane he wasn’t going to let his eyes off Orophir for even a second.

While the others were recovering Bryan rolled Orophir over so he was face down on the floor and he crossed his legs and pulled them back so he was in a reverse cradle.  It would be painful when he woke up but it would keep him immobile and unable to do anything.  His Mind was another story but Brad and Lane would have that covered before he woke up.  

It only took a minute for the others to get back on their feet.  With the Amulet destroyed Lane and Brad Listened and filled them all up quickly.  Ken’s and Bryan’s bodies ached all over from the strain of holding the Dragon Fire and the hand that melted the Amulet was tender.  

Ken:  We can wait Lane.  We need to find out who this guy is and how he fits into all this.

Even as Ken sent his thought out Orophir began to wake up.  He realized he was being held.  Pain shot through his shoulders and arms from the hold Bryan had him in and he let out growl of pain and frustration. 

Fear gripped his stomach as he realized he had failed his father.  Their plans somehow went wrong and he was responsible.  He knew what was coming and tears started falling down his cheeks.  His breath caught in his throat as he choked out a sobbing cry.

Orophir found himself at the feet of his father.  He started to get up but Luke put his foot in the middle of his back and pushed down hard.

“You imbecil.  I trusted you and you failed to do as I needed.  I’ve had to intervene on my own at great risk of being discovered.”

“I’m sorry father.  It won’t happen again.”

“You are correct in that at least.  I hope one of your other incarnations turns out to be more reliable.”

Luke moved around in front of his son and lifted his face up by the chin.  He looked into his son’s eyes and saw many things; but one thing he saw he didn’t understand and it disturbed him.  A slight furrow crossed his inhumanly handsome face.

When his father looked at him Orophir’s heart leapt inside his chest.  He hoped for a second chance and was sure his father would give him one.  What he saw made his blood run cold.  The gaze he met was just cold and empty; lifeless.

Orophir knew he was dead.  He lowered his head with a sob, his heart broken.

Their Intuition flared as strongly as ever that something was wrong and they were all instantly alert.  Ken assumed a defensive stance in front of their prisoner and Brad and Lane moved back to back, ready to face whatever might happen.  Bryan knew it had something to do with the man he was holding so he literally sat on the small of the man’s back with his four hundred pound frame and pulled his arms back even tighter.

Bryan heard Leroy’s roar inside his Mind; he felt it through every fiber of his being.

“Fuck!”

Through their link they all felt what Bryan did and knew they had to get to Leroy fast.  Something was wrong; his consciousness was stirring and he was waking up!  Brad knew it wasn’t a coincidence; he knew whoever was protecting their prisoner’s identity was doing this to divert them. 

He only needed to touch the man to Read him and find out everything they needed to know.  He made eye contact with Orophir and saw the devastation in the his eyes.  Even with everything he had done Brad felt sorry for him; his Avatar flared and he got a glimpse at the poor misunderstood creature in front of him.  The tears running down his face were the tears of a child; one who was emotionally terrified of something on multiple levels, and hurt beyond imagining.  The idea flashed briefly through Brad’s mind that they might have been friends under different circumstances.

Even as Brad moved towards Orophir to Read him a black cloud erupted around him; it was shaped like a talon and it wrapped itself around Orophir’s body, throwing Bryan off like a ragdoll in the process.

Orophir screamed in agony as his Body and Mind were consumed by the Darkness and in a fraction of a second there was nothing left for Brad to touch.  They all felt the malevolent power of whatever it was.  It was far beyond any of them, which told them what it had to be and most likely who, but again they had no proof.

As Orophir’s dying scream faded, Bryan’s deep gravelly voice filled their Minds:  We have ‘ta get to Leroy NOW!  Somethin’s wrong!

Even as Bryan shouted his warning Lane’s eyes flashed white and his Avatar kicked in.  He saw a Vision of Leroy writhing in pain in his chamber.  Suddenly Lane understood the significance of this reality and them being here.  The entire affair was a set up.  He saw the crux between their own reality and this one and Leroy’s waking would cause a domino effect that would cascade between the two and they would all be destroyed.  Bryan had figured out how to draw from Leroy without waking him in their own reality; Loy and the others kept Leroy calm and quiet after he got what he needed.  But the Loy of this reality’s Primary Avatar wasn’t active yet and the Bryan of this plane wasn’t his Protector yet; whoever was planning this could still succeed if Leroy woke up.

Brad’s Avatar, linked to Lanes, drew him into the Vision and he saw and experienced everything Lane did.  He saw world after world being destroyed; billions of people dead.  The magnitude of the devastation was overwhelming.  Anger burned inside both of them at whoever could plan and execute such a maneuver and fear that the plan might succeed unless they could somehow stop it!

