Through the portal’s magic, Turoth was able to cross the span of Existence with ease. Within that field of white, he could almost feel the universe moving in its great and graceful motions. Looking ahead, he could see several dozen of his peers waiting for him. Behind them, he was able to make out the marble shelves housing the thousands of books in the circular room.

With a final step, he was back in the library on his home world. The other Spirits fell upon Turoth with a flurry of questions. Everyone talking at once made it impossible for the returning mage to understand any one individual.

"Just hold on!" He held up his hands in hopes of signaling some form of silence amongst the others. "One at a time, please!"

The commotion reluctantly abated, and only a few mutterings between members of the audience could be heard.

The room in which Turoth and the other Spirits stood was one of the main studies. The floor and walls were all constructed of marble. Bookshelves carved into the walls extended so high that the long, wheeled ladders lining them were often employed. A domed ceiling rose sixty feet over the wizards’ heads.

All of the Spirits had gathered into this large room of the library, over thirty of them in all. It was a good thing that somebody had decided to keep the lower mages out. The added hundreds never would have been able to fit within the study all at once.

"Was it Earth?" One man in brown robes asked. This one had obviously taken up the new fad of wearing the hood of his robes pulled low over his face.

"It was." Turoth replied. "Somewhere in the United States, I think."

"I demand to know what happened." A woman stepped forward with the statement. Her skin was pale as cream, which was an interesting compliment to her straight auburn hair. Her cobalt eyes were bright and full of inner strength.

Faira, Turoth thought to himself. Always the first to take the initiative.

"It seems that someone on Earth has found Arkin’s spell book and learned how to use it." Turoth said.

"Impossible!" Faira responded in disbelief. "No one on Earth is supposed to be able to use magic."

"As of the last few years," Turoth narrowed his gray eyes at Faira. "We should be willing to accept just about anything as possible."

Turoth went into an account of what he came across on Earth. The other Spirits listened to it all as he told them of Earth’s situation.

"You should have waited for us to properly gather." Faira challenged. "You could have ended up like Arkin jumping through like you did."

When the portal had appeared in the study, it was early in the morning, well before dawn on Neddel. Turoth was something of an early riser, so he began his work long before many of the others were even awake.

For the past four years, that work had remained the same. To find a way to counter the spell effecting the Realms. Those four years had resulted in only failure, to the grief of all who resided in the library.

The enchanted gateway coming into existence was the first thing resembling hope Turoth had seen in a long time, and he had no intention of letting that hope escape.

Only two other Spirits were around to hear Turoth’s instructions to wake the others before he went through.

"There didn’t appear to be time to wait." Said Turoth. "The portal simply materialized, then it started shrinking before it began to complete itself again. I didn’t think it would stay in place as the first one did, so I felt it necessary to go through."

Faira grumbled something Turoth could not quite make out, but it seemed to be something along the lines of grandstanding and showboating. Let Faira think what she wanted, Turoth decided. There were more important things to think about.

"The majority of Earth’s people are in complete ignorance to the spell. Just like our world." Turoth continued. "I had a hard enough time just convincing the two I had contact with."

"Then we have to get back to Earth." Came a voice from the back.

The younger Spirits made way for a stooped figure that Turoth recognized as Hirret. The past several years had not been kind to the elderly wizard. Turoth estimated that the next several would probably be the aging mage’s final ones. Already, he could not go anywhere without his staff that he used for support. The length of wood with its mounted crescent moon of cast iron at the top made dull thuds, which were accompanied by the shuffling of the old man’s robes. His face was a labyrinth of wrinkles, making him look far older than a man in his mid seventies. Hirret was half-blind and interacted with others mainly by sound. Time, however, had not slowed the old mage’s mind.

"Not an option, I’m afraid." Turoth said sadly. "When I suggested it to the two on Earth, they scoffed at the idea, and I can understand why. From what Arkin’s expedition reported when they went there the first time and what I learned just minutes ago, we wouldn’t last very long on Earth. The whole government is responsible for the Realms’ condition."

"We have our magic." Someone called out.

The youth that Turoth detected in that voice suggested that it might have been one of the uninitiated mages who had managed sneak in. It seemed that word of what was going on would be all over the library by noon. Maybe some of the surrounding villages would get wind of it in a week or so if anyone there would actually be willing to listen. Most other humans laughed at the idea of worlds other than Neddel occupying Existence.

