Just as Gowron and Eva returned a new light daemon spawned and they were at it again, at least everyone had had a chance to rest, the spawn seemed to be slowing. Arrows and bolts flew and the sound of swords meeting daemon flesh filled the air. And in a brillant flash of light, almost too bright, the daemon fell. And when Tiberius looked around he once again saw Roland and Lyra, but Greyylene was no place to be seen, and at there feet was another light daemon and it hit him that they must have killed them at the same time.
And then there was an explosion that knocked everyone to the ground. As Tiberius got to his feet he saw an enormous light Daemon had spawned just a few feet away from the one they had just killed, and on her back at its feet was Greyylene trying to scramble backwards on heels and elbows, trying to knock and fire a bolt. Just then Angus jumped in front of her and began to attack, that movement seemed to energize everyone as the bolts and arrows began to fly. Tib pulled his Daemon slayer and jumped in with Angus, and side by side they fought till the mighty beast died in an explosive mess. Tiberius turned to look at Greyylene who seemed to just now be realizing that she was back.

Tiberius? Was all Greyylene got out before loosing consciousness.

Tiberius looked around. Anybody know what just happened?

The only thing I know is It seemed like that explosion was much brighter then any of the other ones. Said Angus.

Yes I noticed that too. Said Tiberius. After we killed it, I looked back at Lyra and Roland and it looked like they had just felled one of there own.

Hey you think that might be it Tib? Asked Nevyn.

Come again?

The fact that we killed them at the same time!

You might be right, we killed them both, and a few seconds later that big explosion came and two daemons spawned.

This one came from right where Greyylene standing. Said Roland.

Everyone turned to see Roland and Lyra shimmering like two ghosts.

You can hear us? Asked Nevyn.

Parts. Said Roland.

Then you know what to do, if we can see each other we have to kill them at the same time. There are plenty of use here we can keep one alive until your about to strike the death blow on yours.

Roland looked from Nevyn to Tiberius who gave a nod, and then looked back at Nevyn and said something that was once again lost.

Lyra grabbed an arrow and began to knock it while pointing towards the moongate.

Lyra let loose her arrow and knocked and fired again.

Berserker!! Yelled someone from behind Tiberius. And he knew for sure that that is exactly what Roland and Lyra were dealing with as well.
As they began to fight Tiberius once again found himself next to Angus.

These things are tough when there’s a group of us, but only two?

Tiberius spared a quick look at Angus and said. And neither one of them a mage.

He looked over at his Brother Soul Reaver and yelled. Save your Mana Soul!

Soul looked back as if he were going to argue. Then looked past Tiberius to what was happening behind him with Lyra and Roland, then simply nodded and stepped behind the fighting line.

With the group they had it didn’t take long to kill the berserker, and then all they could do was watch the battle unfold on the other side of an invisible wall.

Eva at his elbow looked up and said she’s taken fire.

I know.

They watched as the berserker fell and as Roland tried in vain to heal Lyra.

Then the light daemons they had just a short time ago wanted to appear did so.

Nevyn! Tiberius yelled.

I know Tib we will keep this one on the edge you Angus and Soul be ready to help them and let us know when to kill it!

There eyes met, thanks Nevyn.

Nev nodded and began to coordinate the battle.

Roland was holding his own against the light daemon but simply wasn’t doing enough damage, Lyra saw this and struggled to her feet, and while Tib, Angus and Soul watched, began knocking and firing arrows in aid of Roland. Soon the light daemon was wavering and about to fall.

Now Nevyn!! Shouted Angus and Tiberius at the same time. They saw Rolands go down and heard Nevs fall. then there was a shimmering wall and a huge explosion.

Now, you have to go now. Tib turned to see Greyylene pointing towards Roland and Lyra.

Go they need help!

Tib and angus ran forward as one.

Roland fell to his knees where he was, But Lyra turned and began to stagger towards them, she was burned so bad they couldn’t recognize her, she made it two steps and simply fell forward. Angus was there and grabbed her has she fell, he lifted her up and began running back to the shimmering wall. When Tiberius reached Roland he could see Roland wasn’t badly injured he grabbed his shoulder and pulled him up and began dragging Roland back towards the wall. He could already see it closing, though Roland would survive he was hurt and couldn’t move very fast and what they needed now was speed!

