The Gifts

By: Brad Townsend
(© 2021-2023 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Townsend@tickiestories.us

Chapter 14

* Prelude - Thomin’s Vault Early in the Second Creation *

Before God created the arc of time in the second creation, He fashioned Thomin’s vault in the same vein as Allenor’s forge. Upon its conception, the vault contained objects that could break the second creation; however, most of its pedestals and shelves lay vacant, awaiting the items that would eventually rest upon them. Nine shining orbs, the Gifts, were present, but the tenth Thomin kept on his person while he awaited Brother Jalaam’s birth.

Once the arc of time existed, God placed Thomin’s vault in the ocean's depths and stabilized the area so it would not move with the tectonic plates as the Earth cooled and formed. Within the vault rested the first item placed by God Himself: a small puzzle box that easily fit in Thomin’s palm and weighed almost nothing. When gently moved or shaken, the box made no sound which made Thomin wonder at it because he could not open it, but the box was an object his Father deemed necessary enough to be in the vault, so Thomin cared for it as he did all the other treasures.

When Thomin hid each Gift, a piece of his intellect left him as all thought and memory of that Gift vanished from his mind and he became more childlike.  He was not always in the vault, particularly when he was hiding the Gifts, so he was not aware of the movement of the tiny box, the first of all treasures. Each piece of his intellect and memory that vanished became a beautiful memory sphere in the box, protected until it was time for Thomin to remember.

* The Present *

The Pilbara rock formations, in an area twice the size of Great Britain, are the oldest on earth, formed before life or even oxygen, contain remnants of Earth’s original crust.  They are so old that no fossils in the stones can be found, except for one which has yet to be discovered; a larger than human footprint.  Deep within the gorges carved by water to form beautiful lakes and waterfalls, the footprint remains pristine as if Thomin had been there recently rather than billions of years ago.

*

Lachlan Davies, an amateur geologist, and his wife, Briana, camped in Karijini National Park where diving in the caves was prohibited because of the treacherous currents. Lachlan and his wife arrogantly thought they could safely traverse the waters so they smuggled in their gear under the guise of darkness, and with no one around, they entered the iciness of the largest waterhole.

Their powerful flashlights lit up the crystal-clear water, and the husband and wife explored breathtaking views few humans had ever seen.  As experienced divers, they remained close together.  Lachlan’s lantern flickered out leaving them in utter darkness and the water seemed colder in the blackness as Briana cracked a glow stick, but her trembling hands dropped it. They watched the green glow descend as a current sucked it down a small hole. The glow stick vanished, yet they noted a glint of white light coming from the hole.

Lachlan tapped his lantern causing it to come back on, and he and his wife stared at one another in confusion. Diving lower to discern the source, they discovered a rock fold so well camouflaged that it was nearly invisible. Because he swam too close, the powerful current pulled Lachlan down. While attempting to help her husband, Briana also became caught. Their air tanks wedged within the rocky fold stopping them from being drawn further in, but prevented them from freeing themselves.

The couple knew there was little hope for their survival. The adrenaline junkies had often put themselves at risk but always survived with a wild tale to share in a pub or on the internet. This time, their luck seemed to have run out. Lachlan’s Australian military training quelled his panic and he was determined to save Briana if he couldn't save himself. They were practically on top of one another, and with a free arm, he cupped Briana’s chin and forced her to look at him. With his flashlight between them, their faces nearly were washed out in the brightness, but he found and held her gaze until she calmed. He then made a cutting motion before putting his belt knife into her nervous hands. 

Briana understood and new terror gripped her: she had to cut the straps holding his tanks in order to free him. She knew that Lachlan was a strong swimmer and had a plan, but she was afraid he would die trying to save her. He winked and tapped his chest over his heart, a gesture he often used when telling her to trust him and that he loved her. Cutting the straps was difficult but she managed, and Lachlan wriggled free of his tanks.  As strong as he was, the current still pulled him down faster than he could fight it, and his flashlight quickly disappeared from her sight, leaving her trapped and alone with less than an hour of oxygen. Whatever light they had seen in the hole was gone, and she shivered in cold blackness, knowing she was going to die just like her husband.

**

Lachlan groaned awake. Pain wracked his body, and he was sure one leg was broken, but he lived and breathed. His head throbbed in tune with the blood pulsing through his heart. He felt peculiar aside from the pain. The cavern he woke in was perhaps thirty feet across. A brightly shining orb hovered over the pool of water in the center of the room. Crystal formations, which reflected and magnified the light, covered the walls. The orb pulsed in tandem with the throbbing in Lachlan’s head.

He mumbled, “What the bloody hell,” before his thoughts returned to his wife: Briana!

He had to find a way to get Briana down with him.  He had no idea how long he had been unconscious and feared his wife already might have run out of air.  Fighting his pain, he struggled to stand.  His leg couldn’t bear weight, so he tried to hop but fell against the cavern wall and cried out. The sharp crystals cut into his wetsuit making deep gouges in his back, and he moaned as blood from his back and legs ran down the rocks. The stream of blood was thick, and he knew he was dead: his back was shredded, his femur was broken, and he was bleeding out.

Fuck all!  I was so fucking dumb bringing Bri down here.

His last thoughts were of his wife and regret that his actions killed them over something they thought would be an illicit adventure. Lachlan, whose once attractive face was now pale and washed out from blood loss, drifted unconscious as his breath became shallow. His blood continued to stream down to the center of the little pool, but then, defying gravity, dripped upward to touch the orb which reacted violently.

The orb was The Gift of Binding, the cohesive force that binds the triune layers of the second creation – the same force that binds the body, mind, and soul of all living things as well as matter and existence. It binds everything, and blood was a significant part of that power. It was Kevin’s Gift.

*

As if through time, words spoken by Albrecht to Brad echoed in the air.

Albrecht: It’s a blood curse, a part of the curse on mankind.  Aaron and I didn’t think it possible for The Master to find any living relatives.  We didn’t know any were still alive, but he must have discovered someone.

Brad: The Master said Ken had a brother and killed him to make this curse.  Is there any way to break it?

Albrecht: Not without another living relative.  Blood is the only cure, and it must be someone from Ken’s immediate family.  It’s dark magic Brad, with ties to the day The Master killed Drew’s first incarnation. Old magic such as this goes back even further, to the time before creation.

*

As the binding between Lachlan’s body, mind, and soul weakened, the orb reacted by shimmering and cracking open. There was no Avatar to receive it nor any accepting person to transfer into, so the Gift hovered freely in the air. In the cavern, Lachlan separated into the three primal parts of his existence – his body, mind, and soul - and each slowly rotated around the orb.

***

As their Avatars and Gifts continued to grow, the men remained one nearly all the time. Even when their collective soul wasn’t together, they remained aware of each other. As time passed, being apart became more difficult, even for short periods. Ken and Brad had discussed this numerous times, yet they found no solution.

Two Gifts remained hidden. No jealousy existed in Ken or Kevin about not having their Gifts, but they yearned for them. Only with all ten Gifts could The Order defeat Elegroth. Without them, all would come to ruin, and everyone and everything they loved would perish along with the entirety of both creations.

**

Throughout the night, each couple made love as only they could with their souls entwined to mimic their physical forms. Henry slept with Sally and Adam.  Even Zack wasn’t completely alone, as half his wife’s soul lived within him, fulfilling him in a way he initially found unimaginable.

Still sweaty, Ken, in his vulnerable state, lay on top of Brad whose hands soothed him. Being vulnerable with Brad, trusting not to be judged, allowed Ken to fully be himself.  There was no Elegroth and no Order, just being one with the man who meant more to him than anything.  Content to be together, the two men silently enjoyed the aftermath of their exertions. Their intimacy was so powerful, its grip so tight, they didn’t want to separate. Ken initiated a gentle kiss that quickly turned more passionate and rekindled the fire of their libidos.

Ken: I love you, B.

Brad: Do you love me?  Or my ass?

Ken: I’m in love with you, but I’m lovin’ your ass. Smartass.

Brad: You think my ass is smart?

Ken: Hell yeah. It knows how ‘ta drive me crazy and has awesome conversations with my dick.

Brad couldn’t help but laugh, which stopped their kiss, but Ken pressed their foreheads together as sudden emotion hit them simultaneously. The mixed colors of their eyes, their sweaty skin, hair plastered to their heads from their exertions, the connection of Ken being inside Brad, and the perfection of their love for one another culminated in an unexpected enveloping moment. Their eyes watered, and Ken’s tears dripped onto Brad’s cheeks. Brad moved his hands to hold Ken’s face, his lover’s face, feeling his strength and manliness.

Brad started clenching himself around Ken. For a brief moment, their expressions didn’t change until Ken burst out laughing when he realized Brad’s ass was clenching an SOS.

Ken: You fucker.

Brad: You’re the one who said my ass was smart.  It knows what’s coming.

Ken’s little kid grin appeared, and using his kegel muscles, he flexed his erection to return the signal: Get ready.

Brad: No, you get ready.

Ken’s erectile tissue was as dense as the rest of him and just as solid when hard. Brad didn’t have the same density, but his muscles were nearly as strong when he was amped up from Ken’s DNA.  Clamping down, he brought all the strength of his anal muscles to bear, and with only his hips, he started stroking Ken.

Ken’s grin faltered as a whimper of pleasure escaped him, and he sucked in breath. Brad caught him off guard, and the pleasure overtook him. Brad rolled them over so he was on top. He wanted to see Ken’s body and face lost in ecstasy.  Their physical bond was active, and Brad had to use every bit of control to not cum.  He wanted them to get off together and share the intensity.

Brad: Let go, Ken. Don’t reciprocate.

Between the pleasure and the emotional spike, Ken didn’t last long and the eruption that followed spoke for itself.

Brad: Oh, fuck!

Together they experienced the heat and strength of Ken’s discharge as he filled his lover.  Overwhelmed, Brad leaned forward and placed his hands on Ken’s chest to steady himself.  His own erection contracted, and his first spurt hit the headboard with an audible splat. The rest covered Ken’s neck and chest.  Fresh sweat rolled off both men as their contractions stopped, and Ken pulled Brad down, to nuzzle their faces together.

Ken: Where the fuck did that come from?

Brad: Ask my ass. 

Ken: Fuck, me.

Brad: Again already?

Brad moved to Ken’s side to enjoy a cuddle. To Ken’s extraordinary olfactory senses, the room smelled like them, and he grinned:  I wonder how much we could sell our sheets for on eBay? Now that the world knows about us, enough pervs out there would pay to smell this.

Brad: If you want to bring that up to the doc, be my guest.

Ken: Yeah, never mind.  Besides, I want this ‘ta be ours.

Brad: You’re so romantic.

Ken: Fuck. It’s time ‘ta get up.

Through the link Brad kept between all the team, Ken thought: Guys, do your PT this mornin’ by 0930.  Hot yoga room until lunch, then I wanna talk after we eat.  Physical trainin’ can wait a day.

Mental groans from his brothers followed Ken’s thoughts, bringing another grin to his face. Brad tightened the merge, and the comfort of each couple, all of their naked bodies still entwined under sheets, wrapped around them. Bill and Kevin had finished their lovemaking earlier, knowing Tommy and Brett would want to come in for their morning snuggle, and Brad pulled the two boys into the link so they would feel their uncles around them. All the men enjoyed the presence of the boys, especially those whose paternal instincts were growing. Drew, who was by himself in his bed but never alone, joined them as did Sally through Henry and Adam. 

Their unique existence suited them. The only ones not with them in the link were Tag, Olive, and Raph. Tag and Olive slept peacefully in the light of the souls surrounding them. Raph was in Manhattan at the United Nations to meet with foreign delegates and hold a press conference. Social media and news outlets were still running the footage of Bryan and Leroy wiping out a portion of the North Korean army, and the reaction throughout the world was mixed.

**

Ken predicted the day would run long, so Bryan started his smoker early, loading it with brisket, ribs, and chicken. Olive and Tag ate breakfast in the kitchen while Bryan prepped the meat. Drew, who always loved to help Bryan cook, asked, “Can we make the good bread with garlic and butter?”

Bryan scratched his chin and said, “I don’t think so Tiger. You and me will be tied up most of the day.”

Olive moved to his side and put her arm around Bryan’s waist, “If you want, start the dough and I’ll look after it.  I’ve been makin’ bread since before you was born, and I still can.”

Hugging her against him, Bryan leaned down to kiss the top of her head, “I love you, Olive.  That would rock.”

Olive’s grin lit up her face, and she said, “We got to keep this sweet boy happy.”

Drew hugged her as well, “I love you, Auntie Olive. You’re the best!”

***

The nervousness Raph used to feel before speaking in front of cameras went away. Each time it tried to manifest, he embraced his anger over everything that the government and the Enemy had done to him. These feelings countered one another, leaving him with a strange calm. Making anger a strength was one of the first lessons Ken ingrained in him. Holding his centering flame as Albrecht had taught him added to his calm. He also felt better about his appearance since dropping body fat and putting on muscle under the guidance of all his brothers. Each one helped him in his own way by pushing him and giving him shit at the same time. He loved them so much that it was difficult to describe, even in his mind. He owed Loy his life, but it was more than that. The way they accepted him, a poor Latino kid who started in a gang, and helped him grow into a man still boggled him.

Loy wasn’t in Raph’s mind at the moment, and he missed his buddy. He missed all of them but felt he depended on them too much. I have to carry my own weight. Raph often believed he was a distraction even though Loy and the others didn’t feel that way. Aaron devised a subcutaneous microchip and implanted it in Raph’s inner ear to communicate, so he could be in constant communication when he traveled, especially if the team was not in the second creation.

Aaron and Albrecht were with the RL’s in the first creation and unavailable, so Raph wore a new version of Orophir’s amulets containing a minute piece of the black rock which prevented psychic communication or attacks from either creation. He could send an emergency signal via the chip to a computer monitoring his frequency, and the guys would be notified immediately. Lane’s Avatar, or one of the other guys, would alert them if something catastrophic happened.

Jill, the set manager, gave him his cue, and Raph moved out from behind the curtain, momentarily blinded by the bright lights and sea of newspeople. The noise level was an outrageous blend of reporters shouting, “Mr. Martinez!  Mr. Martinez!” to get his attention. Raph held up his hands for silence, but their unruly desire to outdo one another kept them from civilized behavior.

He heard questions amidst the noise: “What is The Order’s response to what happened in North Korea? What are you?  Where is that creature?  Can you control it?  Who was the man with it?  What is his name?  Where do you live?  Are we safe?  Will we be attacked again? Who’s the nephew that man spoke of?”

Raph mused: So many questions, but they don’t seek answers, only ratings.  They need to settle down so we can get started.

Raph stood silently at the lectern as he took in the chaos, thinking he’d rather be in his office wearing shorts and flipflops. Eventually the reporters stilled, the room quieted, and Raph wondered how long before their arms tired from holding out microphones.

Taking a breath, Raph smiled and said, “That’s better.”

Lowering his head, Raph started to speak, “Look, I understand your questions and, more importantly, your fears. Again, I want to assure you that The Order’s mission is to save you all....”

One reporter blurted out, “From who?”

Raph made eye contact with the man and said, “Yourselves. The Curse of Eden. From a being in a different creation that wants to destroy ours. The Order wants to save you from all of it.”                                                                                          

Raph’s shoulder jerked from the sudden pressure of an intense sting. Looking down, he saw blood and thought: Fuck-I’ve been shot. The Enochian runes in his body ignited and lit his body from within. He glowed outwardly and the damage repaired. The bullet was lodged in his shoulder and he’d have to ask the guys to get it out once he was home. Through the microchip and Aaron’s technology, Raph’s vitals spiked briefly but quickly returned to normal, not reaching the threshold set to activate an alert.

Reporters screamed as they scrambled for safety, but Raph said into the microphone, “Stop!  Don’t run!  I’m fine!”

Security guards tackled and pinned the man who shot him.

Jill grabbed his arm, pulling Raph towards the exit, “Mr. Martinez!  We have to get you out of here!  Come with me; you need medical attention!”

Raph calmly said, “I’m alright, Jill.  I need to talk to whoever did this. Get me to him.”

A cold chill ran down Raph’s spine as he approached the man held down by half a dozen security guards.  The man grunted, cursed, and spat but couldn’t get up.  Raph knelt in front of the man and asked, “Who are you, and why did you shoot me?”

The Enochian runes protecting Raph from evil were active and he felt pressure as they pushed back at the man. The man’s eyes turned green which told Raph he was a converted suit. Sweating and disheveled after his struggle, the man leered at Raph, saying, “Elegroth’s arm is long, minion.  You will die, if not by my hand then someone else’s.”

Angered that his mental attack on Raph had no effect, the security guards’ eyes turned green and they let him go and moved away. Against their will or knowledge, they drew their weapons and pointed them at Raph, but stopped before pulling their triggers. A frustrated grunt came out of the Enemy agent and he looked around in a panic, trying to discern what prevented his will.

A bright ball of light appeared, frightening everyone, but an immediate sense of peace and well-being washed over them, preventing another panic. The ball grew into the form of the archangel Raphael in his natural guise with wings spread out and fluttering to keep him aloft. On instinct, Raph took off his amulet to allow Raphael’s soothing presence to fill him.

Raphael: Greetings, Raphael Martinez. I am pleased that you are well. The protections my grandson and his brothers bestowed upon you serve you well.

