Bringing Back the Dead
(This is a continuation of the universe I created in Lineage and that is continued in The Dark Half, Family Ties, Darkness Rising, Destiny's Call, The Last Guard at the Gate, Hidden Potential, Sacrifices, and Torture. This story takes place immediately following the events of Torture.)
CHAPTER 1: Resurrection
The Great Pyramid...Giza, Egypt
Dr. Davidson wiped sweat off his forehead as he paused from his digging. The physical exhaustion had taken its toll on him and his team. Ever since the hidden chamber had been discovered, they'd been working almost nonstop for a week. "John," he called out to his assistant. "How much do we have left to cover?"
"Not too much, Doc," John replied. "Just a few more square feet and the digging should be all done."
"Thank God," said Davidson. "This place is sucking the life right out of me, I'm telling you." Suddenly, he was interrupted by an excited shout.
"Dr. Davidson, we found something!" Davidson and John quickly ran into the chamber and saw an ornately decorated sarcophagus.
"Incredible," said Davidson as he looked at the writing etched into the side. "This isn't like anything I've ever seen before." He turned to the workers and said, "Let's get some crowbars over here and open it up." Within two minutes, the men had pried the lid off and laid it to the side. Davidson took a look inside and gasped in shock.
"What the hell?" John said. "It's a skeleton, not a mummy!"
Davidson bent over closer for a better inspection. Suddenly, the corpse reached up and grabbed Davidson's throat. As the men watched, horrified, Davidson began to age rapidly until there was nothing left but dust. At the same, the corpse began to glow with a sinister light. When it faded, the corpse had been replaced by a man in his early thirties dressed in black. His eyes were cold and deadly, and his smile chilled the men to their very souls.
"Ah, finally," he said in a voice gravelly with age not shown on his face. "He was quite an excellent morsel...as I'm sure all of you will be." As he finished speaking, the chamber walls suddenly resealed themselves, and the men knew they would never see daylight again.
****
Phoebe woke to the feel of strong, firm hands massaging her back. "Mmmm," she purred as she recognized the feel of Michael's palms with delight. "Morning, baby," she said sleepily. She opened her eyes and turned over to take in her husband's smiling face.
"Good morning, yourself...or more accurately, good afternoon," he said.
Phoebe looked over at the clock, which read 1:37. "How come you let me sleep so late?" she asked as she got out of bed.
"Well, considering that you didn't sleep so well the other night while I was gone, I figured you needed it," he said. "Besides, you looked so peaceful."
Phoebe frowned as she put on her jeans. "I was so worried about you," she said, moving into his arms. "If anything had happened to you, I don't know what I would have done."
"I know, baby, and I can't apologize enough," said Michael.
"You don't have to," said Phoebe. "Just having you here with me is fine. Besides which, I think you more than made up for it last night." She grinned like the Cheshire cat.
"Oh, did I, now?" he said, kissing her neck.
"Mmmm hmmm," Phoebe sighed. "You know, you never told me why you got that silly grin on your face last night after we were done."
Michael pulled back and mentally smacked himself. "Too true," he replied. "Well, I guess the easiest thing would probably be to come straight out and tell you."
"Tell me what?" she asked, confused.
The grin from the night before returned to Michael's face. "Phoebe, you're pregnant."
Phoebe's eyes grew huge, and her mouth fell open in shock. "I'm WHAT!" she screeched. "How..." Then, her expression became deadly serious, and her eyes glittered, which Michael recognized as Phoebe at her most dangerous. "You used your POWERS to..."
"No!" Michael said quickly. "I don't think so, anyway. If I used that particular power last night, it was in combination with what we were doing. And the only reason why I know for sure is because I sensed her right after we were done." He winced, preparing for a roundhouse kick to his groin. Instead, a soft hand caressed his cheek.
"Sorry, baby," she said meekly. "I didn't mean to scare you like that. I just wasn't expecting it." She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled warmly. "I am very happy about this, Michael, very happy." Then, she suddenly realized something. "Wait a minute...you said 'her.'"
"Uh, yeah, I guess I did," Michael said sheepishly.
