A/N: -muffled under pile of 22 reviews- I haven't done ANYTHING for the past five days with my stories. Seriously. No typing or writing. But I'm still hanging on. And I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Chapter dedication to CSIBeauty for reading my work. I've admired her work in her supernatural stuff. It's amazing.
11. Sounds of the Ocean
Who in the world would've thought that the demon of darkness would have gone to the water's domain of the ocean? The beach was the perfect spot to have both water and darkness in their element in the first place. And Rick Stetler knew if he was going to defeat Horatio Caine at pure strength and power, he'd have to defeat him at night.
This was exactly what he was going to do.
He smiled maliciously. Miami would soon be his ground of ruling and planning, no doubt. It was simple to achieve his goal- destroy the light, control the other elements, and rule the world. It didn't sound that hard… unless the lieutenant stuck his nose where it didn't belong. This would be in his business.
A blue demon fox with nine tails appeared. "Ti si ylraen detelpmoc, ym drol," he hissed.
"No one else is around, fool," he muttered.
The creature shrugged. "I never hear you speak in the Demonic tongue anymore," he replied, speaking fluent English. "Ever since that incident at Pastime's Peril…"
"I need not remember that incident," Stetler snapped, still not looking at the fox. "It is what got me into this, Rizora." His voice became softer, almost secretive. "What is the news with your host?"
"Cast me out for dead," he stated bitterly.
"And the others?"
"Making futile attempts to stay in control. Zier is nearly finished, but I believe he will live still." The blue demon looked over the calm ocean waters and smirked. "When can we strike, Lord Stetler?"
The name was growing on the dark demon human as he smiled. "Soon, my faithful servant. Soon."
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
As Horatio raced to the beach, he contemplated everything that had happened so far that week. All it took to change his life forever was the simple piece of evidence from Erin Haymaker's crime scene. He touched it first, so it was kind of his fault that he had gotten the power over water in the first place.
It made him sick to his stomach as he thought about Stetler's words. He knew he as the darkness and Calleigh the light, but what did it matter? Sure, he knew both elements were opposite, but what did it matter?
He sped faster in the Hummer towards the beach, determined to solve the mystery surrounding him.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
Calleigh stared out over the city from the top floor of the Miami-Dade Crime Lab. "I need to follow Horatio to the beach."
Eric's eyes widened. "Are you crazy? You're not going after the demon of darkness when H is already making a beeline for him1"
"I know what I need to do," she replied grimly. "I know my destiny. This is something I cannot avoid. I need to help the world and maybe sacrifice myself in the process. And no one is going to stop me from this decision."
Ryan glared at her. "If you go, I go. H told me to protect you."
Eric blinked. "Prote… oh, my god. Has anyone seen Natalia?"
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
"So you have no idea what's happening to us, what's been happening to us, or what will happen to us?" Alexx asked.
Natalia shook her head, sitting on a chair in the Medical Examiner's office. "All I know and do realize is that this whole element thing is turning us into something we may not want to become. And the sheer possibility that a war between demons and humans is coming just makes me more worried than ever before."
Alexx sighed. "All this because of some damn threat Stetler decided to make to Horatio in the hallway." She stopped, and then frowned. "Wait a second."
The other's ears perked up, too. "What is that?"
"Sounds like… the crash of the ocean waves on the beach and the clap of thunder and despair on the horizon."
"You mean, similar to that of the crash of Horatio's anger with Stetler and Stetler's fury with the warrior of water?"
The M.E. furrowed her brow. "I never really thought of it like that, but I guess so." She began to count off on her fingers. "So we've seen water, fire, light, air, darkness…"
"…but no earth," Natalia finished. "There's got to be another element, though."
The other woman shrugged. "Beats me. Although I really do hope that Horatio is going to be able to defeat the power over darkness…"
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
"S'eh gnimoc!" Rizora growled and disappeared in a portal of navy blue darkness.
Stetler smiled to himself. "Of course he is."
Horatio stopped behind Rick and stared at his archenemy, not smiling. "Rick, what is going on?" The blue streaks on his hands were now journeying up his body and neck with considerable speed, considering the fact that he got those powers a week ago.
The other man smirked. "Oh, god, Horatio. Still hung up with me?"
"Yes. Yes, I am."
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
John paced back and forth through the room and finally slammed his fist into the wall. "What the hell can we do to help him?"
"Nothing," Marisol replied sadly. "Horatio will need to learn what will happen when there is no light. And yet, it comes at a price."
His mother looked worried. "But what about…"
Speed shuddered. "Don't say it. We all know Horatio is about to undergo the change of a millennia, but no one has ever been through what he's going to be going through. It's going to be a living hell for him… and Miami." He glanced out the window and sighed. "What I'm worried about is the prophecy…"
A/N: And I leave it right there for you to think about. I promise the next chapter will be out next week! Review, please and thank you!