Raph wasn’t sure how to respond and thought: It’s great to see you, Raphael, but how are you here?

Raphael’s beatific gaze warmed Raph as he responded: Michael was fond of you. Now that he is gone, I watch over you as he did to honor his memory. Your friendship and connection with our grandchildren run deeply, and you are as dear to us as you are to them. I also wish to intervene and prevent panic among these humans.  If you contact Loy, his light and the light of his brothers will burn this creature to ash in front of all these humans.  That would cast more fear and doubt on The Order, which must be prevented.

The reporters stood silently, caught in Raphael’s aura which continued to brighten. When his light finally dimmed, he wore his armor and wielded his sword.  To the humans, he announced, “This creature serves the darkness from which The Order wishes to save you.  He and his ilk are beyond redemption and wish only destruction. Not subjugation, but destruction. Elegroth, its master, wishes to end everything you know.  My grandson, his husband, and their brothers stand in your defense.  You have free will to follow them but look hard on this creature and see him for what he is.”

Raphael’s aura brightened again and he pointed his sword at the agent of evil who began to writhe and smoke. The agent was of both creations, and Raphael burned everything out of him that was of the second, leaving only the first. What remained could not support life, and the agent collapsed dead on the floor.

Sweeping his wings through the crowd, the light of Heaven briefly touched all the humans, including Raph. Even though he was getting used to the feeling, it never got old, and Raph’s eyes watered from the euphoric rush accompanying the light.

Raphael: Farewell, for now my beloved friend. Walk in the light.

With no further words to the humans, Raphael transformed into a ball of light and vanished, leaving the smoking remains of the enemy agent on the ground.

With nervous laughter, Raph said, “Clean up on aisle seven.”

***

While Raph was in New York City, and Bryan prepared bread dough, Kevin and Bill did their PT run. They usually did their PT later than most of the guys because of their morning routine of getting Tommy and Brett up and fed before Sally started their lessons.

Darren assisted, translocating the two men from the base to the park above ground.  Wearing only running shorts and shoes under a bright sun, in the heat and humidity, Kevin set their pace, and their muscular bodies quickly shone with sweat. Their breath was concise and controlled, so neither man became winded. Their bodies, especially Kevin’s, were machines, a combination of the doctor’s genetic manipulations and nephilim physiology. Red energy from their cores drew in additional oxygen to fuel their muscles.

As a gift, Loy sent a coalition of male cheetahs to run with them.  Bill, and Kevin through his husband, became the magnificent felines filled with wild exhilaration. Lane, in the kitchen with Bryan, sent Bill and Kevin chilled bottles of water as their run came to a close. Bill admired Kevin’s physique and felt the heat he exuded above that of the Congo.  Kevin knew the look, merged them while in the physical realm, and pulled Bill against him.

Loy: Houston, we have ignition! We’ll give you ladies some privacy.

Bill grinned because he knew Loy still watched them through the cheetahs. Aside from Loy’s pervy nature, he also protected them during the distraction of making love. With Tommy and Brett in their lives, the husbands didn’t get to have sex as often, so they took every opportunity when they could, and their brothers supported them.

Being naked in the open air brought an additional element Loy understood better than anyone. The sensation added to their excitement which was good because they only had a short span before being due in the hot yoga room, so they got off with few minutes to spare. Missing breakfast was worth it. 

Kevin grinned: I love you, Bill.  I wish we could stay longer, but duty calls.

Kevin stood and held out his hand to pull Bill up.  As soon as Bill was on his feet, Kevin’s Avatar ignited, and he staggered and jerked as if something was tugging at his body.

Bill: Kev? What’s wrong?

Bill’s Avatar ignited as he attempted to merge with his husband, but an unknown force prevented him. Kevin staggered again, his eyes turned white, and his feet left the ground as he groaned painfully. Two balls of light ripped out of Kevin. One of them Bill clearly recognized as Kevin’s soul. The other orb was the azure of his mind and intellect. Kevin’s body went limp as Bill watched his form spinning slowly in the air while the two spheres orbited him. The cheetah's hackles rose when they emitted a high-pitched growl in unison as Loy screamed: Kev!

Loy merged everyone but met the same resistance as Bill when he attempted to bring Kevin in with them. Bill moved forward with blinding speed to grab Kevin, but Kevin’s body, mind, and soul vanished.

***

Kevin’s intellect: What’s happening?

The separation of his three elements made him feel intensely violated. His mind and soul had traveled outside his body before, to the pale and the spiritual realm, but his intellect always accompanied his soul.  Until Aaron separated his mind and thoughts from his physical form in the alternate dimension, no one had thought it possible nor had done it since.

Bill’s absence added to his discomfort. The presence of his husband always soothed Kevin. Bill was his rock, and this new emptiness, this isolation, was torturous. Also gone was the solace of the half of Bill’s soul that resided in his.

Kevin’s intellect: Fuck.

*

The azure orb of Kevin’s mind circled his Gift, but his visual perceptions were tied to his detached body.

Lachlan’s intellect: Who’s there? Can you hear me?

Kevin’s intellect: Yes! Who are you?

Lachlan’s intellect: Lachlan Davies. What the bloody hell is happening? Where are we? Who are you?

Kevin’s intellect: How did you get here?

Lachlan’s intellect: My wife and I were diving and I saw a light, then got caught in a current and I got sucked into a cave. I got badly hurt, but now I’m here.  I have to get back!  Bri might have a chance if I can get back to her!

Kevin’s Avatar remained with him in a limited fashion, but he sensed only partial truth in Lachlan’s words. Looking into Lachlan’s recent memory, Kevin knew the truth.  He also saw his Gift bobbing free of its casing in the crystal filled cave. Kevin created a fundamental construct of the cave, and he and Lachlan appeared within it. Lachlan freaked, and Kevin said, “It’s alright.  This isn’t real, but it will let us talk and make you feel more comfortable.”

Lachlan shook and put his hands to his head. His confusion and worry over his wife plus Kevin’s construct pushed him to his limits.

Lachlan leered at Kevin and asked, “Who the fuck are you?  What’s going on?”

Kevin said, “My name is Kevin Ayers. This will be difficult to understand, but time isn’t moving here. We have to figure out what’s happening and get out so I can help you get to your wife. If I can reach my husband or any of my brothers they can help.”

Kevin and Bill had recently gotten each other off so Kevin’s mind was fully open and empowered. He wasn’t a mentalist, but he was strong and called on Yggdrasil’s power and then was surprised when it only partially worked.

Kevin: Fuck!

Lachlan: What?

Kevin: You can hear my thoughts?

Lachlan: Are you daft? Taking the piss? You’re talking out loud mate. 

Kevin: This is fucked up.  I’ve been separated from my body and soul before, but even in this construct, there’s no difference between the physical and mental illusion I’ve created. My Avatar only partially works here.

Lachlan.  Bugger all. I’m trapped with a bloody maniac. 

Kevin: I’m not crazy, Lachlan.  You touched something you shouldn’t have.  That orb belongs to me; it belongs in me.  It was made for me before time was created. You activated it prematurely, so I’m not sure what’s happening.

Lachlan: Wait, are you one of those Order people? 

Kevin: Yes, I am.

Lachlan: Christ!  I thought that was all rubbish.

Kevin: We’re real, and I’m sorry you got caught up in this, but I’ll do my best to make it right and see you and your wife get out of this alive.

Kevin wanted the light of his soul to shine on Lachlan, to calm him and help him believe, but his soul was separated and unavailable. When he read Lachlan’s memory, Kevin also discovered they were in Australia's Pilbara region. The Australian base was in sleep mode with no one there, and Kevin didn’t have the range to reach the Congo base, so he made a diamond with his fingers and put his hands to his chest, but no memory sphere appeared.

Kevin: Fuck me again. We don’t really know how those spheres work; we just make them. They must pull from the memory in our physical brain.

Kevin wasn’t able to draw enough power from Yggdrasil to reach anyone.  Nothing worked properly, and everything seemed out of phase. His limited construct was the only thing so far that seemed stable. He realized that their Avatars are also triune in nature, and his was separated into its three most primal forms. Only a third of it was with him now.

Kevin: What the hell did my Gift do to us? We’re broken apart, and I have to figure out how to get us together again. Bill must have seen what happened.  Why hasn’t he or Brad tried to contact me yet?

***

His mouth agape, Bill stared at the place Kevin had just occupied. The cheetahs growled with raised hackles. Loy merged the team and Darren used Bill’s eyes for his visual. Everyone but Kevin appeared, a few of them naked, taken straight from their beds. 

Bill’s face was red and his eyes watered as he looked at his brothers: Guys, what happened?  Kev’s gone … I can’t feel him.

Each of them sought some sign of Kevin through their Avatars and Gifts, but Kevin’s whereabouts remained hidden.

Ken: Fuck, not a fuckin’ ‘gain.

Brad: This has to be Kev’s Gift.  Something happened, or someone somewhere found it, and it took Kevin there.  I don’t understand why we can’t sense him, though.

Ken: Dar, get us back ‘ta the conference room. We gotta figure this shit out.

Darren’s eyes flashed white and they left the Congo's heat and humidity, appearing in the cool air of the base.  Brad set the illusion of their assault suits on them, but Ken thought: Everyone suit up.

Those naked translocated to the locker room, donned their suits, and returned to the conference room in seconds. Taking them deep, Brad had them relive the memories of the last few minutes from each of their perspectives.

Henry’s eyes blazed as he unleashed his archonian aura.  Looking throughout the second creation, he sensed his brothers' Avatars because they were tied into creation. He saw the Gifts of those in the room with him but also sensed a vague awareness of Kevin. Henry’s frustration was apparent: I can sense him but can’t find him. His presence is tenuous.

Bill’s tension stemmed from a mixture of anger and anxiety, and his brothers’ souls closed around his, wrapping him in their love and support.

Brad: Guys, as uncomfortable as this situation is, we need to wait it out.  Bill, Kev and the rest of us freaked out when you disappeared in the Iktomi cave. But really, none of our Gifts have harmed us. Whatever’s happening to Kev needs to run its course.

Ken: I know that’s not what you wanna hear, but B’s right.

Bill: I need to tell Tommy and Brett that Kev’s gone.

Bryan: At least wait until chow time.  If Kev’s only gone a few hours, there’s no point putting them through that.

***

Kevin did not return to the base that evening or the next day. A week passed with no sign or indication that he attempted to contact them. At the same time, their attempts to contact or seek Kevin met with no results. On the first night Kevin disappeared, before dinner, Bill explained to Tommy and Brett what was happening. He did his best to assure them Kevin was in no danger as far as they could tell, but they weren’t sure how long he would be gone.

***

Lachlan remained constantly agitated. Kevin tried to be patient, but Lachlan’s incessant ranting distracted him from focusing on contacting Bill or finding a way to get to his Gift and them out of the cave.

Kevin: I told you, Lachlan, time isn’t moving for us.  When we get out of here it will be as though no time passed, and we’ll be able to get to her.

Lachlan’s mental voice yelled: But it’s moving for her!  And how the hell do you plan to do that with no gear? My tanks are gone and you don’t have any.  How in bloody blazes can we get to her?

Kevin: I don’t need tanks, and once we’re out I can locate her with my mind. Stay quiet so I can focus. Please.

Lachlan attempted to suppress his emotional surges, and Kevin was entirely sympathetic. Lachlan had no idea what Kevin was capable of, and he was in a situation entirely outside any of his previous life experience. Kevin tried putting Lachlan to sleep, but sleep was a function of the body, not the mind, so it didn’t work.

Plunging as deep within his mind as he could, Kevin calmed himself by applying the mental disciplines ingrained into him over the years. He stilled his thoughts, found his centering flame, and sought his body, soul, and Gift. Somehow his Gift separated him, but there still had to be a connection and a way to reincorporate himself just as Bill did after becoming someone else. The fact that time seemed out of phase bothered him. It wasn’t the same as when they went deep within themselves. Instead of time not moving, he felt detached from the arc of time in a completely different manner. His understanding was limited due to the separation of his Avatar and he could not discern his plight.

***

Raph never flew much as a kid, and childhood thoughts ran through his mind as he sat back in his first-class seat aboard the Delta flight. A hand touched his shoulder, startling him, but it was just a flight attendant asking, “Would you care for a pre-flight cocktail, Mr. Martinez?”

Raph stopped drinking alcohol once he began his training. A drink sounded tempting, especially after his week-long meeting with UN diplomats and his encounter with Elegroth’s minion. The attractive flight attendant, whose name tag read “Sarah,” kept her hand on his shoulder longer than necessary, and he realized she was flirting. Blushing, Raph said, “Orange juice if you have it, please. If not, anything but grapefruit. Water is fine, too, if you don’t have any juice.”

Sarah smiled, “Orange juice coming up.”

The next half hour was boring.  Raph sipped his juice and awkwardly flirted whenever Sarah came by his seat.

With Orophir’s amulet around his neck and out of sight, no one heard his thought: Man, I’m so out of practice she must think I ride the short bus.

Sarah helped him adjust his seatbelt and switch his seat to an upright position as if he were a three-year-old. He loved the attention and whatever scent she wore. Sarah reminded him of Sally in that way. Sally always smelled nice too.

Sarah said, “Get comfortable. We’re on schedule and will be taking off shortly.  I’ll check on you once we’re in the air.”

Activating his subcutaneous chip, he said, “If anyone’s listening, I’m onboard my fight and headed home. I miss you guys and can’t wait to eat Bry’s cooking again.  Hotel food sucks.”

His message transmitted and was texted to the cell phones of the team, who would read it during their next break in training.  All his brothers were freaked about his encounter with Elegroth’s agent and Raphael’s presence, but they honored his request to handle everything on his own.  He didn’t want them babysitting him.

Well, maybe Sarah can babysit me. Should I give her my private number?

Raph grinned during takeoff. The little kid in him loved the sensation of sinking back into his seat as the engines thrust them into the sky. He watched out the window as the plane banked steeply and the captain veered south towards Atlanta. He had another round of meetings and press conferences before Darren would translocate him back to the Congo base.

Just as the plane started to level off, a massive claw tore through reality from the void and ripped the plane in half. No one had time to react as the engines exploded and the flight crew and passengers were blown into the skies, most still in their seats. The concussive force deafened Raph so that he couldn’t hear himself shout as he activated his chip to send an emergency signal. The air was frigid and whipped his clothing in freefall.

He understood the often-used description of time slowing down when adrenaline kicks in.  In minute detail, terror on the faces of those around him burned into his mind. Raph’s enochian runes lit up allowing the immediate return of his hearing, but all he heard was the wind and screams of two hundred people falling to their deaths.

**

Tommy initially seemed to handle Kevin’s disappearance, but as the days passed, his distress escalated. Sally and Shan did their best to keep him occupied.  Drew, Brett, Teesha, and Chloe tried to distract him, but he withdrew further into himself. Even Cavall’s attention and Bullet’s antics met with cool indifference. After lessons, he would go to the music room and play on his keyboard but clearly wanted to be alone. His rejection hurt Brett who often cried in Bill’s arms.

Training in the gym wasn’t the same without Kevin, but Ken pushed them, and his conviction that Kevin would be alright bolstered them. Nine days after Kevin vanished, an incursion of Elegroth’s demons occurred over Manhattan. It was mid-morning at the Congo base, and the men were wearing only their workout shorts and foot gear when Lane’s Avatar ignited to show him a vision of Raph’s plane torn in half and falling from the sky. 

Ken: Fuck! Suit up!

At the same time, their phone alerts went off with Raph’s emergency signal.  Lane saw a massive demonic claw slice through a commercial airline. Raph wore an amulet so Lane’s Avatar couldn’t discern Raph directly, but it detected the event, and Lane saw him among those falling.

Through their understanding, the bodies knew they had eighty-three seconds to save the falling people. Thirty seconds of that time was spent suiting up. The plane was outside New York airspace at the time of the explosion, but Brad searched the minds of people on the ground and found a visual for Darren. The thirteen men of The Order appeared on a street in Philadelphia. As they appeared, the sky filled with orbs of light, angels brought by Raphael to catch the falling humans. Raphael himself caught Raph, halting his descent.  Raph still wore the amulet, but with no wind, he heard Raphael’s words, “You are safe, Raphael Martinez, as are the others.”

The large, fiery pieces of the aircraft could kill many on the ground, so with the angels catching the humans, Darren became the focus of the teams’ power, and he dispersed the plane by restructuring the wreckage into harmless vapor. Angels, before vanishing, set the humans down gently on the ground, and instantly Raphael was the only remaining angel. Once on the ground, Raph removed his amulet.

Raph: Thanks again, Raphael.  This is getting to be a habit.  Elegroth can’t see me as that much of a threat.

Raphael: Surely, he does.  You are the voice of The Order.

Like his brothers, when Raph was hyped on adrenaline, he used humor to keep his emotions in check.  He couldn’t help himself and thought: Don’t call me Shirley.

Raphael stared blankly at him. Raph noticed a very disheveled Sarah shaking and crying on the ground nearby: One moment please, Raphael.  There’s someone I need to check on.

Raph rushed to Sarah, knelt beside her, and asked, “Are you alright?”

Still in shock, she looked confusedly at Raph and asked, “What happened?”

Raphael heard her question and answered: The being who wishes to end our creation destroyed your craft.

Bewildered, she asked, “Why would he do that?”

Raphael: To end Raphael Martinez.