"We're going to have a daughter?" she asked excitedly. Michael nodded. Phoebe squealed happily and kissed Michael passionately. "I can't believe it..."
"I can," said Michael. He smiled. His own little girl...things would definitely get very interesting.
****
Siran leaned back against the rock wall behind him and grumbled with disgust. The Underworld was not what it had been. Since the defeat of the Dark Lord and the second loss of the Grimoire, a new leader as cunning as any of the previous Sources had yet to be found, and all of demondom had plunged into chaos. Siran suddenly jerked his head up as a demon shimmered in a few feet away from him.
Siran shrank back in fear. The demon's eyes were cold, and an aura of ancient power surrounded him. "Who are you?" Siran choked out.
The demon smiled coldly and stepped forward. "My name is Mateem. You're going to answer all my questions, or you'll die. Understand?"
Siran swallowed loudly and said softly, "I understand..."
Mateem's smile widened as he said, "Who is the strongest good now?"
****
"Phoebe, this is so great!" said Piper. The family had gathered downstairs and Michael and Phoebe had shared the good news with the others. Tom was sitting on Phoebe's lap.
"You hear that, Tom?" she asked. "You're going to have a little sister to play with."
"And who is going to annoy her big brother," said Tom. Michael laughed. Though his son was just a little older than three, his intelligence was increasing dramatically, and he could speak as well as any adult when he chose to.
"Let's just wait and see about that," said Michael. "If she's anything like her mother, she'll be a sweet angel." Phoebe gave him a warm smile.
"Oh, please!" said Paige. "She'll be a regular tomboy and you know it."
"Hey, I resent that!" said Phoebe, punching Paige lightly in the arm.
"I'm just messing with you, Pheebs," said Paige, giving her older sister a hug. "Seriously, congrats to you both," she added. Just then, the doorbell rang.
"I'll get that," said Piper. Moments later, Cole and Katrina walked in together.
"Hey, cousin!" said Michael, getting to his feet. His smile faded a little when he saw Cole's expression. His eyes were surrounded by dark circles, and his face had a haunted look. "You don't look so well," Michael commented gently.
Cole raised tired eyes and cracked a smile. "It's nothing, I just didn't get much sleep last night," he admitted.
Michael sighed and placed a hand on Cole's shoulder. "Nightmares?" he asked.
Cole shrugged it off and forced a smile on his face, "It's nothing. Now, Katrina told me that you guys have some news for us?"
"Yes, we do," said Phoebe, reaching to hold Michael's hand. "I'm pregnant," she said proudly.
"Oh, Phoebe, that's so great!" said Katrina, coming over to hug her.
"Looks like there will be two hormonal wives in the family," said Cole, grinning at Michael. Cole regretted his words seconds later, because both Phoebe and Katrina turned death-glares on him.
Michael chuckled. "You've obviously forgotten an important lesson, Cole," he said. "Never, EVER mess with a pregnant woman, especially when she has the power to throw fireballs."
"It seems I've forgotten that," Cole replied, looking pointedly at Phoebe, who was now shaking with laughter. "But how would you know about that?"
"When Phoebe was pregnant with Tom, she gained some additional powers, just like Piper did with Wyatt," Michael explained. "Among them was the old Source-style fireball I used to have. Now, you try to tell a pregnant woman sporting a fireball that you can't get her the exotic foods she craves, and believe me, you won't sleep for days."
Phoebe's laughter increased in volume.
****
Rebecca Larson whistled happily to herself as she let herself into her apartment. She had just signed a high profile client to the advertising firm at which she worked, and she was sure she'd get a promotion.
As she set her purse down, she glanced over at a picture of her and two other women. Rebecca and her sister witches were only of a very low- level magic, but they were nonetheless devoted to the craft.
Suddenly, Rebecca felt the air rippling behind her, and she spun around just in time to see Mateem shimmer into the room. "You cannot escape me, witch," he said as he pinned her to the wall. As he grabbed her throat, he whispered, "Soon, you will all know what it is like to be dead."
