Only A Dream Away

Part 4

Light of Day

By Nick Maro

Exhaling sharply, Rapture looked at the closed bedroom door and knocked on it softly. "Hey Sheila, it's Phoebe, could you please open the door? I just wanted to talk." She leaned against the wall and doorframe as she waited. She knocked again, "Sheila? Are you there?" Rapture waited another few minutes before she checked the door handle. It was unlocked. Carefully, she opened the door and looked inside. The room was empty.

Rapture sighed to herself and began to close the door. She turned around and found Jetta standing to the side, looking slightly upset and annoyed. Rapture let out a small scream and jumped back, slamming the door. "Holy shit! How'd you sneak up on me like that?" Rapture leaned against the opposite wall catching her breath.

"Just what were you doin' snoopin' into me room?" Jetta crossed her arms across her chest and glared at the blonde woman. "Thought you didn't want ta talk to me."

Rapture looked down at her feet then up at The Misfits' drummer. "I came by to say I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier. I was upset at learning what had actually happened. It came as a shock and it scared the ever loving shit outta me. No one that I know of has ever learned that quickly like you have." She held her hand out for Jetta. "So, this is me giving you my sincerest apologies."

Jetta looked at Rapture's out stretched hand and then looked up at the blonde. She shook it firmly and smiled. "Thank you for apologizin'. It wasn't needed, but it was good to hear. I could tell from the look in your eye that you were scared out of your bloody mind, but the one you need to apologize to is Roxy. You punched her pretty damn hard."

"I know. I'm just kinda scared shitless of her. I've seen her temper, it's downright terrifying!"

Coming up behind Rapture, Roxy grabbed both of her sides and tickled. "And she's right behind you!" She let out a loud laugh as Rapture screamed and ran past Jetta. Roxy held her stomach as she laughed hard and loud. She gave Rapture a big smile as she peeked out from behind the Jetta. "I couldn't help myself, Pheebs. It was just so perfect."

Rapture finally smiled and smirked. "Okay, I did deserve that one. You're both very sneaky, you know that?"

"With all of the shit we get into, it's the best thing we can be." Roxy walked up to Jetta and tousled Rapture's hair as she went by. "And don't worry about punching me. It was a great left hook."

"By the way, David taught us how to be quiet and sneaky. It's come in very useful. Like tonight."

"Somehow that makes sense." Rapture chewed the inside of her cheek and cleared her throat. "Listen, do you want to go practice some more? I'd love to see what you're capable of doing? I really am impressed with your abilities. I also think that Christine wants to watch you. See what needs improving."

Jetta looked at Roxy and they both shrugged. "Sure thing, I just need a shower and some food. Rox just needs food as always. We'll meet you in the training hall in about a half hour." Rapture nodded and left the two women alone. Jetta watched her leave and felt better about herself.

Shaking her arm slightly trying to get the blood flow back, Pizzazz slowly made her way to the front door. She fell asleep on the couch watching a movie with her weight on her arm. Blinking the nap from her eyes she looked at the clock. It was only a little after four in the afternoon. The doorbell rang again and she grumbled under her breath. She wasn't expecting any visitors.

Pizzazz was mildly surprised to find Madison standing on her doorstep. She gave her one time rival a smile. "Maddie, what brings you by?" She leaned on the doorframe and hid her yawn behind the back of her hand.

"I'm sorry, Phyllis. Did I wake you up?" The gray haired woman turned to leave. "I can come back another time. I should have called."

Rolling her eyes Pizzazz grabbed Madison by her jacket sleeve. "Just come in will you? I fell asleep watching a movie. Kinda glad you woke me up. Yuji isn't here, so I have the whole place to myself and it gets to be way too quiet here at times." She led her old friend to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of ice water. "Want some?"

Madison took a seat at the table. "No thanks. I just wanted to see how you were. You were pretty grief stricken by Eric dying. Just wanted to see if you needed someone to talk to." She got up and began to pace.

"Oh, I'm fine now. Well, not totally fine, but I will be. Been talking with a lot with Yuji, actually." Pizzazz sat on the counter and sipped her glass of water. She watched Madison pace back and forth. "You look like the one who needs to talk. What's going on, Maddie? Everything okay?"