Raph started to ask Sarah again if she was alright, but as the archangel’s words sank in, she jerked away, screaming, “Get away from me!”

The team, gathered around Raph, heard Sarah’s outburst. Raph let out a heavy sigh, stood up, and backed away from Sarah, holding his hands out placatingly. The disappointment on Raph’s face saddened his brothers, and Loy merged Raph with all of them. Raph’s interest in Sarah became known to them, and his hurt ran deeper than expected, so there was no humor at that moment. His brothers consolingly wrapped his soul in theirs, and each spoke his sorrow in Raph’s heart: I’m sorry, bud. There was nothing to be done. As the spokesperson for The Order, Raph was a target and Sarah’s fear legitimate. Anyone around Raph, especially when his brothers weren’t with him, would be in danger, and he couldn’t protect them.

Outside the merge and in his body, Brad noted Raphael’s confused expression and asked: Grandfather? Why the look?

Raphael: Raphael Martinez said not to call him Shirley.  I do not understand.

Brad burst out laughing.  He had seen Airplane! numerous times, and from his perfect recall, he created a memory sphere of the movie.

Brad: You might not get all the humor, but take a look.

The wreckage was gone, dispersed by Darren and his brothers, and the angels had deposited all the humans on the ground. Any wounds were healed by the heavenly beings before returning to Heaven. People in the street had cell phones out recording them. No sirens were yet audible, but first responders were on their way from multiple 911 calls.

People couldn’t stop staring at Raphael’s magnificence and the thirteen men of The Order wearing their dragon hide assault suits. Their face coverings were off revealing their inhumanly handsome faces.

*

In their merge, Raph took great comfort in his brothers and enjoyed their physical, spiritual, and emotional touch. Like Henry, Raph quickly got over any hangups about being nude with gay men.  He loved them as brothers with no shame or judgment, and missed Kevin’s presence intensely.

When they whispered “I’m sorry,” in his heart, his eyes misted.

Raph: It’s alright, guys. Our mission’s too important to get sidetracked. I was going to give her my number and see if she wanted to go out for dinner, but… well, she’s right.  Anyone close to me is in danger, and I can’t protect them.

Loy: It’s her loss, bud.  You’re a fantastic guy, but your life with us will be difficult for anyone to accept. When this is all over….

Raph: When this is over there won’t be a world.  Not this one, anyway, which is why I should stop worrying about stuff like a relationship and only focus on my job. Do me a favor, though, alright? When you make a new creation, make me someone special. Someone who likes the same food I do and a lot of sex.

As Loy’s heart fell, Ricky whispered only to him: It’s not your fault … free will.

Raph watched the crowd around them. Pictures and videos were being recorded and some were live-streaming.  Many of the passengers still cried. His brothers’ exceptional hearing picked up conversations around them, and the mentalists sensed the varied emotions accompanying them. Brad remitted his shield enough to let some emotions bleed through and ensure nothing extreme was occurring.

Raph listened to the conversations and experienced the emotions through the merge and his face hardened. Everything he heard and felt reinforced how broken the world was. People were completely self-centered and only saw what was happening through a lens of how it affected them, regardless of any suffering around them. Self-protection was natural, but part of being human meant overcoming one’s basic instincts and seeing the larger picture. In addition to their base reaction, there were already talks about lawsuits as the people recording thought they had evidence to exploit or profit from the situation. Raph rarely cussed.  In fact, he stopped cussing after he broke away from The Enemy after his encounter with Loy, but he blurted out: Fuck!

Raph: This fucked up country in this fucked up world. A fallen archon shows up and declares his intent to destroy everything, and some of these idiots are already planning lawsuits against the airline and The Order over the explosion.  If they could sue Elegroth, they would.

Ken grinned: Looks like you have your work cut out for you.

Brad and Loy embraced Raph to shore him up: Don’t let it get you, Raph.  Lean on us.  We feel it all, too, and have for years.  It’s the fucked-upness of human nature under the curse. And not all people are bad; there just aren’t as many good ones.

As Raph looked around, he saw a poster at the bus stop of a “1-800” trial lawyer promising to get you “what you deserve,” and he let out a heavy sigh. Raph’s brothers were concerned about him. Although enlightened more than most, he was still under the curse. They could only hold him in their hearts, reinforce their unconditional love, and hope it was enough.

Bryan: How about I make your Nanna’s enchiladas tonight?

The mention of his favorite food caught his attention and he perked up: Really?

Bryan: Fuck, yeah.

Raph sighed: I’m trying to keep the weight off, though.  Those things are fat pills.

Ken: Don’t worry about that.  One meal isn’t gonna kill you, and we’ll help you burn the calories off in the gym. Cancel the rest of today’s meetin’s and we’ll bring you home tonight.  Just hang here long enough ‘ta get everyone settled.

Loy: You don’t have any trips planned next week, so you can spend extra time working out with us.

Raph: I really want to, but my workload is huge with Aaron and Albrecht gone. Even with the doc’s filters, as word about us spreads and after what Bryan and Leroy did, I’m inundated.

Darren: We’ll pitch in and help with that. You’re our spokesperson and the focal point to the outside world, not our slave. You’re part of us, a member of the team. We won’t leave you hanging.

It sounded simple, and Darren’s words gave Raph a huge sense of relief. He teared up again as their arms tightened around his shoulders, and he realized he was still high-strung from the explosion.

Raph: Sorry.  I’m in big-girl mode.  I’ll settle down.

Ken: We love you, Raph. We take care of our own.

Raph: I know I don’t need to say it, but thanks.  Now, time for you to head out.  The first responders will be here any second, and you don’t want to get caught up in that mess.  I’ll do my job and deal with the press.

Brad: I gave Raphael a copy of Airplane!.

Raph burst out laughing: Oh snap! You know, it’s kind of nice having a guardian angel.  Not that you guys aren’t the bomb, but a little extra backup never hurts.

*

Brad embraced Raphael: I love you, Grandfather. Thank you for watching over Raph.  Did you watch the movie?

Raphael: I did.

Brad: What did you think?

Raphael: I do not understand most of the humor.

Raph moved to Raphael and held out his hands, saying, “Thank you again, Raphael.”

Raphael took Raph’s hands and responded, “Until we meet again, farewell for now, Shirley Martinez.”

The archangel turned into a ball of light and vanished leaving Raph and Brad looking blankly at one another. A second later they doubled over laughing.

Brad: God, I love him.

**

As the team suited up to heed Raph’s SOS, multiple memory spheres darted about the base to let Sally, Shan, Tag, Olive, and Kelly know what was happening. Other than a quick shared glance, neither Sally nor Shan gave any indication that something dire was happening.

The children currently worked on a reading assignment that would be followed by a comprehension analysis. Shan noticed Teesha fidgeting, a clear indication she needed to go to the bathroom. With thirty minutes left to finish, Shan stopped the timer and said, “Potty break. Hurry back. The quicker we finish, the sooner we eat.”

Each child went to their apartment to use the restroom. Tommy always let Brett go first which was a retained habit from their days in the orphanage and looking out for his younger brother. This time when Brett finished, Tommy said, “Go on, Brett.  I’ll be there in a minute.”

As soon as the door shut, Tommy entered their dads’ room. Anxiety over Kevin was consuming him, and even though he knew he wasn’t supposed to touch the soul lantern on their dresser, he picked it up and stared at the swirling light of his fathers’ souls. He ran his fingers over Kevin’s image cast by Albrecht into the lantern.  His father looked like Atlas from Greek mythology, except he instead held the sphere of their souls on his massive shoulders. The strength in his father, as much as his gentle nature, was ever a comfort.

Kevin’s light made Tommy cry, and in a pleading voice, he asked, “Dad?  Can you hear me? You have to come back! Please come back. Please….” His voice cracked as he sniffled and didn’t hear the door open.  He started when Chloe asked in her thick Australian accent, “Tommy? Are you alright? What’s wrong?”

Swiping at his eyes, he looked at Chloe. Her potent natural empathy drew in Tommy’s pain. Dejectedly, he lowered his head and said, “I miss my dad.  I thought maybe he could hear me. Dumb, huh?”

Chloe looked at the swirling lights and the turmoil in Tommy. His pain was difficult for her to endure, and she instinctually connected Tommy’s soul to the lamp without understanding what she did. A golden arc sparked from Tommy’s chest to the object, and the resulting explosion of light was blinding. When she could see again, Tommy floated in the air, his soul and mind separated from his body, orbiting the soul lamp that now also hung in the air.

Kelly was meditating in the hot yoga room when Chloe mentally shouted: Mummy!

Kelly: Chloe?  What’s wrong?

Chloe: Something happened!

Kelly: Sal, Shan, get to Bill and Kevin’s room!

Dripping sweat, Kelly grabbed a robe and ran. The adults and the children watched Tommy’s body, mind, and soul slowly revolve around the soul lamp as a shining orb pulsed in and out of visibility. Arcs of power crackled between it and the three parts of Tommy as a hot wind began blowing like a vortex around the room. Brett seemed frantic, so Drew called the dome over Tommy, but it made no difference. What they witnessed was unrelated to the curse.

Kelly heard Tommy in her mind: Dad? Is that you?

The light pulsed brighter as Kelly felt its power building. Grabbing Chloe’s hand, she thought: Help Mummy.

Mother and daughter had practiced pooling their might as part of their training, and Chloe squeezed her eyes shut as she pushed her considerable strength into Kelly who formed a shield over Sally, Shan, and the other children. Drew instinctively added his strength. Tag and Olive arrived as the light exploded in a powerful surge that hit Kelly’s shield. The soul lantern dropped onto the bed, bouncing a few times before remaining still with its normal swirling light glowing softly.

Brett cried out, “Tommy!” but no sign of his brother remained.  Bill was with the team, but Kevin and now Tommy were missing, and Brett lost control. His young mind couldn’t understand what was happening other than two of the three most important people in his life were gone.

Olive dropped to her knees and hugged Brett tightly, whispering, “It’s gonna be alright, sugar. I promise, and you know I always tell you the truth.”

Brett threw his arms around her neck and wailed, “Tommy! DADDY!”

Kelly’s eyes flashed white as she formed a memory sphere that shot through the wall to find Bill.

**

The angels healed the wounded humans before setting them on the ground; however, the trauma of the plane being torn in half by a giant demonic claw and the dark aura associated with it still resided in the mortals. Evil brushed their minds and souls leaving them with an unnatural coldness.

Raph shuddered because he never thought himself important enough to warrant the attention of an inter-creational being. He smirked at his use of inter-creational; Ken was still proud of coining it. The team watched Raph briefly as he moved to make himself available to the humans. Loy’s pride ran through their link over what a fine man Raph had become. The puppet strings tying Raph to them were there, but for once they were glad of those ties.

Darren called to mind the safe spot in the Congo base, but seconds before his Avatar synchronized with the other guys, a memory sphere shot into Bill.

Kelly: Bill! Tommy’s gone!

Along with Kelly’s frantic message, the image of Tommy floating, separated into his three base elements like Kevin before he disappeared, seared into his heart. Linked with his brothers, everyone saw it as Darren’s Avatar ignited to take them to the Congo. As soon as they appeared, Bill heard Brett crying in Olive’s arms.  Carefully but urgently, Bill translocated his son into his arms and wrapped his mind and heart around his youngest son.

Bill: I’m here.  I’ve got you and we’ll get them back.

With Brett’s arms around his neck, Bill rushed to his apartment to find Ken and the rest of the team already there. The soul lantern lay on the bed where it fell, seemingly unaffected by whatever happened.

Brad: No one touch the lamp with their skin.

The soul lamp vanished and appeared on top of the dresser where it usually sat, translocated by Darren.  In close proximity to the lantern, Kevin’s presence brushed against them but only to reinforce his absence. Bill’s Avatar brightened and he tried to read the impressions in the room but there was nothing to detect. With such a powerful event, he should see everything and know what happened, but there was no trace of the incident.  He became Chloe and Brett to live through Chloe connecting Tommy’s soul to the lamp.

Bill: I can’t see Tommy or what happened.

The despair in his voice echoed through the link as his brothers held him tighter.  Lane’s Avatar and Gift reacted, and he looked through the arc of time but didn’t see Tommy either.  He traveled further back, minute by minute, hour by hour, and day by day, until he finally saw Tommy nine days prior, at the base sitting at his desk working math problems with the other children.  The time Lane detected him matched the exact time of Kevin’s disappearance. 

Lane: Tommy’s existence got sucked through the arc of time back to when Kevin disappeared.

Ken: Fuck! Everyone ‘ta the conference room but Bill. Bill, stay with Brett.

Bill became all of them rather than just merging, and their love and concern for him, Kevin, and Tommy became paramount.

Ken: Is Chloe alright?

Kelly: She’s rattled, but I’ll get her settled.  She didn’t mean to do anything.

Brad: Don’t be too hard on her-she couldn’t help it. But more importantly, I think she just gave us the key to finding Kev and Tommy.

Ken, Brad, and Bill: Tell Chloe we love her.

***

As soon as Tommy stared at the light of the soul lamp he started to cry. He felt both his dads in the light, and while it wasn’t as potent as being with them in person, he felt Kevin again.

In a pleading voice, he asked, “Dad?  Can you hear me?  You have to come back!  Please come back. Please….” His voice cracked and he sniffled.  He didn’t hear the door open and started when Chloe asked in her thick Australian accent, “Tommy? Are you alright? What’s wrong?”

Swiping at his eyes, he looked at Chloe. Her potent natural empathy drew her to Tommy’s emotional pain. Dejectedly, Tommy lowered his head and said, “I miss my dad.  I thought maybe he could hear me. Dumb, huh?”

Chloe looked at the swirling lights and the turmoil in Tommy. His pain was difficult for her to endure, and she instinctually connected Tommy’s soul to the lamp without understanding what she did. A golden arc sparked from Tommy’s chest to the object, and the resulting explosion of light was blinding. When she could see again, Tommy floated in the air, his soul and mind separated from his body and orbiting the soul lamp that now also hung in the air.

*

Tommy didn’t understand his altered perception. The separation was painful, and he tried to scream but only a choking sound came out as his mind and soul were forcefully torn from his body. With no physical perception he was terrified and didn’t know he was no longer in the Congo base but in the Pilbara cave with Kevin and Lachlan as all of their primary elements now orbited Kevin’s Gift.

In the cave beneath the underground lake, out of phase with the arc of time, Tommy’s elements appeared with Kevin’s and Lachlan’s. Three bodies, minds, and souls orbited Kevin’s Gift, and the Gift settled.  Its light dimmed so a soft pulse and seemed content.

Kevin recognized Tommy’s mind as soon as it appeared: Tommy! What are you doing here?  How did you get here?

Tommy: Dad? Dad!  I found you!

Tommy appeared in Kevin’s construct and threw himself into his dad’s powerful arms.

Kevin: Oh, God, Tommy, what did you do?  How did you get here?

Tommy: Don’t be mad.  I missed you so much… I know I’m not supposed to touch it but I talked to the lantern on your dresser.  I thought you might hear me.  Chloe came in, something happened, and now I’m here.

Kevin: But I’ve only been gone a few hours.

Tommy: No, the board in the conference room has nine checks on it.

Kevin: What?

Lachlan: Bloody hell! Nine days?  Briana…!

Kevin: I promise you, Lachlan, we’ll still be in time to save her.  Something’s not right with how time moves here.  It’s like we’re stuck and out of phase, not just with the arc of time but everything.

In the construct Tommy’s arms trembled from the strength of his hug around Kevin’s neck.

Kevin: It’s ok, Tommy. Really ok. We’re together, and we’re going to be fine.  I just need to figure out what’s happening.

Tommy: Uncle Brad says it’s your Gift, and no one is looking for you because it has to run its course. But they couldn’t find you anyway and I was more scared than Brett. No matter how hard I tried. I’m sorry.

Kevin: So I’m on my own for now.

Tommy: I’m here.

Kevin smiled and hugged Tommy tighter: Yes, you are. And don’t be sorry you love me so much. You were scared. I need you too.

Lachlan: What am I? Chopped liver?

***

Eva watched Németh’s sons train her children. She saw her fire in them, and Jörmungandr’s. The forge's fire was different and the most potent of the three. The RL’s Gift shone so brightly that the pupils in her golden eyes were barely visible as they reflected the light of the Gift.

Eva: Your sons are masterful teachers.

Németh: Remarkable students make instruction look easy.

Eva: Are you not proud of your sons?

Németh’s black, oily eyes shone brighter: I am, and love them. They redeem my bloodline and my legacy. My first child and his descendant brought near ruin to my people.

Eva: Your journey was inescapable. You know this.

Németh: I do, but that knowledge does not lessen the pain. My current sons fill my heart as never before. They are formidable, yet I fear for them.

Eva: They are strong like their sire. My newly created children are strong as well; they have my cunning, Jörmungandr’s heart and ferocity, our combined fire, and the fire of the forge.

Németh: The balance called them to be.

Eva: Will they be enough? The fallen archon has yet to show his full strength, and the imp now brings chaos.

Németh: The imp has been temporarily quelled by our nephilim allies. Though weakened, the creature is potent and will grow strong again, but the actions of The Dreamer give us time….

Eva: When the final confrontation occurs, will we be enough?

Németh: No. Our only hope lies in The Order and their Gifts.

Eva: Yet once they attain their Gifts, everything will come to ruin.

Németh: Not to ruin, but to a new beginning.

Eva: And what will be our place in this new beginning?

