The Gifts

The Gifts Chapter 4

The Gifts

Copyright © 2021 by Brad A. Townsend

All rights reserved. This story or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author (Brad A. Townsend).

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

I haven't done much with music yet in The Gifts, but there is one song that I've played while writing The Order and The Gifts that relates to Orophir.

Florence & the Machine - Seven Devils - lyrics

Since I didn't post the song from Chapter One, here's The Byrds:

TURN! TURN! TURN! (Lyrics) - THE BYRDS

From the first time I heard Seven Devils I thought about Orophir, and the lyrics are perfect as a little insight into his world and plight.

I'm sorry about the delay between chapters. It just took longer than expected, but here it is. I hope it was worth the wait lol. I have a good chunk of Chapter Five started so hopefully it won't be as long.

I want to thank all of you that have sent me email.  It means the world to me to hear from you.  Lots of old friends from when The Order first came out and while it was in progress.  It's great to see a lot of the old faces, and a few new ones.  I appreciate all of you so much!  Some of you are making good guesses at a few things but I promise no spoilers.

My email contact is at the end of the chapter if any of you wish to write me with questions or comments.

-Brad

<>< Chapter Four ><>

Prelude

Three Years Prior - ZEUS

After winning yet another game of Trouble, Drew's eyes started to droop. As much as he loved playing with Istariel and Orophir, he was tired.

Coming over, Henry said, "Come on, pod'ner, time for a nap. You can play more later after a rest, alright? I think everyone needs a break."

Picking Drew up, Henry carried his sleepy son back to their cabin to put him down for a nap. True to form, once Drew's head rested on Henry's shoulder, he fell asleep.

As soon as Drew was out of the room, Istariel continued his Mental discussion with Orophir, Telcharan, and Ruviel. After spending time together, Orophir's plight became fully apparent to the other Nephilim; as The Dark One's offspring, there was no place in any Realm where he would be accepted or able to be himself.

The unfairness touched them, and they vowed among themselves to correct the wrong. No Nephilim should be held accountable for their sire, and they, at least, would count him as a friend.

Their acceptance and trust in him encouraged Orophir to share more of his story, and they were astounded when he revealed his plan to destroy Luke. Extremely impressed at his ingenuity, they were also heartbroken at the tragedy of how little value he placed on his own existence.

Telcharan: We cannot permit him to do this.

Ruviel: How can we prevent him? He is as Powerful as we are, and the weapon already lies in the hands of The Dark One.

Istariel: Perhaps there is a way. Tonight, when all are asleep, I will visit Thomin. He owes Orophir his life for revealing the location of his torture. If not for his action, our cousins would never have discovered it on their own and in time for Michael to save him.

<> 

Late that night, seven miles below ZEUS in the icy cold pressure of the Pacific Ocean, Istariel appeared in Thomin's Vault. He had never been there in his human form, and the pungent, briny smell of the salt water stung his nose.

Not realizing how cold it would be, he manifested his customary grey robe and quickly became insulated from the chill of the cave.

Glancing at the frost-covered doors covered in bas relief images and runes, Istariel called out with his Mind: Thomin!

Almost instantly, Thomin's voice replied: What do you wish, Eldest? Why do you disturb me?

Istariel: I seek a boon on behalf of one to whom you owe a great debt. My purpose will also serve to give you further vengeance against The Dark One. Orophir crafted a weapon with the sole intent of destroying The Dark One. It is unique and immeasurably Powerful, needing only one final component to become complete. I wish to borrow Elohim's Wyrd to duplicate it. I will return the Wyrd to you, as well as the duplicate item. Orophir's Essence, or the Essence of any other Nephilim sired by The Dark One, can empower the gem and complete the dagger.

If I agree to this, you will owe me a favor.

No. The weapon itself must be sufficient to elicit your aid.

Knowing Thomin's nature, Istariel felt confident of his cooperation. Attaining such a weapon for his Vault was beyond Thomin's ability to resist.

I have your Oath that you will return the Wyrd and the weapon to me?

Yes.

Very well.

Appearing before Istariel in his corporeal form, Thomin reached into his sleeve, withdrawing a yellowed, silken cloth rolled up and bound by twine. Handing it to Istariel, he vanished with no further word.

<> 

Using Orophir's ring, fully Veiled and undetectable, Istariel pierced the defenses of Luke's private domicile. Knowing his earthly Nephilim cousin's confrontation with The Master was near, Istariel felt confident Luke would be absent gathering and preparing his armies.

The object of Istariel's purpose, Orophir's dagger, floated on a stand set in the middle of the Throne Room. Seeing its beauty even from a distance, he was drawn to it.

Causing a diversion, the lower imps and demons guarding the Throne Room left, leaving him a short window. Moving forward, he draped the Wyrd over the dagger, and as he pulled it up, it contained an exact duplicate of the dagger.

Beautiful in its simplicity, the dagger glowed with a soft nimbus while radiating no discernable Power. Orophir's skill in crafting seemed unparalleled, and before he became lost in the minutiae of the weapon, Istariel focused on his purpose. Examining the dull, lifeless gem in the pommel, he knew what it was, and after his earlier discussion with Orophir, Istariel felt confident he knew how Orophir crafted it. Ingenious in its design and intent, it was so subtle even The Dark One didn't see it for what it was.

Understanding the intricacies of the gem and how Orophir created it, Istariel knew Orophir's entire essence was not required to activate the matrices, yet he still intended to destroy himself, seeing no life or path to happiness. Orophir's self-value was so low, he didn't even see it as a loss. After spending time with Brad Wilson and the other Nephilim, Istariel's emotions and compassion had grown, not only by the ripples of their Avatars but by their friendship and interaction.

Pondering Orophir's plight, the heaviness on Istariel's heart brought him to tears for his new friend, and he cried for the second time in his existence. Not questioning his Father's plan, he did wonder at it and how Orophir's existence fit into it. His compassion for Orophir was new and recent, and as The Dove's son, Istariel knew the difficulty of being a Nephilim offspring of such a powerful being. None were higher than his Father, yet The Dark One was of the First Children in Creation and immensely powerful.

Returning his focus to the mission and staring at the interconnected matrices within the gem, Istariel brought his full Power to bear, creating and interposing a Spirit Trap among the Runes. The Trap was another of Orophir's creations which he employed to ensnare lesser Dark Nephilim, using their essence to empower his Amulets. Istariel smiled to himself, knowing Orophir's knowledge would be his own salvation.

Setting the modified dagger on the pedestal, Istariel vanished, taking the Wyrd and the original dagger back to Thomin as he promised.

<><> 

Black Talons shot out of Luke's hands, hitting a Shield surrounding Orophir.  Istariel, Ruviel, and Telcharan drew their weapons but backed off.

The Team started to move forward, but Istariel's voice filled their Minds. 

Knowing the altered dagger would still destroy Luke but not their new friend and ally, Istariel, Telcharan, and Ruviel had to stop any interference by their cousins and allow Orophir's plan to unfold.

Shouting in their Minds, Istariel said: Do not interfere!

<> 

Still holding the dagger he killed The Master with, Luke asked, "Did you really think your trinkets would make you a match for me?"

"You left this gift for me in your cave.  I will now kill you with it, and every last vestige of your existence will be gone. It will be as if you never were.  I admit I made a mistake in siring you, and I now correct that mistake."

Orophir struggled, but without his items and matrices, he had no chance against Luke.  Convincing in his struggle his efforts appeared genuine, but he had every intention of dying by his father's hand.

The dagger was the most complex item he had ever crafted, folding Runes in on themselves multiple times in layer after layer of deception and Power, building a weapon specifically designed to kill his father.  Unbeknownst to Luke, the blade was unfinished, needing one last component to activate it.  Pure Nephilim don't have Souls, not in the sense humans do.  Ken and the others were Original Men before they were Nephilim, and their Souls were as God intended them to be, untouched by the Curse and uncorrupted.

As Luke drove the dagger into Orophir's chest, the dull, lifeless gem set in the pommel came to life, drawing on Orophir's essence.  Orophir created a type of Blood Curse against his father, but rather than blood, he used his own Lifeforce.  Being a direct descendant of Luke's, it was targeted at his father, and there were no other offspring to affect a `cure.'

The gem in the pommel exploded with Light, and Luke staggered back, screaming, as Orophir was sucked into the gem, empowering its magic.

Luke's eyes went wide, whispering in disbelief, "What have you done!?"

<> 

Unlike anything he ever felt, pain ran through Orophir as his essence was ripped out of his human body and into the gem.

Expecting to die, he was surprised when the pain stopped. Trapped like a Djinn in a bottle, incredibly drained but alive, Orophir watched from within the gem as Luke's form fragmented, breaking apart as if he were a shattered mirror.  His scream turning to anger, he exerted all his might, fighting off whatever the weapon was doing to him.

Whatever Power attacked Luke, he matched it.  One of the first beings created before Time, Luke was an Archangel of the Highest Order, and even after his Fall he was one of the most powerful beings in existence.  Few could match his strength, and those that could stood by watching, stunned at what they witnessed.

The other Archangels, feeling the Power escalating, knew they had to act.  One of their primary roles was to protect reality and keep the forces of their Battle in check lest they unravel Existence.  Michael ordered them and their Wings spread, forming a circle around Luke.

A tear in the fabric of reality opened, and they had to contain it.  They heard the ripping sound as it got larger. 

Where the Archangels and everyone else saw nothing but blackness through the tear, Lane and Loy saw something.  There should be nothing there... it was the `nothing' from before Creation, the Void, yet they now knew there was a previous Creation, one unknown and undetectable to the Higher Order.

Lane:  Guys, there's something there!

Loy:  I see it too! 

No one else saw anything, but Loy and Lane not only saw it, they Listened, hearing something coming from the other side of the tear!

Screaming one last time, Luke, still holding the dagger, was sucked through the tear before it closed!

Istariel, Telcharan, and Ruviel watched, unable to retrieve the dagger holding Orophir, prevented by the Wings of the Archangels.

The Present

Early Saturday morning after their PT run, with no training or Lab rotation, Ken wanted to go to Waffle House. Their last visit was before the Demon showed up to try and kill Drew, and Ken missed his hash browns. If they left right away, they could make it back to the Lab to help everyone get ready for the cookout on ZEUS planned later in the day.

Still sweaty after their run, they jumped in the shower together, washing each other as usual. Knowing they didn't have time for sex, their efforts weren't intended to arouse each other but it happened anyway, and they laughed but didn't pursue their urges.

While drying off and getting dressed, they continued an earlier conversation in their Minds.

Brad: I think the doc is right, Ken. I doubt any Demons will show up in public if Drew isn't with us. I hate that for him because it locks him into any of the Labs. You know, though, after discussing things with Albrecht and the doc, I think ZEUS might be the safest place for Drew other than the Congo or Uluru bases.

I hate to use the term `classic' where Demons are concerned, but the original Demons of the Fall shy away from open water. The purifying nature of the Element hurts them, and the new Demons are still partially the same under whatever Luke's done to them.

Ken: Well, we'll find out later today. We're goin' ahead with the cookout on ZEUS. We'll be ready if any of those asswipes show up. With Pat's Gift we'll be more effective if they do show, and worse case we'll evac `ta The Valley.

Brad: Yeah, and speaking of that, Bry's idea is incredible. We never considered your ability to Recall to The Tree as different from how Darren's Avatar works to translocate us, but it's not the same at all once Pat looked at it.

Ken fell silent a moment, long enough for Brad to worry.

Brad: Ken, what's wrong?

Ken: Just thinkin' about Drew's comment on all this is startin' up again. Not just for him, but also us with the Gifts. It took a long time `ta acclimate to our Avatars. We've become damn powerful, but The Gifts are gonna elevate things `ta a whole new level. We still don't know what Pat's capable of now, and it scares the hell outta me. What will Lane and Loy be able `ta do when theirs are fully functional? I mean we need everythin' we can get `ta go after Luke, but still...

Brad: There's no telling, Ken. I don't understand how Pat can see their Gifts, but not that part of them. He can see they're tainted but can't see their full potential. Somehow the paradox wrapped around them keeps him from Understanding them completely, and it doesn't make sense.

Grinning, Brad wanted to snap Ken out of his current thoughts. They could continue the conversation later.

Brad: Even without Pat's Avatar I Understand one thing.

Ken: What's that?

Brad: That your stomach is about to scream at me, so we better get a move on so you can fill your hot belly with some hash browns.

Ken's little kid grin appeared, and he thought: Fuck, I love you. Let's go.

<> 

With early summer and beautiful weather, Brad and Ken wore their running shorts and tank tops, getting a few looks when they entered the restaurant and sat down. Their muscled physiques and flawless skin, emphasized by their Angelic charisma, never ceased to turn heads.

Early enough to beat the crowd, they grabbed their usual booth by the front corner window. With the blinds up the sun hit both of them, and their darkly tanned skin glowed with health. The light hit their eyes just right, too, illuminating them so they practically blazed, and it struck both of them how handsome they looked to each other. The mixed color of their eyes was more prominent in the sun, too, accentuating their connection.

Slowing his perception of Time, Ken took in the sight of his husband, particularly the way in which the sun hit his body hair. As bleached out as Brad's hair was, it caught the sunlight and practically glowed. The physical perfection he saw in his husband was sometimes too much for Ken, and he counted himself the luckiest man in the world.

Reacting to Ken's thoughts and emotions, a golden arc of energy sparked between their chests in the Spiritual Realm as Brad brought their Souls briefly together, making their eyes water and their breath catch. In that time between breaths, they spent a small eternity in each other, being One. Eventually the practical side of Brad asserted itself, and they reluctantly separated, returning to themselves.

Chuckling at their mutual reaction, Ken said, "B, you fucker."

Reaching under the table and gripping Brad's hand, he gave it a loving squeeze.

While waiting to place their order they shot the shit with one another, mostly in their Minds. Their server, familiar with the two big men and most of their buddies, brought two cups of coffee and said she'd be right back to take their order.

