The Friends of the Stones

by Debbie Dai-chan

Finally, the Stories of the Ten Digidestined and a new enemy that has a role to play . . .

12. 12 Beware of the Reconciler

The Friends of the Stones:
Part Twelve: Beware of the Reconciler
By Debbie (Dai-chan) and Chicobo, too!


"Joe!" Mimi rejoiced.

Jyou, the plain old Jyou, truly was present, with the hidden grace and the bright gentleness sparkling behind his dusky eyes. He was soaked, but he wasn't minding it, his pale blue-streaked black hair dripping. Jyou raised his gaze from where he eyed the doorway over to Mimi, who was striding forward, her eyes misting in mirth to see him at last.

Taichi thought he saw whole discomfort flashing in the boy's eyes, and he swiftly stepped backward, almost seeming like a sea hesitating to create waves.

Mimi slowed down in her tracks, looking anxious as Jyou eyed her open hands with clear caution. "Joe, what's wrong? Don't you remember me? It's me, Mimi." She took a half-step forward, and again, the lanky boy retracted, his face a mixed visage of warning and regret.

"How did you get underwater?" he asked, his voice soft and billowing just like water.

Taichi watched as Frankie and Mimi began to speak, hoping to rouse Jyou's memory, but he, along with his sister, stayed back, observed Jyou with uncertainty. There was something wrong. Taichi couldn't figure how. He knew that there was something wrong. Not something dangerous. Just wrong.

"We got in trouble with a Megaseadramon, and the Gomamon brought us here," Mimi was answering. "You've been disappeared. Where have you been?"

"The sea is calling for me," Jyou replied, then he cocked his head. "Why did you ask?"

Frankie glanced over to Taichi with worry on his face. Taichi was quiet, not knowing what he can do to help, then he turned around at the echoing sounds of waddling from the corridor. He saw several small Gomamons, led by their Guardian. They then saw the Reconciler and bowed deeply as though he was well-known and revered.

"You found the Reconciler," the Guardian grinned. "I'm pleased."

"Why's that?" Hikari asked.

Jyou answered her, "Because he needs my Digistone to allow you entry to the Fountain. I'm here to give you my stone."

"How do you know all that?" Frankie demanded, surprised. Taichi was surprised, too. How did he know all those knowledge that the other kids didn't figure out yet was just a bit strange.

Taichi saw a light spasm crossing over the lanky boy's face, then it vanished. "It doesn't matter this time." Jyou took out his cube-shaped Digistone from his pocket. "Here, take it. Get what you need."

A voice in Taichi's head was screaming at him not to trust Jyou. It warned him that he was cursed by Amayamon and should not be trusted at all. What if he was the true Betrayer? He could trick you. Surely, you saw the hesitance in his face. You should go and stop him before he does anything! Taichi irefully pushed the voice back, but still watched Jyou closely.

Frankie went toward Jyou to receive the stone. Jyou appeared very uneasy to be touched, but stood still, his hands outreached, the stone resting on his long fingers. As Frankie reached for the stone, he saw something bizarre. On Jyou's left wrist, there were two small opened holes, not healed, but weren't bleeding or anything.

"Joe! What happened to your wrist?" Frankie gasped.

Taichi saw Jyou taking a brief glance at his wrist, and he abruptly hid his left hand behind his back. Jyou's face slightly twisted, upset. "Take the stone," he spoke, his usual soft voice now hard as ice. Taichi's caution grew.

Frankie looked very worried, but took the stone. As if he got rid of the stone, Jyou appeared heavily relieved and - it seemed to Taichi - guilty. Saying nothing, he headed for the water, stepping in.

"Joe!" Mimi cried, daring to step closer. "Why can't you stay with us? We miss you."

The tall boy paused at her words, then turned around, his eyes somewhat regretful. "If I stay with you, I would hurt you. I'm not completely taken, but there're no way telling what will I do. I'm sorry, Mimi, but I do miss you." He then disappeared underneath the water, leaving a modest splash.

Frankie was troubled as Mimi tried to withhold tears. Frankie took a glance downward at the cube stone in his hands, his face twisted with anguish, then sighed. "Alright, Guardian," he spoke, his eyes facing the Digimon, "Let us see the Fountain."

