Chapter 12: 33:00 (15 Hours Remaining)

"I... I don't feel so good..." Dregan mumbled, and the orb began to turn foggy. Of all the channelers, only Ethennis and Valian had been forced to sit down, so the rest knew Dregan was pushing his own energies first. It was probably instinct, Vivi thought, but still they couldn't risk losing the spell now.

"Dregan, use our spell power," he encouraged.

"I thought I was... but I feel... dizzy... I'm almost out of Gems again..." Concerned, Vivi moved forward, still focusing, and touched Dregan's forearm.

Instantly Dregan jerked, and the image became crystal clear, and shot across the land to fast the Dunedi scrambled to slow it.

"Whoa! I felt that!"

"What?" asked Garnet.

"A power boost." Vivi removed his hand, glad Dregan had recovered, and the orb fogged. "Ug... Lost it..."

"Vivi! Put your hand on his arm again," Zentarou said quickly, and was obeyed. Once more they saw clearly. "Of course! Everyone, focus your power on Vivi and me." He too moved to rest his hand on Dregan's shoulder. "Vivi, we must focus on sending our power - and theirs - into Dregan. He hasn't done nearly as much concert casting as we have, and doesn't know how to draw from us all. But now he'll just have two mages to tap into. It'll be easier, and more efficient."

"That does feel easier," Dregan agreed, as Savander hugged him, whispering under his breath,

"Please let me help them." Vivi, relatively close, and on Savander's level more or less, heard, and he realized the child was speaking to the One.

Savander said you could hear my heart. Please, watch over my son.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

39:58 (8 Hours Remaining)

"The final stage is nearly begun."

"Is that why his eyes won't stay open?"

"Yes. The reprogramming of the mind must be done from an unconscious state, or you risk trace bits of the old personality emerging."

"Rest well then, slave. When you awaken, our Master will be your Master."

Calan's last though was:

Father...