A/N: Alright, it was a long time coming. There'll be another chapter after this, and then that'll be the end. Special thanks to Relik for the help with deciding on my ending. Don't worry, Relik, you weren't responsible for the death of anyone. Any deaths that may or may not occur would have happened either way. Well, here it is. I hope you like it.

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The darkness. It was something that I'haach had never really considered before now. As he stood at the entrance to that great mountain, looking down into its darkest depths he'd ever seen on any planet, in any world. Back when he'd been a young and inexperienced Person, still tripping over his own paws as he learned the ropes of wizardry, he had feared the darkness. Why? Probably because of the unknown. Possibly because of the potential in that dark. The potential for anything, good or bad.

I'haach had long since shed that fear. He had a much more real fear now. Annoyingly enough, he only ever seemed to be afraid of it when he was nearing the end of his life. That one fear was certainty. He had it worse than Arhu, in many ways. Arhu saw how things might turn out for anyone at anytime. I'haach, well, he was absolutely sure how long each life would last, how it would end, and how it would go next time. Not to mention how he would look in each one. He scratched at his fur a bit, annoyed. He might have been able to get over the whole predictable ten-months-of-life-then-relive-every-time-you've-ever-died-and-then-do-it-one-more-time thing, if only he could have a different kind of fur other than grey tabbying! He would have to take that up with the Powers after his ninth life, no matter where he went.

But, then again, that was wizardry. You did whatever it took from you, didn't ask anyone else to make your sacrifice, and then you had to step around with all the rules and instructions in place. Then you had to get out alive. Sometimes.

And then sometimes, well, you had to give it everything, including your life. Especially your life, some might say.

Shaking his head and knowing it would be the last time he entered these caverns with that scar on his face. More than usual, it seemed, the thought disturbed him. Dauhieh kept coming to his mind, but he forced her out. He didn't have the time to hesitate; he was already feeling the draw on his power from holding the gates shut. There were some things more important than his personal feelings, and wizardry was definitely one of them.

With a heavy heart, I'haach turned back to the entrance, and made his way down into the darkness, knowing his pathway perfectly well.

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"Come on, we need to get going! Don't act like a swiass now!" Dauhieh muttered, her claws completely full of strings.

They had done a simple gating to Kiev in order to pick up Sihm, and then the three had headed to the Kiev gates, thinking to use them to go to the Old Downside. However, those gates had decided not to work for them. So, the three had gone back to Bahnhofstrasse, thinking that their gates would respond to their touch a bit better. However, even they were not listening to any of them. Currently, she had finally broken down and begun swearing at them.

"Dauhieh, what's wrong?" Zach asked.

"They're not working!"

"What do you mean?" Sihm asked.

"It feels as if they're actually fighting me. They won't let me do anything with them!"

"Oh, the vhai they won't! Here, make room for us," Zach ordered.
Dauhieh shoved herself over, trying to let Zach and Sihm get their claws into the gate with her. They began passing the strings between them, trying to use a few different variations and figures, including some very complicated ones which Dauhieh had been unable to use alone. However, none proved effective.

"This isn't working!" Dauhieh finally yelled.

"But what would that possibly mean? These gates love you," Sihm asked.

"Either the Powers or I'haach don't want us down there," was all Zach could say.

The three were silent for a short time, as though they were waiting for someone to propose a solution. At length, Sihm asked, "So what do we do? We're on They're errantry, so we should listen to Them, shouldn't we? And I'haach's our captain, so we have to listen to him."

"Hihhhh," Zach hissed. "If only it were so simple as that."

"No, it's simpler," Dauhieh interrupted in a monotone voice. "In this case, as our captain defacto, I think that we'll disobey our absent captain who's given us no real orders, and I also think that the three of us will disobey Them, if that's the case, just this once, and go save our captain. Any arguments?"

After a moment of waiting, Dauhieh said, "Alright. We're going to have to start powering through the gates. The two of you will act as power sources. Don't hold anything back. Meanwhile, I'll do all the weaving that's necessary. Throughout it, I'll be taking and passing strings to you, so just don't focus on it. Any questions?"

"Yes, actually," Sihm said. "What if the Powers see what we're doing, and stop us by more direct means?"

"Well, we can't let that happen, can we? That's why we need to be fast. Now come on, let's begin."

