Oracle's Legacy: Dawn of Illumination (Book 3)

By R. B. Holbrook

The Board Is Set... The dying Oracle can no longer protect her Structure. Moon has exposed it from the shadows in hopes to bring ruin to the world. Thousands of years of lies and secrets have given birth to fear and mistrust. The cycle of Moon’s plots have only begun to spin. The Pieces Are In Place... Pillars want to recreate the world, but in order to do so they must first destroy it. The Structure looks to their new leader, Augustus Granger, to take over and stop the devastation. However, Demon’s Wrath refuses to let anyone stop his plan of total annihilation. The Game Has A New Player... The plots, misdeeds, and fighting gave rise to Chaos. Now no one can stop her. No one is safe. No one can hide. Brace yourself for the conclusion of the Oracle’s Legacy trilogy!

• Language: English
• Publisher: R. B. Holbrook
• Release date: Nov 5, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452340715

R. B. Holbrook

R. B. Holbrook was born and raised in North Carolina. With a passion for the imagination, the self-proclaimed "Imaginative Mad Genius" enjoys writing science fiction and fantasy. The Oracle's Legacy trilogy are the first books for the author who plans to write many more. Other than imaginative mad genius, there are other titles that RB "proclaims": creative specialist, creator and dictator of worlds, and all-powerful introvert.RB: "Wait, I never proclaimed that last one."Biographer: "No, but it suits you."RB: "If you make it all-powerful, all-mighty introvert then I'll let you keep it."Biographer: "Deal."The main motivation for the All-Powerful, All-Mighty Introvert's writing is music. So don't be surprised if you see RB attached to an iPod.RB: "Or attached to my cell phone when an idea hits me in a pinch. You know, I really love my cell phone. So many apps. Did you know there are writing apps? I use those a lot."Biographer: "Can I finish?"RB: "Oh. You mean you're not? What more is there to say about me?"Biographer: "Well, there's the story about when you got started writing. And about-"RB: "All boring. Let's finish here."And now you know why R. B. Holbrook is known as the All-Powerful, All-Mighty Introvert.

Book preview

1

Montana

Crouched in the dark hallway, the shadows covered as she waited for her prey. That prey was three halls over, scurrying in her direction. His buddy, now dead at her feet, alerted the area through his headset. So his fool partner was now turning corners, slipping in and out of shadows, cautious of being seen. If he was smart he would stop and wait for the other guards entering the floor from an access elevator on the other side of the building.

Energy was her eyes. It showed her the guards carried weapons that weren't powerful enough to mean much. The fool running came closer and too fast to stop. She let her long legs unfold and stretch out before her as he rounded the corner. His feet dug into her calf muscle, before he lunged head-long into the concrete floor. Poor thing dropped his gun. Must be a newbie. Before he could scramble to his feet, she pushed her hand toward his head and grabbed hold of his energy. With one swift motion, she tore energy from him, forcing his body to shut down systematically, starting with his nervous system. As he seized to death, she waited. The others were barreling through the hallways.

Not bad, the peanut gallery said above her head, But accuracy would be better. You still interfere too much with the surrounding energy.

Ollie pointed her middle finger to the asshole lying in wait on the pipelines over her head. Creed had been like a back seat driver during the two days since they had left Sanctuary. Every Moon compound or safe house that they raided and cleaned out had been primarily her work. He did nothing but criticize. Never lifting a finger or hair or giving a hint. She forced him to come with her to keep her family from falling for his schemes. Now she wondered if she should just kill him and rid the world of his uselessness.

This would be a perfect time to dispose of him since his foresight was failing him. Without it, what good was he? And he blamed her for it each time. She still didn't understand that.

Focusing, she took in a deep breath and blew out a steady stream of air.

Do that trick you did yesterday. That was interesting, he said, as if bored.

Sorry the request hot-line is closed. Please call back next to never or maybe at a time I give a damn. Or hell, just do us both a favor and go sit in the car.

You know I don't do chairs, he said as if pouting.

Really? Cause I was just thinking of strapping you to an electric one. Now, shut your yap or I swear when I'm done here I'm taking up cross-stitching and sewing your lips shut.

