The agents and Capt. Black, as well as Viper and El Toro, had returned to headquarters. Uncle, however,

had insisted that he, Jackie, Tohru, and Jade return to his shop. Uncle hurried inside and went straight to the

library, were he began pulling books off the shelves.

"Jackie, Tohru", he called, "come here. We must do research".

Thoru just groaned, and Jackie asked, "Why, Uncle, Sriven is gone."

Uncle turned and smacked them both in the head saying, "We must find a way to hide Jade! She cast the chi

spell without any protective chi! Should Sriven return he may seek retribution!"

They heard the bell on the door to the shop ring, and Uncle hurried out saying, "Go away, we are closed!"

He became instantly silent when he saw person who entered his shop.

The young man stood almost nine feet tall, with short spiky red hair, and broad shoulders. He wore a trench

coat that swept the floor. He loosened the trench coat and pulled it off, revealing that his "shoulders" were actually

huge, red leathery wings that, when he unfurled them, stretched the width of the shop. A tail stretched down to rest

on the floor. He wore loose brown pants, and a red sleeveless shirt. His arms rippled with muscles.

"Aiyaaa!" cried Uncle, "A demon!"

The figure chuckled, and spoke in a deep, rumbling voice "I? A demon? Nay, that I am not, though when I

state my business you may wish it. My name is Drackoye." He looked down at Jade, "I have come for this girl."

With a glance at Uncle, Jackie put himself between Drackoye and Jade, "What do you want with her?"

Drackoye laughed again, "What use could I have for a human child? It is not I to whom she must go, but my

cousin, Sriven." Seeing the confused expressions on their faces, he continued, "I am the gatekeeper for the nearest

portal that connects this plaine of existence with Setranolyth, realm of the low gods. So, it is my duty to oversee

all who must pass through the gate."

Jackie tried to stall for more time, "But why must she go through this gate?"

Drackoye frowned, "Have humans forgotten this much about Setranolyth? Since you were able to dispose of

Sriven, I assumed that still possessed knowledge of the old ways." He furled his wings and folded his arms.

"No matter, I shall explain. Before the existence of humans, when only a few mortal races bestrode the realms of

existence, there were beings that you call gods and demons. Just as some men are more powerful than others, so

there were more powerful gods and demons, the most powerful of these took it upon themselves to govern the rest,

and to keep them from interfering in the lives of mortals. There job was two fold, however, as they quickly found

themselves having to keep mortals from trying to become involved in the affairs of gods. So, they solidified the

boundaries between the planes of existence. Now no normal god, demon, or mortal can pass through under normal

circumstances."

Jade pushed her way in beside Jackie, "But what does that have to do with me?"

Drackoye looked annoyed, "Are all mortals this impatient? It must come from being short of life." Then he

continued with his explanation. "Sriven needed to come to Earth on an errand, so he did great service for

Sencl?iw, the High Gatekeeper for this realm, who then granted him stay until his errand was complete. Since you

sent Sriven back before he finished, this girl, Jade as you call her, now owes great service to Sriven."

Tohru asked "What kind of service?"

Drackoye shook his head. "This I know not, since it is for Sriven to decide when she has repaid the debt.

Now, if there are no more questions, we must leave."

Everyone was silent foe a moment until Jade spoke up, "I can't!"

Drackoye glared at her and growled, "Why not?"

"I.uh.but.uhm.I've gotta pack!" she stuttered.

`Drackoye glared a moment longer, then shrugged. "I doubt you will have need of anything you will pack,

or that you could pack what you shall need, but since it is only my cousin who shall be upset at your lateness." at

this he grinned, "Pack as much as you can carry."

Jade hurried upstairs and closed her door, and Drackoye turned to examine the contents of Uncle's shop.

Jackie tried to engage him in conversation, "So.uhm.what's the other dimension like? Is it cold this time of

year?"

Drackoye did not respond for a moment, then swung around with an annoyed look on his face. He glanced

toward at Jade's room. "The girl has left the premises."