Episode Fifty-Eight

"The Boy in Question"

The Ancient Ones hover in the valley. Mallard walks down from the ledge. "A village is ahead."

The West bristles. "Heathens on our land!"

"They will be cleansed," The East decrees darkly.

"They will be afforded the opportunity to convert to the One Path," The South states firmly.

"They are unworthy," The East growls

The South glares at the East. "In your opinion everyone is unworthy."

A crack in the rocks draws their attention. "We will send forth the Nine," The North says with finality. The North glides past them again towards Marisol and Mallard.

The South is appeased. The West pouts. The East glares.

Meanwhile, on the road to Jerusalem...

"The Divine Ones demand the Treasure of the Dead Sea." The voice of Raul booms unnaturally in the night, speaking to the small group gathered in front of the jeep.

"They don't know what it is," Reese realizes, glancing back at Ma'at in the jeep.

Pizoku whimpers. "Oh god, Raul."

"Is he even in there anymore?" Jilan wonders, looking at the possessed appearance of Raul of Nine. Taylor steps forward.

"Please, don't hurt him!" Pizoku clings onto Taylor's arm. Taylor looks at him with an unreadable expression.

Ashlee frowns. "That may be inevitable."

Pizoku is horrified. "He's my friend!"

"He was," Neah says firmly, turning Pizoku towards her. "That is not Raul." She points at the boy in the road. "That is his form. That is a servant of the Ancient Ones. One of the Nine. I'm sorry, but your friend is gone."

Pizoku shakes his head. "No, I don't believe you."

Reese frowns in sympathy. "Taylor?"

Taylor however has his eyes closed. "Ori Taneam."

"What?" Pizoku doesn't get it, but the others seem to. "What does that mean?"

"Are you sure about that?" Neah asks, letting go of Pizoku and moving to Taylor.

Taylor opens his eyes. "I can feel him," He says, looking at Raul. "He's still there."

"What are you going to do?" Reese asks, looking over at the storm inclined Raul.

Taylor stares forward. "Clear the road."

"No!" Pizoku moves but is held back by Ashlee.

Raul of Nine stares blankly at Taylor as he approaches. "Hallowed are the Ancient Ones."

Taylor stops in front of him and crosses his arms over his chest. "You're in the way."

Raul cocks his head. His storm falters. "You are the One."

"So it's been said," Taylor replies simply. "You have to move now."

"You will serve us!" Raul says louder. Taylor sighs.

The Flash of light in the road before them is startling. "What's he doing?" Pizoku cries out over the rush of noise from, somewhere.

Reese continues to stare ahead with Neah. "What he has to."

To Be Continued...