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Chapter 7: Basement Showdown

Geoff lay on his bed with his arms around Nathanial, unsure of what to say. He knew he couldn't say 'I can't tell you' after getting Nathanial to finally tell him what was going on in his life. He knew Nathanial was piecing together the puzzle around him and that Nathanial sensed something when they looked into each other's eyes just now. But he wasn't allowed to say; he'd need to ask his father. Which seemed like a good answer. Nathanial knew because of him and Liam that his da was somehow connected to the Hidden World. "Pup, my father is the only one who can answer that. Let me introduce you, and you can ask. I'll get dressed and we can go upstairs."

"Sir." Faelen's voice was cautious and uncertain; Geoff decided to not comment on that annoying 'sir.' "I need to speak to you alone for a second."

Geoff nodded and licked Nathanial on the nose as he got up. He followed Faelen into the rec room, tail swishing as he felt Nathanial watching his naked body.

"Sir, your father is very tolerant, but I don't know if introducing Nathanial as a boyfriend or the love of your life is wise. The Spirit community forbids relations with non-Spirits, and even amongst Spirits gay relations are taboo. As a Dark Spirit it may be even worse. You are expected to have many children in the hopes of producing more Elementals. I don't share that view, but please, take care."

Geoff sighed. He knew Faelen was right, and while he was certain his da would be happy for him, now was probably not the best time. He nodded, walked back into his bedroom, and got dressed. Nathanial was watching him with a smile, enjoying the view. Geoff leaned over and gave him a long and deep kiss before helping him up.

Nathanial blushed and looked down. "Watching you walk from the room gave me a nice view, but I much preferred to see you walk back towards me. Both for the better view, and because you were getting closer."

Geoff's tail started wagging happily, and he nibbled on Nathanial's ear. "C'mon, pup, upstairs. Um, I'm going to introduce you as a friend and classmate. I hope you don't mind."

Nathanial looked scared for a second, then confused as he shook his head. "Um...n-no?"

"You sure?" Geoff's heart sank when Nathanial still looked confused as he nodded. He felt horribly guilty as he led the way to Conor's office. 'I can see why he'd be confused after I said I loved him. Of course he'd expect me to introduce him to Da as my boyfriend, but I just can't right now.' He knocked on the door. "Da?"

Conor's voice sounded weary. "Enter. We were just about to fetch you." They entered the office and he looked to the Akita pup. "You would be Nathanial."

Nathanial nodded.

Geoff noticed Dirk was on guard as he stood beside Conor behind the desk; he wore his full suit of bones. Liam sat unperturbed in a chair facing the wooden desk.

"I am Conor McDougal, Geoff's father. Young Mageling, you've put me in a bit of a bind. We are in hiding from Hunters, a group you seem to have had recent dealings with, and we were trying to maintain a low profile." He glared at Geoff. "However, Demon threats must be dealt with promptly by whoever finds them, regardless of personal situation. As such, I am going to ask you to swear on your life that you won't let anyone know what I'm about to tell you. Do you so swear?"

Geoff was surprised; he hadn't expected this.

Nathanial looked scared but said, "Yes, sir. Whatever it takes to save my brothers. I, Nathanial Marks, swear before Zeus and on my life that I will do everything in my power to protect the secret you are about to reveal. May Hades cast my soul into Tartarus should I betray you. You'll tell me who you guys are, now?"

Conor looked a little surprised at the oath, but nodded. "Spirits." He pointed to the appropriate people as he named them. "Water, Bone, Dark, Mist. I don't know how familiar you are with Spirits, but I am in the second rarest category, an Elemental. Geoff is one of the two rarest types of Spirit, the other being Light. Dark Spirits are considered the most evil of an evil species by some Hunters, and the more zealous ones hunt them regardless of consequences. The Arcane Society is supposed to keep them away from us, but one group has been hounding Geoff for nearly a year. We know that if we dealt with them, then the Hunters would use that as a pretext to openly attack or to demand the Society deal with us. It was simpler to move here for a while to let things calm down, especially since many of our Clan were trying to use this as a pretext to strike back. Open war would have been nearly inevitable had we stayed. It would have been inevitable if something happened to Geoff. Spirits across Europe would have struck back against the Hunters, the Knights, and possibly the Society itself for failing to protect him."

Liam cleared his throat impatiently.

