The Gifts Chapter 8

The Gifts

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is entirely coincidental, or also used fictitiously.

Content warning: This story contains adult situations, language, and consensual sex between adult men. If said content is illegal in your state or country, please leave now and do not continue.

Introduction

Finally, another chapter! I know it's taking a while between chapters, and I apologize for that. The Gifts is coming to me slower than The Order did. There's so much background to take into consideration to maintain continuity I go through everything multiple times to make sure everything fits like it's supposed to.

Also, there have been a lot of personal things in my life that have been a major distraction from writing. The main one being our septic tank pump burned out and it has taken over a month to get it repaired. It took three separate companies to do the work, and getting a new permit from the GA Dept of Environmental Health to get it repaired.

I also got my tomato plants in and I already have some pea sized tomatoes! It seems the weather went from cold to hot, with some pollen in between. Oh yes, I also got poison ivy while trapsing in the woods behind my house while showing the septic tank guys where our distribution box is. I've never had it before and it took the better part of a month to clear up.

As always, I want to thank Tom and Jonathan for helping me with proof-reading and editing. They truly make the story better.

One more thing of note – I formatted the last book of The Order (the last five chapters of the story) for paperback. I'm waiting for the proof copy from Amazon, and if it looks good, I'll be publishing that in the next few days. Once that's done all six books (the original thirty chapters) will be available in eBook and paperback. The paperbacks are a bit expensive, but as I've explained, Amazon's print-on-demand feature is the reason. But, for those people who need to hold a book in their hand, that can now happen.

Chapter nine is already finished and off for editing, and I just started chapter ten, so maybe the next few chapters might not have such a long pause between them. I still don't know how many chapters The Gifts will end up being. I don't think it will be as long as The Order. I do know how it all ends, I just need to get there.

I appreciate the emails some of you have sent. 😊 They mean the world to me, honestly. My email is at the end of the chapter if anyone decides they want to write.

Try and stay safe in this crazy world!

Enough from me ... on to Chapter Eight that starts the morning after Henry has his conversation with God in the Waffle House, when God asked Henry and the guys not to ask Thomin about the location of the remaining Gifts. Hope you enjoy! 😊

- Brad

<>< Chapter Eight ><>

Each of them stared at Orophir's memory sphere hovering over the conference room table. The image of Luke being sucked through the tear in reality, falling through the darkness of the void, being caught by Elegroth, and then consumed by the archon repeatedly replayed in their Minds.

They knew archons were powerful by how effortlessly Eleleth saved Henry and Drew from the new demons. These first creation beings seemed far more potent than second creation archangels, yet the ease with which Elegroth callously took Luke still shocked them.

Quietly, Darren stated, "We thought it was Luke coming after Drew, but it's been Elegroth since the Master died. Fuck ... another archon!"

Lane followed, "...The mightiest archon of all, at least in his own mind. Enough with the comic book soliloquies already." A few of the guys grinned at Lane's reference to comic book villains who expound on how powerful they are. Lane raised his eyebrows and asked, "Am I wrong?"

Brad said, "We need to talk to Eleleth. I wonder if he realizes Elegroth is behind everything? Elegroth claims he was banished by God for rebelling, so Eleleth probably thinks he's gone forever. Eleneth obviously knew but neglected to mention it. Eleneth told Drew he was afraid for his father, so my guess is that he hasn't said anything to Eleleth either, to try to protect him."

Henry's worry increased as they spoke. If Elegroth, already a powerful archon, had Luke's power and the black rock augmenting his natural might ... it escalated everything. Moreover, Henry doubted Eleleth's ability to stand against Elegroth on his own, and the sense he would have to blend soon with Eleleth again consumed him.

Putting a hand on Henry's shoulder, Ken said, "We can't let that happen, Henry – we won't. Everythin' so far is an unknown. We need more intel, so don't stress about it."

Henry replied, "It's not only that, Ken. We saw Eleneth face off against Elegroth, even briefly, with the stone. I don't think it's any coincidence the incarnations are back in Drew. He needs their power, and puppet strings have orchestrated events to make him stronger."

After a short pause, almost to himself, Henry said, "I've come to love the dove so much... meeting God in person it's impossible not to... but I still want to punch him in the face sometimes when events involve Drew."

Ken grinned, saying, "I know what `ya mean. I've wanted `ta punch Him a few times myself. And as close as we are, each of us has felt like smackin' some sense into one another every now `n then. Brothers fight, make up, and are stronger for it. It's the way we're built."

Lane's eyebrows shot up, and he asked, "When have any of you wanted to smack me?"

Bryan chuckled, "Lots of times, Little Buddy. I lost track."

Affecting a hurt look, Lane asked Bryan, "You've never really wanted to smack me, right?"

The corners of Bryan's mouth rose, and he said under his breath, "More like spank, but only in the bedroom."

Coughing to get their attention back on track, Aaron addressed Orophir. "We are thankful you are back with us. What you have revealed is astounding and sheds an entirely new light on matters."

Quiet followed Aaron's statement as they again turned serious and ran the gamut of emotions at Orophir's revelation of Elegroth's plan to destroy the first and second creations and form his own. The immensity was hard to wrap their minds around – the forces they dealt with, the power they were attaining and the powers they fought against, and the consequences of their failure...

In the ensuing silence, Lane's eyes flashed white. A powerful vortex tugged at Lane, and he knew instantly Remiel had nothing to do with the images he saw because they dealt with the first creation. Lane's Avatar seldom gripped him so tightly or took him so far out of himself but it was reacting to everything they had learned so far. As one, the mentalists' intellects magnified each other, and the information revealed to Lane churned within their conscious and unconscious minds.

Bryan quickly moved behind his husband and put his arms around Lane, prepared to ground him to their reality if necessary. Bryan's eyes sparkled and his Avatar pulsed softly with emerald power as he readied himself. His raven wing tattoos fluttered, and the air around Bryan warmed with new and fresh life energy blowing gently around them.

One constant through Lane's waking dream was Luke. Lane observed the archangel, newly created, the brightest and most beautiful of them all – the Morning Star. Tears welled in Lane's eyes as he lived Luke's discovery of the doors and his heart-wrenching sense of betrayal upon discovering he wasn't truly one of God's first children. Pain gripped Lane as Luke was imprisoned within the archon, helpless as Elegroth consumed his essence, savagely subjugating the archangel.

His perception shifted and abrupt stillness followed as Lane observed the egg and the scattered shells of Leroy and his mate. Each shell fragment contained a chord of music, but just as the pieces lay mismatched and scattered on the ground, the music was disjointed... he sensed a pattern but knew he was missing something crucial.

Shifting again, Lane lived in Ken and Bryan simultaneously as they struggled to contain Leroy in their glorious confrontation in the alternate reality when Lane wove the two halves of Bryan's soul into one song, which Brad pushed into Leroy's mind to calm him and drive out his rage.

All the scattered pieces of music in creation, the fragments from the first creation and the second... the egg... Luke... a third dragon?... and an overwhelming sense of anxiety... then utter calm and peace as he became Patrick standing with the dove as Pat's Gift integrated with his Avatar and he sensed God's pattern. Lane's Avatar showed him minute pieces of a puzzle with billions, perhaps trillions, of pieces, and he had yet to connect any of them.

Tunneling outward, his Gift released him. When his eyes returned to their usual dark brown, Orophir's dagger, beautiful in its simplicity, sat on the conference room table and seemed to stare at him. The gem swirled with white and green energy from their creation and the void, and again Lane felt he was missing something significant.

It dawned on Lane, whether through his intuition magnified by the other mentalists, his unique way of looking at things, or his Gift making connections within his unconscious mind, that Orophir's dagger would be pivotal and essential in everything moving forward.

Only once before had Lane traveled so far outside himself which was when Remiel took him back to the beginning of the arc of time, and forced him to live through billions of years to see the slight alterations in time leading up to their confrontation with the Master.

Lane didn't know he had stopped breathing and suddenly gasped for air. Bryan's arms tightened around him, and he gripped Bryan's thick forearms and felt the velvety soft fluttering of his raven wing tattoos.

Ken's voice broke the silence as everyone at the table stared at Lane. "Lane? What just happened? You alright?"

Taking a deep breath to focus, Lane returned to the link and, more importantly, their souls. He needed their presence to counter the anxiety caused by seeing the unknown. The images at first seemed chaotic and random, but he hoped Pat would see and understand a pattern that Lane knew existed but could not discern.

Brad saw it before any of them, and his mind wrapped tightly around Lane's. Everything Lane just experienced took him back to his first dream - the one that started the events leading to their initial awakenings. Lane remembered how confused and helpless he felt back then, gripped by forces he knew nothing about and had no control over. He felt like that again, except the stakes now were more extreme. As vast as everything seemed to them at the beginning of their journey - learning about the Order, the enemy, and their fight against the Master – it paled compared to what presently baffled them.

Brad understood even better why the archangels kept the secret of their Avatars from them, and why they interfered with Aaron's program to create them. In hindsight, Raphael's wisdom proved sound. At the time they were not ready for the knowledge, and he wondered if they were ready to discover the pattern Lane was sure existed.

Even though Drew was only ten-years-old, he sat with his father and uncles. Like the dagger, he was a crux in everything transpiring. As painful as it was, they decided Drew needed to be with them, and Henry concurred. His uncles and Henry wanted to protect Drew, and they did, but now he needed to be an active participant.

Just as Lane's emotions took him back to an earlier time, Drew's mind and heart took him to the time before his mind awakened when he lived with his mother, Liz, and his birth father, Doug. Like Lane, Drew's feeling of helplessness overwhelmed him as he remembered his pain, abuse, and suffering under Doug.

His reaction was as unexpected as Lane's, and again, it was Brad who first reacted. In a private link, Brad took Drew, Ken, Henry, and himself into Drew's memory of the day they first met. Brad kept Henry in the link so Drew would feel him, but Henry wasn't visible because he wasn't a part of the memory.

Drew often merged with his uncles, but his young memory wasn't perfect. This time, Brad had Drew relive that day from his and Ken's perspective in the Mall of Georgia when Drew's cry cut through Brad's shield, allowing Brad to see Drew crying and distraught beyond his ability to cope. Vortices and ripples, even then, swirled around Drew, pulling and tugging at events – pulling Brad and Ken into his life, and through them everyone else. Irrevocable changes in the second creation were set in motion that day, and like a tiny snowball rolling downhill, everything got bigger to the point where they were that day.

Resting his head on Brad's shoulder, Drew put his arms up as far around Brad's neck as he could, snuggling against him. His nod was barely discernible, but he didn't say anything. Closing his eyes, Brad sent soft, soothing thoughts of comfort and safety into Drew's young mind, and in seconds he stopped crying. He wasn't sleepy, just content to be held, and for the first time since he could remember, he felt safe.

Motioning Ken closer, Brad whispered in Drew's ear, "Can you keep a secret?"

Drew still wasn't talking but nodded his head yes, his eyes big and solemn.

"Ken is really Iron Man, but we have to keep his secret. He's here to keep you and your mom safe."

Ken looked at Brad like he was crazy.

"B? What're you doin'?"

Drew frowned and said, "Uh-uh."

"Yeah, Drew, he is, and I can prove it. He's wearing his armor under his clothes, but he doesn't want anyone to know who he is. Do you believe me?"

Drew shook his head `no.'

"Okay, buddy, here's what I want you to do. Stick your finger out and poke him hard right on his chest, and you'll feel the armor under his shirt. Here, watch this."

Brad stuck out his finger and poked Ken hard on his upper chest, shaking his hand and exclaiming, "Ow! That hurt!"

Ken caught on and was ready. Drew had a look on his face like he knew they were lying, but he stuck his little finger out and poked hard. Ken's muscle and bone density, along with the fascia and connective tissues to support the increase, made him firm to the touch, but when he tensed his chest, it felt like steel to Drew.

Drew's eyes went wide, and he looked at Brad, who whispered, "See, I told you! But we have to keep it a secret, okay?"

Drew whispered in Brad's ear, "Okay."

As Drew relived the memory, tears welled in his eyes. His breath became ragged from crying so hard that Brad and Ken, deep within their hearts, naked with Drew in every aspect, held him just as they did in the memory. The relief Drew felt from Brad's comforting thoughts and Ken's physical warmth and strength calmed him. Iron Man again pushed Drew's fears back.

Taking advantage of the quiet, Liz asked, "Hey Drew, did you see the train on the way up?"

"Yes, Mommy. I like trains. Mister Kevin said he had a train when he was my age."

"Well, if you're good, you can have a sno-cone, and we'll ride the train. How about them apples?"

Popping up like he was on a spring, his eyes wide, Drew said, "Oh boy! Did you hear that, Daddy? A train ride and a sno-cone!"

The smile on his face and the look in his eyes said it all.

Drew called Henry "Daddy!" and it struck Henry speechless. The doctor emphasized to not draw attention when Drew did things like that, urging them to take his actions and outbursts in stride. Drew became very self-conscious if he thought he'd done something wrong, which triggered self-esteem issues. Because of the abuse his biological father inflicted on Drew his whole life, deep down Drew believed he deserved to be punished, and the doctor was working on breaking those barriers to his young mind.

Fighting tears, Henry's throat tightened. "Daddy" was a word he never thought he'd hear, and the way Drew said it so naturally took his breath away. His reaction wasn't lost on Liz, and she knew Henry needed a moment to get hold of himself.

"Drew, honey, come over here."

Crawling off Henry's stomach, Drew moved to stand in front of his mom. Reaching out, she brushed the hair out of his eyes, commenting, "We need to get you a haircut soon, Tiger; you're getting shaggy. Why don't you run over to Mr. Loy and Mr. Rick and see if they want a train ride?"

Drew took off running towards Rick and Loy who reclined on a blanket in much the same pose as Ken and Brad.

Grinning at Henry, Liz said, "All those muscles and the `D' word brings you to your knees. What do you think about being called `Daddy'?"

Sitting up, Henry pulled Liz close in a hug and took her hands in his.

His expression serious, he said, "Lady, you and that little boy are the best things that have ever happened to me. I want to be his dad for real ... What do you say? Will you marry me and let me be your husband and Drew's dad?"

It was Liz's turn to have her breath taken away. Looking into Henry's green eyes she reached up, cupping his rough cheek. Henry was a strong, powerful man and so handsome; after getting to know him in the last months, she knew he was a good man. Compared to Drew's birth father Doug, Henry was a saint.

In the world Liz found herself, a pawn in the spiritual battle between the light and the dark, she spent more time afraid than safe. Henry used to be a part of that world, controlled and forced to do horrible things which left him with mental and physical scars, but through his own experiences, Henry knew about being scared and vulnerable and did his best to make Liz and Drew feel safe.

After meeting Henry in the basement of the house where he and others were held prisoner by the Master, Henry made Drew feel safe too. Moving forward through his memories, Drew felt Henry's emotional reaction when Liz said yes to his marriage proposal, so he would get to be Drew's father for real.

Just like Brad and Ken, Henry made Drew feel safe. All his uncles did, but Henry, Ken, and Brad were the first, and pivotal in his life. There is power in threes – such things matter.

No time passed for Drew, Ken, Brad, and Henry, but Drew's emotions were clear to everyone linked. Brad shared what happened with the rest of them, and Henry, who sat beside his son, literally picked Drew up and set him on his lap. Wrapping his arms around his son, Henry put his chin on Drew's shoulder, hugged him, and enforced in Drew's awareness everything about Henry that Drew loved. His warmth, strength, and scent – he shielded Drew with all of it, and his uncles reinforced it with their love.