Rebecca tried to move, but the demon's grip was like iron. She felt something being ripped from her, and tried to scream. However, his grip closed off her throat, preventing her from screaming.
As the body fell, Mateem grinned. "And now it begins." He gestured, and the body burst into flames. A few moments later, Mateem shimmered out.
****
The family was just sitting down to a late lunch when Leo orbed into the room. "Sorry I was gone for so long," he apologized, "but they had some important news to share."
"What sort of news, honey?" asked Piper as he sat down.
"Well, in the space of the past two days, twenty lower-level witches have been killed," he said.
"My God," Phoebe gasped.
"It gets worse. Most of the deaths appear to be different kinds. Some were hit by fireballs, others stabbed with athames, and others hit by energy balls."
"I don't like where this is going..." Michael whispered. "It sounds like a group of demons, and a fairly large one at that."
"That's just it. There's no pattern to these slayings, and we can't understand how any one group could find all of them," Leo continued. "The Elders think..."
"Don't bother. They're wrong, they have to be," Cole interrupted.
"What are you talking about?" Michael asked. "How do you know what the Elders believe?"
"Because there's only one explanation that makes sense, and it can't be true," Cole explained with an ashen face.
"Someone care to fill in the blanks?" Piper demanded crossly.
"The Elders think Evil is going to war. This indicates more than one group stepping up there activity, which has never happened before. Quite simply, Evil's NEVER been organized like this before, even with the Source. Something fundamental has changed...and it isn't for the better."
****
"Good is trying to wipe us out, there's no other explanation," Baranas said simply.
"I agree. Good is taking advantage of our instability to wipe us out," Nevaros commented.
"Let's not jump to conclusions," Gayneth cautioned. "We're here because each of us has lost members of our factions to Good, more than would be normal. What you're suggesting would leave only one course of action."
"Good has already forced that with their actions," Baranas said sharply. "If Good wants a war, we'll give them one."
"The time for action is now. Let us take a vote," Nevaros interrupted.
The group voted, and it was unanimous. "Very well," Nevaros continued. "Tell all your factions it's time. Go after every witch and agent of Good you know about, and bring them down."
The faction leaders nodded, and they all flamed out. Mateem appeared from the shadows and said, "And so it begins..."
****
"It has to be a war, Cole!" Leo insisted vehemently.
"But it can't be!" Cole shot back. "I'm telling you, there is NO way Evil could be working this well together. It can't just go from chaos to order like that."
Michael was about to comment when suddenly a chill ran up and down his spine. He sensed something on the edges of his consciousness and focused on it.
Phoebe noticed the intense look of concentration on Michael's face. "Baby, what's wrong?" she asked anxiously. Leo and Cole stopped their debate and turned to look at him.
"I'm not sure," he said, puzzled. "I'm picking up something...weird."
"Like what?" Piper asked.
"Well, you know how I can sense every lifeforce on the planet?" Michael said. As the others nodded, he continued, "Just a minute ago, I sensed a presence, very old, and VERY evil. The weird thing is that it doesn't appear to be alive. It's almost like it's..."
"Undead," Cole finished. His face had paled considerably.
"Do you know what it is, Cole?" Michael asked.
Cole nodded slowly. "It's a lich," he said slowly. As he spoke, Michael's face paled as well.
"That's impossible," said Leo. "They've been extinct for centuries."
"Hello, excuse me for a second," interrupted Paige. "For those of us who lack certain knowledge, would you mind telling us what a lich is?"
"Centuries ago, there were certain demonic sorcerers who had the power to raise the dead and make them into their undead slaves, known as necromancers," Cole began. "They also had the ability to literally suck the life right out of you with a single touch, known as the Grip of Death. However, a prophecy that was made by BOTH sides convinced the leaders of Good and Evil to join forces and wipe out the necromancers."
"What was the prophecy?" asked Piper.
"Somehow, Evil would begin attacking everywhere it could. Good would retaliate in response, and then Evil would respond, and so on and so forth, all the while increasing the death toll," said Leo. "The Elders AND the Source were convinced that the only beings who would benefit from that kind of carnage were the necromancers. With an army of undead demons and witches under their control, they could decimate all life. So, the decision was made to eliminate them, which was done in a matter so bloody that I can't even describe it. However, in the end it appeared that all the necromancers were dead."
