I was too shocked and confused to say anything as she suddenly reached out, rendering me mute.  A fine silver cloud seemed to radiate from her hands and then settle and disappear into my arm. My inner eye was instantly assaulted with an avalanche of images as I saw myself - but not myself - wielding a long halberd, its huge blade spraying crimson as I clove though a helmeted warrior’s shield and then his forearm. The vision shifted to another heated battle, screams of agony and yells of fury intermingled with the unmistakable cloy of slaughter.

  My visions continued to change rapidly, horrifying yet somehow recognizable in intensity and dawning clarity; some I recognized, others a mystery and then the kaleidoscope of images faded as quickly as they had appeared. I shook my spinning head and realized that Madam Sara had continued speaking, her voice wistful.

   "This war has been between what is commonly considered good and evil, although those terms are not mutually exclusive and somewhat misleading. A being named Iblis failed in an attempt to storm the stronghold of his enemy, inflicting staggering losses to both sides. An armistice was agreed to, which resulted in several dimensions, including yours on earth, in becoming zones where each side was forbidden to wage war. This brief stalemate merely served to allow both sides the time to seed and recruit millions of worlds with their people. They are what you would refer to as souls or spirits. The chief difference lay in each side’s perception of perfection."

   This was getting to be just a little too weird for me and I stood hastily. I needed to think, to analyze and categorize the conflicting thoughts and emotions playing tag in my head like buzzing flies. So much of me felt an acceptance of what she had said, and coupled with the intense mental images that had been thrust on me only seconds ago, I found it impossible to ignore. And yet how? And why me?

   She also stood and put a reassuring hand on my shoulder. I surprised myself by saying, "And this war has broken out again?"

   Madame Sarah arrived silently at my side, touching my arm gently and then nodded twice.  “The opening volleys have been fired, yes, but there has been a special attempt aimed directly at you. Now I know this is probably very confusing but please bear with me and I'll explain as best I can," she replied softly. "Each entity or soul is granted free will by the Great Architect, who transcends the petty squabbles of his creations. In advance of each corporeal existence, the soul is also given a choice of hosts, dependent on their ideals of perfection. Over eons of time the relationship of soul and host became inseparable. You've heard the theory that if you die in your dreams you die in the physical world?"

   I nodded assent, suddenly eager to hear more.

   "No theory," she continued. “Somehow, over the vast reaches of time, each became reliant on the other. When the host body died the other entity could only survive for a brief period of time before it needed another or was drawn back into The Collective Unconscious. Now, a large portion of what we think of as dreams are, in fact, their reality. And it is possible to be killed and even captured in their reality."

   My head was spinning, largely because what she was saying actually made a hell of a lot of sense. This history, while interesting, still did not explain my present predicament, though, and I said as much. Her answer began cryptically.

   "One of the agreements each entity is bound by is to not overshadow the host. In other words, each host must live his or her own corporeal existence without any overt influence, a type of silent partnership. The problems and blessings occur when the personality traits and interests of each become irrevocably intertwined. It's impossible not to, given the symbiotic relationship they share." She paused and looked over at me, flashing a small but warm smile..

   "When the armistice was broken by Iblis, one of the first things they did was obtain the ability to not only influence their host vessel but totally control them – possess might be a more apt description. And they are able to change hosts at will. Have you seen shadows flash across faces?" she asked suddenly.

   My wide eyes revealed my answer, remembering that my ex-wife had jeered, but with a mixture of anxiousness, after I’d commented on just that occurrence when I'd seen it on her face.

  "These are the people who are aware they are in service to Lord Iblis. The Lighter side, the one more amenable to free will and enlightenment, can only assume limited control and then only with the host's permission. Which brings us to you."

    I considered her closely for long seconds, as a restless stirring developed deep inside me that was both intruding yet comforting as well. If she expecting some type of reply, she was going to have to wait a few moments while my synapses recovered from the overload of data. Everything she had said so far made sense and that's what scared me. I had either experienced a secret lobotomy and was turning into a drooling vegetable or what she was saying was true and I didn't particularly care to ponder on the ramifications of that.

   "What does all this have to do with me? That's all I want to know."

   A look of uncertainty crossed her face and then was gone. "One side has changed the rules. They launched a massive offensive and it was a great victory. It seems that they developed a weapon that could actually imprison their immortal enemies. Those that swore allegiance to Lord Iblis became mercenaries in his army. You might call it a kind of cosmic draft. Those refusing are put into bondage and the suffering visited on them as vanquished warriors is too horrific to speak of."

