CHARMED
"REQUIEM FOR A WHITE LIGHTER"
by J. B. Tilton
email: aramath@isot.com
Rating: PG (for mild language)
PART 2: PROMETHIAN
When Leo orbs into the underworld to seek out a demon to serve,
he picks the one demon that can give him what he wants. When the
demon tests him to prove he's really become a Promethian, the test
proves even to Piper that Leo is no longer the White Lighter she fell
in love with.
* * *
ONE
Leo materialized in the underworld. It looked much different
from what he had imagined it would. Then he realized that he didn't
know what he had suspected to find.
He appeared to be in some sort of cavern passageway. There were
other creatures nearby. He could feel them. He knew he was being
watched even at that moment.
He also knew he was in no immediate danger. White Lighters just
didn't orb t the underworld. The denizens of this nether realm would
be curious about him. They would wait to see what he was up to before
they tried anything.
With no clear path before him, Leo turned and began to move down
one of the passageways. He had no idea where he was going, but then,
it didn't matter. Sooner or later he would find a demon that would
take him to where he wanted to go. Assuming it was a sufficiently
high enough level demon not to attack him on sight.
It didn't take very long before Leo found just such a demon. In
fact, he found five such demons. Three, in human form, suddenly
appeared before him, blocking his way farther into the passage. At
the same time, two in human form appeared behind him, preventing any
retreat. If he had to get out of there, he would have to orb. But he
had no intentions of doing that. Not just yet.
"What do you want here, White Lighter?" asked the foremost demon
in front of him. "You kind isn't welcome down here."
"I'm here to see your master," said Leo, a hint of arrogance in
his voice.
"The demons all simply laughed.
"Of course you are," said the first demon. "Our master
routinely has dealings with White Lighters. That's why we're here.
As the welcoming committee.
"My master does not have any dealings with the likes of you.
We, however, know how to deal with White Lighters. Especially one
foolish enough to orb down here unprotected. We may not be able to
kill you, do gooder. But we can make you wish we had."
Leo just smiled. Then, with sudden ferocity, he swung out,
striking the demon alongside the head with the back of his hand. The
demon was knocked back and fell to the cavern floor. A second demon
moved over to his side.
"You must be even more foolish than I first thought," said the
first demon.
"Oh, come on," said Leo. "You HAVE to be smarter than that. A
White Lighter orbs in unprotected. He walks around as if he hasn't a
care in the world. Then, when you confront him, he demands to see
your master. You're not really that big a fool, are you?"
"Gammell," said the second demon, "he's right. White Lighters
rarely fight and they certainly don't provoke a fight. Especially
with a demon. Something's not right here."
Gammell looked at the second demon, then at Leo. He got to his
feet and faced Leo.
"Okay, White Lighter," said Gammell. "I'll give you one chance.
Tell me why I shouldn't just have you torn limb from limb where you
stand."
"Well," said Leo, "I could orb out before you have a chance to
even touch me. But there's another reason. My name is Leo Wyatt.
And you might say I'm looking for a job."
"Wyatt?" questioned Gammell, all humor gone from his face.
"You're the Charmed Ones' White Lighter."
"I was," said Leo. "I recently tendered my resignation. I
didn't care for their benefits package."
"Trem," said Gammell without looking away from Leo, "inform the
master. Ask him what he wants us to do with this White Lighter."
A third demon turned and disappeared up the passage. Leo wasn't
worried. Getting into the underworld was easy. Staying alive once
you were there, now that was a real challenge. A few moments later
the demon returned and spoke to Gammell.
"The master wants to see him immediately," said the demon. "And
he's not to be harmed."
"Take him in," said Gammell. "Take care, White Lighter. If the
master doesn't like what you have to say, he'll probably turn you over
to me to deal with. And I owe you for that hit."
Leo just smiled then followed Trem down the passageway to a
large cavern. Torches lining the walls lighted the cavern. There was
a table to one side that held an assortment of weapons. Next to the
table stood the master.
"Master, I have brought him as you instructed," said Trem.
"Leave us," said the demon.
Trem turned and left without hesitation. The master turned to
face Leo. The hood to the demons' cloak remained in place; totally
obscuring it's features. Leo stared at him. Although he couldn't see
the demons' face, he had no need to. He knew who this demon was. The
most feared of all demons in the underworld.
Leo Wyatt stood mere feet from the Source of all evil.
TWO
Leo didn't flinch as the Source stared at him. Evil exuded from
the Source as if it were a sentient being, bent upon consuming
everything in its' path. This lord of the underworld was the one
demon that could Leo what he had come here for.
"So," said the Source, "you're the White Lighter of those
accursed Charmed Ones."
"I WAS their White Lighter," Leo corrected. "I've found being a
White Lighter a bit restrictive."
"I see," said the Source. So you've turned to evil. Betrayed
the trust put in you by the Elders. And now you want to join me. How
interesting. I'm expecting company in a few minutes. But before he
arrives, tell me why I should believe you. Why shouldn't I just
destroy you where you stand?"
"You demons seem bent on destroying people where they stand,"
said Leo. "Anyway, I'll tell you why. Because I can be of invaluable
use to you. My knowledge of the Charmed Ones alone makes me more
valuable than most of your underlings. Add to that my years of
experience as a White Lighter, and we both know you can't afford to
destroy me."
"Perhaps," said the Source. "If you have truly turned. It has
been a long time since a White Lighter turned. It's not what you
would call a common occurrence."
"Whatever," said Leo. "The truth is, I'd be a fool to come down
here otherwise. What would I have to gain? You'd find me out and
destroy me. So, as you can see, I'm risking a great deal by coming to
you."
"True," said the Source. "But I must be sure. I must have
proof of your turning before I am to trust you."
Leo walked over to the table. He looked the weapons over, and
then picked up one rather long wicked looking dagger. He looked
intently at the dagger.
"Just tell me which of your underlings you want me to kill,"
said Leo. "I do hope it's Gammell. I find I don't care much for
him."
"That would hardly be a test," said the Source. "Killing a
demon would prove nothing."
"Maybe," said Leo. "But the fact that I'm willing to kill at
all should prove something."
"Perhaps," said the Source. "And you've given me an idea. A
way to prove you've really turned."
Just then Leo heard the rustle of robes as someone entered the
chamber behind him. He turned to see who it was. The figure walked
into the chamber then stopped dead in its' tracks. It stood staring
at Leo for several long seconds. Leo stood face to face with
Malevant, the Source's primary advisor and a demon who hated humanity
even more than the Source did.
