Once again, thank you for the reviews. It really let's me know if I'm
hitting this right. I hate to say this though, but we're almost
done......the story is almost finished. But I do know, that I wouldn't have
come this far if it wasn't for people reading / letting me know they like
this story. Thank you:)
*****
Recap Previous Chapter ::
"Well, that's one problem solved. Alex?"
Alex sat staring, her eyes wide as she focused behind Rachel. Curious, the blond woman turned. Stifling a scream, Rachel aimed the gun at the figure now standing opposite them.
**********
Nick gave a smile of grim satisfaction as the lights came on. He dusted his hands off on the material of his jeans, and made to exit the basement where the generator controls were.
Halfway up the stairs however, a sudden retort startled him. He carefully unholstered his gun, positioning it protectively in front of him.
"Rachel," he realised. Running up the remaining steps, Nick rushed as fast as he could to the room where he had left the two woman, hoping that he wasn't too late.
**********
When Rachel aimed the gun at the intruder, clicking the safety off like Nick had once taught her, he merely laughed. With a wave of his arm, the gun went flying across the room, firing on it's impact into the wall. Rachel couldn't stop the scream that tore from her throat as the bullet hit feet from her head, chipping the wall as it imbedded deep into the plaster.
Alex moved forward, ready to defend herself and Rachel if she had to, but found herself given a taste of the guns fate as she was thrown backwards. Shaken but uninjured, Alex decided to stay where she was, rather than risk the wrath of their 'visitor.'
They heard the sound of running feet on the stairs, and Alex turned to the door expectantly. The handle rattled a few times, but the door remained closed. The sound became more pronounced and more frantic, then accompanied by banging on the door.
"Rachel! Alex! Rach!"
Nick's voice sounded faint through the thick wood, but hearing it made Alex feel a little better.
As if sensing her thoughts, the figure smirked, raising an eyebrow. He glanced toward the door and the banging stopped suddenly, then was followed by a thud. After that, silence reigned.
Alex turned back to the door, alarmed at the quiet. Again, the figure seemed to know her thoughts.
"Oh don't worry," he said. "He isn't dead. Probably isn't even badly hurt." His voice was smooth, even cultured, and Alex struggled to remember where she had heard it before.
"What did you do to him?" Rachel demanded. "Who are you?"
The intruder laughed. "My, my. So full of questions. Well, to answer the first one, I merely convinced your colleague that it would be best for all concerned if he stopped the racket he was making. He probably won't be out long, anyway."
Rachel nodded. "That was only one question. Who are you?"
The figure chuckled again, a look of suprised amusement on his features. "Well, I can see that your reputation is much deserved, doctor. You really are a feisty mortal, aren't you." The look melted away so fast that it might never have been there. "But be warned......feisty mortal's rarely exist long around me. Is that understood?" The threat was clear in his voice, and even though Rachel felt the urge to hide, she stood strong.
"Who. Are. You?"
After another moment's observation in which Rachel never wavered, the figure sighed, leaning back against the dresser.
"Okay. We'll play it your way.......for now. My name -- or at least *one* of my names -- is Arkans."
"Arkans?" Rachel repeated dubiously.
He shrugged. "My latest incarnation, you might say. Is it my fault that my worshipers bestowed the name upon me?" His tone was almost light, as if he were joking with them.
"Arkans," Alex whispered. Something was tugging at her memory.
"Please, you'll wear it out,"Arkans said. He was actually joking with them now. "Oh, I've learnt over my time that humour can put mortals at ease............I thought that I'd try it out. It makes my sudden appearances a little easier to digest. But then, you should know that......being a psychiatrist, Dr. Corrigan."
Rachel looked confused. "You can read minds?"
Arkans narrowed his eyes. "Not really. But occasionally I pick up on things.When people's emotions are heightened, they project. So I'm not reading your mind.....not really."
"I know you," Alex said suddenly. "I've.....I've read about you in the Legacy data base."