Aaron wondered why Drew reacted the same as Lane. His vast intellect also pondered what Lane saw. Brad's Avatar brightened as his intellect took in the same things Aaron did. The seemingly limitless pieces of the puzzle Lane's Avatar revealed, how they all interconnected, what it all meant ... what was the end game? What was God's plan?

Aaron and Brad contemplated the reason behind their Gifts. The Gifts plugged them into the second creation in a way they couldn't initially comprehend. The Gifts were more than an extension of their Avatars – they were related but far more than simple augmentations. With Lane and Loy's Gifts still tainted, their full potential was unknown, even to Pat, which was another paradox. Five Gifts remained to be discovered; however, like Aaron, Brad saw a pattern emerging.

Aaron made eye contact with Brad, and they simultaneously had the same epiphany. With their thoughts one, the implications shook their souls to their very foundation. The pattern Aaron originally saw in their Avatars allowed for his sons to overwrite the curse and restore creation. The Gifts augment their Avatars, but they also "plug" the men further into reality – in essence, they were becoming the second creation. Brad was sure, as was Aaron, that once they all attained their Gifts at their full potential, the guys would be one with the second creation.

<><>

To shake everyone out of their thoughts after Aaron and Brad's epiphany, Ken called a bathroom, coffee, and graze the kitchen for snacks break.

When they reconvened, Ken called Zack and Adam into the meeting and shared everything he and the guys learned from Orophir. The group drew up preliminary strategies based on what they knew, but time was needed to consider and process what they learned from Orophir, Brad, and Aaron. Their dual epiphany wasn't set in stone, but Aaron was rarely wrong, and neither was Brad, so they moved forward, as if their hypothesis was fact.

The meeting took most of the morning. Tommy and Brett were in lessons with Sally, so Drew would have to catch up. Ken was about to send the men into the gym for half a day's training when Aaron's tablet received an alert.

Looking at the screen, Aaron frowned, softly exhaling, and Ken knew whatever he read disturbed him. Aaron was good at hiding his feelings; he covered them for decades during the program's early years, but Ken knew him well. "What's wrong?"

Aaron's first inclination was to hide the information to protect Drew but Drew merged with them so often Aaron knew keeping it hidden would be an issue. Aaron loved Drew too much to betray his trust in such a manner, but his love drove his desire to protect Drew from the information.

Drew had gone to the bathroom, so Aaron looked directly at Henry and said, "Douglas Hastings has regained consciousness. He awoke from his coma when Elegroth sent his message to the world. This cannot be coincidence."

Ken looked at Brad questioningly. Brad's eyes flashed white, and he went to the place in his mind that kept tabs on Doug. Brad had put Doug in a coma after the incident with the Eschphene when Doug shot Henry and kidnapped Drew. Trapping Doug in his own mind, aware but unable to function, he was completely dependent on others for his care. Brad thought maybe, just maybe, such an extreme penance might finally reach Doug and teach him compassion and how to care for others as he was cared for every day.

Brad's trigger was intact, but his compulsion was gone. Expressing his anger, Brad said, "That's twice now my compulsions over Doug have been removed without my knowing about it. I should have known immediately when he woke up."

Buried emotions in Henry, Ken, and Brad resurfaced. They had just lived through Drew's early memories of his abuse by Doug, and their emotions were fresh and poignant. Again, they thought it couldn't be a coincidence.

Aaron said, "Albrecht and I will go to the care facility to investigate the matter."

Drew's voice surprised them. Standing at the door, he was looking at them and said, "I want to go."

Henry exclaimed, "I don't want you anywhere near him!"

Brad and Lane's eyes flashed white, and each in his own way felt the need for Drew to confront his birth father. Puppet strings.

Henry felt he was about to throw up, but Drew went to him and wrapped his arms around his dad. "It's ok, Daddy. You're my dad, not him. He can't hurt me anymore – I won't let him. But I want you to come with me. Please?"

His eyes red, Henry asked, "Why? Why do you want to see him? After everything he did to you and your mom?"

The lock of Henry's hair shone brightly under the overhead lights, and he realized that Drew needed closure. Through their Avatars and those with Gifts, the vortex around Drew and the threads tying him to Doug were clear. What wasn't clear was what would happen when they met, but Pat and Lane sensed ripples waiting to unleash.

Ken put a hand on Henry's shoulder and felt the tension in his brother. Putting his head in his hands, Henry softly cried, "God, I hate this. You've been through so much. I can protect you from his physical abuse, Drew, but I can't protect your heart. If you see him, and he says things ... I don't want you to go through that."

Even with all the people in the room, the moment seemed intensely private between Henry and Drew. Brad pulled everyone together, and they became one. In the place where they usually appeared naked together, only Henry and Drew were visible, but the presence of everyone was there, surrounding father and son, brother and nephew.

Henry sat on the floor with Drew in front of him. Henry's pain was apparent in that place, and it drove Drew's love for him more powerfully.

"It's alright, Dad. This is something I have to do ... I can't say why. Maybe it's the birdman ... I don't know. I don't think so. I just need to see Doug one last time."

Henry had never heard Drew refer to his birth father by name, and it surprised him, but as one, he knew Drew didn't see Doug as his father and wouldn't honor his existence by using the term. Henry was Drew's father in every way imaginable, not Doug. Doug was now just a man who abused Drew's mom and hurt Drew as a child and, through Drew, the thousands of other boys within him.

Henry wiped his eyes and pulled Drew against him, hugging him and pressing their cheeks together. Henry's scent, his aftershave, the heat and solidity of his body, the roughness of his cheek, his manliness ... it all enveloped Drew, making him feel safe as it always did. Drew felt no fear or trepidation and Henry knew that was because of him.

"If you're sure you want to do this, then okay."

"I want you, Uncle Ken, and Uncle Brad to go with me. It has to be us."

Brad: That makes sense. It all started with the three of us.

Pulling back and making eye contact, Henry smiled as he ruffled Drew's hair and said, "Okay, Tiger. You're calling the shots on this. We'll follow your lead."

<><>

The prophet hadn't spoken since the church was destroyed and he abandoned his old life. Aaron and Albrecht often met with Phil Chambers and the former elders of 12 Stone Baptist Church to guide them in caring for the prophet. Physically, Ryan Atkins was childlike. He ate food put in front of him, and he could urinate on his own, but had to be cleaned after he defecated. His caretakers had to give him food, bathe him, and clothe him.

His countenance made them uncomfortable – he saw them as God did, knowing their thoughts and hearts. The utter honesty of his knowledge changed them for the better in the short time the prophet was with them.

The prophet made them realize how brittle and dishonest their faith had been. They had read the Bible every day but never took it to heart. They read that God knew their hearts but never truly believed it because if they did, they never would have become the men they used to be. Now, seeing God staring back at them through Ryan's eyes, they were terrified.

Another shock to the foundation of their lives was how wrong organized religions in the world were – how far off the message the Master had led humans over thousands of years. This was deliberate, and coupled with the fumes of the curse in humans, it led to the chokehold he held over mankind before his demise.

Aaron and Albrecht counseled the former elders. Compassionate but stern, the two men drove home the responsibility that rested on the elders' shoulders. They were part of the coming changes happening in the world. None of the former elders felt equipped to perform his task, and for the first time ever, they had to rely on faith – genuine faith, not their previous false teachings, and it was humbling.

Their first act of faith was to quit their jobs. Aaron assured them their financial needs would be taken care of. God did not call them to fail and would provide for them and their families. Their acceptance of faith was one of the hardest things they had ever done, but they did as Aaron instructed.

Aaron further instructed them to record and send him anything Ryan said.

<><>

Minutes after Henry, Ken, Brad, and Drew left the lab to visit Doug, Aaron received another urgent email alert. His brow furrowed when he saw the sender was Phil Cambridge, and the email had a large video file attached.

The file showed the prophet's small apartment's living room with his caretakers sitting around him. The audio clicked in mid-sentence, and from out of the camera's view, Roger Crimmins said, "... hurry, Phil! Something's happening! Press record!"

The lights in the apartment flickered, and Ryan Atkins' posture changed. Sitting up straight, in a loud voice, he intoned, "The bearer of the Curse of Eden, he who holds the innocents with him, faces great darkness. He treads on a knife's edge, and his compassion will decide the fate of many."

Aaron called Albrecht to his office to hear the message. The partners stared at one another, and Aaron said, "Oh, my."

Albrecht said, "And, my love, so it begins..."

<><>

Doug had lived in a full-time care facility while in his paralytic state, but now that he was conscious, he was due to be transferred back to Phillips State Prison in Buford.

Henry, Brad, and Ken looked professional with the illusion of suits, and Drew wore blue jeans with a Marvel hoodie and sneakers. Brad kept them tightly linked to support Drew, and all their brothers back at the Lab were with them through their hearts.

Drew seemed tense, but Henry knew it was partly from being in a strange place. After moving into the lab six years ago, Drew had lived isolated from the outside world. Before that, he lived with Doug and Liz in a worn-down mobile home in a trailer park. He had fond memories of living there with Liz, but that was also where his pain and emotional abuse from his birth father occurred.

The duty nurse greeted them, "May I help you?"

Henry said, "We're here to see Doug Hastings."

Her eyes widened and she asked, "Only family is allowed to see him. Are you related?"

Drew said, "I'm his son."

Henry said, "I adopted him, so he has my last name now, but Drew is Doug Hastings biological son."

Henry pulled out the paperwork Aaron had thoughtfully put together for them. Brad sent a compulsion into her mind that it was permissible for Ken and him to accompany Henry and Drew.

As they signed in, the nurse said, "Mr. Hastings is under guard, so don't be alarmed. Two deputies are stationed outside the door to his room."

She glanced at the three large, handsome men, and Brad picked up her stray thought: I don't imagine you'll have any trouble – you look like you can take care of yourselves. Her thought about Drew caught Brad off guard. The boy looks like his father without all the tattoos.

Doug's room was at the far end of the wing, and halfway down the hall, Henry knelt and put his hands on Drew's shoulders.

"Are you sure about this?"

Drew nodded, and Henry knew the "adult mode" look on his son's face.

Kissing Drew on his forehead Henry said, "Okay, Tiger. Let's go."

Ken and Brad put their hands on Drew's back, reinforcing their physical presence just as they did in his young mind.

As they approached the door, Henry said to the deputies, "We're family, come for a visit."

One of the two deputies, whose nametag read "Larson," said, "He's in a bad mood and in restraints, but keep your distance. Call out if you need us."

Time seemed to slow for Drew as Henry pushed the heavy door open. Doug's bed wasn't visible from the small alcove inside the door, but Drew was surprised when he finally saw Doug. Drew moved with an impassive expression to the foot of the bed. Behind his son, Henry kept his hands on Drew's shoulders, and Brad and Ken stood to either side.

Doug looked horrible. After three years in a paralytic state, his body had shrunk. His arms, once large and muscular, were thin. His hairline had receded, and he was nearly bald on top with stringy hair around the edge. His teeth were yellow and decayed and his eyes watery.

Ken understood Doug's physical condition wasn't from poor care. Doug's energy centers were somehow drained, but Ken couldn't tell why. The Eschphene tattoos, which once moved and swirled on their own, were dormant. His skin, loose because of his smaller muscle mass, was wrinkled, leaving the tattoos misshapened. To Ken's understanding, however, there was still a trace of Eschphene magic in Doug, and he wondered if that was the reason for his poor condition.

Drew's presence was a catalyst. The room blurred, and when it refocused, the light was muted by the effect of Eschphene magic. Time stopped for Ken, Brad, Henry, and Drew as a bright orange Eschphene sigil on Doug's forehead lit up, and Németh's voice filled their minds:

Greetings Nephilim, Henry Ross, and young Drew. This human, the blood sire of Drew Ross, made a pact with one of my descendants. The descendant that Kenneth Habersham was forced to kill placed sigils on Douglas Hastings. While Brad Wilson's compulsion was still in place, I disempowered the sigils before taking my people from the Pale.

Be wary of this human, my friends. He has been touched by the dark one, just as Henry Ross has been touched by God. The dark one's mark changed him, and no humanity remains. I quieted the others within him, but be prepared should they wake. Heed my warning, and keep the balance.

The sigil on Doug's forehead went dim, and as the room returned to normal, Ken, Brad, and Henry looked at one another. Drew had eyes only on Doug. He heard everything Németh said but didn't seem surprised, nor did he share the adults' reaction.

Ken: The "others" within him?

Brad: Some of the dots are connecting. Drew is the culmination of all his incarnations. Luke must have pulled the fathers of all Drew's incarnations into Doug. He wanted to make a dark version of Drew as another weapon.

Henry: Be careful, Tiger.

Ignoring Henry and the others, Doug peered at Drew.

"What do you want, you fucking little shit? Come to gloat?"

Drew's voice remained calm and even. "No. I came to see you one last time."

"If I wasn't tied down, I'd snap your scrawny neck."

Drew's face hardened for the first time, and he said, "No, you wouldn't. I wouldn't let you. Not anymore. You won't hurt me or anyone ever again."

Doug looked at Brad and spat at him, but with an admonishing glare Brad caught the spit with his mind and sent it back to hit Doug's face.

Glowering, Doug jerked against his restraints attempting to intimidate Brad. "All my shit started with you, fucker. If you hadn't been at the mall, none of this would have happened. I'd still have my stupid cunt wife and maybe a few more brats."

Drew saw inside Doug the way he saw inside Zack and Adam. He saw the twisted pain of Doug's soul... but now that Drew's mind was fully awake with the incarnations back in him, he saw deeper into Doug than ever. Németh spoke the truth; Doug held a blackness in him that wasn't natural. He was always mean-spirited but never so vile as now.

Hot tears welled in Drew's eyes, and his voice was barely a whisper. "All I ever wanted was you to love Mom and me, but all you ever did was hurt us. I didn't know enough back then to know how wrong it was. I didn't know who I am or who you are. I know now, and I'm sorry. The `bad man' didn't break you. You were already broken, but he made you worse. He put all the other fathers in you and woke them up. I'm all of me, every version of me, and you're all of them. In every life, you hurt me in different ways – and I remember all of it."

Brad's entire physical body tensed in pain and compassion for Drew, and Ken reached over to touch Brad's shoulder. They knew Drew remembered it all, but in their day-to-day interactions, it was easy to forget everything Drew had been through. Henry's and his uncles' love, pure and unconditional, backed with the strength of their Nephilim heritage, led Drew past it all, but it was still there.

Drew unexpectedly pulled Doug into a construct where they stood facing another. They appeared in the rocky, barren landscape where Henry ran with Drew from his incarnations after Drew triggered the Eschphene trap placed on the stone. The skies, just like the previous time, seethed with black clouds, and a cold wind blew.

A bright light appeared behind Drew as Henry, Ken, and Brad appeared powerfully shielded. Drew shone as brightly, and it was as if four stars alit on the ground.

Henry asked: Drew? What are you doing?

Before Drew said anything, all eleven thousand incarnations of Drew's former lives appeared behind him. They had resided in Heaven for the last three years and each shone with a light of his own. Drew's first incarnation who had no name, along with Ravi and Ferguson, stood closest.

All of Doug's incarnations appeared expressing a similar countenance to Doug. Their eyes gleamed with malevolent anger, and each sought his son to continue abusing him. Drew was surprised at the appearance of his first father, the one who also sired the Master. Drew was stunned by how much the adult Master looked like his father.

Brad: Get ready, guys. I have a bad feeling about this.

