Date: 18 Apr 2001 03:14:49 +0000
From: zan@oceanfree.net
Subject: Night of No Tomorrow 1(gay boyband)

Disclaimer:

Hi! First of all, legal matters. Please bear in mind that this story is a
completely fictional, as you will certainly find out soon. If any of ya
truly believe in it, boy, you need a shrink. Secondly, this story has no
purpose whatsoever to imply that any of the members of the BSB is gay. If
any of them is, that's their business, not mine. Why I choose BSB as the
main character? Because I need a group of closely-knit people in this story
and I am really too lazy to create a totally new character out of nowhere
(I've written many story before this - it's my hobby actually - and trust
me, creating new character out of nowhere to satisfy one's need is NOT an
easy job!). One of the boybands is ideal for this so I decided to throw the
dice and pick one, and *wham!* the dice chose BSB. (My other choices are 'N
SYNC, 98 Degrees etc.). Now, the next thing I wanna say is, the setting of
this story is 100% based on the TSR, Inc. Novel, the Forgotten Realms.
(Again, I was too lazy to create my own setting, so sue me!!). I have no
intention whatsoever to publish this story anywhere, etc. Everything that
is written in this story is done simply out of hmmm... boredom, leisure and
fun!! In another words, I'm bored, I feels like writing, my mind is filled
with idea, I'm sick of studying (eventhough my exam is just around the
corner, but to hell with it), lets do it for the sake of fun.


Author's note:

A little bit of words from me guys or gals. First of all, I should let ya
know that there is some homosexual elements involved in this story. So, if
you're homophobics, or uncomfortable with gays or whatever... *whew!* boy,
you definitely are in the wrong place and living in the wrong time. Also,
if you're below 18, out you go. Don't make me call yer parent :) If you are
looking for some hot sex scene, let me save you the trouble - you will not
find any in this story. Why? Because I'm straight and believe me, I have no
idea how to write up the whole sex scene. The closest you can get from me
is some passionate kissing scene and some cuddles and that's it. Sorry!
Also, I should say that English is not my first language. So! I apologize
in advance for any grammatical mistakes. Okay, okay I admit it. You smart,
me dumb. Happy? :)

Finally! Dedication of this story. I dedicate this story to my twin
brother, Andy (HE'S the gay one between us, not me *smile*). I dedicate
this story to you bro, as one of my birthday presents to you, since I know
quite well how you love reading stories at Nifty and also how you love
reading my other stories. As for the rest of my present, well... you'll get
it on our actual birthday next week hehe! Also Andy bro, I know that you
have a secret crush on Nick Carter. Awww!!! There goes your secret for
everyone in the world to read, hehe!! Don't worry, I'm sure that deep,
deep, deep, deep, deep, deep, deep, deep, vveeeerrrrryyyyyy deep, deep,
deep inside a small, shadowy, dark, dusty, cobwebbed and seldom visited
corner of his heart, he loves you too. Hehe!! I just know I'm gonna get
into trouble when you read this. But know that I am your favorite brother
(eventhough I am your only brother). So please be gentle with me!!!

I also dedicate this story to our beloved parents in heaven who were so
understanding and supportive when Andy came out to all of us three years
ago, eventhough the rest of our family were not. We miss you mom and
dad. We still wish you weren't aboard that plane when it happened. Save us
a seat in heaven. We'll join you later if not sooner, God's willing.



Right! Enough sentimental chatter and onward with the story. Hope you enjoy
it. Any comments, objections, suggestions, tips, death threats whatever,
send it to zan@oceanfree.net though I cannot guarantee to answer it. I'll
give it a try though but I'm studying medicine dudes. They have strange
policies back in my college. All students must work, work, work, and
work. You may rest for about 5 minutes a day and then back to work.




THE NIGHT OF NO TOMORROW

The flight was quiet as usual, considering it is a night flight. Nick
stirred restlessly against his chair. Another day, another flight, another
places to perform. Nick leaned down on and sighed heavily without
noticing. Another concerts, another places to dodge all the screaming
teenybopper hormones. The band left Orlando about half an hour ago, bound
to LA to perform a concert there. They were actually in the middle of their
Black and Blue tour but somehow their management required them back in
Orlando for a meeting. So the guys have to leave for Orlando as soon as
they finished performing their latest concert. They were in Orlando for a
day and then back on the plane to continue for the tour. The whole thing
was such a rush that they barely had time to rest at all.

