The Gifts

The Gifts Chapter 18

The Gifts

Copyright © 2024 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

Hi guys (and the few gals that read this story). Sorry for the extra long pause between chapters. My dad had some health issues and had to be hospitalized and everything had to go on hold temporarily. But he's back home and doing well (he'll be 91 in June!). In the middle of all this I also turned a year older, so yay me!

Things in the story are ramping up! Everything is leading up to the next two chapters and I hope I can do it all justice. I'll certainly do my best 😊.

There are two song references in this chapter:

The Archie's Sugar Sugar 

Michael Jackson's Don't Stop Til You Get Enough

Thanks to those of you who sent me emails, and thanks also to whoever left the review of The Order on Amazon. Once The Gifts is finished I will put them up on Amazon as well in eBook and Paperback format in case anyone wants to have it in a non-HTML format. It will take a little time to get the covers developed but it will happen. I don't care about the monetary part of the sales – I just want as many people as possible to read and enjoy the story. I think I mentioned this before, but when The Gifts is finished, I do plan to edit The Order one more time. My fabulous helpers have both agreed to work with me on that. It's really just a `clean up' of the story as far as grammar and sentence structure, and to clarify some issues. The story itself will not change in any way other than (hopefully) to make it read smoother and, hence, be more enjoyable. But that's a way down the road from now, so I'll go quiet now, and let you get started on chapter eighteen.

Everyone stay safe in this crazy world. Enjoy chapter eighteen 😊

-  Brad

Go #TeamNephilim!

Chapter Eighteen

<><><> 

While the RL's continued to hone their skills, the egg grew. Its aura seemed brighter than ever as it exuded tendrils seeking music throughout both creations. God Himself said the egg was not intelligent, but it had a purpose and the means to accomplish that purpose. Leroy and Eva, instruments of God and the Adam and Eve of their kind, birthed the egg in order to continue His plan. It contained discordantly frenetic music like a child with no discipline - a vessel waiting for one of two songs, either Elegroth's or The Order's. The egg itself did not care, could not care, which one would fill it – just so long as it filled.

<><><> 

Bao's prophecy whispered in the souls of The Order. As the egg reached maturity, Elegroth strategized his final move once it was ready to open. Her words mentioned Ken's third death as key, and they all knew his Gift's next call might be that death and the act that would trigger the final confrontation. Resigned, all they could do was soldier on and live in each other's love – the way they had survived since their souls first touched.

<><><> 

Ken floated in nothing ... and everything. Utter purity called to him and he desired to become a part of it, but something anchored him, unwilling to let him go. His Avatar flared but its colors dispersed. Whatever was happening he wanted more ... he could not conceive of not existing that way forever – yet there was someone he wanted with him but the name escaped his conscious thought. Coherency seemed impossible as he bathed in love's eternal essence - the source of everything.

<> 

With his arms still around ... what was his name? Alan? No... Brad? ... Ken woke with a gasp. He loved whomever it was and wanted to remember him, but his yearning to return to where he had been overcame all other wants and desires.

Brad woke when Ken started: Are you alright?

Brad immediately knew this wasn't another episode with Ken's Gift. The pain of Ken's sudden distance brought tears to Brad's eyes. On making eye contact with the other half of his soul Ken's life and memories returned instantly, and he hugged Brad tighter, filled with guilt and regret over what just happened: I'm sorry, B. I don't know where I went...

Brad merged them but Ken's experience and memory were already too distant for Brad to be part of it. Nothing like that had ever happened to any of them and it frightened him. His mental voice trembled: I can't lose you.

Ken: I'm here, and I'm not goin' anywhere.

Ken always replied with those words, but this time he didn't sound so confident. His doubt was slight, but there, as he wrapped Brad so powerfully with everything in him, it stunned them both. The power Ken exuded, even as it faded, was astonishing, and Brad was glad it waned or it would have destroyed him. He was about to say more but Ken cut him off: Let's sleep. I wanna hold you. We'll talk about it in the mornin'.

Brad calmed his racing mind and he set a trigger to bring it up before breakfast but when slumber came over them, Brad's trigger vanished and the memory of the entire episode left them.

<><><> 

Chaos gripped the world. Awareness of The Order was meant to have a calming effect on mankind, yet gleefully the curse twisted everything and the imp relished watching humanity crumble. The world's disorder made him stronger and helped him to recover from the ripples of Lane's decision. Regardless of Drew and Brad's efforts to show humans what life would be like without the curse, spiritual anarchy drove the second creation into a frenzy. Tendrils from the egg searched for music, and the discord in humans enticed it. Seeds of calm and order were present and miracles still occurred, but not in great enough numbers to counteract what The Order witnessed.

Elegroth watched the threads from the egg and realized it was seeking music. Discordant music seemed to attract it more powerfully and he smiled: Yes, if music is what you seek, I will provide it, and there is nothing those little wyrmling protectors can do about it. He did not want to draw the attention of The Order so he quietly sang a song of corruption, and the egg heard him. Tendrils appeared, a single thread at first, but then in greater numbers, and he began nurturing it to his purpose.

<><><> 

An emerald nimbus the color of Yggdrasil's canopy shone off Bryan's heavy shoulder. He embodied Yggdrasil's seed, and from nothing he created life. Six tiny seeds, one for each child or pair of siblings in the base appeared by his will and grew into perfectly shaped miniature Christmas trees. Aaron opened a box from which a swarm of small glowing, multicolored crystals rose into the air. Lane picked them up with his mind and they bobbed through the air to adorn the small trees. They were magic, and twinkled brightly as they rested in the branches. Albrecht opened his box to reveal gold, silver, and crystal ornaments he had crafted for the children. Darren's eyes flashed white and the decorations drifted over to complete the adornment.

The kids squealed gleefully at the show and Chloe clapped her hands, "They're pretty, Mummy! Mrs. Beasley thinks so too!"

Kelly agreed, "They are, sweet, and one of them is for you! Look what your uncles did for you!"

Ken: Fuckin' showoffs.

Bryan: It's all about the favorite uncle spot.

Lane: And sadly, fearless leader, you are at the bottom of that list – but you know all about being bottom.

Loy: It's good to be the king.

Ken: I got somethin' none of you ladies can touch.

Bill: Who wants to touch that? Besides Brad I guess.

Everyone chuckled in their minds as Ken thought: Fuck you, junior. With a dramatic pause Ken thought: I... am... Iron Man! And he snapped his fingers just like in the movie.

Ricky: Okay, so Drew loves you.

In a serious tone, Aaron thought: The children love you all, equally. You are their heroes.

Darren: Now why did you have to go and make us cry?

Aaron: It is good for your lacrimal glands.

Pat: It's not like we don't cry enough. Our glans are wet on a regular basis.

Another short pause hit as Pat realized what he said and everyone, even Aaron, burst out laughing. Ken, particularly, thought it was funny and did cry from laughing so hard. Brad loved seeing his husband laugh, especially after his recent episodes. All of them were sure another incident loomed, and there was a good chance Ken might die. Their most passionate prayer was that they would be present to save him.

Darren held the trees aloft with his Avatar and gently placed each one in a waiting pot crafted by Albrecht. Runes fired into the clay and empowered by him and Aaron pulled moisture from the air to keep the roots perfectly hydrated. The next few hours were happy for everyone as the children piled on top of Aslan to watch Christmas Claymation specials while Bryan worked more magic in the kitchen to produce another feast. Drew stayed with him, and Bryan taught him how to make his special mashed potatoes.

Bryan: I love having you here, but don't you want to watch TV?

Drew put an arm around Bryan's waist: I'd rather be with you or playing my guitar with Uncle Lane. I like the TV shows, but I love you guys.

Bryan's heart melted as he reached down and pulled Drew more firmly against him in a hug: We love you too, Little Buddy.

Lane: Hey, I'm your Little Buddy!

Bryan: Why can't I have two Little Buddies?

Lane seemed momentarily at a loss for words and Bryan was worried his feelings were hurt. Deep in their hearts the two men appeared naked to one another, and Bryan pulled Lane against him: I'm sorry, I didn't mean...

Lane smiled: It's all good, Bry. I know how much you love him. I do, too. I was just slow with a smartass comment.

Relieved he hadn't screwed up, Bryan thought: How about I call him LB for short? So there's no confusion.

Lane: Right on, LB it is.

The two men returned to their bodies, and the evening continued. Once the food was devoured and the kids were back to watching TV, most of the men were in the kitchen drinking coffee. Bryan's tattoos fluttered on their own and in the back of his mind Huggin and Munnin cawed. Bryan blinked as the thought and memory of his and Lane's tree at their Atlanta home entered his mind, followed by an image of each couples' tree. Bryan's brothers stared at him, prepared for anything, but nothing happened other than Bryan exhaling a deep sigh.

Ken: Bry? What's happenin'?

Bryan merged his brothers' souls. He rarely initiated a merge, and when they appeared, rather than their usual place, they were in a cave beneath Yggdrasil. The humid room smelled of fresh loam, and they sat on soft grass with their backs against smoothly worn wood. They had only ever seen the place in Bryan's memory from the night he received his Gift.

Bryan: My Gift... the ravens... they showed me something. I've been thinking about this but with everything else going on, I keep putting it off. We need to move our trees. They miss us; they want to be together like we are. With everything ramping up... I'm not sure why, but this needs to happen.

Brad: Where? To the valley?

Bryan: Yeah.

All of them sensed Bryan's heavy guilt for not acting sooner.

Lane: We can make a sacred druid grove, like in AD&D.

His comment brought smiles and some laughter and Loy affectionately smacked the back of Lane's head with his mind: Dumbass.

Lane: Hey at least I'm not a big pussy. But seriously guys, this will be totally cool.

Pat's Avatar and Gift ignited and his eyes flashed white: There's a pattern in this, Bry.

Ken: When can we do this? How can we do this?

Bryan: I'm working out the how part. They're huge and their roots are deep. I have to be careful not to hurt them. Each one of you sissy ass bitches will need to be with me for your own tree.

Brad: We'll need to make room in the valley too, once you find the right spot.

Ken's little kid grin appeared: I'm good at findin' the right spot. It's one of my superpowers. Ask B.

Kevin: Brad's prostate and finding a spot for the trees are not the same thing.

Ken: How do you know that? Remember when we grew the trees? We had to fuck like rabbits to power `em up.

Pat: He has a point.

Dar: No, that's his hard on.

Ken: Ya'll are just jealous.

Loy: How many times have I said that?

Bryan: Can we, for a minute, focus?

Lane grinned: Brad looks pretty focused on Ken's point.

Ken: Okay, can the shit talk. We're with you, Bry. Let's find a good spot and we'll do whatever we need `ta do `ta make it happen.

Bryan: Thanks, fucker.

Instinctively Lane knew how important the subject was to his husband and asked him privately: Do you want to sleep in the valley tonight? With Leroy?

Bryan: Yeah.

In the group link, Lane thought: Me and Bry are going to sleep with Leroy tonight.

Ken: Enjoy the sweat.

Bryan's grin seemed almost feral: Don't worry boss man, we will.

Darren: I think Ken's point just got bigger. Brad, you better do something before he hurts someone.

They all chuckled and began to disperse to their rooms, except Loy and Kevin. When the shit talk turned to sex they all became mildly aroused.

Loy: You fuckers. You always pull this shit.

Ken grinned: That's the price of bein' favorite uncle.

Loy: Fuck off.

Brad: We intend to. All night.

<><> 

Kevin woke at 0322 to a presence in their room. He hadn't heard the door open, but one of the boys stood at the foot of his and Bill's bed. With his enhanced senses he identified Brett with Granny Wolf, and he opened his eyes to see his youngest son crying.

Concerned, he asked, "What's wrong, honey?"

Granny Wolf: He had a nightmare. I overcame it, but it resisted. Your cub was targeted.

Kevin: Bill, wake up!

Bill's eyes shot open at the urgency in Kevin's voice. Before Brett drew another breath, Kevin's arms were around his son, surrounding him with all his physical and spiritual strength. Brett no longer wore pajamas to bed and in only his underwear Kevin's warmth broke the spell he seemed to be in, and Brett cried harder. Bill merged with Kevin and brought Brett into their hearts where they were naked together, and the residual terror in Brett was apparent. Elegroth sent a message through the imp via the realm of dreams. It took a considerable amount of power to circumvent their wards, and it rarely happened.

Bill: No wonder Granny Wolf felt resistance.

As soon as Bill's flesh touched his son, the dream became part of him.

<> 

The second creation was coming to an end. His fathers were gone, along with his uncles, to fight Elegroth. Drew was gone as well, and he heard Tommy and the other children screaming. Everything was literally coming apart around him as the second creation broke down to be reshaped. He heard Tommy yelling for him, but Brett's terror of what was happening around him was too great, and he couldn't move. But he was even more terrified that his fathers would die.

Granny Wolf appeared beside him and he threw his arms around her. Her low guttural growl started to push back the images but they quickly reformed. Cavall appeared with her and their combined howl of defiance broke the dream and jolted Brett awake.

<> 

Kevin and Bill wrapped Brett in their souls and brought Tommy in with them. Once Brett was surrounded by his family he began to calm down. In the paradox of where they were, Kevin and Bill both held him, comforting him, rubbing his back, and soothing his mind. Tommy held him too, in his own way, always the protective older brother. They spent much time where time didn't move, until Brett was consoled, and Bill sent their sons into a peaceful slumber where Granny Wolf stood guard over them. The two fathers gratefully thanked her and added their strength so nothing could touch the boys for the remainder of the night.

In the quiet that followed Kevin hugged Bill tightly: When all the shit goes down and this creation ends, what's going to happen to our sons?

Bill took a moment: I don't know, Kev. What about everyone else we love? Will they go to Heaven? Will there be a Heaven?

Kevin's tone turned expectedly angry: We'll fucking make a Heaven. Just for them if we have to, but they will be alright. We'll make damn fucking sure of it.

<><><> 

Kevin woke first, as usual, to find the bed filled by Bill's big form and the two boys between them. He smiled as he watched his loved-ones sleep. Bill's mind stirred, his eyes squinted open, and Kevin's heart leaped at the sight of his sleepy-faced, handsome husband with bedhead and a lopsided grin.

Kevin: Let's get the boys back to their beds so I can take care of you.

In the boy's bedroom the sheets rose into the air before the boys appeared, translocated by their father. Without the boys blocking Kevin's field of vision, Bill's morning wood was clearly visible.

Kevin chuckled: That was fast.

Kevin gave Bill an exquisite hand job first thing upon waking, whenever possible, and that morning was no exception. He prolonged the pleasure and coaxed a second load from his husband before rolling him over and sliding himself in. Their movements bordered on frantic, and by the time Kevin got off, the two men were coated in sweat and their bodies were pumped. Merged, no words were needed to express the concern over what happened that night. As they got out of bed to shower and start the second part of their morning routine, Bill thought: I'll let Ken know that we have something to bring up.

<> 

Two hours later, after coffee and breakfast and with the kids in their lessons Ken called everyone into the conference room. Kevin and Bill kept their experience shielded until the meeting because they didn't want to cause any unnecessary anxiety in Adam, Shan, Kelly, Henry, or Tag and Olive.

Ken: Okay, Kev, Bill, you're up. What do you wanna talk about?

Bill merged everyone, and eyes widened once everything became known. Concern was the first emotion, followed by anger over one of their own being targeted inside their safest sanctuary.

Reassuringly, Kevin thought: The boys are fine this morning.

Bill: I softened Brett's memory of the whole experience, but he knows he had a nightmare and came to us upset.

Ken: Fuck!

Brad: This highlights the need for a plan for the kids. I don't know why we haven't considered it, but when the egg cracks for real and everything starts, we can't just leave them here. They'll be terrified.

Adam: We need a plan for the adults, too.

Aaron: We do not know what will happen during that time, other than you all will be focused on Elegroth and the egg. Albrecht and I will not participate in that and will protect everyone with every fiber of our beings.

Brad: I think it would be better if you weren't here at all. `Here' being our creation. We should talk with Németh. The Eschphene live in the pale, but it's going to go with all the realms. Maybe he can take his people and ours to the bubble he kept them safe in when all this started.

Ken: Good idea. Doc, do `ya think that bubble's safe?

Aaron: I do not know. It lies outside our reality. How closely it is tied to our creation is unknown. Németh might have a clearer understanding. However ...

An ominous pause followed as everyone looked at Aaron before he continued: We must look at the larger pattern. To the best of our knowledge, the second creation and everything in it will cease to exist, regardless of whether we prevail. The first creation as well. The doors will open, the two creations will collide, and their music and energy will form the third with guidance from either your song or Elegroth's. Where we are when that happens will not matter.

Bill: Heaven won't cease to exist will it?

Albrecht: I am uncertain, but I suspect not.

Zach: Is there only one Heaven? Or is there a different one for the first creation? Or are they one and the same?

Lane: The whole `power of three' thing tells me it's separate because there will be a new one. Maybe all three will become one. Who knows? Where's The Dove when you need Him? Inquiring minds want to know.

Henry: Drew will have to be at the doors when they open. Maybe he can protect everyone while we face Elegroth.

Ken: This is givin' me a headache.

Bryan: Ditto.

Loy: Everything is conjecture. I want to protect our loved ones ... but it might be impossible. As difficult as this is to talk about, if they cease to exist, can we bring them back when we win?

Lane: It will be like the Thanos finger snap. They come back with no knowledge of being gone.

Darren: That doesn't mean they won't experience what will happen.

Ken: We're startin' `ta `what if' ourselves `ta death. It's important but we don't have enough intel `ta formulate any kind'a plan.

