by Lucky Charms

Disclaimers: See Part 1.

Feedback is always welcome: luckycharms@e-scribblers.com.

Copyright © 2004 by Lucky Charms. All Rights Reserved.

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Chapter Fourteen

The sky is so empty and lifeless. The black stars hovering above like dark sentinels. The world is an endless void of death and despair. Nothingness. The northern lands are chill and forbidding. The great turtle god, Genbu, calls to my soul. The eastern lands are a vast forest of bamboo and mystery. The great dragon god, Seiryuu, beckons for me. The southern lands are an endless sea of sand and scorching heat. The great phoenix god, Suzaku, sings to me. The western lands are lush and awash with blues and greens. The great tiger god, Byakko, summons me.

In a world where darkness has gained control with its vice-like grip, squeezing any joy or love out of the countless souls within this world. I am the shinning light deep within us all. Standing tall with my seven sacred guardians, I am Son Ji, the Sacred Child. I alone shall bring justice to those who have been wronged. For the sake of my loved ones, I must be reborn.

Aeryk gazes at a majestic figure floating high off the ground, naked except for seven glowing red tattoo’s painted on his forehead, neck, chest, arm, palm, knee, and foot. "Who are you?" Aeryk pleads. The man is covered in shadows as the light shines from behind him.

Awaken now, chosen one. Hear the calls of our Holy Brethren, and answer them.

"What do you mean, Holy Brethren?" Aeryk asks, confused. "I don’t understand, why am I seeing these things? Who are you?"

Our enemy, the Lan Long, has rejoined and is plotting on obtaining the Sacred Power. You must not let them succeed. The strange man pleads to Aeryk as a ring and a jade necklace with the yin-yang symbol on it appears before him.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about?" Aeryk cries. "Why are you showing me these? What must I do?"

Suddenly, a great red bird consumed in flames erupts from the ground calling out a strange and hypnotic sound. The flames eat at the dark man and he fades away into the light.

"No, wait!" Aeryk reaches out for the man. "Answer me!"

The terrain around Aeryk suddenly becomes a land of sand and intense heat. The bird calls out to Aeryk with one word, "Suzaku".

As the bird begins to soar into the sun, Aeryk races toward it screaming all sorts of colorful obscenities. "Just a second! Come back here and answer me, damn it!"

Aeryk wakes up with a start and gazes around the room and sees Joe looking at him in shock. "You okay?" Joe asks.

Aeryk nods feebly. "Yeah, just had another episode I guess."

"Great!" Joe calls out, but blushes immediately when he sees Aeryk’s frown. "I mean, how about I write notes down on it. Might help us out."

Aeryk scoffs as he pulls out a pen for Joe to use and he tosses it to him. "Don’t get too excited."

Joe grimaces. "Sorry, I just think it’s kinda interesting." He says as he scribbles on some notes before looking up at Aeryk. "So what happened?"

Aeryk goes over the basic description of his vision just moments before. "And just before he disappeared, a ring and necklace appeared before him."

Joe’s hand begins to shake and he drops the pen. "A, uh, what now?" He stammers as he leans over to pick up the fallen item.

"Here, let me draw them out for you." Aeryk says as he walks over and takes Joe’s pad of paper from him. "Might as well use those years of art classes, huh?" He grins as he begins to elegantly sketch out the ring and the necklace. "I think the ring was made out of jade, but has this silver kanji etched on it surrounded by a gold circle." Aeryk states as he continues to draw the items on the paper. "And the necklace is almost made of jade with the yin-yang as an amulet I guess you can call it." He looks up at Joe and notices him staring out of the window. "Something wrong?"

Joe tears his gaze up to Aeryk. "Huh? Oh sorry, I was listening."

Aeryk arches a brow and places the paper on his desk. "I’ve yet to meet anyone who can pass their thoughts by me. What’s bothering you?" He asks crossing his arms and leaning against the top of his desk.

Joe bites his bottom lip and lowers his head. "It’s nothing, really."

"That’s a lie." Aeryk says sternly. "Don’t make me have to play that Big Brother game with you Joe."

Joe smiles faintly. "I just, did something I’m not too proud of."

Aeryk nods. "Okay, what happened?"

"I took something I shouldn’t have." Joe mutters. "Realizing it now, I don’t know if I can take it back."

"What did you take?" Aeryk asks. Joe turns his head away and shakes his head. "Okay, so why did you do it?"

"I don’t know." Joe replies softly. "I don’t know. He asked me too, and it was like I couldn’t resist him or anything. I felt as if my life would end if I didn’t do it for him."

Aeryk furrows his brow. "So someone made you do it?"

"Yes, no..." Joe falters a moment. "I don’t know."

"Joe," Aeryk begins seriously. "No one can help you out if you don’t talk to anyone. I’m trying to help you our here, but you’re not helping me."

"I tried," Joe says. "I tried putting it back, honestly! It was like someone has taken my hand and forced me to take the ring. I didn’t know how to stop myself!" He cries as tears of frustration and fear fall down his face. "I just found myself at my desk hacking into the computer system and then I..."