The voice then hissed in Taichi's head, warning about the danger. He rushed to stop in front of Frankie, grasping his shoulders, preventing him from going anywhere. "Are you crazy? Think, Frankie. Joe is cursed. He's the Betrayer! Why would he want to help us? Something wrong is going on here."

Frankie glared downward to him, his hazel eyes aglow. "I know something wrong is going on. We cannot do anything about Joe and the others until we get the water. Do you have any better idea what to do now?"

Taichi was unmoving. "What do you think about Joe, giving you his stone? How could he know all about our mission? How can you answer this?"

"All I can answer is that I want this mission to be over and get you guys home." His face was oddly distressed. "You think I have no idea what's going on here? You're wrong, Tai. I know what's happening. I know about the others. I want this to be finished.

"Didn't you hear what Joe just said? He said he's not completely taken. He must mean that Amayamon isn't controlling him the whole time. He must have given us his stone so we could succeed. Otherwise, we will be stuck here forever. He wants to help us. That's why he left; he knows what's happening to him. There may be hope for him, if we just get the water." Then he grimaced. "Step aside, Tai-kun."

Surprised, Taichi stepped aside. Watching Frankie, Taichi just saw him just more than a witty boy who enjoyed mischief. There was something about him, but Taichi just couldn't put his finger on it. Maybe there was something Frankie has to do, something urgent. In silence, he followed the boy, along with the girls, and the Gomamons down another passageway that bypass the main corridor.

(A/N: This's only a small portion of the love I have for my buddy, Chicobo! *^_^* Ahem.)

At the end of the corridor, Taichi could see a great chamber, touched with the reflected silver-blue light of billowing water among the walls. In the center of the floor, there was a simple wellspring, oval in shape, built with a white raised barrier to keep the liquid in. There was a small, short column raised about few feet high from the white bar, also white in hue. Taichi imagined that the Fountain would be fancy, full with showy geysers of sparkling waters, and mermaid statues, but he was mistaken. It was a just simple, plain fountain of purified liquid.

"Now what, Guardian?" Frankie was asking.

"See the column on the bar?" The Guardian was directing. "You will see a notch on which you must put the Digistone in."

"That's it?" When the Guardian nodded, the boy strolled over to the column and saw a imprint shaped like a cube, sunken inside, looking like the stone would fit in. He slid the stone in, and soon, he saw the water slowly beginning to ripple. It seemed like the surface was rippled by invisible raindrops.

"Don't you have any containers to carry the water in?" the Guardian's voice broke through the kids'  wondering awe.

Frankie and Taichi portrayed a simple gaze. "I think so. Joe tends to carry lots of stuff," said Frankie as Taichi knelt down and dug in the medicinal bag. (A/N: Interesting as it is, Joe indicates to have *everything* in his seemingly bottomless bag. Thank you, Japan, for animation!) He got out two water bottles, both empty. He handed one to the other boy, and both filled up the bottles, closing them up tight.

"What can we do with the water?" Hikari was curiously wondering. "Pour it on them or make them drink it?"

The Guardian responded, "Just pour the water on where your companions were marked with the curse. It will stop the corruption."

"Now it's done," Mimi spoke, "How can we get up to the surface?"

"Leave that to us," one of the Gomamons answered.

"You can take us to the surface?" Hikari was marveled. "How?"

The Guardian chuckled softly at her childlike interest. "Such abilities sometimes are best to be unanswered, Little Saint." Then his pale green eyes grew sharp and solemn. "You all must promise us, Digidestined, that you will never mention the whereabouts of the Fountain?"

"Of course," Mimi said with a convincing smile. "We already promised you before, remember? Digidestined's Honor."

"Digidestined's Honor," the others echoed, honesty on their features.

The Guardian and the Gomamons grinned in assurance. "We will keep that in memory. Now you might want to get the Reconciler's stone and get ready."

"You mean you don't need it?" came the question of Frankie.

"Perhaps he needs it more than I do," the Guardian replied with a knowing smile.

***

They have been asleep under the night sky, exhausted after their complete journey to the Friends of the Stones. No one was keeping watch for danger, Dasalmon has said that the area was protected by some sort of mystical force, and no Digimon would date to use violence within the circle of protection.