Brad: I say we talk to Németh first and see if he has any insight. Eva too. Then we come back to this.

<><><> 

Entwined with two warm bodies, one firm and muscular and one soft, Henry drifted on the edge of sleep. He didn't have the exceptional sense of smell his brothers did but the sheets smelled of sex. He found it enticing and began to harden... again. He chuckled to himself: What the fuck is wrong with me?

Connected to his brothers' souls, Lane was awake, heard Henry's thoughts and in the back of Henry's mind Michael Jackson sang Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, which made him laugh out loud. The movement and his voice woke Sally, and her hands roamed over his naked form. Adam was a heavy sleeper and continued his slumber.

Henry: It's okay Sal, you don't have to...

With sleepy eyes, she grinned: Oh, but I do.

Her manicured nails raked lightly over his balls and he fully hardened as she moved down to take him into her mouth: I'm a bit sore after last night but I can still manage. Just relax and enjoy.

Henry did as she instructed and gave in to her ministrations. During their time together she had learned his `buttons' and knew how to pleasure him. Adam finally woke and when his mouth and tongue joined Sally's it drove Henry to an exquisite orgasm. Seconds after he finally stopped shooting, while drifting in the post-orgasmic fog only men understand, his phone sounded with an urgent alert notification from Javier. The message was short: Get here now!

Henry cast his perception across the planet to Javier, who wasn't in his soup kitchen. He was in a dark place with Felix and Sam, his personal bodyguards, surrounded by a very dark aura. Wearing his full armor and wielding his sword Henry vanished from the Congo and appeared beside his friend. Henry's light illuminated the room but he wasn't ready to witness the scene awaiting him. Fresh blood still covered the walls. The place reeked of death, decay, and evil. Enochian runes lined the walls, etched into the bloodstained bricks and stone floor, and still glowed with power.

To himself, Henry asked out loud, "What is this place?"

Javier rolled his eyes and said, "That's what you're here for. There have been some rogue protectors we've been trying to track down, but they keep eluding us. We caught a break and found the entrance to this place. It's well hidden and must be how they've managed to disappear."

Henry said, "Protectors have some arcane knowledge, but nothing on this level. There must be suits involved, but we thought all of them had been called by Elegroth."

Javier finished his thought, "Which means the converted suits are responsible. Again, that's why you're here."

Across the planet at the Congo base Henry's voice entered the rest of the team: Guys, you need to come to me. An image of the room accompanied his words, and The Order, wearing their assault suits, appeared around them. The aura of the place brushed against their shields with a cold sensation. Leroy's hide reacted by growing warm to further empower their shields.

Pat: This looks similar to the room The Master used to kill the elders, but the runes and patterns are different. This place is much worse.

Lane: The arc of time is warped here so I can't look back.

Henry: Elegroth did this.

Darren: I didn't feel a breach. I hope he hasn't found a way to cover the rifts.

Lane's eyes went white as his Avatar ignited, telling him something significant was still present: We're missing something.

The acrid smell of blood masked other odors so that the bodies could not discern them.

Ken: Kev, do your thing. Everyone back him up.

The image of Yggdrasil was reluctant to manifest within the room but Bryan exerted his will. Lane listened to the song of Kevin's soul since his Avatar was key in this instance. Loy called on nearby animals to lend their strength, but did not call on any spirits in that dark place. Their collective aura increased and Kevin became the focal point of their power. Henry held out his sword and his own light arced into Kevin whose aspect changed as his Avatar and Gift embraced it all. Ken felt nauseated and moved away from his oldest friend. Leroy's hide magnified everything, and Kevin was filled with so much light that it spilled from his eyes and mouth. Bending the power to his will, he eradicated any vestige of evil, to restore the area. Darren's eyes flashed white and all the blood transmuted into air. Javier, Felix, and Sam covered their eyes and when they could see again the room was clean. The runes carved into the walls and floor were now powerless.

Felix said, "Me and Sam know how to fill these in and make them unusable. We can bring a few of the guys with us who are bored and knock it out today."

When their power quieted, Ken felt weak, and he trembled. Using the same technique to hide their Gifts, Lane sent healing into Ken and he felt better immediately: Thanks.

Ken missed the looks of concern between his brothers as he said: Let's find whatever Lane's Avatar's talkin' about.

Pat's understanding, magnified by his brothers, detected a distinct pattern on the floor and he saw what looked to be a thread. Before Kevin and Darren cleansed the room, the thread was submerged in a pool of blood but it was now exposed. Darren lifted it with his mind and it hovered between them. Bill removed his glove and touched it.

<> 

Bill stood in Heaven's forge surrounded by its heat. The sound of hammers striking anvils rang around him, but only Malachiel filled his sight. The mighty archangel, the preeminent craftsman of Heaven, did not wield his hammer that day. With his utmost skill and artist's nature, Malachiel, in order to form the thread to make the string, twined silk from spiders in the valley with the intestine of a sacrificial lamb. The strings were intended for Gariel's lute, a gift from Gabriel to his son. Once twined with his silver filigree, the instrument would produce the purest sound possible and the strings would never break or go out of tune.

<> 

Bill shifted back to the room and heard Gariel's voice: If you find this, tell Gabriel and Lane I am sorry. Mikail's foolish pride led us to our doom, and I was too weak to follow my own path. Free us from our torture, I beg you.

Another wave of nausea hit Ken as Bill's Gift ignited and he became the version of Gariel who left the message. The sadness that resided in the nephilim was heartbreaking. He and his brethren, the nephilim fathers of The Order, were impudent children, resentful of their sires and position in creation. Gariel and the others approached Elegroth to seek an opportunity to gain power. Elegroth trapped them in their desires, accepting their fealty only to betray and incorporate them into a weapon to fight The Order. Bill's vision ended when Elegroth erased the impressions in the room, so they did not see what became of their fathers.

<> 

Bill merged them briefly, and by the expanded potency of his Avatar his experience became theirs.

Lane: What did they do?

Bryan: Those. Stupid. Fuckers.

Ken: We gotta let Michael and the others know pronto.

Through their merge Henry's anger became theirs: We can't save them. Elegroth has made sure of it.

Loy: We saved Michael, why not them?

Henry: Elegroth spared Michael to trap us. What he's done to your fathers is entirely different. They are part of a trap where the only way to save them is to reset them, and who they are will be gone – assuming we can save them at all.

Brad: That's still better than ceasing to exist. It's harsh to say but our fathers are dicks. With the changes in the archangels, maybe they will actually raise them instead of leaving them on their own.

Lane: This is what happens when you get ADHD, sociopathic descendants of powerful beings. Nephilim aren't bound like the archangels used to be. That's why Heaven was so afraid of us and the doc's plan. They were afraid we'd be like our fathers. Now I get it.

Ken: We have the doc and Albrecht. They didn't have anyone.

Kevin: They were doomed from the start. It all sounds fucked up.

Pat: I wonder how Istariel and his bunch turned out so different? Except for Istariel and Alariel, we don't know who Telcharan's and Ruviel's sires are. If they are our siblings you'd think by now they would have revealed that.

Bill: You know, I've never touched either of them, and none of you that share my Avatar have either. I know nephilim have some weird rituals about revealing their names. Maybe this is another privacy issue.

Ricky: Like that stigma that Orophir was afraid of because of Luke. Maybe it's something like that.

Ken: We need `ta respect their privacy. They've proven themselves `ta us, so it doesn't matter other than us just wantin' `ta know. Back `ta the matter at hand, everybody call your grandfathers and let `em know about Gariel's message.

<><> 

Ken and Brad appeared in their Atlanta home. From the Congo, Brad had turned up the thermostat with his mind a few hours before and the place was warm and comfortable in the chill winter.

Ken: I hate `ta do it but we need `ta drain the pool. We aren't here enough, and even covered it's just stagnatin'.

Brad: You could purify it.

Ken: I know but what's the point? We don't live here anymore, and soon Bry'll be movin' our tree. Other than memories, what's here? I love this house. More `ta the point I love the memories we made here, but its time in our lives has come and gone.

Brad moved to his husband and lovingly ran his hand through Ken's hair. Along with his gesture, he moved them out of the arc of time so that the history of their time in the house became a river flowing around them. Just as the archangels see the flow of mortal lives, all the memories Ken spoke of, the good and the bad, washed over and around them. Ken's understanding was in full effect and the warmth and comfort of their lives in that place touched him. Brad imprinted all of it into Ken's unconscious mind so he would retain them forever.

Smiling, Ken thought: Thanks. Sometimes I wish I had your perfect memory.

Brad chuckled: Be careful what you wish for. It's not all it's cracked up to be. But in this case, you forever have our memories from here, just as they happened.

Ken sighed: I don't wanna give this place up, B. It feels like I'm givin' up on it.

Brad: Then we keep it. Let's drain the pool and winterize the place.

Ken: I have a feelin' we won't be back before everythin' ends.

Ken felt no sense of dread for the world because of the coming confrontation but more a sense of resignation. It was going to happen and there was nothing he could do about it. Let's just rip off the fuckin' Band-Aid and get it over with.

Brad's growing concern about Ken deepened but he masked it. The security system chirped just before the doorbell rang, and the small screen showed Leslie, their neighbor, at the door.

Brad: You should take your shirt off and give her a thrill. It would give me a thrill too.

Ken couldn't help but grin as he went to the door. His brow furrowed in concern as soon as he saw her and said, "Hey, Leslie." Her complexion was pale and she had lost weight. His Avatar lit up and he knew she had pneumonia. The fluid in her lungs was at a dangerous level, and he understood how weak she was. Her slightly shaking hands held plastic grocery bags full of their mail. It was all junk mail, but she still religiously collected it for them. She smiled and said, "I saw the lights on and I didn't want to miss you. Here you are."

Ken took the bags and said, "Come in and say hello `ta Brad. We've missed you."

She started to laugh but ended up coughing. He read in her mind that she meant to say, "You miss my lemonade and sweet tea."

As he placed his arm around her, Leslie sank into Ken's solid warmth, and he helped her into the den. She was so weak she let herself be led without protest. Brad knew through Ken about her illness and came to hug her, "Hey Leslie, it's great to see you. Thanks for the mail. I'm going to get you something warm."

Brad read his old neighbor as he hugged her. She was so broken it was physically painful to him.

Brad: Bry, can you do me a quick favor?

Bryan: What's up?

Brad: I need a big mug of hot chocolate. We're at our house and the fridge is empty.

Bryan felt his brother's concern for the woman and quickly put the request together and it vanished from his hands as soon as it was done.

Brad: Thanks.

Bryan's response was a tight mental hug as solid as his body.

Ken sat with Leslie, making small talk until Brad returned and put the mug in her hands. "Here you go. Your favorite."

Leslie said, "Oh my! Thank you, but how?"

She smelled the hot chocolate and took a sip; it was filled with Bryan's love, and to Leslie, it was heavenly. Brad knew Bryan put more than love into the hot chocolate. In the back of their minds they heard the rustling of raven wings and the faint caw of Huggin and Munnin. With the first sip, life energy suffused Leslie, restoring her health. Leslie blinked, looking confused for a moment as she tried to figure out what changed. Her eyes widened when she realized she felt perfectly fine and healthy.

Ken asked, "Feelin' better?"

Leslie took another sip of cocoa, set the mug down on the coffee table, and turned to look directly at Ken. Taking his hand she said, "Now I realize who you are. To think I've been living next door to two angels all these years. I always thought you were angels but, well, you know... not real ones."

Ken and Brad chuckled, and Ken said, "We're half angel. Big difference."

Leslie said, "Not to me. You've always been so kind to me... I worry about you now. I pray for you every day, over what you face. I've never considered myself a godly woman, far from it, but I see the world. I've seen it change over my lifetime. I've heard the words of the devil himself, talking about destroying us, and I felt the love you sent out in defiance. I had no idea I was making sweet iced tea and lemonade for half angels." She laughed at herself and continued, "I just thought you were both so handsome and wanted to get a peek at you from time to time. Okay, all the time"

Brad knew her fantasies about them but he closed those off. Ken's loving smile appeared and he said, "We know."

They all three laughed as she patted Ken's hand and wistfully said, "Oh to be young again. But I know I'm barking up the wrong tree."

Brad asked, "You've never had a problem with us being a couple?" He knew the answer but wanted to hear her response.

Leslie said, "When I was young, my mother told me homosexuality was a sin and any man who slept with another man would go to hell. Of course, as a child, I believed her, but I've lived a long life, and come to realize many things I was taught as a young girl were wrong. I've watched you more than you know." Smirking, she added, "I practically kept Eveready in business."

Ken guffawed, and Brad smiled, as she continued, "I've always seen how much you love one another. You aren't anything like the men my mother talked about. Seeing you opened my eyes, and I thank you for that. Thank you for what you're doing for the world. I'm afraid for you, though."

Ken took her hand and, with glassy eyes, said, "Don't worry about us, Leslie. Thanks for sharin' with us. We're gonna miss you. Me and B are movin'. We're not sellin' but we won't be back until after everythin's finished."

Brad said, "Thank you for your prayers. They mean a lot, and they do a lot."

Leslie sadly said, "I understand."

Ken asked, "Is there anythin' you need before we head out?"

Leslie blushed and lowered her eyes. "Nothing I need, but..."

Ken raised his eyebrows and winked at Brad as he took off his shirt, took her hand, and placed it against his abs. Her quivering response was, "Oh my."

She kept her hand still and quietly said, "This is better than I imagined, and believe me I've imagined a lot."

Ken kissed the back of her hand and said, "You're a gem, Leslie. Thanks again for helpin' us with the mail all this time. All our important stuff has been redirected. We'll contact the post office and have them stop deliverin' `ta this address so you won't have `ta do that anymore."

Leslie's eyes were wet and she said, "I'll miss that. It was a small thing, but it connected me to you."

Brad increased their auras to shine on her soul and in her mind said: You're more connected than you know. All humans are, but the curse keeps you from realizing it or feeling it. Remember this. If you ever need us think about this moment and you'll know how to reach us.

Leslie finished her hot chocolate and said her goodbyes. Ken left his shirt off and she hugged him for a long time, making Brad laugh: You're enjoying this.

Ken: Just bein' neighborly.

Brad: That is such bullshit.

Ken: Okay, I'm takin' one for the team.

Brad: Now that I believe. It was a nice thing to do.

Ken: She's gonna remember my abs and not yours.

Brad laughed in his mind: Fuck you.

Ken: Hey, B?

Brad: Yeah?

Ken: I'm gonna need a full recovery treatment after this. Ken Jr. doesn't like what's happenin' at all.

Brad: The doctor is in.

Brad hugged their neighbor long and tight and said, "Live in love, Leslie."

Brad: Okay, Brad Jr. needs some therapy now, too. To the bedroom, pronto!

<> 

A few hours later, in his most vulnerable state, Ken lay on top of Brad to let himself be held. Brad's hands caressed Ken's body as they both enjoyed the physical intimacy.

Brad: That was nice.

Ken: Fuck, sex with you is always nice. Better than nice. It's pretty fuckin' spectacular.

Brad chuckled: I was talking about Leslie, but compliment accepted.

Ken lifted himself up enough to make eye contact and they became lost in each other. The mixed colors of their eyes proved their connection and though a small thing, was also intimately important to both men. Their souls touched their brothers no matter where they were, and the two lovers felt most of the team doing something similar. The brightness behind their eyes in the spiritual realm made them smile, knowing the pleasure everyone experienced.

Ken: Fuck. Except Loy and Ricky.

Brad: They're in San Diego right now.

Ken: I don't know what `ta do about them, B. Loy's Avatar is different than the rest. It gives him way more day-to-day responsibilities. He needs a break but between workin' on the Spirit Nexus and the animal sanctuaries, he and Ricky have been balls to the walls for months.

Brad: I know each of us, on occasion, has been affected more because of our provinces, but you're right. Loy's is unique.

Ken: Did you just say I'm right?

Brad: Oops.

When Ken's grin faded he continued: We all need `ta step up our game with `em. Well, you and the other brainiacs who share his Avatar. You do already, but I mean even more. Loy and Ricky need some ZEUS time, or valley time, whichever they want.

Brad: You know Loy won't take it.

Ken: I'll make it an order.

Brad: Good luck with that.

Ken: Since we're at least on the same continent as them, let's make a surprise visit and help `em out.

As Ken spoke his Avatar lit up and the ghostly branches of Yggdrasil formed around them. The warm spiritual breeze blowing from its branches dried their sweaty forms. Tiny orbs of animal spirits danced around them, basking in their light as Brad listened to the song of Ken's soul to empower him enough to translocate them to California from Atlanta.

<><> 

Ken and Brad appeared outside the San Diego Animal Sanctuary and immediately Loy and Ricky moved to hug them. Brad held an illusion of shorts and t-shirts to cover their naked forms.

Loy: Hey guys, what are you doing here? I figured you'd keep going until you broke the bed.

Ken and Brad laughed as they merged. Ricky burst out laughing at Ken taking his shirt off and letting Leslie feel his abs: Just damn, Ken.

Ken grinned: My good deed for the day. Hell, maybe the year. It made her happy. She's been a good neighbor.

Loy: Speaking of neighbors, Will and Trish got here this morning. Billy arrives tomorrow.

Brad: We came to help, but we'll join the welcoming committee too. In all seriousness, we both think you guys need a break.

Ken: After today I want you on ZEUS or in the valley for a few days. The rest of us'll cover whatever needs `ta happen.

Loy: I appreciate that but...

Ken: No butts, except your naked asses catchin' some rays. That's an order.

