Part 4

The voice ripped through Julie's mind, screaming like the living dead. 'It's too late for all of you!'

"It's too late…" Julie's voice trailed off as she looked around the dimly lit display room. The red breaker lights bathed everything in an unnatural crimson hue, and due to the alarms that were now blaring the two doors that lead out of the room had sealed themselves and gone into lock down.

"Too late…" The blonde bassist cocked her head to the side, wrapping her arms around herself as shock set in. With glazed, unblinking eyes, she watched the action that played out in front of her.

The moment the voice had spoken a large human/feline hybrid that seemed to be made out of nothing more than shadows had stepped from the darkness. Norman, the Viking warrior had stepped forward, sword in hand and had began to battle. However, it seemed a useless task, for every slash Norman made, the shadow thing seemed to laugh as the sword sailed right through it's wispy form.

Max had then run from his place beside Julie as more shadow creatures emerged. The teen had grabbed a small chair and was flailing it at them as Norman continued to wage an impossible war. Virgil, on the other hand had crawled underneath a large display case and was consulting his book with mad fury.

"They're going to die," Julie whispered, then swallowed hard. "We are going to die... I am…" The blonde's mind seemed to stand still after the last whisper left her lips. She would never see her family again. Never play another gig, or throw a wild party. She'd never race her car or go to work, or hang out with Alex. It was all going to be gone. She was going to die. There was no doubt in her mind.

Standing there amid a room full of chaos, Julie was frighteningly still. Combat raged around her, however the blonde's mind hardly seemed to notice as it dealt with the realization that her life was about to end. No more fun and friends, no more late night talks or men she cared about. Nothing but blackness.

Slowly, silently, the blonde began to cry.

~*~

"Mighty One! Are you alright?" Norman yelled as he continued to slash at his insufferable foe.

Unsteadily, Max ducked a shadow creature's flailing claw then lashing out with his chair, causing the beast to disperse then reform in the exact spot that it had been in before, "not really!" He then backed up until he could sense that Norman was right behind him. "How are we gonna stop these things?"

Norman was momentarily silent, as he ducked a flying claw. "Virgil!!"

"I am working on it, Norman!" Was the reply from beneath the display case.

"Work faster!" Bellowed Max, who seemed to be having all of the trouble in the world lifting the heavy, high-backed chair, let alone swinging it. "We're kinda losing here!"

"At last! " Virgil yelled triumphantly. "You must strike the lead creature in the heart!"

Norman gave an aggravated growl. "They don't have any hearts!"

Flipping the page in the Arcana, Virgil shook his feathered head. "Where the heart SHOULD be, then!"

Glowering up at the translucent beast in front of him, Norman swallowed hard and -- with all of his force -- raised his sword over his head and struck the hulking creature where his heart should have been.

For the first time since the start of the battle, the warrior's sword did not swing harmlessly through the shadow. Instead, it connected with the core of the monster, and a thick, green ooze spewed from the wound as the transparent monster began to gain a solid mass.

The other creatures followed suit, each becoming solid, and taking pitch black feline/human form.

"Now!" Yelled Virgil, "you should be able to strike and harm them!"

"Wonderful…" Pulling his blade from the heart of the beast, Norman looked at the creature who bled before him. However, instead of a pained expression in the monster's coal black eyes, Norman found was pure malice. In one swift motion, the creature lifted his arm and smashed it into Normans chest.

The guardian sailed through the air and the with a force that nearly shook the whole museum, the large Viking smashed into the cement wall head first. Norman's large body slid quickly down the wall and then to the ground, motionless.

"Norman!" Virgil yelled in concern, as the fowl ran from his hiding place below the display and to the aid of his friend.

At the sound of Virgil's shriek, Max dropped his now splintered chair and turned from the creature to see what had happened to his guardian. A look of horror crossed over Max's young face as he took in Norman's motionless form and deeply etched worry written in Virgil's eyes. "No…" Whispered Max. "Not Norman… Not again."