As long as it's a nice design. I like black teddy bears.

I told you I don't do requests, She said then moaned. Eight guards came rushing down the hallways. She hopped up on her feet, spun around the corner and held out her hands stopping them with a wall of energy. Her mind grabbed them, forcing them to point their guns inside their mouths. Like a symphony, the gunfire echoed off the concrete walls.

Hmmm, that's not new. He swung down from the pipes, landing behind her. How many more in the building?

Thirty.

Why not just level the whole infrastructure like you did last time?

Because I got a damn complaint about it being a waste of energy.

You actually listen to me?

When you make sense. She began walking through the silent hallways. When they finally made it to the access elevator the surrounding energy showed her the electrical pattern of the elevator was rigged funny. Not that she knew that much about electrical engineering, but energy was gnawing at her. And that gnawing was her own personal warning system.

They plan on capturing you in the elevator and holding you there. Risky plan. If Demon's Wrath were here he would kill them for being morons, Creed said, heading for the stairwell.

Demon's Wrath. That name was a searing hot poker burning her mind. When she found that bastard she was going to skin him alive. Not only for aiding in killing her, but for torturing her, imprisoning her, and being a sick sadistic son of a bitch.

Tell me about him, Ollie said heading for the stairs.

Who?

What do you mean who? Ollie snapped, Who the hell were you just talking about?

Don't remember.

Ollie spun around, kicking him into the stairwell door before it could shut. He bounced off it then braced himself against it and the memories that she knew plagued him. You're one nasty son of a bitch, she said.

You're right about one thing, my mother was a bitch, Creed whispered, as he cringed.

By the twist in his face, he was fighting hard against the memories of his abuse. The reason he hated chairs or sitting with his back to any flat surface was because when he was a child, he was always strapped to a chair before they abused him. Why? Because he was not allowed to sit when he played violin. He was only allowed to stand. And when he sat, it was a constant reminder of his abuse.

When the man slept, it was on the floor with his back to the door, and facing whatever window was in the room. He developed that habit from being trained by Moon. Sleeping on the floor he could feel the vibrations of approaching footsteps. If he couldn't feel the vibrations, the door opening would wake him. And he always faced the window to check his escape routes to see if they were blocked.

Creed was a weird, particular nut, but he had reasons for everything he did.

Ollie didn't question him further as she ascended the stairs. She didn't make him answer because Creed would evade it for as long as he could. He would evade, because he knew more about Demon's Wrath than anyone in the world. There was a connection there between the two Moon members that Ollie was almost afraid to find out, because if she was right, Creed was the one who had set Demon's Wrath on the path he'd ended up on. Creed was known for instigating, so it would come as no surprise if the freak had a hand in leading Demon's Wrath to do the things he did and becoming the abomination that was destroying the world.

And no matter how much she hated Creed, she still cared about him. That was the only reason he was still alive. Finding out that he had deliberately allowed her to be killed, captured, and tortured was bad enough. Knowing he might have planned it all from the beginning, being the mastermind behind it all, would cut what little of her heart she had left and squish it to nothing. Half of her didn't want to know because she would have to kill him. Half of her needed to know and to fit the pieces into place, even at the cost of her sanity.

What are we looking for? He asked. This was the fifth time he'd asked since they'd left Sanctuary.

If you don't know, you're not looking for anything, Ollie said

"Okay, smarty pants, what are you looking for?"

Why in hell would I tell you anything, when you won't tell me shit? I don't feel obligated. Not in the least.

He shut his mouth, probably thinking of a new tactic. It was odd not having Creed know everything, because he usually did.

Ollie continued her new energy control exercises, as simple as breathing in and out, deeply, cycling her energy repeatedly. As long as she kept energy flowing through her like water through a pipe, she could keep going. But if she stopped the flow, she would tire, and her energy would expire quickly. She would be too exhausted to go on. She had to admit that the exercises Loc taught her were helpful.