"We have our magic." Turoth repeated the comment. "But how many people here have actually used it in a fight?"

Not a single person raised a hand or spoke a word.

"For that matter, who here has any experience with combative magic?"

Turoth saw less than half a dozen hands go up reluctantly.

Magic designed to be used in battle had resulted in wizards loosing much popularity with the mundane humans. Also, such enchantments were often looked down upon by the Spirits. Few people truly understood spells and that bred the fear that had made so many mages outcasts among races like humans and orcs.

At least mages are common enough with the elves that they’re accepted. Turoth mused.

"My point is proven." Turoth announced to the others. "We simply aren’t prepared to go to Earth to deal with this."

"Then what do you suggest?" Faira challenged.

"What I have to suggest is not something many of you will be happy to hear, I’m afraid." Said Turoth. "I’d been mulling over it for the last month, and after learning about Earth’s current situation, I came to a decision."

"Don’t leave us in the dark, Turoth." Hirret leaned further on his staff. "We need options."

"I believe," Turoth took a deep breath to steady himself for what he was about to say. "That we should cast the Spell of the Shadows."

The entire study exploded into shouts. Most of the outrage was directed at Turoth, but a few of the Spirits leapt to his defense.

Over the din of yelling, Faira called out to Turoth.

"Have you taken leave of your senses?!" She shouted. "You know what that spell will do to us."

"I think it’s a small price to pay considering the alternative!" Turoth yelled back.

That statement started to quell the arguments. An uneasy silence settled amongst the arch-mages.

The Spell of the Shadows was almost feared by the Spirits. It was the crowning achievement of human wizards and perhaps their greatest bane. Virtually all spell casting was known to drain a wizard. But the Spell of the Shadows required its casters to permanently give up a portion of their energy, weakening themselves in such a way that they could never regain their full power. However, every Spirit knew the spell. Such knowledge was one of the gifts that went with the rank.

"The Spell of the Shadows has rarely been used," Faira continued to argue. "And even then it was for extreme emergencies."

"I’d say we’re far past that point already." Hirret said.

"You’re siding with him?"

"Please let me know if you have a better idea." Hirret commented. "Personally, I don’t think we can spare another four years to keep coming up with nothing."

Faira’s brows knitted together as she tried to come up with an argument that she could back up. Her hands curled into fists and started to visibly shake for a moment. With a growl of aggression, she turned her back on the two other mages. Faira quickly regained her composure and stood up straight, keeping her back to Hirret and Turoth.

"You know that you’re not making this very easy." She said in measured voice.

"My dear lady," Turoth said. "You know it can’t be any other way."

"Let the others decide that for themselves then, if you’re so confident in your idea."

Turoth turned from Faira to address the other Spirits.

"What of it, then?" He raised his voice to be heard by all in the room. "We all know what this will result for us. But what will the result be if we deny ourselves and the rest of Existence an opportunity for salvation."

"You have me on your side." Hirret called.

"I agree with my teacher." A woman about half Hirret’s age stepped forward. "You will have my support in casting the spell, Turoth."

And then two others spoke up to voice their allegiance to Turoth. And then four more mages made their decision to help with the Spell of the Shadows. Before long, almost everyone in the study was standing with him. A circle of over thirty Spirits tightened around Turoth and Hirret who stood together with Faira positioned across from the two.

"I understand how you’re feeling, Faira." Turoth said. "Believe me, I do."

"Do you?" Faira challenged. "And do you think that this can really work?"

"I don’t know whether it will work, but this could be our last chance. I have faith, and sometimes it’s all that available to us."

"And you expect me to have this faith?"

"No, I don’t expect you to have it." Turoth said quietly. "But maybe you can try to find it. Like you once had faith in me."

Faira leaned back against one of the table, lost in thought for a moment that seemed like an eternity.

"I’ll take part." Faira pushed off from the table as she spoke those words. "Who do you plan to be the subjects?"

"I hadn’t made plans on that until meeting the two on Earth."

"Them?" Faira asked, not sure whether Turoth had gone back to his usual jesting. Even Hirret looked a little rattled at the suggestion.