	Brian stirred beside him, breathing lightly. Nick glanced at him
and smiled slightly. Despite the dimness of the cabin, he could still make
out the dim outline of his best friend. The rest of the guys were asleep
and Nick was not surprise. It has been a long and tiring day. Brian stirred
again and Nick looked at him silently. Brian is the only one in the group
who knew that he is gay. He came out to him two years ago when he realized
that he couldn't keep this secret from him anymore. After all, Brian is his
best friend. He was uncomfortable with the whole thing at first but as time
passes on he came into grip with the whole thing.

	"Can't sleep again?" Brian voice came out softly from the darkness,
causing Nick to look up in surprise.

"Thought you were sleeping," said Nick.

"I was, but I kinda sensed that I was being watched." Brian smiled. "What's
wrong bro?"

"Nothing, B. I just can't sleep tonight." Nick mumbled as he turns to look
out at the window. He felt Brian placed a hand over his shoulder. He turns
his head and immediately stares at Brian crystal blue eyes.

"What's wrong Nick? You've been behaving strangely and haven't been
sleeping well for the past few days." Said Brian with concern.

Nick just shook his head quietly and leaned back on his seat.

"It's... nothing, B. Really man."

"Nick," said Brian gently. "Nick, I know you are lonely man. But trust me,
everything will be fine. You'll meet someone soon. You just have to believe
in it."

Tears welled in Nick's eyes.

"You know very well that it is not possible, B." Nick whispered. "I
couldn't do anything that would jeopardize the group. I wouldn't even if I
can."

"Screw the group man," Brian whispered harshly. "What is important here is
your own happiness! You cannot live alone forever."

"Look Nick, I really appreciate the fact that you are willing to sacrifice
yourself for the sake of the group but man! This is just wrong!" Brian
continued. "We're all brothers here Nick. Believe me, we will not think of
you any differently. We love ya man. We just wanna you to be happy."

Nick remained silent.

"Nick, I'm worried about you okay. I can't stand seeing you alone and sad
all the time. Please, you must tell the others. Let us help you Nick, or
it'll continue to eat you inside. Trust me Nick, they don't care if you're
gay or not. We all be behind you in this."

 Nick just shook his head wearily. They have had this same discussion for
nearly a week now. Nick knew he was gay ever since he was in school. He has
always wanted to find the right guy in his life and get into a nice, solid
and stable relationship. But before he could do anything, he was involved
in this band. He knew the risk he has to take before joining the band but
on the other hand he has always loved singing. He has always dreamed of
performing before the crowd and as the band becomes more and more
successful, he realized that his dream has come true. But on the other
hand, the success of the band also diminished the chance for him to be
himself.

"I can't Bri. I'm... scared." The last word came out as a teary whisper.

"Nick..."

"Just drop it Bri. Okay?" Nick replied wearily.

"But..."

"Bri please!" said Nick, louder than he intended to. "Just drop it."

"Everything okay back there?" Brian and Nick looked up to see AJ and Kevin
peering from the seat in front of them. "Cuz? You okay?"

Brian nodded and smiled.

"Yeah, it was nothing. I was just fooling around."

"Settle down guys. It won't be long now before we arrive at LA." Said Kevin
before turning back to the front.

Brian felt Nick touches his hand.

"Sorry, Bri. I didn't mean to lose it. I... I just need some time to
think." Nick whispered.

Brian smiled reassuringly.

"So you'll consider telling the rest of the guys?" he asked.

Nick stare thoughtfully for a moment before nodding.

"Yeah. I'll consider it. Who knows, maybe it is the best way after all."

**************************

The being is old, powerful and very, very evil. The utterance of his very
name is enough to invoke fear in most people in the Realm. He is worshipped
everywhere in the Realms and in many of the other planes too. His priests
are greatly feared and he has scores of worshipper, wizards and warriors
alike, running around the Realms carrying out his biddings.