"Ah, Malevant," said the Source, "you've arrived."
Malevant glared at Leo. His fists clenched and unclenched
repeatedly as he seemed to control his natural impulse to destroy this
White Lighter with a fireball. Leo looked in Malevants' eyes and saw
hatred. Pure, undisguised hatred.
It wasn't the first time Leo had seen this very high level
demon. But it was the first time he had been this close to him. He
also knew that if the Source had not been present, and Leo currently
under his tenuous protection, Malevant would have destroyed him
without a second thought.
"Source," demanded Malevant, "what is the meaning of this? You
know of my feelings toward humanity. Why would you subject me to the
presence of this White Lighter?"
"Malevant, calm down," said the Source. "Ordinarily, I
wouldn't. But this is a unique circumstance. This White Lighter is
no ordinary White Lighter. He's the White Lighter of the Charmed
Ones. And he's asked to join us."
"A Promethian?" questioned Malevant. He still glared at Leo.
"I don't believe it. It's been more than five hundred years since a
White Lighter has turned. I find it incredulous to believe the White
Lighter of the accursed Charmed Ones would turn. It is a trick."
"Exactly what we were discussing when you arrived," said the
Source. "It may well be a trick. But as he pointed out, we can't
really afford to pass up the opportunity if it's true. He offered to
kill one of my underlings as proof of his turning."
"Kill a demon?" questioned Malevant. "That would prove nothing.
The Charmed Ones kill demons all the time. So do other witches. Just
because a White Lighter is willing to kill a demon is proof of
nothing."
"Precisely my point," said the Source. "But I do have an idea
that will prove his loyalty. He's going to kill someone. And in so
doing, he'll prove he's turned and rid me of my most hated foes all in
one fell swoop."
Leo turned to face the Source.
"White Lighter," said the Source. "I understand you have
recently become . . . involved with one of the witches. A somewhat
rare occurrence for a White Lighter and his charge. But a perfect
test. You will return to the Charmed Ones. There, you will kill the
middle sister. With her dead, the Power of Three will be broken
forever. And you will have proven your loyalty to me."
Leo just stared at the Source. He was being ordered to kill
someone whom he had only recently fallen in love with.
THREE
"That's not going to happen," said Leo.
"I told you," said Malevant, forming a fireball in his hand.
"His turning is a trick."
"Nothing like that," said Leo. "By now they've been told that
I'm no longer a White Lighter. And that I probably pose a threat to
them. The second I orb in, they'll vanquish me. Now, that may prove
I'm no longer a White Lighter, but it won't do me a whole lot of good.
If most demons don't stand a chance against them, what makes you think
I'd fare any better?"
Malevant stared at Leo for a second, and then extinguished the
fireball.
"You have a point," said Malevant. Some of his anger seemed to
have subsided. "If he has turned, the Elders are most likely aware of
it by now. Their first order of business would be to warn all of his
former charges. And if he has turned, he'll be a great asset to us."
"True," said the Source. "But I still need proof of his
turning. Proof that this is not some sort of charade."
"And you will have it," said Malevant. "The Charmed Ones may be
expecting him. But there are others who won't be. We have a little
problem at the moment. A problem our friend here may be in a unique
position to help us with."
"The child?" questioned the Source. "Yes, that's a very good
idea. We have him kill the mother. With his White Lighter powers she
will believe him to be a White Lighter. She won't see him as a
threat. And she won't suspect him until it is too late."
"No, not the mother," said Malevant. "They may be expecting
that. With the convergence at hand, they would be expecting us to
make a move against the mother. That's why they have a witch
protecting her. But other than her White Lighter, no one is
protecting the witch."
"I don't follow," said Leo.
"It's really quite simple," said Malevant. "I'll arrange to
have the White Lighter distracted for a few minutes. Then, you orb in
and kill the witch. She won't be expecting an attack from a White
Lighter. With her out of the way, the mother and her unborn child
will be easy prey."
"Excellent, Malevant," said the Source. "I not only prevent the
birth of that accursed child, but I rid myself of a witch in the
bargain. Well, White Lighter. You know what you have to do. Simply
kill the witch. Use that dagger you have in your hands. Return it to
me stained with her blood. Once you do that, I can deal with the
mother before the child is born."
"I have a better idea," said Malevant, taking the dagger from
Leo. "A first kill should always be personal. One of my underlings
will take you to the witch once I've distracted the White Lighter.
Then, you will kill her with your bare hands. Do that, and I will
believe that you've turned."
"That's it?" asked Leo. "Kill one witch with my bare hands? I
thought you might want something difficult."
"White Lighters don't kill," said Malevant, "and certainly not a
witch. Only a Promethian would be capable of such an act. Kill the
witch and you'll convince me that you've turned."
"Consider it done," said Leo.
Suddenly, four demons shimmered into the chamber next to
Malevant. The demons were the same type as Redjik, one of Malevants
underlings. They demons stood about the same height as an average
human. They had sickly green colored skin and only three fingers on
each hand. Their skin was strangely reminiscent of the scales of a
reptile.
"Melnar," said Malevant to one of the demons, "you will you will
stay with this White Lighter. When I return for you, you will take
him to the witch who I told you about. This White Lighter is going to
dispose of her for us. He's going to kill her with his bare hands.
"He is not to be harmed. Simply stay with him until I come for
you. But he's not to go anywhere." Malevant looked directly at Leo.
"If he orbs for any reason, get a Dark Lighter and kill him."
Malevant turned to a second demon.
"Taln," he said. "The witch meditates every day but not at the
same time. Watch her. When she enters her meditations, contact me
immediately.
"Pormis, I need you to watch the witches White Lighter. When
Taln contacts me, I will join you. Then we will distract the White
Lighter so he can't heal the witch once this White Lighter has killed
her."
Malevant turned to the final demon.
"Misten," he said. "You will watch the Charmed Ones. Don't be
seen and under no circumstances are you to engage them. If they go to
the aid of the witch, let Melnar know immediately. He is no match for
them and I don't want him having to fight them."
Malevant then turned to the Source.
"May I suggest," said Malevant, "that you prepare your
underlings for the woman. Tell them of our plan. I'll let you know
when the witch is out of the way. We will have to move quickly.
Before a new witch can be appointed to guard the woman."