She was coming to realize she didn't need a teacher to learn her power. Each moment she lived was a learning experience. Energy was constantly teaching, showing, and pulling for her attention. The problem was that there was so much of it and so many different kinds, she couldn't understand or grasp it all at once. Energy tugged at her like a million annoying little children saying, look at me, look at me. Sometimes it even reminded her of those damn children in grocery stores that threw tantrums or called for their mother fifty million times. In her worst moments, energy was like a horde of demonic kids trying to rip her to shreds with anything and everything it had. But she was learning the differences between each. It was the tantrum throwing energy that told her when danger was coming, or something critical was happening. It was the demonic horde that told her to destroy everything, or let it be destroyed.

The demonic horde of energy always attacked her in her weakest moments, when her emotions were at their peak. Emotions were one thing she'd have to learn how to control.

Emotions were the reason that the people who claimed to care about her most betrayed her. And the reason she wanted them all dead. With control over her emotions, maybe she might find some control over her life.

Creed stopped behind her. He was a good indication of when something bad was coming. He was a nervous SOB when it came to other people in his space, so he could always tell when someone or something was planning an attack. His vision wasn't completely gone.

Ollie took in a deep breath, flooding her lungs with air and energy. She opened her mind to everything around her, and saw shadow concealed guards skulking down the stairs. She was only five flights from her goal. She focused power around her, making sure she didn't mix her own energy with it. She used the veins of energy, the flow, and directed power toward the guards. The flow turned into something neither she nor the other Moon expected or saw -- invisible lightning. None of the Moon could react to the soundless strike. They were electrocuted within seconds.

Creed didn't seem the least bit surprised though. It's about time, but seeing as that was a fluke, I take that back. Keep working on it.

Don't kill him yet. Don't kill him yet. She kept telling herself as she progressed up the steps.

Why not just kill them all? Creed asked.

Because Bones won't have anyone to lead if they're all dead.

Oh, yes he will, Creed said as if he knew.

You're vision return? Ollie asked.

Kind of...it comes and goes.

Was he telling the truth? Did he really have a problem with his visions? The twisted lunatic had a habit of lying when it suited him.

Reaching the fourth floor, familiar energy tingled over Ollie's body. A dark, sick, energy that laughed at every step she took.

Demon's Wrath.

Ollie sprinted off towards the roof where she felt his energy. Doors below her burst open as Moon crowded the stairwell. There'll be no stopping me today, assholes. She had no idea that he was in the building, but in no way was she going to let that bitch get away.

Ollie gripped the railing and jumped over it just as the chasing Moon began to catch up with her. She landed on the sixth floor platform and ran down the next flight. More Moon were coming up the stairs. She took a flying leap at the head of the pack. Her foot landed on a face and the lead Moon tumbled backward, sending them all falling like dominos. Regaining her balance, she ran over the tumbling bodies as if they were a steady concrete sidewalk. Jumping off one of the fallen, her feet slammed into the wall in front of her. She pushed off the wall and found herself running down the stairs again. She took a sharp turn heading back to the fourth floor.

She plowed into the fourth floor door with her shoulder and a burst of energy. The door shot off its hinges, bulldozing through the steel and concrete walls of the building.

Ollie didn't stop to admire the destruction. She raced headlong down the hallway. The Moon following her had gained speed and numbers. Two more groups came into the hallway to stop her, but she wasn't having it.

Move your ass! She forced surrounding energy away from her in a wave as the tide took the Moon away, sailing them into walls, windows, and open doorways.

One Moon flew right into the second staircase door, opening it for her. Well wasn't he a gentleman. Ollie took the steps, leaping two at a time, to the roof. She padded energy around her leg and kicked open the roof access door.

The door launched from its home, barely missing a helicopter that lurched into the air. The helicopter that carried Demon's Wrath.

"Shit," she screamed at the helicopter, which seemed to be laughing at her. Not the helicopter itself, but the evil monster inside.

Even over the whirling blades and the height of the helicopters elevation, she heard him say, Not only weak, but slow, too.

Ollie stepped back, physically pulling energy toward her, trying to grab hold of the vehicle. But just as she thought she had found the control she needed to maneuver her power, a shot of dark energy grabbed the back of her neck, sank into her spine, and oozed down her back.

A pang of sadness pricked her heart. Had someone died? Someone she cared about? No, it was his hideous power. The unnatural sadness became overwhelming. She hugged herself, squeezing her eyes shut to keep the tears to herself. But her sobbing became too much to contain. The building began to rock and sway.