"But back to the topic at paw. Mr. Smith requested that we contact some local Fey to close the portal while he clears any Demon Taint from your brothers. He requested that we provide some guards to be on paw in case the Demons try to interfere, and the aid of Faelen or Geoff to cover your grimoire while he does so. I agreed with him. I have asked two Dryads to send word to the Fey, and I expect their response in a few minutes." He rubbed his muzzle. "I don't like this, but we have an obligation to deal with Demon threats immediately. You're certain that there have only been Imps? If that's the case then this will be good experience for you, Geoff. I remember fighting Imps for the first time. I had a blast." He exchanged toothy grins with Dirk before sobering back up. "If it's worse...I'd prefer to call for backup. I can have enough people here to deal with anything short of an actual invasion in ten minutes."

Nathanial liked the sound of backup but he wanted to get to Nick and Micah as soon as possible. "I-It was just Imps. There was a Succubus around, but she never showed herself. I th-think she stayed right by the portal the whole time. I think."

Faelen nodded. "That's correct, sir. I could smell her in only one spot; the scent seemed to stay in a one metre-diameter circle."

Conor nodded in satisfaction, then gestured at Faelen's father with his paw. "Dirk and I will guard the portal, and Geoff and Faelen will go with you, Mr. Smith, and Nathanial, to help the Marks pups and help handle any trouble there. Geoff will need the lights kept very low to amplify his powers, and Faelen would need a bank of fog or a lot of steam, if possible. So, from the sounds of it, there shouldn't be any trouble inside. I imagine any Demons will be concentrated around the portal, if they haven't already fled and gone into hiding."

Geoff hid his relief at that. While the thought of combat didn't faze him in the slightest -- it actually sounded exciting -- the thought of Demons and their Taint was an entirely other matter. You couldn't fight Demon Taint, it just slowly corrupted you from within.

Liam spoke, "Nathanial-san should have a spell to summon fog. It is one of the earliest spells most Mages learn. Every grimoire I have seen or heard of has had that spell."

Nathanial's ears drooped in shame. "I-I don't know it. But I haven't been able to get very far into the book. Most of the pages won't turn, or are blank."

"Unusual. Nathanial-san, your book appears to have issues with you learning much from it." Liam held out his paws. "May I see the Succubus Grimoire for a minute?" Nathanial recoiled. "Do you not trust me? Or is it the book telling you to keep me away? I have saved your life; the book has put it in danger. Whom do you trust more?"

Geoff growled, and Liam shot him a flat look. "Silence. I do not have time to coddle Nathanial-san, or do you not mind yourself and O'Conall being put in unnecessary danger?" Now Dirk growled.

Nathanial closed his eyes for a moment in concentration before saying, "You were right again, Sensei. Here is the grimoire. I trust you."

Geoff watched with narrow eyes as Nathanial pulled the tome out of his book bag with shaking paws. "Sensei? What is that?" Geoff's tone was slightly sharper than he intended.

Nathanial got a small smile on his face and blushed. "It means 'Master.'" Geoff growled again. "Not like that. Master of a Craft. Doctor, teacher, artist, smith. It's Japanese, and it's used in a lot of the manga I read. Graphic novels."

Geoff watched as Liam placed his right paw on the front cover of the grimoire, and suddenly Nathanial's paw flew up to press against his jaw, like he had a sore tooth. Geoff asked, "Is your head hurting again, Nathanial?" To his relief, Nathanial shook his head and lowered his paw. "You seem to be really having trouble today."

"It's been a rough two days." The Akita turned to Geoff's da. "What's the magic behind the door next to the gym?"

Geoff saw Dirk's eyes narrow at Nathanial's question. Then he looked at Conor to see if he'd answer.

Conor's tone was cool. "It's none of your concern; it's not a threat to you or your brothers. I was told that no one would be able to detect it. I should speak to that Mage."

Liam was panting slightly as he handed the grimoire back to Nathanial. "Do not. Nathanial-san is unique among Mages, I believe, or at least extremely gifted. He is able to detect things many cannot. Nathanial-san, look in the book, and seek a spell named Summon Mist or Conjure Mist. It is known by several names, but those are the most common. Fog may be substituted for Mist." His paws were shaking. He pulled out a thermos from his gym bag and poured a packet of powder in. Faelen started to sneeze repeatedly, interspersed by a few explosive sneezes from Conor. Liam blew across the top of the thermos before he inhaled some of the steam and then chugged the hot liquid down.

