Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:51:44 -0700 (PDT)
From: Silvenfox <silvenfox@yahoo.com>
Subject: Heaven's Trumpet - 5

The following is a complete work of fiction.

Any resemblance between the characters and any real life person is
completely coincidental.  Please do not copy or distribute the story
without the author's permission.

Disclaimer:

The following story may contain erotic situations. If it is illegal for
you to read this please leave now. Also expect blood, gore, incredibly
funny scenes and super-powered teenagers with a destiny to save the
world. If you're not a fan of any of these plus strong cursing and
violence than this is not your type of story.



Chapter 5


What is a dream? Is it categorized by brain activity receiving some
hidden stimulus within the body?  Is it the mind allowing fantasies to be
acted out that normally during the day would be repressed? If these are
speculations of what is a dream... then what is a nightmare?

I knew the answer to that question. I knew it intimately. A dream, you
could forget yourself, and lose your sense of self within its beauty. A
nightmare was the opposite. It was a thing that crawled within the back
of your mind, slithering against the deeper recesses of your soul, an
ancient force that thrived in the dark hungering for freedom above all
things. It held you down within its grip, feasting on happiness, and
reveling in the despair and horror it wrought. Oh yeah, I knew what a
nightmare was alright. And even in the waking hours now, I was still
afraid.

The bell for sixth, and last, period rang loudly throughout the school
halls. People steered clear of me as I wandered through the bustling
hallway. I looked a mess and I knew it. Pitying looks had been thrown at
me all day, but I dodged the concerned questions and consoling pats on
the back.

No one knew what to do with me. That didn't say it, but I could see it in
their eyes. They prodded, asking their probing questions, but I wasn't
talking. I wasn't ready. No. Not yet. For me the horror of last nights
dream was all too fresh. I knew it hadn't been real, but I couldn't tell
my mind or my soul that. My very being ached with the haunting images of
the end of the world- no, that had only been the beginning. The end of
the existence is what the true unspeakable terror was.

I deliberately took the long way to my next class. They would be waiting
at my locker, I knew it. Kevin, Adam, Killian, Ryan- they all would be
there ready to play the reassuring friend. I appreciated the sentiment.
But I couldn't deal with it now. They wanted me to talk, but I just
wasn't ready.

I quickly ducked into a bathroom and crossed the space to the counter
lined with sinks. Running the water I splashed some on my face, sighing
as the cool liquid touched my skin. I met my reflection in the mirror and
couldn't resist gasping. Dear God. My eyes were tinged red, and faint
dark rings took up residence under them. My skin was pale, sickly
almost, and my hair lay limp. Free of its usual styling gel, gently
curling at the ends with bangs brushing my forehead. I looked like a
skateboarder, which is why I normally kept it styled in my classic prep
cut. Me on a skateboard? Yeah, right. It was getting a little long, but I
wasn't worried about a haircut. Why bother? It was almost End World. That
is, unless we stopped it.

It was a tall order. No pressure.

I slung my backpack over my shoulder and crossed the room back into the
hallway. I didn't watch where I was going, and I crashed spectacularly
right into someone. I caught a flash of surprised green eyes before I hit
the ground.

"Sonofacrackwhore!" I yelped, rubbing my lower back.

I looked up and a pair of apologetic green eyes met mine. Isabella
Graison was stunning up close. Where her brother was the epitome of
handsome with strong square features, she had a soft beauty about her. I
began helping to pick up her scattered books.

"Sorry about that," I apologized, handing off her books. "I really should
have been paying better attention."

Two tiny pinks dots tinged her cheeks. I see someone was the shy type. Oh
where's my manners. Mom taught me better than that.

"I have you in one of my classes," I said, mustering up a half smile. "My
name's Chad."

My hand was slapped away and Ian swooped in like the giant bat he was. He
thrust his sister back and stepped between us like some hero protecting a
damsel in distress. I stared at him with wide eyes. He looked like a
redhead Zorro. No, it wasn't a compliment.

"Uh, can I help you?" I asked slowly.

Ian glared at me. "I would appreciate it if you didn't go around
attacking my sister."

My jaw dropped. "Attack? It wasn't an accident you clown. I was about to
introduce myself before you teleported from whatever level of hell you
dwell."

"Stay. Away. From. My. Sister," Ian said through clenched teeth.

I shrugged completely not in the mood to goad him. "Okay."

I took pleasure in turning around and just walking away. He looked
itching for a fight, and I wasn't in the mood to give him one. Taking the
wind out of his sails was enough for me. I rounded a corner and suddenly
my arm was grabbed. I stared into Kevin's brown eyes in surprise. Where
did he come from? Jesus. Was I seriously that out of touch with my
surroundings today that anybody could get the jump on me?