Fed by all his other incarnations, Luke's darkness swelled within Doug to strengthen his dark aura. Then, similar to the Master, Doug's face vanished behind a black, smokey mask, and where his eyes should be, two holes, blacker than black, appeared. Drew raised his fist in response, and the stone appeared in his and each of his incarnations' hands. Squeezing their hands in unison brightened the stones.

"I told you, you won't hurt me anymore, or any of them. You won't hurt my uncles or my real father either."

The power emanating from Drew was incredible. Henry couldn't help kneeling behind Drew to wrap his arms protectively around him. He whispered in Drew's ear and kissed his cheek. "I love you, honey. I'm with you."

Drew sighed as sad yet righteous tears dripped down his cheeks. "I love you too, Dad."

Glancing at Ken and Brad, he said, "I love you, too. I love all my uncles. You're the best."

Doug tried to move forward but Drew called forth the dome, the same one Eleneth used to protect Orophir and himself from Elegroth's attack. Even Doug's collective darkness and incarnations couldn't penetrate it, yet they rushed to it, wailing and pummeling their fists against it. Their communal roar drowned out everything, even the wind, as lighting ripped the sky.

Ken, Brad, and Henry took up a defensive posture, ready to defend Drew with anything necessary to protect him. In that barren, rocky landscape, Yggdrasil appeared as Ken drew from the tree of life. Through his Gift, Brad lifted the veil around them so he no longer had to flutter their souls across it, and the full power of their dual nature was realized. Animal spirits flitted among Yggdrasil's mighty branches, bright in the darkness of the sky.

Drew: Uncle Ken?

Ken: What is it, Tiger?

Drew: Will you make him new again? All of him.

The impact of Drew's question and their understanding that he intended for this to happen all along struck them. The Paradox the act would bring ... the ripples would be a tsunami ... but God said that times of change were upon the world. Back in the lab, but also in their brother's hearts, the guys grinned at how upset the archangels would be over this.

Smiling at Drew, Ken said: Sure, kiddo, but I expect a buttload of hugs when we get home.

Drew didn't giggle, but he smiled through his tears. Thanks. I want to see him happy for the first time ever. I want to see all of them happy, just like I am. I want them to know how I feel towards my real Dad and you guys.

When Drew said "his real Dad," he took Henry's hand and squeezed it, so there was no doubt as to who he meant. His uncles were with them but remained quiet, an immovable wall of love surrounding Drew's heart.

Ken: Kev? I might need a little help. There's a lot of `em here.

Kevin: No sweat, Boss. Drew? Who's your favorite uncle?

Drew loved the game of playing his uncles off one another. It was the earliest version of his own shit-talking he learned from them. However, he was serious when he thought: All of you. You're all the best.

Ken's throat tightened, and he thought: And we all have the t-shirts `ta prove it.

In their physical bodies, their eyes brightened at the unconditional love Drew held for them, and they returned it in full measure. Their arms around him, their warm strength protecting him, they let him know they would do anything for him.

Ken: Light `em up, fellas.

Drew's construct was a fabrication of the spiritual plane, and their light, already bright, became like a star. The rest of the guys appeared standing with Drew and their brothers, pillars of light and strength in that dark place.

Their light turned liquid and rained down upon Doug and the others. Luke's darkness resisted them but Drew and his uncles steeled their collective will. What they were accomplishing for Drew and what their actions meant to him drove them to surpass Luke's power. They not only matched Luke's evil, they eradicated it.

Doug and his incarnations screamed and wailed in pain as the blackness burned out of them. With language foul, they spat and threatened Drew and the other boys as bullies do, but in seconds, Doug and his incarnations became new beings. Their evil expunged, they now stood in innocence - whole, fresh, and pure.

Drew turned to Ken and held out his arms to be picked up. Ken lifted and held him like the first day in the Mall of Georgia after Brad beat up Doug. Grinning, Drew poked Ken hard in his upper chest and exclaimed, "Ow! That hurt!"

Ken couldn't help his tears and his tight throat as he kissed Drew's cheek and hugged him mightily. Brad and Henry joined the hug.

A moment later, Drew raised his head: Uncle Bryan?

Ken passed Drew to Bryan, and Drew asked: Can you do me a favor?

Teasing Drew, Bryan asked: You want spaghetti for dinner tonight? Again?!

Drew smiled wistfully and said: Yes! With toasted cheesy bread! But that's not what I want to ask you.

Bryan: Okay, Tiger, shoot. What do you need?

Drew: Can you ask your grandpop to take them to Heaven? I want them to be happy. I mean, I know they will be now, but that would be best.

The immensity of Drew's compassion continued to blow them away. When Drew sacrificed himself for the Master, he hoped to redeem his brother, but Luke killed the Master. This time, Drew intended to redeem his birth father and the fathers of all his incarnations.

Bryan raised his eyebrows and thought: Well, all we can do is ask, right?

As Bryan intoned Uriel's name perfectly in the first language, a ball of light appeared before them and grew into the form of Uriel. The archangel shone brightly under the dark skies, and he took in where he was.

Bryan smiled, "Hi, Grandpop."

Uriel's face brightened, and he said, "Hello, Bryan. Greetings to you all. To you especially, young Drew."

As soon as Uriel appeared, he knew why Bryan had called him. As the angel of death he understood what the incarnations were and the paradox of their condition. Over eleven thousand new souls stood before him.

Raising his eyebrows hopefully, Bryan asked, "Can you take them?"

"I shall."

Relief ran through them and Drew said, "Thanks, Mr. Uriel. I want them to be with the birdman."

A tear of light ran down Uriel's cheek as he looked at Drew, "I regret they will never know or understand your actions or the gratitude they owe you, child."

As Uriel spread his wings to collect all of Doug Hastings' incarnations, Drew said, "Wait! There's one more."

Drew took them out of the construct, and they stood in the hospital before the renewed Doug Hastings. Brad noted what the nurse had said; looking at Doug, Brad now saw the resemblance to Drew. With his expression relaxed and serene, Doug seemed a handsome man without the hatred and bitterness pinching his face.

Henry: Drew, no! Don't do this. Let me do it.

Drew: It has to be me.

Lane's eyes flashed white, and in their minds they relived Ken fighting the insane Eschphene leader when Henry agreed to be the Intercedent to fight Doug. Ken ended up filling that role, and it was two years later when Henry filled in to fight the second insane progeny of Németh. Between those two encounters, Luke had convinced Németh's descendant to change their laws to prevent Ken from fighting again. Henry's agreement occurred before the laws were changed, so technically he and Doug were still the original Intercendents. Their initial encounter, to the death, had never occurred.

Pat's eyes sparkled, and he saw the bindings of Eschphene magic still at work.

Pat: It's got to be Henry. This will fulfill the sacred contract from our first encounter with the Eschphene.

Drew looked sad and hugged Henry's waist. I'm sorry, Daddy. I didn't want you to do this.

Kneeling to be at eye level, Henry pulled Drew tightly against him. It's alright, Tiger. This is something that should have happened a long time ago. This time it's not violent, but it is fitting. It breaks Doug's last blood tie with you and transfers it to me. Your mom made the claim because we were engaged, and it's been unfinished all this time. None of us realized it until this moment. Let me finish this so all of creation knows you're mine.

All the guys increased their presence within Henry, and his white lock of hair brightened. Ken told Henry years before that he didn't want Henry to kill Doug – killing another person leaves a scar on your soul that never fully heals. All the guys had scars from their time in the military. Henry had even more from his time with the Enemy. This death, however, would be unique. It would be a non-violent act of mercy and grace. The only thing that surprised Henry was how easy it was.

Reaching out, Henry snapped the bonds holding Doug Hastings' soul to his body. Doug slumped looking relaxed and peaceful, and a moment later, his soul lifted out of his body. Made new again, it was brighter and purer than expected because of all the incarnations within him.

A bright flash of orange Eschphene magic lit the room like a spark, and Henry felt something change within him. Aaron had handled the paperwork for Henry to officially adopt Drew years ago, but in the arcane world outside of human laws and bindings, Henry was now fully Drew's father. Blood magic would now work between them, exemplifying the potency of Eschphene laws and magic.

Lane: Another of Luke's plans bites the dust.

Uriel had observed everything and put a hand on Henry's shoulder, giving him a gentle squeeze of comfort. You have done well, Henry Ross, and the Eschphene contract is fulfilled.

Uriel took Doug's soul into his hand and launched through the ceiling, transforming into a ball of light, taking Doug and all the incarnations Heavenward.

An alarm went off in Doug's room when his heart stopped. The deputies and a few nurses rushed into the room as Brad's eyes flashed white sending a compulsion into all of them: Doug Hastings' file is flagged as "Do Not Resuscitate."

<><><>

Fitfully, Loy dreamed. Alariel, Loy's Nephilim half-brother through Barachiel, called to him, his voice flitting through Loy's dreams...

Brother?

Alariel?

Use me as a bridge!

Alariel? How can you be here?

There is no time! Open yourself to me, Loy! Please!

In his body, Loy cried from the memories and emotions his mind replayed.

Cupping his hand behind Loy's neck and shoulder, Alariel said, "I am sorry, brother, but my actions must be accounted for. I do not regret what I did. You, the others, the boy... you are too important. We will see each other again, but it will be a long time, even by our reckoning."

Loy looked panicked and asked, "Wait! What do you mean? Where are you going?!"

Staring intently into his half-brother's eyes, Alariel said, "Do not fail," and he vanished. He didn't cross the veil; he just vanished.

Alariel's absence left a hole in Loy's heart. To find he had a brother, only to lose him so quickly hurt like he never imagined.

Darting awake, Loy saw Rick's face, inches from his own, looking concerned. "I couldn't tell if it was a `dream' or a dream. Your Avatar wasn't reacting, so I wasn't sure if I should wake you."

Loy scrubbed his face roughly to wipe away the tears, and then brushed his hair back as he exhaled. Loy's silence upset Rick who pulled him closer.

Rick: What's wrong? Share it with me.

Loy turned on his side and scooted back against his husband. Rick knew Loy wanted to be held, so he wrapped himself around his husband with his arms, mind, and heart as Loy merged them. The fractured dreams didn't make any more sense to Rick than they did to Loy.

Rick: Was your Avatar involved in this? I can't tell.

Loy: Yes.

Loy and Rick were not on the rotation but were sleeping in the lab that night. They had stayed up late with the boys watching Dragon Ball Z. After they had finished Lost in Space, Lane turned the boys on to the cartoon, and unexpectedly, almost everyone in the lab got hooked too. They had all heard of the cartoon, but none of them had ever watched the series. Lane had every episode of every season in the digital library he put together for the boys.

While Loy was Aslan, the boys fell asleep on him, and he and Rick didn't feel like driving home, so they slept in their lab apartment.

Rick heard the security system disengage as the main door opened. It was the standard alert, and a second later, the system re-engaged. Still charged up from earlier sex with Loy, Rick cast his mind out and realized it was Giovanni. His internal clock told him it was 0333.

Loy: Giovanni? He's on retreat. What's he doing back, and why so late...?

Loy's voice trailed off as his unconscious mind connected his dream to Giovanni's presence. Alariel was gone because he intervened to save Loy and Rick when they were caught in a bubble outside reality where Giovanni had been trapped for over eight hundred years in the form of a small sparrow hawk. Giovanni trapped himself in the animal form to prevent the Enemy from acquiring the Gift Loy now carried.

Loy: It can't be a coincidence.

Rick: Do you want to go talk to him?

Loy: Not right now. Let's go back to sleep, and talk tomorrow.

Rick kissed the back of Loy's head and held him tighter. The warmth and comfort of their naked bodies against one another sent them into a deep, blissful sleep.

<><>

The men were already in training, and Sally was teaching the boys. Over a late breakfast, Aaron spoke to Albrecht: Giovanni came home last night. He is still in his room.

Albrecht: I worry about him, Aaron. He rarely spends more than a few days here before returning to his retreat. He seemed happy after we rescued him ... but now I am not so sure.

While the two men ate, Giovanni came into the kitchen looking tired. Grinning, he nodded to his two old friends saying, "Good morning! It is rare for you to beat me out of bed, Aaron!"

Albrecht noted that Giovanni's smile didn't touch his eyes. The glimmer and sharp wit ready to tell a joke or bring a smile to someone were missing.

Albrecht asked, "What is wrong, old friend?"

Giovanni poured himself a cup of coffee and sat at the table to face his two oldest living friends. His eyes were bright with emotion, and his response seemed subdued. "I wish I could tell you. I do not entirely know myself."

Aaron's brow furrowed, and he said, "You are sad. Has something happened?"

Giovanni smiled wanly, showing a hint of his old self, and said, "You mean aside from being trapped in animal form outside reality for eight hundred years? Aside from not belonging to this present world? When Loy and Rick rescued me, and Rick separated me from the sparrow hawk ... Bill read me, and Brad reinserted all that knowledge within me. Things I did not even remember he put in me, and then he gave me a memory sphere so I could function comfortably in this world. When I awoke, Aaron, you told me that there were many things I would not like about this world. As always, you are correct."

Aaron said, "I also said there were some things you would like."

Giovanni sounded angry, or perhaps bitter, when he retorted, "Technology? Refrigerators? Air conditioning? So many things in this world have been created to make lives easier. My friends, this world has forgotten how to live! So few are in touch with nature; they have become soft. They breathe the air and feel the sun on their faces but pay no heed to the beauty of the moment. They speed along to their next destination, often not knowing where they are going but going at breakneck speed, not caring for anyone but themselves and getting angry at anyone who gets in their way. The curse seems so much stronger now than in my time."

Aaron and Albrecht often discussed much of what Giovanni stated. For them, living through the changes was so gradual that the impact was not so severe, but to Giovanni, they were extreme.

Aaron seemed sad and covered Giovanni's hand in his own, "I am sorry. I fear I miscalculated your reaction."

Sniffing, Giovanni asked, "What could you have done differently? Loy's Gift was within me. It had to be found. God made sure of it. It seems, though, I am a casualty of His plan. If I am honest, I miss the Gift terribly. I find myself wanting to soar in the air or swim in the ocean. I miss my mind being open."

Before Aaron could respond, Giovanni looked directly at him and said, "I have no wish to become like Tal. I do not want you to open my mind again. Without another soul to share my life, I would feel as I do now forever."

A tear fell down Aaron's cheek, and he squeezed Giovanni's hand. "I am sorry, my dear friend. I do not know what to do."

Albrecht, one with his partner, held Giovanni tighter in his heart and soul. He shared Aaron's pain over their old friend's plight and saw no answer to his issues.

Giovanni mused a heavy sigh, almost to himself, "I am weary, my friends. I feel thin and stretched. As Bilbo said to Gandalf, `Like butter that has been scraped over too much bread.' I do not belong here. I know the men could send me back in time if they wished, but the paradox would be too extreme."

With a hint of his old self, he grinned at their reaction to his Tolkien reference. "Yes, I read the books. Lane recommended them to me, thinking I would enjoy them. I did immensely."

His expression turning somber, he continued, "I am remorseful for Loy. His Gift is corrupted because of me, and his brother, Alariel, is no longer in his life. I would gladly trade places with Alariel to give Loy an occasion to rejoice. I do not know where Alariel is, but if God would allow me, I would take his penance upon myself, whatever it is."

Awareness returned to Alariel. His consciousness occasionally exerted itself to show him how much time had passed. He was everywhere and nowhere within the balance itself.

Archangels, angels, cherubim, seraphim ... even Nephilim were sent where he was if they acted against the balance or God's instruction. It wasn't purgatory, but a place out of creation where they stayed to give the balance time to realign from their actions. The larger the transgression, the longer the penance.