All the frustration and heartache of her life flashed in her head. Tears flowed until there was nothing left. And still she cried, gaining nothing but dry eyes, a cramping stomach, and raw voice.

Shhhh, she felt a hand on her back, rubbing her, soothing her into a calm. Her sorrow became a whimper as she curled into a translucent embrace. The building stopped quaking.

Now get up. The words brought Ollie to attention. What was that? Who? Ollie's energy looked around, frantic. But there was nothing. It had to be Mama's energy she felt. Who else had the power to find her when no one else could? Granger could. He had found her before. Was it him?

Creed appeared, wheezing in the open doorway of the roof. I don't appreciate cleaning up all the Moon you left behind.

Ollie didn't say a word as she went back inside. She got to the eighth floor and huffed. She'd used too much energy. Her focus was leaving her and fatigue was lagging her joints. She continued her breathing exercises as she saw all the Moon occupying the eighth floor. They stood ready for her, weapons drawn, minds sharp, and fear fueled.

Ollie's hands began to shake. Terror was kicking in again.

Fear's useless unless you can use it to do your bidding, Creed said. He bent down and made a quick grabbing motion. Though she couldn't see in detail what he just did, she had a feeling he went for the knife in his left ankle holster. Stop shaking, you're making me ill. Creed ordered, disgusted as he opened the door to the main floor. Anyone you want me to leave alive?

Ollie just shook her head, angry at his words and herself. As she tried to regain her composure, Creed slipped out into the hall unnoticed. She leaned up against the wall, slamming her hand into the concrete wall, frustrated, trembling, holding back tears that begged to be released. But there were no more tears to cry. She held back her scream and the mounting energy collecting around her. Control, I need control, she told herself, wanting control of her emotions and her mind. Controlling energy was beyond her reach, but she at least wanted control over her emotions so nothing could control her. She hated failing, especially when the Demon was right there. He was there in her grasp and she let him get away.

Creed fought her battle, while she stood weak and pathetic. She had done well to keep the fear and loathing in check the past two days. She had focus. She had fight. Now she had terror and bitterness. All because she was tired, too tired to fight it off. And that cheap shot of dark emotional energy Demon's Wrath dosed her with didn't help.

Her senses followed Creed's movements about the floor. He was slicing and cutting down Moon before they even knew he was present. He was a pro, there was no doubt about it. In the thirteen years she had known him, she had never seen him fight. Nor had she ever heard he could.

Yet, there he was slipping in and out of shadows like a true assassin, killing with speed and one fatal blow.

When he was done, going from room to room, slicing and sprinting, he stood at the end of the main hallways in front of the master control room, waiting. His knife drawn, his stance primal, but he didn't proceed. He just stood waiting.

Waiting for her.

This fight is yours, remember? So either bring yourself here or retreat. Creed's thoughts entered her head.

Ollie groaned. He was a headache.

Creed rarely spoke to anyone using his mind. It was one of his abilities he didn't like to use. The one he used the most were his visions. Being a Level Four Moon, he could do just about anything a Moon was capable of, though no one knew it. She didn't even know it until she sensed it for herself with her new power. Reading his energy, she could tell what he was capable of and knew he was the most powerful Moon alive. Bastard had been playing weak all his life. What else was he hiding?

Ollie could have been considered the most powerful Moon, if she were still Moon. But after seeing the tornado-like twisting of her seal on her skin, she was something else. She wasn't any of the current Houses, she was, for lack of a better name, other. No there was a better word, a much better word that she refused to admit.

Chaos, Creed thoughts echoed into her head.

Ollie cringed, hating that word. Get out of my head.

You want control. Let me teach you.

Ollie's energy lashed out at the invasion. Stay out of my head!

Finding power in her anger, Ollie pushed off the wall. How dare he want to teach her? He had no right. Not after allowing her to go through hell. Ollie stormed through the door, into the hallway, and toward the arrogant asshole whose back was turned away from her.

You better? He asked.

No. But he was right about one thing: this was her quest so she had to fulfill it.