I looked around at the deserted hall and quirked my eyebrow. "Kevin,
don't you have class?"

"I did till I noticed that my best friend is looking and acting like the
suicidal teen in every teen soap drama."

Ouch. "That was low."

Kevin released my arm, and stepped back crossing his arms. "Well what's
with the zombie routine?"

I shrugged suddenly feeling put on the spot, and ten kinds of awkward. "I
didn't get a lot of sleep last night and I'm stressing out over so many
things..." I fumbled over my words.

Kevin's face softened and he laid his hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry,
dude. I didn't know. Are you okay?"

I hung my head, sighing loudly. "Yeah. Just—" I ran my palm down my face.
"I'm fine, Kev. Just really, really tired and... I just need a break."

Kevin frowned, his eyes shining with worry so strong that it made me
avert my eyes. "You take too much on your self sometimes, Chad. The world
won't fall apart if you flake for a day."

I wish that were true. "It sure seems like it," I sighed, tiredly.

"I know you're all gung ho for school and all," stated Kevin seriously.
"But I think you should go home for the day. It's Friday and I think you
should start your weekend early by skipping last period, and going home
and getting some much need sleep."

He was actually on to something. I didn't know if it was the exhaustion
or what, but Kevin was actually making sense. My smile was a little
tired, and it felt like it took more effort than it should.

"I'm going to take you up on that advice," I replied.

A bright and sunny smile suddenly appeared on Kevin's face. "I'm glad
that you decided to listen to reason. Otherwise I was going to drag you
out of here myself. Will you be okay going home by yourself?"

I snorted. "I'm not an invalid, Kev. I'll be alright. You go on to class.
I'm going to head out. I'll call you later. If Adam asks you where I am,
tell him I went home. Okay?"

"No problem," replied Kevin, still smiling. He patted my shoulder. "Be
safe going home."

I gave him a small smile and made my way out of the building.

* * *

       I didn't dream this time.

Thank God.

It was dark when I woke up. I crawled out of bed and looked through the
window. The sun was long gone and the moon and stars were out in the
clear night sky. I closed my curtains, and looked at the clock on
nightstand. It was a little past seven o'clock. I had been asleep for
over four hours. Kevin was right. I felt better with the much needed
rest. My body felt rested and my mind was a lot clearer than earlier. The
dream from last night wasn't an oppressing weight on my shoulders
anymore. It felt just as dire, but now I wasn't going to pass out from
the thought of it anymore.

Yawning, I picked up my phone. Four missed calls and six text messages.
Two of the calls were from Adam. One was from Mom and the other was
Kevin. The texts were from my friends, all wondering what I was doing,
and where I was. I got to work updating everyone, while I cleaned my
room.

I felt good to clean. It was relaxing to let my mind focus on only one
thing, as I let my body take over on just moving on instinct. I got lost
in the motion, and I tensed as a pair of arms slipped around my waist and
pulled me back into a solid chest. I grinned and looked behind me into
Adam's piercing gaze.

"When did you get here?" I asked, pleasantly surprised.

Adam smiled. "I hopped in the car as soon as you returned my phone call.
I was worried about you today. We all were. What's going on, Chad?"

He called me by my name. He must be really worried. It wasn't often that
he didn't use a term of endearment to address me. I shrugged feeling the
now familiar, rising terror at the thought of remembering the dream.

"I had a dream last night," I began after gathering my thoughts. "It was
a prophetic dream I'm sure of it. I don't why I had it, but I dreamed of
the future."

Adam turned me around and I tilted my head up to meet his curious eyes.
"And what did you dream?"

"The end."

He frowned. "The end of what?"

"Everything."

* * *


       I looked up into four faces each tinged with varying expressions
ranging from horror to disbelief. Yep. Be afraid. Be very afraid. Now you
knew how I felt. I slouched in the chair as I finished telling the events
of my dream from last night.

"Are you sure this was a prophetic dream?" asked Nathaniel once he
recovered from his shock.

I rubbed at the goosebumps on my arms. "I'm sure of it."

Ryan pushed his glasses up his nose with one finger, and shared a brief
look with Killian. "I think we better speed up our efforts on finding the
Keys before the skinwalkers."

"Did you get any hits back through the database search?" asked Killian.

Ryan pressed something on the table, and a holographic projection came to
life in the air in the middle of the table. It spun gradually so that all
seated at the triangular table could get a good look. I didn't know that
the table had a built-in terminal that could access the systems. Trust
Ryan to know about that nifty feature.

Ryan gestured at the floating screen with his fingers and the image
changed. The new image showed a row of azure script in Atlantean. Ryan
pointed at the screen, and a particular section and its accompanying sub-
section became bolded in red.