"That theory has evidently been shot to hell," Phoebe commented.
"Why wouldn't I have been able to sense him before?" Michael mused.
"Well, a lich is an UNDEAD necromancer, as you know, Michael," said Cole. "As such, the necromancer animated his corpse as his spirit was leaving his body. That way, if his corpse somehow ever came into contact with a living being, he could regenerate his body, and his spirit would return. The demons and witches who participated in the purge were prepared to deal with them, but that's not the case now."
"He CAN be killed, right?" said Katrina.
"It will be hard, since a lich is supposed to be immortal, but yes," said Cole.
"So, it's likely that this lich has been responsible for killing all the witches that have been killed," suggested Leo.
"And if my guess is right, he's also been killing lower-level demons as well, playing both sides against each other," said Cole. "This guy is innovative, I'll give him that."
"Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I'd like to take this guy out before he starts World War III," Piper said.
"I'll agree to that," said Paige.
"Can you still sense him?" Phoebe asked Michael.
Michael closed his eyes and concentrated. Suddenly he paled. "He's going after another witch," he said quickly. "Follow me." He grabbed Phoebe's hand and flamed out.
"You stay here," Cole said to Katrina. He blurred out, and Paige orbed with Piper right after him.
****
"No, please, don't hurt me," said Tanya, backing away from Mateem.
The lich cackled evilly. "I'm afraid it's too late for that, my dear," he sneered. "No one can save you now."
"Is that a fact?"
Mateem whirled around to see a group of three women and three men. "I suggest you leave before you become my next victims," he threatened.
"Sorry, pal, but I'm afraid that isn't an option," said Phoebe. She formed a fireball and threw it at Mateem. It knocked him back, stunning him momentarily.
Mateem grinned. "Ah, the Charmed Ones, I presume," he said with a sweeping bow. "I am Mateem."
"We know what you're up to, and you won't get away with it," Piper said coldly. "Nobody ends the world as we know it that easily."
Mateem's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You think you can stop me?" he challenged. "In that case, let the games begin." Mateem threw a fireball at Paige.
"Fireball!" she yelled. She orbed the fireball back at Mateem, and followed up with a lightning bolt. Mateem was slammed back against the wall, but quickly got to his feet.
"VERY impressive," he commented. "You are more powerful than the Underworld gives you credit for. However, it seems that you still don't have enough power to hurt me, let alone vanquish me."
"Maybe they don't," Michael said, stepping around Phoebe. "But I DO." He formed a white fireball and hurled it at Mateem. The fireball struck him right in the abdomen, and Mateem grimaced in pain as he was slammed against the wall. Michael quickly followed up with another one, and Mateem was thrown back yet again. Cole stepped forward and threw two energy balls. This time as Mateem got to his feet, there was a noticeable wound in his abdomen, pouring forth with black blood.
"WHAT ARE YOU?" Mateem yelled. Never before had he encountered beings so POWERFUL! He quickly shimmered out before either Cole or Michael could finish him off.
"Are you alright?" Leo asked Tanya, checking her for wounds.
"Yes, thanks to you," she said with gratitude. "I never thought I'd meet the Charmed Ones like this. I'm honored to finally meet you."
"Ah, it was nothing," said Phoebe. "Stuff like this comes with the territory."
"We should get back," said Cole. "Katrina's probably worried sick."
As the group gathered back together, Michael said, "One thing's for sure. We haven't seen the last of him. He'll be back."
"They always are," said Phoebe as she grabbed his hand. The group flamed, blurred and orbed out in succession.
****
Mateem leaned back against the wall of his chamber, pressing a cloth to his wound. Fortunately for him, it was not bleeding as copiously as it had been.
As he allowed exhaustion to overtake him, one thought remained in his mind. The Charmed Ones and the two men had proven to be more formidable than he had anticipated. But he was patient. He would take steps to insure that next time they would be the ones bleeding.
