The Harrowing Road Unwillingly Traveled (War Saga IIIb)
David J. Duncan
June 2002

Rating: R.  Violence, language

Summary: This story wraps up the War Saga as the characters fight
battles to save both Earth and Nurrengaard from invasion by the demon
forces of Lousain and Dahak.  

Notes: The characters from Forever Knight are owned by Sony Tri-Star. 
The characters from Xena Warrior Princess are from Renaissance Studios
and StudiosUSA.  The characters from Mutant X belong to Tribune and
Marvel.  All other characters and situations are fictitious and are of
my own creation.  Please send comments to dante0220@yahoo.com.


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

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

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

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



Chapter 1 [Dahak's realm]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Are fifteen years a long enough time?"

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

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

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

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

"Loritor!" Lousain called.

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

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

"It shall be done," the troll agreed.

"Melitor," the wizard called.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

The trolls marched into the portal, vanishing from view. 

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

  
Chapter 2 [Althanor]

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


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

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

Genaria hurried over and acknowledged, "Mother."

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

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

The elder woman nodded.  "And Hope?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*****

[Faerie Lands]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"And you?" the Empress asked.

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

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

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

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


*****

[Heaven]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"And he will do so?"

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

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

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

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


Chapter 3 [Tucson]

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

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

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

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

**** 

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

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

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

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


****

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

"Don't worry about man.  He'll be dead soon enough as will you!"
 
Dave challenged him, but the words weren't clear.  As the vampire
backhanded the former, once again, the picture began to take on the
reddish hue.  

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

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

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

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

****

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

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

"Can you help me?" he wondered.

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


****

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

****

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Such as?"

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

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

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

****

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

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

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

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

"You would know," she noted humorously.

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

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

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

****

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Not tonight, Janette," he advised firmly.

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

"And you have?" he asked indignantly.

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

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

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

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

"Meaning, how will you win Nicolas back to us if you cannot deal with
Dubois and Xena?  Through them is the path."

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

  
Chapter 4 [A few hours earlier]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"And you have?" she debated.

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

"But its so liberating," she argued.

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

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

"Oh right," she scoffed.

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

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

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

"Watch me," he called over his shoulder.

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

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

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

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

****

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

"How can she tolerate this?" she ranted.

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

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

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

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

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

"She's a weakling."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He giggled at the remark.

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

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

"Oh right," their guest scoffed.

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

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

Angie studied him.  For some reason, he was worked up over something. 
"Well?"
    
"The class went fine, but I had a visitor afterwards," he noted,
taking another sip of his tea.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



Chapter 5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Outta mah way!" the Child roared.

"Cool it!" Xena asserted, restraining him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"No permanent damage," he reassured them.

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

"Thanks, everyone," the detective expressed.

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




Chapter 6
[The Pit, Dark Lands]

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

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

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

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

The troll nodded and backed away quickly.  

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

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

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


****

[The Citadel of the Four Winds, Nurrengaard]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ferali bowed at the waist as well.

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

*****
  
[Tucson]

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

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

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

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

"Already?"

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

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

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

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

"And how about you?" he wondered.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

****

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

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

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

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

"And that is?" Tracy wondered.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"He did," the other insisted.  

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

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

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

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

"Good point," Tracy concurred.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Harrowing Pt. 2
Chapter 7

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

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

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

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

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

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

****

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I know it."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"What is it, Nick?" she pushed.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

****

[1291 Acre, Outremer]

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

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

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

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

It seemed the final advance had begun....

****   

[Present Day]

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

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

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

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

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

****

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

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

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

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

"Fight?  Fight what?" his daughter inquired.  

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

"Que es?" Vachon wondered.

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

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

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

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

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

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


Chapter 8

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

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

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

She urged, "Ares, come out."

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

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

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

"Really?  Like what?" she retorted coyly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Just then, a knock came from the door.

"Yes?" she wondered.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

****

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Right," he agreed, motioning for the others to line up.  "Go, get
'em!"

"Ab...sol..utely," the professor agreed with effort, throwing his
things into the satchel, and hurrying out of the room.  Reaching his
office in no time flat, he opened the door to find Eve sitting there. 
"Wha?"

"Mother's orders...I..." she replied and then winced.  "Arrgh!"  A
bright red light surrounded her.

"Now wha?" Dave growled, sensing the change within her.

When she looked back up, Livia was again in charge. The warrior was
again clad in her familiar red tights, armor, and cape.  "And what's
your problem?" she wondered.

"Who me?" he asked, grabbing his bow and shafts.  "Nothin'  Just a
damn migraine...Nothin' that killin' a few trolls won't stop."

"Then, what are we waiting for?" she inquired, running out the door.

He smiled, following closely behind.

**** 

Meanwhile, the trolls marauded their way down Third Street, smashing
their way through the main university gate, and looking to cause
destruction.  Despite their brothers' numbers on the edge of this
hovel, their job was to intimidate the filthy flesh bags scurrying
about them.

Just behind them, Lousain walked almost casually, enjoying the scene
around him.

When they had reached the grassy area in back of a particularly old
building, a single note intruded upon their orgy of destruction.

"AIAIAIAIAISHHEEEEYYYAAAAHHHH!!!"

From out of nowhere, a metallic blur zipped toward them, taking out
three of their number before skipping back into the shadow from whence
it had come.

"Xena!" the wizard challenged.  "Show yourself!"

At the invitation, the Warrior Princess sauntered out into the light. 
"Lousain, right?  We finally meet.  I've heard a lot about ya."

"It's still twelve against one," he doubted.  Pointing at her, he
ordered, "Get her!"
Needing no other goading, the band advanced on her.

The warrior grinned savagely, twirling her sword faster and faster in
front of her.  She was going to carve her share of troll flesh on this
night no matter what.

Then, two trolls fell backwards, hitting the ground shortly before
they died.  Imbedded in their foreheads were familiar red and blue
tailed arrows....

"Now, it's ten to three, Scum!" Dave growled, already firing off
another volley.

Livia smiled in anticipation.  Leaping to her mother's side, she
wondered, "Did you leave some for me?"

"Take all ya want!" Xena replied, parrying a sword thrust.

"Thanks, Mommy," Livia snickered, jumping into a fight with another
monster.

"David!" the Warrior Princess bellowed.

"Yo!" he replied, taking out another troll with a shaft.

"How ya doin'?"

"Oh, about the same.  About ready to explode and all that," he sassed
darkly, wounding another adversary in the leg.  "Damn, missed!"
Willing up a pulse, he fired, hitting the creature point blank and
finishing it off.

Even as they bantered on, Livia had killed two more creatures.  "I
think that's eight."

Dave bunched six shafts in his hand and tossed them in the air.
Gripping them with his mind, he flung them into the enemy, killing the
majority within a heartbeat.

Xena finished the last two trolls with relative ease.

For his part, Lousain had sat and observed the proceedings.  While he
admired the efficiency with which they had disposed of his advance
guard, he determined that it was time to end the proceedings.  Willing
up a blast, he fired, stunning both Xena and Livia.  Wheeling on Dave,
he fired again.

The medievalist grinned, forming a shield that deflected the blast.
"My turn."  He fired a pulse, knocking the wizard off of his feet.
"I've been waiting for this."  Firing blast after blast, he sent
Lousain flying backward.  Now that he was in his adversary's presence,
the pain was at its most intense.  "Invade my home, will ya?" he
growled savagely, bordering on allowing the Child to come out.

Lousain stared at the human advancing on him.  While they did need to
face each other, he wanted his full armies behind him at that point.
"I'll be waiting for you in the West, Dubois!" he roared, fading away.

"Damn coward!" Dave hissed.  Then, seeing the two woman warriors
climbing to their feet, he asked, "You all right?"  Seeing them both
nod, he scanned about the area with his senses.  Already, the trolls'
carcasses had disintegrated, leaving no signs of their existence.
Fortunately, the trio had stopped the creatures from doing any damage
to the buildings around them.  

Then, he felt a familiar emptiness overhead.  "Nick?"

The former Crusader alighted on the ground by his friend's side.  "I
just arrived.  That was Lousain?"

"In the flesh, so to speak.." the historian shrugged.  "He said that
there was some sort of army west of here."