"What I could find is there are indeed three Keys. Each Key contains a
fragment of the power of Heaven's Trumpet. The Key of Power is hidden in
the center of the universe. The Key of Reality was placed at the bottom
of the deepest ocean beneath the endless red sky. Last, the Key of Time
and Space was hidden in plain sight."

The screen changed and showed a picture of a hybrid hammer and axe.
Its top was heavy and looked like ordinary metal but much shinier, and
contained the appearance of a hammerhead except it also had the sharp
blade of axe attached to its end. Next to the fusion of the hammer-axe
was a blood red diamond that looked about the size of a baseball.

I leaned in. "Are those the Keys?"

Ryan nodded. "The hammer is the Key of Reality—"

"Which was retrieved from its hiding spot by Odin and bequeathed to his
son and heir, Thor," said a female voice, interrupting Ryan.

I jumped up, startled. Celeste stepped forward clothed in a short, white
dress that came to her knees. Her eyes twinkled, amused by our fighting
stances. I wasn't. I quenched the fireball in my palm. I was ready to fry
her ass. She really had to wear a bell or blow a horn when she came
around us.

"Uh, so I guess you're back," I said needlessly. I wasn't sure what else
to say.

She smiled and looked up. "I've been informed of where my boundaries lie
with what I am allowed to tell you all."

"So you're really our advisor like Nathaniel?" asked Adam.

She nodded. "Correct. It is nice to see you all again."

Nathaniel again looked a little flabbergasted by her presence. Geez. You
would think he never had seen a woman before. I rolled my eyes and got us
back on topic.

"The Key of Reality belonged to Thor, as in the god of thunder? He was
like real?"

"Thor's hammer, Mjolnir, and the Key of Reality are one and the same. Its
power over reality was what enabled the thunder god to accomplish amazing
feats."

"Thor was real?" I repeated.

Nathaniel shook his head, sending me an exasperated look. "Yes, Chad.
Many deities and old gods from myth are real. When Man began to look more
toward Christianity and other alternative religions, the old gods decided
to break most of their ties with Earth."

Well wasn't that just a fun history fact.

"And the diamond?" asked Killian, caring little about random old gods.

Celeste turned toward the floating projection. "The Heartless Diamond,
also known as the Key of Power. It has the power to boost a wielder's own
power a thousand fold or bring out innate power in any creature. It still
remains in its resting place, although the enemy has already acquired the
hammer."

"You have to be fucking shitting me!" Killian groaned, angrily running
his hand through his strawberry blond hair.

"So that means they only need two more," stated Nathaniel gravely.

I swore. "This is really not good."

"Understatement of the year, baby," Adam whispered, grabbing my hand and
squeezing it.

Ryan made a frustrated noise and he stared with a puzzle frown at the
rotating screen that was flashing a set of blinking glyphs. I could read
enough Atlantean to know that it basically said `Access Denied'.

"I can't seem to access any more information on the third Key," he said,
irritated. "Chad, can you try? Your clearance is higher than any of
ours."

I went over to his side and laid my palm over the touch console built
into the table. I picked at my memory and found the password that could
initiate a royal override of any protected system.

"Database core Atlantis, unlock protocols omicron-omicron-seven-break-
nine," I rattled off, confident that I was remembering correctly.

A computerized voice responded from seemingly nowhere, "Activation code
recognized. Good Day, Prince Emrys. Awaiting final authorization."

"Royal override of protected entry Liot-XXC1, authorization; Prince Emrys
Cor. Execute."

"Standby," the disembodied voice responded, as rolling script raced
across the screen as data was transferred. There was a moment's pause
then the voice sounded back, "Unable to comply. Security access
insufficient. Higher authorization required."

I blinked. Okay that was different. "Who would have clearance?"

"King Oriens, Ruler and Lord Commander of Atlantis, and its Imperial
Provinces."

Killian sighed, disappointed. "I guess we won't know what the third Key
is."

"So my father hid away all information on the third Key from all but
himself," I said aloud.

Adam rubbed my back. "Smart move. If two of the Keys are gathered than at
least the last would only be known to him." He turned to Celeste. "Can
you tell us more about the last Key?"

Celeste looked away, and said softly, "I'm sorry, but I'm unable to tell
you. It's forbidden for Higher Powers to directly interfere too much in
the affairs of lower beings."

"But you told us about the other Keys!" argued Killian.

Her blonde hair shined as she tilted her head, catching the light. "What
I told you won't interfere in the course of future events. You could have
easily found that information out with additional research. Any further
information will directly count as divine intervention."

"And that's a no-no," I said dryly.

She graced me with a humorless smile. "To put it simply."