"Huh?" Madison stopped pacing when she realized she was doing so. "Oh yeah. No. I dunno. I have no one really to talk to. No close friends, no family since mom passed, no boyfriend, nothing. I just needed to be around someone. I know we're not close like we once were, and that's all my fault, but can I hang out with you tonight? That is, if you don't have any plans."

Pizzazz smiled and laughed. She pushed herself off of the counter and hugged Madison tight. "No, I'm not doing anything tonight, but if you want we can go out clubbing. I haven't done that in forever."

"I don't have any clothes for doing that."

"Now you should know that I would have a closet full of clothes you can raid. We're about the same size." Pizzazz led her friend up to her room with a smile on her face. She finally felt like she was getting out of the gloomy mood that she'd been in since Eric's death.

Jerrica and Rio both turned as they entered the airport. An older Japanese man was running up to them carrying a wrapped gift. Rio looked at Jerrica confused for a moment. "Is that Yuji?" They waited near the mouth of the terminal as Yuji stopped before the newlyweds.

Yuji held the gift out before himself and bowed slightly. "My apologies for delaying you, I wanted to give this to you both before you left." He smiled as Jerrica took the gift and opened it. She covered her mouth in shock and gasped loudly. Rio looked at the gift then suspiciously at the Japanese business man. Yuji just smiled and winked. "It took a little longer than I wanted to finalize, but it just did this morning."

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Jerrica hugged Yuji tight. "Thank you so much. You have no idea what this means to me." She kissed his cheek and looked over the papers she held again. She was once again the owner of Starlight Music. Kimber was named as co-owner as well.

"You didn't have to do this, Yuji, but I'm grateful that you did." Rio hugged him also. "Thank you, my friend."

"I wanted to give this to you on your wedding, but the board took forever to finalize things. And then everything happened with Eric. Better late than never, right?" He pointed to a few lines and pulled out a pen. "You do need to sign where the red x marks are." Jerrica gleefully did so and handed the pen back. "I also need the papers back, so Kimber can sign. The official papers will be on your desk when you return."

Jerrica giggled and gave Yuji the documents. "Oh, of course. Thank you again. Starlight Music was my father's gift to Kim and me after he passed." She looked at her watch. "We need to get going. The private plane we chartered will wait, but I don't want to make them wait any longer. Thank you so much. You've given us the best gift." She hugged and kissed Yuji's cheek again. Rio shook his hand as he left. Yuji waved and smiled, happy to have given her legacy back.

Rolling her eyes as she listened to her boyfriend list the reasons why she shouldn't do the photo shoot, Kimber walked to the fridge and grabbed a drink. "Alan, I love you dearly, but this really is my decision." She walked back to the living room and sat in the chair opposite of him. "Besides you didn't have any objections when Mary and I did the same thing for our album." She pointed at Chip, who sat next to her roommate. "Neither one of you did."

"Well, that was different, Kimber. That was for your album, this is for a magazine. It's completely different." Chip gave a shrug and looked at his friend for support.

"What Chip is trying to say is that you won't have control over this. The album you had full creative control over. This is going to be some unknown editor behind the scenes at the magazine. And what about the unused shots? What happens to them? Those could get leaked out on to the internet or something. This is just asking for a scandal." Alan put his hand gently on Kimber's knee. "Do you see what I'm getting at?"

Stormer sat forward a bit and motioned at the copies of Skylarker Magazine she had picked up. "After looking through these magazines, I think Kim and I should do it. They're very tasteful and I've never heard of any of their pictures getting leaked out. I mean, it could happen, but we'd deal with it. And I want to do it. It could be fun and different."

"I looked over the contracts that James gave Kimber and Mary. It's pretty clear that if they want creative control, they'll get it. They'll also get all of the unused shots." David laid the contracts out before Chip and Alan. He pointed to the conditions for the concerned men. "This James Thomas is a solid business man. I had him checked out after the meeting."

"They're going to do what they want to do." Alan got up in frustration and started to leave the room. "I still think it's a bad idea, but I'll support them both."

Kimber rushed up and hugged her boyfriend tight. "That's all I ask."

The two covered figures walked through the snow storm toward the Arashikage stronghold. Once at the gates, they knelt in the fresh snow and waited to be granted entrance. The guards stood neither moving nor speaking. They were relieved of duty a few hours later. The new guards took no notice of the kneeling couple. The gates opened fully and the Arashikage master and leader approached the man and woman. He stopped before them. "[You may rise, Ryo and Maiyumi. The truce you bargained for still stands. What brings you to the Arashikage home?]"