Unexpectedly, Ken almost jumped out of his seat when a server set down a plate of double golden, crispy hash browns, exactly as he always ordered them. They hadn't ordered yet and it caught him off guard. He didn't see or hear her approach their table, and the path to the kitchen was right by their booth.

Looking up, Miss Lula's toothless grin greeted him as she said, "Here `ya go, darlin'!"

Shifting his eyes slightly, Ken saw Frank at the grill, who turned to him and winked, his eyes sparkling with all Creation. Speechless, neither man said a word, not knowing what to say and wondering what it could possibly mean. What do you say to God when she brings you your favorite food out of the blue?

Leaning out and looking down the row of booths, Ken saw The Dove sitting at the far end of the restaurant sipping coffee. Smiling, he nodded and winked when Ken made eye contact. Even at that distance, with Ken's enhanced vision, he was drawn into the ageless depths of those eyes.

Tension in Brad and Ken skyrocketed. For God to manifest on earth in all three incarnations, three years after The Master's death and Luke's disappearance had to mean something catastrophic.

The Dove's voice whispered in their Minds_: There is power in threes. Such things matter._

The ambient sounds around them faded and Time seemed to stop for a moment as Ken and Brad looked at each other wide-eyed.

<> 

Suddenly everything was back to normal with the usual sounds and smells of the diner surrounding them. The aroma of bacon and hash browns wafted over as the cook put them on the hot grille. Ken's plate of hashbrowns from Frank was still there, and their server came over to take their order, looking surprised at the plate sitting in front of Ken.

"Oh! Where did those come from?"

Grinning to disarm her, Ken said, "No clue, but I'll eat `em. Just throw `em on our ticket with everythin' else."

Brad watched, knowing what was coming. After spreading ketchup over the hashbrowns Ken took a huge bite, and his eyes almost rolled back in his head.

His exclamation of, "Ohhh my fuckin' gawd," was barely legible with the amount of food in his mouth.

Smiling while he watched Ken eat his favorite God-made meal, Brad inwardly worried about the meaning of the Trinity's manifestation.

Ken: Me too, B, but I'm gonna eat these first before I start stressin.' I think things are about `ta get dicey.

<><> 

A few hours later, all the guys, the boys, the doctor, Albrecht, Adam, Kelly and Chloe, Sally, and Giovanni were on ZEUS, enjoying beautiful weather, each other's company, and Bryan's amazing food. It had been weeks since any of the guys had seen Chloe, and all of them were making up for lost time, even arguing over who got to hold her next. At almost four years old, she was the same age as Drew when he first came into their lives, and Kelly and Sally watched, laughing at the big muscle-bound men doting on the little girl and how she had them wrapped around her little finger.

The sun bright, all the men were shirtless and wearing swim trunks, the ladies in bikinis, and the boys all wore brightly colored Marvel swimsuits. Chloe wore her floaties at all times, even though everyone watched her like a hawk.

She was light enough that all the Mentalists could easily lift her with their Minds, and she loved being dunked into the water by them from a few feet up. Her screeches of laughter brought smiles to their faces. Of course the boys wanted the same thing, and it wasn't much more of an effort so the guys obliged them.

The waters around huge big yacht teemed with dolphins and a mixture of whales, many of which would never congregate with each other, but the presence of Loy and the Mentalists kept them non-aggressive and social.

Both grilles on the upper deck and the oven in the galley worked overtime to keep up with all the hyper-metabolized stomachs. Bryan made it seem effortless, but nearly all the guys and the boys helped carry the load. Of course, for their efforts, Bryan made special snacks for the boys and Chloe while he calculated the cherished favorite Uncle points racking up in his favor.

Sitting in the lounge with Brad, Lane, Loy, and Ricky, Ken twisted the top off a beer and leaning forward, asked, "So Lane, about this Dream... you think it has somethin' `ta do with Bry's Gift?"

"I don't know, Ken. I've never Dreamed about any of the Gifts before. Their nature makes them invisible to my Avatar, so there has to be more to it. It's in the future, but I can't tell how far, and that irritates the shit out of me. I think whatever he's doing, he already has his Gift in my Dream.

"I think those tattoos on his forearms are a part of his Gift, which is weird because the three of us don't have any outward sign."

Coming into the lounge with towels over their shoulders, their hair wet and on end from swimming, Aaron and Albrecht sat down to join them. Hearing Lane's comment about Bryan's tattoos in his Dream, Albrecht looked pensive.

"You know, of all the various mythologies throughout history, the Norse mythos reflects more truth than most. They depict Leroy as the Midgard Serpent and associate Ragnarök with his awakening. Yggdrasil they name the "World Tree," and the Tree does span all realities within our Creation although not the realms they envisioned. Yet even those, in a sense, reflect the true Realms. I've often wondered how they got so much closer than any other culture. Perhaps a Nephilim posing as one of their deities, I suppose.

"My point is about the tattoos. In your Dream, Bryan has vivid, detailed markings of raven wings on his forearms. Odin, the All-Father, is often shown with two ravens on his shoulder. Hugin and Munin, Thought and Memory. I wonder if his Gift will have anything to do with their aspects?"

Sitting beside his husband, Brad's hand roamed over the expanse of Ken's back as they talked, while Ken's beer free hand rested on Brad's thigh. Mulling over Albrecht's comments, Brad wondered if they were somehow related to God's manifestation earlier that morning.

Picking up on his husband's thoughts, Ken thought: B, take us deep for a sec, along with the doc and Albrecht. We need `ta share what happened this mornin.'

In the middle of all the fun, swimming, and eating, the thirteen men appeared naked to one another in their Hearts.

Ken: Sorry `ta spring this on you, but after talkin' with Lane about his Dream, and what Albrecht was sayin'..., you guys need `ta know B and I saw God this morning. All three incarnations showed up at Waffle House for just a second.

Merging them briefly, in the Time between breaths where Time stood still, their Souls became One. Their eyes watered and their breath caught in their chests at the painfully sweet emotional closeness they shared, and their arms around each other tightened in response.

In the Physical Realm, no time passed while they gathered together, sharing the intimacy of their collective Soul. The only outward indication anything happened was a brief flashing of their eyes turning White and unshed tears making them bright. The comfort of their warm flesh touching washed through them just as the warmth of their Souls, and they basked in it. Then, relaxing into the liquid Golden Light, everyone saw the short interaction and was stunned.

Backing them out of the merge, Brad kept them deeply Linked to discuss their thoughts.

Aaron: I have been expecting something like this.

Taking Aaron's hand, Albrecht kissed the back of it with a knowing smile.

Grinning, Ken thought: Spill it, doc.

Aaron: You all know, even with my arcane knowledge, I am a man of science. It has been three years since The Master's death. God is a Triune Being. Three of you now wield Gifts. In the arcane world, there is power and significance in threes, just as The Dove stated. It is no surprise to me that events are starting up again at this time. It could have been six years, or nine, or any denomination of three, but it was most likely going to happen at one of those intervals.

Brad: I never would have taken you for a numerologist, doc.

Chuckling, the doctor replied: I am not, Bradford, but certain numbers in certain combinations do have significance. Numerology is a fringe, pseudoscience at best, but just as with folk tales, there is always a grain of truth to be found if you delve deeply enough.

Bryan: Seeing me in that Dream makes me want to check on Leroy again. There's no telling where that cave is, but... I don't know; I just worry about him. He's so different from when I first met him... he's evolved.

Bryan's deep concern for the beast was apparent, and their Hearts tightened around him.

Aaron: He has Bryan, and continues to do so, I'm sure in no small part due to your love for him. The question remains, to what purpose? He was created to destroy or renew Creation. I am thinking out loud, but what if Leroy could renew the First Creation? Perhaps that is why God never answered Allenor's request to be unmade, intending for him to return home?

A collective `holy shit' ran through their Minds at his comment.

Ken: With everythin' rampin' back up, we need `ta be more on our toes than ever. As bad as The Master was, Luke's on another whole level. We know this, and have `ta be on our game. Any mistake can cost us our lives.

His concern for all of them and the seriousness of his words ran through them, but when Ken looked inside his Brothers and his beloved mentors, he saw no fear, just brave determination, returning the love he held for them. Seeing their loyalty towards him, which he found so humbling, made him love them all the more.

Continuing, Ken thought: Between Dar and Bry, we have new tactics `ta help keep Drew safe. B thinks ZEUS and the Congo and Uluru bases are safest for him. Henry, I hate that he'll be locked up again, but we just can't take any chances.

Henry: I get it, Ken. Drew does too. He's smart, and he's cottoned on. Obviously, I'm scared for him. I already see the same resolution in him before he ran away to try and save all of us last time...

With a heavy sigh of resignation, he continued, ...but he knows he can't run this time.

Brad: We need to figure out where everything is headed. Luke hasn't come through any of the Rifts he's opened, which means he can't, or for some reason doesn't want to. We don't know why he wants to kill Drew and bring an end to everything. Doc, do you have any ideas on how to find out more? Can we pierce through reality like he does and try to see what's going on?

Lane: Maybe I can try. Remiel can't perceive the First Creation or The Void as far as we know, but the Ether is everywhere, and I tap into it all the time.

Aaron: That idea terrifies me for you, my boy. It is such an unknown. If you make it through, you might not be able to come back. I would only consider that route if we cannot discern the information any other way. Let me focus on it first. Patrick and Bradford can assist me.

Ken: Alright, you fuckers, let's enjoy the rest of the day. Sorry doc, but you and Albrecht are now officially included in that term. I just can't break the habit.

Grinning, Aaron responded: In all my time spent on this earth, Kenneth, that is one term I never thought applicable to me, yet somehow, in some inexplicable way, your saying it with love makes it tolerable.

All of them, even Albrecht, laughed at his response. It was nice to see Aaron as one of them this time and not holding back like he did with The Master.

Once back in their bodies, the food and swimming resumed. Giovanni, always the center of the party, took it upon himself to keep Adam laughing and was quite successful. Maybe on her own or possibly through Drew, Chloe detected the hurt and sadness in him and spent a lot of time in his lap.

The look on his face when Chloe or the boys sat with him did not go unnoticed by any of them, and it lightened their Hearts to see it. He reminded them so much of Henry when he first came to them..., so broken and full of despair. They were determined to help him recover his life and give him a chance at happiness. Henry nearly teared up to see his new friend more relaxed and, at least temporarily, not focused on his hardships and worry about his wife and children.

When the sun started to go down, Ken sent a private thought: Hey Bry, do we have stuff `ta make smores?

Is that a rhetorical question, Boss?

Laughing, Ken thought: Sorry, I must've forgot who I was talkin' to. All those punches you throw `ta my head have me rattled.

Bryan: Enough with the flattery. The answer is yes, fucker, but marshmallows are hard for the kids to roast on the grille.

Ken: I know. How about we take a quick side trip to The Valley and have a bonfire? Lane can play, and the kids and us grown-ups can make smores?

Bryan: Damn, that's a good idea. Did Brad think of that?

Laughing, Ken retorted: Fucker.

Knowing normal humans aren't allowed there, Ken raised his head to the Heavens, shouting in his Mind: Michael!

After practicing annunciating Michael's name repeatedly in the First Language, his use was flawless.

Michael: I hear you, Ken.

Ken: Grandfather, I wanna ask two favors.

Michaell: Is something amiss? Have Luke's new underlings appeared?

Ken: So, you know about them?

Michael: Raphael informed me. He and I communed.

Ken's concern was evident to Michael when he tentatively asked: So, are you alright?

Michael: I am fine, Ken, and thank you. For everything. I cannot begin to express how much you mean to me. You and your Brothers are responsible for what Father has done.

Ken: Are all of you on board now?

Michael: Yes, we are.

Ken: Nice! You know if you need `ta talk, call me. Raphael set up a phone number `ta text us. I can call out `ta you or get home quick whenever you wanna visit. I miss our sparrin' time.

Michael: I, as well. Now, what are these favors you mentioned?

Ken: Me and the guys are havin' a get together on ZEUS, and I'd like `ta take everybody `ta The Valley for a few hours as a special treat. You probably think it's frivolous, but I'd really like `ta do it, for a few reasons.

Michael: That is one favor; what is the other?

Ken: I'd like for you `ta join us.

Ken couldn't see the reaction on Michael's face but thought he detected a change in his voice.

Michael: It would be my honor, Ken. Your friends now have a dispensation to enter safely for one day. Call to me once you are there, and I will join you.

<> 

Twenty minutes later ZEUS was vacated and everyone stood under the mighty branches of Yggdrasil, the Tree of Life. The evening temperature was pleasant, although the humidity was still off the charts.

They kept a wood pile for fires when some of the guys camped by the giant roots of the Tree, and they piled what they had into a large pyramid shape and Darren ignited the wood. Fanning out, a few of the guys quickly replenished their wood supply, getting more for later in the evening and for future trips.

Adam, Sally, Kelly, and even Giovanni were in awe. They stood in what humans referred to as the Garden of Eden, hidden from humans for thousands of years. As a precaution, Bryan Shielded his friends from the Life Energy of the Tree, even though they weren't Awake and couldn't sense it as much. The Valley was just another big forest to Tommy and Brett, but the boys were blown away at how big Yggdrasil was.

Their camp was perfect, with large logs moved into place to lean against. Over the years they created the perfect camping spot, digging out a large fire pit ringed with stones, positioning the logs, and keeping the ground clear. The Valley was still the most comforting place in the world to all of them, truly their "Fortress of Solitude."

The night clear and beautiful, with the Milky Way fully visible even with the light of the bonfire. The sanctity of the place was evident to the humans, and coupled with the presence of the guys, incredibly soothing and comforting. It was Drew's birthplace, where the first two human Souls entered into the world and the place of both his deaths.

Secretly pondering that thought, Brad kept it hidden to not upset anyone. Drew had died twice, once to start The Curse and once to remove it from The Master. Would he have to die a third time?

