((uh...*bites tongue to repressed overly sexual comment on sweets post*...ahem.. ur...uh yeah.... moving along. Sweets hunny do you wanna take back over voicing Jason? I feel bad talking for 3 people right now. I just kinda was trying to keep him going in your absence. I'm not god in this world :-p It's you guys too! I don't wanna crowd anyone out.))

Lixi nodded to show her understanding to Adja as she listened to her story. How terrible it must have been to have been left with that decision so young and to have been strong enough to have done as well. She though to herself that she'd been right, Adja would make a powerful ally in this. So would Martin and his passenger for that matter... at least if she could figure the thing out a little better and at least make some alliance with it for the time being. The knew knowledge only peeked her curiosity with both of them all the more. She wanted to ask Adja of how they grew up, what circumstance would have lead her to be that strong so early in life, or even if she knew where she'd picked up her 'follower' to begin with, but she could tell how little Adja cared to talk about private things, and thought it best to drop it.

"Well that makes sense then. Perhaps I should have a talk with 'her' before very long here then. Well, with Martin, but her at the same time. Don't worry, I won't tell him what you've said, the last thing I'd want is to cause any more tension due to the issue. I just need to find out if she, whatever she may be, is going to work against us in this. Last thing we need is to get up there and have her take over and push one of us off for Joel." The two went back to work in silence once more.

Lixi had somehow found herself once again staring into the dust old christian bible she'd found hidden under countless other books on a bottom shelf. It looked like it hadn't been opened in years. Truth be told she wasn't quite sure what she was looking for herself. Most of it was gross misconception that had been so poorly translated and manipulated during reproductions throughout the ages, yet she still found herself flipping through the prophesies of revelations. Maybe I can at least get a refresher on the next few stages of this. It's better than nothing. She looked up for a moment at Adja's string work, maybe she was onto something. Lixi thought it would be best to let her keep going without distracting her more.

After what felt like ages of silence, she couldn't take it anymore. The energy of the coming event was making her too antsy, she needed to do something. "Adja, do you mind if I step out and leave you to this? You seem to be on a roll, and I think I may just impede you. If you find or need anything I'll gladly come back. I may go have that talk with Martin and his brain buddy actually, if that's alright with you." She'd already begun inching towards the door, mulling over what she might say to Martin in her head. By the time she finished her sentence she already was at the door, hand resting on the knob.

*****

Arminos turned abruptly and took Sophia firmly, but carefully by the shoulders and gently turned her to look at him. His eyes were gravely serious and full of a stern passion for what he said next.

"No, Illiana no, loosing you again is NOT an option for me. Don't you get it my love? You were dead. Completely, and truly, dead. Our kind isn't supposed to be able to come back from that. We don't go on to better or worse worlds as the humans do. We just... stop. Yet he somehow kept you from disappearing. He put you back in your body, brought you back to life. He claims he can take it the life he gave you away again just as quickly. I can't risk that. I can't risk you. Besides, the worst of the deal is already over. The things he had me do to bring you back were the truly heinous part. Sacrifices had to be made... literally... But I don't care. It was worth it, it was all worth it hold you again." he wrapped his arms around her and boldly pulled her in for a long impassioned kiss. She felt so warm in his arms, which was so peculiar for her still being one of them even without the memory. The warmth of her body against his still shirtless chest was engrossing to him, intoxicating. He kissed her over and over, till finally he had to break away for fear of loosing himself into the moment.

"As to what I still owe, I'll be done with that soon. He asked me only to keep an eye on your friend in there. He has some ancient hatred for Lixi. She apparently killed his lover, or lead her to her death. I'm a little fuzzy on the details there. He said that it isn't why he's doing all this, but he wants her to suffer in it as a byproduct. I don't think he means to kill her. She's weak, powerless more or less, and has been for thousands of years from what I understand. I think if he meant to do that, he'd have done it by now. His hatred is chiefly towards the humans though. The spite he has toward this entire planet is overwhelming. I believe he intends to go around and open each of the gates to hell, this is only the first."