~*~

Julie looked at Max as tears continued to slide from her eyes and down her tanned cheeks. 'He's going to die here too…' Julie allowed her arms to fall to her sides as the shock melted from her and was slowly replaced by something else. A protective instinct that normally only came into play when her brother was in trouble. 'I can't let this happen. I Won't let this happen! I can't let Max die!'

Julie's eyes blazed. "This… Wont… Happen." Running from her position, Julie leapt into the air and grabbed Max before the creature behind him could bring down it's mighty arms and crush the teenager.

"Julie…" Max said between sobs as the two of them slammed into the ground, "Norman's…"

"Fine," She finished for him, "Just out cold. Right now we need to worry about us."

The beasts began to close in on all sides of the two blondes. Each one growling and oozing their soulless darkness.

"I'm sorry I brought you into all this," Max said as he took up his best fighting stance and wiped the tears from his face.

"It's not you're fault, kid… Well maybe… forget it..." It was then that a glimmer caught Julie's eye. Looking down next to her, the blonde saw the sword she had been admiring earlier. Picking up the weapon, she removed her leather coat and flexed her shoulders under it's weight. "Stay back and… Grab something pointy," she instructed Max.

Doing as he was told, Max grabbed a piece of broken glass that lay at his feet. With a quick look back at Norman and Virgil, the teen swallowed hard and then looked to Julie who had already began to slice awkwardly through the creatures.

The monsters howled at the assault and ripped at Julie's skin, hair and clothing, but still she kept on, slashing and stabbing all the way. "Fuck you!" she yelled at them, sweat pouring down her face. "Fuck all of you sick bastards!"

Roaring in defiance the creatures battled with even more ferocity.

Julie only kept a step or two ahead of Max as she fought the ensuing number of monsters until there was a path big enough for him to slip through. "Go," Julie yelled to Max as a creature clawed her back. "Go NOW!"

Max shook his head and stabbed at the nearest beast. "I won't leave y…"

"Just go." Julie screamed. "Now!"

Throwing his piece of glass to the floor, Max looked the bloodied Julie and their eyes locked for a second before he slid through the hole and ran to Norman and Virgil.

Julie felt the monsters get closer to her as their claws and talons ripped through her flesh. The second she had heard the voice say it was too late, Julie felt that she was going to die, but at least she's had a chance to help Max. With a slightly renewed vigour, she swung her weapon until -- being too weak to do anymore -- the weary, blood stained blonde slumped to the museum floor.

"This… Is it," she mumbled, her head drooping to the side. With bleary eyes, Julie looked at the beautiful sword that she still held. Even covered with green blood, it was a site to behold. Brilliant, and glowing.

Looking at the swords increasing glow, Julie smiled a little. 'If we were all safe, I'd love to spend time studying you… Using you…'

The sword glowed brighter and seemed to answer her, however by that time Julie's eyes had closed and her mind had slipped into darkness.

~*~

Norman struggled against the darkness that enveloped his mind. The warrior was determined to climb forth from this obscurity back into the light from whence he came, however that seemed to be easier said than done. The main reason for this was the fact that Norman, for the life of him and no matter how hard her tried, was unable to see.

With an infuriated snarl, the Norseman gave up the pointless struggle to reclaim his vision, and instead tried to remember how he had come to lose it, that is if he had ever had it to begin with. At this point, Norman wasn't really sure.

Taking a deep breath in, the warrior attempted to focus his thoughts to a time before this annoying darkness, however try as he might, the task was pointless. "Damn it!" Norman bellowed in total exasperation. Not only couldn't he see, but he had no memories to speak of. "Damn it!"

His screams echoed back to him in hollow tones, and as Norman strained his ears and attempted to hear more, a faint dripping sound caught his attention. It sounded as though it was coming from somewhere close by. It was steady, rhythmic.

