She was asleep for another few days. The Wizard never left her or Grendel's side the entire time, watering Angela's plants when needed or searching through book upon book trying to find the cure for her ailment. If nothing else, he simply sat by her bedside, re-dampening a wet washcloth placed across her forehead when needed. Grendel, and even Vivi, also kept vigil over their fallen friend.

Wizard at last gathered up the courage to ask, "Who was that?"

Grendel sighed. "A man from Angela's and my past. He studied under her grandfather, who was an accomplished magician in many fields of magic. The three of us were all his students in necromancy."

"So...you're a necromancer too?"

"Yes, or at least I was. I can't perform necromancy as a cat, and I won't go back to being a human."

He felt it wasn't his place to ask why she remained a house cat. "Why does he harbor so much vengeance towards you two?"

She waved her tail, as if to say Oh, that. "It's a long story. He used to be very kind, but something changed him overnight."

Just then, Angela began to stir. Everyone gathered closer around her as she reluctantly opened her weary eyes. She sat up, scratched the back of her head, and yawned. "What happened?"

"Inazin happened. Angela, it may be prudent if we leave Castanet."

Her eyes grew large. "What? Why?"

"Because he's after us. He's still convinced we're trying to outrank him in the world of necromancy."

"But that's so stupid, it's always been stupid. We were always so close..." She stared at the wall beyond Grendel's shoulder.

"I know. There's nothing we can do about that now. Time is of the essence. We need to leave." She hopped from the bed. "Now."

But Angela refused to move, her hands balled up into fists. "No."

"Angela, we have this argument every time he tracks us down. I won't have it this time, now move."

"No." She repeated.

"Stop acting so childish!"

"NO!" She threw back the covers and stood in front of Grendel defiantly. "I'm sick of this Grendel, and I know you are too. It ends."

"We cannot face him, not after he's summoned...that."

The Wizard perked up at the enigmatic protest. "That"?

"Grendel, we have to face it eventually, or else humanity will fall."

Now they had the Wizard's full attention, and stood up next to Angela. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about the Ancient Ones. Inazin used to be a very nice guy and a good friend, until he opened up the Necronomicon, against my grandpa's wishes, and began to dabble into that kind of black magic."

"You're speaking of the Ancient Ones who were once believed to have created the world, aren't you?"

Grendel nodded. "Cthulu is the only one he's been able to successfully summon, and has hidden him all this time beneath the earth, waiting for the moment to show Angela and I the end of the world."

Wizard shuddered. The Necronomicon, an ancient and unholy book who promises its wielder a life of psychological misery and powerful otherworldly deities. Many have been hospitalized for life as they tried summoning something from this book, usually incorrectly, and resulted in the deterioration of their mental state almost instantly. He saw the connection between the "very nice guy and a good friend" and the man he first saw a few days ago on top of the Garmon upper mines. The book practically promises a state of psychological disarray, which no one could recover from, along with the fact that whatever is summoned from its pages cannot be put down, unlike many other subjects of necromancy.

"We have to fight Inazin head-on Grendel," Angela pounded a fist into her open palm, eyes locked in a determined and unbreakable stare. However, so were Grendel's.

"No, we don't, and if we keep running humanity will be safe. It would be reckless to try to fight him off; many people will likely die in the process before the world ends. It's for the greater good that we continue to move on."

"But don't you see Grendel? No matter where we go, no matter how well we conceal ourselves Inazin finds us again and again. Eventually there will be no where left to hide, and we will have no choice but to fight him."

"The world is vast. I'm positive we will find many more hiding places for eternity."

"I know you don't believe that." Still Grendel was unmoving. Angela was reaching her breaking point. "Fine. Run Grendel, keep running for the rest of your life, but I'm taking the chance." She marched over to her bookcase and pulled out a volume. The Necronomicon. "I for one will not give up, even if I must summon something from this to combat Cthulu."

Grendel hissed. "Don't be crazy Angela! You too will lose your mental stability, just like Inazin!"

The room sat in silence. Grendel's fur was on end, Angela's brow was furrowed, Vivi cowered under the bed quilt, and Wizard stood in shock. But he did admire Angela's determination, even if it was foolish. He made his way across the room to stand next to Angela, much to her surprise.

"I...won't let that happen." He finally said, his shoulders squared. Grendel's hair flattened, and Vivi poked her head from under her shelter.

"What are you saying?" Grendel crept forward, her eyes never leaving the Wizard's.

"I said I won't let that happen."

Angela's face was on fire as she look onto the Wizard with grateful and admiring eyes. "Wizard..."

"It's true, you two cannot run forever. Suppose Inazin gets tired of waiting...and releases Cthulu anyway, whether you're there to witness it or not. I would rather try than to sit back and look on helpless. It's better than nothing..."

"You're both out of your minds." She leapt onto an open windowsill. "You two can stay here and try to win in an unwinnable fight all you want. I won't take any part in it." She turned and fled through the open window. Angela darted to the sill and hung her head out, calling Grendel's name, but she was already out of sight.

"Grendel..." Tears began to spill from Angela's eyes. "I'll make you proud. I promise..."

Vivi on the other hand began to panic, and seemed to want out of this crazy mess as well. However, Angela and Wizard were the only two who could help her out of this frog's body, and if they did succeed in this crazy endeavor and the world was saved, what if she wandered too far away from them to use the potion on her? She wanted to, but decided to remain next to these asylum-qualified individuals.

"Thank you Wizard," she turned from the window once she regained her composure and smiled. "You don't have to do this, you know..."

"...I know. How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay. How about we visit the Harvest Goddess?"

"That sounds good, but we'll go tomorrow." He placed his hands on her shoulders and lead her back to bed. "Rest some more first..."

"But I've been resting for days!"

"Please?" He bent his eyebrows, frowning.

Something about him showing concern made Angela's heartache. She heaved a sigh. "Okay, but only if you'll stay here."

"I will..."

"For a few days?"

He blushed. "What...?"

"I may need you again, suppose I fall victim to Inazin's attack again?" She dramatically placed the back of her hand against her forehead, eyes closed. "Why, I'm just an innocent little necromancer who always succumbs to the vapors." She hoped against hope that this would make him smile. It didn't, but she could tell his disposition lighten.

"Fine." He pulled back the covers, like a gentleman holds a door open for a lady, and watched her snuggle into the sheets and pillows. He resumed his position by her bed, and dimmed the lights to almost complete darkness. She sought out his hand, and uncomfortably so he let her hold his. He remained silent, even when later in the night he could hear her audible sobs.