Ryo and Maiyumi each stood without showing pain from kneeling for so long. Ryo gave a quick bow of respect. "[We've discovered something that threatens the life of David Gabor and his family. Please, may we speak inside?]" The Arashikage Master and leader nodded and walked beside Ryo. "[It turns out that Kyoko's uncle found a clan to train his men. The Bayushi Yakuza are being trained by the Caustic Brothers. This concerns my clan because this will bring dishonor to my family.]"

"[You were right in doing this. Come with me we'll discuss this in private. Tell me everything you know.]" The Master led the once rivals of David's to his private residence. Along the way, Ryo and Maiyumi each gave him only pieces of information. They told the whole story when they were behind locked doors.

The beams of eldritch magick lit up the training room as if it was midday. Roxy shielded her eyes from the light with her hand. She cursed under her breath about leaving her sunglasses in the car. Astral and Christine stood next to her, each judging Jetta and Rapture's performance. Roxy finally turned away, the light being too much for her. When she looked behind her, she saw the other mages that Richard had summoned. There were familiar and unfamiliar faces in the crowd.

The light grew in intensity until it finally went dark. Roxy quickly turned around and saw Richard standing in the center of the room. He had a shaggy beard and his clothes were torn and ragged. He looked very gaunt and weary, but still alert. Jetta and Rapture each looked at Christine then at Richard. The two women moved to the side as Richard raised his hands. They crackled with power and magickal energies.

"i—i…" Richard's voice cracked softly. He cleared his throat and spoke again. His voice boomed through the room. "I bring dire news, my friends. The Soulweeper has begun to create portals throughout the nexus points across the land. His plan is to bring elements of his home dimension to our world. It is up to all of us to stop him. If we do not, our world is lost. I have seen what these Ancient Ones can do to a world, but I also know how to defeat the Soulweeper. I was in contact with others who have encountered them. I have the knowledge we just need to have the resolve to follow through."

Roxy felt Jetta squeeze her hand at Richard's words. They looked at each other at the same time. What Richard was saying sounded a lot like a suicide mission. Richard continued speaking, but Roxy tuned him out and tried not to panic. He finally finished and collapsed to the ground when the other mages had left. She watched Rapture and Christine get him to his feet. He gave Roxy a weak smile. "I hope I sounded tougher than I look and feel now."

"You scared the shit outta me, Richard." Christine held him up as Rapture grabbed a chair to sit him in. "Sheila, could you get him some water? Roxy, just—just, I dunno, make sure that the others don't see him like this." Roxy ran out of the room and made sure no one came inside. Richard took the water from Jetta and drank it down immediately. The water splashed down his shirt as he drank quickly. Jetta ran and got him some more. Christine knelt next to Richard. "What the fuck happened to you?"

Wiping his mouth with the back of her hand, Richard looked down at his longtime friend. "Time moves differently in the Nexus. I feel like I've been gone for months, perhaps years. I've seen things I never should have seen. I'm lucky I held on to my sanity in there. We're up against something that should not be." Richard sat up on the chair and took a deep breath. "The Ancient Ones are almost as old the universe itself. I thought they were myths. Stories you told to terrify children or by the campfire, never thought they would turn out to be real."

Rapture handed Richard a granola bar. "Eat this, Dad. It'll help you regain your strength. Now tell us about this Soulweeper. What is he exactly?"

"It's ancient. It comes from a race of beings that are from the deepest reaches of space. They're not aliens at all. They're just not from here." Richard emphasized his words by pointing at the ground. "They're not from this physical plane of existence. I can't say they're gods either, they're just powerful. I don't know if they can be killed, but I know how to contain them. What we defeated before was the Soulweeper's sleeping consciousness." He got up and poured himself more water. "But now, now this is him awake."

"Oh, how touching. It seems as if you've been reunited with your family." The Soulweeper appeared out of the shadows in front of Richard. He brought up a hand and waved a finger in warning to him. "Now now nothing rash or I'll consume the soul of your daughter." He held Rapture in the air by force of will. "I've come to talk. That's all." He let Rapture loose with a blind wave of his hand.

