Walk through fire

[Seer]

<< they were all gathered in the street, looking around at these large homes and yet no one seemed to be "at home." Morgan and Karen would obviously know which house was theres and where Delilah's home was. From a TACTICAL stand point..having an entire neighborhood to yourself with many homes to use as hiding places and points of attack was a tremendous advantage...but the team would do well to remember Alison's warning before they arrived here...that things would not always be as they seemed.>>

<< with Nicolas carrying a sedated Delilah, t he rest of the group moved forward cautiously with Haleigh constantly scanning.>>

<< Morgan quickly pointed out her childhood home which was on the right side of the street and nearly in the "center" of the block.>>

<< the wind chimes that hung near the front door of the nice home played their melody with an almost 'timid' effect in the breezy air. Morgan opened the door and motioned for everyone to come in. she seemed almost TOO confident that nothing could happen to them in her and her mother's home.>>

 

[Spellbinder]

Windmill pointe

<< walking into her old home....she noticed how DARK and gloomy it seemed. furniture was covered with cloth and the cloths and sheets themselves were covered in dust or cobwebs. the house was cold and quiet...as were all the other homes.>>

well....its a bit...dusty..but at least we're out of the freaky weather outside and t he mob will be hard pressed to come through the neighborhood with such a tight formation. Rampage, Persephone and Black Widow's attacks really hammered them and Guardian slowed t heir progression down to a snail's pace. Delilah's house is down the street...on the left toward the end. we may need to go their later...

<< walking forward, Morgan couldnt help but cough a bit as she turned on a light switch. the chandilier to the main foyer flickered on weakly...>>

but for now, we better find a place to lay Delilah down.

<< looking over to the sitting room, through an arch way, she directed Nicolas to bring Delilah there while Haleigh and Karen were in the "sun room" setting up for a "briefing" on the files and info they'd taken from Westin Hills about Delilah and her "father".>>

<< for Persephone, the place must have seemed rather "quaint" compared to the grandeur of greek antiquity that she came from...but their times were totally different and for Morgan's time...this was not a bad place to have grown up in.>>

 

[Harbinger]

Windmill pointe- morgan's childhood home

:: Guardian was the last inside. She'd seen pictures of this place from Morgan and Karen's photo albums. She'd also seen this place with her mind's eye as a "precog", especially during the Inferno Crisis. but here and now, as with the rest of the town..this home seemed so cold and unwelcoming that even the marble hearted Seer could feel the abscence of life or even " movement" in the air around them.::

Spellbinder, i suggest a "warding spell" at the beginning and end of this block. your wind chimes on the front door will now serve as a warning device...a talisman if you will, thanks to a little spell on my part.

:: Nicolas laid Delilah down and Alison waved him on in to the sun room with the rest of the team.::

It is a regret that Delilah is not here with us at the moment, but she needs her rest. I knew that this would come. its all prooving to be too much for her and we're going to have to stand in the gap for her...ALL OF US. There's no getting out of here until we resolve whatever brought us here.

 

[Rampage]

Morgan's Childhood Home

Nicolas walked into the house with the rest of the team. By now he wasn't puzzled at all at the calm, the lack of people.

We have to end this before there will be anyone to listen to, and if we fail...

Nicolas shook his head as he laid Delilah to rest on the sofa, after taking off the cover and dusting it with his TK. He entered the room where the rest of the team was while speaking to Ethan telepathically.

You make sure that you do not lose sight of Delilah. Keep your shield on her AT ALL TIMES. I am depending on you.

He entered and looked at the rest of team, his face marked with a dark determination. He spoke in a deep voice.

"At least we have an idea of what we face. I see two fronts at the moment. The cannon fodder and their leader. We cannot allow the fodder to take away our focus. If you agree" --nods to Alison and Morgan-- "I will deal with them. That will leave the rest of you to figure out and deal with the leader and if you need me, I am easily accessible to any of you and can return to your sides at will."

As he spoke, Nicolas pulled out his axe and re-formed it. It was even larger now and demonic-looking, with wide etch-marked blades and a chain that hung from it and wrapped around his left arm...

 

[Persephone]

:: Once entering Morgan's old house, Persephone's eyes immedately began to scan the interior. It was cute. Not her cup of tea, but nevertheless a traditional home that an American family would grow up in. As Nicolas took Delilah into the next room to lay her down, Ava went to a near by window and looked outside. The weather was still choppy, but not as violent as it was by the hill. Hearing the conversations of the other team members, Ava turned around to face the group. ::

"Whatever out plan may be, we need to figure it out quickly. They won't be held back for much longer."

