The sheer force of the old man knocking me against the floor caught my breath. He was far stronger than any man, stronger than Dervish. The only other time I'd ever felt more magic from anyone was from Lord Loss...and curiously the moment in which I'd searched myself for magic...

Before I could comprehend that thought I choked from the lack of oxygen and a flare of pain bolted up me as I realised I'd hit my head against the coffee table. I could vaguely hear a voice to my right, it was Dervish. I tried to yell but suddenly, the man Beranabus had laid a hand on my forhead and savagely pushed his way into my mind.

I could hear Dervish screaming now and the last image I saw was that of the boy, staring down at me with a baffled expression, then, my eyes rolled back into my sockets and I drifted into unconciousness.

As soon as I fainted I searched my mind for the intruder. I found his presence shortly after, a large red buzzing mass of spirit and thoughts which were not mine. I winced as he started to pull at my memories, looking into my personal life and discarding treasured thoughts as if they were nothing. A wave of unbearable sadness flooded over me as he pulled at the memory of my family's death and anger exploded inside of me. The presence of Beranabus sorted on, unintrested in my parent's plight.

Its red form grew strangely white as his search deepened. I couldn't see the colours...I was feeling them and each felt different. The red was rough and meant irritation and agression, the white was bumpy and indicated intrest.

The form of Beranabus started to enter private thoughts. I saw myself and my sister arguing, me and mum talking, dad and I playing on my cousin's X box. I even saw myself suckling from my mother. I was angered as he burrowed through these thoughts and I screamed inside myself as, impatient, the disciple started ripping thoughts out the way. My scream sounded like a echo and it made pressure build and my eyes bulge. Beranabus looked up and saw me, then he dragged at my parents death again, and laughed.

My form turned into a murderous, razor-sharp black.

I ran, no- flew, towards Beranabus. My magic released, I sent a wall of force straight at him. His form looked up, startled but the wall raced at him and I felt the sheer impact vibrate through me as it hit him. Now he was screaming.

His form wavered then blinked out. Suddenly the textures around me shifted and I found myself in a blank, empty hollow. I gazed around and all I could smell was malice. A steam of thoughts interrupted me...

A young boy, with his family surrounding him is struggling to keep up with his people as they race through the desert. His head is pounding and he is exausted. His mother urges him on, screaming hysterically but they are left behind and their family is split in the crowds. Behind him is a deep darkness, in front of him dalight but behind him is night; cold night. The demons are coming.

There are many; wolf-headed bears, a wild boar with half human, half eel head. Leading them is a huge demon. The biggest he's seen apart from the one's as big as stars that his father pointed out to him. It's a colossal body stretched for more than 90 ft, it was green and oozing pus. The snouted, pig-like face had no eyes but along the malformed body various lengths, colours, ages of eyes opened. Some were huge and elongated so much their centres had split and scarred- crusting over. What scared the boy so much was when the thing opened its mouth, not one scream but may would errupt and overpower the grunts and jabbers of the demons. The screams were of people; screaming in rage, in sorrow, in guilt, some crying. In that one second the door in the darkness of his mind opened and woke to nightmares.

I closed my mind and tried to rid myself of the images but they fell into place one by one. I saw the mother trip and fall and I saw her die. The boy was slowing, left alone and...

I wrenched myself away and woke to Dervish's worried face. I was breathing fast and I felt my cheeks wet with sweat or tears, I was swallowing convulsively. I shut my eyes and grinded my teeth as pain grew on the back of my head and as I reached to touch it a small ammout of blood fell on my fingers and a great swollen lump had formed. I vaguely remembered being carried by Dervish and the bald boy, the softness of my pillows and the deep calling of sleep.

"What did you do?!" Dervish screamed at the old man. His head was in turmoil, bringing back the memories of his nephew, eyes rolling inwards- collapsing. Beranabus didn't anwser, concentrating on breathing and still in awe of the boy. He was supporting himself by the table, shaking and rasping. When he recovered enough to speak all he said was;

"I've never seen or heard of anyone as powerful as that boy since the days of Bartholemew Garadex. Dervish, I believe he may be the one who can-"

"Quiet!" Yells Dervish, shaking with uncontrolled rage, "You're not taking him anywhere! I won't let you take him away! He won't end up like Kernal!"

"He...already has...ended up li..like...Ker-" But Beranabus is silenced with a look of anger from Dervish and he props himself on the sofa and gathers his strength.

Upstairs, Kernal Fleck is checking the windows of light around himself. None of the windows brighten, which at first isn't unusual. Then he walks outside Grubitsch's bedroom and into the hallway and checks again and grimaces. Windows light up and he drags them together, the doorway opens and he steps through- Into Grubb's bedroom where the large figure sleeps, unknowing of what is happening.

Kernal sighs, sits on the bed and lays his head in his hands. He is deeply sorry for this boy and the life he knows he will lead. He runs downstairs and Dervish and Beranabus look up at him, confused at his shadowed face.

"I...I think Grubitsch is another piece of the Kah Gash..."