Faelen winced as tears leaked from the corners of his eyes. "Gods, Smith!" He sneezed. "What is that stuff?" Conor seemed to feel the same way, considering the grimace plastered on his muzzle.

"Medicine." Liam's voice left no doubts he considered the subject closed.

Nathanial flipped through the pages of his grimoire with an awed expression. "What did you do? I couldn't find more than a pawful of spells yesterday, but now there seem to be dozens!"

"I convinced the...essence of the book that it would be in its best interests to behave."

Nathanial stopped on a page of gibberish and ran his finger over a few paragraphs and odd diagrams. He sounded slightly giddy as he asked, "May I?"

Conor nodded. "We should know our capabilities before we head out. Try."

Geoff was surprised when Nathanial just closed his eyes and focused. He was certain Mages had to do a lot of talking and wiggling their paws around to do magic, but after a second of Nathanial just sitting there a dense bank of fog burst from a spot in the middle of the room, almost like a fog bomb went off. In another second, Geoff could see nothing but fog, not even the end of his muzzle.

Mr. McDougal's voice was dry. "It appears to have worked. Faelen, could you open the window and send this out, unless you can dismiss it, Nathanial?"

Faelen groaned. "Aww. I like it. Da, can I keep it, please? I'll feed it and take it for walks!" Nathanial banished it, to see Faelen grinning at him. "I like that spell. But if we use it in combat, it'll have to be a bit thinner or no one else will be able to see. You know, weak eyes and all."

Geoff grinned back. "Yeah, yeah. Says the guy who can't see in perfectly acceptable darkness."

"Pups. Business at paw." Geoff thought his da sounded impressed, making him proud of Nathanial. Conor didn't impress easily. His father began asking Nathanial about his abilities and quickly sketched out what he knew Faelen and Geoff were capable of. "None of you sound like you possess true combat magic or physical combat skills. Geoff and Faelen have tremendous speed and reflexes when manifested, and are both naturally strong, but they don't have proper paw-to-paw training. Only Smith -- sensei was it?" Nathanial nodded. "-- appears to, in that respect."

Geoff felt annoyed at his da's...joke, if that was what it was. He was getting annoyed at all of the deference given to Liam, and all of the mystery around him. "What about Smith? Who are you? What are you? What can we expect you to do while we protect you?"

Conor sat up slightly. "Calm down, Geoff. He's going to heal Nathanial's brothers. Beyond that it's unnecessary for you to know."

Liam raised a paw, and Conor stopped what he was going to say. "McDougal, suffice it to say I am Shao Lin. A Monk. We are what the Knights should be. We sought to bridge the gap between the Hidden and Mundane Worlds and act as peacekeepers. We were doing well in uniting the two Worlds until the Europeans invaded and brought the Knights and the Society."

Conor continued. "He will heal the pups as his first priority, and help with his kung fu as needed." He tilted his head slightly, listening to something. "The Fey will meet us at Nathanial's. Dirk and I will fly over. The rest follow on bike and paw. We'll be the distraction, if there is any resistance, so you can get downstairs. You have a pool, Nathanial?" The Akita nodded, and Conor nodded back, satisfied. "Good. Should there be trouble, we'll be prepared. Now, I'll change and head out."

Geoff was shocked. "Since when can you fly?"

Dirk grinned as Connor stood. "I can use bones to lift myself and your da. When we go into a dangerous area, I have a second, lighter set of bone armour for him. That way I can better protect him and pull him out of danger, if need be."

Conor and Dirk left the room.

Liam stood as well. "Nathanial-san, take McDougal's bicycle. McDougal and I can keep up on hindpaw." He and Geoff followed as Nathanial and Faelen walked out first. Liam leaned in to Geoff and asked very quietly, "So, have you asked him out, formally, yet?"

Geoff blushed. "I told him I loved him, yes."

"That is a different thing entirely, McDougal. Different Furs view relationships in different ways. If you seek a closed and committed relationship, you should specify that. But let us discuss that on the way." He shepherded everyone downstairs.

Faelen and Nathanial got on the bikes and rode them out onto the driveway, with Geoff closing the garage door behind them. Liam hooked his arms through the straps on his gym bag so it hung, albeit awkwardly, on his back.

