:: Out of breath from the run from the inn to the school she looks about quickly shutting the doors and barring them before slowly sliding back and crying not really caring who was in the room or not...she was too scared to know..to terrified of something that she didn't really care if others saw Shati of the night cry right infront of them like a little girl:

: Her eyes look up to the woman quickly and with fear and jumping up from her spot she whispers::He..is after Tina...find Miss Sha'uri please..ohh..please you must hurry...tell...her tell...her Shati said...Master Cutter..is here..please hurry...cutter is here on Rhy'Din

:: While she spoke those words there was a sound of pleading in her voice..a voice so full of fear and terror she mad it sound as if the devil himself was coming through those doors.....with this monster it might as well be::

Please...just find them!

The Headmaster walked out of his opffice.

"What in the Nine Hells is the matter Mistress Lyndra?!"

"I honestly am not certain."

The Headmaster concentrates on Tina. She can hear him through her earrings.

"Tina?"

::He would hear the backgrounds of the inn her voice saying::Cut....cut...cut.....

::Then small amounts of fighting before all went quiet and Kitty's voice came to be heard comforting the girl trying to soothe her..then they would realize she was at the inn and safe but..only for the time being..and there is where they will find her:;

A few moments later and a paper teleports its way to Briari bearing the words, *Sleep till twilight Sleep till Dusk when all is lost awake when you must*, which he would know came from Sha'uri.

She, herself, appeared some minutes later, using her ability to track Bri's soul as a means to find him. She could still hear Lyndra running through the complex, searching and calling for Tina.

Finding Bri, she entered the secured area after contacting Alex to inform him of things and to call him in.

"That paper, is what Knite heard Cutter say to Tina. I've called Alex in to bring reinforcements..."

Her visage was worried.
"Bri.. what if we can't stop this? What if..."

She couldn't say it, tears fell down her cheeks, the similarity of Sabre and what Sha'uri felt she had to do to her cat, compared to what she was afraid would happen with Tina... had her clamp her mouth shut, jaw clenched tight, shaking her head no..no... she didn't want it to happen like that. She wasn't so sure she'd be strong enough, nor did she even want to be...

Wiping her tears, she forced her attention to the subject at hand.

"I'm ... familiar with that one, I think...."

She remembered how her mother told her a story about it.

"I hear the story goes of how there was a couple who wanted to have children desperately, but were barren. One was a priest and the other a mage. So, together, they researched it and created the spell. I don't remember who they were specifically or where they were from."

Pausing to debate something, she continued after a moment and moved over to stand next to Bri, gazing down into the tome.

"Though with my mother's version of the spell is different. Being a practitioner of both arcane and divine magic, she augmented it for one wielder, using the wielder's own blood. I don't honestly know if she ever really used it, but.. I did. It worked, too. It was while I was pregnant with Bryce and living in Dar Oma. I needed them for protection. Porthios, who used to just be a Rotwieler/Labrador dog .. in fact, he was Triv's dog... And Prestancia, my panther, were created into humanoid beings in such a way, by me using that spell. They were a handful as they were awakened, having feelings and thoughts they had never had before.. which wouldn't be the case with Tina since she already has had these ... but with them, it was difficult to deal with them at first. We pulled through after a few days and they calmed and began to learn swiftly. They were full grown and taught to a level most are at in early adulthood, within a couple of weeks. Their learning curve level off not long after that, though."

She paused again, remembering .... and then something dawned on her about Sabre.

"Oh my... by the gods... that can't be right.. Is that possible I still carry remnants of it, rubbing off on...?"

Shaking her head to clear it.

"Not the time now. Not the time. Sorry, just a stray thought there."

Sigh.

"Well, your version there is worth a try anyway. AT this point, Bri, I don't know what else to try. Though if I understand this version correctly, it will change her soul along with her body, after all it'll become the offspring of those involved. If I help you, which I am capable of, she will really be our daughter, yes?"

Without the sex, went through her mind with regret.

"Perhaps, though, Shati may have an answer about it as well. Maybe she knows something of what can be done. I should've told Alex to find her...."

Lyndra could still be heard running down the halls of the school calling for Tina......

:: Hiding around one of the walls she listened to Alex a bit nervously biting her lip she slowly walks out looking to the man::

Is...Tina ok? Is..she alright?

:: Her form was carefully and slowly moving to the man her eyes watching him a bit for sudden movements or advances::

Alex glanced up at the sound of Shati's voice, as did Lyndra.

"Oh, there you are!" Lyndra smiled. "I was worried you left."

Alex just stared at Shati, wondering why the woman thought he would know. He shook his head and shrugged, gently telling her...

"I don't know. We're trying to find them now, Shati. My mother should be around somewhere. I'm Alexander, son of Sha'uri... and while you don't know me, I do know of you."

He gave a cordial bow.

"We should stick together, I think. Safer that way."

Signaling the two men to take positions front and back areas of the inside building, since the other two were on the sides outside, he motioned for Lyndra to lead the way while he walked behind her with Shati to the headmaster's office.