He is known by many names depending of the areas within the Realms. But
amongst these names, he is generally known as Bane, the Black Lord, the God
of Strife, Tyranny and Hatred. His holy symbol, or rather his unholy
symbol, is a black gauntlet in a red field, well known by his priests as
the Black Gauntlet of Bane. He also represents as one of the evil three
gods of the Greater Power of the Pantheon of the Gods of the Realm of
Faerun.

He stood before his throne in his castle in Acharon, his plane of
dwelling. His faithful, misshapen beast all, knelt before their master in
fear as he strode by them. He walked through the halls of his gruesome
castle, past the forms of bloodied creatures hanging in various process of
tortures they have to endure and on towards a massive doorway at the end of
the bloody corridor. He relish within the sounds of the agonized cries and
shrieks of the tortured as if it is music to his ears. The floor beneath
him was covered with blood of the tortured. He is a God of Strife, Hatred
and Tyranny. He represents the very essence of cruelty and hatred in the
Realms. He is Bane the Black Lord. He relish in every act of cruelty done
in the world.

He strode through the massive doorway and entered a great hall. A massive
pool filled with the blood of the innocents lay in the middle of the hall,
before a massive altar. It is a place where the Black Lord performs his
darkest of ritual when necessary.

"Leave."

The misshapen form of his faithful within the hall scuttled out of the room
in fear. He strode towards the altar and stopped before the pool. Red mist
rose from the blood to fill the air within the room. He rarely uses this
room, for it is very rare for him to perform any type of ritual. The last
ritual he performs was eons ago to increase his power when the Realm was
threatened by another Pantheon of Gods from another Realm. It was one of
the very rare occasions when all the gods, good, neutral and evil rallied
their power together to face a mutual threat.

He looked up when a whirlwind of chaotic mist, lit by flashes of lightning
suddenly appeared out of nowhere before him. The chaotic energy eventually
coalesced to form a broad-shouldered, bearded young man with a single good
eye, the other covered by a dark patch. At the same time, the shadow
besides him grew and thicken, eventually coalesced to form a beautiful
raven-haired woman dressed in a pure black gown, revealing nothing except
her face and her hands. Talos the Destroyer, God of Storms and Destruction,
and Shar Nightbringer, Goddess of Darkness and Loss stood before the Black
Lord. Both are of the Greater Power of the Pantheon of the Gods, and both
are ancient and extremely powerful.

"Are we all prepared?"  asked Shar, her voice was but a whisper, like a
terrible thought that had lain long-buried until a moment of weakness.

Talos merely nodded and turns to face the pool.

"Aye." Said Bane. "Let us begin. You are the strongest in magic amongst us,
Nightbringer. You begin the ritual. The Stormlord shall tear open the
inter-planar portal. I shall reach through the planes and form the links."

"We must do this quickly. The opening shall cause a huge ripple of power
which will be felt by every gods and living beings in the Realms. They
shall try to counter it." Talos growled, his voice sounded like the rumble
of thunders of an oncoming storm.

With that the three evil gods and goddess gathered all their power. The
Nightgoddess closed her eyes and begins uttering series of eerie
incantations and specific gestures. The Black Lord smiled inwardly. He had
spent the last seven decades secretly crafting and perfecting this ritual
and spell that is so complex even for a god. He had also spent another ten
decades forging alliance with these three evil Greater Power. He needed the
combined power of Talos and Shar to work the spell.

The blood within the pool began to bubble and the red mist darkened. Then a
sphere of pure darkness appeared above the pool, sucking in the mist. The
air around them began to thicken and hum with power. Shar's voice rose as
she continues her incantation. The shadow around her thickened and raged
with her gathered power. Her eyes form two black orbs, radiating with
power. After what seems like an eternity, the whole room seemed to have
plunged into total darkness. At that moment, Talos stepped forward and
raised his hands. Aura of chaotic magic radiates from his mortal shell. His
uncovered eyes glowed and crackled brilliantly with his gathered power. He
uttered his part of incantation as Shar continued with her chant. Their
voices blended perfectly as with their power, shaping the complex spell and
powering it up. The sphere grew larger and then the vanished. In its place
the air thickened and begins to swirl. Then a bolt of chaotic energy
streaks out of Talos' outstretched hands and hit the heart of the thickened
air. Then there was a brilliant flash that matches the glare of a thousand
suns and in moments a gaping portal floated into the air.