Bryan rolled to his feet and grabbed Ken.  His Avatar flared emerald green and they vanished.   Through their link Brad knew where they went and he and Lane grabbed the image from their minds and blinked out right behind them.

They all appeared at the base of the Tree in the cave that led down to where Leroy slept.  The ground underneath their feet was moving as shockwaves were coming up from the cavern below.  Ken and Bryan were nimble enough to stay on their feet but Brad and Lane were being knocked off their feet every few steps.

Brad:  Go on guys!  We’ll just slow you down!  Get down there and we can port to you once you’re there!

Ken and Bryan took off with blinding speed, running as fast as they could.  The part of their Avatar that came from Pat filled their vision with the Understanding of the trajectories, weight, and velocity of all the falling rubble.  They used the knowledge to dodge falling boulders; ducking and rolling with the movement of the cave under their feet.  Their agility, strength, and dexterity were pushed to the limits to keep them alive and moving as the cavern was collapsing around them.  Ken’s Avatar was bright and he and Bryan felt the determination and confidence to stay calm and focused.   They were thrown against the walls many times but they rolled their bodies and used falling boulders to push off of; their sweaty skin was covered with dirt and grime and some blood from lacerations as they forced their way down the path.  In other circumstances they would have been beautiful to watch; the inhuman grace and speed with which they moved was breathtaking to see.  The fluidity of their muscles and the agility, dexterity, strength, and speed of their bodies was glorious.

They both picked up on Lane’s Vision through their Link and Ken knew the responsibility that rested on their success.  There was no way they could let billions of people die; but even through that Bryan’s main concern was Leroy.  Ken knew his friend well and knew that for what seemed to be a simple man Bryan could sometimes be incredibly complicated in his friendships and loyalties.  Bryan didn’t want Leroy to wake up because he was afraid of having to try and destroy the creature to save the world and humanity.  His desperation to keep Leroy safe was his goal; he was the Protector of the Tree and the Dragon and he would carry that responsibility out with every fiber of his being and thereby accomplish both goals.

 As soon as all four men appeared in the Valley they felt strength flooding into them.  Their dual natures were fueled by the Valley being on both sides of the Veil and they would need all the strength they could muster for what they were about to face.

Even with the cave collapsing around them they made it down to Leroy’s cavern in a fraction of the time it normally would.  Lane and Brad appeared beside them the second they arrived.  Leroy’s head and part of his neck were all that was visible but he was writhing and twitching as though he was in a nightmare. 

In front of Leroy, floating in the air was a Rune.  They all recognized it from the Book of Loagaeth.  It was one of the greater Runes and incredibly powerful; it had to be to effect a being like Leroy.  As soon as they were in the chamber they felt its influence on them as well… it was the Rune of Pain and Suffering.  Someone had placed it here to wake Leroy up.  They all knew who but again there was no proof.

Brad and Lane, charged up by being in the Valley, teleported them all back far enough so their shields would completely dampen the effects of the Rune.

Ken: Fuck me!  Even with the extra boost we get by being here I’m not sure we can destroy that Rune.  It would take all ten of us normally to make or break one.

Bryan:  We’ll were twice as strong here so we’re only one short.  We have ‘ta do somethin’ fast.  I can feel him wakin’ up!

Brad:  We can do it guys.  I know we can.

Brad’s voice in their minds was calm and serene.  It was odd enough that they all turned to look at him.  His eyes were white and he was standing tall and still.   

Ken:  B?  What’s going on?

Brad:  I’ll explain after.  You two get Leroy and Lane and I will take care of the Rune.  We can do it.  Trust me… you’ll see.

Brad’s energy centers erupted in a blinding flash; Ken had never felt the strength that his partner was exuding at the moment.  Something just happened and he didn’t know what but they didn’t have time to discuss it; he was linked close enough to Brad in the moment that he knew Brad didn’t want to go deep to give them time to talk about it.  It was time to act and they had to save not just this world but their own.

Brad opened all their energy centers and their Avatar’s flared along with them; he synchronized them all in a way they hadn’t felt before; it was like he was controlling them and they each felt something unlock inside them; it reminded them of the first time their powers started to Awaken in Brad and Ken’s backyard when Lane sang the Song that woke them up.  The Runes on their Avatar’s combined to form the single complex Rune that normally all ten of them needed to be present for.

Strength and Conviction flowed into them from Ken; they were filled with Confidence and Determination and knew they were equal to the challenge they faced.