Geoff led the way, with Liam beside him. Geoff still felt a little jealous so he set the pace fast, and slowly sped up to see how fast he could go before outpacing Liam. They were going at Geoff's quicker pace, the one he used when he wasn't concerned about losing Faelen, when he saw Liam signal him to slow down. He grinned. 'Finally! Got him!' "Am I going too fast?"

Liam responded in his normal, even tone, without any hint of exertion. "Yes, Nathanial-san is having trouble breathing."

Geoff immediately slowed down, dropping back beside a puffing Nathanial. "I'm sorry, pup. I just assumed you'd have no problem keeping up on a bike. I forgot you were having problems today." He got gasps and wheezes for a response. "We're almost there. Just a few more blocks." He rubbed Nathanial's back as the pup nodded weakly.

Liam dropped back as well. "McDougal, we could pull him along. I can take one side, you the other. That way you can ask him that question you were wanting to."

Geoff gave Liam a narrow look. 'What is he up to?' "Um, oh, okay." Geoff grabbed Nathanial's left arm, while Liam took the right, and Nathanial lifted his hindpaws up off the pedals as they sped back up. "Nathanial, pup, um, I was thinking, would you like to go out with me? I'm grounded right now, but, um, I was thinking of going steady. Y'know, a kinda committed thing between us. No dating other people and stuff."

Liam's voice was a little dry. "Eloquently said, McDougal."

Geoff was embarrassed and annoyed. "Come on! This is the first time I've asked someone out like this! Why? Were you going to ask him if I didn't?"

"I have thought of it, but he is quite attracted to you. However, if you did not ask him in a few days, I most likely would have. He is quite attractive and nice. His backside is also very pleasing to behold, and I would wager even more pleasing to hold." Both Geoff and Nathanial coughed, shocked and blushing. "I believe McDougal is awaiting your answer, Nathanial-san."

Geoff wasn't sure if he'd heard what he thought he heard. He spluttered, dumbfounded, as he said, "Y-You... What? Are you g-gay, too?" He wasn't sure what he expected in response, but all he got was a look that said, 'Duh!'

Nathanial was still gasping from his exertion, and he stuttered a bit from nerves. "Um...gosh. I-I'm flattered, both of you, but I'm sorry, Liam-sensei. Yes, Geoff, I'd love to." Nathanial stared at the spinning front tire of the bike, horribly pleased and embarrassed.

Liam shrugged. "There is nothing to apologize for, Nathanial-san. He was your first choice, and I knew so. I just did not wish for there to be misinterpretations about the nature of your relationship. It would seem kissing and sex are off-limits with other people now, as well as dating. I wish you both great happiness together, despite the complications that will arise from your choice."

Geoff growled, "Why does your blessing sound like a curse?"

"You are a Spirit, he is not. I know of the prohibition. It will pose a major problem. You are also both male, and Spirits and Mages are very conservative in such matters, on the whole. I will be here to advise and help as I can, of course." Liam kept his gaze forward, but Geoff thought he saw him smile slightly.

Nathanial blushed, and Geoff remembered Nathanial saying that Liam gave him some sex advice. "So, um, if we have questions, ah, of a personal nature...we can ask?"

Liam smiled openly as Geoff cautiously asked his question. "If you wonder if I can give advice on sexual matters, yes, I can. I may not have gone to medical school, but I am able to provide many answers of a medical and sexual nature, if you feel unable to ask your parents or a doctor. In most situations asking a peer would not be advisable, but asking me is a different matter."

Faelen interrupted, his ears red. "We're here. So if you'd start paying attention to important things, it'd be appreciated."

Geoff thought his voice sounded a bit gruff and stiff. He seemed to be holding himself stiffly, too. 'I wonder if he asked Dirk about being a bodyguard and dating.'

Nathanial pressed the button on his remote and the gate slid open as they approached. They moved through and Nathanial closed it behind them. The sun was still about an hour from setting.

Geoff turned to his pup. "Front door or a side one, Nathanial? We should probably avoid the pool area."

Nathanial pointed at the front door. "Put the bikes against the stairs, on the side there. Mom doesn't seem to be home. She has a prayer group tonight, and the women always go out for coffee after."

Liam frowned. "Prayer group? Western Mages are almost universally part of the Olympic faith. 'Prayer group' sounds Christian."

"She is Christian. Dad is a Hellenist, and she hates that almost as much as she hates magic." All three looked at him, confused. "She likes money. Dad has money. He's also almost never around so she can do what she wants." The confusion vanished. "Let's go. I'll just text Micah to meet us at the top of the stairs." He texted as he led them to the kitchen.