"There is.  I flew over the West side.  There are 2000 of those
things," the detective advised.

Xena looked first at her daughter and then at Dave.  While disposing
of fifteen hadn't been too difficult, increasing the number by 800
times would stack things too highly against them.  

  
Chapter 9

[Mutant X Sanctuary]

It had been a quiet day as far as the Mutant X team was concerned.
The GSA hadn't tried to grab any other new mutants.  Better yet, Adam
had given them a day off from their combat simulation exercises to
meditate and collect their thoughts.  However, despite the lack of
outward threats, a sense of unease hung over the facility as if
something was going to happen.

Emma slept restlessly.  After a quiet period lasting several weeks,
Dave Dubois' thoughts had begun to bleed into hers again.  As before,
she sensed his struggle with some really powerful Amazon warrior and
the reemergence of the Dark Other.  Despite the attention of women
dressed similarly to Deirdre, she could tell that he was still getting
worse.  On the previous night, she "felt" his battle with the girl-
vampire and the increased rage followed by the miracle pulled off by
Nick to pull their friend back.

But that was before tonight....

Increased fury flooded her brain.  The pain increased almost akin to
what the professor had felt with the sub-dermal governor.  Somehow, he
kept the Child at bay, fighting with his own abilities in dispatching
the enemy beside Xena and Eve.  

Then, through his eyes, she saw the man with dark hair and a beard
step forward.  Unbelievably, his anger surged higher as he blasted his
adversary across the courtyard, screaming, "Invade my home, will ya?"

She jolted awake, sweating and shaking.  Something was going on down
in Arizona.  Right now.  

In the adjacent bed, Shalimar stirred.  "Hey, Em...what's goin'...on?"

"Something's going on down in Tucson," she sighed, pulling on a robe. 


"Dave again?" the feral wondered, sitting up and rubbing her head.

"It's not his fault.  Not if he can't get a moment's worth of peace!"
the empath protested, opening the door and rushing down the hall
toward the command center.

****

Meantime, Jesse sat at his computer keyboard, surfing the Internet,
and reading reports on the digital projection image floating in the
air in front of him.  Over the past hour, the police bands had been
extremely busy with activity.

Then, the "incoming video call" message appeared in front of him.
"What in?" he wondered, opening it.

The database opened a view screen showing Toni's panicked face.
"Jesse!  Thank God!"

He stared at the screen.  "Toni, what's going on?  Are you okay?"

"For the moment," she sighed.  "Don't worry.  I'm safe."  A crashing
noise could be heard in the background.  "But it might be a short
moment."

"What's going on down there?" he demanded, fearing for her safety.
"Where are Dave and the others?"

"Outside dealing with the situation," she replied.  "Agent Petersen
got the students out.  Dave asked me to get a hold of you folks.  We
have a situation down here."

The density mutant scratched his head and looked at the clock.  12:54
AM.  While he knew that everyone wouldn't be thrilled with the early
wakeup call, it was necessary.  Pressing a button on the side of the
console, he sent a signal to the others' rooms, stirring them from
their sleep.

At that moment, Emma hurried over to where he was.  "Jesse!"

"Hey, Em, are you picking up on this too?" he wondered.

"If you mean Dave, I've got a really good idea of what we're dealing
with," she replied, her voice strained by pain.  Looking at the
screen, she told Toni, "I know what's going on down there."

"We'll be there ASAP," Jesse promised, getting up from the chair.
Whatever was going on, Dave and the others needed Mutant X's help.

At that moment, Adam, Brennan, and Shalimar rushed into the area,
responding to the alarm.

"Hey," Adam asked.  "What's going on?  Shalimar told me about your
vision, Emma, but do we have any other confirmation?"  Looking at the
screen, he asked their friend, "What is going on down there?"

"We're under attack by something really strange, Adam.  Dave and the
others are dealing with it, but he asked me to get a hold of you. I
heard something about monsters."

"Adam," Emma interjected.  "I saw him fighting some sort of
creatures...almost like trolls..."

"Trolls?" Brennan cracked.  "You mean as in the nursery rhymes?  Come
on."

"They're real," the empath insisted, rubbing her head.  "As is their
master.  Oh man, we thought we had seen him at his angriest....There's
a guy with black hair and a beard which sent his moods off of the
charts."

Adam nodded with concern.  Given that they were about to start sending
new mutants down there, they needed to stabilize the situation
immediately.  "Okay, people.  Let's get moving.  I want to be in the
Double Helix and underway in ten minutes.  Let's go!"

"There's a faster way, you know," a familiar voice told them.

Turning, the group saw a column of mist appear in the corner.  From
it, Deirdre Dubois stepped into the room.  "Sorry, I would've let you
know I was coming, but we have a bit of a situation.  Let's get
onboard your ship and then, I can teleport us there.  We may need
every weapon we can get."

"Right," Adam agreed, motioning for the others to get ready.  Within
minutes, they were onboard and away from Sanctuary.

"My turn," the young priestess told them, concentrating.  Ten seconds
later, a misty blanket had descended upon the streaking ship
transporting it across the country in the blink of an eye.  When the
fog had burned off, things were quite different.

"Where are we?" Adam wondered, looking at the instruments.  To his
amazement, they were in western Pima County heading due east for
Tucson.  "That is some trick that you just pulled, Deirdre."

"I'll say," Jesse concurred staring dumbfounded at his instruments and
not believing what she had just pulled off.

"Ancient Celtic secret," Deirdre deadpanned, trying not to get too
nervous.

At that moment, the instruments lit up like a Christmas tree.  

"What the heck?" Brennan wondered, glancing over the display.  "Hey,
Adam, what's with all of the specks?  It looks like there's a small
army on the ground there."

The leader studied the display.  "That's what the display says.
Stealth cloak."

At that command, the Helix vanished.

Shalimar took the ship in low, beneath the clouds.  Beneath them, the
ground seemed to move.

"What?" the feral wondered.

The priestess winced.  "That's the troll army all right.  And we're
right on the city limits.  Let's get Papa and the others at the
university."

"Heading in," Shalimar replied.  Two minutes later, the craft hovered
over their destination, setting down on the grass beside the fountain.
Once they were sure that no bystanders were in sight, the hatch opened
allowing the group to walk onto the scene.  All around them, black
stains singed the ground, but fortunately, there was no other apparent
damage.

Over by the Social Sciences Building, they saw Dave talking with Xena,
Gabrielle, Eve, Toni, and Nick.

"Hey, guys.  What's going on?" Adam inquired.    

The medievalist turned to face his friends.  "We had some uninvited
guests.  As you can see, we got rid of them."

"Well, there are more on the way, Papa," Deirdre pointed out.  

"Yes, the remainder of the troll army," Nick agreed.  "Where exactly
are they?"

"They're about a half mile from the city limits," Jesse indicated.  

Dave glanced at Xena and Gabrielle nervously.  If the estimates were
right, how were they going to turn back an army of that size?
"Outnumbered 200 to 1," he sighed.  Seeing Steve running toward them,
he asked, "Where are the kids?"

"We got them out of here.  The campus is being evacuated," he reported
in between deep breaths.  "Dave...there are reports of devastation
from the West Side."

"We have to move fast," Xena concurred.  "How much of that Greek fire
do you have?"

"Not nearly enough," the professor informed her.  

The government agent thought quickly, recalling the tanker flight
shipment leaving from the airport.  "There is the fueling plane
leaving from the airport."

"What are you getting at?" Adam probed.

"Dave uses napalm as a burning agent, right?  Well, if we could get
that army in the clear, we could dump the fuel on top of them.  Then,
if we could ignite it...."

"Not within the city limits," the professor disagreed, recalling the
explosion used to take out the Magog.  "We'll have to fight them on a
smaller scale."  Turning to Nick, he wondered, "Any chance of getting
LaCroix and the others involved?"

"Janette said she'd check into it," the detective replied.

"Whatever she does, we'd best move fast," Gabrielle urged, looking at
the western horizon.  Already, plumes of smoke could be seen rising
from the fires and destruction.

"Let's get onboard the Helix and see what we can do," Adam decided,
guiding the others toward the ship.

