Queen Sunstar: Sorry about the long wait!

Rick: She don't own us, NBC does. She owns Cronamus, and the storyline below. Queenie! You are finally updating the story? Yay! (Goes off to read it)

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"Uh! He got Calliegh! How could we let that happen?" Eric screamed in anger, punching the wall.

"Eric, calm down! Please! Calliegh will be fine!" Natalia begged, but Eric was having none of it.

"We don't know that! Cronamus could abuse her, or worse kill her!" Eric protested.

"Eric, you will calm yourself this instant. Tomorrow night, Horatio will go save her. She is a survivor, and she will survive. This war is going to end tomorrow night, and all of us will be there to celebrate. You need to calm down. Calliegh is more then a match for Cronamus." Alexx soothed gently. Eric calmed down. Horatio chose that moment to call them together.

"As you know, tomorrow night, I will go fight Cronamus. I am dong this alone. One life endangered is one life too many. I do not want to be followed. Eric, that goes for you, too. Am I clear?" Horatio asked.

"Crystal clear, H." Eric forced.

The others nodded.

"Good." Horatio left, going for his office. He thought of his upcoming battle, and began to think strategy.

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"Orina, you're still just as lovely as you were centuries ago." Cronamus hissed, stroking Callieghs hair. Calliegh growled.

"Let me go, Cronamus!" She spat.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. I am afraid I cannot do that, Mon Angeline." Cronamus purred.

"You make me sick! Horatio will come, and knock you flat! He will save me!" Calliegh screamed.

"You wish, Orina. I cannot be stopped by Cain. He will not fight me because it will be you in danger." Cronamus hissed, "You have a little present for me."

With that, his hand changed. His nails turned into talons, and his hand became a shadow. He plunged it into Callieghs chest, eliciting a scream from her. When he withdrew his hand, he had her emerald. The hand went back to normal, and Calliegh stared in horror at her own crystal.

"One down, six to go." Cronamus sneered.

"What do you plan to do with the crystals?" Calliegh asked.

"You will be dead soon, so I'll tell you anyway. My aim is to collect the seven crystals, and merge them into myself. I'll be the most powerful Demigod around, and then, I'll name myself God. You puny humans will worship me, and so will the demons! I'll enslave you humans, and bring about the end of the light!" Cronamus laughed evilly.

"You mean, Horatio will send you packing, thus saving the light." Calliegh snapped, "You will never win."

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Speedle and Marisol were joined by Adien Burns, a fellow CSI from New York. Like Speedle and Marisol, she was dead. The Archangel and both angels sat at a kitchen table, inside Speeds mansion. They lived together.

"The Lord says we are not to get involved in this war." Speedle said, sipping a cup of coffee. He looked haggard.

"Earth is nothing without its Avenger. I doubt its seven champions can save it." Marisol worried.

"Mac will fight to the death to save it, as will Horatio." Adien said, pouring herself another cup of coffee, "The Lord is running us through the cloud, literally. I haven't slept in days."

"Nether have we, and whose turn is it to fly to the store?" Speed asked, "We are nearly out of coffee."

"Its your turn, Speed." Marisol said, "I went last time." Her pager buzzed, "And my boss is calling." She stood, opened her soft white wings, and took off. Her wings were normal sized, compared to Adeins, who had the smaller wings of a message runner, while Speed sported the large wings of a top Archangel.

"And I thought Heaven was paradise." Adien said.

"It is paradise, when we are not sitting ringside to a war between the humans and the demons." Speedle said, looked out his window at the Earth as it slowly revolved by.

"Doesn't Earth always show its day side to us?" Adien asked.

"Yeah. That is funny. It is all dark. The sun still shines on it, but it doesn't go day." Speedle said as his own pager buzzed, "The Lord is calling, got to fly."

Speedle took off, leaving Adien alone. She stood, and put the dishes into the dish washer. Her own pager buzzed, and seconds later, she was gone.

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The day passed quickly for Horatio, who had a doctors appointment that morning. He was healing nicely from his ordeal at the hospital. The darkness still blanketed the lands. It was hard to tell when day ended and night began. People were still being murdered, so the CSI's still had their jobs. Mac had gone back to New York to help deal with the chaos there. The absence of light was having a negative effect on people. The White House had issued a curfew at night. Horatio headed for the front door. He paused, listening to the sounds of the lab. He had chosen not to say good bye to anyone. Silently, he went wolf, and took off.

