"Argh!" It was crippling - the pain. Michael had never experienced anything like it, and he had endured a lot. Khivar seemed to have a game plan by the time he returned from the cosmos. He was bent on seeing them dead. It was to be expected, seeing that they were the only thing standing in Khivar's way. His attacks were quick, precise and deadly. He felt his whole nervous system slowly shutting down on him as he struggled to remain conscious and an imposing threat.

"Michael?" Isabel glanced over her shoulder. The grimace on his face said it all. Everyone seemed to be fading.

They were all in a vast amount of pain. She was already tired, not fully recovered from previous injuries sustained on Earth; but she would not give up. Khivar's strategy seemed to be to focus most of his energy on the boys, leaving her marginal breathing space in comparison to the onslaught Max and Michael were dealing with. They had not been left enough time to formulate a plan before he split their attack. Memories of watching her family die flashed before her eyes as her focus faded. The betrayal and sorrow that stared back at her as Zan fell limply to the ground in a circle of flames tore her apart. Not again. Refocusing her energies, Isabel pressed hard against Khivar; her face flushed as it was exposed to the intense heat of the energy blast.

Max knew he was still weak from the last use of his powers. He did not know how much more he had to give. Glancing over at Tess, whose eyes were closed and lips were tightly pursed in concentration, Max had to give her credit for surviving. This woman's heart was committed to the survival of her people. In spite of the loss of her child, which would have left most women broken and despairing, here she was willing to sacrifice herself so that others would be free - able to experience family and the joy it brings. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, Max focused his mind and began to forumulate a plan. This could not be a head-on attack. It required smoke and mirrors, and misdirection and wit. He had to use all that he learned in his battle with Qunar to defeat Khivar.

It was all a haze. Tess tried to reach Khivar, but his defenses were up. It was like an electric fence - energy currents hindering her from deceiving, manipulating or attacking his mind. Damn it! C'mon! "Something give."

Never had he experienced such power and dominance over living breathing creatures, small and big alike. It was indescribable. They were so timid, so weak. It was like swatting away small pests. It would all be over soon.

"Michael, Isabel...Tess, " Max whispered. "I've got a plan. Just follow along. It might get chaotic, and if you don't know what's happening, just duck and hide."

Duck and hide? Michael glanced furtively over at their leader. He had never heard of such a lacklustre plan.

"Max?" Isabel glanced uncertainly at her brother. He didn't quite have the best track record for these types of things.

"Just trust me." He looked briefly at the remaining member of their group. She hadn't said a word.

"Just do it," Tess breathed, turning her gaze upon Khivar. If they didn't strike a major blow soon, she wasn't sure that any of them would survive for another attempt. It was the only plan they had.

"I need cover, Michael," he said hurriedly. "I need a window of about two minutes."

"I've got your back," Michael replied turning his focus on Khivar. Taking a deep breath, he opened fire on his enemy, full-throttle. Whatever Max was about to do, he was going to give him enough time to do it.

Khivar deflected the sudden thrust of energy quickly, though he had almost had been caught off guard. He hadn't expected them to have any reserve left after what he had drawn from their previous attacks. They were quite the sports to put up a fight such as this. "Give up," he growled, pressing his advantage on Michael who seemed to have a renewed strength and vigor. "The crown is mine. This galaxy is mine!"

"Don't bet on it!" Isabel cried. He laughed at her threat, but it would be a mistake he would not soon forget. It was an idea that came to her as she watched Khivar deflect Michael's energy blast into a nearby tower, sending dust and pieces of rubble overhead. The trajectory of their blasts could be read instantaneously by Khivar. But if the trajectory wasn't just a straight line...

Isabel turned slightly, her left arm extended forward while she slid her right underneath Michael's extended arm. He looked at her like she was crazy, as he tried to keep his blast from veering off because of her touch. "If you're going to trust Maxwell, " she whispered, "you're going to have to trust me." Focusing her energies until they hummed at her fingertips, Isabel released her first blast from her left, leaving her right mute. The energy blast whizzed right past Khivar's face.

"Is that all? You did not even graze me. Vilandra, you're losing your touch," he clucked.

"No, that's exactly what I planned to do," Isabel smirked, extending her right hand forward and tilting it at an angle, barely a breath away from the energy blast radiating from Michael's own hand. "And I, Isabel, that's my name, haven't lost anything."

"Isabel," Michael's tone was dark and full of concern. He had no idea what crazy-haired scheme this woman was planning. There was this gleam in her eye that made him nervous. "Don't do anything crazy."

"Crazy?" she said mischievously. "And what do you define as crazy?" Without another word, like the hatch from a dam had been released, Isabel let go of the energy she had been holding back and jerked back slightly, as it made contact with Michael's energy stream. The noise was loud and deafening. Raising up her left hand to meet Michael's diverging energy blast which she half-hazardly guided with her other mainstream energy blast, causing it to riccochet off her own wall of energy and strike its intended target.

The blow affected Khivar minimally. He hardly even yelped. But to both Isabel and Michael it felt like a ray of sunlight had shone down upon this once dark death knell of ominous destruction. Michael grinned at his companion, whose eyes were glowing with delight at how her planned had succeeded, nodding and acknowledging that he understood what her plan was. Who knew trigonometry and physics would actually come in handy, just as Mr. Camden had always preached.

And so it began. Tess watched as Khivar seemed frustrated with the duo's new tactic. She was quite impressed. Unable to calculate the trajectory of their attacks, Isabel and Michael had managed to fluster their enemy, at least for now. It was a great plan, as Khivar's focus was now divided, trying to defend against Isabel and Michael as well as keeping an eye on Max, who seemed to be quite focused on a plan of his own. She could even feel the mental wall he had raised falter. Now it's my turn.

Slowly working her way through the still guarded mind, Tess could begin to see the inner workings of their enemy's warped psyche. She saw the infinite possibilities that filtered through his mind. Absurd in his evil machinations, Tess saw what greed and power had warped a once brilliant mind that could have used his intelligence and creative powers for good. However, Tess saw his bloodlust and the goal of godhood delusionally within his grasp and she knew that there was no redemption. His was the insatiable need to destroy and conquer. And this would be his doom.

Max focused hard, conjuring up whatever remaining powers he had in reserve and reached out into the universe. The vast energy and power that filtered through every fabric of creation's being was at his fingertips. The Voice that spoke to him and awakened him from his complacent slumber revealed to him the gift his father had yielded - the gift that the Unseen had bestowed upon his all of his ancestors, upon the First - connecting him to their world and to Him.

Michael had never seen anything come upon him so fast. The fog and mist was like a veil. It was like a sudden storm had come upon them. The opacity of the untouchable swirl caused his and Isabel's attack to falter. With no visibility, there was no attack.

Isabel briefly glanced over at Max, who was the sole cause of this distraction. She had no idea what he had planned, but she prayed it would be effective. "Michael, we have to keep our focus," she whispered, glancing up into what she calculated was the sky. "He's going to keep coming at us."

"I know," Michael replied gruffly, squinting hard in an attempt to locate Khivar. "But how do we hit something we can't see?" The sky crackled with energy, as a dim but still visible red glow filtered through the fog. He glanced at Isabel who raised her brow hopefully.

"We pray for the best." Isabel unleashed her powers into the void, changing trajectory and releasing intermittent bursts of energy blasts to various locations.

Tess felt Khivar's momentary surprise, panic and then anger. He would not be denied. As she continued to slowly maneuver herself into the delicate recesses of his memory and psyche, Tess prayed that he would not be alerted to her simple attack. The first time, when she had attacked him boldly without thought, he had been caught off-guard; but he knew better now, and she did not want to trip any traps he may have laid for her. There had to be a weakness. However, the deeper she delved, the more fearful of this madman she became. There was nothing but darkness in his mind. It was a place of blackness and hatred. What frightened Tess the most was there was no fear in this thing.

"Games!" Khivar growled in frustration, as he barely dove back from the cloaked attacks of his prey. "I have had enough! There is no more time for this. I grow weary of them." He glanced up into the sky which had grown overcast by the workings of the 'would-be-king'. There was no light and no way for him to calculate the dawn of the new day. Insipid scallions who refuse to accept the inevitable.

He would show them.

Drawing upon his newfound powers, Khivar unleashed a fury through the blinding fog. He needed no eyes to see his prey. If need be, he would take the whole castle down to wrest the crown and the throne from the false heirs. Khviar pressed forward, unrelenting in the strength of his blasts; and though unable to see the product of blind attacks, he could hear the effects. If he could keep this up, there would be nothing left of them.

