Sorry for the long wait in writing, I had been involved in some RP in LiveJournal for a few months. However, I'm not involved with the RP now, so in between recording work for The Ficdom and unpacking, I'll be writing more chapters.

Knightsky: No, it won't leave much time for Michael and the others to find the antidote. That's not to say things are not going to be bumpy and interesting. now does it? Again, congradulations on your wins for "Knight at the Dentist" in the Edwards! You really deserve kudos for a job well done!

Chapter 5: Becoming the Wind

After leaving the hospital, Michael, Laura and Rodrigo took a few minutes to gain the maps that the botanist had mentioned and go over them. As the man had said, the area that had the plants in question was in a somewhat remote part of Mexico, and MAGE had territory surrounding it.

"I can plot the fastest route to Mexico, but after we cross the border, we will have the local environment as well as MAGE to contend with."

"Rodrigo, do you know which people are regular Mexicans and who are members?"

"Lo siento, Michael, but the society has a lot more members than you realize. I know about quite a few, but not all of them."

Michael nodded and said, "What do you suggest, then?"

"Unfortunately, there isn't much that can be done except for disguises for Laura and Rodrigo. Michael and I can relatively pass any scrutiny as we're not as well-known…yet."

"Okay, once we cross the border, you two are mutes," the operative decided, "I'll disguise myself and you switch your plates, Kitt. Agreed?"

"Of course."

"Agreed," Laura nodded.

"Si, senor."

Michael smiled a bit grimly as he said, "Okay, guys, let's do this. Fastest route across the border, Kitt."

"Already plotted."

Laura chuckled and said, "Time to become the wind!"

If only you knew how apt that is, Michael thought, then said out loud, "You heard her. Become the wind, Kitt!"

Five years ago, the AI would not have understood the meaning of that statement. Now, things had become very different.

"Right away," he said with a hint of excitement in his voice, then went on autopilot as he gained speed. "I suggest that the three of you get some sleep. You will all need the energy you can get when we cross the border."

"To that effect, we'll stop by a fast food joint on the way out. Order whatever, you two; this is on me."

000000000000000

It's begun.

What has begun?

Everything. The events signaling that Time's Crossing will soon be upon this planet. A strong one of Medina's Line walks the Earth, while the sealed one also exists. The immortal soul has chosen a new host and awaits the reawakening. There is a human of Line Knight, the first in over 500 years. The black humans stole our unborn, and now I can feel, faintly, living souls coming towards us.

Do you truly?

Aye. There's something else I can sense, too…a specific presence that we have been looking for all this time.

The Chrysalis?

It may very well be. If the Chrysalis is coming—

The Chrysalis' arrival to us is the final component. With that, everything will set into motion, with no way to revoke it.

Yes, and it must play out. If not, the world becomes undone.

It is a decision and an ultimate destiny that no human should have to undergo. Which cost is more: a staggering personal price, or the undoing of the planet?

It is not for us to make the ultimate decision, but for those involved. All we can do is guide and hope.

000000000000000

Michael found himself in the same black void that he and the others had been on the day that Douglas Parkson was brought to justice. On that night, he and the others had spoken to Verona Miles' spirit.

"Now what's going on?" he asked, looking around.

There was no answer.

"Verona, whatever it is, come on out!"

She isn't the only one that can draw you here.

Those words came in the form of the voice of a man. It had the tinges of being old and wise…and familiar, though he couldn't place where.

"Who're you?"

Before him, a blue sphere of light that had wispy tendrils appeared. As the voice replied, he could see the sphere pulse.

You'll learn soon enough. Tell me quickly, is the Chrysalis coming with you?

"Chrysalis? What the hell are you talking about?"

You do not know…or realize?

The blue sphere pulsed, and he felt something solid and warm touching his shoulder…from behind.

Michael turned around…and found himself face-to-face with a red sphere, one tendril still touching him.

The voice from the new arrival was that of an impatient woman in her middle years: Just look out from his eyes, already. You'll find out much quicker.

That would be an invasion. Line Knight or not, it is frowned upon, Blue (as Michael began to associate with) admonished.