The children had discovered that the large columns of stones have impressions shaped like the shapes of the Digistones, one of each of the eight stones. They could set their Digistones in the notches, maybe the only way to activate the stones. Nothing happened so far, since not all the notches were filled in yet. Despite the fact that there were no stone columns for Hikari's and Frankie's Digistones, maybe only eight stones were needed to be used. There, the kids left them in the notches, knowing since the circle was guarded, no one would steal them, and they went almost immediately to sleep, the first safe, peaceful slumber in a seeming long time.

Takeru was the only one who couldn't sleep. He didn't tell his brother or the others that he sensed a faint wave of threat. He was worried that there was something - or someone - dangerous hiding nearby. He wasn't sure if the feeling was true. It was too faint, but it was there.

Takeru rolled to his back and opened his drowsy eyes. Between the silent leaves, he could see the night sky, black-blue and empty of stars. It was thick with clouds, a blurred halo of the small silver moon burnishing the haze. The air was still cool, and Takeru shivered under his warm cloak.

His ears perked up faint rustlings of grass and fabric from his left side, and he saw the dark of figure of Koushiro sitting nearby, huddled in his cloak. Yawning quietly, Takeru sat up, gathering around his cloak. He went to sit down beside Koushiro, careful not to alarm him.

"Hiya, Izzy, can't sleep?" Takeru said with a blithe grin. He remembered that Koushiro was oddly silent lately and wanted to cheer him up.

Koushiro cast him a quick glance and shrugged.

"We hope you'd get better. Why are you sad?"

Koushiro did have a faint remorseful look on his freckled face. He looked astonished at the boy's skilled observance, and his hand reached to touch his neck.

"You're sad because you can't talk?" Takeru wondered.

Koushiro shook his head, his hand digging out something from underneath his shirt. There was a flash of silver, and Takeru saw another necklace with an open-winged butterfly pendant hanging from it.

"Oh, you miss Cleo, right?" Takeru said, his mind summoning up a vague image of the pale-skinned blond girl that Koushiro adored. The youngest boy's mind was too young to understand love, but he did understand affection, kindness, and loneliness. "Is that why you are sad?"

Koushiro seemed to ponder the question, his eye staring out in the night. Takeru waited, could still see the remorseful look on his face. Then the black eyes focused on him, and he again shook his head.

"Then what's the matter, Izzy?" Takeru tried again, cocking his head, his azure eyes growing concerned. "Is it that Digimon, Amayamon? Did she hurt you?"

Koushiro's eyes said nothing except that they flickered downward as though he remembered something and tried to forget about it. Takeru gazed down and saw two opened holes on the middle of Koushiro's left wrist, pecking our from under the yellow gloves, too large to be needle holes or even snakes bite holes.

"What happened, Izzy?" Takeru's mind burst with worry and curiosity. "Did Amayamon do that to you?" He looked up to see Koushiro bowing his head. His face had the visage of pained remembrance, twitching with agony.

Takeru wrapped his arms around Koushiro's neck and soothed, "I'm sorry, Izzy, to make you cry." Koushiro made no move, but he appeared grateful for Takeru's comfort, his cheek touching his cheek in thanks. No tears fell, and Koushiro's eyes opened, too dark, his face troubled.

Koushiro then finally smiled, simple curls of both corners of his lips, and, using two fingers, reached to close Takeru's eyelids gently. Takeru opened them, puzzled, then Koushiro jerked his head toward the sleeping bodies of the older kids. Dasalmon was somewhere else, chose to be hidden during the night.

"Oh, you want me to sleep?" Takeru then shook his head, grinning. "I dunno if I can. I'm not really tired."

Koushiro just smiled, pushing him gently on his back toward the kids. Shrugging, Takeru went to the side of his brother, where he have been trying to sleep. Takeru turned to Koushiro, who was still watching him. "You'll sleep, right? If I'm gonna sleep, you should, too."

Koushiro nodded in agreement, but rather sat in silence, his eyes returning to watch the circle of stones he has been watching before. Takeru laid beside his brother, wrapping himself in his cloak. He gazed upward, watching the thick clouds drifting past the small moon. As Sleep slowly led him to darkness, one thought remained.

I still feel that there is still something wrong out there. Why?

***

A soft gasp roused Yamato from his sound sleep. Mumbling drowsily, brushing his white-streaked blond hair from his face, Yamato gazed over to where he heard the gasp and saw Sora kneeling by the stones, a startled expression on her face. Dasalmon was drifting nearby, puzzled disbelief on her face.

