ZEXION'S POV:

"Do you think you can gain remote access to the camera in Chicago, without accessing the system?" I asked, nervously.

"The camera systems and our data records are on two different frequencies. So, we can use one without tipping off the other. It should be just fine if what you say is the worst of our problems." Sova said, tapping buttons on the console system behind the stage of the meeting room downstairs. The meeting rooms were all the same, stone floor, walls and roof, same dimensions, ect. After a few minutes of beeps and clicks, a dark image appeared on the monitor.

"Here we go. It looks dark. The lights aren't on in the meeting room? That's odd. There is always supposed to be someone there. If I remember correctly, the leader of the Chicago Chapter is Ular, a Paladin taking the form of a Snake, more specifically a King Cobra. He is a very uptight, ruthless -"

"I know of him. He wouldn't stray from his duties. The torches that each meeting room is lit but haven't been kept going. Those torches go for 24 hours without refueling. So, no one has been down there for about a day, maybe longer. Can you pan the camera in any direction? Or increase the white balance, or use the remote lighting system on the camera itself?"

"I can try, it might take sometime to get around the pass phrase so it doesn't link to the system, but I should be able to do it."

"How long?"

"About and hour or so. Why don't you go upstairs and eat? I'll come get you when I manage to get into it."

"Fair enough, please hurry though. That image didn't make me very confident that they are even alive anymore." I replied and walked across the room and back upstairs.

I emerged upstairs and was greeted with the eyes of my 7 comrades.

"She is working to gain remote control of the camera. We got an image... and it's not good." I spoke, walking to the entryway table and grabbing the bag I have bought.

"Well, what did you see." Aetos asked, looking very saddened.

"That's the problem. We saw no one. The torches weren't lit, so not much could be seen, but there was no signs of life, or death even." I replied, staring at everyone, one by one. It became silent. A few seconds passed like an hour. I pulled out the large chunk of meat from the bag and sunk my teeth into it, ripping away connective, fat and muscle tissue. My stomach ravaged at it ferociously. After 10 pounds, and 20 minutes later, the meat I had bought was gone, and my energy was beginning to pick up. The silence was broken by the door creaking open. Sova poked her head through and glanced at me.

"Zexion, please follow me. You may want to see this." I was already ahead of her. I was on my feet and hustling towards her by the time she spoke my name. I followed her down the dark stairway to the meeting room.

"I'm sorry, but I don't see anything, or anyone... It's like they just-"

"Disappeared." I cut her off.

"...Yeah." she replied, as we approached the terminal again.

" I have total control of the camera's functions now. I waited for you to be down here before I did any extensive scanning."

"Thanks. Now then, please just pan 360 degrees. I'll tell you to stop if I need to."

"Alright. Here we go."

The camera panned left first, going counter clockwise. It was just a black abyss beyond 5 feet from the camera.

"Turn on the lighting built into the camera." I spoke, sternly looking at the screen.

"Alright."

The screen burst with light and settled out and focused. Everything was in shambles. Chairs in the meeting room were knocked about. The podium had been knocked over and off the stage. Some torches were knocked off their racks on the walls. Occasionally there were claw marks along the walls and floor in the distance.

"It looks like another hit by the Draconian Infantry, just like the others?"

"There' only one problem."

"Oh, and that would be?"

"There's no bodies."

Sova turned back to the screen and glared at it.

"You're right. A fight took place, but no bodies of the dead. Not even any blood from what we can see."

"Exactly. So where did everyone go?"

"I'm no sure... I'm sorry. This is all I can provide you."

"That's alright. It gives me hope that they are still alive. I guess we'll just need to head to Chicago to get a closer look at that room.

"This might be good news for you right now Zexion." Sova spoke as she got up and began to walk to behind the stage, into the leader's personal quarters.

"Sova, does this regard the special project you began a few years ago? Wielding Earth's Life Force?"

"It does. I have also come to a remarkable conclusion. I was going to test with it further, but it's too risky with the current developments inside the Paladins."

"Oh, what is it?"

"Paladin Life Force re-intergration."

"Explain, Sova."

"Well, only those who wield Earth's Life force and are rated as a "Grand Paladin" are capable of the strength as deemed by the Great Mother."

"I see. But what is it?"

"Well, those who have died, are reborn as a normal human without the powers we know, or even any memories."

"Get to the point, please." I spoke, clearly getting agitated.