   I nodded as quick images of carnage flashed over my mind's eye and I shivered suddenly. "I'm still not sure what this has to do with me. Why can't they leave me alone and fight it out among themselves? Do you have any idea of the hell I've been through over the last few months? My frigging life has been torn apart!” I hissed sharply, regretting my outburst immediately, as my accumulated anger and confusion bubbled to the surface.

   A look of concern crossed her beautiful features as she sighed heavily, her right eyebrow arching noticeably. "This weapon can not only capture souls but make it possible to find them. He has sent hordes of bounty hunters to scour the far reaches for the souls of their enemy or ones that hang in the balance, in many dimensions, including yours on earth. This would not affect you except that, to extract and capture these entities, the host must first be killed."

   Her last statement had an almost physical effect on me and I sat down shakily back onto a nearby bench. Something still didn’t make sense. If I was the recipient of some extra special attention, blaringly obviously when seen in this new light, why hadn’t I just been attacked and killed already? That drooling vegetable theory was looking pretty damn good to me right about now.

   "You've had some training in war?" was her surprising question.

   "Uh, yeah,” I replied hesitantly. “Spent a decade as a soldier, studied a bit of karate. No big deal."

   "I thought so. You must have a great deal in common with Mishad. He has always been very selective."

   This type of talk was making me extremely uncomfortable and I half imagined that this was just another episode of The Outer Limits and old Rod would magically appear.

  The understanding struck unexpectedly with the force of a bitch slap and I gasped audibly. With my head down, I asked the question to which I already had the answer. "These bounty hunters are here now, aren't they?"

"Exactly,” She confirmed with a tight smile.  “Their basic strategy is to send an advance team to identify the hidden entity before going to work on the host, slowly turning everything in their lives to ashes. They've driven untold numbers to suicide, an act that not only taints it but also negates any enlightenment gained during that incarnation. Others are bullied, bribed or threatened until finally agreeing. What they seem to be doing is locating and capturing the hidden generals of the Army of Light."

   I brightened, realizing that this was strategy, with which I had considerable experience. "That would not only crush morale but a leaderless army is a useless army. That's a trick used since the beginning of recorded warfare," I said thoughtfully, surprising myself. And then another thought struck, as I glanced skyward, with a sudden feeling of tumblers finally clicking into place. ”And, uh, Mishad is an officer of some rank then?”

   I was feeling strangely relieved; I now knew that my recent hell was not a punishment but rather a trial. And I also knew for certain that my estranged wife and new partners had been a part of it all along.

   "So what can I do to defend against these cosmic rent-a-cops? They haven’t shown their hand against me physically but I take it that time is fast approaching?” I queried, my mind wrapping itself finally around something that was tangible  - defense.

   "I have only one gift to give,” Sarah said softly, sorrow mingling with hope in her eyes, “yet I require your permission to accept it. To have any chance of overcoming this enemy the agreement you have with Mishad must be altered, shall we say. That means granting him conscious awareness."

   She quickly held up a hand at my skeptical look. "This will not allow him to control you. What it will do is allow you to mingle both of your essences, with the experiences and strengths of each accessible at any given time. Essentially, you would be pooling resources and I can assure you that Mishad has considerable skills that will be essential."

   This was madness, a part of my mind was raging. The very thought of such a thing being possible defied all logic and yet, those images of “me” trying to speak to “me” in the mirror had been all too real. It was just too damned much for one guy to digest.

   "If you're worried, all I can say is that my spirit has known Mishad for a very long time and trusts him implicitly." That statement could have opened a whole new line of confusing dialogue so I concentrated on the spirit of the words, rather than just the wording. I looked deeply into her eyes for any sign of deception or maliciousness but found none - exactly the opposite in fact.

  The ground suddenly lurched, followed by a bone rattling hollow boom. I lost my footing and almost fell. Madam Sara was looking at me with huge eyes suddenly filled with anxiety. "Damn, that's what I thought. They've reached the mind field and are trying to force their way through. You experienced its effects just before entering the shop."

   I nodded, half remembering my short period of awareness in what felt like a time and space vacuum before waking up with my hand to the door.

   Another rumble and a shaking of the earth, this time closer and with more intensity, and a latticework of cracks appeared in the cement wall at the rear of this small garden of Eden.

  "We have no more time! What is your answer? Do you give your permission?" she all but screamed, transferring her anxiety to me in a single burst of raw emotion.

  A huge chunk of the rear wall blew inward, spiraling dust and debris with the force of a cyclone and somehow, above the explosion, I managed to scream, "Yes, let's do it!"