Letting his brain run with the "what if's," he understood the doctor's opinion of Numerology, so packing his thoughts away for a later discussion, he returned his attention to the get-together.

Again calling out in the First Language, Ken intoned: Michael!

Immediately a ball of Light appeared, growing into the form of Ken's Archangel Grandfather, Michael, mightiest of the High Host of Heaven. Tommy and Brett both said "Cool!" at the same time, getting a chuckle out of everybody.

Appearing dressed in his usual jeans, t-shirt, and leather jacket, after seeing everyone in swimwear, Michael's clothes vanished, replaced by board shorts. Noticing Michael's trunks had little swords and shields all over them, Ken smirked.

Ken: B, I need `ta get a pair of those!

Moving forward, Ken embraced his Grandfather, and Michael lifted Ken off the ground, practically squeezing the life out of him.

Michael: Thank you, Ken, for including me.

Ken: Thanks for comin'! I know how busy you are, so it means a lot `ta me you wanna be here.

Turning to everyone, Ken said, "For anyone who hasn't met him yet, this is my grandfather, Michael."

Smiling, Michael's gaze scanned them all, and in his rich, pleasant voice, said, "Greetings. It is an honor to meet you."

After hugging Brad, Michael sat beside Ken, settling himself. Leaving Henry's lap, Drew moved over to hug Michael.

"Hi, Mister Michael."

"Hello, young Drew," Michael replied, "it is wonderful to see you again."

Drew pattered on, telling Michael all about his current life, while Michael listened intently. Drew's casual affection touched the Archangel in an odd way, genuinely making him feel comfortable sitting with his grandson and the other mortals.

Sally had interacted with Uriel in the battle against the Eschphene and had seen a few of the Archangels before but was still in awe of Michael's presence. Used to seeing all the guys mostly naked, even with their phenomenal bodies, Michael was on a completely different level.

His inhuman charisma, exuding virility and manliness beyond human, affected her deeply. Snuggling up to Henry, she whispered in his ear, "I'm sorry, Henry, but we might need to sneak away for a few minutes."

Grinning from ear to ear, his face blushing, he looked at her and nodded, putting his arm around her and holding her against him. The warmth of his bare skin and the strength of his body held her as she rested her head on his shoulder.

Brad kept the adults Linked, not deep enough to talk but to feel each other's presence. The Deeper Link he always kept with his Brothers and mentors was also present, so they could converse freely among themselves and shit-talk without the boys overhearing them.

Once Drew stopped talking and headed back to Henry's lap, a short silence followed, but Bryan broke it by announcing, "Time to roast some marshmallows!"

Almost instantly, the children lined up in front of Bryan, who had a long twig for each of them with a marshmallow stuck on the end.

"Now remember, don't let them catch on fire. Just hold them close, and turn them slowly, so they toast even all the way around."

Tommy and Brett sat on Bill and Kevin's laps, and Chloe sat on Adams. Henry glanced at Kelly, who raised her eyebrows and shrugged her shoulders.

Her Australian accent fully apparent, she thought: Yeah, w_hat can I say? She has good taste in men. She's also a little hussie like her mum._

All of the guys burst out laughing at her comment but quickly came to Chloe's defense in the Link. Kelly gave back as good as she got, bantering with them like another sister. Brad, in particular, almost teared up at the thought of how far she had come since Darren rescued her. However, he suppressed his emotion, not wanting to ruin the moment, and Ken's arms tightened around his husband, kissing his cheek.

Holding his marshmallow out to the fire, Drew reclined against his dad's chest, perfectly comfortable with Sally being so close. The white lock in Henry's hair, reflecting the firelight, practically glowed as he shrewdly glanced at Bryan, who masked himself well, but Henry saw the look on his face and knew his Brother well.

Through merging so often, Henry knew how much Bryan loved Drew, even wishing he was his own son. There was no jealousy, just a profound spark of paternal instinct. Open to one another, Henry merged with Bryan very briefly, who choked at the sudden, unexpected intimacy, coughing to cover it.

To Drew, Henry thought: Hey, Tiger, why don't you go sit on your Uncle Bry's lap? He's doing all this for you, Tommy, Brett, and Chloe, so why don't you go show him some love?

With one of his adult-like expressions, Drew knew precisely what Henry's reasoning was, and compassionate beyond his years, he got up and moved to Bryan, whose eyes turned glassy as he wrapped one arm around Drew's stomach and kissed the top of his head.

No words were said, and none were needed. Bryan often wished Drew were his son, loving Drew as much as Henry. His feelings when holding Drew while he cooked or wrestled on the floor were so fulfilling and ran through the Link. Yet, no one gave him any shit for his emotions; it was too deep to be made fun of.

For the adults, Darren threw half the bag of marshmallows in the air, spreading them out around the fire with his Mind, slowing circling and rotating them like a rotisserie.

With everything set out, when the marshmallows were perfect, Bryan helped the boys make the smores, squeezing the toasted marshmallows off the end of the twigs between two graham crackers and half a chocolate bar. He made Chloe's, as she was a little too young and needed help.

Ken's stomach rumbled at the site and smell, which sent off a round of giggles among the boys and laughter from his buddies. Grinning, Bryan handed an extra smore to Ken.

Ken: Thanks, Bry!

Bryan: It's not for you, dumbass; it's for Michael!

Ken looked chagrinned, but Bryan held out another one.

Bryan: Okay, you can have one more. I don't want to hear that angry gut of yours complain anymore tonight.

Turning to Michael, Ken said, "Grandfather, I know you don't have `ta eat, but you need `ta try this. It's a tradition, and we always make `em when we camp."

Glancing at it curiously, Michael turned it over, examining it.

Biting into it, his Ageless eyes, filled with the depths of the Second Creation, widened in surprise.

Chuckling, Ken said, "Yeah, you're hooked. I knew you would be."

"This is heavenly!"

Splitting the extra one Bryan handed him, Ken gave Michael the other half.

Laughing, Brad said, "He doesn't even do that for me, Michael. Count yourself special!"

With his little kid grin, Ken said, "I eat them for you, B. I do it out of love, so you won't have to listen to my angry gut."

In the Link, all of them thought: You are so full of shit!

A collective groan escaped all the guys, and Lane said aloud, "Man, it's getting deep out here."

Looking around, Chloe asked, "What's deep?"

To divert the conversation, Lane summoned his guitar.

"Never you mind your gorgeous little head, sugar. It's time for some songs!"

Even with all the sugar in them, after a long day of swimming and playing, the kids struggled to keep their eyes open.

Sleepily, Drew asked, "Uncle Loy, can you do Aslan?"

Grinning, Loy asked back, "Who's your favorite Uncle?"

Smiling, Drew said, "You are, Uncle Loy, you're the best!"

"Well, in that case..."

Removing himself from Rick's arms and standing up, Loy's form shimmered, and suddenly an enormous lion stood at the edge of the fire. Moving a little further away from the heat, Loy plopped down, and the four children ran over to snuggle against him.

Lions don't purr but through his Avatar he created the sound and vibration, and snuggled up against his warm furry body, the children quickly fell asleep.

Ricky: I want your regular warm, furry body later tonight! All to myself, if you please.

Lane: Yeah, no scaring the children with what they might see or hear over what you two do. Even I don't venture there.

With Drew asleep, Sally looked at Henry with raised eyebrows, which made him grin.

Standing and taking her hand, Henry said, "We'll be back in a bit, fellas."

In the Link, a few cat calls followed, knowing precisely what was about to happen.

Giovanni, sitting next to Adam on one side with Arron and Albrecht on the other, saw the expression on Adam's face, a mix of wonder and disbelief at where he was and who he was with. As powerful as his new friends were, there was no hint of ego in them, and their casual inclusion of him was still overwhelming at times.

Grinning, Giovanni said, "It takes getting used to, Adam. We sit in the birthplace of modern man, with one Archangel and ten half-angels, making smores and listening to music. Tomorrow we will wake in our beds, back in the real world. Cherish these times, my friend. Let them be a healing memory. Few humans are blessed to be in such company."

<><> 

Unsettled, Eleleth tried to rest within his Seal. Through his connection to Henry Ross of the Second Creation, after blending and the pain of separating, longing for some type of companionship was unexpected and ran deep.

After living with his Brethren for trillions of years, the hurt after each of them faded increased to an almost unbearable level. Yet, he was an Archon, and his Purpose was to Protect and keep The Doors between the two Creations Sealed. Before blending with Henry Ross, although he missed his fellow Luminaries, he wasn't lonely.

He missed his existence before The Doors, when he sang the First Creation into existence with his Father and performing tasks similar to Michael and the other Archangels but on a grander scale. With the First Creation all but gone and only remnants remaining, he was no longer needed there, and his new Purpose was to Protect what remained. However, there was nothing for him to do with The Curse upon the Second Creation keeping The Doors from opening.

Yet everything changed after putting himself into Henry Ross. Once Henry touched his Soul, memories of his Brethren rushed back, and he missed them more profoundly than ever. Knowing what he felt was an unintended consequence of merging with Henry, try as he might, he couldn't fend off his emotions.

Unable to stop himself, he looked upon Henry, thinking that doing so would stave off his seclusion; however, it only worsened. Watching Henry in a sacred place known to the Second Creation as the Garden of Eden, physically naked and expressing his passion for a human woman, Eleleth smiled upon Henry's naked, virile form, and his smile widened as he looked deeper into Henry's Soul, taking comfort in just observing him and in the pleasure he partook.

Like a moth to a flame, Eleleth couldn't help it, and reaching out, he briefly touched Henry in a quick, intimate caress between their Souls.

<><> 

In The Valley, Henry made love to Sally. Not in love with one another, they did love each other deeply as friends. Happy they could share their physical desires, Henry lay on top of her, thrusting slowly and steadily, knowing exactly how Sally liked it. With their Minds and Hearts connected, expanding their pleasure, feeling and knowing their desires left no room for questions on how to pleasure one another.

In the humidity of The Valley, Henry was coated in sweat, and his muscled body shone like silver in the moonlight.

Giggling in her Mind, Sally said: It's a good thing Lane can't see us right now. Your ass looks magnificent in the moonlight.

Laughing at her comment, he had to stop moving for a minute until it passed, and then, knowing they were both close, he picked up his pace to get them back on track, setting them on the path to another mind-blowing mutual orgasm. With her eyes squeezed shut in pleasure, Sally didn't see Henry's white lock of hair glow brightly for a moment in the moonlight, or the brief Light shining out of his eyes and mouth as Eleleth touched him the moment his orgasm started.

With the first pulse of his ejaculation, Henry froze as Sally squeezed around his erection, her hands on his chest just as he liked. His body tightening, she loved the feel of his warm, muscular body and his weight on top of her. Henry felt... Something... but caught in the throes of his orgasm, Eleleth's brief touch blended with the intensity of the event.

Coming back to himself, Henry mumbled, "Holy shit, that was a good one."

Giggling, Sally said, "All of them tonight were that way for me, Henry. Actually, pretty much all the time with you."

Knowing he craved physical intimacy right after he came, Sally hugged him tight, caressing his neck and shoulders and brushing the hair off his forehead.

He always looked so handsome in that unguarded, vulnerable state. Both of them wished they would fall in love. Physically they were so perfect for each other, but they realized after merging, while they loved each other as friends, it would never be more than that, but they were determined to hold onto that as long as possible. Knowing that their sexual endeavors would eventually come to an end, they were determined to keep it going as long as possible.

Lane: Hey, you two, are you still alive out there? Henry, what are you doing to her?

Smiling, Henry quickly kissed Sally on her lips as he lifted himself off her.

With a sigh, he said, "We'd better get back."

<><> 

Below The Valley, deep in slumber, at the precise moment Eleleth touched Henry's Soul, Leroy smelled something and started. Sleepily, his enormous golden eyes opened slowly, and he sniffed.

He had never sensed another of his Kind but instinctively knew the scent for what it was.

<><> 

Lane played acoustically, keeping it quiet to not wake the children who were out like lights and piled on top of Loy. With the peace of The Valley surrounding them, the adults relaxed in a way they seldom could achieve anywhere else in the world.

Henry and Sally still hadn't returned, and Lane sent out a thought: Hey you two, are you still alive out there? Henry, what are you doing to her?

Sally's giggle ran through the Link, and Henry replied: Believe me, she gives as good as she gets.

Unable to help themselves, the guys looked into the last hour of Henry's memory, and they all let out a collection of `holy shits' and `fuck me's.'

Darren: Damn, Henry, you're a machine. Five times? You've only been gone an hour!

Henry: Do you hear anyone complaining? So, is it time to go?

Lane: If you can pull out long enough, yeah.

All of them laughed at Lane's comment, and Henry and Sally blushed.

Henry: We'll be there in a minute.

Standing up, Ken held his hand out to Michael, pulling him to his feet, and said, "Thanks for comin' tonight, Grandfather."

Michael replied, saying, "I will call you soon, Ken. With my newfound freedom... my devotion to Father and our cause is no less than ever; however, I wish to spend more time with you. I look forward to it."

Embracing, Ken held Michael tightly, expressing his love through the strength of his arms, knowing Michael would see it that way. He had learned a lot about his angelic grandfather, how he thought and what made him tick, and did his best to express his love in ways he knew Michael would understand and appreciate.

Brad: You've learned a lot, Ken.

Ken: Mostly cause of you, B. I never tell you enough how much you mean `ta me and how much I've learned about people through you. Your Compassion has rubbed off on me, I guess.

Brad: That's not my Compassion; it's my hands, which I can't keep off you.

Ken's little kid grin appeared, and his eyebrows raised: It's takin' everythin' I have not `ta jump your bones right here in front of Michael and everybody.

Turning into a ball of Light, Michael's voice filled all their Minds before he vanished: Farewell for now. Hold to the Light.

Loy: Little help, fellas? I think my paws are asleep. The boys are getting heavy.

Bill translocated Tommy and Brett into his and Kevin's arms while Kelly moved over to lift Chloe. Leaning over first, Kelly hugged Loy's big head and scratched his ears.

