SEVEN

"Okay, another unstoppable demon," said Piper with just a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "Just tell us everything you know about it and we'll come up with a defense against it. Phoebe, you check the Book of Shadows and see what it has to say about this Darkness."

"Don't waste your time, Phoebe," said Leo. "It won't be in there."

'Sure it will be," said Paige. "If it's that powerful someone will have made an entry on it."

"No, it won't be," said Leo. "And I have told you everything I know about it. In fact, I've told you everything anyone knows about it. It won't be in the Book of Shadows because no one has ever survived it. The reason there are entries in the book is because someone encountered those creatures and wrote the entries after they fought it."

"That's why it won't be in the book," said Cole. "As Leo said, it won't be in the book because no one has ever survived it."

"Okay," said Phoebe, "if Leo can't tell us anything about it what about you, Cole? This thing is a demon. You must know something about it."

"Technically speaking," said Cole, "it's not a demon. It's a demonic force. A sentient demonic force. I really don't know that much about it. It's been a very long time since it was released. And only the Source has the ability to control it. If the Darkness is after you he's the one who sent it."

"So, what can you tell us about it?" asked Piper.

"Not much," said Cole. "It's been over three hundred years since it was last used. All I can tell you is that no being of good can resist it. Not even the Power of Three will be enough to stop this thing. That's why we have to get you to safety."

"Oh, come on," said Piper. "There has to be some way to stop this thing. The Power of Three is supposed to be the most powerful magic in history. Isn't that enough to stop it?"

"It might be," said Cole, "if you got the chance to use it. But that's not going to happen. That's why you three had headaches. The Darkness uses telepathy to discover its opponent's deepest weaknesses. Then it uses those weaknesses against them. You won't get the chance to use a Power of Three spell."

"You mean like Barbas, the demon of fear?" asked Piper. "We've beaten him. More than once."

"No, it's nothing like Barbas," said Cole. "Barbas uses your fear against you. It's possible to overcome fear. You've learned that. The Darkness knows what your greatest weakness is. You can't overcome that. And it will use that weakness against you."

"My greatest weakness is never being organized enough," joked Phoebe. "I don't see how a demon could use that against me."

"This is no laughing matter, Phoebe," said Cole. "You may not even know what your greatest weakness is. Most people have a tendency to lie to themselves about such things. They don't want to admit such things to themselves. Especially champions for good. They have a tendency to believe their better than they really are."

"Hey," said Piper. "We're decent people. We fight evil and protect the innocent, remember? It's not like we're harboring deep dark secrets or anything. Well, at least not besides the obvious."

"That's not what I mean," said Cole. "You're probably the best people I've ever come into contact with. That's why the Darkness will be so effective against you three. Like all humans, you have the propensity for good or evil. Most people have no idea just how evil they could be if they gave themselves a chance. And especially champions of good usually lie to themselves about it. Because you do so much good you can't believe how evil you can be if you let yourselves."

"We've been evil before," said Phoebe. "More than once. We know how evil we can be."

"No, you don't," said Cole. "You've never experienced true evil. You just gave into your baser instincts when you were evil. Being evil, truly evil, is much more than that. You really have no idea just how bad it can be."

"Whatever," said Piper, "we can't go running just because this thing is coming after us. We have to find a way to stop it or it will just go after someone else. If we turn tail and run now we'll just be turning loose on someone else."

"At least let me orb you up there to give you a chance to prepare," said Leo. "As long as you stay here you're vulnerable. There's no telling when it will attack. You need time to get ready and you'll have that up there."

"I guess that's a good idea," said Phoebe. "It might take me a while to come up with a Power of Three spell. At least up there I won't have to be sidetracked wondering if that thing is going to attack."

"What about Cole?" Paige asked. "I'm sure they won't want him 'up there'?"

"I'll be okay," said Cole. "I still have a friend or two around town. When this thing is settled I can come back to the manor. Right now, the important thing is to get you three to safety."

"Okay," said Leo. "I'll orb the three of you up there right away. Once Phoebe has the spell ready we can decide how to proceed. In the mean time, I'll check around and see if there's anything I can find out about the Darkness no matter how small it might be."

"I'll keep checking, too," said Cole. "If I learn anything can I call for you, Leo?"

"Sure," said Leo. "I'll keep an ear out for your call. I hope we can learn something. I need to get the girls up there now so they're out of danger."

"I cannot allow that," hissed a voice from the doorway to the kitchen. "I have been sent for the witches. They will not escape me."

Everyone turned to see a cloudlike creature hovering just outside the kitchen.

"The Darkness," gasped Cole.

Leo suddenly moved to grab the girls to orb them away. He no sooner had moved than he just as suddenly stopped and grabbed his head, falling to his knees, and screaming out in pain.

"White Lighters are such easy prey," hissed the Darkness. "Now it is time to finish the business I came for."

Silently the creature floated into the kitchen advancing on the girls.