TO BE CONTINUED...
(This is a continuation of the universe I created in Lineage and that is continued in The Dark Half, Family Ties, Darkness Rising, Destiny's Call, The Last Guard at the Gate, Hidden Potential, Sacrifices, and Torture. This story takes place immediately following the events of Torture.)
CHAPTER 1: Resurrection
The Great Pyramid...Giza, Egypt
Dr. Davidson wiped sweat off his forehead as he paused from his digging. The physical exhaustion had taken its toll on him and his team. Ever since the hidden chamber had been discovered, they'd been working almost nonstop for a week. "John," he called out to his assistant. "How much do we have left to cover?"
"Not too much, Doc," John replied. "Just a few more square feet and the digging should be all done."
"Thank God," said Davidson. "This place is sucking the life right out of me, I'm telling you." Suddenly, he was interrupted by an excited shout.
"Dr. Davidson, we found something!" Davidson and John quickly ran into the chamber and saw an ornately decorated sarcophagus.
"Incredible," said Davidson as he looked at the writing etched into the side. "This isn't like anything I've ever seen before." He turned to the workers and said, "Let's get some crowbars over here and open it up." Within two minutes, the men had pried the lid off and laid it to the side. Davidson took a look inside and gasped in shock.
"What the hell?" John said. "It's a skeleton, not a mummy!"
Davidson bent over closer for a better inspection. Suddenly, the corpse reached up and grabbed Davidson's throat. As the men watched, horrified, Davidson began to age rapidly until there was nothing left but dust. At the same, the corpse began to glow with a sinister light. When it faded, the corpse had been replaced by a man in his early thirties dressed in black. His eyes were cold and deadly, and his smile chilled the men to their very souls.
"Ah, finally," he said in a voice gravelly with age not shown on his face. "He was quite an excellent morsel...as I'm sure all of you will be." As he finished speaking, the chamber walls suddenly resealed themselves, and the men knew they would never see daylight again.
****
Phoebe woke to the feel of strong, firm hands massaging her back. "Mmmm," she purred as she recognized the feel of Michael's palms with delight. "Morning, baby," she said sleepily. She opened her eyes and turned over to take in her husband's smiling face.
"Good morning, yourself...or more accurately, good afternoon," he said.
Phoebe looked over at the clock, which read 1:37. "How come you let me sleep so late?" she asked as she got out of bed.
"Well, considering that you didn't sleep so well the other night while I was gone, I figured you needed it," he said. "Besides, you looked so peaceful."
Phoebe frowned as she put on her jeans. "I was so worried about you," she said, moving into his arms. "If anything had happened to you, I don't know what I would have done."
"I know, baby, and I can't apologize enough," said Michael.
"You don't have to," said Phoebe. "Just having you here with me is fine. Besides which, I think you more than made up for it last night." She grinned like the Cheshire cat.
"Oh, did I, now?" he said, kissing her neck.
"Mmmm hmmm," Phoebe sighed. "You know, you never told me why you got that silly grin on your face last night after we were done."
Michael pulled back and mentally smacked himself. "Too true," he replied. "Well, I guess the easiest thing would probably be to come straight out and tell you."
"Tell me what?" she asked, confused.
The grin from the night before returned to Michael's face. "Phoebe, you're pregnant."
Phoebe's eyes grew huge, and her mouth fell open in shock. "I'm WHAT!" she screeched. "How..." Then, her expression became deadly serious, and her eyes glittered, which Michael recognized as Phoebe at her most dangerous. "You used your POWERS to..."
"No!" Michael said quickly. "I don't think so, anyway. If I used that particular power last night, it was in combination with what we were doing. And the only reason why I know for sure is because I sensed her right after we were done." He winced, preparing for a roundhouse kick to his groin. Instead, a soft hand caressed his cheek.
"Sorry, baby," she said meekly. "I didn't mean to scare you like that. I just wasn't expecting it." She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled warmly. "I am very happy about this, Michael, very happy." Then, she suddenly realized something. "Wait a minute...you said 'her.'"
"Uh, yeah, I guess I did," Michael said sheepishly.
