Explanation: The realm they are in is the same 'place' that Sara was called to in the Periculum. It's a dream world… but I'm making it a little more… solid… I guess you could say. And they aren't really there. Their bodies are back in the real world… Think of this as dream walking or astral projection. Only it is the blade and its components drawing them to it. So that's why they're all there… I hope that helps clear things up a little bit.

Sara was the next to wake up. Which wasn't all that hard to believe, after all she herself had been through a periculum before and not all that long ago. She was confused and a little scared as she looked around and saw the boys passed out on the ground. But then she saw Nikki who was awake and nodding sagely as if to say… just wait; it will all be explained very soon.

Then Ian was awake and alert and looking at the scene with the discerning eye of a well trained watcher. He saw Sara and instantly moved over to her. She gave him the same sagely nod that Nikki had given her… He stood the ever-watchful knight at Sara's side… He didn't really know what was going on, but a part of him said this was all too familiar… So he would watch and wait. He could be patient, how long had he had to wait to meet the Lady Sara? How long had he had to wait to be free of his 'father'? Yes he could wait; he was very good at waiting.

The Angel… Gabe was the last to return to wakefulness. He was not used to this kind of thing and hadn't been a full part of the group or the blade for a very long time. He was panicked at first but then he saw Nikki and Sara and Ian and he relaxed a little bit… But just a little bit… he couldn't understand how they could all seem so relaxed when there was obviously something going on…

"What the hell is going on?" Gabe asked.

Nikki had to try to hold back the chuckle that threatened to bubble forth. "A periculum… of sorts." She replied. Sara's eyes went wide for a moment then it all started to make sense, even Ian understood what was going on… It was Gabe that was having issues. He recognized that word…hadn't that almost killed Sara?

"Periculum? As in that next level sort of test that almost killed Sara?" he asked his voice showing signs of panic.

"Yes a Periculum… But not like the one that Sara faced. This one is a little different."

"Different, different how? Please tell me that means that if we fail we won't die."

"The Witchblade knows we are not pretenders. However there are still dangers to this. There is a small chance that we may be stuck here in this dream world. But if we work together and get through this, then we should have no problems…"

"We should have no problems… You're not sure?"

"No Gabriel, I'm not sure. Because we've just recently come together. Full lines of trust have not been established. We're still in the getting to know you phase of everything. And while we are a lot closer than we were a month ago… we're not a fully formed group yet… and even you cannot deny that. Because of this, I am not sure if we are a cohesive enough group to fully pass this test. Our only hope is that the Witchblade has taken this into account… But there are not guarantees. So we need to search within ourselves and find that first time we were together. We need to re-forge those bonds."

"What do you mean Nikki?"

"I mean that we need to search within ourselves for each other. There is no choice. We must reopen our hearts, minds and souls to one another. We must once more bond beyond blood… Only then will we have what is needed in order to complete this test. We must set aside our differences and our misgivings. None of that matters here. In fact to do that here would get us killed more likely than not. Here the only thing that matters is that we are together and that we trust each other and we will not allow any of the others to fall no matter what. Perfect love and perfect trust Gabriel. That means setting aside your misgivings about Ian. Ian that means setting aside your training as an assassin. Sara that means allowing yourself to put trust in other people. And for me that means that I cannot let the crystal and my training get the best of me… nor can I let emotions alone rule me. We now must walk on the edge of a sword… to teeter either way would mean defeat and we must not let that happen… So are you with me, or not?" Nikki said as she stood there looking at all of them.

"How can we do that now Nikki?"

"I'm not sure Sara… But we have to. I know the bond between you and Ian and you and Gabe is strong I know you trust them… I also know that you now trust me… but you have to let yourself know that. Ian you have to set aside your personal fears and allow yourself to embrace other people aside from Sara. Get rid of the gloves. You're not an assassin, you are a knight - act like it. Gabe you have nothing to fear from Ian he could no more hurt you than I could. Come on people I'm not talking about rocket science here. It's a simple matter of looking within and reawakening old bonds."

"Lady Phoenix, I am not sure I fully understand. How do you propose that we do this? Surely there must be some tangible terms through which we can do this. To say look within your mind and soul seems easy enough. But having been bound to the physical plane for so long, perhaps it would be best if we had a method that would yield results we could see or feel." Ian tried to explain. Nikki sighed. Why did he always have to over analyze everything? Then again it wasn't that outlandish of an idea or request…

Nikki sat down on the ground and closed her eyes. She reached within herself and made contact with the Witchblade asking for guidance. "Old friend is there away to do things as Ian has suggested? Is there away to re-forge the connections with at least semi-tangible results?"

"Let your artifacts guide you." Was all the ancient voice of the blade said. Once more, Nikki sighed.