Behind him, a white winged tiger followed. Eric stayed far enough back to not attract the attention of Horatio. He was thankful that the wind was blowing at him, not toward Horatio. He knew this was wrong, but he had to go help save Calliegh. He thought of her perfume, her loving gazes as she watched him suit up for a dive, running on the beach together… He missed her so much it hurt. He promised himself he would do anything to save her.

Horatio soared over the bluffs, and landed, going human. He looked around. Cronamus was nowhere in sight. A woman's scream tore his attention toward the ocean. Calliegh was there, being suspended by a black chain over some sharp rocks. Behind her, Cronamus sneered.

Ugly black clouds rolled over what little light that had struggled bravely through the darkness to be called daylight. Everything became basked in surreal light, like before a big thunderstorm. The wind picked up in a mournful wail. A crack of thunder sounded off followed by a flash of whit light, which illuminated Calliegh's face. Streaks of tears covered her face, showing she had been crying.

"Calliegh! Did he hurt you?" Horatio screamed, unable to contain his rage any longer.

"I'm okay, for now, H!" Calliegh called back, "I'm so glad to see you!"

"I'll have you down in no time, ma'am! Cronamus! You wanted a fight, so here it comes!" Horatio took a graceful leap off the cliff, going wolf in the process. He slammed into Cronamus, and tore into the Demigod's neck. Blood sprayed everywhere. Calliegh screamed. Eric shot over to her. Horatio spun around to face him.

"Eric! I ordered you not to follow me!" Horatio screamed.

"I'll get Calliegh out of here! You fight Cronamus!" Eric responded, clawing at the chain. It glowed purple, causing Calliegh to scream.

"Do you think I honestly can be defeated?" Cronamus asked, healing himself.

"No fair!" Eric cried, "Calliegh, you okay?"

"I'll live." Calliegh groaned, "Just don't shock me like that again."

"Why yes, I do." This time, Horatio lit his horn, and dove, impaling Cronamus in the chest. Once again, Cronamus healed himself.

"I said I can not be defeated. I am an immortal. Immortals can never die." Cronamus hissed, "My turn."

His hands changed over to talons, and he sank them into Horatio's side. Horatio twisted, and tore into Cronamus's body with his claws. The bitter enemies broke apart, only to clash again and again. Horatio sank his teeth into Cronamus's neck, only to get thrown into the cliff. He staggered to his feet.

"You need us, Horatio! You can't win on your own! I wasn't the only one who followed you! The others are here! This is an order we refuse to follow! Admit you need our help!" Eric cried, giving the chain one final tug. It broke, releasing Calliegh. He dove down to catch her on his back, "You are free!"

"Thanks, Eric. Cronamus has my crystal. I'm useless to you guys now." Calliegh said, "I can't even call forward a mini penknife!"

"Eric, there is a reason I didn't want you to follow me. I don't think I'm going to survive the battle. Since you guys are here, Frank, lets bio merge!" Horatio cried.

Frank, followed by the rest of the team, came out of hiding.

"We couldn't let you have all the fun, now, could we." Natalia said.

"I don't know what I'm going to do with you guys. I asked that I would not be followed." Horatio smiled, "I'm glad you all are here. I realized my mistake. I can't stand on my own. I need you here, helping me fight Cronamus. Are you with me?"

"I'm with ya!" Ryan said, "Lets give Cronamus what he wants!"

"You want to bio merge?" Frank asked.

"Lets do it!" Horatio agreed.

Wolf and Lion glowed. Seconds later, wolf and lion became one. They had the body of a lion, with the head, and tail of a wolf. They had Horatio's wings, with Franks horn. Silver wolf fur mixed through golden lion fur. A reddish silver fringe framed their face.

"Not the biomerged form of Cain and Leo, known as Leowolf, again!" Cronamus screamed.

"Cronamus, you've tormented this world long enough! It's time you return to the fires of Hell!" Leowolf snarled, lunging into battle. The others joined in the fray. Leowolf tore into Cronamus's neck, only to watch it heal as fast as he damaged it.

"Give up, Cronamus! You're surrounded!" Ryan screamed, swiping a massive paw at Cronamus's neck.

"Oh really?" Cronamus sneered, "I have the emerald of Orina. Watch at what I can become."

Black armor covered Cronamus's body, and his wings remained the same, except for the sheet of armor platting covering them. His hands converted over to talons dripping in poison. His teeth became fangs dripping in blood. The Demigod growled, and lunged at Leowolf. Leowolf skirted out of harms way. He faked a left, and snaked to the right, raking his claws on Cronamus's shoulder armor.