Németh sighed: I do not know, but I trust the balance.

Németh stood and bowed reverently to his draconic friend: I must go.  I have my own students - The Child of Balance and the son of Luke await instruction.

***

Thirteen pairs of eyes stared intently at Bill and Kevin’s soul lamp in the center of the conference room table. The swirling light of Bill and Kevin’s souls mesmerized them and emphasized Kevin’s absence, especially to Bill. Tommy’s disappearance hurt them all, but Brett was inconsolable. Before Bill and Kevin, Tommy had been Brett’s anchor his entire life, and Brett couldn’t function with his brother gone. Exhausted, he rested his head on Bill’s shoulder while they conducted the meeting in their hearts and souls.

Lane: Kev and Tommy are out of phase with the arc of time.  That’s why we can’t sense them.  They’re stuck at that moment when Kevin’s Gift grabbed him.  I don’t know what’s up with his Gift separating him and Tommy, though.

Brad: I wish the doc and Albrecht were here. I know the whole schtick of ‘there is power in threes’ and the Vitruvian Man pattern he used to create us, but I didn’t realize it applied to creation or the arc of time.

Pat: The layers are there. I understand them now if I look deep enough.  They’re subtle and hard to see. It’s like looking at a single thread in a 1000-count cotton sheet. They just blend together.  We have to be careful here.  If we yank Kevin back, everything could unravel.

Lane made the Debbie Downer sound effect: Aren’t you a bundle of joy.

Ken: Fuck.

Bryan: We know when this shit happens our partners are always the best option to help whoever’s in trouble.  No pressure, Bill.

Brad: You’re right, Bry.

Ken: If I said that, would I be right?

Brad winked at his husband with a side smile.

Ken: Bill, I know this is tearin’ you up. Tommy has ‘ta be with Kev now, and we’re gonna get both of ‘em back.

Loy: I think the lantern is our best chance.

In their souls, Bill’s spark of an idea became theirs: Guys, get ready.

Bill became Lane to access Lane’s full Avatar, and he looked at the arc of time. His forehead broke out in a sweat as he concentrated, but he finally discerned the layers. Leaving Lane, Bill’s Gift ignited and he became the part of Kevin that resided in his own soul and the soul lantern. In the Pilbara, Kevin’s Gift reacted, and Bill felt himself starting to separate.

Bill: Anchor me!

The might of their collective soul tethered Bill. Calling on their multiple sources of power, animal spirits and ghostly roots of Yggdrasil appeared in the spiritual realm adding to the strength of their hold on Bill. Brad removed the veil around them to allow their dual nature to fully realize, and their light became blinding.

The pull of Kevin’s Gift was strong, and Bill felt that he was being torn apart but their Avatars made them equal to the task. Bill became the only part of Kevin available to him – the half of Kevin’s soul residing within him and the tiny piece in the soul lamp. It felt strange only being one part of Kevin, but it was the connection he needed.

Kevin’s soul brightened within the Pilbara cave nine days prior as it orbited around his Gift. Everything Bill did happened in both moments. Brad’s intellect, magnified by the other mentalists, sent him an epiphany.

Brad: Lane! Take us back to just before that moment. When we’re there, we can get Kevin’s physical location, go there, and have a chance at figuring this out.

Brad’s words kindled hope in their hearts as Lane honored Brad’s request.  Merged, he carried them back through the arc of time to the moment of Kevin’s disappearance outside the base. Bryan’s raven wing tattoos fluttered when he felt Kevin’s life. Darren, too, felt him in a remote area of Australia.

Their dual presence in time created a massive paradox, but they were paradoxical by nature, created by God for that reason – to change reality simply by existing. Their Avatars emitted constant, subtle but potent ripples that transformed events and people around them.

Materializing in the cave, they were there but not there. The body’s Avatars masked their presence in all aspects, even from the arc of time, lessening the massive effect of their being there and calming the ripples waiting to burst forth. The men saw a woman trapped underwater; her air tank wedged in a fold of rock while a powerful current pulled her down. To quell her panic and scan her thoughts, Brad placed her mind in a neutral state.

Brad: She and her husband got caught in a current.  She cut his tanks off so he could free her but got sucked down.  They saw a light below them that has to be Kevin’s Gift.

Leroy’s hide fended off the chill of the water as they dove and channeled oxygen directly from the water to breathe. The light Lachlan and Briana saw was gone, but Brad sensed the unconscious mind of Lachlan Davies below them.

Brad: He’s injured and unconscious.

Lane expended a considerable amount of power to keep them within the layer of the arc of time they resided in. His frustration was apparent- he instinctively knew that if his Gift were fully functional, this would be effortless. Darren looked within himself, at the point they were within him, and viewed the cave. Translocating himself, he appeared there hovering.  Kevin’s Gift, quiet and still, hung in the air.

Brad: We have to let events play out to the exact moment when Kevin shows up.

Bill: I need to be in the cave.

Darren: There’s not much room, so everyone stay put and I’ll bring Bill with me.

Bill’s stomach knotted because he had already experienced what was about to happen to his husband. The few minutes that Lachlan needed to regain consciousness felt like a small eternity. Between the threads of the arc of time, full of power and with all their Avatars and Gifts active, Bill became Lachlan Davies and everything became known to them.

*

Lachlan groaned awake. Pain wracked his body and he was sure one leg was broken, but he lived and breathed. His head throbbed in tune with the blood pulsing through his heart. He felt peculiar, aside from the pain. The cavern he woke in was not large, perhaps thirty feet across. A brightly shining orb hovered in the air in the center of the room over a pool of water, illuminating the area. The walls were covered with crystal formations reflecting and magnifying its light. The orb pulsed in tandem with the throbbing in his head.

He mumbled, “What the bloody hell,” before his thoughts returned to his wife: Briana!

He had to find a way to get Briana down with him.  He had no idea how long he had been unconscious and feared his wife might already run out of air.  Fighting his pain, he struggled to stand.  His leg couldn’t bear weight and he tried to hop but fell and cried out.  The sharp crystals lining the walls cut into his wetsuit making deep gouges in his back and he cried out again.  Glancing down, he saw blood running down from his back and legs onto the rocks. The stream was thick, and he knew he was dead.  His back was shredded and his femur broken; he was bleeding out.

Lachlan: Fuck all!  I was so fucking dumb bringing Bri down here.

His last thought was of his wife and regret that his actions killed them over something they thought would be an adventure.  Lachlan's handsome face, pale and washed out by the bright light of the orb and lack of blood, drifted unconscious as his breath became shallow.  His blood formed a tiny stream that led down, and when it touched the water under the orb, the orb reacted.

Lachlan’s blood drew to the center of the little pool and dripped upward, defying gravity, to touch the orb.  The orb was Kevin’s Gift, the Gift of Binding, the cohesive force that binds the triune layers of the second creation – the same force that binds the body, mind, and soul or spirit of all living things as well as matter and existence.  It binds everything, and blood is a significant part of that power. 

The binding between Lachlan’s body, mind, and soul weakened as blood drained from his body.  The orb reacted, shimmering and cracking open.  There was no Avatar to receive it and no accepting host to bind it, so the Gift hovered freely in the air. In the small cave, Kevin’s Gift separated Lachlan into the three primal parts of his existence – his body, mind, and soul - and each floated in the air, hovering and slowly rotating around the orb.

*

Still on the soft grass under Kevin, Bill relished the sight of his husband, only inches away.  Kevin grinned: I love you, Bill.  I wish we could stay out here longer, but duty calls.

Standing, Kevin held his hand out to pull Bill up.  As soon as Bill was on his feet Kevin’s Avatar ignited and he staggered and jerked as if something tugged at his body.

Bill: Kev?  What’s wrong?

Bill’s Avatar ignited as he attempted to merge with his husband but something prevented him.  Kevin staggered again, his eyes turning white as his feet left the ground and he loudly groaned. Two balls of light ripped out of Kevin. One of them Bill clearly recognized as Kevin’s soul. The other orb was the azure blue of his mind and intellect. Kevin’s body went limp as Bill watched his form hang in the air, spinning slowly while orbited by the two spheres.

*

Bill watched Lachlan’s blood awaken Kevin’s Gift and a second later, Kevin appeared, torn apart just as Lachlan had been. Tommy wasn’t there yet and wouldn’t be within the thread they were in for nine more days.

Bill’s Avatar meant “to know.” He hoped that Kevin’s Gift with its subtle power could not be defended against

Bill: Here goes nothing, and get ready for anything.

Loy: That should be our new slogan.

Lane: My hands are on my skirt and I’m ready to run.

Bill reached out, touched Kevin’s Gift, and everything went white.

*

Kevin kept Tommy in his arms to reassure him that everything would be alright. While his mind churned over possible solutions to reach his Gift, Tommy stayed quiet but Lachlan nervously prattled on, occasionally screaming out his frustration. Lachlan’s aggressive nature scared Tommy and reminded him of his time in the orphanage, and Kevin had to reinforce his presence within his son.

Tommy: Dad, my stomach says it’s time to eat but I’m not hungry.

Lachlan: Oh, shut up about food, boy!  I haven’t had a drink or taken a shit since we got here.

Kevin: Ignore him, honey. This is all in our minds, so we don’t need to eat or go to the bathroom. Your craving is from habit because we always eat at the same time at home. When we get out of here, how about we ask your Uncle Bryan to make us a huge breakfast?

Tommy grinned: He makes the best cheesy scrambled eggs and toast.

Kevin: Yes, he does. You’re one lucky boy to have an uncle who can ….

In mid-sentence, Kevin vanished

Tommy: Dad?  Where are you!? Where’d you go?

Lachlan: Bloody hell!  We’re fucked!

*

Darren watched Bill reach out and touch Kevin’s Gift, and as soon as his flesh contacted the orb it brightened to a blinding state.  Darren used his Avatar to see while his eyes were temporarily useless.

Darren: Oh shit.  Kevin’s gone.  All of him.  Tommy and the Aussie are still in the cave.

Lane: Should I scream? Anybody?

Bryan: I can sense Kev now, and Bill.

Ken: Let’s give Bill some time to work his mojo.

*

Bill looked around. There was no curse, only a calm, quiet peace. There were no discernable walls but everything was so brightly white it washed out his vision. The place reminded him of the prison he made in his own mind once Kevin and his brothers eradicated the evil of General Mstislav’s skull from his body.

He was naked, like in a merge, but alone. He sensed Kevin all around him.  Closing his eyes, he felt Kevin’s warm skin and hairy body against him. Inhaling, he smelled Kevin’s unique scent that drove him wild.

Bill learned how to reincorporate himself when his Gift made him everything, even God, for a short time. He was inside Kevin’s Gift. His own Gift and Avatar ignited, perfectly blended, and he became Kevin’s Gift. Their Gift’s coupled just as their souls did. They were made for each other. Kevin’s Gift wasn’t meant for him, but his own Gift communicated with it and allowed him to be there. Exerting his will, Bill reincorporated Kevin.

Kevin: Bill?

Bill jumped when Kevin touched his shoulder.

Bill: Kev? Oh my god, it worked!

Their eyes met, dark brown to light blue, and each dripped tears of joyful relief as Kevin pulled Bill against him in a bear hug. When Bill reincorporated his husband, it pulled Kevin’s body, soul, and mind together, and Kevin was whole again.  Bill was Kevin, and Kevin, Bill, and Bill knew everything that happened since Lachlan’s blood activated Kevin’s Gift. Kevin’s Avatar started pulsing; its longing for his Gift undeniable.

Kevin: Separate from me until it’s part of my Avatar. I don’t want you hurt.

Their reluctance to part was difficult to overcome, but Aaron always insisted that whoever received a Gift not be linked in any way lest the transfer be disrupted. Bill returned to himself and watched Kevin vanish again. Bill reincorporated himself back to the cave with Darren to see Kevin still hovering in the air. Kevin’s Gift arced into his Avatar, and his back bowed as his body, still naked from making love to Bill in the Serengeti, flexed. 

*

Kevin no longer sensed Bill. His first reaction was to panic, but the resounding sanctity of where he was prevented that reaction.  Kevin stood, naked, in a place that was so white he couldn’t discern anything other than the brightness. His emotions still churned, but distantly.

The Dove: Hello, Kevin.

The Dove wrapped Kevin in his love, reaching out to touch Kevin whose pent-up fears and nervousness vanished, pushed back by God’s touch.

Kevin: Hello, Sir.  Is it ok to call you Sir?

The Dove smiled, his eyes sparkling with everything: You may call me whatever you wish.  Sir is fine if you are comfortable with that.

Kevin: Is Tommy alright?

The Dove: Yes, but you must act expediently when you return to prevent any harm.  There is time, though, for us to talk. Your Gift now resides where it is meant to be.  How do you feel?

Kevin didn’t know how to answer and stayed silent, searching his mind, body, and soul through his Avatar. He wasn’t sure what he felt or how.

The Dove: Slow your senses, and just be.

Kevin exhaled, using his centering flame to calm his mind and bring his thoughts and soul into alignment. For some reason, God’s presence made his act effortless and instantaneous.

The Dove: Let your centering flame go.  It served its purpose, but now it is a distraction. You must think of nothing and merely exist.

Aaron always told them thinking of nothing was one of the most difficult things to do, and he was right. Small echoes of activity in his unconscious continued to chatter before finally stopping.

Kevin: I feel everything, but not like Dar does.  He’s everything, but I just feel it.

The Dove: Without your Gift, the second creation cannot exist. You bind everything. Not only existence but everything within existence in each layer.

Kevin: Holy shit.

The Dove chuckled: That’s one profound expression.

Kevin blushed: Sorry, Sir.

Kevin went quiet again, drifting in silence as he acclimated to his Gift which was more like Bill’s than Darren’s, yet different from both. He was frightened by the depth of his being, and he trembled.

Kevin: I don’t know what to do with this. I’m scared. I can destroy everything and everyone I love.

The Dove: You could, but I trust you will not.

Their Gifts allowed them to touch the first creation, but his Gift was designed for the second, and he pondered how to use it against Elegroth.

The Dove: Do not think of your Gift as a weapon, Kevin. You are much more than a warrior. I am very proud of you in so many ways. You are a wonderful father to Tommy and Brett.

Kevin: Did you send them to me?

The Dove: I did. They need you and Bill as much as you need them. Their presence in your life was not chance, but you did not have to adopt them. You made that choice.

Kevin: I love those boys as much as I do Bill and the rest of the guys. There was no choice.

The Dove: That is why you are a wonderful father. I am pleased that you love them so much.

Kevin: How did Lachlan activate my Gift? I don’t understand.

The Dove: Blood is life. While Lachlan lay dying, as his blood drained from his body, his life diminished, loosening the binding of his soul to his body. Your Gift detected the weakening of the bonds and reacted to it.

Kevin: A blood curse, like The Master used against Ken, won’t work on us anymore.  I can stop it.

The Dove: Yes. Such power stems from your Gift, and you have power over it.  This is one aspect of what you now are- a subtle and potent one.

Kevin: What are we becoming?

The Dove: What is needed. Each Gift takes you deeper, and now only one Gift remains.

The immensity of the situation, God’s presence, his Gift, what he now was … as well trained and stoic as Kevin was, tears welled up from the emotions within him.  He didn’t know what to feel; he just felt something powerful.  Although The Dove was not a poor substitution, Kevin needed his sons, Bill, and his brothers to ground and help him make sense of everything.

The Dove was Kevin who was experiencing everything. Pulling Kevin into an embrace, God kissed Kevin’s forehead, expressing His love. God’s arms around him were unlike anything he had experienced. He now knew how Drew felt the time God hugged him at Avalon. Kevin felt his body bursting with joy and contentment from God’s touch against his soul. God departed, but his presence lingered briefly before Kevin returned to Bill.

*

To Bill, Kevin never left, but he knew something was different.  Kevin’s tears spoke volumes about his experience. As soon as their eyes met, Kevin delved into his husband’s soul, and Bill became him once again. Being his husband, God’s lingering presence touched Bill and brought his own tears. Kevin, now whole and one with his husband and himself through Bill, sought his brothers.  He told God he needed them and he did, and when their presence filled him, he cried fresh tears. Their embrace, both physical and emotional, restored him.

Ken: Fuck, Kev, it’s usually Loy and Ricky who wander off and get into trouble. I never thought I’d have ‘ta ground you, buddy.

Lane: Welcome back Big Daddy. How about you don’t scare us anymore?  Is that too much to ask? Or do you need a spanking? Back or front….

Bryan’s arms tightened around him: Don’t listen to these fucktards, Kev.

Bryan’s tattoos fluttered with his words, and the thought and memory of everything Kevin meant to Bryan pushed into Kevin. Their souls touched, and he never thought the intimacy between them as brothers could get tighter, but it did. Everyone piled shit-talk on him, and their tears turned from relief to joy at having him back where he belonged.

Brad: So, next we get Tommy, Lachlan, and Lachlan’s wife.

Lane: I’m going to move them forward in the arc of time to where we are now.  Like our grandfathers moved The Master the day of our final awakening when we got our trees.

Ricky: You can do that?

Lane:  Hold my beer.

*

Briana had no idea how much longer her air would last. She had no light source to see the dial, so she could only tremble in the cold darkness and await death.  Her mind spun, and she initially cried, but eventually she accepted her fate. Memories of escapades with her husband occupied her mind, and she focused on them rather than her impending death. She had always been terrified of suffocating or drowning. She didn’t believe in God or the afterlife, and Lachlan was already gone.

