Sacrifices
(This is a continuation of the universe I created in Lineage and that is continued in The Dark Half, Family Ties, Darkness Rising, Destiny's Call, The Last Guard at the Gate, and Hidden Potential.)
CHAPTER 1: Mortal Bonds
"What news do you have for me?" asked Xorl. The Devourers were in a deep discussion of the Earth realm.
"Our spies report that the barrier protecting the Earth realm's Guardians has weakened," said Loptra. "We should strike now while they are vulnerable."
"What are the odds of success?" asked Xorl.
"The energy that was used by this Cole was considerable," said Nikto. "It has not only drained the barrier, but left his fellow Guardians and himself vulnerable to our powers."
"Excellent," said Xorl, rubbing his hands together. "Nikto, you and Loptra go to the Guardian realm. It's time to end this once and for all."
****
"We are facing a serious threat," said Azar to his fellow Guardians. "Although it happened justly, Cole's actions have drained the barrier of its power, and now, the Devourers might be able to reach our realm."
"What can we do?" asked Zibri.
"YOU CAN DIE!" screamed a voice. The Guardians turned just in time to see Nikto and Loptra fire huge streams of energy bolts. All of them were hit and wounded in some way or another.
"Cole, take Katrina and go," ordered Azar.
"Where should we go?" he asked, bewildered.
"It doesn't matter," he said, although he gave Cole a look that suggested where he should go. "Just go, NOW!" Cole grabbed Katrina and blurred out.
"You think you saved them, Guardian?" Nikto sneered. "You only stalled the inevitable. Soon, we will find your friends, and then your realm will belong to us. Enjoy oblivion." The last thing Azar saw was Nikto forming another energy bolt, and then his existence ended.
****
Michael was working hard on a proposal he had to make to the board members in two days. He had a chance to buy out another company and make Smith Computers second only to Microsoft, but it seemed a little dicey to the board members. Suddenly, he felt soft hands on his shoulders. "Hi, Phoebe," he said without turning around.
"Hey, baby," she said. "You sensed me, didn't you?"
"One of my many gifts, yes," he replied. "Did you put Tom to bed?"
"Yes, he's tucked in and already sleeping soundly," Phoebe said as she started to massage his shoulders.
Michael sighed as he felt her hands work the tension from his muscles. "Such a good mother..." he remarked.
"Yes," she said, bringing her lips close to his ear. "And I was thinking, if you aren't too busy, maybe I could be a good wife, too." She started nibbling on his earlobe.
"Phoebe..." he moaned. "God, that feels so good." He was so tempted to give in to her, but he needed to finish the proposal. "I can't, baby, I have to finish this."
"Are you sure?" she whispered as she continued the onslaught of his ear and moved down to his neck.
Michael moaned again. God, she was driving him crazy. "I want to, you know I do, but I can't."
Phoebe smiled understandingly and planted one last kiss on his cheek. "I love you," she said.
"I love you, too," he replied. Suddenly, Michael gasped as he saw Cole and Katrina blur into the room together, each with numerous wounds. "Cole, what happened?" he asked frantically as he ran to his cousin's side.
"Devourers...attacked us," he gasped. "We just barely escaped."
"What happened to the other Guardians?" Phoebe asked. Cole's face took on a look of concentration. Suddenly, he lost all color in his face, as did Katrina's. His eyes widened with horror. "Cole, what is it?" Phoebe asked anxiously.
"They killed them," he said quietly. "They killed them all."
"You mean ALL the other Guardians are dead?" Michael questioned incredulously. Cole nodded sadly. "God help us."
****
"How did it go?" Xorl asked as Nikto and Loptra materialized.
"We were very successful," said Nikto, "except for one minor complication."
Xorl's expression darkened. "What is this 'minor complication' you speak of?"
"Two of the Guardians managed to escape to Earth," said Loptra. "But never fear, Xorl. We will find them again."
"You had better," snarled Xorl. "Because I can guarantee you, if you fail, you will pray for a quick death."
****
"How do you feel, Cole?" Michael asked. He had just finished healing Cole as Leo had finished healing Katrina.
"Better, thanks," he replied as he got to his feet. "How've you been, Michael?"
"Pretty good, I guess," he said. "What about you, Cole?"
"I've been doing well," he said, looking over at Katrina, who smiled back at him.
Michael smiled at his cousin. "I'm very happy for the two of you, Cole."