Ken:  Come on Bry we have a Dragon to take care of.  B I can’t wait til this is all over so you can explain what the hell’s going on.

Brad was already moving towards the Rune.  His shields were bright and strong and the energy from the Rune was clashing against them but his shields were equal to the task. Lane felt the same rush from his Avatar and he felt more powerful than ever.  It was an effort but his own shields held as well.  Whatever Brad did was allowing them to accomplish the task at hand with just the four of them.

Brad:  Lane we have to Listen and call on the Spirit’s.  We need to generate enough Power between us to break this Rune.

At the speed of thought Lane was out in the Heaven’s.  His Intuition and the Gift were telling him to be quiet.  He focused and became completely still; he heard beautiful Music all around him but he knew it wasn’t going to be enough for what he needed.   He recognized this place; it was where Gabriel first brought him and taught him how to Listen; he had said then that this place was closer to his own Home than Lane’s.  He had never had the strength to reach out this far before.  But even with that he knew it wouldn’t be enough for just he and Brad by themselves.

The doctor always told him to trust his instincts.  He knew what he heard here wasn’t going to be enough and he was further out than he had ever been on his own.  What did that leave?  As with all riddles or puzzles the answers seem simple once the answer is known.  Lane was a smart man; in fact he brilliant.  He played dumb with all his brothers but even they knew he was a genius.

Lane also remembered that time when he and Bryan were trapped inside of Taliesin’s construct when Gabriel had visited him.  They talked quietly in the middle of the night around a campfire and Gabriel had told Lane that the Music was a part of him that Taliesin couldn’t touch.  With whatever Brad had just unlocked inside of him all the pieces fell into place.  He didn’t have to go so far out to find what he needed; it was inside of him.  His Avatar was a gateway to the Music that was in his Soul; the Soul he shared with the man he loved more than life itself.

He Listened and let it fill him up; it was almost crystalline in nature and symphonic; it was the most beautiful thing he had ever heard.   Now that he knew what to Listen for, he heard the Song inside of Brad’s Soul that he shared with Ken. 

Brad cast his thoughts across the Spiritual Realm calling on the old and powerful Spirits as well as the young ones waiting rebirth.  He tapped into their strength careful not to pull too much and deplete them.

          Brad could sense the Power in Lane and he knew where it came from.  Right now his Mind was on overdrive.  His epiphany about their Avatars and what they really meant and how they worked had made this possible.  He merged the two of them together as they moved over to the Rune.  Its dark power clashed against their shields but as strong as they were in the moment they were not just its match they had enough power between them to unbind it.

          Ken didn’t know how Brad had done what he did, but he felt confident they would succeed.  He would do whatever necessary keep Leroy contained so they wouldn’t have to try and kill him.  He knew that would crush Bryan and there was no way he was going to let that happen.

          Ken: Bry we have to hold him down or he’s gonna bring this entire cavern down on our heads!

          Bryan:  On it boss!

          They were both starting to sweat again in the heat of the cavern.  The red glow from the molten lava nearby made the entire area extremely hot and humid.  Still clad in just their workout shorts and tennis shoes the two met faced off with the Dragon that could destroy the world.

          Chains of white energy came out of their hands and wrapped around Leroy from his head down towards his neck as far as they could see to where his body disappeared into the cavern.  Ken and Bryan braced themselves; the muscles in their backs flexed and tightened making every striation visible. They pulled their arms back and dug their feet in.  By the laws of physics there was no way a man, even one weighing over 400 lbs could think about moving a creature the size of Leroy, but right now they existed on both sides of the Veil and their strength was coming from both and it was as much Spiritual as Physical.  The battle was taking place in a duality of existence and the Physical and Spiritual in this place were one.

          The rock under their feet began to crack and crumble as they were pulled forward.  Their Avatar’s flared emerald green and this time the roots that appeared were not ghostly but tangible.  Roots grew and wrapped themselves around their feet and legs, holding them down and stabilizing their leverage.  Massive roots started growing out of the rock of the cavern and wrapped around Leroy’s massive body, adding to the white bands they already had around him.

          The issue was that Leroy was an elemental creature who was created for a single Purpose.  His power was not just in his enormous body but the Spiritual power that fueled his existence.  Two primal forces were colliding; the Avatar’s of Ken and Bryan, fully unlocked at the moment against a perfect creature that was about to awake and fulfill its Purpose; to destroy the world.

          Leroy’s mind was waking up.  Bryan could feel it stirring more every second as his body thrashed from the pain that the Rune was causing him to feel.