"Get back!" Michael shouted, pulling Isabel from the collapsing balcony or what was left of it. He glanced over to the last known position of both Maxwell and Tess. He could barely make out their shadows. Khivar had escalated his attacks and it seemed that he didn't care if he left anything standing, so long as the Royal Four were dead. "Max! Tess! Are you all right?"

"Michael, we can't stand up under his attack - literally. This balcony won't continue to hold up at this rate!" Isabel cried, cringing underneath all of the falling debris. "We'll be crushed underneath the chunks of rubble." She couldn't believe how fast everything had come falling down. Their plan had been working, but Khivar had upped the ante. It wasn't just about defeating them now. It was about eliminating them.

"Max!"

Just a little more time... Max could feel the despair all around him. Their offensive strike against Khivar would not hold up against their enemy's power. There wasn't the time to collect his powers, regenerate. Max knew that he had to strike now, even though he wasn't ready.

Tess quickly pulled herself out of the darkness that was Khivar's mind. If she had remained any longer, she did not know if she would have found her way out. It was a winding maze and she could not pinpoint the epicentre of the maniac's psyche. As she opened her eyes, she found herself surrounded by a dense fog and loud crashes intermingled with fleeting flashes of bright light. Lucky for her nothing had hit her. Standing up, Tess suddenly managed to evade a large piece of stone that came hurtling down from one of the towers above. Her heart raced, as she carefully moved about, her hands in front of her, as she tried not to fall off the collapsing balcony ledge; but as she put one foot in front of her, she felt her toe kick something soft, no higher than her waist. Lowering herself to her knees, Tess squinted as she edged closer to whatever she had stumbled upon.

The fog was less dense from where she knelt, and Tess found herself face to face with Max. He was kneeling on the ground, his face etched in concentration, as perspiration beaded upon his brow. Tess knew it was taking all of his concentration to hold this fog, veiling them from the prying eyes of their attacker. She glanced around, trying to discern if he was in any imminent physical danger, as Khivar's blasts seemed to edge closer and closer to his targets. But as Tess was about to caution Max, his eyes opened wide, and a bright light shimmered in the deep black pools. She was startled by the sudden movement and tried to brace herself as she fell backwards. Her eyes were suddenly drawn to the skies as the fog-filled expanse, which once only shone with crimson lights, now filled with bright blazing streams of white.

He felt the collision of molecules, hearing the rolling thunder fill the skies above. Opening his eyes, Max forced an accumulation of clouds above them, meanwhile intensifying the electrical charge held within the usually calm, wistful fluffs that decorated the skies. Short currents began to heat the air above them, the thunder quickening and the volume rise to a deafening level. He felt the blood rushing in his ears as the adrenaline began to pump through his veins. They had the ability to manipulate molecules and atoms; but now he was about to take it to the next level. Raising his arms above his head, as if he were going to release an energy blast as he had seen Michael and Isabel do, Max began to slowly pull the negative charges of electricity down from the hovering clouds...then he waited for nature to take its' course.

Khivar hovered above, feeling the energy coarsing through is veins, more prominent than ever. It was as if he was gaining more power rather than expending it as he showered his blasts upon his enemies. "Soon I will vanquish you for good!" he cried out loud, spreading his arms above his head in a victorious gesture. "I will have your crown, and your throne and your world!"

Max stood up and walked to the ledge of the precipice below. The thought of the havoc sown by the consuming madness of this dictator wrested the air from his lungs. With a wave of his hand the fog that enveloped the whole city of Eshtari lifted and he could stare headlong into the face of his enemy. "You will have nothing!" Before Khivar was able to speak a word, Max watched as hundreds of volts of energy converged upon the looming figure above him. It was a disturbing sight. He could not imagine what it felt like to be struck with that kind of force. It made his stomach churn.

Michael and Isabel cowered in awe, as debris still rained down upon them. They had never seen such a spectacle. A blinding display of white and crimson lights filled the sky, shooting out in various directions. Their gaze trailed over to Max, who stood as they had, in shock at what had just happened. "Is it over?" Isabel asked in quiet disbelief. "Could it really be over?"

"Wait," Michael spoke cautiously, his eyes glued to the red flaming ball in the sky. "Just wait."

Tess half expected the ball of red and white energy to fall from the sky. She couldn't even make out any human form or shape within the bright mass. Part of her feared it would fall tumbling out of the sky and destroy the remaining vestages of the life that had been.

Max watched as several more bolts of lightening converged upon the massive red ball of energy and felt relieved. He did not think it would work, or at least believed he had it in him to pull it off. Khivar was a powerful opponent and his only weakness had laid in his inability to humbly believe in any other outcome other than to conquer the galaxy. No one could survive that.

"Only someone so mythic," a loud booming voice bellowed triumphantly over the crackling din. "So powerful as to have the very thread of life in their hands, could do such a thing."

"It can't be." Max stumbled back, the voice filling his heart with dread. "How could anyone survive that?"

Suddenly the pulsing mass of natural and unnatural energy exploded before their very eyes. All who remained standing fell to their knees and protected their eyes from the sight. As sparks and falling particles of light, like the dying traces of a fireworks display, rained down upon the bodies and rubble, the Royal Four could only stand in horror as one lone figure remained hovering above them...unscathed.

"Give me the crown," Khivar commanded forcefully, glancing at the dark veil quickly lifting before his very eyes. There was no time. He must be coronated now, before the rise of the sun. "Tell me where it is before I kill you and you will suffer...less."

"We will never let that crown sit upon that pathologically murderous head of yours!" Isabel sneered, stepping out of the wreckage. "And you will never truly be king."

"You misunderstand me," Khivar spat, narrowing his eyes at the defiance that still raged before him. "For I shall rule over Antar with or without your pathetic crown."

"But you will never truly be king," Max declared, trying to think of anything to stall the inevitable. "And that's what you want, right? Legitimacy? Because without it, there will always be that threat of another heir to the throne. A Kedran who truly deserves to sit upon it and rule."

"And that is something you will never ever be able to destroy - no matter how many of us you kill, it will never be yours," Tess glowered, pulling herself up onto her feet, standing along side Max. She glanced up at the man she had loved before and had fallen in love with all over again. They had been through so much, now standing on the precipice of life or death - finally together. "The crown is more than just an object, it's something you earn. It is a birthright."

Khivar had to give them credit. In a time where nothing stood in his way of killing them all, here they stood before him...defiant.

It is a birthright...

"Zan, you are so predictable," Khivar glowered at the hybrid, now hovering several feet above them, his eyes glistening with excitment. "Oh where, oh where could that little crown be?" His little melody trailed into the sky when, smiling at the Royal Four, he slowly moved his gaze from his enemies to where his victory lay. Up, up in the tower, where the dead body of Zan's son lay - there he would find his treasure.

Max watched Khivar's focus suddenly shift, his eyes darting mischievously up at the turret window. There was only darkness there now. Where the once brilliant light had filled the horizon, now blackness. Had he figured out where the crown was? The glint in his eye told Max that he had... "We've got to do something," he said under his breath, his eyes never leaving Khivar, who seemed mesmerized by the looming structure. "And we've got to do it fast."

Tess closed her eyes and saw images of grandeur, flowers falling from the sky as Khivar sat on the throne of Antar, the royal crown glistening on his head. It was like he wanted her to see - he wanted her to understand the magnitude of his dreams, his conquest. More images flooded her mind as darkness fell in Khivar's, and a trail of blood paved his ascension as ruler of the galaxy. It sent shivers down her spine.

Not wanting to lose this connection, Tess remained silent within the psyche of the deranged lunatic, an observer, hoping to find a way to stop him while the others did the same in the 'other world'.

"What are we going to do?" Isabel asked, climbing over rubble to stand along side Max. "We can't get up to the tower in time. There's been so much damage; I don't know if we could even get up there with the amount of debris that's fallen."

"We have to engage," Michael spoke, his eyes meeting Max's. "This is it. We have to give everything or die trying."

"And you know what you're saying, right now?" Max asked turning to Michael. He glanced briefly back at Khivar who had begun to ascend. "Are you really ready?" The burning question was as much for him as it was for any of them. Would any of them would survive? He looked at Isabel, who had already been through so much and was still standing, could be dead only minutes from now. He thought he would lose it when she had nearly died on Earth. It would be better if they all lived and I died. I could handle that.

"I was born ready," Michael smirked, taking a deep breath and puffing up his chest. How could he let them know how scared he was? Murphy's law had been at work for most of his life. If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong. He had never felt completely safe, completely accepted, or completely whole. When he had arrived on Antar, there seemed like there was a chance. "Let's do this thing."