"Thanks," Cole replied. "I love her so much. If it wasn't for her, I'd probably be going insane right now."
"Don't say another word about you going insane," Piper said as she walked into the room. Cole rolled his eyes.
"You know, Cole, I never really got a chance to thank you for helping me save Tom," said Michael.
"No thanks necessary, Michael. I was just looking out for my family," Cole said with a smile. His face took a curious expression.
"What is it?" Michael asked.
"Well, I think that when the other Guardians died, they're powers were transferred equally to Katrina and me," he remarked. "That means that the barrier is still holding, for now anyway. If anything happens to Katrina and me, it will collapse completely."
"Don't worry, Cole," said Phoebe as she and Paige walked into the living room. "As long as you stay here, we'll protect you."
"I appreciate that, Phoebe," said Cole. Just then, Nikto and Loptra flashed into the room.
"We told you we'd find you again," snarled Nikto. He and Loptra immediately launched a barrage of energy bolts at the group. Most of them successfully dodged, but one hit Phoebe in her shoulder, and she collapsed in pain.
"PHOEBE!" screamed Michael. He felt burning rage building inside him. And then he felt the power rising in him, like the last time when he faced Kolatar. As he felt the inner barrier within him, Michael channeled his anger into breaking through that wall. He could feel it cracking, and then suddenly, it was completely demolished.
Michael roared in rage as the new power flooded through him. White light shot out of him and engulfed the entire room. For a moment, he saw Nikto and Loptra burning in white fire, and then they exploded.
The intense glow receded, and Michael felt the rage ebb away. He looked at Phoebe and saw that her shoulder had been healed. She looked at him with wonder. "Michael, that was amazing," she said.
"It was incredible," he said. "I've never felt that much power before." Then he turned to Cole and Katrina. "Well, I guess you won't have to worry about those two anymore."
"Thanks to you," said Katrina in an odd tone.
"I guess you two have to be getting back now," said Michael.
"Yes," said Cole in the same odd tone as Katrina.
Michael noticed that they seemed to be staring at him strangely. "What's wrong?" he asked anxiously. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Michael, by breaking through that power barrier, you became one of us," said Cole gravely. "You're a Guardian now."
"Really?" he said, his face lighting up. "That's great...isn't it?"
"Michael, in order for the barrier to stay up, we'll need you to come back with us," said Katrina.
"What do you mean?" he said. Suddenly, he realized the full implication of what had happened. "You mean, I can't continue my life here, can I?"
"What?" Phoebe gasped.
"I'm afraid so," said Cole. "We need you to keep the Devourers out."
Michael paled and backed away from Cole. "No...this isn't happening," he said in disbelief. He turned toward Phoebe, who had a pained look in her eyes. The thought of him leaving was killing her. He started to walk toward her to comfort her, but Cole put a hand on his shoulder and stopped him.
"We need to talk, cousin," he said. Cole blurred them up to Michael's bedroom.
****
Michael shut the door so the others wouldn't be able to hear them talk. "What did you want to tell me, Cole?" he asked sadly.
"Michael, you have to come with us," said Cole. "Unfortunately, you have no choice."
"There has to be something we can do," Michael begged.
Cole's eyes were full of sympathy as he said, "I'm sorry, I wish there was. But when you accessed your Guardian potential, you became part of the barrier's integrity. It can only be maintained with you. If you don't come with us, the barrier will fall again."
"What if I just maintain it from here?" Michael suggested.
"You can't, it has to be done in the Guardian realm. I'm sorry, but as long as you have the powers, you have to be with us," Cole replied.
"Can Phoebe come with me?" Michael asked eagerly.
Cole's face fell and he said, "She'd never survive. Besides, could you really ask her to give up her life and everything she has in this realm to live our kind of life? What you've experienced is nothing compared to what we really face."
"There has to be some way," Michael said as he slumped to his knees.
Cole leaned down so they were eye to eye, and remarked, "Darryl once told me something, which I hated but I realized I had to face. He told me, 'If you really love her, you'll leave.' As much as I hate to admit it, it's true here."
Michael pictured everything he shared with Phoebe, the feelings he had, the deep love they shared. He began to weep as he realized how much he'd lose, because he knew in his heart what he had to do. He had to let Phoebe go.
'As long as you have the powers, you have to be with us.'
Michael's face snapped up suddenly as a thought occurred to him. "What if I give my powers up?"
