Disclaimer: All Gargoyle characters are the property of Buena Vista/Disney and are used without permission for any monetary gain.

Misbegotten Son Saga: Matters of Fate -Part 2

By Jenna

Theamazingjenna@hotmail.com

Edited my Michael J.Garcia

(Brooklyn's voice)

"Previously on Gargoyles..."

Goliath: It’s not too late Thailog! We can wipe the slate clean. Start over!

(Double Jeopardy)

A blind Broadway emerges from the shadows.

"Broadway!" Goliath gasped in horror.

Goliath: Hold on Broadway. The sun will heal you.

Broadway: Oh, the sun! Can you see it, Goliath? It's beautiful. (Dies)

Puck: "Oh but was it a dream, or a prophesy?"

(Future Tense)

Oberon walked over to the stone-imprisoned Thailog and raised one hand. As he spoke, the fae lord's hand radiated with power.

"Child born unhatched

Awake from your stone prison

With no memory

Of your nights before.

I give you to these two,

And to another-

To love and protect her."

(Matters of Fate-Part 1)

The giant sea serpent charged at Goliath. Its open mouth revealed rows of jagged teeth. The waves shook with its fierce underwater roar. Goliath knew he could not swim away in time, and there was no hope of fighting this creature under water.

The golden serpent clamped his jaws down over Goliath! The leader's thoughts flew to his only chance of survival; he braced himself against the roof of the creature's mouth, while planting his sharp-toed feet in its lower jaw. The serpent bit down, and Goliath felt his muscle's shake and his lungs begin to ache. How long could he hold the sea serpent at bay before his air ran out?

A laser beam suddenly cut across the water and into the monster's mouth. The sea snake pulled its head back with a roar. Blood clouded the water.

Goliath turned to see that Xanatos had fired the shot. The weapons on his battlesuit were extended and the holster almost seemed to smoke. The serpent's eyes flared angrily, glaring in frustration at its lost prey. It let out one more roar, and then disappeared back into the depths from which it came.

Xanatos fired his rockets and burst through the ocean's surface. He hovered above the water as the three gargoyles at last came to the surface, gasping for air.

"Well, that's another one you owe me, Goliath. I'll just add it to your tab," said Xanatos.

Goliath scowled. He could not see it, but he knew that Xanatos was smiling under his gargoyle mask.

"The island is about a quarter of a mile north," Xanatos continued. "I suggest you hurry. Who knows when our friend might return."

With that, the billionaire flew off towards the island. The gargoyles, with their wet wings, had no choice but to swim to the shore. Goliath hoped the sea beast would not return.

On the shores of Kala-Neimi Island three gargoyles roared to life.

"Did you sleep well?" Kali asked Thailog.

Thailog nodded.

"The rest of the Clan will be waiting," Shiva said.

"Follow us," Kali said, putting a talon on Thailog's shoulder, "And meet the clan."

Kali and her mate scaled a nearby palm tree. There in its branches, they opened their wings, and on the strongest updraft, rode with it into the air. Thailog followed them.

The jungle unfolded beneath them as they glided. It was a wild place, full of many dangers and delights. Somehow, it increased Thailog's pulse. Kali and Shiva noticed his reaction.

"This is where the clan comes to hunt and play," Shiva explained.

"It calls to me...somehow," Thailog said. "Like a dream I've forgotten…"

"It calls to all warriors. Here in its depths you can taste the glory of the hunt, and other joys as well," Shiva said. The older gargoyle closed his eyes remembering his own glories of battles and loves that he had tasted there.

"There is so much that is unclear to me," Thailog said to Kali and Shiva. "I do not know where to begin. My life before now, where have I been? What have I done? No matter how much I search for the answers there is nothing!" He growled in frustration.

"Fate reveals all things to those who are patient enough to wait," Kali said. She would wait until Titania decided the time was right, then she would speak to Thailog of what she knew. For now, both she and her mate chose to remain silent.

"For now, live in the moment," Shiva advised. "All will be revealed to you soon enough."

Thailog was quiet as he glided, considering their words. At last he spoke. "You two have been kind to me. I will take your advice, for now,"

Kali smiled. Ahead of them several spires of an Indian palace rose through the forest. Its surface was ornate; every inch was decorated with the images of gods and gargoyles. In the immense courtyard below, Thailog saw many exotic gargoyles were gathered. Into the crowd, Kali and Shiva both landed. Thailog circled a moment, and then he too set foot into the courtyard.

At his landing, there was a shared gasp from many of the Kala-Neimi clan. Thailog suddenly found himself surrounded on all sides, by the strange gargoyles. But he sensed no danger to himself. There was a perpetual murmur around him, that was dotted with words like 'the prophesy,' 'the dark one,' and 'Born unhatched.' They gazed at him in wonder, as if they did not believe their eyes that he was as real as they were. This puzzled him.

Thailog paused. He knew Kali and Shiva so little, and this clan even less. But they had been kind to him, and he trusted them somehow.

"This land is strange to me," Thailog stated. "For now, I will stay. But as for the future, I cannot say just yet,"

Kali was a little disappointed. "Well," she thought, "all things with time."

In the shadows of the jungle, two sets of eyes looked at Thailog. Two gargoyles had watched all that had unfolded, and they now looked at each other.

"It's him, the dark one!" one gargoyle said. His skin was red like fire and his wings a deep brown. His name was Lazarus and his pale companion was named Icarus.

Icarus' brow horns furrowed in worry.

"We better go tell Titan," Icarus said. And with that the two gargoyles stalked back into the jungle's depths.

"What took you so long?" Xanatos asked the three drenched gargoyles as they dragged themselves onto the shore. Goliath glared his response.

"While you were taking a leisurely swim," Xanatos continued calmly, "I took the liberty of exploring the island. I found something."

He motioned for the gargoyles to follow him. Though their muscles ached, the gargoyles stood to their feet, and followed him into the dense forest. As they journeyed, Bronx became more and more agitated. Many times he though he had seen something out of the corner of his eye, then turned to see it was nothing. He growled discontentedly to himself.

Other than the gargoyle's beast’s rumblings, there was no sound around them. Goliath looked about himself as they pressed on, but he saw no sign of life. This made his warrior senses uneasy. It was unnatural, perhaps sorcery. For any forest is full of life in all it's sounds and sights. Here, on this Baal Island, it was as if life had never flourished.

"There," Xanatos pointed.

The trees thinned out, revealing a great, ruined structure. It was a Moorish castle, but its glory had been destroyed generations ago. The travelers walked to the outside perimeter wall, and the gargoyles began to scale it. Xanatos hit his thrusters again, and flew to the top of the wall.

Once the gargoyles had reached the top of the wall, they looked down into the courtyard. What they saw made their blood run cold.

The courtyard, the turrets, the towers and every space that a gargoyle might roost for the day was covered in the shattered fragments of gargoyles. Wings, faces, horns, tails, and all else were shattered and broken, some ground to dust.

"Just like the slaughter of my own clan," Goliath said sadly.

"Goliath, look!" Broadway whispered fearfully. The aqua gargoyle pointed to the door of the rookery. In the far corner of the courtyard, the rookery doors had been ripped off their hinges. Broadway felt himself overwhelmed with a feeling of terrible dread.

"Goliath, Surely no one would-" Broadway began to ask. But before he could finish speaking, the gargoyle leader leapt down into the courtyard. As Goliath walked among the destroyed clan's remains to the rookery, he felt dread overwhelm him.

It cannot be. Goliath thought. It cannot.

For a moment, the lavender gargoyle hesitated outside the violated rookery. He took a deep breath, and descended into the darkness of the caverns. Upon seeing their leader disappear, Broadway and Bronx exchanged nervous glances. The beast whined.

It was silent for only a moment. Then a cry of anguish, anger, and horror resounded from the rookery –it was Goliath. The roar made Broadway, and even Xanatos, shudder.

They saw Goliath bolt out of the rookery. He ran like one mad, like one possessed. He stumbled upon the remains of the unfortunate, but fumbled to his feet. He was not looking where he was going. Broadway leapt down into the courtyard, followed by Xanatos and Bronx.

"Goliath!" Broadway called out. Goliath, who felt as if he were in some mad dream, stumbled yet again, collapsing to his knees.

"Terrible!" Goliath panted, shaking his head. "The eggs –every egg, smashed to pieces!"

Broadway gasped in horror. Goliath felt his eyes overflow with tears –tears shed for a generation of innocents, obliterated before the chance to hatch.

"What a waste," Xanatos stated, his voice seeming legitimately sorrowful for a moment.

"Let us leave this place," Goliath said, and moved to leave.

"Goliath," Xanatos interrupted. "I know how this grieves you, but-"

Goliath growled as his eyes blazed with sudden fury. "You know! How can you know, Xanatos?" he snarled. Broadway gasped in surprise.

Xanatos stepped back momentarily then regained his composure once more.

"Let's not forget the reason we’re here: to find Thailog. Perhaps something in this ruin will be able to point us in the right direction."

Goliath's eyes returned to normal as the wave of fury left him. "Perhaps you’re right," the gargoyle sighed. "But the sooner we can leave this tomb, the better."

In silence, the travelers made their way through the rubble of smashed gargoyles to the massive doors of the main hall. Goliath breathed in sharply, then pushed against the massive doors.

The great hall they entered was full of darkness and silence. The furniture was broken and lay scattered about. Torn tapestries swung in the air above them, and a thick trail of dust traced the travelers every movement.

"It's been years since anyone's been here," Xanatos said looking about.

"Yes," Goliath responded," Perhaps generations."

As they explored further, the gargoyles and their human companion saw that all the walls were covered in an elaborate network of images and hieroglyphics. But they were scarred by many slash marks. Goliath was puzzled. Xanatos flipped open a panel on his forearm. He entered some of the characters into the internal computer his suit housed. In a few seconds, it beeped.

"I've just run a comparison analysis of these hieroglyphics with all other known languages."

"What did you find?" Goliath asked.

"These characters are not present in any known language," Xanatos responded.

"Goliath! Look!" Broadway called out. He was pointing at a set of carved images, set apart from the others.