          “Leroy, buddy!  Calm down!  I’m here!  Come on you big fucker!  Ya’ have to hear me!”

         As soon as he said that Leroy’s eyes opened; the large golden orbs with slitted pupils.  His mouth opened and he let out a bellow so loud that cavern shook even more.  The Fire inside him belched forth.

         Tears were streaming down Bryan’s face; desperation written all over his features.  The roots tightened even more and Ken and Bryan redoubled their efforts.  The muscles in their bodies rippled and strained; sweat was pouring off them in the heat from the exertion; their chests were heaving.  But they weren’t giving up.

         Bryan had always been aware of Leroy on an empathic level when he was in close proximity and now he felt the Rage inside Leroy starting to consume him.  Leroy was going to fulfill his Purpose and devour the world and everyone on it. 

         Through all the loud din of rocks falling and Leroy’s roar, Ken heard the quiet pain in his brother’s voice, “Leroy no… please buddy… please I’m begging you.  It’s me.  You don’t have to do this.”

         Ken saw the blinding flash of Light as Brad and Lane unraveled the Rune. He could see them in his peripheral vision; they were both exhausted from their efforts but they had smiles on their faces until they turned to see what was happening.

         Immediately they threw the rest of their strength into their partners.  Ken and Bryan both felt the comforting presence of their lovers enter them.  All their eyes teared up as they felt Bryan’s pain and his resolution.  In the past Leroy always seem to be aware of Bryan’s presence and seemed comforted on some subconscious level but now Leroy wasn’t able to hear him.  At this moment he was a primal creature filled with rage and only one goal and he didn’t have Free Will to fight.  Bryan could feel that Leroy was aware of his presence but it wasn’t enough to fight off the nature of his existence.

         Ken thought: Bry I’m so sorry.  You know what we have to do.  We can’t let him out of here.  And we have to act quickly or we won’t have a chance to succeed.

         Leroy continued to struggle against the roots and the bands of power holding him down.  His mind was still groggy but they all knew they would have no chance to stop him once he was completely awake. 

         They were all aware of Bryan’s desperation and anxiety but Lane even more so.  He and Bryan stayed deep inside one another so often he knew what the creature meant to his best friend.  He knew why Bryan felt the way he did; it was a complicated emotional bond for what seemed like a simple man.  But Lane learned a long time ago that there really wasn’t anything simple about Bryan.  His quiet and stoic exterior hid a very complex caring man underneath; a man with one of the most beautiful Souls in existence.

         Lane:  Guys just hold him a little longer.  Brad help me; we have to get past his rage.  We have to make him hear us.

         Lane’s instincts were guiding him and the Gift was showing him what he needed to do.  What Brad had opened inside of him was still there.  He had no idea if he could do this again on his own but he would try it now and hoped it would work.

         Lane raised his hand and ribbon of power shot out and hit Bryan square in his chest; his Heart Energy center opened and all of them could see his Soul.  Lane opened his own Heart and he wove the music that was Bryan from the half of Bryan that resided in him and the other half still in Bryan.  Lane took it; there was nothing to modify; it was as beautiful and perfect as it could possibly be already, but he did use his Avatar to amplify it.

         Brad saw what he was doing and added his own strength behind Lane.  He braced himself before thrusting his own awareness into the Mind of the Dragon.  He felt engulfed in Fire right away and it burned at his mind.   Bryan and Ken were straining to their utmost to hold Leroy and minimize his movement.  They didn’t dare pull any strength from their partners to help or he would break free of the roots and the bands they had around him.

         Brad knew he was equal to the task but he needed to be more than equal.  That was the key of their Avatar’s that he had figured out.  He understood that they were wrong as viewing themselves as a weapon against the Enemy; they were more than that.  Their abilities expanded with the need to make them equal to neutralize whatever was needed when they were on Purpose.  Whatever they needed beyond that point had to come from inside of them; from who they were as individuals and couples.  The reason they were chosen was for their strength of character and who they were deep down.  Whoever set all this in motion knew that; but Brad also knew it was a gamble on their part.  Being Random and Unfettered and free to act as they saw fit could completely backfire.

         He remembered the conversation he and Ken had with Luke in the Valley and how Luke had told them how effective they would be against any of the Higher Order who had lost their way.  Given what he now understood about their abilities he realized how truthful that statement was and how much those in the Higher Order must fear what they all were becoming.

         All this went through Brad’s mind in a flash as he saw and heard the Music that came from Bryan’s Soul.  What Lane had done was incredibly profound and just what needed to be done in the moment; which fit into Brad’s epiphany perfectly.