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I'haach stood before the open gate to that cursed passage, staring through it to the catenary beyond. All he would have to do was put a claw into there for a couple seconds at most, and then pull a string out and through it. Then he could go through, find that last piece of the spell, and use what was left of his life to power it, and then…

And then what? He didn't know the answer to that question. He had no idea what the spell would do, and he severely doubted that he would live long enough after acquiring it to find out. It would be simple blind faith that whatever it was would be put to good use in what would be its only ever casting. However, that seemed to be the only option at the current moment. He doubted that he would even get a choice. And if he did, what would he say? Waste the effort of eight lives for nothing? Possibly push his burden onto someone else's shoulders? Not likely.

I'haach sighed. He had to get going. He could feel Dauhieh, Zach, and Sihm's efforts against the gates from their world. From everything he could tell, the Powers were working against them, and if They were taking a personal interest into it, then they had very little chance at all, and I'haach's mission was all the more important.

With a slight feeling of regret, I'haach called up the incompleted octagonal spell diagram, and began speaking the spell. It would probably take him at least five minutes to finish it.

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"Come on, come on, come on!" Dauhieh cried, pushing with all her mental might against the barrier, and holding the strings as steady as possible in her shaking paws. She could feel the other two on her sides also throwing themselves into it. No matter what they summoned up, they just couldn't seem to get it down.

Finally, Dauhieh simply stopped, breathing deeply and slumping down. Oh Iau, she thought quietly, why can't you let me have this? Why does he have to die? He's so young, and so strong! Just let him be, and I'll never ask anything of you again!

There was no answer. There never was an answer, unless you didn't need it.

With another sigh, Dauhieh threw herself into the gate again. She was so surprised when it actually began opening that she almost dropped her strings.

"Hey, it worked!" Zach said, surprised.

"Did you two feel anything?" Dauhieh asked, totally confused.

"No," Sihm said simply. "The resistance simply stopped…"

"Meaning that we're already probably too late," Dauhieh interrupted. "Let's go."

Dauhieh let the other two leap through first, before throwing herself past the gate's entrance. She landed gracefully on the other side with her added weight. However, she wasn't in the mood to enjoy her muscled form at the moment, and neither were the other two, so they set off quickly after shutting the gate.

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I'haach was extremely surprised by how quickly the power began draining from him as soon as he finished his spell. Knowing that every moment counted now, he dropped his energy which was focused on the holding of the gates. As quickly as he could, I'haach leaped through the open gate, and was instantly surrounded by the masses of insects, all pressing in, all about to sink in their claws…

The claws stopped. Just before they struck him, every one of the claws stopped. None of them managed to permeate his shield.

Well, I'haach thought as he began stepping forward through the writhing mass, at least it works.

He made his way slowly down the passage, being careful not to trip or fall as he went. He made it, but just barely. It really took a long time, what with the huge pull on him. Without a thought, I'haach plunged his claws into the gate's core and began reweaving them, tying in and pulling through.

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At some point during their mad dash through the tunnels, Dauhieh, Sihm and Zach heard the sound of running behind them, and then the New York Team was with them, running in stride. None of them even stopped to acknowledge the new partners; there was too little time.

It didn't take them long to reach the gate. Each of the seven People wanted to get through to get a view at the gate, but Dauhieh arrived first.

She ran out in front of the gate, looking through just in time to see I'haach leap through a new gate. "Vhai!" she yelled. She peered through the second gate, just being able to see past the swarming bodies. Her eyes widened as she stared through the gate.

"Arhu, we need to See where I'haach is," Dauhieh told him.

"We've tried before, Dauhieh, it doesn't work. Those creatures are in the mental world as well as the physical."

"We don't need to go through the passage. I know the exact coordinates."

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I'haach heard the others running up behind him as he stepped through the gate, but he didn't look back. It would be too much for him to handle. So instead, he walked out, through the gate and into the room above Chraih's butcher shop.

He stopped for a moment, and actually said aloud, "What?"

It wasn't exactly what he'd been expecting. Finding himself in the room he slept in every night was, to say the very least, a letdown. He was expecting some kind of final climactic battle for that piece, on a windswept plain or a dark land filled with an overshadowed race or… something!

"I'm sorry if it disappoints you, I'haach."

I'haach spun around to face the one Person he'd expected to be there, and the other One person he'd expected to see there at the same moment.