"What?" Cole asked in shock.
"My powers...what if I give them to someone else, someone you choose who could take up my duties?" Michael explained.
"Do you have any idea what you're suggesting?" Cole rebutted.
"Yes, but I also know I can't survive without Phoebe," Michael retorted.
"Even if you wanted to, you can't give up your powers, they are intrinsic to you. I mean, the only way would be..." Cole began, but his voice trailed off.
"What, what is the only way?" Michael demanded.
Cole sighed, and said, "I could remove your powers personally. Because we're family and related by blood, there is a link I could use to rip your powers from you and absorb them into myself."
"Do it," Michael interrupted.
"You don't understand; this could kill you. It would be very painful, and I could damage you permanently. And even if I succeed, you'd be a mortal, with no powers at all," Cole remarked. "Don't ask me to do this, I...I can't."
"Cole, you have to," Michael said softly. "I know it will be tough, and I know what I'm giving up. But I can't lose Phoebe."
"Please, I'm begging you, don't..." Cole began.
"Cole, you're family. We may be cousins by birth, but I consider you my brother, my soul brother. You and I are closer than anyone else in my life...even Phoebe. Cousin, brother, please. You're the only one who can do this. You're the only one I could trust to do this. Please," Michael begged.
Cole closed his eyes, and Michael saw pain flash over his face. He was silent for several moments, and then he said very, very softly in a voice tense with anguish, "Alright, I'll do it, but not here. We have to go somewhere else."
"Whatever it takes," Michael replied firmly. Cole took his hand, and they both appeared in the penthouse. "What are we doing here?" Michael asked in confusion.
"This is a natural convergence of energy. That's the reason the Source wanted it, and it's why I've kept it all this time. Now, this is your last chance to back out. I remind you this will hurt."
"Do it," Michael said with absolute conviction.
"Brace yourself." Cole closed his eyes, and his face took on a look of intense concentration.
Moments later, Michael felt intense pain erupt in his body. He fell to his knees and fought not to scream. It was like someone was slowly pulling the skin off his body an inch at a time. His will lasted only a minute before he began to scream in pain. He heard himself gasp, "How...how much longer?"
"Several minutes," Cole replied softly.
Tears began to flow down Michael's face as the pain doubled, and then doubled again. He felt his life ebbing away when a flash of Phoebe's face hit his mind. Michael stopped screaming and focused. He rode the edges of pain and held tightly to his love for Phoebe, praying it would get him through this. Then the pain got worse, and his vision dimmed.
****
Phoebe sat very quietly in the living room with the others. She couldn't let them know the pain she was feeling right then, knowing that she may never see Michael again. Yet, Phoebe knew she shouldn't be selfish. The greater good came before all else, even their marriage, and if Michael had to leave to preserve everything, then she would learn to accept that. Suddenly, Michael and Cole blurred in together. Phoebe instantly knew something had happened, and barely fought the urge to scream. Michael had lost almost a third of his weight. All his ribs were visible, and his eyes had a haunted look. He was breathing heavily, and his voice had a hoarse quality as if he'd been screaming a great deal. She got up and rushed over to him. "Baby, are you ok?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he said in a raspy voice. "Listen, Phoebe, I..."
"No, I have to say something," she interrupted. "Michael, I love you more than anything in this world. It's going to hurt when you leave, I know that. But I've come to accept the fact that the greater good comes first, even before us."
"Phoebe..." he started.
"Let me finish," Phoebe said, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spring forth. "I will never love anyone as much as you. I will always hold a place in my heart for you, and I will never forget all the wonderful things you did for me."
The pain faded from his face slightly and Michael's expression grew infinitely compassionate. "Thank you for that, Phoebe. You really touched me in a way that no one else ever will. I'll admit that I'm not that good at saying goodbye..."
Phoebe felt the tears rolling down her cheeks. This was really it then. He was leaving, and she'd never see him again.
"...but that doesn't matter, because I'm not going anywhere," he finished.
"What do you mean?" said Phoebe, confused.
"I gave it all up," he said, smiling at her.
"You gave what up?" she said, still not quite understanding.
"I sacrificed my immortality for you," Michael continued. "I had Cole take my powers...ALL my powers. I'm mortal now."
Phoebe eyes grew huge. "You WHAT!" she exclaimed in disbelief.