"We're going to have a daughter?" she asked excitedly. Michael nodded. Phoebe squealed happily and kissed Michael passionately. "I can't believe it..."
"I can," said Michael. He smiled. His own little girl...things would definitely get very interesting.
****
Siran leaned back against the rock wall behind him and grumbled with disgust. The Underworld was not what it had been. Since the defeat of the Dark Lord and the second loss of the Grimoire, a new leader as cunning as any of the previous Sources had yet to be found, and all of demondom had plunged into chaos. Siran suddenly jerked his head up as a demon shimmered in a few feet away from him.
Siran shrank back in fear. The demon's eyes were cold, and an aura of ancient power surrounded him. "Who are you?" Siran choked out.
The demon smiled coldly and stepped forward. "My name is Mateem. You're going to answer all my questions, or you'll die. Understand?"
Siran swallowed loudly and said softly, "I understand..."
Mateem's smile widened as he said, "Who is the strongest good now?"
****
"Phoebe, this is so great!" said Piper. The family had gathered downstairs and Michael and Phoebe had shared the good news with the others. Tom was sitting on Phoebe's lap.
"You hear that, Tom?" she asked. "You're going to have a little sister to play with."
"And who is going to annoy her big brother," said Tom. Michael laughed. Though his son was just a little older than three, his intelligence was increasing dramatically, and he could speak as well as any adult when he chose to.
"Let's just wait and see about that," said Michael. "If she's anything like her mother, she'll be a sweet angel." Phoebe gave him a warm smile.
"Oh, please!" said Paige. "She'll be a regular tomboy and you know it."
"Hey, I resent that!" said Phoebe, punching Paige lightly in the arm.
"I'm just messing with you, Pheebs," said Paige, giving her older sister a hug. "Seriously, congrats to you both," she added. Just then, the doorbell rang.
"I'll get that," said Piper. Moments later, Cole and Katrina walked in together.
"Hey, cousin!" said Michael, getting to his feet. His smile faded a little when he saw Cole's expression. His eyes were surrounded by dark circles, and his face had a haunted look. "You don't look so well," Michael commented gently.
Cole raised tired eyes and cracked a smile. "It's nothing, I just didn't get much sleep last night," he admitted.
Michael sighed and placed a hand on Cole's shoulder. "Nightmares?" he asked.
Cole shrugged it off and forced a smile on his face, "It's nothing. Now, Katrina told me that you guys have some news for us?"
"Yes, we do," said Phoebe, reaching to hold Michael's hand. "I'm pregnant," she said proudly.
"Oh, Phoebe, that's so great!" said Katrina, coming over to hug her.
"Looks like there will be two hormonal wives in the family," said Cole, grinning at Michael. Cole regretted his words seconds later, because both Phoebe and Katrina turned death-glares on him.
Michael chuckled. "You've obviously forgotten an important lesson, Cole," he said. "Never, EVER mess with a pregnant woman, especially when she has the power to throw fireballs."
"It seems I've forgotten that," Cole replied, looking pointedly at Phoebe, who was now shaking with laughter. "But how would you know about that?"
"When Phoebe was pregnant with Tom, she gained some additional powers, just like Piper did with Wyatt," Michael explained. "Among them was the old Source-style fireball I used to have. Now, you try to tell a pregnant woman sporting a fireball that you can't get her the exotic foods she craves, and believe me, you won't sleep for days."
Phoebe's laughter increased in volume.
****
Rebecca Larson whistled happily to herself as she let herself into her apartment. She had just signed a high profile client to the advertising firm at which she worked, and she was sure she'd get a promotion.
As she set her purse down, she glanced over at a picture of her and two other women. Rebecca and her sister witches were only of a very low- level magic, but they were nonetheless devoted to the craft.
Suddenly, Rebecca felt the air rippling behind her, and she spun around just in time to see Mateem shimmer into the room. "You cannot escape me, witch," he said as he pinned her to the wall. As he grabbed her throat, he whispered, "Soon, you will all know what it is like to be dead."