However before any of them were able to lift a finger to stop him, Khivar turned and faced them, only a few feet away from the turret window Max had climbed into to meet the son he had never known. Raising his hand , he threw his head back and laughed as he manipulated the living cells in their body, successfully 'freezing' them in their attempt to strike him down. "Uh ah, it is time for my coronation," he said wagging his finger at them. "And then you will die."

Swiftly, as if meant to fly, he pressed forward towards the small opening. He could feel its' power, its' pull. It would soon be his and then with it, Khivar would see his world fall into place - into line. When he had reached the window, he slowed, hovering in front of the opening that would soon usher him into a new era - the awesome reign of a self-made god. It was dark and only very slightly could he make out the beautiful outline structure of Pilan's outstretched hand.

"You will not enter," a low maude voice spoke calmly. "You have hurt this child enough."

Khivar frowned. Did this mystery woman think that she could stop him? Foolish resistance. "Step aside and make way for your King." Into the light of the new day, the familiar frame of a wizen woman rose up out of the darkness. "Maia," he smirked. "I should have guessed. Are you slinking in the shadows, mourning the loss of another pathetic would-be king when you should be celebrating my ascension?"

"You are no king," she croaked. "No one will be subject under you; they would rather perish."

"If it is their will!" he chuckled, stepping up onto the ledge of the window. "Now if you will excuse me, I have little time for idle chatter."

"I would not take another step if I were you."

The warning was laughable, thought Khivar. Who was she? A pauper. A penniless scrump. "Get out of my way old woman or you will feel the full power of a god!" he growled, bending down to avoid hitting his head on the top of the window. As his foot hit the ground, a blinding light filled the room, causing him to stumble back. What on celestia's plain is going on? Suddenly as the light faded a small figure emerged out from the shadows. He or she was tall and lean, his or her posture held an air of a nobility.

Who or what was this creature?

"You took our children once," Andaria declared angrily, her eyes veiled beneath the shadows. "But you will not touch this child again. He has suffered enough under your hand. You will no longer take that which belongs to him."

"Who are you?" Khivar rebuked angrily, stiffening at the Kedran's unspeakable irregard to his reverent presence. "That you dare speak to me that way?" He moved forward. There was no creature that would keep him from taking what was his.

"A wizen woman can work her wiles," Andaria spoke calmly, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "And it is best never to underestimate a mother and a vengeful widow." Stepping out of the shadows, she allowed her true self to be revealed - the fullness of the lightness that was her birthright as a Kedran to shine.

The light blinded him momentarily, but not before he saw her proud eyes glaring back at him, her shoulders set against him. He had seen her from afar. The maidservant to the Queen. As a young man he had looked upon her in admiration of her elegance and graceful carriage - for that of a servant. She had not lost that even in her old age. "Do you think to stop me?" he chuckled, throwing his head back. "A task that your prophetic Four could not do?"

She watched his eyes glaze over as he looked past her. The man had spotted his treasure, and it did not seem he intended to acquiesce to her demand.

It was a thing of beauty. No more than a stone's throw from his grasp. Victory was almost at hand. Without a thought, he reached out to it; the crown, his throne beckoning him to 'just take it'. But before he was an arm's length away, the small shapely figure stepped in front of him, blocking it from his view.

"I warned you," Andaria said slowly, her voice dropping to almost a whisper. Glancing one last time upon her grandchild, she summoned upon all of the powers she had been given at birth, channelling them into an unspeakable white light. Her 'death' had unlocked within her the knowledge of the inner-workings of her creation and the untapped power the Unseen had bestowed upon her. This was her moment. This was her purpose. It was something she had been unable to do for Radim and her daughter, but she would do it for her grandson now. She would keep Khivar from her grandchild and those he never had a chance to love and protect.

Khivar saw the light fill the room, but he gave it no thought. He had come through worse. He was, by the osmorphic process of Pilan, indestructible. Every fibre of his being hummed with the energy of hundreds of thousands of beings. "You are nothing," he spoke, shaking his head as he moved to intercede the old relic's last attempt at honor and freedom. "You think that..."

Silence.

Andaria watched as pure white light, the manifestation of the depths of her inner being pour out from within her, touch the depths of evil and darkness. And much to her delight it cringed in unexpected horror. It was something he would never understand, the power of light, love and goodness; its ability to yield a supernatural power, beyond what could be reaped from anger, hatred, greed and lust. The power of the Unseen bestowed upon Cian in that one blessed and fateful moment was a gift that would continue on throughout generations. It was a covenant between Him and His Chosen.

The golden glow faded as a sudden distance emerged between Khivar and his prize. Andaria's powerful attack surprised him. Whatever power she had managed to utilize, he had not yet seen before. It left him speechless. He had never experienced the searing pain that seemed to seep into the depths of his...soul, for lack of a better term. As the glow to the last missing link drifted further and further away, Khivar began to feel the pain lessen into a dull ache and his fury surface, rising to new heights. "Nooooo!" Not when he was so close.

The magic Khivar weaved within their bodies held fast as they watched him enter the darkened tower. Helpless to do anything, Max felt his hope ebb and fade. "I'm sorry," he mumbled, as much as his stiff muscles would allow. "I've let you and our people down."

"Max, don't." Michael hated self-pity, almost as much as he hated pride. He knew it was hard fought to win against this loser, but as long as they had breath. "We are not done yet. Not until they bury us next to ourselves...if that's possible." Suddenly he was interrupted by an familiar voice.

"Did you see that?" Isabel exclaimed excitedly.

"What?" Tess strained to see out of the corner of her eye. Her body was turned at an angle so that she did not have a frontal view of the tower.

"I didn't see anything," Max grimaced in pain. The blood was coagulating within their veins, which was making it hard to breath as their very heart began to slow its rhythm and beat.

The growing silence was deafening, as the Royal Four waited to find out their impending fate. Oh they knew it would be death, but would there be one last ditch effort to free their people?

"There was this bright light flashing inside the tower," she explained. "I don't know what it is, but I don't think it was from Khivar."

"Well, what else could be?" Michael frowned, or at least as much as one could frown. "Could it have been the crown?" he asked darkly. "Could Khivar have retrieved the crown?"

"No," Max stated. He did not feel it. The power that had been imbued within the collection of metal and gemstone was much larger than a small flash for one eye to see. "He hasn't taken it."

"Then what?" Isabel asked.

"Or who?" Michael offered.

"Or who...?" Tess strained harder to gain the tower in her line of sight. Her heart began to beat a little faster. Who had they left in there? If she could have closed her eyes or screamed, she would have, as her breathing became shallow. "An-Andaria..."

Each of them breathed deep, praying that there was one last miracle. It was all they could ask or pray for.

And then it happened.

A brilliant flash of white filled the tower, shooting out of the window,filling the sky. Max felt his heart fill with hope as he caught a glimpse of a slight shadow in the midst of the light. Darkness began to seep into his eyeline, causing a cloudy hedge of fuzz, as the oxygen levels in his body were rapidly depleted. C'mon, just a little longer.

Isabel felt faint, ready to drop, if her body wasn't stiff as a board and her legs unable to bend. It truly physically hurt to breathe. Her body temperature was elevated; it was as if the night air had begun to warm, increasing to an unbearable temperature. Khivar successfully manipulated their molecules and restricted the natural abilities of their muscles to expand and contract. This also caused the biological process of their lungs to fill with air to cease. "I can't hold on," she whispered softly. "It's just too hard."

"Isabel." Michael hadn't gotten this far to falter now. He willed Isabel to just hang on as he watched the light dissipate and the smoke and dust settle to the ground. In the shadowy outline, could see two lone figures standing - at least one was standing and the other one hovering in the air. "Don't you dare leave me," he ordered weakly. Suddenly a cool breeze descended upon them and renewed and refreshed hope along with it. "Just hold on."

Before Tess knew what was happening, she felt herself fall to the ground; her body crumpled under its own weight. Her lips parted of their own accord as her body collectively gasped for air, feeling her lungs gratefully expand with ease. What about the others? She wanted to see, she tried to will herself to check, but her body just wouldn't comply. The strain of what Khivar had put their bodies through - it was exhausting to the point of being unable to move. "Is everyone all right?" She would settle for a verbal confirmation.

"What's happening?" Isabel felt her knees give way. She tried to reach out to steady herself, but could only lift them centimeters from her side. Closing her eyes, she felt her body crash into the ground, her side hitting the jagged rubble lying on the ground, unable to brace herself. Despite the massive amount of pain she was in, Isabel was grateful just to be conscious and alive to feel it. "M-Max, are you okay?"