Seconds later, Micah bounded upstairs and grabbed Nathanial in a hug as he sobbed.

"Whoa, Micah. What happened?"

"He's looking for the grimoire. He's furious that you have it. I had to tell him. He was..." Micah couldn't talk anymore, and just shook as he cried.

Liam put a paw on Micah's head and then ran his paws lightly over the small body. "He is bruised, his Chi disrupted. It appears the Succubus, the grimoire, and Nicholas have attacked his mind, but with less effect than I would have expected. I will need to cleanse him, and I will tend to the bruising when all is done, if I am able. Nathanial, please hand the grimoire to Geoff, and extinguish the lights in the stairwell."

Geoff pulled the grimoire from Nathanial's pack, making Micah's eyes widen. Nathanial tensed, but forced himself to relax. He reached into the stairwell and flicked off the main lights; the two nightlights remained on.

Geoff felt very awkward as he slipped into the staircase with the grimoire and manifested. He'd never manifested in front of non-Spirits before -- it felt wrong. Nathanial and Liam didn't react, and Micah was farther back, out of sight. Now he felt insulted. He knew he'd vanished from view; that should have elicited some sort of reaction. He started to softly pad down the stairs with Nathanial and Liam following right behind. He stopped short, and they stopped right behind him. Now Geoff was feeling confused and a little nervous, so he whispered, "Can you see me?"

Liam merely shook his head.

Nathanial seemed to consider something and he squinted. "No. No, I can't. When did you do that?" The other Furs just looked at him. "What? I was following him down the stairs and now I can't see him."

Faelen had started moving after the other two, keeping Micah close. "He manifested as soon as he entered the staircase. He should have been virtually invisible from that point on. How were either of you following him?"

"His energy is uncloaked." Liam seemed to think that was all the explanation needed.

Nathanial shrugged. "I just knew where he was and what he was doing. I guess I thought I was still seeing him."

Geoff felt himself become annoyed again, so he tried to actively hide his presence in the dark.

He saw Liam's eyes scan over him without seeming to land on him, and Liam nodded. "Much better, McDougal. I am impressed; only the faintest traces of your energies are detectable. Can you still sense him, Nathanial-san?"

Nathanial shook his head.

"Very well. McDougall, if you would remain here with Marks-kun," he said as he nodded his head toward Micah as he further clarified by saying, "or 'the littlest Marks' and the grimoire, we shall see if we can accomplish this peacefully. You have the key to the cabinet, so we will try to move this to Nicholas Marks's room and extinguish the lights in the main room. You may secure it then."

It really irked Geoff to have to listen to Smith like this, but he was right. He stepped to the side of the stairs and tapped them on the backs to let them know they could move. Liam dropped his bag beside Geoff as he went. Geoff gently pulled Micah to him as he started to move by and wrapped the shadows around him like a blanket. He felt Micah stop shivering and relax into him.

---

Nathanial was a little upset that Geoff had to stay in the staircase, but it did make more sense. He saw Faelen linger at the base of the stairs, but Liam moved out swiftly and silently. Nathanial paused but followed Liam.

The room was a mess: all of the pillows were off the furniture, and the couch looked like a feral lion had gotten to it. The video games and movies were all open and strewn around, as were the books. The cabinet that normally held the grimoire had scorch marks on it.

"Nicholas! Hey Nick, where are you?"

Nicholas walked out of Nathanial's room, a look of aggravation on his face. "Where's the book, Nathanial? I was wanting to practice by the pool this afternoon."

Nathanial stopped in the middle of the room. "So you beat up Micah and tore apart the basement? You could've sent me a text and asked where it was!"

"I didn't want to bother you."

Nathanial felt himself getting angry. "You have now. You hurt Micah!" Liam had slipped into Micah's room, out of Nicholas's sight. "Faelen and some of my friends are concerned about what happened. It seems the Demons had affected our minds, and the Society and other groups may try to hurt us if we don't get treatment. Now, I want you to go to your room while I decide how long you're grounded for."

"I'm fine." Nicholas stalked slowly toward Nathanial, paws in front of him motioning for Nathanial to give it to him. "Just give me the book so I can practice while you pretend to be our dad."