Rebecca tried to move, but the demon's grip was like iron. She felt something being ripped from her, and tried to scream. However, his grip closed off her throat, preventing her from screaming.
As the body fell, Mateem grinned. "And now it begins." He gestured, and the body burst into flames. A few moments later, Mateem shimmered out.
****
The family was just sitting down to a late lunch when Leo orbed into the room. "Sorry I was gone for so long," he apologized, "but they had some important news to share."
"What sort of news, honey?" asked Piper as he sat down.
"Well, in the space of the past two days, twenty lower-level witches have been killed," he said.
"My God," Phoebe gasped.
"It gets worse. Most of the deaths appear to be different kinds. Some were hit by fireballs, others stabbed with athames, and others hit by energy balls."
"I don't like where this is going..." Michael whispered. "It sounds like a group of demons, and a fairly large one at that."
"That's just it. There's no pattern to these slayings, and we can't understand how any one group could find all of them," Leo continued. "The Elders think..."
"Don't bother. They're wrong, they have to be," Cole interrupted.
"What are you talking about?" Michael asked. "How do you know what the Elders believe?"
"Because there's only one explanation that makes sense, and it can't be true," Cole explained with an ashen face.
"Someone care to fill in the blanks?" Piper demanded crossly.
"The Elders think Evil is going to war. This indicates more than one group stepping up there activity, which has never happened before. Quite simply, Evil's NEVER been organized like this before, even with the Source. Something fundamental has changed...and it isn't for the better."
****
"Good is trying to wipe us out, there's no other explanation," Baranas said simply.
"I agree. Good is taking advantage of our instability to wipe us out," Nevaros commented.
"Let's not jump to conclusions," Gayneth cautioned. "We're here because each of us has lost members of our factions to Good, more than would be normal. What you're suggesting would leave only one course of action."
"Good has already forced that with their actions," Baranas said sharply. "If Good wants a war, we'll give them one."
"The time for action is now. Let us take a vote," Nevaros interrupted.
The group voted, and it was unanimous. "Very well," Nevaros continued. "Tell all your factions it's time. Go after every witch and agent of Good you know about, and bring them down."
The faction leaders nodded, and they all flamed out. Mateem appeared from the shadows and said, "And so it begins..."
****
"It has to be a war, Cole!" Leo insisted vehemently.
"But it can't be!" Cole shot back. "I'm telling you, there is NO way Evil could be working this well together. It can't just go from chaos to order like that."
Michael was about to comment when suddenly a chill ran up and down his spine. He sensed something on the edges of his consciousness and focused on it.
Phoebe noticed the intense look of concentration on Michael's face. "Baby, what's wrong?" she asked anxiously. Leo and Cole stopped their debate and turned to look at him.
"I'm not sure," he said, puzzled. "I'm picking up something...weird."
"Like what?" Piper asked.
"Well, you know how I can sense every lifeforce on the planet?" Michael said. As the others nodded, he continued, "Just a minute ago, I sensed a presence, very old, and VERY evil. The weird thing is that it doesn't appear to be alive. It's almost like it's..."
"Undead," Cole finished. His face had paled considerably.
"Do you know what it is, Cole?" Michael asked.
Cole nodded slowly. "It's a lich," he said slowly. As he spoke, Michael's face paled as well.
"That's impossible," said Leo. "They've been extinct for centuries."
"Hello, excuse me for a second," interrupted Paige. "For those of us who lack certain knowledge, would you mind telling us what a lich is?"
"Centuries ago, there were certain demonic sorcerers who had the power to raise the dead and make them into their undead slaves, known as necromancers," Cole began. "They also had the ability to literally suck the life right out of you with a single touch, known as the Grip of Death. However, a prophecy that was made by BOTH sides convinced the leaders of Good and Evil to join forces and wipe out the necromancers."
"What was the prophecy?" asked Piper.
"Somehow, Evil would begin attacking everywhere it could. Good would retaliate in response, and then Evil would respond, and so on and so forth, all the while increasing the death toll," said Leo. "The Elders AND the Source were convinced that the only beings who would benefit from that kind of carnage were the necromancers. With an army of undead demons and witches under their control, they could decimate all life. So, the decision was made to eliminate them, which was done in a matter so bloody that I can't even describe it. However, in the end it appeared that all the necromancers were dead."