She picked up guns from some of the fallen guards.

I told you before, you don't need those. They're just a crutch.

She pointed the nozzle to his forehead and his breathing stopped. Right now, I need a crutch, and to blow someone's head off, She thought.

She had an arsenal of weapons back in the car waiting for her, but Creed insisted she didn't need them. And for the last two days, she didn't -- not guns or his bullshit comments.

Don't let fear make you weak, Creed said.

You know something asshole, Ollie kicked opened the control room door and began shooting holes in every Moon's head. I conquered my fear until you bitches betrayed me to that sadistic dick. I was strong, before ya'll meddled, she said putting the last bullet of her gun into his shoe barely missing his big toe. Creed jumped back.

Ollie turned to the bastard as she dropped the empty gun on the floor. I was strong! But now look at me. A scared piece of shit, wanting it all dead! The windows in the building blew outward as her fury mounted like a storm inside of her, but she didn't care nor, did she try to stop it, Would you like to know what I want more than anything?

Energy collected in her eyes, as she looked at the poorly groomed man who seemed to want to shit his red sweatpants. "I want total and complete anarchy. A chaos that no one could ever recover from. I don't want Moon to destroy it all, but I'll be damned if I let Granger save anything. She stepped to the brown eyed, olive skinned, poor excuse of for a human being and glared at him like he were her next meal. And I dare anyone to stop me."

"That's the confusion in you talking, not you. What do you want?" Creed whispered.

To die, She said feeling the truth calming her as the building stopped shaking. But I'd be a coward to stop living so easily. Instead I'll settle for making others' lives a living hell. Stepping over dead bodies, Ollie went to the first computer terminal and logged on. She began shutting down firewalls and letting the information flow freely onto the internet without any security, exposing it to the world.

She pulled the cell phone out of her pocket and dialed her brother O-no.

When he answered she said, Upload everything. She thought for a moment, And let me know when you're ready, she said before hanging up.

Don't you think it's risky, involving your eighteen-year-old brother?

Do you think that's any of your business? She retorted. But he was right, involving her family was risky, but they were well aware of the risk. And she could no longer protect them. It was time they decided their fates, and O-no had decided that if she ever needed him, all she had to do was say so.

Ollie walked around him and back to the stairs when she heard something coming from the computer. Energy screamed at her like a heavy metal band.

What does the screen say? Ollie asked running for the door.

Your guess is as good as mine, Creed said dashing ahead of her.

Neither one was about to stay to find out. Following Creed, she ran out into a hallway and into a side room. She saw him swing his arm as he released his knife in front of him. It sailed through the window, shattering it. He jumped out, soaring on air, practically floating. She jumped too, but there was no soaring or floating, just sinking all eight floors of the building.

Shit! she yelled as the concrete came into view. The building exploded. Her body never hit the ground, but it wasn't hitting anything. She blew through the air like a flimsy piece of paper.

()()()

In mid-air, Creed spun around and caught Ollie in his arms as his feet landed on the ground. The impact had him sliding and stumbling backward, before he fortified his stance. He threw up an energy shield shutting out flying debris and chunks of concrete. Ollie wheezed, looking up at him with blank mismatched eyes. She wasn't even looking at him. Right now, her power was failing her, so what limited sight she gained from her eyes was temporarily gone.

How's your energy? He asked.

Damned. Fucked-up. Shot to hell. Choose one, she said, with a hint of gratitude, though she would never say thank you. But he didn't need it.

He put her down on the ground. The flaming remains of the building set the surrounding grass and bushes on fire. If they didn't contain it, the fires would spread. But his power wouldn't suppress it. This was a good time to train her.

Tame the fires before we leave, Creed said turning his back to walk the mile it would take to get to the car.

What?

He didn't have a habit of repeating himself. And Ollie's hearing was far superior to anybody else in the world, so he didn't need to. Either she'd do it to prove she could, or she'd wimp out saying she didn't have the energy or that she didn't have to do what he said.

Asshole, she said before he felt the heat die down. If it wasn't for the fact that everything around here would burn to nothing, I'd ignore your ass.

He turned to see the black smoke fading and the fires dying away. She really was phenomenal, even as exhausted as she was.

