X-MEN: The Soul Eater

©2000 Erin Allen

Genre: Romance/Gothic Fantasy

Sex Content: PG-13

Violence Content: R

Language Content: plenty of swearin', bub.

I've Been Waiting Here/ Waiting For Faith/ And The Word To Fall/ Now The Darkness Comes/ And I'll Pray For The End Of Us All/

Don't Let The Dark Into Me/ We Killed The Angels That Warned Us Of You/ Don't Let The Dark Into Me/ We Raised The Tower Of Babel For You/ Don't Let The Dark Into Me/ We Let The Children Build Temples For You/ Don't Let The Dark Into Me/ Don't Let The Vengeance Of Heaven Be You/

So Pray To Me I'm The Lords New Disease/ Look Down Into The Face Of God/ Bow Down And Cry/ I'm The Black Messiah The One True Divinity/ Kneel Before My Alter And Drink The Wine Of Slaughter/ Who Said I'd Save Anyone/ So Bleed For Me/ I Need Hostility To Lead The Faithful And The Blind/

Don't Let The Light Shine On Me/ I Am The Poison That Feeds Life To You/ Don't Let The Light Shine On Me/ I Am The Demon That Waits Inside You/ Don't Let The Light Shine On Me/ I Am The Ghost That Reminds Death Of You/ Don't Let The Light Shine On Me/ I Am The Darkness That Crawls Into You - Dark by Gary Numan

Chapter 1

hEire lay back down on their bed, she’d showered and dressed, but her wet hair was still unbound. She looked fondly on Logan for a few moments, then reached over to ruffle his hair.

“Come on, it’s time to get up silly.” she spoke. He grunted and smothered his face into the pillow.”Logan, they’re expecting us in 15 minutes.” He rolled over and exhaled, still refusing to open his eyes.

“I’ll never understand you morning people.” he muttered.

“I’m not a morning person, I just happen to be able to drag my ass out of bed when it’s important.” He relented and sat up, rubbing his eyes and cracking his neck.

“Are you sure we have to be there? I can think of a helluvalot better way of spending a morning.” said Logan, as he leaned in to kiss his girl. hEire cuffed him behind the ear.

“Don’t even try it buddy, that’s not playing fair. We have responsibilities now.” she responded.

“Yep,” he conceded. hEire kissed him full on the mouth and he reluctantly made his way to the shower. She watched the vague shape of his body through the frosted shower doors. Their situation was ideal, but still felt strange to her. They’d been living together at Professor Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, and were members of the X-Men for nearly four months. Truth of it was, hEire couldn’t believe how lucky she was. Or how in love she was. Logan wasn’t what one would call sentimental, far from it, but he was so good to be with. His bravado was constant, but every look, every word and every touch was completely genuine.

A knock came to their door. hEire hopped up from the bed to answer it. Scott was there, now he was a morning person. Scott infact was one of hEire’s closest friends. It didn’t seem to bother Logan, the two of them had issues, but he knew that their friendship was totally platonic. Scott hadn’t always been as trusting towards Logan where Jean was concerned.

“Good morning.” he said.

“Morning to you too.” she replied.

“There’s been a delay, Jean needs more time to prepare. Is 2 o’clock alright.”

“Yes, that’s fine.” hEire glanced towards the bathroom,”Poor guy, I made him get up.”

Scott laughed.

“Go flush the toilet on him for me, k’?” asked Scott, never missing a chance to rile Logan.

“You’re not the one who has to live with the consequences. We’ll see you later Scott.”

“Bye.” he smiled.

hEire closed the door and lay back on the bed. She undressed and waited patiently. When Logan came out, towel secured around his waist, hEire was waiting for him.

“I heard a knock.” said Logan.

“It was Scott, we’re meeting at 2 now.” Logan let his towel fall and he lay down next hEire, leaning over her and resting a hand near her breast.

“This is worth getting up at the crack of dawn.” he mouthed. hEire pulled him down to her and kissed him again.

Chapter 2

It was 10am and Logan and hEire had decided to take advantage of the free morning to get away from the school. hEire had invited Rogue along, as she hadn't any classes until much later in the day. The three of them didn't really have a purpose for going out, but the change of scenery did them some good. hEire had seemed to have fit in with Rogue's plan for Logan. She was very protective of him and it did take her some time before she trusted him to hEire. But after that time came, the two women had been like sisters.

Logan didn't always understand their new bond, but was glad that the two people he cared most about in the world had their own friendship. One advantage of living at Xavier's school is that they had full access to the vehicles. The guy had more money than what he knew what to do with. hEire and Rogue wanted to drive a powder blue BMW, but he won out by insisting that he wouldn't be caught dead in anything of the like. Instead he got to drive a Land Rover. It was still an impossibly pompass vehicle, but at least it wasn't powder blue!