Alariel was unaware and asleep most of the time, so his return to awareness jarred him. Something pulled at him, and he wondered at it – his time away was in its infancy. He did not regret his actions that caused his penance, but when awake, he missed Istariel, Ruviel, Telcharan, Loy, and his other newfound cousins.

An unknown voice echoed in his mind: I do not know where Alariel is, but if God would allow me, I would take his penance upon myself, whatever it is.

Shirtless and sweaty while sparring with Darren, Loy stumbled. A powerful ripple ran through him, through all of them, but Loy was most affected.

Darren pulled his punch to grab and steady Loy. What's wrong!?

Ken, observing their form while sparring, knew immediately that something happened. Loy? Talk `ta me!

Pat's eyes sparkled as his Avatar lit up. All the bodies, but especially Pat, saw the vortex coming from the kitchen with specific ties to Loy. None of them knew the cause, but all witnessed the effect. The lines and vector arcs connecting Loy and Giovanni were as thick as they had ever seen - just as thick as between Drew and the stone.

They always stayed deeply linked when in the lab, but Brad merged them to defend Loy by staving off any ill effects of what was happening. Adam was fully with them now, and his arms and heart wrapped around Loy as tightly as the rest of his brothers while Zack was in their hearts.

Aaron: What is happening?

Brad: There's some anomaly between Loy and Giovanni, but we don't know what it is or what's causing it!

Albrecht took Giovanni's hand and pulled him to his feet, saying, "Come with Aaron and me into the gym."

The guys were already gathered near the door and when it opened, the connections between Loy and Giovanni were even clearer.

Lane: What were you guys talking about? Something triggered whatever's happening.

Lane's eyes flashed white, and his Avatar ignited. Giovanni's statement in the kitchen filled his mind: I would gladly trade places with Alariel to give Loy an occasion to rejoice. I do not know where Alariel is, but if God would allow me, I would take his penance upon myself, whatever it is.

Pat's eyes sparkled, and he saw the imbalance in Giovanni, not only emotionally but temporally, in his existence. Pat understood Giovanni's unease from not belonging in their time - his presence was unnatural. When they first rescued him, he had been out of the arc of time for over eight hundred years, and now that he was back, he didn't "fit." There was no better description, and Pat understood that the longer Giovanni lived in the present, the more unbalanced he would become.

Their collective mind and heart reacted to Giovanni who appeared naked with them in their special place. His suffering was more evident within their hearts, and when Brad read him, they realized how acute and extreme Giovanni's condition was. He had mostly been away on retreat, so none of the bodies laid eyes on him to understand his decline.

Aaron and Albrecht's sorrow over Giovanni's condition was apparent. Three years ago, they lost Charisa, Jonathan, Taliesin, and the other elders of the Order - everyone they knew and lived with for thousands of years ... so Giovanni's coming back to them was a boon. With profound devastation, they realized that they were losing him as well.

As the focal point of the sadness in all the men, especially Loy, Giovanni felt more dejected. Suicide was not an option, but he no longer wished to live where and when he was. Lane saw the paradox they would create if they sent him back in time and knew that wasn't an option either.

With his cheeks wet, Giovanni cupped Loy's face and said, "I am sorry, my friend. I never wished any of this upon you."

Loy pulled Giovanni tightly against him, began crying, and said, "None of this is your fault, and I don't blame you. Don't think for a second I wish Alariel back if it means losing you."

They realized that the tragedy of Giovanni's situation was caused by puppet strings, but before their anger at God surfaced, Aaron said: Do not go there, my sons.

Giovanni turned to be embraced by his old friend, Aaron. The doctor rarely showed open physical affection, and his action spoke to the enormity of his emotion. Aaron's tears were thick, yet he laughed, unexpectedly thinking: I now understand Bryan's suggestion to buy stock in Kleenex.

His humor brought a smile to their faces amidst the severity of the moment. Cradling Giovanni's head, Aaron asked, "What do you wish to happen?"

"I wish to belong... to rest... to go home with the Gift to tend the animals as I used to... to find a soulmate and live happily and fulfilled... but none of that is possible."

Desperately, Loy called out in the first language, intoning Barachiel's true name. Because they were in the lab, the archangel could not manifest with them, but he was able to respond.

I hear you, Loy.

Sending his thoughts and memory of the last few moments to his grandfather, Loy said: We don't know what to do.

Darren's Avatar brightened, synchronizing with the other mentalists, and he translocated them into his and Pat's backyard where Barachiel could physically join them. They all appeared by Darren and Pat's tree and Barachiel quickly appeared in a ball of light, which expanded into his human visage, and he joined them in their collective heart and soul.

Barachiel: Thank you, Darren.

Kneeling among them, Barachiel spread his wings, wrapping them all in his unconditional love. Giovanni's suffering was momentarily assuaged by the archangel's action, and the monk exhaled, closing his eyes in relief.

Barachiel: There is no precedence for this. My kind cannot take on the penance of another, but you are free and unfettered - outside the rules. You can bring Alariel back if Giovanni wishes to atone for Alariel's actions.

Loy: But what does that mean?

Barachiel: Giovanni will go away, as Alariel did. He will occasionally be aware of the passage of time, but mostly he will sleep. He will feel no grief or hunger and will not age. It will be as if he was again trapped in the sparrow hawk's tiny form and unaware of himself.

Barachiel's words took a moment to sink in. Pat's eyes sparkled as he understood the equity in Barachiel's revelation. Bryan's eyes sparkled, as did Brad's. Lane's and Loy's Gifts were still too tainted for the more profound connection to their Gifts, but they felt the five Gifts join to communicate.

Albrecht's trembling voice was quiet, as he whispered, "Gio..."

He hadn't called Giovanni by his nickname since his rescue, and it refreshed centuries-old memories between them of happy times awash in their deep friendship. Giovanni, through his tears, was determined when he stated, "If you love me, Albrecht, let me go. You as well, Aaron... all of you. I wish this for you, Loy, and for myself. My suffering will end, and Loy will have his brother."

Aaron stammered, "But the cost..."

Giovanni quickly responded, "In my heart, there is no cost, Aaron, only gratitude. I cannot continue as I am. Please let me go."

Brad said, "This won't solve the problem. It only sets it aside."

Giovanni replied, "It will give me reprieve. A long one ... and who knows what will have changed by the time I awake?"

The burden on Loy's heart was extreme because of Giovanni's distress. With eyes bright and dripping tears, he said, "I don't want you to be another casualty in this war. There have been too many already. It seems anyone who gets close to us dies."

Giovanni placed a gentle hand on Loy's cheek to wipe away his tears with his thumb. "Do not think of me as a casualty. I will be alive and in no pain."

Loy's voice cracked as he put his hand over his heart to say, "But you won't be here."

In his mind and heart, Giovanni had already made his decision. Pat's eyes sparkled and widened as he saw the ghostly form of Alariel superimposed over Giovanni. The balance was asserting itself but needed their intervention. The men would have to engage their Avatars and the Gifts to exchange Giovanni for Alariel.

Loy gasped at the sight of his brother. Alariel seemed awake but unaware of them. He looked confused as if he felt something but didn't know what.

Giovanni implored, "Please. Do this. If an animal was in pain, you would not hesitate to let it go."

Loy cried, "No, I'd heal it. But I can't heal this, and I don't know what to do."

Ken made a split-second decision because he knew Loy would not make the call with his heart so tormented. With their Avatars locked together, every element of their natures combined to reinforce Ken's decision. Becoming the embodiment of them all, Ken thought: Do it, Pat. It's the right decision for everyone.

Closing his eyes Pat exerted his will, and through his Gift, combined and strengthened by the others, Alariel became corporeal and stood with them. Giovanni simply vanished the same as Alariel did three years prior.

Tear trails of light fell down Barachiel's cheeks when his Nephilim child appeared.

Alariel: What has happened? How am I here?

Immediately he took in the looks on the faces surrounding him. Their tears and emotions seemed harsh, and everyone stared at him. Loy launched himself at Alariel and squeezed him in love and desperation.

Loy: You're back!

Alariel hugged Loy back as tightly, though still bewildered.

Alariel: Whose voice did I hear? The one who took my place?

Albrecht: His name is Giovanni.

Alariel: Why would he do such a thing?

Albrecht: Aaron and I will let the men explain everything.

Albrecht, clearly upset, abruptly entered Darren's house. Aaron thought privately to Ken: As painful as this is to say, you made the correct decision Kenneth, although not an easy one. We will miss Giovanni terribly, but he is alive and no longer hurting. Albrecht knows this in his heart.

Ken said, "Let's give Loy some privacy, guys."

Loy was still stunned and unable to talk. Ken ruffled Loy's sweaty hair, and then his hand moved down to cup Loy's neck and jaw. I love you, Loy. Take all the time you need. We're all here for you.

Brad kept them merged but pulled everyone to the fringe of Loy's heart. He wanted Loy to feel their love and support but at the same time have some privacy with Alariel. Everyone but Loy, Ricky, Alariel, and Barachiel moved into Darren and Pat's house.

Brad: We need to add Alariel to the rune matrix as soon as possible and let Istariel and the others know he's back. They're going to be as shocked as we are.

Ken seemed unsettled by his decision to paradoxically free and imprison Giovanni, and he delved into his husband to talk privately.

Brad: The doc is right. You made the right call. It wasn't easy, but this was the best outcome for everyone.

Ken: Fuck! This whole thing sucks ass.

Brad replied: Yes, it does, just not the way you like.

One corner of Ken's mouth rose at Brad's joke, but then he sighed heavily. Another casualty of this fucked up war.

Brad: Except no one has died. Once everyone has time to process everything that happened, they'll realize you made the best possible call. Even Albrecht, although I'm worried about him. He's been moody lately.

Lane: Knock knock. You two okay in there?

Lane's and everyone's concern came through loud and clear, and Brad drew them into his and Ken's hearts. Their worry about Loy and about Ken for making his decision flowed over Ken and Brad. In the paradox of that unique place, each of Ken's brothers held him in support.

As always, they didn't separate until everyone's emotions settled. While time didn't move, they cried, hugged, and expressed their loving support for each other. Albrecht's unease quieted, yet their concern over his recent bouts of sadness was apparent.

Albrecht: I will be fine. Aaron and I each experience this every few hundred years. Even with our souls paired, we go through cycles. My heart is weary of the world's condition, especially the brokenness in humans. In one way, I hope things escalate and come to a conclusion, but I also dread what it will take to get us there.

Aaron: Solitude is the best solution. As much as we love you, Albrecht and I need some time on our own. We have both wished to visit and research Allenor's forge. Perhaps Darren can take us there, and we can begin to unearth some of his secrets; perhaps we may even find clues about the remaining Gifts – not necessarily their location but their aspects. We will be only a thought away should you need us.

Albrecht: We will meet with Raph and Javier before we make our sojourn.

Sad but wholly supportive of their beloved mentors, they wrapped Aaron and Albrecht in their hearts. After merging, they saw everything in their mentors. Albrecht was a few hundred years older than Aaron, but both men were nearly six thousand years old. Looking deeply, Brad especially saw the emotional cycles that Albrecht spoke of.

Lane's mischievous grin appeared: Only you two would consider visiting an alien's laboratory a vacation. Don't push any buttons that will destroy everything.

Ken: You know we love you two. Take all the time you want, but yeah, please don't accidentally blow up everythin'. We'll touch base and send anythin' you need.

<><><>

The rest of the afternoon flew by. After everything that happened and their discussion, Ken called off their training. Loy and Rick showered quickly and retreated to their apartment with Alariel. Hours later, Alariel called Istariel, Telcharan, and Ruviel, who were shocked at their cousin's return.

Bryan and Lane stayed in the kitchen while Bryan worked on dinner. Tommy and Brett finished their lessons, but Sally kept Drew to catch him up with them.

Aaron and Albrecht went to their apartment and shut the door. There was still an air of worry about Albrecht in particular, and even though the emotional turmoil had settled, an undercurrent of uncertainty remained.

Ken lay on the bed in their lab apartment with his arms behind his head, staring at the ceiling. Brad finished folding their clothes from the laundry and then sat on the bed next to Ken. Ken was lost in his thoughts but came back to himself when Brad sat down.

With his arms behind his head, Ken's t-shirt pulled up to reveal his belly button. Settling beside his husband, Brad snuggled against Ken and snaked his hand under Ken's shirt to rub his chest.

Linked only enough to talk, Brad asked: Are you okay?

Ken: Yeah. I don't like havin' `ta make decisions like that. I know it was the right thing `ta do, but still...

Brad's intuition told him not to merge. Sometimes, he and Ken needed to communicate on a level not always so deep.

Brad: But still ... I get it. Loy was stuck. Either way he was going to feel the brunt. Get Alariel back and lose Giovanni or vice versa. It was a real Kobayashi Maru.

Pulling Ken's shirt up, Brad put his ear against Ken's chest to hear his heartbeat. You want me to take your mind off everything?

Ken's little kid grin appeared. Your mad seductions skills are in top form. You fell for this one easy. Get to work.

Brad grinned as his hand lowered to feel Ken already hard. Ken's erection involuntarily flexed at what was coming, partially separating the Velcro opening in his workout shorts.

Ken's love washed over Brad, and his hand caressed the back of Brad's head and short hair. Thanks, B. Fuck, I love you.

Brad's eyes twinkled: You're just saying that because I give good head.

Ken burst out laughing. Well, yeah, you do. As Drew always says, "You're the best!" But that's not what I mean, and you know it. You're my world, B. I couldn't do this without you.

Brad was about to continue the banter but realized that it wasn't the right thing to do with Ken's mood. Red fire seeped from Brad's hand into Ken's erection, causing Ken's breath to catch. At the same time, golden light erupted from their hearts and brilliant azure energy from their minds. Brad melded the three energies into a bright and powerful arc flowing around and between the two men. The warm air caused by their combined energies felt good on Ken's bare skin.

Brad: And you're mine.

Brad grinned seductively, opened his mouth, and went to work. Ken's sigh was music to Brad as his expertise took Ken's mind beyond their problems until they were almost late for dinner.

<><>

The following day Shan called Lane to arrange moving into the Lab. She would bring their clothes and personal items but needed to store her furniture. Lane, Bryan, and a few of the guys chipped in to translocate her furniture into a storage unit the doc would pay for.

Sally called off the rest of Drew's lessons for the day so he could meet Teesha and get to know her. Bill and Kevin talked with Tommy and Brett about Teesha coming to live with them, saying they knew the boys would be on good behavior and treat her nicely. To the boys, Teesha was like having someone new show up at the orphanage, and they took it in stride. They knew Teesha would be nervous and promised to make her feel welcome.

Drew was Drew and saw into Teesha. He wanted her to feel safe and comfortable, so he asked Darren to bring Chloe to the lab so Teesha wouldn't be the only girl and feel left out. With five kids running around, Sally laughingly mentioned that they would have to get a daycare license soon if things kept up!

While the kids got to know each other, Lane and Bryan took Shan to the apartment that belonged to Tag and Olive. The guys kept the room untouched in addition to the furniture Tag and Olive used. Olive's framed "Home Sweet Home" embroidered welcome sign still hung on the wall. When Shan stepped into the room, she smelled Olive's cologne and her mother's presence wrapped around her.

Setting her bags down, Lane said, "This was your mom and dad's room. Is that alright? If you'd rather have another room it's not a problem, but we thought you'd like this one."

Shan stood quietly as she took everything in. The move for her was a big deal. With great uncertainty she quit her job and was taking a chance that her life, and more importantly Teesha's life, would be better living with these strange men who cured her baby of cancer.