Aeryk steps forward and places strong hand on Joe’s shoulders. "Joe, what are you telling me?"

"I took the ring Aeryk." Joe sobs. "I stole the ring from the evidence room."

"The ring Derryk told us about before?" Joe nods. "Why didn’t you tell us?"

"I was afraid of what would happen to me. I love this job so much, that I couldn’t face not coming here everyday. I was scared of what Derryk would do to me."

Aeryk bows his head and knees down to face Joe. "Where is it now?"

"A friend of mine has it. He said he needed it for a project of his." Joe says. "I know I should’ve asked Derryk first, but after that time we had lunch together, I just lost control over myself."

"You have to get it back Joe." Aeryk says calmly. "I’ll speak with Derryk about this and..."

Joe snaps his head up at Aeryk’s, his eyes wide in fear. "Oh please, don’t do that! I’ll loose my job for sure!"

Aeryk meets Joe’s desperate gaze evenly. "I promise you everything will be fine. Just get that ring back okay? If what my gut is telling me is correct, we’ll need it. And we can’t have anyone in possession of that thing, got it?"

Joe nods his head. "I’ll talk to him."

"Alright," Aeryk says rising to his feet. "Anything else you need to talk to me about?"

"No, there isn’t." Joe says softly. "I’ll go now." He says rising to his feet and exits Aeryk’s office.

Aeryk watches after Joe for a moment before picking up his phone to dial in Derryk’s extension. "Hey Derryk, it’s Aeryk."

"Hey kid, what’s up?" Derryk asks. "Uh-oh, something’s bothering you. Is it Brian?"

Aeryk shakes his head sadly. "Not this time, it’s about Joe. You free for a minute?"

Date: October 1, 3021
Time: 3:34pm
Location: ???

"I’ll try to get out tonight if I can, Joe." Danny says. "I’ve just been so busy recently."

Joe sighs. "It’s real important Danny. It could mean my job."

"Sorry Joe, I’ll do what I can okay? I’ll give you a call later."

Joe grimaces. "Okay, bye."

Danny smirks just as Joe’s face vanishes from his Opti-phone screen. "Yeah right, Jen would kill me."

"If you did what?" Jen says, stopping by Danny’s open door.

"Oh, that Joe wants me to give the ring back."

Jen snickers. "Sure."

Danny’s smirk fades slightly. "I wonder though, do you think they might be figuring out what we’re up to?"

"I doubt it," Jen begins. "They’re not smart enough."

"But you mentioned something about their Chief seeing you at that silly conference you went to."

"So what if he looked at me all the time." Jen shrugs. "It doesn’t mean anything."

"That man has hands in more things that you’d care to admit Jen."

"Like that will affect me Danny." Jen scoffs. "Forget about it, we’re almost ready to head out. You just figure out where in the hell that damn temple is okay?"

Danny scowls. "Fine. I’m just warning you that that man has eyes everywhere."

Jen waves off the comment. "Just work on the temple locations okay? I’ll worry about my own ass." She turns on her heel and leaves Danny’s room.

"He is right you know." A ghostly voice calls from the dark recesses of the room next to her.

Jen lets out a startled gasp. "Damn it Mark, don’t scare me like that."

Mark’s face appears from the darkness, a feral grin on his face. "Does this help?"

Jen scowls. "You look like you’re ready to go to the circus with all that make-up on." She gazes over the man’s face, which is covered in black, blue, and white facial make-up painted in various whirls and lines. "Why do you wear that stuff?"

"It expresses my artistic abilities." Mark says, a hint of irritation in his soft voice. "I believe you called for me."

Jen nods. "I want you to find that Aeryk and see what he’s all about."

Mark nods his head. "And if he is, indeed, the Sacred Child?"

"Of course, bring him here. UN-harmed." Jen adds sharply. "He must be in perfect condition."

Mark laughs. "Of course." He says as his face vanishes into the darkness, not a single footstep is heard.

Jen shivers. "That man..."

Date: October 1, 3021
Time: 4:10pm
Location: F.Y. Police Headquarters

Jeff shivers as a chill wind blows against his face. "Sheesh, it’s cold."

"Autumn’s here." Brent says simply.

"Gee, thanks." Jeff says sarcastically. "Remind me again why we’re hanging out outside?"

"I thought you wanted to." Brent says.

Jeff grimaces. "Oh yeah, that’s right."

"So?" Brent asks after a long moment of silence. "Why did you drag me out here like this?"

"I thought we could just chat a bit in private." Jeff says, pulling his jacket closer to his face. "It’s been a while since we’ve talked, yah know?"

Not one to waste time chatting mindlessly, Brent frowns. "Is there something on your mind?"

Finally, I thought he’d never ask. "Actually, yes there is. It’s about, well..."

"Cheri?" Brent offers.

Jeff nods. "Yeah, I’ve been thinking about her again recently."

Brent nods. "So what’s the matter?"

"I was wondering, how do you handle it? Not having Shannon around anymore."

Brent grimaces at the sound of his beloved’s name. "It’s not easy. It never has been, and the day it becomes easy is the day I die."