"Really? Hmm. I should probably check that out.....it would be no good if you had me pegged as a fire breathing demon or something."
Rachel blinked, wondering if this was really a dream, or if this surreal conversation were actually happening.
"Does anyone want to fill me in?"
Alex moved cautiously, fearful of retaliation. When she wasn't thrown back, she got off the bed, going to stand next to Rachel.
"Arkans.....reputed to be one half of the greatest ongoing battles between good and evil known to man."
Rachel frowned. "Which half?"
"The good half,"the man in question answered.
Rachel gave a short laugh. "I have a hard time believing that any force of good would give Alex a horrible vision like that, or hurt an innocent man."
Arkans shrugged. "I never said I was good.....just that I happened to be on the good half of this particular battle. Besides, he isn't hurt. In fact, I think if you open the door, you'll be able to help your friend inside."
Rachel looked to Alex, who nodded slightly. Then, she went to the door, cracking it open a little. When nothing happened, she pulled it all the way open, rushing out into the hall.
She found Nick lying on the floor. Dropping to her knees next to his still form, she was relieved to find that he was indeed uninjured as far as she could tell. His pulse was strong and steady as Rachel rested a hand on his shoulder, shaking gently.
"Nick? C'mon, honey. Wake up. Nick?"
After a few more moments of prodding and cajoling, Nick finally stirred.
He opened his eyes slowly, groaning a little. Pushing himself up on his arms, he looked around. "Rachel?"
She nodded. "Yeah. C'mon, can you stand?"
She took hold of his arm, helping him up and steadying him when he swayed slightly.
"What the hell happened?" He asked.
Rachel sighed. "It's a long story."
Something occurred to Nick. "I heard a shot. Are you guys okay? Where's Alex?"
"In her room........with our 'visitor.'"
He raised an eyebrow. "Visitor? What visitor?"
**********
In Alex's room, all was quiet. The two occupants stood, merely staring at each other, before Arkans broke the stand off.
"Is there something you want to ask me, Alex?"
She regarded him for a moment.
"Yes,"she finally said. "Why are you here? Did you give me that vision? And why have Nick and I had the same sense of foreboding?"
He looked suitably impressed by her boldness.
"Well, that was a mouthful. Okay, I suppose you deserve an answer. Yes, *I* gave you that vision. Although you don't now it yet, I gave you a brief history of the conflict between the beast and I."
Alex looked confused, but felt relived that she now knew why this figure seemed so familiar. "The beast?"
"Yes. And also to answer another of your questions, the beast is responsible for the feelings you and your colleague have been feeling. It feeds off of emotions.......worry, fear, paranoia.......and that's exactly what it has been doing."
Alex nodded. "Why did he start with Nick? Why not Derek, our Precept?"
"I know who Derek Rayne is, Alex. I've been watching you all for some time, now. And to answer your question.........Derek Rayne is a powerful.....Seer, if you will. If the beast had turned his abilities on Derek, he would have almost certainly picked something up. But Nick Boyle has no such gift of Sight. But all of that emotion! The anger, the turmoil....even the fierce loyalty towards his friends.........that, my darling Alex, is what the beast desires most. And in doing so, he managed to manipulate your feelings as well."
"But how?" Alex asked. "I may not be as powerful as Derek in my visions, but......I do have the Sight. Why wasn't I alerted until he was already in?"
Arkans sighed. "Because he caught you with your defences down. You were concerned about your friend, and the beast took the opportunity to invade your emotions.....just as it had this Nick fellow."
"Is it still feeding now?"
"Probably not......but that doesn't mean you're safe. The beast is evil, and it will wipe you all out, and then Boston is ripe for the taking......."
"What do you mean?" came a voice from the door. Alex had been so engrossed in her conversation with Arkans, that she never noticed the door opening, allowing Rachel and Nick in.
"Ah, Mr Boyle," Arkans greeted. "How nice of you to join us."