"Yes, sorry. The energy and memories of the deceased Paladins are not lost. They are sent back to the Great Mother for it to feed her fight. So, those who die, supply those who weild Earth's Life Force. So, in theory, if you can find the reborn Paladin's human body, you should be able to link with the Great mother, search through her memories and reintegrate and regenerate that Paladin's memories, powers and body. " Sova spoke, focusing on her notes on a clipboard. This blew my mind.

"We can get them back? Why did you tell me this before?"

"Zexion. NO on in the Paladins can even control Earth's Life Force yet. Linking with the Great Mother in a way that you can feed off of her power is extremely painful if you aren't strong enough. It like you take all her power in the palm of your hand. It's not feasible for an ordinary Paladin to hold that much power inside the Natural form, lend alone the human form. It's just too much power. No ordinary Paladin can do it."

"I'm NOT normal, Sova."

"Even the Grand's don't have enough power. The concern that Ular is missinf is a big deal. He was the last Grand to try to hold the power. He was placed into a coma for 3 months after the attempt. I didn't get beyond 25% link before he passed out and didn't wake up for 3 months. I don't want to try it one anyone again. You are the strongest Grand, that's true, but still. Ular wasn't far below you. I just don't..."

"Sova, being a Grand isn't what I meant by not normal."

"I'm confused now. What DID you mean?"

"It's a long story, Sova. Just trust me. I CAN link with her. So can't my comrades. I know they can. Just give it to them."

"No... I can't risk hurting another one of my own. I won't do it." Sova spoke, turning away from me, voice shaking.

"Sova. It may be our last chance to save the Paladins AND the human race from themselves. You NEED to. I can't take any more of the Paladins dying and becoming lost within the enemy. I WILL link with the Great Mother, and I WILL restore each an every lost Paladin. I just need to you to trust that I CAN do this."

"Zexion... I..."

"Sova... I need you to trust me. I am THE strongest Grand Leader of the Paladins for a reason. I wasn't bestowed with this responsibility by the Great Mother for nothing. I need to risk what I can to save the Earth. She has held the Earth together all these years just for us to live on. We need to repay her now, by helping her now that she is fading. SHE needs you... I need you." I spoke, looking down into Sova's eyes. I could see her heart and mind were clashing for a decision.

"I'll give YOU the link, but not the others. I know they aren't strong enough. None of them are even Grands like yourself. I would be sentencing them to death. I won't..."

"Sova. They are stronger than what they appear to be. One of them is of Grand level, just doesn't know it yet." I spoke, as Sova exhaled an irritated and frustrated sigh.

"Alright..."

I could tell Sova was fighting her better judgement to refuse my request. I just hope I was right about my comrades. I walked across the room to the stairs again. I climbed them and opened the door at the top.

"Aetos, Tora, Simha, Koiras, Herten, Dominix, Lisica; I come down here please." I called to them.

"What is it? If there's any more blood, I think I might get sick."

"Just follow me. You need to hear this."

All 9 of us gathered in the meeting room.

"Sova, please explain what I am proposing we do."

"Recently, the Paladins have been experimenting with linking to the Great Mother and her powers. Since we are descendants and protectors of her. We have come to the conclusion that her power is achievable by strong willed followers of hers. If you were to link with her, your powers would become nearly limitless. Your Natural forms would feel strength you couldn't imagine. We believe that you could even control the Earth and it's components. Plants, rocks, fire, lightning, water, wind... the choices are endless."

"So, you are aying we are being gifted with this option of power?" Aetos jumped from her seat.

"I am."

"YEEAAHH! Let's get this linky thing done! It sounds like alot of fun to control these powers."

"Aetos, please... Listen." I spoke, settling her down in an instant.

"But, the link itself is the hardest thing. Ular, the leader missing in Chicago, was one to attempt the link, but was put into a coma for 3 months after only reaching 25% completion. It's painful. A total of 3 Grands have attempted the link. Only 1 survived, and was severely compromised. In theory, if it's a 33% survival rate. Only 3 of us would live from even ATTEMPTING it, not even if you were to succeed."

I glanced at each Paladin. Aetos became very distraught. Tora seemed saddened, but deep in thought. Koiras was rather stoic remarkably. Herten looked nervous, as expected. Simha looked determined, no doubt what his response is. Dominix looked stunned. Lisica, a look of shock.

"So, the question is... Are you willing to risk it all to help save the Paladins, the Human race and the Earth itself by trying to link with the Life Force of all we know in order to protect it?"

