The day leading up to making contact with Furya was probably the most unusual day in Riddicks life, he decided. It all started out normally enough. He had breakfast with the family, dropped the girls off at school to save Carolyn the walk and then he and Vaako had meetings with various people.

They arrived back at home a few minutes after he knew the girls would have gotten back from school. He found Butcher sitting at the dining table with them having a snack.

"Where's Carolyn?"

"I'm not sure. She contacted me several hours ago and asked me to get the girls saying that she and Aereon were finally going to show our company around the ship."

Riddick met the eye of every person in the room including his daughters. "Now, why do I have a hard time believing that?" he asked.

Rory and Ziza looked at each other and then at Riddick. "Probably because mama waddles like a duck before we even get to the lift."

Riddick pointed at Butcher, "Stay here."

"Let's go!" he called out to Vaako and the others.

"They couldn't have gone far," Vaako said to the group as they stepped out the door.

"I am going to kill that woman or tie her to the bed when I find her," Riddick swore looking up and down the hall.

Vaako looked at him "How do you want to do this?"

Riddick again looked up and down the hall his eyes finally narrowing on a door. "I know where they are." He stalked off leaving the others trailing behind him.

Vaako was surprised when they stopped in front of the prayer room but the doors were shut. Riddick used the keypad, entering in the override code to access the room. He stood in front of the doors undecided if he should go in guns blazing or not. Vaako and Chode stood on either side of him.

"How bad could it be?" Vaako asked.

Chode leaned forward to look at the Commander. "Have you met Dame Riddick?"

Riddick glared both of them back into silence. "Vaako's right. It's just a group of women. How bad could it be?"

Putting a hand on each handle he swung the double doors open and momentarily froze to the spot. On his left Vaako's mouth had fallen open and on the right Chode smirked and lifted an eyebrow.

"Told you so," he said not taking his eyes off the scene in front of him. Every candle in the room was lit and it was smoky, some kind of incense he finally decided, and in the middle of the room, an alter. Standing around it with their arms raised, chanting in a language he had never heard before were Aereon and the other Elementals. The truly shocking part though was a very pregnant, very nude, very unconscious Carolyn flat on her back floating about a foot off the table.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN HERE!" Riddick roared.

The four elementals all opened their eyes in shock and Carolyn slammed down on the alter causing her to cry out. Riddick was at her side in an instant. He looked her over looking for injuries and cupped her face. "Carolyn, can you hear me?"

"Riddick?"

"I'm right here."

Carolyn blinked her eyes focusing in on him for a moment. "Oh, shit," she said and promptly passed out.

Riddick looked up giving Aereon and the other women a death glare. Looking back down at his wife, his eyes softened and he sighed. Flipping up the black and white silk sheets that she was laying on he covered her nude body and gathered her in his arms.

"Bring them!" he barked at Vaako and strode down the hall to their quarters.

When Butcher saw the other man he jumped from his chair to beat Riddick to their bedroom door opening it for him. He turned a lamp on low as Riddick lay Carolyn down on the bed. "Take the girls next door to the doctor. Tell him to be ready to examine Carolyn as soon as we return to get him."

"Yes, my Lord."

Riddick stood at the edge of the bed trying to get his temper under control. He was ready to go out there and kill all four women. How dare they endanger his pregnant wife? Riddick reached out and touched her bare belly. He was instantly rewarded with a kick to his palm. He covered her back up and left to find out just exactly he had walked in on.

Earlier that day

Aereon stood in front of her. "Are you sure you're ready for this child?"

"You know I am. We've spent weeks getting me ready."

"I just want you to be sure. There will be no turning back after this."

Carolyn took her hand and smiled at her. "Yes, old woman, I know. Now come on we're wasting time."

Aereon smiled and leaned forward to kiss the girl on each cheek. Taking her hand she led her to the front of the room where Elyta was standing.

Who approaches this sacred space?

I bring you one who wishes to know the mysteries of the universe, one who wishes to honor the ancestors.

Child of the Earth, by what name will you be known within this sacred circle?

Solange

You have been deemed worthy, Solange. Please enter the sacred circle, and lie upon the alter. The four women helped her climb the steps and lie back

Are you ready to be purified?

Yes.

The black sheet that had been covering her was removed being allowed to dangle over the edges of the alter mingling with the white one that was already there. Each of the four women sprinkled her with consecrated water.

Here before you lies Solange, Child of the Earth, soon to be a sworn part of this fellowship. Solange, the mysteries of the universe are many. We can never hope to learn them all, but we can indeed follow them on our journey through this life and the next. Let the Ancient Ones guide you on your travels. Are you prepared to be born anew, to begin this day a brand new journey, as part of your new family, and as a child of the universe?

Yes.

The four women as one raised their arms and started chanting in a language she didn't recognize. Aereon said the chant in English a few times so that she would know what they were saying as Elyta waved incense over her body back and forth.

The next thing Carolyn Knew Richard was standing over her and boy did he look pissed. "Oh shit," Carolyn said just before she passed out.