Nine days later, she was in the same place in the same state, but warm and in the bright light. Still soaked and trembling, the water trapped in her wetsuit warmed abnormally fast. The first thing she saw when her eyes adjusted was Lachlan’s face, filled with tears and smiling at her. With no comprehension of what happened she looked around and saw a group of large glorious men and a little boy. She sat on the shore of the underground lake where her adventure began in a bright ray of sunshine.

Briana, “Lachie! You’re alive!  I’m alive! Wait? Are we alive?”

Her husband’s arms engulfed her as she threw herself at him.

In his thick accent, Lachie said, “I’ll tell ‘ya later. It’s gonna be the best pub story in the history of the world, but right now I just wanna hold you.”

Lachlan’s embrace was tight, expressing his relief that she was still with him. Looking at the men surrounding her, she felt something from them. They were handsome, not just physically, but they exuded a light she had never experienced. Tommy, with his arms around Kevin’s waist, still cried. Kevin picked him up and he rested his head on Kevin’s shoulder. Ken moved behind them and kissed the top of Tommy’s head. The men’s love for the boy was apparent, so openly expressed, but it was more than that. She saw the love in their eyes, but she also felt it in her heart, and her eyes watered more at the strangeness of the loving feeling.

In her mind, Brad thought: You’re safe now, Briana.  You and Lachlan can go home, assuming the authorities don’t arrest you. Listen to Lachlan’s story, and take to heart that there’s more to this world than you know.

Her mental voice stammered: You… you’re those blokes from The Order. I thought you were a joke, some elaborate hoax.

Lane: Most of these yahoo’s are a joke.

Ricky: Fuck off, Lane.  You were the one about to lift his skirt.

Pat: You guys aren’t setting a very good example.

Briana didn’t know what to think of their shit-talk after the recent trauma, but it made her smile.

Darren located Lachlan’s air tanks, still trapped by the current, and translocated them to the shore, saying, “Here you go. These are too expensive to leave down there.”

Lachlan said, “Thanks, mate. Thank all of you, especially you, Kevin. I’m sorry I was an ass to you and your son.”

Kevin spoke in Lachlan’s mind: Don’t worry about it. You were scared. It was a fucked up situation for anyone to deal with. Tommy will be fine, and you and your wife will be too, so all is forgiven. But going forward think about being a little more gracious to everyone.

Lachlan: How can you do all this, mate?

Kevin: It’s a long story, but here’s the Reader’s Digest version.

Kevin produced a memory sphere and sent it into Lachlan’s forehead. Leaving out personal information, Kevin showed him their journey, and shared the message of The Order, as well as their dealings with The Master, Drew, and now Elegroth.

Lachlan’s face blanched as he whispered, “Fuck me.”

Henry laughed, “That’s not safe to say around these guys, Lachlan. Leave that to your beautiful wife. These horndogs will tear you up.”

Ken: Okay ladies, it looks like the Davies are alright. Kev and Tommy are with us, and we have another Gift. Let’s head back ‘ta the base and get Brett settled.  The boys need dad time, so let’s rest today. We’ll do a debriefin’ in the morning after PT and start trainin’ on time for a change.

Kevin extended his hands to Lachlan and Brianna and pulled the couple to their feet, saying, “We have to go now. Take care of yourselves. If you have any issues or troubles because of all this, contact Raphael Martinez through our website.”

Before Lachlan or Briana could say anything, everyone around them vanished.

***

With Brett so upset about Tommy’s disappearance, Sally called off the kid’s lessons. At first, she and Shan thought it would help as a distraction, but Brett couldn’t focus, so she searched Lane’s digital library and let the kids pick out shows to watch.

Drew’s empathy for Brett went into overdrive, and without any words he cared for his cousin. He sat with Brett, kept his arm around him while they watched TV, and ensured they watched what Brett wanted. Drew knew when Henry and his uncles arrived at the base. He always felt their presence when they were near him, and his father’s love enveloped him: Hey, Tiger. Don’t let on that we’re back. Kev and Tommy are with us, and everyone’s fine.

Drew’s relief over Kevin was palpable to Henry, and his mental hug extended to all his uncles and Tommy.

Drew said, “I’ll be right back. Gotta pee.”

Taking his arm from around Brett, he got off the couch and went towards his apartment. Tommy was in the hallway and Drew threw his arms around him, whispering in Tommy’s mind and heart: I missed you! Are you okay? Brett’s going to be stoked!

Tommy: Yeah, I’m good.  It was weird and scary, but I was with Dad. I want to surprise Brett.

Drew moved to hug his dad and then each of his uncles, drinking in their affection. He merged them, wanting to be with them, and he went deep so he could talk to each of them with no time passing.

Meanwhile, Tommy quietly moved into the den and approached the couch from behind. Casually, he took Drew’s still warm spot and put his arm around Brett just like Drew had.  Brett sat despondently on the couch, not really watching the TV. When Tommy’s arm went around him, he knew it wasn’t Drew, but Tommy, and startled, he looked at his brother, “Tommy?”

Tommy’s smile faltered when Brett’s eyes filled with tears and he started to hyperventilate. Pulling his brother tightly against him, he said, “It’s okay, Brett. I’m back. Dad is too. Don’t cry.”

At first, Brett made no sound, but after a few seconds his wail resounded through the base. Kevin and Bill materialized behind the couch to embrace their sons, and the rest of the team moved in behind them. The other kids jumped up to hug them, and the noise level increased dramatically.

Bill and Kevin didn’t merge with their sons but brought them into their hearts to immerse Brett in the fact that everything was fine and he was loved beyond measure. As a family they stayed together, and time didn’t move until the boys were settled. Their extended family, ever-present, stayed subtly in the background, reinforcing everything.

**

Bryan went to the kitchen to start dinner with Lane in tow. Ricky and Loy stayed in the den, so Pat, Darren, Ken, and Brad went to their respective apartments.

Ken went straight to the bathroom while Brad disrobed for a shower. He started the hot water with his mind, and by the time Ken finished ‘paying the water bill’ and washed his hands, Brad stepped under the spray.

Brad: Why am I naked and alone in the shower with hot water running over my spectacular body?

Ken: I don’t know. Is that a real question or your mad seduction skills? I can’t tell the difference.

Before Brad thought another word, a naked Ken opened the glass door to the shower and stepped in.

Brad: That was fast, even for you.

Ken grinned, held his hand out for the soap, and proceeded to wash every inch of his husband’s body. Ken’s loving care sent Brad to that other place, and he lost himself, detaching his mind to focus on his body. Ken pressed against him the entire time, often kissing whatever body part he cleaned.

Ken: I can’t wait for my turn, but let’s hold off on playtime.

Brad understood Ken’s need to talk and used his therapeutic skills to relax and soothe his husband. The bathroom seemed like a sauna from the amount of steam which felt perfect on their bare skin. They dried each other off, wrapped clean, dry towels around their waists, and lay down on their bed.

Brad glanced at the towel, and Ken grinned: If Ken Jr. and Brad Jr. get some open air after we’ve been feelin’ each other up in the shower, they’ll start misbehavin’. I need ‘ta talk first and pretend that I have a semblance of discipline when it comes to bein’ with you.

Brad: I’ll behave if you will. I know what you want to discuss, so lets think it out. It’s some heavy shit. On top of that, I know how worried you were about Kev. He’s your oldest friend out of all of us.

Ken: Fuck, B. I hardly know where ‘ta start. Yeah, I was worried shitless about Kev, even knowin’ his Gift was involved. I keep sayin’ how powerful some of us are becomin’, but holy shit, I can’t wrap my head around Kev’s Gift. He could end everythin’ faster’n Elegroth. Why the fuck would God want one of us ‘ta be able ‘ta do that?

Brad: It’s not just that. All the parts of Kev’s Avatar are still there and magnified even more. God said not to think of his Gift as a weapon, and we can’t unless it’s in a mutually assured destruction kind of way. We’ll need to wait until Kev has a better grip on it.

Ken: I’m startin’ ‘ta feel like Bill did, bein’ the last one ‘ta get a Gift. After what Kev can do, what the fuck will mine be?

Brad chuckled: Well, whatever it is, the ability to change the color of your piss is still an option, and if that’s it, we’ll call Heaven’s customer service and ask for an exchange.

Ken: I’m only part jokin’ but I’m kinda scared about it. I mean, we have ‘ta have it ‘ta beat the dickhead in the void, but….

Ken glanced at Brad out of the corner of his eye, waiting for his response.

Brad: I’m not gonna say, ‘There’s always a butt.’

Ken reached over and pulled Brad into a tight hug: I fuckin’ love you. Sorry I’m predictable.

Brad: I love your predictableness, but Kev’s gift isn’t all you want to talk about.

Ken’s grin faltered, and he kissed Brad’s cheek as he rolled to his side: No. I’ve been thinkin’ about this, and somethin’ Raph said emphasized it. What God said to Lane is the real kicker. How will what we do be different from what Elegroth wants ‘ta do. He wants ‘ta make his own creation. So do we. How will ours be different? I mean, he’s an evil dickhead and we’re not, but aside from that, what would his creation be like? In a perverted way, his might be better’n ours.

Brad: From a purely objective standpoint you might be right. But here’s the butt you were waiting for … his creation won’t have love in it. Not like ours. The only love in his would be focused on him, and there would be no free will. I think the emptiness that would bring him would be tragic, and over time he would become even more wretched than he is now. At first I don’t think he’d realize his misery, and when he finally does, he’d get angry and destroy most of it like a child in a temper tantrum. He’d be creating his own personal hell without realizing it.

Ken: Fuck. It makes me wanna feel sorry for him.

Brad: We felt sorry for Luke too, and look how he turned out. There’s always a chance we can bring Elegroth back when we win.

Ken: I bet God just smiled when you said that. We have ‘ta start thinkin’ about the end game here, B. We can’t just wing it and fuck it up.

Brad: I agree, but we can’t get ahead of ourselves. We don’t have your Gift or know what it will be.  Even then we have to restore the corrupted Gifts at the forge, and that might change things again. We don’t know the full potential of Lane’s and Loy’s Gifts because they are the most corrupt.

Ken growled: There’s too fuckin’ much we don’t know.

Brad: So, like you always say, we focus on what we know. Trying to second guess everything will drive us crazy.

Ken: Do I say that?

Brad grinned: Yeah. You’ve said that 32 times in the last three years.

Ken: Damnnnn. I need ‘ta listen to my own shit more often. Eat my own dog food. Stroke my own….

Brad: Enough. The only stroking right now will be done by me. On Ken Jr.

Ken glanced at the tent in his towel: Look what you did. Who’s gonna fix that.

Their eyes flashed white and a golden arc connected their hearts as Brad merged their souls. Their soul lantern brightened in response. They weren’t shielded, and Loy’s voice immediately entered their minds: You fuckers! I’m pinned down under a pile of kids!

Ken chuckled: Sucks ‘ta be Aslan, I guess. Enjoy your reign of favorite, Uncle Blue Balls.

**

While the rest of the kids returned to watching TV with their favorite but sexually frustrated Uncle Aslan, Sally motioned for Adam to join her in the kitchen. He initially wondered if she might want some alone time, but her expression said otherwise.

Furrowing his brow, he asked, “Is something wrong?”

Sally smiled disarmingly and said, “No, but there’s something concerning AJ I want to talk to you about.”

Adam’s stomach knotted, “Okay.”

Sally touched his arm and laughed, “Don’t worry, it’s nothing bad, or I don’t think so, but you need to know something.  The boys were playing, and he mentioned his upcoming birthday.”

Adam looked at her expectantly, “And….”

Sally took a deep breath and said, “He wants to have a party and he wants Maddie there.”

Her words caught Adam off guard. They hadn’t planned a party or any birthday event yet, and Sally’s information threw him, “Has he mentioned Maddie recently? They weren’t getting along when I brought him here. She’s… well, she’s taking after her mother. I thought she was glad AJ left. I should talk to him more about that kind of stuff. I was letting Aaron handle it, but I should be more involved. He seems really happy here, but I know there are still issues.”

Sally smiled, “He’s a great kid, Adam. He’s a mini version of you. He’s happy and I see a huge difference in him since he's been here. All the kids have baggage and AJ’s no different. I think that’s why they get along so well; they have a lot in common.”

Adam asked, “Did he say what kind of party? I don’t think Julie ever did anything for him besides taking him to McDonald’s.”

Sally said, “He wants time with you. A day with Dad kind of thing, like camping or playing catch. I’m not sure Maddie would like those things even if she’s allowed to come.”

Adam frowned, “No, me neither. Assuming her mom would even let her.”

Adam teared up and swiped at his eyes, “The entire time I was coerced by The Enemy, in the back of my mind, the thought I might one day be with my son again kept me going. I didn’t think he’d ever want to see me after the things I’ve done. He doesn’t know details….”

Sally rubbed Adam’s arm, “He doesn’t need to know, but he’s smart, like you. He has a grip on what you face day in day out, but he doesn’t worry because he thinks you’re the strongest and the bravest of the entire team.  You’re his hero.”

Adam dropped his head and sniffled, “If he only knew….”

Sally sternly said, “Enough. All that’s in the past and it wasn’t your fault. You’ve always been a great guy, Adam. Your wife’s an idiot if you want my opinion. At least I can take advantage of her absence. I can take your mind off your troubles now if you like.”

Adam blinked at her forthright proposal, blushed, and then chuckled, “Ummm… okay!”

Sally grinned and lightly brushed Adam’s hair off his forehead, “God, your smile makes me weak in the knees. The first round is just us, but if Henry’s available I’ll have a double.”

***

In the first creation, on an island larger than the Earth, amid an ocean that wasn’t an ocean, the RL’s sat around a campfire created from their fire. The first creation didn’t allow fire as they knew it, but their dual nature made it possible. It also made it possible for them to roast marshmallows for smores. Their teachers had joined them.

Wearing only Eschphene style loincloths while sitting around the fire, their nearly naked bodies were magnificent. Their physical stature changed after they received their Gift, magnified what they were, much like what Ken’s Avatar did for him. They were slightly taller, and their bodies filled out with maturity.

Aaron and Albrecht observed the growth of their charges and enjoyed seeing the changes. They also enjoyed the company of Németh’s sons Héneth, Kéneth, and Déreth. The three Eschphene were adults, yet like Ken and his brothers, they often reverted to juvenile behavior. Eschphene humor was wicked and brutally truthful, and the RL’s had to thicken their emotional skin to prevent being offended. After months of working with their other-creational guides, they could now match the humor, much to the delight of the Eschphene.

The temperature and humidity near the egg were high, so the humans constantly sweated. Eschphene didn’t sweat, and they teased their friends about leaking everywhere like when they urinated. Eschphene didn’t urinate or defecate, either. Any residue their bodies did not digest or used was coughed up and looked like tiny pieces of odorless coal; however, they did belch out obnoxiously horrendous fumes like human farts. The friends teased each other unmercifully about the differences in their bodily functions, and the RL’s gave back as good as they received.

Craig grinned: We call these smores. It’s a tradition to make them when we camp.

The rest of the RL’s hid their intent. They did want their alien friends to try the treats from Earth, but at the same time knew what would happen. Too much simple sugar was like a drug to Eschphene. The effect didn’t last long, but they would say or do the most outlandish things in those brief moments. Bryan’s supplies gave them enough to make one for each, including the Eschphene. Aaron and Albrecht waited to see the events unfold. Expertly, Craig placed his marshmallow against the chocolate bar, gently pressing the graham crackers together and slid his skewer out, making a perfect smore.  Eschphene hands were too large and blocky to make them, so Craig, Jacob, and Nathan made them for their friends.

As one, the three brothers imbibed their entire smore. Their black eyes squinted at the unrecognized taste and then brightened as their thin lipless mouths went round in surprise. Their eyes glazed over, and after a few seconds, each belched an explosive fart which sent the RL’s into bouts of hysterical laughter. The sugar caused an immediate physiological reaction, and after passing the gas, which smelled so bad the RL’s had to cover their noses and mouths, the three brothers went into a trance, sitting still and swaying slightly. Once he could talk coherently, Héneth's deep voice boomed out, “Ancient’s blood! Are there more?”

Rich laughed, “I don’t think we have any nose hair left after that rank shit that came out of you. One’s enough!”

Déreth said, “If you give me yours, I will tell Jayléth you have the smallest penis.”

Caleb burst out laughing, “He already does!”

Rich flipped Caleb off, “Fuck you, junior. I’m bigger than you. Don’t make me pull it out.”

Aaron took Albrecht’s hand as he chuckled at their antics. The two men were proud of the RL’s and what they had become, but their behavior made the two ancient elders miss their first charges back in the second creation. Ken and his brothers often resorted to childish behavior at the slightest provocation, laughing at themselves and making their mentors shake their heads smiling.

All laughter stopped abruptly when a ripping sound tore at their ears as a massive tear from the void appeared in the sky. Larger and more fierce than any they had faced yet, demons poured through dripping a sickly green aura from their forms.

Exposed sigils on the three Eschphene brothers glowed orange, and they instantly sobered.  Héneth, the oldest, said, “This is your challenge, my friends. Mind our teachings. Embrace the balance and free your Gift.”