Slowly the darkness began to recede from his mind, and a few memories floated into his brain. The north, the snow, the gods, and his father. The blackness in front of his eyes was replaced by a gray fog, and Norman found that if he strained his eyes he was able to see the shapes of large rock walls.

The Lemurians, immortality, Virgil, Max. More memories found him as his vision continued to clear. Now the warrior could see a massive stone roof above him and huge boulders all around. There was no doubt that he was in a cave, but as to why, that was another story all together.

Norman now remembered the museum and how a voice had spoken from the shadows. He remembered the massive beast that he had been battling, and Norman was sure that he recalled flying, rather quickly, across the room, although that part was a little fuzzy.

Making sure that he was physically able, the warrior stood up in the large cave and gave a quick stretch. After a rapid check-over, Norman discovered that his sword and weaponry was intact, as was he. Norman also discovered that he was not alone in the cave.

To his far left lay a sleeping, snoring Max and next to Max lay Virgil, who seemed equally content with his slumber.

After satisfying himself that Max and Virgil were --for the most part-- unharmed, the roan-haired warrior decided that it was time to explore his surroundings a bit. Best he gather his bearings before whomever had brought them here returned. There would most certainly be a battle, and he hoped at least some sort of explanation when Virgil awoke.

The cave was tall and long, but not all that wide. Perhaps sixteen feet across at most. Height wise however, it looked like the cave went up about ten stories and it seemed to be roughly the same in length. There were several boulders scattered about, which were large enough to provide cover if needed.

Light streamed into the cave through a bunch of small cracks and tiny openings in the high roof, and though it was a bit difficult to see, Norman could tell that there was no large opening in the roof nor was there one at the back of the cave where Virgil and Max slept.

Satisfied that there was only one method of entry, Norman ventured farther forward --past large and now thoroughly explored boulders and a few short crevices-- towards the front of the cave. Instinctively, he pulled his large sword and his steps became silent as he neared the entrance.

The Viking could see a bright and sunny afternoon looking back at him from the mouth of the cave, as birds twittered and a brook babbled in the near distance. Lush, green grass flanked the mouth of the cave, and spilled a few inches inward. A coniferous forest lay fifty feet beyond the grasses seemed to teem with life as Norman emerged from the cave.

Taking a quick look around Norman noticed a small, human sized lump, in the tall grass not too far from the entrance to the cave.

The warrior gripped his sword tighter, looked around quickly and cautiously stepped forward. 'This just gets crazier,' Norman thought to himself walking towards the lump. However as he got closer he discovered that the lump was not a lump at all, but a human form.

Lowering his sword, Norman jogged to the body then knelt next to it. "Her," he whispered, looking down at Julie's motionless face and bruised and bloodied body. The blonde's clothes were tattered and torn, and her normally lustrous hair was matted and had been wretched from it's pony tail.

Laying his sword on the ground, Norman placed his ear to Julie's chest and, much to his relief heard a faint heart beat. As he lifted and turned her head, the warrior was also pleased to see the slight rise and fall of her chest. However, his eyes lingered there longer than it took to find breath.

Intense, coffee brown eyes traversed down Julie's long, wounded legs then back over her abdomen, chest and finally to the beautiful sword that she held in her hand. Norman attempted to pick up the weapon, but found that was not as easy as he expected.

Julie held it with a death grip and it seemed as though the sword had an equally strong grip on her.

'Just what the hell happened after I hit that wall?' The Viking questioned silently as he removed his hand from the sword and did a quick check of Julie to ensure nothing was broken. Satisfied the warrior picked up and sheathed his own sword.

'And you,' Norman though as he lifted Julie in his arms and headed back into the cave. 'Who ARE you? Where did you come from… Why in the name of Odin are you in my dreams every night?'

~*~

Max and Virgil had awoken soon after Norman re-entered the cave. Though they were both unharmed, neither had any explanation as to why they were here, or to how they had arrived.