Jeff nods in understanding. "I know you loved her very much. But, I can’t seem to..."

"What you did is in the past Jeff. I’m sure she forgives you for what you’ve done."

"But I don’t forgive myself." Jeff says softly, barely audible to Brent’s ears. "I still feel the blood on my hands. I’m a murderer Brent."

Brent steps over and places a large hand on his friends trembling shoulder. "You weren’t yourself then. I know you better than that Jeff."

"They found me innocent of a crime so blatantly obvious of my doing!" Jeff cries. "Why am I here, and free, when I should be locked up like the murderous criminal that I am?"

Brent bows his head. "It’s been done before, husbands finding their wives in the bed with another man. And it’s not unheard of that a man falls into a sort of insanity. You are a good man, and once, a pillar of the community. A lot of people knew Cheri for what she really was."

"But that hasn’t stopped me from loving her."

"And it was that love that blinded you my friend." Brent says, then realizes his mistake. "I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that."

Jeff shakes his head. "I was blind Brent. I was too stupid to realize what was happening. But he was my best friend, and the best man at our wedding! Who could’ve seen it?"

Brent squeezes Jeff’s shoulder reassuringly. "It wasn’t your fault it happened."

"But the knife was in my hand. It was their blood mixed with mine when they found me." Jeff says darkly. "It’s their blood that is still on my hands now." He gazes at his shaking palms, rough and scarred.

"You will move on in time, Jeff. You are a good man. Never forget that. I’m sure you are forgiven."

Jeff nods. "Thank you Brent."

Brent smiles down at his friend, then turns when he hears a pair of snickers coming from behind him. "What do you two want?" He asks.

Aaron and Jackie look the picture of innocence as they saunter of to Jeff and Brent. "We’re just wondering why you both are stupid enough to hang out in such God awful weather." Jackie says.

"We were just talking." Jeff says. "What’s your excuse?"

"Chief’s looking for us." Aaron says. "We ‘eard ‘im talking to that Ice Queen from the museum, and we think ‘e wants us to work there again."

"Damned if we work with her again." Jackie snorts.

"Well," Brent says. "I’ve had enough of this weather, lets get inside."

The four walk back into the warmth of the F.Y. Towers lobby and strip off their coats. "So what are we gonna do for our anniversary eh?" Aaron asks.

"I don’t know." Jeff says. "I forgot it was this week."

"Friday, as a matter of fact." Aaron says. "So what are we going to do?"

"You know there is only one person we can ask." Jackie says grinning.

"Brian!" Aaron cries. "C’mon, lets go find ‘im." He and Jackie run off.

"How those two keep that level of energy is beyond me." Jeff says. "Brent, you okay?" He looks up at his friend whose face is grimacing in pain.

"Yeah, I think I’ve got a pinched nerve or something in my palm." He massages his right hand.

"Here, let me look." Jeff pulls his hand out of his pockets and manages to cut himself. "Damn, how’d I do that?" He frowns as a droplet of blood forms on his finger. "Of all the stupid..."

Brent chuckles as he gently takes Jeff’s hand and examines it. "Paper cut?"

"Maybe, I forgot I had paper in my pocket." Jeff says sarcastically, then gasps as Brent’s palm begins to glow a soft white color, a red kanji for "sadness" appearing on it. "What in the...?"

Brent’s eyes widen in shock as the small cut on Jeff’s finger begins to heal and close. "Well I’ll be the son of a bitch."

Had not the situation be so confusing, Jeff would’ve laughed outright at his friend who so rarely swears. "How did you do that?"

"I don’t know." Brent replies taking his hand away. "I was about to ask you the same thing."

"You touched me!" Jeff cries. "It’s your fault!"

"But I didn’t do it!"

"Yes you did, it came from your hand!" Jeff says.

Brent scowls down at his hand. "Hm, the pain’s gone too."

Jeff gives Brent a funny look. "Is there something going on your not telling me?"

"I’m telling you, I don’t know how it happened!" Brent says.

"Okay, I’m just as weirded out as you are." Jeff says calmly. "Lets just forget it. Just a figment of our imaginations, planetary alignments and all that, okay?"

Brent nods curtly. "Okay."

The two continue walking. "Man, I’ve never heard you talk so much in all my time knowing you."

"Shut up." Brent says with a hint of laughter.

Derryk leans back in his chair and gazes at Aeryk with critical eyes, his fingers joined together in a triangle shape against his nose. "I see." He says lowly.

"I just found this out before I called you." Aeryk says, a little unnerved by Derryk’s demeanor. "I told him I’ll handle it if he just got the ring back."

Derryk nods slightly. "And, uh, when did this happen?"

"He didn’t say the exact date sir." Aeryk replies. "All he told me is that he didn’t feel in control of his own actions."

"The same excuse can be used for any other thief." Derryk says, sighing as he leans forward and placing his elbows on the desk. "Where is he now?"

"In his office I think, hopefully tracking down his friend."

"I just don’t believe he did that. Never would I have thought..."

"I know sir," Aeryk mutters softly. "I never saw it coming too."

"What should we do now?"