"We appreciate you skirting the rules for telling us what you could,"
thanked Nathaniel profusely, causing me and Adam to share amused looks.
He was practically acting like a schoolboy with a crush. It was sickening
yet funny. "I know that you walk a fine line."

He just met her! Someone was really hard up for a date. "So I guess you
can't help us kick some skinwalker ass?"

Celeste shook her head. "I cannot. I will however be helping you with
training to better master your powers."

Killian snorted. "Sure, lady. Last time I checked we were doing pretty
damn good without outside help. We took out a trio of shadow demon lords
last year. What's your stats? Just how powerful are you anyway?"

Celeste fixed him with a cool stare. "I was a part of the host of angels
that warred with those `shadow demon lords' forefathers in heaven, and
trapped them, and their ilk in the Pit. I am older than anything you can
comprehend. I was singing the Gloria before light even graced this world.
Power? I am a Virtue of the Second Sphere in the celestial Angelic Choir.
I was born to fight."

A plus for the great rock `em, sock `em speech. I was impressed. I turned
to Killian, and said slowly, as if speaking to the kid who could never
color within the lines, "That means she can kick your ass."

"And yours," Killian muttered back sourly.

I shrugged. "Could be worse."

Ryan cleared his throat. "Excuse me. But why do we even need another
advisor?" he asked, traces of defensiveness in his voice. "Nathaniel has
done a great job."

"He has," agreed Celeste. "He isn't being replaced or shunned. I was sent
as a mentor and confidante, and to help you further become in tune with
your powers."

I brightened with sudden understanding. "So you're like the Mace Windu to
Nathaniel's Yoda."

She cocked her head. "I do not understand."

Killian laughed. "You're preaching to the choir, lady."

"Can we please address the emissary of the beings who endowed you all
with your powers with something classier than `lady'?" asked Nathaniel
wryly.

"And lets not forget," I butted in, staring at Killian. "You keep running
your mouth and I'll have to bring down the smack."

He let out a loud bark of laughter. "If you say it a bit more I'm sure
you'll even believe it one day."

"Was that an eye roll?" I demanded. "Listen here you sorry sack of shit.
I'll kick your ass so badly your drunken Irish ancestors will sober the
fuck up from the sheer brutality of your asskicking."

Killian did roll his eyes that time. "You keep running your mouth, but
all I hear is whump, whump, whump," he mocked, miming a moving mouth with
his hand.

"Is that an invitation?" I smiled darkly, gathering my magic. I'm
sure my eyes glowed bright electric blue from the sudden influx of
energy.

Celeste's voice broke through my haze of anger, making me jump. "It's
unusual that two souls so connected exhibit discord between themselves. I
would have assumed you two were the best of friends."

Adam smiled like the biggest clown in the universe. I wanted to smack
him. "I have been saying that it's all an act for the longest. Frenemies
my ass."

"Adam?" I said smiling sweetly. "If you want to use that thing between
your legs I would be quiet now."

His smile dropped. Good boy.

She shook her head with a smile. "My apologize, but I have to go. I'm
being summoned. I have other duties to attend."

Light enveloped her body and she was gone. Adam leaned back in his chair.

"I like her. If she is the real deal then maybe we can eventually get
back to the fighting level we used to be at before our reincarnation."

"I quite agree," said Nathaniel, surprise, surprise.

I chuckled. "Of course you would agree. Every time you see her it looks
like you just got sucker punched."

Ryan hid a grin behind his hand. "I thought I was the only one who
noticed."

Killian shook his head, not bothering to hide his sly smile. "No. We
definitely all saw the puddle of drool he covered the floor with when she
was here."

Nathaniel recovered quite well, but he couldn't hide his blushing cheeks.
At least his whole face didn't turn red like mine. I've said it once and
I'll say it again: Damn this fair skin of mine.

"If you are quite done with your teasing," declared Nathaniel, raising
his eyebrow. "We still have matters to discuss."

I frowned. He was right. I actually forgot about the troubles we were
facing for a minute and fell into old habits. I had been joking and
laughing like it was it was any old day. It wasn't.

"Go on, Nathaniel," said Adam seriously. He looked at me and I could see
that he had come to the same conclusion that I had.

Nathaniel steepled his fingers together, and rested his elbows upon the
desk. "Last night one of my contacts informed me of a woman who is a
rather strong psychic. From what I gathered this woman can help us gather
information on these skinwalkers and the organization they work for.
Maybe she can even discover the location of the third Key."

That sounded like the best news all day. Hot damn. Looks like we got a
lead. "Where does she live?"

"Los Angeles," replied Nathaniel.

Ryan polished his glasses then placed them back on his nose. I don't know
why he still wore them. It was not like he needed them. Not when you
could see further naturally than a pair of binoculars, but I guess old
habits die hard.

"When is she available so we can speak to her?" asked Ryan.