         Brad looked inside himself and dug deep.  He needed to fight past the Rage inside of Leroy and make him able to hear what Lane was amplifying.  He took a deep breath and braced himself... he never expected to pit himself against a creature of Leroy’s power and he didn’t know what to expect.

         As soon as Brad’s subconscious put together the pieces and he understood the secret of their Avatar’s it set off a trigger.  Raphael was aware of his grandson’s thought and he slipped out of Time.  He sent out a call to the others and even though he was outside of Time he had rarely felt such a sense of urgency.

     All of the ten arch-angel’s appeared together in the pocket dimension Raphael had created for them to meet in. 

         “Brother’s… my grandson has discovered the key.”

         Michael’s handsome brow furrowed and he said, “How could this happen?  It’s far too soon!”

         Gabriel, who usually had the same mischievous grin that his grandson had, had a grim expression on his face as he said, “If he figured that out it’s only a matter of time until he takes it a step further.  The knowledge he has gleaned so far is just the beginning.  They must not discover our plans for them; for their safety as well as ours.”

         Barachiel interjected, “We knew this was a growing risk.  We imbedded the potential for this in all of them but it’s now apparent there is more at work here than even we are aware.  The wisdom Aaron Thomas has shown in slowing their growth and letting them take their own path is one we share.  But I think it is necessary for us to intervene.  I feel we have little choice.”

         Uriel rarely spoke but his deep voice cut in, “You all feel it.  I know you do. We have all come to care for them more than we should.  Even we are affected by their Avatar’s and what they represent.  It makes our decision harder but it must be done.  The conflict they find themselves in now is only a trial of what is to come.”

     Raphael said, “I agree Brother.  I have come to love my descendant very much and that was not supposed to happen.  I am conflicted in my motivations now.  Our plan must succeed and they must be kept safe for the time we need to call on them.  This knowledge, what my descendant just realized too soon, will bring our plans to ruin.  We have no choice but to intervene.  But if they ever discover our interference I fear they will never trust us again.”

         Michael’s face was sad.  Raphael and the others noticed it.  They all knew that not so long ago he wouldn’t have hesitated to ruthlessly do what needed to be done.  Now, after his encounter with Ken, he was changed.  Not softer, never that, but he was more compassionate and sympathetic and … aware of the how the conflict affected others.  He was a warrior first and foremost, but he was also one of the foremost among his Order and his new demeanor was surprising; and welcome by all of them. 

         He sighed deeply and said, “I agree Brother.  I hope they never find out for all our sakes.  We all need to be in agreement though.  It was your wisdom that saw the need for us to take action but all of us must share in this decision.”

         He looked around at all their faces, his Brothers that were risking everything with him to do what needed to be done.  If they were ever discovered he wasn’t sure what would happen, but they all thought it was worth the risk.  They were fighting for their Home and the parts of it that belonged to all of humanity.

         They all looked back at him; Raphael, Uriel, Gabriel, Barachiel, Raguel, Remiel, Saraqael, Selaphiel, and Jegudial.  They were but ten, but they were all of the Higher Order and were bound together by oaths and bonds.  Once the Avatar’s of their Descendants became active they all became linked in a way they didn’t expect.  There was no turning back now.

         With compassion in his voice, Michael asked Raphael, “Do you want me to do it?  I know it is not something you wish to do.”

         Raphael replied, “No I will do it.  In some way it is my fault… Brad’s Avatar comes from my Province.  We will have to be more diligent than ever to prevent this from happening again.  They have advanced so much more quickly than we ever imagined.”

         Gabriel spoke up, “You know why don’t you?  I feel it with Lane as well.  It is Luc’s interference that is causing this.  He has advanced his plans and their quickened maturation is a direct result.   In their own way they are as much a Primal Force as we are and their Avatar’s are reacting even though they don’t realize why or how; well Brad does in the moment.  We all pray that the final confrontation is eons away but this is proof that may not be the case.”

         Michael reached out and put his hand on Raphael’s shoulder in comfort.  Gabriel and the other’s noticed how much Michael and Raphael looked like Ken and Brad; not physically but in mannerisms.  It was a side effect of what they had done; sort of a backlash that they didn’t expect. 

         Raphael’s eyes turned white as did the others.  They blended their essence together in much the same way that Brad and the others did when they merged.  The Arch-Angels had a different makeup; their minds, hearts, and souls weren’t separate like a human’s, but essentially their sharing was the same.  They were all in agreement and supported Raphael; they felt the pain he was in over what he was about to have to do.

         Raphael’s head lowered and in a quiet voice he said, “It is done.”