Aeryk’s eyes widen momentarily as Derryk asks him the question. Very rarely does Derryk ask Aeryk for his opinion on such matters. Whenever he does, however, it usually either includes a situation he doesn’t care for nor wish to judge on. Aeryk knows Derryk is rather fond of Joe and it’s breaking his heart having to decide the young man’s fate.

"I don’t know what to tell you sir." Aeryk says, equally pained at the thought of loosing a fellow comrade. "Though it may sound stupid, a small part of me believes him. But that isn’t enough, is it?"

Derryk nods in agreement. "No, it isn’t."

"I really don’t want to loose him sir," Aeryk says sincerely. "Despite what he has done, willingly or not, he has been a great asset to this team."

"I know Aeryk," Derryk mutters. "This is going to be a tough decision as any."

"There must be something we can do." Aeryk says. "I know you don’t want to send the wrong message but..."

"I understand Aeryk." Derryk interrupts. "I’ll have a talk with the boy later okay?"

"Do you want me to sit in with you?" Aeryk asks.

I know what you’re trying to get at here kid. Derryk says to himself. You want to find some sort of compromise between us. Damn, how can I say no to someone I love more than the child I’ve never had. "Okay kid, you can sit in on the talk if you want. Just let me do the talking okay?"

Aeryk holds back his relieved smile. "Let me know, okay?" He rises from his seat. "Oh, before I forget. You coming to the anniversary party? It probably won’t be until this weekend."

Derryk smiles. "Sure. I’m honored you invited me."

Aeryk rolls his eyes. "We’ve invited you every year, but you find some reason not to come you liar."

Derryk smiles fondly up at Aeryk. "Yeah, yeah. I’ll talk to Brian about it later. I assume he’s in charge?"

Aeryk grimaces. "Try an assert some sort of dominance over him for me will yah? Last year he went a bit out of control."

Derryk laughs. "I’ve heard the stories, and I’ll do what I can."

Aeryk leaves Derryk’s office and is suddenly dragged into an empty room by strong, lustful, hands. "Brian!" Aeryk gasps. "Don’t scare me like that."

"Ah, come on. I haven’t had a chance to see you all day. Give a guy some credit, will yah?" He grins as he tries to land a kiss on his struggling boyfriend.

"You live with me idiot!" Aeryk giggles as Brian fights to gain his prize. "And don’t put your hands there. You know better than that."

Brian grunts. "Since when was it written that a boyfriend can’t touch his lover where he wants to?"

"Since public decency became social necessity." Aeryk retorts, giving into Brian’s struggle and allows himself to be kissed. "Satisfied?"

"Was that so hard?" Brian smiles as he walks Aeryk into his office. "So what’s the deal with this weekend?" He asks shutting the door behind Aeryk.

"I don’t know. I assumed everyone went to you."

Brian smirks. "Aaron and Jackie did come running to me earlier. I suggested the cabin. Does that sound alright?"

"The real question is, will your parents be willing to allow their destructive son to inhabit their insanely priced cabin for the weekend?" Aeryk asks sarcastically as he casually walks over to Brian and falls heavily onto his lap.

Brian lets out an ‘oof". "You’ve gained weight." That earns a playful smack on his stomach. "Hey! And no, my parent’s won’t have a problem with it. Mom actually suggested that I take it for the weekend. It’s supposed to snow up there."

And I know what that means. Aeryk sighs as he lands his head on Brian’s shoulder. "Just keep me out of it this year. I nearly caught pneumonia last time you decided to have a little war."

Brian chuckles as he wraps his arms around Aeryk and holds him closely. "Okay, you just stay inside and hold up the fort."

Aeryk savors in the feeling of Brian’s arms around him. "I’m not looking forward to the rest of the day at all."

"Why’s that?" Brian asks.

"Agh, just some problems that Derryk and I have to work out." Aeryk replies. "I can’t say what it is though."

"Okay, well how about you and I just have some Mac’ and Cheese, rent a movie, and call it a night?"

God I love this man. "Sounds perfect."

Brian’s phone begins to ring. "Argh, I don’t wanna answer it." He grumbles as Aeryk rises off his lap. "This is Brian."

"Well don’t look too happy!" Barbara chuckles as her image appears on the monitor.

"Hey Mom," Brian says. "What’s going on?"

"I thought I’d let you know that your father and I will be dropping by to give you the keys to the cabin later tonight."

Brian frowns. "Can’t it wait until later Mom? I’ve got plans."

"Ah honey, it will only take a minute of your time." Barbara says.

"Fine," Brian sighs. "Call me later when you’re about to head over, okay?"

"Okay, say hello to Aeryk for me!" She says cheerfully before hanging up.

Brian heaves out another sigh and looks up at Aeryk with a pained expression. "I’m sorry about that."

"It’s okay," Aeryk says softly. "It’s not like they’ll be there all night."

There is a knock on the door and Joe peers his head in slowly. "Hey, Derryk needs us in the conference room." He says solemnly.

Aeryk nods. "Okay, I’ll be there in a second."

Brian waits for Joe to leave before speaking. "Is he the problem?"

