Flashback 218: Gilfred -Indigo-

I had never met a Constant before. I barely even believed that they existed. Humans had everything wrong. They thought there was a single being responsible for the creation of the world. They lived by the belief that everything began somewhere, but that was a flawed view. The universe has always been and would always be. The universe was one of those Constants. Something that always was and would always be.

It was a hard concept for mortals to understand and even I had trouble believing it. There I was though, standing outside of the home of a legend. Gilfred was a Constant, someone whose stories were told to me as a child. I walked up onto the porch and lifted the knocker above which the initials G.O.D. were inscribed. I dropped the heavy weight and let it fall once.

Patrick had spent his life looking for this one man, if he was a man. Gender probably meant as little as age when referring to a  Constant. They weren't something that could be defined by those categories. I turned and glanced at the car. Inside lay a sleeping Patrick, a child for the time being. It wouldn't be until he got older that he would regain the memories he once had. His vessel's sister had been born yesterday so I had been left to care for him, a task I had wanted to avoid. I didn't want him to think of me as a parental figure because of my feelings toward him.

No answer from the door. I reached up to knock again. It had taken me years to find his residence, and I didn't expect him to be here. His house sat in the center of a massive field, a monument to his power it would have been, if it wasn't surrounded by small, wooden crosses. Thousands, if not millions of them surrounded the house, each one with a name and date. The neighbors said that when he first moved here there weren't any crosses, but over the years more and more began to appear.

I pulled my hand away from the door and glanced at the car again. Why was I hesitant? Patrick believed completely that this man was safe, but something in me was screaming to just walk away; just leave this thing alone because it wasn't worth the trouble.

If I did, then Patrick would never forgive me. The other people of our race had forsaken him, claiming that his words were lies. So he left them, choosing with conviction to side with the one race that seemed to be the only that wasn't too blind to see when things were getting bad. Humans.

I couldn't understand his faith in them. He seemed set in the belief that this entire time, humans had been the superior race. Our kind had enslaved them, done horrible things to them, made them believe things that gave us more power, but Patrick believed in their potential. I had asked him why he believed this so much and he asked me to think back to a time when humans weren't around. Even before the realm of humans, there were humans in the Other Lands; in the oldest history books, the ones buried in our forgotten cities, they were still spoken of from first page to last.

This fact scared me to my core. As far back as I looked, humans were always there. My fear came to the notice of Patrick, who took me back in the basement of his Other Lands home. There he showed me a large block of cave wall. On it were symbols that I recognized as the first roots of our language system, and right there in the most rudimentary of writings was the word Human. Patrick proceeded to explain that he thought humans were a Constant, not individual humans, but the human race as a whole. He believed they had an untapped potential, one that only manifested when their race was in danger of extinction; a bestowing of abilities to seemingly random humans, who would become the shield and sword needed to weather any storm. He showed me thousands of documents, all of them a record of times when the human race triumphed against odds that were completely unreal.

I lifted the knocker and dropped it again.

"I have something to show you Indigo." A voice behind me spoke and I instinctively branched out my power, but it was deflected. It had never been deflected before.

I turned to see an old man standing at the bottom of the porch stairs. He was smiling and I felt comforted by his presence.

"You must be Gilfred." I made my way down the stairs and followed him through the rows and rows of wooden crosses.

"When you've lived as long as I have," He brushed a hand across one of the wooden crosses, "you hardly ever make any mistakes. I'm sure you can understand that, given your races longevity, but I'm not sure you understand what it means to a person like me. A mistake of mine can have consequences that last for a very, very long time, and it will kill so many people."

"I'm not sure I understand."

He was quiet for several minutes while we walked through the unending field of crosses. Each one that he passed, he touched and he never smiled. Each cross he passed seemed like a weight on his mind and visible on his face as a burden. I could tell that to him each one was heavier than I could imagine.

"Each and every one, I put here. So that I never forget who they were and what they contributed to the universe, so I never forget what was lost. However, I believe there is only one that would have any relevance to Patrick, and in extension; you."

He stopped in front of a cross and pointed to it. Inscribed in the wood was a name. Mardockt. I stepped backward in shock and looked at the old man.

"Wh-What is this?" I was incredibly confused, Patrick believed Mardockt to be alive and trapped just waiting to escape. However, right in front of my face was proof, delivered by a being without age, that Mardockt was indeed lost.

"Humans were the most powerful of the Constants. They were because the entire universe and everything within it conformed to them. When humans were in danger, seemingly unrelated and inconsequential events took place bestowing seemingly random humans with powers that neither me nor you could understand. Then these humans turn out to be exactly what the race needs."

"You aren't making any sense. I came here to ask for your help, we need to kill Mardockt. We need you to kill Mardockt."

My head was still trying to get over the fact that Mardockt was dead. Patrick based every action that he made on the belief that Mardockt had been changed evil and that Mardockt had more power than he could imagine. Had Patrick been wrong?

"Only a Constant can create a Constant and the same inverted. Only a Constant can kill a Constant. Anything else that tries will be killed. I knew this, but in my loneliness I ignored that fact. The being you call Mardockt was created long before your friend unleashed him. It took me many years to learn how to create a Constant, and even longer to contain him."

Suddenly the weight of the field I stood in fell on me. Each one of these crosses were a life destroyed by the being Patrick was scared of, and because of Gilfred's guilt he lived everyday in the presence of monuments he'd created for them.

"This field," I felt a heaviness in my heart, "How many of them are of my race?"

"Patrick's friend, Mardockt, was not born without a power. When he was destroyed he created an anomaly in the universe. He was part of the protection that humans would need to survive."

"You aren't answering me."

"Don't you understand? Smell the air, look at the sky, you can see it everywhere. The human race is preparing to defend itself. I can feel the tendrils of fate weaving throughout the universe. I can see the dominoes falling in sequence as the universe and everything within it bends in attempt to ensure their survival. The last time I saw the universe react like this was back in the Ice Age, but even that wasn't anything compared to this."

"Stop speaking in riddles!" I stomped my foot causing the ground to tremble.

"The human race is scared. It doesn't know whether it can survive this time and because of this, the universe is not pulling any stops. Do you know what that does to me? I created the Constant that they're worried about. I caused the death of thousands and I can do nothing to help. I can only tell you the right direction."

