Hope is Our Recourse

[Chastity]

I look over and see Peter staring at his hand. Steam rises from the water in the sink. Peter's hand is red from the scalding water.

I run over to him and lightly grab hold of his hand. He seems stunned. He doesn't even look to be in pain, even though I can see from the red, blistering skin that he should be.

"Peter, what happened? That water gets hot, you have to be careful. Sit down."

I pull out a chair and push on his shoulders to get him to sit.

I go to the cupboard and get out a box filled with medical supplies. I grab some salve and gauze and bring them to the table. kneeling down by his chair, I start to carefully apply the salve all over his hand, making sure that all of the burns are covered. Then I wrap the gauze around and around, I do it lightly so that I don't cause him anymore pain.

He still doesn't respond. I look up into his eyes from where I am kneeling, still holding onto his bandaged hand. "Peter, are you okay?"

[Ookami]

"Zero get out of here now!!!!...we'll meet back later."

Ookami uses great speed to outrun the attack he hoped that Zero was able to get away just in case Ookami used cloak of protection to keep Zero from major damage. He decided it would be best to go to the cabin and warn everyone that the foe were not defeated (or that he knew of anyway). Upon arriving at the cabin he bursts through the door. People stare at his burnt clothes and dirty appearance.

"I must speak with Valodya Bassarov at once. It is urgent." Ookamis voice seemed to rumble out a growl towards the end. He didn't want to seem mean but having been through what he just was he was a bit preturbed.

[Peter "The Owl"]

"Just when I begin to think that maybe, just maybe, it was all a dream, that maybe I didn't spend the last six years doing... things. That I'm still 22, still in school, just finishing my degree.

And then." He lifts his hand slightly. "I remember reality, remember what has actually happened."

Peter closes his eyes and leans back, "I want to be this, what I am right now, just normal." But I know, deep down, that this isn't true. Someday, I'm going to have to Hunt again. God have mercy on my soul, and the souls of those around me.

"I'm alright Chastity," he says, smiling slightly, "Just turned the water on too hot. Sorry to worry you. Shock, you know how it is."

He smiles, rubbing his hand slightly.

"Thanks."

[Omadon]

How he ended up in America is beyond him but some hours and a few spells later Omadon has returned to his new home: Nord Glacier, Syberia.

A cavern of freezing ice, a mortal would die of the cold in an hour. But the creatures who lived with and served Omadon and his allies had no care for the cold. In fact they prefured it.

"I have carved out my kingdom. As it so happens it's where no one else cares to come. Which makes this all the easier to handle my affairs."

Omadon smiles, entering his lab once more. He runs his hands over his vials, his jar, and his samples. Home at last.

"Perhaps I should check in on sweet Jareth. She must have had some time to think by now..."

[Roland the Black Hearted]

"Yes, wonderful to see you too Kuin. Now let go of me."

[Cheshire]

"I am suppose to capture you. But I want to join forces with you." I said. "Your a lot of fun." I said

[Shina, Water Queen]

Shina steps into the Centeral Offcing Building or Chi-kage, a folder of forms and papers in her hands.

"Form, reports, updates, Gregory's as bad as the GOD!"

Tossing the forms into the in-box she sighs. "Time of a little R&R. Maybe I should check out whatever Flask and the others are doing."

[Jareth]

Jareth pauses. He was suppose to kidnap me. What the h'ell was up with me being kidnapped? Join forces? First Omadon now Cheshire. Why were they asking her. Surely she was not that powerful. She was so confused.

"Who wanted me kidnapped? My goddess was it Kaschei again?" She circled the cat and pressed him against a stone. Then composing herself she walked away back to her own stone and leaned again. "You know you are the second one to offer that? I appreciate you saying i'm fun though. Been awhile since anyone said anything nice about me, hmph. Although the necromancer had a few nice things to say. But i will ask you what i asked the necromancer. I am still thinking on his offer as well. What can you offer me that i might want Cheshire? I mean your tricks are nice but what real power is there?"

She didn't know what she would say but she knew she had seriously wanted to take Omadons offer. Sure there would be no love but she would forget her unfullfilled love for her master. Kaschei would no longer rule her heart and break it. She was loyal to him as she ever was but wanted more from her sorcerer. why was it so hard to love her? But then again she felt that perhaps one day he would see her for what she was, maybe before her sacrifice. Ah so it didn't really matter. If only she could talk to someone and perhaps get an outside opinion. Jareth acted tough but she needed help in making her decision.

[Omadon]

Omadon turns from his crystal ball, grunting in irritation.

"Perhaps I should have chosen a different spirit to bond that fool to. Onyx has a taste for destruction and death. Then again, he is perfect for his job. He loves to kill and that's what I created him to do."

The Necromancer stands and moves away from his crystal, lifting a potion from his shelves. "Well, he's on the right course at least. Once he's gotten what I need from Kaschei's collection I can finish bringing Arthus around and begin raising a proper army."

He puts the potion down and glances back at the crystal. "Perhaps I should check on Jareth..."

[Cheshire]

"I am? Lady Violet told me to capture you. But I don't listsen to what the old bag says anymore." I said "Well tell me who is this Omadaon and why would he want to capture you?" I said

[Jareth]

Jareth could not believe her ears. He was awfully sure of himself.

"Listen Cheshire, I was kidnapped before upon my masters request by Omadon. The necromancer can offer me no more feelings. My foolish love for Kaschei would be no more. Unfortunatly i would probably be dead but i guess some things come with a price. If i were to join with you what could we accomplish? Omaddon is no threat to me anymore. But there are grander things in the works here. Silly cat you being under Lady Violet you should know of the plans for me. I must be careful whatever i decide. things are too complicated. If i were to join you i can not promise that my feelings for Kaschei wouldn't get in the way. Everyone knows of poor Jareth and her unrequitted love. Could you really be partners with such a fool?" SHe laughs out loud. She was beginning to sound like her psycho self again. She wanted someone to tell her what needed to be done. Why had her master abandoned her as of late.

She mentally cried out for him~Kaschei what am i worth to you as me and not the vessel?~

What should she really do. Well she should talk to her master to see if she had any chance of him caring for her before her demise. If not then she would make a decision.

[Cheshire]

"You underestimate my executioner. Cause I can make all your dreams copme true. You tell me what you want but thier is a price of ocurse." I said with a devious smile.

[Jareth]

Jareth looked at the cat more closely.

"Surely you do not have power over other people. Over my master? No i won't have a spell cast on him. But if i may ask Cheshire what is the price?" All she wanted was her master to love her. Or was it love in general now. She mustn't think about it. She returned her full attention on Cheshire.

[Cheshire]

"It depends on what you want." I said. I smile *what shall she ask for. I have a great price to give.*

[Jareth]

Jareth wondered if it would be true. Could this Cat give her Kaschei. Would he love her. No......no spells.

"My patience wears thin. Besides if i were to ask for love it would not be genuine and then the purpose is defeated. I ask for nothing at the moment my furry friend. I can not ask for someone when it is against their will." Even if it would ease her aching heart she could not do that to the immortal sorcerer. Even after all of the things that had happened she loved him still. Poor Jareth. Poor more powerful Jareth. Who will be no more soon. She became sad at the thought of her own death.

Then as a whisper..."Cat? Perhaps i could ask you for something another time."