Minutes later, they swooped over the besieged area.  The trolls were
wrecking everything in their path, causing thousands of dollars in
property damage.  Fires burned the old structures.  Fortunately, most
people had already fled.  Worse still, the police on the scene were
being tossed aside like rag dolls.

"We can't just stay up here," Dave told them, grabbing his shafts and
bow.  Then, he spasmed and grabbed at his left shoulder.

"Hey, Chief.  You can't exactly go down there in your present
condition," the electrical mutant protested.

"W...Watch me...." The professor growled.  "This 's mah home...."

Emma rubbed his shoulder.  "Calm down.  We'll figure something out."

Nick stared down into the war zone, allowing his mind to drift
back.....

*****


[Acre 1291]

Nick rushed about the wall, sword in hand, ready to defend the citadel
along with his counterparts.  Everyone stood ready to resist the
advance, to die holding onto the final few inches of sand along the
sea.  

"Are you ready to do your duty for God?" the elderly monk, Bernardus,
asked reverently.

Staring over the wall, the immortal Crusader took in the seemingly
unending numbers in the Mamluk advance in front of them.  "I'll stand
as long as I'm able...."

"Then, you shall be saved, Sir Nicolas," the monk presumed.  "Go with
God."  With that, he walked away toward the next man on the wall.

As Nick took another look, the realization hit him of just how
difficult this task was going to be.  Nothing short of a miracle would
save Acre from annihilation.  Perhaps, he should just slip away
despite the promise he had just given to the old man a moment earlier.

"That is a prudent thought, Nicholas," a familiar voice advised,
reading his thoughts.

Feeling the familiar emptiness, he turned to see LaCroix standing
behind him.  The Elder's face was placid as always.  "Poor Nicholas.
Always the idealist, aren't you?"

"Isn't there a place you would defend to the death?" the younger
protested.

 "Ah...there was such a place, but it was buried under a volcanic
eruption so long ago," the Roman disagreed, grasping the other's arm. 
"Besides, we are beyond Death's grasp.  Did I not teach you that on
the night I brought you across, Nicholas?  Why do you concern yourself
with this squabble?  Acre is doomed as are these mortal rabble you
fight beside.  Come with me now."  

"They are my brethren, LaCroix," Nick answered curtly, shrugging off
his master's grip.  

"Very well, Nicholas," LaCroix sighed disappointedly.  "You will learn
the error of your ways."  With that, he took off into the inky
darkness, leaving the younger to listen to the initial bombarding of
the walls in his wake.

****

 [Present Day]

"I agree with Dave," Nick indicated, snapping out of his reverie.  "If
we're going to do something, then we need to do it now before they
entrench themselves."

"You sound as if you know how to do this," Jesse surmised.

"Lots of experience with the Crusades," Nick muttered.  "I was
involved in most of the thirteenth century ones."

Adam nodded.  "Yes," he agreed, recalling his history lessons.  "No
offense, but you let the enemy trap you inside of the walls."

"Right," Nick concurred.  "Is there a way to buy us some breathing
room?"

Xena stated, "Too bad we don't have any army."

"Maybe we don't need to have one," Emma interjected.  

"Wha?" her comrades wondered.

Dave smiled.  "I think I know where she's going with this.  What if we
were to create the illusion that there was an army...let's say the
armies of Nurrengaard...in front of them?  We could drive them out of
the city into the open desert."  He looked at Steve.  "Then, we could
use his idea without hurting anyone.  If we can get them to this
point."  For a point of emphasis, he placed his finger on a spot on
the map.

"But could we get that plane on short notice?" Adam asked.
"Commandeering a plane like that would attract too much attention."

"Not if there's official help," Steve pointed out.  "Can I make a call
from here?  It's a secure line."

"Do it through our comm channel," Jesse requested, pushing a button
and setting up his phone to work with the Helix's cloaking technology.
"Go ahead."

"Thanks," the agent agreed, making the call.  For about ten minutes,
he argued with level after level of supervision.  Finally, he invoked
some code and got the plane.  "They'll be at the spot in fifteen
minutes."

"Good," Adam complemented.  Turning to the telepath, he wondered, "Are
you up to this, Emma?"

"I guess we'll find out," Emma sighed, focusing her concentration.
"Dave, do you have a memory I can use?"

He nodded.  "Go for it."

She locked eyes with him, finding the image of Nurrengaard's armies.
Finding a number of massive proportions under the leadership of a
single magnificent leader on a white charger, she was amazed at the
sight.  "Wow...."

"Got it?" he inquired.

"Yes," she agreed, turning her attention on the masses beneath them.
For a few minutes, she inserted the image in mind after mind.  "That
should do it."

At that moment, the horde turned tail and retreated back to the
desert.

"Keep it up, Emma!  It's working!" Adam urged reassuringly.

Emma nodded, the sweat beading on her forehead and the stress clearly
evident.

Slowly, the marauding mass backed out of the city, leaving the carnage
behind.  Five minutes later, they were out of the city entirely.

"Jesse, Shalimar, how are we doing with the next phase?" Adam
wondered.

"Plane's coming up quick," the density mutant replied.  "It's a minute
away."

"Great," the leader responded.  "Steve, you want to get on the line
again?  Tell them to dump that mix?"

"Right," the agent agreed.  "Get ready, Dave." With that, he got on
the phone.

"Uh huh," the professor grinned.  "Hey, Sparky, you wanna make
yourself useful and light me at the signal?"

"Sure.  You're not going to do what I think you're going to do.
Chief, I know you're nuts, but that's insane," Brennan disagreed.

"We've gotta light 'em," Dave informed him.  "Otherwise, this isn't
gonna work!  Adam, is there some sort of harness with this thing?"

"Excuse me, Papa," Deidre interjected.  "I can give you an opening of
sorts.  From within the mists."  Seeing everyone look at her with
uncertainty, she continued, "Auntie showed me how to do it."

"How much have you been practicing?" her father wondered.  "You know
we're about half a mile in the air."

"I know."

"And you can do it?" he inquired.

"It doesn't matter where we are...as long as we stay within the
mists," the priestess replied.  "Well?"

For a long minute, he looked at the others and took in their doubt.
This was a big risk in itself, but, for their plan to work, they had
little choice.  "Can you folks hang around in case something goes
wrong?"

"We're not going anywhere without ya, Big Guy," Shalimar told him.  

"Good luck...both of you," Xena told them.  "Angela says to please be
careful."

"We will," Dave promised.  "See ya in a bit.  Ready, Deirdre?"

"As I'll ever be," his daughter responded, albeit more securely than
she felt.  Opening up the mists, she motioned him through before
closing them behind her.

The others could only watch and prepare for the next phase, wondering
if their friends would make it back.


Chapter 10

As he flew ahead, Colonel Mark Grayson sat in the cockpit, still
trying to get a handle on the situation.  Up until about an hour ago,
he was to have delivered his payload to a base outside of Denver.
Then, his superiors had changed their minds...mentioning something
about an emergency in the desert.  Although he didn't really
understand, he followed his orders.  Taking off from the air force
base, he made a beeline for the coordinates he was assigned to.

Reaching the spot, he looked down to see a mass of moving creatures
beneath him.  "What in?" he wondered.  From the reports he had heard
on the way over, he assumed these were the causes behind the
destruction on the West Side.  "Sweet Mother of...there are enough of
them...  Here goes!"  Pulling the release lever, he flew over the
mass, dumping his load across their numbers.  Then, he quickly banked
and headed back to base in case he was needed there.

****

From inside of the mists, Dave waited as he watched Grayson follow his
orders.  Beside him, five explosive tipped projectiles waited for
their task.

"Are we set, Papa?" Deirdre wondered.

"It seems so," he assured her.  "Can you open the door?"

"Right," she agreed.  "Just stay inside here, OK?"  With a wave of her
hands, she parted the fog in front of them, revealing the robin's egg-
blue sky in front of them, and the armies about 75 feet below them.
"Good luck."

"Thanks," he responded pleasantly, ruffling her hair as he had when
she was a toddler.  Then, he struck a match, lit the first bomb, and
fired it into the trolls' midst.  Four times more, he repeated the
action, hitting a different part of the mass with each shot.  Finally,
he requested, "Let's get back to the ship."