"Castle Wyvern!" Goliath gasped, his eyes wide with amazement. There on that strange wall, in that strange land, he saw his home as it had stood in Scotland- over a millennium ago.

"But how can this clan know about us?" Broadway asked.

"Sorcery," Goliath growled suspiciously.

"Prophesy, actually," Xanatos said. "Remember that this clan was gifted in the arts of prophecy and healing."

Goliath looked closer at the images. He could hardly believe his eyes! He saw castle Wyvern as it stood now, looming over a modern city. How could this clan have known, hundreds of years ago?

There were more carvings –he saw the image of his son, Thailog. It was as if he had been taken from life, from his ebony skin to his armor. In his eyes, two red rubies had been placed. They flashed fiercely.

"Exceptional craftsmanship," Xanatos commented.

Goliath looked further. He saw Thailog encased and floating in what had to be a cloning tank. Goliath paused. He had never seen Thailog like this, quiet, at rest, waiting to be born. Goliath pulled himself away from these pensive thoughts and examined the wall further. He saw images of Thailog and Demona in Paris, and of the night Thailog revealed the existence of the clones to Goliath’s horrified eyes. At last Goliath saw Thailog's last night of life, before he was frozen in stone sleep –like his father before him.

The events of last night also appeared carved in stone as well as –WHAT WAS THIS? The picture was of Thailog roaring to life again, but on Avalon! Was he there? Feelings of frustration and anger began to well up in Goliath's chest.

The next set of images perplexed the lavender gargoyle even further. Goliath saw the image of an angel. The naked angel had skin like fire, the body of a gargoyle and the face of a lion. His six, brown wings were covered with white eyes. He was handing a sword of fire to Oberon, who in turn gave it to an unknown gargoyle. Thailog next bore the sword, and was fighting another gargoyle. Thailog's foe was a golden gargoyle, with white-feathered wings; and a full head taller than his foe.

A beautiful gargess dancer graced the next image. Her hair was long and in a seductive warrior’s knot. She wore fine silks and a bejeweled collar. Her brow horns crowned her smiling and surprisingly innocent eyes. Her body was ripe and round. She was dancing before Thailog, who looked very pleased. Goliath blushed uncomfortably. Xanatos noticed, and smirked to himself.

Goliath then saw something he wished he had not seen. On the wall was carved the image of the golden gargoyle again, side by side with Hakon! The two were at Castle Wyvern. And from the look of things it was during the day, for Goliath and his clan were in the midst of their stone sleep. But they were not the only gargoyles there in this vision. There was Thailog, the dancing gargess, and another female gargoyle he had not laid eyes on before. Thailog was in his stone slumber, but the two females were flesh by daylight, as the golden gargoyle mysteriously was also. The look of horror on the females’ faces chilled Goliath. But not as much as seeing that clan slaughterer.

"No!" Goliah gasped as he looked at Hakon’s sneering face.

"What is it?" Xanatos asked.

"There!" Goliath growled, pointing to the image of Hakon.

"Hakon!" Broadway cried. Bronx growled.

"What does this mean?" Goliath demanded. "What does this mean for my clan?"

But only silence answered the distraught gargoyle.

"Look here," Xanatos said. The gargoyle travelers turned their eyes towards what the human indicated. Xanatos pointed to his own face looking out from the wall, accompanied by the images of Thailog and Goliath. Beneath this triad, hieroglyphics spoke in their mysterious tongue.

But the last image that they saw carved was the most terrible. Goliath, Broadway and Xanatos saw the very castle they were in now, scattered with pieces of shattered gargoyles. And amid the destruction stood two figures, two shadows, basking in the ruin. But their countenances had been clawed away.

"Someone didn’t want us to see this," Xanatos stated. Goliath nodded.

Bronx suddenly began to growl ferociously.

"He hears something –or someone," Goliath said.

The door out into the courtyard creaked open and in stepped a massive figure. Immediately Goliath recognized him as the golden gargoyle that appeared in the carvings. He was as beautiful as the artist had rendered him. His golden skin and muscular body was nothing short of perfection. And his wings were the wings of an angel. He was perfect.

Xanatos distrusted him immediately.

"No one comes here any more," the stranger said to Goliath.

"Which of course explains why you are here," Xanatos responded.

To this, the stranger shrugged.

"My name is Titan," he said.

"I am Goliath," the gargoyle stated. He grasped the Titan’s forearm in the traditional warriors’ handshake. It was then that the lavender gargoyle realized he had to look UP to look Titan in the eye.

"You have already met Xanatos," Goliath continued, concealing his discomfort from the stranger. "This is Broadway and Bronx," The aqua gargoyle nodded, but the beast growled.

"An Iron gargoyle," Titan said, approaching Xanatos. Titan marveled at the exosuit. "I have never seen such an…oddity."

"What happened here?" Goliath asked, motioning to the destruction surrounding them.

"Humans. You know how destructive they are," Titan replied, shaking his head. "This clan once shared their island with them, and this is how their kindness was repaid. Typical."

After a pause, Titan continued. "Humans have plagued you too, I can tell."

Goliath looked puzzled at the golden stranger. Titan saw his expression and laughed to himself.

"Well it’s obvious," Titan said. "No offense my friend, but all of you reek of human."

Goliath thought of his beloved Elisa and frowned at the stranger’s words.

"Especially you, iron one," Titan smiled, flicking the skin of the exosuit with one of his sharp talons. He smirked knowingly. "Why, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you were human under all that metal. That would indeed be very unfortunate. I’d have to kill you on the spot."

"Then I’m glad I’m not," Xanatos said coolly. This made Titan shrug again.

"But enough of introductions," Titan continued. "Let’s go into the forest. We can talk more comfortably there. There are too many spirits here, it’s bad luck."

Goliath nodded, for he wished to be out of that tomb as soon as he was able. Still, as they followed Titan out into the woods, Goliath decided it would be best not to trust this golden gargoyle too much. Not only did he speak against humans and thus Elisa too but there was something else, something elusive about him that Goliath did not like.

The leader’s warrior instincts told him to be wary, for danger was near.

Angela’s mind was full of concern for her father and Broadway. They had entered her dreams, and gave her no rest now that she was awake. Her clan-mates sensed her need to be alone, and respectfully gave her the space she needed.

"I hope they’re all right," Angela said to herself, her brows furrowing with worry. "Broadway...Father –where are you? "

The wind whistled around the turrets, and whipped her hair about. She sighed deeply.

"Perhaps a short flight will help," she decided and glided off into the night.

But her mind would not rest. As she glided on, the young gargess thought of her lover, and how they used to glide about this very castle, relishing in each other’s company. It was not the same alone.

Angela began to feel angry. Broadway would be with her now, and Goliath safe in Elisa’s arms if it were not for Thailog, and those that abducted him. She knew she should have felt more sympathetic, but she did not. Now thanks to Thailog, those she loved most were away in a dangerous land. If any harm befell them, she would not let the clone go unpunished. She would--

These thoughts of revenge began to build in her heart. It scared her, but the feelings overwhelmed her. Any thoughts of the clone filled her with a strong distaste –the type of distaste she saw on her mother’s face whenever Elisa Maza was mentioned.

"NO!" Angela commanded herself; she would not be like her mother, she would not--

"HE IS MY SON," Goliath’s voice echoed in her head.

"Oh Father," she cried out to the night. "How can you do this? How can you just accept him with open arms, after all the harm he’s done? "

Suddenly she heard the beating of a helicopter’s propellers. She looked in the direction of the sound and saw a helicopter approaching fast –it bore the insignia of the Quarrymen!

She gasped in horror. They had spotted her!

In the palace of the Kala-Neimi, Thailog looked about him in wonder. All about him there was beauty, in the intricate carvings of the walls, the smiles of the clan, or in the tapestries suspended from the ceiling.

"As you can see, my clan records its history in those tapestries above you. That way one generation is remembered by the next," Kali said. She had spent nearly all of the night, showing Thailog the palace and bragging about the exploits of her clan. Of course, to her she was merely relating the facts, which spoke for themselves, speaking of glorious deeds and great gargoyles.

"How many years has your clan been on this island?" Thailog asked.

"Hundreds," Kali smiled proudly.

"Kali-Ma!" a strange voice suddenly called to the leader. It came from outside one of the glass-less windows that Thailog and Kali were standing near.

"Surely you’re not going to bore him with all your ancestor talk? Every night it’s ‘we once did this, and we once did that,’ and aren’t we just glorious," The voice chuckled.

A blue gargess suddenly stuck her head into view, and grinned at them.

"Saucy hatchling!" Kali growled in annoyance.

"I just didn’t want my new clan brother to die of boredom," the smiling gargess shrugged. Kali snorted indignantly. The blue gargoyle looked Thailog over with sharp eyes, and then met his gaze.

"I am Atlanta," she stated.

"Thailog," Thailog nodded introducing himself.

"Strange name. But then it suits you-- I have never seen a male with coloring such as yours before."

Thailog looked at this grinning stranger. Her laughter was not the mocking kind, but the kind who drank of life fully, and liked it. She was baby blue and wore her straight white hair, in a short braid. Her brow horns entwined her brow like an exotic crown. This was her only decoration, for she wore none of the embroidered silks or elaborate jewelry her clanmates wore. She was dressed in a simple tunic. She was simple and straightforward, like an arrow shot from a bow. Atlanta was artless and honest.

Then, unbeknownst to any of the gargoyles, a mysterious figure appeared next to them. She bore a cloak of invisibility, so no one saw her. She approached Thailog.

"Tomorrow night Shiva and I are going hunting," Atlanta continued. "Do you want to join us, Thailog?"

Before Thailog could answer, he heard something. The invisible figure began to whisper into Thailog’s ear, uttering words only he could hear.

"Go," She instructed the clone.

Thailog felt a wave of magic overwhelm him. Who was speaking to him, and why was it that only he heard her? He did not know that it was Titania, cloaked in invisibility, whispering into his ear.

"Go," Titania said again. Thailog hesitated one moment more, then nodded to Atlanta.

"Great!" Atlanta smiled.