Logan groaned when he realized what he was in store for, he should have known better. What else would two women want to go into town for? Shopping. Logan cringed at the mere thought of being dragged around town, carrying bags and being asked to give an opinion something he didn't know a thing about.

He was a good, all be it reluctant, sport about it. Truth of it was he cherished these little moments of familial togetherness. But he'd still complain about shopping till the bitter end. After four stores, and the purchase of 2 outfits each, hEire and Rogue were beginning to tune Logan out.

He straddled behind them as they chatted about foreign things like Alexander McQueen's summer line. For a split second he felt like he was in outer space, just vast blackness surrounded him. He stopped and shook the feeling out of his head.

"Logan?" asked hEire, coming back to see what was the matter.

"Nothing, just a dizzy spell." he explained.

"I didn't think you could get those." said Rogue.

"Neither did I," replied Logan. When the tension of the moment had passed they decided perhaps it was time for lunch. They stopped in at a little cafe and ordered Manhattan Clam Chowder and sandwiches. Food - this was more like it, thought Logan. hEire stared out into the street as Logan and Rogue talked, she picked up her glass of water and brought it to her lips. As she was about to drink, the glass slipped from her hand and crashed to the table, spilling everywhere.

Her eyes were frozen, fixated out into the street.

"hEire?" Logan started to ask. He followed her gaze, walking slowly up the street was a figure that looked something like a 7ft bald albino. The blackness started to well up inside him again, but before it consumed him hEire grabbed hold of his face and pulled it to and inch of hers. She wouldn't let his eyes leave hers. The pressure of her grasp had on his head was nearly unbearable, but she wouldn't relent. Logan examined her face, it was pulsating with tension, beet red, with tears streaming down her cheeks. Logan heard the waitress' tray fall, glass shattering, cars outside crashing. Logan's head began to ache, the blackness felt like a slick oil making it's way over his skin. Just as he felt it would consume him totally, everything became clear.

hEire released him and she stood up, utter horror blanketed her face. Every single person in the restaurant was out cold, fallen to the ground, slumped in their chairs. Logan looked beyond the restaurant. Everyone outside was on the ground, not a soul was left stading, save hEire and Logan. Rogue was motionless before them, her eyes closed and her body was limp, as if in death.

"What the hell kind of Mutant can do this!" cried Logan, no understanding yet what had occured.

"No, no mutant. It was the Soul Eater, he's escaped from his prison Logan." explained hEire. It wasn't her words that made him scared, it was the terror on her face - like she'd just seen the end of the world. Her face was so ashen pale and Logan felt suddenly very helpless, what on God's green Earth was the Soul Eater, and what of all places did it have to be where they were? Logan shook hEire out of her trance, her eyes moved back from the street to meet his.

"hEire, what's happened to these people? What do you know about this?" he pleaded.

"We have to leave, we have to get Rogue to safety, there's still a chance for her. But the others...I don't think we can do anything." Logan did as hEire instructed and picked Rogue up in his arms. Soon they were on their way back to Xavier's. hEire was becoming faint, she could barely keep her eyes open. Logan feared that she was falling victim to the same fate as Rogue, but she assured him that it was simply a result of her tangling against the creature's wrath.

'Wrath?' thought Logan, like this thing came out of Hell or something, he wasn't ready to deal with anything supernatural. He could handle mutants any day of the week, but this was something strictly from hEire's side of the world - and now Rogue was in trouble and so were hundreds of others. The image of those scattered bodies would haunt him for the rest of his life.

Chapter 3

Logan burst throught the doors of Xavier's, Rogue in his arms and hEire in tow.

"Little help here!" he shouted into the expansive house. Ororo came out of her class room, followed by several students.

"Logan? What's happened," she cried.

"Where's Jean?" he asked, panic rising.

"She's down in her lab....." Ororo began.

"Get the Professor and Scott and meet us there!" Logan and hEire rushed to the hidden elevator. They found Jean soon enough, sitting peacefully at her desk, reviewing data. Logan lay Rogue on an examining table and Jean went immediately to work, determining her vital stats and assessing the condition.

"Jean, her body is fine...but you need to stimulate her brain waves somehow, keep her brain active....until, something else can be done." hEire stammered out, nearly blacking out herself. The Professor, Ororo and Scott entered the room. hEire locked into Xavier for mental support, she was so exhausted she could barely stay awake. The Professor understood that hEire needed to recover, and he needed to help keep her mind inside her body whilst she rested.