"Could be better," he grunted, as he found himself haplessly splayed on ground. "But could be worse."

"Michael?"

He couldn't answer. It was as if all the muscles in his body had atrophied under the strain. Michael kept his focus on the battle being waged in the sky. As the 'smoke' cleared, the daylight broke upon the lone figure facing their enemy. The woman stood upon the rubble, child in hand, exuding a power and determination that he could not recall before. He had never met her before, but she was the spitting image of her daughter - or vice versa. She was light illuminated.

He strained to hear her words as she confronted Khivar, managing to catch some of it. "This place was never yours," she declared, a halo of light crowning her head, as the length of her golden locks fluttered behind her. "The throne, the crown, and its' people that you have enslaved."

Tess recognized the familiar voice. Managing to muster enough strength, she raised her eyes upon the battle of wills above her. She found herself staring up at her mother. And she was beautiful. Tess felt her heart swell with pride and joy as her mother cradled her son in her arms. You can do this, mother.

Andaria took the child and the crown that rested upon her grandson's chest, to large for his small head to carry, and held it in front of her. "This," she bellowed, "will never be yours." With an unknown supernatural strength she felt herself rise above the rubble, as if carried by the wind, to meet her enemy. Her gaze fell upon the Four, who seemed as disheveled and broken as the remains of castle which had once been the glory of the whole of Antar.

"I would not think about the childen you are about to lose a second time," Khivar growled, as the hackles upon his neck raised at the impudence of the maidservant. "Because it is an inevitablity. I will wrest that crown from your dead grandchild and then proceed to excise that fate upon your pathetic half-breeds."

"Over my dead body," she said, her voice steady and calm. There would be no descent into darkness. She would die before that day came again. "And be certain of this, I keep my word."

"So be it." Khivar sped to meet her, only to have her float away, drifting downwind of him. Now he hovered in front of the crumbling tower, and she, below him. "Will you run, when I have come to fight?"

"I am not running," Andaria spoke softly, her eyes darting to the Four. The detailed embossment of the crown deepened into her fingertips as she grasped it firmly. "I am merely finding a way to win."

Gripping her grandchild tightly in her arms she stretched out her free hand and expelled a powerful burst of energy, propelling her backwards, towards the castle. It was not meant to injure or maim, but to distract and briefly blind him. In that short moment, Andaria spun around and headed towards the Four as quickly as the current would carry her.

"What is she doing?" Isabel asked, watching with rapt attention. Their bodies managed to recover quicker than expected, and now all of them stood watching Andaria's confrontation with Khivar. She had seen a glimpse of the crown, which thankfully remained with Zander and Andaria.

"I don't know," Tess whispered, feeling her heart press against her chest, as if ready to explode. She could not lose her mother again; but in her heart, she knew that was a definite possiblity. This war had surrounded her in death, grief and mourning. With one bright burst of light in the sky, she watched as her mother sped towards them with an unexpected urgency. And she found herself holding her breath and praying to the Unseen god Fadilia had spoken of. Please, keep her safe.

His gaze was fixated on the growing nearness of the elegant figure speeding towards them. Flickers of gold flashed as the sun's rays reflected off of the crown nestled between his son and Andaria. If he could retain the crown, there might still be a chance of freedom. The deepest part of him urged her nearer and faster. As they waited upon the fate of this lone warrior, Max, out of the corner of his eye, caught the anxious expression of fear on Tess' face; and his heart went out to her, knowing the fear of losing the opportunity to know the mother they never had. Closing his eyes, his hand stretched out to his side until it met hers. Blindly they searched until they entwined with hers.

Tess briefly glanced at the man, who she had loved, had a child with, and mourned with. Without a word, she turned back to the image of her mother racing towards her, and accepted the wordless comfort.

Suddenly Max felt her hand squeeze his tightly, and he looked up to see Khivar's looming figure closing in on Andaria.

She would not escape from him. He would not win one battle only to lose the war. Khivar pressed forward, raising his hands before him as the warm, crimson glow swell before his eyes. "The war is over," he shouted, releasing the energy blast. "And I win."

Only a few more lengths... Andaria grasped the crown in her hand, extending it towards Max, when a searing heat slowly began to pierce her tailbone and shot through her spine. Not now. Now when I'm so close.

Tess' eyes widened as she saw a bright red flash fill the sky behind her mother. "Andaria!" she screamed, helpless to hinder Khivar's attack upon her mother. "No!" She watched as her mother's eyes widened and her mouth gaped in pain, as her body arched from the blast.

Max squeezed Tess' hand, pulling her close beside him as he watched the events unfold in front of them. They were too weak to put up a defence for Andaria. What is the plan, God? Is everyone we love going to have to die for this war to end?

It was just a little further. Andaria felt herself beginning to fade, her arms growing numb. Please, great Unseen, let this find its' rightful place.

Michael used his left arm to hold up his right, as he saw Khivar barrelling down on Andaria, his prey. With what strength he had left, Michael released an energy blast over Andaria's shoulder and struck the intended target. Khivar had been so focused on Andaria and the crown, he had forgotten about them. The attack was weak, but it managed to derail Khivar's pursuit.

Her mother was an arm's length away from the broken balcony, when she began to freefall. Tess watched as her mother, her child's lifeless body in hand, pass out mid-flight. "No," she yelled, lunging forward, praying against all hope that she could possibly catch her.

Max pulled her aside and lunged forward, jumping off of the balcony, using whatever power he had left to propel his momentum towards the shadow of a memory that lay with Andaria. God, what am I doing? It had been instinctual and insane. As his hand reached the dark sleeve of Andaria's fluttering robe, Max pulled the unconscious body against him, wrapping his arms protectively across Tess's mother and his son. The descent was fast, as the weight of the three had reached terminal velocity; Max fumbled along her arm and found the cool feel of metal. Okay, now what?

"Max!" Isabel screamed in disbelief as she watched her brother leap off the ledge of the building. Her heart pounded against her chest as the rush of blood rose to her face. He was insane!

"It'll be all right," Michael yelled in a rush of adrenaline. "He knows what he's doing." He swallowed hard as Max and Andaria began to disappear into the shadows below. I hope.

"We have to do something!" Isabel urged, grasping Michael's collar. "Or they'll die."

"Oh, I would think there is something more urgent at hand than waiting for your great leader's death," Khivar said, eyes glowing. "I would be more focused on your imminent death at hand."

"No," Tess said darkly, stepping out in front of Michael and Isabel. "You will not win. I will see your death if it is the last thing I do."

Closing her eyes, she reached out to the cruel, viscious destroyer. She had memorized the path to the gateway into his psyche, managing to leave a small prop that would allow her to gain entrance again into his mind. There was not much left in his mind except images of death and torture. The loud, perpetuating moans from former adversaries locked in his mind forever - replaying their deaths again and again, much to his delight.

Michael watched as Khivar's seemingly purposed flightpath altered, stopping midway, and hovering above them. His eyes widened and the once stark pools of ebony that bared down on them flickered and turned white. Khivar hovered before them, as if in some sort of stasis. He glanced over at Tess, who was in her own self-imposed catatonic state. "What just happened?" he asked suspiciously.

"I don't know," Isabel breathed, stepping forward and peering over the ledge. "But if I know Khivar, I know it won't last for long."

Michael joined Isabel at the balcony ledge, looking for signs of Max, Andaria and Zander. What happened to them?

"Michael, I'm going to enter Khivar's mind and see if I can help Tess," she breathed, trying not to dwell on the question of whether Max was dead or not. Her eyes fluttered, as she felt a wave of nausea overwhelm her. It was taking almost everything in her to stand. She did not know what would happen if she was attacked by Khivar when she was in there. She knew if he could take her life in his own mind, there would be nothing left for her own.

"You're too weak," he said worriedly. Part of him hated saying that. They were soldiers in a war; what did personal sacrifices mean? But this was Isabel, and he could not just let her go into battle injured. "You can't do it."

"Are you serious?" she scoffed incredulously. "Because this is the best chance we've had since Khivar blasted us."

"You can't," he repeated himself, swallowing hard. Reaching out, he caught her hands in his. "I won't let you die...I won't watch it again."

"Don't go there, Michael," Isabel said, jerking back and shaking her head at the intimate turn of their conversation. They couldn't focus on anything else except to defeat Khivar. Emotions just got in the way. Her life was living proof of that. She had been right at the beginning - letting people in only causes more pain and destruction. "You were right when we began this battle against Khivar. We have to be tough. We can't back down."