She staggered over to him like a drunk, following him to the car. Neither one said anything, which wasn't unusual. But it wasn't always like that. There was a time he wanted her to just leave him alone because she was so intrusive. That Ollie was long gone.

There was a time she cared if he lived or died. But now he felt any moment she would kill him. It hung on the wind with the roasted smell of flesh, concrete, metal, and rubber.

If she knew the truth, the whole truth, she would cut him up in little pieces and feed him to Demon's Wrath when she found him. But what was done was done, and there were no regrets on his part.

What he worried about most was Bethea. Her mind and energy had been silent from the moment Creed woke from his long slumber.

After channeling Tesen's energy weeks ago, Creed had gone into a deep trance to replenish his energy. He had been under for several days, only waking two days ago to find himself among Ollie's nineteen brothers and sisters, the world turning on its head from Moon exposing the Structure, and the Oracle going eerily silent.

Bethea was always easy for him to find. And he did find her. Unconscious and in the Pillars' grasp. But just when he thought he could communicate with her, she disappeared off the globe. That was impossible unless she was dead. And even dead he would be able to see her body.

What bothered Creed most was the Pillars were already connected, their seals wearing away. Something only Ollie could do, but she would never do that...would she?

He reached his mind into the past, seeing Marissa's confrontation with a form of Ollie's energy. Ollie had done it. Ollie from the future? She had reached inside of Marissa, implanting energy that was slowly eating away at Marissa's seal. The effects were contagious; anyone who came into lengthy or concentrated contact with Marissa's energy was also affected.

Uni'ki was being born again, whether any of them liked it or not. The only reason Ollie would do something like that would be to destroy the world. She did say she wanted chaos. This was the best way to get it.

Maybe it was all for the best.

On the way back to the car, Ollie slowed her pace.

Remember what Loc taught you, He said, continuing without looking back.

If his vision was correct, his buddy Loc had given her a quick training session in enlightenment. Though the Pillar's method was crude, it was effective. His control of his energy was basic and elementary, but it worked.

His fundamental principle was about listening to his heart, knowing what it was saying, and moving from there -- instinct.

And what Ollie had to learn was as simple as that. She also had to learn how to cycle energy to sustain her for longer periods of time. To be so strong in power, the woman was physically weak. The only advantage her body had was speed.

Reaching the stylish silver Jaguar, he stared into the window to see her reflection trotting up behind him, tired. He opened the passenger door for her and she collapsed in the seat, not even arguing about him driving.

He walked around to the driver's side, opened the door and flipped the switch that lay the back of the seat down. Once it was fully reclined, he slid in and closed the door, sitting straight with perfect posture.

Cranking up the car, he heard Ollie chuckle. You look ridiculous.

Would you prefer to drive?

If you don't mind me crashing into something.

I mind, he said putting his foot on the gas. The acceleration made him slide back on the seat. The car was so responsive it was getting away from him. He was glad they were on an empty road or it might have been disastrous.

Creed? Ollie mumbled.

What?

Did you love her?

Who?

The woman you had a child with.

Didn't know her. She was a whore. I was just passing through Austria and she was willing. I didn't know about the child until about ten years later. And— he looked down at her to see her sleep.

Creed sighed, thinking back to those days. They were all one nightmare. That one nightstand gave birth to a son he never met other than in his visions. He cared no more for that child than he did for the woman he slept with. At the age of ten, Moon found the boy and stole him from his mother to train him. Creed never intervened. There were few in his three hundred years of life he cared about. He could count them on two hands.

Driving, he reached over and brushed his fingers over Ollie's hair to pick some of the debris from her crazy curls.

An hour passed before visions brushed through his mind. They were being followed. He hated driving, rarely did so, but he hated being followed more. Being in the mountains, on a narrow, winding road, and too close to a cliff didn't make him feel the least bit safe. And he liked to feel safe.

He floored it. His butt slid back, but he held onto the steering wheel. The tips of his toes were doing acrobatics just to keep his foot on the gas.

It wasn't long before five motorcycles burst into sight in the rear-view mirror. Creed tried to keep his butt in the seat, but the speed of the vehicle and his lack of physical restraint was making it impossible.