Titania smiled to herself and disappeared, unseen by any of the gargoyles.

"Well, if you’re going to go hunting tomorrow, make sure you get some rest," Kali instructed. "Make a short patrol around the island in the morning, and then come home."

Atlanta nodded, and glided out the window.

"She doesn’t turn to stone?" Thailog asked Kali.

Kali shook her head. "No. She has never turned to stone. It is because of her mixed blood. I suppose that is the same reason that she is so saucy sometimes. But at least her heart is all gargoyle."

"I did not know such a thing could be," Thailog said to himself.

"I hope this land will open your eyes to many things," Kali smiled, laying a talon on his shoulder.

Goliath, Xanatos, and Broadway followed the gargoyle called Titan into the woods. Bronx also followed, but at a distance, and constantly growling to himself. Titan ignored the beast’s grumbling and led the travelers into a clearing.

"We can talk here," Titan said to Goliath.

Goliath nodded.

"Tell me, Goliath," Titan smiled. "What brings you and your companions here. It is rare, indeed, for any of the Isara islands to have visitors."

Goliath hesitated. He did not know exactly how to answer. To the eyes, Titan seemed all right, but Goliath’s warrior instincts told him otherwise. Goliath decided to listen to his instincts.

But before the lavender gargoyle could say anything, a great commotion shook the treetops near the clearing. Goliath turned to see a female gargoyle crashing to the ground through the branches. She was chained, both wings and arms, so there was no hope of her breaking her fall. She grunted as she struck the hard ground. Goliath saw that the impact was so hard, that it left the female stunned.

Suddenly, a black cobra gargoyle descended into the clearing. The moonlight flashed on his purple wings and scaly skin. For a moment, Goliath was reminded of Zafiro, until he saw the stranger’s eyes. For Zafiro’s eyes were as kind and giving as the Green he protected but this gargoyle before them now, had cruel eyes. He held one talon to his cheek, and Goliath saw that he was bleeding.

"That should teach you!" The cobra snarled at the chained female. "I hope you’ll think twice before biting me again! Next time I’ll drop you from a hundred feet!"

The gargess was too weary to respond. She closed her eyes in seeming submission to her fate.

"Set!" Titan called out to the cobra gargoyle. Set turned and upon seeing Titan, grasped his forearm in the typical warrior’s greeting.

"Good to see you again, Set," Titan smiled. "But tell me, what happened to your cheek?"

"This slave bit me!" Set hissed indignantly. Then he smiled contentedly. "But I taught her a lesson in respect."

Goliath felt himself overwhelmed with horror and an acute sense of disgust. This gargess was a slave? How could that be? Gargoyles were supposed to protect, not exploit the weak! What he saw repulsed him.

"Who are they?" Set demanded of Titan, pointing to Goliath and his company.

"I am Goliath," stated Goliath. "My clan and I became stranded here. We were traveling when a storm came upon us and swept us here. We were fortunate enough to have found this island."

Set nodded satisfied with Goliath’s answer.

"How fortunate indeed," Titan smirked. Goliath knew then, that Titan did not believe him.

"This fool keeps on trying to run away!" Set said as he slithered over to the gargess. He grabbed her by the scuff of the neck, and dragged her to the nearest tree. There he loosed one length of the chain and leashed her to the trunk.

Goliath felt pity and rage overwhelm him. It almost blinded him from realizing that this gargess was the same one he had seen earlier. It was she who appeared in the carvings dancing. But how different she looked now! She was bruised and dressed not in the silks of the picture, but in a ragged smock. She was not voluptuous as she had appeared, but was very gaunt. Malnourished most likely. Goliath saw her ribs and the little vertebrae on her back. But what disturbed the leader the most was the expression on this nameless gargoyle’s face. In the carving, she was laughing with her head held high. Her innocent eyes flashed with life.

But now, this slave held her head down. Her gaze was one of exhausted sorrow. Overcome with mercy Goliath began to move towards her only to find himself arrested by Xanatos’ armor clad hand.

"What are you doing?" Xanatos demanded in a whisper.

"I will not stand by and watch this autocracy continue," Goliath answered.

"You sure as hell will!" Xanatos whispered back. "We came here to find Thailog, not free slaves."

"This is not the gargoyle way!"

"I didn’t come this far to let you jeopardize our mission, Goliath. After we find Thailog you can come back and free her. Then your gargoyle conscious can rest," Xanatos said patronizingly.

Goliath frowned. What he saw before him was wrong, and he could not allow it to continue. But if he did intervene now, Goliath knew he would be jeopardizing any chance to find his son. Goliath looked again at the gargoyle prisoner, and his heart went out to her. She was young, younger than Angela- and she should not be made to suffer like this.

"I agree," Goliath stated flatly.

Xanatos sighed in relief. In his mind, he cursed Goliath’s righteousness and rolled his eyes.

Angela never glided so fast in all of her young life but as she looked over her shoulder, she saw the Quarryman’s helicopter getting closer. She knew her fastest would not be fast enough. She could barely hear her own panting over the ever-increasing sound of the helicopter’s blades.

A loud shot was fired. Angela looked again and saw the helicopter had launched an energy net at her. Her young eyes opened in terror.

"Goli-" Angela began to cry out. But her plea for her father was cut off by a shock of unbelievable pain coursing throughout her body, as the energy net enveloped her. The gargess shrieked in pain, and plummeted downward.

Angela was knocked unconscious as she slammed down on an office rooftop. Slowly, the Quarryman helicopter lowered itself down onto the roof as well.

"Easy pickings," One quarryman congratulated himself as he came out of the helicopter. He clicked his hammer on, and it buzzed to life. He would finish off this demon with one blow. He stalked towards the helpless Angela.

Two red eyes suddenly lit the darkness. The quarryman backed away with instinctive fear. The red eyes brimmed with hate and a chilling voice rang out.

"Get away from my daughter, human scum!" the voice hissed, as Demona stepped into the human’s view.

"The demon!" The human exclaimed. How Castaway would reward him, if he could bring back not only the demon-spawn, but the demon herself!

"Come human! And meet your doom!" Demona challenged. The quarryman hesitated a moment, then launched himself into attack.

He swung his hammer madly, for he was a new recruit. But Demona dodged with ease, and laughed at his incompetence. This only infuriated him further.

"Shut up!" He snarled. He made another mighty swing at the red-haired demon, only to find his weapon grasped by the handle by the demoness herself. The human’s eyes grew wide, and Demona could smell his fear. It was intoxicating to her.

With a mighty pull, she yanked the weapon from the young warrior. She then grasped the quarryman by the collar.

"Stinking human. You hunt my kind like we are some pestilence but you are the disease, you are the cancer. Before you die, know that I will cure the earth of your poison." And with that, Demona brought the hammer down hard upon the human’s side. He shrieked like a helpless child, as the electricity made every part of his body twitch in agony. Demona smiled as he slumped to the ground, like a rag doll. She smiled for a moment, then turned to the helicopter.

The pilot began to take off when he saw the demon beginning to walk casually towards him. His mind was a whirl. He was saddened by the death of his comrade and friend, but fear took hold of him now. He had to get out of there –the faster the better.

He looked back to the rooftop and –where was she? A second ago the rooftop held two gargoyles, now there was only the unconscious demon-spawn. Where was the demon? Where was she? Where-

An inhuman howl filled the air. The pilot looked to the front windshield to see the demon there, sitting on the nose of the helicopter. Her crimson hair flowed in the currents of the propellers. The pilot gasped as he saw that the demon still held the hammer of his fallen comrade. She smiled coyly at him for a moment, and then with a snarl she smashed the hammer against the glass.

The pilot fumbled for his handgun as the demon began to break through the glass. His shaking hand reached for his holster, finding his weapon. He would finish that demon with a shot to the face!

A blue talon seized his right hand by the wrist, and crushed it. The pilot screamed as he dropped the gun. He looked in terror as the demon yanked him from his seat, breaking the seat belts. She pulled him through the glass, and held his face to hers. She smiled again at him, relishing in his fear and helplessness. Then she gave a sudden kiss to him on the cheek and without a syllable, tossed him from the helicopter.

The pilot fumbled for anything as he began to feel himself plummet downward. But there was nothing. Nothing! He let out a short shriek as he saw the world swirl about him.

Demona looked down after the pilot. When she was, at last, satisfied with what she saw. She smiled to herself, leaning into the cockpit. Whether out of spite or foolishness, she grabbed the helicopter’s stick and jerked it hard to the side. The helicopter began to spin, faster, faster, out of control, and falling to the street below. Effortlessly, Demona leapt off of the helicopter’s nose, and glided to the rooftop.

Demona looked down as the helicopter hit the street. It burst into a fireball, and many of the human pedestrians screamed in terror. The sound of the explosions and screaming pleased her, and she smiled. But she could not relish in her own glory too much. The police, and perhaps that accursed Elisa Maza, would soon be arriving to investigate. She had to make her exit now, and she wasn’t going to go alone.

Silently, Demona ran to her daughter. She yanked the net off of Angela, despite the fact that it sent currents of pain thorough her immortal body. Demona cried out in agony and self-disgust. Her daughter needed her, and she would not allow herself to be weak now! She shook off the pain and scooped up her daughter. Demona held Angela close to her, running to the edge of the rooftop.

Demona glided off into the night.

On Kala-Neimi, the sun was about to rise. On the great balconies of the palace, the gargoyles of Kali’s clan began to gather. Thailog looked out over the jungle as he stood by Kali. His heart felt at ease, somehow. Perhaps Kali was right; perhaps there could be a home here for him.

Still, the voice that he had heard in the palace, that no one else had heard, had raised so many questions in his mind. Who was she? What would he find on the hunt tomorrow? What was he being called to?

"Have a good day’s sleep," Atlanta called up to her clanmates.

"And you take care saucy one," Kali smiled. With that the sun rose and all the gargoyles, but Atlanta, turned to stone.

On Baal Island, Goliath also saw that the sun would soon rise.

"As the sun will be up soon, stay with us, Goliath," Titan invited.

There was little else Goliath could do. If he disagreed he might arouse suspicion. So he nodded in agreement. Titan smiled at this. It was a smile Goliath did not like.

