"I don't understand," Leo said to the Elder. "You want me to have the Charmed Ones prepare a Power of Three spell but you won't tell me who the spell is supposed to be used on? That's going to be difficult. As you know, a Power of Three spell is specifically geared toward a specific creature and can only be used against that creature. It concentrates all the girls' power into one massive spell. I'm not sure they could write such a spell without knowing who it was designed for."
"I know this is confusing," said the Elder. "This is a very delicate matter. And to be honest, we aren't even sure we will need the spell. But it is vitally important that they have it ready just in case. I can't tell you everything that's going on. You've been a White Lighter long enough to know that there are times when we simply can't take you into our confidence."
"Yes, I'm aware of that," said Leo. "But as I said, I don't know how they could write a spell like that without specific knowledge of the creature it's to be used against. They've never even tried it before."
"A Power of Three spell can be used not only against specific creatures," said the Elder, "but also for specific situations. We realize that not even a Power of Three spell can do everything. But it can do things that no other magic can do. And in this case it's possible that it's the only magic that will accomplish the goal we need."
"Just what exactly is the spell supposed to do?" Leo asked. "You can at least tell me that much."
"Of course," said the Elder. "It has come to our attention that a human may be possessed by a very powerful spirit. As yet the spirit is still recouping its strength. The human is still alive but is being completely overwhelmed by the spirit. Very soon the spirit may completely submerge the human personality."
"And you want the spell to force the spirit out of the human host?" questioned Leo. "Is that the idea?"
"Exactly," said the Elder. "Believe me, Leo, we wouldn't ask if we didn't think it was vitally important. And under normal circumstances we wouldn't even ask it. But these are not normal circumstances. As I said, it is a very delicate situation."
"I'm not sure the girls will go for it," said Leo. "They don't exactly trust the council, you know. Piper especially. They think you keep asking them to do things without giving them the full story."
"We're aware of this," said the Elder. "You will need to convince them this is necessary. The spell must be ready as quickly as possible. There's no telling how soon it will be needed."
"I'll do my best," said Leo, "but I can't guarantee anything. They're going to want some kind of answer and soon."
"I know you'll do your best," said the Elder. "And assure them we will answer their questions as soon as we can. Although if it becomes necessary to use the spell that in itself may answer their questions. And Leo. No one else must know about this for the time being. They must not tell anyone. And I do mean anyone. It's vitally important that only you and the Charmed Ones know about this."
"Okay," said Leo, "I'll talk to them about it. But like I said, there's no guarantee they'll agree without some answers."
"We have faith in you, Leo," said the Elder, smiling. "You're the White Lighter for the Charmed Ones."
Leo orbed out of the White Lighter realm as the Elder returned to the council to make the preparations that might be needed in the coming days.
Malevant strode into the private chambers of the Source. The Seer and Cole were all ready there waiting for him. So were what appeared to be four humans standing at various points around the room.
"Malevant," said Cole, "it's good to see you again. You served me faithfully for a very long time. I shall need your counsel in the future as well."
"That has yet to be proven," said Malevant, eyeing the humans suspiciously. "What are they doing here? This is no place for Dark Lighters."
"Simply a precaution," said the Seer. "I can't have you vanquishing our leader simply because you aren't convinced of his sincerity. They won't do anything unless you try something."
"You will send them away or you'll be the first to die," seethed Malevant.
"I serve my master," said the Seer. "That means providing him with protection, even against you, if necessary. You are half White Lighter, just as your brother is. Their poison will affect you just as surely as it would him."
"Enough," said Cole. "Send them away. I have no need to be protected from my most trusted aid. And as I told you earlier, when I am done Malevant will know me for who I really am."
The Seer hesitated and then instructed the Dark Lighters to wait out in the hallway adjoining the chamber.
"You can't shimmer out of this chamber because of the protection," the Seer told Malevant. "Harm the Source and you will not live long enough to escape the underworld."