Faelen moved up beside Nathanial, subconsciously taking a dominant stance. "Pup. You aren't fine. Let's go in to your room and we can help. The Nicholas I met yesterday seemed to be very kind and loved his brothers. He wouldn't hurt them." Faelen walked up to Nicholas and put a paw on his shoulder. "Let's go and sit on your bed and we can talk about it."

Nathanial felt magic build and he conjured a thick bank of fog around Faelen as he flicked the lights off with his magic. He did too good of a job. He didn't tone down the fog, and he forgot to turn some lights on in the other rooms, meaning no one could see. He could sense Faelen manifest the moment the mist formed, just as he was flung against the wall by the stairs by a blast of telekinetic magic from Nicholas. He sensed Liam dash forward to attack Nicholas, but Nick summoned a dozen Imps around himself.

Liam drew his sword, slashing through two of the Imps as they appeared, their bodies bursting into ash as the blade cut into them. Liam then had to dance back as the Imps began to spray acid around randomly.

Faelen sprang off the wall; he had managed to twist in the air and plant his hindpaws on the studs. This gave him control of his jump, and he only made two small dents in the wall, as opposed to going through it. Faelen landed from his jump close to Nathanial and moved in front of him.

Nathanial could faintly detect Geoff cautiously move into the room, blinded, so he dismissed a small amount of fog and he flicked on the light in his room.

Nathanial 'watched' Liam cut through two more Imps in precise movements, but the thinner fog was helping them avoid the blade.

Nathanial felt Nicholas begin to gather more magic. "Faelen! Fire magic!" He felt Faelen draw as much moisture as he could around Nicholas, and Geoff gathered as much cold darkness as he could. Despite that, Nicholas managed to create a hollow globe of fire around himself, driving the fog and darkness back.

Liam barely managed to dodge a glob of acid as the eight remaining Imps focused on him. Nathanial grabbed one of them with his mind and pushed it into the fire, holding it there until it stopped moving.

Faelen dashed towards Liam, faster than Nathanial thought anyone could ever move. He grabbed one the Imps around the throat and snapped its neck easily, as they were unable to detect him at all. The sudden unexplained death of the Imp sent them into a frenzy of uncoordinated action. They darted around in a frantic swarm, crying out in eerie voices. Liam chopped through another one when the air began to pulse in the middle of the swarm. An Imp began to claw its way into the room out of the center of the disturbance.

Liam snarled, "They are opening another portal! We need a Fey in here to shut it!" He cut an Imp apart as it moved to help its fellow out of the still-opening rift.

Nathanial could sense Micah moving into the room toward them, but when he glanced back he couldn't see anything. 'Still too foggy and dark. Well, I seem to be doing all right as is, and the other three are doing great. I'll let it be.' "Mike, keep back." He felt Micah jump in surprise before he darted in a wide circle around the combat toward his room.

Geoff was struggling to keep Nicholas contained inside the darkness he'd wrapped around the fire. Nathanial dodged acid here and there as he studied the fire around Nicholas. There had to be some way through. Faelen was busy trying to help Liam, and unable to provide much help to Geoff. Nathanial thought it felt like a stalemate between his love and his sibling.

Faelen's reflexes and speed looked to surpass Liam's, but he was hampered by the acid being spat out randomly by the Imps. Liam was able to slash past that with his sword; however both of them were being pushed back by the globs of acid burning into the floor. Still, they seemed to have worked out a way to cooperate. Liam would slash at an Imp or two, and if he failed to hit it would still be driven back by the strike into Faelen's reach. They were still only able to keep the numbers around six due to the reinforcements making their way out of the expanding portal.

Nathanial's stomach sank; he could feel a larger presence standing behind the tear forcing the Imps through. If the portal opened wide enough...

Micah suddenly ran out of his room, heading straight for the growing portal. Nathanial didn't know how much his brother could see, and was afraid to let him get close. "Micah! No! Keep back! It's too dangerous!"

Faelen spun around looking for the small pup. "Nathanial, where is he?!" Nathanial pointed. "I don't see him!"

Micah stopped a dozen paces back and opened a small bag that felt like it was made from leaves. He drew out a pawful of acorns and began to sing to them. The Imps flew into another frenzy and darted at the source of the noise.

The moment they had let their guard down Liam was in there, blade flashing. Four died in a second. Faelen tore the heads of the last two as they tried to get past him to reach Micah.