Kelly: You make a great pillow, mate. You know Chloe's gonna want this all the time now, yeah?

Bryan picked up Drew so Loy could get up and held Drew until Henry and Sally made it back to the camp. After cleaning up, Darren translocated everyone to ZEUS to gather their things. Then, he sent Henry, Bill, Kevin, and Kelly back to their homes, or in Henry's case, the Lab, to put the kids to bed while everyone else cleaned up and gathered their things.

Ken: Let's start trainin' at 1000 tomorrow. Everyone take an extra few hours `ta sleep in. I had a great time with all you fuckers today.

Brad sent a private thought to Ken: It was an awesome day, Ken. I'm glad Michael joined us.

Me, too, B. Damn, on top of you, seein' Henry and Sally go at it has me worked up. Let's head home. We got a few extra hours `ta burn.

Laughing, Brad thought: I see my mad seduction skills are still in full effect. You fell for it hook, line, and sinker.

Seeing each other in the moonlight on the dive deck of the Yacht, their muscular bodies practically glowing, sent their libidos into overdrive. All of them felt it and would do the same thing as Ken and Brad. The Valley always charged up their sex drives. Those still physically together hugged each other goodnight, and those not with them got Mental hugs remotely.

<> 

True to their word, Ken and Brad and all the couples made love into the early morning hours. Brad kept all of them merged, and they relished being One in their Souls while their bodies writhed and strained together. Their emotional fulfillment, exceeding even their physical pleasure, magnified everything and was the most powerful driving force between them.

Making physical love was always pleasurable, but coupled with the emotional connection they shared changed everything, elevating their love and fulfillment of each other to unimaginable levels. They didn't do it often, but with everything starting up again and the pressures they shouldered, it was a boon to all of them.

Henry stayed in them, One with them and relaxing in their connection. He had his fun with Sally earlier, but there was still a thread of sadness and worry in them over his isolation, wanting someone to be in his life like they had. Their emotions were clear when he looked deep enough, and he loved them for it, but there was nothing to be done.

Once finished and resting, drifting off for the last few hours before having to get up, Lane sleepily thought: Anybody got a cigarette?

Laughter ran through the Link at his question.

Loy asked: Have you ever smoked after sex, Lane? Ever?

Giggling, knowing at least one of them fell for his joke, Lane thought: I don't know, I've never looked.

His deadpan delivery caused them to burst out laughing, and as Bryan's arms tightened around him and he drifted off to sleep, Lane thought: My work here is done.

In honor of Henry, they did The Walton's goodnight.

<><> 

Pat, Darren, Ricky, and Loy were on the duty roster in the Lab that night. Sleeping in until 0800, which for them was huge, there were still two hours before training started. After making love all night, their energy levels were high, and they were all wide awake and hungry.

When Ken mentioned everyone sleeping in, Sally used her tablet to change the timer on the coffee machines, so they woke to the smell of fresh-brewed coffee. Silently thanking her, they sat around the kitchen table, shirtless and in their underwear, drinking their first cup.

Wandering in, Drew gave out good morning hugs before sitting down with his Uncles.

Teasing him, Loy said, "You look like you need some coffee, Tiger. You're not awake yet."

Scrunching up his nose, Drew replied, "I don't like it."

Winking at the other guys, Loy continued, "It'll put hair on your chest."

Through their Link, Darren laughed, thinking: You fucker. I can't believe you just said that.

Loy: He'll thank me later.

Darren: Henry won't!

Loy: Shit, you're probably right.

Loy said, "I tell you what, Tiger. If you decide to try it, ease into it. Start with the pot that has the green bottom."

Grinning, Darren said, "You could try a bit of cream and sugar. It makes it less strong and sweetens it up a bit and doesn't put hair on your chest."

Wide-eyed, Drew responded, "I'm not falling for that, Uncle Darren. Uncle Lane says if I drink it that way, I'll get boobs."

His comment caught them off guard, and they laughed so hard they had tears in their eyes. Still laughing, Darren fist-bumped him, saying, "You're awesome, Tiger."

Freshly showered, Adam came out of the locker room with a towel around his waist, and admiring looks crossed their faces at his tanned muscled physique. His bodyhair patterns were a huge turn on to a few of the guys, and after all day on ZEUS and Lane Healing his sunburn, his complexion significantly darkened.

Rounds of `good morning' followed and Drew got up to give him a hug, saying, "Good morning, Mister Adam."

Ricky said, "Grab a cup and join us, Adam. We're about to get breakfast started."

Henry was the only one in the Lab not present, so Pat said, "Hey, Tiger, why don't you go wake your dad up so he doesn't miss breakfast."

Vacating his seat, Drew scampered down the hall to their apartment. Playing rock, paper, scissors for who would contact Sally for her morning drive, Ricky won with ease. His eyes turning White, Rick cast his Mind out, sensing her, but she wasn't awake.

Laughing, he thought: I think Henry wore her out last night.

Loy retorted: I think he wore himself out too. They're both sleeping in.

Rick: I'll give her another half hour and if she's not awake, I'll get her up.

<><> 

At 0700, Sally woke up feeling light-headed and nauseated. The urge to throw up hit her and she barely made it into the bathroom. Feeling her forehead, she felt cold and clammy and groaned. She hadn't gotten sick since starting to work at the Lab. The doctor inoculated her to practically everything on the planet, so she thought it must have been too much food.

She felt fine last night and even grinned at the memory of Henry on top of her. He seemed far more energetic than usual and she found it a turn-on. Even feeling blah, she became aroused at the memory, wishing Henry was with her for a quick bout of morning sex. He was definitely a `morning man,' and she missed their early morning trysts and helping him with his tantric ritual.

Well, the guys can take care of me as soon as I get into the Lab. After that, maybe Henry and I can sneak away for a few minutes.

<><> 

Once again playing rock, paper, scissors, Loy and Pat lost and had to make breakfast. Omelets with toast were the unanimous decision, and they made extra knowing the rest of the guys would be showing up soon. Ken, Brad, Bryan, Lane, Kevin, and Bill all showed up hungry after their PT runs, and while they ate, Pat, Darren, Rick, Loy, Henry, and Adam ran their PT on the treadmills, leaving the kitchen cleanup to their buddies. The doctor and Albrecht showed up with Giovanni just in time to grab something to eat before the Bodies scrounged for leftovers.

While running on the treadmill, Rick again cast his Mind out to reach for Sally and was shocked when he couldn't sense her. He touched her earlier while she slept, but now he couldn't reach her at all! Linked together, collectively, the Mentalist's stomachs twinged in reaction. Only Lane, Loy, and Pat could sense her, but she was unconscious, and their anxiety spiked at how that could possibly be. Merging them into One, Brad pulled them deep to give them time to talk.

Ken: Dar, get you, Pat, me, and B there now. The rest of you stay here on alert. No alarm went off, so her house hasn't been breached as far as we know.

Aaron: If one of Luke's new underlings appeared within her home, we would know. They are far too large and would destroy much of the house.

Brad: It could be something new we haven't encountered yet.

Ken: Let's go quick. If we don't see anythin', we'll bring her back here.

Returning to their bodies, Darren's Avatar instantaneously synchronized with the other Mentalists and he, Pat, Ken, and Brad appeared at the safe spot in Sally's kitchen. The house quiet, only the Bodies heard any noise, but it was nothing out of the ordinary: the air conditioner running, the refrigerator, and the usual ambient noises of a house. They smelled Sally's scented candles and some residual odors from her lotions and makeup, and something unexpected - a slight trace of stomach acid.

Pat's eyes sparkled as he and Ken looked with their Understanding through the house, seeing Sally in her bed. Ken saw her body's systems out of kilter, but Pat Understood something completely different.

Pat: Oh, my God.

They couldn't see what he did, but the knowledge of his reaction and thoughts were a part of them.

Sally carried a Nephilim within her, but not entirely of the Second Creation. The child within her was somehow of the First Creation and theirs, and it was killing her!

<> 

Minutes later, Sally was in the main exam room in the Atlanta Lab and hooked up to the doctor's equipment to monitor her vitals, but the technology couldn't discern anything about the Child or the alien energies within her. After applying multiple catheters and collecting blood and urine samples, Aaron looked heartbroken after examining the initial test results.

Aaron: She is failing quickly, and frankly, I do not understand how she is alive at all. Any human exposed to the energy or substance of the First Creation should perish. Our bodies are too frail and not meant for such interactions.

A sudden, gut-wrenching outburst from Henry ran through the Link. His eyes filled with tears, he thought: This has to be my fault. It has to be because I blended with Eleleth to save us from those demons. God, I'm responsible for this!

Pat's eyes sparkled as his Avatar expanded and looking through his Gift he saw the Child within Sally had no connection to Henry that he could fathom. The connections to the Child, the vector arcs and lines he usually saw, simply vanished a short distance from Sally, and he was unable to discern where they went. However, he did see something else entirely unexpected.

Pat: I don't think you are, Henry. I see no relation between you and the Child, but doc, you and Albrecht confirmed Henry can't have children. His semen breaks down too quickly once it leaves his system, but I see it active within Sally, left over from our trip to The Valley. I see his DNA within her, active and alive.

Aaron: Eleleth, whether intentional or otherwise, must somehow be responsible for both the Child and the change in Henry.

Albrecht: From the ancient texts I've studied, the gestation period for Nephilim carried by human women is very condensed. There is no way to know for sure, but it could be weeks or a few months at best. She will perish long before that.

Pat: Doc, it's The Curse keeping her alive. Unawakened, she's still under its effects. It's kind of like how The Master was protected from death, but on an extremely minor scale, but it's the only thing that's kept her alive this long. If The Child was purely of the First Creation it would have destroyed her outright. Looking deeper, it's from both, but also something else, and it doesn't make sense to me.

Aaron: Patrick, is there anything you and Lane can do for her? We need time to think and discover some means to save her.

Lane: Pat, Loy, merge with me. Sorry guys, we need to do this with just the three of us.

Quickly dropping out of the Link, the three men merged, becoming One Soul. Their breath caught in their chests and their eyes watered at the deep emotional intimacy, and there was a new element none of them expected - with only the three of them, their Gifts spoke to one another. The new dimension to their merge was powerful, and for lack of a better term, their Gifts seem to enjoy touching each other.

Lane: Okay, this is cool, but we'll have to explore it later; she's getting worse by the minute.

Opening Sally's Energy Centers one by one, Lane saw the corruption in her body. Not only her cells but her Mind and Soul suffered; in every sense, she was being consumed by the nature of the Child. Healing each energy center separately but simultaneously as he had with Drew and later Brad didn't work. Her damage was different from Luke's new Demons, and his efforts didn't touch what was happening.

Lane: Oh, fuck! This is bad!

Pat: Lane, keep trying. Loy, give him everything you have! I want to try something.

Remembering the first few moments after accepting his Gift, Pat sat with God, Understanding everything. Plugged into Creation, he was more than just a part of it now. Through his Gift, he was One with the Laws of the Physical Realm and could alter them. Now, with his Gift, he could see and interact with beings and the energy of the First Creation. The Child within Sally was partially of that place, and with Pat's eyes sparkling with their new depth, he delved into what he saw.

Unlike anything from his own Creation, he now at least was able to Understand what he saw, and in a shell around Sally he altered reality, creating an intuitive cocoon where energies of both Creations were compatible. It was a tremendous effort, and he kept the change in as small an area as possible, already feeling the counterbalance weakening the fabric of reality around them.

The doctor watched, amazed as Sally's vital signs stabilized, exclaiming: Excellent, Patrick!

Pat's efforts were apparent, expressed in the tension of his muscular frame, already starting to sweat and breathe heavily. His core energy center flared, channeling oxygen into his lungs and bloodstream, giving his cells everything they needed to support his exertion.

Pat: I can't keep this up for long.

The other Bodies Understood the cost of his actions and knew he couldn't maintain that level of effort for more than a few minutes without some type of reprieve.

Ken: B, take us deep so we have time `ta talk.

The frustration at their inability to help Pat was evident in the other Bodies, pushing their need to find the remaining Gifts even more. Lane and Loy, still merged with Pat, lent him all their strength, but their Gifts were unique and not like their Avatars... they did not synchronize to a greater effect.

In their Hearts, Brad merged the rest of them. It felt odd to be two Souls in that place, not uncomfortable but it wasn't something they ever expected to have to do. Once deeply merged, the strength of Arron's apprehension became evident. Knowing the risk to Henry if he returned to The Doors and Eleleth, Aaron's initial reaction seemed to be a choice between losing Henry or saving Sally.

Aaron: I feel our sole option is to somehow contact Eleleth. He is the only being we know of who has a chance of saving Sally. The Nephilim Child within her, if that term is even appropriate, must be his.

Ken: No! Henry's not goin' back. He can't. There's no tellin' what might happen if he and Eleleth get too close.

Lane: Drew can go. We know he can get there. Maybe he can take us with him.

Aaron: We do not know if it will be safe, Lane. Perhaps for you, Patrick, and Loy. Drew, as the Crux of The Curse, and Henry, touched by God, are safe. The Gifts may offer protection from that place, but the rest of you should not make the attempt.

Frustrated but unable to refute the doctor's logic, the unknowns were too much for Ken to risk any of the rest of them.

Ken: B, pull Drew in.

<><> 

Whispering among themselves, the boys knew something was wrong and wondered what it might be. Craning his neck, Drew saw Sally on an exam bed surrounded by all the adults and his anxiety spiked. Sudden butterflies in his stomach told Drew something was very wrong.

The sound of fluttering wings startled him, and he looked around in hopes of seeing The Dove but was disappointed not to see anything; however, a whisper in his Mind and Heart made him look around. He felt someone nearby but couldn't see anyone.

Appearing in the place where his Soul resides, Drew thought: Hello?

A small Light appeared, startling him. It was weak and struggling, but he recognized it. It reminded him of the Seals within The Doors, the Light of Eleleth, but far weaker. It was only a spark and seemed to be failing.