Set walked over to the gargess prisoner and yanked hard on her chain. Goliath and Broadway frowned at this. Bronx growled lowly.

"Is she secure?" Titan asked.

Set nodded. "There is no way she can escape wearing THAT chain. It’s made of iron."

"Ah! Good thinking," Titan responded.

"Explain to me, why is this child in bondage?" Goliath asked. The leader struggled to conceal his disgust as best he could. But still he knew it showed.

"She was won by my clan," Set said proudly, puffing his chest out.

"Won? How?"

"In a game of chance," The snake gargoyle bragged.

Broadway gazed at the serpent, dumb struck, not knowing what to say or think. Goliath could not help but turn away; he was so filled with disgust. This didn’t seem to bother Set. Either he didn’t notice or he didn’t care.

"No" Xanatos said flatly.

"Ah, I see," Titan smiled at the exosuit. It was as if he already knew!

"Then you can guard the slave while we sleep," Set told Xanatos. "And if she gives you any trouble…well, you know what to do."

"She does not turn to stone?" Goliath asked.

"She has never turned to stone," Set said, glaring at the gargess in contempt. "She is a half-breed."

It was these final hate-filled words that heralded the sunrise. And all but Xanatos and the nameless gargess turned to stone.

Xanatos looked at the gargess. She was indeed malnourished, and it was obvious to him that her treatment was poor. But Xanatos kept these thoughts to himself.

Uneasily, unsure of herself, the gargess looked up at her new captor –the iron gargoyle. Her face was pensive, waifish, and her eyes full of pain she tried to hide. The face of the iron gargoyle gave no hint as to his thoughts, and she could only wonder what he was thinking.

Without a word, the iron stranger left the clearing, and began to head back to the ruins. The gargess was amazed! He dared to enter that haunted sacred ground, alone? Why? He was either very brave or very foolish, she decided. But whatever he was, he was merciful, for he did not threaten or harm her. Perhaps she was of no interest to him. Well, regardless, she was glad for her good fortune whether it was by accident or design.

She was glad to be alone. She loved the day, for it was the only time when she could truly rest from her captors.

She had not been a slave all her life. She had vague memories of her sister and of Kali-Ma. But they were from so long ago, a lifetime ago. Where was her sister now? Far away, only that much she knew.

She sighed deeply and closed her eyes. Being bound in chains, there was little else she could do. Still she was glad. For now that she was alone, she did not have to worry about being beaten or molested.

The latter was never a concern when she was younger. But now Set would look at her in a way that made her uneasy, and frightened.

She had fled the clan of her captors because, as usual, she was hungry and tired of being beaten for no reason. When Set found her, he beat her into submission, as was his usual way of doing. She thought that would prove to be the worst of it.

She was wrong.

"You shouldn’t have run away," Set whispered to her as he grasped her. He flew above Baal Island and held her chained form in his arms. His grip was like iron. The gargess could not move, and could barely breathe. Set seemed to enjoy her helplessness.

"I don’t know why you always do it," Set continued. "You know you’re going to be caught. Why do you always run away?"

She was silent, too ashamed to speak.

"WELL?" he demanded.

"Perhaps…if you treated me better," She at last mumbled.

"Perhaps," Set whispered in her ear. She tensed. She could feel his hot breath on the back of her neck. One talon of his still held her around the middle. But the other began to reach—

She snarled at this violation and turned her head to his smirking face. With all her strength she bit deep into Set’s cheek. The cobra-gargoyle howled in agony, his eyes white with rage. He suddenly dropped her, and she went crashing through the branches below.

On the island, she found herself again a prisoner. She knew of Titan. She shuddered inwardly upon seeing him. He terrified her, and with good reason. But the other gargoyles, their faces did not seem to bear the same innate cruelty she had become accustomed to seeing. Even the iron gargoyle- he was aloof in his ways, not cruel.

But she knew she would be dragged back to her place of imprisonment. And she would not see these kind faces again.

Too tired for tears, the gargoyle decided to try to sleep, for there was always escape in dreams.

Demona held her daughter close as she landed on the roof of her townhome. Though Demona had taken over Nightstone Unlimited, and had taken a residence in a higher rent district, she still kept this place. This was more suited to her tastes than the residence she had under the name of Dominique Destine. The townhome was filled with all types of magical books, talismans and objects. It held all that was precious to her.

Well, she thought looking down at her unconscious daughter, Almost all…

Upon entering her home, Demona laid Angela down on a couch in the living room. She smoothed one talon against the younger’s lavender cheek, and smiled.

At Castle Wyvern, the other gargoyles were assembled outside on their usual "roosting" tower –all, save Angela.

"Where could she be?" Brooklyn asked aloud.

"I haven’t seen her for hours," Lexington added, his brow furrowed in worry for his clan sister.

"Is there a problem?" Owen’s cold voice interrupted the conversation. He approached the gargoyles in his usual aloof manner.

"You might say that," Brooklyn said, folding his arms. "Angela’s missing."

"According to the surveillance cameras, Miss Angela left the castle early in the night," Owen stated.

"WHAT?" Brooklyn growled just as he and his clan turned to stone.

Demona gazed at her daughter tenderly, as Angela also became stone with the sun’s rise.

Then as she had expected, Demona became overwhelmed with pain. Pain that she never got used to. That she had not ever felt in all of her centuries of life, until that blasted Puck decided to curse her!

The transformation was never over too soon for Demona.

When it was at last over, Dominique Destine bent down and kissed Angela’s stone forehead.

"Sleep well, my daughter," She whispered.

At Castle Wyvern, Owen left the shocked looking statues and proceeded to Xanatos’ office. He had work to do.

On Baal Island, Xanatos at last took his helmet off. He breathed the air contently. A small beeping sounded from his armored right forearm. Xanatos touched it and a small panel pulled back, revealing a network of electronics and a small microphone.

"Xanatos here," The industrialist spoke into the mic.

"I assume, sir, that you are on one of the Isara Islands," Owen’s voice cracked through the sound chip.

"Yes, Baal Island to be exact."

"Curious."

"Explain," Xanatos commanded.

"The gargoyles known as Kali and Shiva are located on the Kala-Niemi Island, some distance away from your current position, Mr. Xanatos."

"I wonder why Charon found it necessary to take us here," Xanatos asked himself. "No matter. Has the Gen-U-Tech team made any progress?"

"Some, sir."

"Some is not good enough, Owen."

"Understood."

"What are the coordinates of my current position?"

"Within the confines of the Bermuda Triangle," Owen explained in his usual professional manner. "Though the exact location is now, difficult to pinpoint."

"Fascinating. I’m going to take a look around. There is a ruin here that might hold some answers."

"The ruin of the Baal clan," Owen’s voice sounded through the sound chip. He was obviously reminiscing about something.

"You knew of them?" Xanatos asked.

"Puck has been many places over the millennium," Was the answer.

Xanatos smiled.

The nameless gargess slept to escape but in her dreams, to her horror, she saw her talons and feet were shackled. She blinked unbelievingly for a moment, then let out an anguished cry.

"Now even in my dreams I am enslaved!" she protested in the silence. Hot tears flowed from her eyes. She knew no one heard her sorrow, for no one cared. No one.

What was the use of struggling any further? She should just accept her fate, she told herself.

"Do not despair, gargoyle," A vaguely familiar woman’s voice comforted. Then there in the silence appeared the lady Titania, in all of her fae glory.

"Titania!" The gargess cried out, immediately recognizing the queen.

Titania smiled at her. "How do you fair, child?" she asked.

The gargess felt herself become overwhelmed with feelings of shame, and turned away from the immortal lady.

But Titania smoothed the gargess’ unkempt hair, and enfolded her in her own willowy arms.

"Soon, young one, your mourning shall be turned into dancing," Titania whispered. "Your father, Lord Oberon, is sending someone to your aid. He will love you and protect you."

"What?" the sobbing gargoyle looked up. "Father-"

"Yes," Titania interrupted. "Soon your suffering will be as a dream, forgotten upon waking. The dark one, the one born unhatched, will come to you."

"From the prophesy?" the slave asked in wonder.

Titania nodded.

"So do not give up hope, child of Oberon."

The gargess turned away suddenly. "I shall try, my lady. But my sprit…is so much less than it was."

Gently, Titania turned her back around. Looking into the fae queen’s eyes, the gargess heard the lady’s last instructions.

"Watch for him. He will come to you. The dark one with eyes of fire. He is the one."

With these final words, the gargess woke up. As she gained her senses, she felt the first stirrings of hope in her breast.

Now all she had to do was wait.

As Thailog slumbered, he too, dreamt. He found himself standing before three small human children. One girl had blonde hair, one black, and the last white. But other than that, they looked identical. They glowed with an awesome light.

They regarded him in silence, until at last Thailog demanded, "Who are you?"

"We might ask the same question of you," the white haired child responded.

"I don’t know…" Thailog said quietly, more to himself than to anyone else.

"You are the one that was promised," the black haired child answered him.

"The misbegotten son –upon whom fate has smiled," the blonde sister echoed.

"Me?" Thailog asked, not knowing what to believe.

"You cannot escape your destiny, dark one," The blonde sister continued," All paths will take you to where you need to be."

"What do you mean?" Thailog growled. "Stop talking in riddles!"

"You cannot escape your destiny, dark one," the yellow haired child warned.

Suddenly the three sisters’ light became a blinding radiance. Thailog covered his eyes, lest he be blinded. But the light was too much, it burned him and he fell back. He let out a terrified yell.

In the light, he saw images of places and people. A gargoyle that looked like him, but was a lavender color. He saw a bearded human and a castle above the clouds. Faces, places bombarded him too quickly to be grasped or understood. But he felt he should know them somehow. It would have been enough to take him to madness if they had not suddenly ceased.

"Thailog," a husky female voice summoned him. He knew this voice! It was the voice from the palace. He looked to see the fae who had been introduced to him as Lady Titania.

"You spoke to me in the palace!" Thailog exclaimed.

She nodded and smiled. "Do you remember me?"

"Why do you guide me? And to what?" Thailog asked.