Once there it was easy to see no one was there. Alex pulled out some device and flipped on the switch. A soft beeping began it's rhythmic thrum. He turned around slowly and the beeping changed rhythm, indicating a direction to take.

"This way... Mother is here."

And he led them on towards the Secure area of the school where Briari and Sha'uri were at.

************************

Sha'uri was so intent on the tome, she didn't notice Lyndra's yelling anymore. She didn't notice anything wrong, so she continued to try and peer over Bri's shoulder at the tome he was reading. For some reason, she wasn't getting a good look at it.

"Trust? Well, of course..." she was getting the idea that there was more to this then she'd gathered yet. "Wait, what version is in your tome? What is the procedure?"

She made a direct effort to get a better view and read the tome herself.

Blinking, she tore her gaze from it, simply amazed.

"Someday, I would love to hear the story of how you got your hands on this one. It's the original isn't it? Amazing... "

Sounds of footsteps caught her attention as Alex and group finally sauntered down the hall to the secured area. She nodded that direction to get Bri's attention that way, sensing who was with her son.

"Shati is with them. Perhaps we should ask her advice on the situation first." She prompted Bri as Alex brought them all in.

She moved "Shati... Tina's in a stasis. Cutter said something to her, written on a piece of paper, which Briari has."

Sha'uri looked at Bri, nodding to indicate he give her the paper with the words.

"I know what he's doing, trying to set her up to be that weapon.. but we need to stop him, for good this time. Briari and I think that if we change Tina's body into a real humanoid, which we can do, we might not only save Tina but destroy Cutter's ability to launch that weapon. Her old body will be destroyed while her soul is put into a newly formed body. I'm thinking the weapon needs to be destroyed, too, and that whole complex on Marda. I would like to know your thoughts on this before we venture forth. How well do you think our plan might work? And do you have other thoughts about it? Maybe a different plan or... whatever?"

Sigh.

"Not yet, not until we have some better plan to follow. He's just not going to stop until he gets his way, is he."

She shook her head.

"Well, he's not going to get it. He needs to be taken out, and without destroying the moon. I don't care about his complex, but if that moon is destroyed of its structure, it will carry with it reprocussions upon the whole of Exodii planet. I just don't understand why my mother just let ...."

Stopping herself, she looked to Bri.

"Are you capable of ressurections or reincarnations? As in possibly three..."

What was she thinking?

Alex spoke up, eyes widened.
"No Mom... no. Not that. Maybe that's what he's been wanting all along, you dead. Maybe it's a trap. Is there any reason why changing both Tina and Shati won't work? Who else does he have that can be used to work that weapon? Destroying the complex won't be a problem. We have the capability to transport enough of the right bombs to set off massive vulcanic activity, which will destroy the complex without blowing up the moon. We've already looked into doing it. His shields don't go down that far. And if changing the girls won't work, then be what you are, mother.... You are the Guardian. You have rights to the souls beyond his reach."


Sha'uri was speechless at her son, but she felt he could be right.

"Bait then. It could work, even if they die I have authority upon their souls to place them as they should be, wether that's into another body or to the heavens ... not ressurection, but reincarnation would be a better plan for them, Shati and Tina. Souls can be reincarnated into bodies that are new. Shati, maybe the only way to get him is to let him have both of you. We could try the awakening upon Tina and see if that's enough to stop him from controlling her.... but just in case it's not, you could be the other bait that goes with her because while he's busy realizing he can't use her, you could actually do something to destroy him. Either way, if you both are willing, and the complex gets destroyed and you both die... you're souls will ultimately be placed in my hands should things progress to the point that you both die. The ultimate thing is to kill Cutter. Can you handle this? Would this plan work?"

"You got that right, Briari. It will take all of us. Although I am not sure about his necromancy other then he is also using technology to enhance it. There is his edge on you, Bri, while yours on his is your specialty. The odds between could actually be even. It'll come down to who can outwit whom. He's smart. It'll take all of us. So what's your plan?"

She was hopeful that between them all they could come up with the right plan.

Alex stared at Bri and calmly replied.

"For someone who hardly has anything to do with technology, even loathing it from what I gather, you sure seem to think you know how well or not it works with magic. How is it you draw your conclusions of such things? I'm not doubting your expertise of magic, just your knowledge of technology in particular and the combination of the two. I hope you do not underestimate its uses nor assume its liabilities without warrant. I fear a prejudice of technology will cloud your judgement in this."


Sha'uri blinked at her son.

"Anyway, Yes, a well orchestrated attack from so many fronts would help distract him. I'm unconcerned for the building, just the moon and the lives of Shati and Tina, and the rest of Exodii. "

The *Boy* merely smiled.

"Excused. This time."

It was on the tip of his tongue to ask Briari something, but now was not the time to open that discussion.

"But it doesn't excuse the fact that we all have to trust each other here and now. Or this won't work."

The Headmaster smirked and then smiled as Shati revealed Cutter's state.