Drew: Are you hurt?

Cupping the Light in his hands reminded him of holding Darren's Soul in Thomin's Vault when it wanted to leave his body.

Drew: I don't know what to do for you...

The tiny spark had no voice, but Drew's Empathy and Compassion clearly read the distress of the tiny Light.

Drew: You don't belong here, do you?

Crying and unsure what to do, he was about to call out to his Uncles when the warm comfort of Brad's Mind touched Drew, calling to him: Drew, we need to talk to you.

<> 

Appearing naked among them, the Light of his Uncle's and his father's warm presence surrounded Drew, easing his anxiety. The tiny Light didn't appear with him and tears spilled down his cheeks, surprising them.

Pulling Drew into a hug, Henry asked him: What's wrong, Honey? Why are you crying?

Sniffing, his eyes red and shining, Drew responded: I don't know who he is, but someone's here, and he's hurting. I think he's dying, and I don't know what to do. Is Miss Sally going to be alright?

Lane: We don't know yet, Tiger.

Burying his face against Henry's shoulder, Drew cried while Henry held him, looking at his Brothers. Then, his own eyes still wet over what was happening with Sally, Henry looked questioningly at all of them.

Loy: Drew, who are you talking about?

Drew: I don't know, Uncle Loy. I just felt him. He can't talk, but he's hurt. I was holding him in my hands, but he didn't come here with me.

Moving to Henry and Drew, Ken put his arms around them protectively and thought: Drew, can you go back `ta The Doors and take Lane, Loy, and Pat with you? Do you think you can do that?

Pat: I need to stay with Sally. We don't know if there's a time differential at The Doors.

The strain in his body wasn't expressed where Lane and Loy were, but being One they felt his effort even though they couldn't take part in it. Again, it was disturbing - in a strange way The Gifts put a rift between them that they weren't used to, and they felt the pressure to find the other Gifts more than ever so they could be complete in all aspects once again.

Brad: Drew, whoever you're sensing belongs there, and being here is causing him distress. Unfortunately, his being here is also hurting Sally. We think Eleleth can help him.

Indicating he wanted down, Henry released his hold and Drew slid down to stand on his own. Moving to Lane and Loy, Drew thought: Let's hold hands.

After his first visit to The Doors, The Temple was always present in the back of his Mind, but afraid for his dad, he stopped thinking about them as much as he could. They were there, though, and consciously thinking about them brought them back to the forefront of his thoughts. Finding his Centering Flame, he stilled his Mind. Upset out of fear for Miss Sally, his dad, and the distress of the strange presence he felt, he applied his lessons with Dr. Aaron and Mr. Albrecht and his Flame brightened, clear and steady.

His perceptions changing, he became so quiet he heard his own breathing and felt his heartbeat, fast and steady. Then, as he was taught, gradually exhaling, he slowed his racing heart. With his eyes closed, Drew didn't see the look of pride on their faces at his actions. Only ten years of age, he was one of them and with his training in full effect, stepping up to the plate for others he loved. Unable to help himself, Henry put his hand on Drew's back, rubbing his thumb a few times.

Henry: You're awesome, Tiger. I love you so much.

Smiling briefly in response, Drew's face again stilled. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled, sinking into himself and taking Loy and Lane with him, through him, to The Doors.

<> 

Lane and Loy had both seen the Temple through Drew's memory, but being present, the purity and sanctity hit them, making them feel uncomfortable and unworthy to be present. The Brightness of the place nearly blinded their Souls. The Gifts within them came from Allenor, and the place they stood was the nexus of the two Creations, close enough that the First Creation called to that part of them. Because they came from within their Hearts and not their physical bodies, they stood naked in the place, which seemed appropriate. They had nothing to hide, exposing their Hearts, Minds, and Souls to the being named Eleleth. Appearing before them, he manifested from his Seal, naked as they were. His form was more beautiful than they imagined, even more magnificent than their Archangel grandfathers.

Glancing at Lane and Loy, Eleleth addressed Drew,"Why have you come, Child? You know it is dangerous."

His brow furrowing, Eleleth saw The Gifts within Lane and Loy, and he said, "So you carry a part of the First Creation within you. There are three of you who carry it; where is the third? I watched as he received it from the strange being from the place you call The Pale."

Looking at each other, Lane nodded for Loy to go first. Smirking just like he did when Ricky did the same thing, he thought: Chicken shit.

Loy said, "I'm Loy Barton, and this is Lane Weaver. We've come to ask for your help. We have no idea how it happened, but a dear friend of ours is with child and we believe you are the father. Our friend and the child are near death, and we aren't able to help them."

<> 

Seconds after Drew took Lane and Loy with him to The Doors, Sally, Henry, and Pat physically vanished from the Lab. Lane, Loy, and Drew vanished too, and panic spiked among the guys and their mentors.

Ken: Fuck, no!

<> 

Distressed, almost frightened at Loy's words, Eleleth whispered to himself, "What have I done?"

Suddenly Sally, Henry, and Pat appeared with Sally wrapped in Eleleth's Protection. Now physically present, Pat was drenched in sweat with his muscular body fully pumped and swollen from his efforts. Understanding Sally was safe and protected by Eleleth, he released his effort with a gasp, falling to his knees in exhaustion.

Addressing Pat, Eleleth said, "Thank you for keeping them safe. If not for you, they might already have perished."

Anxiety spiked in Lane and Loy when the others appeared, especially Sally and Henry, and adding to the shock, somehow, they were in their bodies now too, physically present and in their clothes.

Instinctively, Drew moved to Henry, holding his arms out to be picked up. As soon as they appeared, Henry couldn't keep his eyes off of Eleleth, but he lifted Drew out of habit, wrapping his arms protectively around his son.

Expressing an emotional maturity far beyond his years and comprehending Henry's danger, Drew was afraid for his father. With one hand around Henry's solid shoulder, Drew placed his other hand on Henry's rough cheek, turning his head and saying, "Look at me, Daddy."

Seeing Eleleth again, being near enough to touch him, was a shock to Henry. Everything in his Soul wanted to reach out and blend with the Archon and go to that eternally blissful state of Oneness and completion. The memory of resting in the Light that helped bring the First Creation into being pulled at him like a drug. Feeling Drew's hand on his face, Drew's voice cut through Henry's desire and suddenly Drew merged them, wrapping their Souls together and making himself a barrier to Protect his father.

Within Henry, Drew saw he and Sally making love in The Valley and felt the presence of The Doors when Eleleth touched Henry just as he released within her. One of the things the doctor feared about Drew merging with adults was bringing sexual awareness prematurely to his development. Drew now understood the pleasure Henry received from their coupling and what he did to Sally. Being One, Drew experienced the pleasure of Henry's thrusting in and out and the powerful gut-wrenching orgasm as he ejaculated into her.

In his own life, Drew lived in his Dad's Heart, and his Uncles, and Aaron and Albrecht's. With The Master gone, he was the oldest human Soul to exist, and even though the incarnations were no longer present, he still held their knowledge. His Awareness of being human was beyond that of just a young boy, but he was male, and what he saw excited him in a new way. Henry felt Drew's erection pressing against his stomach as he held him. Aside from his physical reaction, after living in the Minds and Hearts of others for so much of his young life, he learned to see beyond physical bodies. Existing as he did and seeing everyone from the inside changed everything, and perhaps Aarons fears weren't as bad as he thought.

Henry's first reaction was a smile, happy at the new development in his son growing into a young man, but he also thought: Oh, boy. We need to have a talk when we get home.

Drew loved everything about Henry; his strength, his love, his never-ending Protection, the scent of his sweat, deodorant, and aftershave... all the things about him and what he offered every second of every day. Afraid of losing it all to Eleleth, he interposed himself, making himself a Shield around his father. Pushing his love into Henry's Heart, Drew made his father see everything, trying to give him the strength to resist blending with Eleleth at that moment, and maybe forever.

Everything happened in the time between breaths, and Loy, Pat, and Lane were aware of it all because they were merged with Henry. Adding their presence to Drew's, they latched onto Henry with their Souls, anchoring him in their Unconditional Love. Seeing Drew and his Brothers Protecting Henry deepened Eleleth's isolation even more. Alone countless years after the other Archons faded, he held to his Purpose but never felt lonely until now. Of course, he missed the other Archons terribly, but loneliness was something he had not experienced, and he never imagined blending with Henry to save Drew would result in such profound feelings of longing and isolation.

Eleleth stammered, saying, "I... this is my fault. In a moment of weakness I reached out to you, Henry. I touched you, thinking it would be enough to satisfy my desire. It did for a time, but now you stand before me again..."

His voice trailed off, a wistful expression on his face, but he quickly came back to himself, continuing, "It was never my intention to create a child within the woman. It should be impossible. My Kind were never able to have offspring with Allenor's race, so again we are presented with an unintended consequence of our actions and something entirely unprecedented."

Just as it was with their Archangel grandfather, tear trails of Light shone on Eleleth's cheeks. Not wanting to prolong Henry's presence there, Loy pushed, asking, "Can you help Sally and the child?"

Eleleth said, "Yes, I can. I must. Her body is too fragile to survive what is happening. No such child has ever existed, and its birth will destroy her."

Lane's Avatar lit up on his shoulder. The magnitude and potency of the ripples revolving and reverberating in a nexus around them kept him from seeing anything clearly, but his Compassion never wavered as he asked Eleleth, "Are you ready to be a father? Will the child be okay here with you?"

The sincerity of Lane's question surprised Eleleth, but he responded, "It seems I have little choice. After blending with Henry, I share his experience in raising his own son. I will follow his wisdom and hope it suffices."

Staring at Sally, at the unique being growing within her, Eleleth's eyes flashed White, and suddenly, a man stood among them, handsome beyond words, a perfect mix of Eleleth and Henry. Naked, his powerful body was more than pleasant to look at, and he shone with the same Light as Eleleth. Completely innocent, newly formed, he looked around in confusion at the men and boy standing with him.

Lane: Well, that was fast.

Loy: Even faster than Henry's hair-trigger.

Henry almost snorted at their shit-talk, but it had the desired effect of lightening the mood. Eleleth's casual power caught them off guard, and the idea of him withdrawing the child from Sally and aging it in a fraction of a second to full adulthood was incomprehensible.

Looking upon Sally, Eleleth's brow furrowed, and in a sad voice he said, "I fear she will still suffer, even from the short time carrying my offspring. That is something I cannot touch."

His statement caught them off guard, and Lane asked, "What do you mean?"

Eleleth said, "I see the harm within her, touching her body and her Soul, but I cannot heal her. She is of your Creation, not mine, and if I were not protecting her she would perish immediately. I am sorry."

Sniffing, Drew pushed his face against Henry's neck, and Henry felt his tears. Not knowing what to say he simply held his son, trying to comfort him. Everything occurring was unknown and happening so fast.

Lane: Fuck!

Before any of them could say or do anything else, they vanished.

<><> 

Ken: Fuck, no!

Aaron: Oh, my!

Lane, Loy, and Pat were One and in a separate merge, but they were still in the Hearts and Minds of their husbands, and the sudden absence was like a physical blow in both realms. Fear and anxiety hit them hard. The implications of being physically present at The Doors were a complete unknown. Drew and Henry should be safe, but Henry's situation was entirely different and the fear of potentially losing him forever was unthinkable. What it would mean to Drew and all of them was terrifying. Their dread of losing Sally was no less than for Henry, and they couldn't imagine their lives without her.

Brad's Avatar igniting, his strength, combined with Ken's Conviction and Will, wrapped around them. Kevin and Bill augmented his effort, and the two couples embraced Bryan, Ricky, and Darren, holding firm and emphasizing their presence, temporarily filling the gaps of their missing husbands and the other halves of their Souls. Calming themselves, Brad focused them on a single Centering Flame. Then, pushing their worry and concerns back to a manageable place, he compartmentalized their emotions, allowing them to focus on the situation and their friends. Merged deep within themselves, in the place where their single Soul resided, their naked bodies pressed together, holding one another tight. The warmth of their skin, just like the warmth of their Souls, was a comfort, and resting in the liquid Golden Light of each other calmed them.

Albrecht: Our only option is to wait for their return and hope for the best outcome.

Aaron and Albrecht were used to waiting. Once Charissa renounced the penance of their forced separation and they were back together, every time their adoptive sons went on a mission against The Enemy where potentially some or all of them might never return, they held to one another. Their presence and experience were a boon to their adoptive sons, and helped tremendously.

The feeling of waiting brought back memories in all of guys, when they ran missions in Syria in the Navy as SEALs. Brad and Darren's perfect memory recalled the smell of the Sikorsky helicopter they were so often strapped in while shooting the shit with each other, teasing each other, and relying on one another. Relying upon and trusting one another was one of their greatest strengths, and sinking into the emotions tied to those memories gave them what they needed to wait for everyone to come back.

<><> 

Although it seemed like hours, barely ten minutes passed before their companions reappeared. Seeing everyone who vanished returned, the relief on their faces was evident. Crying, Drew rested in Henry's arms with his head on his father's shoulder. Sally remained unconscious, and Lane, Loy, and Pat seemed worried and angry. Bryan, Ricky, and Loy immediately moved to their husbands, embracing them and needing to touch them to know they were alright.

Brad pulled Lane, Loy, Pat, and Henry back into their merge and instantly, everyone saw and heard everything that happened, and a collective groan over Sally's condition escaped them.

Ken: Fuck! This can't be happenin'! There has `ta be some way `ta fix her!

Lane: With everything Eleleth can do, he said he can't Heal her.

After seeing everything, Aaron thought: Based on what we know, I understand. As painful as it is, and as powerful as he is, with the few exceptions among us, it seems he cannot touch anyone who is solely of our Creation.