Obsu Vulni. Said Tiberius as they ran, and as the ancient healing spell of the paladin took hold Roland regained strength and speed and together they dove towards what little opening there was left.


As Angus got to the other side of the wall he laid Lyra down and felt the energy of the healing spell being cast by Soul even before he was able to let go of her.

Everyone was looking at Soul Reaver.

She will make it, barely. He looked up at Angus, half a handfull of seconds more and she would have died.

Angus nodded and got up and started to run back to help Tiberius with Roland, but was stopped by a hand grabbing the back of his armor.

No time said Nevyn.

They all looked up to see Tib and Roland both running with everything they had.

Eva walked over to Soul and took his hand, they looked at each other then at there brother and Roland running towards them.

There not going to make it are they Soul? She asked.

Before he could answer both dove towards what was left of an opening.

There was a loud crack and an explosion. Then Roland and Tiberius were on there backs looking up at a light daemon.

Angus was the first to attack followed by Nevyn and then everyone else wanting a crack at it. Then as the fight moved away from where Tib and Roland lay, Eva and Soul went to make sure they were ok.

Were fine Eva. But that was close. Soul? How is Lyra?

She will live, but her recovery will take some days.

Alright lets get her back to the Exeter. Send the Guardian back to port she has taken too much damage to be of much help around here. Angus walked over covered in daemon blood.

You guys ok?

Yeah we are thanks. What kind of shape is the Zyphyr Wraith in?

Like all the ships around here she’s taken a pounding but she can still hold her own.

Can you have her fall in behind the Carolyne? Were short ships already and I have to send the Guardian back to port.

Ill make the call. I take it you want her to follow on the next bombing run?

Exactly! Lets take out this moongate right now!

I haven’t heard a better idea in weeks!!

Gowron? Can you see if Wat can fall in behind the Zyphyr?

Aye sir!

I wish we had more ships.

Well when the bad guys keep sinking them….

Tiberius turned and looked back at Gowron. He gave a good hard laugh like he hadn’t had in weeks and replied, smart ass!!

Hey Tib??

Yes Eva?

I think our troubles just got a lot worse.

Tiberius followed her gaze until he saw what she was looking at. Four ship coming in at full sail. He Smiled and looked down at his sister and said, that jolly roger is most decidedly not trouble!

He looked over he shoulder and yelled to a still weak kneed Greyylene.

Greyy!! Would you mind contacting Buds and asking him to come in from the south and target the moongate? Tell him the navel ships will follow him as he is already at full speed.

Aye aye Commodore!

And Grey?

Sir?

Tell him….great timing, And thanks.

Gowron was standing next to him. Your thanking pirates?

They did come at my request.

Wait when did you ask them?

Several weeks ago.

Gowron was stunned. Why didn’t you have them come sooner??

Because we need them now.

How did you know when we were going to need them??

Tiberius smile at Gowron. I didn’t. he said and walked away.

Son of a !!!!! muttered Gowron. And he shook his head and followed Tiberius.

As the orders were given and the formations fell into place the campsite was broken down and stowed on the Guardian for transport back to Guardians Gate. As the Guardian pulled away from shore she came under attack.

Damn! There poring out of the moongate!!! Yelled Angus.

As Tiberius watched light daemons, berserkers, arcane daemons and Balrons came through the gate one by one.

And the battle for what was left of Magencia truly began.
The berserkers needed to be killed first fortunately there were only two of those.

Roland!! Tempus!!

They both ran over to Tiberius. Take 5 men each and take out those berserkers, we will handle the rest.

Yes sir! Replied Tempus, Roland simply nodded and started grabbing people as he ran towards one of the berserkers.

Those now in good hands Tiberius simply jumped into the fray and began attacking daemons as he killed them, the lesser daemons fell fast as they tore a swath to the balrons that seemed to be guarding the gate.

As the last of the lesser daemons went down the balrons stepped out of the circle of stones surrounding the moongate and began attacking.

After hours of fighting Tiberius stepped out of the battle to drink some water and collect his thoughts, while looking around his eyes came to the moongate, still standing as the attack from sea had to be called off so that crews fighting on the shore weren’t killed by there ships cannons. The moongate was wavering, an odd look at first Tiberius thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. However a second look confirmed it, it looked as if someone or something was reaching threw and trying to stretch it out.