Each of them looked down. After a few seconds, Simha stood up.

"Yes, I'll do whatever it takes to help. It's the place we live. We need to protect it with everything we have." Simha proudly spoke as he walked and stood beside me. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye and nodded with a slight smile.

I looked at Aetos next. She looked half sure. She made eye contact with me, and her expression changed.

"Count me in! If I can't risk my life to save the Great Mother's, then I don't deserve to live off of her energy."

I gave a larger smile to Aetos as she walked and stood to my right, Simha on my left.

Slowly but surely, all of the Paladins decided to take the risk.

"Good. If you have any doubts, it'll take you down. You need to be pure of your dedication, or else you won't make it. If you want to turn back, no one will blame you." Sova asked, as she pressed 5 buttons on the computer terminal keypad. A door slid back and up beside the Leader's Quarters door to the right of the terminal. Sova stepped inside and explained that we must be in our Natural forms in order to link. We all transformed and stood around a circle seal symbol inscribed on the ground. The text wrapped around the seal was in a language only the Grands understood. I caught Tora and Aetos staring at the ground, blinking rapidly as if confused.

"Tora, Aetos! You awake? Get ready will you."

"Yeah, right... sorry." Tora replied, surprised.

"Yeah, Sorry, Zex." I rolled my eyes at her, and she noticed and grinned. I knew what they were staring at. I knew who was going to make it through this, and had thoughts about who might not at all.

Sova closed the door and a rattling and crackling was heard a moment later. A green light lit the room.

"Gentlemen, you are -"

"And ladies! Don't forget us, Sova!" Aetos shouted, cutting Sova off.

"Yes, and ladies... Ladies and Gentlemen, you are about to attempt a link to the strongest force that exists in the world, the Great Mother. Please place your two front feet, or for Aetos, your taloned feet will do, on the line of the seal in front of you. You will notice that line goes straight in front of you to the center pool. When I say begin, you will need to focus your energy to the base of your feet touching the line. You need to send forth your energy to establish the link. This takes remarkable amounts of energy. You will need to give all you can in order to form the link with her. Understand so far?"

No questions.

"Alright. As you have establish the link, you will see that the line in front of you will begin to glow a bright green color. Once you have made the line glow to reach the center, you have successfully created the link. It is still unknown as to what happens once you make it there, but the link will have been completed, but at that point you cannot give up and stop, you need to keep the juice flowing until I get a reading of your power increasing. I'll speak over the loud speaker when that happens, got it?

No questions.

"Okay, Let's begin. Please begin to focus. You can't stop once you begin without losing all the power you have released into the seal. If you all are ready, you may begin when ready." Sova finished.

I had no hesitation. I sloced my eyes and emptied my thoughts. One by one, the Paladins I have lost began to cycle through my head. I felt my strength draining rapidly, I didn't care. I just kept forcing my strength to my feet. I peeked my eyes open to look at my feet. The line was nearly half way to the center. I closed them again, and began to think of everything that has happened since we left Boston. The New York tragedy, the scenes in DC, the Philadelphia experience in the Police Station. I felt my inner strength swell up. Slowly but surely, I began to feel warm, and I began to lose feeling as to what I was standing on. My sense of location faded away. I peeked my eye open to see the line nearly complete and the center within a centimeter of my line's reach. I closed my eyes again and forced every last bit into the line. My strength was sapped from me instantly. I felt numb and cold... or was I warm. I had no feeling. Was I not strong enough after all? My feet lifted off the ground, or I couldn't feel the ground at all. I felt like I was floating in nothing. I couldn't tell if I was standing floating or falling. It felt like an eneternity. I couldn't remember if I opened my eyes or not. I just remember complete blackness.

"Zexion... Zexion..."

"Yeah?"

"Wake up child..."

"I'm tired..."

"Open your eyes..."

"Just a little bit longer..."

"Zexion..."

"Who is it?"

"It's me..."

"Who?"

"You contacted me, you should know who it is."

"Ahhgr" I sighed.

"Zexion... Wake up, dear child, devout follower."

Dazed, I peeked my eyes open slowly. It was tough to move my eyes. White light filled my sight. It hurt.

"Whoa. Who are you? Where are you?" I asked, turning my head, searching for something besides whiteness.

"I am all around you, Zexion. You have made great strides to defend me, and to that I owe you an immense debt."