"Efficient as always," said the Source. "I'll prepare my
underlings immediately. As soon as I hear from you, we will move
against the woman. Within a short time the convergence will be
stopped."
"I would suggest a render demon," said Malevant. "It will be a
particularly bloody death. And it will send a message. A message
that the Source is not to be trifled with."
"Another excellent idea, Malevant," said the Source. "The White
Lighter will wait here until you are ready for him."
"As you wish," said Malevant. "I'll go tend to some details
now. I'll return when everything is ready.
Malevant and three of the demons shimmered out, leaving only
Melnar behind. The demon looked at Leo with suspicion. Leo had no
doubt the demon would obey its' master without question.
"Wait in there," ordered the Source, pointing to an adjoining
chamber. "Do not leave until Malevant comes for you."
Leo and Melnar walked into the chamber. It was considerably
smaller than the one they had been in. It would be relatively
comfortable for their wait. And Leo had no idea how long they would
have to wait for Malevant to return.
FOUR
Leo and Melnar waited in the chamber for more than two hours for
Malevants return. Melnar seemed unconcerned with the wait. Leo was
anxious to have the matter concluded. Suddenly, Malevant shimmered
into the chamber.
"It is time," Malevant announced. "White Lighter, I don't want
anything fancy. Just get in, kill the witch, and then get out. We
won't be able to distract her White Lighter for long."
"I understand," said Leo.
Malevant turned to Melnar.
"If he hesitates," said Malevant, "or tries to help or warn her
in any way, kill him."
He handed Melnar a black arrow. Melnar recognized the weapon.
It was a bolt from a Dark Lighter's crossbow. To just about anyone,
it was just an arrow. But to a White Lighter, even touching the
weapon meant death. Melnar stuck the arrow in the back of his pants
underneath his tunic.
"Yes, master," said Melnar. He then pulled a dagger from his
belt. "And after I kill the White Lighter, I'll finish the witch."
"Go," ordered Malevant. "You don't have much time.
Melnar shimmered and Leo orbed out. Malevant smiled to himself.
Very soon the mission would be completed. Then it would be time to
move on to the unborn child. Malevant shimmered out, joining Pormis
to distract the witches White Lighter.
Melnar and Leo appeared in the bathroom of a small apartment.
Through the open door they could see a woman sitting in a lotus
position on the floor of a bedroom. Obviously, this was the witch Leo
had been sent to kill.
"Now, White Lighter," said Melnar, "finish the witch."
"Wait," said Leo. "If I just walk out there, she's going to be
suspicious. She'll have some warning. I need to get in there so she
won't be suspicious."
Leo orbed out of the bathroom and instantly into the bedroom.
The witch saw him orb in. She jumped to her feet, ready to defend
herself.
"Who are you?" demanded the witch.
"I'm a White Lighter," said Leo. "Your White Lighter has been
delayed by demons. They're about to go after your charge. I've been
sent to make sure you get there in time."
"Let's go," said the witch, reaching for Leo's arm.
Melnar reached for the Dark Lighter bolt. So the master had
been correct. The White Lighter turning had all been a ruse. A ruse
to protect the witch and her charge. Well, he would learn the price
for betraying Malevant.
"Oh," said Leo. "There is just one thing I need to do before we
leave."
"What's that?" asked the witch.
Leo suddenly reached up and put his hands around the witch's
throat. Melnar watched as Leo began to squeeze the life from her
body.
"Make sure you never get there," said Leo.
Melnar released his grip on the Dark Lighter bolt. It had not
been a ruse after all. On the contrary. It had been exactly as Leo
has said. A way to get to the witch without her being suspicious. It
had been a brilliant ploy. The witch's guard had been down allowing
Leo to strike unimpeded.
Melnar watched as the witch clawed at the hands around her
throat. She seemed to be trying to incant a spell but her voice was
barely a whisper. Melnar couldn't make out any of the words.
He watched as Leo slowly strangled the life out of the witch.
The look in Leo's eyes was strange. A look of enjoyment; of
exhilaration. He genuinely seemed to be savoring the slow death of
this woman.
It took only a couple of minutes before the witch's hands fell
to her side, and her body went limp. Leo looked at her lifeless face,
and then released his grip. Her limp body fell to the bed, then
rolled to the floor.
Melnar moved into the bedroom. He knelt over her body and
checked her throat for any signs of life. He found none. He reached
into his belt and pulled out his dagger.
"She's dead," he announced. "Now to make sure there's no chance
of her White Lighter healing her once he gets back."
"Hey," said Leo, grabbing the hand Melnar held the dagger in,
"he can't. White Lighters can heal, but they can't bring back the
dead. Once she's dead, it's over. Besides, this is my kill. And I'm
not sharing it with anyone. Not you, not anyone. You got that?"
Melnar put the dagger away. He recognized the reaction in this
White Lighter. It often occurred with a first kill. The exhilaration
of the firs kill was nearly intoxicating. He still remembered his
first kill and the same feeling that this White Lighter would even now
be feeling.
"Very well," said Melnar, finally. "Let's get out of here.
Before the witches White Lighter returns."
Using their respective forms of transport, Melnar and Leo
vanished from the room. Several seconds later another White Lighter
orbed in. He saw the body next to the bed and rushed to help her.
Realizing she was already dead and there was nothing he could do for
her, he gingerly gathered up her body and orbed away.
Back in the underworld, Melnar reported to Malevant.
"Well?" insisted Malevant.
"The witch is dead," said Melnar. "The White Lighter didn't
even hesitate. In fact, he seemed to enjoy it a great deal. More
than even most demons. It was almost as if it was personal to him."
"Excellent," said Malevant. ""Go. I'll call you if I have need
of you again."
As Melnar shimmered out, Malevant walked over to the Source and
Leo.
"Well, Malevant?" asked the Source. "What's the verdict?"
"It appears," said Malevant, "that we have a new ally, Source.
Melnar tells me that the White Lighter performed the task well beyond
expectations. Welcome, Promethian, to the service of the Source."
"It was fun," said Leo, smiling. "I hope I get the chance to do
it again very soon."
"No doubt you will, Promethian," said the Source. "As for now,
we have one more matter to attend to."
"Yes," said Malevant. "Now that the witch is out of the way,
the mother and her unborn child are completely unprotected. We must
move now while there is still a window of opportunity."
FIVE
Jason and the sisters sat around the kitchen table getting to
know each other better. There had been no news of Leo and there was
little else for them to do but wait. As they chatted, another White
Lighter orbed into the kitchen. It was the same White Lighter who had
found the body of the witch Leo had murdered.