Nathanial felt a...wildness in Micah's voice he'd never heard before. It wasn't manic or uncontrolled; it was 'natural' in some way, like birdsong or wind in the trees. He felt the song flowing into the nuts his brother held and activate a strange power. Micah threw the acorns at the portal and they spread out into the air and surrounded it. He kept singing and the acorns suddenly burst with green energy. They formed vines that lashed around the rippling air and 'stitched' it back together, sealing the portal. The vines vanished as Micah dropped to the ground, unconscious.

Liam and Faelen ran to him. While Nathanial was worried too, he sensed that Geoff needed help.

Now that he was no longer distracted by Micah, he returned his full attention to the remaining problem. As he resumed studying the fire, he sensed a weak spot in the barrier. He gathered magic in both paws, one for the Chill magic, the other with concentrated fog. "Geoff, Liam. Be ready!" He released them both together and pushed the resulting sleet in a tight beam at the weak spot. It passed the dark shield easily, as Geoff's shield was meant to block light and heat, not cold, and struck the weak spot.

The fire there sizzled and briefly went out. Geoff used that opportunity to push his darkness into the gap and ripped apart the weakened sphere. The moment it dropped Liam struck, jabbing with his fingers at several points on Nicholas's back and arms. Nick gasped and cried out from the sudden pain, and Nathanial felt his brother's magic flicker and die. The middle Marks brother collapsed into Liam's arms.

Liam lowered Nicholas to the floor. "Nathanial-san, I need the thermos of hot water and another two prepared. We must begin immediately." He had to pin the Akita to the ground as Nicholas began to struggle. "McDougal, O'Conall, if you would restrain him, please."

The two large Wolves moved in, though Geoff seemed to hesitate a moment, and held Nicholas down. Geoff cocooned his body in binding darkness and grabbed his shoulders, and Faelen held his hindpaws.

Nathanial, meanwhile, had pulled Liam's gym bag from the stairs and levitated it to Liam as he walked to the kitchenette. He paused at the sink when he realized how easily he had moved the heavy bag magically. Just last night he had trouble with a book that weighed four-and-a-half kilograms, and now he effortlessly moved a bag twice that weight across a large room without even noticing the strain. 'What's happening to me? To the three of us? Is it because of Geoff and Faelen? All this started the day I met them. Or is it Liam? I don't know what he is, but he isn't just a Monk. Who or what is Xun? Why did Mr. Smith say that when he saw Liam-sensei with that sword?'

Liam had dug out the thermos and poured the cleansing powder into it. Nathanial put a kettle full of water on to boil before walking through the dark fog to Micah. Micah was still unconscious, so he picked him up and moved him closer to the others. He sat and put Micah's head in his lap.

Liam charged the potion, and Nathanial did his best to ignore the ache in his jaw. "Sit him up, hmm? He must drink and cannot while lying."

Geoff lifted Nicholas into a sitting position, wrapping an arm around his chest, the other around Nicholas's throat, and put both his legs around Nicholas's waist.

"Yes, yes, good. Now my boy, breathe in deeply when told." Nicholas glared and spat at Liam. "Not wise to do, no, no. Force may be applied, if you do not." Nicholas's eyes were glowing with fire, and he started cursing in a foul language that Nathanial didn't understand. Liam sighed. "Apologies, my boy." He stabbed Nicholas in the chest with a finger and all of the air in his lungs seemed to be forced from his body. Liam kept his finger there for a count of ten before releasing as he blew the steam into Nicholas's face.

Nicholas was forced to breathe in when Liam removed his finger and inhaled a lungful of that cold steam. He began to buck and scream in pain, causing Nathanial to curl up around Micah and gasp. Nathanial couldn't turn off his extended senses and he could feel Nicholas's pain, like he felt the bullet wound Liam had received earlier.

Geoff began to whimper with his ears back and Faelen wrapped the fog tighter around himself, blocking as much of the sound as he could.

Twice more Liam forced the cold steam into Nicholas. "Will you drink now, hmm? Much easier if willing." The fire in Nicholas's eyes was gone. He stared at Liam in pure terror, whimpering as tears ran down his face. "Shh. Sorry for what had to be done. The worst is over, my boy. The drinking is quick, removing last traces of Demons. Will be cold, no pain. Drink, yes?"

Nicholas nodded, almost unwillingly. Liam nodded to Geoff, who released him from the dark and his hold.

Geoff gave Nicholas a quick hug, and licked him on the muzzle. "I'm so sorry, pup." He suppressed his Spirit. Faelen also suppressed his Spirit and let go. He copied Geoff's hug, lick, and apology.