"Insolent female," said Malevant. "I have vanquished underlings for less. You risk a great deal by provoking me this way."
"Except she is my underling, not yours," said Cole. "And she is valuable to me. I'll not have you trying to vanquish each other. Put your differences aside for now. We have more important matters to attend to."
"Only if you can prove what you claim," said Malevant. "If I am not convinced, you will both die this day. And not even the Dark Lighters outside will be able to prevent it."
"Wait for us outside," Cole said to the Seer.
"My Lord," said the Seer, "it is risky. Malevants' temper is often unchecked. We cannot risk one of his outbursts at this point."
"I said wait outside," said Cole more forcefully. "Everything will be okay. You'll see."
The Seer bowed slightly and turned to Malevant.
"If anything happens," said the Seer, "you shall not live to regret it."
The Seer left the chamber and Malevant turned to face Cole. Ordinarily this would be a perfect time to take out his adversary. But as he had told the Elder, Cole was an innocent. Despite his past, Cole could not be punished for what the Source did.
"Malevant," said Cole, "can you sense who I really am?"
"If that were possible," Malevant said, "do you think I would be demanding proof of your claim?"
"And what of your brother?" Cole asked. "Would he be able to sense me?"
"My brother and I are different sides of the same coin," said Malevant. "He would see you as I see you. A human making claims that must be proven."
"Good," said Cole. "Do you remember when you first became my advisor? What was that, sixty years ago? Even then your advice was excellent."
"I remember when I became advisor to the Source," said Malevant. "You have yet to prove you are he."
"Of course," said Cole. He moved over to the back wall of the chamber. "A small indention in the wall here. Few even know of its existence."
"But there are those who do know," said Malevant, looking at the supposedly empty wall. "That proves nothing."
"Ah," said Cole. "But how many know of the charms protecting it? A charm hiding the indentation that only you can remove? Or of the seal that only I can remove? I told no one. And I'm willing to bet you haven't either."
Malevant looked suspiciously at Cole. It was true. The indentation held a very powerful magic for the Source. No one knew of its existence save for Malevant and the Source. And while Malevant could reveal the indentation, only the Source could remove the charm that protected it.
"Go on," said Malevant. "I know of the charms on that indentation. And you are right. Only I can reveal it. And only the Source can remove it. Charms so powerful not even the so-called Power of Three would be able to break it."
"Exactly," said the Source. "Now, reveal the indentation. Once I have removed the protection you will see that I am the Source."
Malevant passed his hand over the section of wall. A small indentation about two feet square and three deep appeared. A strange magical barrier covered the indentation. Inside lay what appeared to be several pages of paper.
Once the indentation was exposed, Cole simply passed his hand over the opening. The magical barrier vanished. Cole reached in and removed the pages from the indentation. As he pulled them out of the indentation, one of the pages fell to the floor.
Malevant picked up the page and looked at it. It wasn't paper. Nor was it parchment or even papyrus. And the writing was a strange black color that didn't look completely like ink. The writing itself was made up of strange symbols and glyphs and the entire page appeared be written from right to left.
"You're claim must be true," said Malevant. "Only the Source could remove the magical barrier protecting that indentation. A barrier that predates any human history. But what are these pages that you would use such a powerful magic to protect them?"
"Several pages I found in my five hundred years as the Source," said Cole. "Pages I have been saving that will finally allow me to eradicate those who follow good. Those who have been a thorn in our side. Beginning with the Charmed Ones."
"What magic could be so powerful?" Malevant asked. "Not even the Hollow could defeat them. They are the most powerful force for good in human history."
"Yes, human history," said Cole. "These pages are not from human history. They are pages from the Tome of the Ancients. And with them I will rule the underworld and put an end to our foes forever."
Malevant stared at Cole in near shock. If those pages were what he claimed them to be, and if they possessed the proper magic, it was quite possible the Source could make good on his threat.