"hEire, tell me what it is, then you can sleep." explained the Professor.

"Daenoch, minion of Ahriman....look for the Zoroa...Zo...." hEire blacked out before she could finish her sentance. Logan rushed to her side, it seemed his whole world was caving in around him.

"Logan...she's alright she's just sleeping. She needs to recover, it took everything she had to not let you be effected by the demon's influence, it cost her a great deal of energy, but she'll be alright." explained Xavier.

"Demon!? Are you serious?" asked Logan.

"That's what she believes at any rate. To be honest I've never dealt very much with the supernatural. But what you saw today was to her mind a demon called Daenoch, it's from Zoroastrian mythology, nearly 3000 years ago."

"What the hell's it doing in fuckin' Westchester?! And what about Rogue??"

"We will have to wait and see." the Professor couldn't say anything more on the subject.

Chapter 4

hEire awokein her own bed later that night. She was surprisingly refreshed. Logan immediately got up from his chair, he'd been keeping vigil over her, and sometimes over Rogue.

"Are you alright?" he asked, sitting close to her on the bed. She kissed him gently on the lips, reassuring him.

"I'm much better, my head is clear now. How's Rogue?" Logan embraced hEire, more relieved that what words could ever say.

"I don't know, her body's fine, but she won't wake up. I even tried touching her, but all it did was give me a wicked headache."

"Her body is fine, and that's good. We should go to the others, I have so much to explain, and it's unbelievable." Logan inhaled sharply. hEire hugged him again,"I know this is not your way...this is my arena, we'll get her back, we have to - because if Daenoch starts to get a liking for Mutants souls, then we'll have no defense against him."

The X-MEN met in Xavier's office, secure that Rogue would be fine unattended, Xavier and a few of the other psychic students had formed a protective shield around the whole complex.

hEire sat on the antique leather couch, he feet up under her. Logan sat close with his arm around her, feeling instinctively protective. The Professor was at his desk, flanked on the right by Ororo, Jean and Scott sat in two arm chairs, their hands linked. Times were very tenuous at the moment.

"You've all allowed me much liberty when I speak of supernatural things - astral projection, spirit guides, even things like demons and angels. I don't know how much you've really believed me, but I'm telling you now that it is real, and so is Daenoch." hEire examined her audience, she knew this was a major stretch for them, a real question of their faith,"This goes back nearly 3000 years, real Old Testament stuff, like fire and brimstone, the Garden of Eden, etc. I've studied the ancient world ever since I can remember - the moment I arrived at Indemnium, this is where all my spare time went. And as it turned out, I knew it all already. There was a Persian prophet named Zarathustra, he began a faith devoted to the one God, Ahuramazda. Ahuramazda was a benefactoral deity, full of wisdom. But over time he was reduced from being a supreme being to being the equal rival of the negative force Ahriman. The religion became dualistic - Ahuramazda versus Ahriman - struggling for the souls of mankind. Both sent minions to persuade a soul to one side or another. But Ahriman got the upper hand, he awakened and controlled the demon Daenoch, The Soul Eater. Daenoch did not bother to consider the free will of the human soul, he just took them, allowing the strongest ones to escape back to their earthly bodies, back to their lives. He kept the others and turned them over to Ahriman.

By the coming of Jesus Christ, the balace shifted back to Ahuramazda's side. By this time the Zoroastrians were a hidden sect, falling against the strength of the Roman Empire, even to Judaism and soon to Christianity. You see, all religions are true, Jesus Christ by all accounts did exist. I don't want to stray too far off on a tangent, but suffice to say that there is a God - but the creator isn't how most religions see it - the creator is a formless, genderless energy that permeates everything. The sect of the Iroshizma Order of the Wand captured Daenoch and imprisoned him, on the Astral Plane. He's escaped, and has resumed his gathering of souls for Ahriman. He has Rogue's."

The silence was deafening.

"I don't wish to start debating the semantics of religious beliefs," began Charles, ever the diplomat,"But there is no doubt that what occured ealier today was absolutely real. The news has reported the incident as a major chemical infection, many have died, and already some have reawoken and are just fine. This is not my area of expertise, hEire we will have to rely on you. What can we do at this point for Rogue? And to stop this entity?"

"Just as you use Cerebro to search for Mutants, I think I can search for her on the Astral Plain. I can navigate myself easily, I think I could find her."

"I don't like the sound of this," protested Logan. hEire looked at his intense face.

"We have no choice." hEire explained,"There's another thing Professor, there is another who can help us. But I'm not sure if she would be willing?"