Oh, fine. Man of Line Knight, would you mind if I have a look at your vessel's surroundings? It would be better and easier that way.

"Vessel…?"

In the human words, Blue explained, enter your body and have a look at what is currently around you. It will be very brief, and it is important, or I would not even consider it.

Michael sighed and said, "Damn brief."

The red tendril moved up to brush against his temple, which brought a flash of bright light and the feeling of displacement.

The next thing he knew, s/he was brushing his/her fingers against a corporeal…no, a human's body's head. The contact felt like a small electric shock, but at the same time, it felt…in a strange way, alluring. Every part of his/her senses were heightened in a way that felt right…and filled him/her with something that felt...very good. S/he wanted more of it.

Mmm…take your time, s/he faintly heard a male's voice say and saw the body utter those words.

Oh, I will, the female voice replied, amused, then quieted.

What seemed like long moments later, s/he heard the faint sound of…voices. The problem was, they seemed to be overlapping each other, until it was more like a babbling brook.

That's enough, a truly male voice snapped, Sever the link! Now!

At that, the feeling of displacement, as well as a dulling sensation filled him/her, followed by darkness.

Man of Line Knight, Blue asked urgently, Are you all right?

Man of Line Knight…?

Open your eyes.

Eyes…? Oh!

Complying, the being began to remember. No…he. Michael, Michael of Line Knight. Michael Knight, and he was on a crucial mission.

"Yeah," he replied, "I think so." What happened?

That was close. To enter a human vessel, a link is required, and so is a soul exchange. Prolonged exposure can be…very dangerous for you humans.

"I think I can see how," he replied, "I have to admit, it felt good…really good."

That's part of how it can be very dangerous. The other part is a permanent loss in original identity. If a human was evolving, it would be acceptable.

Red said, I have what I need. Yes, the Chrysalis is coming with them.

As I thought, Blue replied.

"I don't pretend to know what you're talking about, or who you are," Michael said, "But I have an urgent mission to complete, and a duty to fulfill. Devon Miles' life is in danger."

Who? Red asked, puzzled.

"Err…I mean Devon of Line Medina," Michael corrected himself.

What! How! Blue asked, shocked.

"Poison."

Blue replied grimly, That is grave indeed. Your goal in Mexico awaits you…and so do we. Make all haste, Man of Line Knight.

As Red and Blue vanished, he could feel the wind at his back…and it was increasing in strength.

Kitt, become the wind! He thought.

The wind at his back carried him away.

000000000000000

"Michael? Michael!"

He groaned, waking with a start. The operative found himself in the driver's seat, inside Kitt. Behind him, he heard two sets of snores, coming from Laura and Rodrigo.

"Yeah, Kitt?" he asked in a mutter.

"Michael, thank goodness! An hour after you went to sleep, I noticed that your vital signs had changed, as well as the fact that for an hour, your brainwave patterns had been drastically altered. What happened?"

"I dunno, Kitt," he replied, "A dream that wasn't really a dream…in that weird space we've been to last year."

"Are you feeling all right now?"

"Yeah…yeah, I am now. Whatever it is didn't last. How far are we from the border?"

"We are 3.5 hours from the Mexican border. I suggest you go back to sleep in the meantime. I will send Rissie an e-mail as soon as we cross."

"Yeah…sounds good," Michael agreed.

With that, despite the strange dream, he went back to sleep after saying a quiet prayer for Devon.

000000000000000

We have a problem.

There were an array of colored spheres with tendrils present…and two of them were the Blue and Red from before.

Blue clarified, We do have a problem, yes, but also some very good news.

A yellow sphere asked, seemingly a young man, Good news first. What is it?

Red spoke, It is true…the Chrysalis is coming to us. That is one of the beings that is headed in our direction.

A Gray sphere, this one speaking with the voice of an elder woman, That truly is good news…as well as the final sign that Time's Crossing is coming. Have you found out why the living souls come to us so urgently?

Yes, Red said, And that is the problem. The Sealed One's life is in jeopardy.

There was a cacophony of voices at this revelation.

Silence, Gray ordered, We must inform the others at once…the time we have sought, the Exodus, is at hand. When they arrive…everything will begin. We must be prepared.