With the Nephilim Child out of Sally, Pat looked on her with his full Understanding, synchronized by the other Bodies and magnified by his Gift. No one else could discern the damage in the energy centers of her Heart, Mind, and Soul. What he saw was faint, but it was a toxin to her very existence, and he knew they couldn't touch it. If it was only energy from the First Creation they could affect it with effort, but having the child within her, even for a short time, altered her in a way they couldn't fathom. Looking through Pat's eyes, Aaron calculated Sally had a few months left to live unless they could find some way to remove what was in her.

Ken couldn't help but remember a conversation he had with Brad years before after rescuing Sally, Henry, Drew, Tag, and Olive from The Master. After merging with Darren and Pat, Sally decided to join them in their cause, but he was always afraid eventually she would be hurt or killed.

<> 

Ken: And what about Sally? She's practically taken over the Lab, just like she did the company. The doc can't live without her now.

Brad: Yeah, that's great, isn't it? It's no surprise merging with Pat and Dar that night did wonders for her, but she's really digging into the cause. She could be invaluable to us.

Ken: B, I'm worried she's gonna get hurt if she stays with us. As a normal human, she'll be vulnerable. We won't be able `ta watch her all the time, and eventually somethin'll happen, and we'll regret it.

<> 

Ken: It's happenin' B. This is what I was always afraid of, but I figured it would be one of The Master's flunkies or a Demon that got her. Not somethin' like this.

<><> 

Needing to stay close to Sally none of them wanted to be out of the Lab, so that night Bryan arranged a subdued dinner. Sally still slept, and Aaron had no idea if she would wake up or simply stay asleep until she passed. After dinner, even with what was happening, Tommy and Brett wanted to watch more episodes of Lost in Space. Drew didn't want to but Henry sat with him, encouraging him to participate. Adam sat with them, quiet and feeling out of place, not knowing what to say or how to handle the situation. Fully aware of his discomfort, everyone went out of their way to make him feel more at home.

Leaving everyone in the lounge, Ken and Brad went to their room and got on their bed. Ken had bottled up his own concerns to keep everyone else focused and positive, but he expressed everything behind the closed door to Brad. Everyone would see his reaction when they merged in the morning and would probably give him shit for it while loving him at the same time. He wasn't sobbing, but his eyes filled with tears, and Brad held him, soothing him as best he could with his hands, Heart, and Mind.

Ken: I knew somethin' like this would eventually happen, B. We talked about it, and I brought it up.

Brad: I remember...

Grinning, Ken retorted: Of course you do.

Brad: I do remember. I told you it was her decision to join because of Free Will, and I still stand by that. She's been with us for years now and is a huge part of the Team. Everyone loves her, and she's been part of a world she never could have imagined, Ken.

After a slight pause, Brad continued: I'm more worried than ever about Henry, Ken. He feels responsible, even though it was Eleleth. I also worry how Sally will take all of this if she does wake up, especially if we find a way to cure her.

Ken: Things have sure gone into the shitter quick, haven't they? We had three years of peace and an almost normal life, but not anymore.

Brad: Are you tired of it, Ken? Of the fight and our role in everything?

Ken pondered his question while Brad watched his Mind working, pulling the truth out of himself.

Ken: No. I do wish things would have taken longer `ta start back up. I wish Drew, Tommy, and Brett didn't have `ta deal with this, but hell, maybe it's easier `cause they're younger. Who knows?

Brad: I could get Lane to help me look if you really want.

Looking at his husband and seeing the smirk on his face, Ken grinned and thought: You fucker. Yeah, you really could, I guess. God, B, the things we can do... but looking into alternate realities doesn't do much against Luke, does it?

Brad: I don't think the Gifts were meant to be weapons against Luke, Ken. After thinking about Lane, Loy, and now Pat, even though their Gifts aren't working to full effect, I think our Gifts will plug us into our Creation even more. To everything, there is a Purpose... we need to figure out the Purpose of The Gifts and our ultimate goal. If we can't remove The Curse without ending existence, then what are we here for?

Ken: When you figure it out let me know, alright?

Wanting to soothe Ken as much as he could, Brad's hands roamed over his husband while they spoke; through his hair, over his body, his ears, and finally, his ultimate goal.

Ken's little kid grin appeared, and he thought: Thanks, B.

Brad: Don't thank me yet; I'm just getting started.

Stripping off his shirt, Ken leaned back, making himself available to his husband's ministrations, but he had every intention of giving back everything he received. Their Hearts hurt deeply, but like Ken often said, "There's not much in life a good fuck won't cure."

<><> 

That night, Loy took himself and Ricky to the Serengeti. Aside from the deep ocean, it was one of the most peaceful places on earth to him. His grief over Sally, and some guilt for not discovering a way to help her, ran deep. It ran through all of them, but Loy, Lane, and Patrick felt the brunt of it. They had their Gifts but were still unable to help their dear friend. Animals from miles around traveled to their Steward as soon as his presence arrived. The elephant and her calf, who was now a young adult, were there, along with many of the gorilla troop that the poachers hunted.

Ricky: It's nice to see all these guys. Things are safer now because of you.

Loy: Yeah, at least there's that.

Ricky: It's not your fault, Loy. Or Lane's or Pat's. I guess ultimately it's Eleleth's fault, but he didn't do it out of malice. The situation is just fucked up. We know the pull of wanting to be One, and it's new to him. As ancient and powerful as he is, he just wanted to be with Henry.

Loy: It's crazy how such a simple touch created this situation. Godlike beings don't realize how fragile those around them are. Well, God does... His voice drifted off with his thoughts as his husband held him in his powerful arms.

Wearing only their shorts, their solid, tanned bodies shone in the humidity, accentuating their muscles. Like Brad did for Ken, Ricky soothed Loy. The presence of the animals surrounding them helped just as much, and Loy cried. He needed to get it out of his system, and Ricky knew it.

They weren't alone, even with the animals. Their Souls still touched their Brothers, halfway across the planet. They were rarely alone, which is why it hurt to go to The Doors without Ricky and the others. He had Pat and Lane with him, and the three of them held each other tightly while they were there, but the absence of everyone else, especially his husband, was difficult. It made his understanding of Eleleth's plight even more profound, and he couldn't bring himself to blame the Archon, even though he was responsible.

Once the worst of Loy's tears were gone, Ricky got physical, knowing it would help Loy work out the stress of his emotions and his Body. He made it primal because that's what Loy needed. Sometimes he needed tenderness, but not this time. While purging the worst of his emotions, animals for hundreds of miles around them roared, or barked, or screeched when he came, expressing his pleasure and his pain. Relaxed after hours of sex, Loy didn't sleep. Staying in Ricky's arms, they both remained awake, One with themselves and their brothers, sometimes talking and sometimes being still in each other.

It was the way they lived now, and survived.

<><><> 

Bryan wanted to visit Leroy in The Valley, but his concern for Sally kept him in the Lab. He prepared everything to make her favorite meals for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and the night before he logged onto their food delivery service and put in a special order of her favorite ice cream.

Lane often said, "I swear, Bry, in another life I think you were a little Jewish grandma. The way you need people to eat, it's a wonder we aren't all as big as houses, even with our metabolisms." He always accompanied his comment with a hug or a kiss, and Bryan smirked at the memory as he placed the order.

Lane sat with Bryan in Sally's room, accompanied by Albrecht, who lit some incense beside her bed. The aroma was extraordinarily mild and soothing and smelled oddly familiar.

Keeping his voice low, Bryan asked, "Albrecht, what is that?"

"I'm familiar with Sally's fondness for scented candles, so I made this for her. I was planning on giving it to her on her next birthday. It's lovely, isn't it? While harvesting the crystals we used at your wedding, I came across this algae in Leroy's cave. I believe, just like the crystals, his presence altered it. It took some time to find the right binding for it, but once I did, I knew she would love it. Aaron and I use it in our room."

Looking with his Understanding, Bryan saw medicinal properties in the smoke. Not enough to affect Sally's condition, but it would help with general health and wellbeing. In fact, Understanding how it would affect a person's mental health as well, he wondered at it. It didn't surprise him that Leroy could help produce something so wonderful for the world, but it always made him happy and even prouder of the great, misunderstood beast.

A yawn from Sally pulled all three men to their feet, and her eyes fluttered open to see their handsome faces staring down on her.

Looking down at herself in the hospital bed, confused, she asked, "What's going on? How did I get here?"

Albrecht asked, "What's the last thing you remember, Sally?"

"Feeling horrible and getting sick after our trip to The Valley. I went back to bed and figured I'd ask one of you to check me out when I got here."

Glancing at Lane and Bryan, Albrecht's expression told them not to say anything yet about her condition.

Smiling, Bryan said, "Hey beautiful, are you hungry?"

Starting to sit up, she stopped when the ECG cables and catheters pulled. Glancing at the monitor, her vitals looked good for the moment, and she said, "Yes, I am. I feel like I haven't eaten in days! I also feel fine, so can you unhook me? I need to hop in the shower and get dressed. Most of all, I need to pee."

Lane immediately began removing the pads and catheters and helped her sit up. Only wearing a standard hospital gown, she said, "Too bad Henry's not here; he's the only one who appreciates my luxurious body."

They couldn't help the chuckle that came out of them, and giving her a quick hug, Bryan said, "I'll have some breakfast on the table when you get out of the shower."

<> 

As soon as Sally woke up, everyone was aware. Aaron knew through Albrecht, and the other men, merged across the world, knew through their Link. While Sally showered and got dressed, everyone else appeared in the Lab and sat ready and waiting in the kitchen when she came out of her mini-apartment in the Lab. When she exited the hallway and saw them, she stopped, staring at their handsome faces looking back at her. Drew, Tommy, and Brett all ran to hug her, and she bent over to kiss their cheeks while trying to act like everything was normal. She saw her breakfast on the table, and Bryan made food for everyone else, but her favorite poached eggs with bacon, sourdough toast, mushrooms, and potatoes sat on the table, presented perfectly.

"If I'm going to get the royal treatment, I need to get sick more often! Bryan, this looks delicious. Thank you, sweetie!"

Moving to the table she sat down, and smiling, said, "Sorry boys, but I'm going to wait on you like one pig waits on another."

Smiles and chuckles followed, and they lined up to hug her and kiss the top of her head since she was seated. As astute as ever, she knew they were masking bad news but went along for the time being. She knew a thing or two about timing, and with the boys present, it was not a good idea to bring up something serious. The clanking of plates and silverware followed as the guys dug into Bryan's buffet before taking their usual spots. Minutes later all the food was gone, vanished into the hollow legs she was convinced they had. As trim as their waists were, it had to go somewhere else!

Once the boys were finished, an odd look passed across her face, and she asked, "What day is this? How long was I asleep?"

Aaron replied, "It is Monday, my dear, but there are no lessons for the boys today."

"Well, that's a relief. I was afraid you were going to tell me it had been a month or something really crazy."

Henry said, "Boys, why don't you go and play or watch TV for a bit."

Aware of the conversation about to take place, Drew gave Sally another hug before following Tommy and Brett to the TV to watch more episodes of Lost in Space. Adam moved to follow, but Sally said, "Would you stay, Adam? I'd like you to be here."

"Of course, as long as I'm not intruding."

Sally said, "You're a part of this family now, so you're never intruding. We share everything here, right guys?"

Most of them had good poker faces, but a few of them didn't, Henry probably the worst of all.

Continuing, she said, "What haven't you told me? What happened to me?"

The Mentalists Avatars started glowing softly, and she knew it must be bad. Henry tried to start by saying, "Sally, you..." but he couldn't finish, his eyes watering and throat tightening.

Aaron finished his sentence, "You were pregnant, my dear, but I'm afraid what happened is much more than just that."

Of all the things she could imagine them saying, being pregnant was near the end of the list.

"Wait... you said were."

In his deep, gentle voice, Albrecht said, "Perhaps it would be best to do this in our Hearts. There will be less confusion there, and the boys will not overhear anything."

Adam hadn't merged with anyone but Henry, so Brad merged everyone but him, keeping him in their Minds and Hearts as close as they could. His eyes watered at the liquid, Golden Light of their Souls shining behind his closed eyelids as he appeared naked with them in that special place. It was getting easier for him, and he relished the time spent merged with Henry or in the Hearts of any of the guys. Pushing back his own worries, being in that particular place surrounded by unconditional love allowed him to focus on his new friends.

Shocked to see Sally naked with the rest of them, Adam realized there really were no secrets between them.

Everything that transpired became known to Sally, and she went numb. While unconscious, she held within her the Nephilim Child of an Archon from the First Creation, had it removed, and thereby became exposed to some type of foreign energy that was killing her. Her eyes brightened with unshed tears at the shock and the reality that she was dying and nothing could be done about it. Her Mind spinning, everyone held her, giving her the time she needed in the place where Time didn't move. Each of them embraced her, sharing their warm strength and unconditional love.

One consistently clear message came from each of her Brothers – they were not giving up and would find some way to cure her. Her death was not an option, and Ken's Will and Conviction, magnified by the other Bodies, surrounded her Heart, keeping despair and desperation at bay.

They cried with her, though, over what happened and the fact they could not know the Nephilim Child she bore. Oddly, she thought of Kelly, who had been used by The Enemy to birth children with genetic deformities in an effort to create Innocents able to channel their Power, making them undetectable to the Light. At least Kelly had Chloe after Darren and Pat Healed her. Sally's pregnancy, even if that's what it could be called, wasn't even against her will, being unaware of it. She and Henry were having sex, and he became a conduit as unknowingly as she.

Sally easily could be angry at Henry and everyone, but she had grown so much by living, interacting, and merging with them. Having grown and matured beyond ego and pride, she held them blameless. Seeing the memory of Ken's conversation with Brad, she reiterated: It was my choice, Ken, and still is. I understand your fear, and maybe it was inevitable, but if no one joined our cause, The Order would have died out long ago.

Thinking about it, early on she remembered wanting her Mind Awakened like Henry's, but over time she reconsidered her original wish. With no one in her life to share Immortality with, she would be lonely and regretted more than ever she and Henry weren't Soulmates. If only Carlo hadn't died...

Henry saw all of Sally's thoughts, and his Brothers arms tightened around him, too, sharing the same concerns for him, which made the danger of losing him to Eleleth even greater.