"So what's the right direction?"

"Patrick's already headed in it, but he needs to find the anomaly. He needs to find it as soon as he can, because it will lead him to the only defense humans have."

"He's not interested in just saving the humans, he wants to save the universe. He wants you to lead the army he will create."

Gilfred smiled, "Indigo, you really need to be more understanding. A Constant is a Constant because it must be there. Without the human race then the universe loses meaning, and without a reason to exist it will fade away. I might survive as well as my creation, but the universe will evaporate. Take a look around you, I am not fit to lead an army, but maybe the anomaly will be."

I was angry, "You aren't the person I thought you were. I heard legends about you for as long as I've lived, but you're nothing but a sad old man who doesn't want to get his hands dirty. Patrick is more than you'll ever be."

Gilfred looked surprised as though I had said something he hadn't expected, "I have done enough. You may leave now, my answer is no. I will not join Patrick."

"Then I give you a message directly from him, if you will not help us then you will be hunted. You'll be hunted forever, because Patrick will not stop until he's either contained you or killed you."

As I turned to head back to the car, Gilfred laughed, "Patrick is an amazing person, very dedicated and willing to do what it takes, so I wait for the day when he comes to collect."

As I slid in next to Patrick, I couldn't help but feel a chill. Gilfred's words stirred something that I had stuffed away for a long time. Deep within my soul I felt the one thing besides love that controlled my actions.

Deep within I felt the cold hand of terror as the car pulled away from the house, the crosses and that horrible old man.

204: Her Scent -Sara-

"Nick, did you see her face? I've never seen her like that." The shorter one pulled himself from the floor.

"What do you expect? That bastard Patrick killed her father. When I get my hands on him . . . " The tall one was already standing. I could feel energy flowing off him, massive amounts not normal for a human.

"We can't worry about that right now. We have to find Crystal before she does something that will get her killed. We don't know how long we've been out, so she could be any-", he stopped talking as he stared at the television behind the counter.

"We interrupt our scheduled programming for an important announcement," The television blared, "Millionaire Patrick Bernauw was killed about an hour ago in a horrible terrorist attack that left 2 guards injured and 7 in a coma. A small explosive was detonated in the bathroom while Patrick was showering, and as of right now the police have no leads."

"Ben, why do I get the feeling this has something to do with Crystal?" The tall one was very pale.

"Shit. We have to get to her now." Ben thought for a second and then pointed up, "You go get Will and Kelly. We'll need the Taxi. I'm going to keep watching to see if they turn up anything. Once you get back down, we'll find her."

The tall one ran for the stairs and I stepped forward. The closer I got to these people, the stronger her scent. It was the smell of completion and I wanted it more than anything. I stepped up to the short one called Ben.

"Uh, Sir?" I tugged at his shirt, "Sir, do you know a Crystal Ferguson?"

He looked down at me surprised, "Yes, have you seen her?"

I smiled my sweetest smile, "No sir, but I want to really bad. I miss her so much."

He watched me cautiously. What had this person been through that made it difficult for him to trust a child? It didn't matter. If he got in the way then he'd die like the others.

"How do you know her?"

I grasped the corners of my dress and curtsied, "I'm her sister. Nice to meet you." I had said it just as several people, including the tall one, came down the stairs. All of the people around wore shocked faces as I looked into Ben's face.

"She . . . uhm . . . " Ben glanced at the tall one as if asking for help, "She never told us about you. She's . . . not here right now, but we're going to get her. Would you mind waiting for us in our hotel room? Where're your parents?"

"My parents went to get me lunch. They told me to find her room and wait there."

Ben turned toward one of the other people; the one with the beard, "Will, take her up to the room. We'll be waiting for you in the car."

"Ben her story doesn't add u-"

"Leave her with Saba to keep an eye on her. We don't have a lot of time." I couldn't help but notice the way he emphasized Saba. I hadn't fooled them, but I would see Crystal eventually and if this Saba person was any trouble, then I'd have no trouble killing her.

"Hey, there. My name is Will, please come with me." I took his hand and we headed up the stairs together. I could tell he was tense. He didn't trust me at all. In fact, by the way he kept glancing at me, I could tell he was trying to figure out what was going on.

We passed a soda machine as we traveled down the hallway and he looked at me, "Would you like a drink?"

"No thank you, mister. I just want to be complete again."

Flashback Entry 157: Janitors -Christina-

"You'd be surprised at how frail you actually are. Your kind sits above everything, looking down at all the humans below as if you're better."

Mardockt knelt and grabbed some grass. He twirled it in his fingers and its green turned to brown as the plant died instantly.

"You aren't though. You can die just like any other mortal, it just takes a little more force. You call yourselves Gods! You cannot even FATHOM what a God really is!"

Patrick stood up, "Christina, you tell me what you see. I'll be the sword and you be the mind."

We'd done this before in the past to fend off wild animals. This wasn't the same. This was us fighting for our lives against something we didn't understand. Maybe the adults felt it. Maybe they were headed here to help us right now. The Highest Tier would know what to do.

"Christina! Concentrate!", Patrick ran forward.

Mardockt stood and continued walking as Patrick closed in. The dark tentacle flew from Mardockt again.

"Left!"

Patrick veered left, straight in to Mardockt's waiting arm. Patrick's feet left the ground and he flipped in the air behind Mardockt. I could hear the pain as Patrick pulled himself to his feet again.

"This is fun. I haven't done this in years! A few thousand years of imprisonment makes this more enjoyable than it normally would be. Come on, don't give up. I want this to last!", Mardockt's eyes had a lust that made me shiver.

At my cues Patrick dived left and right to avoid the tendrils of death as they swung out to do their horrible job. Mardockt didn't move, nor did he stop staring at me. Even though his eyes watched me, it was all I could do to keep Patrick from being hit.

"You're interesting. You can see things you shouldn't. Skills like that are reserved for certain humans, not your kind."

Mardockt smiled evilly and then a tendril shot out toward me. I rolled to the side to avoid it but it kept coming. I jumped to my feet and ran.

"Christina! Where are they?!?!", Patrick was still, looking left and right as though he'd be able to see what I could.

"Left!" I jumped to the side to avoid the tendril that was after me.

I heard a thump and Patrick’s groan of pain. Glancing back I saw Mardockt standing over him staring at his face. The tendrils had faded to nothing.