"Fairest and Fallen," I'haach began, knowing the next few lines off by heart, "greeting and defiance, now and always! State your intentions: and then beware, for we are on the Queen's errantry, and you meddle with Her worlds at your peril!"

"Oh, I'haach. Why so formal?" Mano asked, smirking at the young wizard. "We've been living together for ten months…"

"I repeat my demands," I'haach panted, feeling the drain still.

"Well, in that case," Mano, or sa'Raah, muttered. "My intentions are to save you a good deal of pain. And I'm not meddling with worlds this time. Only with you, my small friend."

"What do you mean?" I'haach asked, swaying slightly. "And be quick about it, I haven't got much time left."

"Well, in short, I've been listening to your thoughts lately. I know how you feel about your responsibilities and the all norm of your position. I know that you want a break from the never ending cycle."

"Anything else you know?" I'haach asked, getting very annoyed.

"Yes. Only two more things, I promise. I know how to get you out of that cycle, and also I know the final eighth of your spell." She paused for effect. "Are you interested?"

I'haach looked up into those terrible eyes. "What are you playing at?"

"In short. That symbol in your name is extremely old, and it has been found in the name of every preceding Champion before they earned their true power. That all powerful spell is new and unique in your case. However, they're two small parts of a larger puzzle. You are meant to become, in your ninth life, an avatar of the Champion."

There was a silence for several moments. Finally, I'haach asked, "Why are you telling me this?"

"The pain won't stop in your next life. You know that. You'll simply make and lose friends, no matter what your power. There's nothing you can do about it. Unless you take my offer. Obviously, I don't want another embodiment of the Champion up and running so quickly after I dealt with that pitiful Irish brat. So here's my proposition: I'll bring you back to your first life. I'll erase all those memories, and make sure that you don't start collecting those spell pieces. You can live a nice, normal life, or at least as normal as a wizard can have, and you'll be able to do the one thing you've always wanted. I'll let you grow old. It's somewhat like what you're currently experiencing, but much slower and much less dramatic," the Power informed him, looking at I'haach's fur, which was quickly losing its sheen and becoming much thinner and raggedy. "I assure you, there is a certain pleasure in that feeling which everybody feels. Everyone complains, but there is satisfaction…"

Sa'Raah waited until I'haach inclined his head, before continuing. "Or, you could go on, feel the pain, feel the loss, and not just the loss of others' lives in your next life. You could feel the loss of losing her."

"What? Who are you talking about?" I'haach asked, confused.

"Dauhieh." She let the word hang in the air. "You love her. You know that you love her. Even if you won't accept it, you know. As it is, you will lose her, you'll never see her again, and you will have wasted one more life without love."

I'haach had actually stopped breathing, and not just from the strain of holding the shield around him.

"Think quickly. From what I know of that shield, you have only eight minutes left."

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Dauhieh watches all this with the others around her in disbelief. She finds it amazing to even consider I'haach loving her, but even as she thinks about it right now, it doesn't seem too farfetched. There is something about him, something young and emotionally inexperienced yet old and mature. She likes him, really, she does…

No, she loves him. She doesn't want to see him go. But…

Not if it means that I'haach will betray his wizardry. That would be the ultimate tragedy. I'haach is such a good wizard, he can't just give up.

Dauhieh looks over at her two partners from her own team. Zach and Sihm are both looking at her questioningly. They want to know what she's thinking. Dauhieh simply shakes her head, and gives them a look which says, "No, I don't want this."

The team looks back to the drama unfolding beneath them, knowing that there is nothing they can do about its outcome.

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"Well, have you made your decision yet?" sa'Raah asked. "I'm very busy with my work, and I need to get going soon."

I'haach's breathing was coming extremely laboured. He understood perfectly well how true everything that sa'Raah was telling him. However, he didn't seem to be feeling any of it. There was a certain numbness. Finally, at long last, I'haach turned to look Mano in the eye.

"You knew my answer before I came here," I'haach told him.

"Of course. Why else would I waste my precious time precious time if I didn't…"

"Tell me the vhai'd final part of my spell, and stop wasting my time."

Sa'Raah whipped Her head around to stare at I'haach in rage. "What?"

I'haach looked at him as evenly as possible as he panted and leaned heavily on his forepaws. It was getting hard to stand. "I won't die a traitor."