Brad noted the relief in Ricky's expression as they made eye contact. He had been pushing for Loy to slow down but wasn't able to do it on his own.

Ken pulled Loy into a bear hug and squeezed him tightly: I love you, bro. Lighten up and let us help. No macho bullshit, except for me. That's the rule.

A small commotion caught their attention and they turned to see an agitated man raising his voice, "I drove all the way from LA. Please!"

One of the nephilim prevented the man from moving forward and Loy called over, "It's okay. Let him in."

Ricky said, "People are showing up in droves from all over the world with pets and animals in need. It's what we made these places for but there's so many more than we ever thought."

Loy's eyes were downcast as he thought: I feel them all, but they don't see themselves as I do. Animals that are born with deformities don't know they're any different. The same with injuries. If I don't go deeper into them individually, sometimes I miss things, and it fucking kills me.

Loy's pain was clear as he led them over to the man who drove a van full of cats from Los Angeles where he ran an animal rescue. Loy held out his hand, "I'm Loy. Who have you brought?"

The thin man in his fifties was in great shape. As soon as their hands touched Loy knew everything about David. He ran a private electrical contracting company, and he and his wife and daughter created an impressive not-for-profit animal rescue facility. David recognized the men from TV and his eyes went wide but he was determined to get help. "I'm David. I have half a dozen cats with me. Please? Can you take a look. I've done everything I can but they deserve more."

David led them to the back of his van and he opened the double doors to reveal two rows of kennels. Loy knew each cat by name and what was wrong with them. David was trying to rehabilitate them, and did a wonderful job, but with limited success.

David asked, "Can you help them? I heard you can."

Loy smiled and said, "Let's start with Freddie."

David wasn't sure how Loy knew Freddie's name as he opened his kennel and gently lifted out a beautiful orange tabby that had been shot with a pellet gun. The pellet had hit his spine, and his back legs no longer worked, nor his bladder, which had to be manually expressed to keep him alive. Through David's attempts at rehab, Freddie had recovered some sensation in his legs, enough to stand still with assistance, but Loy saw he would never fully recover without intervention.

David said, "The pellet was removed, and I've been working with him, but he needs more."

Ricky smiled and said, "You've done a remarkable job, David. These furry guys are blessed to have you, and you're blessed by God."

David's emotions were clear, especially to Brad. He loved the animals and saw it as his life's mission to help them. David reminded him of Giovanni.

Ricky said, "David, if you like, please be part of our operation. Stay in LA and do what you do but bring the extreme cases here. We'll make it official so you can get in here with no hassles. We can supplement your LA supplies too, and take the pressure off your need for donations."

While Ricky spoke, Brad's and Loy's eyes flashed white. Freddie's nerves regenerated and they cleaned him at the same time to remove the smell of urine. Loy held Freddie on his back and rubbed his tummy, and David heard the loudest purr ever. Freddie stretched his back legs in pleasure and David's eyes showed his heartfelt joy.

Loy handed Freddie back and said, "Good as new."

David's tears broke loose as he nuzzled his face into Freddy's fur. Freddy exuded calmness in a way David had never seen in him, and he understood Loy's magnificence. Brad and Loy read the rest of the cats and restored them to full health. Congenital deformities, improperly healed wounds, malnourishment – regardless of their condition, they became whole and healthy, and David gasped, "How can you do this? Thank God you can, but how?"

Ken said, "It's hard `ta explain, David. Just be thankful we can and we're glad you came `cuz we need your help."

Ricky pulled out a card from his pocket and said, "Here's Raph Martinez's direct contact info. Call him or shoot him an email, and he'll make the arrangements to bring you officially on board, assuming that's what you want. It would be great to have you with us."

David smiled through his tears, but he was serious when he said, "I'll pray for you. All of you. I understand the pressure and the drive. I see it in you and share it. Thank God and thank you again and I swear I'll be in touch."

<> 

Ken: I needed the fuck outta that. Soooo glad we came.

Brad: Yeah, me too. Oh! You mean here, not getting off. Any more stops before I take us back to the base?

Ken chuckled at the corny joke and thought: Yeah. Take us `ta DC.

Loy and Ricky hugged their brothers, and Loy thought: Thanks for stopping in, guys.

Ken: We'll be around more often. All the guys will.

Brad: You know this whole endeavor is incredible.

Loy: Who would have thought Raph would turn out the way he has? From a gang member who tried to kill me to one of us.

Ken: Henry, too, and from the same encounter. Now he's a fuckin' archon. Who'd a thunk?

Brad: You're making an impact Loy, a huge one. We're so proud of you.

Ken: We don't mean the impact Ricky's left on your backside after all these years, either.

The four men chuckled as they released their hug. Loy and Brad listened to the music of creation and drew power from nearby animal spirits while Ken and Rick filled with life energy from Yggdrasil. Brad's intuition sparked a need, and with the extra power, before he and Ken translocated to DC, their assault suits appeared on their bodies. It was a difficult task, but he went down in time so their bodies could not move and risk part of the suit materializing inside them.

Loy and Rick smiled and as one thought: Have fun.

<><> 

They appeared in the quiet of the House Chamber. The lights were dimmed making the rune of truth seem bright by casting stark shadows close to where it hovered.

An unexpected voice said, "Ken Habbersham? Brad Wilson?"

Ken and Brad turned to see Sarah Cetanwakuwa, the representative from North Dakota walking towards them.

Brad held out his gloved hand and said, "Sarah, it's great to see you. How's Ben and everyone back home?"

As she shook their hands she responded, "Ben's doing great." Chuckling, she said, "He spends most of his time in the kitchen trying to outdo Bryan's chili. Since you put the totem up, our lives are better than ever.

After a slight pause, she asked, "What brings you here?"

Ken said, "Nothing specific. Me and B are sort of makin' the rounds today. We just came from San Diego by way of Atlanta."

Brad asked, "So where is everyone?"

Sarah's expression changed and Ken saw her anger when she said, "I'm one of the few representatives who come in here now. The House has moved the chambers to a nearby building we use for emergencies. It's so disheartening."

Ken's forehead creased, "Fuck." Brad noticed Ken's jaw clench, a sure sign of his anger.

Brad said, "We had a suspicion this would happen. They can't help themselves."

Sarah said, "There's a small but loud contingent that doesn't trust The Order and who say the runes are evil, like a form of mind control. Attempts have been made to destroy this rune."

Upon seeing their disheartened looks, Sarah said, "Don't give up on us yet. I do think there are some who have become so politicized that they might never change, but not all. There's been major pushback from citizens all over who support The Order and it's toward their representatives who supported moving the chamber. I think the next election cycle will see some big changes."

<><> 

Darren merged with the guys in the Congo and his comforting presence pushed back the negative emotions Sarah's comments invoked: Guys, we have a situation.

Lane pulled everyone out of the arc of time as Ken and Brad appeared naked with their brothers and mentors. Images of the North Korean army massed at their southern border filled their minds. A demonic creature stood at their forefront and was by far the largest of Elegroth's servants they had seen yet. Grafted within the creature were the forms of their nephilim fathers, still alive and empowering the host.

Ken: The fuck did he do `ta them?

Their Avatars ignited, and those with Gifts quelled them as much as possible because of Ken's presence. Pat's understanding, at its most potent with all his brothers present, witnessed the ongoing suffering. Gariel's voice rang in their memory: Free us from our torture, I beg you.

Lane: He didn't even know his fate when he left that message, but he knew Elegroth would betray them.

Bryan: They were dicks, but no one deserves that.

Lane returned them to the arc, and the image began to move in real-time. Sitting on the shoulder of the massive demon was the North Korean leader, wearing an expression of insane glee. Gesturing wildly, he directed several missile launchers forward.

Pat: Those are nukes.

Ken: Fuck. Dar, get us there.

In the House Chamber, Sarah's phone pinged with a notification. When she looked at it, her face paled, and she whispered, "Oh no." When she looked up, Ken and Brad were already gone. The message on her screen was about an immediate escalation in North Korea.

<><><> 

Németh stood in the heart of the new Eschphene temple. Two massive spheres representing the two creations shone around him. Constructing the models took thousands of years after he gave Pattrick Manning his Gift of the heart of the old temple. Necessity breeds wisdom and Németh delved further into creation to produce the magic before him. He observed Elegroth's new creature, which was an amalgam of the nephilim fathers of his friends and a hybrid demon of both creations. His hearts broke when he looked deeply into the nephilim and saw that portions of them were deliberately missing. He knew that Elegroth likely destroyed them to prevent any salvation. The cruel might of the fallen archon broke Németh's hearts again.

Németh: Eleneth.

Eleneth: Yes, teacher?

Németh: Go to your brother. Together, you must hold Kenneth Habersham in balance to allow him to fight. Németh sighed heavily: My child ... it will be difficult, but you must persevere.

Eleneth: I shall.

Eleneth vanished to appear with Drew in the second creation as Németh turned his attention to the true target of Elegroth's incursion.

Németh: My sons, prepare yourselves. The egg is in danger.

Eva heard Németh's words and hissed her alarm. Orophir heard Németh's instructions to Eleneth and his sons, and intense worry for his friends overcame him. The knowledge he had acquired under Németh was potent, and perhaps he could aid Kenneth Habbersham as well. His dagger was a weapon like Michael's new sword, one of three weapons in creation that could touch Elegroth and other beings of both creations. The third weapon was the duplicate of Orophir's own dagger that lay dormant in Thomin's vault, its gem still dull and lifeless and awaiting its chance to re-enter events. Careful to avoid Németh's attention, Orophir traveled back to the creation of his birth.

<><> 

Lane took them out of time and their eyes flashed white as he made their souls one. Assault suits appeared on those not wearing them, and their light continued to brighten as their sources of power manifested. On their shoulders, their avatars spit arcs of color into their light to further empower their Gifts. With their Gifts fully manifested Ken fell to his knees but held back a groan of agony: Fuck!

Brad: Ken you have to leave this to us. Dar, send him back to the base!

Ken felt painfully nauseated, but suddenly, his ache stopped. Eleneth appeared in their collective soul and blended his intensely bright light with theirs. A sense of peace akin to Németh's presence came over them, but particularly in Ken as Eleneth embraced him.

Eleneth: Németh sent me, Uncle. The conflict between your Gift and Avatar is painful to the balance. My brother and I can offset this for a time to allow you to do what must be done. The effort to hold you in balance is extreme, so do not tarry.

<> 

Drew sat rigid in his chair with his eyes shining brightly. Sally and Shan cleared the room of everyone else, but Cavall and Granny Wolf stayed by Drew's side. Sally's eyes widened further when Eleneth appeared and thought: Hello, Mother. His appearance startled her for many reasons. His countenance was completely different than the last time she saw him. No longer immature and unsure of himself, her son was now a man. His serene, calming presence overcame any fear in Sally. He smiled at her, and her heart fluttered with peace, joy, and love.

Eleneth knelt beside Drew and put his arms around his brother: Join me, little brother, and together we will keep our uncle safe.

A smiling Chloe entered the room: Mrs. Beasley says she wants to help. She loves Uncle Ken.

The room filled with so much light that nothing else was perceivable. Chloe's power was staggering and any strain Eleneth felt from holding Ken in balance vanished. There is power in threes, and the three primal forces – the innocent, an agent of balance, and the crux of the curse – buffered Ken against the influence of the other Gifts.

<>

Ken's relief, along with Brad's and his brothers', was palpable in the merge. Standing tall once again, Ken surveyed the scene before them. At the same time the world watched the sky darken over the North Korean army. Clouds suddenly boiled and seethed as deafening thunder and vicious lightning ripped open the sky. In one mighty burst, a thick bolt of lightning pierced the clouds and forked into thirteen branches as The Order materialized to oppose Elegroth's new demon. Each man shone like a star alit on the ground, and lightning continued to strike Ken's and Henry's swords.

Brad folded the veil to create a portal between the physical and spiritual realms, and the spirit harness appeared in the sky. Only the wind and rolling thunder could be heard because the army had fallen silent.

<><> 

Green void energy shone in the eyes of many within the army.

Ken: B, I know this is gonna suck, but we need `ta know if there are any innocents in that army. If there are, we need `ta get `em behind us and away from that thing.

Brad became the focal point of their power and bypassed the demonic shield covering the army. Through the veil, he touched the minds of all the humans in the North Korean army, and those who had given themselves to Elegroth felt the burn of his light while those who were still fully human felt his unconditional love. The fear in the innocents touched him, and it told Ken what he needed to know.

Ken: Dar, you're up.

Darren ignored the demonic shield in his own manner. As the embodiment of the second creation the army existed within him, and with his Gift fully manifested and using Brad's vision, he translocated thousands of soldiers to the fields behind them.

Henry: Elegroth isn't here.

Ken: He's bein' a pussy. He wants us `ta kill our fathers and the innocent humans. He wants us `ta show our strength so the world'll fear us.

Amid their actions, the wailing of their fathers' torment never ceased. Lane started to dampen the sound but Ken thought: No. As much as it hurts `ta hear, let that be the button that pushes us `ta kick this fucker's ass.

The missile launchers halted and their targeting systems engaged. The bodies understood they were the target of two dozen nuclear warheads and Kev thought: What's he thinking? If those detonate it'll destroy both Koreas.

Ricky: Then they won't detonate.

Darren: Kev ... rock, paper, scissors on who gets to take them out?

The demon pointed its sword and a green nimbus surrounded the missiles. The strength of its shield, empowered by the black rock in the void, was evident and circumvented Darren's interference.

Brad: That changes things.

The nukes launched as Lane took them down in time to formulate a plan, but before anyone conveyed a thought Leroy's voice, as deep as a mountain, filled their minds: ABBA. I COME.

Bryan: Leroy? Buddy?

Leroy: LITTLE FIRES DO NOT HURT ABBA.

Ken: Do `ya think this is a trap `ta hurt Leroy?

Brad: My intuition isn't telling me, but better safe than sorry. Let's take out the nimbus to be sure.

From his cave, Leroy surged forward in ferocious glory to appear in the sky above The Order. The fire within him was so intense that he shone with his own nimbus, yet his love for Bryan and the rest of the team was palpable as they sought to protect him from any power the demon might utilize against him.

To keep Ken from the exposure of so much power involving the Gifts, and to enhance Eleneth's, Drew's, and Chloe's protection of him, Henry said: I'll do the honors on this one.

Ken knew Henry's reasoning and didn't argue. Henry became the aggregate of their might, adding it to his own archonian strength. Raising his sword, branches of lightning arced from his blade to remove the black rock's shield covering the missiles. With their perception of time slowed, they watched Leroy's vast maw stretch wide to devour the two dozen nuclear missiles. Leroy's massive body muffled the detonations as his fire absorbed their explosive power.

Bryan: Are you alright?

As much as Leroy could smile, he did, and replied: GOOD LIKE SMORES. WANT MORE.

Bryan laughed: You ate them all you big fucker, but if we find more, they're yours.

Loy chuckled: So nuclear missiles are dragon smores?

The demon's green eyes smoked as he stared at them with a hate-filled expression while the wails of their fathers continued. The remaining humans in the army were slaves to Elegroth and stayed in formation as willing sacrifices for demonic purposes.

Brad's gut twinged: Something isn't right.

<><> 

Németh: My sons, prepare yourselves. The egg is in danger.

Kéneth, Déreth, and Héneth shouted: Halt! Simultaneous with the Eschphene's shout Eva hissed her own warning and the RL's dropped down in time to stop all motion.

Jacob: What's up?

Kéneth: Father says the egg is in danger. Stand ready.

The naked forms of the RL's shone with sweat but in a flash of dragon fire their skin became hide and their eyes slitted. Returning to time, their vectors and trajectories changed mid-motion to land beside the Eschphene brothers in what Lane would surely call a perfect superhero landing pose. A powerful nimbus radiated from them, a combination of Leroy's and Eva's fire. The RL's power had continued to grow under the Eschphene tutelage, and they were the perfect balance of the two dragons – savagery and might tempered by wisdom.

Héneth: We will assist.

Surprise ran through the RL's at Héneth's comment. The RL's were the egg's protectors and handled all incursions against it on their own. The Eschphene brothers were their mentors, and had always let them do what they were trained for. Whatever was happening must be different if the Eschphene were going to be actively involved.

Jacob: All right, guys, keep it tight.

Craig: If we were any tighter we'd snap each other's dicks off.

Guy: Too bad there's not a Motel 6 in this creation.

Caleb: Yeah, and one that charges by the second. That's all the time most of you need.

Like the rest of The Order, the RL's bonds ran deep and along with their unconditional love for each other, humor kept them grounded. Rich heard the first discordant sound from the egg and the white lock in his hair glinted in the nimbus of their power. He wondered how the evil sound was present.

Rich: Fuck. This is bad. Jake, we have to contain this.

In the core of their being, they felt the rift open above the egg. The blackness of the void wasn't natural because it did not exist. It was the nothing underlying both creations and Elegroth's gateway to each. The fallen archon did not come through, but they heard his voice singing to the egg, and they realized he had been for some time. The tendrils had been feeding the egg his subtle, vile music and the egg wanted more. Fresh tendrils sought his voice while existing tendrils breached the second creation to seek out his newest creation, the demon holding the music of the ten nephilim who had sought to serve him.

<><> 

Around the demon, all the bodies except for Ken saw the tendrils whipping erratically in proximity to the wailing of the nephilim fathers. Lane's Avatar and Gift ignited, and the scene concurrently taking place in the first creation at the egg came to his mind. He heard the discordant song of corruption which Elegroth was singing and realized the fallen archon had been singing to the egg for a long time.