"Right," she concurred, snapping her fingers and transporting them
back to the Helix.

****

Upon each impact, the explosives set off the flammable liquid coating
the invaders, covering them in flames.  They howled and screamed in
agony, dropping to their knees, and then, falling dead to the ground. 
Despite their quandary, they couldn't tell who had done this to them. 
For the most part, only 150 of the original party survived the attack
with second-degree burns or less.  

Lousain glanced up at the sky.  Somehow, Dubois was behind this sneak
attack.  "Well done...cowardly, but well done.  There will be another
time."  Conceding this front as a lost cause, he disappeared from the
scene, abandoning the remaining trolls to their fate.

****

On board the Helix, the group admired the precision with which the
counterattack had been carried out.  First, in Steve's convincing
Grayson's superiors to have him dump the fuel and then, in Dave's
strategically placed strikes, setting off the majority of the invading
army and reducing them to ashes.  While the loss of life was
regrettable, at least they had a shot of saving the city.

"How's it look?" Dave asked, stepping back into view.

"They're down to about 150," Adam noted, viewing the scans.  "More
manageable odds."

"They're panicked," Emma related.  "Fire from the sky isn't something
you see everyday."

"Well, I think we can mop the rest of them up," Xena assumed, drawing
her sword.  

"I say let's do it," the professor agreed.  "Nick?  Guys?"  Getting
nods all around, he glanced at his daughter.  "Ready?"

She took a deep breath and opened another portal.  "Be careful,
everyone."

They nodded in agreement, stepping through the portal, leaving Steve
and Adam behind to keep things going onboard.

****

 The portal opened right in the midst of the writhing throng.   All
around the party, the trolls turned to see the newcomers.

"Get them!" Melitor bellowed, pointing his sword.

Dave grinned savagely and started firing pulse after pulse, taking out
multiple creatures at once.  

Xena gyrated between them, slinging her chakram off of several
adversaries and gutting others.

Nick, although regretful at having to kill, slew several enemies as
well.

For their part, the members of Mutant X dispatched the others
efficiently with massed fists, terrifying mental images, ferally
powered blows, and electrical bursts.

About an hour later, the group stood in the midst of their fallen
enemies.  Amazingly enough, other than minor bumps and bruises, they
were unharmed.

"Is it always like this?" Brennan wondered, taking a deep breath.

"With these guys, yeah, pretty much," Dave responded.  "Oh, don't
worry, there are more of these creeps where they came from."

"More?" Shalimar wondered.

Gabrielle stared anxiously at her soul mate.  "What's he getting at?"

"He's right," the warrior replied.  "They're from the Dark Realm, and
that's where we'll go next."

"Indeed," a familiar voice added from behind.  Turning, the group saw
Grimwilkin and Ferali approaching from behind.  "Well done...all of
you."

The professor bowed at the waist to his friends.

"Now, you're bowing to me?" the gnome cracked.  "First, you don't
leave me any skulls to crack and now, you're bowing like one of
Meroli's courtiers?"  Receiving a stern look from the wizard, he
shrugged silently.

"Come, Meroli awaits you," the older newcomer bade.

"Actually...can we meet with everyone first?" Dave requested.  "I want
to plan a bit."

"We have a little time for such things," Grimwilkin agreed, waving his
hands and teleporting them away.


****

Onboard the Helix, Adam reviewed the sensors again.  "They did it!" he
noted.  

"Well, that's a relief," the agent agreed, wiping his brow.  Another
mess had been dealt with.

Then, in a flash of light, the others appeared back in their midst.

"What?" the geneticist wondered, jumping in surprise.  

Dave stepped forward.  "Adam, these two are Grimwilkin the wizard and
Ferali the Gnome.  Grimwilkin, Ferali, this is Adam.  He's the leader
of the group who fought beside Nick, Xena, Gabrielle, Livia, and me."

Adam shook their hands before he realized, "You're Grimwilkin?  As in
the wizard of the Inner Realms?"

"You know him?" Shalimar interjected.

"I know of him...actually, there are myths surrounding him," the
leader explained.  "It's an honor."

"Thank you," the older man accepted.  "Your group fought well.  We may
have use for you against the larger enemy."

The leader gave the other a quizzical look.  "I'm sorry, but if you're
talking about going to your realm, we can't leave Earth or our
community undefended."

Seeing Grimwilkin bristle, Dave stepped in.  "Actually, this works out
according to my plan."

"Which is?" the wizard inquired testily.

"Adam, perhaps Mutant X might keep an eye on things while we're gone? 
In case the remaining beasties get by us, I want some backup ready on
this end.  I figure that the vampire Community and the FBI could do
the same as well," Dave proposed.

"We can do that from Sanctuary," the leader agreed.  "Is that
suitable, Grimwilkin?"

"Indeed," the wizard concurred.

"I'll keep the Bureau on top of it," Steve chimed in.

"I'll need to check with LaCroix first," Nick declared.  "Can the rest
of you go on without me?"

"Actually, we'll go together.  I want His Egotisticalness in on this
venture too," Dave told him.  "Okay, everyone into the mists so we can
let Mutant X get on their way."  

Deirdre nodded, opening a portal and guiding the others through.
"We'll be waiting for you, Papa."

"Thanks for helping, Adam.  Everyone," the professor expressed.  "Wish
us luck."

"You got it," Brennan replied firmly.  "Go get 'em."

"Come back in one piece," Emma reminded him.

"Watch your back," Adam added, shaking his hand.  "And good luck to
all of you.  Don't worry, we'll take care of things here."

"Right," the medievalist agreed and took one last look at his friends.
Then, he dove through the portal just as his daughter sealed it.

After the mists had dissipated, Adam turned to the others.  "Okay,
let's get back to Sanctuary."

Jesse sat down next to the controls and plotted their course, sending
them on their way back home.  While they all wished they could do more
than just guard duty, their situation with Mason Eckhart and the GSA
kept them at that level.

Harrowing Pt. 3
Chapter 11 

[El Gato Negro, Tucson]

LaCroix entered the bar and moved smoothly through the gathered throng
on the floor.  During his radio show, Janette had paged him with some
situation.  As he had told her and his children not to do so unless it
was a matter of life and death, he wanted to know what was so dire.

Sitting at the bar, he watched Janette approach.  "Janette, what is
it?"

"There was a nasty bit of business on the west side tonight," she
informed him in a low voice.

"Really?" he asked incredulously.  Granted, he had felt some
vibrations from Nick, but...  "I did hear something over the police
band about monsters and such rubbish."

"Nicolas saw them," she stated frankly.

"Really?" he chuckled.  "It must be all of that swill he's been
taking.  He's getting lightheaded."  Feeling a familiar vibration in
back of him, he swiveled around on his stool to see his "son"
descending the stairs.  "Nicholas!" he chuckled.  "Back from your
hunt.  I trust it was fruitful?"

"More than I would like," the detective replied curtly, sipping from
the cow's blood placed in front of him.

"Yes..." the Roman supposed.  "Janette said something about seeing
monsters and some such nonsense."

"I did more than see them," Nick countered albeit reluctantly.  "I
killed about twenty of them."

That statement straightened LaCroix's back, raising his eyebrow with
interest.  "Really?  Well done then, Nicholas.  Well done.  I trust
that you aren't feeling too guilty about it?"

"You know I hate killing," the other sighed.

"Ah, yes.  It's a pity really, Nicholas.  You should get over it one
of these centuries," the General chided, taking another sip from his
glass.

"Actually, you may get a chance to do some of it yourself," Nick
stated.  "Dave has a proposition for you."

Those words nearly made him choke on his drink.  "Dubois has a
proposition for me?  This ought to be interesting.  Where is the
mortal so I can laugh in his face before I tear him limb from limb?"

Nick motioned to the top of the stairs where Dave stood along with
Xena, Gabrielle, and Livia.  

"Well, well...my sister comes for a visit at last," the General
cracked, taking another glass.  Cutting quickly through the crowd, he
approached the group.  "Livia, it's delightful to see you again, my
dear."

"Lucius," she replied flatly, a frown across her face.  "We need to
talk.  Isn't that right, Mother?"

"Oh goodie," Xena blurted out flippantly, rolling her eyes.  "Let's
get this over with, shall we?"