"Hey, Andrew," said Jason, smiling. "Girls, I'd like you to
meet Andrew, a friend of mine. Andrew, this is Prue, Piper, and
Phoebe Halliwell; the Charmed Ones. So, what's up, Andrew?"
Hi, Jason," said Andrew nervously, "ladies."
Jason saw the look on Andrews' face and his smile faded.
"Andrew, what's wrong?" asked Jason.
"It's Gwen," said Andrew. "She's dead."
"Oh, no," said Jason. He turned to the girls. "Gwen was a
witch and one of Andrews' charges." He turned back to Andrew.
"Andrew, what happened?"
"She was meditation," said Andrew. "I was checking around.
Making sure everything was safe. Suddenly two demons attacked me.
One of them was very powerful. I think he was an upper level demon.
"We had been fighting for several minutes when I suddenly
realized there was no Dark Lighter around. Which didn't make sense to
me. Without a Dark Lighter, they had no chance of killing me. So
their attack made no sense."
"Decoy," said Jason.
"That was my thought, too," said Andrew. "So I orbed
immediately to Gwen. I was too late. She was already dead. There
wasn't anything I could do for her. I orbed her body to the Elders."
"Andrew, I'm sorry," said Jason. "But you couldn't have known.
It's not your fault that she died."
"Andrew," said Prue, "you're only a White Lighter. You're not
expected to fight demons. A sneak attack like that was obviously
meant to keep you busy while someone else went after Gwen. Jason is
right. It's not your fault."
"That's not it," said Andrew. "I realize it wasn't my fault.
Jason, it was Leo. He murdered Gwen. He strangled her with his bare
hands. I had hoped that the rumors and reports about him turning had
been wrong. That someone had made a mistake. But there can't be any
doubt about it now. Leo's become a Promethian."
"Are you sure?" asked Piper. "Are you sure it was Leo?"
"Yes," said Andrew. "I watched him kill her. There was nothing
I could do. He had another demon with him. And what's more, he
seemed to enjoy doing it. No White Lighter could have done that. It
can only mean that Leo has become a Promethian."
Andrew leaned against the counter and his head dropped. It was
obvious that he was taking the entire incident very hard.
"This is hitting him pretty bad," said Phoebe.
"Not surprising," said Jason. "He and Leo died at Guadalcanal
on the same day. They didn't know each other then, but they also
became White Lighters at the same time. Leo was probably his best
friend among the White Lighters. They've always had a special bond
between them that most White Lighters don't have."
"Then it's true?" said Piper, tears in her eyes. "Leo has
turned evil. Which means we'll have to vanquish him. He's too
dangerous to just let go."
"Jason," said Prue, a perplexed look on her face. "Why would a
demon send Leo after a witch?"
"It was probably his test," replied Andrew. "Promethians are
always tested by the demon they seek out. To prove they've really
turned."
"Yeah, that much I know," said Prue, picking up the page from
the Book of Shadows. "But according to this, they always go after an
innocent. If a White Lighter can kill an innocent, it proves he's
turned to evil.
"But why change that now? Why send Leo after a witch who may be
able to protect herself against him? And who has a White Lighter who
could heal her when she gets injured. They are normally sent after an
innocent because they are the easiest targets."
"As it turned out," said Andrew, "it didn't make any
difference."
"Prue's right," said Piper. "They couldn't have known that in
advance. And if he's as valuable to them as everyone keeps saying he
is, it would be foolish to risk him on such a dangerous mission his
first time out."
"She has a point, Andrew," said Jason. "An innocent can't
protect themselves. A witch can. And with only his White Lighter
powers, Leo would have been at a disadvantage against a witch."
"Well," said Andrew, "he did have a demon with him. Maybe they
were working together."
"No, that's not it," said Jason. "A Promethians' first kill is
always solo. To prove he's really turned. The demon was probably
just a witness. To report to whatever demon Leo sought out that he
had actually completed his task."
"You're right," said Andrew. "It doesn't make any sense. Just
like the demon attacks on me. At the time it didn't make any sense to
me. I only realized what they were doing when I found Gwen dead.
Which means that sending Leo after Gwen was more than just a test.
But what?"
"That's a good question," said Prue. "One that I'm at a loss to
explain. I can't think of any reason for them to do that."
"I can think of one," said Phoebe.
Everyone just looked at her.
"Well," she said, "if I wanted to prove that a White Lighter had
turned, I'd send him to remove an obstacle for me. Someone who was
between me and something I wanted. Kill two birds with one stone, so
to speak."
"Baby sister," said Piper, "you're a genius. There's only one
reason to take out a witch."
"To get to an innocent," said Prue finishing the thought. "Gwen
must have been protecting an innocent that some demon was after."
"Jasmine," gasped Andrew. He looked at the others. "A couple
of weeks ago the Elders told Gwen and me to keep an eye on a young
pregnant woman. She's due to give birth any day. The Elders told
Gwen to watch over and protect here until the baby was born. I got
the impression that they considered this woman very important but were
trying to keep everything very low key."
"Like maybe to keep someone else from finding out," said Piper.
"Oh, God," said Andrew. "I have to get to her right away."
"Hold on there a second," said Prue. "You're not going alone."
"Jasmine is my responsibility," said Andrew, "not yours."
"Hey," said Piper. You, White Lighter. Advice, information,
healing. Us, Charmed Ones. Powers, protecting the innocent, kicking
demon butt."
"Besides," said Phoebe, "there's an innocent in danger and in
need of protecting. Two, if you count the baby. That's what we do.
That makes it our responsibility."
"I can see why the three of you have the reputation you have,"
said Jason.
"I have a reputation?" asked Phoebe, feigning surprise. "Gee,
and I've been trying so hard to be a good girl."
"We'd better get going," said Jason, smiling.
The five linked arms and orbed out of the manor to go protect an
innocent.
To be continued . . .
Be sure not to miss Part 3: Best Laid Plans. The Source sends
Leo with a team of demons to destroy the innocent who's about to give
birth. Can the Charmed Ones protect this innocent until she can give
birth? And what do they do about their former White Lighter who knows
enough about them to destroy them?
If you've enjoyed this story, you can find more "Charmed"
stories at my website, www.geocities.com/killeenmale/ . You can also
post your own "Charmed" stories if you like to write fan fiction.