"See, you were doing so well and just one mistake is the end. I'd tell you to learn from your mistakes, but I have the feeling that you don't have time. You should have left your young friend up here and ran."

"You talk too much." Patrick glared at Mardockt with a resolve I hadn't seen in a long time. He swung his feet up, spinning his body to get momentum. A loud crack was heard as Patrick's foot made Mardockt's neck collapse.

Mardockt stepped back, his neck inflating as a laugh escaped, "Such disrespect. I'll show yo-"

A spear suddenly appeared through Mardockt's chest. A light emanated from it, surrounding him. From his feet the sacred Circle of Ghat formed. Patrick jumped back away from the circle. Hundreds of smaller circles burned in to Mardockt's skin, causing him to scream with pain.

A massive white tentacle erupted from the clouds above and stabbed in to Mardockt. Judging by Patrick's reactions, he couldn't see it like I could. He couldn't see the radiating white aura that stretched across the sky.

"AGAIN?!? You think I can be contained the same way twice?!? I'll be back, sooner this time and when I am, I'll wipe your miserable race off the Earth. Arrrgh! No matter how long you live, no matter how much you forget, I will always be in the back of your heads; and when all the Highest Tier have died I will come back. Who will stop me then?!?"

With those last words Mardockt vanished. As the skies cleared several adults floated to the ground. I recognized half of them as people on the Highest Tier.

"We can not kill the children, but they must learn a lesson. They must stay away from areas that are restricted."

"We didn-" Patrick pleaded.

"Shush child!"

Patrick fell silent.

"You will forevermore be unsigned. Never will you have a chance to sit with the Highest Tier, and all your jobs shall be janitorial."

All of my goals dissolved in front of me as my future was stripped away.

Flashback Entry 149: Awakened -Christina-

My blade cut through his neck cleanly. Its magical red, hot blade searing the cut closed to keep it from bleeding. I hate blood. Five more warriors leaped at me, but they were too slow and my blade made each of them legless eunuchs before they knew I'd moved. I glanced back at the door and then at the crowd of warriors flowing in to the room.

The amount of people didn't scare me, I'd faced many more in other raids. People had always attempted to get to the door, and just because this time it was Egyptians didn't mean I couldn't take every man in that room with my eyes closed.

So I closed them and jumped. I could smell the steel as a blade nearly took off my nose, and decided that it'd gotten too close.

The wielder never swung again.

I felt their confidence turn to fear as one after another fell with out screaming out. I heard the young ones run when they realized that fighting like a beast while blind wasn't something they could deal with. I didn't follow, my job isn't to kill; it's to protect.

"It's just a girl. Stab her all rea-" Don't scream next to a blind warrior.

When they stopped fighting I stood and sheathed my sword. The room's feeling had changed from a group of desperate men, to something that I had never felt before. Someone new was here.

"Christina." I knew who that was.

"Patrick." Now my confidence wavered. I had to fight to keep my face from showing the growing uneasiness.

"So, you were set as the guardian of the door? The warrior who fights better with her eyes closed?", I heard him laugh. He'd gotten closer with out me realizing it.

"It's much more noble than what you're in charge of. Waste duty, is it?", I felt his annoyance and smiled.

My blade was out to deflect his fist in seconds. I heard the men at the sides gasp as though I'd done something unheard of. Patrick's next attack came from below and connected cleanly with my ribs. I was lifted off the floor and felt the wind as he spun to put a leg in to my side. I flew toward the wall and at the last second was able to right myself by dragging my blade along the ground.

"I need the door Christina. Just stop fighting."

"You stopped your job and now look where you are. You'll have to kill me before I stop." I stood up and picked up my weapon. Patrick attacked again but I was ready. I knocked his fist away with my blade and laughed I heard him cry out as it cut in to his flesh. He was too powerful to lose a limb, but it stalled him enough.

I leaped into the air and introduced his face to my foot. He grunted as he was knocked back on the defensive. I swung at him knowing they'd be blocked by his wrists, but I wanted him to stay on the defensive. When his concentration was only on my blade, I swung my foot forward and connected where no man wants to be hit.

A collective gasp from the male warriors nearly made me laugh, but I kept it in as I looked down at him. I couldn't see him. I was mainly doing it for effect. Nothing more belittling than being looked down upon for real.

"Christina, I urge you to stop. I don't want to kill you. I'm not a bad guy."

"If you are trying to put this door in human hands . . . then you are a bad guy, and I have to stop you."

His feet swung up and I dodged backwards. I felt the blade enter me from behind. A lone soldier had gotten up the nerve to step forward and was in the right place at the right time. The wound was nothing, but it made me too weak to stop Patrick from round-housing me in the face.

"Bring it in! Bring in the urn!" I heard the dragging of stone against stone and opened my eyes to see Patrick kneel next to me.

"I'm not going to kill you Christina, but I need your help. He's coming back and we have to stop him. All the others don't believe it, which is why I'm stuck doing the job I'm doing. I'm going to keep you in that urn until you're needed, and then you will be released. I'm sorry, but it has to be done this way."

I saw the urgency in his face, "Are you sure he's coming back? I can't feel anything at all."

My strength was getting lower as I lost blood, so I didn't bother fighting back as he lifted me up and slipped me in to the jar.

"I'm sure, Christina. If you can't feel him when you come out then you can kill me."

"I look forward to it." My vision faded.

The darkness of the urn and the screams of people outside startled me as I woke up, but what startled me more was the feeling I got.

He was coming, and very soon.

138: I Return -Saba- (written by Crystal Ferguson)

(I liked Crystal's last post so much that I had her write another. AND here it is!)

Taking a quick glance, I realized we were in Merlin’s shop. It was far better than being stuck in that Soulscape. I sat up and looked up at Merlin.

Politely I feigned a smile, “Well, it’s good to see I have made it back, yes?”

The look on his face told me otherwise. In fact, he looked more angry than relieved to see me. What did I do wrong?

“What made you think you were even capable of going there to begin with young lady?!”, he pointed at me, “I thought I had made it very clear that you were not to go alone!”

I stood up, annoyed with him. “What’s your point?”

“Your ignorance is most surprising, Saba. Do you not realize the danger you even placed yourself in?! Most people who cross over to the Soulscape don’t stand a chance of coming back when they release their ties from this world. You were downright foolish to do it on your own.”