"Yeah?" Nick asked. "Well listen up pal......my gun may not work on you, but I'll bet that it'd hurt a hell of a lot.....so you'd better get talkin'. "
Arkans merely raised an eyebrow, turning to Alex. "You see? The beast found a true feast in this one."
"Talk."
Arkans sighed. "You may want to take a seat......you don't seem too steady on your feet, there."
Nick stubbornly refused to move until Rachel took his arm, giving him a look that seemed to say 'Doctor's orders, don't argue,' and led him to Alex's bed.
"Right, then. As you know, although I have been known by many names, the one that I currently go by is Arkans. To recap for our two latecomers here, the reason for your recent agitation and bad feeling Mr Boyle, is the beast."
"The beast?" Nick repeated.
"My reaction exactly," Alex muttered.
"If we could do this without the interruptions, please.....thank you. Now, as I was saying......the beast is a creature that feeds off of negative feeling.....it is it's goal to spread evil through the world. Playing on the emotions of mankind......but do not be mistaken. That is not it's only means of destruction. It can and will kill. You are all in danger."
"Then how do *we* kill *it?*" Nick asked.
"You don't. You can't. All that can be done is driving it off.......and only I can help, which is why I'm here."
"Why should we believe you?" Nick cut in suspiciously.
"Because I'm your only hope," Arkans replied seriously. "The beast can not be slayed.....only driven away, as I said. And to do so, you'll need me."
The three Legacy members were silent, and Arkans took this as an agreement. "Alright," he continued. "Now, the beast does not know I am here.....not yet, anyway. I created the storm to mask my arrival. But it will not last. Now I need to prepare......it will take a considerable amount of my energy to subdue the beast temporarily while you say the incantation."
"Wait," Rachel interrupted. "What incantation?"
Arkans sighed. "Mortals.......look me up in your database thing.......if it's worth it's salt then it will have the details of my last battle......and the mystical words that need to be chanted in my presence.....to take the beast far from here."
"Last battle?" Alex queried.
"Yes.....the one that took him away from here, many centuries ago.....sadly, it didn't last as long as I'd hoped, obviously. Which is why I've come here, now. You see, Legacy members are a banquet for the beast, because the majority are ripe with good intention. You three more so than any I've met.....which is why I need your help in this fight.......and on the same note, why the beast could use you in his evil. Such powerful feelings.....corrupted. It probably caught your scent when your Precept sacrificed his life to strike evil a staggering blow."
"Wait," Alex said. "Did....did it bring Derek back? Is that why he lives?"
Arkans lowered his head. "Regretfully, I can not say, because I do not know."
Alex nodded, accepting this for now. "How long to prepare?" she asked.
"Well I can tell you how long I'll actually need, but I doubt that the beast will give us that time. So, just go and do your research thing.....and I'll prepare here."
Nick raised a hand, his face set. "In case you hadn't realised Arkon --"
"Arkans," their visitor corrected.
" -- Whatever.......we haven't *actually* agreed to anything. And as acting Precept of this house in Derek's absence, I'm in charge."
Arkans narrowed his eyes. "You know, I don't care for this confrontational attitude.......so I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt and put it down to the beast's manipulations....but if you don't believe me.....ask your friend Alex. She's seen what this monstrosity is capable of and culpable for."
Nick turned to Alex, who shrugged. "Well, I didn't actually see that much......it was all really fast."
"But you did see *something?*"
"Yes Nick, but --"
Anything further she had been about to say was cut off, as the images from before slammed into her brain, this time at a speed she could focus on. Although they weren't accompanied by the feelings of terror that she had received before, they still affected Alex and she felt tears sting her eyes.
"I apologise for having to show you these things Alex," Arkans said, actual regret in his tone. "But you had to know."
"Alex?" Nick asked.
"He's telling the truth," she whispered. "It's true Nick.......and we need to stop it."