Aeryk glances back at Brian with a sad expression. "I’ll see yah later." He says before leaving Brian’s office.

Date: October 1, 3021
Time: 5:25 pm
Location: ???

"Is everything ready?" Jen asks.

"As ready as we can be at the moment." Vincent replies. "All we’re waiting on now is that queer psycho."

Jen snorts. "Mark will be back soon enough. He has some business to attend to with our potential Sacred Child."

Vincent turns in his chair and looks up at Jen. "What do you mean? We’ve found him?"

"I said potential, Vincent. Pay attention to what I say." Jen says helping herself to Vincent’s wine then finds a comfortable seat next to the fire. "To be honest I hope we find him soon. I can’t stand sitting in this damn cabin for another day."

Vincent remains silent for a moment. "And what do we do if he is not the Sacred Child?"

"We head out." Jen says. "We can always look for him after we retrieve the statues. Luckily enough, Danny has already figured out the first location."

Vincent leans forward in his chair. "He did?"

Jen nods. "Just now, said it came to him in a vision or some bull like that."

Vincent grins widely. "Excellent, and if the readings are accurate hints to the other temples locations should be within the temple of Genbu."

"Let’s not get ahead of ourselves Vincent," Jen advises. "We still have to worry about, well, you know."

Vincent frowns. "Danny will figure that out." He says waving off the comment. "Why else do we have him around?"

Jen arches a brow. "The same could be said about other people." She says coldly before placing her glass down and rising to her feet. "I’m going to go check on Richard."

"Why don’t you just let him out?" Vincent inquires. "He’s becoming too loud in the evenings."

"Because I don’t want to deal with covering up mass murders Vincent!" Jen snaps. "The chains will hold him, and if you’re so worried about loosing your beauty sleep, put a gag in his mouth yourself." She rises from her chair and exits the room.

Vincent snorts. "Yeah, and loose a hand?"

Date: October 1, 3021
Time: 6:04pm
Location: F.Y. Police Headquarters

"So what do you think is going on in there?" Aaron asks as he, Jackie, and the others head toward the lobby.

"Don’t know, but it can’t be good." Jackie replies. "Joe looked like he was about to die, and Aeryk looked like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders." She turns to Brian. "Did he say what was going on?"

Brian shakes his head. "He looked bummed about it."

"Well, we’ll find out tomorrow." Jeff says. "You’ll call us about the cabin, right Brian?"

"Huh, oh yeah." Brian turns his briefly lost attention to Jeff. "The cabin’s all ours. All we need is the food and booze." He grins. The door to conference room slowly opens and Aeryk walks silently down the hall. "Hey babe, what’s going on?"

Aeryk’s stern face remains passive as he walks past the group, into Joe’s office, then walks out again with the book. He stops a moment to look back at the curious onlookers. "What?" His normally green eyes now a dark stormy blue.

Everyone cringes under Aeryk’s glare. "N-nothing Aeryk," Aaron stammers. "We’ll see you later."

"Derryk’s driving me home tonight." Aeryk says, turning his icy stare on Brian.

"Oh, okay." Brian replies.

As Aeryk turns to enter the conference room again, Jackie lets out a low whistle. "Wow! What’s with him all of a sudden?" She asks as they turn to leave the building.

"Someone’s got issues." Aaron teases Brian.

"Shut up." Brian says rolling his eyes. "I wonder what’s going on." He mutters.

"You’ll probably find out tonight." Jackie says. "From the look of things, it looks like Aeryk’s about to explode." She chuckles.

Brian sighs. "Great." He says none to enthusiastically.

"And you sure you know where he’s at?" Derryk asks.

Joe nods. "When I was talking with him, I ran a trace on the line. It came from some place in the mountains."

Aeryk nods. "I looked at the address. It’s actually close to where Brian’s cabin’s at."

"Okay." Derryk pauses for a moment. "You both know what you have to do." The two younger men nod. "Joe, I don’t want you to think that I’m alright with what you did, willingly or no. But I’m giving you this chance to redeem some of the trust I’ve lost with you."

Joe grimaces. "Yes, sir."

"Please don’t disappoint me Joe." Derryk says, finishing the meeting. "Good night." Joe rises from his seat slowly and silently exits the room. Aeryk and Derryk, both heave out a sigh and look at each other sullenly. "Have I done the right thing kid?"

"I think you did more that what anyone else in your position would’ve done." Aeryk replies. "It’s all up to Joe now."

"But, I want to know, did I do the right thing?" Derryk asks in a near pleading voice.

"Yes Derryk, you did."

"How about we get some coffee or something?" Derryk asks as he drives his car out of the garage.

"Thanks but I have to get home tonight Brian and I have plans."

"Ah come on, he can wait a few minutes can’t he?"

Aeryk smiles faintly. "Okay, just let me call him and let him know what’s going on." He says pulling out his cell phone and dials his number in. "Hey Bri, it’s me. Uh, Derryk and I are gonna grab a quick cup of coffee before heading home, is that alright?"

"Sure, that’s fine." Brian replies. "Mom and Dad just got here so I better go."