"What!" She demanded again, this time seeming to grow at least twice his size.

Suddenly, the words he had to say were flowing into his mind from the Whisperer's mouth. He said the words he was destined to say, and, to say the least, it felt good. "Fairest and Fallen," I'haach cried out, his voice resonating even deeper than that of someone in the throes spellcasting. Every sound stopped, and he continued. "Fairest and Fallen, I come, servant of the One and Her worlds! I come, representing my People, my world, and my Queen! I come, given a Choice, my second choice! I have passed my ordeal and grown with its challenge! And now, I DEMAND MY RIGHT! I demand the power to change, to save, to help, to heal! I demand this from my greatest Foe, and from Her shall I receive my power, if not in this life, then the next! Now, at long last, I accept my inheritance."

As the words ended, everything went silent for a moment, and I'haach's haggard breathing was the only sound to be heard. Then, as though trying to repress some horrible reaction to something foul He had bitten into, Mano, and sa'Raah through him, fidgeted. Once, and then again. Slowly, his mouth opened of its own volition, and She spoke the words given him by the Queen Herself.

They came out, burning their ways into the minds of all who heard them. There was power, finality, and fear in them. Fear of what they would bring the One Who said them. I'haach listened attentively to them, even though his eyes kept going blank during the experience. The words seemed to make the world shake as they reached their climax, with the extreme power of their resonance.

The words ended, and I'haach stood tall again, for one moment. There was a look of acceptance on his face, one which showed how completely he'd accepted the path before him, no matter the pain it caused him. But only for one moment.

The next, he was hit by a ball of claws and fur, hissing and spitting as it came in. I'haach went down and rolled with Mano, doing his best to get on top, or to get any purchase or advantage over the larger cat, but he just couldn't do it in his weakened state. And oh, how he cursed then, knowing that all his work and lives would be for nothing if he couldn't speak that single spell.

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On a different world, many millennia ago, Dauhieh ripped out of the spell and threw herself towards the gate.

"Dauhieh, don't be stupi-" Zach began, but didn't even finish by the time Dauhieh was running through the passage. All he and the others could do was watch as the massive calico lioness set herself against the masses of bugs.

Dauhieh was lightning. The bugs didn't have a chance of catching her as she rushed around them, ducking under claws and jumping over entire bodies as she went. At one point, she had to lean dangerously over to the left to rip into one bug's form with her teeth to keep it out of her way. The taste burned her mouth, but she didn't let it slow her as she continued running with everything she had.

She reached the gate and jumped through, aiming her jump perfectly to get through and at the same time hit Mano with a powerful blow that knocked him off of I'haach and tumbling to the floor, with him now on the bottom and Dauhieh on top. The two, who had often slept together in their ehif's lap, content in the presence and warmth of the other, bit and scratched as they rolled on the floor, now the most desperate of enemies. Mano was filled with the desire to finish the battle as quickly as possible, in the hopes of killing I'haach before he could finish his spell, while Dauhieh simply kept it going as long as possible, looking for an opportunity to get in a painful bite or scratch.

"What do you think you'll accomplish, Dauhieh?" Mano, and sa'Raah through him, asked her in-between bites. "He'll die no matter what you do!"

"I don't care! All I care about is that what he needs to do gets done!"

"How can you say that? You love him as much as he loves you!"

"For once, sa'Raah," Dauhieh gasped as she got a bit on one foreleg, "you've overestimated the power of love. And, at the same time," she added, "underestimated."

"I think you're getting delusional," sa'Raah informed her as he bit into again and again, doing no real damage.

"I think I'm seeing clearer than you are. You've overestimated what lengths we'll go to keep our love alive. And you've underestimated the fact that I love him enough to let him go! Oh, and by the way, you made another miscalculation."

"And what would that be?" Mano asked, very annoyed now.

"Unlike I'haach, I'm not too preoccupied to cast a spell," she said, at nearly the same time she finished thinking the last words to her spell. There was a loud banging, and then Mano was gone.

Dauhieh sighed. Now, Mano's body was up somewhere in the vacuum of interstellar space, and he didn't stand a chance, unless for some reason sa'Raah chose to save him. But She never did anything like that. She used Her vessels, and then disposed of them.

Dauhieh turned her attention instead to I'haach.

He lay in a pool of his own blood, and he wasn't moving.