He held a stern look to his face to let me know he meant every word. With a small huff, he turned to a shelf; a shaky hand reaching for it, his other gently scratching at the wrinkled skin of his face. A sense of rage filled me.

A small glass object flew up, hitting Merlin in the back of the head. His hand grabbed at the unexpected pain as he caught his footing. He turned to face me, a look of pure shock now on his aged face. “What do you think you’re-” Another similar piece soared toward him, this time hitting him in the face. He made a cry of pain as the shards pierced his flesh. He closed his eyes, his hand now covering his freshly made wounds.

I stepped toward him, the air about me filling with pens, paperclips and other small items. “YOU THINK YOU HAD THE RIGHT TO GIVE UP ON ME? HA! I’LL SHOW YOU WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU LEAVE ME BEHIND!”

I was going to make sure he paid for leaving me in that void; for giving up on me.

A smile crept across my features as I let the objects attack him with no mercy. Pointed objects flew at him like bullets, glass exploded against his ancient body; blunt objects hit him with a mighty force. He made cries of pain and heightened anxiety, blood flowing out from each new wound formed.

He collapsed to the floor, arms up in a defensive position. “Stop at once!”

I laughed at the old man, throwing my head back. I knelt down, now face-to-face with him. For a moment, I let the flying of objects cease. “Why don’t you fight back, old man?”

Despite how beat up he was, he looked me straight in the eye. A serious look took over his features.

“I…I have no power. I had given that up to one who is far more worthy. I have been powerless for ages now.”

A small chuckle escaped my lips, “Pathetic; truly pathetic.”

I got back on my feet, “That makes for a bit less fun. Guess I’ll have to draw it out even longer.”

“You‘ll regret this, Saba Zahid!”, he pointed an ancient finger at me, “I promise you young lady, that you’ll regret this; for fate will make sure of it.”

I ignored him, the objects lifting in to the air for another round. They relentlessly attacked him, landing near vital organs as they pierced his body. He backed up toward the shelves. I watched on, satisfied with my work so far. Just as I was just really getting started, the distraught Merlin backed in to his shelves. There was a loud thudding noise as the shelves slowly began to descend down upon him. He screamed while his eyes widened as the shelves buried him alive. Muffled weeping sounds met my ears as it all settled.

I walked over, stepping on to the shelves. I peered downward, catching a glimpse of his worn out face. With a sigh, I jumped up and stomped as I landed. A moan was heard, along with the cracking of bones. His breathing was now raspy. I stomped down again.

“Still breathing? How annoying.”

One more for good measure; with more force behind it.

SNAP!

This time the obnoxious sound had come to a halt. A small gust of wind and a flash of light passed by; a window breaking nearby. I shrugged it off. Perhaps it was his soul running away.

I successfully ended him. Made him pay the best way I knew how, but rage still lingered in me; the need to kill remained.

I hopped off from his new grave, walking out of the shop and on to the sidewalk. The rage washed away with the smell of the outside world. I blinked, glancing back and forth; sighing. I felt lost and confused. If anything, I wished Ben was here with me.

I then looked down at my clothes. Blood spatters made a design across my shirt. A hand to my cheek told me blood even painted my face.

I began to panic, looking back to the shop to see the shelves down and no old man.

There was no ignoring it. I had killed Merlin.

137: Heroes and Villians And Those Inbetween -Saba-

"A long time ago you told me that sometimes I can't choose. You said that I might find myself on the wrong side for the right reasons! Is this what you meant?! The only way to save so many people is by doing this?! You're insane!", my teenage voice sounded distressed and angry.

"Right now it's out there Saba, building power to overthrow the balance that has been forever. We need to have the strength to face the mistakes of our parents, and if that means that we need to do things unmentionable; then we do it. We do it for people who won't have a chance. We do it for people who haven't lived their lives. We make this thing fear for its life and then we kill it with out mercy." Patrick almost sounded like he cared for people.

"I can't! I just can't. I see them looking up to me with their pleas, those scared eyes and I can't. My hands start shaking and the air grows cold. I know it's out there, but my hands won't listen to me. I know it's the right thi-"

"No!" Patrick’s voice became louder as everything around me came in to focus.

Patrick stood in front of my teenage self holding her shoulders. They stand in front of those double doors again, a knife laying on the floor at their feet.

"It's never the right thing. What we're doing is horrible, but we do it because it's the only way. The last resort."

"I CAN'T!"

A silence fell over the hallway and as he stared into the younger-me's face, I swore his face blinked away again, revealing the horribly twisted visage beneath.

"I can help you kill our parents." Patrick spoke calmly and silent. A tear rolled down his cheek and splashed on the floor. "If you want to do the right thing, I can help you."

"Please help me."

I felt a burning sensation in the pit of my stomach as the scene in front of me faded away, leaving me and my younger self looking at each other.

"You came. I knew you'd come." Younger me smiled.

“Yes, it's good to see you again." A voice behind me spoke.

The child version of myself, the one that had brutally murdered my parents stood behind me. Her clothing drenched in blood.

"Patrick knew I couldn't do it, so he brought out the side of me that could. I went to sleep . . . "

". . . while I did the dirty deeds." Darker-me continued.

"But why? How?" I cried.

"We aren't sure. The door remains locked and hidden in your Soulscape. It's something horribly bad. Something involving Ben, John, Crystal, and all of the others. They can survive, but they need you."

"But I've just met them and you're saying that we're all connected. How does that make sense?"

“We're not saying it.", the evil me smiled and stepped up to the nicer me. She reached out and grasped her hand, "You are."

I felt my body get torn apart as everything went dark.

"Wake up, you fool girl! Wake up!"

It was Merlin. I was back. I wish Ben was here.

134: Sweet Love -Saba-

I felt my back hit the ground as the darkness faded away around me; replaced by warm sunlight. Images of what I'd just seen seemed frozen in place just behind my eyes, but a good shake of my head caused them to fade as well.

"Brother?", it was younger me again.

"Yes, Saba?" Panic filled my chest as I heard Patrick's voice.

I turned around to see them, despite my mind screaming at me to curl up and pretend they weren't there. The smaller me sat on the ground in front of Patrick looking curiously at the dirt. Patrick looked much younger and wore a small baseball cap.