"Okay, bye." Aeryk places his phone back in his pocket. "Alright, I’m free for a bit."

Derryk grins widely and pats Aeryk’s leg excitedly. "I know of this place that makes the best coffee. Not like that one hole in the wall place you go to." He jokes.

"Hey, I like that place!" Aeryk retorts. And why did you just touch my leg like that?

"Can I ask you to handle alerting everyone about the assignment?" Derryk asks after a moment of silence. "I’m going to be busy for the next couple days."

"Sure." Aeryk replies. Brian would kill you if he saw what you just did. And why am I freaking out? It’s not like... oh God, that’s too gross Aeryk. Stop it.

"So what’s it like up there? You have been to Brian’s cabin, right?"

"Huh? Oh yeah. It’s pretty nice, and quiet. I like it because there are trails around the area you can walk on and enjoy time alone. Which is what I need right now, I think."

"Time alone?" Derryk repeats. "Something bothering you?"

"The same ol’ stuff yah know?" Aeryk replies. "A lot has been going on recently."

"The visions?"

"How did you know about that?" Aeryk asks, shocked.

"I read the notes while you were away." Derryk says sounding a bit embarrassed. "I walked into your office to ask you something, but you weren’t there. Your notes were just laying there and I couldn’t help but look, sorry."

"It’s, uh, nothing to worry about." Aeryk stammers.

"Oh, well it’s pretty interesting though. Why didn’t you tell anyone about them?"

"And get committed?" Aeryk scoffs. "Come on Derryk."

Derryk smiles warmly at Aeryk and winks. "Sorry I asked."

Date: October 1, 3021
Time: 7:15 pm
Location: Aeryk and Brian’s Condo

"No Mom, it’s nothing like that." Brian says, rolling his eyes. "She and I just had our differences, that’s all."

"I just worry about you." Barbara replies. "You seemed so happy."

Brian lets out a low growl. "Mom, can we please drop it?"

"We’re both worried about you Brian." George says, looking at his son from across the table. "You’re twenty-three now, and we’re just looking out for you happiness that’s all."

"And what if I’m happy now?" Brian snaps.

"I don’t mean this in a bad way, Brian, but do you want to spend the rest of you life living with Aeryk?" Barbara asks.

Brian puffs up in outrage. "Don’t bring him into this! I’m happy right where I am! Who gives a damn how I live my life?"

"We just want what’s best for you Brian." Barbara replies, shaken that her son lost his temper so suddenly.

"Then why can’t you just leave me alone and let me live my life?" Brian roars.

Aeryk, not hearing Brian’s outburst, fumbles with his keys a moment before entering the condo. "Hey." He says blandly before sensing the tense atmosphere. "Um, should I come back later?"

"Something wrong?" Brian asks, ignoring his parent’s looks.

"Huh? Oh, nothing." Aeryk says quickly before heading to his room.

Brian raises from his seat, as if to chase after Aeryk, but stops and forces himself to sit. He heaves out a sigh and rests his face in his palms. George and Barbara take note of the incident and give each other quick glances. "Brian...?" Barbara asks uncertainly.

"What?" Brian asks wearily.

"Are..." Barbara pauses as George places a hand on hers, shaking his head at her. "I think we should leave now."

Brian nods slightly before rising with his parents. "I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have yelled at you like that. I’ve just been a little tired."

"It’s okay." George replies. "We all have times like that." He affectionately pats Brian on the shoulders. "You have the keys to the cabin, right?"

Brian reaches into his pocket and pulls out the keys. "Right here."

George smiles. "Great, you have fun up there with your friends and relax, okay?"

"I will." He says before giving his mother a hug. "I’ll talk to you guys later."

He silently escorts his parents out, giving them a faint smile. As soon as his parents are well away from the door, he shuts it with a loud sigh. Brian turns his attention down the hall and into the room with a small light exiting the slightly ajar door.

"Hey, what’s the matter?" Brian asks, peering his head into the room.

Aeryk looks over from his place on the bed. "Nothing." He turns his attention back at the ceiling.

"Not the best way to come home, sorry about that." Brian says, slowly resting on the bed next to Aeryk.

"Huh? Oh, that’s okay." Aeryk replies, not turning to Brain this time.

"Okay, what’s bothering you?" Brian asks, gently taking Aeryk’s face in his hand and turning it to face him.

"Just the meeting with Derryk and Joe, bummed me out a little and..." He trails off.

"And what?"

"I think Derryk was hitting on me." Aeryk says.

It’s well known that Brian is extremely possessive over Aeryk. The most noticeable times being when the two go out with their friends to a club, party, or any social event when anyone, guy or girl, hits on Aeryk. He would just step up, give the "offender" a death look and pull Aeryk behind him before he goes off on him or her. The person would walk away in total fear for their life and avoid Aeryk and Brian for the rest of the night.

Aeryk never would have expected the current reaction Brian is showing at the moment. "He what?" He asks, his voice oddly calm and even.

"He well, kept touching my leg and giving me funny looks." Aeryk says shrugging. "Maybe it was just me. He was always affectionate with me."