 

[Prophet]

Windmille Point - Morgan's House

Ethan listened to Nicholas in his mind as the group was now in a safe for now location at Windmille Point. He quickly created a small and completely invisible "cocoon" around Delilah that would protect her from herself and her possible outbursts from the rest of the group.

"You can count on me King. I won't let you down. No matter what happens..."

He turned his attention back to the rest of the group as Ava spoke of what they could possibly do next and he began to think outloud on his own, trying to rationalize the same situation.

"Well we won't be able to leave until we iradicate what brought us here, but that means it is up to Delilah. We can't destroy whatever is coming without her being awake and forcing her to deal with what she is afraid of. I hate to say it but we have to MAKE her deal with this, she needs to be up and alert. I know everyone wants to protect her, but Delilah is the main reason we are here and I know it is impossible for her to deal right now, but this isn't my fight or the Six's fight, it's Delilah's... I just, I just think we were brought for a purpose and a reason that is beyond our control..."

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Windmill Pointe- Karen's old home

<< Karen sat in large antique chair, even in her flying suit she maintained dignified and elegant posture as she crossed her legs at the knee.>>

the outcome of this will depend on DELILAH and unless I can help her to get ahold of herself...she may NEVER be free of this hold her "father" has on her. a hold that crosses the boundary between the living and the dead.

this isnt about a threat to a city, a state or anything like that. this is about a man who was so driven by hatred and obsession with religion that his SPIRIT has managed to defy the course that most take when they pass on. He wants to see to it that Delilah carries out his prescribed "destiny" for her.

<< preparing to play back a dictation, Karen pressed a button on the audio playback device Haleigh provided.>>

<< the dictation was taken after her first evaluation.>>

This is Doctor Victoria, I've been requested to assess the case of Delilah Trelevan, an 8 year old caucasion female who was the victim of a bloody kidnapping and a botched rescue attempt. Delilah comes to me as an orphan but despite the traumas she has faced, she maintains a brave front. it is clearly a mask. No child her age posseses the coping skills necessary to understand and comprehend the magnitude of what she's been through.

<< they listen to the dictations which at FIRST seem to indicate Delilah is a resilient child who will recover and move on. but then things begin to change. Karen begins to recount how the FATHER is becoming the problem and he's attempting to counter act the help and therapy that Karen is giving Delilah.>>

Pastor Trelevan is a very resourcefull man. He has contacted me outside of the scheduled times for meeting to discuss what he feels is a a "disturbing development". He claims to have found proof that I am a WITCH and that I am using my unique position to influence Delilah to believe that her unique status as a mutant is NOT a disease or "the touch of satan". He further explains that doctors are often against the will of God and that we attempt to take God's place. He has now prevented Delilah from seeing me on TWO occasions and each time this has happened, Delilah has shown up at the emergency room with a series of "injuries". I will be informing the ER staff that as her primary physician all records of her er records are to be made available to local law enforcement.

<< things get worse.>>

Pastor Trelevan is furious that I involved the police and succeeded in taking Delilah AWAY from him. But it was only a temporary fix. One of the brilliant minds at DCS forgot to sign the proper papers in the right place and Delilah was returned to him just like that.

Delilah Trelevan has been removed from my care. The hospital administrator granted Pastor Trelevan's petition to remove Delilah from my care and he has handed her over for "research" at Westin Hill's "genetics" research laboratory!

<< the last dictation>>

I have resigned from Westin Hills. I can no longer continue to be apart of a hospital that is becoming little more than a brutal experimenting laboratory. the children that are being brought here...are coming in DROVES by parents responding to the "generous compensation" offer or parents who are horrified by the "freaks" th at their children are turning out to be. This town seems to be GRIPPED by the anti mutant hysteria. Worse, "pastor trelevan" has taken a far more grim presentation with me AND Delilah. he exhibits all the traits of someone suffering from extreme borderline personality disorder. Because I challenged his "authority" over Delilah for her well being, he has now shifted his focus from not only trying to keep me from her, but trying to HARM me. I believe with all my heart that this man will come for me if he can...as well as his daughter.

<< there's something else in this dictation.>>

My husband, Christopher has shown his true colors as well. He is not the man i believed him to be in ANYWAY. He has been consorting with this new "corporation" called Mystech in a bid to take his career to the next level. it is through HIM that Westin Hills has undergone all of these dramatic changes and now these children are suffering because of him. I have contacted a friend with tremendous political/legal pull to facilitate the relocation of Delilah......and now, My daughter and I cannot remain apart of this house...this family any longer.