Nick looked at her seriously before nodding. "Okay." Addressing Arkans he added, "We'll go along with this.....for now."
"That is all that I ask," he replied.
**********
*****
Recap Previous Chapter ::
"Well, that's one problem solved. Alex?"
Alex sat staring, her eyes wide as she focused behind Rachel. Curious, the blond woman turned. Stifling a scream, Rachel aimed the gun at the figure now standing opposite them.
**********
Nick gave a smile of grim satisfaction as the lights came on. He dusted his hands off on the material of his jeans, and made to exit the basement where the generator controls were.
Halfway up the stairs however, a sudden retort startled him. He carefully unholstered his gun, positioning it protectively in front of him.
"Rachel," he realised. Running up the remaining steps, Nick rushed as fast as he could to the room where he had left the two woman, hoping that he wasn't too late.
**********
When Rachel aimed the gun at the intruder, clicking the safety off like Nick had once taught her, he merely laughed. With a wave of his arm, the gun went flying across the room, firing on it's impact into the wall. Rachel couldn't stop the scream that tore from her throat as the bullet hit feet from her head, chipping the wall as it imbedded deep into the plaster.
Alex moved forward, ready to defend herself and Rachel if she had to, but found herself given a taste of the guns fate as she was thrown backwards. Shaken but uninjured, Alex decided to stay where she was, rather than risk the wrath of their 'visitor.'
They heard the sound of running feet on the stairs, and Alex turned to the door expectantly. The handle rattled a few times, but the door remained closed. The sound became more pronounced and more frantic, then accompanied by banging on the door.
"Rachel! Alex! Rach!"
Nick's voice sounded faint through the thick wood, but hearing it made Alex feel a little better.
As if sensing her thoughts, the figure smirked, raising an eyebrow. He glanced toward the door and the banging stopped suddenly, then was followed by a thud. After that, silence reigned.
Alex turned back to the door, alarmed at the quiet. Again, the figure seemed to know her thoughts.
"Oh don't worry," he said. "He isn't dead. Probably isn't even badly hurt." His voice was smooth, even cultured, and Alex struggled to remember where she had heard it before.
"What did you do to him?" Rachel demanded. "Who are you?"
The intruder laughed. "My, my. So full of questions. Well, to answer the first one, I merely convinced your colleague that it would be best for all concerned if he stopped the racket he was making. He probably won't be out long, anyway."
Rachel nodded. "That was only one question. Who are you?"
The figure chuckled again, a look of suprised amusement on his features. "Well, I can see that your reputation is much deserved, doctor. You really are a feisty mortal, aren't you." The look melted away so fast that it might never have been there. "But be warned......feisty mortal's rarely exist long around me. Is that understood?" The threat was clear in his voice, and even though Rachel felt the urge to hide, she stood strong.
"Who. Are. You?"
After another moment's observation in which Rachel never wavered, the figure sighed, leaning back against the dresser.
"Okay. We'll play it your way.......for now. My name -- or at least *one* of my names -- is Arkans."
"Arkans?" Rachel repeated dubiously.
He shrugged. "My latest incarnation, you might say. Is it my fault that my worshipers bestowed the name upon me?" His tone was almost light, as if he were joking with them.
"Arkans," Alex whispered. Something was tugging at her memory.
"Please, you'll wear it out,"Arkans said. He was actually joking with them now. "Oh, I've learnt over my time that humour can put mortals at ease............I thought that I'd try it out. It makes my sudden appearances a little easier to digest. But then, you should know that......being a psychiatrist, Dr. Corrigan."
Rachel looked confused. "You can read minds?"
Arkans narrowed his eyes. "Not really. But occasionally I pick up on things.When people's emotions are heightened, they project. So I'm not reading your mind.....not really."
"I know you," Alex said suddenly. "I've.....I've read about you in the Legacy data base."
"Really? Hmm. I should probably check that out.....it would be no good if you had me pegged as a fire breathing demon or something."