Lane: Fuck me. These threads are a present from Elegroth. When the egg started seeking music, that bastard gave it what it wanted. We know what one thread did to Mrs. Beasley, and this smegma-smelling demon has a blanket around it.

Brad: We have to draw the threads away.

Bryan: It wants music. Let's make some.

Bill: You sure don't look like the romantic type on the outside Bry, but I see through you.

Kevin: When Bill, Brad, and I got sucked into the egg it wanted the music of our Gifts. We can't let those things touch us.

Brad: No, but we can use our Gifts to draw them away.

Ken: I can't see any of this shit. Draw those fuckin' threads away and me and Henry'll take care of the demon.

Darren: What about the soldiers? Their eyes are green. They're fucked.

Ken sighed, and their shared sorrow over the humans that gave themselves to Elegroth hurt: Fuck I hate this shit. Take `em out and make it painless.

Ricky: Do we call the archangels in?

Brad: I think we should. I know their relationships with their kids aren't that strong but they should be here, and Michael's new sword can touch that thing.

Lane: Touch that thing? Miss thing? My thing?

Loy: No one wants to touch your thing except Bryan. That's his thing.

Bryan: Damn straight, fuckers.

Ken: Okay ladies, less dick talk, more fightin'. Everyone call your grandfather, then take care of the humans and draw those threads away, and me and Henry will take on Miss Thing. I haven't said this in a while, but you fuck ups are the best. You know who and what you are, so take care of business.

Ken's memory of Brad, Kevin, and Bill being temporarily trapped in the egg lay heavy on his heart. They were dealing with forces strong enough to bring another creation into being and could not afford mistakes.

Pat: Awww you do care. I knew it. You're such a softie, Cap.

Ken grinned and winked at Pat: That's not what B says.

Each man intoned the name of his angelic grandfather and shining orbs appeared around them. The archangels instantly became aware of the situation and their eyes brightened while their expressions hardened. Each grandson expressed his sorrow over the loss and torture of the ten wayward nephilim sons.

Without Elegroth's presence shielding his minions, Kevin's Gift was unchecked. Following Ken's order, he channeled their collective might and a wave of power directed at the army burst forth. His light met minor resistance from the black rock's influence but as he snuffed it out, the humans dissipated when he unbound their existence. Ken's concern for his oldest friend was evident in his private thoughts: You okay?

Kevin: Yeah. They were already dead. Still sucks though.

Each of Kevin's brothers and his husband paradoxically expressed similar concern. Darren most of all knew what it felt like to take the lives of a large number of humans, and he held Kevin tighter in his heart. In their hearts, where time didn't move, Kevin took their love and support which strengthened him.

While Lane's province was music, each mentalist shared his Avatar which connected them to the underlying music of the second creation, and more importantly, it opened the gateway to the song of their souls. Lane learned early on that their songs were the greatest source of power, along with Yggdrasil and animal spirits. He opened the window to their souls and amplified the music to a cosmic level. The threads immediately drew away from the demon and flew towards them.

Lane: Scatter bitches! Cat and mouse!

Slowing their perception of time allowed the threads to get close to them before the brothers translocated further away. The egg had no emotion and felt no frustration or anger; it simply pursued a relentless need. The archangels added their voices to the songs of their grandchildren, and the chorus was glorious.

With the humans gone, and the threads pulled away, the demon stood alone. Henry translocated Ken, Bryan, Kevin, Pat, and Ricky around the demon, and Michael landed beside his grandson. Pat's understanding, magnified by his brothers, looked deeply into the demon's makeup and the nephilim grafted to it. There was just enough of their sires left to maintain an awareness of their suffering, but not enough to survive apart from their host. This made their cries real and painful, and the cruelty of it angered The Order.

Michael: I stand with you, Ken. We must free them of their plight. Mikail and the others caused much strife in our creation, yet none deserve this.

Ken: I know. Guys, let's take this thing out.

Pat: It's stronger than any demon we've ever faced. It's different, and not only because of our fathers being part of it. It's suffused with a much greater part of the black rock. This isn't going to be a cakewalk.

No time passed while they spoke in their minds, and when their perception of time flowed normally again, the demon roared as its wings flexed. From each clawed talon, a green sword emerged as an extension of its body. Henry raised his sword and released a powerful attack, sending lightning against the creature but his attack never landed. A green nimbus flared around the demon to protect it from Henry's power, and Elegroth's laughter echoed around them. He wasn't physically present but his will drove the creature before them.

<><> 

The RL's heard Elegroth's voice and realized their failure to protect the egg. This wasn't an attack they could have ever conceived.

Jake: Guy, slice a tendril and see how it reacts. We have to figure out a way to stop it without hurting the egg.

As soon as the attack started their eyes became slitted and their aspects altered. Their embodied purpose manifested as their forms changed to the children of Eva and Leroy. Guy leapt and razor claws emerged from his fingertips to slice through the nearest tendril. The distal end of the tendril flickered and dispersed into nothing, but the end proximal to the egg grew again like the head of a hydra, with two growing back for every one cut off.

Guy: Okay, this kind of works. The egg doesn't seem hurt and it definitely slows things down. Slice and dice.

Caleb: Time to go Ricky-Bobby on these bitches. Shake and bake!

Caleb's grin showed he expected the groan that ran through their minds over his love of bad movies. Razor-sharp talons extended from each of their hands and feet, severing Elegroth's influence as they flew about the egg.

Jacob: Get ready. This is going to piss Elegroth off and he might show up.

Craig: Bring it.

Their efforts initially seemed successful, but Rich was the first to notice the change. Jacob wasn't sure if they fell for a trap intended by Elegroth or if the egg simply adapted to their efforts, but fewer and fewer threads entered the first creation because they were diverting to the path of least resistance – the second creation – and making the demon Ken, Henry, and Michael were fighting even stronger.

Rich: Oh hell no...

<> 

As Rich realized the ramifications of their tactic, massive claws ripped open a tear from the void and seemingly endless legions of demons poured forth.

Rich to Eva: Call Leroy!

<> 

Brad's gut twinged and he thought: Something isn't right.

Leroy: ABBA, EVA CALLS! DANGER!

As Leroy's voice filled their minds he surged forth and vanished from the second creation. Bryan thought: Be safe, you big fucker.

Ken: He'll be fine, Bry. Nothin' is gonna keep him from comin' back `ta your sorry ass.

Lane: Bry's ass is many things, but sorry isn't on the list.

<> 

Kéneth's thin, lipless mouth smiled as Leroy appeared: Come, my brothers. It is our turn to join the fray and fight by the dragon's side. We must let our companions continue their efforts and not be distracted.

Each Eschphene brother wore a wristband gifted to him by Németh. Gems and sigils of their people adorned the bands which were beautiful but also weapons. When the brothers set their will upon them a bright flash of orange Eschphene magical light coalesced into their weapons. Leroy swooped over them and they felt the heat of his fire. To their keen sight, he seemed brighter than usual and when his maw opened, he belched forth a nuclear stream of fire at the demons. With one exhaled breath he vaporized thousands of the creatures, but more poured forth.

Déreth: Balance be! His flame is brighter than ever.

Leroy flashed his fangs and grinned towards them as his voice, as deep as a mountain, filled their minds: TASTY LITTLE FIRES MAKE FIRE HOTTER. LIKE SMORES.

Németh's sons burst out laughing as they assumed their battle stance with no fear, and the hope of celebratory smores upon their victory.

<><> 

The demon that Ken, Henry, and Michael fought was beyond any they had ever faced. Not only was it larger, stronger, and faster, it held power from both creations and the void, and it fought with the blade mastery of an archon. Yet, fighting as one, they matched it. The wall inside Henry, his need to defend his son, coupled with Ken's will and conviction, fortified their efforts.

Ken: This thing is nasty.

Henry: It smells. Not just physically but it reeks of Elegroth and your fathers. There's some other power in it, Ken, that I haven't figured out yet.

Ken: My Avatar can only see the nephilim and the host demon Elegroth used `ta make this fucker. There's a jumble of other stuff, but it's shielded, and I can't make heads or tails of it. What did that fucker make this time?

The demon's blades, dripping with green void energy, sliced at Ken. Michael and Henry countered, and the clash of their swords released a massive surge of power that knocked them back. They failed to see the true tactic behind the attack, which brought the section of its body containing Mikail close to Ken. Black and green tendrils whipped out of Mikail's form, and as soon as they physically touched Ken, he vanished.

<><> 

Ken appeared naked, strapped down inside the module Aaron used to split his soul in the original Syrian lab. He attempted to re-summon his armor and sword but could not. Fuck.

Mikail stood in front of him looking pale and feverish. Hello again, scion of my loins.

Ken: When you put it that way it's disgustin'. I never came outta you, I saw when you put your DNA in the doc's machine.

Mikail: Yes. I didn't even get the pleasure of coupling with a human whore like your real mother.

Ken didn't rise to the bait and kept his anger in check, stalling for time to discover a way out of his predicament or give Brad and his brothers time to rescue him. Didn't get enough hugs as a baby nephilim from daddy? What the fuck is wrong with you?

Mikail: Is that any way to speak to your father?

Ken: My human dad was a deadbeat fucker, just like you. My real father loves me like you can't imagine. I'm sorry Michael wasn't the role model of fatherhood, but when he had you he didn't have free will. He's different now, and if you gave him half a chance he would learn `ta love you.

Mikail: Yes, I've heard about the archangels and their so called `free will,' but it matters not. He will soon be gone like all of you.

Ken: What did Elegroth do `ta you? You look like shit. Maybe you won't be around either.

Mikail's face pinched briefly at the memory of his torture and grafting to the creature. My brethren and I swore our allegiance to him, but we must prove ourselves by killing you and our other children. Each of us will do what I'm doing here, and my new master will use your essence to empower me. I will have your Avatar and Gift, become his equal, and help sing the new creation into being. The egg will open soon. It has heard his quiet voice, filling it over time while you and those wyrmlings were playing Order.

Ken: You aren't gettin' shit, junior. You and your fucked up master are goin' down, and there's nothin' you can do about it.

Mikail: False bravado from the leader of fools. Nothing can save you. Not even the one who wields Eleleth's legacy. Henry Ross, by himself, cannot save you. His two sons, along with him, might have a chance, but the brats are focused on you. Everything has worked out precisely as Elegroth wishes.

Ken: You don't have `ta do this you know. Why didn't you find me and say hi instead of tryin' `ta kill me at the coliseum?

Mikail: Because I deserve revenge for my banishment. I want Michael to feel the pain of your loss for forcing me to father you.

Ken: So all of this is because of fucked up daddy issues? I said it once and I'll say it again, so much for a higher order of bein'. You're all fucked in the head, a spoiled, entitled little cosmic brat pack. I owe you though, for what I have. For Brad and my brothers. Your actions created somethin' you can't fathom. I wish you could feel what we have. It might change your mind.

Mikail: You mean the love you share? My kind don't feel it. You do because you have a human soul. Even if I desired to, I cannot.

Ken: Not true. Things've changed. God shook the cosmic birdcage and gave the angels free will. Luke's redeemed and fights with us. He and Michael lead the hosts side by side.

Mikail went quiet. He seemed tired, and he sweated, and Ken through his Avatar understood Mikail's misery, both physical and mental. What he saw unexpectedly touched his heart. The being before him was his father, and that bound them together.

Ken: Before you do anythin' `ta me, look in my memories. I won't shield anythin'. You can see everythin' I have, that you can have too. You've wanted Michael's affections – you can have mine and his if you turn around.

Mikail: Elegroth will never allow it. He holds a part of me ransom to prevent any chance of my forming allegiance to you or Michael.

Ken: You have no idea what we're capable of, Mikail. With our Avatars, the Gifts we have, the archangels, Henry, and the Eschphene ... we can figure out a way `ta make you whole. You don't have `ta do this. I'm not sayin' it'll be easy but we'll find a way `ta save you.

For a moment, Ken thought he had reached Mikail, but the pinched look on his face returned as fear, anger, and self-preservation overtook him. Elegroth's grip was too strong. Ken's brief hope of reaching Mikail faded. His Avatar ignited to light the room as his mosaic tattoo spit arcs of color. His Avatar made him equal to the task of freeing himself, and his love for Brad and everyone in his life, and the possibility of never seeing them again pushed him beyond equality, so that even within the confines of Elegroth's construct, Ken broke the bonds holding him.

Mikail's eyes widened at seeing his son, naked, glorious, and shining. Ken's holy light burned him, though, rather than comforted him, and Mikail heard Elegroth's voice: Now, fool, or he will destroy you. Take it!

Elegroth was a master of grafting and knew how Ken's Avatar was bound to his existence. He imbued Mikail with the ability to sever Ken's Avatar and take it to be his. He would take Ken's Gift as well when it was discovered. Each grafted nephilim would take the Avatar and Gift of his offspring as each was caught by the demon. The imp had shared how Orophir used his own essence when he tried to kill Luke, and Elegroth used that same knowledge as the foundation for his newest monstrosity.

Mikail slowed his perception of time, as did Ken. He observed Ken's impressive form in great detail and admired him as a creature of physical perfection. He decided to assume Ken's appearance once Ken's Avatar and Gift were his. This act would be trivial with his newfound power. Within his mind, he released what Elegroth taught him and Ken faltered as his Avatar was ripped from his soul. With time slowed, Ken started to scream, but before any sound came out, something happened.

<> 

The memories within The Mantle saw what was happening.

Aaron: We must act! There is no time for debate.

The others concurred unanimously and as Ken's Avatar integrated with Mikail's soul, Ken's Gift became a part of his Avatar once again. The memories knew that Ken would die the next time that happened to him, but, by fate or chance, his Avatar was held by someone else.

<> 

Eleneth's perceptions breached both creations and even Elegroth's construct. His wisdom had grown along with his body under Németh's care. The precise moment Ken's Avatar and Gift integrated, he withdrew the balance that he, Drew, and Chloe kept over Ken.

<> 

Mikail was unprepared for the power he ripped from Ken's soul. Along with that power came a divine light of which even Elegroth was unaware. Mikail basked in that light as everything that was Ken became a part of him. Ken's greatness - his strength, humility, humor, kindness, and most of all his love for Brad and his family - became a part of Mikail, and he realized how tragically wrong he had been. The manifestation of his actions wailed with regret in his heart. In the space of time too small to measure, The Mantle became one with the Avatar he now held. That precise moment is when Eleneth withdrew his protection, and unsurpassed pain ripped through Mikail. There was no way to fend off the reaction of the two powers that instantly destroyed him.

Two spheres of light were all that remained of the nephilim, one was Ken's Avatar and the other his Gift which pulsed once before being recalled to float gently over its pedestal in Thomin's Vault. Mikail's scream echoed around it, only to be dampened by the soft blue nimbus of the vaults preserving nature. Mikail had born The Mantle, however briefly, and now existed as another memory within it.

<> 

Ken collapsed; his body tensed to fight off the pain. Without his Avatar, he was a man again, although still genetically modified. His Avatar bobbed softly where Mikail once stood, and briefly Ken saw his Gift before it returned to Thomin's vault. His Avatar felt its own pain and wanted to return home. Ken trembled as he felt it across the distance, and they yearned for one another. The orb shot into Ken's hand, and light filled the construct as his Avatar entwined itself with Ken's soul once again. Ken's relief was ecstatic as he rolled onto his back, his chest heaving and his body dripping sweat. Amid his relief, his thoughts turned to Brad, and everything they shared. He imagined, at that moment, Brad in his arms, feeling the solidity of his body, smelling him, and relishing Brad's body hair against him. Tears dripped down his cheeks at the sentiment and he smiled at himself: Who ordered the fuckin' waterworks?

Because of his ability to read and understand people, in the end, Ken understood Mikail's existence. His tears nearly turned to despair over losing his father, and what might have been a long life together filled with joy and companionship. Ken regretted that he would never spar with him and Michael as a family in the coliseum. Fuck me again, but I guess I'm lucky. I have one amazin' father in Aaron, one deadbeat father, and one I didn't know, but wanted to. But I'm still the luckiest fucker alive. I have Brad, my brothers, and two dads really, cause I include Albrecht with the doc. I'm gonna kick Elegroth in the balls for this and I fuckin' hope he has as many as an Eschphene.

<><> 

Eleneth breathed a sigh of relief and pulled Drew and Chloe closer to him. We did well. Our uncle lives. He is still in danger so we must continue our efforts so he can continue unimpeded.

<><> 

Ken appeared in his armor just as he was when he disappeared. He wasn't disoriented but he was vulnerable for a brief second. The demon was aware of everything that transpired and it roared its anger and frustration at Mikail's failure and annihilation. It swiped at Ken before he could take a defensive posture, but Henry translocated Ken to avoid the blade that would have killed him.

Ken: Thanks.

Henry: I'm sorry about Mikail.

Ken: It just sucks, but thanks. We can't let that thing pull anyone else in. I was lucky I didn't have my Gift or I woulda been toast.

Michael: Our sons cannot reason. Elegroth took their base dislike and poisoned them to the point of possessing them. Gariel seemed the only one to have come to his senses, but too late.

Henry merged with Ken and knew his brother compartmentalized the pain of his father's demise. It was another scar on Ken's soul, one of many since his journey started. Within Ken's heart, Henry placed his own light to fend off Ken's pain. Ken's eyes turned glassy at the gesture, and he fully returned the love.

Ken: Okay we gotta figure out how `ta stop this fucker.

Lane: Nice of you to rejoin the party, boss.

Darren: Is there a bathroom in that construct? I really need to pee.

Brad: You should have gone before this started. We can't take you anywhere.

Kevin: He can't help it that his bladder is the size of a pea.