"Who's that?" asked Scott, speaking for the first time.

"Raven Darkholme....Mystique." hEire replied.

"You've got to be fuckin' kidding!" cursed Logan.

"The Darkholmes are Zoroastrians, it's a long held family secret - Mystique may be part of the Brotherhood, but she's still on the side of Ahuramazda." Logan's anger was palpable in the air. hEire, reached out to take his hand and gave it squeeze."This is bigger than X-MEN versus the Brotherhood. And Rogue's life is more important too."

"You're right," he conceeded.

"Professor will you call Mystique to us?" hEire asked.

"Yes, right away, but how will we proceed from there?"

"Storm and I will guard, and organize the students and the property, keep it safe from Daenoch as best we can. Jean and Logan will monitor hEire, Mystique and Rogue. Professor you will be our strongest line of defense, on in both aspects...in with hEire and the others, and on the outside with us." said Scott, taking the lead.

Chapter 5

"Raven? Child, Darkholme. Raven, we need you. Do you remember when your mother taught you the wisdom of Ahuramazda? Remember the promises you made before your family alter? Mystique the Soul Eater has come...."

Mystique snapped awake. Had that really been Charles Xavier in her dream? She thought back to her chilhood, to the time when her pigmentation began to change, when the marks on her flesh began to rise, when she first changed the colors and shapes of her body. Her mother had called it a gift from Ahuramazda. It had been more of a curse, but she believed still. She decided that freeing Magneto would have to wait a time longer still. She left Magneto's lair, no one saw her leave, no one knew where she was going.

Until Mystique arrived, there was little that could be done. The Soul Eater struck other small towns in the country. Hundreds of people were effected, and all the while the humans in charge maintained that it was a gas leak, poison in the water, anything except the truth they'd never be able to accept. For the most part, all the preparations for hEire's plan had been made, there was nothing to do but wait.

hEire lay alone in her room, she was huddled on Logan's side of the bed, introspective and calm. Logan entered quietly and lay down next to her, wrapping her up in his arms.

"How is Rogue?" asked hEire softly.

"She looks like she's sleeping. She looks peaceful." he spoke,"We're in big trouble aren't we?"

"Yes, Logan, we are. You know this kind of thing happens all over the world, but no one remembers it a week after the heros have won and the threat is over. There is much in this world that few know, only a quiet few. There is a reason and a purpose for everything under the skies - this time is no different."

"Something could go wrong, couldn't it? I could lose you....and Rogue. I'm not ready to lose another family."

"I know. Logan, I love you and that will never change. If my soul and body separate forever, if I die, I will never leave you alone. I will wrap myself around you and never let go."

"That's not good enough, hEire." hEire almost thought she felt a tear fall on the back of her neck. She turned over and embraced Logan, kissing him with all she had. She knew his heart was breaking, but he was so strong that he barely let even her see it. They spent an intense four hours together, as though those moments may infact be their last, for they very well could be.

Mystique arrived, quietly slipping into their midst and surprising the group. She'd never met hEire before, and infact didn't even know of this mutant. Mystique returned to her natural state, the stunning blue lady with the amber eyes. hEire took center stage and greeted the woman.

"Hoshen dow innar Ahuramazda yeynosh." spoke hEire, it was the greeting of friendship amoug Zoroastrians.Tthough hEire herself did not follow the path, she was completely versed in it's traditions. Mystique bowed her head in understanding and acceptance."You know of the demon Daenoch?"

"I do, in stories and mythology." responded Mystique.

"I have seen him in the flesh, Raven, he is as the stories have told us."

"We cannot stop him in this realm..." began Mystique.

"We must do battle in the Otherworld." hEire finished.

"Wait a minute...this is ridiculous..." Logan started to say. Mystique turned to him and gave him an evil look. In their last meeting, Logan had nearly killed her. hEire stepped in between them.

"Logan, please...you don't understand." hEire was admonishing him, he didn't like it."Do this one thing for me, please." Logan backed off, he was out of his league when it came to this hocus pocus supernatural stuff."Raven, Jean will keep our bodies stable and locked into the unconscious state, first we must locate Rogue, guide her back to this realm, then we find Daenoch, and try to imprison him again."

"Agreed....but the key to the Auren Chambers...we have to find that first, or we won't stand a chance."

"I don't know what the key looks like."

"We'll just have to pray we find it quickly on the other side."

Mystique and hEire lay on examining tables on either side of Rogue's still body. Jean had developped devices similar to Cerebro, but of a much less powerful frequency, they were for the younger psychics to practice on. They lay still, ready as they could be. Logan stopped Jean from starting the devices, he wanted to say one last thing to hEire. He knelt next to the table, his face only a breath apart from her's.