Brian nods. "Okay. You hungry? I can start dinner if you don’t mind running to get the movie."

Unnerved by Brian’s uncharacteristic calmness in the tragedy of someone coming on to him, Aeryk stammers out an answer. "N-no, I’m fine now."

"Okay, then I’ll just go with you then?"

Now you’re just creeping me out. "Alright, let’s go then."

The two rise off the bed and walk out toward Aeryk’s car. "Let’s get something funny tonight."

Aeryk nods in agreement as he lands in his seat and activates the car. "You’re acting funny." He says, looking at Brian with concern. "Everything alright with your parents? Did something happen?"

"Nothing happened." Brian replies. "Just had a stressful day."

The two ride in mutual silence for the rest of the short trip to the video store. They walk in and are greeted by the normal night woman who works there. "Hello, how are you?"

Aeryk smiles widely at the elderly Korean woman. "Good, thanks." He turns to Brian as they walk past. "She’s so cute, makes you want to take her home with us." He jokes.

A smile forms on Brian’s mouth, signaling his return to normality. "So what do you feel like watching?"

"Anything but British humor." Aeryk replies, his green eyes gleaming up at Brian. "I’ve had enough of that for a while."

Brian grins. "We need a good Monty Python binge every once in a while. What’s wrong with that?"

Aeryk rolls his eyes. "Okay, lets start looking."

Brian nods and takes his normal station at the further part of the humor section, leaving Aeryk at the opposite.

The Korean woman greets another patron as he enters the store with her usual big grin, but is greeted, in turn, with a haunting icy stare. "Evening." The man says before setting his sites within the small store. And what to my wandering eyes should appear...? Mark says to himself when he spies Aeryk looking at the various videodisks on the shelves. He looks over when Brian catches his eyes. Hmm, I should remember to look for him when I’m finished with our little Sacred Child. He licks his lips before walking up to the section in front of Aeryk’s.

Aeryk gets the strange feeling that someone’s starring at him, and he looks up to see Mark glance at him before turning his gaze away. Aeryk smirks before going back to his task.

"Can I ask you something?" Mark asks.

The man’s voice sends a chill down Aeryk’s spine. Whoa, who ever heard of a voice doing that to someone non-sexually? "Uh, sure. But I don’t work here."

Mark chuckles. "I know, but I heard about this movie, and I was wondering if you’ve ever seen it before." He shows the cover to Aeryk, who shakes his head. "Oh, that’s okay. I was just trying to find a way to meet you."

Aeryk’s friendly smile falters a moment. Uh oh, not while Brian’s here. "Oh, r-really?"

Mark briskly walks around to meet Aeryk. "I’ve noticed you here before and I was hoping to, well..." He trails off uncertainly.

"Oh!" Aeryk says. "Well um, you see, I uh...?"

Mark takes Aeryk’s hands, sending a chill down the younger man’s body. "I was hoping to get to know you better."

Suddenly, a feeling of dread swarms over Aeryk and he begins to panic slightly. "Um, can I have my hands back?"

Mark holds fast. "Who are you Aeryk?"

Aeryk gasps. "How did you know my name? Who are you?"

Brian gets a strange itching sensation on his forehead and scratches it nonchalantly. "Man, and I was hoping to watch Life of Brian." He snickers. He then hears Aeryk’s panicked voice. "Aeryk?" He says looking over and seeing Mark grab Aeryk’s hand. Brian rushes over and shoves Mark away. "What in the hell do you think you’re doing?" He snarls, a rage he’s never know before swelling inside him. "Get away from him you freak!"

Aeryk clasps Brian’s arm. "It’s okay Brian, I’m not hurt." He whispers.

Brian ignores Aeryk and shows his clenched fist at Mark. "Stay away from him, got it buddy?" Suddenly, a glowing red character for "ogre" appears on his forehead.

Mark lets out a gasp. "The sign of a Guardian!" He turns his crazed eyes to Aeryk. "You are the Sacred Child!"

"What?" Brian says, perplexed. "What’s he talking about?" He glances as a small section of glass and sees the character glowing on his head. "The hell is that?" Brian cries, pointing at his reflection.

Aeryk’s stomach turns slightly. Just like in the story. Just like in my visions! What’s going on here?

The man turns and begins to run out of the store with Brian right behind him. "Come back here!" Brian demands.

Aeryk rushes after Brian and the strange man. "What in the hell is going on?" He asks as he stops at the corner of the dark street, looking for the direction Brian and that man went. Aeryk hears Brian’s shouting and bolts towards him barely escaping being hit by a car. "Sorry!" He calls out to the outraged driver.

Brian lunges for Mark, grabs his coat and whirls him around. "Who the hell are you and what do you want with Aeryk?" He snarls slamming Mark against the alley wall.

Mark pulls out a small object and aims it at Brian before pressing a small button that shoots a small cloud of gas directly in his face. Brian lets out a cry of pain and he falls back rubbing his eyes. "Who I am is of no consequence to you at the moment." Mark says chuckling. "I guess I should take this moment to kill off at least one of the Guardians."