"I relinquished my powers so that we could be together," he said, as he stumbled closer to her.
"You gave up eternity for me?" she said in awe.
"Phoebe, I would die a thousand times for you, I love you that much," said Michael.
Phoebe sobbed in joyous disbelief. "Oh, Michael, I love you, I love you so much," she said as she rushed into his arms and kissed him. She surrendered to him completely, allowing his love to completely wash through her, body and soul. The world faded away until only they were left, and that kiss became the center of their universe. Nothing could keep them apart. They were destined to be together.
The sound of Cole clearing his throat brought them back to reality, and Phoebe reluctantly broke the kiss. "I'm sorry to ruin the moment," he said, "but Katrina and I do have to be getting back. The barrier weakens with each moment that we stay here."
"Thank you, Cole, for everything," said Phoebe, wiping her tears away.
"Like I said to Michael before, I'm just watching out for my family," he said with a smile. "He'll need plenty of rest. His body underwent a great change."
"You have no idea," Michael said hoarsely, grimacing in pain.
"Is there anything I should do for him?" asked Phoebe.
"Just keep him company," said Cole with a small smile. "Oh, and don't worry about the weight loss. It's just a temporary side effect, as is the soreness. His muscles should regenerate completely in twenty four hours." Cole and Katrina looked at the others one last time. "Take care, cousin," he said to Michael, and they blurred out.
****
"Let's get you to bed," said Phoebe as she helped Michael lie down.
Michael winced. "Everything's sore," he said. Then, he smiled. "You know how earlier, you were offering to be a good wife?"
"I think I remember saying something like that," said Phoebe.
"I'd like to take you up on that now, if you don't mind," he said, grinning at her.
Phoebe carefully climbed on top of him and straddled him. "I thought you'd never ask," she purred as she leaned down and kissed him.
****
"Do you think we did the right thing?" Katrina asked.
"Yes," said Cole. "Michael may have helped us by being here, but it would have broken his heart to leave Phoebe. It was the only way, and the best compromise."
"You realize they'll be much more vulnerable now that he's mortal," she remarked, "especially from the Devourers."
"I know," said Cole. "I just hope that by doing this for him, we didn't hand them their doom."
TO BE CONTINUED...
(This is a continuation of the universe I created in Lineage and that is continued in The Dark Half, Family Ties, Darkness Rising, Destiny's Call, The Last Guard at the Gate, and Hidden Potential.)
CHAPTER 1: Mortal Bonds
"What news do you have for me?" asked Xorl. The Devourers were in a deep discussion of the Earth realm.
"Our spies report that the barrier protecting the Earth realm's Guardians has weakened," said Loptra. "We should strike now while they are vulnerable."
"What are the odds of success?" asked Xorl.
"The energy that was used by this Cole was considerable," said Nikto. "It has not only drained the barrier, but left his fellow Guardians and himself vulnerable to our powers."
"Excellent," said Xorl, rubbing his hands together. "Nikto, you and Loptra go to the Guardian realm. It's time to end this once and for all."
****
"We are facing a serious threat," said Azar to his fellow Guardians. "Although it happened justly, Cole's actions have drained the barrier of its power, and now, the Devourers might be able to reach our realm."
"What can we do?" asked Zibri.
"YOU CAN DIE!" screamed a voice. The Guardians turned just in time to see Nikto and Loptra fire huge streams of energy bolts. All of them were hit and wounded in some way or another.
"Cole, take Katrina and go," ordered Azar.
"Where should we go?" he asked, bewildered.
"It doesn't matter," he said, although he gave Cole a look that suggested where he should go. "Just go, NOW!" Cole grabbed Katrina and blurred out.
"You think you saved them, Guardian?" Nikto sneered. "You only stalled the inevitable. Soon, we will find your friends, and then your realm will belong to us. Enjoy oblivion." The last thing Azar saw was Nikto forming another energy bolt, and then his existence ended.
****
Michael was working hard on a proposal he had to make to the board members in two days. He had a chance to buy out another company and make Smith Computers second only to Microsoft, but it seemed a little dicey to the board members. Suddenly, he felt soft hands on his shoulders. "Hi, Phoebe," he said without turning around.
"Hey, baby," she said. "You sensed me, didn't you?"
"One of my many gifts, yes," he replied. "Did you put Tom to bed?"
"Yes, he's tucked in and already sleeping soundly," Phoebe said as she started to massage his shoulders.