"You support our lives. You don't owe us anything."

"I appreciate that thought, but I would have run out of strength long ago if you hadn't sent all the murdered to me. Their strength helped me recover from the damage the humans have done. As much as they hurt, they are needed for this world."

"I know. They are just as much a living creature as all the animals were. They need to be controlled, reminded where their place is in the world. I plan to do just that. First by getting rid of the Draconian Infantry whom fill the humans eyes with hate and disgust of the natural world. Then, I plan to rebuild the world to live in harmony with the Earth. Even if I need to give my life, I will help you recover to your former glory."

"I am glad to hear you say that. They are merely misguided. You have helped in the many imbalances of the past. I know you won't fail, Zexion. Therefore, I bestow you with the link to me. Anytime you need my assistance, don't be afraid to ask for some strength from me. If there's anything that I can do, please don't be afraid to ask, young one."

"I do have something to ask."

"What is it?"

"7 others are trying to link with you at this instant. Can I ask of you to allow them to link with you. They have determination equal to myself."

"I will allow those who are pure of heart to link to me, Zexion. If they have any doubts of their strength or any cloudiness in their hearts, I cannot allow them to link to me. If they turn on the Paladins, they can sap my strength dry. I hope you understand."

"I do. I appreciate the consideration of my request. May I ask what kinds of ways we can use the energy we ask for?"

"I will fill each of you that is linked with me an amount determined by how much you can hold. You will need to develop the ways in which to use it."

"Also, is there any way we can restore the memories and body of a fallen Paladin, if we find the reborn forms? Sova mentioned that it might be possible."

"It is possible. However, if you were to restore them, I would lose the strength they gave me by returning to me. I would need more power to replace the energy restoring the Paladin would take from me."

"I see. So, we can only save them after we have returned balance to the world."

"That's correct."

"May I ask one thing of you?"

"Yes?"

"The Chicago Paladins. Have they returned to you? Ular would be amongst them."

"I don't believe I have received his memories."

"Are they still alive then?"

"They might or might not be. Remember, they only return to me if someone performs a Firecast. You have done so twice, with a heavy heart. I know you knew many of those Paladins."

"I will do whatever I need to in order to boost your strength, fix the balance and bring them back. I swear it."

"Let's return to your friends. I will do my best to allow them the link. However, it is dependent on their strength, not mine. If they can't reach me, I can't allow them access."

"I understand."

"Farewell, and good luck, Zexion. I have faith you can lead the Paladin's back to their rightful strength and glory"

The light began to fade, and I began to feel my feet on the ground again. My vision focused and I saw Simha still focusing, Aetos was wincing slightly, Herten was on the ground, Koiras and Dominix were kneeling, but still trying, Lisica was almost asleep or in a trance, not quite linked yet, Tora's eyes were glowing, I presumed he made the link and he was having the same conversation I had. I looked down at the lines. Tora had indeed reached the center. Aetos was the next closest, then Simha, followed by Koiras, Dominix and Lisica were about half way. Herten had fallen, lifeless. I was afraid we lost him. I then heard a grunt from Koiras. He fell to the ground also. The line before him faded. I wanted to shout, but that would distract the others. Koiras was the oldest Paladin among us. He was wise, but didn't have the youth on his side to have the energy. Herten and Koiras were two I expected to possibly fall. I didn't know much about the two girls, so I couldn't make much of a guess about them. They seemed to be over half way, and had good endurance. It might take them a while to make the energy. I on the other hand made the link in a minute, or at least it felt like it. Tora's eyes faded to his normal glance. I looked at him as a look of happiness crossed his face. I smiled and nodded to him. He seemed shocked that he made it. The room was so dark besides the green light that I couldn't tell if anything changed on anyone. I saw a flash occur near Aetos. She had reached the end as well, and she entered the conversation. Simha followed a minute after Aetos. Lisica and Dominix were still fighting. They kept working for another 20 minutes before Dominix and Lisica reach link completion within 20 seconds of each other, Dominix just beating Lisica. After everyone had either failed or finished. I walked over to Herten. He was cold. He failed early on. He wasn't the strongest nor wisest guy on the team, but he had some determination I found worthwhile. Maybe I should have stopped him from doing this, as well as Koiras. I walked over to him, and placed my fingers alongside his neck. My eyes widened.

"Get Koiras up and out of here. Get him water, immediately. Sova, open the door! Koiras is still alive, but barely!" I shouted.