Pat: Well don't whip it out, Miss Thing might cut it off.

Lane: That might not be a bad idea. Let him do that, Dar, and I'll grow you a better one.

While they joked to celebrate Ken's return, the mentalists continued to occupy the tendrils which kept increasing in number. They were as hard-pressed to keep their part of the encounter under control as the bodies were. The demon was the first creature they ever fought that matched their fighting style. Now that they knew it wanted to entrap each of them, they managed to stay away from the grafted forms of their nephilim fathers, but it hampered their offense which caused a stalemate.

<><> 

Except for Németh, the three brothers were the best warriors among their people. Coupled with their knowledge of Eschphene sigils, armor, and weapons, the three held the invading demons at bay along with the RL's. They drew the invading demons far away from the egg and slaughtered thousands of them, but more poured endlessly through the rift. Németh watched from the Eschphene high temple and knew even his sons would be overwhelmed.

Németh: Once again, my daughter, I call upon you. You must be my conduit to your brothers. Can you do that? The cost will be high.

Jayléth sat by his side. Although she was usually capricious, her face was serious with her concern for her siblings. Bravely, she replied: Of course, Father. I am strong.

In a bright orange flash of Eschphene magic, Jayléth vanished to appear in the middle of her brothers, who were fighting back-to-back in a defensive posture. Kéneth immediately knew her purpose and shouted: Sister, no!

Jayléth: Father trusts me, do you not?

Kéneth's oily black eyes brightened. His brothers' did as well because they knew their father's plan. It was necessary. In an unaccustomed show of affection, the three brothers spoke as one: We love you, sister. Carry the family honor. Hold the balance and persevere.

Németh sighed, weary of the years his shoulders bore. Anger at Elegroth coursed through his being, yet he pushed it aside. Anger was an enemy of balance and he could not afford it – or sorrow. He seldom invoked the power of his royal bloodline as the nexus of his people, but every Eschphene, with the exception of his children, felt his peaceful calm enter them, and they stopped moving.

Németh: My children, we fight another battle and need your strength. Open yourselves to me, please.

The light that burst forth from Németh was equal to the light at the doors of the temple in Heaven, different in nature but equally powerful. Németh collected the inherent magic of his people and thrust it into his daughter. Jayléth's eyes widened as she left her body to become one with the balance. A quiet, unexpected peace consumed her, and she became lost in it. Nothing else mattered except existing in that blissful state of perfection. This was the same state Henry achieved in his blending with Eleleth, and an iota of the love that Ken recently experienced but didn't remember.

Before she became lost to them forever, Németh entered her mind: Remember yourself and your purpose. Aid your brothers, or all will perish.

Her brothers? ... The thought of them gripped her, taking her away from where she craved to be, but the strength of her love for them prevailed. She felt their flesh against hers and it brought clarity. With everything in her, she focused on her ties to Kéneth, Héneth, and Déreth.

Jayléth: Hurry, brothers.

The power of the entire Eschphene people ran through the triplets. Németh knew there was power in threes, but Jayléth stood alone, and through her storm of Eschphene magic, a vortex that expanded to encapsulate the legions blossomed around the brothers. The power they wielded was the balance itself, and it fought the essence of pure evil within the demons. The balance brought them back from their original rebellion in the second creation, and from what Elegroth did to them with the black rock. The strain was too much, and they shone brightly as their original angelic forms appeared before they were torn apart by the two powers and ceased to exist.

<> 

Rich realized the flaw in their approach: We have to keep the threads here. We have to figure this out. NOW!

Caleb: Music! They like music right? Let's figure out what they like best. God, I hope it's not yodeling country!

Nathan: Or Lee Greenwood. I could handle Garth Brooks, but Greenwood...!?!

Craig had the largest music library among them and had recently embedded everything available into a static memory sphere – the kind that the Eschphene taught them to make: I have an idea.

The sphere he made was about the size of a grapefruit and he flew directly towards the egg with it while avoiding the few remaining threads. He set the sphere on the tip of the egg and willed it to play. The first song was My Love Took Me Down to the River to Silence Me by Little Green Cars. Immediately, new threads embraced the sphere, which was tangible yet had no mass, and the threads passed through it without destroying it. Another paradox.

Jacob: Fuck yeah little bro!

The RL's had eclectic tastes in music, but they all liked various forms of harmonies from barbershop quartets to full throttle gospel choirs. Eva and Leroy breathed their fire to form a vortex around the RLs and the egg. Such wisdom created a wall that prevented Elegroth's voice.

Guy: We need to figure out how to silence Elegroth on the regular.

The white lock in Rich's hair glinted off the dragon fire, and he thought: You're right. This is temporary and I'm not sure feeding it anything in particular for a prolonged period of time is a good idea – Elegroth's voice or the memory sphere.

<> 

The RL's efforts gave them a reprieve and they turned to see the three Eschphene brothers huddled over the form of their unconscious sister. Eschphene physiology made crying difficult but their oily black eyes glistened with grief.

Landing beside their brothers, Jacob asked: What's wrong?

Kéneth: She is lost and cannot hear us.

Déreth: She allowed our victory but stayed in the balance too long and can no longer hear us.

Rich: What does that mean? What should we do?

Héneth: There is little to be done. If she does not find her way back to us soon, she will ever exist only in the balance.

Kéneth: We must take her to Father. He knew the risk of her involvement and may have an answer.

The RL's heard an edge that they rarely experienced in Kéneth's voice. He trembled with controlled anger. Protect the egg and leave us to our grief. We will return.

Jacob: We love you guys. If we can do anything...

With no reply, the brothers vanished along with their sister in a flash of bright orange Eschphene magic.

<><> 

In the second creation, the mentalists quickly realized the reduction in the number of threads.

Brad: The RL's must have figured something out.

Brad translocated close to Ken, and as soon as he appeared, green tendrils whipped out of Rakail, forcing Brad away.

Ken: B! ... Everyone but me, Henry, and Michael keep your distance.

Bryan called roots of Yggdrasil to ensnare the demon, but it sliced through them. Henry felt Elegroth's presence increase through his servant, and the demon launched itself with unimaginable speed as it twisted in the air, trying to get closer to the guys.

The light from Darren's Avatar dimmed and he knew his ability to translocate was blocked: Fuck! Transporters down! The other mentalists who shared his Avatar felt the same, and while unable to get away green tendrils burst forth towards them.

Bill unincorporated them all and the tendrils passed through where they had been. Hugin and Munnin left Bryan's forearms, flew at the demon, and pecked at his eyes. Elegroth's voice echoed the roar of frustration bellowing from the demon as Michael, Henry, and Ken continued attacking it with holy lightning from their swords. Their efforts staggered it but ultimately were only a mere frustration for it. With Elegroth and the black rock empowering it, they needed more. They needed Ken with his Gift to have the power to overcome it, and that wasn't an option so they continued the fight with everything in them. Their Avatars, enhanced by their Gifts, glowed brightly, but their Gifts were still not whole and pure, and Ken's was not present. They were enough to hold the demon at bay but they could not be more than enough without the full power they had yet to achieve.

<> 

Orophir: Father...

Luke's heart swelled at the sound of his son's voice whose tone conveyed many things, peace being the strongest, but also love—love for his father. Filled with joy, Luke thought: I hear you.

Orophir: Can you get me close?

Luke: I shall, but what is your intent? The Order cannot defeat it, and our legions cannot touch it.

Orophir: I can vanquish it, but I do not have the means to safely get close.

Luke: Then we shall work together, as father and son.

Orophir's heart swelled at his father's did. The love Luke expressed is what Orophir had longed for his entire existence, and the balance within him, taught him by Németh, stabilized to the point of perfection. Orophir uncloaked himself so that Luke could find him, and, in his father's embrace, they moved to slay the demon together.

<> 

Ken: He's toyin' with us.

Brad: Ken...

Ken: Fuck. Yeah, I know. Fuck! Kick his ass, fellas. Dar, send me home. FUCK!

Ken's plan, and his frustration, was in their hearts. His presence held them back. Without him, Eleneth, Drew, and Chloe could power the rest of the team. Within Ken's soul, one with his brothers and husband, their bare arms embraced him. Many kissed his temple or his cheek as the shit talk started. Of course, Lane kissed his ass cheek.

Kevin: We'll win one for the Gipper.

Lane: Gipper? Gimper maybe.

Ken: Fuck you, Lane, and if you kiss my ass again I'll spank yours.

Lane: Promises promises...

Loy: Lane loves dirty talk.

Bill: Perv on us for a change and watch us kick some archonian ass.

Darren: We see that every time Henry sleeps with Adam and Sally.

Adam: Archonian ass is the best. Henry's is like filet mignon to your tube steak.

Bryan: Any meat is tender if you pound the fuck out of it.

Their unshakable camaraderie and humor carried Ken through his frustration. They knew how hard it was for him to leave because he saw himself as their protector, but they also knew that he trusted them. He helped forge them into the warriors they were, and he held the utmost confidence in their training. With one last group hug, Darren's eyes flashed white and Ken appeared beside Eleneth, Drew, and Chloe in the Congo base safe spot.

Ken embraced the three: I'm safe, thanks `ta you guys but now shift everythin' you got `ta Henry.

<> 

Luke to Henry and Michael: Distract the beast but for a single moment.

After his redemption, Luke was once again The Morning Star, The Bright One, and Michael trusted him implicitly. Luke and Michael were the greatest warriors of Heaven, and their aerial combat was unmatched. Perfectly coordinated, Michael and Henry, now powered by the entire Order, attacked in one massive offense. Their light was as bright as a star going nova. It burned the demon and even Elegroth was hit through his dark nimbus. Staggering momentarily, the demon covered its face against the burning light and the back of its head was exposed.

Like a comet, Luke flew, leaving a trail of light behind him. The men were shocked to see Orophir in Luke's arms and were further awed when Orophir dropped onto the demon's neck and impaled its spine with his dagger. The gem, swirling with the three powers – the first creation, the second creation, and the black rock of the void – brightened intensely. He did not thrust his power against the creature; rather, he siphoned it into the gem thus making his weapon even more powerful.

Elegroth had rarely felt such pain and withdrew his presence from latest creation. Without his support, the demon was still powerful but no match for Orophir's dagger. The demon vanished, leaving a husk of its original form on the ground. Orophir, holding his brilliantly glowing dagger, landed lithely beside it.

The wailing of the nephilim fathers stopped, but their forms kept moving. Part of them still lived although their demonic host was vanquished. They were a mere remnant of their former themselves but powerless in horrific agony.

With Elegroth gone and the demon destroyed, Ken appeared beside Brad, who knelt before Rakail. He was one with his husband and equally shared Brad's profound grief. Brad's compassion would not allow him to blame his nephilim father. Circumstances orchestrated by multiple powers, but mainly God, created The Order, and their fathers, though assholes, were collateral damage.

Brad: It isn't fair. They had no say in any of this. They were used, just as we were, by our grandfathers before their changes, but mostly by God.

Ken: The whole thing sucks.

Henry delved into Elegroth's handiwork of grafting the nephilim onto the demon, and validated his original assumption. Their physical forms could be removed, but the spiritual side of their nature was left with no more than tiny spark so corrupted by Elegroth that they were impossible to save. Their grafted fathers could not speak but their eyes pleaded, begging for release. Enough intellect remained in them to know and remember who and what they were and to drive home the hopelessness of their situation. Elegroth's cruelty, the level of suffering he brought upon them and to their fathers, was still shocking.

Each man took the hand of his father, and as one, with tear-filled eyes, they severed the remaining bond holding them to life. Quiet followed as their nephilim fathers stopped moving and their once pleading eyes were now vacant. Brad took everyone, including their archangel grandfathers, deep into their hearts to express their grief.

<> 

The Dove and Miss Lula cried for their third children. Frank did, too, and even though he was not physically with them, they were the Trinity– omniscient and omnipresent - and always one. Their plan was culminating more with each passing moment, and it was bittersweet. Their divine love knew no boundaries, yet it brought pain along with unimaginable comfort and joy.

Ken's mother, brother, and nephilim father were now gone. Ken had died twice – first when his heart stopped after his torture by Dr. Cromwell, and secondly when The Master snapped his neck. His next death would be the spark to initiate everything.

There is power in threes.

The Dove: His Gift is the gateway to everything, as planned. He has suffered much. More than the others, yet still desires to take their pain on himself.

Frank: He realized a long time ago the need to let others in his life grow through their own pain. Will his love allow him to do what he must?

Miss Lula, with tears raining from her eyes, spoke to Ken's soul: Ahhh, darlin'. Be strong.

<><> 

Phil Cambridge woke with a start. He knew that his sleep was unnatural; regardless, he begged for forgiveness: I'm not worthy.

Trish's letter, still grasped in his hand, was spotted with his tears. She, Will, and Will's boyfriend were gone to California to work with The Order. He knew Trish felt abandoned, and she was right, but he would not allow himself to regret his decision. His work of caring for the prophet was too important. But was it? Had he screwed up again, like he did with Will? Was his life truly what God wanted for him? If so, why wasn't he happy? Riddled with guilt and stubborn pride, he didn't know what to do other than to continue the path he chose. Caring for the prophet was a worthy calling, but also his penance imposed upon him by The Order. He had been taught that God wanted him to be happy, so why wasn't he? Phil's circular thoughts trapped him in a prison of his own making.

Sudden silence caught his attention. The silence that alerted him wasn't in the room but in his heart. God's presence washed away his thoughts and he dashed to the recording equipment, but before he pressed the record button Ryan Atkins reached out to stop him. Phil dropped trembling to his knees in the presence of God. When the prophet spoke, his voice was heard throughout the second creation.

The end is nigh. Choose the light or the dark, and know your choice is irrevocable. This is the quiet before the storm that will shake the foundations of all creations.

Phil sat stunned. The end is nigh. Perhaps he should have been terrified, but all he felt was relief because it meant freedom from his sin. Ryan Atkins stood before him, his arms at his sides, but Phil felt hands cupping his head with a touch that sent gentle, warm love into his very existence. Tears streamed down his face, tears of love, joy, and guilt and his voice trembled as he begged: Forgive me.

The Dove: You are forgiven. Come home with me, child. You served your penance, and your time on the earth is complete. Come... sit with me.

Phil Chambers stood and The Dove's arm went around his shoulders as he led him into the light. No body was left behind, and the next warden who showed up found Ryan Atkins sitting in his chair, dead, and no sign of Phil Chambers, who now sat with God in the cosmic Waffle House. Miss Lula cooked him breakfast and then sat with Phil and The Dove, drinking coffee and eating pie. Frank sat in his van in the parking lot but was with them. Phil had never known such peace and true happiness, which was God's plan for him all along.

Before his last breath, Ryan Atkins's eyes cleared, and his tongue returned. He shook in relief but also from God's touch, which had been glorious but heavy. He realized now that he had everything wrong, how humans have everything wrong. The Master helped organized religion come to be and, through it, directed much of human history and behavior. The tenets from the bible, while true at their heart, were twisted by humans throughout the centuries and turned into something almost unrecognizable. He cried for himself and the world which he saw clearly for the first time. He had one prophecy yet to speak and it spilled from his newfound voice, "A human soul birthed in Heaven will mark the omega. Let creation tremble, for that child now rests in the womb of a woman who suffered a horrible fate. The time comes when all my children will be called Home."

When the other elders rushed to the apartment they found no sign of Phil Chambers, and Ryan Atkins sat lifeless in his chair. The recording equipment blinked and by pushing the replay button, they listened to the prophet's last words spoken to the second creation. Not knowing what else to do, they formed a prayer circle.

<><><> 

A somber mood hung over the Congo base that night. Bryan, with Drew's help, cooked a solid meal of comfort food. They had fended off Elegroth's intent yet again but also lost their fathers. Once again, the transition from fighting a creature of Elegroth's scale to being in their base relaxing together was difficult. But also, once again, their loving bonds kept them sane and grounded.

Aaron: I understand your loss, but your fathers are now free. Their existence never seemed happy or content. Try to find comfort in that they no longer suffer.

Bryan: They were nothing but fucking pawns in this whole fucked up shit.

Drew stopped stirring the sauce and hugged Bryan. He knew Bryan's language was an outward expression of his frustration and anger.

Bryan: Sorry, tiger. I'll reign it in.

Drew: It's okay. I understand. Really understand.

Bryan pulled Drew against his leg and patted his back affectionately: Love you.

Drew smiled: I love you more.

Lane: But not as much as me, right?

Loy: You mean me. Aslan gets all the love.

Each uncle joined in on the joke, but it wasn't a joke to Drew. In a spontaneous act, his eyes turned white as he called on the incarnations. He then put his love, magnified over eleven hundred times, into each of his uncles and his father. Henry was passing through the kitchen to get a drink as Drew performed his action, and like all the men he teared up. Leaning over, he kissed the top of Drew's head: That's my boy.

Darren felt a slight tickle against his soul, the feeling he equated with a small breach into the second creation, but it wasn't cold or evil: Something's incoming.

A static memory sphere appeared. Ken was expecting one any time as it was the easiest way for the RL's to communicate with them in a non-emergency. The unstable time differentiation between the two creations made real-time conversations impossible. Brad had the adults plus Drew merged, so when Ken gripped the orb the entire encounter with the egg and its tendrils, Elegroth's legions, and the Eschphene assistance replayed in their minds. Jayléth's condition dumbfounded them and caused extreme concern. Orophir, who was still with them, felt his heart lurch from seeing her unconscious form in Kéneth's arms, and he stood quickly. He realized what she had done and understood her plight.

Orophir: I must go.