The room begins to tremble as the magical weave begins to ripple violently
as the result of the sudden great outburst of power, perhaps the greatest
any gods has ever felt. The castle shook. Acharon shook. The ripple passed
through the planes and the Realms, startling gods and mortals alike. The
planes trembled as magic pulsed violently through the bindings. Faerun
shook violently, collapsing castles and towers alike. Magical items glowed
as the magic within them pulsed violently in resonance. Mages all over the
Realms who are casting spells at that time lost their control of magic as
the surge swipe them off. Some who totally lost their control perished in
the resulting magical backlash, taking their life as well as those
unfortunate enough to be near them. Some were burned out completely,
causing them to lose their ability to cast spells ever again. Others who
managed to hold some control over their magic reeled back in fear and
panic, greatly weakened from the effort and wondering frantically as to
what has just occurred. Those who weren't casting any spells at the time
wavered and fell to their knees, gasping and shivering as they felt the
roiling of magic around them. Clerics and druids all over the Realms reeled
back in shock and fell to their knees as they felt their link towards their
gods and goddesses pulsed violently and uncontrollably.

******************

In the slopes of Mount Celestia, where Tyr, the God of Justice, made his
home, the ripple struck without warning, causing the sea to heave violently
as if threatening to engulf the entire plane. The entire palace trembled
and the air was filled with sparks of magic as the enchantment Tyr has
placed on his palace pulsed violently. Tyr's faithful, paladins and knights
were thrown off their feet as the tremors worsened. Chaos ruled for a time
in this normally orderly place. Deep inside the palace, within the Tribunal
Chamber, Tyr gasped and reeled in his throne as the wave of the ripple hit
him. With growing panic, he felt his control over his powers gradually
slipping away from his grasp. Even as he fought desperately for the control
of his power, he subconsciously felt his loss of control over his links to
all his priests and priestesses in the Realm. The link pulsed violently as
chaos took over the magical weave. Putting all his will and effort to
regain his control over his power, he finally succeeded. The tremors
stopped. His links towards his faithful is secured, but he could still feel
the ripple in the magical weave. For as long as he has existed, Tyr has
never felt such magical outburst as great as this before. Something big is
going on and he intent to find out what it was. As he started roaming
around his plane to maintain order amongst his faithful, Tyr send an avatar
of himself to Nirvana. Mystra should know what is going on.

*********************

In the neutral plane of Concordant, Gond Wonderbringer, God of Artifice,
Craft and Inventions reeled back with a grunt, dropping the huge hammer to
the floor of his forge as the wave of magical chaos hits him. Violent
tremor shook his realms wreaking havoc amongst his faithful and causing
various damages and destruction to many of his inventions. Fighting
desperately against the chaos, he gradually re-established his control over
his realms, pouring all his willpower into the effort until the tremor
stopped. Weakened from the effort, he leaned against his anvil, slowly
pushing away the feeling of fear he has not felt for a very long time
now. At the same time, his mind is racing frantically to determine what has
just occurred. There was a sudden huge surge within the magical weave that
he has never felt before in his whole existence. He was aware of the chaos
that is loose in the mortal Realm and he was not surprise. If such surge of
magic can cause a god reeling in agony, the effect of it in the mortal
Realms would be ten-fold or more. Whatever is happening he must find some
answer. The surge has cause considerable damages to his realm. With a
thought, Gond sent an avatar to Nirvana. If anyone would know what is
happening to the magical weave, it would be Mystra.

********************

In the evil and chaotic plane of Pandemonium, Auril Frostmaiden, the
Goddess of the Cold screamed as the ripple of magic surged through her
domain, causing her to loose her control over her power and realm. Her icy
domain shook violently and icy wind and snowstorm howled as her hold over
her power slipped from her grasp. Fighting desperately she bent all her
will over her domain, pulling hard over her reins of power. Eventually, the
tremors stopped and the gale lessened back to normal. Weakened from her
effort, she frantically secured her power and scanned the magical
weave. The weave is in total chaos. Even now it is wreaking havoc to the
Realms below and the other planes too. She also felt the other deities
struggling to control their domain. The ripple surged through the whole
plane and the force of the ripple was such that she fervently hopes to
never encounter it again. With a single thought, she sent an avatar to
Nirvana to find out the cause of the surge.