Jetta and Christine pulled Rapture behind them as they stood behind Richard. The three women looked at each other, gesturing with their eyes, trying to form a plan. Richard turned and looked at them with a glare. "No. He's here to talk. We'll hear him out." The women nodded slowly.

The Soulweeper clapped his hands together and smiled wide. His blue eyes glowed brighter. "Oh excellent, I get to tell a story to people who will actually listen! Having followers is a great thing, but I must say, it's so hard to tell a good story when one is shrieking in terror at you while defecating themselves. But first, allow me to start by apologizing for my behavior when we first met. Killing that gentleman before you was unlike me. I was," the Soulweeper paused for moment searching for the word, "I was cranky.

"But enough about that let me start by telling you who I am and why I am." The Soulweeper waved his hand again and the four mages found themselves sitting in chairs. "Please take a seat and be comfortable. I'm not this evil being you make me out to be, you're just beneath me. There is no good and evil. There's just the nature of the universe. You should be honored that I even acknowledge you at all, but now I'm starting to sound like I have an ego. I'm doing you each a massive favor by taking this form. If I were to appear in my true form, you'd each die from insanity." He snapped his fingers and put his head to the side in a cartoonish manner.

"I think we're missing a person or two." The Soulweeper clapped his hands twice. A confused and bewildered Astral and Roxy sat next to the others. Roxy let out a gasp, while Astral began to cast a spell. They were both silenced with a look from Richard. The Soulweeper smiled his thanks to Richard. "Now, let us begin. My true name is Nyarlathotep in your language. It has no bearing on who I am. My brethren are ancient and in plentitude. We are what the cosmos is made from. We are what lurk in the darkness of space, in between the stars and planets, between the spaces of dimensions. Some of us are gateways to other realms of existence. We are the living chaos and order.

"Richard has seen what we are. He knows our power and has stood in our glory. My father is at the center of this cosmic chaos. We thrive on it. You truly would not believe some of the things that we are, that you see every day." The Soulweeper gestured to the ceiling as it became transparent with the stars perfectly in view. "We exist out there in the deep dark. When you look upon the stars, you are looking upon majesty. When you look at the darkness between the stars, you should fear what's out there. We are infinite and we are waiting. The next time you gaze into the darkness of the cosmos, it just may blink back."

In an instant the Soulweeper vanished. Richard had to remember to breathe, while Astral and Christine left the room. Rapture and Jetta just stood while looking at the ceiling. The stars faded from view as the ceiling reformed slowly. Roxy covered her mouth to keep from vomiting as she barely noticed she was crying from terror.

Pizzazz sat in her office at Misfits Music looking over a few reports. The sales on their new album had finally leveled out. She was considering getting the group together for a video for their new single. Earlier in the day Clash and Video had stopped by with a pitch on the video for the song. She liked what she had heard from the cousins and asked them to come back with a refined proposal. They quickly agreed. Pizzazz put a few files in her file cabinet. She opened the door to leave for the night, when she almost walked into Riot.

"Rory, what can I do for you?" She smirked. "I thought your eyesight was getting better."

"Oh very funny, Phyllis." Riot gave Pizzazz a light hug. "I was wondering if you were free this evening. Ingrid is away in Germany visiting friends and Phoebe isn't answering her phone. Again." His voice was still hoarse and rough from the chemical burns. His eyes were still red around the sockets. He wore colored glasses to hide his condition.

Pizzazz looked her watch she would have to cancel dinner with David and Kaori. She knew they would understand. "Yeah, just let me call my brother let him know I'll see him tomorrow." She pulled out her phone and made a quick call to David. Once finished she put the phone back in her pocket. "Now, what did you have in mind?"

Sitting in the bedroom, Roxy poured herself another drink with shaky hands. It had been five hours since the Soulweeper appeared before her and she was still terrified. She wanted to leave the mansion and just hide far away. She had just finished her drink when Jetta entered the room. Roxy went running into her lover's arms. "What th' fuck are you gettin' yourself into, Sheila?" Her words were slightly slurred from drinking nearly the whole bottle.

Jetta hugged Roxy tight and stroked the platinum white hair. "I have no bloody clue. All I know is that Richard has a plan and I don't like the sound of it." She sighed and rested her head on Roxy's as they clung to each other. "But let me say this, nothin' is goin' to happen to me. I'll fuckin' leave his plan before that can happen. This isn't me fight."