Nathaniel smirked and I blinked for the first time realizing how handsome
that simple action made him look. He looked downright sexy.

"With the right amount of incentive she'll see us whenever," said
Nathaniel, green eyes twinkling.

Adam and I exchanged a look. My boyfriend cleared his throat and asked,
"What incentive? We don't have to do anything...unnatural do we?"

Nathaniel made a confused face. "Unnatural?"

I sighed. "He means naughty. Do we have to put on a donkey show or sex
the broad up?"

He choked on air and corrected himself hastily, "Dear heavens, no! I
meant cash. All we need to do is lay down some cold hard cash, and she'll
tell us whatever we need to know. Jesus, do you boys always think of
sex?"

We all shared a look and laughingly replied, "Yeah!"

He rolled his eyes. "Oh gods above!" he muttered darkly. "And to think
the fate of the world lies in your hands."

"And these hands are known for kicking ass and taking names!" I stated,
standing up. "If we're done here. Let's go."

Killian gave me his usual `what the hell' look and asked slowly, "Go
where?"

I looked at them just as confused. "L.A., where else?"

Ryan frowned. "Chad, we can't just get up and go to L.A. We don't know
how long it will take, and what will we tell our parents?"

They were still looking at me like I was nuts. I let out a frustrated
breath. "You guys want a competent leader, and right now I'm being that
person."

"We need to make plans first before we rush off up north to L.A.," said
Killian pointedly.

They didn't get it. I ran my hand through my hair and swallowed thickly.

"You guys are thinking like we're still fighting the Lords in Shadow. We
aren't fighting against them this time. There are no small incursions
into this world or an army of demons ready to wage war against all of
humanity." I slammed my hand on the table, making them jump. "This is the
end. We're facing an unknown enemy who are threatening not just this
planet, but this whole universe. And guess what? They're winning. They
already have one Key. All they need is two more and we're fucking wiped
from existence." I met each one of their gazes, one by one. "This isn't a
secret war this time. We're in a race against time. The universe is at
stake. I have a feeling that we don't have a lot of time, but I'm damn
sure going to make sure if we're going down... then I for one am going
down swinging."

Adam looked at me with hazel eyes determined and full of unwavering
support. "I'm with you, love."

Ryan nodded, the Executioner peeking out through his mortal guise. Gray
eyes glinting with a warriors calculating spark. "I am always at your
side, my prince."

We all looked at Killian who hadn't said a word. Silently he looked up,
staring at me neutrally. I held my breath and watched carefully, as his
lips slowly twisted into a small smile.

Killian nodded and said slyly, "On your mark: ready, set, go."

I let out the breath I was holding. "Okay then," I said, breaking into a
smile. "Okay."

"I'm proud of all of you," said Nathaniel, beaming. "You are turning into
the men I remember. I think you're making the right choice. Chad is
right. The enemy is winning, and we don't have the time or luxury to wait
around for them to get another Key."

I scuffed my foot against the ground. "Aw shucks, Nathaniel. You're
making me blush."

"Of course I will live to regret those words," he sighed.

If death was on the horizon I was not going to go without getting some
good laughs in.

I sobered up quickly and declared, "Let's go to work."

* * *

       It had been years since I had been to L.A. The last time was
during my thirteenth birthday and I was amidst a crowd of cheering
fangirls at a Justin Timberlake concert. He threw his hat into the crowd,
and I ended up getting into a fight with a preteen Mischa Barton wannabe
over it. I lost. She pulled my hair real good. Bitch.

My hand unconsciously went to the back of my head, rubbing at the spot
where a tuft of hair had once been yanked out.

Ryan gave me an odd look. "Chad why are you rubbing your hair and looking
teary eyed."

I dropped my hand quickly and put on a bright smile. "No reason."

For it being past eleven at night it was still busy in L.A. But we were
downtown so it wasn't surprising. It less than thirty minutes to get here
by bubble, courtesy of Killian's infamous "Sun Rise" technique. Adam was
a riot. His head kept turning this way and that, as he took in all of Los
Angeles. Some times I forget that he had lived a large portion of his
life without sight. His reaction to some of the sights we passed was pure
gold. His squeal at a transvestite with a pink Mohawk, and so many
piercings it should be illegal, was a memory that would entertain me for
years to come. Well, if we made it past this crisis and had years to look
forward to.

Ryan looked uncomfortable and somewhat shy as he strolled at his
boyfriend's side, who was the antithesis of his current demeanor. Killian
walked down strip like he owned it. Even though the sun had long gone
down the boy was wearing designer shades. I would have been annoyed at
his strut, but I couldn't help but think that with his arm wrapped around
Ryan's waist made them look too cute. Killian and cute should never be
put together. The urge to vomit was strong, but I was holding it back by
pure will.