Shan nodded, "This is fine."

Facing them with her eyes bright, she said, "Thank you again for letting us stay here. The hospital started asking too many questions when I stopped taking Teesha in. They got really militant and threatened to take her away when they realized that she wasn't getting treatment somewhere else. They said I was abusing her."

Bryan mumbled, "Fuck!" under his breath.

Lane said, "We were afraid of something like that. We didn't want to make your life worse by helping."

Shan said, "I saw everything on TV, you know. I knew it was you and your friends at that church, and I heard that voice. That's another reason I decided to come. I don't think I can keep Teesha safe out there."

She shuddered at the memory of Elegroth's voice in her mind. The evil behind it touched her, and it was the opposite of everything she felt from Bryan and Lane when they healed Teesha.

Bryan looked Shan square in the eye and said, "This is the safest place for you. We can protect you here. We have a few other places like this around the world. If Teesha likes to swim, we can take her to the pool in the Congo base."

Shan's eyebrows raised, and she said questioningly, "Congo? You mean like `the Congo' in Africa?"

Lane chuckled, "Yeah. One and the same. It's underground and unreachable by anyone but us. All our other bases are sealed like that. We can be at any of them in a few seconds."

Putting on a smiling face, Shan said, "Well... okay then! This is gonna take some getting used to!"

Bryan said, "You'll meet all the other guys at dinner tonight. For now, get unpacked and rest up. You saw the kitchen on the way back here. We have plenty of food, so fix anything you like, but I usually cook big meals for dinner."

Lane interjected, "We're a very close group. You'll find out more as you hang out with us."

Shan hugged Bryan and Lane, saying, "Thanks for everything. Especially for healing Teesha, but for all of this too."

Bryan and Lane both said, "You're welcome."

Lane followed with, "Come find us if you need anything."

When the door closed behind them, Shan sat down and cried. The upheaval caught up with her, but she knew she had made the right decision. She turned on the TV, and "The Price is Right" came on. She smiled, knowing how much Tag loved his game shows, and she easily envisioned him sitting in this same recliner with his one leg propped up.

<><>

Raph and Javier entered the conference room and sat across from Aaron and Albrecht. The men were training in the gym and echoes of their grunts and efforts could be heard before the door shut.

Raph looked at his stomach, raised his eyebrows, and commented, "I need to start doing some of that! My muffin top is getting out of control."

Albrecht grinned and said, "Aaron and I will be gone for some time after today, but I will be happy to work with you when we return. You too, Javier. It will be prudent to have some fighting skills in the days ahead."

Raph said, "I was joking, but if you're serious, I'll take you up on that. I need to stay in shape and I'd love to learn some moves."

Javier, more serious, said, "It wouldn't have saved me when Adam punched me, but I can see the need. So many of the men who come through the soup kitchen are on drugs ... they get rowdy, and there isn't much I can do as thin as I am."

Aaron said, "Well, that is settled at least. As to your being here today, I wish you to join our cause more directly. You did not hear Kenneth say this, Raph, but he recently mentioned that you are already part of the Order, whether you know it or not. Ever since you learned of our existence and helped Tag and Olive reach us in time ... the world owes you a debt it will never know."

Raph blushed at the praise as Aaron looked at Javier. "And you, Javier, your help in finding Zack was immeasurable, and he owes you his life. I know how deep your injuries ran, but your fortitude and bravery to continue helping us show what kind of man you are. I already knew this, of course. This will seem strange to you, but Bradford and Lane met you in an alternate reality. Their interactions with that version of you are not dissimilar to you here, so I already had a good impression of you before we met."

Javier's eyes widened at Aaron's revelation, and he didn't know what to say.

Albrecht continued, "Raph, the outside world knows your face, and it now knows of your association with the Order. Our individual identities remain hidden, but the public is now aware of us regardless of whether they choose to believe in us. We would like you to continue this communication more directly to the outside world."

Aaron said, "Before you make any decisions, I must fully disclose the nature of what is happening. Part of our primary mission revolves around free will, and you must have our complete disclosure to make fully informed decisions."

Raph shifted his chair to better view the large screen on the wall and said, "I love a good PowerPoint presentation."

Albrecht rarely laughed out loud, but he did at the expression on Aaron's face at Raph's comment. Raph looked confused, and Albrecht said, "No offense, Raph, but we don't do PowerPoint presentations here. Somehow, the act of reducing pure evil and the brokenness of the world into a simple visual aid does not seem right. If you need to see anything, we will show you in your minds and provide any associated emotions."

Aaron moved to the lectern to speak. Raph knew more than Javier, but they both still paled many times from Aaron's revelations of the battle between the light and the dark. Aaron was surprised that Javier embraced the knowledge after barely a glimpse. Working as a volunteer in a soup kitchen, he saw the darker side of man's fallen nature and what harm drugs can do. He now realized it wasn't only drugs but also the influence of the curse and the Enemy driving man's behavior. He manifested an inherent need to push back and push back hard. Bill had merged with Aaron and Albrecht after reading Javier, so they knew how Javier's personal losses affected his drive.

Albrecht called for a break to give Raph and Javier time to absorb everything and use the restroom. This presentation would take far longer than a few hours, so he asked Henry, Adam, and Zack to join them when they reconvened.

Henry, Adam, and Zack came in freshly showered after training, and each of them hugged Raph and Javier in greeting. There was no hesitation in Javier accepting the physical affections, especially from Zack, who had nearly killed him.

No one mentioned Mr. Buckles on Zack's lap. Loy made it so Mr. Buckles was corporeal within the lab to be visible to everyone. The small dog occasionally wiggled if Zack's hand stopped moving, but he behaved well around the strangers.

Aaron's voice continued in their minds: Albrecht and I will be leaving for a time, so I wish to accelerate matters slightly. Do not be alarmed or embarrassed by what is about to happen. It is a regular occurrence among the adults in the lab and makes for better communication. Mind-to-mind discourse allows for no lies or deception, only honesty.

Aaron linked the seven of them and took them deep within their hearts where they appeared naked to one another in all aspects. Javier had experienced this with Bill and Kevin, and in his encounter with Uriel and Archie, but he was still shocked. Raph had linked with Loy and all the guys before, but this was new and deeper, one step away from merging completely.

Aaron: We are in this place for many reasons. One, I wish you to become comfortable communicating in this manner. If you work with us, we will spend much time together in our hearts. Also, as profoundly as we are connected, time is barely moving, so here we can spend as long as necessary working through any concerns or questions you may have.

Henry: What we'd like your help with, in addition to what the doc already spoke about, is for Raph to set up a network to find lost protectors or "suits" of the Enemy who want to escape their lives and turn over a new leaf. The protectors in particular, like the three of us, who were coerced into servitude..., there have to be hundreds if not thousands of them out there. If Elegroth has called their handlers to transform them, the protectors have been abandoned and are in a very vulnerable state. We encountered some recently who were not coerced but approached us along with a demon to be set free. The three of us know what it's like to be trapped in our minds for years, and we have the scars that it leaves. We can help them recover, or if not recover, make them new again. The issue is we don't have enough time to find them, and that's where you guys come in.

Raphael: Elegroth is the dude's name who's behind all this?

Henry: Yes. You'll learn more about him if you agree to join us.

Adam: Andrés Ramos has agreed to help us, and we can use his service station as one location. We're hoping, Javier, the soup kitchen you volunteer at will be another. Albrecht can send the word out among his contacts, and hopefully, some of these lost souls will hear of this place they can come to for help. Raph can help through news outlets and interviews.

Albrecht: Now that our presence has been made public, sending out word is easier, but it holds danger for our allies who do not have the protection of the runes in this building or at our other bases. Brad and the mentalists will place protections on your minds, in addition to other safeguards. We will empower major runes in Andrés' shop and the soup kitchen to keep true evil away and warn us of impending attacks.

Henry: We also have friends in the military, the soldiers you might have seen on the news three years ago who were prisoners in Syria. Our guys rescued them, and they lived in our Australian base until they helped in the fight against the Master. Our guys worked their magic, and the soldiers have all been reinserted into their careers. We're keeping their connections to us a secret, but they can feed us helpful information and possibly help track down lost protectors. We still have to approach them about this, but we're confident they will help.

Aaron: Much danger lies in what we ask, but you now know what we face. Our cause is worthy, but it is not easy. One last thing I offer. If you choose to work with us, you will belong to the Order and receive monetary compensation so you will not have the distraction of income and can focus full time on your new duties.

Raph: I made up my mind before coming here today, but I'm glad I learned all this. Tag and Olive told me a good bit of it when I met them, but this was definitely more in-depth. Ever since I met them, I've felt lost. Working as a delivery guy was the only job I could get, but I haven't found any satisfaction in my life since everything went down. None of that's important to me anymore. What you want me to help with feels right. I don't know how else to say it.

Javier: Same. I want to make a difference in this world. After everything that happened with Bill, Kevin, and Zack..., it opened my eyes, and like Raph said, this seems right.

Zack: I know what you mean, Javi. It takes getting used to, but I think you're making the right choice.

Adam: Thank you..., both of you. I talked this over with Henry, that Zack and I, or any of the guys, will be available to help when you discover any protectors or if any approach you. We want you in the least amount of danger possible.

Albrecht: We must neither neglect nor underestimate Sally. She performs her own miracles in this fight. You will also work with her in communicating with us.

Aaron: It seems we are settled! This has been a productive day.

Henry: We'd like you guys to hang around for dinner if you can. Bry's cooking up another feast, and it would be great if you could stay.

Aaron returned them to their bodies and smiled at the expression on Raph's face. He asked, "Are you alright?"

Raph replied, "Yeah! This is going to take some adjustment. It feels weird being back in my body."

Henry put a hand on Raph's shoulder and said, "I know what you mean. The freedom, not just physically but emotionally, is incredibly liberating when you get used to it."

<><>

Javier and Raph stayed for dinner, and while waiting in the lounge and talking with Sally and the kids, Lane came to find Raph. Finished with training and freshly showered, his hair still wet, Lane asked, "Hey, Raph? You mind if we talk in private for a sec?"

Raph looked puzzled but said, "Sure, Lane."

Lane held out a hand to help pull Raph to his feet. "Let's go back to the conference room. Nobody should be in there. Bry will come too."

Before they sat down, Bryan came in and shut the door.

Grinning, Raph asked, "Are we gonna do the naked thing again?"

Lane's mischievous grin appeared, and he asked, "Do you want to? Man, you haven't even hung around us long enough to be a perv yet! You're going to fit right in!"

They all laughed, but Lane said, "We probably should, now that I think about it. We want to share something with you that happened recently. All of us know it, but it's still private. I think you'll be surprised."

Raising his eyebrows, Raph said, "I don't see how it can be any more surprising than everything I heard today or what's happened in the last few weeks, but sure. You know, you should install a jacuzzi in that place."

Lane's eyes widened, and he said, "Now, why haven't we thought of that before, Bry?"

Grinning, Bryan said, "Thanks, Raph. You might be on to something."

Raph said, "I'm full of ideas. Just ask me! Now, what do you want to talk about?"

Lane and Bryan's eyes flashed white, and the three men appeared naked in their hearts in a hot, bubbling jacuzzi.

Raph sighed: Now, this is what I'm talking about.

Bryan looked at Lane to start the conversation, and their expressions turned serious. Raph, I know Albrecht and the Doc shared a lot of things with you, but there's still a lot to cover, and you'll be exposed to and become a part of some crazy shit around us. One of the things that happens periodically is something we call puppet strings. It's when things happen that need to happen, like God pulling the strings, or in some cases it's the balance. Either way, sometimes it can be annoying as shit, but sometimes it can also bring about the most amazing things. Sadly, it's usually the former.

A few weeks ago, Bry and I went on an impromptu shopping trip for popcorn. The kids were watching TV, and we wanted a snack. Sounds simple enough, but I ran into a man about to die of a heart attack. He didn't even know it, but my Avatar reacted. It turns out our trip to the store was one of those puppet string situations. I healed the man, which normally I wouldn't do. I don't know if you understand yet, but sometimes when it's a person's time to leave the world, saving them can have catastrophic effects.

Raph interrupted: You mean like, "City on the Edge of Forever?" That's one of my favorite Star Trek episodes!

Bryan sighed. Oh God, another nerd. You're definitely going to fit in!

Lane fist-bumped Raph. Yes! Exactly! Just like that! So anyway, I saved this man. When we do things like that, it causes what we call `ripples.' If the ripples are too extreme, seriously bad things can happen. Fortunately, the man I healed wasn't integral in the grand scheme of the battle. I realized after I healed him it was one of those puppet string events because we met Teesha, the little girl who's out watching TV with the boys. She was extremely sick from a rare form of cancer. It was a fucked-up situation, and her mother was stressed out because her insurance denied Teesha's medications. We didn't know when we met them, but Shan is Tag and Olive's daughter, and Teesha is their granddaughter.

Raph said, "Oh, shit!" under his breath.

Yeah, but here's the kicker. As soon as we saw Teesha and said hello, Tag and Olive showed up.

Raph sat up with a shocked expression, and his eyes teared up. What? I thought they were gone forever!

Bryan: We did too.

Lane continued: Apparently, the ripples from healing the man created a paradox that allowed Tag and Olive to manifest for a short time. Unfortunately, we could only speak less than a minute before they faded, but now we know they still exist.

Bryan: The angel who told Tag and Olive to leave their house and come to Atlanta met a being from another creation he wasn't supposed to know about and he saw something. During their exchange, something went into the angel that killed him. Before he died, he saw the future of our fight with the Master and knew the only chance for our success was for Tag and Olive to be there. When he shielded them to help protect them on their trip, a little something of whatever was in him went into them. That's what allowed them to survive.

Lane: That's when you picked them up on the side of the road. The entire string of events had to happen precisely as they did, or we would have lost that fight. We're telling you for two reasons. First, it shows how connected you are in all of this, and secondly, while you didn't know Tag and Olive very long, I know you became attached to them. We want you to know they still exist. We aren't sure how to talk to them or if we ever will again, but Olive said she watches over Drew and us. I'm sure she watches over you too.

Raph didn't know what to say. His emotions hit him hard, and Bryan and Lane wrapped Raph's mind and heart with their own, holding him while he processed what they said.

<><>

Adam had AJ that afternoon, so Bryan set up a kids' dinner table for AJ, Drew, Tommy, Brett, Chloe, and Teesha, thinking they would have more fun than being interspersed among the adults.

In honor of Shan and Teesha's first meal, Bryan put out a more amazing spread than usual. He made lamb roast, oven-roasted potatoes, fresh asparagus, baked brussels sprouts, his fresh yeast rolls with homemade butter, and a huge garden salad. For the kids, he made cheesy spaghetti, toasted garlic bread, chicken strips, and Drew's hush dogs. The kids went through an entire bottle of ketchup, making the adults laugh.

Everyone made Shan as welcome as possible, and they shared stories of Tag and Olive's stay with them. Henry recounted how much her parents helped him after Liz died and how much they helped Drew. Shan realized more and more what great people her parents were, and her sadness deepened at misjudging them most of her life.

After hearing about the guys' workout schedules, Shan commented, "I don't see how you have enough energy to do all that! I'm worn out just taking care of Teesha!"

Lane interjected, "Well, we know where Ken gets his. Yesterday's version of `5-Hour Energy' by Brad. If you need me to heal your throat, Brad, just say so."

Shan went wide-eyed when she realized what Lane meant.