The balrons fell almost at the same time, and it was dead silent. Everyone began looking for the next attack that wasn’t there.

Is it over? Someone from back in the ranks asked.

I don’t think so. Said Tiberius as he watched the gate stretch even further out of shape.

He pulled out his comm crystal and began a message to the Exeter.

Start your run now! Hey yelled into it. don’t worry about us!! Take out that damn gate!!!

Just then a mighty roar came from within the gate and a massive beast came out. It was big, ugly and no one have every seen anything like it before.

Nevyn?

Yes Tib?

Ive got your back.

Ive got yours.

Lets go! And together they led the charge and began the attack.

The thing just simply didn’t want to die! Every one of a hundred men and women attacking it cannon balls exploding all around and fighting for hours and the thing didn’t even seem to be fazed.

Off to the left Tib hear Angus yelling into his comm crystal, no no no use the five pound guns!! The tens aren’t even getting close!!!

He looked up at Tiberius, just a thought.

And a good one Tiberius replied. When is there next run?

There starting it now!

Good. Tib quickly began wrapping a bandage on a new cut on Nevyns shoulder as he said, lets try to pull this thing east, away from the gate.

Nevyn nodded and took a few steps in that direction as he passed the word to Gowron who was on the other side of Nevyn.

And then the explosions suddenly got a lot closer. There was amassive explosion and what looked like lightning shooting off the gate.

They hit it Angus yelled!!

Hit it they had the gate sizzled and went dark.

The creature screamed and turned towards the gate, and was now taking damage.

The warriors needed no prodding they all converged on the beast and hit it with everything they had. Within minutes it was dead.

It had stopped, over finally, then end had come, this beast dead and the gate closed off.

Nevyn and Tiberius were leaning on one of the few remaining trees, I giant oak that looked as if it had been there since the beginning of time. So covered in bandages they were, that Gowron on his way to board ship commented that they looked to all the world like a couple of mortally wounded mummies.

The Zyphyr got the hit Nev. Said Tiberius, I heard Angus telling them to switch too the five inch guns and that gave them the distance they needed.

Yeah I was right next to you remember?

We have a lot of heroes today, many medals will have to be passed out.

Those are medals that I will gladly pin on there chests.

Me too Nev, me too.

Back aboard the Exeter and heading home to Guardians Gate Tiberius walked across the deck to where Lyra was looking out at the sea.

You look like yourself again he said.

She gave a short laugh, I feel like myself again. That fire Tib, I cant even describe the pain, stuck in another realm, I thought I was dead.

You did a great job Lyra, we saw the whole thing, there will be a promotion in this for you.

Not for me.

Tiberius turned and looked at her.

Still looking out to sea she said, I faced a true death Tiberius, and it scared the hell out of me, it also made me realize thast other then the navy I havnt done much with my life. And I know this was a good life. But I have to see the world through the eyes of a citizen, not a sailor, I thank you for all you did form me, for the ship you gave me and the trust you showed in me. But for now I have to go.
You know I would like for you to stay, but you have to go where your heart is taking you. See what you need to see, learn what you need to learn. And when your finished your ship will be waiting for you. Tiberius then turned and walked over the Eva at the ships helm.

Back home in Guardians Gate the wounded were being cared for the ships in there repair slips and the Christmas feast was underway! Hard to believe that they had been fighting that long.

As the final course was served Nevyn stood and raised his glass.

To you all who fought with there heart and soul. You saved the realm you are heroes, one and all.

Glasses were raised in the toast and the wine and ale drank. As the last of the food was wisked away and they feast at an end Tiberius stood and looked down the main table, his sister Eva and Nevyn on either side of him, Angus, Soul, Daria, Roland, Greyylene, Ryo, Juno, Oni, Gowron, Wat, Wrexx, Emma, Tempus, Funeral and one missing, already off to find herself, Lyra. you are truly my family one and all. We fought side by side, we lived and died together, there is no one I would rather spend my holiday with then all of you . And I wish to make the final toast, this one to those who didn’t make it back…..he raised his glass…to absent friends…and as he returned to his seat the names came back……


Gibralter, Cyara, Jubal, Merlin, One Legged Larry, Faith Towers, Woody, Vans, Timlin, Rocky, Randell, Ole Smitty, Coldsteal, Tak………

~The End~