"That theory has evidently been shot to hell," Phoebe commented.
"Why wouldn't I have been able to sense him before?" Michael mused.
"Well, a lich is an UNDEAD necromancer, as you know, Michael," said Cole. "As such, the necromancer animated his corpse as his spirit was leaving his body. That way, if his corpse somehow ever came into contact with a living being, he could regenerate his body, and his spirit would return. The demons and witches who participated in the purge were prepared to deal with them, but that's not the case now."
"He CAN be killed, right?" said Katrina.
"It will be hard, since a lich is supposed to be immortal, but yes," said Cole.
"So, it's likely that this lich has been responsible for killing all the witches that have been killed," suggested Leo.
"And if my guess is right, he's also been killing lower-level demons as well, playing both sides against each other," said Cole. "This guy is innovative, I'll give him that."
"Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I'd like to take this guy out before he starts World War III," Piper said.
"I'll agree to that," said Paige.
"Can you still sense him?" Phoebe asked Michael.
Michael closed his eyes and concentrated. Suddenly he paled. "He's going after another witch," he said quickly. "Follow me." He grabbed Phoebe's hand and flamed out.
"You stay here," Cole said to Katrina. He blurred out, and Paige orbed with Piper right after him.
****
"No, please, don't hurt me," said Tanya, backing away from Mateem.
The lich cackled evilly. "I'm afraid it's too late for that, my dear," he sneered. "No one can save you now."
"Is that a fact?"
Mateem whirled around to see a group of three women and three men. "I suggest you leave before you become my next victims," he threatened.
"Sorry, pal, but I'm afraid that isn't an option," said Phoebe. She formed a fireball and threw it at Mateem. It knocked him back, stunning him momentarily.
Mateem grinned. "Ah, the Charmed Ones, I presume," he said with a sweeping bow. "I am Mateem."
"We know what you're up to, and you won't get away with it," Piper said coldly. "Nobody ends the world as we know it that easily."
Mateem's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You think you can stop me?" he challenged. "In that case, let the games begin." Mateem threw a fireball at Paige.
"Fireball!" she yelled. She orbed the fireball back at Mateem, and followed up with a lightning bolt. Mateem was slammed back against the wall, but quickly got to his feet.
"VERY impressive," he commented. "You are more powerful than the Underworld gives you credit for. However, it seems that you still don't have enough power to hurt me, let alone vanquish me."
"Maybe they don't," Michael said, stepping around Phoebe. "But I DO." He formed a white fireball and hurled it at Mateem. The fireball struck him right in the abdomen, and Mateem grimaced in pain as he was slammed against the wall. Michael quickly followed up with another one, and Mateem was thrown back yet again. Cole stepped forward and threw two energy balls. This time as Mateem got to his feet, there was a noticeable wound in his abdomen, pouring forth with black blood.
"WHAT ARE YOU?" Mateem yelled. Never before had he encountered beings so POWERFUL! He quickly shimmered out before either Cole or Michael could finish him off.
"Are you alright?" Leo asked Tanya, checking her for wounds.
"Yes, thanks to you," she said with gratitude. "I never thought I'd meet the Charmed Ones like this. I'm honored to finally meet you."
"Ah, it was nothing," said Phoebe. "Stuff like this comes with the territory."
"We should get back," said Cole. "Katrina's probably worried sick."
As the group gathered back together, Michael said, "One thing's for sure. We haven't seen the last of him. He'll be back."
"They always are," said Phoebe as she grabbed his hand. The group flamed, blurred and orbed out in succession.
****
Mateem leaned back against the wall of his chamber, pressing a cloth to his wound. Fortunately for him, it was not bleeding as copiously as it had been.
As he allowed exhaustion to overtake him, one thought remained in his mind. The Charmed Ones and the two men had proven to be more formidable than he had anticipated. But he was patient. He would take steps to insure that next time they would be the ones bleeding.
TO BE CONTINUED...