"We need someone who’s familiar with Earth."

"But why not someone from the expedition?" Faira suggested. "They’ve all had experience there."

"Who knows how much has changed in the past years? It has to be someone who has knowledge of the protocol there. And do we really have time to search Earth for the best candidates?"

"It will take time to properly prepare the spell." Hirret said. "Hours at least, just to memorize the incantation and begin the opening rituals."

"I told them to open another portal in a day." Turoth stated. "When they do, it would probably be best if I go through and explain what we plan."

"Do you think they’ll go along with this?" Hirret ventured. "Would they be willing to give what we would be asking of them?"

"One of them is determined." Answered Turoth. "He’d be more likely to go along with the spell, but the other man may take some convincing. Maybe once I manage to get them to come here, they’ll be more willing."

"Don’t you mean ‘if’ you manage to get them to come here?" Faira inquired.

"Right now," Said Turoth flatly. "Failure is not an option."

* * *

Dave stood beside his desk, looking down at the spell book. A day had passed and it was nearly the appointed time to open the portal.

Rob stood with his arms crossed as he leaned casually against one of the bookshelves lining the walls.

It would be so easy to simply walk away from the book, Dave thought. Just tell Rob that he had changed his mind at the last minute and decided to go back to a normal life. Maybe go see a movie to chase the images of the portal and the emerging wizard from his memory.

But deep down, Dave knew that the Spirit from the night before had been honest with him. Something about Turoth’s eyes or the way he talked seemed desperate, despite his cool demeanor; too desperate to lie.

After all, Turoth had placed enough trust in Dave to leave the book with him instead of claiming it as his own. Trust like that was a rare thing in these times. Gestures like that used to mean something. Maybe they still did. About the only person that Dave could say he trusted was Rob, someone who had stood by Dave’s side through it all instead of going his own separate way long ago.

The faith Turoth had shown was symbolized in that spell book sitting on the desk, and it made Dave ask whether he could show that same faith to the Spirit.

"You ready for this?" He asked Rob.

"Just be glad that I didn’t have any plans for tonight." The large man said.

Despite Rob’s seemingly relaxed stance, Dave could detect the apprehension in his friend’s voice.

"Okay, then." Dave sighed as he took his seat before the book. "Here we go."

As before, he read the incantation. The air was warped as the portal was cast open as it had been the previous night. The shimmering mist coalesced to form the enchanted window leading to another world.

Rob and Dave remained where they were positioned as they waited for Turoth who they could already see coming across from Neddel.

"So what happened?" Asked Rob, watching the Spirit come out of the portal.

"They didn’t take it well." Turoth said. The portal closed in its expect flash of light. "But they did take it."

"So what now?" Dave stood up from the desk as he spoke.

"For one thing," Turoth answered. "Robert--."

"Just Rob." The well-muscled fellow interrupted.

"Fine. Rob is probably right about the Spirits coming to Earth. We all agree that idea was out of the question."

"You make it sound like the Spirits have another plan." Dave noted.

"We do." Turoth sighed. "Though it wasn’t one that the others were quite ready to accept."

"Sounds great." Rob threw in sarcastically.

"Mind your hole, Bobby." Dave muttered to his friend and then directed his attention to Turoth. "What do you have in mind?"

"We have a spell." The archmage began. "It changes people, makes them more than human."

"So, what are you talkin’ about?" Questioned Rob. "You plan on raisin’ some kind of super army?"

"It’s not that easy, I’m afraid. This spell severely drains everyone involved in the casting. The few records of its actual use are hundreds of years old. We might be able to cast it on two people at most. I was able to convince the other Spirits that those two should be people familiar with Earth’s situation from first hand experience."

Rob and Dave looked at each other and caught on to what Turoth was suggesting.

"No." Rob said flatly. "I believe you about what the WMC’s got planned, honestly. But you’ll have to find someone else."

"I’m sorry." Dave added. "But Rob’s right. I’d like to send the Committee down in flames myself, but we’re talking about people who don’t mess around. They don’t care who stand in their way. I know that. And they don’t hesitate to kill people who fall out of line."

"In a matter of months, it won’t mean a thing." Turoth debated. "Yes, I’m asking a great deal from you, perhaps more than I have the right to ask of anyone. It’s something that would put your very lives at risk. But this goes beyond anything Existence has ever encountered. Our backs are against the wall, as the saying goes."