"REQUIEM FOR A WHITE LIGHTER"
by J. B. Tilton
email: aramath@isot.com
Rating: PG (for mild language)
PART 2: PROMETHIAN
When Leo orbs into the underworld to seek out a demon to serve,
he picks the one demon that can give him what he wants. When the
demon tests him to prove he's really become a Promethian, the test
proves even to Piper that Leo is no longer the White Lighter she fell
in love with.
* * *
ONE
Leo materialized in the underworld. It looked much different
from what he had imagined it would. Then he realized that he didn't
know what he had suspected to find.
He appeared to be in some sort of cavern passageway. There were
other creatures nearby. He could feel them. He knew he was being
watched even at that moment.
He also knew he was in no immediate danger. White Lighters just
didn't orb t the underworld. The denizens of this nether realm would
be curious about him. They would wait to see what he was up to before
they tried anything.
With no clear path before him, Leo turned and began to move down
one of the passageways. He had no idea where he was going, but then,
it didn't matter. Sooner or later he would find a demon that would
take him to where he wanted to go. Assuming it was a sufficiently
high enough level demon not to attack him on sight.
It didn't take very long before Leo found just such a demon. In
fact, he found five such demons. Three, in human form, suddenly
appeared before him, blocking his way farther into the passage. At
the same time, two in human form appeared behind him, preventing any
retreat. If he had to get out of there, he would have to orb. But he
had no intentions of doing that. Not just yet.
"What do you want here, White Lighter?" asked the foremost demon
in front of him. "You kind isn't welcome down here."
"I'm here to see your master," said Leo, a hint of arrogance in
his voice.
"The demons all simply laughed.
"Of course you are," said the first demon. "Our master
routinely has dealings with White Lighters. That's why we're here.
As the welcoming committee.
"My master does not have any dealings with the likes of you.
We, however, know how to deal with White Lighters. Especially one
foolish enough to orb down here unprotected. We may not be able to
kill you, do gooder. But we can make you wish we had."
Leo just smiled. Then, with sudden ferocity, he swung out,
striking the demon alongside the head with the back of his hand. The
demon was knocked back and fell to the cavern floor. A second demon
moved over to his side.
"You must be even more foolish than I first thought," said the
first demon.
"Oh, come on," said Leo. "You HAVE to be smarter than that. A
White Lighter orbs in unprotected. He walks around as if he hasn't a
care in the world. Then, when you confront him, he demands to see
your master. You're not really that big a fool, are you?"
"Gammell," said the second demon, "he's right. White Lighters
rarely fight and they certainly don't provoke a fight. Especially
with a demon. Something's not right here."
Gammell looked at the second demon, then at Leo. He got to his
feet and faced Leo.
"Okay, White Lighter," said Gammell. "I'll give you one chance.
Tell me why I shouldn't just have you torn limb from limb where you
stand."
"Well," said Leo, "I could orb out before you have a chance to
even touch me. But there's another reason. My name is Leo Wyatt.
And you might say I'm looking for a job."
"Wyatt?" questioned Gammell, all humor gone from his face.
"You're the Charmed Ones' White Lighter."
"I was," said Leo. "I recently tendered my resignation. I
didn't care for their benefits package."
"Trem," said Gammell without looking away from Leo, "inform the
master. Ask him what he wants us to do with this White Lighter."
A third demon turned and disappeared up the passage. Leo wasn't
worried. Getting into the underworld was easy. Staying alive once
you were there, now that was a real challenge. A few moments later
the demon returned and spoke to Gammell.
"The master wants to see him immediately," said the demon. "And
he's not to be harmed."
"Take him in," said Gammell. "Take care, White Lighter. If the
master doesn't like what you have to say, he'll probably turn you over
to me to deal with. And I owe you for that hit."
Leo just smiled then followed Trem down the passageway to a
large cavern. Torches lining the walls lighted the cavern. There was
a table to one side that held an assortment of weapons. Next to the
table stood the master.
"Master, I have brought him as you instructed," said Trem.
"Leave us," said the demon.
Trem turned and left without hesitation. The master turned to
face Leo. The hood to the demons' cloak remained in place; totally
obscuring it's features. Leo stared at him. Although he couldn't see
the demons' face, he had no need to. He knew who this demon was. The
most feared of all demons in the underworld.
Leo Wyatt stood mere feet from the Source of all evil.
TWO
Leo didn't flinch as the Source stared at him. Evil exuded from
the Source as if it were a sentient being, bent upon consuming
everything in its' path. This lord of the underworld was the one
demon that could Leo what he had come here for.
"So," said the Source, "you're the White Lighter of those
accursed Charmed Ones."
"I WAS their White Lighter," Leo corrected. "I've found being a
White Lighter a bit restrictive."
"I see," said the Source. So you've turned to evil. Betrayed
the trust put in you by the Elders. And now you want to join me. How
interesting. I'm expecting company in a few minutes. But before he
arrives, tell me why I should believe you. Why shouldn't I just
destroy you where you stand?"
"You demons seem bent on destroying people where they stand,"
said Leo. "Anyway, I'll tell you why. Because I can be of invaluable
use to you. My knowledge of the Charmed Ones alone makes me more
valuable than most of your underlings. Add to that my years of
experience as a White Lighter, and we both know you can't afford to
destroy me."
"Perhaps," said the Source. "If you have truly turned. It has
been a long time since a White Lighter turned. It's not what you
would call a common occurrence."
"Whatever," said Leo. "The truth is, I'd be a fool to come down
here otherwise. What would I have to gain? You'd find me out and
destroy me. So, as you can see, I'm risking a great deal by coming to
you."
"True," said the Source. "But I must be sure. I must have
proof of your turning before I am to trust you."
Leo walked over to the table. He looked the weapons over, and
then picked up one rather long wicked looking dagger. He looked
intently at the dagger.
"Just tell me which of your underlings you want me to kill,"
said Leo. "I do hope it's Gammell. I find I don't care much for
him."
"That would hardly be a test," said the Source. "Killing a
demon would prove nothing."
"Maybe," said Leo. "But the fact that I'm willing to kill at
all should prove something."
"Perhaps," said the Source. "And you've given me an idea. A
way to prove you've really turned."
Just then Leo heard the rustle of robes as someone entered the
chamber behind him. He turned to see who it was. The figure walked
into the chamber then stopped dead in its' tracks. It stood staring
at Leo for several long seconds. Leo stood face to face with
Malevant, the Source's primary advisor and a demon who hated humanity
even more than the Source did.