"Now whatever could you want from me?" the DJ asked.  "Nothing is free
after all."

"How about the defense of your Community, Loudmouth?" Dave hissed
darkly.

"What?" LaCroix pushed.  Turning to Nick, he pressed, "Another of your
imagined attacks, I suppose?"

Leaning against the wall, Livia gritted her teeth at her stepbrother's
cockiness.  "He's as infuriating as ever," she told herself.  

"Yeah?" Xena growled, grasping a dagger in her hand and holding it in
front of the Elder's face.  "How about you imagine this?"

"As irritating as you are, LaCroix," Dave gibed, placing a hand
between the warrior and the Elder,  "You needed some help to get me to
my current point.  Trust me, I've been through the Pit...twice and
survived.  After that, nothing scares me." Leaning across the table,
he locked eyes with the vampire.  "An' I mean NOTHING!"  Calming
himself, he continued, "Look, as much as it turns my stomach to do so,
we need generals.  Despite your less than stellar methods, you were
one of the greatest generals in Imperial history."

"We need you as a leader, Lucius," Xena continued reluctantly.

"Fight fire with fire," Gabrielle chimed in sarcastically.

LaCroix considered their request carefully.  True, he had his life
back here.  However, he didn't like the fact that a major threat to
his community had occurred while he was unaware of its approach.  Such
a matter needed to be resolved in quick order.  "Will you be fighting,
Nicholas?  And you, Livia?"

"Is there a choice?" the Brabantine asked, tiring quickly of the
riddles.

"I'll be there," his sister agreed.

"Very well then," the Elder concurred.  "Janette will watch things
here.  I trust you have set up other safeguards, Dubois?"

"You know me," the professor chuckled.  "Always prepared. Yes, there
is backup ready."

"Good.  I must say that I do admire your efficiency," the General
complemented in spite of himself.  "Where is this war to take place?"

"In the realms of myth and legend," Dave baited.  "Someplace
guaranteed to make even you cringe."

"Nothing could do that," he countered, shooting the other a glare.

"Except maybe my chakram," Xena added knowingly, a cold smile
spreading across her features.

"Don't worry, Dubois.  I'll hold up my end.  When do we leave?"

"In about two hours," Dave shot back, standing.  "See you at the
fountain on campus."  With that, the mortals left the premises.

After seeing them depart, LaCroix turned to the younger immortal and
asked, "What have you gotten us into this time, I wonder?"

"It's a war, LaCroix...just the way you've always liked it," Nick
mentioned almost flippantly, returning to the bar to partake of
another cow-wine before they had to go.

****

Two hours later, Dave inspected his gear carefully in his office.  A
quick stop at the apartment had allowed him to refit his quiver.  His
bottle of St. John's Wart sat in his belt pouch.  Beyond that, there
was little else to be done.  Taking another look around at his books
and stuff, he locked the door, not knowing if he would return.  He
descended the stone stairs to find his friends standing in the midst
of the charred grass.  Angie and Francesca stood quietly off to the
side.  "No doubt, they were sharing thoughts with Xena and Gabrielle,"
he thought.

Cybelle approached him.  "I've brought some other allies."  Motioning
over her shoulder, she pointed out Garth Singleton and Karen Montoya.

"Thanks, Sis," he expressed.

"Not a problem," she told him.  "I'll see you in the Citadel later.
Grimwilkin will get you all there.  Take care.  Things are
deteriorating fast."

He shrugged.  When hadn't things been collapsing all around him?
"Right.  Well, see ya."

Opening the mists, she smiled whimsically before vanishing from view.

Turning, the professor went to greet the two newcomers.  "Garth!
Karen!  Good to see you.  What's going on?"

"You tell us, Chief," Garth said wryly.  "Judging from the burn marks
around us, I'd say you had quite the party here."

"Remember, Dave," Karen sighed.  "We do need a school to come back to
for reunions."

"Everyone's a critic," Dave replied.  "Seriously though, its good to
see you both."

"When Grimwilkin says that Harokin needs our help, Dave, I'm going to
come running," the lanky man indicated.

"And I still owe him for the two rescues," the nurse concurred.
"Maybe now I can help defend a bit."

Dave grinned warmly and embraced his two oldest friends.  This
adventure was going to be Hell, but having them there helped him to
keep a sense of optimism.  "Well, we'll be leaving soon.  Is everyone
here?"

"Just about," Angie advised, walking over and giving him a hug.
"We're waiting on Nick and LaCroix."

At that moment, Steve's car pulled up beside the group.  From it, the
agent, Natalie, Alyce, Schanke, and Nick climbed out.  The latter was
dressed in chain mail under a plain white surcoat.  A sword clanked
against his side.

"Nice mail, Nick," Dave admired.  "From the Crusades?"

"It is," the Brabantine concurred.  "It's been a while since I've worn
it though."

"And everything's on straight," Alyce chuckled, trying to mask her
uncertainty with humor.

"Everything seems in order," Livia assured him after a quick visual
inspection.

"Thanks," Nick expressed.

The conqueror smiled and walked off to consider her strategies.

"I think I liked the old Eve better," Natalie remarked, watching the
Roman stalk off.

"She's not Eve," Angie pointed out.  "Think of Livia as her form of
the Child."

The coroner winced.  That wasn't exactly a comforting thought.
"Anyhow, I...I need to get back to the Precinct."  

Nick approached her and asked, "Nat?"

"Nick?" she replied, turning to face her friend.  Despite her
blossoming relationship with Steve, she still had feelings for the
detective.  "You look the part.  Ever the crusading knight, huh?"

"One might say that," he nodded, a smile coming to his face.

"Well, you take care of yourself and the others, okay?" she requested,
embracing him tightly.  Tears welled in her eyes.

"I'll be back," he promised.  "As will we all."

"Always optimistic, aren't you?"  Livia wondered.

"You might try it, Livia.  Faith helps in a fight."

The warrioress drew her sword.  "This, Nicholas, is what gets you
through a fight...not some silly notion of faith."

"You might ask your other half about that," the detective debated.  

"You're starting to sound like one of those Eli-lovers," Livia
retorted.  "No wonder Lucius feels the way he does about you."

"He is a challenge, my dear Sister," LaCroix agreed, descending to the
ground.  For his part, the Elder had donned his old Roman military
attire and weaponry.  "But he does have potential."

"Not your type of potential," Dave disagreed, glaring daggers at him. 


"I'm here at your request, Dubois," the General hissed.  "Don't insult
me!"

"Who's insulting you?" he inquired, shrugging.  "I was stating a
simple fact."  The professor approached LaCroix and stared him in the
eye.  "Besides, this is all about duty and responsibility, LaCroix.
Being a leader doesn't just mean you get to enjoy the benefits and
play the role whenever it's convenient.  You have to look after those
under your stewardship...and their best interests.  I shouldn't have
had to request your assistance.  If you were doing your damn job, you
would have been fighting with us earlier tonight."  With that, Dave
stalked off.

For a long minute, LaCroix stared across the way at the brash mortal,
thinking of things to do to him.  Finally, he let the matter drop.

Garth approached his friend asking, "So, that's LaCroix?"

"Yup," the medievalist replied curtly.  "The same."

The other man took a deep breath, recalling the prophecies uttered by
the Faerie Empress on their last adventure.  "And what about that
Dijon creep.  When do you face him?"

"Past tense, Garth."

"And what happened?" the classmate asked.

Karen interjected, "They fought and Dave finally pinned him to the
ground before letting the sun finish the job."

"Oh," Garth responded, failing to find the words.  He remembered
everyone's concern on the last trip to Nurrengaard.  If it were
possible, he considered that his friend might actually be worse
now...a walking time bomb.

"Cheer up," Karen pointed out.  "He isn't that bad--at least not all
of the time."

"But he does have his bad moments, right?" Garth asked.

Ferali muttered, "You should've been with us the last time in the
Pit."

"Now, Ferali," she lectured.  "Remember, he had his job to do as
well."

"I know," the gnome replied and walked off shaking his head.

Above the clatter, Grimwilkin cleared his throat and stated, "It's
time!  If we are ready?"

Everyone gathered around him.  Once this had been done, the wizard
raised his hands, teleporting them away from the scene.