   She placed the tips of her fingers over my temples and there was a blinding flash of light. When I opened my eyes, after staggering two uncertain steps, I could not believe what my brain was telling me. Madam Sara was nowhere to be seen and the flowers, seconds ago so colorful, were now nothing but blackened clumps. A sickly gray mist appeared to be seeping in from the back wall bearing the odor of Lakeshore Boulevard on a muggy day.

  There was something hanging around my neck by a gold thread and when I slipped it off I gasped. A miniature staff, with a gold ball on one end, and a short thick blade on the other nestled in the palm of my hand. I instinctively touched a small indentation near the blade, 

activating something and nearly dropped it, as a full 7' version seemed to coalesce almost instantly in my hand. This was more like it, some part of my brain responded. Strangely, I found I really was quite pleased with the weapon.

  There was no time to admire the workmanship as the rear wall blew inward, all of the pieces and the shock wave itself somehow veering past me. I looked at the staff and arched an eyebrow. Three dark figures emerged from a swirling patch of the noxious fog. Even with my newfound weapon what the hell was I going to do against three experienced bounty hunters?

   I did what my sane mind would never do. "Mishad, if you're in there, now would be a damn good time." A sudden feeling of warmth and what I can only describe as power engulfed me as I turned and faced my executioners. Two of them were huge, standing well over a foot above my 5'10" frame, dressed in dark clothing with ankle-length jackets. It was the shortest of the three that sent an emotional dagger into my stomach. I recognized the face of my estranged wife.

  The tallest walked toward me and stopped about 10 paces away, his two sidekicks falling in on either side of him. They regarded me silently for a long moment before the leader finally broke the silence. "What a pathetic example of a human being you are, so small and frail. My daily shit is bigger than you." They all laughed harshly at that, and I noted my teeth begin to grate.

"Are you there, Mishad or do you continue to hide from me like an old woman?"

Without thought I said evenly, "I’ve been waiting for you, Jeven, although your stench precedes you."

"Excellent!" he exclaimed, smiling broadly at his companions. "You've broken the rules by interfering with this pathetic bag of bones. You are now tainted and even with your help, there is no chance that this puny human can overcome all three of us. You are finally mine."

  The wall to my left suddenly blew outward with the crack of thunder on a mountain pass. As the dust began to settle, a slow procession of warriors dressed in a strange assortment of armor materialized in the haze.

  My ex-wife looked at the leader with what appeared to be genuine concern. "We’re too damn late, Jeven. I told you he should have been harvested when I first tagged him!" she screamed.

  I watched silently as each drew a weapon from beneath dark overcoats. The leader had an enormous knife/brass knuckle combination that he fit snugly over his right hand, sharpened spikes protruding from the guard. The woman was wielding a wicked-looking sword whose tip ended in two points like a snake's tongue while the third produced what appeared to be a mace attached to a strange handle by a length of chain. This one grinned with no humor at me as he pulled a 6" spike from a fold in his dark coat and inserted it into the butt of the handle until there was an audible click.

  I stood facing the trio, feet slightly apart, my modified staff held out in a ready position. What the hell was going on here? The dozen newcomers walked purposefully toward me and I almost shit. Three on one didn’t seem like such bad odds all of a sudden, as I shifted backward two paces and pointed my blade directly at the oncoming warriors. Inside, a quick image flashed of the soldier in the lead and I smiled dumbly. It would appear they were my reinforcements.

  "You held out longer than we expected, my dear," the female sneered, strangely taking no notice of the arriving soldiers that were now forming up behind and to my sides. "I hope you've been enjoying the nightly movies. We would have preferred you to kill yourself, as I was certain that you would. I lost a sizeable bet, thanks to you, because I was convinced you were weakest, most spineless human being that I've met in a very long time."

  My anger began to flare and the leader immediately latched on to it, grinning. "You come from a long line of very stupid people and Brellas here has been playing this game for eons. In your history do you recall Jezebel? How about Delilah and Marie Antoinette?” He left the question unanswered and I looked briefly at this woman I hardly knew with curiosity and yes, a tainting of rage.

  "You may think you’re special but you're no comparison to some. The story of Job? We threw everything at him, trying to turn him, and then that blob of white and my venerable master agreed to a ceasefire."

  I suddenly chuckled, bringing a dark look of rage to the leader's face. "What could you possibly find that is so amusing? I'll wipe that grin

from your face when I'm feasting on your soul! You think your small little band of half wits can defeat me?" he bellowed, unaccustomed to

jocular defiance.