Before Michael could say another word, Isabel turned and walked away. He watched her as she hesitantly linked hands with Tess, the expression on her face telling the tale of uncertainty and confusion as to what would come next; but the determination in her eyes was set in stone - she would make a difference, no matter what.

Tess' powers were similar to hers, yet not quite the same. Isabel had the ability to connect with the individual's mind, whereas Tess' ability had a predisposition of creating other worlds and delusions. As Antarians there was always that ability to speak with one another mentally, but some more than others. She did not know what Tess was planning, but Isabel knew that if she could possibly distract Khivar's focus, the diminutive blonde might have a chance to attack.

'Khivar?'

The place was dark and she could hear voices in the background. As she felt her way around his mind, she found herself amidst his subconscious. It was a place full of ambitions and a bloodthirst for power and vengence; but she found herself stumbling upon a hidden room, in a place full of hopes and dreams of dominion there was a locked door. Isabel's hand slid down the smooth black surface. There was no handle to open the door, no keyhole to unlock its' secrets. 'Khivar' she whispered again. 'It is your Vilandra. Your Vilandra.'

This seemed to cause a soft shudder within the walls of his psyche. The name itself seemed to make the walls around her swell with something akin to warmth. Obviously pleasant memories were entwined with her name.

She pressed on, sliding her fingertips along the narrow ledge of the almost invisible door, until finally she managed to coax it open. Inside were startling images of her, mental monuments erected of her former self. Her hybrid self held similarities to Vilandra's physical self, yet there was something so different. Part of her was in awe of the celestial qualities she once held. She looked so much like her mother.

'Is that you, Vilandra? Have you really come back?'

Isabel turned around suddenly, startled at the familiar voice. Khivar stood grinning at her like a child who just received his christmas present. 'Khivar,' she smiled, feigning warmth and joy. She watched as he approached, wary of any looming deception played by his part, wondering if this Khivar felt or remembered her own words in the realm of the physical. 'Of course, my love.'

'You have no idea how much my arms ached to hold you again,' he said slowly, his eyes growing dark and locking upon her figure. 'I awaited your return, looking forward to the day you would be at my side.'

'But how could that be,' Isabel said, holding out her hand and keeping him at a distance, side-stepping his embrace. 'When you ensured my death?' She could not show herself by such an easy turn-about. Khivar would never believe it.

'That was a - a misunderstanding.'

'How so?'

'You questioned me,' he explained, moving a step closer to her - closing the gap between them. 'You felt betrayal. I could not allow the sway of emotion to destroy everything I had built.'

'And now? Do you still believe that?' She spoke cautiously, choosing her words carefully. Isabel wanted him to stay there, with her. 'Would you believe I would return to you, in lieu of my brother?'

'Do you see the light?' he asked warily. 'Do you see that there is no way to victory with your foolish brother? With the others?'

'I could, possibly be persuaded,' Isabel said coyly, trying to play up on the lingering and desirous images he had of her in intimate positions surrounding her. 'Though it seems that you are focused upon something other than...me.' Her gaze shifted to the noise and voices outside the room that had begun to filter in.

Khivar's gaze followed hers and before she could blink the door that was ajar slammed shut.

Isabel jumped slightly at the noise; and as the shadowy figure crept towards her, she felt herself tense. However, she forced herself to plaster a somewhat seductive upon her lips, playing upon whatever desires and hopes Khivar had left for her. She would sacrifice herself to this 'thing' before she would let anyone else she loved die before her eyes again. 'I have waited long for this reunion of sorts,' he grinned darkly. She could have sworn she saw a glimmer of drool upon the corner of his lips. 'I am pleased you have come to join me again.'

'I see no other way,' Isabel replied slyly, holding open arms to the lustful alien, as if to beckon his already slinking figure to her. 'And who am I to dispute the obvious destiny of such a powerful...god.'

Her words seemed to arouse him both mentally and physically and Isabel felt it manifest itself in his mind as a sudden tremor shuddering through her psyche, as the dark shadow seemed to envelop her in his arms - his lips devouring her. Closing her eyes she allowed her mind to accept Khivar's advances, not wanting him to suspect this was anything but a secret foray to keep her counterparts from knowing her second betrayal. She forced herself to swallow the bile that rose to her throat and feign a hunger and a thirst that met his own.

Isabel prayed this would be enough.

Tess felt a sudden shift in Khivar's focus and guard. His mind seemed to lighten and the darkness seemed to lift. The evil that resided still remained, but there seemed to be less focus on destruction. She did not understand it, but she would definitely use it to her advantage. Quickly Tess waded through the endless cycle of hysteria and death plots, dreams of a galaxy bowing down to him. He wanted to be 'The Sovereign'. He wanted to be God.

If she had a chance in hell of making this work, she needed to find the epicenter of Khivar�s mental stability and like a stone thrown at a glass house, make it all come crashing down.

Michael knew this opportunity would not last long. Khivar was unmoved and seemed to be almost in a state of reverie. He looked upon the gleaming dawn. They had almost made it. As soon as the bottom half of the blazing sun touched manifested itself over Eshtari, Khivar would have lost his chance to be crowned king; and he would have to wait another decade for the opportunity to arise again. Focusing all of his might, Michael blasted the unsuspecting Iturian with all that he had.

Isabel was filled with disgust as Khivar seemed to devour her, as his hands grabbed her in intimate places as if he owned her now. Even though he was not physically touching her, the mere thought, or this mental connection such as it was, was enough. She would never be rid of the feel of him. But it seemed to be working. He was distracted and she prayed that Michael and Tess were using this to the best of their advantage.

But however passionate Khivar had been only seconds before, she felt him pull away. She felt the room grow cold and suddenly Khivar was across the room from her. �What�s the matter?� she asked breathily, touching her almost bruised lips. He had this expression on his face that she had never seen before. �Khivar, what�s wrong?�

The temperature dropped and it felt like the onslaught of an winter ice storm in the room. �You thought that you could fool me?� Khivar whispered darkly, his eyes hidden beneath a partial shadow cast across his eyes. �Vilandra, do you not know me well enough?�

Isabel didn�t understand what had happened, something had gone horribly wrong within moments. Had Tess done something, unintentionally raising Khivar's awareness? She felt her heart rise to her throat. Her heart was pounding and she looked around the pitch black room, looking for a way out. She had never been in this type of circumstance before. She wasn�t just observing now, she was involved in this mental projection � dream. And she wasn�t in control. �What are you talking about?� she blurted out with a faint smile. �I told you that I have realized my place it at your side.�

�Oh really?� Khivar�s black penetrating eyes seemed to bore right through her. It was as if he could see into her soul, even though she wasn�t even truly there.

Suddenly the place went black, Khivar�s psychic projection of himself vanishing without another word. Isabel stretched out her hands, as anyone would when left in a dark room. �Khivar?� She was beginning to panic. Closing her eyes, she tried to �feel� her way towards the entrance through which she came. But the gateway was closed and Isabel found herself locked in the most frightening place imaginable.

Tess had found the �heart� of Khivar. As she stood in the silent �room�, the bright white glow of Khivar�s psyche hovered in front of her. She had no idea how amazing and complex it could be. Within the light, she could see the tiny delicate intricacies of the mind, it was fascinating. Once or twice had she managed to tap into a human�s psyche � really only touching the surface. For if she had even tampered with such a delicate mechanism, there was no telling what kind of damage she could have wreaked upon her subjects. And now, here she was � standing on the precipice.

�Here�s to hoping,� she muttered under her breath. And closing her eyes, Tess remembered the image of her son lying so still before her. The life that had been so vibrant in him, was now desolate and vacant. Swallowing hard, she opened her eyes and she knew what she had to do. Tess reached out her hand towards the strangely warm pulsing glow...

Distracted and consumed by the mental attacks of both Tess and Isabel, Michael unleashed the remaining vestiges of his power, his life be damned if he would allow Khivar to live. "This is for you, you cocky, arrogant bastard..." He held his breath as the swirl of light and color stretched out in front of him, waiting to envelop its' victim. A breath away from his intended target, the bright crimson eyes turned on him, burrowing into his skull.

"Did you think that you would be able to take me out so easily?" Khivar glared maliciously. "I am a GOD!" At that moment, his hand extended towards Michael's attack and dispersed the powerful blast with a wave.

Michael hunched over, his energy and powers expended. All he had was in that last attack and as he stared up at Khivar's looming figure, he wondered if both Tess and Isabel's schemes had failed. Glancing over at the two immobililzed figures, Michael did not know exactly what to think.