********************

In the city of Suzail, Vangerdahast, the Royal Magician of Cormyr gasped
loudly and fell to his knees before his king and the assembled nobles of
the Court as the ripple of magic hits the Realms. All around the palace
court, the nobles could see the war-wizards and clerics wavering and
falling on their knees, holding their heads as they writhe in agony. The
brief moment of surprise was interrupted when numerous explosions caused by
magical backlashes shook the city. Almost immediately after that the city
was engulfed by a huge earthquake, throwing everything into total
chaos. Here and there, magical rings, amulets, wands, staves and other
magical items pulsed violently. The palace walls flashed and spark as the
enchantments that were placed on it pulsed uncontrollably. The nobles
screamed and rushed for the exits. King Azoun IV took hold of Vangerdahast
and with the aid of the guards they scrambled out of the building. Once
outside, King Azoun IV saw a sight he would never forget to his dying
days. Fire and smokes engulfed the great city. Chaos ruled
supreme. War-wizards were on their knees, reeling and helpless. Suzail is
burning.

*********************

In Zhentil Keep, Manshoon, High Lord of Zhentil Keep, was deep in
concentration as he was in the middle of casting a spell. Everything was
going on perfectly as it should be. Magic coursed steadily as he directed
it into his spell... until the ripple struck the Realms. It began so sudden
that Manshoon screamed as magic suddenly surged through him in such a
massive amount that he was surprised he still alive. The surge swiped all
his control away, throwing down every barrier he had in his mind like an
avalanche. But despite all these, he struggled to hold at least some
control over his magic knowing that if he lost all of it, he would perish
in the resulting magical backlash. Even now he could see the spell he was
working on begins to collapse on itself. With a snarl, he mustered all the
discipline and willpower he has acquired down through the years and force
it into the effort of controlling the surge. Sweat beads down his
forehead. He subconsciously felt the tremor that is happening around him
and the various explosions due to the magical backlashes that is taking the
lives of the other unfortunate mages within the Keep. It could happen to
him too! With that in his thought, he snarled and exerts more effort in
controlling the surge. His knees weakened and he fell to his knees, but his
mind is still focused to his effort. Then, gradually, the surge lessened
and vanished. Sighing in exhaustion, Manshoon fell onto the floor,
unconscious.

*********************

Bane smiled evilly as he saw the portal being held open by the Stormlord's
power. They were all aware of the commotions that are now arising as the
rest of the gods and goddesses fought to regain control over their powers
and to determine the cause.

"Now Bane! Hurry! We have no time to spare!" said Shar through her gritted
teeth. "The others will act soon!"

Bane gathered his power and quickly performs his part of the ritual. All
the time, he smiled inwardly. After eons of plotting and planning, Mystra
shall perish and her power shall be his at last!

*************************

She is a being of great power that matches her beauty. She is made of the
essence of magic. In fact, she is part of the magical weave itself. Her
thought shaped the magical fire that surrounds the Realms and planes
entire, the fire, gods and mortals called magic. She is worshipped all over
the Realms and even in the other worlds. Her worshippers are vast,
encompassing mostly of priests and wizards. She is known as Mystra, the
Lady Magic, the Goddess of Magic and Mysteries. Being the Divine Mother Of
All Magic, she is considered to be the most powerful goddess in the
Pantheon of the Gods. She is feared, well respected and also greatly envied
by all the other deities of the pantheon.

She was standing in her throne room in Nirvana, her dwelling plane of
ultimate magic and law. Her faithful scattered around her, basking under
her magical radiance. Silver dragons and pegasi rested near the entrance of
her castle. Faerie dragon danced playfully around a pure white unicorn
beside her.

Things went on as usual in Nirvana...

A sudden itching on her skin made her looked up in alarm. All actions
stopped as all her faithful sensed her emotion and looked at her in
agitation.

"Mistress, what's wrong?" asked a sprite.