  "From what I understand you are nothing more than glorified parasites, putrid little boils on your master's sandpaper ass. And I seriously doubt you even know what venerable means. You know, when I look at you Jeven what I see is a bully and a coward, pleasing your master bent over the throne. You thoroughly disgust me," I found myself saying.

  What the hell was I doing? If these three weren't pissed when they strolled through the rubble they sure as hell were now.

  "Mishad, what the bloody hell are you doing, you son of a bitch?" I screamed silently.

  Without a word, they split up, weapons at the ready. The woman approached from the left while the slab of beef with the mace closed in on my right. With a quick nod to the captain of the guard, he directed his men in a classic three pronged pincer to roll up the trio. The first exchange of blows caused surges of blue plasma to lick like hungry flames of ethereal fire. The speed of the trio was tremendous, as three soldiers went mown down in a single moment, and two others staggered back, blood spurting from severed limbs.

  Without thought, I palmed my weapon, spun it in a dazzling series of blocks and strikes, my arms moving without any conscious thought, before coming to a ready stance, the large blade pointing directly at the leader's chest. He caught my look of defiance and roared, tossing off two more opponents like unwanted and broken rag dolls. Glancing quickly over at my ex-wife, I could barely see the flash of her sword as it sheared through useless armor like it was Chinese rice paper. There was a very disturbing look of pure hate and rage etched on her porcelain features that strangely seemed to ignite a wicker of fury somewhere deep inside. Turning slowly to face her, I backpedaled a half dozen steps and was unable to hide the wicked grin that stole across my face. I was going to rip her apart if it was the last conscious thing I did.

  I’m not sure if it was the fetid rush of air or literal explosion of light and sound before time literally slowed to a crawl. Oh no, not this shit again, I began to groan inwardly.  A dark figure emerged, huge in stature, the crackle of blue/black fire smoldering in his eyes. My mind reeled as Mishad sent a quick visual of this being literally sapping the life force from figures suspended on long spiny cables.  I did not fail to notice the unusual effect he had on my executioners. A wave seemed to be running interference for him, as ripples of time formed and vanished, sending a series of massive blows to my chest that nearly threw me off my feet.

  “Lord Thanatos, this battle is of no concern of yours. We will easily capture Mishad and deliver him, as we’ve done with the others,” the leader managed to state with mock respect to the newcomer.

  “SILENCE ! “ he roared, in a voice that could be felt as well as heard, and a long thick flame of crackling shiny black snapped out like a whip to engulf the trio. The result was instantaneous - each began to scream as the flames consumed outstretched arms and then clothes. There was a sudden roaring like the chill air whistling through a mountain pass and the unearthly fire were extinguished.

  “I have no time for your pathetic games, so don’t try my patience again,” he stated with menace. ‘You Jeven, are an idiot. Not only did you disregard the Master’s instructions, you also possessed a body that is held in considerable affection by a family that is close to the Circle. And they are out for blood - your blood,” the being hissed, glancing menacingly at the leader’s two companions. “The Master is furious. So your presence is also required. You two are just as responsible.” A raised open palm silenced the quick protestations as he paused to glance sideways at me, his obsidian gaze seeming to peer into my soul.

  A gentle nudging on my mind sparked neurons and I found Mishad asking, “ So you are not here for us, my Lord?” My pulse had quickened under this being’s extended gaze. For a moment I could have sworn a wry smile appeared on his face, before a stern countenance reasserted itself.

  “Be grateful you are only a small cog in this time frame and be very certain you remain so or I will be returning for you.” With a flash of sickly brown-tinted lightning, my three would-be assassins and the entity were engulfed in a snapping, swirling cyclone of energy that seemed to fold in on itself, and with a thunderclap like an advancing avalanche, it winked out of vision. But not before sending 12 well-aimed bolts of lightning at the dying men.

  As I struggled just to breathe, Mishad’s voice floated through my mind. “You’ve done well. They won’t be returning any time soon.”

  “Oh, great. NOW you decide to speak to me,” I said between ragged breaths. I sensed movement and was shocked speechless to see what had been dead men, begin to slowly rise, with no evidence of injury. Oh, damn, what was one more seemingly impossible occurrence, right?

   “Uh, what the hell is going on here?” I yelled inwardly, somewhat surprised at not verbalizing it. The answer I received sent a jolt of genuine fear throughout me.

  “It is Thanatos’ way of saying that you now owe him. And he is always one to collect on his debts.”