So sorry for not updating! I have my reasons!

Virgil: Yes you're back! now WRITE ANOTHER CHAPTER! YOU KEPT US HANGING YOU BIG MEANIE!

Ok ok, geez, calm down.

Virgil: and what's your excuse for leaving everyone hanging?

Well I had to look after my cousin who was staying for a week

Virgil: No excuse.

And I managed to get food poisoning .

Virgil: oh umm, nasty

Very, now quit bugging me.

Virgil: Only if you write a new chapter.

K, Here's the long-awaited chapter 8

Virgil: emphasis on LONG

Quiet, you. -------------------------

Nicole opened her eyes.

At first she didn't recognise the place, then as her senses slowly returned, she knew exactly where she was. She sat straight up, the staff clattering to the floor.

"Nicole?" Virgil asked.

"Virgil, wha? What happened?"

Virgil explained what had happed at his flat and how they escaped.

"I. I don't remember much of that."

"Well you were unconscious. How are you feeling, by the way?"

"I feel fine, a little drained though."

"I'm not surprised, the way you dealt with that shadow. That's a pretty nice, uhhh, killing stick you have there."

"It's not a stick, its an enchanted staff."

"Oh, right. that's what I said." Virgil said, looking a bit confused.

At this point, they heard the basement door open and Dante stepped out and into the room. He was carrying an assortment of books, the dust coming off in clouds.

"So. did you find anything?" Virgil asked

"Not much, I cant find anything on this 'Procicule' character. I found quite a bit on that 'Ice rod thing'."

"Ice staff." Nicole corrected. Dante ignored this remark and continued.

"It says here that the ice staff was created by a holy warrior about 1500 years ago. Apparently, she was trying to free her people from enslavement by 'A Great Evil'. it doesn't say much more than that in this book."

"What about the other books?" Nicole enquired.

"Most of the other books gave me the same information, but there is a warning in one of them. It basically says that the staff has its own will and that the user can be taken over by this."

"Any ideas on why so many shadows appeared earlier on?"

"Not a clue, but maybe the staff has something to do with it. I should pay a visit to this church"

"You mean 'We' right?" Said Virgil.

"No. just me. We cant leave her alone, she could be their next target (whoever 'they' are). And I certainly don't want to take her back to the church. Besides, they would recognise both of you."

He was right, there was no way he could go back without being spotted. He would have to stay here for now.

"So, what? We just sit here and wait?"

"No, you sit there and read." Dante handed him a book "find out whatever you can about anything related to what happened tonight. I'm going to the church."

"You're going now?"

"The quicker I get to the bottom of this, the quicker I can get a good nights sleep." Dante picked up Ifrit, and went outside, the drone of the motorcycle disappearing into the distance. Virgil sat down and looked over the book, getting bored very quickly.

"Virgil." Virgil came out of his bored trance.

"Yea?"

"Thanks. For saving me I mean."

"Heh, no problem."

"I had the weirdest dream. while I was out."

"Yeah, I could hear you mumbling."

"Huh? What did I say?"

"Nothing important. Now help me look in these books."

--------------------------

Virgil: short short short

SHHHHH! They don't need to know that!

Read and Review please!