<< while the dictations played, Karen passed the complete file on "Pastor Trelevan" around the group. the file had startling details about this man and the cult that he lead...a radical religious sect that believed that Mutants were a sign of the Tribulation to come..that they were the demons spoken of from Revelation. he ruled this cult with a violent, condemning hand and was called the "Supreme Pontiff". There were pictures of him in his religious garb. He carried a large ornamental staff as well. his followers were MANY and they were all dressed in simple black suits...looking very pale and plain. DELILAH was to be used as a sacrifice...similar to what Abraham was prepared to do with his son in the old testament. He believed that Delilah's powers of light were a sign that SHE was a gift from God..an opportunity beat satan by offering the blood of a young mutant with the "purity of light". the doctor and police reports detailed incidents of abuse against Delilah as well as Karen advocating for her. Delilah went through HELL as a child!>>

He's come back...i don't know how but he's here...and he's created this place to finish what he feels must be done. We can protect her...at least for now, but it is SHE who will have to find the courage, the power in herself to destroy this demon of her past.

<< Karen's voice was clear with a forboding tone.>>

 

[Spellbinder]

Westin Hills- Morgan's house

<< Spellbinder reached into a disc and pulled out a soft, warm cover and as Nicolas laid Deliah down, Morgan covered her.>>

don't you worry...we'll keep you safe. i PROMISE you.

<< she stood up and looked at Nicolas...her icy violet eyes betrayed uncertainty. despite her "power"...this was a place where nothing was truly certain and they didnt quite know the whole scope of the situation.>>

<< quietly sh e spoke to Nicolas, who was only an inch or two taller than her while she was wearing her high heeled boots>>

so...what do you think of our "first date"?

<< she tried to sound light hearted...but she was truly worried for Delilah, and the TEAM. if SHE couldnt get them out of here...what were they going to do? they couldnt run forever...what if they were overwhelmed by the mob..what kind of POWERS did this man have?>>

<< she slowly walked past Nicolas and joined the others in the sun room as Karen began to brief them all. Morgan listened to the dictations. it was interesting to her to listen to her mother sounding so formal and analytical but even in that presentation, her mother's voice was soothing to her.>>

<< The dictations became more grim as it seemed Delilah was suffering more and more and Karen's attempts to help her were being blocked by the "pastor".>>

zealot scumbag

<< she had so many wicked thoughts of what SHE would do to this man if she had the chance to get her hands on him....the HELL that he put Delilah through and what was worse...she NEVER knew about this. But then again why should she? she was just a child at the time and her mother was doing all she could to protect Delilah as well as keep MORGAN's status as a witch hidden during the beginning of the "anti mutant hysteria" of the 80's>>

<< the last dictation troubled her the most..>>

he's come back from the dead for Delilah? what kind of POWER does he have in order to recreate THIS whole town in his image? to be able to hamper mine and alison's powers as well?

<< as Ethan spoke about forcing Delilah to face her father..Morgan glared at him>>

would you be so quick to say this if it were YOU in her place? She's OVERWHELMED Right now...and as her team..her FAMILY, we have to stand help her when she can't help herself.

<< she said as she stood over him.>>

We're NOT abandonning her to this monster! We're going to protect her for as long as it takes until my mother can HELP Delilah!

<< she looked at the others..>>

we're PLENTY powerfull. I have DEMONS that can take on this mob, Persephone controls the weather, Rampage has mental powers as well as being an extreme physical fighter, Guardian is a super powered witch and Black Widow can create ANY weapon she needs!

<< Morgan and Delilah were best friends..and had been for so long. this whole caper bothered her to no end because it wasnt "traditional"...this seemed PERSONAL all the way around and it BOTHERED Morgan that there was no easy or definate solution! hell, she couldnt even get them OUT of here right now.>>

<< the fact that she felt uncomfortable in her own childhood home didnt sit well for her. she was DEFINATELY putting up a "front" of confidence but in reality she was NERVOUS as hell.>>

 

[Rampage]

Morgan's Childhood home

Nicolas listened to Dr. Victoria's presentation concerning Delilah and the Pastor. He had come to the same conclusion as the others, that Delilah would have to face him, purge him from here, but she was in shape to do so now. He watched Moragn as she outlined their defensive abilities, and took a moment to look her over. He only wished they could have finished their date that she spoke of...he'd had BIG plans for their night. But right now, he wanted them all to survive this more than anything. he saw the brave face that Morgan put up, and admired her for it, although her worry was written all over her face. After her speech, as the team began to work towards a solution, he grabbed her hand and led her to a corner of the room, his back to the group. He leaned a bit so they were eye to eye. He leaned firther and spoke so that only Morgan would hear him, his lips almost touching her ear.

"We WILL make it out of this...and I thank you for one of the best first dates I've ever had, definitely the most exiting. I have two favor to ask of you as we move forward. one, that the daughter of Hecate will see fit to bless my weapon as we move forward in battle. I could use all of the help I can get. And two..."