"Ah, Malevant," said the Source, "you've arrived."
Malevant glared at Leo. His fists clenched and unclenched
repeatedly as he seemed to control his natural impulse to destroy this
White Lighter with a fireball. Leo looked in Malevants' eyes and saw
hatred. Pure, undisguised hatred.
It wasn't the first time Leo had seen this very high level
demon. But it was the first time he had been this close to him. He
also knew that if the Source had not been present, and Leo currently
under his tenuous protection, Malevant would have destroyed him
without a second thought.
"Source," demanded Malevant, "what is the meaning of this? You
know of my feelings toward humanity. Why would you subject me to the
presence of this White Lighter?"
"Malevant, calm down," said the Source. "Ordinarily, I
wouldn't. But this is a unique circumstance. This White Lighter is
no ordinary White Lighter. He's the White Lighter of the Charmed
Ones. And he's asked to join us."
"A Promethian?" questioned Malevant. He still glared at Leo.
"I don't believe it. It's been more than five hundred years since a
White Lighter has turned. I find it incredulous to believe the White
Lighter of the accursed Charmed Ones would turn. It is a trick."
"Exactly what we were discussing when you arrived," said the
Source. "It may well be a trick. But as he pointed out, we can't
really afford to pass up the opportunity if it's true. He offered to
kill one of my underlings as proof of his turning."
"Kill a demon?" questioned Malevant. "That would prove nothing.
The Charmed Ones kill demons all the time. So do other witches. Just
because a White Lighter is willing to kill a demon is proof of
nothing."
"Precisely my point," said the Source. "But I do have an idea
that will prove his loyalty. He's going to kill someone. And in so
doing, he'll prove he's turned and rid me of my most hated foes all in
one fell swoop."
Leo turned to face the Source.
"White Lighter," said the Source. "I understand you have
recently become . . . involved with one of the witches. A somewhat
rare occurrence for a White Lighter and his charge. But a perfect
test. You will return to the Charmed Ones. There, you will kill the
middle sister. With her dead, the Power of Three will be broken
forever. And you will have proven your loyalty to me."
Leo just stared at the Source. He was being ordered to kill
someone whom he had only recently fallen in love with.
THREE
"That's not going to happen," said Leo.
"I told you," said Malevant, forming a fireball in his hand.
"His turning is a trick."
"Nothing like that," said Leo. "By now they've been told that
I'm no longer a White Lighter. And that I probably pose a threat to
them. The second I orb in, they'll vanquish me. Now, that may prove
I'm no longer a White Lighter, but it won't do me a whole lot of good.
If most demons don't stand a chance against them, what makes you think
I'd fare any better?"
Malevant stared at Leo for a second, and then extinguished the
fireball.
"You have a point," said Malevant. Some of his anger seemed to
have subsided. "If he has turned, the Elders are most likely aware of
it by now. Their first order of business would be to warn all of his
former charges. And if he has turned, he'll be a great asset to us."
"True," said the Source. "But I still need proof of his
turning. Proof that this is not some sort of charade."
"And you will have it," said Malevant. "The Charmed Ones may be
expecting him. But there are others who won't be. We have a little
problem at the moment. A problem our friend here may be in a unique
position to help us with."
"The child?" questioned the Source. "Yes, that's a very good
idea. We have him kill the mother. With his White Lighter powers she
will believe him to be a White Lighter. She won't see him as a
threat. And she won't suspect him until it is too late."
"No, not the mother," said Malevant. "They may be expecting
that. With the convergence at hand, they would be expecting us to
make a move against the mother. That's why they have a witch
protecting her. But other than her White Lighter, no one is
protecting the witch."
"I don't follow," said Leo.
"It's really quite simple," said Malevant. "I'll arrange to
have the White Lighter distracted for a few minutes. Then, you orb in
and kill the witch. She won't be expecting an attack from a White
Lighter. With her out of the way, the mother and her unborn child
will be easy prey."
"Excellent, Malevant," said the Source. "I not only prevent the
birth of that accursed child, but I rid myself of a witch in the
bargain. Well, White Lighter. You know what you have to do. Simply
kill the witch. Use that dagger you have in your hands. Return it to
me stained with her blood. Once you do that, I can deal with the
mother before the child is born."
"I have a better idea," said Malevant, taking the dagger from
Leo. "A first kill should always be personal. One of my underlings
will take you to the witch once I've distracted the White Lighter.
Then, you will kill her with your bare hands. Do that, and I will
believe that you've turned."
"That's it?" asked Leo. "Kill one witch with my bare hands? I
thought you might want something difficult."
"White Lighters don't kill," said Malevant, "and certainly not a
witch. Only a Promethian would be capable of such an act. Kill the
witch and you'll convince me that you've turned."
"Consider it done," said Leo.
Suddenly, four demons shimmered into the chamber next to
Malevant. The demons were the same type as Redjik, one of Malevants
underlings. They demons stood about the same height as an average
human. They had sickly green colored skin and only three fingers on
each hand. Their skin was strangely reminiscent of the scales of a
reptile.
"Melnar," said Malevant to one of the demons, "you will you will
stay with this White Lighter. When I return for you, you will take
him to the witch who I told you about. This White Lighter is going to
dispose of her for us. He's going to kill her with his bare hands.
"He is not to be harmed. Simply stay with him until I come for
you. But he's not to go anywhere." Malevant looked directly at Leo.
"If he orbs for any reason, get a Dark Lighter and kill him."
Malevant turned to a second demon.
"Taln," he said. "The witch meditates every day but not at the
same time. Watch her. When she enters her meditations, contact me
immediately.
"Pormis, I need you to watch the witches White Lighter. When
Taln contacts me, I will join you. Then we will distract the White
Lighter so he can't heal the witch once this White Lighter has killed
her."
Malevant turned to the final demon.
"Misten," he said. "You will watch the Charmed Ones. Don't be
seen and under no circumstances are you to engage them. If they go to
the aid of the witch, let Melnar know immediately. He is no match for
them and I don't want him having to fight them."
Malevant then turned to the Source.
"May I suggest," said Malevant, "that you prepare your
underlings for the woman. Tell them of our plan. I'll let you know
when the witch is out of the way. We will have to move quickly.
Before a new witch can be appointed to guard the woman."