The RL’s quickly stood and whipped off loincloths as their skin altered and took on the aspect of Eva’s and Leroy’s hide. Leroy’s heartbeat pulsed in their chests, and rage at the sight of the demons filled them. Their eyes became slitted, but the immediate fury calmed as it empowered them. Peaceful focus overtook their minds, and their souls became one. The three Eschphene brothers perceived the power of the RL’s Gift. When practicing and training, they taught the young humans to still themselves, live in balance, and embrace it in every aspect. When they found that place, their Gift became active. This time, however, the Gift reacted to the presence of what it was created to oppose, and power unlike anything the brothers had yet witnessed surrounded their human friends.

Jacob: This is it, guys. This is what we’re made for. No grandstanding. We take them out as efficiently as we can. No excess.

Their slitted eyes sparkled, and their need to protect the egg became the purpose of their existence. Leaping high, the six children of the dragons flew to meet Elegroth’s legions. Leroy’s and Eva’s fire licked their perfect forms as they rose, and their Gift ignited with dragon fire from both creations.  The fighting style taught to them by Ken and his brothers, now modified by the Eschphene, allowed them to annihilate the enemy. Their power touched each aspect of the demons, and as large and fierce as they were, the RL’s were fiercer and showed no mercy. White talons of power covered their hands as they shredded and ripped apart their enemy.  Tearing off wings, before the demons fell, they were incinerated by dragon fire.

Aaron and Albrecht stood aghast. They had watched their youngest charges train, but this was the first time their Gift manifested its purpose. The presence of the enemy caused the reaction, just as the presence of The Enemy on Earth triggered the Avatars of their older sons to react.

Albrecht: What are we seeing, love? How have we become embroiled in something of this scale?

Aaron: God’s plan is coming to fruition, which terrifies me. I am not sure the likes of you or I are meant to witness such things. We are out of our depth.

Eva: You are not. You are the heart and wisdom of The Order. Without you, The Order would never be or survive. You have my gratitude for bringing my new children to me. I have no fear for the egg now, though the fallen one has yet to pit his full strength against us.  I do not know why he has not, and I wonder at that. We will see if our strength is enough when that time comes.

The two men, the dragon, and the three Eschphene brothers watched the RL’s annihilate Elegroth’s forces. No mercy was shown, and in only moments no remnants of the demons remained other than one who lay dying on the ground. The RL’s descended and surrounded the creature whose eyes gleamed with green energy.

Rasping in pain, it asked in a grating voice, “Why do you spare me?”

The RL’s stood around the demon, their faces uncovered and shining with power. Their light reflected and magnified off the white lock in Rich’s hair, and his wisdom became theirs. Holding out his hand, gentle tendrils of white power drifted over to touch the demon, who tried to flinch back but could not. Rich looked into the creature, separating its parts from both creations. At first it screamed, but their power calmed it. Looking into its mind, they did not see Elegroth’s plan. The fallen archon was wise enough not to inform his minions. The wretchedness of the creature touched them. Much like Bill’s Avatar, their power looked at the demon and saw its existence. Deep within it, in the darkest part of its heart, a seed of its original self remained almost too minute to detect. Collectively, the RL’s withdrew that seed and held it in the air before them so that the demon could also see it. Beseeching, it reached for the tiny spec of light, and misunderstanding their purpose, it cried out, “No! I beg you! It is all that remains of me.”

Breathing their fire upon the seed, it grew and took on the form of Zerachiel, whose name means “God’s Command” in the first language of the second creation. With tears of light streaming down his cheeks, Zerachiel knelt, embraced the demon's physical form, and said, “Come home and fear no more. Let us go to Father and then Azaziel.”

The demon’s expression softened and relaxed as its form dissipated, returning to Zerachiel where it belonged. The angel spread his wings and said, “You have my blessings. Father never abandoned me, saving me through you. I do not belong here, and only your presence keeps me safe. Can you send me Home?”

With bright eyes filled with tears at what they experienced, Jacob said, “Yes.” His eyes blazed as did his brothers, and he opened a portal to the second creation. Bowing to his redeemers, Zerachiel launched himself through the gateway and returned to Heaven as a ball of light.

With the demons gone, their Gift quieted, and they became six men once again. Their dragon hide vanished, leaving their naked forms still shining with light. The depth of their action gripped them, though, and as one they whispered, “Fuck me!”

Héneth approached with his brothers and the three Eschphene clapped the humans on their shoulders, saying, “Well done, my friends.” The Eschphene returned the dropped loincloths, and the men quickly donned them.

Jacob said, “That felt fucking amazing.”

Craig grinned and said, “Almost as good as fucking you, older brother.”

His comment made them laugh and brought them back to themselves.

Kéneth asked, “Now that you have proven yourselves, we should celebrate with smores!”

Eva: No. The egg must not be exposed to such toxic fumes. Once was enough.

The three Eschphene appeared crestfallen, but the men howled, clapping their friends' backs in commiseration.

***

Despite his other daily duties, Javier spent time in the kitchen preparing food for those in need. With Aaron’s financial backing, the shelter had grown, and with the help of the many reformed enemy protectors, they were building low-cost apartments to get people off the streets and off drugs. Javier had two protectors, Felix and Sam, whom he trusted implicitly and asked that their memories remain intact. They had proven themselves repeatedly, especially in locating protectors abandoned by their handlers.

Javier wondered why Elegroth didn’t take protectors as well as the suits, but he was grateful. No one deserved that fate. Another piece of information Javier gleaned was that Narcan worked exceptionally well on protectors if given in a massive dose – enough to kill a normal human ten times over. When adrenaline kicked in during a severe Narcan reaction, it took metal restraints in addition to Felix and Sam’s full strength to prevent injury to all parties.

Currently, Javier had six protectors in his care who needed Aaron’s help to reenter society. Raph told him the doctor and the rest of The Order were currently in another creation and that he would have to make due for the immediate future.

Javier asked, “Are you shitting me? Another creation?”

Raph chuckled and answered, “Yeah, if you can believe it. Things around here just get wilder all the time.”

Javier sighed, “Okay, I’ll try to put the six I have waiting into some type of temporary housing.  But the word has spread and I’m getting more every week. I still can’t believe how many survivors actually want to repent. It’s getting harder to keep this operation on the down low with so many showing up. They eat like horses too. Without Aaron’s help, we would have gone under long ago.”

Raph smiled, “Yeah, I don’t know where they put away the chow. When the guys aren’t galivanting around other creations, I eat with them and see the damage they do at the table. I’ve learned not to be shy about filling my plate first.”

Javier, “Thanks for the help, Raph.  I know you will, but as soon as anyone is back and can help some of these protectors out have them get right on it.”

Raph, “Will do, Javy. Catch you soon.”

Javier had just grabbed his clipboard to go over the expected deliveries for the day when the building trembled slightly and he heard the definitive noise of two vehicles crashing. Rushing out to the street, he saw a demon like the ones that previous attacked Atlanta, and he blanched. Felix and Sam appeared beside Javier. They had seen Luke’s demons on occasion when The Master called one, but the one before them was different. It was an amalgam of the void and the second creation and much larger-three stories tall, and its wings dug into the buildings on either side of the street.

Sam yelled, “Javy! Get inside!”

Before he could move, Felix tucked Javier under his arm and ran back in the shelter. He unceremoniously dumped Javier in a chair and shouted to the six protectors who were present, “Get your assess out here. You want redemption? This is the best way, even if it means you die. No one here can stop that thing but us.”

Glances passed between the six men and they rose as one. Still looking homeless, wearing ill-fitting clothing, knit caps, and torn jeans, they retained their transformed bodies. Moving with inhuman speed, they confronted Elegroth’s minion.

The demon glanced around as if sensing someone, and gazed at the shelter. Its deep grating voice rumbled, “Costeros must die.”

Felix shouted, “No way, bitch. You aren’t layin’ a hand on him. You gotta get through us!”

Sam turned to face the six protectors and said, “Don’t let it grab you.  Use lampposts, cars, mailboxes, whatever you can. We gotta kill it before it kills us. You want to make up for all the shit you did for The Master, then take this mother out.”

The fumes of the curse still resided in the hearts of the former protectors, but they rejected them. They rejected the darkness of their former master and pledged in any way possible, even with the cost of their lives, to atone. Images of all the people they hurt, tortured, and killed flashed through their minds, and they used them to remember what they rejected. The creature before them wanted to destroy the world, the second creation, and spread an evil even greater than The Master’s. Breathing heavily as their anger built, the eight men attacked. They threw sewer covers like frisbees with enough force to cut into the demon’s hide. Black ichor laced with green energy splattered about. The former protectors’ intensity caught the demon off guard, but it bellowed and flexed as its claws shredded everything within reach. Punching into a building, it grabbed humans and squeezed them into pulp.

Breaking off metal lamp posts, the protectors stabbed at the demon and swung them so hard they bent against its body, but the blows were trivial. They bruised the creature but seldom penetrated its hide. A green sword grew from one claw and sliced one of the protectors, Erik, in half. Protectors don’t feel pain as normal humans, and it did not immediately kill him. Erik originally fought The Order with relentless resolve, but this time it was towards the demon, and he screamed, “Throw me at his head!”

The protector beside him grimly took Erik’s hand. They made eye contact, and Montel said, “I’m sorry, bro.” There were no tears. After everything they did, they didn’t want tears for themselves or each other.

Montel swung him around twice before launching Erik’s torso at the creature. He almost missed, but Erik managed to grip a curved horn and with his free hand began pummeling the demon’s face. The demon’s eyes were tough but he hit one repeatedly, and the demon nearly dislodged him by shaking its head in rage. In the seconds before his last breath, gasping in desperation, Erik tried to call out, but blood spurted from his mouth, yet Montel made out the word “sharp.”

Montel’s eyes watered, but he didn’t cry as he pulled a knife from his pocket and locked the blade open. Grimly, he threw it at Erik’s torso and he heard the thunk as it stuck in Erik’s chest.  Erik life was already forfeit, and Montel regretted adding any more pain, but there was no way Erik could catch the knife. He was too weak and already flailing, but Montel prayed his knife was sharp enough to cut into the demon’s eye.

After the blade entered his chest, with diminishing strength, Erik grasped the hilt and stabbed the knife into the demon’s eye with every bit of his remaining strength. Black ichor burst out, covering Erik’s face and blinding him. His vision faded, and as he breathed his last, the demon plucked Erik’s torso off its horn and cast him away. The damage was done, and while not a mortal blow, it angered the demon, causing its wings to flutter and rip more buildings apart.

Felix and Sam both yelled, “Fuck!” as the creature cast Erik’s torso away to hit and shatter the windshield of a city bus trapped in traffic. The two men looked at one another and yelled to the remaining five, “Get the bus!”

The seven remaining protectors made it to the bus from which the driver and passengers had already fled. Felix hopped in, put the bus in neutral, and shouted, “Ram that son of a bitch!”

Sam and the other five pushed the bus with all their strength, knocking cars out of the way, while the demon tried to reorient with only one eye. They built enough speed that the impact knocked the demon over. Using lamp posts, four of the men drove them like stakes through the creature's wings, impaling them against the concrete. While it struggled to right itself, the other three tipped the bus on top of it and then started piling on cars. Gas tanks cracked open and the smell of fuel spread.

Pulling down power lines, the protectors jabbed the creature, trying to electrocute him. Sparks ignited the gas, and the creature burst into flames.  Electricity and fire were natural powers in the second creation and had an effect. Tearing down street signs, the five men used the metal beams to repeatedly stab the demon’s head until it finally stopped moving. Its skin bubbled and oozed until all that remained were parts of the first creation which were not enough to sustain its existence.

Silence fell, but the stench of the burning creature lingered. Javier had watched everything, and when the creature was dead, he grabbed a tarp and went to find Erik. Javier was slightly built, and as he struggled with the weight of Erik’s remains, a ball of light descended from the heavens and transformed into Uriel.

Uriel: Greetings again, Javier Costeros.

Javier shouted with anger in his heart: Why didn’t you come earlier? You could have stopped that thing and Erik would be alive!

Uriel: Elegroth prevented our awareness of its presence. Not until Erik Phelps perished was I aware of what happened.

While Uriel spoke to Javier, the remaining protectors gathered around him and saw the beautiful blue orb of a human soul hovering over Erik’s chest. As a gift, Uriel allowed them to see it. The archangel’s wings shone blindingly white, and when his light dimmed, a transparent Erik stood at his side. Javier fell to his knees sobbing and dropped Erik’s bodily remains.

Erik spoke, “Don’t cry, Javy. I’m going home. I made it, guys. We made it.”

As the other protectors stood around dumbfounded, their eyes filled with tears for the first time they could remember. Uriel’s light touched them, and they wondered why they ever followed The Master.

Uriel addressed Javier: You have done well. Under the curse, you fight, struggle, and bring hope to these men and this world. You are a blessed man, Javier Costeros.

Javier could barely speak through his anger, “I wasn’t enough to save my brother.”

Uriel’s expression changed: I have free will now. Before I could not do what I shall now. Take this gift, Javier Costeros, to ease your suffering.

*

Uriel plucked Javier out of time, making everything except the two of them stop moving. He wasn’t panicked but Javier asked, “What’s happening?”

“Hey, bro.”

Javier’s face drained of color at hearing his brother’s voice. Dante had died miserable and alone on the streets from a drug overdose years prior. Javier blamed himself for not being enough and not being present to save his younger brother. Javier tried to breathe, but his chest was too tight.

Dante stood smiling before him and said, “It’s me, bro. My man Uriel brought me back to see you. You lookin’ good. I watch you and all the things you do. I know why you do all this shit. Thanks for that.  You do good in this shithole of a world.”

Finally able to move, Javier threw himself against his brother. He sobbed so powerfully he couldn’t speak. Everything he felt, the anger, the bitterness, the guilt…, everything he carried with him since Dante died came out. Dante’s arms were real and around him, and Uriel’s wings touched the brothers.

Uriel smiled: You are outside of time, Javier. Spend time with your brother to say everything you wish. Once your heart is healed, Dante shall return to Heaven.

Dante pulled back and said, “Show me everything, bro. I see it from up there, but it’s not the same. The dudes you save, they are badass muther fuckers. I’m glad they protect you now. Your punk ass needs them.”

Javier laughed, “Fuck off, Danny.”

Their joy and banter went on for hours as Dante followed Javier into the soup kitchen while the world stayed frozen around them. As Uriel expected, Javier’s heart finally let go of his pain. As hard as it was to hear, Javier listened to Dante’s story and that he could not have been saved.

As awkward silence fell between the brothers, Dante said, “I’m proud of you, Javy. You couldn’t save me, but you save so many. You’re a light in this world and believe me, this world needs people like you.”

Javier started to cry and said, “I miss you so much, Danny.  It’s been tough without you.”

Dante said, “Give Mom a hug from me, bro.”

Javier asked, “Do you have to go?”

Dante laughed, putting his younger brother in a side headlock, “You got shit to do.”

Javier asked, “So what do you do all day? Watch re-runs of ‘Chico and the Man?”

Dante smiled and said, “You’ll find out one day. There’s already a place for you, bro, by me. Papi is there, too.”

Javier broke down again, and Dante shifted them into a hug, “I miss you too, bro. Do your thing, and I’ll be waiting, alright?”

*

Suddenly Javier was with Uriel again with Erik’s soul beside him, surrounded by the other protectors. Javier, his face wet with tears, looked stoically at Uriel and said, “Thank you. I never really blamed you.”

Uriel nodded: You are welcome. Your brother spoke truth. There is already a place for you in Heaven.

Putting a heavy hand on Erik’s shoulder, he said: Come, Erik Phelps, we must go.

Javier and the protectors watched as Uriel and Erik transformed into balls of light and shot into the sky. The sounds of sirens broke their rapture, and they waited for the first responders to help clean up their mess.

***

While the RL’s faced their first challenge in the first creation, life continued for the remaining members of The Order in the second. The military background of the original team was well ingrained in them, and they maintained a strict regimen, which had rubbed off on Henry, Adam, and Zack.

Raph told everyone at the base about the incident with Javier and the demon and how the protectors rallied together to kill it. Everyone was upset about Erik’s death. Raph spent more time on the internet than any of them, including Aaron. This latest news, along with his constant exposure to the strife, division, and insanity of the world got to him.

Ken: B, take us deep.

Raph appeared naked with them and rested in their warm strength. Drew appeared without the stone yet summoned the dome to give Raph a reprieve. Between the dome and the light of his brothers’ souls, Raph’s soul recovered.

Raph: I’m sorry, guys. This stuff shouldn’t get to me, but sometimes it’s overwhelming.

Loy hugged him closer: Happens to us all the time.

Ken: I think you need some ZEUS time. We’ll divvy up your duties so you can have a break. A few of us’ll come ‘ta stay in the evenings ‘ta chill with you.

Raph’s guilt was immediately apparent, seeing himself as weak and not carrying his weight.

Loy: Fuck that, Raph. You’re one of us and invaluable. You carry your weight, believe you me. Besides, I think you’ll look even hotter with no tan line.

Raph: Who says I plan to run around naked on the yacht?

Ken: It’s a rule. You gotta.

Raph couldn’t help but laugh: You guys are so pervy. 

Loy: Ricky and I will throw in a happy ending if you want. On the house. You could use the relief.

Looking at Raph’s energy centers, Lane thought: Man, can you ever, and not just one.  You have some catching up to do. Too bad that flight attendant didn’t work out.

Raph: Don’t remind me. I’ll just take extra lotion.