Nicolas leans forward and kisses Morgan deeply, holding her close and gently caressing and squeezing her body in turn as he kissed her. He looks at her afterwards and smiles warmly.

"I needed a recharge."

 

[Harbinger]

Windmill Pointe

:: Guardian stood by another window, she too kept an eye out for anything unusual. her precognition was still not working the way she needed it to and so she looked rather pensive as she looked outward and alternately studied her refracted image in the glass window.::

:: the trees of the neighborhood played an "ocean" like sound as the winds blew through the leaves. up and down the street, Alison could perceive ghost images of times past...children playing, the street teaming with youth, life and creativity...but even in those ghost images, there lurked the s hadow of something evil....the coming "hysteria" that would cause many parents of this town to turn on their children who were mutants. it troubled Alison in one way...but then in another it did...remembering how her OWN mother sought the death of her and her siblings after she joined MysTech.::

:: it was Alison's turn to look through the files as Karen's dictations played.::

:: she read through the information on Pastor Trelevan. the pictures of him in that ridiculous "pope" inspired costume, his legion of followers, some of whom used to be Karen's neighbors and colleagues even.::

it's as if his brainwashing spread over the people here like a plague in the air.

::she looked through police reports and doctor reports...::

bastard....

:: Karen's dictations grew more and more grim. Some of what she said, alison had seen the way it actually happened in her last vision.::

what happened to the man between the time you took Delilah out of Westin Hills against his will and the time you and Morgan left this town?

::it was a question that needed to be asked......one that would bring an answer no one expected. but before Karen COULD answer, Ethan spoke up again drew Morgan's ire as she berated him for suggesting they FORCE Delilah to "face this".::

:: she shook her head with disapproval toward Ethan. Nicolas encouraged Morgan and the group and then lead Morgan away for a private moment...::

how cute...

:: she thought flatly. not that she was jealous...she really didnt FEEL anything right now. this place was affecting her more than she let on.::

 

[Spellbinder]

<< Morgan, already on edge, jumped slightly at Nicolas' touch but didnt recoil as he lead her way to a private area of the large sun room. the others continued on and Alison's question to Karen was the one everyone was most interested in at the moment, but Nicolas had some personal matters to discuss with Morgan.>>

I want to help Delilah...but i dont know how!

<< she NORMALLY didnt behave timidly in the presence of a man, but with so much of her smooth, flawless skin exposed by her unholy, erotic costume, she couldnt help but be taken aback by Nicolas' close proximity to her. It was the whole situation that made her seem off balance..NOT Nicolas and he knew that. He reassured her that they'd ALL be getting out of there together. >>

<< he asked her, as the daughter of hecate, to bless and enchant his axe. the way he asked..he clearly recognized and respected her ultimate bloodline and KNEW that she was the right person to come to for such a thing. THIS she could handle....using her magick often made her feel more confident and in control whenever she faced a situation that was clearly BEYOND her control...>>

<< but before she could speak, Nicolas leaned in and kissed her full on. Her icy violet eyes widened for a moment..before slowly closing as she wrapped her arms around him for a moment...to enjoy this tenderness.to enjoy the strength of his body>>

<< her mind RACED even though the kiss seemed to go on forever. she pulled away after a few moments. she couldnt help but to blush. this was genuine..this wasnt a "battle of the sexes" like some of her other encounters with men had been, and for once, she felt like an amazon on the isle of themyscria...rising up from the sparkling waters, refreshed and renewed.>>

<< in a softy, icy voice...>>

well, Nicolas....you certainly know how to comfort a woman.

<< she looked at him for a moment..before looking back over to see if the others were watching. it didnt appear that anyone had been looking..except Alison but Morgan was used to HER looking by now. >>


Yes, i can charm and enchant your weapon. i have a spell that Ororo taught me years ago...

<< Morgan lead him out into the hall on the first floor...toward another room that appeared to be a "study". the library was filled with books and the large desk and chair were covered with sheets. the decor was old victorian and had held up very well.>>

Set the axe down here...

<< she instructed as she went around to the other side of the desk>>

stand back....

<< she lifted her hands as the shredded cape of her outfit began to flow a bit. a haunting chime sounds off in the air as thunder rumbles...>>

With the power of darkness and evil of night,
Take what's before me and mold it with hell's might,
Of Death, and Ash; Of Fire, and Smoke
Bring forth this AXE in which to invoke ENERGY!