"I don't really know what..." he tried to say something significant, but he couldn't find the words.

"Logan, I know what's in your heart, you don't need to say it."

"I need to say them....I love you hEire...you have to come back, I can't live without you."

"I will Logan...you and I, together in our lives...it's a sacred tie that will never fray....we are immortal."

He stepped back and within moments hEire and Mystique passed from this world, and into another.

Chapter 6

A slow parade of wind blew over the two disembodied souls as they reawoke on the astral plain. They were standing in the middle of a wonderous field of wildflowers, from center point four roads stretched out beyond the horizon. Luminous beings hid in the lights, they were the spirit guides of hEire and Mystique, but they kept their distance, too afraid to approach these two warriors on their merciless quest.

"Which way to go?" asked Mystique. hEire lead them immediately off the path, in a North East direction. Out from the wildflowers and into a forest made of stone trees. Silver dew seeped up off the ground and dripped upwards into the trees, coating the branches in stalagtite like formations. It was very cold and a sound somewhere between breaking glass and babies crying throbbed throught the thick air.

"We must follow the signs." commented hEire.

"Remember the old ways, don't doubt your gut's first reaction." advised Mystique, who no doubt had walked the canvas of this world many times before. Music overshadowed the morbid sounds that permeated the beginning of the forest, it sounded to hEire like the theme from Hockey Night in Canada. That was the astral plain for you, taking elements from the recesses of your mind into this communal melting pot of visuals, smells and sounds. Snow was falling now, and they'd walked for seemingly hours, even though time was irrelevant in this place.

What they were searching for was not apparant, they would know it when they found it. The dreamscape changed frequently, one moment their were in field of cabbages with baby faces and tears; the next they were in San Francisco, only the streets were made of tortoise shells and the buildings of ice; now they were walking thru a realm of luminescent skies and floating clocks.

It was Mystique who spotted their first clue. They stepped onto a platform of fine white marble. Columns of apparantly Sumerian origin revealed a prophesy, written in the ancient cuneform. Mytique determined the one character that did not belong with the others, a windershins (counter clock-wise) spiral, signifying spirituality and the immortality of the soul. hEire touched it lightly and they were seemingly transported to a deeper recess of the astral plain.

Chapter 7

The Soul Eater was erraticating legions of innocents in the area surrounding Xavier's School, spreading his disease over miles. A military state of emergency had been declared and armed forces had been summoned to deal with the now rumoured to be "germ warfare" attack from unknown terrorists. In this case, the X-MEN could do nothing, the government would never believe this was an assault of biblical proportions. Scott had prepared the students as best he could for what may happen. He hoped to god that nothing would happen to these kids he felt honour bound to protect. The Professor kept constant vigil over the mansion, doing all he possibly could to know if Daenoch were to locate this crop of mutants.

Jean monitored her three patients, their vital stats were unchanged, steady and healthy - but that was not where they were weak. Jean felt herself questioning her own beliefs, her faith. hEire's words were persuasive, Daenoch was even more persuasive. She knew at least, she believed in her friends, and believed in her duty to help them with their fight, and that was more than enough for now.

Logan on the other hand had never felt more useless. In the X-MEN's fight against the Brotherhood months earlier he was in his element, he could use the faculties he knew he could control - his claws, his bravery, his determination. Right now all he could do was look at the lifeless bodies of the the woman he loved, the friend he looked on as a sister and an enemy who now fought along side them.

Logan couldn't even perceive what was beyond his hightened five senses, but hEire lived with part of the other side everyday. He was restless and angry and impotent. He never hated life as much as this moment.

"Logan..." Jean interrupted his thoughts,"It's Rogue's vitals...her brain waves are racing." Logan jumped up from his seat and rushed over to the girl's side. Her eyes fluttered opened, she smiled.

"Hey kid," he said.

"She found me Logan," said Rouge,"In all that..."

"How was she Rogue?" The girl fell silent,"Marie...I need to know!"

"I don't know Logan...she showed me how to get out and then that thing appeared....I thought I'd die at the sight of him. I don't know what happened after that." Logan clentched his jaw, his entire gut felt like it was in knots. He took Rogue's gloved hand and held it, despair settling in all around him.

Chapter 8

"Sailing ships got throught my mind. Pass wreckage on the way. Glory seekers fall in line, getting closer. Summer laugh, some will cry. What will summer bring? Some will take her by the reigns and ride the suffering. On a carousel through my yesterdays...Doubt sees the obstacles and faith sees the way..." hEire spoke the words in almost an hypnotic trace. The words came to her, almost like her previously absent spirits guides had come and whispered it to her.