She smiled again. "I guide you to your destiny. As for why, to pay a debt."

Thailog felt even more confused.

"The time will come, Thailog. When you will know where you come from. And you may have a chance to begin again."

"Begin again?"

"To start over," She smiled one last time before she vanished. Her voice sounded out once more.

"You will see, dark one. You will see."

The middle of the day found Xanatos exploring the ruins of the Moorish palace that had once belonged to the Baal clan. As he suspected, there was much more to be found than he had seen last night. And this time, there were fewer distractions.

The Baal clan seemed, not only learned, to Xanatos, but artistic as well. For he discovered remains of a great library along with many works of art. But the books had been burned to ash and the artwork had been torn or smashed to pieces.

Who ever did this, Xanatos thought, wanted to do more than destroy this clan. It seems they wanted to wipe all traces of them away as well. What a waste.

Only one creature is strong enough to make claw marks in solid stone, Xanatos thought grimly.

Xanatos then went to the set of carvings that he and the gargoyles had examined the night before. He hit his comlink again.

"Owen," Xanatos called.

"Yes, Mr. Xanatos," came the crackling reply.

"We ran across a series of carvings and hieroglyphics last night," Xanatos explained. "Are these the carvings you spoke of."

With that, a small camera shot out of the exosuit shoulder. Like some mechanical bird, it perched on Xanatos and scanned the wall. In Xanatos’ offices, many, many miles away, Owen looked at the carvings as they appeared on the computer’s monitor.

"Indeed they are sir," Owen stated, adjusting his glasses.

Xanatos pointed to the picture of the gargess he had seen just that morning. "Who is she?" he asked.

"Her name is unknown to me. But I do remember her. She is a child of Oberon."

"A cousin perhaps?"

There was a long, pensive silence.

"Owen?"

"No sir," The majordomo said at last. "She is my Lord’s direct offspring."

"The plot thickens," Xanatos smirked.

Xanatos then moved to the trinity carving of himself, Goliath, and Thailog. It too appeared on the computer’s monitor for Owen to examine. The camera focused on the hieroglyphics beneath the image.

"Can you translate?" Xanatos asked.

"There is no direct translation for some of the words. Perhaps the closet translation is: ‘All the World Shakes before these three warriors.’ "

Xanatos could not help but smile.

"Well, at least they got the face right," He said smugly.

The nameless gargoyle spent the rest of the day sleeping. It was now a dreamless sleep. She awoke to the feeling of her bonds being loosened. Her eyes opened with a start, to see the iron gargoyle loosening her chain. He had left her leashed to the tree, but at least now her arms and wings were free. She stretched out her wings, and Xanatos saw that she had wings not unlike Coldfire. But on one wing, she had the image of a star and crescent moon branded into her flesh. Xanatos noted this, but said nothing.

"I thought you might be hungry, my dear," The iron gargoyle said. He handed her an apple. The gargess hesitated a moment, studying his expressionless face. She was not used to kindness, and found herself at a loss for words. At last she reached to take the apple from him and her skin touched the metal alloy of his talon. She winced.

"Your skin…I’m sorry. Iron hurts me," She explained.

"You must have been in agony bound in those chains," The iron gargoyle speculated.

"Pain is…something I have grown accustomed too," she replied lowly.

Xanatos set the apple on the ground and backed away from her, lest the proximity of his iron exosuit make her ill. The nameless one picked up the apple, and devoured it in one bite. Clearly, she had not eaten in days.

Finding herself, now allowed some movement, she stood up and looked about her. The fruit tree that had just nourished her stood at the edge of the clearing. She wandered to it, and grabbed one apple in each talon, taking one enormous bite after another.

All of this Xanatos saw, but made no comment. His thoughts, he kept to himself. He left the clearing.

His mind did however reflect on what he had seen in the ruins that day, and the events of the previous night. Somehow, his mind recalled the face of Charon. He had seen it only briefly but it stirred odd feelings of familiarity in him.

Why? He thought.

"Well the sun will be down soon," He said to himself. "If I want to get any rest, I better get it now."

Now that he was alone, he took off his exosuit and slept on the ground.

Xanatos woke up to the sound of the gargoyle’s roar.

"Better than an alarm clock," he said smugly as he stood to his feet. He put on his exosuit once more, and made his way back to the clearing. As he approached, he could hear the gargoyle called Set, yelling.

"Who loosened her chains?" Set demanded.

"I did," Xanatos stated as he entered the clearing. He saw that the gargess was cringing away from her livid master. And even more livid, was the look on Goliath and Broadway’s faces. A battle looked imminent if he didn’t think fast.

"It has always been my opinion that fed help tend to work better than starving help," Xanatos explained.

Set paused and considered this.

"I suppose you’re right," He turned away from the gargess. An expression of obvious relief came across her features. Goliath and Broadway relaxed their defensive posture, but only slightly.

"Perhaps instead of quarreling amongst ourselves, we should find something to eat," Titan suggested. He looked at the gargess and smiled. It was not a kind smile. "She should be alright for a while."

"Agreed," Xanatos nodded before Goliath could protest. The lavender gargoyle scowled at him. Titan noticed Goliath’s scowl, and smiled again.

"Then let’s go hunting before our tempers get much shorter," Titan continued. "Once you find something bring it here, so she can prepare it. And you, girl, start a fire,"

The gargess nodded meekly. Goliath saw this, and felt beside himself with rage. This perversion of the gargoyle way sickened him.

Angela roared to wakefulness. At first she was bewildered when she found herself not in the last place where she remembered being. Her last memory was of great pain as she tumbled out of the sky. But now archaic tapestries, statues, and books surrounded her. All about her was the aurora of ancient magic. She sat up on the couch she found herself lying on and looked about.

At last, a voice broke the stillness.

"I am glad to see you’re awake, my daughter."

It was Demona and she emerged from the shadows.

Angela was both taken aback, and relieved. She wondered how she had gotten here. She knew Goliath and Brooklyn would not be pleased if they knew. But on the other talon, Angela felt glad to see her mother again, and this time at least, not in the heat of battle. Now it would be under better circumstances.

"Mother," Angela greeted Demona as the elder gargoyle sat along side of her of the blue velvet couch.

"Angela, how do you feel?" Demona asked.

"Oh," Angela responded.

The ebony haired gargess looked about the room again. The room held so many marvels, many of which were hundreds of years old by the look of them. It filled Angela with a sense of wonder despite herself. She reflected on the many tales that Demona had told her of her eternal existence.

"Angela," Demona said, putting her talon on her daughter’s shoulder, "What were you doing out on patrol alone?"

Angela paused. Going out on patrol alone was unusual for any gargoyle, anywhere and Demona knew it.

"I…I wasn’t on patrol," Angela muttered. She felt as if she were confessing some type of sin to her mother. Part of Angela’s mind told her to be quiet, that this was dangerous ground. Demona was the enemy and could not, should not be trusted under any circumstances.

"Angela, is something wrong?" Demona asked with seeming innocence.

Angela was silent as the war of loyalties within her raged. She turned away from her mother’s gaze.

Demona cannot be trusted. She repeated to herself. Demona cannot be trusted. Demona cannot be trusted. Demona cannot-

"Daughter, look at me," she gently whispered.

Slowly, almost against her will, Angela looked into Demona’s face. It was softer than she ever remembered seeing. She looked demure –and loving.

Angela felt tears fall onto her cheeks. She cursed herself for her weakness, but she could not help herself. Demona, without a word, held her daughter in her arms. She rocked Angela gently back and forth. Time seemed to stop for both of them

She is my mother. Angela thought. But these thoughts she kept to herself. And as Demona held her, she could not help but feel a certain contentment rush over her. How long Angela had wanted this, wanted and not known so. She did not want this moment to end. And in that time, she thought of nothing else. Not of Broadway, not of her father, or her clan. There was only this moment, and her mother. All else seemed unimportant now.

"Angela," Demona said, "tell me what is wrong."

For only one more moment did Angela hesitate before she finally nodded in submission.

Demona was delighted.

Brooklyn’s first thoughts were of Angela when he awoke with the setting of the sun. He bounded up onto one of the castle’s turrets in one leap.

"I’m going to look for her," Brooklyn stated, gazing out over the city. "I’ll be back soon."

Without another word, Brooklyn glided off to search. Lexington and Hudson looked at each other apprehensively.

"I hope he finds her," Lexington said.

"Aye," Hudson agreed.

On Kala-Niemi Island, Thailog and the other gargoyles awoke. He could hear their roars echo in the jungle around him.

"Did you sleep well?" A maternal voice asked him. It was Kali, and she placed a gray talon on his armored shoulder.

Thailog nodded to her.

Better I keep my dream to myself, Thailog decided.

"Well, let’s hope he rested well, or he’ll be of no use to Shiva and me on the hunt!" a sharp voice announced.

Thailog looked in the direction of the voice to see Atlanta standing at the base of the palace. She was looking up at them and grinning boldly.

"Saucy hatchling," Kali growled to herself in annoyance. But her annoyance only made the younger gargoyle smile all the more. Shiva tried his best not to laugh at either his mate’s annoyance, or Atlanta’s brashness.

Tenderly he went to Kali, and tenderly he held her. This he had always done before any hunt. For a moment the agony of being parted swelled in their hearts.

"Do be careful, old sea dragon," Kali whispered.

He nodded silently, and looked into her three eyes. For a moment, to these older lovers, the rest of the world passed away and there was only each other.

But, alas, only for a moment.

Shiva turned to Thailog.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

Thailog nodded.

Shiva smiled. His smile was infectious, and caused the dark gargoyle to smile as well. For once in Thailog’s life, it was not a cruel smile.

"Then let us go!" Shiva announced as he leapt off the balcony. Thailog felt his heart quicken, like a drum stirring to life. He was filled with the song of the hunt as it welled inside of him. Thailog opened his ebony wings, and glided into the forest.

"Let the hunt begin!" Shiva laughed.

"Claw marks?" Goliath asked Xanatos is surprise. Once they had felt they were at last away from the prying eyes of Titan and Set, Xanatos told the gargoyles what he had discovered in the ruins.