"Efficient as always," said the Source. "I'll prepare my
underlings immediately. As soon as I hear from you, we will move
against the woman. Within a short time the convergence will be
stopped."
"I would suggest a render demon," said Malevant. "It will be a
particularly bloody death. And it will send a message. A message
that the Source is not to be trifled with."
"Another excellent idea, Malevant," said the Source. "The White
Lighter will wait here until you are ready for him."
"As you wish," said Malevant. "I'll go tend to some details
now. I'll return when everything is ready.
Malevant and three of the demons shimmered out, leaving only
Melnar behind. The demon looked at Leo with suspicion. Leo had no
doubt the demon would obey its' master without question.
"Wait in there," ordered the Source, pointing to an adjoining
chamber. "Do not leave until Malevant comes for you."
Leo and Melnar walked into the chamber. It was considerably
smaller than the one they had been in. It would be relatively
comfortable for their wait. And Leo had no idea how long they would
have to wait for Malevant to return.
FOUR
Leo and Melnar waited in the chamber for more than two hours for
Malevants return. Melnar seemed unconcerned with the wait. Leo was
anxious to have the matter concluded. Suddenly, Malevant shimmered
into the chamber.
"It is time," Malevant announced. "White Lighter, I don't want
anything fancy. Just get in, kill the witch, and then get out. We
won't be able to distract her White Lighter for long."
"I understand," said Leo.
Malevant turned to Melnar.
"If he hesitates," said Malevant, "or tries to help or warn her
in any way, kill him."
He handed Melnar a black arrow. Melnar recognized the weapon.
It was a bolt from a Dark Lighter's crossbow. To just about anyone,
it was just an arrow. But to a White Lighter, even touching the
weapon meant death. Melnar stuck the arrow in the back of his pants
underneath his tunic.
"Yes, master," said Melnar. He then pulled a dagger from his
belt. "And after I kill the White Lighter, I'll finish the witch."
"Go," ordered Malevant. "You don't have much time.
Melnar shimmered and Leo orbed out. Malevant smiled to himself.
Very soon the mission would be completed. Then it would be time to
move on to the unborn child. Malevant shimmered out, joining Pormis
to distract the witches White Lighter.
Melnar and Leo appeared in the bathroom of a small apartment.
Through the open door they could see a woman sitting in a lotus
position on the floor of a bedroom. Obviously, this was the witch Leo
had been sent to kill.
"Now, White Lighter," said Melnar, "finish the witch."
"Wait," said Leo. "If I just walk out there, she's going to be
suspicious. She'll have some warning. I need to get in there so she
won't be suspicious."
Leo orbed out of the bathroom and instantly into the bedroom.
The witch saw him orb in. She jumped to her feet, ready to defend
herself.
"Who are you?" demanded the witch.
"I'm a White Lighter," said Leo. "Your White Lighter has been
delayed by demons. They're about to go after your charge. I've been
sent to make sure you get there in time."
"Let's go," said the witch, reaching for Leo's arm.
Melnar reached for the Dark Lighter bolt. So the master had
been correct. The White Lighter turning had all been a ruse. A ruse
to protect the witch and her charge. Well, he would learn the price
for betraying Malevant.
"Oh," said Leo. "There is just one thing I need to do before we
leave."
"What's that?" asked the witch.
Leo suddenly reached up and put his hands around the witch's
throat. Melnar watched as Leo began to squeeze the life from her
body.
"Make sure you never get there," said Leo.
Melnar released his grip on the Dark Lighter bolt. It had not
been a ruse after all. On the contrary. It had been exactly as Leo
has said. A way to get to the witch without her being suspicious. It
had been a brilliant ploy. The witch's guard had been down allowing
Leo to strike unimpeded.
Melnar watched as the witch clawed at the hands around her
throat. She seemed to be trying to incant a spell but her voice was
barely a whisper. Melnar couldn't make out any of the words.
He watched as Leo slowly strangled the life out of the witch.
The look in Leo's eyes was strange. A look of enjoyment; of
exhilaration. He genuinely seemed to be savoring the slow death of
this woman.
It took only a couple of minutes before the witch's hands fell
to her side, and her body went limp. Leo looked at her lifeless face,
and then released his grip. Her limp body fell to the bed, then
rolled to the floor.
Melnar moved into the bedroom. He knelt over her body and
checked her throat for any signs of life. He found none. He reached
into his belt and pulled out his dagger.
"She's dead," he announced. "Now to make sure there's no chance
of her White Lighter healing her once he gets back."
"Hey," said Leo, grabbing the hand Melnar held the dagger in,
"he can't. White Lighters can heal, but they can't bring back the
dead. Once she's dead, it's over. Besides, this is my kill. And I'm
not sharing it with anyone. Not you, not anyone. You got that?"
Melnar put the dagger away. He recognized the reaction in this
White Lighter. It often occurred with a first kill. The exhilaration
of the firs kill was nearly intoxicating. He still remembered his
first kill and the same feeling that this White Lighter would even now
be feeling.
"Very well," said Melnar, finally. "Let's get out of here.
Before the witches White Lighter returns."
Using their respective forms of transport, Melnar and Leo
vanished from the room. Several seconds later another White Lighter
orbed in. He saw the body next to the bed and rushed to help her.
Realizing she was already dead and there was nothing he could do for
her, he gingerly gathered up her body and orbed away.
Back in the underworld, Melnar reported to Malevant.
"Well?" insisted Malevant.
"The witch is dead," said Melnar. "The White Lighter didn't
even hesitate. In fact, he seemed to enjoy it a great deal. More
than even most demons. It was almost as if it was personal to him."
"Excellent," said Malevant. ""Go. I'll call you if I have need
of you again."
As Melnar shimmered out, Malevant walked over to the Source and
Leo.
"Well, Malevant?" asked the Source. "What's the verdict?"
"It appears," said Malevant, "that we have a new ally, Source.
Melnar tells me that the White Lighter performed the task well beyond
expectations. Welcome, Promethian, to the service of the Source."
"It was fun," said Leo, smiling. "I hope I get the chance to do
it again very soon."
"No doubt you will, Promethian," said the Source. "As for now,
we have one more matter to attend to."
"Yes," said Malevant. "Now that the witch is out of the way,
the mother and her unborn child are completely unprotected. We must
move now while there is still a window of opportunity."
FIVE
Jason and the sisters sat around the kitchen table getting to
know each other better. There had been no news of Leo and there was
little else for them to do but wait. As they chatted, another White
Lighter orbed into the kitchen. It was the same White Lighter who had
found the body of the witch Leo had murdered.