Lane blushed and said, "Sorry, Shan. Too much too soon? We do a lot of shit-talking around here."

Straight-faced, Shan said, "You really just said that? In front of my salad? What in the world have I gotten myself into?"

The guys burst out laughing at her reference to a currently popular internet video.

The boys, Tommy in particular, heard `5-Hour Energy,' and from the kid's table, he asked loudly, "Hey Dads, can we get some of that?"

Bill and Kevin almost choked, trying not to laugh even harder. To give them a second to recover, Darren said, "Well, boys, I doubt it. In the case we're talking about, it's more of an adult beverage than a sports drink... although Brad and Ken seem to treat it like both. Anyhow, that drink isn't for kids!"

Darren's "adult beverage" comment started another round of laughter, and nearly everyone had tears from laughing so hard. The room was loud, the atmosphere boisterous and enjoyable, and Shan realized she landed in the right place with some good people. Everyone went out of his way to make her feel at ease with her decision, and Teesha had a few of the guys already wrapped around her little finger.

Bryan made apple cobbler, and Lane made vanilla ice cream for dessert, and the conversation quieted while more food was ingested and another four pots of coffee consumed. Shan could not believe the amount of food the guys ate, and Sally laughed, telling her, "I've been wondering ever since I met them, Shan. They have to have hollow legs. Even with their angelic background, it's physically impossible for them to eat that much, but they do it every meal. So never be shy of filling your plate first and grabbing what you want because it will be gone if you hesitate even a second."

Loy raised his eyebrows and commented, "We're not that bad, are we"?

Looking directly at him, Sally said, "Yes, Mr. Aslan, you are."

<><>

Once order was restored and the kitchen clean, the kids wanted to watch Dragon Ball Z. Before Loy could "do Aslan," the guys went into the gym with Aaron and Albrecht, who were packed and ready to head to Allenor's forge for some alone time. Each man pulled his mentors into a long tight hug. Brad merged them briefly and pulled Drew in with them.

Ken: We love you guys, and we're gonna miss you. Our lives won't be the same without you for the next few weeks, or however long you wanna stay.

Brad: We'll communicate at least every few days, check on your supplies, and send what you need. You can store any laundry in the empty coolers, and we'll take care of that. That is if you'll be wearing clothes.

Bryan: We promise to leave you alone unless all hell breaks loose, but you're probably safer there than here if it does.

Once the goodbyes were complete, Darren's eyes flashed white and their Avatars ignited, lighting up the area around them. Collectively touching souls one last time, Darren translocated their mentors to the cave where Allenor forged their Gifts.

After a slight pause, Brad thought: I'm worried about them. That place is so dangerous, and without our Avatars to help figure things out..., I hope they'll be alright.

Kevin: They survived nearly six thousand years before they met us, Brad. I think they'll be okay for a few weeks. Granted, they're in a place created before time by God for an alien from the previous creation that's deadly to ours. I'm sure they'll be more than careful.

Ricky: When you put it like that, Kev, I'm even more worried.

Ken: They'll be fine, guys.

Bill: You're probably right, Ken. They'll do better than you ever would, that's for sure.

Ken: Why's that?

Bill: No hashbrowns from Waffle House.

Everyone laughed, including Ken, who retorted: Fucker!

A collective sigh ensued, and they filed out of the gym. Loy went to the lounge and his form shimmered into the great lion, much to the kids' delight; yet another air of sadness hung over them from Giovanni's absence. Every time Loy shifted his form, he thought of the monk and the years he spent with his Gift.

<><>

The next morning Loy woke up early. He and Ricky had slept in the lab again, wanting to be physically closer to the rest of the guys and the kids. Loy realized more and more how important their extended family was to him. The kids coming into his life made him want to be a father.

Ricky knew his husband was awake and tightened his arms slightly, snuggling their warm bodies together under the covers.

Rick: Happy Birthday, Loy. I love you.

Loy smiled and rolled over to face his best friend, husband, and soul mate. I love you too. More every day.

Rick: Ken called off training today, so we can sleep in.

Loy: Yeah, like that's going to happen.

Already hardening at the thought of morning sex with the hottest man on the planet naked and in bed with him, Loy cupped Rick's face, loving the feel of his rough cheeks, and started a passionate kiss.

Rick had a "birthday present" box in his mind, and Loy didn't try to peek. All the guys had one for the last week to try and keep some semblance of a surprise. This was difficult because they merged so often and lived in each other's souls.

Ricky: I want this day to be special, as special as you are to me. Fuck, you mean so much to me it hurts.

Tearing up from his emotions, instead of trying to contain them, Rick flooded Loy with every ounce of love he held for his husband. Loy wasn't caught off guard – they knew how much they meant to each other – but when they did such things, it was always like the first time. A warm tingle ran through Loy, through his mind, heart, soul, and body.

Touching Loy in all the right places and in all the right ways, Rick's heart, hands, and mouth worked on his lover, giving him an exquisite birthday blowjob. Another physical perk of Rick and the other bodies was their density. Their dicks and tongues were harder, so when Rick stiffened his tongue and used it on Loy's nipples or on the head of his erection as he currently was, even with Loy's control he didn't last long.

Rick's Mind expanded as he ingested Loy's semen, and Rick held him tighter mentally.

Chuckling, Loy thought: Fuck, that was amazing. I'll have another one, please.

Rick: Today, you can have as many as you want, but we have to spend at least a little time with the guys and the kids.

Grinning, Loy thought: Yeah, we do, but we'll figure out a way to make it work.

His face turning more serious, Rick thought: I see how much you want to be a father. I want it to, you know.

Loy: My God, Ricky, when the kids pile on me while we watch TV... it's not just their innocence. I just love them and love having them around. I know how Drew feels towards me and us, and I know he's special, but I feel the same thing from Tommy and Brett, and even AJ. Chloe almost as much as Drew.

Rick: I understand.

Loy felt a small mental surge from Rick, and the illusion of boxers appeared on them under the covers.

Loy: Why did you do that?

Rick: The first of many surprises is about to commence. As Lane would say, "Hold onto your hat!"

Raising his voice, Rick called out, "Come on in!"

Their bedroom door burst open, and Drew, Tommy, Brett, AJ, Chloe, and Teesha ran into the room. That alone would have brought a smile to Loy's handsome face, but the fact they were all wearing lion onesies overwhelmed him.

Shouting, "Happy Birthday, Uncle Loy!" at the top of their lungs, the kids all leapt onto the bed, piling on the two big men. Grabbing the kids one by one, Loy hugged them all while tickling them and laughing. Amidst his squeals, Brett practically shouted, "Today we're Aslan for you, Uncle Loy!"

Loy was literally overcome by what the kids planned for him. Rick, happy seeing his husband enjoying the surprise, thought: Just wait!

It was still early, and once the excitement wore off and the pace slowed down, the kids drifted off to sleep, piled on Loy, Rick, and one another. Sally snuck into the room and teared up at the sight while she snapped a few pictures.

Henry walked by, chuckling and shaking his head. The Aslan thing was Drew's idea, and Sally ordered the onesies from Amazon.

She whispered, "They're so adorable."

Henry responded, "They are. It makes me happy that all the kids love everyone so much. It's so different than the upbringing any of us had."

Glancing down at Henry's tented briefs, she asked, "It looks like breakfast is delayed until they wake up. Do you need a hand?"

Winking, Henry bragged, "Two hands, and yes. Let's go!"

Taking Sally's hand, Henry walked her down the hall to an empty exam room, where she helped him with his tantric ritual.

<><>

Once everyone was awake, the adults' stomachs, especially Ken's, rumbled. Loy didn't see Bryan or Lane and asked, "Where are those two?"

With his little kid grin, Ken said, "Gettin' breakfast for us! Dar, you're up!"

With his dimples in full force, Darren's Avatar lit up, and suddenly they were all on ZEUS in the Pacific Ocean, and never in a million years could Loy have predicted the sight awaiting him.

Istariel, Telcharan, Ruviel, and Alariel stood in the lounge wearing lion onesies. Their "Happy Birthday!" cry was followed by hugs, but Loy laughed so hard his sides hurt. The four most powerful Nephilim in existence, always so reserved in their demeanors, wore onesies for his birthday!

Brad: It took some convincing, but we got there. They wanted to participate in a common human tradition of celebrating your birthday.

The smell of food brought the hugs to an end, and Loy's eyes glazed over at the sight of Bryan's buffet. There was no counter space left on ZEUS; every inch of every surface had food on it.

Bryan: Happy birthday, fucker! Dig in! Birthday boy goes first, and don't hold back.

Lane mimicked Istariel's voice and tone perfectly when he thought: "Give it no quarter, for it shall give you none in return."

Istariel was still learning human humor and didn't look offended, but he didn't know how to respond. Lane put an arm around his shoulder and said, "You know you're part of our family, Istariel, when we joke with each other."

Istariel's emotions were stronger than expected, and he hugged Lane back tightly.

The weather was clear and hot, and everyone got in the water after they finished breakfast. At first, Teesha was terrified of the whales, but Loy spent extra time with her, linking her with the animals to show her how beautiful they were, and she felt their unconditional love. He did the same with AJ, who hadn't been on ZEUS yet, and Adam and Zack because they hadn't experienced that part of Loy or nature before. Their astonishment was a bright point in his day.

All the guys felt the absence of Albrecht and Aaron and wished their mentors were there to share the day. In the afternoon, Loy received a "Happy Birthday" memory sphere, which made him smile.

Bryan spent an exorbitant amount of time cooking beforehand and with Darren's help kept the food flowing. He cooked all the food in the Australian base to hide it from Loy, who loved Bryan for his efforts and made sure Bryan knew it. He loved all his brothers even more for making his day special – he needed it after recent events that hit his heart. All of them needed it.

With Henry's help, Drew made Loy a new "World's Greatest Uncle" t-shirt, and this time the picture was of Loy as Aslan with all the kids piled on him while watching TV.

After dinner and a day on the yacht, things started winding down. The kids were tired and sleepy, and Henry, Adam, Shan, Bill, and Kevin coordinated getting them back to Atlanta and in their beds.

When they disappeared, Lane's mischievous grin showed. Ken's little kid grin appeared, and Loy's gut tingled.

Smiling but also a little nervous, Loy thought: What's going on?

Ken: It's time for the `adult' after party, party. Some of our presents aren't kid-friendly, so we're headin' back `ta the gym.

Bryan: Before we go, I want to give you my present. This will clue you in.

Bryan handed Loy a large wrapped bundle, and Loy's eyes widened when he pulled out a new set of leather gear.

Loy: Oh my God, Bry? Did you make this?

Bryan shrugged and replied: Yeah. I've been collecting leather from the animals that give their lives to us in the valley on our trips. Albrecht taught me and helped, but I made most of it.

As soon as Loy touched his present, he read the impressions, saw Bryan making it, and felt the love he put into it. With the kids gone, Loy stripped on the spot and put it on. His muscular body, tanned and with perfect hair patterns, looked magnificent in the leather. The harness across his chest and shoulders had chains linked to the cup around his privates. He had bands for his wrists and biceps, boots, and a "Tom of Finland" style leather cap. Everything had small studs, some spiked.

Whistles and catcalls ensued as Loy spread his arms out, turning around to show his present off, and Ricky's eyes glinted with lust for his husband.

Bryan: We'll come back and clean up later. Now it's time for part two.

Darren's Avatar lit up, and they appeared in the gym. Lane worked on a playlist especially for Loy's birthday, incorporating his favorite songs from the disco era. A large glitterball hung suspended in the air, and colored spotlights rotated. The entire affair was an elaborate external construct created by Brad. Lane made sure no sound passed the doors so the kids wouldn't hear anything.

Adam, Zack, and Shan were speechless, and Ken grinned: What's the use of havin' our abilities if we can't use `em once in a while for ourselves? It's time `ta cut loose and have some fun. I hope you guys like `ta dance!

Brad's eyes flashed white, and all the men suddenly wore gear like Loy's, which showed off their bodies. To enhance the effect even more, Lane sent a wave of crimson fire, igniting their core energy centers which caused their muscles to swell. It also covered them with a light sheen of sweat, and their muscular forms reflected the lights. Brad changed Sally, Kelly, and Shan's clothing to their favorite outfits for going out.

Zack and Shan bowed out with no hard feelings. Shan was not a partier, and Zack didn't feel like it without Renee. Everyone gave the two hugs in their hearts, and Brad kept them linked to feel the unconditional love running through all of them.

Brad had reproduced the Atlanta Eagle interior without the smells and sticky floors, and everyone chuckled at it. None of them had gone out for a night on the town in over a year, and while this wasn't the same, it was even better because they could cut loose and enjoy themselves like they never could amongst a group of normals.

Lane kept the music going, and their bodies started to shine with sweat as they danced. Brad and Bryan didn't like dancing, but Ken and Lane guided their bodies through their merge, moving their limbs in time to the music.

Henry danced with Sally, and Adam took turns with most of the guys. Sexual tensions were high, but nothing took place in the open other than kissing and hugs. Finally, Lane played "The Last Dance" by Donna Sommer and brought the party to an end. None of them wanted it to stop – they hadn't had so much fun together in a long time. It wasn't the peaceful serenity they found while camping in the valley of Yggdrasil or staying on ZEUS, but it was something else they needed.

As they broke up to go to their rooms, Loy approached Adam and said, "Open invite if you'd like to sleep with Ricky and me tonight. I don't want you to feel alone after all this."

Adam looked stunned but couldn't help his excitement at the idea. Tentatively, he grinned and said, "I'd like that. But you know I've never..."

Loy smiled and said, "I know. It'll be special for the three of us then. We'll be gentle, I promise. Nothing will happen that you don't want to happen, and hopefully, everything you do."

Lane: Said the spider to the fly...

Catcalls flew off in their minds, and the shit talk flowed.

We'll have a walking stick ready for you tomorrow, Adam.

Been nice knowing you!

Tear them up, Adam! We know you have it in you!

As they laughed, simultaneously, their emotional support and comfort wrapped around Adam. It was a huge step for him and not to be treated lightly.

All the kids were piled in Drew's room together, so Henry took the opportunity to sleep with Sally in her bed, setting a trigger to wake him earlier than usual to return to his room.

Once everyone settled, Brad dropped the illusion of their gear. In their room, Loy asked Adam and Rick to take his off, and to Adam it was like unwrapping a Christmas present. He was nervous and shaking, but Loy and Rick were more kind and gentle than he ever imagined.

It was another "Walton's" night as everyone said goodnight in their minds, yet Brad still held them together while everyone made love, burning off the sexual tension that built up through the evening. On the fringe of their awareness, Brad included comfort for Shan and Zack, who had good dreams because of Granny Wolf. The children had good dreams too. She and her pack were busy that night.

<><><>

Late in the night while everyone slept, after their dreams when their minds were quiet in the deep, restful sleep they needed, Granny Wolf's head snapped up. Sniffing the air, a low guttural growl came out of her throat. It was the horrific sound Henry heard her make in his dream when she bit the Eschphene leader in half.

She seldom made that sound to call her pack. She saw the storm clouds building but was unable to discern their nature. Something was happening that touched all realms. She was wise and powerful in the realm of dreams, but she paled in comparison to the evil she sensed brewing.

Cavall snapped awake at her growl. His silver eyes that saw everything pierced through the realm of dreams to see what she did - matrices and vortexes spreading like waves, already touching the Pale and the spiritual realm. Just as the tear started forming in the skies over Atlanta, Cavall's howl woke everyone in the lab.