"We all become dirt eventually."

I watched with a stunned look as Patrick's face became sad, "Yes, you do."

"I don't like that. One day, I'm going to stop that. I don't want all my friends to die. I don't want Mommy and Daddy to die."

I watched as Patrick's face fill with even more sorrow. I could have sworn I saw his eyes water up as he crouched down to look at my younger self.

"Saba, you can't always get what you want. Sometimes the things you want most are taken away from you. Sometimes you're meant for something completely different from what you want, and you find yourself on the wrong side for the right reasons."

I got the feeling that he wasn't talking about the younger me. He seemed to be talking about himself.

"I don't care. You can't tell me what to do. Mommy can't tell me what to do and neither can Daddy. No one is my master and if I want to fight on the right side, then I will."

A happy smile came to his face as he shook his head, "Saba, how is it that you came to be my sister?"

"Your only sister.", little me corrected

"My favorite sister."

This time, there was no evil laughter.

133: Concrete Horror -Saba-

I was floating in the dark, listening to the continuously grating sound of that horrible laughter. Any attempts to move proved ineffective and only made it harder to do so.

"Where are you going?" My blood ran cold as I recognized the voice, though I couldn't put a face to it.

Slowly my surroundings flooded in to focus. An elegant hall of hardwood lined with many paintings and photos. A smaller me stood a few feet away from a much taller man. The laughter faded away.

"Saba, where are you going?"

The smaller me started to cry, "I can't do it."

I watched as the man knelt down and looked in to my face, a look of caring in his eyes, "Life is never going to be easy, Saba. It's going to be hard, and sometimes the only thing you can do to get by is try as hard as you can to do what you need to do."

My fear subsided as little me ran to the taller man and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. Just as I thought that this scene wasn't so scary, I heard that low laughter again and the fear returned.

"Thanks, Patrick."

The man stood and reached his hand out to little me, "Anything for my little sister."

A smile found my face for a few moments before the laughter came again. The smaller me took his hand as we walked toward large, oaken doors.

The man put his hand on the door, "Now Saba, you go in there and make sure they're all dead."

He pushed the door open and screams flooded out. Screams of help and horror that filled my ears and saturated my mind with a deepening horror. The scene that seemed so pleasant before changed shape, instantly becoming something of a deeper evil. My breath caught in my chest, I tried to close my eyes and forget I was there. It was like a tootsie pop with a razor in the middle; sweet on the outside, but it just hides the horror beneath.

"Can we have ice cream after?", the smaller me smiled up to Patrick.

"Sure."

Through the door I could see deep red splatters on the floor and hear the clinking of chains.

The littler me stepped through and turned toward where the sounds were coming from.

"Saba! Please, God no!" They were begging for their life. Begging me to let them go, "Saba, your brother is crazy. Please honey, just let us go! You can't do this to us."

As Patrick slowly closed the door I watched as my smaller counterpart smiled sweetly, with all the caring of a child and said, "Daddy, life is never going to be easy . . ."

Her voice was cut off as the door shut completely. The laughter returned and this time I welcomed it, something known in a world of concrete horror. The laughter grew in intensity as I hung there in darkness, watching Patrick looking away from me at the closed door.

"That's not me."

"Yes, it is you." The laughter had spoken.

"No, I wouldn't do something like that." I was lying. I knew I was lying, I just didn't want it to be the truth.

"Not only did you kill your family, but you did more than that.", the laughter came again, "You killed a person every day for two years after."

In my head, I saw flashes of blood soaked bodies and glinting knives. In my head I heard their screams for help and mercy. The more I watched, the more I felt the innocence I'd witnessed before slowly fade away. I desperately clung to any piece of that innocence that I could.

"All for power."

I knew what he was meaning. I felt it in my bones now, maybe I'd always knew that my hands were unclean. A person isn't born a spirit persuader, they're grown. So many lives had been ended by me, so many people never got to live their lives because of my blade. All in the pursuit of power over spirits.

"It's too late for you.", Patrick had turned and was staring directly at me, "There's no way to clean your hands. You are a monster, and you'll always be a monster."

Every time he said monster I saw something odd flash beneath the illusion I knew to be his face. A darker and more evil face, something not human and older than the world. Patrick started walking closer and the scene behind him faded away.

"You killed so many.", Patrick's face blinked away for an instant and the horror of the face beneath made me catch my breath, "You are more of a monster than I am."

His face was inches from mine and he smiled, his mouth full of sharp pointy teeth with a smile that was all too wide. "Not only did you kill them . . ."

As I felt myself yanked backwards into the darkness, I knew what he was going to say; not only did I kill them . . .

But I loved it.

Flashback Entry 115: Father -Nick-

"Friend to many, Father to one. He will be missed."

The coffin slipped silently in to the ground and my Mother started crying next to me. I would have stood to comfort her, but my legs had been rendered useless by my run in with the Bernauws.

So many people had shown up. People I didn't know, people my father didn't even like, and even my closest friends. My Father’s influence had stretched through out anyone that knew him, and they respected him for his intelligence, strength of will, and stubborn beliefs.

Out of all my family and friends, he was the only person I ever told about my abilities; my magic. He stood behind my path and even when I'd lost my legs he was there to help me cope. He found the realm of magic to be amazing and something to be utilized to its fullest. He found me most of the books I needed to continue my learning; I'd found the list on his desk the day after he'd past.

The doctors said that it was his heart, but I knew different. There were traces of magic everywhere when I found him, magic I'd felt before. The Bernauws knew I was alive, and had killed my Father as a message, "Don't stop us or more people will die."

They don't know what they just did.

105: Two Down and One Angry Bear To Go -Vincent-

As Carl went to grab Crystal, I stared in to the eyes of a cold blooded killer. I've seen eyes like that before, back when I was alive.

Andrew had eyes like that when he'd killed my sister, my Mother, and my Father. When he tried to kill me. My life ended that day when I saw the uncaring eyes of one of my close friends, as he chopped in to my sister’s skull with out even blinking. Seeing eyes like that would have made my blood boil. Too bad I had stuffing instead.

When we got here the situation was bad. There were two Sabas; one of which was impaled to a tree branch and the other, who was doing some kind of magic to Crystal. The screams were unbearable. Carl went to check on the impaled Saba while I went to save Crystal. Her captor was having so much fun thinking about the many sexual things she could do with Crystal’s insides that she didn't notice me.