Michael sighed as he felt her hands work the tension from his muscles. "Such a good mother..." he remarked.
"Yes," she said, bringing her lips close to his ear. "And I was thinking, if you aren't too busy, maybe I could be a good wife, too." She started nibbling on his earlobe.
"Phoebe..." he moaned. "God, that feels so good." He was so tempted to give in to her, but he needed to finish the proposal. "I can't, baby, I have to finish this."
"Are you sure?" she whispered as she continued the onslaught of his ear and moved down to his neck.
Michael moaned again. God, she was driving him crazy. "I want to, you know I do, but I can't."
Phoebe smiled understandingly and planted one last kiss on his cheek. "I love you," she said.
"I love you, too," he replied. Suddenly, Michael gasped as he saw Cole and Katrina blur into the room together, each with numerous wounds. "Cole, what happened?" he asked frantically as he ran to his cousin's side.
"Devourers...attacked us," he gasped. "We just barely escaped."
"What happened to the other Guardians?" Phoebe asked. Cole's face took on a look of concentration. Suddenly, he lost all color in his face, as did Katrina's. His eyes widened with horror. "Cole, what is it?" Phoebe asked anxiously.
"They killed them," he said quietly. "They killed them all."
"You mean ALL the other Guardians are dead?" Michael questioned incredulously. Cole nodded sadly. "God help us."
****
"How did it go?" Xorl asked as Nikto and Loptra materialized.
"We were very successful," said Nikto, "except for one minor complication."
Xorl's expression darkened. "What is this 'minor complication' you speak of?"
"Two of the Guardians managed to escape to Earth," said Loptra. "But never fear, Xorl. We will find them again."
"You had better," snarled Xorl. "Because I can guarantee you, if you fail, you will pray for a quick death."
****
"How do you feel, Cole?" Michael asked. He had just finished healing Cole as Leo had finished healing Katrina.
"Better, thanks," he replied as he got to his feet. "How've you been, Michael?"
"Pretty good, I guess," he said. "What about you, Cole?"
"I've been doing well," he said, looking over at Katrina, who smiled back at him.
Michael smiled at his cousin. "I'm very happy for the two of you, Cole."
"Thanks," Cole replied. "I love her so much. If it wasn't for her, I'd probably be going insane right now."
"Don't say another word about you going insane," Piper said as she walked into the room. Cole rolled his eyes.
"You know, Cole, I never really got a chance to thank you for helping me save Tom," said Michael.
"No thanks necessary, Michael. I was just looking out for my family," Cole said with a smile. His face took a curious expression.
"What is it?" Michael asked.
"Well, I think that when the other Guardians died, they're powers were transferred equally to Katrina and me," he remarked. "That means that the barrier is still holding, for now anyway. If anything happens to Katrina and me, it will collapse completely."
"Don't worry, Cole," said Phoebe as she and Paige walked into the living room. "As long as you stay here, we'll protect you."
"I appreciate that, Phoebe," said Cole. Just then, Nikto and Loptra flashed into the room.
"We told you we'd find you again," snarled Nikto. He and Loptra immediately launched a barrage of energy bolts at the group. Most of them successfully dodged, but one hit Phoebe in her shoulder, and she collapsed in pain.
"PHOEBE!" screamed Michael. He felt burning rage building inside him. And then he felt the power rising in him, like the last time when he faced Kolatar. As he felt the inner barrier within him, Michael channeled his anger into breaking through that wall. He could feel it cracking, and then suddenly, it was completely demolished.
Michael roared in rage as the new power flooded through him. White light shot out of him and engulfed the entire room. For a moment, he saw Nikto and Loptra burning in white fire, and then they exploded.
The intense glow receded, and Michael felt the rage ebb away. He looked at Phoebe and saw that her shoulder had been healed. She looked at him with wonder. "Michael, that was amazing," she said.
"It was incredible," he said. "I've never felt that much power before." Then he turned to Cole and Katrina. "Well, I guess you won't have to worry about those two anymore."
"Thanks to you," said Katrina in an odd tone.
"I guess you two have to be getting back now," said Michael.
"Yes," said Cole in the same odd tone as Katrina.
Michael noticed that they seemed to be staring at him strangely. "What's wrong?" he asked anxiously. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Michael, by breaking through that power barrier, you became one of us," said Cole gravely. "You're a Guardian now."