Faelen stood close to Liam and Nicholas.

Nathanial dismissed the fog as Geoff sat beside him and he rubbed Geoff's back. Geoff stared at his hindpaws as he said, "I don't know if I can watch that again." He looked down at Micah but talked to his boyfriend. "Did you go through that, too?"

"No. It was cold, but it didn't hurt. The arm was like that, maybe not quite as bad, but..." Geoff hugged him and shivered. "It probably won't hurt Micah at all. The pain is proportional to the Demon Taint, I think." Nathanial licked Geoff's ear and started to rub Micah's back. He felt Micah begin to stir. Nicholas was slowly working his way through the thermos.

Liam stood and struggled to keep his balance. Faelen wrapped an arm around his back as the other arm held Liam's right arm. Liam made a few tentative steps toward Micah, with Faelen keeping pace. "O'Conall, if you would pour another thermos of water, and a large mug as well? We will let Marks work his way through that as I tend to Marks-kun."

Nicholas tried to reach for Liam. "No! Please! Leave Mike alone! Give me more if you have to, but leave him alone! I...I was horrible to him; he's suffered enough. Please. No more." He chugged the last of the drink down and crawled along the ground to Liam, too weak to stand. He held the thermos up, keeping his face down. "Please."

"Your wishes are irrelevant, Servant of Demons. Micah has been Tainted and must be dealt with. The Taint you forced on Micah must be dealt with." Liam's voice was harsh, but Nathanial could see the pain on his face. "O'Conall, the water, please."

Faelen looked at Geoff and back to Liam, before he took the thermos from Nicholas. Geoff got up and held Liam, letting Faelen fetch the water, then lowered Liam down in front of Micah.

Nicholas still crawled on the ground, trying to get to Liam and Micah.

Nathanial lifted Micah's head off of his lap, but as he started to lower the pup's head to the floor Micah woke up. He sat up, rubbing his eyes.

Nathanial went over to Nicholas. "Nick. I'm here, it's Nats. Please don't worry. I had the same stuff you did, but it didn't hurt. It won't hurt Mike either. C'mon, let me help you up and you can see." He lifted his brother up and helped him walk closer to Micah. He kept him back a couple of paces and lowered him to the ground, holding him close.

Micah whimpered and scuttled back a bit, away from Nicholas. Nicholas look shamed at Micah's reaction.

"Don't worry, Mike. It's Nick again. The way he used to be." He added in his thoughts, 'Almost. I don't know if any of us will be the same.'

Faelen walked back to Liam with the two thermoses of hot water. The Rottweiler nodded to him and said, "Thank you, O'Conall. I don't know if I can hold them, so please lower one in front of me." He looked over at his bag and sighed. "Nathanial-san, front pocket, please." Nathanial telekinetically moved a packet to Liam. "Thank you. Handy ability."

Nathanial looked at Liam in sympathy. He could feel an echo of the terrible pain the Rottweiler was feeling, but maybe his new senses were just becoming inured to the pain or his mind was learning how to shut out these awful feelings. Still, he'd felt enough pain today to be very grateful that he couldn't feel more than this echo.

His paws were shaking too much to open the packet, so Geoff gently took it from him, and poured it into the water. Geoff took the thermos from Faelen, screwed the cap on, and shook it. Faelen hastily backed up. Unscrewing the cap, he knelt down in front of Liam and held the thermos under his nose. Faelen sneezed.

Liam breathed in deeply before smiling softly at Faelen. "It isn't that bad." Faelen just shook his head, eyes watering. Liam tried to hold onto the thermos, but his paws still shook, so he just guided Geoff's paw as he took a deep drink. He paused before taking another, and on the final gulp he was steady enough to hold the thermos himself. "Thank you, McDougal." He sighed. "The other packet in the front pocket, Nathanial-san, if you please." He grabbed the floating packet. "Thank you. O'Conall, the thermos." Faelen handed it to him.

Liam prepared the cleansing medicine and took Micah through the procedure. Micah merely shivered as if chilled when he breathed in the steam. Nicholas buried his muzzle in Nathanial's chest at the sight of the liquid.

Micah looked at Liam. "Do I need to drink it?"

Liam shook his head and tried to hand the thermos to Geoff. He passed out before Geoff could take it, the potion splashing across the floor and Micah as the thermos bounced on the tiles.