"The firesign, they've spoken to you." responded Mystique,"Anything that could be taken as a firesign is the next marker...the words you spoke are from the Second Book of the Wisdom of Ahuramazda - a quatrain called the Firesign."

"I feel like we've been here for days."

"Or it could be minutes, or maybe even years..."

"That's one of the things I used to love about this realm."

"You will again." Mystique reassured her. They passed thru many more strange worlds; Bosch's Garden of Early Delights; a sea of lava; even a crop of floating decapitated fluffy pink bunny heads; this Alice in Wonderland on a bad acid trip was wearing thin - then hEire saw what they were looking for. The firesign wasn't a burning, blazing bush, it was a rather simple thing. Mystique picked up the matchbook, opened it carefully and removed the single match within. She struck the match and all around them lit up in a white blaze.

When the flash died down they found themselves in a cave. Random glyphs decorated the gray stone walls all around them. The match was still alight in Mystique's hand. She lit a torch positioned in the wall. The room was illuminated in a golden hue. Kneeling in the corner was something that made the women stop short an gaze in awe.

The angel stood, over 6' tall and olive skinned - his hair was black and fell long down his back. His wings contrasted his dark complexion - pure white and shimmering in divine light. The wings were wrapped around in front of him, as if protecting something. The angel turned and opened his wings fully. There, enwrapped in his embrace was Rogue. She ran from the angel into hEire's awaiting arms.

"You can touch me." she remarked, astonished.

"Of course, we aren't in the same reality, we aren't in these bodies, we just think we are...Rogue, we've come to send you home...Logan's waiting there for you." (ed. note: there is no spoon ;)

The angel smiled and waved goodbye, he then vanished without a trace.

"Rogue...do any of these symbols mean anything to you? Even a little familiar?" Rogue immediately scanned the interior of the cave, nothing spoke to her, she didn't understand any of the markings. Rogue was about to give up when hEire found the door that would send Rogue back to her life.

"There is it Rogue....that sign there, it's the Wiccan symbol for absorbing energies...it's your symbol. Touch it and follow the light, you will see your way out." Rogue stretched out her hand to touch the glyph, when the sudden awareness of a new presence hit them.

"Deynosh, deyveilosh....Anall nathra boothbey oonsten lau ootoohofwait!" chanted Daenoch. Rogue was gone, mercifully so, for Daenoch had sought them out, and now meant to destroy them.

Mystique, and to a lesser extent hEire, got their first real look at Daenoch. He stood over 7ft tall, his skin was entirely white and devoid of any hair; but it was his eyes that chilled them to the core. They were blacker than oil, even the white of his eyes were pitch, those eyes reflected nothing, they were infinite. The creature's earless, but humanly face was square jawed; his lips, fanged teeth and tongue were also black, and his voice was that of a thousand ages of destruction and desolation. His words were deeps and resonating, pulsing through every molecule like a virus. His hand and fingers were long, but his black finger nails were short and dull. Here wore a breast plate that seemed to have been made out of the scales of a black sea snake and a loose white robe was wrapped around his waist and trailed down to the floor, but revealed his pair of 9-toed feet.

The cave had disappeared, and hEire and Mystique now found themselves at the steps of the Auren Chamber. The Auren Chamber was as any scholar would have imagined. Innumerable levels, doors, windows, and great halls were scattered over the massive edifice. It stretched to the high heavens, supported by leagues of butresses with platforms and spires intertwining out into every direction. It was a spiritual prison for chaotic demons and lost souls - a veritable Gormenghast.

Daenoch was in control now, he had them on his terms, in his realm on the astral plain.

"Millions of my brothers are stowed away in there, germinating eon after eon, waiting for release, watching you and your fellow pathetic life forms. Your one, tiny blue and green sphere has such a rich harvest of souls for me to reap. Billions of ripe spirits all succulent and vulnerable....and you seek to alter me? Seek to put me asunder? Who are you to defeat a GOD?" Daenoch preached to the entire realm, the clatttering of raging demons in the hold was tangibly rising up around the two women.

"We are the eyes of truth, Daenoch," began Mystique,"If you understand or if you don't. If you believe or if you doubt. There is a universal justice. And the eyes of truth....are always watching you."

"I have closed those eyes, Child of Ahuramazda. Nay, I blinded them...the burning spear of the wrath of Ahriman pierced the tenuous flesh of the eyes."