<< extending her hands over the axe..a chime sounds off as a jagged green bolt of energy crashes down from the ceiling, slamming into the axe and irradiating it until it becomes blinding white. a flash of light and a crash of thunder heralds the completion of the spell...and the axe now floats infront of Rampage in a swirling haze of dark mystical shards. the Axe now has inscrptions on its blade...as well as on the long handle and it seems to be made of the most exquisite and precious metal.>>

this axe is an extension of you. the power of your body, the nobility of your soul, the strength of your mind...they flow through this weapon. it is your talisman now. when you or those you love are bewitched/possessed by an evil power...the axe will emit a pulse of light that will BREAK the evil hold on them and restore them to their right mind.

it will channel the ambient energy of the realm in which you are in, allowing you to deflect many forms of energy based attack, to cut through almost anything and to transform its shape into a mighty shield or a lance. creatures of evil will not be able to withstand its touch but beware, a strong enough magick user may be able to wrest control of it from you if you release it into the air before it can return to you.

<< speaking with a tone similar to Ororo's>>

take it and go forth.....use it well.

<< and with that, the enchantment is complete....and Morgan has done as he asked. she slowly steps out from behind the desk. >>

we'd better get back....we dont want to miss anything.

<< walking back, she peeks in on Delilah to make sure she's allright.>>

Ethan's force field holds...and there's no signs of trouble outside her window.

<< they return to where the others are.>>

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Windmill Pointe- the sun room

<< Before Karen could continue, Ethan interrupted AGAIN....and while he had the BASIC idea correct[that this was something Delilah would have to ultimately deal with] his tone, the impertenance of his statement totally irritated the doctor. her daughter spoke first, and then she followed suit.>>

Ethan, I am a well qualified and credentialed therapist. I think that if there were a way for me to simply BY PASS the NATURAL reactions of Delilah's near fragmenting psyche, i would have FOUND IT BY NOW!

<< the tone of her voice was sharp at the end of that statement.>>

Delilah is not being FORCED into ANYTHING while I am here.

<< as the group went over the files and heard the last of the dictations...Karen continued>>

in order for her to be able to fight back she FIRST has to know that she's got SUPPORT...PROTECTION. As a child, her biggest fear was to dissapoint. she felt that if she wasnt the perfect child and able to shift with every whim of her "Father" then she was a failure. he SAW this and exploited it. She's carried that with her to this day and while it has allowed her to excell in law enforcement as well as other areas of her life..it has severly handicapped her in others.

she can't think or believe for a MOMENT that she's going to be "ALONE" in this.

Right now...the fear, the PHOBIC response in her mind has caused her to shut down. she needs time to rest...time to "reset" herself. We've got to do what we can to BUY her that time.

<< turning to Alison as the woman asked what happened to Pastor Trelevan between the last time she saw him ..until now, Karen realized that Alison, even WITHOUT her full powers as a seer was still one of the most perceptive.>>

<< Karen's LOOK toward Alison as well as the sudden awkward pause in her talking indicated there was more to this than what she said. the storm clouds were rolling in closer to the neighborhood now, and the winds were picking up. the old house seemed to "settle" a bit as the group sat and discussed. Morgan and Nicolas returned to the group. Karen had noticed their departure during the brief "intermission" but she just chose to continue on.>>

......this is the part that I regret in someways..

<< she said quietly.>>

but I think perhaps it's better to SHOW YOU than to tell you. I want you all to understand something. I did what i had to do to protect my daughter as WELL as Delilah...I wasn't Delilah's blood relative...but i was all that stood between her and certain death.

<< standing up, Karen walked over, looking at Alison.>>

join your hands to mine. because this space is interferring with your powers as a seer, we'll use a spell that will allow you to broadcast what i'm about to tell to the whole group.

<< the tone in Karen's voice was grim. they were about to see something major.>>

<< the two witches join hands...and close their eyes as they begin to chant the spell>>

Karen and Alison:

Mystic Guardians, We demand your charity
Lend us your divine focus and clarity
Show us that which is not easily seen
So that we may know and understand!

 

[Seer]

A shocking sercret

<< the spell is cast. golden shards swirl with dark blue orbs as they spread out around Karen and Alison in a tight columnar pattern before reaching up to the celiling and spreading around the room. the room itself seemed to swirl and shift and with a violent "crash" and a flash of light...the team was now able to experience a glimpse of what Alison sometimes "saw" in her visions.>>

Windmill pointe, a warm summer night.

<< A slightly younger Karen Victoria steps out of her house on and looks to the left. she's in her FLYING SUIT but she doesnt care if anyone see's her in this garb. she walks down the walkway to the sidwalk and moves with a quick pace, a look of worry on her face.>>

<< down the street and across, to the last house on the left...DELILAH's home. there are no lights on at the front of the house...and Karen goes to the side, to the backyard. the cellar doors are open and the sound of a little girl sobbing can be heard...along with the determined grunting of a man.>>

<< the look on Karen's face says it all. she's there to RESCUE Delilah.>>

<< lifting up the hem of her skirt, she quickly makes her way down...the cellar basement is like a maze! there's so many rooms...and its so dark save for various candles that are light. it feels more like a dungeon.>>

<< the crying grows louder and there is the audible sound of a little girl pleaing for her father to STOP.>>

<< Karen looks around trying to find.....she FINDS THEM and GASPS>>

<< Pastor Trelevan...STRANGLING a woman by the furnace...in FRONT of Delilah. Banging the woman's head against the metal furnace.>>

<< Karen shouts>>

Karen: TRELEVAN! you murderer!! IS THIS how you treat anyone who CHALLENGES YOU? is this what you wanted to do to ME?