Ken: If there's anythin' we can do... Before Ken finished his sentence Orophir was gone.

Brad: Damn. I hope she'll be alright. I have a bad feeling about this.

Ken: You mean `bad' or bad, bad.'

Brad: Bad, bad. Avatar bad.

Ken: Fuck. But I'm believing in Németh. He's gotta know somethin'.

<><> 

After dinner, Brad and Ken retired to their room. When the door closed and sealed Ken sighed: Ayyyyy karamba ... another day in paradise.

Brad: Would you indulge me?

Ken's eyebrows rose: You hittin' on me?

Brad laughed: Sort of. I want to do something for both of us. Let's hop in the shower first. Brad's eyes flashed white, and the hot water turned on.

Ken started taking off his assault suit but Brad thought: Let me do that.

Ken stopped and looked at his husband. A hint of his little kid grin showed, but his eyes watered. He knew what Brad was doing and loved him for it. He wanted to revert to the "old days" of helping each other out of their gear after a mission. Brad knew Ken found comfort in the simple routines and disciplines of military life, and he wanted to give Ken the structure he needed to process everything.

Brad slowly and methodically undressed Ken and took great pleasure in uncovering his incredible physique. As Brad removed the chest piece, Ken's musk, a mix of his own sweat and Leroy's hide, wafted out and Brad inhaled. Leroy's hide magnified their scents which made Brad painfully erect. While he disrobed Ken, Brad's hands lightly brushed over places he knew turned Ken on. Ken was also painfully erect, and their eyes laughed at the unspoken effect they had on one another. Brad merged them, and the intimacy which only a second ago was purely physical, became the center of their being. Ken undressed Brad as well, and when they stood naked, Ken pulled them chest to chest into their signature full-bodied hug with their heads nestled against the neck and shoulder of the other and cherished the sensation of being one.

Ken chuckled when Brad thought: Buzz Kill - the water's hot.

In the shower they thoroughly washed each other. No words were spoken, neither aloud nor in their minds, as they cared for one another. The water cascading over their muscular forms, their hands alternating from firm touches washing away the battle to feather-light touches intended to arouse, continued to build their desire. Because of the merge, Ken knew what Brad wanted next. A small surge of power from Brad created an external construct of the old massage chair from decades ago.

Brad: Get comfortable.

Ken realized that Brad wanted to perform the ritual as much for himself as for Ken. The shower whetted Brad's appetite to continue feeling Ken's body. They were both still hard and leaking. Once Brad finished Ken was so relaxed he didn't want to move, and Brad was soaked in sweat from his hours of going over Ken's body. Their fully aware brothers lent Brad the power to translocate himself and Ken onto the bed so Ken didn't have to get up. Once on the bed, Ken rolled on top of Brad, knowing the weight of his body was a turn-on. Their erections pressed together, and Ken started a slow undulation of his entire body. Within seconds they both squeezed their eyes shut as pleasure exploded when they came together. Their arms tightened around each other as red fire erupted from their core energy centers and swelled their muscles to full potential with blood and oxygen.

Ken: Fuck..., B.

Brad wrapped his legs around Ken's waist and angled himself to allow Ken to enter him. They gasped as fresh sweat covered them from Ken's slow and steady thrusts. They had just gotten off and he wanted to prolong the second orgasm. And the third. Brad burst out laughing when Ken discharged into him for the third time and grinned: There's power in threes.

Brad: What about six? Or nine?

Ken: Jezus, B, not askin' for much are ya?

Lane: Ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seat belts - this is going to be a bumping flight.

Bryan: No inflight snacks, as I'll be bumping my husband. You fuckers got us all worked up.

Loy: Can you once, for the love of God, not start this shit when I'm covered with kids?

Darren: Tough tittie I say to the kitty.

Pat: Sally's going to walk funny tomorrow.

While everyone made love, the banter continued until the quiet intimacy of their souls and bodies overcame them. The men always got worked up after the adrenaline rush of a fight, and they needed to decompress as only they could.

<><><> 

After exhausting themselves, they slept. Lane's head rested on Bryan's chest so that in slumber he could feel and hear his husband's heartbeat. Bryan's and Lane's Avatars had always been connected in a way slightly different from the others. Their provinces of life and healing were intertwined, as were their souls. That night when Lane's Avatar began to glow, Bryan's did as well. The Avatars spoke to one another, or in this case, Bryan's spoke to Lane's. Bryan was the seed of Yggdrasil, and the tree needed to converse with Bryan. Bryan's tattoos fluttered on his forearms and Huggin's and Munnin's caw echoed throughout the realm of dreams where Lane's Gift took them.

In their dream, they woke at the massive roots of Yggdrasil. The heat and humidity of the valley comfortably wrapped around their naked forms. Huggin and Munnin, the thought and memory of all life, awaited them. The ravens keenly conveyed instruction by peering at Bryan and Lane.

Mother must converse with you.

Bryan: I'm listening.

You cannot hear her within the arc.

Lane: Well, now I know why I'm here.

Leave the arc and travel to her heart.

Bryan's Avatar and Gift softly pulsed. Normally they emitted the emerald green of Yggdrasil's canopy, but this time there was a warm, golden yellow. Bryan had seen that glow before when he was in the chamber where he received his Gift. Lane saw the place in Bryan's mind and remembered it from a dream he had before Bryan received his Gift.

Lane: This is cool and a little freaky.

Bryan took Lane's hand: Let's go.

Leroy slept in the cave but was aware of them and his rumbling purr at Bryan's presence filled his cavern. Bryan's love for the great beast surged, and Lane, sharing that love, chuckled at his thought: Remember when Uriel got so pissed at you for almost waking Leroy up that first time? You told him he didn't understand Leroy, and you were right.

Lane's pride for his husband warmed Bryan's heart, and he squeezed Lane's hand in recognition. Bryan's affectionate expressions were always understated but deeply powerful to Lane because he knew his husband so well. Lane's love for Bryan was the foundation of his life, but Uriel and Leroy added to it. There was power in threes.

Lane giggled: When we kick Elegroth's ass and make a new creation, I want to make the math system based on four, just to make things weird.

Bryan laughed out loud: You little fucker.

The rest of their sojourn to the water of life was in silence and when they arrived the noise and beauty of the water cascading over Yggdrasil's roots was as breathtaking as ever.

Bryan: I never get tired of this place.

Lane: I get tired of the water being so friggin cold. Get ready for some major shrinkage.

Bryan's Avatar brightened, and its light danced across the water. Crimson power surrounded both men, raising their core temperatures and channeling oxygen into them. Bryan lightly popped Lane's ass: Let's go.

Wading out, even with the extra body heat, Lane shivered and his nipples hardened in the frigid water, but he quickly acclimated. No longer needing to breathe, they swam down to the rocky depths. The rift that originally let Bryan pass, the one created when Leroy left the second creation for the first time, was covered. Bryan drew strength from the water and the tree of life, and Lane listened to Yggdrasil's song. Using this power he translocated them through the rift. Their Avatars lit the way as they swam down miles upon miles, past the lava flows to the bend that led to their destination.

Lane: I wonder what we'll find. The chamber led to Allenor's forge, and that Fat Bastard of an archon torched the place.

The two men, still underwater, already saw the warm glow of the chamber and, upon exiting the water, saw the intricate pedestal that had held Yggdrasil's seed. The remnants of the shell were still there and Bryan, sensing power in the fragments, wondered at that. His Gift had been housed within the seed but he didn't remember feeling anything when he was here the first time.

The Ravens cawed: Leave the arc.

Lane took himself and Bryan outside the arc of time, but nothing seemed different.

The Ravens cawed: Deeper.

Lane: What do you mean deeper?

The Ravens cawed again: Deeper.

Lane knew his Gift was tainted, and perhaps it kept him from perceiving something that needed to happen. He knew there were various levels within the second creation. Once when healing Ken, he essentially entered the quantum realm, the part of creation that underlay everything. Could there be something similar with the arc?

Munnin's beak gently tapped Lane's Avatar and Gift: The memory of the arc will guide you.

Lane's eyes blazed white as his shoulder ignited, illuminating the area around them. His light combined with the warm glow of Yggdrasil's light, and he felt as if he had fallen into himself. He remembered that sensation from when he entered Taliesin's construct to rescue Bryan and this shift was unexpected. This time he fell into his Gift, but with Bryan, and everything around them changed.

The majesty of Yggdrasil's scope dwarfed them. The immensity of the tree that touched all life in all realities within both creations became apparent. Lane and Bryan were so tiny in comparison that the light of the tree could wash them away, yet Bryan's Gift protected them.

Outside the arc time didn't move, but they were now within the realm of time, where time came to be from liquid that flowed around them, ready to enter into existence through the arc.

Lane: I thought the arc was time itself. Geez, Louise, we have a lot to learn.

Bryan's Gift heard Yggdrasil's voice in the place which should not exist outside the arc. The softest whisper of the Mother's voice would destroy them without Bryan's protection.

Bryan: Fuck me.

Yggdrasil: My children. You are the first to hear me.

Bryan took in her beauty and tears covered his cheeks. His capacity had grown yet he could not hold all of her, but what he did hold filled him until it flowed from his eyes and mouth.

Bryan: You're so... beautiful isn't good enough. I don't have the words... Why are we here?

Yggdrasil: Bring my saplings back to me. They live alone, unable to serve their purpose.

Shame and guilt overcame Bryan and Lane. Uriel allowed Bryan to gather the seeds and the other archangels made it possible for them to grow without The Master's interference. Aaron and Albrecht said that the magic of the trees left the second creation at the calling of the veil. The light and love of each couple empowered the seeds to grow, and the trees were bound to them, even bearing their Avatars.

Bryan: I'm sorry. We're sorry. I... we... didn't realize...we abandoned them.

Yggdrasil: They cry for you and are loyal, but they are not complete. Take them to the valley so their roots may join with mine.

Bryan: I need to figure out how to do it without hurting them.

Yggdrasil: Preserve them within the shell fragments you hold in your hand. Replant them in their rightful home with me. Through me, love them as they love you and allow their protection. You will soon require it.

Lane knew how shaken Bryan was as he berated himself for what he saw as a dereliction of his responsibility. Bry, you couldn't have known all this. Don't be so hard on yourself.

Yggdrasil: The other half of your soul speaks truly. Until you received Huggin and Munnin you lacked the capacity to understand. Your roots are now strong, and I am pleased. You, as my seed, are with me always. Returning to your world will be difficult after being in this place. Until all of your Gifts are received and pure once more, you cannot return.

As he often did with Leroy, Bryan pressed his naked form against the smooth bark of the tree, and the smallest bit of its vibrancy entered him. That tiny spark, now embedded in his heart, became an ember that his soul fanned into a flame. He was overcome with love. Lane placed a hand on Bryan's back, and he, too, became a part of what was happening. The energy coursing through them charged their bodies, and in the back of Lane's mind, he giggled: Oh fuck. I know what's about to happen.

Bryan turned as Yggdrasil's aura suffused and magnified him. His physical beauty and perfection expanded – and he was exquisitely erect. Lane was too. The energy did something to them and it needed to be released for their survival.

The look on Bryan's face usually meant a fierce and aggressive session, but his gentle spirit was magnified along with everything else. He made love to Lane with Yggdrasil's light pouring out of both of them. Bryan's Gift was pure, one of the few that had not been corrupted, but Lane's corruption diminished their conjoined capacity. Lane felt guilty, but Bryan rejected his guilt and loved Lane as only he could. There was no way to tell how long they made love in that place, but when it was over, and Bryan held his lover. Lane's mirth could not be contained: I think I'm pregnant. My babies will be born naked because of this.

Bryan burst out laughing: You fucker.

Now wistful, Lane thought: This place is a trip. I'm no Donald Rumsfeld, but the more we know the more we know we don't know. How many layers are there to our creation?

Bryan: Who knows? I guess we'll need to figure it out before we make a new one. I don't want ours to be the fucked up class project that only a mother can love.

Lane: I'm scared, Bry. This is so much more than we ever bargained for. I'm scared for Ken, and what he's going to go through. I'm scared for all of us.

Bryan: I get it, Lane, but we'll figure it out.

Lane: I don't want to leave. Time isn't moving so we could stay here forever. That's a fucked up paradox but it's true.

Bryan: Everything about our lives except our love is fucked up in one way or another. Okay, let's get a move on. I promised Drew we'd make bread.

A soft breeze from Yggdrasil's branches carried them back within the arc to the pedestal that had held Bryan's Gift. Once Bryan held the shell fragments Lane moved behind the pedestal. Allenor's craftsmanship astounded him. The pedestal was lifelike, yet stone. Lane was fortunate enough to have seen Michaelangelo's Pieta but Allenor's skill was unsurpassed. What remained of the forge lay beyond where they stood, and it was dark. Lane's Avatar pulsed softly, and he extended his mind into the area by using their spatial location awareness. He found a safe spot and translocated himself a few feet away. A couple of the light sources were still functional and brightened at his presence, but the scene wasn't pleasant.

Lane: That fucker really did a number on this place.

This place was a blend of both creations, created by God for Allenor to craft the Gifts. A few feet from where Lane stood the room became open space, filled with stars and nebula with large chunks of the foundation floating around. He remembered what he saw in Henry's memory of rescuing Allenor's companion.

When Elegroth plunged his sword into the forge it exploded, and its fire consumed the forge first and continued spreading until they stopped it. Nearly a third of the second creation was consumed before they corrected and replaced the destruction with new life. To make the destruction worse, Elegroth took the area outside of the arc so The Order could not go back and correct his butchery.

Lane: Just one more thing.

Bryan: What are you looking for?

Lane: Something...

Lane's Avatar pulsed softly and his eyes flashed white as an image filled his mind: a small fragment of the forge embedded in the base of the pedestal that had held Bryan's Gift. Translocating back to Bryan, Lane found what he sought. The fragment had been cast out in the initial explosion before Elegroth took the room out of the arc. Lane tried to translocate the fragment to his hand but it remained embedded.

Lane: Well screw the pooch, but don't tell Loy. Can you get this?

Bryan set down the shell pieces and looked with his understanding. The fragment seemed inert, but it was a small piece of both creations, in perfect balance. The area around it was damaged and cracked but Bryan's fingers crumbled the stone around it and it fell to the floor. The fragment was no larger than a small marble but weighed nearly five hundred pounds.

Bryan: Is this important?

Lane: I think so. My Gift thinks so and that's good enough for me. I have no clue how though. Another mystery in a long list.

Bryan: Fuck. Would it hurt to have something come with instructions for a change? And not some fucked up IKEA shit either.

Lane: I wasn't able to translocate it into my hand, so I hope we can take it with us. If not we'll have to come back for it.

Bryan collected the seed shards and the ghostly image of Yggdrasil formed around them. Lane listened and called on animal spirits to fully power his attempt to take them home but they remained.

Lane: This is bullfuckingshit!

Bryan put his arm around his husband to push his warm strength against Lane: I love you, Little Buddy. It's no big deal. Let me make bread with Drew and we'll come back tonight. I like it here anyway. We can stop and sleep with Leroy on the way out.

Bryan's calming, solid presence effused Lane which made him hard again. He looked down at himself and sighed: See what you did?

Bryan: Yeah, I did that on purpose. We got the shells, and we'll get the pebble. It's all good.

When the time came, leaving was harder than either of them expected but Huggin and Munnin cawed, and the thought and memory of their brothers engulfed them, which gave them the strength to return home.

<> 

The two men appeared naked and shining with sweat. The cool air and lower humidity of the Congo base chilled them, but Lane adjusted their homeostasis. Brad's Avatar told him something significant had happened, but his first question was: Are you two alright?

Without waiting for an answer he merged them so that everything they experienced became known to the team. After concern for their welfare, wonder set in at the existence of the realm of time that they were unaware of.

Bryan: So the tree... fuck, we knew it touched everything, like all realities, but seeing it outside the arc..., It made me feel...

Pat piped in: Inadequate?

Anger snapped within Bryan when he immediately thought Pat was making a dick joke but quickly realized that he was right.

Pat: When I back out and see God's plan, that's how I feel. Everything is so eternal, and we aren't, at least not yet. Grasping it, even for a fleeting second, is so humbling it's hard to describe.

Bryan tightened his presence in Pat's heart in apology and replied: Yeah. It is. Sorry.

Lane: So, Pat didn't make a dick joke, but I will. After being suffused with even a trickle of the life energy of Yddy, Bry's gonna have an eternal hard on.

Bryan grinned and winked at his brothers: Like I don't have one already with Lane around, but yeah. I know this is going to sound cheesy but to me the sex we had was the greatest expression of what we have between us. We were merged with the life force of all existence running through us and it went straight to our dicks.

Loy: Yddy? Are you okay with that Bry?

Bryan: Yeah, why not?

Aaron: While there is humor in what you say, my boy, you make perfect sense. While you still have corporeal bodies that will happen.

Bill: What happens if we lose our bodies?

Aaron: You know the answer to that already, William. Your Gift allows you to disincorporate your physical existence. What do you feel when you are in that state?

Bill's eyes watered: I love everyone even more. It's hard to reincorporate because I want to stay in that state forever. It's only because I love you all so much that I'm able to.

A strong undercurrent of guilt and a profound sense of his own perceived inadequacies were painfully clear.

Ken: Don't make me kick your ass, William. Cut that shit out right now.

Albrecht: What Bryan and Lane experienced takes you one step closer to the finality of God's plan for you. The confrontation with Elegroth is not far away.

Bryan: Well I hope he stalls long enough for me to make bread with Drew. He's been hounding me a few days to do this and I can't skip out on him.