Brian opens his eyes and sees a blurred vision of Mark before him. "Wh-what are you talking about?" Suddenly a thicket of thorns erupts from the ground below and wrap themselves around Brian, chocking the life out of him.

Mark laughs darkly watching Brian struggle against something that isn’t even there. Heh, that gas has the same chemicals in it as Acid does but with lethal results. That’s right Guardian, let your mind fall into the darkness from which you will never return.

Aeryk races down the alleyway until he finds Brian grasping at his neck and crying out for breath. "Brian!"

Mark turns and sees Aeryk. "I’ve got you now." He hisses as he starts for Aeryk.

Aeryk rushes to Brian’s side and struggles to bring some sanity back to his love. "Brian, look at me! What’s happening to you?" He cries out as strong arms pull him away. "Let go of me you psycho!"

"He can’t hear you." Mark says in a dark hypnotic voice. "Watch now as he falls into darkness, never to return."

Aeryk watches in horror as Brian falls to his hands and knees, his breathing labored and far between. "Brian!" Aeryk reaches out. "Brian, no!"

Brian looks between the thick thorns and sees Aeryk crying out for him and a faint smile appears on his face. "I’m... sorry Aeryk." He says before his eyes roll back into his head and falls to the ground.

Aeryk ceases his struggling against Mark as tears of absolute horror and pain fall from eyes like rivers. Fight him! Aeryk’s mind demands. Do it for Brian! You can’t wimp out now Aeryk! Fight him!

Mark chuckles at the sight of the devastated Aeryk, but fails to see his eyes change from the sad blue to the infuriated white. "Too bad, he was cute." Suddenly he finds Aeryk’s foot in his face and he falls back in pain. "What the fuck?"

Aeryk turns and faces Mark. "For what you did..." He snarls. "I’ll kill you!" Aeryk lunges for the stunned man before him and performs a flying sidekick to his face. He then grabs Mark by the arm, exposes his armpit, then sends a powerful punch which displaces his shoulder with a stomach turning cracking sound.

Mark lets out a cry of pain and collapses to his knees and stares up at Aeryk with fearful eyes. "P-please don’t hurt me!" He pleads pathetically.

Aeryk sees Mark reaching for the same small object he used to enslave Brian’s mind with and slams his foot on his functioning hand and Mark cries out in pain again. "Is this what you used?" He leans down and picks up the item. "You used this to kill him?" He asks in a cold, even voice. "Didn’t you?" He roars and Mark nods feebly. Aeryk aims the nozzle at Mark’s face. "Eye for an eye." He mutters.

Suddenly an inhuman howl is heard behind Aeryk and a searing pain attacks his senses and he falls back away from Mark. "What the...?" He gasps as he sees an imposing, and extremely hairy man, walk over and collect Mark into his arms.

Mark looks up at the man with slightly fearful eyes, and then turns a triumphant grin to Aeryk. "We’ll be seeing you Sacred Child." He laughs as the man dashes off into the darkness.

Aeryk watches for a moment as the shadows of the two strange men vanish into the night before turning his, now sapphire blue, eyes on Brian’s body. Tears he didn’t know he still possessed fall down Aeryk’s face again.

Despite the pain in his back, Aeryk crawls over and rests Brian’s head on his lap. "Oh baby, I’m so sorry." He sobs as he runs his hands through Brian’s wet hair. "I should’ve gotten here faster." Aeryk leans over and pulls Brian closer to his shaking body. "Brian, please don’t leave me!" His cries ring through the alleyway and out into the dark, silent world around him.

Aeryk raises his face toward the starlit sky above and roars out Brian’s name. Please, give him back to me. Aeryk pleas as a star falls across the atmosphere.

A warm sticky substance begins running down Aeryk’s back and he looks down to see a small pool of blood. "Huh, must be bad." He says blandly then looks down at Brian. "Don’t worry Bri, I’ll be with you soon."

Aeryk faintly hears a loud buzzing down and a bright light shines above him accompanied by various panicked voices. Michelle...? Aeryk feels himself falling endlessly into the light. "Michelle?" The last thing Aeryk hears is Brian’s voice whispering his name.

Date: October 1, 3021
Time: 10:24 pm
Location: ???

"You what?" Jen roars.

"I heard the woman calling for the police." A gruff, almost animalistic, voice grumbles. "I could hear the sirens."

"I don’t care about the Guardian, but we need the Sacred Child alive!" Jen slams her fist on the table. "Idiot!"

Richard lets out a low growl. "He is alive woman. Of this, I’m certain."

Jen throws her hands in the air, then directs her dark glare at the man chained before her. "For your sake, he better be." She hisses before leaving the dank, cold basement.

"Well?" Vincent asks as Jen explodes from the door leading downstairs.

"He’s alive." She says simply.

"You sound so certain." Vincent replies sarcastically.

"That damn animal told me he was." Jen roars. "And if I find out otherwise, he’s as good as dead."

Vincent rushes up to match Jen’s quick pace. "Should I get everybody ready?"

Jen nods curtly before entering her room. "I want everybody here before Monday." She calls.

Vincent grins widely at the shut door before him. "Perfect."

Continued in Part 15

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