Adam bumped his shoulder against mine and nodded at them. "Stop it. It's
cute they're finally being affectionate in front of us."

I stared at him suspiciously. "Are you reading my mind?"

Adam wiggled his eyebrows. "If you're thinking about me and you doing
something that involves chocolate then yes."

I tried to hold back my smile but lost. Damn. "You think you are just
too cute."

"I aim to please," he said, his whole face lighting up.

He was smiling that cute grin at me that only appeared when he was proud
of himself. Usually it came in moments like this. When he did something
cute and wanted me to see, always with the same megawatt smile on his
face. He was like a big puppy, and I loved him for it. He was an
attention hound, but he was my attention hound.

I squeezed his hand and smiling softly that people didn't even blink or
look twice at our hand holding. In fact a little old lady even gave us
"isn't that just sweet" smile as we walked past. Not that I had dealt
with a lot of homophobia in my life, but it was always nice to not have
to worry about it.

Nathaniel walked ahead of us deligently checking the slip of paper he was
holding.

"I think the building should be right around here," he muttered,
searching intently around our surroundings. He pointed to a bar across
the street, looking triumphant. "There it is."

I looked at the sign above the bar proclaiming it "Thirteen O'clock". I
wondered briefly how Nathaniel was going to get us past the huge man
manning the door. His thick black shirt stretched over his broad
shoulders and pecs so tightly I was for sure it was painted on.

He looked down us from his impressive seven-foot height and glared. "This
ain't no arcade, man. Take the kids and get lost."

"Kid," grumbled Killian under his breath.

Nathaniel didn't back down. He stepped up to the doorman. "We have
business with Early Dawn."

The man jerked a thumb at us and I put on my best "I'm older than I
looked" face. "The kids have to stay. They aren't old enough to be in
here."

"We have business to attend to with her," said Nathaniel with emphasis.
"They are no mere children. Now step aside before one of them grows bored
and moves you aside."

Ryan smiled, and his gray eyes sparkled with pleasure, as he cracked his
knuckles. "Please give me a reason."

A woman appeared from the bar and stepped beside the man. She was small.
Maybe all of five foot. Short. Her eyes were dark brown, the same color
as her long hair. She looked Hawaiian, but I wasn't sure. She smiled at
us and then placed a hand on the hulking man's, huge tree trunk of a
forearm.

"Deon," she murmured softly. "It's alright. Let them pass. She wishes to
see them."

Deon reluctantly stepped aside, glaring at Ryan in particular. Poor guy
didn't know that this woman just saved him a broken bone or two. Picking
a fight with a boy who could punch a fist through a brick wall was not to
be trifled with. I waved at Deon, smiling widely at the sight of his
clenching teeth, and followed the others.

"I'm Mia," she said, leading us through the mutely lit bar. "Please
follow me."

Music with a pulsing bass beat thrummed through the air and made the
floors shake. Most people danced and more gathered at round tables spaced
throughout the room. I caught a flash of light out of the corner of my
eye. A man in his early twenties conjured a tiny ball of blue flame, and
a girl who was forming a globe of ice cried out and pouted when the boy
melted her efforts. The crowd around them laughed and jeered.

"Parlor tricks really," said Nathaniel amused, watching my amazed
expression.

I shook my head and pushed through my shock. "They're wizards! Is this a
magic bar?"

Mia heard my question and turned around. "This is a bar for all those in
the know of the more esoteric aspects of the world. Practitioners of the
Art, people of non-human lineage, those with the gift, and enlightened
mortals are all welcome."

"Welcome to the Leaky Cauldron," said Adam out the corner of his mouth,
ribbing me.

I laughed at his Harry Potter reference. It was no Leaky Cauldron. This
bar was infinitely more upscale. I hadn't been in one before but this bar
looked expensive. Mia led us toward the back of the bar where it was less
crowded.

She pressed a series of numbers on a keypad beside a heavy looking metal
door. I habitually watched as she pressed the numbers, but past the eight
digit I gave up trying to follow. A light above the pad turned green and
she waved us in after she walked through the door.

The music shut off as soon as the door clicked shut behind us. I readied
my magic to the surface. This was the perfect opportunity to spring a
trap and I wasn't taking any chances. The décor ahead was a circular room
that was done in earth tones of dark green and brown. Potted trees and
plants were arranged against the walls and thick curtains, hiding
different rooms or corridors, made the room appear bigger.

"She will be with you shortly," announced Mia. Her hips swayed in the
short red dress she wore, as she walked to the one of the curtains and
ducked behind it, leaving presumably to fetch her mistress.

Killian glanced around the room. "You know what; I think I've seen this
setup in a porno once."