After a quick inspection of the foliage and climate, Virgil deemed that they were somewhere in northern Canada. The Lemurian was soon busy consulting his Arcana so that he might find a near-by portal and more information on what they had fought in the museum. Norman had decided that they would have to eat soon, and was busy hunting down some creature to part of Virgil's stew.

Max, on the other hand was sitting, cross legged, next to Julie, who was still out cold. The teen felt guilty for making her go to the museum that day, but more than that he was confused. Julie had protected him, even risked her own life so that he had the chance to live. But why?

Looking down at Julie's motionless face, Max sighed heavily. The teen knew that the only person who could ever answer that question was Julie herself, and right now Max wasn't sure if that was ever going to happen.

"I'm sorry, Julie," Max whispered as he pushed a stray strand of flaxen hair from Julie's face. "It's my fault you're like this."

Julie did not move, only continued to lay there, breathing lightly, dead to the world.

"Virgil," Max began, looking over his shoulder at the fowl, "are you really sure she's OK? I mean she's not really moving at all and her breathing…"

Coming to stand next to Max, Virgil looked down at the woman, and then to Max. "She is alright Mighty One. Norman and I tended her wounds and there is nothing punctured or damaged."

"But she's still not awake," argued Max with urgency. "She has to wake up soon…"

Virgil sighed. "You must be patient, Mighty One."

Max turned away from Virgil to look at the cool, stone wall. "Julie saved my life, Virg… I would've died if she wasn't there. And now she's like this… because of me."

"It's not your fault," Virgil stated seriously. "Julie is your friend, and you would have done the same for her."

Max gave a small nod. A part of him believed what Virgil said, but another part of him wasn't so sure. "When it's Norman fighting, that's different. I… I know it's his job to protect me. Yours too. But Julie was just… I… I dunno."

Placing his hand awkwardly on Max's shoulder, Virgil looked intently at the teenager. "Julie saved your life, Mighty One, she knew what she was doing. I am sure she would not want you to be feeling like this."

With a sigh he straightened his back. Sulking wasn't helping matters any, and neither was sitting here thinking about things that had already happened. Slowly the Max got to his feet and turned towards the mouth of the cave.

"Mighty One..?" Questioned Virgil.

"Virg," stated Max with more bravery than he felt. We need to find a way back home, and stop whatever was in the museum. I don't want anyone else to get hurt."

With a solemn nod, Virgil returned to his book and was soon absorbed in his reading.

Hugging himself against the cool breeze, Max looked up to the darkening sky, regret in his light blue eyes. 'I guess I'll never get the chance to be really normal. But if it means that I can protect the people that I love then I guess that's just how it has to be. No regrets.'

Pushing all thoughts of being a normal teenager from his mind, Max turned from the twilight sky, and walked to Virgil to see if he might be of some help.

~*~

The warrior's gaze is feral - deadly, piercing like russet steel, solid as slate. He is the essence of power as he slowly stands up in the tall grasses, unadorned yet dangerous. Roan colored hair, long, blowing freely in the wind. Hard tanned flesh, covers his tall, strapping frame.

She can see him, and a part of her races with excitement at the fact he is so near. She must run, make him catch her body, like he has captured her soul. Primal instinct flows through her as she leaps from the boulder, needing him to follow.

She tears through the foliage, her long golden hair catching the few brambles she can not avoid. She knows where she is running to --her territory, her place. She also knows she will beat him there, for she is fast as he is strong.

The woman's heart thumps in her chest as she can feel him gaining. She hears his footsteps crunch the jungle earth behind her. His sent blows lightly on the wind, it only increases her excitement, and her speed.

Soon she enters a small clearing surrounded by tall cliffs and huge, thundering falls of rushing water. She is home and he is near. Quickly she walks to a large boulder to await his arrival, the skimpy tiger's skin that she wears, caught with the sweat from her run.

The woman parts her lips in invitation as the warrior enters the clearing, and quickly he comes to her, his body hot, his eyes wild. Dropping to his knees it looka as though she is his master. In truth it is he who owns her soul.