The first chance I had I leaped at her, grasping on her face and futilely hitting her with my paws. I distracted her till I heard Carl yell that he'd gotten Saba and Crystal in to the car. Wait, Saba? Why Saba? She's the enemy.

Distracted by Carl's words I didn't realize that the Saba I was fighting had yanked me off her and was staring into my face, "You reek of Nicholas."

I stared back at her trying to smile, not sure if it was visible on my stuffing filled body, "You reek of age, and let me tell you, you smell worse than 70 year old cheese."

I watched in satisfaction as her face became progressively more red, "Nicholas created you, didn't he?! That old fool, still meddling even after I took out his legs. Oh well, it doesn't matter I'm going to use your stuffing to fill a new pillow."

She tipped me on my side and grasped my leg and my head. She laughed wildly, pulling her arms apart. A loud roaring filled my ears followed by a clang. My stitches began to pop as light filled Saba's face, and when she finally looked at the car barreling toward her all she could say was, "Oh shit."

Then she bounced off the hood.

104: Sexual Tension and Family Values -Crystal-

"Now back to you." There had been no stop in the pain as Saba made the failed attempt at saving me. I still float there above the ground, screaming in agony as my bones did things they weren't supposed to. My clothes were drenched with sweat, vomit, and other bodily fluids better left not said because of my body’s attempt to stop the pain. I wasn't sure how I was awake.

"See, that is your fate. Nothing you do can stop the next few moments and even if you could, I'd just hunt you down.", evil clone Saba spread her hand out in front of her, looking at her fingernails, "I'd kill you, but I think it'd be more fun to let you squirm. I know that killing you wouldn't be fun, but playing with you first . . . Mmmm."

The unseen force pulled me close. Saba reached over and gently caressed my neck. She leaned her mouth near my ear and giggled, "I want your blood all over m- "

My body hit the ground hard, but the pain was nothing like what I had just endured. I felt my body being lifted by strong arms and when I looked, I saw Carl moments before my vision gave out.

That's when I finally learned my place.

Entry 102: Old Faces -John-

Patrick's air of control never left him as I followed him to his car.

"The team couldn't just consist of you and Jay, so I've called a couple of people who I'd think you'd get along with."

The car door in front of me opened and two familiar people stepped out.

"You guys?"

Timothy Dumont Jr. and Robert Owen stood in front of me with smiles on their faces.

Tim is a master of the internet. He can find any kind of information available and then some. I've known him for years and until Alex died, we were very close. After his death, Tim didn't think it was a good idea to get vengeance. He stayed behind and gives us help if we need it. Me and him got in to quite the fight because of Alex's death.

When Alex died I was only just getting to know Robby again . We had been close friends, but he suddenly stopped hanging out with all the guys. He'd tell us he'd be there and then just not show up. A week before Alex died he started to hang out again, but then I left to hunt and he stayed behind. He's the most scientifically adept of all of us, and he's always thinking of new inventions and scientific discoveries.

"Yeah, we were called soon after you called us with the Benjamin Case. He seems to have a good amount of resources and if he can bring Alex back . . . ", Tim fell silent.

Robby looked at Tim then at me and laughed, "Wait till you see the place we'll be staying at."

Entry 101: Proposition -John-

"My name is Patrick Bernauw. I assure you, I am here with the best of intentions. Why don't we sit down and talk?"

Yeah, like I'm going to be tricked by this idiot.

"Okay, let's do that."

We made our way in to the waiting room. The room was completely empty, yet the television was on and blaring away at an unreasonable volume. Patrick turned the volume down quickly and then sat across the room from me. For a few moments we stared at each other, as if judging the other’s strength. What I saw in Patrick was a staggering confidence, like he could say anything around me and make it out of this room with out a scratch. Something I doubted very much. His movements were very practiced and planned to the littlest detail to prove his superiority to me. He wanted me to understand that here in this room, he was the boss.

"So you've been getting my letters?"

"You're P.B.? Right; Patrick Bernauw. Why didn't I see that before?", I spoke politely and calmly.

"So are you interested? I hate to say it but it's a one time offer. After today, if you refuse, then I won't ask you again. Your friend Jay will be the only one working toward the noble goal of bringing your friend back." He smiled a hideously, manipulative smile and leaned back, glancing at the television.

"Why did you sign Jay out? How did you sign him out?"

"How? Money. Why? Well, I needed someone to head the offensive leg of my new division. He seemed to show some real initiative and wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty. I felt those qualities were what I needed so I also made him a one time offer. He took it."

So Jay is working for this guy now? Interesting. Jay isn't stupid. Maybe this guy really does have the way to bring Alex back. If he does, I definitely want to be a part of that. Something seemed wrong though. He was waiting for me here, as if he knew I was going to come.

"How did you know that I was going to be here?"

"I didn't.", his face wore that smile again, like he knew too much. His eyes flashed with a confident glare and he laughed, "I knew that eventually one of you would come and I was prepared to give the offer to any of them."

"Including Crystal?", she was the newest person to join our group and I didn't think this guy knew about her.

His face momentarily had a look of surprise, but was almost immediately pulled back in to that confident smile.

"I'm not exactly sure who you're talking about but I assure you, who ever walked through that door would have been offered this job."

"So what would I be doing?"

"Leading."

Entry 100: Make Your Place. -Saba-

Crystal's victory was short lived. Her smack only pulled an uncontrollable anger from deep within the other-me. The look of surprise was replaced with deep and seething hatred. Crystal's body was lifted in to the air by an unseen force and I could hear the sound of her bones popping out of place over her screams. Part of me was excited by the sound but some deeper, more hidden me, was in agony.

My head roared with pain as the world slowly lost its color. I hadn't eaten much but that didn't stop my stomach contents from finding their way on to the ground in front of me. The pain was excruciating, almost as though my body and mind was being torn apart from the inside out.

"You impossible wretch!", other-me’s fury could be felt in her voice. "You think you can hurt me?! You think you're better than me?! Who do you think you are?! LEARN YOUR PLACE BEFORE YOU DIE!"

Crystal's screams got louder.