"What's wrong, pussy cat? Can't damage armor without breaking a claw?" Cronamus let out an evil crackle.

"Laugh while you can, Cronamus. It's your last one." Leowolf lowered his horn, and charged.

Cronamus was prepared, and sank his talons into Leowolf's neck. He began to squeeze the life out of Leowolf. Leowolf's eyes bulged, and his mouth opened in a silent scream. His tongue lolled out of his gapping mouth. His chest shuddered as he tried to breathe.

"Leowolf's in trouble! He needs us! Natalia, stay close to Calliegh! She needs protection now that she is no longer like us!" Ryan screamed, attacking Cronamus's talon tipped hand.

Calliegh opened her mouth to object, but thought better of it as she realized that Ryan was right. Natalia landed beside her, and protected her from harm.

Cronamus screamed, Ryan hanging on to his hand with his mouth. Eric sank his claws into Cronamus's face. Alexx studied the armor, and formed an idea.

"Hey guys! Get Leowolf to safety while I cook the demon tin can!" She called, setting herself ablaze. She sank her talons into Cronamus's shoulders, and forced herself to burn hotter and brighter. The smell of melting metal filled the air, and Alexx felt hands on her body. She was sent flying into the side of the cliff, where she burned into ashes, and resurrected herself. Cronamus howled, his armor forever burned into his skin. Leowolf rose, and prepared to charge. Cronamus, his face contorted by rage, hurled a mighty spell at the lion wolf. Leowolf didn't have time to react. The deadly dark energy blasted across the landscape, and sent Leowolf skyward. When he hit the ground, his body separated into Frank in lion form, and Horatio in wolf form. Frank didn't move.

"Frank!" Alexx ran to the lion, and healed him.

Horatio was already up and running. Pain stabbed at him every time he breathed, and his arm was clearly broken. He pushed the pain aside, and focused on the battle. He sprang into the air, and with a powerful thrust from his wings, he soared toward Cronamus. Seconds later, he dug his claws into demon flesh.

"One shall fall, one shall stand, once this day is through, Cronamus." the wolf spat between clenched teeth.

"Oh really? I tire of this." Cronamus sneered, shrugging Horatio off of him. With lightening speed, he shot toward Calliegh, flinging Natalia aside like a rag doll. Just has he gripped her shoulder, Natalia was on him again.

"Eat energy, creep!" Natalia lit her horn, and released a wave of energy at Cronamus, sweeping him off his feet.

"That wont stop me!" Cronamus raised a hand, and gathered the energy into the palm of his hand. Natalia's eyes widened in horror as she realized where that energy was going to go. Cronamus released it. Horatio charged, trying to get to them in time to stop what he knew was going to happen. Natalia screamed.

"NOOOO!" Horatio flung himself into the blast.

Time slowed down. Natalia felt paws on her sides, pulling her away from the light. She struggled, until the owner of the paws ordered her to stop. Calliegh felt Cronamus let go, and she felt herself falling. She realized with a sickening feeling in her gut that she had fallen off the cliffs, and she was going to be fish food in about five seconds. It wasn't the sharp rocks her body hit, but the soft feathery down of a large bird. Milliseconds later, she realized that she was on Alexx's back. The Phoenix climbed up into the sky. The light died down. Cronamus was nowhere to be seen. A gray lump of bloody fur and wings lay motionless near the explosion site. Alexx screeched in horror. Calliegh felt her stomach do flip flops. Ryan got to the downed wolf first, and let out a mournful howl into the sky. Alexx landed, and Calliegh took off running.

"No! Dear God no!" Calliegh reached Horatio as the others joined her.

The wolf's eyes fluttered open, and Horatio gasped in agony. Slowly, he went human. Something was clearly wrong. His injuries did not heal. Horatio gasped again.

"Ahh… I'm not going to make it." He whispered, before groaning as a fresh bout of agony swept through him.

"No! Don't talk like that, H! You will survive! Please! Fight!" Natalia sobbed.

"It's okay, Natalia. Where I'm going, I'll get to see Speed, and Marisol again. I'll get to watch over you all." Horatio's breathing grew weaker.

"But Horatio!" Alexx let her tears fall, "We need you!" Her tears did not work.

"Now don't be selfish, Alexx. I promise, I'll always be there for you, for all of you. Ahh… this is it… Good bye, my friends…" Horatio's eyes fluttered closed forever. His chest struggled, but at last, it too, settled into deaths cold embrace. Horatio was gone.