         One by one the Arc-Angels disappeared until only Gabriel, Uriel, Michael and Raphael were left.

         Michael said, “It all started when you brought the four of us together Raf.  None of us saw what was coming or how to avoid it.  If it wasn’t for your vision and wisdom all might have been lost.  I know how the weight of such things feels on your shoulders.  Remember you are not alone in this.  My grandson taught me that lesson as well.”

         The four beings reached out, grasping each other’s forearm, one upon the other, forming a square.  They stood still for a brief second in solidarity before all disappearing and going back to their appointed tasks.

         The Rage and Fire that threatened to consume Brad’s Mind would have been overwhelming, but he knew he was equal to the task.  That didn’t mean it was a cakewalk; it hurt like nothing he had ever felt.  He was going to have a massive headache when this was over.

         He Mentally steeled himself and grabbed ahold of Leroy’s mind and was surprised at how intelligent the creature was.  Even though he was a Primal creature he was more than just an animal.  He wasn’t able to overcome his base urges though and he was driven by his created nature. 

         Brad’s subconscious was always processing and working and making connections.  He realized there was no way he could overpower Leroy’s mind… no the only real chance they had was to give Leroy the inspiration to overcome what was driving him.  He knew deep down that there was an emotional connection between Bryan and Leroy.  They were linked in a way none of them truly understood; he hoped that connection would be enough.

         Brad took the Music that Lane was Amplifying, the Song of Bryan’s Soul, and he placed it inside of Leroy’s Mind.  If the situation hadn’t been so dire it would almost have been comical.  For lack of a better description Leroy hiccup’d in midbelch as Fire flew from his open jaws.  He pulled his head back like he had been popped on the nose by a rolled up newspaper.  They could see the expression of confusion that overcame him as his eyes squinted.

         In a few seconds he calmed down completely and stood swaying gently as he listened to the Sound of his Protector’s Soul… it was so beautiful he lost himself in it.  It washed his rage away like a tide.  Bryan and Ken felt a different vibration that started in the cavern and desperately looked around for the source.

         Bryan’s face broke into a wide grin and the white ropes of Power dissipated as he ran forward and threw his body against Leroy.

         “I knew you could do it buddy!  I knew it!  You big fucker you scared the shit out of me!  Bad Dragon!  But I love you.”  Bryan’s voice was thick with emotion as he held out his arms like he always did when he seemed to be giving Leroy a hug. Tears of relief were streaming down Bryan’s cheeks and Leroy’s hide darkened where the tears touched.

         Ken started to chuckle as he let his own white ropes vanish saying, “Fuck me guys he’s purring like a kitten.  Who’d a thunk it?” Ken’s eyes watered up as he saw and felt the relief in Bryan.  He moved over and put his hands on Bryan’s heavy shoulders and gave them a squeeze and said gently, “It’s gonna be OK Bry.  We all did great.  Leroy’s fine and we just saved countless lives.”

         Bryan’s face was still lit in a smile.  He smiled like that so rarely and Ken noted how incredibly handsome his friend really was.  He sent a private thought to Brad:  Lane’s a lucky man.

         Brad responded:  He is but so am I.

         Leroy was still swaying gently to what he heard.  His slitted eyes were slowly closing and his head gently came back down to rest on the cavern floor.  The roots all retracted as Bryan and Ken released their hold on him completely.  They could still feel the gentle vibration of his purring.

         The last thing they heard as Leroy let out a huge sigh of contentment shocked them almost more than anything else that had happened so far.  His voice was as deep as the mountain they were in and he spoke in the Language of the Book of Loagaeth: Thank you abba.  It was not my time.  Will you sing to me a little longer?

         Bryan was so choked up he couldn’t answer with his voice so he thought:  Of course you big fucker.  I’ll stay with you until you’re back to sleep.  I’ll never let anything hurt you.

         Lane continued to channel the Song inside Bryan until they were sure Leroy was completely asleep.  He went up and hugged Bryan from behind, wrapping his arms around his lover’s thick torso, and he put his head on Bryan’s shoulder.

         I love you Bry.  Uriel said you and I would be the only way to stop Leroy if he ever woke early. I’m not sure we could have done it without Ken and Brad too.

         Ken moved over and wrapped his arms around Brad pulling him into the full bodied hug that was their trademark; their chins resting on each other’s shoulders.  Brad’s arms reached around his man too, feeling the strength and power of his lover’s body.  He inhaled deeply and Ken’s scent was intoxicating.  The feel of the stubble on their cheeks as they rested their chins on each other’s shoulder was just so… perfect to each of them.  All four men, as two couples, stood there for a few minutes embracing as partners, lost in their feelings for one another.