He let his energy flow and his power clamped him to the seat. Fighting his past memories, he swerved, missing the guard rail. Barreling down the mountain at obscene speeds was not his idea of the ideal driving experience, but he couldn't control everything.

One thing he was sure of at that moment, Moon wouldn't shoot. They didn't want to risk hitting Ollie. But they weren't going to let Creed tag along with her. Pushing the small electronic button, Creed let the driver's window down. A cool gust entered the car. Miraculously his mind began to clear.

He reached into the back seat. The car tires barely clung to the road as he rounded a sharp turn. With one hand, he worked to unzip Ollie's duffel bag -- the one with all the guns. After finally unzipping it part of the way, he shot his hands back onto the steering wheel to miss the oncoming clunker.

This is dangerous, he said as he veered back and forth on the road trying to gain control. When he realized he was losing the fight, he slammed on the brakes to avoid flying off the mountain. To avoid ramming the car, one motorcycle weaved into the guard rail and flipped over the side of the mountain.

Good. One down. Leaving four to deal with. Creed bent into the back seat, grabbed two guns, opened the car door, then closed it back. Bullets whizzed through the back window, pelting the trunk.

Ollie jumped awake. "What the hell? She grabbed the guns from Creed, got out of the car on her side, shot four times and then hopped back in the car. Asshole, I bought my brother this car. Just because I stole it from him, didn't mean I wanted it destroyed. You can't even kill four simple Moon on your own." She threw the guns at him. Get out, I'm driving. She got out of the car again, grumbling and cursing.

Creed popped a sedative as he exited to see four dead Moon splayed on the pavement.

Now I got to buy him another car. Thanks a helluva lot. She cursed as he passed by. I should have just killed you and got it over with. She finally said, slamming the car door shut.

Nobody told you to steal your brother's car, Creed said getting in the passenger's seat.

As soon as he closed the door, Ollie punched him in the jaw and his head hit the window.

Just like nobody told you to piss me off. She hit him again. And no one told you to put me in the middle of your damn schemes, she hit him again, blurring his vision. And no one told your ass to try to make me care about you just so that you would betray me.

He let her vent, as his head slammed into the window over and over until it cracked. Blood slicked down his eyebrows and cheeks. The pain was but a tickle because of his high level of energy.

Shit, She said on a hectic pull of air. She did her breathing exercises to calm herself, before starting up the car and speeding off. Her hands were shaking. She still had a lot to learn if she wanted to find enlightenment.

Creed wiped the blood from his eyes. Her strength was nothing. But she was designed to be weak, so there was no need to worry. What bothered him was that in his vision, he saw more pain and blood. Was she going easy on him? Well that wouldn't do.

()()()

2

Ollie brought them to a screeching halt in front of a motel that had seen better days. It had seen better red and white paint, too, as well as better indoor furniture. Everything about it advertised its age.

Creed waited outside as Ollie worked her magic to get them a room so she could sleep. She seemed to sleep more and more each day, stopping at the first available place or, sometimes, on the side of the road just to take a nap. She was supposed to be a bit weak, but he didn't know she was going to be a bit pathetic. Then again, he couldn't say much, for he wasn't the one driving most of the time.

The problem was, she wasn't ready. She still lacked enlightenment. She was too susceptible to emotions. And if she didn't learn to ground herself, she would become as wild as lightning.

If she didn't find control, she would have to be controlled.

He followed her into the motel room where Ollie collapsed on the bed, shoving a gun under her pillow. She didn't even bother to throw him out this time. Sleep came to her before he even got the door shut.

Creed's mind checked the world around them. His energy stayed alert as he pulled out his violin. He tightened the strings and took a position in the small space between Ollie's bed and the door. He began to play.

It has been a while hasn't it? He thought as he played with the only childhood friend he ever had. The violin was the one thing he could depend on growing up. When one was no longer playable, he could get another. Violins demanded nothing. Lifeless objects needed nothing. It was the living that always wanted… always so needy.

He neither despised life nor liked it. Life was as critical as lifelessness.

After warming up by playing all twenty-four Caprices, Opus 1 by Niccolò Paganini, Creed began playing his own compositions.