At the sound of Cavall's warning, the men instantly awakened. Their Avatars, especially those with Gifts, shone brightly in the darkness of their rooms. A powerful twinge in their stomachs foretold something catastrophic. Something evil. Becoming one, they cast out their senses to discern the nature of what they felt.

Ken: Suit up!

They appeared in the locker room naked from their beds and donned their new assault gear in less than a minute. Darren translocated them to the roof of the building to get a better view around them.

The skies were volatile with dark, seething clouds pierced by lightning. The air crackled with power as a green aura appeared and began to spread, illuminating the sky. Thousands of claws ripped through from the void, opening a rift nearly a mile across the skyline. Luke's modulated voice, which they now knew was Elegroth, resonated throughout the earth.

I come for the second redeemer and the child of Eleleth. Give them to me along with what was taken, and you will perish quickly with no pain. Defy me, and there will be no end to your torment and suffering, and whatever concept of hell you hold will be a thousandfold worse.

While Elegroth's voice echoed around the globe, his demons poured forth by the thousands, filling the sky. Flying in various formations, they stayed close to the rift, waiting for Elegroth's command.

Elegroth's retaliation had come, and the men knew the time was upon them to call their angelic grandfathers and whatever hosts they commanded. In unison, their voices intoned the names of their archangel grandfathers in the first language of their creation, and immediately Michael's voice filled their minds.

We felt the rift as soon as your foe breached this reality. We are prepared and come now to aid you. We will fight by your side and defend this creation with all our might.

Gaps appeared among the dark, seething clouds as the light of heaven burst forth via a multitude of portals opened by the archangels. Michael's and Barachiel's legions poured forth as shining beings of light, wearing armor and bearing weapons of Heaven. The men had never seen so many angels of so many varied types. They read about the hierarchies of Heaven, but to see the six-winged seraphim warriors, the four-winged cherubim archers, and the many-eyed thrones was a shock.

One angel shone brighter than most, and with their enhanced sight, the men recognized Azaziel, the angel they reset from his demonic form. Bright and pure, he was only three years old after becoming a new being. Because he was newly created, he was more closely tied to the second creation, and they understood that was the reason for his brightness.

The air became thick with opposing forces as Michael and their other grandparents landed on the rooftop to stand with Ken and the men. Adam and Zack stood wide-eyed, even though Zack had met Uriel before. The sight before them wasn't meant for mortal eyes, so Brad shielded their minds.

Sally gathered the boys in the lounge with Cavall. Granny Wolf was there, unseen by everyone but Drew, who was terrified because he knew why Elegroth was there. But more than that, he was terrified for Henry. The temple where the doors stood was now fresh in his mind and called to him. Elegroth wanted Drew dead so the doors would open and destroy both creations; however, Drew's fear wasn't for himself but for Henry and his uncles.

Brad sent Raphael a memory sphere containing the culmination of their encounters with the transformed demons which, with their weapons laced with Elegroth's power from the void, were far more dangerous than before.

Elegroth's eyes appeared, able to manifest within the second creation because of Luke. His strength was unimaginable; a combination of an archon, an archangel, and the black stone, and he was terrifying to behold. As Ken assessed the situation with military precision, his voice in their minds and hearts was confident as his will and conviction filled them. Power up, guys.

In response, their light shone brighter than ever as Leroy's hide magnified their inherent strength, and their Avatars reacted making them equal to the task. Yggdrasil appeared in the sky with its mighty branches filled with animal spirits lending their strength. Brad's eyes sparkled as he lifted the veil around them, making the physical and spiritual realms one in order to manifest their dual heritage as Nephilim and original, unfallen men.

Lane wove the songs of each partner together to create a symphony of music that was a part of them all. He had never done that, but he did it effortlessly with Leroy's hide magnifying his inherent strength. Pat's, Bryan's, and Brad's eyes sparkled as their Gifts spoke to one another in response to Elegroth's presence. Loy and Lane were a part of the communication to the extent their tainted Gifts allowed.

Ken: Henry, you need `ta stay with Drew and the others. I don't want you a part of this unless there's no other choice.

Darren's eyes flashed white and Henry vanished from the rooftop and appeared in the lounge.

Looking at the legions of demons filling the sky, Lane thought: It sucks not having wings.

Ken: Then we bring `em down `ta us.

They were glad Aaron and Albrecht were safe at Allenor's forge. Through their paradoxical nature, more than the sum of their individual selves, Brad took every thought and experience from their collective mind to form a strategy. The demons, after being changed by Elegroth, had an advantage. They were far more powerful than their previous iterations, which made the angels susceptible to the void energy of their weapons. Raphael shared with his brothers what Brad sent to him, and Michael grinned in the same manner Ken often did. We will put the knowledge to good use, Ken.

Glowing brightly with his raised sword, Michael launched himself and was followed by the other grandparents to join the fray.

Bryan's eyes sparkled, and the ghostly form of Yggdrasil solidified, its life energy filling them as though they were in the valley. The emerald power of the tree ran through all of them, and Bryan's raven tattoos fluttered in response. The thought and memory of all life ran through Bryan and into his brothers to fortify them.

Brad sent a city-wide compulsion for everyone to lock themselves in their homes. Mortals witnessing the confrontation could quickly go insane if not shielded, and the men couldn't spare the power to protect them.

Darren: Ken, instead of bringing them down, I say we go up to them.

Ken: Okay, Dar. Let's take this fight `ta Elegroth.

All their Avatars were bright, but Ken's lit up like a star as his will and conviction further fortified them, bringing every bit of their knowledge and fighting skills to the forefront of their minds. His love and confidence completed them, which brightened their light even more. In their hearts, Ken's hands were on their backs and shoulders as his voice whispered encouragement and confidence into their souls.

Darren's dimples appeared, and a thick bolt of lightning arced from the rooftop, carrying them into the skies amidst Yggdrasil's highest branches. Appearing among the flying demons, the men leapt on top of them, clinging to their bodies, and using them as platforms to leap from creature to creature. Razor-sharp edges sprang out of the thick white ropes of their power and cut the demons in half, severed their wings, or bound them for angels to destroy.

Leaping from demon to demon or using Yggdrasil's branches kept them in the thick of the fight, and for the first few minutes, their presence made a difference. As bright as the angels, their light became a rallying point. In the midst of the fight, they were awed watching their angelic grandparents fight. Michael was magnificent and the others nearly as glorious. In addition to their shining armor and armaments, they used their wings as weapons. Their grace and speed allowed them to dodge enemy weapons. Many lesser angels, not as strong or as agile, fell from the sky as their wings and bodies were severed by demonic swords. When the demonic weapons touched an angel, the green void energy quickly spread and destroyed them.

<><>

Henry was with his brothers and Drew with his uncles in their minds and hearts, adding to their power and watching through their eyes. Drew prayed to the birdman to protect his uncles. Unconsciously he summoned the stone, and when Henry saw it appear, he cringed inside and held his son tighter against him. No words were spoken as their hearts were one while they watched Ken, Brad, the rest of the team, and all the angels fight.

Istariel appeared, along with Orophir, Telcharan, Ruviel, and Alariel. Their presence helped calm the children, and Henry was grateful. Making eye contact with Istariel, Henry nodded his thanks.

Istariel thought privately to Henry: If necessary, we will call the Four Corners over the children to keep them safe, but it will remove Michael, Raphael, Uriel, and Gabriel from the fight.

Henry: If things get that bad, it won't matter. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

<><>

The battle was fierce and loud. Piercing cries from the angels and deep, guttural bellows of pain from the demons rose above the clamor of striking weapons. Blood rained from the skies, and the angelic blood that fell on Yggdrasil was absorbed by the mighty tree. When demon blood fell to the ground it smoked and killed any plant life it touched. Their blood rain even withered and corroded the metal playground equipment in the park.

Wherever Ken and the team went, the tide turned in favor of the children of the second creation. The five Gifts affected the demons, which allowed the angels to destroy them, but the team couldn't be everywhere at once. Or could they? Brad's mind, enhanced by his brothers, was on overdrive, and his intellect sent him an epiphany.

The slaughter was beyond brutal. Wings and limbs hewn off, and hearts impaled by swords and spears made the conflict different from human battles because it was personal and had a deeper meaning. Their grandathers' and other angels grace and beauty along with the light they emitted against the darkness of Luke's demons wasn't diminished, but it wasn't as effective against Elegroth's alterations.

Razor-sharp wings and pinions cast as arrows pierced the demons, riddling them like bullets, but where once they would have destroyed the creatures, now they were merely an annoyance.

More demons poured forth from the rift. The men were slowly losing the fight, but if the light of their Gifts could be everywhere, it would turn the tide in their favor and allow the angels to fight to full effect. With sparkling eyes, Brad set the veil back in place because it touched everything everywhere, including their presence. Suddenly their light shone around the entire battle, and the demons shrieked in pain.

Elegroth's eyes vanished, and he appeared in his physical body hovering at the opening of the rift. His face contorted in anger, and a sword similar to Eleleth's appeared in his hand, except his shone with a green nimbus.

Holding his sword aloft, sickly green lightning spread from it and arced from angel to angel, burning them. The lesser angels burst into green fire and turned to ash within seconds. The seraphim, cherubim, thrones, and the archangels screamed and writhed in agony as they plummeted towards the ground.

The men nearly panicked when they saw their grandparents struck by the green lightning and drop to the ground. The skies rained angels, looking like falling stars as the armies of Heaven fell towards the earth.

For your defiance, you will suffer! I will not be denied!

Pushing themselves to be more than equal to the task, the light of the men strengthened to shield the remaining angels, but the effort was so extreme they maintained it only long enough for the angels to land safely. Their shield would not last long, and they had to figure out how to go on the offensive, yet they were using all their power to keep themselves and the remaining angels alive.

Each man felt Ken's hands on his back and shoulders. His voice whispered in their souls, encouraging them to hold on and dig deep. He knew what to say to push them the hardest. Sweat dripped down their faces mixing with their tears at the devastation around them. They had never been pressed so hard, not even against the Master.

In the first creation, Leroy's mate tightened her coils protectively around the egg. She felt the conflicting forces and watched the confrontation. The egg still matured and was not ready to hatch. She could not leave it even for a short time to help the creatures of the second creation against the archon.

Leroy slumbered, still recovering after their coupling, and she could not wake him. All she could do was wait and protect the egg and defend it to the last if the archon was not stopped.

Henry watched, hardly believing what was happening. He knew the might of an archon better than all of them. Archons were above the hierarchies of Heaven in the second creation. Twelve of them with God sang the first creation into existence. There were only two left – Eleleth and Elegroth – although it was uncertain if Elegroth remained an archon after being banished to the void. He still held the power of one, so the distinction was irrelevant.

Henry was one with the guys and felt their strain. He knew that even pushing all his power into them to help, Elegroth was going to destroy all of them. With Luke and the black rock adding to his power, Elegroth was too much.

Henry: Drew, take me to the doors. Hurry!

Merged with his father, Drew felt everything Henry did and mirrored his desperation to save everyone. As one, father and son fully understood what would happen if Drew took Henry to Eleleth.

Drew looked at the stone, and his perception of time slowed nearly to a standstill. He gazed at its surface, his vision tunneling and magnifying until the pores in its surface seemed like massive craters. He smelled his own blood, the blood of his first incarnation, and he saw the desiccated remnants of the eighty-thousand-year-old blood cells making up the stains. Moving through the stone, utter calm and quiet surrounded them as Henry and Drew appeared at the doors. The sanctity of the place embraced them, and Henry felt unworthy to be present.

Eleleth awaited them. You are most worthy, Henry Ross.

Beside Eleleth, Eleneth stood crying.

Eleleth: My son has just shared everything with me. I see the fight your brothers are in, and they will lose. I do not know how Elegroth survived his banishment, but he is beyond anyone of your creation, even your brothers with their Avatars and Gifts. Wielding the might of the Morning Star in addition to the black rock of the void, he is beyond me as well.

Smiling wanly, he paused and then continued: Elegroth always overreached himself. He is the reason for the downfall of the first creation. The seed of his brokenness, even though he was unaware of it, was a part of his song as we sang our creation into being. I now see that the first creation was flawed from the beginning, and while I do not question Father, I wonder at his purpose.

As Eleleth spoke, Drew cried and kept his arms tightly around Henry's waist with his face pressed against Henry's stomach. Henry knelt to look at his son, and he smiled, cupping Drew's head in his big hand.

Henry: You know there's no other way, right?

Drew couldn't speak aloud but thought: I know, Daddy.

Henry was astounded and so proud of Drew. Henry's absence was another sacrifice Drew was willing to make to save the loved ones in his life and all creation. Drew's greatest fear was losing Henry or one of his uncles, but he understood Henry's role.

The lock of Henry's hair shone brighter than it ever had as he said: I've said this so many times, but I don't know what I ever did to deserve you in my life. You are the best son and the bravest person I know.

Pulling Drew against him and almost crushing him, Henry cried: I love you. His tears and Drew's were so thick that Drew's t-shirt was wet.

Sniffling, Drew tried to smile, and Henry's heart nearly broke at Drew's words: I love you more.

Eleleth: Even with our combined essence, Elegroth will be too strong. Drew and Eleneth must stand with us.

Henry turned to the archon and thought: Let's do this.

Squeezing Drew's hand, Henry pushed every fiber of his love into his son: I'll find a way to come back to you, Tiger. I promise.

Eleleth vanished, and Henry's eyes turned white. His aura became so blinding that Drew and Eleneth had to cover their eyes. Then, picking Drew up and taking Eleneth's hand, they vanished.

<><>

The men felt Henry and Drew leave their hearts and knew what it meant. Collectively they groaned their misery as their tears thickened because they felt they had failed Henry and Drew. They weren't enough to prevent what was happening, and their hearts broke. Elegroth, along with Luke and the black rock, was too powerful, even for them.

High in the sky, amidst Yggdrasil's tallest branches, Henry appeared with Drew and Eleneth. Even though he wore Eleleth's armor and wielded his sword, the men knew it was Henry.

Henry's voice, a mix of his own and Eleleth's, exploded into the world as he shouted: You will have neither of my sons nor the black rock, Elegroth! Return to the void where Father banished you, and end this madness!

The green lightning stopped, and the pressure against their shields with it. Angels of every hierarchy lay unconscious, scattered among Yggdrasil's branches and the ground. The men moved to their grandparents to make sure they were still alive as they watched what was happening.

Elegroth's laughter spread through the skies. You have no hope against me, Eleleth. I will take great pleasure in your demise. I will break your Seal, kill your child and the second redeemer, and devise my own creation; the one that should have been from the beginning.

Henry felt Eleleth's pain over what he was about to do. His love for Elegroth was still strong, holding true beyond his brother's fall. Fully blended, Henry also knew that Eleleth had always been Elegroth's superior, and Elegroth's bitterness at that fact was another seed that drove his brokenness. Elegroth mistook Eleleth's gentle nature and loving-kindness as weakness, claiming he was stronger. That was his ultimate mistake.

Under his helm, Henry's white lock of hair brightened again. I'm sorry, Eleleth. Lightning bust forth from his sword. Prepared, Elegroth met the attack, which caused a brief stalemate, but Elegroth's power began to overcome Eleleth's.

Eleleth: Eleneth, join with me! Drew, you as well! Draw on the stone, the crux of the curse!

Together, the fathers and sons pooled their strength, and like one arrow splitting another, their attack drove through Elegroth's offense, striking the archon and driving him back into the rift. Turning his attention to the demons, Eleleth's lightning forked to spread among them. Those closest turned to ash, and those that remained flew desperately back into the rift as it began to close.