"Dark magic is loosed. Magic I have never heard of before..." she stared
into the air before her. Which is true, because the spell was newly
constructed. She may have no idea as to what the spell could do, but
judging from the complexity of the spell, she sensed that it could cause a
massive surge within the Weave. But being a Mistress of All Magic has it
advantages especially when it comes to magical spells. Being the Goddess of
Magic, she can gain access into any type of spell, and understanding it's
nature within seconds, when it would probably take days for the other gods
to even fathom the exact pattern of the spell. She immediately summons this
new spell in her mind and studies its nature. As she discovered more and
more about the nature of the spell, her eyes widened in horror and her fear
increased.

"BANE! NOOOO!!!!" her shrieks echoed through out her realms. Her faithful
cowered in fear and alarm but these happened only moments before Nirvana
shook violently as a massive outburst of energy suddenly rippled through
the weave, throwing everything into absolute chaos.

The ripple threatened to unravel the Weave and destroying Nirvana
itself. Mystra screamed in pain and agony as Talos' power rends part of the
Weave to open the portal. Her terror increased as her control over the
Weave slipped of her grasp. For a moment, chaos spread through the magical
Weave and she is powerless to stop it. Then she felt Bane forming a
spiritual link, connecting her spirit and life essence to some people from
within the world across the newly formed portal. In a flash she realized
the Black Lord's plan.

Grabbing shards of power she has left in her control she form a sending to
her allies.

"Azuth! Savras! Aid me!!!" she screamed as she desperately tried to contain
the chaos within the Weave.

There was an immediate bright flash and two men stood before her, fear and
horror etched in their face as they desperately tried to control their own
power. Azuth, God of Wizards and Savras, God of Diviners are also gods of
magic though they are merely of the lesser powers of the pantheon, but they
are Mystra's most loyal allies.

"Mystra! What has transpired?" Azuth cried out above the din of magical
chaos.

"Bane! He found a way to destroy me and steal my powers!" Mystra replied
tersely.

"What should we do? Even as we speak the chaos is threatening to destroy
the Weave!" said Savras.

"Listen to me, my friends." Said Mystra. "Bane has tears the Weave to open
a portal into another world, a world within the negative plane where magic
is practically non-existent. He has also formed a spiritual link that
connects my life essence to the spirit of some of the occupants of that
world. If he closes the portal, the link shall break and I will be
destroyed. From that, Bane shall absorb my power. I must not let this
happen!"

"What must we do Lady?" asked Savras.

"With the aid of my mortal Chosens, you and Azuth must secure the Weave
back to normal." Mystra replied.

"What do you intent to do?" asked Azuth in alarm.

"I must bring those mortal I am linked to into Faerun. As long as they are
here, the link will not be broken unless they are killed." Said Mystra
breathlessly. The strain is getting worst and she must act quickly before
it's too late. "Then I must close the portal, in doing so restore the Weave
back to normal. But to do so, I will have to use my own essence to seal the
tear."

"But..." said Savras.

"I don't have time to argue Savras!" said Mystra through gritted teeth. "I
will be gone for a time and the only way you can get me back is by removing
the link from these mortals. It can be done though I know not how at the
moment. You have to study the spell to find out about it. Then you have to
open the portal again and send these mortal back to their world. This way,
the essence of the Balance between the two worlds will be maintained. Do
this for me my friends. And look after my Chosens and the Weave while I'm
gone. Farewell!"

With that Mystra vanished from Nirvana.

***********************

"Yo, Nick, pass me that magazine will ya?" asked AJ.

"When will we arrive in LA Kev?" asked Brian.

"In about half an hour. More or less" Kevin replied. "Why?"

"I just wanna get of this plane."

"Hey Nick, why so quiet?" asked Howie.

"Trying to get some sleep. Impossible task, I know with all of you yapping,
but a man gotta try." Nick smirked.

"Well said dude," said Brian. Nick smiled.

"Damn man, I can't wait to get to LA." Said AJ.

"Why?"

"'Cause Amanda called me telling that she'll see me there."

"Amanda gonna be there? Cool, I like that girl." Said Howie.

"Well she likes you too, just not in the sexual way." AJ smirked.

"So tell me Kev, what do we have tomorrow? I hope we're not too busy. I
really need to get some sleep on a real bed." Said Brian.

"Hmmm... tomorrow, nothing much. Just some meet and greet and photo shoot,
but it all in the afternoon. So we can sleep in the morning."