"Aren't I'm the one whose suppose to do all the snark?" I asked pouting
at Adam.

Adam kissed my cheek and replied in a fatherly tone, "Remember baby,
sharing is good."

Nathaniel let out a long suffering sigh. "Please show a little bit more
maturity. We are here for a reason."

I winced. He was right. I couldn't help it. Everyone knows that I flip
flop more than a pair of shoe ware of the same name. A curtain moved
aside and a woman gracefully walked through the opening. She was about my
height of five ten. Her long black hair was plaited in a thick braid
adorned with a pair of eagle feathers, and a single streak of gray. Her
dark eyes watched us, intense, weighing. She stood completely still as
she stared at us speculatively, her gaze slowly taking in each one of us.
She wore a tan dress and set of gleaming jewels rested upon her neck,
shining under the lamplight.

"I'm Early Dawn," she said in a low, rich alto. "How do you do?"

Nathaniel dipped his head in a greeting. "We are well. We are-"

"The Chosen," she finished, still staring at us. "And you are their
advisor. Tales of your deeds have reached quickly through our world. I
always knew I would meet Atlantis' avenging angels in my lifetime. Please
sit."

This Native American woman was different from what I expected of the
psychic Nathaniel said we were meeting. I banished thoughts of a scowling
woman wrapped in a shawl hovering over a crystal ball and a deck of tarot
cars. We moved to the couches and took a seat around a coffee table that
was adorned with a single vase filled with freshly cut lilies.

She turned her gaze on me and those dark eyes glittered with mirth.
"Stand up and let me get a good look at you."

I slowly rose to my feet not bothering to hide the confusion on my face.
Oh God. I just knew that this was going to be some type of sex shit. I
closed my eyes. Did she have a thing for blonds? Oh no. What if a group
of guys suddenly came out from behind one of the curtains ready to make
me their bitch??

"I don't want to be gangbanged!"

Early Dawn's lips twitched and she laughed. "Relax. It's not that type of
show. I just wanted to get a good look at the Prince of the Atlantis. Its
not everyday one meets the heir to a lost kingdom."

"Destroyed and buried kingdom," I corrected her, failing from keeping the
bitterness from my voice. My last memories of Atlantis falling beneath
the waves still hurt.

"For now," she smiled mysteriously. I didn't have time to ponder what she
meant before she continued. "You can sit now. You do look the part of a
prince. You wont have any trouble gaining loyalty from your people."

Wow. Someone was out of touch. "In case you forgot," I interjected. "I
have no people. Atlantis is long gone. Except for certain places,
artifacts, and magics... we're all that's left."

She shook her head. "That's not true. All those touched with a gift. All
humans born with innate power owe its source to a descendent from
Atlantis. Even I owe you my allegiance, for the Atlantean genes is what
grants me psychic talent."

"I never thought..." I trailed off. This was going to take some time to
process.

Early Dawn patted my arm. "Don't worry about it now. I daresay there are
more important matters to discuss for now. The enemy you face... Those
users of the Witchery Way-the Skinwalkers. They are only the tip of the
iceberg of your true foe."

Nathaniel's green eyes widened. "So you know who are in control of them?"

"I do."

Adam leaned forward, anxious and curious. "Can you tell us?"

Early Dawn nodded. "Yes. For a thousand bucks I'll tell you everything
you want to know."

What the hell? Did I suddenly get lost on the set of Goodfellas. I knew
we would have to pay her, but I she had seemed so nice. Now she was all
Machiavelli out of nowhere.

"Weren't you just a minute ago talking about owing me allegiance? If this
is how you usually do it, then you have to work on your openings."

She shrugged unabashed. "This place doesn't run off air. A girl has to
keep a business running somehow."

"A girl can keep it running by going out and sucking off-" Killian
started to say before Ryan slapped a hand over his mouth.

Nathaniel slammed his hand on the table and when he lifted it there was a
stack of crisp, brand new one hundred dollar bills. Well someone was a
baller. He sat back in his seat folding his arms and staring her down, as
she picked up the cash, quickly thumbing through it. I was impressed.

He said in a cold and clipped tone, "You got your money. Tell us what we
want."

Early Dawn sat the cash beside her. "Of course. I'm a woman of my word.
Your true enemy is an ancient sect known as the Order of the Dying Star.
They are more commonly called the Unrelenting." Her eyes slowly clouded
over turning milk white as she looked not at us, but through us, and into
that place that we couldn't see. "They answer to the Black Pope of
Damnation. He was once a sorcerer but he's something else now. Something
inhuman."

"Black Pope? Are they some type of fanatic religious cult?" asked Ryan.

Early Dawn cocked head as if listening to some unheard voice. "They
worship It That Came Before."