In their wake, Natalie, Schanke, Steve, and Alyce were left wondering
if they would return.  Somehow they got the feeling that even if
everything turned out all right, things would never be the same again.


 Chapter 12 [Citadel of the Four Winds, Nurrengaard]

High above the walled city, Meroli stood on the terrace overhang of
the citadel, surveying the battle scene just beyond the walls.  A scan
of the battlements told him the obvious.  The large troll army had
advanced on the city, surrounding it on all sides, and choking off all
support for the outside.  Fortunately, he had thought ahead and
brought the supplies inside the walls upon the scouts' warning thereby
insuring that there was a week's supply of rations left.

"How does it look?" Harokin asked with concern.

"The trolls are bringing something big," the area leader noted,
pointing to the large object coming into view over the horizon.  "It
looks like Grimcrusher.  If they're bringing it up at night, that
damned wizard must be desperate."

The military leader from the lands beyond nodded nervously in spite of
himself.  Grimcrusher had bashed in more than its share of walls and
portals in its long career.  Now, he wondered how long they could hold
the walls against the threat.  "I'll have them reinforce the gate.
Where is Grimwilkin?  I thought he'd be back by now!"

"Patience!" Meroli advised.  "He and Ferali will return soon enough.
Meantime, keep your hopes up, my friend.  Our outer world allies will
remember their duty."

"I know," the other man agreed.  "We could use their help is all."
With that, he marched off to be with his troops.

*****

Outside the gates, Melitor glanced about at his troll army.  Everyone
was in place and now that the Master's ultimate weapon was in
position, it was time.  "Move in!"

With that, the operators released the device's safety, allowing the
huge battering ram to begin beating on the gate.

*****

Just out of sight of the army, the reinforcements materialized.  As
with their last trip, the journey had only taken a few seconds.

"Where are we?" Nick wondered.

"Outside of Nurrengaard," Grimwilkin informed him.  Glancing about at
the scorched and trampled landscape, he continued, "Normally, this
field is lush and green.  I think you can gather the reason why."
Pointing ahead to the host in front of them, he directed, "There,
Ladies and Gentlemen, is the enemy."  

Xena analyzed the situation.  "They look like the Horde," she
remarked, drawing her sword.

"They're just as numerous," Gabrielle concurred, readying her staff.

"And just as nasty," Dave noted, wrapping a cloth around a shaft tip,
and lighting it.  Stringing the bow, he lit the end and fired it into
the air.  

In the distance, the twin tapers on the keep were lit in response.

"They know we're here," Garth surmised.  

"Before we go into battle, Mr. Singleton, you might be needing this,"
the wizard stated, holding up the cloak of invisibility.

"Thanks," Garth expressed, putting the cloak on.

"Karen, stay back until we give the go ahead," Dave directed,
reloading his bow.  In spite of his efforts to keep control, the sight
of Lousain's trolls was eating at him, causing the Child to spasm.
"Ready?"  

"This is suicide," LaCroix pointed out truculently.

"Aren't you the pessimist?" Xena groused with a slight air of sarcasm.
"It's not like we have a choice!"

"What's the matter, Lucius?" Livia baited.  "Have you lost your nerve?
I recall you being all too eager to charge the barbarians on several
occasions even in the face of overwhelming odds."

LaCroix glared at his sister.  "I have done nothing of the kind!"

"Remember, General, not everything is measured in terms of numbers,"
Grimwilkin reminded him.  Seeing the trolls starting to stir, he
added, "They heard you.  Now, we have little choice."

Dave allowed himself a grim smile.  For all of this infernal pain
coursing through him right now, he was going to pay the scum in front
of him back in kind.  Picking out an explosive-tipped projectile, he
asked, "Now?"

The wizard shot a spark from his finger, lighting up the weapon.
"Indeed, David."

"As you wish," the professor quipped, firing straight ahead into the
horde.  The arrow exploded, setting some twenty of the closely packed
soldiers on fire.  

The demons ran screaming, looking for anything to cool them off.
However, as they ran by their comrades, the flammable chemical set
them aflame as well, sending them scurrying and burning as well.

Looking about, the creatures in that part of the formation spied them.
"Intruders!"

"Damn!" Dave hissed  "And I was having such fun too!"  Shooting a
shaft from the bow, he buried it deep into the herald's chest.
"Loudmouth!" he baited, charging forward.

"Why is he always like this?" Garth groused.

"Because it's the way it has to be!" Ferali exclaimed, waving his axe
about.

"I guess," Garth concurred, allowing himself to vanish from view.
"See you on the other side."

"Count on it!" the gnome replied, charging forth.  Within seconds, he
had begun to mow down trolls like so much wheat.

About fifty feet away, Dave continued to hack his way through the
troops.  After exhausting most of his shafts on the enemy around him,
he combined sword thrusts and energy blasts to take down the trolls
surrounding his position.  "This is the way I remembered it!" he
exclaimed, frying another adversary in his path.

Xena and Gabrielle fought back to back, carving a path through their
enemies as well.  The Warrior Princess flung her chakram repeatedly,
taking out multiple trolls with each toss and slashing still more with
her sword.  The bard queen knocked and stabbed at the enemy with her
javelin.

Livia slashed at her own adversaries, watching their blackish blood
soil the battlements after each stroke.  Recalling the past glories
she had achieved for Rome, she had plenty of motivation to advance
deeper into the enemy's flank.

Nick popped in and out, turning the trolls this way and that.
Dropping from behind in the darkness, he would stab deeply with his
blade before going onto the next victim.  However, with each kill, his
heart grew a little heavier.  While the Vampire savored this activity,
he detested it.  He knew that it was necessary to defend his home.  He
just hated having to resort to it.

About 45 minutes into this melee, he heard LaCroix brag, "Ah!  This
makes me feel alive!"

"It would," Nick groused, thrusting his sword into another troll.

"Come...come, Nicholas," the Elder continued.  "This is what we are
made for!  To hunt!  To kill!  Enjoy the aroma of the carnage about
you!"

"You're sick, LaCroix," the younger vampire stated emphatically,
decapitating another enemy.

The Roman sighed.  While he wanted to continue this debate in order to
show the boy just how hypocritical he was being, the pace of the
battle wouldn't allow it.  "Keep going, Nicholas.  We'll talk later." 
With that, he vanished from view.

Nick shook his head and went back to the task at hand.

****

 About 15 minutes earlier, Dave had made a dent in the trolls'
position, carving out a beachhead for himself with arrow, sword, and
energy burst.   Despite these efforts, however, he felt as if he were
fighting uphill with his feet mired in mud.  Off in the distance, he
heard the echoing impacts of Grimcrusher's hammer against the city's
gates and knew it was only a matter of time.

"I can take 2000 of these SOBs and it won't make a bit of difference
if they breach the defenses," he told himself, taking down another
foe.  

"Maybe we can stop them," Cybelle's voice advised from the mists
forming to his right.  "Come on!"

Instinctively, he leapt through the portal.  Within it, he asked, "So
what did you have in mind?"

"We need to take out the battering ram, right?  How about a lift?" she
offered.

"You're on," he concurred, prepping his last explosive shaft.  From
the pitch he could see on its wooden joints, a well-placed shot would
ignite that thing. 

The priestess nodded grimly and opened another entryway.  Through it,
the battering ram loomed large.

"Thanks, Sis," he expressed, lighting his weapon before making his
shot.  

The projectile found its mark, burying itself deep in the tarred seam
holding the axis onto the rest of the device.  When it exploded, the
machine crashed to the ground.  Although badly damaged, the hammer
kept doing its work.

"Sonnuva..." he snarled.  "Die, will you?"  Firing two pulses, he
finished the job, reducing the weapon to a pile of kindling.
"Finally!"  Turning to his sister, he stated, "Go tell Harokin and
Meroli we could use some help out here.  Thanks again."

"My pleasure," she replied.  "Go, and try not to get your fool head
sliced off in the meantime, okay?"

He nodded and jumped out of the mists as she closed the door behind
him.

Meantime, the surrounding trolls weren't too happy at these
developments.  Seeing Dave appear suddenly from nowhere, sword drawn
and with a look crossed somewhere between anger and glee, they howled
and charged him.