"Do you like the feeling of your bones being yanked from their sockets?! Does it feel good to you??!! Young lady, you chose the wrong fight to stay for! MUAHAAHAHAHA! Did you feel that?! That was your collar bone! I wonder what will come next?! Maybe a rib!"

I hate them both. I hate them completely, although Crystal's growing on me like a wart. Ben doesn't hate her. Ben cares about all of his friends, including this girl. If she died Ben would be sad. I won't let Ben be sad. NO! The pain in my head subsided as I pulled myself to my feet.

I ran toward the meanie-me, determined to save Crystal from her inevitable fate. I had no weapons. I had no fighting experience. I was still doing it. The invisible force hit me like a train. The world spun as I was thrown back through the air. My dazed body only briefly felt the branch smash through my chest as I was pinned to a tree before blacking out.

I'd finally learned my place.

Entry 98: Two Worlds, One Pain -Crystal-

As my body hit the ground, I felt sorry I had decided to come looking for Nick. Did I really need to find him? I didn't seem to have any other issues except the unusual intelligence that I've gained. I could have just stayed with the guys and been happy. I was happy there.

I couldn't stop myself from rolling in the wall surrounding the grounds. I looked over to Saba as she brought herself in to close quarters with the other Saba. The Saba I'd come here with was no better at fighting than I was, so when she was pushed back I wasn't surprised. Saba slammed in to the wall next to me and I could hear her groan as she slumped to the ground.

She and I came from two different worlds. I had been raised by my Father to be a good girl, she just wanted everything to die. Yet, here we are, both on the ground feeling as though we'd just been hit by a truck. Funny how it didn't matter what worlds we'd come from; the pain was the same.

"Do you both give up? Seems you both can't back up your words. Oh well, you'll be dead in a few minutes.", new Saba points at old Saba, "You for existing.", she points to me, "And you for helping a failure like her."

Why did that make me mad? Had me and the Saba I knew come to understand each other better? What ever the reason, I couldn't let her do that. I hated confrontation, but how could I stand by and let her insult Saba like that? Using the wall as a brace, I pulled myself to my feet.

"What? You're angry? You actually care for that waste of space?" The more she talked, the madder I got.

"JUST SHUT UP!"

Something in me had snapped and silence filled the yard.

Entry 97: P.B. -John-

So he thinks that he can tell us what to do, does he? He's got another thing coming. There's no way I'm going to be told what to do by him. I'd leave before I ever would be controlled by Ben.

The hospital wasn't far so I had walked, cursing Ben in my head for the whole time. We had helped him more than enough, and he gets mad just because a couple of zombies tore up his living room and made life difficult. No appreciation for our help. Well, screw him.

"Hey, I'm looking for a James Banks. Could you point me to his room?" The nurse behind the counter began looking at her files.

"I'm sorry, James Banks has been released from our care." She smiled at me sweetly.

"What?!", I must have yelled because I could tell she was visibly frightened. That didn't stop me from continuing though, "He's very dangerous, you need to tell me where he is. Who signed him out?"

"Umm, he did.", she points behind me.

He stood about five feet behind, looking at me with a smug smile on his face. Something about him caught me as off. He looked like any other person in his thirties, except his eyes told a different story. They had an ageless quality, like I was looking in the face of someone who was around for a long time.

His arms spread out, palms toward me, "Now isn't this a coincidence."

Entry 94: Saba's Choice -Saba-

I could still feel that strong power coming off of her, but it had significantly lowered. It was no longer overwhelming my senses to be near her. Even as we both walked up the massive double doors of the mansion, I was slowly beginning to feel more comfortable being around the "aura" she gave off.

Why I had brought her here, I didn't know. I wanted to escape and I'd done that. I could have just killed her and get it over with.

Glancing over at Crystal, I notice her solid gaze on the doors. Seeing someone like her be so serious is kind of scary. Had fear stopped me? No. I'm not scared of her. It's something else. A kind of respect for someone who has dedicated themselves to something. She released me, a very dangerous prisoner, just to figure out some answers. Not the best idea, but she was willing to risk it.

The doors opened as we walked up, and the person who came out made both Crystal and I step back in shock. From her long black hair to her olive colored skin, she was an exact copy of me. I had just walked out of the building in front of me.

"Of all the things I was thinking could happen," Crystal pointed at my perfect copy, "I wasn't expecting that."

"Why are you alive?", the other Saba glared at me with disgust, "I thought Patrick killed all the failed versions."

Crystal glanced at me and then at the new Saba, "I am so confused. I'm looking for Nick. Is he here?"

"No, but that isn't your concern right now.", the air began to get heavy as the other me looked at me, "Right now you have to worry about me. You're evidence that was supposed to be destroyed."

As much as I hated Crystal, this person who had my face was insulting my strength. To think I'd have to worry about her at all! I'll crush her swiftly and then eat her entrails for dinner.

"Crystal, I hate to say this, but you should keep looking for Nick. I'll take care of this."

A glance to my left showed Crystal unmoving, "I'm not going to leave you behind," she looks at me and smiles, "It's kinda my fault we're in this mess anyway."

Something about her smile just pissed me off. I was sure exactly why but, it made me feel . . . happy. I don't like being happy.

I would remind myself later to remove that part of her first. Right now, I have to take care of an over-confident mimic.

Flashback Entry 93: "Not today" -Nick-

Patrick was born soon after and I was kept under their employ for their wife. I would go and find the artifacts she was looking for while she took care of the baby. I knew she was working toward some kind of goal, but I realized what it was way too late. I had helped her achieve what she was attempting to gain.

I found out on the last night I was under their employ. I had just retrieved the final artifact and, like usual, I went to my quarters to rest. The final wizard was well-known and very powerful. I say wizard because that's how I knew him. Of course he was a warlock like me, but he presented himself as a wizard. I guess that's what they called us back in his age, when his place was next to King Arthur's throne.

I'm not sure how long I'd been sleeping when I was jolted awake by the building quaking beneath me. I could feel the magical energy flowing through out the house, and it was stronger than normal. Usually I could just feel the power of the artifacts I'd been collecting, but this time the whole house was vibrating with it.

Something horrible was going on. I leaped from my bed and bolted down the stairs three at a time. The energy was seeping from above me; I just kept going up. I felt the power increase and could sense the malevolence within it. I was moving too slow.