"Why Heaven's Trumpet?" questioned Adam, perplexed. "This weapon is more
powerful than anything in existence. What will be the point in ending the
universe. They'll die too."

She nodded, white eyes piercing through him. "Power is the answer," she
answered hollowly. Her voice gained an odd echo, as if she was now
speaking through some type of filter. "The Trumpet will sound and its
retribution will be swift."

She was starting to scare me now. I chanced a look at the others. They
could see it too. She was seeing too far in the currents of time. If you
swim in the currents, eventually they will rise above and swallow you
whole. I wanted to stop her but we had to get more answers and she was
getting paid damn good money.

"Where is the second Key?" I asked sharply.

"It once existed beneath the deepest ocean under the endless red sky. Now
the ocean is no more but the red sky remains eternal."

Nathaniel's head snapped up as realization appeared in his eyes,
gleaming. "You're talking about Mars? The Khanite Mars was one of the
first colonies to be destroyed during the Fall, but-" Nathaniel cut off
thinking intensely. "What if..."

I remembered vaguely that Atlantis had colonies off-world, away from
Earth. Like Lemuria. But there were others, too. On Mars, the Moon,
Neptune, and Venus. They were all abandoned before Atlantis fell,
whether by natural destruction on the planet, or the Lords in Shadow had
taken them out before moving on to Atlantis.

I put the pieces together following Nathaniel's line of thought. "Are
you saying that the Key of Power is on Mars?"

"I'm almost certain," replied Nathaniel. "If I remember right Mars had
the deepest sea known to us and its sky always remained red despite
efforts at terra forming."

Killian cleared his throat. "That's well and good. But Mars is a red
wasteland last time I checked."

"We'll see about that," said Nathaniel, smiling wolfishly.

Early Dawn's head suddenly jerked as if stricken a blow. She gazed
intently at me and I shuddered at that unnatural stare.

"Blood, blood, blood, blood," she intoned deeply, causing a shudder of
dreadful familiarity to shoot down my spin. "Your blood... His blood..."
She reached out and snatched my wrist in an iron grip. "From the void it
rests, it comes, it conquers. All shall taste fear. The universe shall
weep in despair."

She keeled over and I shot up and over the couch as if the hounds of hell
were at my feet. That was impossible! How did she know those words? The
words that I had only heard one other time in the most horrible dream I
had ever seen before in my life. I wanted to curse her on the spot. I
wanted to fry her hair from her scalp. Who was she to bring up that
memory? And why?

Adam appeared at my side, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me into
him. I fell against his chest realizing I was breathing like I had just
run a mile. My heart pulsed so hard it threatened to erupt from my
chest. Calm. I had to focus on being calm. I took a deep breath feeling
my shoulders and back release their tension.

Nathaniel helped Early Dawn sit up, and she leaned back on the couch as
Mia rushed into the room. She took over from Nathaniel, helping her
mistress sip down some water from a cup she brought.

Early Dawn's eyes were clear and normal, but pain filled. "I stretched
myself too far," she groaned. "I almost lost myself."

Nathaniel patted her shoulder. "Thank you. You have been a big help to
us."

"I suggest you find that Key quickly. They will find it soon," she
stated, holding a hand to her temple.

I nodded. She only confirmed what I already knew. "Did you happen to see
what the third Key was-even better-where it is?"

She shook her head, smiling apologetically. "Sorry but no. I think
Chronos himself has blocked the location from those who can swim against
the currents of time."

Damn. Even a god was in on hiding the location of the third Key. That
would make finding it that much harder. If we got to it before the
Unrelenting then we could hide it, or worse case scenario we would
protect it with our lives.

We bid our leave from the psychic. Adam's hand in my own was warm and
comforting as we navigated through the crowd of dancing people in the
bar. My thoughts were flying. The visit had been informative. We had the
location of the second Key and we now knew who the hell we were fighting.
Now all we had to do was:

Find the Keys and keep them safe.

Prevent Heaven's Trumpet from activating.

Stop the Order of the Dying Star.

And at all cost prevent the universe from going pop.

The list wasn't long but it was daunting. These goals seemed almost
impossible when stacked against the odds. We were losing the race, but we
were getting our second wind, and maybe we had a shot at winning this
thing. It was time to bring the rain. It seemed impossible, but we had
heard that before. A boy's got to have a goal after all.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I combined two chapters into one since the wait was three months since
the last update. Thank you everyone who has been reading this story and
sending me nice emails. I'm sorry I can't respond to all of them, but I
try to reply to most of them. I just get really busy with school and
life. If you want to send an email you can do it at Batmanhater@aol.com
or just drop a line at http://www.quicktopic.com/39/H/fXmyJ3NcYt7Z. And I
want to thank my boy BA for editing this chapter.