"What's the matter?" Yamato asked as he arrived to them.

Sora glanced upward. "Our stones and Izzy are gone."

Yamato blinked, quickly gazed over to where he has putted his disk stone in some of the stones, and found it gone, as well. A brief glance around also acknowledged him that the redhead was gone. "How did that happen?"

Dasalmon's wings seemed to flutter in distress. "It appears that the Warder betrayed you."

"What?" Yamato scowled at her. "Izzy couldn't do it. He's our friend!"

"Matt," Sora reassured him by a hand on his arm, then pointed downward on the ground. Yamato saw Koushiro's shoe prints, clearly appearing from between the grass, imprinted on the damp soil, gathered around four of the stone columns where the kids have left the Digistones behind, then headed north, the shoe prints disappearing in the bush. "Izzy did take them and left. He tricked us with his silence. He fooled us."

Yamato's face took in a visage of grief. "But . . . I freed him from the curse . . ."

Sora kept silent, remembering again the powerful display.

"But I talked with him last night," Takeru said. "He was sad."

"Sad? What was he sad about?" Yamato spoke, his eyes on him.

Takeru opened his mouth, then shut it, looking down. "Nothing."

Sora stood up, shouldering her knapsack. "We need to go find him and get our stones back."

Dasalmon swiftly came in front, hands up. "No, Seeker! You are the Guardian here. You cannot leave your position."

Sora shook her head, pleading, "I told you I can't. My duty is somewhere else, not here. I'm not suited for this position. I want you to take the position. You are more suited for it. Onegai, Dasalmon."

Dasalmon seemed to think this for a long moment, then lowered her hands. "You're right. I accept the position of the Guardian. You are needed to save our worlds, along with the other Digidestined. Restore your friends and save us. My advice to you is go back to Akemimon. He knows what to do. Trust me, Seeker."

Sora was looking suspicious at asking Akemimon for help, but she nodded, smiling. "Arigatou, Dasalmon. I will never forget you."

Gently smiling, Dasalmon silently touched the palm of Sora's upraised hand, felt a brief warm tingle, and she watched the children running westward. "I won't forget you, either."

***

In the daze, Hikari could feel a large hand pressing on her shoulder, shaking her gently, as if it was trying to wake her. She slid from the daze, and became aware that she was laying on her stomach on something warm and sandy. She was also drenched wet. Hikari woke and saw the face of Jyou floating nearby.

Hikari sat up, staring as Jyou knelt back. "Joe? But . . ." She then gazed around, brushing sand from her face and clothing. She was back on the beach, assured that the Gomamons have brought her and the other here as promised. The kids were laying nearby, wet and dazed.

"You are all right," Jyou spoke with a light smirk, then turned to wake Taichi.

Hikari suddenly felt a sensation of unease. She thought Jyou disliked to be near to them, fearing the touch, and why would he choose to be here then. She noticed that Taichi had the same look of suspicion as hers, watching Jyou carefully. Frankie and Mimi looked thrilled to see Jyou all right.

"Why did you come back?" Frankie asked.

Jyou's smile boarded. "I just felt that I should come back. Feels like I owe you something."

"Well, we're glad you came back," Mimi grinned. "Right, Tai?"

"Right, I guess," Taichi murmured, uncertain.

"Why are you doubting me?" Jyou said, looking almost hurt. "I saved you from the Betrayer."

"You lied," came a familiar voice.

The kids saw something they haven't seen for a long time - Kimika. She stood upon the dunes, silent and emotionless, her black braids beclouding her blank face. Her rich brown eyes were unusually empty as she gazed downward at them.

"Why could you think that I ever lie to my friends, hmm?" Jyou replied, standing up, his eyes now hardened and impassive.

Kimika was perfectly disinterested, but answered, "You plan to trick them with your trustworthiness, then steal their stones for Amayamon." Jyou made a chuckle as though he was enjoying himself. Kimika glanced over to Frankie. "I know what you're thinking. Go ahead and touch his shoulder. See if he has the scars."

The candor in her voice somewhat surprised Frankie. He was thinking the same thing, now cautious about Jyou's odd behavior. Biting on his lower lip, Frankie touched on Jyou's right shoulder. The skin was smooth, too smooth underneath the shirt. Frankie's neck hairs spookily stood.

