Chapter 10: 22:00 (26 Hours Remaining)

Vivi, his sons, and Savander at last returned to the castle. Hope had been lifted at least a little for Vivi. Things weren't impossible, the One had said so. If they failed, it wouldn't be because they were doomed from the start.

The castle felt quiet and subdued when they entered. By now all the guards and servants in the palace knew of the situation, and sympathetically smiled at Vivi as he passed.

Cal will be okay, Vivi thought to himself over and over. Cal will be okay. Cal will -

"Dr. Tooooooooooooooooooooooot!" came Eiko's call as she darted across the hall at a T-intersection ahead of them. They looked at each other, as another call rang out for the doctor from the little summoner. Rather than follow, they ran to the library.

They got there to see Dregan laying on the floor, unconscious, the other crowded around him.

"What happened?" Vivi asked as Savander knelt by his father and hugged him.

"He passed out," Cid said. "Nearly pierced himself on Cal's sword in the process." Eiko returned at that moment with Dr. Tot, who had been on rest shift. Instantly the doctor knelt at Dregan's side and examined him.

"Hmm... pulse slightly quickened, but slowing, breathing normal, pupils normal and light reactive... I'd say he exhausted himself. He focused on that spell so long his body simply gave out." Savander patted his father's belly.

"He ran out of Soul Jewels too," he reported. "His Selkynil pouch in empty."

#Silly Dunedi,# Elfalon commented.

Carefully they moved Dregan to a nearby couch where he could rest. Vivi only hoped that Calan could hold out while they waited.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

24:00 (24 Hours Remaining)

Location Unknown...

"Is everything ready?"

"Yes, sir. The chemicals are set in place, the table secured."

"Good. Lets go get out master's new slave."

"Down the hall went the two large beings, to a cell door. They opened it.

"Calan," one spoke. "Stand up and follow us. It is time." Cal hopped up and followed them, they spoke with the Voice's authority, even though deep inside he wanted to struggle and run away.

Down the hall he followed, to a room, with a table and tubes with needles connected to the tubes.

"How long will this take?" one of the two asked another of their bretheren, who was to perform the process.

"Twenty-four hours."

"Then lets begin."