<< Delilah runs to Karen, despite her father's commands to stop.>>

Karen: she doesnt have to listen to YOU! you're not her FATHER! you KIDNAPPED HER from her real parents...you MURDERED THEM TOO!

<< Karen's voice cracks with anger as Delilah reaches her and she puts her arm around her protectively. she was crying so much..and Karen couldnt HELP but feel her maternal instincs rising up within her.>>

Karen: it's allright baby! I'm here....he can't get you now.

<< she put Delilah behind her.>>

go for the door honey..RUN as fast as you can!

<< Pastor Trelevan comes forward. having let the woman's lifeless body drop to the floor. his hands are bloody.>>

Pastor Trelevan: Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. You're the devil's concubine, woman. You purvey the words of SATAN with your every breath and you keep MY daughter from fullfilling her destiny! I'll deal with you as you DESERVE...and send you to HELL where you BELONG!

<< the man's voice roars with righteous indignation as he charges for Karen, raising a machete and quoting scripture...about the sword of righteousness.>>

Karen: NO! it is YOU who will go there FIRST!

<< Karen steps back and sweeps her cape behind her and throws her hand forward. a rushing harp sound is heard as she BLASTS him with a golden mystical bolt square in the chest. he is BLASTED back and slams into the furnace...flames come out and the basement is set ablaze...>>

<< still pumping from adrenaline, Karen rushes oout and finds Delilah outside...still crying. she snatches the little girl up and RUNS...as the house QUICKLY goes up in flames....>>

<< Karen Victoria KILLED Delilah's adoptive father....it was self defense..of her and Delilah..but it was something NO ONE could have expected...>>

 

[Prophet]

Windmill Point - Morgan's House

He sighed deeply as Morgan berated him in front of the group. He forgot how personal things could get when friends were involved and from what he knew about Morgan and Delilah was that they were extremely close, nearly as close as Alison and Morgan. He tried to reiterate his point.

"I know it's hard.. I wasn't saying to throw Delilah to the wolves. I want to help her as much as the rest of you, regardless of what you think my intentions or morals are, but however sick this cult may be, they are gunning for DELILAH. We aren't in their endgame, they didn't plan on us being here which is an advantage to us and Delilah, so we have that. I am not doubting the power of the Six, I was just saying that I don't feel like Delilah should be asleep for this.. I don't feel that she should miss out on whatever kind of vindication that is offered to her..But.. I guess I understand..."

Ethan knew this path. After he had been deceived by MysTech after years of exemplary service to them, all the while thinking he was a member of British Intelligence, they killed the only person he gave a damn about in the world. Ethan GOT his revenge, he killed them. He killed every person in "Sentinel" that ever lied to him, was ever a part of the evil spreading throughout the world and he stopped them just before a European "Citadle" was up and running. The vengeance may have been empty, but it had to have happened that way. Delilah needed the strength to face the man who made her life hell and she needed her friends to support her, not coddle her..

"I just feel...helpless..."'

The comment was surprising coming from Ethan, but He didn't want to see ANOTHER life ruined with the help of MysTech. And as Karen and Alison cast a spell that revealed a piece of the past that nobody would have expected. Karen was breathtaking. She helped Delilah when nobody else could.

"Bloody hell.. Miss Victoria...."

 

[Persephone]

:: Looking to the images that played out in the center of the room, it was a memory of how the Pastor was murdered. It was a horrid sight; Delilah looked petrified. That, along with the recordings that Karen had shared moments ago, fully explained why Delilah was scared to death of her father. Why she had a nervous breakdown on the hill outside of the hospital. It was a miracle that Delilah was even sane, let alone a stable, well rounded, woman. Shaking her head out of disbelief, Ava folded her arms across her chest and let out a low sigh. ::

"It's clear that you killed him. But what brought him back? What's fogging Alison's precog? Morgan's stepping discs? The Pastor and his followers are our immedate problem, yes. But what i'm more concerned about is what force is behind all of this."