As he spoke, Turoth’s entire expression appeared almost to crumble before the eyes of the other two. It left the wizard looking like a very sad and tired man about ten years older than he really should have been.

"The Spirits, every last one of us, have been searching for four years to put a stop to the spell on the realms. Four years, and this is only option we have left.

"We can’t search Earth for two others. We wouldn’t even know where to start with how things have changed here. You’re the only two who can do this. I’m begging you… Please."

The tone of the wizard’s voice set something off in Dave. It had that note of fear suddenly turned to despair. Dave became familiar with that kind of anguish the afternoon he found himself running to his family’s house for the last time.

He took a deep breath in through his nose and let it out through his mouth. His next words would require all his effort.

"You talked about a spell to cast on people," Dave said. "How would it help?"

Rob’s hand shot and latched onto Dave’s shoulder.

"You’re not serious?!" Rob exclaimed. The weight of Rob’s thick arm might have been frightening under different circumstances.

"I’m only volunteering myself." Dave locked his eyes onto Rob’s. "What you choose is your decision."

"That’s not what I’m talkin’ about, damn it!" Rob let his irritation show with his voice. "You know this isn’t a fight you can win."

"Better to try and lose than sit back and forfeit." Dave countered. "Besides, I’ve got some atoning to do."

"You can’t keep blaming yourself for that."

"And what about your family? Your parents, your sisters, your little brother? If you lost them, how would you act in this situation?"

All the while this was going on, Turoth stood off to the side as a passive observer of Rob and Dave’s exchange.

"I’d…" Rob trailed off, not quite knowing how to respond to Dave’s question.

"Look," Dave brought his temper under control. "I’m not asking you come along on this. In fact, I’d prefer that you didn’t. I’ve pulled you into enough crap already. But I know where I’m going to stand on this."

Rob looked about ready to say something else, use something to try to change Dave’s mind, but Dave spoke out before Rob was given the chance.

"Turoth, the spell?"

"It’s called the Spell of the Shadows." The arch-mage said. "You’d have to come to Neddel first for the casting."

"And what would happen after that? What would the spell do to me?"

"It would let you change into what’s called a ‘shadowed form’. A shadowed form evolves with the person. Aspects of that person’s personality determine how the form will evolve and what kinds of power come with it."

"What about the casting?"

"Every Spirit is required to know the spell, but the rituals that go with it are time consuming. We’ve been spending the past day making the final preparations for the actual casting."

"And how would I get back?"

"If I were to use a component spell combined with that of the portal, all I’d need would be for you to concentrate on this place."

"Sounds simple."

Dave turned back to the desk only to find that Rob was blocking his way. No words were exchanged between the two, they merely stood there looking at each other. Dave turned out to be the one who broke away, shouldering past Rob to retrieve the spell book.

With book in hand, he went over to Turoth and gave the enchanted tome to the Spirit.

"You open the portal this time." Dave said. "I think I’m starting to get a little light-headed from casting."

"The drain of spell-craft always effects the unpracticed the worst." Turoth opened the book and found the proper page far more easily than Dave had ever been able to.

The wizard read the incantation as if he was fluent in the strange language, which was very likely considering his background.

A portal sprung open in the bedroom for the third time in a period of little more than twenty-four hours. Without another word, Turoth tucked the book under his arm and stood before the opening.

"Let’s go." Dave said, taking his first steps forward.

"Yeah, we’d better haul ass." Rob added. He walked up to stand between Dave and Turoth.

"Rob." Dave started to say.

"We’ve know each other for what now?" Asked the big fellow, casting a glance to the glowing gateway.

"I’d say about twenty years." Dave said.

"And you think I’d let you go on a trip like this without me?" Rob chuckled. "I’m goin’, even if it is just to follow one of my dumb-ass friends."

Dave was at a loss for words then. Unsure of whether to thank his companion or order him to stay put where he stood. All he could manage was a grateful nod to his best friend.

Rob took the gratitude with a smile.

"If we’re all ready then." Turoth said. He then stepped into the magical window, with Dave then Rob close behind.

Once the last of the three had stepped in, the portal vanished.

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