"Hey, Andrew," said Jason, smiling. "Girls, I'd like you to
meet Andrew, a friend of mine. Andrew, this is Prue, Piper, and
Phoebe Halliwell; the Charmed Ones. So, what's up, Andrew?"
Hi, Jason," said Andrew nervously, "ladies."
Jason saw the look on Andrews' face and his smile faded.
"Andrew, what's wrong?" asked Jason.
"It's Gwen," said Andrew. "She's dead."
"Oh, no," said Jason. He turned to the girls. "Gwen was a
witch and one of Andrews' charges." He turned back to Andrew.
"Andrew, what happened?"
"She was meditation," said Andrew. "I was checking around.
Making sure everything was safe. Suddenly two demons attacked me.
One of them was very powerful. I think he was an upper level demon.
"We had been fighting for several minutes when I suddenly
realized there was no Dark Lighter around. Which didn't make sense to
me. Without a Dark Lighter, they had no chance of killing me. So
their attack made no sense."
"Decoy," said Jason.
"That was my thought, too," said Andrew. "So I orbed
immediately to Gwen. I was too late. She was already dead. There
wasn't anything I could do for her. I orbed her body to the Elders."
"Andrew, I'm sorry," said Jason. "But you couldn't have known.
It's not your fault that she died."
"Andrew," said Prue, "you're only a White Lighter. You're not
expected to fight demons. A sneak attack like that was obviously
meant to keep you busy while someone else went after Gwen. Jason is
right. It's not your fault."
"That's not it," said Andrew. "I realize it wasn't my fault.
Jason, it was Leo. He murdered Gwen. He strangled her with his bare
hands. I had hoped that the rumors and reports about him turning had
been wrong. That someone had made a mistake. But there can't be any
doubt about it now. Leo's become a Promethian."
"Are you sure?" asked Piper. "Are you sure it was Leo?"
"Yes," said Andrew. "I watched him kill her. There was nothing
I could do. He had another demon with him. And what's more, he
seemed to enjoy doing it. No White Lighter could have done that. It
can only mean that Leo has become a Promethian."
Andrew leaned against the counter and his head dropped. It was
obvious that he was taking the entire incident very hard.
"This is hitting him pretty bad," said Phoebe.
"Not surprising," said Jason. "He and Leo died at Guadalcanal
on the same day. They didn't know each other then, but they also
became White Lighters at the same time. Leo was probably his best
friend among the White Lighters. They've always had a special bond
between them that most White Lighters don't have."
"Then it's true?" said Piper, tears in her eyes. "Leo has
turned evil. Which means we'll have to vanquish him. He's too
dangerous to just let go."
"Jason," said Prue, a perplexed look on her face. "Why would a
demon send Leo after a witch?"
"It was probably his test," replied Andrew. "Promethians are
always tested by the demon they seek out. To prove they've really
turned."
"Yeah, that much I know," said Prue, picking up the page from
the Book of Shadows. "But according to this, they always go after an
innocent. If a White Lighter can kill an innocent, it proves he's
turned to evil.
"But why change that now? Why send Leo after a witch who may be
able to protect herself against him? And who has a White Lighter who
could heal her when she gets injured. They are normally sent after an
innocent because they are the easiest targets."
"As it turned out," said Andrew, "it didn't make any
difference."
"Prue's right," said Piper. "They couldn't have known that in
advance. And if he's as valuable to them as everyone keeps saying he
is, it would be foolish to risk him on such a dangerous mission his
first time out."
"She has a point, Andrew," said Jason. "An innocent can't
protect themselves. A witch can. And with only his White Lighter
powers, Leo would have been at a disadvantage against a witch."
"Well," said Andrew, "he did have a demon with him. Maybe they
were working together."
"No, that's not it," said Jason. "A Promethians' first kill is
always solo. To prove he's really turned. The demon was probably
just a witness. To report to whatever demon Leo sought out that he
had actually completed his task."
"You're right," said Andrew. "It doesn't make any sense. Just
like the demon attacks on me. At the time it didn't make any sense to
me. I only realized what they were doing when I found Gwen dead.
Which means that sending Leo after Gwen was more than just a test.
But what?"
"That's a good question," said Prue. "One that I'm at a loss to
explain. I can't think of any reason for them to do that."
"I can think of one," said Phoebe.
Everyone just looked at her.
"Well," she said, "if I wanted to prove that a White Lighter had
turned, I'd send him to remove an obstacle for me. Someone who was
between me and something I wanted. Kill two birds with one stone, so
to speak."
"Baby sister," said Piper, "you're a genius. There's only one
reason to take out a witch."
"To get to an innocent," said Prue finishing the thought. "Gwen
must have been protecting an innocent that some demon was after."
"Jasmine," gasped Andrew. He looked at the others. "A couple
of weeks ago the Elders told Gwen and me to keep an eye on a young
pregnant woman. She's due to give birth any day. The Elders told
Gwen to watch over and protect here until the baby was born. I got
the impression that they considered this woman very important but were
trying to keep everything very low key."
"Like maybe to keep someone else from finding out," said Piper.
"Oh, God," said Andrew. "I have to get to her right away."
"Hold on there a second," said Prue. "You're not going alone."
"Jasmine is my responsibility," said Andrew, "not yours."
"Hey," said Piper. You, White Lighter. Advice, information,
healing. Us, Charmed Ones. Powers, protecting the innocent, kicking
demon butt."
"Besides," said Phoebe, "there's an innocent in danger and in
need of protecting. Two, if you count the baby. That's what we do.
That makes it our responsibility."
"I can see why the three of you have the reputation you have,"
said Jason.
"I have a reputation?" asked Phoebe, feigning surprise. "Gee,
and I've been trying so hard to be a good girl."
"We'd better get going," said Jason, smiling.
The five linked arms and orbed out of the manor to go protect an
innocent.
To be continued . . .
Be sure not to miss Part 3: Best Laid Plans. The Source sends
Leo with a team of demons to destroy the innocent who's about to give
birth. Can the Charmed Ones protect this innocent until she can give
birth? And what do they do about their former White Lighter who knows
enough about them to destroy them?
If you've enjoyed this story, you can find more "Charmed"
stories at my website, www.geocities.com/killeenmale/ . You can also
post your own "Charmed" stories if you like to write fan fiction.