| I landed in the clearing next to Der, eyes wide at my grandfather's appearance. 'Jesus...he looks like he's Will's age!' "Grandfather, what's--" I started to say but he raised his hand. "Another time, pup. Right now, there are more pressing matters than my appearance," he said simply and I nodded, accepting what he said. 'Could be a morph...but I can't worry about that now...' "What's wrong?" Will asked. "Der said there was a problem." Taka snorted. "A problem would be an understatement..." she muttered and Sleeping Panther smiled at her before turning serious. "A barrier, more to keep the people IN the Underworld than to keep Nivtians out, usually protects the gateway between the Underworld and Nivta. I erected the barrier myself and it has been able to keep Sayt and Cor at bay but now they've found a way around it. I've put up a smaller barrier spell but it'll only hold for maybe two weeks," he explained. "So what do we do until then?" I inquired. "We have to be able to fight in less than half a month a horde of demons?" "That is what I'm saying." Will's wings ruffled behind him. "This may sound dumb but...is there a barrier connecting Nivta and Earth?" Sleeping Panther nodded. "It's in the southern hemisphere. Sayt and Cor must not reach it. Them being on Nivtian soil is bad enough," he winced and I arched an eyebrow. "Why?" "Nivta is a place of enchantment," Der said softly, looking at Taka. "For them to step on Nivta disenchants parts of it." "Meaning..." "Whatever they touch no longer has the power of immortality." "Damn." Sleeping Panther nodded, folding his fingers in front of him. "We now must be ever present, ever ready. I will be out most of the next two days rallying the armies of Nivta," he said softly. "The four of you must train and train hard for this is the battle with StevDer and ShaTaka. Right now, you are each other's best chance of surviving.." |