What he felt they needed to know, at least.

"Tomorrow night, we will find my son, and take the girl into our custody," Goliath stated. "Then we can be gone from this wretched place."

"The sooner the better," Broadway chimed.

In the waters near the shore of Baal Island, the great golden snake burst to the surface. In his jaws were the remains of a Killer Whale. He hurled the carcass to the shore. The eel-faced serpent licked the blood from his lips. His cold eyes looked at the remains of his prey, and he began to think about how he would have devoured the one called Goliath this night, had the iron one not interfered.

"Titan!" a voice called out to the snake. The snake looked up to see the gargoyles Lazarus and Icarus, calling to him. They landed on the shore and continued to call out to him.

"Idiots!" the serpent growled to himself. His body began to radiate with a golden light as he shook his head back and forth. The sea serpent then assumed his accustomed form, and Titan the gargoyle stepped onto the beach.

"Titan!" Icarus greeted his clan brother as Titan approached but Titan backslapped him across the face. The enraged gargoyle then turned and struck at Lazarus, sending him sprawling to the ground.

"Idiots!" Titan repeated his eyes blazing. "You could have ruined everything!"

"What?" Lazarus asked meekly, covering his face with his talons lest he be struck again.

"There are strangers on this island," Titan explained. "One of which looks like the Dark One; but his coloring is wrong."

Icarus and Lazarus exchanged glances.

"But we have found the Dark One," Icarus explained. "He is with the Kala-Niemi clan. We came to tell you!"

"Are you sure it was him?" Titan insisted.

"Yes," Icarus nodded.

Titan’s eyes filled with fear. "The Dark One, the bringer of my destruction. Then the one called Goliath mush be his brother, or sire…"

"What should we do?" Icarus asked.

Titan held his talon to his chin, deep in thought. Then he smiled. It was a smile that chilled even the blood of those in his own clan. Titan put his talons together, and between them appeared a ball of light. Titan hurled it out over the sea, where it took a life of it’s own and flew towards Kala-Neimi Island.

"That should take care of him," Titan smiled to himself. "Icarus, Lazarus, leave here now and do not let me catch you here again."

The two other gargoyles gathered themselves up, and left, not daring to look back.

"Pardon me," Set said as he emerged from the woods. " I did not know you had company."

Titan pounded on the cobra gargoyle with all his might.

"You’ll regret the night you were hatched!" Titan snarled.

"I’m sorry," Set apologized coolly, smiling. "I didn’t mean to interrupt."

"You did. And now you must pay –with your life!"

"And I suppose Goliath won’t be the least bit suspicious that two of us went out, and only one of us came back?" Set replied.

Titan paused. He let the anger leave him. No one can think when they are too angry, even the evil. As he calmed himself, a plan came into his mind.

"Help me destroy the strangers," Titan whispered. "And I’ll share the girl with you."

Set’s eyes gleamed with barely hidden lust. Still he hesitated. "But, she is to be given to you as a gift from my clan."

"True. When she comes of breeding age, yes," Titan smiled. "But she will be mine to do with as I will. I don’t usually share, but help me and I will share her with you."

Cruel, tantalizing thoughts flooded Set’s mind.

"Agreed, my friend," Set nodded.

On the shore of Kala-Niemi isle, a leopardess was hunting. The smell of her prey, the deer, was thick in her nostrils. She was so focused upon her prey that she did not see the ball of magical light careening down upon her. It stuck her and she let out a wild yowl as it consumed her. The magic reshaped her flesh and sprit, warping her. As she thrashed in agony, the light lifted her off the ground. From her side, six tentacles burst forth. The leopard’s instinct became rewritten by the magic Titan released. Now she was filled with a desire to hunt Thailog, and slay him.

Upon completion of her transformation, the leopardess was lowered to the ground. The light that had enveloped her disappeared but the magic had done its work and she slunk off towards the darkness of the jungle, hungry for blood.

There was a pensive silence between Angela and Demona. Angela had finished telling her story of Thailog’s abduction more than five minutes ago, and now she waited for her mother’s reaction. Angela felt like she was waiting for an inevitable storm, and the wait was terrible.

But the storm proved itself to be even more terrible. A low growl resounded from Demona’s throat, and slowly it began to crescendo. She grasped her talons into tight fists, and her body quivered with rage. Angela shrank back as Demona leapt to her feet, eyes blazing and roaring shrilly.

"Bastards!" Demona yelled, shaking her fists. "Both of them! Damn Thailog for living! And damn Goliath for abandoning our clan!"

"Goliath wouldn’t do that!" Angela retorted defensively, rising to her feet.

Demona looked into her daughter’s eyes, her own anger subsided slightly. For In Angela there was a faint hint of doubt. This doubt in her daughter’s eyes was opportunity in Demona’s, one she would not pass up.

"Goliath has abandoned you," Demona said harshly. "Just as he abandoned our clan a thousand years ago."

"NO!" Angela said fiercely. She turned away from her mother, feeling her eyes well with tears. "I don’t believe it!"

Demona reached out and put one talon on Angela’s shoulder.

"Then why do you doubt it, my daughter?" Demona whispered.

Angela gave no reply, but the look of anxiety on her face, told Demona that her words had hit home. For now, it would be enough to plant the seeds of doubt, and wait for them to grow in Goliath’s absence.

The silence was too much for Angela.

"I should go," she mumbled. "The clan will be worried about me."

Demona wanted to protest, but she held herself in check. "As you wish, my daughter," she nodded, and led Angela to the second floor balcony. Demona opened the French windows and watched as Angela scaled the wall.

"It was good seeing you Angela," Demona cooed.

Angela paused, feeling the conflict rise up within her.

"It was good to see you too," she replied lowly, as she spread her wings.

Once Angela was out of sight, Demona smiled to herself. A plan began to form in her dark mind.

Brooklyn’s mind was a whirl as he scanned the city beneath him.

"Where could she be?" he asked himself. He cursed his own incompetence as second. Goliath hadn’t even been gone one night, and things had already begun to fall apart.

Then out of the corner of his eye, he saw her!

"Angela!" Brooklyn cried out joyfully, waving his talons at her.

"Jalapeña! Your all right!" Brooklyn continued to talk as the glided up beside her. "Where have you been? We’ve all been so worried."

But to Brooklyn’s surprise she didn’t answer. She avoided his eyes and said nothing.

"Angela?" Brooklyn asked, concerned. "Are you alright?"

"I’m alright," she said sadly, "But let’s just go home."

"Okay," Brooklyn nodded his voice full of concern.

So they glided back to castle Wyvern in silence.

The hunt went well; very well indeed.

"When was the last time our clan enjoyed such a bounty!" Atlanta smiled, looking at the many deer and boars they had slain. She looked over at Thailog, and gave him a teasing smile.

"You bring good luck, Dark one."

Thailog smirked, amused.

"Ah, Kali will be happy," Shiva said to himself. "The fires will burn high with this meat."

Suddenly, Thailog heard that mysterious voice next to him once more.

"Be ready."

He breathed in sharply at hearing the Lady Titania’s voice again. He glanced over at his hunting companions, and they had apparently not heard her voice.

"Great," Thailog muttered.

"I heard that," The husky voice teasingly scolded.

Thailog’s muscles tensed, and his eyes searched in the brush about him. The pleasant prattle of Shiva and Atlanta faded to a soft hum. The green leaves waved in the wind, and Thailog strained both his eyes and ears to detect whoever, whatever, he had been warned about. He felt the hair on the back of his neck rise up, and he scarcely breathed. At first there appeared to be nothing unusual but in the darkness of the leaves, he thought he saw something flicker –like eyes. Eyes, which made Thailog’s own, widen with anticipation.

"Thailog?" Shiva said, concerned, noticing the younger’s heightened senses. "What is it?"

And the creature that was once a leopardess charged forth out of the brush at full speed. From its red mouth, foam trailed, and its howl filled the air. It leapt upon Thailog in one mighty spring, knocking him to the ground. Its long fangs searched for his neck, and it took all of Thailog’s strength to hold the cat at bay. He felt his thighs and arms on fire, and the razor sharp tentacles scratched him.

Into the mighty cat’s side, Atlanta drove her spear, and Shiva his trident. At such wounds the animal should have lain dead at their feet, but it was as if the cat felt no pain.

"It will not die!" Atlanta yelled, exasperated, as she began to stab the cat multiple times.

"Do not give up!" Shiva directed. "Keep fighting!"

Thailog felt his strength beginning to waver to his disbelief. He should have flung the cat back against a tree with the effort he was exerting. Yet it was taking all the strength in his body just to keep the monster at bay, and still its jaws crept closer to his neck. He could feel the heat of its breath, and saw that its eyes lacked any spark of life. They were the eyes of a dead thing, with the strength of many. Thailog’s mind began to scramble for another way out, quickly.

Suddenly a blast of magical power hit the cat full in the back. The creature stopped its attack, arching its back in a painful roar. Shiva looked back in shock to where the blast had come from, but saw nothing but the empty forest.

This is magic. He thought. Magic of the fae kind.

The cat leapt off of its prey still yowling in agony. Its spasming body took on an eerie glow. It thrashed about wildly, before the gargoyles’ shocked eyes. It lifted its head to the sky, and spat out a shower of flame. Its eyes blackened, and it collapsed in a silent heap. The body of the monster then became as fire, and turned to ash.

All this in a matter of seconds.

"By Oberon’s name!" Shiva exclaimed.

"Almost, son of Grendel," a husky voice spoke.

A cloak, without a figure within its crimson folds, appeared. It was framed by a soft magical glow, like a gentle mist or fog. By some unseen hand, the hood was pulled back, and the figure of Titania appeared.

"Hello, Dark one," Titania smiled, undaunted by both his suspicion and amazement. The fae queen approached Atlanta, and cupped the gargoyle’s chin.

"And my dear, how much you have grown," she smiled. Atlanta’s features were filled with almost a hatchling-like excitement, at the queen’s approval.

"Why did you aid me?" Thailog interrupted.