"Thank God for small favors." Said AJ.

Suddenly the plane gave a sudden jolt and began to shake.

"What the..." said Howie.

"Kev, what the hell is happening??!!" Brian cried out in panic and grabbed
Nick's hand tightly.

"I...I don't know..."

Then without warning, a bright light filled the windows and engulfs the
whole cabin. Nick felt a tingling feeling all over his body. The jolt
worsened and suddenly they were whisk into the air. Nick heard the guys
yelled before a bright light engulfs them. Suddenly they found themselves
floating in the middle of a swirling vortex. Then Nick saw the most
beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life appearing before him. Her hair
is long and silvery; her skin is white and radiant. She wears a blue gown
streaked with silver and the gown seems to glow with silvery white
light. Everything was perfect about her except for her eyes, which is
filled with sadness, fear and pain. Another figure appeared behind her,
though Nick couldn't see who it was but he could somehow feel an evil
sensation radiating from it. The woman apparently sensed the other figure's
presence too and quickly waved her hand in an arc towards Nick and the rest
of the guys. Blue sparks of light surrounded him and suddenly they were
pushed away from the woman and the shadowy figure. The shadowy figure
straightened as she did this. Even from the increasing distance, he could
feel the other person's anger. The figure did something and then there was
a flash of bright light and the whole world turns dark. As he loose
consciousness, the last thing he heard was Brian's scream before losing his
hold of his hand.

*********************

"Damn you Mystra!" Bane screamed at the goddess who had suddenly appeared
out of nowhere.

Mystra looked at him with satisfaction but an increasing feeling of fear
filled her mind. She has succeeded in pulling the mortals into Faerun but
Bane has countered her actions, causing her spell to be disrupted. The
mortals were separated and thrown into different directions within the
vortex. They are scattered throughout the Realms and since time works so
much differently within the vortex compared to the Realm, they would arrive
in the Realm in about a month from now. Azuth and the other must start
seeking them out by then and it is going to be difficult for they are
beings from the negative zone. She has made some changes in their beings so
that they can adept into this world more easily, but there is not much she
can change. They would still retain most of their characteristics of a
being from the negative zone; amongst it is immunity towards any method of
detection, be it divine or magical. Mystra fervently hoped they would
survive the wilderness of the Realms.

"Your evil scheme ends here, Bane. You will harm the Weave no longer!" she
said flatly.

With that, she pointed towards the Black Lord and a flash of silver
lightning strike him at the chest, throwing him back towards the opening of
the portal.

"You are over-confident as you are a fool, Weave Hag!" he screamed as he
flings five pulsing missiles of dark energy towards the goddess.

Mystra threw up a shield before her but weakened as she is, her shield only
managed to block two of the missiles. Shrieking pain filled her essence as
the other missiles hits her, causing her to scream. She looked up in time
to see the Black Lord throwing a Death Bolt at her. She teleported aside,
the bolt missed her by a pace or two. She held out her hand and threw
another bolt at him. Bane easily dodges the bolt and retaliates by throwing
another Death Bolt. The magical battle went on for quite a while, all the
time Mystra used a small facet of her mind to communicate with Azuth,
telling him about the mortals and what he should do. She also summoned all
her magical energy and strength to prepare herself for the final spell.

"Enough!" she snapped and flings out her hands. A magical wind of a force
that could have torn the whole Realm asunder appeared before her and flings
the Black Lord through the portal. "This ends now."

She begins uttering a series of incantations while spreading her essence
and merge it into the swirling vortex.

"NOO!!" Bane shrieked with anger and threw another bolt towards her,
willing all his strength and energy into this final attack.

The bolt past through the goddess' already misty figure and struck the
swirling vortex behind her. Even as it struck, the goddess reached out for
the magical energy of the bolt, drawing it into the spell she is
crafting. She looked at the Black Lord with triumph as she completed the
spell. An explosion of white light filled the Black Lord's vision, throwing
him back through the portal and back into his castle. The force of the
spell counteract with Talos' magic, causing the Stormlord to loose his hold
over the opening. The spell also counteract with Shar's magic, forcing the
Nightgoddess to release her spell. Mystra's essence spread through the
Weave, effectively sealing the portal and at the same time returning the
Weave back to its normal state.

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