26

Fallon surveyed the scene she and the Undertaker were rapidly approaching, her mouth forming an O of disbelief. "We're too late." She whispered, spotting her sister huddled on the ground, her only defense Viscera and Mideon.

"No, we can't be." 'Taker said with none of his usual confidence. "We must be in time."

They fell silent, landing not a yard away from Kane and Freye, Kane fending off Freye's wild attacks.

"Tig!" Fallon cried, darting to her sister.

Freye glanced up, looking almost bestial in her rage, slobbering madly, her long fingernails buried deeply in Kane's throat, blood welling up underneath them. "You!" She raged, eyes fastened on the Undertaker. "If not for your damn premonition, my sister would live yet!"

Fallon halted, frozen halfway between her sister and 'Taker.

"Premonition?" Kane echoed weakly, staring at his brother, his head cocked at an odd angle.

'Taker stared at Freye. "Yes, my vision. It's Paul Bearer's own fault that your sister lies dead, he knew anyone he brought into his war would die. Or did he not tell you that?"

Freye pushed herself off of Kane, stumbling back, her eyes darting wildly between 'Taker, Kane and Fallon. "You lie." She said calmly, her voice belying what her body was so clearly saying.

"Do I?"

"I must… see… Paul." Freye murmured, turning her back on her enemies. She didn't spare them a second glance before scooping her sister in her arms and taking flight, seeming unburdened with the dead weight.

Fallon darted to her own sister, crouching down. "Tig?"

Tigress' eyes slowly opened. "Hey."

"Hey." Fallon smiled lovingly. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired."

"I don't doubt it. Here…" Fallon gently rested her palm over Tigress' heart, willing her own energy into her sister's body. "How's that?"

"A little better." Tigress' own natural color was slowing returning, a good sign. "Though I feel like I could sleep for days."

"You probably will." Fallon gestured for Viscera to come pick Tigress up. "Take her to her room." She instructed, assuming authority since everyone else still seemed shock. "I'll be up presently."

Viscera nodded, gently scooping the already sleeping Tigress into his arms, cradling her gently.

Fallon surveyed the battle zone, taking in the scorched grass that was the only remnant of the spell Tigress had cast, a spell that damn near cost her life. She tugged on a curl, unsure what to do next. She didn't want to interrupt the stare down between Kane and 'Taker but at the same time, she didn't trust them alone lest a fight break out.

"What was she talking about brother?" Kane demanded, his voice ragged.

'Taker sighed, glancing away, staring off into the rapidly approaching dusk before saying in a monotone voice. "I had a vision that you would lead to Paul's demise. Paul hastened it by thinking if he struck you first, before your own power manifested, he would have defeated my prophecy. He also involved your cousins, knowing they would fall, as I predicted."

"This is all over a dream you had?"

"No dream Kane." 'Taker smiled sardonically. "This was a vision."

"How did Tigress and I become a part of all this then?" Fallon asked quietly.

He now faced her. "That was Kane entirely. He had his own vision once this all started, regarding you both as his 'angels', women who would aid him with their kindness." Now he regarded his brother thoughtfully. "It seems that Tigress was instrumental in Kane discovering his powers, am I right brother?"

Kane breathed heavily, replaying what had happened in his mind before nodding.

"Love." Fallon mused aloud, oblivious to the stares now directed at her. "The most powerful magick of them all."

***

Paul Bearer was waiting anxiously in the hallway when the door was thrown open. He barely had time to jump back as Ember's body was hurled at him, his mouth falling open.

"Is this your doing Uncle?" Freye asked in a deadly voice, stepping over the threshold.

"What do you mean?" He asked calmly, mind racing to comprehend what had happened.

"My sister lies before you dead, killed by your own son. Your protégé, the Undertaker, claims you knew we would all fall. Is that true?"

Everything fell into place then.

"Of course not Freye!" Paul exclaimed, looking aghast. Somehow he managed to drop to one knee, gently brushing Ember's hair out of her face, reviled by the coldness of her flesh. "If I'd of known this would happen…" He buried his face in his hands, the perfect picture of grief.

Somewhere, deep inside, where the last vestiges of sanity still resided, Freye knew he was lying. But her pain and loss were so great that she didn't care. In her shattered mind, Kane had murdered her sister. She didn't see it as causalities of war but cold-blooded murder.

They would all pay.

***

"What next?" Fallon asked, later that night as the trio sat around the kitchen table, strong drinks in front of them.

'Taker studied her, marveling at how gracefully she had accepted that she and her sister had been drawn into this war merely on chance, on a whim. "It is my opinion that we attack now, while Paul and Freye are relatively weak. You both seen the woman, she's mad. She'll want revenge for this, Paul will use it to his advantage, goading her madness. If it were to go unchecked, who knows what damage she could unleash."

Kane refilled his glass with brandy, pushing away from the table. "I'm checking on Tigress then going to bed." He announced tiredly. "You two decide."

Fallon turned puzzled eyes onto 'Taker. "He doesn't care?"

"He knows nothing of warfare." 'Taker corrected gently, refilling their own glasses. "Kane trusts us with his life, he doesn't feel he can save himself."

"You don't agree." She tilted her head, making it more a statement than a question.

"Kane will kill both Paul and his niece, it is his destiny."

"It's his destiny to kill his father and cousin?"

"If he doesn't want to be killed himself it is."

***

Tigress surveyed the grim faces before her, feeling weak and useless. "I wish I could go with you." She offered apologetically.

Fallon hugged her sister. "The best thing for you to do is wait here for us and regain your strength."

"I know, I just wish I could do more."

"You've done plenty."

'Taker eyed the coming sun. "We should go. They'll be at their weakest during the day, we'd do well to avoid a conflict after sunset."

Kane eased his mask into place, surprised that instead of feeling safe behind it, he felt suffocated.

Tigress stood on her tiptoes, reaching up to remove it. "You don't need this any longer Kane." She whispered, her white shawl falling off her shoulders.

He nodded, staring down at her, a feeling he had come to associate with her flowing through him, filling him with strength.

Fallon turned from her sister, unable to see the pain in Tigress' eyes. She almost sighed with relief when 'Taker announced it was time to leave.

"Fly swift, fight strong and fie home." Tigress whispered.

"Keep her safe." 'Taker instructed his minions gravely.

Mideon and Viscera nodded, shamed by their performance yesterday.

Kane gasped as he was raised into the air.

Fallon noted the strained look on 'Taker's face and concentrated her own energy to meld with his, hoping he didn't notice, knowing he was a proud man.

'Taker frowned before sparing a glance at her, his eyes knowing before raising them off the porch.

Fallon glanced back at her sister, feeling a twinge of pain when she seen Tigress' shoulders shaking violently.

***

Paul studied Freye, observing the rigid way she held herself as she prepared her sister's body for burial. Though he made great pretense, it didn't phase him to see his niece dead. He glanced towards the stairs when he heard a chime ringing throughout the house, intruder alarms. "They're here."

Freye reached for her scythe, her lips peeled back over her teeth, giving her an inhuman look. "Good."