:: She wanted Delilah to rid herself of this burdon, but it was a valid question. They had the capability and the power to stop the pastor and his followers, but they also needed to know what else they were dealing with. ::

 

[Rampage]

Morgan's Childhood home

Nicolas smiled as it was clear that morgan enjoyed their moment very much. he followed as she took them to another room. As he laid the axe on the table, she chanted an incantation and unleashed a tremendous amount of power that embedded itself INTO the axe, remaking it into a glorious weapon. As she explained its properties, he absorbed the information and recognized its link to himslef, magically built by Morgan herself. He picked up the axe and nodded low out of respect for Morgan's might and her strength of purpose as she called back to her lineage to enchant his new talisman.

he followed her back into the main room in time to see Karen and Alison's presentation of what finally happened to Pastor Trelevan. He was surprised at Karen's might and her striking beauty, but no longer at anything he saw and heard. he listened to ava's analysis and nodded his head.

"I think that is the piece that none of us yet have, that is what we will have to discover here, as we defend Delilah. Haleigh, can you produce me a pair of Howitzers with custom handles once we get outside? I would like long distance weapons for this. Our time is short, I am detecting figures outside moving on our position at less than an eighth of a mile away."

As Nicolas cpoke, he produced another chain which he connected to the new axe and wrapped back around his left arm. He placed the axe on his back, his TK holding it in place.

 

[Black Widow]

Haleigh smiled as they entered the house, slowing down to stand next to Ava with a glint in her eye.... she looked over the homey decor nonchalantly, talking to Ava absently. "Nice work back there.... [throwing a glance at Perse] Sis." She looked around the house, sweeping it for people, passing through the rooms downstairs before coming back to the sitting room, where Nicolas and Morgan tended to a sedated Delilah. "That reminds me.... Ava... do you think... when this is over... you could maybe give Ma a call? You know... so she doesn't worry. After Stav's death she must be wondering if you're alright." It seemed like an elementary exhange between siblings... but to everyone who was paying enough attention... it was the first sign that Haleigh'd actually accepted Persephone into her life... which was a feat unto itself.

"The lower floor is clear." She said, looking up to the ceiling, listening intently for any sounds of life upstairs. Haleigh's enhanced hearing was so acute that she could HEAR if someone was breathing deeply upstairs... but anyone trying to deliberately be still and quiet would probably escape her ears.... it was times like these when she wished she could see through things. and why not, i wonder... i have nightvision to amplify lowlight situations... i can see heat signatures in complete darkness.... i mean... after all... xrays are lenses utilizing electromagnetic radiation... my brain generates THOUSANDS of electromagnetic pulses simultaneously.... if I can just focus them... my techno-organic body just might be capable... Haleigh thinks, narrowing her eyes and focusing pretty intently on the ceiling. To the others she may be looking like she's incredibly interested in the chandelier... but something is clearly going on when she grimaces and touches her temples after a few seconds. She gives a soft, short groan but then her face changes to surprised pleasure, as she looks around the room's ceiling and then down at the group. She gasps softly.... looking around at them all, slightly bewildered. Her vision is bluish black and instead of seeing her comrades, she sees their skeletons.

"Oh my god..." She says, shutting her eyes tightly and rubbing them for a second before opening them again. "Ah... back to normal. Guys... I can SEE through shit. Like... really. There's no one upstairs... I LOOKED." She feels a tear drop, and reaches up to wipe it away, finding that it is in fact, a drop of blood that has seeped through her tear ducts and out of her eye. "Mm... that magnetic radiation. Explains the headache... I guess I have to build up some tolerance to focusing it."

She said, settling onto a loveseat as Ethan made a suggestion and Morgan immediately shut him down... she sighed... but didn't intervene here... he needed to find his own legs with her and she couldn't leap to his rescue all the time. He defended himself and explained... and Haleigh determined that they weren't going to kill each other and that refereeing was unnecessary. Karen gave them all a thorough breifing and though Haleigh had mentally stored all this information already she still listened... but passed the file on Trelevan without so much as glancing at it. She found new information in the 'vision' that played out for them, and like the video footage of Karen being attacked at her office, Haleigh watched with more emotional detachment and curious interest than her teammates. She didnt comment on seeing Karen kill him... they'd all done it... and Haleigh had no place talking about murder, what with the things she'd done in her past. At least Karen had only killed him out of self defense... although... Haleigh wondered if Karen had gone there to rescue Delilah KNOWING she might be required to murder the man to get him to let go.... it was an interesting thought. Nicolas asked for some heavy artillery firepower, and Haleigh nodded to him.

"By the time you are ready to use them... they'll be fully manifested... a new age lawn decoration... who needs gnomes?"

She asked with a wink. And while it seemed completely off the wall, considering the focus of the vision, Haleigh asked a brief question. "Who was that woman? The one he killed... do you know... or was she just another faceless victim?"