Ken: Get your shit together, and we’ll send ‘ya after lunch.

Brad: With Orophir and Eleneth with Németh, and Istariel and his crew back in the spiritual realm, it’ll be completely private. Nice and quiet.

Lane: I can hook you up with anything you want to watch on TV. The satellite feed is good, though, too. Or you can take some books. Whatever you want to do.

Raph: I’ll be bored in no time.

Darren wiggled his fingers: Don’t sprain your fingers then.

All of them laughed because in the back of Raph’s mind, he was already thinking about it.

Raph: Thanks, guys. I appreciate it.

Loy: I’ll have a pod of dolphins stay close, so don’t worry about swimming alone if none of us are there.

***

After their nightly coupling, Ricky spooned his husband. He loved holding Loy and feeling his solid warmth. He missed shaving Loy’s back and shoulders, but Loy used his Avatar to alter his DNA to permanently remove the hair. He also decided he liked himself cut and did away with his foreskin.

Loy: I worry about Raph.

Ricky: We all do, but I get why it’s different for you.  You aren’t responsible for him, though, and you know that. It could have been any of the other guys that met him that morning in the alley.

Loy: But it wasn’t.  I was just learning to use my abilities; he was the first mind I ever touched besides you guys.

Ricky chuckled: So you busted your mental cherry on Raph, and now he’s like your first love?

Loy burst out laughing: Fuck off! You know what I mean.

Ricky: I love that you care so much for him. We really don’t have friends anymore outside of our group. He fills that role for all of us but mostly for you.

Loy felt Ricky stirring against his lower back and pushed against him: Still horny?

Ricky laughed: Yeah. Thinking about how many times Raph is going to jack off….

Loy turned over and flipped on the lamp with his mind. He wanted to look into Rick’s blue eyes ringed with his own brown.

Loy: Fuck, you’re handsome.

Ricky: So are you. You’re perfect.

Rick moved one hand down and started lightly flicking Loy’s nipple.

Loy: You want normal, pervy, or something new and out of this world?

Ricky: We haven’t done ‘out of this world’ in a while. The rooms are soundproofed, so I’m up for that.

Loy’s voice deepened, and his face became feral, turning Ricky on, and he reached into his nightstand and pulled out a blindfold.

Loy: I want to get you off, but you can’t see what I’ll be. I only want you to use your heightened sense of touch to feel what I’m doing. I’m going to block what I am from your mind and hide it in mine, so it won’t interfere or make a difference in what you feel.  Spread out on the bed.

Ricky felt only heightened anticipation of what Loy intended to do to him. His erection was already at full potential and pulsing in tune with his strong heart. Loy straddled Ricky and gently but firmly tied the blindfold: No peeking.

The heat emanating from Ricky caused Loy’s skin to sweat where they touched, and he cupped Ricky’s balls and stroked him a few times: Get ready.

Suddenly Loy’s weight disappeared. Ricky heard movement and a few seconds later felt something caress his face, neck, and balls. A gentle sucking sensation covered his nipples as something moved over the shaft of his dick giving the same sucking sensation there. He had no idea what touched him, but the sensation was so smooth and delicate in all the right places that he bowed and thrust his hips for more friction.

Loy: You like?

Ricky: Fuck! What are you?

Loy: Never mind, just go with this.

Ricky: I’m not going to last long.

Loy: Fire when ready, and then hang on for the world’s longest edging session.

Ricky growled: Oh fuck.

True to his word, Ricky erupted less than a minute later, and Loy was relentless in the pleasure he gave his husband. Hours later, Ricky was drenched in sweat and cum. His muscles were pumped from staying tensed in pleasure for so long. Loy knew the places that turned Ricky on, and he exploited every one of them in a manner Ricky had never felt before. After another orgasm, Loy finally thought: Ok, my turn. I’m so fucking turned on I have to get off.

Ricky: Why don’t you?

Loy chuckled: Because I don’t have a dick right now.

Loy’s weight returned, and he straddled Ricky's stomach. He removed the blindfold and used it to wipe the sweat off his husbands’ face.  The sight of Loy’s muscular, hairy body was irresistible. Gripping Loy’s erection, Ricky pulled him forward and engulfed it, using his powerful throat muscles to coax a load out of Loy. Imbibing each other’s DNA fully empowered both men, and they lit up like a star in the spiritual realm.

Lane and Bryan were so turned on by Loy and Ricky’s aura that Lane asked: Jesus, guys, what are you doing in there?  Inquiring minds have to know.

Loy: It’s rude to talk with your mouth full.

Pat: Well, whatever you’re doing, thanks.

Bryan: Fuck yeah, thanks!

Their mental banter didn’t last long as the couples in the base made love again after the exposure to Loy and Rick’s auras. Loy whimpered as Ricky’s throat milked every drop out of him, and he collapsed on his husband. Sweaty again, the two men ended up in the same position where they started.

Loy: I love you.

Ricky: I love you, too. That was fucking unbelievable. You keep that shit up it’ll ruin regular sex for us.

Loy: I doubt that.

Ricky: So what were you?

Loy: Not saying. Go to sleep so we can wake up and get each other off again in the morning.

Ricky: You’re insatiable.

Loy: Your fault. Lucky you.

Ricky: You got that right.

Ricky squeezed his husband affectionately, and the two men drifted off to sleep, completely relaxed with their hearts and souls intertwined.

*

As soon as Loy fell asleep, his Avatar and Gift began to glow softly, and he entered the realm of dreams. Traveling back in the arc of time, he relived Darren and Pat’s final encounter with Trenton Ashmore and the animal spirit that sacrificed herself to save them. His soul screamed when Ashmore’s black power tore the giant sea tortoise apart. As he lived her sacrifice, the prophet whispered in his mind: A soul freely given, has a thousandfold power of one taken.

None of them considered that the same concept would apply to spirits, and Loy was unnerved by how willing animals were to sacrifice themselves for him. Moving forward in time, he relived his and Rick’s encounter with The Master’s spirit amalgam in Augusta, GA. The wolves they found in the facility sacrificed themselves to save him and Rick, giving them the power to resist the amalgam. He and Rick still almost died when The Master showed up to kill them but their brothers saved them. He would never forget the smell of so many animal carcasses decaying- the piles of them discarded after the amalgam absorbed their spirits and the elephants and gorillas in Africa that died at the hands of The Master’s servants – In his dream, he relived their sacrifice.

He remembered when the horse, Burt, sacrificed himself to save Dolly so that she could reach the lab to alert the team of his and Rick’s plight. The pain of each dwelled in his heart, and his sobs robbed him of breath. There were so many sacrifices-his Avatar carried him further back in time, exposing him to each form of suffering that his precious charges experienced. Eventually there was no suffering left to feel but he felt no reprieve. The weight of his sorrow smothered his heart and dragged him down. In the dream realm he stared at the swirling nexus of spirits waiting to be reborn.  Loy’s Avatar and Gift brightened to counteract his suffering, outshining the nexus as he lived each spirit's life. His connection to them allowed him to see their purpose within creation, purposes of which humans were primarily unaware. They were a significant part of the ecosystem of existence, and without them, most life would perish.

Tears flowed from his white eyes as he became each. His joy from the innocence of being a puppy or a kitten, their ability to just be, was affirming and rejuvenating. The wild savagery of many adult animals was exhilarating in its own way, but the curse altered how animals interact with humans and one another. Granny Wolf’s snarl jerked Loy back to himself. The imp sat a few feet away in a shadow of darkness in the brightness of the nexus.

The imp: Your pain is exquisite.

Loy stood and faced the creature: We will stop you.

The imp: I will always exist. Where there is light there is shadow.

Granny Wolf: Steward, focus on the spirits’ love, not their pain. Their love will fill your heart with a light so bright there will be no shadow for the imp to exist.

Her words struck Loy, and putting his hands on his hips, he thought: I’m an idiot.

Countering the pain and suffering, Loy opened his soul to the nexus. His Avatar was a gateway to it, and he swam in each spirit's infinite and unconditional love for him. He understood the balance in what he felt, and embracing the love drove back his pain. It was still present and under the curse would always be in the back of his heart, waiting to take hold. He had to constantly to guard against it, but their love and the love of his brothers was a shield.  Henry’s wall, Ken’s will and conviction, and all the rest of his brothers continuously uplifted him. Granny Wolf’s wisdom proved true once again, and as Loy became one with the nexus and the infinite animal spirits, he exploded with light. The utter joy and contentment he experienced shocked him, and he cried new tears of joy.

The imp screamed and fled, unable to withstand Loy’s light. His unique light shone so brightly that his form was lost in it, and he lost track of how long he basked in it. When Granny Wolf approached and pressed against his leg, he knelt to put an arm around her. She licked his face and made him laugh.

Loy: Thank you, Grandmother.

Withdrawing back into himself, Loy pondered what happened and why. So many spirits had been lost throughout the arc of time and were removed from the cycle of life, yet the nexus seemed infinite.

Loy: So many are gone….

Granny Wolf: Yes, and countless more before your Avatar awakened. It has been so since the curse of Eden. Before the curse, our kingdom was different.

Loy: Why am I here? Did you bring me?

Granny Wolf: No, but I sensed your need.

As Loy stared at the swirling pool in the sky, an image came to mind: the wolves that sacrificed themselves to save him and Rick in Augusta, tearing at the links holding the runes together… the harness Orophir made for The Master to contain the spirits that he and Rick burned to ash. The harness itself wasn’t evil; The Master contorted and altered a powerful spirit to inhabit it and feed off of the others. The runes were in the Book of Loagaeth; he knew them. That harness and how it was made burned in his memory through his Avatar.

Loy: Am I supposed to make a new amalgam?

Granny Wolf: I know not. You receive this vision for a reason.  I trust your wisdom, Steward, and so must you. Your love for us will not let you fail, whatever you do.

A sudden thought occurred to Loy, and he asked: Do you wish to return to the world? You could be with Cavall. I could make you immortal to be with him.

Granny Wolf looked at him with intense love and quietly replied: I wish that, but my duty to Drew Ross, my cub, outweighs my needs. I will remain as I am.

Loy sniffled and swiped his eyes: I’m sorry. I never thought of the burden I put on you when I received that first vision from Remiel.

Granny Wolf: I love my cub, so it is no burden. Perhaps if I survive what comes, you can pair me with Cavall.

Loy: I promise, no matter what, I will see you happy and content. Assuming I survive.

***

Ken gave each couple a day off over the next week.  Half a day was spent at their houses in Atlanta to perform any maintenance upkeep, and half a day to spend with Raph on ZEUS.

When Ken and Brad were off the rotation, they checked in with their neighbor, Leslie, who gushed about how much she missed them. She no longer needed to check their mail as they employed a PO Box forwarding service once they permanently moved to the Congo base. She clearly missed seeing them shirtless in the yard, so they refreshed her fantasies by wearing only shorts, ballcaps, and sunglasses when they opened the pool for the summer. In less than ten minutes, Leslie arrived with ice-cold lemonade at the gate to their backyard.

Ken: She’s funny.

Brad: Let her get her perv on.  I get to see you every day.  She hasn’t seen you in months.

Ken: I’d like ‘ta take full credit, but I think she’s eyein’ you more’n me.

Brad: Well, I’m not taking a peek to see which of us she gets off on more.  Probably both of us in a nasty threesome, and just the vague thought of that is a boner killer.

Ken increased his presence in Brad to activate their physical bond, and when Leslie wasn’t looking he flexed a bicep, so Brad not only saw it but felt it. Ken grinned at the immediate occupation in Brad’s shorts.

Brad: Fucker.

Ken: Yeah, maybe, but I did that for me, so you’ll be in the mood. I’m gettin’ hungry. What do ‘ya say we hit one of our old haunts while we’re here. Not Waffle House, though, as good as it sounds. I don’t want any weird-ass shit happenin’.

Brad: How about the trough?

Ken: Fuck! How do you always pick the best places?

Brad: It’s another one of my mad seduction skills.

Ken: Let’s hit the bedroom and work up more appetite.  I don’t wanna leave that tent in your shorts unattended. Then we’ll head out, eat, and hop over to ZEUS. We’ll take some food ‘ta Raph. He likes Golden Corral as much as we do.

They said their goodbyes to Leslie and thanked her again for keeping an eye on their place while they were out of town, and they headed to the bedroom where Ken fulfilled his commitment to taking care of Brad’s tent. Without Leroy’s hide, they still had enough power for Brad to take them to the Golden Corral.

Ken: I sort of feel bad. This place loses so much money on us.

Brad: Believe me, they more than make up for it. Plus, we tip big.

Once their first plate was filled and sitting on the table, Ken mused: You remember the day of our first Awakenin’? We came here because we were so hungry.

Brad: Yeah, I remember when that lady dropped her plate when you stretched your arms over your head. We still had that angelic charisma thing going on and everyone was staring at us.

Brad blinked and realized Ken’s plate was already empty.

Brad: How the fuck did you eat that so fast? Even for you that’s amazing.

Ken: Be right back. I’ll get us more rolls.

Brad was so focused on Ken that he didn’t immediately notice a middle-aged Asian man struggling to eat at a nearby table. His hand and limbs shook so intensely that he could not hold utensils, so he ate with his fingers, but he continually wiped his face from the mess he made of himself.

Brad kept their shields tight in public to prevent the curse and fucked-upness from affecting them. Using a combination of the parts of his Avatar from Bill and Lane, Brad looked back through the previous twenty minutes and watched the man come in and sit down. His stomach twinged as he observed the man, and he wondered why.

Ken came back with four perfectly balanced plates and sat down. His little kid grin told Brad he was about to brag about his plate juggling skills, but Ken’s grin faltered at the expression on Brad’s face. Deepening their link, Ken felt the twinge of Brad’s intuition.

Ken: I know that look. What’s happenin’?

Brad: I’m not sure yet.

Ken: Puppet strings?

Brad: I think this one is random.

Ken: You wanna heal him. I can tell. Go for it.

Brad was a little surprised at Ken’s response.

Ken: Fuck it, B. With all the shit goin’ on, let’s change someone’s life for the better. I don’t wanna black mark on our perfect afternoon.

Brad’s eyes turned glassy: Fuck, I love you.

Ken winked: Let’s do this.

After a slight pause, Ken grinned: We skipped Waffle House so somethin’ like this wouldn’t happen. Wrong again, I guess.

Brad: I’m going to give you a big yes for this one and treat Ken Jr. like royalty tonight.

Ken blushed: Cut it out, or I’ll tip over the table. I don’t wanna do this with a hard-on.

Brad started to move to the man’s table, but Ken thought: No. Don’t read him. Look through me.

Ken understood the man had Parkinson’s disease. He was entirely aware of the how and why of the disease through his Avatar. He also understood the man had a year at most to live. Brad looked through Ken, and also saw the man through his own Avatar and watched the powerful emotions swirling through his heart. There was someone for whom he held profound compassion that bordered on fear. This someone would not be alright once he left the world. His stoic approach to his disease was odd; he held no anger or resentment towards his disease or any higher power he believed in. He accepted it, dealt with it as best he could, and resigned himself to his mortality.

Brad: Are you sure about this?

With a wry grin, Ken thought: Yeah. If he ends up upset that his terminal illness is gone, we can undo it and make him forget.

Ken’s expression shifted, and he took Brad’s hands in his own: Pull from me so we share equally.

Hands joined, their eyes turned white, and Brad drew power from his husband. The energy to heal a human was almost inconsequential to them now, and healing flows arced from Brad into the man. The two men shone like stars in the spiritual realm, but in the physical realm there was no arc of power or sound, just the loud noise of a busy restaurant at lunch. They used so little power they didn’t glow.

Ken watched the substantia nigra area of Mang Nguyen’s brain regenerate, and his shaking stopped mid-bite. Taste and smell returned, and his posture shifted. He looked unbelievingly at his now steady hands, and a large tear dripped down his cheek. He was confused and didn’t know how to react to the sudden change. Something he couldn’t comprehend lifted a weight from his body and soul.

Mang looked around and made eye contact with Ken and Brad. He knew they were responsible, and they wondered at it. Mang acknowledged them with an almost imperceptible bow of his head for the miracle they performed. Putting his hands together in a prayer pose, he lowered his head in their direction but never said a word. Everything he needed to express resided in his eyes.

Pulling a few dollar bills from his pocket, Mang set them on the table and left the restaurant with no difficulty. He did not look back for fear his disease would return if he did.

Ken and Brad shifted their sight to the spiritual realm to look for consequences of their action, but no ripples were present. It was as if they were supposed to heal Mang Nguyen at that moment. These puppet strings were not from God but from something else that bore serious consideration. With glassy eyes, Brad looked at Ken and they smiled at one another. Ken used his knee to tilt the table and Brad burst out laughing.

Ken: Let’s get dessert and head out. I wanna find out what your royal treatment is all about.

***

Loy: Raph?

Raph: Yeah, what’s up?

Loy: I know you’re busy, but I’d like to ask a favor.

Raph: Anything for you, boss. You know that.

Loy: In social media I know there are animal rescue sites where great people find and adopt animals. Keeping up with those would be another full-time job, but can you create a filter to divert those posts to me?

Raph: I can do that. Sally helped me figure out the tool Aaron created to make the filters I use. I can tinker with it, but….

Loy chuckled: As Ken says, there’s always a butt….