"Really?" he said, his face lighting up. "That's great...isn't it?"
"Michael, in order for the barrier to stay up, we'll need you to come back with us," said Katrina.
"What do you mean?" he said. Suddenly, he realized the full implication of what had happened. "You mean, I can't continue my life here, can I?"
"What?" Phoebe gasped.
"I'm afraid so," said Cole. "We need you to keep the Devourers out."
Michael paled and backed away from Cole. "No...this isn't happening," he said in disbelief. He turned toward Phoebe, who had a pained look in her eyes. The thought of him leaving was killing her. He started to walk toward her to comfort her, but Cole put a hand on his shoulder and stopped him.
"We need to talk, cousin," he said. Cole blurred them up to Michael's bedroom.
****
Michael shut the door so the others wouldn't be able to hear them talk. "What did you want to tell me, Cole?" he asked sadly.
"Michael, you have to come with us," said Cole. "Unfortunately, you have no choice."
"There has to be something we can do," Michael begged.
Cole's eyes were full of sympathy as he said, "I'm sorry, I wish there was. But when you accessed your Guardian potential, you became part of the barrier's integrity. It can only be maintained with you. If you don't come with us, the barrier will fall again."
"What if I just maintain it from here?" Michael suggested.
"You can't, it has to be done in the Guardian realm. I'm sorry, but as long as you have the powers, you have to be with us," Cole replied.
"Can Phoebe come with me?" Michael asked eagerly.
Cole's face fell and he said, "She'd never survive. Besides, could you really ask her to give up her life and everything she has in this realm to live our kind of life? What you've experienced is nothing compared to what we really face."
"There has to be some way," Michael said as he slumped to his knees.
Cole leaned down so they were eye to eye, and remarked, "Darryl once told me something, which I hated but I realized I had to face. He told me, 'If you really love her, you'll leave.' As much as I hate to admit it, it's true here."
Michael pictured everything he shared with Phoebe, the feelings he had, the deep love they shared. He began to weep as he realized how much he'd lose, because he knew in his heart what he had to do. He had to let Phoebe go.
'As long as you have the powers, you have to be with us.'
Michael's face snapped up suddenly as a thought occurred to him. "What if I give my powers up?"
"What?" Cole asked in shock.
"My powers...what if I give them to someone else, someone you choose who could take up my duties?" Michael explained.
"Do you have any idea what you're suggesting?" Cole rebutted.
"Yes, but I also know I can't survive without Phoebe," Michael retorted.
"Even if you wanted to, you can't give up your powers, they are intrinsic to you. I mean, the only way would be..." Cole began, but his voice trailed off.
"What, what is the only way?" Michael demanded.
Cole sighed, and said, "I could remove your powers personally. Because we're family and related by blood, there is a link I could use to rip your powers from you and absorb them into myself."
"Do it," Michael interrupted.
"You don't understand; this could kill you. It would be very painful, and I could damage you permanently. And even if I succeed, you'd be a mortal, with no powers at all," Cole remarked. "Don't ask me to do this, I...I can't."
"Cole, you have to," Michael said softly. "I know it will be tough, and I know what I'm giving up. But I can't lose Phoebe."
"Please, I'm begging you, don't..." Cole began.
"Cole, you're family. We may be cousins by birth, but I consider you my brother, my soul brother. You and I are closer than anyone else in my life...even Phoebe. Cousin, brother, please. You're the only one who can do this. You're the only one I could trust to do this. Please," Michael begged.
Cole closed his eyes, and Michael saw pain flash over his face. He was silent for several moments, and then he said very, very softly in a voice tense with anguish, "Alright, I'll do it, but not here. We have to go somewhere else."
"Whatever it takes," Michael replied firmly. Cole took his hand, and they both appeared in the penthouse. "What are we doing here?" Michael asked in confusion.
"This is a natural convergence of energy. That's the reason the Source wanted it, and it's why I've kept it all this time. Now, this is your last chance to back out. I remind you this will hurt."
"Do it," Michael said with absolute conviction.
"Brace yourself." Cole closed his eyes, and his face took on a look of intense concentration.
Moments later, Michael felt intense pain erupt in his body. He fell to his knees and fought not to scream. It was like someone was slowly pulling the skin off his body an inch at a time. His will lasted only a minute before he began to scream in pain. He heard himself gasp, "How...how much longer?"