"So many questions," Titania teased. Her thoughts ran to her defiant son-in-law, and how this clone resembled his manner in so many ways. "And questions I have already, answered."

Thailog growled in frustration.

So much like David. Titania laughed to herself. And Goliath.

Thailog paused, torn and still frustrated beyond words.

"The waves of Fate will take you where you need to be," Titania said. Then, the sun began to rise, framing the magical queen in all of its glory.

Goliath’s tail twitched angrily. When he had returned to the clearing, the gargoyle found that Set and Titan had already arrived, apparently some time ago. They brought with them some huge steaks of meat, fish by the smell of it. Goliath felt suspicious that it had taken the two scoundrels so little time to yield such an impressive bounty.

The nameless gargess was already at work preparing it over a large fire.

"Smells great!" Broadway said to the gargess.

Set gave her a harsh glance. "Know your place," He hissed.

The nameless one’s eyes widened with fear. She gave a hurried nod, and turned back to her work, not daring to look up. Set, satisfied with this, turned his attention to the travelers.

"Indeed," Xanatos replied coolly.

Titan looked directly into the iron gargoyle face, and smiled. Smiled, too knowingly. "Well, I have always gotten my prey once it is in my sights."

Xanatos felt the hair rise up underneath his exosuit, but gave no reply to Titan’s barely veiled threat.

"Take your share and eat," Set instructed. Goliath, who could see no other way out, complied. In silence, the servant, who also continued her own silence, served all of the gargoyles. Only the iron gargoyle refused to eat, with a shake of his head to the servant when she attempted to serve him.

At last, Goliath spoke.

"Tell me what you know of this island. And of the clan that once lived here."

"This clan once belonged to our clan," Set began to brag.

The serpent looked annoyed at this. "Well, at any rate, they were, before the humans came to this island."

Sensing that Set liked to hear the sound of his own voice, Goliath decided to use this opportunity to get more information. He pressed further.

"How did they get here?" Goliath asked.

"No doubt the same way you did," Set explained. "The magical shield that is around these islands creates a storm around it. Some humans get lost in the storm. Most are never found, perpetually lost. But some, like you, get washed ashore here. It’s as if Baal Island is the current of that magical storm, and it catches all of its debris."

"Under the rule of the Gargoyle, Grendel," Set continued, "the humans that came here were allowed to either stay or be taken home by Charon’s skiff. But Grendel was called away to help a friend of his that had been captured by a human clan, called the Danes, I believe. He never returned. Killed most likely.

"Grendel had two sons, Solomon and Shiva. After much rivaling, the position of leadership went to Solomon. Solomon decreed that the humans would not be allowed to return home, as they might give away the position of our islands. Some of the Baal clan decided to harbor them, but some wiser gargoyles knew humans were treacherous by their very nature. These wiser gargoyles were the ancestors of my clan.

"Generations past, and the Baal clan foolishly accepted the humans into their clan. Then one night, some gargoyles from my clan went to the Baal Island, and what they found filled them with horror. The entire Baal clan had been slaughtered as they slept; even the eggs were not spared. And the humans, looking bewildered, said that they had all fallen into a deep sleep and when they awoke, found the Baal clan annihilated.

"Of course the wiser gargoyles knew it was a lie, and they wanted to make the humans pay for their atrocities with their lives. Others did not believe the humans were responsible. Solomon was about to carry out justice, until he was persuaded by his brother to spare the humans’ pathetic lives. The humans were sent out en masse from the island ring, in a fleet of skiffs. And never heard from again."

"It is assumed," Titan added," That the humans died in the storm that protects these islands. For no other ship other than Charon’s, can navigate it safely."

"Then they were sent to their deaths," Goliath growled.

"Why does this surprise you?" Titan smirked. "Don’t you believe in justice?"

"Justice, yes. But you speak of murder."

"Who else could it have been?" Set retorted. "They died during daylight!"

"Indeed, who else?" Titan added.

There was a long uncomfortable silence.

"I do not know," Goliath said at last. "But I do know from experience that the blood of gargoyles cannot be washed away with the blood of humans."

Attending the cooking fire, the nameless gargoyle listened in to the conversation. She was used to hearing Set prattle on and on for hours, but the one called Goliath –his words held her interest. More so because, she was afraid for him and for his companions. She knew what Set and Titan were capable of.

She then noticed that the aqua gargoyle, the fat, gentle one had already eaten his portion.

Perhaps he would like some more food. She thought, and took another steak from the fire and brought it over to the stranger. He turned his attention away from listening to his leader’s conversation to her. He smiled genuinely at her, and she quickly glanced over to see if Set had noticed. But he was too busy hearing himself talk to notice. Hesitantly, she smiled back to the aqua one.

And suddenly she dropped the meat onto the ground, and could not help but gasp in horror. The sound of her gasp caused all to turn to see what had occurred.

"I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. Please Forgive me," She stammered, beginning to tremble.

"Hey, It’s okay," Broadway said, surprised by her fearfulness.

"No it is not!" Set yelled. In less than an instant, he flew upon the gargess. He seized her by the hair and threw her to the ground. She let out a sharp cry. Set seized hold of her again and yanked her to her feet.

"I have had enough or your disobedience! Now, I’m going to give you a lesson, you won’t soon forget!" He yelled at her. He raised his fist to smack her full in the face, but found it suddenly arrested by a lavender talon. In surprise he turned to see Goliath, with eyes blazing, snarling at him.

"Leave her alone," He commanded.

"This is none of your business!" Set growled back. "She belongs to me! I’ll discipline her as I see fit!"

"Not any more," Goliath snarled. He grabbed hold of Set’s hood, and lifted him over his head, and sent him crashing into a near by tree.

Titan leapt to his feet and charged Goliath full-force. Broadway leapt up to assist his leader. Xanatos saw Titan come within a few inches of the gargoyle, ready to tear him apart; before the sun unexpectedly rose, freezing the entire scene.

Xanatos sighed in relief. He saw the gargess still on the ground, still where she had fallen when Goliath arrested Set from his assault on her. Xanatos walked over to her.

Looking down at her he asked, "Are you alright, my dear?"

Shaken, the gargess began to cry. She cursed herself for her weakness and for her tears. Then, she suddenly stopped in disbelief to see the iron gargoyle take it’s own head off, to reveal another head beneath!

Tears ran down her face, but she managed to say, "Who- what are you."

"I am Xanatos."

Nonchalantly, the industrialist strolled to the fire, pulling off his right armored forearm. With his now revealed human hand, he helped himself to one of the steaks, and handed one to her as well.

At first, she only stared at him in surprise, and then at last accepted.

"Thank you," she mumbled.

And Xanatos gently patted her on the head.

She may prove useful later on. He told himself.

The daylight splashed on the surface of Castle Wyvern. In it’s light, Goliath’s clan rested, all save its leader, Broadway and Bronx.

Dominique Destine gazed at the scene through her binoculars, and smiled to herself.

"Perfect," She said.

"What?" the helicopter pilot asked her. It was hard to hear her mumbling over the sound of the propellers. He hoped it was an order to return back to Nightstone. He disliked flying so close to the eerie building for the boss to do her spying.

"Shut up!" she snapped. "Take me back to Nightstone."

The nameless gargoyle slept in the clearing most of the day. When she awoke, she found the one called Xanatos was gone. There was a cracking sound; the sound of a stone skin being shed but the sun had not yet set! She looked over to see that it was Titan, flexing his muscles and roaring to wakefulness. In horror she shrank back.

"Well, good afternoon," he smiled cruelly at her. "How fortunate it is, that you are still here. We have plans for you."

"Plans?" she asked, her voice wavering with fear.

Titan smiled again, and said nothing. He walked over to the stone statue of Set.

"My friend," Titan said. "Awaken."

At his words alone, the cobra gargoyle also burst forth from his stone prison. He blinked in the sunlight.

"So bright," he said, his voice full of awe.

"And this is only the afternoon sun," Titan said.

Set then noticed the nameless gargoyle.

"Well hello, hatchling," He cooed. Her hair stood on end at the predatory sound of his voice.

"I suppose we can kill Goliath and the others in a moment," Titan said.

"Yes," Set agreed. "Let us turn our attentions to other matters."

The two exchanged knowing glances, and began to advance on her.

"What, What do you want?" The nameless one asked as she backed away as far as the chain would let her.

Xanatos was returning from the Baal ruins when he heard the scream. He ran towards the sound, and as he got closer to the clearing from which it came, he heard growling and snarling.

As he was just in reach of the clearing, he slammed on his helmet.

"No!" The gargess screamed again. The high pitched cry was full of fear and dread.

When Xanatos entered the clearing he saw the gargoyles, Titan and Set were awake.

Awake? In the daylight? He quickly thought.

He saw that they were passing the gargess in between them, shoving her from one to another. And each time one of them grabbed hold of her, they placed kisses and bites on her neck and bare shoulder.

The scene filled Xanatos with acute disgust.

Titan grabbed her next, and bent over her, laughing. She screamed, snarled and struggled, and to him this only made the game more enjoyable.

Suddenly he heard that sound that he had heard when the iron gargoyle shot fire into his mouth. He looked up to see Set go tumbling to the ground.

"Excuse me," A voice said, "But I think the lady said ‘No.’"

Titan turned sharply toward the direction of the voice to see the barrel of the magical weapon inches from his face. The iron gargoyle held it there, unmoving.

Titan growled lowly. His eyes narrowed, and still the iron gargoyle did not move. Titan did not release the girl, and it seemed that time stopped. Neither Titan nor Xanatos took their eyes off of each other, and neither spoke. The gargess looked from face to face. Titan’s face was full of hatred and rage, and the iron gargoyle’s face gave no indication what the person underneath was feeling.

For what seemed like eternity, they stood in this stalemate.

Then at last, Titan began to release his grip on her. She bolted from him. Xanatos still kept his eyes on Titan, knowing that just a moment of distraction was all he would need to gain the upper hand. Without looking, he raised his other laser rifle and shot through the chain that kept the gargess fastened to the tree. Xanatos heard her bolt off into the woods.