He shook his head and went to work, parrying every stroke and managing
to stab a few enemies.  Finally, realizing that this was getting
tedious, he began blasting away with energy pulses, allowing their
connection with Lousain to fuel the Child's wrath and therefore his
own strength.

****

Across the field, Loritor saw the ram's destruction with concern.
What would his master do to him because of this failure?  Should he
risk a retreat or stay and allow his troops to be cut to ribbons?  

Upon hearing the Horn of Nurrengaard and knowing that reinforcements
would soon be coming out of the beleaguered city to face them, the
troll leader made his decision.  Looking to the sky, he called,
"Master!"

For a minute, the sky turned pitch black with purple blotches along
the underside of some clouds.  Red lightning impacted with the Earth. 
At that point, the invading army vanished.  Lousain had pulled his
army back to the Dark Lands away from the scene of their latest
failure.

****

"What the?" Nick wondered, looking about for the recently departed
enemy.

"It seems that they have vanished.  Curious," LaCroix noted, glancing
about the landscape and at the rapidly clearing sky.

"They do that a lot," Garth commented, reappearing from thin air.

"The Enemy has withdrawn his forces for now," Grimwilkin added.

Harokin rode up to the group.  "It is good to see you, my friends.
Come, Meroli awaits us inside of the city walls."  With that, he
turned and led his troops back toward the citadel.

At that moment, Cybelle reentered the scene, urging, "You heard the
man.  Let's go."

Everyone quickly entered the portal.  Once they had done so, the fog
burned off, leaving no trace of the combatants on the battlefield for
anyone to find.

Chapter 13

[Heaven]

Standing on a cloud far over the battle scene, Michael and Raphael
observed all of the proceedings.  While they were glad that Dave and
the others had overcome the odds put in front of them thus far, they
knew that the worse was yet to come.

"They are stronger than I would have imagined," the blond archangel
assessed.

"That they are," his associate agreed.  "Can we not help them,
Michael?"

"No," the other disagreed grimly, a touch of stubborn pride creeping
through his demeanor.  "This is their war.  I warned Dubois when he
defied me.  Now, let them all suffer the consequences."

Raphael shook his head in wonder.  While Michael was usually righteous
in his attitude, pride and even vindictiveness weren't in his nature. 
Now, he understood Lorenzo's view of Michael's plan and why the
relatively new angel had stayed away from them.  

"Is something bothering you?" Michael wondered.  "Surely, you're not
feeling pity for them?"

"They fight bravely and for the Greater Good.  What does it matter how
they do it as long as they stay within the Lord's covenant?"

Michael's face flushed scarlet with anger.  "Because...there is a set
way to these things!  I will not be defied by a mortal!"  Seeing the
other's continued disagreement, he decided to change the subject.  "If
you would summon our next ally, I would appreciate it."

"Right," he agreed and went off to do just that.  About fifteen
minutes later, he returned accompanying a slender feminine angel with
long flowing hair.  "Here she is."

"Michael, you wanted to see me?" she wondered.

"Yes, I did.  Fleur, you are Nicolas' brother, are you not?"

"I am," she replied courteously.  "He is in grave danger.  I have felt
it."

"And you may go to him, my Dear," Michael assured her.  "And if you
would, please stop by and see the one they call LaCroix as well."

She flashed a radiant smile.  Although she had passed on 750 years
earlier, the angel still loved the General.  "I will," she promised.
"May I go with your leave?"

"You may," Michael concurred.

In a flash of light, she disappeared, leaving the two archangels to
observe what would happen next.

****

[Amazon Camp]

Eve sat on the grass in quiet contemplation.  For the past two hours,
she had put herself in a meditative trance to mitigate her concern for
her mother and Gabrielle.  Unfortunately, it wasn't working.  All
around, her sister Amazons limped about their duties reinforcing
shelters and keeping watch for further trouble.  The others still lay
back in Althanor recovering from the wounds sustained in Velasca's
attack.  Furthermore, she felt tremors within her head...as if Livia
were trying to tell her something.

"Eli, help us," she requested.  "Please send me a sign."

As if on cue, Nai-Jin came running up the path toward her.  "Princess!
There's been a sign!"

"A sign?" the regent asked with concern not knowing if it was good or
bad news.  "Take a minute to catch your breath and then, I'll hear
what you have to say."

The mystic nodded silently as she leaned against a nearby tree as her
pulse rate relaxed and her breathing became regular.  "Thank you.
Princess, there's been a battle."

"Already?" Eve inquired, although she had gathered as much from
Livia's message.  "Mother and the Queen have only left a few hours
ago!"

"It was over before they arrived," Nai-Jin reported.  "Despite that,
they somehow fought there and were here at the same time.  You were
there...but it wasn't you.  Rather, it was the Other."

The former Messenger nodded silently.  While the mystic didn't
understand, she did.  Obviously, Angie and Francesca had used their
shared link, allowing the warriors to participate in the fighting.
The last part confirmed the reason for her headache.  Livia had fought
at their side.  "Any news?"

"Our side has won the initial battles, Milady," Nai-Jin stated.  "The
threat to the fortified city and the Realm within the Mists has been
averted at least for now."

"That's good news indeed," Eve agreed.  Knowing her mother, Xena would
try to take the battle to the Enemy.  "I hope you're careful, Mother,"
she thought to herself.

"That's the thing with battles, Eve.  One never knows what's going to
happen next," a familiar voice grimly informed her.

Standing, she saw Ares approaching them.  "What do you want?" she
inquired icily.

The ebon-haired god frowned.  "What is it with all of you?  All I want
to do is help," he exclaimed in exasperation.

"There is the small matter of your track record," the regent informed
him.  Looking at Nai-Jin, she advised, "Thank you for your counsel,
Nai-Jin.  Can you let me know if there's anything else that you see?"

"I shall, Princess," the mystic concluded, departing from the scene.

"That's some oracle you have there, Eve.  I thought Elisians didn't
trust them," Ares baited.

She folded her arms across her chest and noted, "Nai-Jin's abilities
have saved the Amazons in the past.  Queen Gabrielle trusts her...and
as her regent at least for now...I'm willing to go along with that.  I
trust that you're not behind the attacks, were you?"

"No.  As much as I wish I could take credit for those skirmishes, I
can't.  Thank Dahak and his wizard buddy for busting in on your day.
The fighting was great!  I gotta tell you.  Your buddy, Dubois, is
getting stronger.  By the way, who are the new friends dressed in the
leather with the weird powers?  They were kicking ass too," he
explained, throwing animated punches at the air between them.

Eve nodded, guessing that he was referring to Mutant X.  "They're
friends," she informed him.  "Allies in the war against bigotry and
hatred."

"Whatever," he replied, already tired of Eve's peaceful demeanor.
"I'm on my way to the Inner Realms.  Your buddies are gonna need my
help."

"Stay away from them, Ares!" Eve protested, glaring at him harshly.

"Like you're going to stop me?" he asked sarcastically.  "Yeah right."
With that, he vanished from sight.

For a long while after that, Eve walked about the camp, feeling as if
things were about to go from bad to worse.


*****

[Dahak's realm]

Sitting on his throne, the demon lord brooded over the failure of his
ally's armies before the gates of Nurrengaard.  If only they had
stepped up the attack sooner, they would now have the city and the key
to Althanor and the Amazon lands beyond.  Worse still, the demon
patrols had found no trace of Divia or Hope.  Somehow, the damned
priestess, Cybelle, had hidden them well from him.

To his right, Lousain shook his head in consternation.  "What is it
about those interlopers??  Why do we continue to frustrate me?  WHY??"

"Because you continue to fight them on their terms, my friend," Dahak
noted.  "Make them fight on our terms."

"The next battle will take place in the Dark Lands.  That much I can
promise you," the wizard vowed.  "I go to make more preparations."
With that, he vanished from view.

The demon scanned the area around him with concern.  The final battle
had to be a good one.  And he was determined that it would be.


Chapter 14 [Grand Hall, Citadel of the Four Winds, Nurrengaard]

For an hour after his guests' arrival, Meroli ordered a pall of
silence over the citadel.  While he didn't want important matters
discussed outside of the Grand Hall, his allies needed some measure of
peace and quiet to collect their thoughts following the fighting
outside.  His only request was that they meet with him in short order.