Sally: I love you all so much, and I know you'll do everything you can for me, but I want you to know from the bottom of my Heart, if you can't, I'm okay with that. I've become a part of something greater than I could ever have imagined. My best days used to be buying makeup and shoes at the Mall, and now they're teaching the boys and living my life with you, helping defend mankind.

Reaching over, she patted Henry's bare chest and gripped his large bicep.

The eye candy sure doesn't hurt either!

Laughing through their tears, they Understood her bravery and stoicism towards the situation as she continued her thought: I got to eat a smore with an Archangel, and I've seen the Eschphene. My life has changed because of all of you, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm happier than I've ever been thanks to all of you, and I'm grateful, so if this is the end, I'm okay with it.

Lowering his head, Ken was unable to speak verbally. All of them cried, but Ken, as their leader, took responsibility for what happened to her and felt he should have somehow prevented it. In the Paradox of that place, she was with them all simultaneously, and she knelt in front of Ken, pulling his head against her, wrapping her arms around him, holding him, and giving him comfort.

Sally: It's okay, Ken. None of this is your fault.

Unashamed of his tears or of loving her so much, he nodded his head. Smiling, she looked at Brad and thought: You're so lucky to hold this man whenever you want. All of you are lucky to have each other.

To break the somber mood, she thought: At least Henry's straight, and I can hold him.

A thought occurred to her, and being merged with all of them, they saw it. Could she and Henry continue to have sex?

Aaron: I see no reason why not, my dear. As long as you feel physically able, I believe it will be good for you. Your condition is entirely unknown, and I do not know if you will gradually decline or if you will feel normal.

Releasing Ken's head, she put her hands on his rough cheeks, wiping his tears away with her thumbs like he did for Brad when he cried.

Sally: Since I have the day off from teaching the boys, and I'm full from Bryan's fantastic breakfast, I don't have much to do. Are you calling off your training today?

Her thought One with them, Ken's little kid grin appeared even through his tears, and the quote he often used to justify sex with Brad echoed among them: There isn't much in life a good fuck can't cure.

Ken: You and Henry go knock yourselves out.

Sally: Thanks! One last thing I need to say. You literally know my thoughts on this because we're merged, but I want to verbalize it. Don't treat me any differently than you usually do. I'm not fragile. When I'm not feeling well, I'll let you know, and we can go from there, okay?

Eyes shining, they nodded their affirmation, knowing that's how they would want to be treated under similar conditions.

Lane: Well, not the pregnant part, but the rest of it, yeah.

Even Sally groaned with all of them at Lane's comment, and the shit-talking started.

Bryan: God, I love my nerd.

<><><> 

As difficult as it seemed at first, their lives continued. Training resumed, and Sally's instruction with the boys continued. The cloud of her malaise hung over them like a shroud, but everyone tried their best to keep their spirits up and keep a positive attitude. Each evening after dinner the thirteen men merged, doing deep within themselves to discuss Sally's condition and brainstorm ideas on possible cures. The last option on the table, one they partially used on Giovanni, would be to `reset' her and rebuild her memories and personality. After Reading her, the Mentalists held her life within them. Aaron disliked the idea because the person left with them, in his opinion, would not truly be their beloved friend, but almost a type of golem. It was different with Giovanni because they never reset him, so he was still their original friend. There were still some minor differences, but he was essentially himself. Through much discussion, the heart of their inability to Heal her came from the differences between the two Creations. Even though their Gifts were created by Allenor, a creature from the First, he crafted them to be a part of the Second. Thus, their Gifts were not truly a mix of both, but of one able to discern the other.

Luckily, neither Luke nor his new underlings made any appearances, giving them time to focus on everything else.

<><> 

Later that week while training, Ken toweled himself off after a long bout against Ricky and Kevin. He loved two-on-one sparring because it pushed him and all of them harder. Unfortunately, the rings weren't large enough for more, so when they practiced with larger numbers, they had to clear the gym floor.

Ken's body shining, Brad noticed, and stopped his perception of time for a brief moment to admire his husband's physique. Feeling Brad's Mental grip on his bicep, Ken grinned internally.

Love you too, B.

Impressed as Ken always was at his husband's ability to multitask, Brad sparred against Darren and Bill and still managed to send a loving touch without losing any of his focus in the ring.

Bryan: Fuck, do you two need to get a room?

His comment always started the guys laughing, and it felt good to genuinely smile and enjoy a moment. There hadn't been many good moments since Sally became sick. Trying hard to keep things normal for her out of respect, it was a strain on their Hearts to keep up the facade while crying inside over her condition.

Aaron: Kenneth, when you have a moment could you please come to my office?

In the Link the shit talk started.

Ohhhhhhh, you're in trouble now, boss!

Called to the Principal's office!

Detention!

Get those cheeks ready for the paddle!

Laughing, Ken flipped them all, thinking: Fuck, all ya'll. Doc, I just finished my rotation, so I'll be right there.

Clad in only his gym shorts and workout shoes, grabbing his water bottle and throwing a towel over his shoulder, he went to find the doctor. The cooler air and lower humidity outside the gym hit his sweaty skin, giving him goosebumps. Of course, with his hyper-sensitivity the changes were harsher than for a normal human, but his absolute control prevented him from shivering.

Sally happened to be in the kitchen getting a cup of coffee when he walked by and she grinned at him, asking, "May I?"

Ken's little kid grin appeared, and without saying a word he flexed his bicep for her to squeeze, and she said, "You just made my morning, sweetie. Thank you."

Brad: He's mine, Sally. Don't get any ideas. Don't you have Henry to objectify?

Sally: Brad, you should know by now; I objectify all of you. I can't help it; it's what I do. Living and working with you guys is like being in a Mall where I can window shop every day. It's a good thing Henry helps, or I'd really be a mess.

More of the guys chimed in with jokes and comments, and chuckling to himself Ken continued to the doctor's office.

Going in, Ken asked, "What's up, doc?" Before Lane made his usual Bugs Bunny joke, Ken thought: Shut it, punk!

The corner of Aaron's mouth rose in a smirk as he said, "Come in and have a seat." Albrecht walked in and sat beside Ken.

Ken asked, "Is somethin' wrong?"

"No, not precisely, but something has come to my attention I wish to share with you. I am not suggesting anything by telling you this, but it is something I thought you might like to know."

Ken's forehead furrowed slightly, and his expression turned more serious as Aaron continued, "Tanner Rawlins, Greg Rawlins father, is in the hospital and not expected to live much longer. He has a few hours, perhaps a day at best."

Ken: Guy's, hold up. I want everyone in on this.

Brad brought forth the memory of Ken and his meeting Great Rawlins at Waffle House when he was suicidal and Loy and Rick coming to help. Rick unwound the emotional knots within Greg, and Loy summoned the Spirit of his dog, Ely giving him a chance to say goodbye. The four men crawled into the well of Greg's suffering, holding his Soul and climbing out with him, surrounding him with their unconditional love. Greg's condition was mainly because he was gay and closeted, forced by life decisions into a corner in his Mind and Heart to a place that became unbearable.

When The Master kidnapped Sally, Henry, Liz, Drew, the Keenans, and Greg, Greg was killed by The Master before they discovered where their friends were being kept. At a gathering in Ken and Brad's backyard after the funeral, Greg came back from Heaven with Uriel to give them the secret of breaking The Curse over The Master. Mr. Rawlins saw his son and was able to speak with him, reconciling the fact Greg was gay and getting to say goodbye. Brad pulled Mr. Rawlins Soul out of his body temporarily so he could hug his son before returning to Heaven.

<> 

Heat lightning continued flashing across the sky, followed by deep rolling thunder. Looking up at the lightning, Drew saw it first, a ball of Light falling from the sky.

Excited, he pointed, saying, "Look, mommy!"

Coming down, it hovered, bobbing gently for a moment before assuming the shape of a man. None of the guys felt any fear or anxiety, so they knew whatever it was wasn't evil. They recognized it for what it was; a human Soul. A smaller ball of light appeared, zipping playfully around the larger one. Loy sensed it was an animal Spirit.

Suddenly Greg stood in their backyard with Ely by his side.

"Thanks, Lane, that was beautiful."

They stared, dumbfounded.

Greg was dead and shouldn't be there.

Bryan immediately cast his thoughts out: Grandfather?

Uriel: I am here, Bryan. There is no need for the humans to see me, but I am here.

Drew moved forward, planting himself in front of Ely. Reaching out to pet the dog, his hand passed through, and he giggled as he kept trying while Ely tried to sniff his hand.

Mr. Rawlins' voice was barely a whisper.

"Greg?"

"Hi, dad. I'm sorry I had to leave you. I was allowed to come back for just a moment to say goodbye and give you all a message. Apparently, the man who killed me broke some kind of Rule, or I wouldn't be here..."

Grandfather, I didn't think this was allowed?

Only two other times in all of history has this happened.

Fuck me.

"Son..."

Mr. Rawlins broke down, crying.

"It's alright, dad. I'm really here. Not my body, but me. I know you figured it out... about me being gay. You met Lewis, my boyfriend, and my other friends. They're great guys, dad. I wish I would have introduced you to them before, but I was afraid you'd be disappointed if I told you the truth."

Through his tears, Mr. Rawlins lowered his head, saying, "I understand, son, and I'm not disappointed. I'm sorry I let you down. I always wanted you to be able to tell me anything. I just wanted you to be happy."

"I finally found happiness, dad, when I accepted myself and who I am. It took my friends here to show me how to do that. I owe them a lot."

Greg nodded to Rick and Loy and the rest of the guys when he said that.

"You can't stay?"

"No, I can't. I only have a few minutes, but I'm glad I got one last chance to see you and tell you I love you. I want to make sure you'll be alright."

"How can I be alright with you gone? And your mom and your brother? I shouldn't be here! I'm not strong enough to keep going by myself! I don't want to..."

"Don't say that! You have to be strong. Please don't be sad. Mom and Terry are waiting... we'll all be waiting for you. You have to live out the rest of your life, however long that is. Think of this as a gift. You know where I am, where mom and Terry are. We'll be waiting for you. We're at peace, dad... take comfort in knowing that."

Uriel: Greg Rawlins... There isn't much time.

Turning to Ken, Greg said, "The answer to the riddle of defeating The Master is his brother. He's still alive, tied to the Curse, continually reborn all these thousands of years. The Master must ask his forgiveness. If he does that, and his brother forgives him, the Curse will be lifted, and he will no longer be Protected from Death. Then you can kill him. Once he's dead, you can choose to remove the Curse over Mankind, or not. That will be up to you. That's the message I was sent to give you."

The impact of Greg's words wasn't lost on any of them. The immensity of what they were and what they had become, and their Purpose... it was daunting.

Uriel: It is time. I must take you back now, Greg Rawlins.

"I have to go now, dad. I love you. Promise me you'll be okay?"

Mr. Rawlins had tears running down his cheeks.

"Goodbye, son; I love you too. At least I know you're at peace. Tell your mother and brother I love them too."

Reaching out to put a hand on Greg's shoulder, his hand passed through Greg's spiritual form.

"I wish I could touch you one last time."

"Me too, dad."

Brad: Guys, that's one wish we can grant.

Together they Opened Mr. Rawlins's energy centers, separating his Soul from his Body, and a perfect version of his younger self stood up. Looking at his hands in surprise, he held them up, seeing through them.

Brad said, "Some wishes we have control over, Sir."

Mr. Rawlins pulled his son into a tight embrace. They stayed that way for a moment until Greg transformed back into a ball of Light. Ely barked once at Drew, prancing in front of the guys with his tail wagging, and then he changed as well, and the two of them shot off into the Heavens to go Home.

Mr. Rawlins, when he opened his eyes, was back in his body.

"I don't understand any of this. This must be a dream, but I hope it's not. I want to know I hugged my son one last time and told him I love him. I want to know he heard me."

Ken said, "It was real, Sir, and he heard you. It's hard `ta explain, but it was real."

<> 

The memories of that day, fresh and poignant in their Minds, brought fresh tears. Crawling into the well of Greg's despair and depression and bringing him out, giving him another chance at life, was a good memory. Sadly, Greg's life was brought to an abrupt end by The Master before he really had a chance to flourish. Greg's life was a bittersweet remembrance for them, and while he ended up in Heaven, his death left a scar on their Hearts. He should still be alive and happy.

Ken: Everybody hit the showers. We're gonna visit Mr. Rawlins.

Brad merged the thirteen men into a single Soul, and they appeared naked together in all aspects. Surrounding each other, arms over shoulders and legs intertwined, the usual heat and touch of their skin was a balm.

Ken: Doc, does Mr. Rawlins have any other livin' relatives?

Aaron: No, Kenneth. He is alone. I understand from the hospital records that a young man named Lewis Jenkins visits him often, but once Mr. Rawlins moved into the Critical Care Unit, hospital policy restricts his presence because they are not related.

Loy: What's he dying of, doc? Is it old age or something else?

Aaron: Age and a few complications from co-morbidities, mainly heart failure. He is ninety years of age, his body worn out, and his time to depart this world is upon him.

Ken: He's been alone all this time, and I want us `ta be there for him.

Ken's Conviction surprised them, not that it was there but the strength of it. His Avatar lit up the area around them, igniting and joining the other Bodies, pushing it into all of them. Knowing his husband so well, Brad realized why it was so important to Ken. In some ways, Ken saw similarities to his own mother, Gladys, and Tanner Rawlins. The heart-wrenching sadness, but also the joy of being with his mother when Uriel took her, was a milestone in his life, and he felt he owed Tanner the honor of being with him at the end of his life. Greg's life mattered, and Tanner was a part of that. If not for Greg coming back from Heaven, they never would have known how to break The Curse over The Master. Pat's eyes sparkled, his Avatar lighting up as well. Backing out and seeing more of the Pattern, he saw Tanner's connections and importance in God's Plan. It was small in the grand scheme of things, yet also a linchpin, and without him, everything would be completely different.