"No, never run 'kay? You stay an' fight, but keep yer sexy British ass alive. I like this ass. I like snugglin' it." Roxy looked up at Jetta with slightly drunken smile. "But just rem'ber, David has never, ever, run from a fight. An' he's an hon'rablable man. Oh fuckery, I drunked too much."

"Yeah you did." Jetta led Roxy to the bed and sat her down carefully. "Get some rest, luv." She brushed the hair from Roxy's face as she began to fall asleep. Jetta went into the private bathroom and changed for bed. She splashed cold water on her face and stared in the mirror. She looked weary and exhausted. She sighed and vowed to take a week off from everything when this was all done, a week of nothing but sleeping and relaxing.

Jetta was brought out of her thoughts when she heard a light knock on the bedroom door. She answered the door by opening it a crack, she slipped into the hall when she saw Rapture standing there. "Sheila, I think it's best if Roxy left the mansion. Have her stay with one of The Misfits or with David, but I'm scared for her if she stays here."

"I thought about that also." Jetta sighed softly. "But Rox is very stubborn when it comes to that. The Soulweeper has shown that he can be anywhere he damn well pleases, so I'd rather have her close by. When we leave to go confront him she's staying here. She's petrified of him, and quite frankly, so am I, but Richard needs my help, so I'll be there."

Rapture lowered her voice a bit. "I'm scared too. I don't want to believe what just happened, but my very soul says it did." She threw her arms up in frustration. "This is just so fucked up! I'm a musician, for fuck's sake!"

Agreeing with Rapture, Jetta led her to the kitchen where they could sit up and talk away from the sleeping Roxy.

Walking through the doorway, Pizzazz grabbed the doorframe as the ground shook violently. After a few a moments of waiting for an aftershock she started to run up the stairs. She stopped when she saw Yuji walking quickly down the hallway. "Get off of the stairs, Phyllis!" He joined her on the ground floor and stood next to her. "I'm fine, just a bit startled. It didn't feel like a normal earthquake." He let his sentence trail off a bit.

Together they went into the living room and turned on the television to see what had happened. Almost as soon as Yuji got to a news channel, Pizzazz's phone rang. "Yeah David, I know I just turned on the news. Are you and Kaori alright? Okay, good. Yeah. Yeah. Yes. I will. Bye." Pizzazz hung up her phone and shrugged at Yuji. "He worries way too much about me at times." She sat down on the couch and waited for any word on what had just happened.

The mages all gathered outside after Richard had summoned them. They stood in the expansive backyard of the Xanthos Estate. Dawn was just beginning to break when the earthquake hit. Jetta stood with her friends while Roxy stayed inside and watched from the window. Off in the distance she could see the sun rising, but off to the south was a black shape on the mountains. Light seemed to slide off of it. She felt the pit of her stomach knot up again as she looked at it.

Roxy looked back down at the group of mages assembled below her. She kept an eye on Jetta, but looked at the group hoping they could do what Richard needed without any casualties. She finally saw Richard come out with Christine and Astral behind him. She opened her window so that she could hear him talk.

"What we just felt came from the gateway that is opening on the mountain behind us. It's the combined power off all of the portals the Soulweeper was manifesting. As many of you have heard the Soulweeper came here tonight. He revealed to me and a handful of others his true origins. The Soulweeper is not a man or demon. He's a cosmic parasite threatening our world and dimension." Richard paced as he spoke with conviction. "But we can defeat him. I know how to lock him away so he won't be a threat to anyone.

"All I ask is that those who wish to join me in this task are to stay here. Those who want to leave may do so. I won't hold it against you if you choose to. But this fight is for everyone, the country, the planet, this dimension and universe. All of reality!" He stopped and pointed at the black gateway that was slowly expanding behind him. "Know this that I am scared, scared out of my mind. I've never dreamed that something like this would happen. Much less that I would have to face it, but I must because that is my duty as a mage and protector."