<><>

Sitting in the apartment with the prophet, the former elders of 12 Stone Baptist Church heard the two archon's voices in their minds and hearts. Ryan Atkins' head rose, and he began to speak. The elders were prepared, instinctively knowing he would respond, and they had to record it as Aaron and Albrecht instructed them.

The egg is safe, and the doors remain closed. The last Seal is intact yet filled with sorrow. The outcast shall return stronger than before, and his armies will know no end.

Silence fell in the room as the men looked at Ryan and one another, not understanding his words. Just as Roger Crimmins was about to stop the recording, Ryan spoke again.

One archon must remain. Twelve helped sing the first creation into being. The last archon is now of both creations, and his Seal perseveres. Rest in my arms, my most faithful servant, and find peace.

<><>

Aaron and Albrecht were in Allenor's forge and didn't hear Elegroth's voice. The protections around the forge were from the first creation and potent enough to shield them from Elegroth.

With no connection to the outside world, Aaron did not see the email from Phil and Roger with the video of the prophet's statement.

<><>

Leroy slept, and the tension in his mate lessened as Elegroth was driven back, making her egg safe for the time being. The song within the egg was not complete, and the verses to finish it not yet found. Until that time, it would remain unhatched unless Elegroth brought an end to everything.

<><>

With his throat too tight to speak, Ken thought: Henry did it. He pushed that bastard back, but fuck...

With a heavy mental sigh, Brad thought: We have to find the other Gifts. It's the only way we're going to win.

Putting a hand on Ken's shoulder, Lane thought: Let's get the angels back up, and then we'll talk to Henry.

Once again, their light brightened as Brad used the veil to touch everywhere. Lane's healing spread to all the angels, closing their wounds and restoring them, and each man went to his angelic grandfather to help him.

The looks on their faces were varied. Michael looked angry while Raphael seemed bewildered as he whispered, "Such strength. The forces we face are inconceivable..."

Brad interrupted before Raphael's thought process went too far, "...But not unstoppable. You see that! Elegroth is powerful, but we have allies to match him. This time was a stalemate. We have to figure out a way to go on the offensive."

Looking into his grandson's heart, Raphael said, "I am sorry about Henry Ross. I see your pain over his actions."

The tears on all the men's faces were thick, mixing with their sweat, their eyes red and bloodshot.

Raphael blended with the nine other archangels, and his eyes blazed as he looked piercingly at Henry. Reaching out, he tried to touch Henry and bring him back, but his power couldn't touch him. Because he was one with Eleleth the archangels' collective power couldn't touch Henry who was now a part of the first creation.

Raphael said, "We cannot touch him."

Pat, his eyes sparkling, said, "No, you can't. The five of us with Gifts can, but trying to force them apart would be dangerous and incredibly painful."

As Commander of the Hosts, Michael said, "I must see to the wounded and discern our losses. You all fought bravely, but as Brad said, without your remaining Gifts, I see no way to defeat your opposition."

Ken sighed and put a hand on Michael's shoulder. "Thanks for comin.' I see the cost and how many are gone. It sucks."

Facing Ken, Michael replied, "Yes, it does. Farewell for now."

Michael's behavior seemed odd, and as usual, Raphael spoke on his behalf. "He is angry, but not at you, Ken. He was overmatched, which has never happened to him, and it will take time to reconcile that. After he sees to the hosts, I will speak with him. Your spending time with him once things have settled will mean a great deal to him."

Ken nodded, and the angels transformed into balls of light that vanished. Yggdrasil faded, Loy released the animal spirits, and Lane quieted the music. Their forms still glowed with power even though they had stopped drawing from their sources.

Henry, in Eleleth's armor, stood on the ground not far away with Drew and Eleneth. Darren translocated them, and they appeared around Henry.

Tentatively, Ken asked, "Henry?"

Eleleth responded in Henry's voice, "He is in me, Ken, and we hear you."

Drew cried, hiccupping, his face red and splotchy. It reminded Ken so much of the first time he ever saw Drew, distraught and unable to cope. Picking Drew up, Ken held him tight and whispered in his ear, "It's gonna be alright, Tiger. I don't know how, but we're gonna get your dad back."

Drew's arms tightened around Ken's neck, and he pressed his face more snugly against Ken's shoulder. Brad, Bryan, and Kevin, who stood closest, put their hands on Drew's back.

Brad asked, "Can you separate?"

Eleleth's voice was quiet as he took off his helm, revealing Henry's handsome face and green eyes. His voice was so quiet even the bodies barely heard his response. "No."

A collective moan rang through their hearts at his answer.

Drew raised his head, his words barely discernable from crying so hard. "I love you, Daddy."

Eleleth said, "I see how painful our presence is to you. It would be best if we leave."

Eleleth looked at Drew, and his hands moved as if Henry wanted to reach out to his son, but before anyone could say anything, Eleleth vanished, returning to his Seal in the doors.

The hole within them, the absence of Henry, left them stunned. Henry was Adam's primary link to all of them, and while he didn't feel adrift from the rest of the men, especially after spending the night with Loy and Rick, he felt a separation he didn't expect. Zack didn't know what to think and remained quietly supportive, staying close to Kevin.

Police sirens echoed as first responders raced to the scene. No humans lost their lives, but the marred and maimed corpses of angels and demons, many just pieces, littered the ground, and the grass still smoked from the demonic blood laced with green energy of the void.

Gabriel's horn sounded briefly, uplifting them as all the angelic forms vanished from the mortal world leaving no evidence.

Pat: Our suits protect us, but everything here is toxic to humans, and we need to cleanse it. If anyone touches the blood or parts of a demon, the same thing will happen to them that happened to Sally.

More than anything, Ken wanted to get Drew back to the lab to safety but didn't want to leave him alone either. With Aaron and Albrecht gone, his best decision was to keep Drew with them. Drew's arms were still tight around Ken's neck, but his tears had slowed.

Ken: Power up, guys, and let's clean this place up. You know what `ta do.

Darren, looking through Sally's eyes in the lab, translocated Orophir's dagger into his hand. Holding it down, the gem brightened as it absorbed the void energy from the area.

Pat's, Brad's, and Bryan's eyes sparkled as they once again called on their sources of power. Bryan's raven wing tattoos fluttered, and emerald green power spread out from him over the battlefield, advancing the rate of decay, and in seconds the demon flesh became dust.

Without a Gift, Kevin's Avatar by itself couldn't affect the demonic remains, but Bryan's and Pat's Avatars lit up, and their light turned liquid, spreading and soaking into the entire area, cleansing it and making everything new again.

Ken whispered in Drew's mind: It's gonna be okay, Tiger. We'll figure somethin' out. We'll get your dad back.

Drew: I know. He promised.

Ken saw the conversation in Drew's memory and felt Drew's sacrifice of letting Henry go to save everyone. The rest of the men saw everything through Ken, and their hearts cleaved even more as their unconditional love and support surrounded Drew. Paradoxically, each of them held him as Ken did, and he rested in their warm strength. It couldn't fill the hole in him or replace Henry, but it helped him beyond measure.

Brad: With the doc and Albrecht gone, we need to head back and find out the repercussions of what happened. Loy can get in touch with Raph, and we need to prepare a statement for him to release to the news agencies. I'm sure there's at least some video of what just happened.

Lane: There's no need to cover it up anymore. At this point, it's best not to even try.

Collectively they had the same thought ... now that their presence was known to the world, would they be blamed for what happened? Without another word, Darren synchronized their Avatars and took them to the lab as Brad removed his compulsion for everyone to stay behind locked doors.

<><>

EMTs, firetrucks, and police cars skidded up to the curb in the park's parking lot. Still wary and looking at the skies in case another rift opened, they started racing towards the group of men standing in the center of the field.

Before the first responders could run a few steps, the brightly glowing men they ran towards vanished. Disappointment ran through most of the humans who wanted to meet and interact with the men who claimed to be the defenders of the human race. Elegroth's voice and presence lingered in their souls, and they shivered.

What was happening? Their world of "Netflix and chill," Starbucks, and conveniences didn't account for any of what they saw or heard.

<><>

As soon as the rift closed, Istariel and the other nephilim traversed the veil, seeking Michael and the other archangels to help in the aftermath.

In the lab, Brad linked with Sally to share everything with her. She needed to know for the sake of caring for Drew. When things first started, she placed a large food order for delivery. Hoping and praying everyone would come through unscathed, she knew they would be famished after such an expenditure of power.

She kept the children safe and distracted during the encounter but was devastated by Henry's sacrifice. Tommy seemed particularly upset, and as soon as the men appeared he launched himself into Kevin's arms. Bill picked up Brett, and the two men hugged their sons, reassuring them they were alright.

Using his captain's voice, Ken said, "Everyone stay on high alert for the time bein.' I doubt Elegroth'll show up again after gettin' booted back `ta the void, but we can't be too sure. Let's meet in the conference room in ten and have a full debriefin'."

Ken set Drew down, but Drew seemed lost. He didn't want to go to his room without Henry. He started to cry again, not heavily, but with sadness as he processed everything. On the coffee table in the lounge, he set down the stone which vanished after a few seconds. Bryan moved to him and whispered in his ear, and with unblinking eyes staring at nothing, Drew followed Lane and him into the kitchen.

<><>

Ken and Brad retreated to their apartment for a few minutes before the meeting. Ken's emotions were taut, and he needed a brief outlet before the meeting. Brad seldom felt the extreme anger running through his husband, and Brad's Avatar watched the conflicting emotions churning in Ken.

"Fuck!"

Sitting on the bed, Ken put his head in his hands and said again, "Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"

Brad knew Ken was mad, mad at himself, Henry, Elegroth, and Eleleth. He was mad at God and the world. Putting his arm over Ken's shoulder, Brad's hug attempted to soothe him.

Brad: Henry's still alive, Ken. He promised Drew he'd find a way back. We will find a way to help him. You know how hard it is for us to separate when our souls merge. The way Henry described blending with Eleleth, it's a thousand times deeper. We also need to remember that Henry has been touched by God, and somehow, I think that will make a difference.

Ken: What about Drew? He gave Henry the go-ahead because he wanted `ta save us. He knew what it meant. God is too goddamn fucking harsh sometimes.

Brad: And Drew did it anyway. Just like he sacrificed himself to remove the curse over his brother. Drew's an anomaly, Ken. He's ten plus eighty-thousand years old. His capacity for... I don't know... everything... is phenomenal. It rivals my Avatar. I wish I understood him better...

Ken: If he was a normal ten-year-old, we'd probably be dead. I can't forget that, but still... This is all so fucked up!

Ken's eyes watered, and he choked up. Brad's arm moved down to rub Ken's back.

Ken: At least Elegroth got his ass kicked back `ta the void. Who knows how long it'll be before he shows back up even more pissed off. We have `ta figure out how `ta take the fight to him in the void. We gotta find the other Gifts.

Cupping Ken's strong face in his hands, Brad turned Ken so they could face each other. He still got lost in Ken's eyes, even if they were bloodshot and teary. The surge in Brad brought a half-grin to Ken's face. Fuck, I love you. I couldn't do this without you.

Brad smiled. We've been over this.

The rest of Ken's grin appeared. Don't be a douche. I'm tryin' `ta be mushy.

Brad laughed, pulled Ken in for a quick kiss, and ruffled his hair. Let's do the debriefing. I have a feeling when we put our collective mind to work, some sort of plan will develop.

When Ken and Brad exited their room, they found all the kids but Drew watching TV. Sally was in the kitchen sorting the food she ordered, and Ken's stomach let out a huge rumble. Drew and Bryan were in the kitchen working with the pasta maker.

While Bryan had his hand in a cabinet looking for a pasta pot, he said, "Okay, Tiger. Knock yourself out. Go through all the eggs I pulled out. You're going to save me a ton of time, and think about all the cheesy spaghetti this will make."

When he stood up and turned around Drew was trembling and as he put his hands on his stomach, Drew doubled over in emotional agony and said, "Uncle Bryan, I'm going to throw up."

Bryan enveloped him, kissed the top of his head and said, "It's going to be okay, Tiger. We'll figure it out together, alright?"

Hugging Drew to his side, Bryan leaned over and kissed the top of Drew's head and Drew melted into him.

Hot tears formed in Bryan's eyes as he thought: I'm trying to keep the little fucker busy.

Ken: You're so good with him, Bry. Thanks.

Ken said, "Hey, Drew, before you get started, I wanna tell you somethin'. Come here a sec."

Drew moved over for Ken to pick him up. At ten, Drew was still short for his age and thin, but he looked more and more like Doug as he got older. Doug was over six feet, so they expected a growth spurt soon.

Hugging Drew tightly, Ken said, "I don't want you stayin' in your room by yourself. You're not a little boy anymore. You're part of the Team, so I'm givin' you an order. Until your dad's back with us, you're sleepin' with whoever's on duty in the lab. No questions. No if's, and's, or buts. Are we clear?"

Drew teared up knowing what his uncle was doing because Ken knew he was afraid of being alone. All of them remembered Drew's fears after Liz was gone. Since then he had been terrified of losing Henry, and now it happened. Now he was more terrified of losing any of his uncles or friends.

Drew pulled back enough to look Ken in the eye, and he lifted one finger and poked Ken hard in his upper chest. It was reminiscent of the first day they met when Brad told Drew that Ken was Iron Man. Drew's action almost caught Ken off guard, but he tensed his chest like he did that day, and Drew felt like he poked Iron Man's armor. Drew's gesture spoke volumes, and before things became too emotional again, Ken set Drew down, swatted him lightly on his butt, and sent him back to the counter to start making pasta. Behind Drew's back, Bryan gave Ken one incredibly sad smile and a thumbs up.

Sally cleared her throat and raised her voice and in an attempt to sound normal said, "Everyone grab your sandwiches on the way in. I'll bring the drinks. You get cookies for dessert, but not until all the sandwiches are gone."

Filing through the kitchen like schoolboys and still wearing their assault suits, each man found three footlong sandwiches with their names on post-it notes. Ken had four, which caused some shit-talking, but Sally said, "I don't want to hear any complaining from that fine tummy of his."

Each of them kissed her on her cheek as they moved to the conference room. After taking their seats, Brad turned on the main ops board to the headline news and said, "Okay, let's see what the world has to say about what happened, and then we'll focus on Henry."

They were all unsettled. Aaron, Albrecht, and Henry were not with them. Other than Aaron being trapped in Thomin's vault, he had always been present in their lives since the start of the program.

There were so many unknowns, and they missed his guiding wisdom and Albrecht's solid presence. Henry's absence was the worst because they had no idea when, if, or how they would get him back. The worst part was they needed him with Eleleth for the time being. If Elegroth showed up again, Henry was their only hope of defending their creation until they found the remaining Gifts.

They hid that thought from Drew, knowing it would upset him even more. Eventually, he would figure it out on his own, and they dreaded that time.

One constant, though, was their single soul. As one, they rested in one another in their hearts and souls. Living in one another was the only way they survived; it carried them to where they were, and they hoped and prayed it would continue.

Moving forward, Ken determined it necessary to keep Drew with them as one. With Henry gone, Drew needed their love more than ever to protect his heart.

Email: Brad Townsend - bookofloagaeth@gmail.com

Twitter: BATownsend_Author @BookofLoagaeth (this is my official `author' Twitter, but the one I use every day is Brad A. Townsend (@Southguy49). It's an 18+ NSFW Account as you can imagine, but that's where I hang out. It's my only social media presence at this time other than TikTok, but I only watch videos there and don't post anything.)

(I'm no longer on Facebook)

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