Raph sounded hesitant: Are you sure you want me to do that? You have a lot on your plate, bro; some of that content is incredibly sad. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot of good stuff, but not all of it.

Loy pulled Raph into a merge and shared his night in the realm of dreams at the spirit nexus. He buffered the extreme parts but made Raph aware of what happened. I have to get more involved. Before we went public I had to take a hands-off approach except where The Master was concerned, like in Africa. Now that we’re public, I’m going to start pushing back. I’m the fucking Steward and need to start acting like it. People need to know they can’t abandon or neglect or fuck up animals that are their responsibility. There will be ramifications from now on.

Raph: What about Ken’s rule of staying focused on ‘the mission’ and not getting sidetracked? You know I’m with you on this, but you could spend one hundred percent of your time helping animals.

Loy sighed: You’re right, but after last night I have to do this.  If I step out of time, I’ll have all the time I need.

Raph: You still need a life outside of that. What if I stub a toe, or my t-spot comes back? What about Aslan time with the kids?

Loy laughed: I’ll always make time for you and everyone else.  I’ll just have to figure out how to make it work without wearing myself out.

Raph: Damn. That’s some heavy stuff. I’ll start on it after dinner and maybe get Sally to help if it’s not thruple time.

When he stopped laughing, Loy said: Thanks for that image.

Loy hugged Raph’s soul before withdrawing his presence and then looked at Ricky.

Ricky: You know I’m with you on this. All of us are. We’re family.

Loy smiled: I know. I couldn’t do it without you guys and there’s something else I need to run by Ken. Even if he approves I need to wait until the doc is back. I don’t feel right about spending a massive amount of money without his input or approval.

Loy didn’t hide his idea, and when Ricky saw it, he whispered, “Oh shit.”

***

Adam laid his plans for AJ’s birthday but wanted to surprise him so he hadn’t told him anything. AJ’s excitement grew as his day approached because it was his first birthday with his dad since Adam’s abduction and subservience to The Enemy. AJ sat eating a bowl of cereal as the men exited the kitchen, after their morning coffee, ready for training. AJ wasn’t an early riser, and the other children had finished and were in the classroom waiting for their lessons to start. He wasn’t late but pushed the envelope.

Ken hung back when he saw AJ alone: Go on ahead, B.

Ken sat at the table with AJ and asked, “Hey, little man, what’s shakin’? I  hear you have a special day comin’ up!”

AJ’s face lit up in the most infectious smile, “I’m going to be ten!”

Ken did his best to look incredulous and responded, “Ten? No way! I thought you were gonna be thirteen?”

AJ giggled and ate another huge spoonful of Fruit Loops.

Ken asked, “So what do you wanna do for your birthday? Drew does Iron Man, and Tommy and Brett do Transformers. What about you?”

AJ immediately clammed up and looked into his bowl. Ken watched the boy, understanding his emotions. AJ always became extremely shy about expressing his wants and always let the other kids lead. It was a behavior Aaron and Adam were working on before Aaron left for the first creation.

Ken scooted his chair back and patted his leg, “Come here a sec.”

As soon as AJ was close enough, Ken picked him up, set him on his lap facing him, and gave him a firm hug. “I love you, little man. We’re so lucky you came ‘ta live with us. You got nothin’ ‘ta be shy about.  Have you told your dad what you wanna do for your birthday?”

AJ’s expression was so soulful that Ken began tearing up but held himself together. AJ shook his head.

Ken said, “Alright. I’m about to do the new roster for the next few weeks, and I need ‘ta know how ‘ta schedule your dad.  If he needs time off, I need ‘ta know. So why don’t you whisper ‘ta me what you wanna do so I know how much time off your dad needs? I wanna make sure you have the best birthday ever.”

AJ had already mentioned to his cousins what he wanted, and Sally overheard, so Adam was already aware, but AJ hadn’t told Adam directly or mentioned it to any of the adults.

AJ leaned forward and whispered, “I want to go camping with Dad. Maddie too.”

Ken noted AJ didn’t say anything about his mom and didn’t bring it up when he said, “Okay. Here’s the deal. Each day off for your dad costs one kiss, so get started.”

AJ giggled and kissed Ken’s cheek once, and Ken asked, “Just one?”

AJ went into overdrive and gave Ken ten more in quick succession. Ken laughed and said, “Okay! Hold up! That’s eleven. Let’s go with ten since that’s how old you’ll be. That work?”

AJ grinned but was on the verge of tears because he didn’t think what he yearned for was possible. With everything going on, he assumed he’d get cake and some presents, and that would be it. He dove against Ken, hugging him tightly without saying a word.

Ken’s hands went around him, and he kissed the top of AJ’s head, “I’ll take that as a yes. Now we gotta start some plans. We have an awesome campin’ spot in the valley. You’ve been before, so that won’t be a surprise. How ‘bout you get half days with your dad and sister, and then some of us’ll show up ‘ta play baseball, swim, or whatever.”

AJ tentatively asked, “Can we build a tree fort?”

Ken grinned and said, “You’re a genius little man. Why didn’t I think of that? Sure we can.”

AJ asked, “In the big tree?”

Ken said, “That’ll be up ‘ta your Uncle Bryan, but if not there’s tons’a other trees there. What kinda cake do you want?”

AJ blurted out, “Chocolate!” then timidly, “and three-colored ice cream?”

Ken chuckled, “A man after my own heart! That’s my favorite too.  It’s called Neapolitan.”

AJ said, “That’s a funny name.”

Ken said, “It sure is, but it tastes awesome, and that’s all that matters. Now it’s time for both of us ‘ta get ‘ta work. I’ll take you ‘ta class so Miss Sally knows I’m the reason you’re late then I gotta get my workout started. Your dad and those other yahoo’s you call uncles are probably goofin’ off waitin’ on me. I gotta keep ‘em in line.”

Ken took AJ to the classroom, dropped him off, and winked at Sally: Operation AJ’s Birthday is now in action. He told me what he wants. I got eleven kisses for ten days of camping in the valley.

Sally: You’re so good with him. Thanks. It’s been on his mind so long, but he’s so shy about asking or telling adults what he wants.

Darren: That’s because Ken is a child, so he wasn’t talking to an adult.

Ken: Fuck off, Dar. I’m a grown up. B, back me up here.

Brad: Well, part of you grows up….

Laughter ran through the link.

Darren: I rest my case.

**

A week later, Pat, Darren, and Adam appeared in the hallway outside Julie’s apartment.

Adam: Thanks for the ride, Dar.

Pat saw how uptight Adam was about confronting his ex-wife and thought: Relax. AJ will understand if Maddie can’t come. I hope Julie’s cooperative, but you aren’t responsible for her actions.

Adam: I haven’t spoken to Julie since Aaron was here with me. All our communication is through email, and it’s hard to tell her tone. Okay, here goes nothing.

Darren: Pat and I will be outside. We don’t want to intimidate her or aggravate the situation.

Adam grinned: Chicken.

Pat: Bwaaaak!

Darren winked as he and his husband vanished.

Adam knocked on the door twice before he heard the locks being undone. Maddie swung open the door and with no expression went to the couch.

Adam said, “Hey, Maddie! It’s great to see you.”

Maddie looked bad. She smelled, her hair was messy and her clothes filthy. She looked emaciated. Adam’s expression didn’t change, but anger raged at Julie for his daughter’s appearance and condition, yet his heart broke for both of them at the same time.

Adam closed the door and asked, “Where’s your mom?”

Maddie didn’t take her eyes off her cell phone but responded, “Out. She left a note in the kitchen.”

Adam glanced at the table and saw an envelope with his name on it under a glass ashtray filled with cigarette butts. The envelope had been opened, and his gut wrenched. In Julie’s horrible handwriting he read, “Take the little cunt. You want her she’s yours. She’s like you and I can’t stand being around her. Nothing but an ungrateful needy little bitch. Don’t try and find me.”

Tears filled Adam’s eyes, and his shaking hands dropped the note on the table. He knelt in front of Maddie who sat with silent tears running down her face. He gently took the cell phone out of her hands and covered them with his.

Adam managed to say, “I’m sorry you read that.”

Maddie couldn’t make eye contact but nodded her head almost imperceptibly.

Adam stammered, “I love you, my baby girl. Your mom may not, but I do. So does AJ. Get your stuff and let’s get out of this hell hole.”

Adam had a hard time hearing Maddie’s words, “Momma says you lie. She says everything out of your mouth is a lie and you don’t love us. That you lied about why you were gone so long.”

Adam bit back his tears, gently cupped his daughter’s chin, and lifted her face to make eye contact, “Listen very carefully.  I don’t want to put you between me and your mom, but look what she did. She gave you up. She is the one who doesn’t want you. She told me you wanted to stay with her, and I believed it. When those men took me, the thought of being with you and AJ again was the only thing that kept me going.  I love you, honey, with all my heart. I’ve never stopped loving you.”

Adam wanted to merge with his daughter but knew it was dangerous, so he refrained. He didn’t link with her either, thinking it was too soon and that he might come across as forcing himself on her which was the last thing he wanted her to think.

Maddie didn’t move at first, but Adam pulled her into a hug. His soul groaned at how thin and boney her body felt. She weighed almost nothing. He saw a small suitcase and her backpack by the door. He wondered if Maddie packed her own things or if Julie had done it before she abandoned her daughter.

Adam: Guys….

Darren and Pat merged with Adam and immediately wrapped his soul in theirs. In their unique place, he fell apart as they consoled him. The tragedy of his situation cut them deeply, and Adam’s heart bled as he held his daughter.

Pat: She’s coming with us, Adam, forever. She’ll have a real chance now. It will be rough for a while, but with all of us loving her, she’ll recover. We’re with you, brother. She’s our family too.

They knew everything Adam wanted to say and let him vent it all, spoken and unspoken, until he calmed enough not to upset Maddie. Returning to his body, Adam swiped his eyes and said, “Maddie, this is Darren and Pat. They’re part of your new family. You remember Dr. Aaron and Mister Albrecht? There are a lot more people where we live who will all love you like you deserve. Don’t be scared, but we’re leaving now in a weird way.”

Darren’s Avatar lit up as it synchronized with the other mentalists across the world, and he translocated them to the Congo.

*

The first thing Adam did was take Maddie to her new room. He wanted her to know she had a private place to live. Her indifference was expected but still painful to see, and Adam felt incapable of helping her.

Tag and Olive heard Maddie’s arrival and came to greet her. They took in her condition and masked their concern with smiling faces. Olive cupped Maddie’s chin and in her gentle, soothing voice, said, “Oh child, it’s so good to finally meet you after hearing your daddy talk about how much he loves you. If you need anythin’ come find me and Auntie Olive will make it right.”

Tag took her hands and said, “We’s blessed to have ‘ya here.”

Cavall’s silver eyes saw something in Maddie, and he sniffed as his hackles tensed. There was something dormant within her that he could not discern, but he didn’t smell direct or immediate danger and would keep a close watch on her. Bullet ran zoomies around her feet, distracting everyone from Cavall’s cool demeanor towards her.

Brad: Aaron and Albrecht aren’t here, but we’ve all learned a great deal. Beside Tag and Olive, Henry is best, but all of us can help her, Adam. I don’t mean digging in her mind. I mean talking to her and showing her how much she’s loved. She’s not used to that, and she’ll feel guilty and unworthy to receive it and not even understand why. I think the kids will help her more than anyone. All of them have gone through the same thing to some degree.

Henry: I know it’s going to stress you out like crazy but do your best not to let it. You know what to expect, and we’re all here.

Ken: My shoulder has a permanent indention of Henry’s face from all the years he cried on it learning ‘ta be a father.

Henry’s laughter filled the link: I see satire makes it past the ‘we can’t lie’ part of mental communication. Let’s get Maddie cleaned up and get some decent food into her.

Pat: I think she needs a touch of healing. She’s really malnourished. She’s also riddled with STDs.

Lane: The doctor is in. Five cents please.

The support surrounding Adam touched him profoundly, and his gratitude spread through the link. Unconditional love saved him and continued to save all of them every day. He just hoped Maddie wasn’t so far gone that even love wouldn’t be enough. Humor got them through the first few hours. Sally and Shan reminded the guys that Maddie was past puberty, had been sexually active for a few years, so they were going to add more feminine products to the regular supplies.

Adam: I know you guys will deal with it, but I apologize in advance. Having a fifteen-year-old girl here is going to be a struggle.

Ken: We’ll deal, but a little military discipline might be called for.

Henry: Ken taught me about tough love. You have to do what’s best for her even when she says she hates you.

**

The first few days were rough. Lane healed Maddie, and she physically felt better than ever. She clung to Adam, and it was apparent she was afraid of his abandoning her again. The second night she was in the Congo, Adam overheard AJ talking to Maddie after lights out. AJ had snuck into her room because she didn’t want to be alone and Adam heard him whisper, “You’ll love it here. Uncle Bryan makes the best food ever. Uncle Lane is super funny and gets us really cool shows to watch, and Uncle Loy turns into Aslan from Narnia and we get to lay on him while we watch TV. All our uncles are super cool, and so are our cousins. Drew, Tommy, Brett, Teesha, and Chloe are great. Chloe isn’t always here because she lives in Australia but her and her mom visit a lot. Uncle Darren can take people anywhere in the world and we have a huge boat. We have a pool, and oh yeah, we have two dogs, Cavall and Bullet. There’s an invisible wolf that hangs around to protect Drew, but she protects all of us kids too, so we can’t have bad dreams.”

Maddie whispered something Adam couldn’t hear, but AJ said, “Really? You already met her? Cool!”

Maddie said something else he couldn’t make out, and AJ said, “I’ll sleep here. Will you come camping with me and Dad for my birthday? It’s gonna be a blast.”

Adam smiled, felt like he had eavesdropped enough, and went to bed.

**

Elegroth remained quiet and Ken wondered why. Every day that passed he expected another incursion and kept the team in top form. They trained hard for half days and each afternoon took turns spending time in the valley with Adam, AJ, and Maddie.

Maddie remained sadly reserved and didn’t participate much. All of her new uncles were great with her, but she reacted best to Ken, Henry, and Loy through Aslan. Interacting with animals in the valley infatuated her; it was the only time she smiled.

Bryan agreed that building a tree fort was a great idea. There were a few low-hanging boughs on Yggdrasil that could be used. He forbade nails going into the tree, so they used ropes to attach the foundation and front porch then built more every day until they had a fort big enough to house all the children. They even had bunk beds for when the kids didn’t want to sleep with their fathers on the ground. Along with the fort, the guys built an outhouse far enough away for privacy.

On the last night, Maddie woke to a voice as deep as a mountain. It spoke in her mind and heart: DAUGHTER OF ADAM, AWAKE.

A strange warmth, simultaneously comforting and frightening, surrounded her.

Maddie asked: Wh..who are you?

Leroy: YOUR SIRE IS BROTHER TO ABBA. I PROTECT ABBA AND ABBA’S FAMILY. ABBA NAMED ME LEROY.

Maddie: Protect them from what?

Leroy: YOU. EVIL.

Suddenly Maddie in her nightgown, was surrounded by heat in Leroy’s cave. Her bare feet should have blistered on the burning rocks, but they didn’t.

Leroy: DO NOT FEAR, DAUGHTER OF ADAM.

The dragon’s immensity terrified her. She wasn’t as large as his smallest tooth. His gargantuan face, savagely fierce in appearance, lowered to stare at her. His golden orbs, lighting the area around her, entranced her.

Leroy: A SEED OF EVIL. IN YOU. MUST NOT GROW.

Maddie: What do you mean?

Leroy: THE FALLEN ONE PUT IT IN YOU. TO HURT ABBA. ADAM. EGG.

A gentle puff of Leroy’s fire nearly blew Maddie over. She felt something inside her resist his fire, but it wasn’t strong enough and was pushed out of her. A mote of darkness hovered briefly before another puff annihilated it. A fog Maddie was unaware of lifted from her soul. How Elegroth’s dark seed remained hidden from The Order was a mystery. Cavall sensed it but didn’t know what it was. Leroy obliterated the darkness, and Maddie immediately felt healed in a different way than what Lane had one for her.

Maddie: I feel different. Better. Thank you, Mr. Leroy.

Maddie no longer feared the great beast and moved forward to place a hand on his snout, rubbing it in affection. Leroy’s purr rumbled through the cavern.

Adam: Maddie!? Can you hear me? Where are you?

Maddie: Dad?

Adam: Honey, where are you? Are you okay?

Maddie: I’m in a cave with Leroy.

Adam: Leroy? How did you get there?

Leroy: I BROUGHT DAUGHTER OF ADAM.

Maddie: He did something. Burned something out of me. I feel better.

Leroy: THE DAUGHTER OF ADAM IS SAFE. GO IN PEACE TO ADAM.

Maddie appeared in their camp, and Adam and AJ grabbed her. Adam looked into her recent memory and saw everything that had transpired. Although thankful for what Leroy did, he didn’t fully understand it. A deep fear overtook him, and his heart questioned: Julie, what have you done?

With Maddie safe, Adam gently said, “Okay, we had enough excitement for one night. Let’s try to sleep. We have a big day tomorrow.”

Maddie asked hesitantly, “Can I sleep with you and AJ tonight?”

An unexpected warmth filled Adam’s heart, and his teary eyes glinted in the moonlight, “I’d love that, honey.”

Ken: Love and wonder tonight, debriefin’ in the am. 

To be continued...

Posted: 07/28/2023