I looked at the demon, my eyes growing heavy. This wasn't a feeling of tiredness, no, this was something else. Like a drug filling my lungs and intoxicating me. The demon seemed to speak to us, but other words filled my mind.

"Issura."

"..."

"Issura."

"Yes?"

"Kill me."

"What?"

"Listen carefully."

"Yes."

"Kill me."

"..."

"Please."

"...why?"

"I cannot bare this world any longer... I have been here longer than all you're ages put together. End it...please. I have never asked so pitifully...rather I am begging."

"...what...now?"

"The opportune time will present itself."

"..."

"Thank you."

Rowen realised that he was quite invisible to Shendron and Issura in this white void. He also realised, unfortunately, that there didn't seem to be anyway he could communicate with them. This could be troublesome...

And then he appeared. His tormentor's brother, Krisda, had arrived on the scene. The werewolf and vampire didn't seem to pleased to see him. At least that was a good sign. But it seemed he wasn't going to be too involved in their introductions, as the third part of the unholy threesome had appeared. Krisda and Merrit's sister, Olus, had decided to join the fray.

"Rowen, I must talk with you urgently!"

Those evil eyes again. He had known when he had seen them earlier that something was on it's way...

"Damn it, can you three not just disappear?"

"Now is not the time for jokes Rowen," said Olus. Her expression was grave. As always. But although he had seen those eyes appearing around him for decades, they still gave off the same chilling feeling.

"Your brother's..." start Rowen.

"Yes, that is why I have come. Krisda is preparing to confront Merrit; hence the sudden spark of life you may have noticed."

Rowen couldn't believe his ears. Spark of life?? That was no mere spark of life...

"Yes, I know that may be an understatement, but there is worse to come, trust me." Olus' voice was somewhere between utter seriousness and frightening excitement.
"I cannot stay in this state for long, so I will explain this to you quickly. We have to interfere somehow with their plans of attack, or we may have a repeat of the year 227. I have discovered something which will help us in this task, and the process may even rid you of Merrit's claim on your magic. No doubt you would like that?"

As much as Rowen knew what a relief it would be to get rid of his curse at last, he knew Olus must have something to gain out of this pact. But he would worry about that later.

"How can I help?"

"You need to steal the Harpy's document."

She would feed indeed! For the creature that materialised before them was kin yet unfamiliar to the Ancient Vampire. It was a demon who was one of the fathers of the vampire race. Shendron's sword glowed amber and the runes jetted little sparks which flew toward the demon, but the cold air extinguished them before the could fall on him. The sword seemed to pull Shendron forward, but he remained standing still. The demon looked at them, flames flickered from his eyes and flickered in the dark.

He spoke; "I will not fight you. I may die, or you may die, but I believe that you must agree that odds are in my favour. It would do you well, Lycan, to put up your sword."

Shendron, agreeing to the truth of the demon's words lowered his sword, but did not sheath it. The sword suddenly shone more brighly and a spray of flame spewed from its runes to the demon, burning him and searing flesh.

The demon laughed as he said; "I have not been burned by the flames of Urr's descendants in millenia!" As he spoke the wounds healed. "I would not like to feel the bite of your sword against my flesh, because the wound would burn without healing, until I die, or kill a Lycan and take his bloodied flesh as a poultice for the wound. "I am here to talk to both of you of your mission and of the fool-hardy decision your wizard friend has made. This castle is a living organism, as I am sure you have noticed, and as any living thing, it requires balance. The three of you and your very presence has upset this delicate balance. We must talk on the demon which has possessed your companion; my brother, who is bound to the wizard by blood pact to do his bidding. Yet, my brother gets his own out of the deal, but we will not talk of this now. This castle will rebel at my brother's presence and unless we find a way to stop both him and the wizard, they will both be utterly destroyed! The castle will move against them. The denizens of its halls will answer its call as one and we will have almost no time for you to complete your mission. Do not ask me how I know all this, help me to stop the future."