Richard turned to look at the gateway slowly the mages he and Christine had gathered from around the world began to clap. The applause grew in intensity. Even Roxy was clapping from the bedroom. She looked down at Jetta and chewed the inside of her cheek. Going on instinct, Roxy ran out of the bedroom, down the halls and stairs to the outside. She ran up to Jetta and hugged her tight and kissed her deeply. She broke the kiss and cupped Jetta's cheeks. "You get up there and you kick that fucker's ass." She kissed Jetta again. "I love you, Sheila Burns, with all of my heart and my soul."

"I love you, Roxanne Pelligrini, with all of my heart and soul. And I'll kick his arse extra hard for scarin' you, luv." Jetta held tight to Roxy until she vanished without any warning. Roxy fell forward and looked around confused. She then glanced at the southern mountain range in terror.

The disorientation of being teleported was something that Jetta knew she'd never get used to. She looked around to get used to her new surroundings then ran up to Richard. He looked away from the glare she gave him. "A little fuckin' warnin' next time, yeah? I was havin' a moment with Roxy there." She shook her head in frustration and got ready for the battle to come. Focusing her energy into the palms of her hands she waited for Richard's orders.

Richard looked at the group of mages before him knowing this was their only chance at closing the gate and sealing the Soulweeper away. He closed his eyes and concentrated, giving the mages their orders mystically. Richard smiled to himself when each mage nodded that they understood their orders. Christine, Rapture, Richard, Jetta, and Astral would all attack the Soulweeper at once in a hopeful plan that they would disorient him. The other mages would keep his followers at bay.

Taking a deep breath Richard ran out into the open using force blasts to clear a path to the ancient god. Followers flew through the air as the five mystical warriors ran through the path. The Soulweeper stood near the growing gateway. It was blackness incarnate swallowing all light that passed across it. He threw his head back and laughed before sending purple eldritch lightning from his hands. Richard and Christine both cast a spell for a shield that protected the five mages.

Roxy watched the battle rage from the Xanthos Estate through a telescope she found. She couldn't see any individuals but she could see a lot of multicolored light and explosions. She sniffed her shirt where Jetta had put her head. She smiled when she smelled her lover's scent. "Be careful up there, baby," She said to no one.

The bodies of the Soulweeper's followers and Richard's mage force were thrown about the mountain top. Only a handful of mages had survived the initial assault. Jetta wiped the blood from her mouth and helped Astral to her feet. Rapture helped Richard and Christine press their attack on the Soulweeper. He didn't even look fazed by their efforts. The pit of Jetta's stomach dropped.

The surviving mages finished off the Soulweeper's worshippers. They joined in on the attack with the others. Richard gave a pained smile at the Soulweeper. "It's over. Your worshippers are slain. The gateway is closing. Your power came from those fools. Give up."

"Give up? Just because a few insects are dead?" The Soulweeper threw his head back and laughed. "You really are amusing. Look at you, you're almost finished yourselves. What is it about the so vaunted human spirit that makes them fools in the eyes of defeat?" He closed his fist causing Frick and Frack to explode instantly. "I'm all powerful! I'm an ancient god to you people. A few parlor tricks won't stop me!"

Astral quickly chanted, bringing up a shield around Rapture and Jetta. The Soulweeper's energy blast raged around them. She leapt to the side barely avoiding a blast directed at her. Astral brought her hands up and threw a ten foot boulder at the Soulweeper as Richard made the ground around his feet vanish. The Soulweeper made the boulder disintegrate, but fell into the pit. Richard filled the pit in immediately.

Christine looked at Richard and he just nodded at her. They both started running toward the gateway, while summoning a spell. Their words echoed through the mountain top. Richard looked back at Rapture. He just sadly smiled and sent her a final message telepathically. Rapture's face went white with shock and horror, she then agreed to his request. Jetta and Astral looked at her confused.

Almost on cue, the Soulweeper appeared before the charging Richard and Christine. They tackled him together as they finished their spell. White energy erupted from the two friends and flowed into Rapture as they dragged the Soulweeper into the gateway. They vanished in an instant. Rapture focused the energy given to her by her father and Christine. She let it loose at the black gateway. Grunting loudly she let the energy pour from her body. The gateway slowly closed.

Jetta and Astral saw the strain of closing gateway. They each took one of Rapture's hands and helped her close it while they each let out a scream of rage as the energies left their hands. The remaining mages took Jetta and Astral's hands forming a mystical chain. The gateway began to close almost immediately, but not before they saw the Soulweeper's form begin emerge the mixture of light and darkness.

