Earth

"Control isn't the problem. The problem is power. I'm simply not strong enough to control The Tantibus now. It's fed on fear, and is now engorged on the terror of the Hunters and pedestrians of that city." Lucius cut himself off, letting resignation fill his voice. "Let's just get your sanctuary. After I've recovered as much strength as I can, I'll be out of your hair."

Lucius pulled out the card inscribed with The Tantibus' symbol, staring at it deeply, trying to focus the power through it. All he managed was a light wisp of shadow. "It's not fun anymore..." Lucius thought, quickly losing himself to the card, staring into it as he walked.

Rex led Daemon back and let him in Earth still holding Lyra, her foot looking unhealthy. As they reached the fall, the water did an unnatural thing it straightened out reaching the other side of the pool. Carefully Rex slid down reaching the end turning around he motioned for Daemon to follow. "Thank you Sala." He thanked the water that replied with a sad moan. "Daemon," Turning his attention back to the other male. "You are free to whatever, look around you might be surprised what all lives here. I am going to take care of this stubborn one." Motioning to Lyra, with that he left and headed to the Center where the Healers den is.

"I ask you a favor. In my moment of clarity, I ask you to keep them from interrupting my work."

The tantibus formed into it's original form, as it ran unbound at the hound and it's owner.

Lucius solemnly walked further into the village, to see a large grave. Each post had a small sign on it, designating who had been buried there. There, at the very end of the graveyard stood a large stone grave, with the name "Angie Thorn" carved in the cornerstone.

"Hello mom."

Lucius dropped to his knees and plunged a hand in the dirt, clawing away anything that stood between him and his goal. Just as the moon dipped low in the sky, hands bloodied and raw, Lucius saw his prize.

A skull.

Tears began to form at his eyes, but he reached down to grab it nonetheless. Darkness began to blot out the faint light of the moon, and Lucius knew it stood behind him. The Tantibus towered over Lucius, easily doubling his size. Once Lucius made contact with the skull, The Tantibus began to slowly melt, pooling on the ground. The shadow then flowed directly into the skull, and then into Lucius's hand, penetrating his mind.

His smile returned.

Glee once again reached his lips, and he couldn't help but laugh and giggle. Holding up the skull triumphantly into the night air, he began to exclaim, "Alas! Poor Mother, I knew her well!"

He stopped a moment to jump from the grave, and laugh more at the fun that could now be had. "A fellow
of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy: She hath borne me into this world; And now, how abhorred in my imagination it is! My gorge rims at it. Here hung those hands that have held me I know not how oft. Where be your love now? Your promises? Your songs? Your flashes of merriment, that were wont to set the table on a roar? Not one now, to mock your own grinning? Quite fallen now? Now get you to my caretaker’s chamber, and tell her, let her paint an inch thick, to this favour she must come; make her laugh at that."

His speech done, and his ribs heaving with laughter, he began the long walk back to the sanctuary.

Daemon and Artemis went to the place where they slept the previous night, "time for bed girl" Daemon laid out a queen-size pad, he ad Artemis slept soundly.

Just as the sun began to rise above the treetops, Lucius reached the end of his trail of cards, picking the final one up. Still chuckling to himself, he regarded his surroundings. "If only I had stayed for a bit to see the where the sanctuary was." He laughed again, "How unfortunate."

Holding out the skull, Lucius summoned the Tantibus, calling it forth. "Ah, good to have you back. Now, could help me locate the entrance? Get to it, I'm bound to collapse and die at any moment now."

The Tantibus shuddered, it's eyes changing from red to blue. It sniffed the air, isolating and following one scent. Before too long, Lucius stood before the doorway, with the shadow by his side.

"Well, let's go greet our new friends."

With that, he opened the seal, and stepped inside.

Lucius noted an odd pair walking towards him, quickly dispelling The Tantibus, he smiled while extending his hand. "Hello there, forgot to introduce myself earlier, quite a shame. Nonetheless, I'm Lucius, pleasure to meet you all."

Noting their tired eyes, he added, "Goodness, I didn't keep you up now, did I? Sorry about that, had a few personal errands to run. Ya know how Mothers are."

Keada with both her hands on her cane gave a slight bow in greeting. "I am Elder Keada and from what I have been told you have already met Rex, the healer. As a Unique, I thank you for ensuring the leader's return."

She smile at his question. "I am an old lady, tiredness is a fact now." Rex kept a careful eye on Lucius, not sure what to think of him.

"Well, It wasn't all that bad, just caused me to realize my own mortality, but I jest." Lucius' smile faded a bit, "You said healer right? Good, good."

With that, Lucius collapsed on the ground, skull in hand.

Rex upon instinct as a healer rushed to his side checking for for signs of what is wrong. "It may seem the Tantibus has become more than he can handle." Picking Lucius up Rex summoned his fairies to check and hopefully be able to heal him some. Running through Earth he went past many buildings and past a fountain in the Center. To a little hut full of herbs, Healer a sign could be read.

Opening his eyes for a brief moment, Lucius whispered to himself gleefully, "For at the final hour of madness, Death finally reaches the door."

A knock at the door sounded. Then it slowly opened, revealing two sad, fiery eyes.

"Lyra here," Lazarus gestured to Lyra solemnly, "made Lucius feel something other than fear. How she did it, is unknown, as only he would know the answer, but I'm sure the shadow has already devoured the memory." As for leave, I mean leave him alone, tend to your leader here, and keep her well. The strength of all the others lies on her, and she needs as much strength as she can get."

"As for me," Lazarus began, "I am nobody. I am a ghost lost to time, the sanity that plagues his madness. The spark of light that cast his shadow." Lazarus looked back to the floor, dejected. Lucius stirred slightly in his slumber.