Titan’s growl climaxed into a roar, and the he lunged at Xanatos. The human fired, but the gargoyle grabbed hold of the laser gun’s barrel. Using it, Titan flung Xanatos over his head and onto the ground, as if he was nothing more than a rag doll.

Xanatos grunted as he felt the wind get knocked out of him when he hit the ground. He looked up sharply to assess the situation, only to see Titan’s talons flash before his visor was blinded to static. It then went completely off line, and David felt his helmet being ripped off. In a second, Titan tore the gargoyle head from the exosuit and growled right into Xanatos’ face.

"You’ll regret the day you where whelped human," Titan bellowed.

Goliath awoke to the sounds of battle. His stone skin had barely been shed as he turned to see Xanatos being attacked by both Set and Titan. The industrialist had a massive bruise on the left side of his face, and his arm hung limply at his side. It was broken.

But with his working arm, Xanatos was firing away. And though this deterred the snake gargoyle, Titan kept advancing. He dug a talon into Xanatos’ chest plate, in an effort to rip out his heart. Xanatos groaned with pain.

Goliath leapt into battle and pounced onto Titan. This surprise attack sent him to the ground. Titan picked himself up and growled, "Enjoy this night, Goliath. It will be your last."

Titan howled and charged at the lavender warrior. Goliath dodged, and pounced on Titan again. But this time Titan turned sharply, and grasped Goliath’s throat and arm. Now Goliath felt himself fighting for his life, as the golden gargoyle attempted to crush his windpipe.

It would have been the end of him had Xanatos not shot the attacker full in the face. There was an inhuman howl and Titan’s hold on Goliath was released.

"That’s for the arm," Xanatos said flatly.

Meanwhile, Broadway rushed at Set.

"RRRaghhh!" Broadway snarled, as he grasped the serpent’s arms. But Set’s hood opened and his enormous fangs dropped from the roof of his mouth. Broadway gasped in surprise, only seconds before the serpent shot poison full into his attacker’s eyes.

Broadway screamed and fell to his knees. Never had he known any pain like this! With a satisfied smile, Set gazed down at his enemy. He opened his violet wings and glided away swiftly from the battle.

"Broadway!" Goliath cried out when he saw his young warrior writhing on the ground. Titan, rising, looked over the situation quickly. Seeing that his ally had fled, he decided to retreat and finish them off later.

"This is not the end!" Titan called out. He spread his angelic wings, and disappeared into the night sky.

Goliath ran to Broadway, and grasped him in his talons.

"Goliath!" Broadway whispered. "My eyes- they’re on fire!"

It was then that in Goliath’s mind, he saw that terrible vision once more. The image of Broadway, scatted and sightless, making his way out of the dark. That haunting apocalypse that appeared before his own eyes had always left Goliath wondering:

"Was it a dream, or a prophecy?"

Goliath felt his heart sink. Xanatos hit his comlink.

"Owen, come in."

There was only the hiss and crackle of static.

"We’re on our own," He said gravely.

His mind still haunted by visions of what was promised to be, Goliath picked up Broadway in his arms. "Come," he said. " We must leave this place. Perhaps there is someone who can help us."

Xanatos began to interrupt, but Goliath shot him a look so furious that Xanatos decided it was best not to protest. An enraged Goliath was nothing to be taken lightly. He yanked up Bronx by the scruff, and shot up into the air with his power boosters at full thrust.

Like an angel of mercy, the heavyhearted Goliath rose into the air.

"Hang on, Broadway. Hang on," he said. And as he said the words, he heard the echo of himself, as he had spoken during that nightmare. He shook the feeling off.

"Where is the girl?" Goliath asked, "Was she harmed?"

"No," Xanatos said matter-of-factly. "I let her go."

On Kala-Niemi Isle, the gargoyles roared to wakefulness, as they stood in their roosts on the Palace. Kali looked to where her mate stood beside her, and reflected that it was empty. Uncharacteristically, Shiva had not led his hunting party home last night. And both Thailog and Atlanta were with him, they upon whom many would have their fates rest.

"Shiva and the others never came home last night, Kali-Ma," She said gently. "Should I assemble a search party?"

Kali paused, touching her chin in thought.

"No, not just yet," She said. "We’ll give them some more time."

I’m a fool to be worried anyway.

"You and Atlanta should be returning home. Your mate is already worrying about you," Titania instructed. "But you, Thailog, you have a different path."

Thailog looked up at her. His red eyes were confused. He hated, being led around by anyone. His life was his own, damn it! But in this new world, with no memory of his own- there was little more for him to do now, than to go forward.

Titania raised her slender hands once more, and became a will-o-wisp as she shot away from the island.

Deep in the underbrush, she hid. The nameless gargoyle had been there for some time, hiding. She hardly dared to breathe, let alone move, lest someone find her. Far away, she could hear that the sounds of battle had suddenly stopped. The forest was now filled with an uneasy silence, and she swore she could hear the sound of her own heart.

How long would she have to wait, before her masters came looking for her? How long? She did not know.

She looked down at her smock, torn open at the shoulder. Her neck and shoulder were covered with bite marks. The pain was excruciating, but only worse was the shame that filled her. She blinked her tears away. Now was no time for weakness, now was time to hide, and then flee.

She remembered Titania’s words. A numb feeling rose up within her.

Now the tears fell against her wishes, and she buried her face in her talons.

Without warning, a green ball of light sailed threw the sky. She did not see from where it came, but it seemed to hover, as if looking for something. The nameless gargoyle ducked lower into the brush she was hiding in, lest she be seen.

But the will-o-wisp did detect her. It flew right over to where she was, and burst into a bright flash of light. She raised her talons to shield her eyes from the light. She gasped in surprise.

Suddenly there came a great crash from the nearby underbrush. There was the sound of branches snapping, heavy breathing, and someone large coming through. She strained to see through her tears –a gargoyle she did not know.

Thailog had come to this unknown island, following the will-o-wisp. It had led him on a maddening relay through the forest, and at last to this clearing. He saw the will-o-wisp ignite the sky, and heard a small, frightened gasp. He turned to see a gargess hiding in the brush.

At the sight of her, Thailog’s world stood still. There was no sound, save for her frightened breathing, and the words of Oberon that echoed in his mind.

"And to another,

To love and protect her."

As he heard these words, he looked at her. Her anxious eyes invaded him. Touching a part of his soul he did not know he possessed. Thailog took in a frightened breath. What was happening to him?

At that moment, Thailog felt as if his soul was hit by lightening, and his brain consumed with fire. He grasped his head in agony, and his eyes flared. He roared in pain. His gargoyle instinct, which had slumbered all his life under Xanatos programming, now roared into fierce wakefulness.

And thus, by the magic of Oberon, was Thailog changed. Against his will, Thailog felt a strange impulse to protect this frail gargoyle, and above all, to claim her as his own. For though Oberon’s magic had ignited the spark of love, Thailog knew little difference between love and possession.

All of this happened instantly. The gargess was filled with fear at what she had seen, and bolted.

But she did not listen. She ran deeper and deeper, and faster and faster into the forest. She could hear him in pursuit of her, and she was filled with dread and horror. She pressed all of her four talons into the ground, to make her run faster. She suddenly felt herself be body slammed from above. Thailog, in his pursuit, had taken to the treetops and pounced on her from above.

She felt the wind get knocked out of her, but still she struggled on. She snarled and scratched the stranger, but strangely he made no move to return her attack. Not once did he strike her, as she had expected. Instead he seized her by the wrists in a strong grasp.

"Stop struggling!" Thailog commanded. "I won’t hurt you. I could never hurt you, little one."

These words surprised her, and she looked into his face.

"Eyes of fire!" she gasped to herself. "Did, Did Titania send you?"

"She lead me to you," Thailog replied. "Are you alright?"

The suave concern of his voice reduced her to tears, much to her shame. She felt her legs begin to crumble beneath her. He caught her in his arms and enfolded his wings about her.

"Shhh," he whispered, hushing her like a hatchling. He brushed her tears from her cheeks with his dark talon. She could feel his breath on her face, and the beating of his heart next to her.

Her life had been full of danger for many years. Now, for the first time in as many years, she felt safe, protected, as she had longed to be. Titania had fulfilled her promise, and sent someone who would care for her.

He rocked her in his arms and for a long time they said nothing. There was sweetness in the moment for both of them, and they did not wish to disturb it with words. He touched her face and looked at her with affection and tenderness. He smoothed her dishelved hair.

"Now the fear in your eyes is gone," Thailog whispered.

She nodded meekly.

"What are you called?" she asked quietly.

"Thailog," he smiled.

Goliath felt the heavy weight of Broadway in his arms as he flew. Frantically, Goliath searched the horizon for another island where they might find help. But only the cold ocean stretched before him, from horizon to horizon.

Broadway’s color had become a paler hue than normal. And what frightened Goliath the most was that he had stopped talking, or making indication he was in pain. In fact, it was as if he felt no discomfort at all. And that unnerved Goliath.

Visions again of what was prophesied to pass flashed in his mind. He heard Puck’s mocking voice again.

"Oh, but was it a dream or a prophesy?"

Goliath hoped it would not be the latter.

On the surface of the Hudson River, the quarter-moon shone. Across the heavenly reflection, a small boat floated by, with no other passenger than Demona.

In her talons, she held an ancient book, one of many from her Liberia. She had spent all day searching for the right incantation, to summon the ancient ferryman.

"At last," she congratulated herself, rising to her feet. "At last I’ll be rid of both Goliath and Thailog."

She opened the text and began reading the ancient rhyme.

"Charon,

Child of the races three,

Ferry me across the water

To where I wish to be."

On the last words of the incantation, she threw a penny out into the waters. Just as it was about to hit the polluted surface, Charon’s talon burst forth and seized it. Once again, he rose from the waters.

"Who pays the ferryman?" he demanded.

"I do," Demona snarled. She leapt from her boat to his skiff.

"Take me to Kala-Niemi," She directed.

As the mists began to envelop the skiff, Demona’s thoughts began to turn to her daughter.

"Once Goliath is out of the way, and I have had my vengeance, then nothing will separate us, my daughter. Nothing!"

To be continued- In "The Guardians"