Jyou turned his head toward him, and Frankie saw a devious smile flashing on his face, his eyes burning with corruption. "Well, Frankie," he almost snickered, "What did you find?"

Frankie grimaced with anger and grief. "That you're not the real Joe."

The devious smile was still there. "Clever little Keeper," the Betrayer ironically praised, then stood up, glaring at Kimika. "You know, I was that close to stealing the stones. It's kinda funny that you, of all people, never care about anything, and yet, you're here to warn those pathetic kids about my, may I boast, flawless plan."

Kimika gave out no display of any emotions, simply answered, "You're right. I don't care at all, but I do think it would be interesting to see you fail, Betrayer."

"Oh, really?" the Betrayer growled. "Surely, you're here to steal my glory."

"Why would I care about you or your glory?" came the indifferent response.

The Betrayer placed both hands over his heart, mock hurt on his features. "Oh, Seer, I'm hurt here. Maybe I should hurt you instead. It will be fun."

The other kids shattered away as the Betrayer summoned the sea to his command. A icy-cold jet of water surged from the sea toward Kimika. Either the Betrayer's aim was off or he wanted to miss, for the jet narrowly passed Kimika by a few inches. Yet, Kimika moved not on her spot, her eyes remained hooded.

"Careful, Betrayer," she was saying. "Remember, I created you."

Taichi immediately remembered that Kimika's power was Shadow, and she can create illusions. He whirled to the Betrayer, saying, "You're an illusion!"

"Yes and no, Master," Kimika spoke, "He may be an illusion, but they are more easier to believe in than reality." Her hand raised, clenched into a lazy fist, and soon it glowed with a faint silver light. "Blindness of Shadow," she voiced, and a pure silver beam launched from her fist, soaring for the Betrayer.

She never liked to see her friends fighting. Even though they were cursed, she wanted Kimika and Jyou to stop battling. Heart clenching with anguish for her friends, Mimi risked to rush into the way, pleading, "Stop it! Pleas - Uh!" The beam caught her in the stomach. Even though the beam wasn't intense, bitter pain gnawed in her body, and, clutching her abdomen, Mimi groaned, collapsing.

"Foolish girl," Kimika murmured hollowly, lowering her fist.

"Yeah, stupid, too." The Betrayer snickered darkly and turned to trek for the water, stepping on the thick liquid.

Taichi angrily tramped closer toward the tall boy, thundering, "Stop! How dare you hound us and leave us like this?!"

The Betrayer turned to face him, beginning to sink in the water slowly and steadily. He shrugged, replying, "But that's what I'm doing for a living. I'm supposed to betray you, remember? Bye-bye." He waved once, grinning corruptibly before he disappeared underwater.

Fists violently jolting, Taichi spun around to confront Kimika, who stood still, her empty eyes on him. A cool fist began to clutch over his heart for his close companion. "You're not Kim. She would never hurt anybody."

"Think carefully, Master, before you could find the reality you seek for. Good-bye, my dachi." With that, the girl turned to leave behind the dunes.

Raged, Taichi instinctively stomped for the woods, growling. "That does it! We must stop Amayamon! I must stop her!"

"No," came the choked voice of Mimi.

Her voice pulled him into a halt, and he whirled around to glare at her. "What do you mean, no?!"

Frankie was assisting her for comfort, and Mimi glared back at Taichi, tears on her serious face. "I said no because I want to stay here and get Joe back."

"There's no way!" Taichi snapped, ignoring his sister's pleading hold on his arm.

"No, Tai, she's right," Frankie defended. "I mean, Mimi and I are very close to Joe, and we can't imagine him being like that. There is a way to get him back, and we will search for him."

Frankie stood up, quickly speaking to drown Taichi's protest, "You would do the same for Izzy and Kim, right? You would understand."

Taichi's anger evaporated, replaced by remorse. "I . . . understand. But are you sure you want to do this?"

"We must, Taichi," Mimi said, her voice breaking. "I want to find Joe."

"We will be fine," Frankie said with a lopsided smile. "Go back to Akemimon with the water, and as soon as we get Joe back, we will meet you there."

Taichi hesitated, then got one of the water bottles out from Jyou's medicinal bag he was carrying and handed it to Frankie. "I would've not let you do it," he was saying, his eyes grieved. "But you are right. Take the bottle in case you run into Joe. Get him back, then come back. Right now, we're not doing this for the sake of Digiworld. We're doing this for the sake of ourselves, and most of all, for Joe, Kim, and Izzy."