"Several minutes," Cole replied softly.
Tears began to flow down Michael's face as the pain doubled, and then doubled again. He felt his life ebbing away when a flash of Phoebe's face hit his mind. Michael stopped screaming and focused. He rode the edges of pain and held tightly to his love for Phoebe, praying it would get him through this. Then the pain got worse, and his vision dimmed.
****
Phoebe sat very quietly in the living room with the others. She couldn't let them know the pain she was feeling right then, knowing that she may never see Michael again. Yet, Phoebe knew she shouldn't be selfish. The greater good came before all else, even their marriage, and if Michael had to leave to preserve everything, then she would learn to accept that. Suddenly, Michael and Cole blurred in together. Phoebe instantly knew something had happened, and barely fought the urge to scream. Michael had lost almost a third of his weight. All his ribs were visible, and his eyes had a haunted look. He was breathing heavily, and his voice had a hoarse quality as if he'd been screaming a great deal. She got up and rushed over to him. "Baby, are you ok?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he said in a raspy voice. "Listen, Phoebe, I..."
"No, I have to say something," she interrupted. "Michael, I love you more than anything in this world. It's going to hurt when you leave, I know that. But I've come to accept the fact that the greater good comes first, even before us."
"Phoebe..." he started.
"Let me finish," Phoebe said, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spring forth. "I will never love anyone as much as you. I will always hold a place in my heart for you, and I will never forget all the wonderful things you did for me."
The pain faded from his face slightly and Michael's expression grew infinitely compassionate. "Thank you for that, Phoebe. You really touched me in a way that no one else ever will. I'll admit that I'm not that good at saying goodbye..."
Phoebe felt the tears rolling down her cheeks. This was really it then. He was leaving, and she'd never see him again.
"...but that doesn't matter, because I'm not going anywhere," he finished.
"What do you mean?" said Phoebe, confused.
"I gave it all up," he said, smiling at her.
"You gave what up?" she said, still not quite understanding.
"I sacrificed my immortality for you," Michael continued. "I had Cole take my powers...ALL my powers. I'm mortal now."
Phoebe eyes grew huge. "You WHAT!" she exclaimed in disbelief.
"I relinquished my powers so that we could be together," he said, as he stumbled closer to her.
"You gave up eternity for me?" she said in awe.
"Phoebe, I would die a thousand times for you, I love you that much," said Michael.
Phoebe sobbed in joyous disbelief. "Oh, Michael, I love you, I love you so much," she said as she rushed into his arms and kissed him. She surrendered to him completely, allowing his love to completely wash through her, body and soul. The world faded away until only they were left, and that kiss became the center of their universe. Nothing could keep them apart. They were destined to be together.
The sound of Cole clearing his throat brought them back to reality, and Phoebe reluctantly broke the kiss. "I'm sorry to ruin the moment," he said, "but Katrina and I do have to be getting back. The barrier weakens with each moment that we stay here."
"Thank you, Cole, for everything," said Phoebe, wiping her tears away.
"Like I said to Michael before, I'm just watching out for my family," he said with a smile. "He'll need plenty of rest. His body underwent a great change."
"You have no idea," Michael said hoarsely, grimacing in pain.
"Is there anything I should do for him?" asked Phoebe.
"Just keep him company," said Cole with a small smile. "Oh, and don't worry about the weight loss. It's just a temporary side effect, as is the soreness. His muscles should regenerate completely in twenty four hours." Cole and Katrina looked at the others one last time. "Take care, cousin," he said to Michael, and they blurred out.
****
"Let's get you to bed," said Phoebe as she helped Michael lie down.
Michael winced. "Everything's sore," he said. Then, he smiled. "You know how earlier, you were offering to be a good wife?"
"I think I remember saying something like that," said Phoebe.
"I'd like to take you up on that now, if you don't mind," he said, grinning at her.
Phoebe carefully climbed on top of him and straddled him. "I thought you'd never ask," she purred as she leaned down and kissed him.
****
"Do you think we did the right thing?" Katrina asked.
"Yes," said Cole. "Michael may have helped us by being here, but it would have broken his heart to leave Phoebe. It was the only way, and the best compromise."
"You realize they'll be much more vulnerable now that he's mortal," she remarked, "especially from the Devourers."
"I know," said Cole. "I just hope that by doing this for him, we didn't hand them their doom."
TO BE CONTINUED...