"I killed him!" Natalia sobbed, "I killed Horatio!"

Ryan wrapped his arms around her shoulders, "No, Nat. This was his destiny. He sacrificed himself just like Cain did back in the Roman Empire. He saved you." Ryan sighed, "He protected you."

"What will we tell the public? They ain't gonna believe that a demigod killed Horatio." Frank asked, his voice heavy.

"Leave that to me." Alexx whispered, "His injuries look like they might have been sustained in a car crash."

"Okay, Rick's gonna ask how Horatio got out here. Nearest road is five miles that way." Frank replied, pointing west.

"I know! it's a body dump! A pair of hikers found it, and called it in!" Ryan called out, getting dirty looks from everyone.

"One problem. Our prints cover the crime scene. Rick'll fry us, and serve us for dinner." Eric retorted.

"Guys, we have nothing to worry about. Take a look at the crime scene. It reads that Horatio was in an accident." Calliegh said, "Lets go, and wait for the call. We better not show any grief until after he is found."

Calliegh rode Alexx, and they returned to the lab. They tried to behave normally. Natalia filed a missing persons report on Horatio, and put out a call on the Service Hummer he was using. The Hummer turned up first, in a near by town. A massive search turned up Horatio. Alexx did the autopsy, and wrote it off as death by car accident. Rick reopened the investigation with the finding that Horatio had tried to escape from someone. It turned into a dead lead. The case was closed for good. Several days went by. Horatio's funeral came up.

Ryan sat on the couch in the break room. He, and everyone else were wearing their dress uniforms. He felt something break inside of him, and let the tears come. This was it. Horatio was gone, and never coming back. He curled into a ball, and the flood gates opened. Alexx, wearing a black dress, came in and sat beside him.

"Ryan, its okay. He's in a better place, now. He doesn't hurt anymore." Alexx soothed, stroking the young CSI's hair in an effort to calm him.

"It's not that, Alexx! He's not coming back! It hurts so much!" Ryan sobbed.

Eric and Calliegh came in.

"You two coming?" Eric asked, his voice dead of any emotion. He had cried himself out days ago. Calliegh's eyes were red and puffy.

"We will be along in a few minutes." Alexx said, "Ryan, it hurts for all of us. Lets go."

Rick walked in, his gaze low, and it looked like he had done some crying of his own. Ryan glared at him.

"This is your fault, you know!" he hissed.

"Do you think I don't know that? I thought he would succeed! I never thought the guy would die! I blame myself! I came to turn myself in! I'm the Slasher! It was me killing those people! I'm sorry I did it! I will redeem myself one way or another! I'm going to change my ways! I'm no longer going to serve Cronamus! It was a big mistake! Can you forgive me?" Rick cried, panting as he finished his rant.

"In honor of Horatio, Rick, you are under arrest for the murders of nine people. You know the Miranda rights, correct?" Ryan stood, and pulled out a pair of handcuffs. Rick turned, and pulled his arms behind his back.

"I have the right to remain silent. Anything I say can and will be used in a court of law. I have the right to an attorney. If I can't afford one, one will be assigned to me by a court of law. Yes, I understand my rights." Rick recited.

Ryan led him away to a holding cell, "You are going to pay for your mistakes. I don't think I can ever forgive you. You took Horatios life away." Ryan slammed and locked the door. His heart lightened, and he smiled, "You are never far from us, aren't you, H?" he could have sworn he heard Horatio's voice saying yes.

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Queen Sunstar: I know, I said it would be two weeks. What happened was my laptops hard drive fried, and I lost the chapter. I sent my Laptop to Geek Squad, and they were able to replace it, and save everything on onto the new hard drive. My office computer crashed two days after my laptop did, and I lost everything on it, including the outlines for the next two parts of the trilogy. I was forced to go five days without a computer, and another four without internet service. To complicate maters more, my laptops AC adapter shorted out, and I had to wait a week for a new one from Dell. I did invest in a new Dell computer, which works great, and I've finished the chapter at last. I'll get the epilogue up and the first chapter of new Hero rising, sometime before Christmas, I promise!

Rick: (Sobbing) That was so sad!

Ryan: Yes! I got to arrest Settler! I'm good! I'm good! I'm so good!

Rick: (Still sobbing) Don't you care that she killed Horatio?

Ryan: Oh yeah. (Sobs)

Alexx: leave us some reviews, please! We want to hear from you!