"This may be very useful information indeed. The undead, with the exception of naturally recurring spirits, are unnatural to the circle of being. The best way to remove them is to return them to the circle. The way to do that is to remove what took them from the circle. In this case, we need to close the gateway from which he draws his powers. Mistress Shati, do you have any idea where we can find this gateway? I suspect he can open another, but only with the powers he has now. I propose that if we close the gateway and drain him of his stolen demon essences, he will be forced back to mortal again and the sickness that should have taken him will do the rest for us."

"I would be glad to..."

The Headmaster's eyes are filled with an odd light.

"I can, Shati. Do not doubt that." A firm nod was given to her filled with assuring confidence.

"So it's settled. We'll change Tina now so that she won't be used by Cutter. It might even be easier to hide her from him this way, forcing him to look for Shati. Bri, will it be necessary to wake Tina for any part of this change? Perhaps it's best if we don't have to."

Sha'uri nodded.

"Well, then I guess we need to get this going. Are we all ready then? Is there anything else we should do or think about or.. "

She shrugged, leaving it open for last minute debates as she looked from one person to the next. She wanted to make sure everyone was ready before putting it all into motion.

Alex nodded, "Ready here. I just have to make a few communications, though I think perhaps that should wait until we're ready to go."

Lyndra was wide eyed, shifting her gaze back and forth from one person to another as they spoke up. She had no clue why she was here or how she could help, but she nodded all the same when Sha'uri looked at her. Poor girl, Lyndra was just so clueless and self conscious as she moved to stand behind Alex, thinking that was a good safe place to be...

.

A reasurring nod was given to Shati and her gaze came back round to Briari.

"Okay, Pappa... let's make a real daughter."

Mirth sparkled in her eyes. She was being humorous and yet she was excited and hopeful of the outcome. She would be glad when all of this was over...

Likewise, Sha'uri moved to the opposite side of the table and began to chant, sapphire flames flickered to life in her eyes while a circle of energy, glowing the color of her eyes, formed beneath the darkness to cover Tina's body. She waited for Briari's prompt on the next step, knowing that timing was critical to the process....

:: her eyes slowly squinted down a bit and her hands slolwy rose and moved ot her head as she held it there and slowly like waking up from a dream her eyes opened looking at them both with a sort of dazed look::

Mommy...daddy?...why am I laying donw..did I fall asleep?

:: Slowly she rose up and looking to everyone else she smiles a little::

Why is everyone here?..are we having a party?! With cake and stuff?

"Look, I don't even know if I have one. I mean, I might have something close, I'm sure I do."
Lyndra confessed after they were way out into the hallway, speaking barely at a whisper.
"but um.. Cake? It's her birthday in there, right? Isn't that what they were saying they were doing .... giving her a new body? A new life? Aye?"

"That would be the idea of it, yes." Alex replied slowly, still being tugged down the hall, though he gently took hold of her arm to slow her down easy like. "However, we need to stop. I can get one, fast. ... Already with icing and decorated. I've got a replicator in the shuttle. You a brave sort?"

Lyndra stopped with him, looking up to those gentle Elven features and emerald hues. Her answer was a simple nod.

Alex tapped his combadge and ordered the two transported to the shuttle. Lyndra sucked in her breath as she felt the transporter beams descend on her from no where, transfer her molecules and reassemble her in the shuttle. She was screaming by the time they were there.

"What was that? Where are we? Oi... I'm gonna be sick..."
After a quick trip to the small bathroom, she felt better.

Alex promised it wouldn't be this bad again and helped Lyndra with the replicator while she specified cake type, shape, flavors and specific decor customizations. They ended up with a kitty shaped chocolate raspberry cake and *Happy Birthday Tina* written atop. Having no clue to the girl's age, they decided that a mouse shaped candle would suffice.

Transporting back to the kitchen, which proved Alex was right about the stomach churning part as Lyndra didn't get sick, they then put the cake on a cart and snatched the icecream from the freezer. Plates, forks and napkins plus a knife to cut the cake was quickly retrieved and put on there too. Then they moved on their way back to the others.

"I hope we weren't gone too long..."

Alex checked his watch. "Nope.. only about five minutes."
"Good. Do you have a lighter?"

"Eh, no. But, um, my Mother can light it. She's sort of the walking torch at times..." Grin.

"I noticed the blue flame... I hear blue flame is hotter then red or orange.." giggle.

"You have no idea.."



((I'm going to start a new string on the Exodii System boards to carry the story to... and pretty much signify some time lapse between this string and that one so that we can still do some things in this one to wrap it up for that other one. Any questions, please don't hesitate to PM me. thanks! Oh and,the title of the other post is: Confrontations: War on the March ........ no, not the Ides of March but not too far from it. ;) ))

Sha'uri smiled and nodded her head, affirming what Briari was saying. She remembered presents went along with birthdays. Remembering the day they announced the adoption, she quickly thought of the first thing she could think of that Tina would probably like.

"Alex and Lyndra just went to go get your cake, too. And as your present, we'll get you a horse, one of the Firebrand horses, too. We'll have to go sometime later to pick one out... after it's born. The mother isn't due to deliver them for another few weeks. We'll have to wait until they are born, but maybe you'll get to see it happen. Would that be okay with you to wait a little while for your present?