Frankie quietly nodded. "I couldn't say it any better." Taking the bottle, he continued, "You know, I noticed something about Kim. If she never cared, then why did she warn us about the Betrayer?"

Taichi then smiled. "There is definitely hope for her. I know her well. She always cares. Well, be careful, man, alright?" He abruptly turned to walk toward the trees.

Hikari was unmoving, grieved, clutching on the russet-haired boy's arm. "Frankie, must you go?"

"Hai, we must," Frankie said, gently removing the small hands from his arm. "We will be okay, Kari Girl. Go with your brother."

Hikari hurried for her brother, who already entered the border of the forest. She glanced back to see the others already walking down the beach for another journey.

***

It was the sight of the white-clad Digimon sitting in the middle of the clearing that relieved the siblings' gloomy hearts at last. For the entire day until this early morning, Taichi and Hikari were traveling eastward, their minds worrying for Frankie and Mimi. What should they do next? The sight of Akemimon was some sort of hope to them to remember that he will aid them.

Akemimon silently gazed up, faintly smiling as Taichi and Hikari dashed over to him, but the smile was lost as quick. He eyed Taichi carefully. "Where's the Guide and the Keeper?"

Taichi bowed his head. "We met up with Joe, and he betrayed us once again. Frankie and Mimi chose to stay back at the beach to free him from the curse."

Akemimon seemed to grimace, but again, he appeared to expect this. "They made a wise choice, but all of you are needed to be together in order to free your friends and my sister."

"What can we do?" Hikari asked.

"Have you got the water?" the Digimon asked. When Taichi dug out the bottle of purified water, he nodded in pleasure. "You've done excellently. Remember, in the future, don't believe with your eyes or mind, but with your heart and soul."

"Huh? What do you mean by that?" Taichi questioned, puzzled.

Akemimon was smiling his secretive smile. "I will explain about this when your other friends arrive." Then he gazed eastward as vague three figures appeared from behind the trees.

"Guys, you're back!" Taichi and Hikari rushed to Yamato, Sora, and Takeru, glad to be back in their company, giving each other comfort and relief. Taichi looked hopeful. "Did you find the Friends of the Stones?"

Yamato seemed to blink, remembering, and bit on his lower lip. "I don't think so. We did find a ring of stones, but we think it's a fake."

"We're supposed to find two circles of stones, not one," added Sora. She then scanned around. "Where is Frankie and Mimi?"

Taichi sighed with penitence. "When we were searching for the Fountain, Joe showed up and tried to fight us. He's really the Betrayer. Frankie and Mimi wanted to get him back. So, we got separated."

"We did meet up with Izzy," Sora murmured pensively. "Only that he called himself the Fool. He wanted to fight us to prove his strength." She then wondered at Taichi's sudden paleness, but continued, "Matt stopped him, somehow freed him from the curse by his power. All the time, Izzy fooled us with his 'lost' appearance and stole our Digistones."

"He stole your stones?" Hikari spoke in surprise. "Kim was there, too. She just . . . was there."

"Tell them about the Thief," Yamato told Sora.

Sora visibly wringed, then said, "We met with a girl that looked like me, only dark. She called herself the Thief."

Taichi scowled at all this, then glanced over to Akemimon, who was still sitting calmly, his emerald eyes on them. "Akemimon," he turned to him, "Now what? What can we do? Should we go ahead and get Frankie and Mimi or return to find the real Friends of the Stones?"

Akemimon shook his head. "We have no time to do such things you suggested of. The danger of the Digiworld is too great to be avoided right now. When you went to the hidden places, I believed my sister sent the Betrayer and the Warder to stop you from fulfilling your duties. When they failed, the Thief and the Seer were there as well, again tried to stop you."

"But why?" Hikari asked.

The Male continued, "Amayamon now fears you, for you already acquire the water. It's possible she has your Digistones. You need them to restore your friends from the curse. We must head for the temple to recover your friends and Digistones." He stood up, dusting his flame-lined clothing.

"What about Frankie and Mimi?" Takeru asked, worried.

Akemimon gazed back to the boy. "They have to face the danger themselves, as so will you. We must go now, for time is running out. Let us hope that time is in favor of us and them."

To be continued . . .