You are a genius.

Why don't you play for an audience sometime? You know they'll love it.

You should know you are the best by now, right?

He had heard it all before.

The bow slid across strings, needing little guidance as he continued his three-hundred-year-old habit. He never enjoyed playing as most people thought. The habit was something forced onto him. And thus became a part of him. And too much time away from this routine gave him an itchy feeling. He had to play, if just for a moment.

Could it even be called an addiction? Possibly. But it was during his playing that his energy focused and his mind figured out the hard-to-answer questions. One question being why his plans were unraveling?

Ollie should have remained Demon Wrath's prisoner until she found control. And yet, Granger and Bones rescued her before her time. How was she going to finish her training? How was she going to break through her emotional weakness? Her physical weakness could not be cured, but her emotional one could.

Granger had learned of Ollie's existence far earlier than Creed had wanted. And Bones was more powerful than anticipated. How? Why were these two going beyond his visions? Was it because of their relationship with Ellis? The young man was powerful, but didn't have the potency that his twin had.

The music stopped. Creed stared at the off-white wallpaper with the floral pattern seeing her in his mind.

His energy was pulled to a beach house. The tropical air blew through the spacious domicile as Creed walked through it looking about curiously. Thunder rumbled in the distance. Lightning flashed, casting ominous shadows about the rooms. He swallowed, feeling he was being watched.

Who's there? he called.

As he checked from room to room of the two story living space, he realized he was home alone.

No one was there but him.

He shuffled back down to the first floor, retracing his steps. His feet stopped cold at the foot of the stairs. Eyes stared into his mind. He looked toward the front door, just as the lightning flashed again.

A pair of wild, brilliantly lit eyes stared at him through the decorative etched glass of the front door. He gasped, but couldn't move.

The door swung open -- the eyes were gone. All he could see was the ocean, roaring up onto the beach.

Those eyes held more color than anything he had ever seen. A disco ball of electric pigments spinning, alive. Even Tesen's eyes weren't so glittered with color.

He gained control of his limbs again and headed for the door and the ocean. The door slammed shut in his face.

How does it feel to be toyed with? Ollie's voice came from behind him.

He turned around to where she leaned back on the steps, elbows propping her up. She glared at him with those colorful spinning eyes. Her hair draped down over her shoulders in several long braids. Was this the Ollie from the future? Was this the same Ollie that changed Marissa and recreated Uni'ki?

What are you up to? he asked.

You don't know? Isn't this what you wanted?

What do you know about what I want?

You need me strong, she said. But not too strong. You need me cooperative, and ready to serve. Right?

Is that what you think?

Well, then tell me, Luigiano, why would someone want to break a person? What reason would you have to break a person's will like you did Demon's Wrath?

I don't need another Demon's Wrath. He is enough.

You're saying you didn't create me to be like him?

No or I would have broken your will the moment you began to breathe. But you know this. He is just the knight in my game. You are the queen.

Chess. She sighed. A person's life is not for your amusement.

Life, period, is amusing. But instead of chess, it is more like Chinese checkers. He shrugged.

Oh, you dismal creature, she said with the flattest, most nonchalant voice he ever heard come out her mouth. In this game, you hold all the moves, don't you?

I used to. But it seems that another side was created during my plotting and scheming. Creed scratched the inside of his palm watching the woman. It does make the game a bit more interesting. You out maneuvered me.

Ollie smiled with the malice of a seasoned killer.

Has she figured it out yet? Creed asked about the present Ollie. Wondering if her mind had finally caught up or was it still lagging from her death sleep.

The woman sat upright into a noble position; posture as straight as a ballerina's. She knows you are the cause. But she is in denial. You are more important to her than she likes. It will destroy her to know the truth. To know you created the monsters plaguing her. That you created her mother to be weak. That you alone hold the secret to her enlightenment. It is unfortunate. He didn't even see her move, but there she stood in front of him -- eyes shining into his. But if I could, I'd rip the answer from your mind.

You've been acting without her so far. Why stop now? Creed asked, stepping back.

"I never act without her. I am her. The more she understands, the more I understand. She is the only one