I burst in to the biggest room in the highest tower of the house, and was immediately hit with a massive blast of magical force that picked me up and pushed me to the floor.

"I will not have you interrupting our summoning, Nick. It'd be best if you stayed down." Saba's voice was filled with dark intent. It was almost as though there was a different person in control.

"What's going on?" I tried to lift my head to look, but the force kept me stuck in place.

"We must bring our Lord into this world, so he may crush the unworthy. You should not worry though. You are more than worthy. Non-magicals, how ever . . ."

I had been working for these people for so long and they'd never exhibited any kind of evil intentions until now. They had hid it so well, but now while I was trapped, I saw the signs I'd missed. The late night walks, locked rooms, questions they shouldn't have ignored; questions I shouldn't have stopped asking.

Non-magicals. They were going to take out more than 90% of the people alive. This was not going to happen; I'd never let it. I slowly began looking for that faint magical signature that Saba's abilities gave off.

"That's complete madness. You're insane!" I felt the force tighten on me as I yelled.

"Insane? Non-magicals are ruining everything. In a few more years the only thing people will talk about is how much the planet is in danger. Why shouldn't we kill them all?! You think I'm mad, but I am more sane than most."

I could feel the magic increasing and right now it was so powerful, that my ears were ringing. It was now or never. I forced as much magical force out of me in every direction, feeling the restricting energy fade and break apart as it tried to contain me.

"I can see you're upset. Maybe I was wrong about you. You may leave now."

"No! I'm not going to let you do this. It's genocide. You will stop now."

The middle of the circular room was filled with hundreds of objects that I had collected during my employ. Saba had turned toward me and her husband was staring in to the objects, his hands raised above his head. Their son Patrick was sitting nearby. A giant light floated above the pile of artifacts.

I only got a glimpse because Saba raised her hands, and I was lifted off the ground. With a flick of my wrist and a few words, I fell to the ground again. I ran for cover but was too late.

Saba's unique energy slammed in to my side, sending me in to the wall. The lack of magical signature made dodging and countering the spells more difficult. If it was still I could find it after some time, but moving made it impossible. Three more hits left me breathless.

I felt the energy wrap around my leg and I was lifted upside down in to the air.

"You can't stop us and killing you would be a shame. Can't you just see things our way? Ignore morality and let everything fall into place." Saba's voice was alien; filled with hate and loathing.

"People shouldn't be killed just because they were born a certain way! What you're doing is murder. You can't get away with that!", I yelled, my anger increasing, "One day I'll watch as your deeds come back on you two-fold."

"Not today." She tossed me like a rag doll out of the nearest window.

Flashback Entry 92: Saba Bernauw -Nick-

My introduction in to magic started when I was 17. I had gotten bored with all the mundane sleight of hand tricks, so I decided to look for the real thing. I wanted to make rabbits really pop out of my hat.

My search kept bringing up the same name. Bernauw. The name could be found with a toe in any kind of magic happenings. I knew then that if I was to learn of magic, I'd have to find them. So I searched.

The more I searched, the more I learned about the magic world. By the time I was standing in front of their sweeping mansion, I all ready had some impressive spells under my belt. I had planned to impress them with my skills and then have them teach me more.

I could feel the magic flow off of the house, and it didn't surprise me when the door opened of its own accord as I approached. What's more, I could barely feel the magic that caused it.

I barely stepped three feet into the door when I was met by a young woman. She was about 25 and had an Arabic look to her. Dark, black hair, olive colored skin, and she held herself with a look of royalty.

"You must be Nick Brown. I admit I have followed your search for quite some time. You are an impressive person." She seemed excited to have me in her house. It was quite a surprise.

"I am. And you are?"

"Oh, forgive me! Sometimes I just lose track of my manners. My name is Saba Bernauw. I am a spirit Persuader; class 12."

"Spirit Persuader? Class 12? I'm sorry, I've never come across those terms before."

"I should say not, I am one of a kind. I can speak directly to spirits and control ones of a lower class. It's a very limited type of magic, though it does not give off much in the way of a magical signature."

"And Class 12?"

"It means that I've honed my craft to the highest I can."

"Ah." She had led me into a large chamber where a young man sat writing on a tablet. She motioned to a chair and then left the room quickly. I realized almost immediately that this man was her husband. I swiftly sat and remained quiet.

"So, you are Nick? You look quite scrawny and give off the aura of an old woman." The man talked while he wrote.

"I'm so-"

"How ever, you have done some amazing spells for someone of your . . . age and intelligence. Therefore, I've decided to hire you. You will assist my wife on her outings and be paid accordingly. I will teach you what I know after you've proven you're worthy. That is all."

"Her outings?"

The man sighed, "Yes, outings. She loves ancient relics and some of them are fairly dangerous. Normally she could do this stuff on her own but since she became pregnant, I have decided that she needs some help. Now, no more questions; it's time for you to go."

So now I had the job I would learn to hate, just as I would learn to hate their son.

Entry 76: Awakening -Jay-

"James Banks. History expert and firearms specialist. I think it's about time to wake up."

My eyes opened to the harsh hospital lights. Sitting up only resulted in pain.

"It's going to hurt but you can do it."

I successfully tried again, and found that at the end of the bed sat a man. Everything about him was intimidating. From his brown dress shoes to his five o-clock shadow, wearing a clean and pressed suit; he looked to be a man of wealth and importance.

"Who are you?"

"You tried too hard and ended up failing. Now your friends want nothing to do with you. They don't even come to visit while you are injured. You're lucky I showed up with just the right antidote." The man smiled.

"You came here to tell me how much of a failure I am?"

"Actually, I'm here to hire you. I need someone with your skills and I pay well."

This guy was right, very right. At the same time, something about him told me he was dangerous. Maybe it was his smile that said only what he wanted.

"Why me?"

"You know your friends the best. They may not know you, but I bet that over the years you've learned their quirks. The things I need done are things I don't want to be interrupted. You will need to keep your friends at bay."

"I won't hurt them."

"You need not worry, you won't be doing any of that, at least not to them. I do need you to go after someone though, and you may have to hurt them." He laughed a fake practiced laugh.

"Who?"

"He is a fly. A warlock by the name of Nick Brown. He holds knowledge of powerful magic. I need that knowledge."

"What do I call you?"

"Patrick Bernauw. Now get dressed, you have a big day ahead of you."