Rachel blinked, wondering if this was really a dream, or if this surreal conversation were actually happening.
"Does anyone want to fill me in?"
Alex moved cautiously, fearful of retaliation. When she wasn't thrown back, she got off the bed, going to stand next to Rachel.
"Arkans.....reputed to be one half of the greatest ongoing battles between good and evil known to man."
Rachel frowned. "Which half?"
"The good half,"the man in question answered.
Rachel gave a short laugh. "I have a hard time believing that any force of good would give Alex a horrible vision like that, or hurt an innocent man."
Arkans shrugged. "I never said I was good.....just that I happened to be on the good half of this particular battle. Besides, he isn't hurt. In fact, I think if you open the door, you'll be able to help your friend inside."
Rachel looked to Alex, who nodded slightly. Then, she went to the door, cracking it open a little. When nothing happened, she pulled it all the way open, rushing out into the hall.
She found Nick lying on the floor. Dropping to her knees next to his still form, she was relieved to find that he was indeed uninjured as far as she could tell. His pulse was strong and steady as Rachel rested a hand on his shoulder, shaking gently.
"Nick? C'mon, honey. Wake up. Nick?"
After a few more moments of prodding and cajoling, Nick finally stirred.
He opened his eyes slowly, groaning a little. Pushing himself up on his arms, he looked around. "Rachel?"
She nodded. "Yeah. C'mon, can you stand?"
She took hold of his arm, helping him up and steadying him when he swayed slightly.
"What the hell happened?" He asked.
Rachel sighed. "It's a long story."
Something occurred to Nick. "I heard a shot. Are you guys okay? Where's Alex?"
"In her room........with our 'visitor.'"
He raised an eyebrow. "Visitor? What visitor?"
**********
In Alex's room, all was quiet. The two occupants stood, merely staring at each other, before Arkans broke the stand off.
"Is there something you want to ask me, Alex?"
She regarded him for a moment.
"Yes,"she finally said. "Why are you here? Did you give me that vision? And why have Nick and I had the same sense of foreboding?"
He looked suitably impressed by her boldness.
"Well, that was a mouthful. Okay, I suppose you deserve an answer. Yes, *I* gave you that vision. Although you don't now it yet, I gave you a brief history of the conflict between the beast and I."
Alex looked confused, but felt relived that she now knew why this figure seemed so familiar. "The beast?"
"Yes. And also to answer another of your questions, the beast is responsible for the feelings you and your colleague have been feeling. It feeds off of emotions.......worry, fear, paranoia.......and that's exactly what it has been doing."
Alex nodded. "Why did he start with Nick? Why not Derek, our Precept?"
"I know who Derek Rayne is, Alex. I've been watching you all for some time, now. And to answer your question.........Derek Rayne is a powerful.....Seer, if you will. If the beast had turned his abilities on Derek, he would have almost certainly picked something up. But Nick Boyle has no such gift of Sight. But all of that emotion! The anger, the turmoil....even the fierce loyalty towards his friends.........that, my darling Alex, is what the beast desires most. And in doing so, he managed to manipulate your feelings as well."
"But how?" Alex asked. "I may not be as powerful as Derek in my visions, but......I do have the Sight. Why wasn't I alerted until he was already in?"
Arkans sighed. "Because he caught you with your defences down. You were concerned about your friend, and the beast took the opportunity to invade your emotions.....just as it had this Nick fellow."
"Is it still feeding now?"
"Probably not......but that doesn't mean you're safe. The beast is evil, and it will wipe you all out, and then Boston is ripe for the taking......."
"What do you mean?" came a voice from the door. Alex had been so engrossed in her conversation with Arkans, that she never noticed the door opening, allowing Rachel and Nick in.
"Ah, Mr Boyle," Arkans greeted. "How nice of you to join us."