         With the danger passed, they all felt a strange sensation as their Avatar’s quieted.  The door inside them that opened closed.  Brad was hugging Ken and facing away from Lane and Bryan so no one saw his eyes flash white and the brief look of confusion cross over his face. Ken felt the tension in his partner’s body though and pulled back putting his hands on the balls of Brad’s muscled shoulders.

         “B?  What’s wrong?”

         Brad smiled and said, “What do you mean?  Everything’s great!  We stopped Leroy and saved not just our world but hundreds of others.   I’d say we did pretty damn good!”

         Lane laughed and said, “So you need to spill the beans Brad.  What the hell happened and how did you do what you did?”  Lane got a look of concentration on his face and he said, “I can’t feel it anymore.  Whatever you did isn’t working anymore.”

         “What are you talking about?  I didn’t do anything.”

         Everyone looked at him like he was crazy and Lane said, “Brad you did something and unlocked some other aspect of our Avatar’s.  If you hadn’t done that there’s no way we could have done what we did.”

         Brad raised his eyebrows in surprise and replied, “Honest guys I have no idea what you’re talking about.  Look!”  He opened his memories of the last few minutes to them and they saw he really didn’t have any idea what they were talking about.  They shared their experience with him and he was dumbfounded.

         They were all still pumped with adrenaline after everything they had just been through.  From Ken and Bryan managing to actually make their way across realities to get here, to their fight with Orophir and his mysterious death, to their journey to the Valley of the Tree and taking care of Leroy, and finally to Brad’s strange memory loss.

         Ken was just taking a breath to say something when Lane’s eyes turned white and his head snapped up.  His mind was filled with a Vision and a dire sense of urgency.  They had to leave.  The events they had all been involved in were too much for the reality to bear and it was about to start unravelling.

         They were all still closely linked and Lane’s vision filled their Minds.   Through Lane and Brad’s Avatar’s they could feel the immense wave of pressure that had built because of their actions.

         Brad reached out halfway around the world for the doctor’s mind:  Doc! 

         Yes Bradford?  Are you and Lane alright!?

         Yes doc.  The man who Lane was fighting is dead.  Something else killed him it wasn’t us.   We’re at the Tree… it was a close call.  Doc there’s so much more we need to share but we’ve run out of time.  Your reality is going to start unravelling in the next few minutes of we don’t leave!

         Oh my!  I was afraid of something like this! 

         They all felt the love and gratitude coming from the doctor.  My son’s… make no mistake I think of you just as much as my own, I cannot thank you enough for what you have done.  My life of course, but especially for your counterparts here.  What you accomplished for us is beyond hope.

         They could feel the tears running down his face in sincerity and they were deeply touched.  The doctor rarely cried and they could feel the intensity of his emotions through the link.

         We love you too doc.  We always have and always will.  You and Albrecht take care.  We know the guys are in good hands with you two.  There’s one last thing we want to do and we have to do it fast.  It will add to the ripple effect so we have to do it just as we leave.  Take care!

         Lane shifted his vision and cast his mental voice across the Multi-verse back to where they belonged:  Guys!  We need you!  We’re coming home hot and need you to anchor us!

Pat and Darren were playing in the kitchen with Drew.  They had pushed the tables together to make a large surface and had every piece of racetrack from Drew’s hot wheels in use.  With Pat’s Understanding he knew exactly how fast the miniature cars could go without jumping off the tracks and how to keep them going the longest.

Darren wasn’t sure but he thought Pat might be having as much fun as Drew with what he was doing and it was hard to keep a smile off his face with the way his partner was acting.

Drew was enraptured with what they had created.  He also loved it when any of the guys spent time with him.  He loved to rough house with them and climb on their backs and wrestle with them.  They always let him pin them and he was the champion wrestler in the Lab.

Liz and Hank enjoyed the time they got to spend together when Drew was occupied and after a knowing grin from the guys they snuck off to their room for a little afternoon snuggle.

“Can I do the car mister Pat?  Pweaase?!”

“Sure buddy!  We’re all done so let’er rip!”

Drew had spent an inordinate amount of time, at least for an excitable little boy, in picking out just the right car for the job.  It was a vintage black Trans-Am that Albrecht had given him as a gift. 

Drew pulled up a chair and climbed up so he could reach the starting point.  He meticulously placed the car on the track in the over-exaggerated way that little boys do when they are being extra careful.  His little face was a mask of serious concentration.

Pat and Darren were watching him intently and since they were both linked they shared the same thought.  Neither one was sure who had it first but they grinned at one another like little kids. 