Henry: He's so excited about that. He loves his one-on-one time with you, Bry.

Ken: So we need `ta head back and get that pebble right? You guys don't have `ta be the ones `ta do that. Why don't you do your bread thing with Drew and go hang with Leroy. Me and B can get the pebble. When we get back `ta the valley, the Spirit Harness can fly it here. Problem solved. Then I think we all need some ZEUS time with the kids and Istariel and his bunch.

Brad: I'm worried about Orophir. I never saw a relationship between him and Jayléth in the works, but he loves her. I hope he can reach her.

Ken: If he can't, I don't know what it'll mean for Németh and his sons. Or Orophir. You think Németh and he already know what Bill just said?

Aaron: I understand the cost of Németh's decision. I hope his sons do as well.

Darren: It will suck if we lose the Eschphene moving forward.

Ken: If the Eschphene are willin' `ta come it would be awesome to have them join us on ZEUS. Give us a chance to talk. Fuck there's so much goin' on right now.

Loy: I want Raph to join us. He's in DC right now with General Hammond. He's been a godsend to me with the sanctuaries, plus everything else he does for us. Sally and Shan too. I don't know what we'd do without any of them.

<><><> 

Drew: I have the water hot.

Bryan understood the water was exactly 115.8 degrees Fahrenheit: It's perfect. Add five teaspoons of yeast and then give it a gentle stir.

Drew did as instructed and Bryan watched his excitement build for the initial blossom of activated yeast. He smiled, fist bumped his uncle, and Bryan thought: Perfect, LB. Now we give it a few minutes to proof and then we'll start adding flour.

Lane sat in the den watching TV with the kids when Chloe climbed in his lap. Lane pulled her into a snuggle and asked, "Hey beautiful, what's shaking?"

Chloe sniffled and said, "I don't know," which was code for something was bothering her.

Lane turned her around to face him, boopped her nose, and said, "Talk to me. Why the sad face?"

Chloe started to softly cry and she said, "Tommy told me a sad story about his Uncle Archie."

Kevin frowned: Why would he do that? I'll talk with him. She's too young to know about that.

Lane said, "Well, you know, that was really sad. Your Uncle Kevin lost his brother right after he found him. But remember a lot of good, happy stuff came out of that too. Mr. Buckles is one, and your Uncle Zach ended up coming to live with us."

Chloe said, "I love Uncle Zach and Auntie Renee. She sings to me sometimes when I can't sleep."

Everyone's eyes widened. Half of Renee's soul resided in Zach, but her intellect resided in Heaven with the other half of Zach's soul.

Chloe asked, "Will you read Tommy's "Archie" book to me? It made Uncle Kevin feel better, so maybe it will make me feel better too."

Lane cupped her head and said, "I have an idea. You know "The Archie's" were a band. How about I sing you one of their songs? I know one that describes you to a `T'."

Chloe clutched Mrs. Beasley tighter and said, "Mrs. Beasley wants to hear it."

Lane giggled, "Well, we can't disappoint Mrs. Beasley, can we?"

The music to The Archies Sugar, Sugar started, and Lane stood with Chloe in his arms as he danced with her, "Sugar... Oh honey, honey..."

Halfway through the song Zach moved over and tapped Lane on the shoulder as if he wanted to cut in on the dance. Lane passed Chloe off to him and Mr. Buckles circled them as a small orb of light which had Chloe giggling the entire time. The tendril in Mrs. Beasley's hair pulsed softly at her happiness and the music, and Renee became visible within Zach. The beautiful blue light of a human soul surrounded him and her face was clearly visible along with his.

Renee's presence affected Zach and his eyes watered with love for his wife. He missed her so much even though he shared her soul. His missed his arms around her and making love to her. When the song ended Chloe clapped her hands and hugged Zach, who passed her back to Lane.

Zach was clearly emotional, and his brother's souls tightened around him. He managed to choke out, "Excuse me," as he left to go to his room.

Kevin: Zach, wait...

Zach: I'll be okay, Uncle Kev. I didn't want to break down in front of Chloe. Lane got her spirits up and I want to keep her happy.

Kevin: Bill and I are here if you need us. All of us are.

Zach: I know...

Kevin: I know it's not the same, but if you want physical contact, we're here.

Bill: Free hugs on demand. Hand jobs too, with Kev's permission, and Lane will...

Zach burst out laughing: I might have to try that soon. My own hand is wearing out and I'll have to shave it soon. For now, though, I just need a minute.

Zach was completely unprepared for what awaited him in his room. As soon as he opened the door, he saw the blue forms of Archie and Renee.

Renee: Hi, honey.

Zach stood speechless as his wife became corporeal and approached him. He trembled from the onset of emotions and he simultaneously gasped and choked when she brushed the hair back from his forehead. Her touch... so gentle... he yearned for it every day since she was taken from him. He fell to his knees and pressed his face against her stomach, sobbing uncontrollably.

Renee whispered to him as she caressed his face and head: It's okay. I'm here.

Zach was beyond confused and pleaded: How?

Archie: We have a dispensation. I'll take Mr. Buckles and let you have some privacy. We don't have a lot of time.

Zach's powerful body trembled, not only from emotion but excitement. His wife's gentle touch, the touch he longed for, left trails of flaming desire over his skin. Renee unbuttoned his shirt, pushed it back to fall on the floor, and her hands rubbed over his chest and shoulders which further impassioned him: I've missed you so much. You're so much bigger than before.

Zach: Yeah, we train a little.

Renee smiled: I like it.

Zach seemed powerless and kept trembling and praying that he wouldn't wake up. She popped the button on his jeans and he was so hard the zipper moved down on its own from the pressure of his straining desire.

Renee: I'm here. I want to be with you, but we can just this once.

Her gentle hands wrapped around the heat of his erection and he saw stars as he exploded uncontrollably. She soothingly stroked him until he stopped shooting, all the while staring at his incredible physique. She was now naked and pulled him down on top of her. The bliss he felt as he entered her was exquisite, and he made love to his wife for hours. His stamina matched the other men, and he lost count of how many orgasms they shared.

<> 

Bill's intuition told him he and Kevin needed to return with urgency to their rooms. The odd feeling was extremely powerful but not disconcerting: Kev, come with me. Quick.

Kevin was already concerned about Zach and thought maybe Bill wanted to distract him with sex but when they entered their room both men were shocked to see Archie sitting on their bed with Mr. Buckles in his lap.

Archie: Hello, boys. It's so nice to see you.

Kevin's heart nearly stopped. Archie was present, and not just a human soul. Bill wrapped his heart around his husband, knowing how emotional he had just become. Archie stood and, with arms outspread, walked up to Kevin and hugged him. The physical contact broke Kevin's composure, and he choked as he hugged his brother back. Archie was tall and thin, almost physically frail, so Kevin was careful not to hurt him.

Kevin: Archie... how?

Archie: No `It's good to see you too?'

Kevin smiled: Of course. I'm sorry, I didn't expect you. God, we hardly got to know each other in those last minutes, but I've missed you every day.

Archie: It's different for me in Heaven. I watch you all the time, and you scare me half to death with the things you do, but I pray for you constantly. I feel I'm with you even though you don't feel me.

When Kevin finally released him, Archie moved to Bill and hugged him just as long: Thank you for taking such good care of my brother. I watch over you both, and my nephews. I'd like to meet Tommy and Brett if you don't mind.

Kevin: Of course! I'll get them. They'll be stoked once they get over the surprise.

Archie: Just so you know, I brought Renee with me and she's with Zach. Amanda didn't come, or the other kids.

Bill: How are you and Renee here? Is something happening?

Archie expressed the same grin that Kevin had: Sort of. It's all good though, so don't worry. Things will happen soon, but not today. Renee and I have a dispensation to be present in our bodies. Well, she does, and I thought it would be a nice change. It's difficult to be here after being in Heaven, and neither one of us can stay long. She has her task, and I have mine.

Bill asked Tommy and Brett to come to their room. When they entered, they looked at the strange, tall man in their fathers' room.

Kevin: Boys, I want you to meet your Uncle Archie. Come say hello to my brother.

Tommy looked more confused than Brett because he was older and knew that Archie was dead. Brett didn't seem to care and rushed forward to throw his arms around Archie's waist and said, "Hi, Uncle Archie!"

Archie knelt and hugged him back, saying, "I'm so, so thankful to finally meet you, Brett."

Tommy seemed hesitant yet unafraid because Kevin and Bill were there, but he knew Archie's presence meant something significant, and he was afraid it involved his fathers' going away.

Archie said gently, "You don't have anything to be afraid of, Tommy. I'm not here to take them away. I came to see you and your brother and I have presents for you both."

Tommy moved forward and Archie's long arms wrapped around him and Brett together. Archie was so different than Kevin it seemed strange. Archie's long, wispy hair was wild, and he was balding on the crown of his head. He wasn't nearly as handsome as Kevin, but Tommy saw the resemblance.

Tommy quietly said, "Hi, Uncle Archie. It's nice to meet you."

Kevin asked, "What's this about a present?" Bill's stomach twinged at the mention of presents, and he and Kevin became cautious.

Archie laughed, "I understand your reaction, but relax, or I think we say chill now. I would never bring anything harmful to my nephews. But first, let's sit for a few minutes and I'll tell you a story."

To everyone's surprise, Brett climbed onto Archie's lap. Mr. Buckles appeared, became corporeal, and settled in Brett's lap. Archie became emotional, and his eyes misted as he softly said, "My, this brings back wonderful memories. Buckles used to sit in Renee's lap like that until she started dating Zach. No one knew why but he became Zach's dog when he was around. Any time Zach was in the house Buckles found his way into Zach's lap." Collecting himself, Archie continued, "So when I got to Heaven, everyone was there with me except Zach, and of course, you, Kevin. I watched Zach and wept over what he went through, but I prayed you would hold to your promise and find him. I know it took a while and things didn't turn out as you planned, but you found him, and took him in. I'm so proud of him. He's my son. When I went to him, I knew his choice would be to join The Order. His strength of character wouldn't allow otherwise. I'm grateful for how you accept him and keep him close and watch after him."

Kevin said, "This is harder on him. Sharing Renee's soul is special, but it only solves half the problem. I worry about him not having a physical relationship. You know how we are, with our changes."

Archie giggled, "Well he's certainly making up for lost time. Poor Renee won't know what hit her."

Bill and Kevin laughed but the joy they felt for Zach in the moment, to have what they shared, even for a sort time, shone brightly and they touched Zach's soul to let him know that joy.

Brett asked, "What do you do in Heaven?"

Archie quickly responded, "Why, whatever I want! Within reason of course. It's whatever I want and whatever I need at any moment. The love and the light is too big to describe. You would think that it would be boring up there but it's not. The greatest feeling of belonging and contentment never leaves you. That's not to say I sit around doing nothing but `enjoying the moment.' I've made quite a few new acquaintances. One of them being Malachiel, the greatest artisan and smith in all our creation. He's a wonderful angel once you get past his appearance. He's so powerful he can crush diamonds with a glance, yet he has the gentlest of souls. I shared Tommy's love of music with him, and how it helped him overcome his fear of losing his fathers. I didn't ask him to do this, and I was as surprised as you will be when you see what he made for you boys."

An exquisite harp appeared in Archie's hands. It was twin to Gariel's harp, the one Gabriel had made for his nephilim son. The wood came from Yggdrasil, and he used angelic silver, the same kind that all archangel weapons and armor are made from.

Archie said, "It's beautiful, isn't it? And he added something special for you, Tommy, as if it wasn't special enough. This instrument is a gateway to the heart of your musical talent. It will listen to you, and speak to your talent."

Wide-eyed, Tommy took it and held it reverently. He didn't know how to react, but whispered, "Thank you."

Another instrument appeared in Archie's hand – a silver flute – which he handed to Brett. "He made this for you, Brett. An instrument of Heaven, unbreakable, and it produces perfect notes."

Everyone laughed when Brett said, "Cool! Dads look!"

Kevin and Bill were speechless, so Archie reiterated, "There's no need to worry. These are special gifts that bring no danger to the boys. In fact, there's one aspect I think you will especially appreciate. Boys, there's one more thing. For this, I did ask Malachiel a favor because, well, I could. I wasn't able to save my family when The Master and his protectors did what they did. I was helpless to save them or myself. Once the confrontation with Elegroth begins, each instrument is capable of producing a special note that Malachiel will hear, no matter where he is in creation. If you play that note, he will take you to Heaven for safety. This time, my family is protected when evil comes, and you won't have to worry about the boys while you fight. The other children can come as well, I have Malachiel's word."

Profound relief overcame Bill and Kevin as Kevin said, "Thank you. We talked about what we would, or could, do to protect our family and friends when things start. If they aren't safe in Heaven, nowhere is."

Archie smiled, and said, "I bring one more gift for Brett. Due to my friendship with Malachiel, he watches over you boys too. He sees Brett's love for the mechanical, especially Bumblebee. I never would have thought an archangel would even know about a human movie, but apparently, some angels take an interest. He made this for you, Brett, and this one is unbreakable. He looked back in your life, to the first Bumblebee you had when you met your fathers that day at the orphanage. He saw the cruelty of how and why it was broken. He saw the curse act out through those boys and he wants me to tell you that this one, just like your flute, cannot be broken."

An immaculate action figure of Bumblebee appeared in Archie's hand, which he held out to Brett. Brett stared at it, and this time his emotions left him speechless. This gift meant more to him than the flute, which everyone understood, especially Malachiel. Archie said softly, "He only asks that you take good care of it, and Malachiel will always hear your prayers through it."

Brett started to cry, and Bill picked him up. Kevin closed in to pick up Tommy, and the two fathers sandwiched their sons between them, loving them and letting their souls shine on them. They seldom did that, on Aaron's advice, but this felt necessary. Brett's thoughts and emotions were jumbled, but happiness was the most prominent, and the adults smiled.

Bryan's voice entered their minds: Dinners ready when you guys are. What's going on? You've been out of our link. Is everything okay?

Kevin: More than okay. Set an extra plate. We have a guest.

Bill re-entered the group link, but also merged with his brothers and mentors. Zach had also been absent but joined when Bill drew him in. He still was making love to his wife and even his mental voice sounded breathless: I'm going to skip, Archie can have mine.

Everyone was joyous at what was occurring, and Kevin's brothers couldn't wait to see Archie. Malachiel's gifts to Tommy and Brett were also a marvel, and Aaron was particularly overjoyed about Brett, but the fact that two humans had returned from Heaven to be with them was monumental. As Istariel was so fond of saying, his Father never did anything without a reason. Regardless, they lived in the moment, overjoyed for Zach and the boys. Ever-present Mr. Buckles, as a small orb of light, zoomed around them in excitement. Zach's lap wasn't available, but he wasn't jealous. In fact, he seemed different, as if he understood the significance.

<> 

Renee lay with her head on Zach's chest and his arms around her. Zach had missed her body terribly but remained devoted to their love, and his resolve never wavered. Recently he had considered casual sexual release with some of the guys – they worried about him and his physical needs not being met.

Zach whispered, "This is blissful. I've missed you."

Renee sighed and smiled, "Well I don't really miss you. Half of me stays with you, and I watch you constantly from Heaven."

Zach raised an eyebrow, "So you're a peeping Tom?"

She laughed and said, "Yeah, pretty much."

A brief silence fell and Renee said, "Archie and I have to go. Uriel will be here any minute to take us back." After a brief pause, she continued, "There's one thing I haven't mentioned. I need to take Mr. Buckles with me."

Zach sniffled and said, "Good. I love him so much. He's been a godsend to me with all of you gone. He's been an anchor, but he won't survive what's coming if he stays, and that thought makes me sadder. He'll be safe with you and Archie."

Zach sat up and put his feet on the floor. Renee scooted against him and rubbing her hand over the broad expanse of his back wistfully said, "You're so much bigger now. You were strong before, but now... I like it. You're more beautiful than ever. I don't mean just your body, but all of you. You've grown in ways I never imagined. The world is lucky to have you."

Zach didn't know what to say, so he quietly held her. His humility was another virtue that she loved and was a primary draw when they first met.

Zach said, "We need to get dressed, so you can at least say hi to everyone before you leave. Archie's in the den with everyone."

Zach re-entered the merge with his brothers and Renee saw the change in his expression. He was so much more when he was one with them – more than himself. He smiled, "Archie brought some presents for Tommy and Brett. They're so stoked."

With their clothes back on, Renee straightened Zach's hair in the way he loved. He kept it much shorter out of convenience and she missed it being longer, but she wanted to touch him once more. He leaned over to embrace and kiss her one last time, expressing everything in him. He merged with her, separately from the guys to bask in their shared souls one last time. Zach didn't have an Avatar and didn't have the understanding of the bodies, so he didn't see the new life already inside his wife, a life created from their lovemaking; nor did he know the last words of Ryan Atkins before he left for Heaven.

A human soul birthed in Heaven will mark the End-time. Let creation tremble, for that child now rests in the womb of a woman who suffered a horrible fate. The time comes when all my children will be called Home.

Renee was suddenly gone, and Zach ran to the den to find Archie gone as well. He looked crestfallen to have missed Archie, but the shit talk lifted his spirits.

Lane: If you weren't such a horny husband you could have seen him. We see where your priorities are.

Darren: Yeah, that's why he fits in so well. All we think about are our dicks, and getting off.

Loy: It's a good thing Renee's back in Heaven. My God, Zach, twenty-four orgasms? That's impressive even for us.

Ricky: Not that we were counting.

Bryan: Give him a break. He's been without.

Ken: He damn sure made up for lost time. Good job, Zackster!