"Yeah?" Nick asked. "Well listen up pal......my gun may not work on you, but I'll bet that it'd hurt a hell of a lot.....so you'd better get talkin'. "
Arkans merely raised an eyebrow, turning to Alex. "You see? The beast found a true feast in this one."
"Talk."
Arkans sighed. "You may want to take a seat......you don't seem too steady on your feet, there."
Nick stubbornly refused to move until Rachel took his arm, giving him a look that seemed to say 'Doctor's orders, don't argue,' and led him to Alex's bed.
"Right, then. As you know, although I have been known by many names, the one that I currently go by is Arkans. To recap for our two latecomers here, the reason for your recent agitation and bad feeling Mr Boyle, is the beast."
"The beast?" Nick repeated.
"My reaction exactly," Alex muttered.
"If we could do this without the interruptions, please.....thank you. Now, as I was saying......the beast is a creature that feeds off of negative feeling.....it is it's goal to spread evil through the world. Playing on the emotions of mankind......but do not be mistaken. That is not it's only means of destruction. It can and will kill. You are all in danger."
"Then how do *we* kill *it?*" Nick asked.
"You don't. You can't. All that can be done is driving it off.......and only I can help, which is why I'm here."
"Why should we believe you?" Nick cut in suspiciously.
"Because I'm your only hope," Arkans replied seriously. "The beast can not be slayed.....only driven away, as I said. And to do so, you'll need me."
The three Legacy members were silent, and Arkans took this as an agreement. "Alright," he continued. "Now, the beast does not know I am here.....not yet, anyway. I created the storm to mask my arrival. But it will not last. Now I need to prepare......it will take a considerable amount of my energy to subdue the beast temporarily while you say the incantation."
"Wait," Rachel interrupted. "What incantation?"
Arkans sighed. "Mortals.......look me up in your database thing.......if it's worth it's salt then it will have the details of my last battle......and the mystical words that need to be chanted in my presence.....to take the beast far from here."
"Last battle?" Alex queried.
"Yes.....the one that took him away from here, many centuries ago.....sadly, it didn't last as long as I'd hoped, obviously. Which is why I've come here, now. You see, Legacy members are a banquet for the beast, because the majority are ripe with good intention. You three more so than any I've met.....which is why I need your help in this fight.......and on the same note, why the beast could use you in his evil. Such powerful feelings.....corrupted. It probably caught your scent when your Precept sacrificed his life to strike evil a staggering blow."
"Wait," Alex said. "Did....did it bring Derek back? Is that why he lives?"
Arkans lowered his head. "Regretfully, I can not say, because I do not know."
Alex nodded, accepting this for now. "How long to prepare?" she asked.
"Well I can tell you how long I'll actually need, but I doubt that the beast will give us that time. So, just go and do your research thing.....and I'll prepare here."
Nick raised a hand, his face set. "In case you hadn't realised Arkon --"
"Arkans," their visitor corrected.
" -- Whatever.......we haven't *actually* agreed to anything. And as acting Precept of this house in Derek's absence, I'm in charge."
Arkans narrowed his eyes. "You know, I don't care for this confrontational attitude.......so I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt and put it down to the beast's manipulations....but if you don't believe me.....ask your friend Alex. She's seen what this monstrosity is capable of and culpable for."
Nick turned to Alex, who shrugged. "Well, I didn't actually see that much......it was all really fast."
"But you did see *something?*"
"Yes Nick, but --"
Anything further she had been about to say was cut off, as the images from before slammed into her brain, this time at a speed she could focus on. Although they weren't accompanied by the feelings of terror that she had received before, they still affected Alex and she felt tears sting her eyes.
"I apologise for having to show you these things Alex," Arkans said, actual regret in his tone. "But you had to know."
"Alex?" Nick asked.
"He's telling the truth," she whispered. "It's true Nick.......and we need to stop it."
Nick looked at her seriously before nodding. "Okay." Addressing Arkans he added, "We'll go along with this.....for now."
"That is all that I ask," he replied.
**********