"You talk verbal insecticide, Daenoch....stop talking to us and fight...you're going back in that jail." interjected hEire, feeling a little of Logan's influence rise up in her - get on with the fight, instead of talking about it. She knew that her claws didn't really exist in this realm, but the power of her mind made them reality. With a deafening *snikt* of unsheathed metal, hEire was ready for blood.

Chapter 9

"Jean...get Rogue out of here now...thru the back." ordered Logan

"Logan?" Jean began.

"NOW!!" he shouted. Jean didn't argue, she supported Rogue as they rushed out the rear of the lab. It was here, he knew it, it was looking for hEire and Mystique - looking to cut that invisible string that connected their souls to their bodies.

Logan shut his eyes as a pain fired from behind them. He opened them soon enough, but found himself face to face with a real live demon. Logan stumbled back for a split second but quickly came to his senses. His rage was full on and he raised his arms, ready to let loose his claws.

Then, nothing......

No claws, they simply weren't there anymore.

"What the fuck!?!," he spat out. The force of Daenoch grapped Logan by the scruff of his shirt and flung him against the wall. A sudden realization came to Logan. His back was broken. His arms and legs were shattered too; there was no more adamantium, he was going to die. Logan could do nothing as Daenoch drew out a long bladed Katana. In one foul swoop, he decapitated Mystique. Daenoch stopped and turned back to lock eyes with Logan. Daenoch smiled as his long black tongue snaked out from between his lips to lick hEire's face. He wielded the sword again, she was dead. Logan tasted blood in his mouth, he couldn't draw breath in anymore, it faded to black.

Chapter 10

Xavier's School was in desolatioin. The unconscious bodies of every single one of his children lay strewn out like on a war field. Xavier had held out to the last, his will was formidible, but no match for the demon. He watched as Scott couldn't even unleash one blast from his eyes before Daenoch put him down. They all fell, devoured by The Soul Eater.

***

hEire lashed out across Daenoch's torso, his breast plate fell and black ooze seeped out of the wounds. They healed as her own wounds could heal. Mystique joined in, throttling the demon with all she had. Daenoch would be wounded, by he would resurrect himself time after time. It became apparant that this technique was useless. The key was their only hope now. But they had not found the key, both hEire and Mystique were unable to recognize it in their travels. Daenoch was winning, he lorded over them now, in control of the mortals.

"In the name of the damned, the rage of the angels left silent and cold...I will have you now,"spoke Daenoch, bowing before the defeated women.

"Ahuramazda does not abandon his champions, Daenoch...you know this by now, no?" spoke the angel. He had returned to help them; he landed effortlessly, coming up behind Daenoch.

"There's the key, hEire." whispered Mystique.

"Daenoch...there will be no more from you now," the angel spoke softly, a holy reverence in his dulcid voice,"I am the word, I am the strength, I am the hand of Ahuramazda. Ahriman has abandoned you, you will re-enter the Auren Chamber." the angel flew up into the air and flipped over to land in between hEire and Mystique. The three of them now, combined, could send him back into the Auren Chamber. By sheer will of mind alone, they pushed Daenoch back. However once in the door, Daenoch seemed to be quickened, they could not push him in all the way in.

"I have one soul left," he spoke and revealed the small being of light. Instinctively, hEire knew who's soul Daenoch was in possession of. If she could have she would have given her own for that one...but she could not, the two were inseparable, he could not exist without her. The angel walked forward, looking back quickly at hEire, he smiled and bowed his head. The angel flung himself upon Daenoch, the tiny soul was released, and the door to the Auren chamber shut, with Daenoch imprisoned once again. The angel had sacrificed himself, his fate was sealed in with Daenoch's.

Chapter 11

Logan shut his eyes as a pain fired from behind them. He opened them soon enough, but found himself face to face with a real live demon. Logan stumbled back for a split second but quickly came to his silence. His rage was full on and he raised his arms, ready to let loose his claws.

The distinct *SNIKT* of his claws tearing thru the flesh of his hands was sweet music to Logan's ears. It had been a dream, Logan had touched a side of Daenoch's powerful evil. But Daenoch couldn't control him. High berserker rage kept his soul full of fire and not easily controlled by the demon.

But this was real, and now Daenoch would be getting the harshest bad ass thrashing of the millenium. Logan tore through Daenoch like a hot knife through butter. Daenoch could heal himself easily, but Logan didn't relent, not for a second. Soon enough Logan was drenched with sweat and washed in demon blood. Just as Logan realized that this wasn't getting him anywhere, something twitched in his nostrils, something was coming over hEire, she was suddenly different. With one final, last ditched effort of a stroke Logan sliced the demon's head clean off. He was dead. Logan kicked the demon's body and it vaporized. He went to the head to do the same.