<><> 

The next morning, everyone on the base packed for a few days on ZEUS and in the valley. Darren made sure the weather would be clear and beautiful. The men kept the illusion of wearing swimming trunks, but the freedom of the sun and air on their bodies, coupled with the nature of the valley and how it infused them with power was an aphrodisiac. They were disappointed that the Eschphene didn't show up, but Istariel and the other nephilim did, except Orophir, who remained at Jayléth's side.

Ken's attunement to the valley made it even better. Every plant and animal was a part of him and he embraced that part of his nature. Closing his eyes, he became the valley for a time, basking in it, but also searching. Ken kept his discovery in a "present box" in his mind so no one would look, but he grinned and hugged Brad: You aren't gonna believe what I found.

Brad: I have no doubt. Finding those special spots is one of your many superpowers. When's the reveal?

Ken: How about after supper? Everyone will be chill, and it's almost a full moon, so it'll be perfect.

Brad: Sounds romantic. That's not like you.

Ken: Hey I can be romantic.

Kevin: Being horny is not being romantic.

Ken laughed: Fuck off, Kev. Speak for yourself.

Kevin: Off I fuck then. Loy, Ricky alone time!

Loy: Hot damn. Thanks, boss man!

Henry: I'll stay with Sally, Shan, Raph, and Zach to watch the kids. The rest of you go have some alone time.

Brad: What about your alone time?

Adam: Me and Sally have plans for him later. Don't worry.

Albrecht: "A A Ron" and I will take advantage as well.

Everyone guffawed at Aaron's gangsta pronunciation that the RL's used for him.

Darren: Tear him up, Doc! Show him who's boss.

Bill: Knock his flame off center.

Aaron blushed but took Albrecht's hand, and their mentors disappeared to the place where they first made love in the valley, nearly five thousand years ago. Each couple left to find privacy either in their bedrooms on ZEUS, or secluded areas in the valley. Brad kept everyone linked and had a special link for the children so everyone could keep tabs on them. Ken took Brad's hand and led them with purpose. As soon as they were out of sight of the children their swim trunks disappeared.

Ken: You first.

Brad laughed: You just want to ogle my ass.

Ken: What's your point?

Brad: What do I always say when you tell me to go first?

Ken: That you wanna see my ass, so I need `ta go first.

Sometimes Ken's subtlety impressed Brad. As soon as they were alone, Ken channeled a trickle of his core energy into their bodies. The result was a pump, as if they had just worked out. Coupled with the humidity, their bodies shone with a light sheen of sweat that made them look magnificent in the sunlight. As they looked at each other, they became hard, and Ken grinned: Okay I can look at the front side too. Fuck, you're ... Ken struggled for a moment before he breathlessly thought: Glorious.

Brad's tone was serious: And you are perfect.

Resting his hands on Ken's solid shoulders, Brad kissed his husband. Their arms went around each other for their full-bodied hug, and Ken thought: You wanna do a quickie? Or hold off? I promise I'll make it worthwhile if you can hold it.

Brad gripped Ken's erection: I can hold it if you can.

Ken's hand gripped Brad's erection in turn: Like this?

Bryan: You hair-triggered fucker's, just do it already. Stop triggering us!

Lane: Yeah, just do it, we're tired of waiting.

The voices of all the other men chimed in and Ken and Brad burst out laughing. Ken's little kid grin turned cocky: Watch and learn fellas. Watch and learn.

Pat: Yeah, watch how to get off in less than thirty seconds. No thanks.

As payback, Ken and Brad erupted with red fire from their core centers and sent it through the merge so that all of them orgasmed instantly.

Ken: You're welcome.

Brad: Cleanliness is next to Godliness gents, don't let any go to waste.

<> 

Brad was surprised when Ken took him to the cave leading down to Leroy and the water of life.

Brad: We've been this way countless times, and I can't think of any place left that we might be searching for.

Ken: Just wait. I'm full'a surprises.

Brad: Don't I know it - thank God.

Brightening their Avatars provided enough light for them to safely traverse the familiar path, and in a little under an hour, Ken heard the distant roar of the waterfalls cascading over Yggdrasil's roots to fill the lake with the water of life. Brad smiled at the childlike excitement in Ken as they approached the water.

Brad: Are we swimming down?

Ken: Nope, we're climbing.

Wading out to the drop-off that led to the remains of the forge Ken stopped and looked around intently. Between his enhanced vision and his understanding, he found what he sought - natural steps worn into the stone over time, but they were difficult to see under the running water. Ken said: You know the drill. Step precisely where I do.

The steps ran along the cave wall to the massive roots which Ken leapt up onto and began climbing. The roots were so wide there was no danger of falling.

Brad: This reminds me of the cave that Uriel showed us that lets us into the valley from outside.

Ken: It does, kinda. We're still inside the bowl of the mountain. After a slight pause he asked: Do `ya feel it?

Brad stopped and became still. The area around them pulsed with Yggdrasil's life energy. The air was new and fresh, never before breathed, and the humidity was so thick it seemed like a mist around them. The warmth felt good and kept any chill away even in the dampness. The colors of moss and lichen growing on the stone and roots were exotic. The fauna they could see were as exotic as the moss and lichen. Bugs, worms, mushrooms, and every other form of life, never seen by human eyes, surrounded them. Direct sunlight was now visible higher up, and far above them Ken saw the ledges he sought.

Brad: No one's ever been here before.

The power of the place and the knowledge that they were the first beings aside from God to be there created a sense of euphoria in Brad. Ken shared it and pulled Brad against him. The roughness of Ken's unshaven cheek against Brad's, the smell of his musk, his masculinity—everything hit his senses in a way it seldom did. He felt as if he were seeing Ken in a new manner. Ken saw Brad in the same overpowering way. The depth of intimacy held them. It was not sexual, although it could easily go there, but they didn't want it to. They wanted only to be together as one and exist in one another.

Ken was the first to shake off the feeling and come back to himself. Drawing a deep breath, he thought: There's a humongous ledge we're makin' for. Once we're there you'll see everythin'.

The scale of the cave was so immense that Leroy could comfortably fit without touching the sides. As they climbed Ken heard birds and the sound of falling water, distant but pleasant. They arrived at the platform where they were stunned by the vista before them. Five shelves at different heights lined the rim covered in vegetation. Rivulets of the water of life dripped down the walls to the flora.

Five ledges, five trees.

Brad's Avatar lit so brightly that it illuminated the entire area. In its light, an image formed of their tree resting on one of the ledges and the trees of their brothers resting on the others. In the heart of each tree nestled the soul lanterns that Aaron and Albrecht made for them because here, they also protected the trees at the same time. The roots of each tree hung down and connected with Yggdrasil's exposed roots.

Ken: Did I find the spot or what?

With watery eyes and a winning smile, Brad thought: You always do. This place is incredible. As the sun grew higher over the valley it shone directly into the cavern. Brad merged with the team to share the image and how they got there. When his Avatar's light dimmed, the image faded, but they knew what they needed. The rest of their brothers appeared around them, looking in awe at the magnificence of the place. Bryan's forearm tattoos fluttered, and the thought and memory of the cavern came to him.

Bryan: This isn't a coincidence. This is just like the cavern where Allenor was imprisoned. It was made for us, for our trees, and kept here untouched. It's been waiting for us.

Ken: Well now I don't feel so special.

Lane: You're special. You ride the short bus with me all the time.

Ken grinned and pulled Lane against him: Fucker.

Ignoring their banter, Bryan thought: The trees will be happy here, and strong.

A deep thread of sadness still existed in Bryan over what he saw as a dereliction of his responsibility to the trees.

Ken: Cut that shit out, Bry. If you're guilty, we're all guilty. Everythin' durin' that time in our lives happened so fast, it was hard `ta keep up. But, we'll make it right.

Brad drew them all deeper into a merge, and as always in the valley, their connections were stronger. Fully realized, and magnifying each other in every conceivable way, Brad took their thoughts and formulated them into Bryan's mind.

Brad: When do you want to start?

Bryan: Now. Yours and Kens first.

Brad: Dar, would you send us to our house?

Before Brad finished his question, he, Ken, Bryan, and Lane appeared in Brad and Ken's kitchen in Atlanta. The early morning was still chilly and raining, so Ken channeled their core energy to warm them up because they were still wet and naked from the valley. The transition was jarringly abrupt. They found joy when their tree lit up at their return.

In the backyard, Ken and Brad put their hands over the image of their Avatars in the bark. Ken thought: We're takin' you `ta a better place. I'm sorry for neglectin' you. Brad and Ken together increased their auras to shine on the tree to express the unconditional love they once used to empower its growth from a seed. Bryan's Avatar and Gift began to glow with combined green and gold power. The shards that housed Bryan's Gift on the pedestal appeared in his hands.

Bryan: Get ready. This won't hurt little guy. I'm going to put you to sleep while we move you. You'll be safe, I promise.

As Bryan's love and care enveloped the tree, Brad and Ken felt it. The tree was an amalgam of many families, and the leaves began shedding from the branches that bore them. The limbs began to regress, pulling back as the tree became smaller and smaller. In only a moment a sapling was withdrawing into the soil, which Bryan then scooped out with his hand. Rain washed the dirt away to reveal the seed. As soon as the seed touched the shard of Bryan's Gift it was enveloped in a new shell and became dormant.

Brad: I feel weird. Now that it's asleep, I miss it. It was one of those feelings I got so used too I stopped being aware of it. Let's get back to the valley - I can't wait to get to see it back to full growth.

Bryan: Me too, but now that I've thought about it, we need to wait and place them all at the same time, with all of us there. I'll take the other sissy fuckers to their houses first thing in the morning to get their seeds and then the following afternoon, when the sun is highest, we'll regrow them in their new home.

<><> 

Two days passed and Bryan held all of the seeds protected in the same casing that had preserved his Gift for eons. Each couple felt the life within their seed waiting to be born again. Anticipation built, and they experienced the same feeling they all had before a special mission or a significant event.

Aaron: To be safe, Henry, Drew, and Eleneth must be present and ready to react should Elegroth try to interfere. He will not wish this to happen, just as The Master did not wish your first awakening. We were fortunate that Istariel and his friends intervened.

Lane: Short bus has an idea. Everyone groaned in their minds and Lane looked indignant: Hey, I do have good ideas.

Bill: You also have more than your share of brain farts. I think I smell a wet one already.

Pat: That was Loy.

Loy: He who smelt it dealt it.

Ken: Alright ladies, simmer down. What's cookin' in that wacky brain of yours?

Lane: Henry, Drew, and Eleneth can give me enough power to take this entire place and us out of the arc.

Bryan: She said until our Gifts are pure we can't go back.

Lane: Right, but I can push the envelope and take us to the extreme edge of the arc. If I do that, and we don't dick around to get things done, Elegroth won't have time to react, even outside of time. I know that sounds fucked up, but Paradoxes R US. What do you think, Doc?

Aaron's voice held a note of fear they seldom heard: Plausible. I have not had time to ponder the realm where you and Bryan met and spoke with Yggdrasil. Promise that should you sense any danger, even the slightest intuition, you shall stop. You cannot risk yourselves at this point, or the world will be lost. We cannot lose you.

Lane turned serious: I promise, Doc, but I'm confident I can do this.

Aaron: Very well, my boy.

Brad: We need our soul lanterns.

Each mentalist held out his hands as they delved into the souls of their partners in separate merges. Within their minds they envisioned the soul lanterns in their bedrooms at the base and translocated them into their hands. Albrecht's unparalleled craftsmanship and design of the lanterns still moved them. He made them many gifts over the years, but the lanterns from their wedding ceremony were by far the most touching.

Each lantern contained a piece of their souls combined with a spark from each of their brothers. Through the lanterns, especially when held, they felt one another without being merged. Albrecht designed each lantern to reflect each couples' provinces through their Avatars. Even the archangels had been impressed upon seeing them – they had never conceived of such a gift. Leroy made it possible through crystals that grew in his cave that were touched by his ambient magic. The same crystals allowed them to save Taliesin, by capturing half of Áedán's soul before he died.

All of these interrelated memories were clear in the minds of the mentalists and their partners through them. Pat's Gift saw the intricacy of their lives and abilities and everything that led to this current moment. Their pattern was not yet finished, but it was close, and restoring their trees, whereby increasing their bond with Yggdrasil, was one more step to completing God's plan.

Reverent silence rested in their minds and hearts while they stood in remembrance, surrounded by the sounds of the water of life cascading down the rocks and splashing on the ledges awaiting their trees. Their naked forms, wet from the mist, were magnificent because the valley magnified who they were. Aaron, Albrecht, Adam, and Zach stood in awe. Henry revealed the full aspect of his archonian heritage to stand with them. Drew wasn't as affected because his soul was the brightest of them all, and he already saw his uncles that way all the time. Eleneth, the first being of both creations and an anomaly, shone as brightly as his father. He kept it veiled most of the time because his presence could destroy unprotected humans. His journey was another interwoven and necessary thread in their tapestry.

Glancing at Henry, Lane winked and nodded with his usual mischievous grin: Get ready ladies, and don't scream like little girls. We're not giving Elegroth a show.

Henry to Drew and Eleneth: Okay, let's show them what the Ross boys can do.

The father and his two sons, all three lynchpins in the second creation, unleashed their full power. Henry noted that Drew no longer needed the stone, and in fact had become more powerful without it. Eleneth found his strength through studying with Németh and his sons. Henry, Eleneth, and Drew channeled their combined might into Lane, whose Gift and Avatar ignited and lit up the cavern. He took them out of the arc and to the fringe closest to their creation which felt much like approaching the end of a rainbow that he could see but never reach, at least not until their combined Gifts were restored and purified.

Aaron remembered the first time his sons invoked their nephilim heritage to save Bill from the skull of General Zherneboh Mstislav. His pride and awe in his sons had only grown over time, and he squeezed Albrecht's hand: They are a wondrous marvel.

Albrecht: You are the marvel, love. None of this would ever have come to be without you.

Lane: Okay, Bry, seed time.

Bryan threw the seeds high into the air and with his arms raised, Huggin and Munnin, cawing loudly, left his forearms. Catching the seeds in their claws and beaks, they then flew to set each seed in its ordained spot.

Lane: It's crazy how they remember what hasn't happened yet.

Loy: Well, you said Paradoxes R US.

Pat: You're Mr. Time, you should totally get this.

Lane: I do but it's still a mind fuck.

Their banter stopped as they called on their sources of power. Instinctively they stood in the pattern of Bryan's Avatar, with him at the center. Bryan became their collective soul and he touched the seeds with that power. Each seed glowed with a yellow warmth as its casing dissolved. Tiny roots sprouted, growing down into the mossy soil, and immediately became saplings. The moisture from the water of life fed them, but their primary source of nourishment came from the men. This time they didn't make love over the seeds even though they loved sex and relished the physical pleasure. The unconditional love they achieved for each other lit the area around them in a light so pure it washed everything else away. They weren't even sure if they had bodies, as they poured themselves into the trees.

Bryan controlled the growth, and each mentalist hung his soul lantern on a limb beside the image of their Avatars and Gifts that appeared on each tree. Ken's Gift was absent still so Brad's and his tree was incomplete, but it would wait as a receptacle for that last component. The presence of the trees returned to them far more powerful than before and they shared happiness. Before they started to withdraw back to themselves, Huggin and Munnin cawed loudly.

Wait. Mother sends a gift.

The two ravens circled in the air, and between them, two seeds manifested. Each bird captured a seed in its beak and flew to a smaller ledge above all the others. Cawing loudly they landed before Aaron and Albrecht who stared in shock as the ravens spoke in their minds:

With blessings from the mother.

Surprise and utter joy burst in the hearts of the men over Yggdrasil's act. In an act of protection, she recognized the mentors, even if the world did not, and honored their thousands of years of devotion. Aaron and Albrecht had trees thousands of years ago, but, when the veil was called into being their magic was severed causing their trees to wither and withdraw from the world. Yggdrasil had saved the roots of those trees and preserved them as seeds, waiting for this moment. With tears of love and pride, Bryan channeled their unconditional love for Aaron and Albrecht into the two seeds which grew, intertwined, as one. The magic of the myrtle trees, so long gone from the world, returned to the two mentors of The Order. Power infused their souls as it did all those years ago, and the two men held each other. Albrecht rarely cried, but he and Aaron shed tears of joy.

Darren felt a breach happening in the void: Incoming!

Their plan had worked, and Elegroth was not aware of their actions until it was too late, yet he still tried to retaliate. But in that place, with the power they raised, Darren prevented the breach. With his brothers backing him, their trees newly grown in the seat of their power, Darren sealed the breach as it formed. Briefly, the sound of Elegroth's hate-filled scream echoed through the cavern before it was silenced.

Lane: Take that, dumb fuck!

After a brief second of silence, everyone burst out laughing. Lane took them back within the arc and they stood in the cavern to take in everything that occurred. Drew was the first to reach Aaron and Albrecht and he hugged their waists. The overwhelmed mentors remained speechless. As the rest of the men closed around them, hugging and touching them, the unmitigated joy in their hearts could not be contained. Another piece of God's plan has fallen into place putting them one step closer to the final confrontation. They did not yet know of Ryan Atkin's death, nor of his final words.

A human soul birthed in Heaven will mark the End-time. Let creation tremble, for that child now rests in the womb of a woman who suffered a horrible fate. The time comes when all my children will be called Home.

The child of that prophecy grew in Renee's womb in Heaven. Only God knew how long it would take for the child to be born in a place where time didn't move. Only He knew how long that would be on earth, but signs and portents were already appearing for those with the wisdom and knowledge to recognize them.

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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