"I don't fucking think so," Rapture growled and let an energy bolt strike him in the chest. It sent the ancient god back into the gateway as it sealed completely. Rapture pulled her hands free and gestured in a complex pattern while shouting the incantation. White energy bounced off the remaining gateway wrapping around in it. When she finished an unearthly scream echoed and faded through the landscape. Rapture fell to a knee, panting while glowing in white eldritch power. She looked at her friends, her eyes rimmed with the power. "We did it."

Astral and Jetta ran up to Rapture and hugged her tight, while the mages all let out a victorious cheer. They were all injured and wounded, but it didn't matter. They had defeated the Soulweeper and survived. Astral covered her mouth and started sobbing. "Oh Gods, Richard and Christine—" she choked back some tears, "they sacrificed themselves for us." She waved her arms at the mountain side. "For all of us."

"My father and Christine knew what had to be done. This was the only way." Rapture let the energy flow back into herself. "I now have their power. Both of their bloodlines have survived." She looked at the people gathered before her. She now saw they were injured. She gave a small smile and waved her hand at the group of injured mages before her. They were all healed in an instant. "Heroes should never remain injured for long." She then snapped her fingers, teleporting everyone back to the Xanthos Estate.

Roxy ran up to the disorientated Jetta and tackled her to the ground. She hugged and kissed her best friend. Rapture chuckled under breath then turned to Astral with a smile. "My father wanted you to have the mansion. It's yours to turn into a training center for new mages. I'll be back, but there is something I must do first." Astral gave a confused look before Rapture vanished in a blink.

Slowly making his way to his front door Riot fumbled with the lock. He finally got it open and looked outside the best he could. The faint outline of Rapture stood on his doorstep. He opened the door all the way with a big smile. It had been too long since he'd seen her. "Phoebe," he rasped as he let her in, "I can't tell you how nice it is to see you. I thought you'd abandoned us again. Maybe return a phone call once in a while."

Wincing slightly at his words, Rapture entered the living room. "I'm sorry, Rory. I'm talking about for everything. I should have come to see you after I talked to Richard. It's just that everything got crazy." He gave her a little smirk. "Well, what else is new, huh? Anyway, I've come to make it better. Have a seat." She stood in front of his favorite chair.

Riot gave her another smirk and sat down. "Okay, now what, Phoebe?"

Kneeling in front of him Rapture looked him in his eyes. She noticed they were a little milky in the center. "Close your eyes," she whispered gently. Riot did as she asked as Rapture brought up her hand making it glow slightly. Riot began to open his eyes, but she made a shushing sound and placed her hand over his eyes. She let it sit there for a moment then put her hand around his throat. The warmth of her power washed over Riot. Rapture removed her hand and stood up. "Open your eyes and speak for me."

The clarity of his vision when he opened his eyes shocked Riot. "What happened?" He covered his mouth still in shock. He spoke with his hands around his mouth, making his voice sound muffled. "You healed me?!" He moved his hands away, jumped out of the chair, wrapped his arms around Rapture's waist, and spun her around as he picked her up. "I'm healed!" Rapture just giggled and smiled at her best friend.

Video yawned as she closed up her studio, Clashing VideoRats. It was late and she needed to get to work on The Misfits new video. Pizzazz wanted the storyboards in the next few days. She walked to her car and yawned wide again. She shook her head to wake up. Video decided that she would stop at the gas station on the way to the home she shared with her cousin. She turned when she heard someone call her name from behind.

"Excuse me. I was wondering if you were for hire. I noticed you came out of the studio." The man walked up to Video. She looked at him hesitantly. He brought his hand out of his jacket and offered it to her.

Video shook his hand. "Oh, I'm sorry. It's just late and I'm tired. Could you come back in the morning? I'm sure we can schedule something then."

"Certainly, I'm sorry for bothering you. Have a good night." She smiled as he turned around. The man reached back inside his jacket and rushed up behind her. He jammed the stun gun to the base of her neck. It crackled with electricity. She fell to the ground hard unconscious. He put a black hood over her head and then carried her to a van that was parked in a dark alleyway. He drove off into the night.

TO BE CONTINUED IN "VIDEO VOYUER"

PART 1 OF THE HUMAN INSTRUMENT