There are no little people. Everyone matters. Ken's words to Michael the first time they encountered him reverberated through their Minds and were more prophetic than they ever imagined. One with them and knowing their thoughts, Aaron's pride for them ran through all their Hearts. In the middle of everything going on, that his sons would care so much for a dying man touched him.

<><> 

A somber quiet hung like a weighted blanket over the Critical Care Unit at Emory St. Joseph's Hospital. The main sounds were equipment beeps and chirps while and a heavy antiseptic smell permeated the air. Thankfully, that day only a couple of the patients were terminal - an elderly gentleman with a failing heart, and a young Hispanic man who had been severely beaten.

Silent and invisible to the nurses present, eleven men appeared around Tanner Rawlins's bed. Brad broadcast a Compulsion for anyone to stay away from his bed. Tanner looked so thin and worn; his skin was nearly translucent and covered with age spots. The three years since they had seen him had not been kind to his body. His heart was failing, and their Understanding told them he had less than an hour before he would draw his last breath. In the Spiritual Realm, the men lit up like a star, their Single Soul shining upon the father of their friend, Greg. Standing with him in his last hour, they gave Mr. Rawlins Soul comfort.

Hospitals were difficult for Lane and Bryan in particular. With their Avatars of Healing and Life, hospitals were more often a place of death and suffering, and their Brothers held them tighter, shielding them from everything else happening.

Minutes before Tanner's heart would contract for the last time, Bryan intoned in the First Language: Uriel!

Yes, Bryan?

Grandfather, you'll be here in a few minutes, but I'd like to ask a favor.

Yes, I sense Tanner Rawlins' time. You give him great honor being with him in his last minutes and loving him enough to be present. I wish more Souls I take had the comfort you give him.

Hearing the thread of sadness in his Angelic Grandfather, Bryan sent him a Mental hug.

What is it you wish?

Explaining what he wanted to happen, Bryan sensed Uriel's apprehension.

It is no small thing you ask, Bryan.

I understand if you can't. I just thought it would be a nice thing to do.

Our rules do not apply to you, so you ask things regardless. I will do this for you. It feels right and will be a good and joyful thing.

Uriel couldn't see the smile that spread over Bryan's face when Ken's hand on his shoulder squeezed him in loving support.

<> 

With their enhanced hearing, Ken and the other Bodies heard a slight commotion outside at the nurse's station.

"Please? I just want to sit with him! I know I'm not family, but he's all alone. I don't want him to die by himself."

A nurse's compassionate voice replied, "I'm sorry, Mr. Jenkins, but it's against policy. You aren't related. I wish I could, but I can't."

Moving to the door, Loy looked down the hall and recognized Lewis, Greg's boyfriend. The doctor said Lewis often sat with him before he was moved into the Critical Care Unit.

Let him in. Accompanying Loy's Compulsion on the nurse was the command to forget giving Lewis permission to enter.

"Go on in, Mr. Jenkins. He's unconscious and won't know you are there but don't do anything to disturb him."

"Thank you! I won't, I promise. I just want to sit with him."

Glancing down the hall, Lewis saw Loy, who motioned for him to come down. Recognizing Loy, Lewis looked curious, but he hurried to the door before the nurse changed her mind.

Loy put his finger to his lips indicating silence, and put a hand on Lewis's shoulder, guiding him into the room. Lewis was a large man, heavyset with a medium-length beard. Definitely classified by the gay community as a `Bear,' it was obvious why Greg had been attracted to him. Recognizing all of the men from Greg's memorial service, the look on his face clearly showed surprise and wonder at the presence of the eleven large, handsome, muscular men.

<> 

Only a few minutes later, Tanner's heart contracted for the last time; the line on the monitor went flat, and his oxygen levels dropped to zero. To give them privacy, Darren prevented the alarm from sounding at the nurse's station. At the exact moment his heart stopped, Brad opened Tanner's energy centers one by one, taking his Soul out of his body in the short time before Uriel's arrival. His form translucent, showing the beautiful aura of a human Soul, Tanner sat up, out of his body. Looking surprised, he smiled at the sight of all the men. Lane brought Lewis into a light Link, enough to see what was happening, adding a gentle Compulsion to remain calm.

Remembering when Brad took him out of his body before, Tanner asked, "Am I dead?"

Brad replied, "Yes, sir. Your heart just stopped."

"Thank you for being here. I'm frightened... I don't know what happens next..."

Loy said, "Lewis here has been sitting with you."

"Yes, I know, and thank you, Lewis. I remember Greg telling me your name."

Lewis didn't know what to say and remained quiet, in awe of what he witnessed.

In the back of their Minds, the fluttering sound of Uriel's wings increased. Tanner heard them and seemed frightened.

His Avatar igniting on his shoulder, Brad said, "There's no need to be frightened, Mr. Rawlins."

Suddenly Uriel stood among them, so bright in the Spiritual Realm he was blinding to look at. Spreading his wings, three human Souls appeared with him. Greg, his other son Terry, and his wife Irma stood beside him.

Smiling, Greg said, "Hi, dad." Still smiling, Greg looked at Lewis and said, "Hi, Lewis! It's great to see you again. Thanks so much for sitting with dad. It means the world to me."

His mouth open wide, Lewis cried openly at seeing and hearing Greg again.

Seeing his family, Tanner burst into tears, mumbling, "I've missed you all so much! How can you be here?"

Greg said, "We've come to take you Home with us, Dad."

Irma moved forward, taking his hand and pulling him off the bed to hug him. "I've missed you too, Tanner. We've all been waiting for you, so we can be together again."

Terry moved up to hug his mom and dad, saying, "Hi, Dad. It's great to see you."

The eleven men, their Soul One, cried while rejoicing at what they witnessed. Pride in Bryan for asking Uriel to bend a rule ran through them, they loved their Brother even more.

Kissing Bryan's cheek, Lane ruffled his hair: Fuck, I love you, Bry.

Lane couldn't help his comment in the Link: God, this is just like when Yoda came back with Obi-Wan. This is so freaking cool. Even amidst their tears, they shook their heads and chuckled. Lane was and always would be a geek at heart, no matter how long he lived, and they wouldn't have it any other way.

Uriel's deep voice said, "Come, Tanner Rawlins. It is time to take you Home with your loved ones."

The four Souls, the two sons and the mother and father disappeared, wrapped in Uriel's wings and his eternal, unconditional love. Looking at Bryan with a smile, Uriel leapt, turning into a ball of Light before he too vanished.

<> 

Quiet fell again. None of them wanted to break the moment, wishing the feeling running through them would last forever. It would in their memories - Brad and the other Mentalists would make sure of it. Being able to do things like they just managed made the hardships in their lives more bearable. Lewis still didn't know what to say, standing wide-eyed and unsure what to do.

Moving to him, Loy put a hand on his shoulder, saying, "You're blessed, Lewis, to have seen all this, but please don't say anything to your friends about what you saw. It could put you in danger, and us."

Sniffing, Lewis took off his glasses and wiped his eyes. "I don't know what to say. It seems impossible, but..."

Loy interrupted him, saying, "It's real, Lewis. It happened. Not many humans get to see things like this. Cherish it in your heart."

Giving Lewis a hug, Loy sent a gentle Compulsion for him to go home.

<> 

As Darren synchronized their Avatars to translocate them back to the Lab, Lane's gut twinged. Wait, Dar!

Ken: What's up, Lane? Is somethin' wrong?

I don't know, Ken. Something or someone is here...

Lane's eyes flashed White, and a waking Dream from Remiel filled his Mind. Oh, shit!

Instinctively, as soon as his Avatar reacted, Lane removed himself from the merge and the Link to keep everyone else safe, so they weren't sure why he ran out of the room and down the hall. Keeping up a Compulsion for no one to see or hear them, Brad and the others followed. Fortunately, they were agile enough to maneuver around the people and equipment in the hall without disturbing anything. The doctor said there were two terminal patients in the Critical Care Unit, and when they entered the room Lane rushed into, he stood at the foot of the bed of the second one. A young Hispanic man lay in the bed, so heavily bandaged they couldn't see his face clearly, but Lane saw the name on his chart: Javier Costeros.

Re-entering the Link, the name on the chart was known to all of them, and Brad exclaimed: Oh shit is right!

Javier was the young man in the alternate reality Brad and Lane visited to correct the Timeline. The entire event of their journey came to Mind, of fighting the Orophir of that reality while he wielded the Charm of Music, and of Leroy waking, and Ken and Bryan trying to contain him.

To preserve his Intellect and Knowledge from The Enemy, the doctor cast them into Javier to keep them safe from Orophir and The Master. Taking Javier's hand and Reading him, Bill knew everything about the young man from the time of his conception to the present, and the others through him. Still working at Long John Silver's in Lawrenceville, Javier also did charity work with the homeless. A few days ago, he was attacked and brutally beaten by a large muscular man who could only be a Protector. His attacker was in rough shape, strung out on drugs, and Javier was trying to help him get over his addiction. Even more shocking was that they recognized the Protector as Kevin's nephew, Zack, who was taken by The Master in Arizona three years prior. Kevin went white at the sight of his nephew. Albrecht had been searching for him all this time with no luck in finding him, and he turns up all the way across the country, practically on their doorstep!

Puppet strings.

The connections were too random to ignore, and all of the men felt Miss Lula's influence. This time, though, they weren't sure what for. They still didn't understand the "end game" of their next confrontation. Initially they thought it was to go after Luke and bring him Home, but after meeting Eleleth and discovering The Doors, and Luke still being trapped in The Void between Creations, they were unsure.

The pull from Lane's Avatar to Heal Javier was almost overpowering. He could resist it, but he didn't want to. With all of them back together, he drew from their collective Power and Healed the extensive damage in Javier. Because he was human, the effort was negligible, but Lane wanted all of them involved. The multitude of fractures throughout Javier's body were almost inconceivable, and they were surprised Javier wasn't already dead. The concussive damage from the force of the blows that hit him bruised his organs and tore most of the connective tissues and facia in his body. Even asleep, the morphine drip running into his arm barely touched his tremendous pain. Intubated, he was only being kept alive by the respirator beside his bed.

Lane's Avatar glowing bright, crimson, azure, and gold energy swirled around him, forming into one bright White arc that he sent into Javier. Through the young man's energy flows, Lane saw the damage and slowed his Healing; being as gentle as possible, Lane kept Javier asleep throughout the process. Beneath all the gauze, casts, and bandages, within seconds Javier was completely Healed, covered in a light sheen of sweat. Translocating Javier into his arms, all of the wrappings, catheters, and the intubation tube remained on the bed, leaving the young man naked in Lane's arms.

Looking for affirmation from Ken just to be sure, Darren waited.

Ken: He's goin' with us. Take us `ta the Lab, Dar. After a slight pause, he continued: Holy shit, what a day.

<><> 

Back in the Lab, Brad merged everyone but the boys, sharing the events at the hospital. As before Henry merged with Adam, and they kept Adam as close in their Hearts at possible.

Reliving Tanner Rawlins passing, Uriel's presence, and bringing his family to help take him Home seemed overwhelming to Sally and Adam - as Unawakened Humans, it was even more wondrous to witness and experience. The emotions, humility, and unconditional love of the guys drove their actions, and tears flowed as Aaron and Albrecht's pride in their adoptive sons ran through the Link.

Sally remembered interacting with Uriel once before, in the middle of the Eschphene battle when Tommy almost died, but that was chaotic and not a peaceful passing. She remembered the depths of his Ageless eyes, though, and the thundering sound of his voice in her Mind as he instructed her to help Tommy.

Adam was simply speechless, in awe of what they shared and that his new friends were able to do something so magnificent. After working out with them, sitting in the kitchen eating dinner and cracking jokes, it was easy to overlook who and what they were. Yet despite everything, he didn't fear them, not after merging with Henry and then seeing what they did for Tanner Rawlins. Juxtaposing them against The Master and The Enemy, he knew they were truly good. The forces and entities they interacted with were beyond what most humans could comprehend, and everything was hidden and secret. Everything stirred thoughts and questions within him. How much more they could do for the world if they chose. Why did the existence of The Order and The Enemy remain hidden from the world?

In their Hearts Adam's thoughts were known to all of them, and each of the men put a hand on his shoulder or back, touching him to affirm their presence and acknowledge his questions. Through Henry, Brad made available to Adam the answers to his questions. The long history of the Battle of the Light and the Dark; why it remained secret and primarily unknown to the human world and why it had to. Adam's Mind spun and they smiled, not condescendingly but because it showed his intelligence and growth on the path he was now on. He had so far to go, yet every journey started with small steps, which he took every moment he spent with his new friends. The time would come soon when Adam would merge with all of them, and they looked forward to it.

<><><> 

That night everyone settled in bed, wherever they were. With the doctor's consent, Sally decided to keep living at her house as long as she could. Ken, Brad, Pat, and Darren were on Lab duty. Henry and Drew were in their apartment, and Adam was in his. Javier slept in a guest room, kept unconscious by a Compulsion to awake in the morning when they could assess him and the changes he was about to experience. Bill and Kevin slept at their house with Tommy and Brett in their rooms. Loy and Ricky went to ZEUS to sleep. After everything, Loy wanted to rest in the creatures of the ocean, and the whales sang their songs to help him rest.

Aaron and Albrecht went to their home for the night, needing to take care of each other. Bryan and Lane slept at their house. As usual, all of the couples made love before falling asleep, many waking in the night and continuing their actions. Brad kept everyone deeply Linked, and the eleven of them merged, even across the planet. As they discovered early on, with their Souls, distance didn't matter, only direction.

<> 

Holding Lane snuggly against him, Bryan woke out of a sound sleep. Something was wrong... missing. Something he always felt was absent. His eyes flying open, he sat up in bed, shouting, "Leroy!" Knowing Lane would follow, Bryan Recalled himself to Leroy's cave in a bright burst of emerald green Power only to find it empty.

Leroy was gone!

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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