 

[Spellbinder]

Windmill Pointe

<< Spellbinder watched...shocked at what she saw...>>

oh..mom...

<< she said softly. her mother looked so fierce and the way she came to Delilah's rescue...there was no doubt the danger of facing a "mother" defending a child. She'd always known her mother had power and was not afraid to use it, but she'd never seen her mother KILL anyone outright like this before. NO WONDER Karen kept Morgan in the dark about this. No wonder she played it off so deftly when Morgan and Delilah finally met.>>

this seems so...weird. when i MET Delilah...she was still living in that house!

<< she looked at her mother.>>

whatever became of the body...the night that the house burned down?

<< a question related to Persephone's question about how the pastor was now seemingly back from the dead and how he had so much POWER now.>>

<< as Ethan spoke about feeling helpless, Morgan happened to turn and look out of a window and saw an eerie looking GREEN mist streaming down the road towards the neighborhood. it was covering alot of ground FAST....and Morgan had a HORRIBLE feeling.>>

you're not the only one Ethan....

<< she didnt spoke on the mist YET...she wanted to let her mother spoke...but her eyes continued to dart between her mother and the window.>>

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Windmill Pointe

<< Karen looks down and closes her eyes for a moment...watching the last images of her running away from the burning , crashing down house with a horrified Delilah in her arms....she knew at that moment her life was changed. She had just MURDERED a man and even though it was JUSTIFIED, it was something that she still had never really got over. she just simply never TALKED ABOUT IT and now her daughter, as well as Haleigh and the others had seen it first hand.>>

yes...i killed him. I had no choice.

<< her tone dripping with a serious grim edge.>>

the woman whom he murdered, i never found out who she was. But it all happened so quickly. When i took Delilah out of Westin Hills, i was ARRESTED but my lawyers and those who i had "connections" with pulled me out of that situation. i was forbidden to see Delilah again ...the judge had no CHOICE in that matter so i kept tabs on her with my magicks. that evening, he had convened a meeting. he was preparing his congregation for a "grand sacrifice" that would take place that month....DELILAH was to be that sacrifice. He told her it was a GLORIOUS destiny and she was so AFRAID to defy him...lest he attack her again..that she just went along with it.

I HAD to save her. no one else could...or WOULD!

<< as the vision fades and Karen looks away from the group.>>

that night changed everything. Christopher and I seperated soon after that...

to spare Delilah any further pain, i cast a spell that removed her memories of ALL of that. my contacts in law enforcement and social services pulled MANY strings as a favor to me. the house was completely rebuilt and Delilah was placed permanently with a wonderfull foster family. all records of Pastor Trelevan were blacked out from public access and when MORGAN met Delilah for the first time, i simply played it off as if it was MY first time as well.
my spell negated her memory..but it couldnt...it couldnt take away the PAIN or the damage.



<< Ava asked about the apparently "alive" pastor.>>

That i don't know. but apparently he's now possesed of immense power. this whole "area" is shapped in his image and we've no way of escaping it yet. THE FORCE that drives him?? could very well be Delilah's own FEAR. a fear so deep seated that it called out to him like a BEACON and provided him with a way BACK.

He's going to try to kill her...and he may very well try to take his revenge on ME as well. I'll go to my GRAVE before i yield to him.

<< she said with grim determination as she clenched her fist.>>

 

[Harbinger]

Windmill Pointe

:: Guardian was surprised and yet impressed at the same time. SHOCKED at the horror Delilah endured. the basement itself looked like something out of HOSTEL. but almost HAPPY to watch as Karen confronted him and them destroyed him in the ultimate act of "defiance."::

so much for his crusade against witches

:: she thought to herself. as Karen ran out of the basement and carried Delilah away from that blazing house, she saw just how strong and courageous Karen was...even BEFORE the days of The Six. she was so blessed to have HER as a surrogate mother as well.::

I dont think anyone here questions your reasons for killing him, Karen. he DESERVED to be dealt with.

:: Karen was on to something....about how or WHY he was now back.::

FEAR..its the most powerfull and basic emotion. it can motivate people to do or NOT do many things and for those who feed off of it..its the ULTIMATE source of power. He's come back through her fears.....she was always the most reserved among us. a very decent, upstanding woman but we never knew how she TRULY felt about things inside...the repression may have finally come to a head and HE ..his SPIRIT must have been able to use that to come back.

his POWERS....may be a manifestation of that same fear. she sees him as something WORSE than what he really is? i dont know...we're ALL at the mercy of this temporal anamoly right now, Morgan can't even take us out of here.

We're going to have to fight him and his minions off while Karen prepares Delilah to face him...and destroy him utterly.

:: she saw Morgan looking out of the window...::

Morgan? what's the matter?