"Please, take your last look at your fair maidens," Khivar jeered in disgust. "Because they have failed, and you will be first to fall victim because of their weakness. I am the Master of deception and seduction." Michael followed his intense gaze, as it lay claim upon Isabel's frozen figure. She looked like Earth's version of Michelangelo's Venus de Milo, statuesque and almost heaven-sent. "But she will not be forgotten. In fact, she will be with me...always."

The awful smirk playing upon his lips told Michael there was an underlying promise in his words. However, as much as his mind willed his body to retaliate, there was nothing he could do. There was nothing left for him. From the depth below, he heard a faint echo of voices. Peering below, he saw nothing, possibly a figment of his imagination. No Max - there was nobody. He was about to be the first to succumb to this Evil. Michael refused to shut his eyes, as the now familiar glow of the face of evil filled his sight; he would face his death head on. Praying to his Maker, "Don't let my death be in vain..."

'Life and death meted out by unworthy hands. No god is before the Almighty God. Who dares to speak such blasphemy?'

Khivar did not recognize the voice. The energy ball within his palms blinded him to what was around him, filling his line of sight. But from behind the red glow, a bright light emerged from below filling the skies with such an intensity, the likes of which he had never seen before. "Zan!" It could only be him! But...But this could not be! At that moment, he forgot about the floundering second-in-command -- Khivar wanted to be rid of this pest once and for all. He let loose the powerful blast, sending it careening into the pale sky. The hybrid mutations had outlasted his predictions. Though he knew they were strong, he could not have predicted how resilient they were. Khivar was more powerful than he had been in his last stand with them, but they seemed to have an unseen power buoying their revolt. It was frustrating him.

The blast struck head on; but as Khivar watched in anticipation for the bright light to fade and ebb away, nothing of the sort came about. Instead, it hovered, almost like a bright star. What is this? Is this some kind of trick?

At that moment, the glow dimmed and the one bright light suddenly morphed into two bright lights and then a half. It hovered above him, as if a looming figure. Khivar squinted, trying to make out who these beings were and where they had come from.

'No more life and death in your hands. You have wreaked enough havoc upon my children, my people.

Suddenly, Khivar felt an emotion he had not felt in decades - fear. He could not explain it. The light was a presence in itself. And his whole body began to tremble uncontrollably. Without another thought, Khivar unleashed all of his powers upon those figures - three-in-one - above him. "Who are you? What have you here, except to accept my destiny!" he screamed manically. His mind was beginning to spin. Things before his eyes distorting and blurring. This was not supposed to be happening. Not now!

What was this thing that was unravelling his web of destruction and triumph? Who could do such a thing? It had taken a lifetime of plans and now it was disintegrating before his eyes. "No!" he cried out in frustration. "This is not going to happen!"

He would not let it.

Opening her eyes, Tess was disoriented and confused as to where she was and what was happening all around her. However, in a blink of an eye, it all came back to her. Her head jerked up, eyes darting around to locate those closest to her. Stretching out her hand, she felt the firm grip of another's hand grasping hers. Turning to her right, Tess was met by Isabel's familiar face, except terror seemed etched upon her furrowed brow. Swallowing hard, she was afraid to survey the rest of the damage. Khivar obviously hadn't been as affected by her attack as she would have liked. Several feet away Tess found Michael crumpled on his knees, his lips parted as if to cry out, but silence was his only song - the sheen his dark eyes vocalizing the physical pain he was in.

What had happened? She looked around, searching for the last - Maxwell. He was nowhere to be seen. He had not returned. Her mind recalled what brought his absence. Andaria and Zander. Her heart plummeted at the memory.

However Khivar's distinct voice brought her out of her reverie. Her gaze was drawn to the two cosmic powers in the sky: One shone as bright as the morning star, the other was like a sickening bloodstain marring the now tangerine horizon. "This is my triumph and there will be no other to claim the throne!" he yelled furiously at the bright light. "I've defeated prophecy and destiny, do you think one mysterious light is to be my downfall?"

Tess did not understand. Where had this light come from? As she looked closer, she could see the outline of two figures floating, their bodies horizontal, as if asleep. Frowning, she craned her neck and squinted harder and realized there was a third figure, smaller than the rest. Tess watched as Khivar released blast after blast at the three figures above, as if they posed some sort of threat to him. It was as if he had gone mad (not that he wasn't already), possibly more than he already had.

"Isabel," she whispered out of the corner of her mouth. "Wake up." Tess tugged on her hand, hoping to call her out of the dream-state that she was certain her other female counterpart had entered into with her. "Isabel!"

Worriedly Tess leaned in, peering closer at the expression upon Isabel's face. "Where are you, Isabel?"

"HELP!" Isabel shrieked, her hands outstretched, searching frantically for escape from the darkness. "HELP! GET ME OUT! I'm in here! Please, get me out!" Her voice was hoarse and tears streamed down her face. She felt like she was going to suffocate, as her prison closed in on her.

'Long has been the suffering of my people. Death and destruction their only shade. They run from he who is unworthy of life's breath.' The voice boomed across the skies, filling the heavens. Its' sound reaching a deafening decibel, as the intensity of the light in the sky deepened. 'The time has come for Scripture to be fulfilled. His people shall be free,' declared the mysterious voice.

Tess lifted her arm across her face as the light grew and waves of heat began to beat down upon her. Her ears rung from the utter magnification and power of the entity that filled the skies. Was there a God after all?

Michael could not believe what was happening. Actually he had no clue what the hell was happening. At first he thought it was Max, that he had managed to find enough strength in himself or in that crown to raise another attack; but what hovered in in the sky was not Max or anything he had ever seen before. It was like something out of a movie. If he could have laughed, he would have. It's like I'm in the middle of some sci-fi movie.

Khivar floated there in stunned disbelief and awe. Whatever this thing was, it was more powerful than any blood-born hybrid. He could feel it deep within him. This 'thing' oozed power and something else...something undescribable. It was like an unspoken authority.

It made him seethe.

Out of nowhere this thing comes to usurp my power and dominion? Khivar did not care if it expended all of his energy, he would see this 'thing' fall. Closing his eyes, he drew upon generations of untapped power. Young and old alike, it tasted sweet in his mouth as it coursed through his veins. No Royal crown and foolish interloper would keep him from his fulfilling his destiny - to be God.

'"That you forget the LORD your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth,"' the voice of the bright light rumbled. Suddenly dim shadows appeared within the light, and like rolling waves a formless shape had begun to emerge out of the blinding light. '"That you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction? For where is the wrath of the oppressor?"'

'"The cowering prisoners will soon be set free; they will not die in their dungeon, nor will they lack bread."'

Before it could utter another metaphorical verse, Khivar unleashed the powers he had taken from the naive and unsuspecting creatures he had been herded with, categorized with inferior animals that had no idea the limitlessness that came with their powers. None of them envisioned the accumulation of their powers vesseled within one being. But he saw, he had understood his mentor's writings. Hakan was viewed as a muttering madman in his last days; but Khivar had seen his vision and was about to fulfill their own version of destiny. "There is no destiny in the prophecy of dead Kedrans," he bellowed above the loud thrum of both plasma and magnetic energy combining into a forceful death knell for the race of Kedrans. "A new race will live, one I create."

"No more!"

Tess and Michael watched in awe a figure emerged from the light. It held the shape of a man and stood tall and regal as if held there by the heavens itself. Neither understood what this meant, other than a reprieve from death for a short time. The powerful display was impressive, but was there any bite to this foe?

She watched intently, silently praying, though to whom she could not say, hoping this would be a turning point in this rather dismal attempt to sway Khivar's vy for a permanent seat upon the throne. As hard as they had tried, their rebellion against Khivar's regime had been amateurish at best. Tess shuddered at the thought of how it looked to any outsider. Their plot had been sketchy, pasting patches in their plans here and there and improvising plans on the run. This has been a disaster from the start. Yet they somehow managed to remain alive.

"Who are you to stop me?" Khivar laughed bemused. His mind swirled as he was met by something other than a bright light. "You put on a stunning display but you have not yet shown me your strength. Or is this ragash without its' bite?"

"You have spoken once too many out of turn. The Holy One shall see his people free once more," the voice boomed with oracle-like authority. "You sought to strip life and breath from creation, but all is for nought. For all is within his grasp. Nothing is taken that is unseen. No plan hatched that has not been allowed under His watchful eye."

Tess furrowed her brow at the figure that spoke defiantly to Khivar. It was familiar to her. She frowned, trying to recall where she had heard the voice before. Straining to peer into the face of the summoned prophet, Tess could not discern any features. "Who are you?" she asked curiously.