Daenoch's eyes, the black limpid eyes, opened and he began to speak;

"The sun will rise again. The earth will turn to sand. Creation's colours seem to fade to gray. And YOU will see the sickly hands of time, will write your final rhyme. And end a memory....."

"Ah, shut the fuck up," snarled Logan, as he sent his claws thru the thing's skull - it too vapourized.

Chapter 12

hEire blinked open her eyes, Logan, though battered and hurt, was alive and smiling down on her. He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead, caressing her cheek.

“He’s still alive....” hEire whispered.

“No, don’t worry, the sonovabitch is dead, make no mistake.”

“No, Logan...” spoke hEire softly, she took his hand and moved it to her midsection. Logan didn’t understand at first, but when it dawned on him, and he simply melted down into hEire, enfolded her into his embrace. He was racked sobs of joy and relief.

Logan realized that he infact knew their moment of conception - back in the moment before he killed Daenoch, hEire’s physiology, her scent changed. Logan composed himself quickly, they would share their exhilaration later. She had regained her strength and managed to sit up. Mystique was already on her feet, she walked over to hEire and squeezed her hand, kissed her cheek, and left.

“What about Rogue?” inquired hEire.

“She’s fine...she and Jean got past the thing and out. She’s around here somewhere.”

“Thank heavens.”

“No...I think it’s you we have to thank....and the blue girl.” commented Logan, as he helped hEire onto her feet.

“I know your dealings with her in the past have not made her one of your favourite people, but I assure you she’s a good soul at heart...she’s just on a different side than us in one issue. Don’t judge her too harshly...we never would have survived without her.”

“Right now all I care about is getting out of here into the fresh air.”

“Yes please. I’m feeling more than clausterphobic.” hEire said as she made for the door,”Logan, are you really happy?....about...”

“That we’re having a son?”

“Yes...”

“hEire, this is the first thing in over 15 years that I know is really mine - no secret government, not Indemnium, and defintely no demon can do a thing about it. God knows how many years before then I lost ...all I know is...you’ve saved my life, and will give me something that I know in my blood no one can take away.”

“He’ll be like you, very strong, very honest...and probably a little wild.”

“Nah...he’ll get your temperance, your free spirit.”

“He’ll be shaving when he’s 10.” laughed hEire. Logan hugged her tight again as they entered the elevator to take them up into the house. He kissed her neck and drank in her newly enhanced scent, she was intoxicating and more beautiful than ever now that she carried his son.

“I guess I’ll give up cigars...” he offered.

“Just when you’re around us........ugh, no more Molsen’s for a while.”

“You’ll survive.”

The elevator opened, what may have been a horrible sight was quickly tempered by stirs of consciousness. When Daenoch was exterminated in both realms, the souls he’d reaped were instantly released. The students who’s limp bodies cluttered the halls of the school were waking, Rogue and Jean were there helping them to their feet. Rogue was occupied telling her closest friends, Jubilee and Kitty of her whole ordeal on the other side. hEire and Logan joined in, soon enough most everyone was restored.

The other X-MEN too had regained consciousness, Scott helped the Professor back into his chair; Storm rushed to quickly check on the students still unaccounted for. Scott was more than relieved that Logan and hEire had come thru unscathed. As he hugged hEire, Logan leaned in and asked; “How do you feel about becoming a Godfather?”

Chapter 13

Only a day had passed since the strife against the demon. hEire and Logan were still in bed, they’d made love over and over again all day long, and the night was looking ever more promising. The change between them was palpable in the air. If two people could ever become more devoted and more connected it was certainly them. Logan’s life finally had purpose, he finally had a real family, it was amazing to him - he could barely believe it. He looked on the sleeping woman next to him. Every curve of her supple and naked flesh was alive to him, how such a beautiful vessel could hold an even more beautiful soul was amazing to him. She fed his every need with abundance; his body, mind and above all, his soul. He prayed he could keep his woman and son safe, protect them from all future evils, he would never fail them, he swore to it.

Whenever they joined with hEire he felt such ecstacy, when they talked he felt such peace, and when he looked on her ssleeping body now, his heart swelled with something so rich and holy, that words escaped him.

An epiphany came to him then; the rage, the silent uncontrollable anger the dwelled inside him had gone to sleep. It would never quite leave him, he'd never lose his edge, or back down in a fight and he knew the rage could come back under the right circumstances; but under the shield of their promising future he was calm inside - for the first time he could remember.

The End