Pat:  It’s amazing how far he’s come isn’t it Dar?  The doc’s worked wonders.

Darren:  Yeah it is.  He’s like a completely different kid.  After all the abuse he suffered I’m surprised, but then again the doc’s a miracle worker.  Hank is incredible with him too… I never would have thought that.  I think Drew’s been just as good for him as he’s been for Drew.

Drew was still as stone and after a few seconds Pat asked, “Drew?”

Drew slowly turned towards them and his face had that serious look he sometimes got.  After Drew’s initial interaction with Brad even more so after his interaction with Istariel, sometimes Drew’s Mind slipped open.  He didn’t seem to be able to control it, and it seemed completely random when it happened.

Immediately Pat and Darren tried to bring Drew into their Link but he was shielded and that surprised them.  They didn’t push for fear of hurting him.

Drew’s eyes flashed white and he said, “Mister Brad, Mister Ken, Mister Bryan and Mister Lane.  They’re coming home.  NOW!”

          As he screamed the last word, Pat, Darren, Kevin, Bill, Ricky, and Loy all heard Lane’s voice fill their minds:  Guys!  We need you!  We’re coming home hot and need you to anchor us!

They were all prepared and waiting for this moment.  None of them, not even the doctor, knew what the time differential was between the realities.  He said it could be hours or even weeks between when Ken and Bryan left and when they would need to return home.

With the speed of thought they were all together in their Minds and Hearts, and seconds later they were all physically together in the gymnasium.  They took their designated spots at the vector points of their Avatar’s, leaving the open spots for their absent Brothers.

Loy, Bill, and Darren Listened and also called on the animal Spirits, and Ricky, Kevin, and Pat called on the Tree. Their eyes flashed white and the ceiling darkened as stars lit the sky and the huge ghostly form of the tree appeared, with the animal spirits roaming around its mighty branches.  They generated an immense amount of Power quickly and Bill sent back their response:  We’re here Lane! Their collective Minds reached out like a hand across time and space for Lane and the others to grab ahold of.

          There was the smallest lag in time and then they were once again all together and relished in the intimate bond they shared.  The comforting presence of them all together sent chills down their spines and tears down their cheeks at the painful emotional intimacy none of them had felt as a group since Brad and Lane first left.

          To Lane, Bryan, Brad, and Ken ghostly images of their Brothers appeared around them in the placement of the ritual pattern.  To Loy, Ricky, Bill, Kevin, Darren and Pat the same thing happened and they saw ghostly images of the Brothers they had been missing so horribly.

          Lane:  Guys we don’t have much time but I need you all to do one thing for me.  Things got rushed here and we never got a chance to talk to the guys here after their Awakening.  The ritual just happened and they’re still unconscious.  All hell broke loose after that.

          They all knew what Lane wanted them to do as soon as they heard his thoughts.  Their hands came up to their chests forming a diamond shape with their forefingers and thumbs and small balls of light came out of their bodies.  The ghostly image of Brad held out his hand and the sphere’s came over to orbit the air above his hand.

          Brad had created two sphere’s one for his counterpart and one more for the doctor.  His handsome brow furrowed in concentration and the sphere’s shot off to find their targets.  It was a last parting gift to their counterparts; the experience they would need to fully utilize their newfound abilities and Avatars.  The knowledge would come to them as their subsequent Awakenings occurred so they wouldn’t have any foreknowledge that could cause a Paradox.  The tiny ripples that would occur when the knowledge filled them would be inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.

          One last surge of Power from Brad and a duffle bag appeared in his hands.  It was the Kevlar suits he and Lane were wearing whey first showed up.  Leaving technology from an alternate reality could cause a serious ripple and they had been instructed by the doctor not to leave anything behind.  They had stashed their gear in a bag and left it in the locker Brad had mentally marked so he could Recall it when it was time for them to leave.

          Ken knew when Brad was finished and he said:  OK guys pull us in.  It’s time we were back where we belong.

          They vanished from the cavern beside Leroy and appeared in the gym with their Brothers in their own reality. 

          Almost as one Kevin and the others thought: Welcome home guys!

          They all closed ranks around Ken, Brad, Bryan, and Lane, and embraced them in a big group hug.

          Lane’s voice piped in:  Yeah!  The band is back together!

          Bryan’s deep gravelly voice followed up:  God I love my nerd.

          They all felt the bond between them as brothers once again. It was perfect.

          Mission accomplished!

*************************

Ok that’s it for Chapter 19… I hope you enjoyed it!  Now to get started on Chapter 20!  What could possibly happen next?

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