Astarte had transported everyone back to Mia’s house. They were completely demoralized to have done so little. The people who’d been attacked by the Spirits of Doom were at the hospital, still comatose. And they still knew next to nothing about their enemy or her plans. Mia was furious. "I want to know what happened back there! We fought together better against Hecate…and we didn’t really know each other then. Zane. Zoe had an opening while Nemesis was distracted. Why didn’t you lend her some energy for a couple of blasts?"

Zane looked away, unable to explain how easy it would have been for him to do that, but how heavy the consequences would’ve been. Who knew how much damage he’d already done to Zoe? He was ashamed…and a little afraid. He was having a hard time just thinking about these things--he didn’t know how to say them out loud. Zoe could only look at him with anger and disappointment. He could feel her trying to make mental contact, but he doubled his efforts to keep her out. It was making him tired, but he had to do it. Once she touched his mind, she’d be able to access the armor.

Mia whirled around to face Gilgamesh and Trace. "And what’s with you two? When you left my house almost two months ago, you were the best of friends. Now you act like enemies."

Astarte walked over to the two, placing a hand on Gilgamesh’s arm. "I, too, would like to know why you fight with the man who is like a brother to you." She walked over to Trace who was looking out the window. She put a hand on his shoulder to get his attention.

A muscle in Gilgamesh’s face twitched. He gave Trace a menacing glare, his hand resting on one of his axes. Trace tightened his grip on his own weapon. Gilgamesh’s voice was like ice. "That is none of your concern."

Anubis spoke, his voice shaky and unsure. "Perhaps we should wait for the Ronins to get back. They can handle this new menace."

Mia felt like she was going crazy. No one seemed to be acting normal except Zoe, Astarte, and herself. Couldn’t anyone else see it? "The Ronins are busy in the Dynasty, remember? Who knows when they’ll be back? And in case you haven’t noticed, we can’t seem to contact them. Rather convenient, don’t you think?"

"Nemesis has a grudge against me, Mia. Maybe if I give myself up to her…"

"What then, Anubis? She’ll kill you, then us, then everyone else. Sounds like a great plan to me. And what’s with you today? You’re a warrior monk, but today you just stood there as she attacked you."

"What would be the point? Someone will kill me sooner or later for my crimes. It might as well be her. She more than any other has the right."

"Anubis! What are you talking about?" He shook his head and refused to speak. "Well, answer me!"

Astarte tried to calm Mia down. "It has been a long day for us all. Perhaps we should rest for the night and talk in the morning." She stared at Trace and Gilgamesh. "Maybe then certain of us will be more civil. I know that I am exhausted, my thoughts cloudy. The morning will hopefully find us all with clearer heads." Everyone slowly got up and went to look for some place to sleep. Trace took a bedroll and went out onto the deck, angrily closing the sliding glass door behind him. Many hostile and uncomfortable glances were cast around the room. With all the strange behavior going on, Mia, Astarte, and Zoe decided to take turns keeping watch during the night. Zoe and Astarte insisted Mia sleep first, fully intending not to wake her up for her turn. They’d decided she needed the rest. Astarte volunteered to take first watch.

Mia was more tired than she’d realized. Despite her worries, she fell asleep quickly. She was soon dreaming of bright blue skies and green fields. Mia was watching a group of sheep grazing in a pasture. It was a tranquil scene. From out of nowhere, three rabid wolves pounced on the sheep, killing and maiming them. They didn’t just want food—they wanted to tear the sheep apart. Suddenly, a group of sheep dogs attacked the wolves. It was hard to tell wolves from dogs because they all fought with such viciousness. When the fight was over, the wolves were dead. The dogs were now wagging their tails, acting like the friendly creatures such dogs usually were. They’d saved most of the sheep.

A great flapping sound startled Mia--like a flock of birds. She turned to her left to see two winged figures. The sun was behind them, tracing eerie halos around their bodies and casting ominous shadows on their faces. One came forward slightly, pointing at the dead wolves. "They attack with dark abandon, leaving chaos and death in their wake." He pointed to the sheep. "The others know nothing of true darkness. When it comes, they have no power and are consumed by it." The dogs trotted up to him, tongues lolling happily. He patted one on the head. "Some creatures understand pacifism and aggression. Both flow in them and they know how to keep the balance. They know how to ‘fight fire with fire’ as the saying goes. A person can be one or the other and still be strong, but the one who knows how to balance them has a special kind of power. Forgive the graphic display, but imagery is an effective learning tool—especially in the land of dreams." He placed a kanji orb in her hand, but it was dull and lifeless—it had no power yet. "You know someone who has lived in darkness and in the light. He has used both and knows how to balance them. He just needs to be reminded. Send Astarte to Egypt with the orb. She will understand."

The other figure came forward. "Your friends are being deceived. You, Zoe, and Astarte are the only ones who have not been corrupted—and Zoe suffers from her brother’s misguided actions. Look at what has transpired." He waved his hand and the landscape changed. She was now seeing Gilgamesh and Trace in Egypt, laughing and joking as they waited by the pyramids for Astarte. They both fell asleep in the blistering afternoon heat. When they woke up, they were full of anger and hate towards one another. Then she heard Zane "talking" to his sister, teasing and relaxed. Then he grew tired and fell asleep. When he woke up, he was worried and pushing Zoe away. She then saw Anubis on the deck, in a meditative calm. When he returned from his trance-like state, he was extremely depressed and full of self-loathing. Everyone was changed when they woke up. What had they experienced in their unconsciousness?

"Dreams, Mia Koji. Powerfully vivid and emotional dreams. But these dreams were unnatural and filled with distortions and fabrications. Our siblings, the Children of Nyx, have been interfering in the mortal realm in grievous ways--Moros, God of Doom; Age, Goddess of Hate; and Apate, Goddess of Deceit. They are creatures of base instincts, born of the Great Darkness that emerged from the Primeval Chaos. Your friends have been manipulated by their darkness and only truth will help them now. That is your attribute, is it not? But be warned, truth is not always easy to accept."

Mia woke with a start. What a strange dream. She looked down to see she was holding a lifeless orb in her hand. She jumped up and ran into the kitchen where Astarte was having a cup of coffee, almost tripping over her own feet. "I know what’s wrong!"