The warrior places kisses upon her stomach, and soon her tiger skin falls to the ground.

The woman runs her fingers through his hair, and caresses his face, her passion reaching it's peak. She has waited to have him for so long, so many life times. Now, at long last what she has ached for and needed is here…

Julie slowly opened her eyes. The dream always ended there, however for the first time since it began, she didn't care. All that consumed her mind was the pain in her body and the memories of the museum that roamed darkly through her head.

Julie slowly opened her azure eyes and focused on the rocks above her as they flicked colours in the fire light. She didn't think that being dead would hurt so much, but as she attempted to move her head stinging pain sprang from her back. "Ow," Julie whimpered, she then released a long breath as the pain slowly subsided.

"Try not to move," Norman said from his place by the fire. "You're gonna hurt for a while."

Julie continued to look at the roof of the cave. "So this is hell, isn't it?"

"No, Canada," Norman replied.

She slowly rolled her head to the side and focused her gaze on the Norseman. He looked so much like the warrior from her dreams in the firelight -- polishing his already pristine blade. "No. I'm dead." Her tone was matter-of-fact. It was easier for her to accept being dead that it was to accept that they had somehow made it out of the museum and ended up in Canada.

Norman looked up from his sword and studied her for a moment. "Dead is easier sometimes." He then went back to his weapon.

Julie took in a deep breath. "This is all real, isn't it?" It seemed like a stupid question after everything that had happened, but she felt that in order to believe she had to hear it from someone who was flesh, bone and in front of her.

"Yes."

The fire popped loudly, and then the cave settled into silence, save for the occasional snore from Max who had curled up to sleep near Norman's side.

Julie spent the next few hours easing her muscles into some state of order, and she had even managed to have some water and a little stew. However, she and Norman did not speak again until it was nearly dawn.

"I wanted to ask you," Norman began as he stifled a yawn, "if you knew how we got here?"

With a raise of her eyebrow, Julie slowly shook her head. No… I thought… well I don't know what I thought. You mean, one of you didn't do this?"

It was Norman's turn to look a little perplexed. "Virgil can't find any explanation for it. According to him we were all as good as dead with those shadow monsters. Then there was a bright flash of white light and we ended up here."

'A flash of light?' Julie swore she remembered something about light. Bright, celestial light. She closed her eyes and attempted to think back to the events in the museum which had now began to feel surreal to her -- as though they were a part of a movie she had watched.

"I think I remember light," she said quietly "but I don't know where fro…" Then it hit her. The sword that she had been using. She thought it had began to glow right before she lost consciousness. It could have been her brain playing tricks or an illusion from the breaker lights in the room. However, as she reflected on it, it seemed less in her imagination.

She opened her eyes and scanned the room for the weapon. "The sword," she said at last. "It glowed, right before I passed out."

Norman got to his feet and walked into the shadows towards the back of the cave. When he returned he was carrying the blade with him. "This?"

She nodded slowly as she watched the weapon glint in the fire light. "Yeah." She now felt certain of what she had seen.

Placing the weapon in front of Julie, Norman shook his head. "It took me an hour to get you to let go of it. You had a vice grip."

Julie felt safer with the sword near her, like it wanted to calm her. In fact when she was feeling antsy in the museum, the sword had drawn her to it's display case, and then later, when she needed to fight off the shadow creatures, it had been there again. It seemed as though it almost wanted to help her. "Do you think..?" She stopped and sighed. What was she saying? It was an inanimate object, nothing more.

Norman looked at her expectantly.

"It was stupid. I was just going to ask you if you thought the sword could have brought us here." Julie smiled at her own silliness.

Norman wasn't smiling, in fact as he studied the weapon, he face only grew more sombre.

He looked intently at Julie and then walked from his place by the fire out of the cave and into the breaking morning.

Looking from the sword to the lightening sky she shrugged her shoulders and leaned her head back against the stone wall as sleep found her.