Finally, the delegates entered the area and sat at the table.
Familiar to him were Grimwilkin, Harokin and the Lord of the Plateau,
Eadmer and his queen, Elsin.  At the far end of the fine oak table,
Dave awaited the beginning of deliberations.  On his right sat Ferali
as well as the two vampires.  On the professor's left, the two
warrioresses and Gabrielle, surveyed the room.  Next to them sat the
two priestesses of Althanor garbed in their long green robes.  Truly,
this was a unilateral gathering in opposition to the Enemy.

"I am glad you are all here to stand with us today," the Citadel's
lord started.  "On behalf of my troops and the people of Nurrengaard,
I thank you all for coming to discuss our problem."

"And what exactly is this....problem?" LaCroix asked incredulously.
"There was one army.  We disposed of it."

"Trust me, LaCroix, there is a bigger issue here," Nick interjected.

"That, Nicholas, is an understatement," Xena declared.  "You all know
of Lousain, the wizard.  Gabrielle and I have faced his ally, Dahak,
the demon lord."

"We have heard of Dahak here in whispers and rumors, Xena," Grimwilkin
replied.  "There are legends of a half-human, half-demon child as
well."

"That is my daughter, Hope," Gabrielle admitted, suddenly feeling
crestfallen.

Harokin shot the leader a sudden look.  "This woman has consorted with
darkness and she's sitting here?  I say she should be removed!"  He
stood up to challenge her.

"Why you..." Xena hissed, standing up and drawing her sword.  

"Xena...Milord, stop this," Dave interjected.

"Not until he takes back what he implied," the warrioress stated
firmly.

"Why should I?" the other man challenged.  "David, stay out of this."

"I cannot," Dave disagreed.  "Milord, she was attacked and violated.
Hope was born two days later.  Since that happened, she has fought
with Xena against the dark lord.  I'll attest to her character if you
wish.  Please don't ask me to break my troth to you through an attack
on these ladies."

"You would do that?" Garth wondered.  

"I owe Xena a great deal as well, Garth," the professor continued.
Seeing a smile from the ex-Roman general, he inquired, "Yes?"

"As if you would know anything about honor," LaCroix taunted.

"A Roman speaking of honor?" Xena chuckled.  "Yeah right."

Tiring of this stream of insults, Meroli slammed his fist on the
table, affirming, "Peace!  As the lord of this citadel, I won't have
us tearing each other to shreds.  Listen to David, everyone!"

"I concur," the wizard added.  "We have a powerful enough enemy to
face without internal conflict."

Meroli nodded in appreciation of his ally's support.  "Since you have
faced Dahak before, what do you both think, Xena and Gabrielle?"

"He's sly and sneaky," the Warrior Princess began.  "He's also very
powerful."

"The longer it takes us to agree, the more his power grows," the
Amazon queen concurred.  

"And with the aid of Lousain's trolls, he will be nearly invincible,"
Cybelle added.

Dave trembled noticeably, feeling the effect of the darkness surging
within him.  "We need to take him out ASAP."

The reaction wasn't lost on his cohorts around the table.  With only
two or three exceptions, they knew of the blade fragment in his
shoulder.

"How bad is it?" the High Priestess wondered.

"It's burning," he responded tersely, grabbing at the shoulder.

Removing some herbs from her pouch, the priestess treated the injury. 
"That should take care of it," she noted.

"Thanks," he expressed.  Turning back to the discussion at hand, he
asked, "Well?"

"After coming up with a good plan, I agree," Xena added.

"I'm with Xena," Gabrielle chimed in.  "As are the Amazons."

"As is Althanor," Cybelle stated supportively.

"What do you think, Eadmer?" Meroli wondered.

The monarch eyed the others carefully.  While he knew that Dave liked
a good fight, he also knew that his friend was a careful planner in
these matters. Looking at his queen and receiving a nod from her, he
continued, "We agree with Xena as well."

"Well, Harokin, it seems we have our consensus," the citadel's leader
declared.

"So it would seem," Harokin agreed, albeit reluctantly.  After the
last two expeditions into the Dark Lands, he had no wish for a third
one.

"We move out at sunrise tomorrow," Meroli noted.  Glancing at the two
vampires, he told them.  "Do not fear, my friends.  Accommodations
will be made for your...needs as well."

"Thank you," Nick said appreciatively.

"You have my thanks as well," LaCroix added.

The leader rose from his chair and told them, "This meeting is
adjourned.  Now, please feel free to get some rest.  Food will be
delivered to your rooms in an hour.  Thank you, my friends, for your
assistance."  With that, he left the room followed by the rest of the
group.


Chapter 15

Nick walked up the stone stairs to his quarters following the meeting.
Despite the length of it, the group had managed to come up with some
sort of consensus.  Moving out quickly against the enemy would
certainly be better than to sit around and wait for another surge from
the troll forces.  Not like the last time....

****

[Acre, 1291]

Nick glanced about frantically at the chaos ensuing around him.  The
Mamluks had pressed against the walls for the last two days and
nights.  Their catapults battered the Christian defenses even as the
besieged struggled to repair and shore up their ramparts.  Only an
hour before, he had spoken with the citadel's commander, Henri de
Bremont, before the latter rushed toward the walls.

Then, he heard a loud explosion and a crash coming from the western
wall.  It seemed his worst fear was coming true.  The Saracens had
breached the walls, and even now, were spilling into Acre.  Despite
the knights' best efforts at hand to hand combat, the Crusaders lost
increasing amounts of ground and manpower to the irresistible tide
sweeping through the breach.  Some soldiers, seeing that the cause was
lost, had already slipped away.

"NO!" he protested to the sky, thinking of all he had sacrificed in
the Crusades.  After losing Gwenyth in Wales, he had suffered through
the killing on the battlefield, the torture and imprisonment in the
Saracen prison, the debt of his ransom to his family, and finally, the
loss of his humanity.  Despite the power which the last misfortune had
granted him, he still ached from all he had lost.  

In frustration, Nick flew at the invaders, looking to wreck havoc.
Slashing with his sword and snapping necks, he tried to hold back the
inevitable.  For hours, he tore a swath through the Mamluks' lines,
taking more than his pound of flesh in retribution.  However, it was
in vain, for about three hours into his maniacal spree, he noticed the
sky turning pale to the east.  

The sun was rising.

Nick assessed all of his options.  If he stayed, he might do more
damage, but he would certainly incinerate in the daylight.  If he
left, he might have another opportunity to fight this foe.  There was
no choice.  Tearing down a section of housing adjacent to him, he
created a pile of debris which covered his escape.  Quicker than the
eye could follow, he streaked away, leaving the scene behind.

****
 
[Modern Day]

The former Crusader scratched his head as he resumed his progress.  At
the top of the stairs, he opened the door to his room and walked
inside absently.  On the table next to the straw filled mattress, he
found a pitcher half-filled with cow's blood and a small cup.
"Everyone else gets the meat, I'll take this," he mused, pouring a cup
and guzzling down the draught.  Setting the cup down, he eased out of
his armor and placed his sword beside the suit.  "That's better."

"I should say it would be, Nicholas," LaCroix's voice replied casually
from the hallway.  Easing the door open, the Elder allowed himself an
entryway into the room.  He too had a cup in his hand although,
judging from the look on the latter's face, he was less than pleased
with the fare.  "I can't see why you would drink this swill."

"Certainly Meroli won't kill any of his servants or townspeople just
to suit us, LaCroix," Nick said, tired of his former master's constant
griping about the hospitality of others.  "It won't kill you."

"Ah yes.  I can certainly see that you are so very much alive...and
living in the past," the Roman countered.  "Yes, Nicholas, I have felt
your dismay over the events on the battlefield as well as your wish to
reenact the Crusades so that this time, you will have the success you
sought before."  Seeing the other's dismay, he chuckled.  "You are so
predictable.  When will you learn that such things aren't important to
us?  To our kind?  Out on the battlefield, I saw you sweeping across
the scene like a primordial force, taking out those who would resist
us.  Even in your restrained state, it was glorious!"

"It made me sick.  The killing never stops," th