"Your wicked machinations will be thwarted and His purpose shall be fulfilled."

"And how will that be?" Khivar laughed in disbelief. "What have you left but a sparse few of your precious chosen? And from them I have stolen what should never have been bestowed upon them from the beginning. They were unworthy of such gifts. No. Now one who is deserving wields such power - one who will do with it what is necessary to ensure a prosperous planet."

"No, your eyes have not seen. That which you sought to ravage from His Chosen was for nought. See only for yourself. The Holy One has ensured your downfall and through your own machinations."

Suddenly Tess realized who hovered before her, the voice, which was strong and regal, had haunted her visions. "Zander!" Her heart leaped at the fact she could see her son once more. The radiant being could have not been farther from the babe she held in her arms. In his speech was an authority and power she could never have imagined. "Zander!" she cried out loud. "My baby." The image of her son, fully grown, seemed to turn slightly at her voice; but he, who had once clung to her breast was not that which he once was. He was a mere shadow of the helpless child she had torn from her grasp. Without another word the figure dispersed into a sprinkling of falling lights. All that remained was the light that shone bright as the noonday sun.

'Arise and live free. Arise and let the peace of God Almighty bless this land and its' people once more."

A large powerful explosion filled the skies, blinding all within a hundred foot radius. Khivar expected such a tactic; however, its` origin was not that of the bright light, but further above and behind. It was the tower which held his pet project - Pilan. He reacted quickly, shielding himself from the backlash of energy. However the energy did not have the blunt impact as Khivar had expected; instead, the light permeated, as if dissolving upon impact. "Is that all?" he jeered, shaking his head in disappointment. It was a ruse. The flashing lights and sound effects were nothing but a facade for their failing efforts. "I am more powerful than you can even imagine. Within me thrives power and infamy." He let out a raucious roar of delight, throwing his hands up in victory as threads of brilliant red and orange energy were released from his fingertips.

Michael watched in disgust at the stomach-churning display. His hopes had been raised as the shining 'sun' emerged, now dimming and fading right before his eyes. For a moment, Michael thought perhaps he hadn't been stupid to believe in destiny - they would survive long enough to rebuild a people and world. Nevertheless, right before his eyes the only remaining light in the sky was Khivar in his madness. The putrid stench of imminent death loomed over them. Images, memories, and decision points flashed before his eyes; and he could not help but wonder if one different choice would have made a difference.

"Michael!" Tess hissed, as she watched her cohort beginning to fade. She saw his eyes dulling and the spark of fight waning. "Don't you give up. This isn't over."

"Are you watching the same scene I'm watching?" he scoffed miserably. "The only chance we had was if that light was some miracle of God." He hated this. He hated how he felt right now, as if despair was closing in on him and sucking the air from his lungs.

"It was. It is," she exclaimed, as she glanced up at the fading light. "For the first time, I feel like we're not alone in this, Michael. Don't you dare give up on me. Not after all of this."

"Do you think I like feeling like this?" he cried out angrily. Kneeling, Michael forced himself up into an upright position. "I have nothing left, Tess. This is it."

"But Max and Zander aren't done yet. Our destiny is being fulfilled."

Michael couldn't believe what he was hearing from her. The woman who had lost a son and believed in a man who had chosen another woman and another world over her still found it inside to believe. "I wish I had your faith."

"You have to, Michael," Tess said solemnly. "You have to believe, if not for yourself, then for Isabel...And the rest of our world."

Michael glanced over at the woman whom he had never expressed his true feelings to. She stood locked in a world of torment. Tess had not been the only one to suffer. Suddenly an ember flickered inside of him. Through a haze of smoke and clouded emotions Michael felt the despair flee and hope spark anew. "How do you know?" he whispered, struggling to make his way over to both Tess and Isabel. "How do you know, Tess?"

"My son," Tess smiled sadly. "I saw him. In that brilliant light, I saw my Zander. And he was beautiful, more beautiful than I could have ever dreamed."

"He's alive?" Michael would say that would have been a miracle.

"I don't know," she said softly, meeting his puzzled gaze. "My heart hopes, but my head tells me that wasn't the reason he came back to me...to us."

"But how? He's just a baby, and Max and Andaria..." His voice trailed off softly, recalling Isabel's strangled cry as they watched them enveloped in the darkness below. "We saw them..."

"I don't know," Tess replied sharply. "But that blast from the tower, it meant something. I know it did."

"But it didn't do anything!" He imagined Khivar would explode or burn under the force and power, but there was nothing. In that moment he had lost all hope.

"I don't know, Michael," she said shaking her head. "I just don't know. It's out of our hands now."

She could not lose control. Taking a deep breath, Isabel forced herself to breathe. There had to be a way out. There just had to be. But she couldn't do it alone.

Tess.

Khivar approached the dimming light, a malicious grin played upon the corners of his lips. "It is time to pay for your disconcerting ruse," he said, his tone dark and foreboding. "I will finish with you and then this world is mine." The three figures still remained hovering in the air. The mouthpiece of this charade still hovered in the forefront. As he closed in, Khivar recognized the two other figures, Zan and Andaria, who remained dormant; they lay as if sleeping upon a bed of air.

The so-called oracle hovered only inches away from him. The figure was clothed in the form of a young Antarian - no one he recognized. But there was something about him....He was different. It made Khivar anxious, even though everything the oracle threatened him with came to nothing. What made this even more unusual was how calm and still the 'man' was. His eyes were shut as if in a deep sleep - the same as the others. "No more wondering," he said to himself, "the only things which stood in my way are now going to be out of my way." Raising his hands, Khivar prepared to end the lives of his enemies. Of course he had hoped it would have been a little more exciting and challenging. Killing them in their sleep seemed somehwat unsportsman-like. "But what do I care?"

As he released the energy, Khivar felt something amiss. Suddenly his head flooded with an undescribable pain. It was like multiple sharp psychic knives stabbing simultaneously into his head. Clutching his head, Khivar screamed with a ferocity that matched his pain. He could not open his eyes, as his lids fluttering in a subconconsious effort to relieve the pain, to face this new form of attack. His eyes rolled back, as the pain spread through to the back of his eyes. Writhing in pain, there was nothing he could do to make the pain subside. "What did you do!" he screamed furiously, squinting his eyes, staring at his silent attacker. He wanted answers. Everything was falling into place. "Who are you?"

Suddenly the unnamed figure's eyes flashed, and stared at him. "That which you have taken to use as an instrument of death to the Chosen has become the instrument of yours," he stated, as if ignoring Khivar's demands. "And so be it."

Through the pain, Khivar stretched out his hands and wrapped it around the throat of the presumptuous mouthpiece. He had no idea how long he had planned, schemed and fought for his place on the throne. It would not be taken from him. If he could just stop the obnoxious sound of his voice...

However, before he could squeeze the life out of the g�arish, the figure vanished before his eyes. Before he could let out a strangled protest a stunning explosion trailed the sudden disappearance.

The light expended from the energy blast was more than anything anyone had witnessed before. Michael spun around, his back to the tower and shielded Tess and Isabel with his body. Just when he had thought Khivar's project could do no more harm, it ignited into an explosive display that was almost like that of a supernova. What does this mean? Was this Khivar's handiwork? Or was it the work of the seemingly heaven-sent figure confronting Khivar?

The sudden change in demeanor from Khivar had been surprising. Where Michael had thought the figure, who Tess had informed was her son, Zander, was facing his death (as much as one could who had already died), Khivar began to twist and turn in the air as if someone had thrown acid in his face. The scream was unbearable.

"Is this what you and Zander had in mind," Michael said, his tone sardonic, as he wrapped his arms tightly around the two women. He had no idea whether this blast would save them or kill them. If it was the latter, he hoped it would have the same effect on Khivar.

He had no idea what had happened. It seemed like only minutes ago that he was falling to certain death, his child and former life mother-in-law in his arms. The last thing he remembered was seeing movement out of the corner of his eye and then a forceful jolt knocking him unconscious.

The look in Khivar's eyes was one of agony, fear and helplessness. He had no idea what had brought about this change in fortune, but Max wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Still groggy from the unexpected slumber, he remained unmoved from his horizontal postion, subtly surveying the situation. Khivar was not himself and he did not know whether that had anything to do with Michael, Isabel and Tess or another power. Andaria was unconscious, parallel to his side, with Zander in her arms. He did not know how he was defying gravity - whether it was from the remaining power of the seal and/or birthright to the crown. At this point, all he wanted to do was make sure if he moved, he wouldn't plummet to his death a second time.

Glancing down below, he could make out where Michael stood, his back to them. Max wasn't sure, but it seemed that he was positioned in a protective stance, perhaps to take the brunt of the attacks from Khivar. His head was fuzzy and his limbs tingled. It was a strange feeling. His body ached, but not with weariness and pain. It was a new sensation, as if his body hummed in anticipation. He was no longer at the brink of exhaustion and death.

"What happened?" Tess gasped, as her body trembled from the aftermath of the explosion. She felt it hit her to the core of her being. Now her mind raced and it was like her body was on fire.

"I don't know." Michael extricated his arms from around the two women. When the explosion occurred, he felt the impact hit him like a powerful heatwave. "But I don't think the layer of skin that was just seared off appreciated it." He cringed as he rolled his shoulders back, fire rushing down his spine.

"Are you okay?" Her hands ran down the length of his arms, inspecting his front and back for any sign of injury. There seemed to be nothing wrong. Of course this was just upon the surface.

"Something's wrong," she answered. "I don't know what it is. It's like someone's trying to reach into my mind but all I'm getting is static and darkness."

"Who could it be?"

"I don't know, but it's taking a lot out of me," she gasped, her head lolling at the unending waves of nausea. "I can't focus with it hounding me."

Michael helped Tess over to a large mound of rubble, hoping it would offer some measure of refuge when Khivar's renewed attack came. He turned to Isabel and lifted her in his arms and laid her beside Tess. "You stay low," he ordered Tess. "I'm going to try to help whoever is distracting Khivar."

"But you're not strong..."

"I'm fine," Michael replied, standing up in front of her. He looked at her straight in the eye and found that he wasn't even lying. The inital burning sensation upon his back seemed to have faded and he found his aching, tired muscles tense, but not hurting. In fact, his whole body seemed to have found a renewed strength. "I'll be okay."

"I want to be out there with you, Michael." Tess hated this, as another wave of sickness washed over her. This was ridiculous. "You can't do this alone."

"Well, when you can stand on your two feet without my help, then we'll talk." With that, he rushed back into the fray. Letting out a cry of frustration, Tess closed her eyes and focused hard and long. If this was an attack by Khivar, it was a pathetic one. Effective, but pathetic. However, Tess had this feeling that it wasn't coming from Khivar. There was this sense of desperation coming from whoever was trying to reach out to her. "I'll find you and you'd better be ready for me."

He ran up the crumbling staircase, praying it would hold. Glancing down, the small device that he had seen tucked away behind what he considered to be an armory of locks and electric and plasma fields had been a task to gain. He had not been told what this small device would in fact do. But it had been a task that had been left to his safekeeping.

It had been the last thing asked of him.

The time has come for this to end.

Max furrowed his brow as the silent thought entered his mind like a foreign voice prompting him. He rose from his 'slumber' and gazed upon the enemy he had been facing down since he had arrived on his world. "It's finished."

Khivar shook his head in feverish disbelief. "You!" he cried out angrily. "You will not die!" With an emphatic wave of his hands, he released the fury of his powers upon the symbol of the undying prophetic past. The vibrant colors of his deathstrike glowed, filling the skies. He waited for them to envelope his enemy; but as they grew and expanded, the colors that filled his heart with glee began to flicker and then fade. What is happening?

"Your powers," Max spoke lowly and softly. "Taken from my people to serve your own ends." It had taken a moment of clarity to understand what Pilan had been and done to his people. Khivar did not just suddenly awaken a deep gift hidden beneath the surface of his initial powers. He had, as he had vaguely alluded to many times, taken what he considered rightfully his. Zander, his innocent son, had been the catalyst to this desecration. And in the end, he paid the price so that Khivar could drink in the powers of hundreds of thousands of people. "It is worse than the death you will endure."

"What have you and yours done?" Khivar watched as the glow of energy began to swirl, and out of the corner of his eye he saw the glow of Pilan rise from the abyss where it should have slept. He tried to draw the energy back as a small vortex appeared from the tip of the looming tower. When he saw that the initial strike was lost, Khivar released a new wave.

There was no expense at the use of these powers. He was a god and there was nothing to stop him. However much to his chagrin, the next blast of energy again, was usurped.

What is happening?

Max smiled knowingly. Everything in its time. He turned to the two most recent victims of Khivar's infamy. With his palms skyward, Max motioned them gently towards the palacial balcony. And as if with an invisible push the two silent figures floated towards safety. "You can rest now."

Khivar shook his head. This was not how it was going to end. He glanced up towards Pilan, knowing that behind his own creation was the solution to the sudden shift in power. "You think this is the last of me?" he scoffed, turning towards the tower. "You are sorely mistaken."

Max watched as Khivar took off towards the tower. He did not know what had changed within Khivar's own machination, but Max knew he could not let this opportunity pass. Speeding in a race towards the machine, he pursued Khivar with stalwart determination. It had to end now.

When Michael stood on the precipice of the balcony, he saw two figures floating towards him. Frowning, he was unsure as what to do with these strangers. As they drew closer, Michael recognized the familiar face as Andaria. In her arms lay a smaller form, wrapped in loose cloth. They floated down, as if carried by the arm of a gentle wind. He glanced up to where these mysterious forms had hovered only minutes ago. Max. The only one missing was Maxwell. In that moment, he caught the last remaining form flying towards the tower after Khivar. He gently lay Andaria's unconscious body upon the ground. Make him pay Max.

'Who is this?'

Tess was lost in the darkness. Khivar's psyche, the last place she had been and attempted to disturb the flow of his thought and consciousness, was pitch black. Where the bright glow had previously remained, it was chaos, thoughts run amok. There was no semblance of unity. It was only discord.

'Here! In here!'

The voice was muffled, but she could hear the desperation. Tess could only think of one person, whom it could have been. Isabel.

She didn't think anyone would have heard her. Isabel had begun to despair and imagine how she would die a slow agonizing death in this mausoleum of darkness. Khivar could also be cruel in his torture - the possibility of keeping her mind alive trapped in his was also a fear. 'Tess! Get me out of here!'

Tess fumbled her way towards the voice. She could not focus long enough to pinpoint where Isabel was located. Part of her did not understand how Isabel had gotten herself in this predicament. She had never heard of someone trapping another in the recesses of their mind. Of course, she would not underestimate Khivar and what he could do - not after all of this. 'You have to tell me where you are, she called out calmly. 'I can't find you in the chaos of Khivar's thoughts.

'I don't know where I am,' Isabel replied in frustration, her hands feeling all the way around her without avail. 'There's no way out.'

Tess focused hard, placing her palm out in front of her. With every ounce of strength and control she produced a small sphere of light in the darkness. She had never done this before, but for some unknown reason, it had been a sudden thought placed in her head. And it worked.

As she peered around Khivar's mind, she could see dark frantic thoughts fill Khivar's mind. A deep, dark cloud of fear and anxiety was settling in his mind. Tess did not know where this was coming from, but it gave her hope. Something had changed. It was as Zander had revealed only moments ago. The tide was turning.

Tess was careful where to step, there were sinkholes in a person's mind, where one could get trapped. They were the places where people would tend to dwell. And even as a foreign entity, Tess could very well get sucked into a vortex of fear, panic or despair. She tried her best not to encounter any of Khivar's thoughts, not wanting to awaken him to her very presence. Rescuing Isabel from Khivar's powerful mind was a risk in itself. She, being controlled in her facilities had mental blocks in place, just in case he tried to control or take over. Unfortunately, Isabel did not foresee those types of pitfalls when invading someone else's mind. 'Just keep talking,' Tess whispered. 'And I'll try to find you.'

It was dangerous to try to extract someone from another person's mind, especially from someone who didn't want to let them go.

Khivar felt his powers hampered somewhat. He was not sure what it was - what the reason - but he knew it was not a good sign. Glancing behind him, he saw someone coming in pursuit. He raged internally, knowing that he waited too long. He should have killed them all in one blow. But things, little things always managed to distract him - he had wanted them to suffer. Now, looking back, he regretted that decision. Nevertheless, he still had the upperhand. The Royal Four were disjointed and scattered. And their leader was alone in his pursuit. He could still finish the hybrid off. He had done it decades ago. He could do it again. All he needed was to tap into his power source one last time.

He needed to trigger it manually, since all of his architects were unconscious from his schemes. Never had he planned to need to use Pilan again so soon. In hindsight, Khivar realized he should have had a contingency plan, but everything had been going according to plan until that 'thing' arose from the shadows of the rubble. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Zan closing in on him.

He was not going to lose. Not after all this time.